Chapter 132: All Good Feasts Must Come To An End

Chapter 132: All Feasts Must End

Within the Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

This time, it was not Yue Hongling pressing her hands against Zhao Changhe’s back; instead, they sat cross-legged facing each other, palms touching, exchanging true qi in a mutual flow.

Yue Hongling felt a twinge of regret… though she wasn’t sure if it truly counted as regret.

Because this dual cultivation was different from the last. The previous time had been entirely passive—aside from sensing the changes in her qi, she felt little else. But this time, she actively participated, circulating her energy back and forth with him, and psychologically, it stirred something…

The psychological aspect alone might have been manageable, but the physical sensation was also different…

This process of yin and yang intermingling—how… how pleasant it felt…

It was as if he filled what she lacked, while she gave him the softness he needed, and together they experienced an ultimate physical bliss.

Described like this, if told to others, they might think it was something else entirely.

No wonder the meaning of dual cultivation had increasingly narrowed from its broad sense to a specific one…

Yue Hongling felt this was wrong and wanted to stop, yet the wound on her shoulder was visibly healing, and the slight weakness from blood loss was rapidly recovering—more effective than any medicine. She could also clearly sense Zhao Changhe’s wound at his chest quickly mending…

Was she doing this to help him heal? Then shouldn’t she abandon it halfway?

The most troubling part was that this truly benefited her cultivation greatly, yet it wasn’t enough—like scratching an itch through a boot, always feeling just a little short, a single veil away.

Because this wasn’t true dual cultivation after all; nothing had actually been done.

So instinctively, she drew her true qi closer to his, as if saying, “Be more direct, this isn’t enough…”

Yue Hongling came to her senses, hearing a soft moan escape her own lips, as if in supplication.

Her cheeks had flushed all the way to her ears.

Before her, Zhao Changhe also opened his eyes. Their palms still pressed together, they gazed at each other, each feeling the touch of the other’s hand, sensing the comfort of the other’s qi within their bodies, seeing the shimmer in each other’s eyes.

Yin and yang attract—this is the constant of heaven’s way; who can avoid it?

The room gradually warmed, their breathing growing more erratic.

Zhao Changhe’s palm, pressed against her delicate hand, unconsciously shifted slightly, from pressing to grasping.

Yue Hongling suddenly startled: “Don’t…”

She swiftly pulled back, leaping off the bed, her steps stumbling in panic as she braced herself against the table, breathing heavily.

Zhao Changhe came up from behind and embraced her.

Dual cultivation was either never done or done countless times; the same held for embraces. Yue Hongling found that she hadn’t even entertained the thought of pulling away, even though her shoulder wound was now fully healed and no longer hurt.

“Evil arts… still evil arts,” Yue Hongling panted softly. “This ability to stir desire is no less potent than aphrodisiac poison… you… you must not use it lightly in the future…”

Zhao Changhe said nothing more, because he knew full well that he hadn’t deliberately activated the desire-stirring effect of the Extreme Bliss Art; the current effect was purely natural attraction, its true root lying in the mutual affection within both their hearts.

If it were someone repulsive, this effect would never occur—you’d only feel disgust and resistance at first, kicking them away instead.

But he feared that if he voiced this, Yue Hongling would lose face and flee, never to be seen again… Yangzhou held nothing more to keep her; she could leave anytime.

He didn’t want a single word to trigger their parting, so he remained silent.

Knowing she truly had feelings for him—that was enough…

Deep down, Yue Hongling herself knew it too.

Thus, the silence at that moment spoke louder than words.

Only their heartbeats filled the room, so distinct.

After a long while, Yue Hongling spoke softly: “I can’t be ungrateful and act smug… This dual cultivation has indeed greatly aided my breakthrough to the ninth level. I should find a place to cultivate in seclusion and digest what I’ve gained. When I emerge from seclusion, perhaps I’ll be at the ninth level… I should thank you.”

Zhao Changhe sighed: “In the end, are you leaving?”

Yue Hongling seemed to sense a hint of taking advantage and then running away, unsure how to reply.

Zhao Changhe murmured: “Sister Yue…”

“Hmm?”

“Can I… kiss your cheek, just once?”

Yue Hongling: “…”

Are you an idiot? You’re already holding me like this; if you suddenly dipped your head and pecked me, what could I say? You ask me, and how am I supposed to answer?

Idiot, utter idiot!

Zhao Changhe seemed to realize his own foolishness and was about to lower his head to strike.

“Knock, knock, knock!” A rap at the door.

Yue Hongling swiftly broke free from his embrace, sitting at the table with a blank expression.

The mood shattered completely.

Zhao Changhe was furious, wanting to chop the door-knocking wretch into seventeen or eighteen pieces, and roared: “Who is it!”

Yue Hongling, seeing his face twisted like a pig’s liver, suddenly found it a bit amusing.

From outside came Tang Buqi’s voice: “It’s me.”

Zhao Changhe: “…I have no relationship with your aunt, not even a single copper coin’s worth. You can go back now!”

Tang Buqi: “???”

How did you know what I came to ask?

I think you and Wan Dongliu should just get together—your telepathic conversation is that smooth!

Still hesitant, he asked: “Your Spring Water Sword Intent…”

“I’m a genius, can’t I learn it by stealing? I also know Spirit Fox Blade Intent—does that mean Chi Li has something to do with me?” Zhao Changhe fumed. “And come to think of it, you have Spring Water Sword Intent too—does that mean you and I have a thing? Come on in, let’s chat. You look so delicate…”

Tang Buqi turned and fled, vanishing in an instant, not even bothering to ask why Gong Chaoqun trusted him.

“Pfft…” A laugh came from the table. Zhao Changhe helplessly put his hands on his hips and turned to look at her: “Go ahead and laugh if you want…”

“Is it because, in front of me, you’re eager to deny any connection with Chief Tang?”

“It’s because that bastard interrupted me…” Zhao Changhe stopped mid-sentence.

The blush on Yue Hongling’s face had faded, and she said naturally: “Where do you plan to go next?”

Zhao Changhe also shifted the topic: “I still have something to discuss with Wan Dongliu. After that, I’ll see the situation—maybe I should visit the Blood God Sect and meet Sect Leader Xue.”

“Blood God Sect?” Yue Hongling was somewhat surprised, then seemed to understand: “Want to completely settle the old grudges? That makes sense. But be careful—Xue Canghai is stronger than you now… much stronger.”

“I know. I’m not going to pick a fight; I’ll act according to the situation.”

“Mm, given the wisdom you’ve shown in Yangzhou, I believe you’ll handle it well.” Yue Hongling stood up, casually straightening his collar as if idly: “All feasts must end. I really should go now. If fate allows, we’ll meet again on the rivers and lakes.”

Zhao Changhe’s face was completely sour, and he said nothing.

Yue Hongling laughed again, tilting her head to study his profile as if amused, then suddenly rose on her tiptoes and lightly pecked his cheek.

Zhao Changhe: “???”

He stared dumbfounded—was this the real deal? Not the Celestial Maiden?

Yue Hongling smiled softly and said gently: “In the underground cavern, I said I’d talk about it when we got back. Back then, I thought, since you performed so well, shouldn’t I reward you? I know what you want… but all the distractions ruined the mood. Now I’ve made up for it. This is the only reward—don’t be greedy.”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

“I’ve been thinking… the Flower-Picking Celestial Maiden said that if it were me, I’d likely have done much the same. Perhaps as an outsider, she sees clearly, and the role she played of me was closer to my true self. Instead, I was bound by pride, tangled in too many doubts. Now this kiss has cleared my thoughts—isn’t that better than you kissing me driven by the desires of your cultivation technique?”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

“I never imagined that the youth from Zhao Village back then could truly stand shoulder to shoulder with me, and even aid me so greatly. This journey to Yangzhou has made Hongling very happy.” Yue Hongling finished speaking, then gently pushed him away and turned to leave with a free and easy grace.

Zhao Changhe, touching his cheek, stared blankly as she reached the door, then suddenly paused and looked back, giving a radiant smile: “Let us part here. If fate allows in the future… we’ll see what you call me then.”