Are There Only Demonesses Left in the Cultivation Realm?

"Sir, why did you save me back then?"

Back in the small courtyard where they were staying, Xia Lianxue asked in a soft voice.

It was a question that had weighed on her heart for days, and she had finally mustered the courage to ask it.

Lu Changyuan didn’t turn around, instead gesturing for her to follow.

The rocking chair that had been set out at noon was still in the yard. Lu Changyuan sat down in it and gazed up at the night sky.

The moon was full tonight, but unfortunately, it was obscured by dark clouds. The land was not bathed in its gentle light, making the night seem exceptionally dark.

An inexplicable unease settled over Xia Lianxue, but she couldn’t pinpoint its source.

This courtyard wasn’t safe. Outside, countless Cultivators roamed... No, nowhere in Upper Jade Capital was particularly safe right now. The commotion from the Cultivators and the mutinous soldiers mingled together, leaving the ordinary people of Upper Jade Capital to do nothing but huddle in their homes and pray.

Yet here the two of them were, in this unsafe place, waiting for the moon to appear.

Lu Changyuan said, "What’s making you so uneasy?"

"I’m not..."

"I can tell you are."

Xia Lianxue lowered her head, aggrieved. Her thoughts were a mess. ’Mortals really are prone to such turmoil,’ she couldn’t help but think. ’When I was the Miao Yu True Inheritor, I never had so many worries.’

’If only I still had my Cultivation.’

Lu Changyuan’s voice interrupted her thoughts. "You feel powerless, don’t you? Insecure. When the Third Princess suddenly appeared, when the Elixir emerged, you felt your life was in danger."

Xia Lianxue bit her lip, her hands clenched into fists. "No, it’s not..."

Lu Changyuan continued to watch the sky.

"Then what is it that’s bothering you?"

Silence spread between them.

An unknown amount of time passed until a loud shout erupted from outside the courtyard. "The Wind Fist Sect has snatched the Heavenly Repair Pill! After them!"

Xia Lianxue finally spoke.

"Sir, many people will die tonight. Especially... mortals might get caught in the crossfire."

A relaxed smile appeared on Lu Changyuan’s face, and seeing him smile, Xia Lianxue’s mood lightened as well. "Do you know what the most important thing in Cultivation is?"

Xia Lianxue stood beside him, her hands folded in front of her, looking unbelievably well-behaved.

"Perseverance?"

"Besides that?"

Xia Lianxue thought for a moment before saying dejectedly, "Please teach me, Sir."

Lu Changyuan narrowed his eyes. "To not forget that you are human."

"Sir, what do you mean?"

The young man in the rocking chair casually reached out. His hand gently brushed through the Fairy’s hair, then he took a strand to toy with in his fingers.

By all rights, this was an outrageous liberty, but Xia Lianxue didn’t feel offended. There was only a slight numbness in her chest.

"You ask why I saved you? Anyone who possesses a compassionate heart deserves to be saved."

A captivating blush bloomed on Xia Lianxue’s cheeks. She didn’t know why she wasn’t repulsed by Lu Changyuan’s actions. It felt as if he had toyed with her hair like this long, long ago. She stammered, "Is... is that really why?"

Lu Changyuan, thinking of the Drunken Red Simurgh, answered affirmatively. "That’s exactly why. Surely you didn’t think I had some ulterior motive? That I was after your pocket money? I simply admire your character."

"I didn’t... and I’m not worth it."

After all, besides her exceptionally beautiful appearance, she had nothing left.

"Don’t worry," Lu Changyuan said, as if remembering something, and couldn’t help but laugh. "I can’t speak for other times, but since people from the Qingcao Sword Sect are here, they won’t stand by and let Immortals harm mortals in their battle. That bunch from the Qingcao Sword Sect... they’re famous for being meddlers."

Xia Lianxue asked blankly, "What if mortals harm other mortals?"

"Then that’s none of their business."

Lu Changyuan stood up and gave the Fairy a gentle push. She lost her balance, her white dress fluttering like silk, and fell back into the rocking chair.

"Have you ever counted the stars?"

"No... Or maybe I have. I don’t remember."

"Start counting now. Count to two hundred forty-seven. When you’re done, I’ll tell you what we need to do to get the Heavenly Repair Pill."

Her attention completely captured by Lu Changyuan’s words, Xia Lianxue’s beautiful eyes rippled as she looked up at the sky.

~~~~~~~~~~

She couldn’t remember what number she had reached.

Xia Lianxue had fallen asleep. Despite the earth-shaking battle cries outside, she still fell asleep.

Lu Changyuan seemed to have expected this. He gently smoothed the crease between Xia Lianxue’s brows.

Then, Lu Changyuan opened his room’s door and looked at the screen painted with magpies welcoming spring.

"Come out."

"Were those words meant for Youwan to hear as well, Sir?"

A young woman glided out from behind the screen, her presence seeming to brighten the room.

Unlike on the boat, she was no longer wearing her Lotus Crown. Her silver-white hair was casually tied in a bun, secured with a simple wooden hairpin. The rest flowed softly down her delicate back. Even so, a few disobedient strands escaped, falling against her cheeks and lending her an air of charming innocence.

’So beautiful.’

’How can someone so beautiful exist in this world?’

"Why are you silent, Sir? Are you smitten by Youwan’s appearance?"

"Indeed I am."

Su Youwan nodded. "Should Youwan veil her face? To avoid distracting from our conversation?"

Her last sentence was devoid of any emotion, a simple, practical inquiry.

Lu Changyuan shook his head. "No need. What brings the Third Princess to my quarters so late at night? Surely you don’t lack a place to stay and need to lodge here."

"You’re asking me a question before you’ve answered mine, Sir?"

It seemed this nation-toppling Third Princess also disliked having a question answered with another question.

Lu Changyuan sighed. "I wasn’t speaking for your benefit. You were eavesdropping."

"Then Youwan was rude."

"You’re different from other Cultivators. Most of them don’t see mortals as people, but you don’t see Cultivators as people."

Su Youwan shook her head. "I do not wish to debate this matter with you, Sir. I came here for two things."

Lu Changyuan looked at the young woman, gesturing for her to continue.

"Before that, Youwan would like to ask you a question, Sir... are you betrothed?"

Lu Changyuan thought for a moment, then said lightly, "I was, but not anymore."

His previous engagement was from over a thousand years ago in game time. Back then, the Chang’an Daoist had not yet embarked on the Immortal Ascension Path. He had a fiancée, but the funny thing was, he could no longer remember her face or her name.

Perhaps it was just his imagination.

But Lu Changyuan thought he saw the young woman before him—the one in the Daoist robe who remained as still as an old well no matter what happened—smile. "Then we can proceed to the first matter. Sir, will you marry me?"

?

’Oh, right. That thing.’

’The noodle shop owner did say he’d give me his third daughter as a wife.’

’Well, well. She’s come calling.’

"If you agree, Sir, tonight can be our wedding night. Youwan can help you disrobe and prepare for bed. Whether Youwan becomes a wife for the first time or remains untouched, it is all up to your single Thought. However, once the matter of the Heavenly Repair Pill is concluded, Youwan must return to the Black Realm to serve my Master. If you are interested, Sir, you may also return with me."

’Wait, hold on a second.’

What kind of storms hadn’t Lu Changyuan weathered?

But this... this was a scene he had truly never encountered before.

’Xia Lianxue is still sleeping right outside the door!’