Chapter 175: The Malicious Love Obsession in Xianxia (37)

Chapter 175 The Toxic Love Obsession in Xianxia (37)

"Elder, when we led the team to the teahouse, there were five corpses inside, but no trace of the Holy Son was found."

"I've investigated—the magic formation in the teahouse was indeed the Holy Son's Great Five Elements True Art."

Standing at the center of the grand hall was an elderly man with snow-white hair.

He was skin and bones, and the exposed section of his arm looked just like a dried-up twig. His entire body's weight seemed to rest on the cane in his right hand, as if he could barely stand.

Yet, despite his frail appearance, nobody there would dare disrespect him.

This was none other than the Great Elder of the demonic realm, Bi Xiu, who had staged a coup during the chaos of Yangshan.

Bi Xiu's rebellion was quick and decisive.

In a lightning strike, Bi Xiu swiftly suppressed Si Yin's followers, executing all who supported the Holy Son—including two other elders...

Recalling the events of the Yangshan upheaval, the subordinate reporting to him kept his eyes glued to the floor, not daring to meet his gaze.

"So, you went and came back empty-handed," came a hoarse, feeble voice.

"Any witnesses?"

The kneeling subordinate hurriedly replied, "That day in the teahouse, there was a woman accompanying the Holy Son."

"According to reports, this woman is likely a puppet master, carrying a puppet with serious firepower."

From atop the high platform, Bi Xiu raised his eyes slightly. "Oh?"

"It seems our Holy Son has made new friends outside."

"Puppetry, you say?"

Bi Xiu pondered the newly delivered information, his expression darkening.

Soon, amidst the flurry of wanted posters, Tang Qing's name was added—along with her puppet, Da Mao.

In a secluded spot, Tang Qing and Si Yin huddled inside a cave.

Si Yin was clumsily roasting fish for Tang Qing, the fish burning.

"Tang Qing, doesn't this remind you of that cave back in the Cloud Ripple Sect?"

The familiar scene instantly rekindled Si Yin’s memories, making him uneasy. "Remember the first time we met? You were ready to pluck out my eyes..."

The iron cage and that bizarre Half-Chen Gutwrench Powder had given him quite the nightmare.

Tang Qing, dressed in green robes with black hair flowing, leaned calmly against a rock.

Meeting Si Yin’s familiar look, she spoke slowly, "The first time I saw you... I noticed your eyes... really stood out."

What good did that do him?

Si Yin knew damn well—the only reason his eyes were noteworthy was because they resembled Bai Mufeng’s...

"Tang Qing, Bai Mufeng practices the Heartless Way," he said bitterly.

Si Yin flipped his grilled fish over, casually remarking, "The Great Dao knows no mercy. Someone like him wouldn’t waste time on love."

Those likes and dislikes, the nine illusions—all of it just proved... pure delusion.

Si Yin's words inadvertently struck a nerve with Tang Qing. She silently wrapped her arms around herself, unwilling to speak further.

"Tang Qing, want a taste?"

Tang Qing, lost in thought, jumped slightly when Si Yin presented her with a blackened fish skewer.

The little devil scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "This is the (so-called) best-looking fish I've grilled today. Give it a try?"

Who would've thought? The precious Frost-Silver Needles he had specially forged—each worth a king’s ransom—were now being used to catch fish...

"No."

One look was all it took for Tang Qing to refuse.

Si Yin: "Why not?"

"Just try it..." he wheedled.

His first attempt at cooking was clearly more enthusiasm than skill.

And yet, cooking for Tang Qing gave him a weird little thrill...

It was this very feeling that drove him to grill like seven fish in a row before finally producing this least charred of the bunch.

"Taste it yourself and you'll know."

Tang Qing moved swiftly. Before Si Yin could react, the fish he had so carefully presented was rudely shoved into his own mouth.

First bite...

What the actual hell?!

How could fish taste this bitter?!

Tasted like straight-up ash!

He instinctively wanted to spit it out, but then Tang Qing's voice hissed in his ear, "You made it yourself. Is it good?"

He choked back the urge to spit.

As if to prove a point, Si Yin forced himself to choke down the ashy mess, gritting his teeth through every bite.

It was... next-level bad.

But he couldn't admit it!

Struggling to keep a straight face, he finally managed, "Totally... edible."

"Tang Qing, at this rate, my next one’ll be gourmet!"

As if.

Off to the side, Tang Qing rolled her eyes.

"How come I’m not 'Fairy' to you now?"

Ever since she fled the wedding, Tang Qing noticed that Si Yin had unconsciously changed how he referred to her.

Now, he always called her by her name directly...

The sudden question took Si Yin aback.

Why the change in address?

Si Yin didn’t want to admit it was because of those nine illusions—in them, Bai Mufeng had killed Tang Qing nine times to attain enlightenment. Si Yin could easily guess what had happened between them in those illusions.

Just thinking about it stirred up a simmering resentment in his heart.

The change in address had initially been a message meant for Bai Mufeng.

Later, he simply didn’t want to change it back...

Amidst his flustered fumbling, the Love Points, originally at 87, slowly rose and quickly reached 92.

A tidal wave of emotions was nearly overflowing, and even the system was on edge waiting for what Si Yin would say next...

(System) "Quick, quick, Tang Qing! The little devil seems like he’s about to confess to you!"

Unfortunately, Si Yin once again chickened out at the last moment.

All those pent-up words were buried deep...

A dazzling smile suddenly broke out on Si Yin’s face, masking his earlier discomfort. "It’s just a form of address."

"Given everything we’ve survived together, calling you ‘Fairy’ would be too formal..."

Tang Qing: "Oh."

"Si Yin."

The sudden change in address.

This was the first time the Little Pervert had clearly spoken his name. Just two syllables, yet they made Si Yin's whole body tremble...

"Why... why are you..."

The tips of his ears turned a telltale crimson, and the little devil’s speech became flustered again. "Calling me that all of a sudden..."

Unlike Si Yin’s unease, Tang Qing was composed, her gaze clear and completely guileless.

"Just like you—just changing how I address you."

"Si Yin..."

When she said his name again, the little devil blurted out, "What is it?"

"How long must we keep hiding in this cave?"

Pointing at their surroundings, Tang Qing spoke deliberately, "The mountains are blooming, the heavens boundless..."

Echoing Si Yin’s vow once more, she locked eyes with him intently. "But right now..."

"Our accommodations suck."