Ye Ziling was holding a spoon, scooping a spoonful of sugar water, and was about to bring it to her lips when a gust of wind blew, and a mysterious shadow appeared before her in the blink of an eye.
"I let you have your way for so long, yet you're here watching the mortal world?" Ling Xi seized the opportunity, snatched the bamboo bowl from her hand, and tilted his head back, taking several gulps.
His posture was casual, and every move exuded an air of noble grace.
The man gazed at him, his peach blossom eyes deep and profound, filled with amusement.
Ye Ziling was stunned for a moment, almost choking, and quickly swallowed a mouthful of saliva, "You deliberately let me win?"
For Ye Ziling, she either competed with those of superior strength or not at all. If he deliberately let her win, what was the point of competing?
"Your concern is a bit excessive, Scholar Ling," Ye Ziling closed her eyes and sighed softly, speaking with a faint tone, "In your eyes, am I that fragile?"
She was certainly not one of those delicate young ladies who couldn't care for herself.
Ye Ziling got up, walked closer to him, and laughed heartily, "As the old saying goes, whoever gets the Firefly Grass first wins."
After speaking, the white shadow before her instantly vanished from his sight with a few steps.
Ling Xi was startled. Staring at the receding figure, the corners of his lips twitched, and his eyes were full of laughter.
A moment later, he followed closely.
Their skills were evenly matched, but as they passed Hua Man Lou, Ling Xi encountered a small accident.
A group of women, dressed in flamboyant attire, blocked his path, pushing and shoving around him, trying to coax him upstairs.
Ling Xi initially intended to ignore them, but there were too many, surrounding him so tightly that he had no room to maneuver.
A familiar madam squeezed into the crowd, daintily holding a peony-patterned handkerchief, smiling ingratiatingly.
"You're the dashing young gentleman who patronized Hua Man Lou last time and requested Miss Liu Meng, aren't you?"
"We still remember you!"
"You praised Miss Liu Meng as being as beautiful as a celestial being last time, and even declared that you would only request her when you visited Hua Man Lou. I remember it all very clearly!"
"Miss Liu Meng has gone missing this time, but we have many others here who are even more beautiful. Won't you take a look?"
A group of women, adorned in vibrant colors, danced provocatively, swarming him like they had found a prize. They blocked his way while batting their eyelashes, their eyes brimming with amorous glances.
"Young master, please..."
"If one isn't enough, we sisters can serve you together, guaranteeing your satisfaction..."
...
The strong scent of perfume filled his nostrils, and his handsome face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot.
"Get out of the way." Ling Xi said coldly, a chilling aura rising in his narrow phoenix eyes, his face clearly expressing his resistance.
The women were startled by his sternness and retreated a few steps. However, seeing his handsome face, they still reluctantly leaned in, "Young master, don't be so fierce..."
"There are so many types of girls here, none of them captivate you?"
...
Ye Ziling sat leisurely on the railing upstairs, watching the good show unfolding below. She curled her lips, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.
Seeing the usually arrogant Ling Xi being surrounded by a group of women, she felt a strange sense of anticipation.
Normally, when killing demons, his swordsmanship was so fierce, and when he struck, his gaze never wavered. Now, facing a group of women, his helpless expression, unable to act or leave, was something she had truly never witnessed.
How curious.
Ye Ziling suddenly thought of something. Looking at Ling Xi, who was cornered by the crowd, her smile instantly froze.
Wait—
What?
Miss Liu Meng? He had requested that bewitching creature before? And praised her as celestial?
Ling Xi looked up and immediately saw Ye Ziling sitting leisurely on the railing, her skirt hem fluttering, revealing half of her fair and slender calf.
The coldness in her eyes gradually dissipated, and she lifted the corners of her mouth, wearing an expression of someone watching a play.
Enjoying the show and not caring about the trouble?
Ling Xi raised an eyebrow and beckoned to her with his finger, his expression conveying impatience, "Had enough watching?"
"Come down and help me."
Ye Ziling raised her eyebrows, her smile blooming like a flower. She gracefully leaped down, still juggling a heavy bag of silver coins in her hand.
Her steps were unhurried, her peerless face adorned with a smile, like a blossoming epiphyllum.
The women, seeing a woman gracefully approaching, were instantly stunned, their gestures of pushing and shoving halting as a flicker of astonishment crossed their eyes.
"My young master says that whoever serves the ladies best today will receive a generous reward!"
Ye Ziling tossed the money bag into the madam's hand, a sly glimmer in her eyes, and turned to leave.
Ling Xi's initially upturned lips suddenly pursed tightly. Staring at her receding back, he was instantly dumbfounded.
What was this...?
Abandoning him here to win?
At the same time, the women were also stunned. They thought she was a suitable match, but it turned out she was just a maid!
Even a maid was so beautiful. How rich must this young master be? If they could get their hands on him, wouldn't he be a money tree?
Soon, the women began pushing towards the man before them again, the atmosphere instantly becoming boisterous.
"Young master... please, let's go upstairs for a drink."
"Young master, it's windy here. Come, join us sisters upstairs for a few drinks."
...
Ling Xi laughed angrily but was helpless, being pushed upstairs by a group of women.
Ye Ziling's expression was cool and clear as she walked along the street without any pressure, heading towards the direction of Bixi Mountain.
So he liked to wander around brothels, did he?
Let him enjoy it to his heart's content!
Ye Ziling knew that with Ling Xi's skill, at most, he would only get a headache from the perfume and suffer a bit. She didn't need to worry.
As she was calmly crossing the street, a kind old man, panting, caught up to her, blocking her path. He anxiously asked, "Miss, was that gentleman just now your young master?"
Seeing her stop, the old man wiped the sweat from his brow and gasped for breath.
Ye Ziling stopped and looked at the elderly middle-aged man before her, frowning and asking, "Old sir, what happened?"
The old man continuously patted his chest and, after a long sigh, said, "The women in Hua Man Lou were all devoured by spider demons a few days ago!"
"I personally helped carry their bodies. These few demons have likely transformed into their likeness and are causing trouble in the building. The dignitaries who entered the building to drink during this period have vanished without a trace. I fear they have long since met their demise..."
After speaking, the old man shook his head with a look of compassion.
"...What?" Ye Ziling's face turned ashen. Without further explanation, she turned and hurried back.
It's over, this has gone too far!
Rumor had it that these spider demons often drugged people. She didn't know if Ling Xi could handle it. What if he really lost his virginity!
Ye Ziling rushed towards Hua Man Lou. By this time, there were very few people at the entrance. The cold wind blew, creating a desolate and lonely scene.
Clutching her silver sword, she quickly entered the main hall but was blocked by several giant spiders crawling towards her.
The dark, giant creatures spat white silk, their bristly arms and legs dangling untidily, their eyes flashing with green light from time to time.
Ye Ziling was not someone who was easily frightened. If they dared to block her way, they were seeking death.
"Speak, where did you take them?" Ye Ziling's gaze was dark, and she questioned coldly.