In just two days, it would be New Year. The occasional crackle of firecrackers on the street served as a reminder that the year's end was near. Heaven itself seemed to be playing along—snow had fallen, blanketing the capital in white. Oddly enough, the temperature had risen slightly, and once the snow passed, the streets turned into a muddy mess.
Riding down the main street in a jade-colored Daoist robe, Li Xun sat tall on horseback. Unlike the disheveled pedestrians, he looked spotless, not a trace of snow or mud dared cling to him. Even his horse remained pristine, a sight so strange that those riding with him couldn't help but stare.
"Could this be.... the Dust-Repelling Spell from Daoist magic?" someone muttered.
It was Liu Tai, the young marquis with decent instincts. Pairing the sight with the old legends, he actually guessed it right. A hint of awe and envy flickered across his face as he shook his head and sighed.
"People like us, mere mortals," he said, "can never match the divine powers of Daoist Li!"
The others glanced down at their own mud-splattered robes and silently agreed.
Li Xun offered a faint smile. This outing had been spontaneous; he'd simply wanted to get out of the city for some air. But on the way, he had "accidentally" bumped into this group of rich young heirs, who promptly invited him to join them.
By now, Li Xun had a thorough grasp of the capital's undercurrents. He knew that these young dandies, led by Liu Tai, weren't just privileged brats; they represented their powerful fathers, the top officials in the imperial court.
With the court in increasing disarray and rumors about Li Xun's identity swirling like wildfire, they inevitably began to lean toward Prince Fu's side.
Ironically, the one person likely still in the dark about all this was Emperor Longqing, secluded deep within the inner palace, immersed in cultivation. When comparing the two sides, it felt like the final outcome was already written. Even if the major events have yet to unfold.
But Li Xun wasn't particularly interested in what these people were scheming. His mood had been quietly unsettled these past couple of days.
By all logic, he should've been basking in triumph. His major external enemies had been dealt with, and he'd been spending his days indulging in dual cultivation with Consort Qin and Gu Pin'er, his cultivation advancing rapidly. He should've felt like he was riding the winds of spring.
And yet for some unknown reason, his mind was filled with vague, tangled thoughts he couldn't sort out, causing him an inexplicable restlessness. That was what had prompted today's little detour, hoping to clear his mind.
He wouldn't mind if these spoiled young nobles were self-aware enough to stay out of his way. But if they crossed the line and spoiled his mood, he wouldn't hesitate to teach them a lesson they wouldn't forget.
This group was nearly the same lineup as the last time they'd gone to Guantao Slope, save for the missing Li Cong. They swaggered down the street grandly, drawing curious glances from passersby, but none of them seemed to care.
Suddenly, Liu Tai let out a surprised "Huh?" A curious expression crossed his face. "Daoist Li, speaking of the Dust-Repelling Technique… take a look at that carriage up ahead. Doesn't it remind you of the same thing?"
Li Xun lifted his gaze and spotted a green-canopied carriage approaching from the opposite direction. The black horse pulling it was strikingly majestic. And just as Liu Tai had said, not the slightest splash of mud or dirt marred either the carriage or the horse; they were immaculately clean.
Li Xun's brows drew together. Something about that carriage felt... odd. And strangely familiar. It wasn't until the carriage was about to pass by that he snapped back to full awareness.
How come there's no coachman on the carriage? How do the horses know the way?
He sharply pulled on the reins, turned sideways in his saddle, and when he looked again, another surprise struck him. I've seen this carriage before... isn't this the young girl...?
That day, she had leaned out of the carriage window. Her stunning beauty, childlike innocent charm, and keen interest in the Phoenix Feather Needle had all left a deep, lasting impression on him.
At the time, he'd been preoccupied and hadn't given it much thought. But now, seeing it again, the odd feeling became unmistakably clear.
Almost as if she could read his thoughts, the curtain of the already-passed carriage fluttered open. A familiar face peeked out, wearing a curious expression as she looked back. Perhaps she had seen something interesting, for the corners of her lips curled into a slight smile.
Lu Tai and the others all gasped in surprise, and though Li Xun's heart stirred too, it wasn't the girl's beauty that moved him, it was that smile, as if to say: We've met before, haven't we?
Li Xun smiled softly in return and gave a slight nod of greeting.
Seeing his gesture, the girl's bright eyes lit up. She playfully winked at him, then disappeared behind the curtain.
The carriage rolled on, but Li Xun didn't move. He just sat there, motionless on his horse.
Could she be from the Tongxuan Realm as well? The thought flashed through his mind. There was no proof, just a gut feeling. But once the idea took root, it hit with the force of a wave.
He inhaled deeply, alert now.
Just then, he noticed the carriage, which had already gone quite a distance, was now turning back. That black horse, almost too intelligent for a beast, gracefully circled around and began trotting toward them once more.
Li Xun and the others stared in stunned silence.
The carriage came to a stop right in front of them. The curtain lifted again, and the beautiful girl peeked out with a dazzling smile. "Gotcha!"
Before Li Xun could react, there was a flash of movement. That petite, lithe figure leapt straight into his arms, her scent blooming into the air.
Before Xun could fully grasp what was happening, a shadow flickered before him, and a delicate, petite figure suddenly slipped into his arms, the sweet scent of her fragrance filling the air.
He was completely stunned, and right after that, he heard the girl call out crisply: "Hyah!"
His noble steed let out a sharp whinny, then, incredibly, started to canter, then gallop, picking up speed until they were flying down the street. No matter how Li Xun tried to rein it in, the horse wouldn't stop.
The girl in his arms laughed gleefully, and with every peal of laughter, the horse seemed to run even faster.
Li Xun noticed now: dressed in a lake-green blouse and skirt, she looked vibrant and full of life, lively and endearing. Yet despite the biting cold, she had no fur coat, no fox-fur hat, and showed not the slightest sign of discomfort from the cold. That alone was enough to confirm some of his suspicions.
"Faster, horsey! Before Aunt Qing changes her mind, let's get far away!"
She murmured a prayer, seemingly speaking to the horse. But no matter how Li Xun listened, it sounded as if she was speaking to him...
What truly puzzled him, however, was how she could be so bold, throwing herself into the arms of a man she'd only met once before, and even riding together on a single horse!
And on top of that... her body was truly remarkable!
Just as Li Xun opened his mouth to speak, a strand of the girl's hair, dancing in the wind, brushed lightly against the tip of his nose. He let out a muffled groan, quickly turned his head and sneezed.
Whatever he'd been about to say scattered to the wind with that sneeze.
In the daze that followed, he thought he heard the girl let out a soft laugh.
In what felt like mere moments, the horse had carried them all the way to the city gate. The guards, seeing it was the "Young National Preceptor," didn't dare stop them. Before long, the two riders and one horse were galloping across the snow-covered plains outside the city.
It wasn't until then that Li Xun finally gave a wry smile and asked, "So... where exactly are we going?"
The girl turned her head back with a dazzling smile. "Call me Wuyou!"
"Wuyou?" he repeated. Carefree? It really did suit her. Li Xun couldn't help but chuckle as he looked at her utterly untroubled expression.
Then he heard her say, "As for where to go... well, there isn't much fun left around here. There used to be a route, but that got wiped away too."
What the heck is going on? He frowned, feeling very strange. He considered himself somewhat capable, not a servant to be bossed around. So why was it that every time he crossed paths with this girl, he became so flustered and at a loss?
Huh? What was I about to ask just now?
His head was starting to ache from thinking, when Wuyou suddenly gave a light command. The horse obediently slowed to a stop.
Just as he was about to speak again, the girl nimbly dismounted, her movements smooth and silent. She looked back at him and beckoned with a finger. "Come on down. The horse is tired!"
Li Xun sighed and shook his head. He knew he couldn't refuse her demand. So he swung off the saddle, and as he landed, he'd already prepared a few lines in his mind. He smiled and said, "Wuyou, aren't you worried your elders will be anxious? Just running off with me like this?"
"Anxious? That I'd eat you?" she replied innocently, wide eyes filled with genuine curiosity. "I don't eat people. Aunt Qing says they're dirty…"
Something's gone very wrong with this girl's upbringing, Li Xun thought, forcing a dry chuckle. "That's... not what I meant. What if I'm the type who eats people?"
"Are you?" she blinked, intrigued. "I thought humans didn't eat their own kind…"
Li Xun was momentarily speechless.
Before he could gather a reply, Wuyou nodded sagely, as if his silence had confirmed something. "See? You wouldn't eat people! Even if you did, it's probably fine… just don't try it. Aunt Qing would get mad. And trust me, you don't want to see her angry."
Li Xun bent down with a bitter smile and sighed. "Wuyou, what I really meant was; we don't know each other. You don't even know what kind of person I am. Why would you follow me like this? And how did your Aunt Qing even agree to it?"
"Ohhh, that's what you meant!" Wuyou nodded in sudden understanding, then giggled. "Why not? Aunt Qing said she feels pretty safe letting me go with you. Said you're not particularly skilled, kind of cowardly, and terrified of my mother. So, really, going with you is probably the safest choice!"
"…Your mother?" A jolt went through Li Xun. He mentally flipped through every formidable woman he had ever met. A faint, chilling suspicion crept in, but he refused to believe it. His body went stiff as he forced out the question, "And your mother is…?"
"You've met her," Wuyou said matter-of-factly. "Not long ago, actually. She even mentioned you! Said my good-for-nothing dad managed to raise such a cowardly disciple…"
It felt like a bolt of lightning crashed directly onto Li Xun's skull.
He stood there frozen, the world around him suddenly warping, blurring. The smiling girl before him faded into a surreal haze. And in her place stood a vision of the supreme beauty who rode a thousand miles of crimson clouds and commanded the demonic flames of all three realms—the Heavenly Demon Phoenix!