Chapter 645: How Much Social Death Hurts

Chapter 645: The True Agony of Social Death

Though Xia Chichi harbored a wealth of minor rebellions against the Vermilion Bird in her heart, constantly scheming of the day she might turn the tables and become the master, in reality she was deeply, thoroughly terrified of her.

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined witnessing the Vermilion Bird Venerable pressed weakly against a boulder, dominated by a man in a fierce, breathless kiss. It was like a world-famous painting brought to life.

Xia Chichi understood the Venerable’s pride all too well. She was certain that even if the Night Emperor were reborn, the Vermilion Bird would never serve him with her body; those were two completely different matters. Had the Night Emperor truly demanded such a thing, it would only have shattered her faith and driven her to revolt against the cult in a fury.

Just as Tang Wanzhuang, no matter her loyalty, could never serve the Emperor and had even sworn never to become the Crown Prince's consort. In these matters, the Vermilion Bird and Tang Wanzhuang were absolute equals, two individuals virtually identical to one another, the respective shadows of light and darkness.

If she were ever to grow close to a man, it could only mean she truly loved him.

And yet, look at the result. This was a man she had only just grudgingly accepted as a candidate for the new Night Emperor, a man whose loyalty she still needed to cultivate... Xia Chichi was utterly unable to comprehend why the Vermilion Bird Venerable would genuinely surrender to a mere confession like "my only wish is to taste your fragrance." Was picking up women this simple nowadays?

Could it be that her understanding of the Venerable all this time had been entirely wrong? Was the Venerable actually the type who secretly relished any random man's confession? Truly worthy of one who wielded fire; who knew her inner depths burned so hot?

"Pfft... Hahahaha..." Beside her, Sanniang clutched her stomach with one hand and pointed at the distant masterpiece with the other, laughing so hard she nearly rolled on the ground. "Keep being fierce then! Didn't you still end up pinned down and chewed on by a man, hahahaha... My only wish is to taste your fragrance, oh my goodness..."

Xia Chichi: "..."

I think so too, looking at this is just so vindicating. One can only say a fierce woman offends far too many people...

But Venerable, what exactly are you happy about? This looks like the total annihilation of the Four Symbols Cult. If the true Night Emperor were reborn and saw this, he would probably die of anger all over again. These are his own followers, yet they have somehow become someone else's backyard harem?

And don't you dare interrupt, I want to admire this masterpiece a little longer.

Peering over carefully, it was obvious that emotions were running high on the other side; neither noticed that someone nearby was laughing themselves ragged. Xia Chichi let out a breath, thinking that the Venerable’s mind was very likely a complete blank right now, which was entirely understandable.

The Vermilion Bird’s mind was indeed completely blank, dazed and tangled into a confused mess. A feeling of extreme shame washed over her, yet it was accompanied by a sense of liberated relief, alongside a bewildered wonder at how he dared to kiss her like this. It was a complex web of emotions, truly difficult to articulate.

Zhao Changhe found the kiss utterly intoxicating as well. In theory, they had already done everything there was to do, but previously she had never regarded herself as the Vermilion Bird. She had been unwilling to be together under that identity; that was merely Huangfu Qing's personal emotional solace, unrelated to the Vermilion Bird Venerable of the Four Symbols Cult. She had always drawn a sharp distinction. The two identities differed vastly even in temperament, and their outward voices and scents were completely distinct.

But now, she was the Vermilion Bird. Wearing her aloof and proud mask, radiating the unique fragrance belonging solely to the Vermilion Bird, allowing him to savor her as he pleased.

One could say that only at this very moment had he truly kissed the Vermilion Bird Venerable—kissed the demoness who once could have swatted him to death at any whim, kissed those sensual red lips hidden deep within his heart that he had never been able to forget.

After an unknown passage of time, the two finally parted slightly, breathless, their eyes clouded with the haze of desire.

As if entirely drained of strength, the Vermilion Bird leaned limply against the rock, relying almost fully on his weight against her to keep from sliding down. After panting for a good while, she whispered, "Satisfied?"

She was no fool. Upon reflection, she naturally understood that Zhao Changhe was not some idiot driven entirely by blind lust. His audacity to kiss her directly like this without fearing a furious rebellion from the Vermilion Bird was absolutely because he had recognized her as Huangfu Qing. He knew her heart was already willing.

Zhao Changhe leaned to her ear and murmured, "Which voice is the real one?"

Xia Chichi: "?"

What are they talking about? A face of utter confusion.

The Vermilion Bird said weakly, "I don't know either. In truth, the voices might not differ by much; it is merely that the difference in tone creates a different perception."

She had always dreaded a social death from which she could not recover, yet when forced to confront it, it did not seem like an insurmountable problem. Sooner or later, he had to know anyway... How much longer could she keep it from the man sharing her pillow? He was never a fool.

Regardless, before him, all her dignity was gone. Thinking back to how she had previously used Huangfu Qing's identity to pretend to be the Vermilion Bird and serve him with her mouth, she felt her entire body burn with heat now. It was simply too mortifying; he had done it on purpose!

When one's disguise is stripped away, the level of shame and fury depends heavily on the other person's attitude. As long as no one mocked her, the humiliation was far lighter.

Zhao Changhe knew well that the Vermilion Bird’s heart was wound tight right now. If he mocked her even slightly, she might truly break things off with him. At a time like this, the perfect answer was naturally: "No matter which voice it is, as long as it's you, that's enough."

"Nonsense." The Vermilion Bird's expression went blank. "You clearly prefer the Vermilion Bird."

Xia Chichi: "???"

What on earth are they talking about? A face of pure innocence.

Sanniang stole a glance at her, covering her mouth tightly for fear that laughing too loudly would disrupt the dialogue over there.

Zhao Changhe was also caught between tears and laughter. How had she managed to grow jealous of herself? And to do so as the Vermilion Bird, demanding justice for Huangfu Qing—this split-personality act was becoming thoroughly chaotic.

He could only say, "That is because the Vermilion Bird was the one I met first. She was the dream hidden in my heart."

In truth, the Vermilion Bird's heart swelled with joy. He was repeating over and over that he liked the Vermilion Bird, that she was the dream in his heart.

Moreover, it was truly no mere sweet talk. He had shown evidence of this long ago; it was his genuine feeling.

If you disliked a man, you would only find it utterly disgusting, thinking him a toad wishing to eat swan meat so early on. But when the man was your beloved, it would only feel like sweetness pouring from your heart, bringing boundless joy.

Yet what her lips uttered was: "Tell me, are you just asking for it? I treat you so well, obeying your every whim, and you just trample on it. Only when someone stands high above, speaking with cold words and fierce severity, does your heart overflow with yearning."

The Dragon-Sparrow Sabre gave a mental thumbs-up. He even wishes I would call him small fry.

Zhao Changhe said, "What I yearn for is not someone standing high above with fierce severity."

The Vermilion Bird countered, "Is it not? Only then do you feel a sense of conquest, do you not?"

"No." Even if it were true, he could never say so. Zhao Changhe said earnestly, "I only wish to have the complete, unbroken Qing'er."

The Vermilion Bird blinked her eyes. This answer was highly satisfying.

Thus it was said, a good man inspires trust; he would not let her suffer the shame of social death. How considerate.

Her mood finally relaxed completely, the corners of her mouth curving into a smile as her voice turned sultry: "Then... the Vermilion Bird given to you now is no longer so unbroken, you know..."

Zhao Changhe gently tilted her chin up, pressing his lips forward once more: "Chewed sooner or chewed later, aren't you still mine anyway..."

Just as their lips met, the whistling sound of rushing sleeves cutting through the air echoed beside them. Both of their hearts leaped simultaneously, and they turned their heads swiftly. Xia Chichi stood to one side, both hands balled into fists, her hair practically turning green with rage.

The adulterous pair instinctively leaped apart. The Vermilion Bird hurriedly smoothed her lapels, coughing dryly, "I... I agree that he is the Revered God... The Revered God took liberties with me, and we subordinates... Cough, Chichi, when did you arrive..."

Xia Chichi's head was ablaze with green fire. She marched forward and grabbed the collar that the Vermilion Bird had just straightened. "The Venerable is too polite. If you are to be taken liberties with, then so be it. I just recalled that our cult's grand ceremony is such an important matter, and it feels rather improper to lack the Winged Fire Snake of the Twenty-Eight Mansions. Since the Venerable has already voiced her stance, is it possible to step aside for a moment and let the Winged Fire Snake come out to say a word?"

"Wh-what Winged Fire Snake?" The Vermilion Bird forced her tone to remain rigid. "You are not yet the Cult Master. Who permitted you to grab this Seat's collar? Do you think the cult rules can no longer discipline you?"

Xia Chichi flew into a towering rage. "Cult rules, cult rules! Your mouth is full of cult rules, forbidding me from being with a man, only so you could sell your own charms and cut in line ahead of me!"

Zhao Changhe covered his face, and the Vermilion Bird nearly clutched her head.

It was over.

The Vermilion Bird's mind went blank once again.

Her own man could be considerate enough to preserve her dignity after her identity was exposed, but this wretched little disciple of hers certainly would not.

Serving tea, punishing her with copying books, forcing her to wear red clothes—however harshly she had tormented her before, the boomerang was returning now with double the pain.

"Hahahaha..." In the distance, Sanniang clutched her stomach and rolled on the grass, laughing so hard she was nearly cramping.