Chapter 309: East Wind Brings a Thousand Blossoms at Night

"Is that her?" Lu Jiajia, startled by the sudden scene, asked.

But on second thought, it made sense. Someone with Si Ming's personality would surely choose not to wear a mask when everyone else did, then brazenly walk up to you and fool you.

This was both her cunning tactic and her fatal flaw.

"Sir, what are you doing?"

The maid let out a soft cry of pain, trying to maintain a calm tone: "There are rules in this establishment. If you wish to have a courtesan accompany you, you may speak to the manager. But if you break the rules, no matter how important you are, you will be escorted out."

Ning Changjiu looked at her and said, "Still pretending?"

"Pretending what, sir? There's still room to negotiate this matter, but if you don't let go soon..." The maid maintained her composure, warning softly.

Lu Jiajia suddenly looked up towards the ceiling and said, "Look there."

Ning Changjiu looked up.

On the second floor, a woman in a black robe and a kitsune mask leaned on the railing, looking down at them.

The face behind the mask was obscured, impossible to discern, yet it seemed to be smiling.

Ning Changjiu narrowed his eyes.

The maid also said, "To be so disrespectful to me in front of your wife, this establishment does not welcome guests like you."

Lu Jiajia also whispered, "Are you mistaken?"

Ning Changjiu looked towards the balcony.

The figure in the kitsune mask and black robe vanished in a flash.

Lu Jiajia was about to get up and chase.

Ning Changjiu was also slightly distracted and released his hand.

A sudden change occurred.

Inside the song house, the lanterns seemed to still be spinning, their scattered light like the delicate, curled petals of spider lilies. The chatter of women mingled and echoed amidst the brilliant flames, pearl curtains and drapes reflected the dancers' figures, and the eight-paneled lotus-styled skirts swayed with the light. Beside the string instruments, a zither player sat elegantly, her slender fingers plucking the soft, vibrating strings of the green guqin.

This was a frozen scene, a dreamlike scroll.

The light and shadow of the entire pavilion froze in this manner. Only the zither music struggled to break free from this restraint, slowly seeping into their ears.

A faint smile played on the maid's lips.

She had long prepared for being seen through. She was also gambling that Ning Changjiu would be overconfident and wouldn't immediately activate the slave mark to verify. This would buy her time to distract him.

But her smile quickly froze.

"Since I met you, nothing you've done has escaped my predictions."

Even though time had been frozen, Ning Changjiu's voice still drifted out slowly.

He turned his head and smiled at the maid.

Si Ming's cultivation was far superior to his; if she had chosen to directly use her full cultivation to suppress his mind, she might have had a great chance of winning.

But in Dual Realm City, she had lost many times to Ning Changjiu under the suppression of her cultivation.

Especially the final climactic duel in the city, which branded her with a humiliating, indelible slave mark.

Upon seeing that familiar smile, her immediate reaction was not to attack, but to flee.

And so, her last hope was cut off.

Ning Changjiu had long known that the figure upstairs was merely a distraction; all his surprise and suspicion were just pretense.

Before Si Ming could activate her authority, he had already enveloped himself with the authority of time. Though his control over this authority was far less powerful than Si Ming's, it was enough to negate half the effect of her authority, allowing his formidable mental power to break free and use telekinesis to control the mark.

Si Ming tried to pull her wrist away, but Ning Changjiu's hand, which had been loosely grasping, immediately tightened.

A surge of current coursed through her body.

An unfamiliar sensation overwhelmed her, causing Si Ming's knees to weaken, as if she were about to collapse.

She did not want to lose face like this in front of everyone.

"Still running?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Si Ming admitted defeat, shaking her head. "I've lost. Please let me go."

Ning Changjiu said, "What do you call me?"

The woman, who usually acted so imperious, sighed, lowered her gaze submissively, and in a soft, gentle voice, temporarily compromised: "Master."

"Good to know." Ning Changjiu nodded slightly and released her hand.

Si Ming's time authority was also released.

The confrontation ended.

Inside the room, the vibrant light and shadows began to move again.

Everything happened very quickly.

"Thank you, come again."

Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia returned their masks to the attendant at the door.

Si Ming followed them, slowly regaining her original appearance.

Her silver hair and black dress, under the snowflakes and moonlight, looked like a carefully woven dream, making her seem like an elf walking among mortals, though her ears were not long and pointed as legend described.

"How did you recognize me?" Si Ming asked.

Ning Changjiu replied, "I'd recognize you even if you turned to ash."

Si Ming sneered, "Are you saying sweet nothings to me in front of Sister Jiajia?"

Lu Jiajia's expression turned sour.

Ning Changjiu smiled and said, "Let Xiaoling come out now."

Si Ming sighed. This unspoken contest had, after all, ended in her defeat.

She gently waved her hand, and a tassel in her hair transformed into the shape of a small fox.

"Brother is so amazing!" Ning Xiaoling transformed back into a fox and lay on Si Ming's shoulder, looking at Ning Changjiu and praising him.

Si Ming asked, puzzled, "Can you see through my illusion?"

Ning Changjiu said, "It has nothing to do with what methods you use. I understand your every move, so how could you possibly hide anything from me?"

Si Ming didn't believe him and asked, "Is it merely out of understanding?"

Ning Changjiu smiled slightly and said, "Actually, if you count the time, we've known each other for quite a while now."

Hearing this, Si Ming's expression subtly changed. She immediately suppressed her emotions, causing her beautiful face to appear cold in the wind and snow, devoid of any expression.

Although she had admitted defeat, she didn't believe Ning Changjiu had seen through her simply due to understanding.

She looked at Lu Jiajia and mouthed sarcastically, "Aren't you going to manage your husband, speaking to me like this? Or has my little Jiajia completely submitted, willing to work hard and endure anything?"

Lu Jiajia knew the reason.

Ning Changjiu could so confidently recognize Si Ming simply because Xiaoling was perched on her. Ning Changjiu and Xiaoling shared a kind of telepathic connection; as long as they weren't too far apart, they could sense each other's emotions. So, in a way, Si Ming didn't lose to Ning Changjiu, but rather didn't realize she was carrying a mole.

Among the three present, only Si Ming was in the dark.

Lu Jiajia quite enjoyed this feeling.

With this advantage, she no longer feared Si Ming and responded calmly, "Where has Sister Xueci's arrogance gone? Now you can only say these insipid, sarcastic remarks?"

Si Ming snorted, "I lost to Ning Changjiu, not to you."

Ning Changjiu looked at Si Ming and said, "How are you speaking to Jiajia?"

Si Ming took a deep breath, her icy eyes struggling. She curtseyed to Lu Jiajia and reluctantly said, "Mistress, I overstepped."

Lu Jiajia's eyes curved in a smile, and she reached out, gently stroking Si Ming's flowing silver hair.

This was something she had wanted to do for a long time, but had to suppress because her cultivation wasn't high enough before.

Si Ming subtly dodged, but couldn't avoid it.

She looked at Lu Jiajia's smiling face, warning her with her eyes, as if to say that Ning Changjiu wouldn't be able to protect her forever.

Lu Jiajia, embracing the "live for today" mentality, ignored her warning and even pinched her cheek.

Ning Xiaoling, observing from the side, increasingly felt that the relationships within this big courtyard were too complicated.

But then she reconsidered, thinking that her Senior Brother's victory over Benefactor Sister was largely due to her own contributions. She raised a paw, seeking praise: "Brother, can I perch on your shoulder?"

Ning Changjiu was about to nod, but a sharp pain shot through his finger.

He looked at Lu Jiajia, who was holding his hand. Lu Jiajia looked straight ahead, her expression unchanged, as if she knew nothing.

Ning Changjiu sighed, realizing that Jiajia still hadn't gotten over what happened last night.

He looked apologetically at Xiaoling and said, "You should stay with your Benefactor Sister."

Ning Xiaoling let out a small, aggrieved "Oh."

In the New Year's Eve sky, snow fell endlessly.

The wind, which would be cold for ordinary people, felt only slightly cool to them, even pleasant.

They walked together down the bustling street, like a family celebrating the New Year together.

"If Sister Xiang'er is in heaven, will she see us?" Ning Xiaoling suddenly asked.

Si Ming said, "Although I don't know Miss Xiang'er, I hope she can see us."

Lu Jiajia smiled faintly.

Ning Changjiu's heart tightened, praying that Xiang'er wasn't that omniscient.

"Did you celebrate New Year's Eve when you were little?" Lu Jiajia suddenly asked Ning Changjiu.

When she said "little," she was referring to Ning Changjiu's time at the Taoist temple.

Ning Changjiu thought for a moment and replied, "Yes, we did. Back then, the sky was full of lanterns. They would drift past our small town and the temple, floating higher and farther away."

"Was that a custom in your town?" Lu Jiajia asked.

Ning Changjiu shook his head, "No, those lanterns came from nowhere. My senior brother told me they came from a very distant place."

Lu Jiajia knew there were many secrets involved and did not press further.

Si Ming, however, was quite interested: "Are those... really lanterns you speak of?"

Ning Changjiu chuckled, "Tonight you're the loser, you don't have the right for me to answer your questions."

Si Ming retorted, "Tonight? Then who was the winner and who was the loser last night?"

Lu Jiajia's expression turned chilling. She immediately glared at Si Ming, her eyes narrowed, radiating murderous intent.

Si Ming smiled, begging for mercy, "Xueci misspoke. I hope Mistress will forgive me."

Lu Jiajia thought to herself, if not for Xiaoling being present, she wouldn't let her off the hook tonight.

Ning Changjiu, caught between them, sensed the undercurrents in the night and quickly tried to smooth things over: "At midnight, there's the grandest firework display on Clothes Street, right in the middle of the lake. The city's best pyrotechnicians have spent a year creating it for this very moment. This year's theme is 'Divine Lovers.' Shall we go see it together?"

Ning Xiaoling immediately said, "Yes!"

Si Ming and Lu Jiajia did not respond.

Ning Xiaoling felt the quiet atmosphere and silently retracted her paw, wondering why her sister and master weren't speaking again... "I'm clearly grown up now, so why is the adult world still so hard to understand?"

Ning Changjiu looked at them and helplessly asked, "Do my two immortal sisters have any objections?"

Lu Jiajia appeared more generous, saying, "The fireworks have a good meaning. My husband and I naturally must watch them together. If Miss Si Ming doesn't mind, you're welcome to join us."

Si Ming stood her ground, saying, "A hundred years of life are but a fleeting moment, and fireworks are even more ephemeral, barely worth mentioning. I didn't expect Sister Jiajia, after cultivating for so many years, to still place such long-lasting beautiful sentiments in fleeting worldly things."

Lu Jiajia's brows furrowed slightly. Si Ming's calm yet cutting words left her momentarily speechless.

She asked directly, "So are you going to watch or not? If not, my husband and I will go ahead."

Si Ming said, "I didn't realize Sister Jiajia was so interested in such fleeting common things. Oh, right, you're not even thirty yet, so it's understandable that you haven't seen much of the world."

Lu Jiajia took a deep breath and said, "Then I'll go watch that vulgar display by myself. Sister Xueci, who has seen much of the world, needn't follow."

Si Ming would not agree to this. She slowly followed, saying, "I'm certainly too lazy to watch, but since Xiaoling wants to see it, I'll take her."

"..." Ning Xiaoling raised a paw and scratched her ear, feeling used again.

Ning Changjiu, caught in the middle, felt as if arrows were whizzing past his eyes and ears, sending chills down his spine.

The three people and one fox arrived at the lake in the city.

As midnight approached, the lakeside was packed with people, showing no signs of sleepiness, all looking towards the rippling lake surface.

A massive multi-story boat was anchored on the lake, flanked by numerous pleasure boats. Together, they parted the water and slowly sailed towards the center of the lake.

In the dim lake water, shimmering ripples swayed with the wind.

"It's starting," Ning Xiaoling keenly observed.

Ning Changjiu looked over.

Si Ming and Lu Jiajia were inexplicably sulking, neither of them looking at the painted boats first. They were like two self-absorbed flowers, showing no interest in the vibrant beauty around them.

Then, the crowd roared, and tiny sparks ascended into the high sky.

The sparks burst open in the night sky.

Fireworks, in their sky-covering splendor, bloomed brilliantly in the night.

They were composed of countless lines of light, radiating intense glow, forming neat, magnificent arcs that intertwined.

Lu Jiajia was still trying to maintain her composure, but a quick glance showed Si Ming already looking up, gazing raptly at the sky.

Lu Jiajia paused, then smiled faintly and self-deprecatingly, her expression relaxing as she too looked up at the night sky.

The overwhelming fireworks filled their vision, making the entire city seem incredibly small.

This was the first time in a thousand years that Si Ming had stood among mortals to enjoy fireworks.

These were the fireworks Si Ming would often recall.

She had always felt that her life was like a long night, and even the most brilliant beauty was but a fleeting splendor in the darkness, always to be re-swallowed by it. Indifference and endlessness were the language of the night, not beauty.

She always thought she would eventually forget these things.

But later, she understood that though the brilliance had faded, the embers of the fireworks never disappeared. Should darkness fall again one day, they would always reignite in the night, blooming into boundless flames of hope.

"Sister Xueci?" Lu Jiajia reached out and waved her hand in front of Si Ming.

Si Ming came back to her senses. She touched her cheek, which was, uncharacteristically, a little flushed.

"Not bad," Si Ming said calmly. "Beautiful, yes, but clear moons are rare, and colorful clouds easily disperse, returning to nothing after one night."

Lu Jiajia crossed her arms and smiled, "Why are you being so stubborn? You were clearly watching the most intently."

"No, I wasn't," Si Ming instinctively retorted. Then she immediately covered her mouth, her brows furrowed, unable to believe such childish, almost petulant words had come from her own lips.

Lu Jiajia laughed, shaking with mirth.

Si Ming immediately changed the subject, "Oh, right, why are these fireworks called 'Divine Lovers'?"

Ning Changjiu smiled and shook his head, "How would I know?"

Si Ming froze slightly, then immediately understood. "So you just made that up... Humph, you never change."

Ning Changjiu said, "And you still believed it? You never learn."

"You..." Si Ming thought, how could she have encountered such a shameless nemesis?

Lu Jiajia listened to their conversation and felt like they were flirting. She secretly pinched Ning Changjiu's arm.

Ning Changjiu turned his face, his eyes pleading for mercy.

The grandest firework display had ended, but smaller fireworks were still being set off.

The cold wind blew, carrying winter snow. The three walked slowly along the lakeside.

On both banks, vibrant lights intertwined with fading ones, swirling in the water, breaking into shimmering fragments in the dark waves, like spilled colored ink sinking to the lakebed.

The giant fish lantern with colorful scales in the sky was still cruising over the city. Wherever it floated, streams of fiery lights shot up into the sky, bursting into yellow and dazzling purple, vibrant and colorful.

The coolness on Si Ming's cheeks was softened by the firelight, becoming even gentler.

The small fox perched on Si Ming's shoulder gazed along with her, its nine tails fanning out, both lost in thought.

"The fireworks are over," Ning Changjiu suddenly said.

Si Ming withdrew her gaze. She continued to speak stubbornly, "The cities of mortals never sleep, their splendor blinding. The people here only know a life of indulgence; how can they find peace on the Grand Dao or behold true beauty? It's all just putting the cart before the horse."

Ning Changjiu said, "Then should I get a black cloth and blindfold you?"

Si Ming imagined the scene, knowing it was something many masters did to their slaves. She snorted, "Shameless."

Lu Jiajia looked at Si Ming and smiled, "So Sister Xueci also has times when she's speechless?"

Si Ming stood with her hands behind her back, proudly silent.

Ning Xiaoling suddenly had a clear perspective as an outsider, thinking, "Master, what exactly are you doing? Senior Brother is your husband! Not only do you stand by and watch them flirt like this, but you even find joy in it... Master, are you truly foolish, or do you have too much confidence in Senior Brother? Anyway, if Xiaoling were Senior Brother, she definitely wouldn't let either of them off!"

The night on Clothes Street gradually faded, cold as embers.

They left the city together, heading towards the Ancient Spirit Sect.

"Is Senior Brother leaving tomorrow?" Ning Xiaoling asked.

Ning Changjiu said, "Yes, I've already arranged everything for the Ancient Spirit Sect. You just need to stay put and oversee things, junior sister. If you have any questions, you can ask your master. I might not be back for a few months."

Lu Jiajia was slightly surprised and immediately said, "Shall I go with you?"

Ning Changjiu replied, "If you leave, who will take care of Xiaoling?"

Lu Jiajia looked at Si Ming.

Si Ming responded coldly, "What does your family's business have to do with me? I have my own things to do."

Ning Xiaoling also looked at her master pitifully, hoping she would stay and help relieve some pressure.

"Okay, I'll stay," Lu Jiajia said softly.

In the night, the three flew on swords over the snow.

Ning Changjiu turned back, looking at the receding lights of Clothes Street, and sighed, "The past is like smoke."

Si Ming hummed in agreement.

Ning Changjiu said, "I meant the smoke from the fireworks."

Fireworks... Si Ming knew he was mocking her again. She ignored him and silently continued to fly on her sword.

The Fish King, perched on the snowy cliff, secretly eating dried fish, immediately buried its bowl in the snow when it saw them return.

Si Ming was in a good mood tonight and didn't bother to pursue the matter, returning to her palace alone.

Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia, however, followed her.

"What are you... doing?" Si Ming asked, a little nervous.

Ning Changjiu said, "Miss Xueci lost tonight. She can't just get away scot-free, can she?"

Lu Jiajia nodded in agreement.

"I... I'm tired tonight. Let's talk about it tomorrow," Si Ming said.

Ning Changjiu smiled and said, "The fireworks have bloomed, but there are other flowers still in bud."

Si Ming paused, not understanding.

Ning Xiaoling was jointly retrieved from Si Ming's grasp and confined to a small room, then Si Ming was pushed and shoved into another room by the wicked couple.

The night was only halfway through; dawn was still a long way off.

In the morning, Si Ming stood by the window, gazing at the snowy valley of Silver River, the tall buildings and ancient halls, all appearing solemn in her eyes.

"Are you awake?" Si Ming calmly turned around.

Lu Jiajia, who had intended to slip away, was forced to stop.

"Happy New Year!" Lu Jiajia forced a smile.

Si Ming suppressed the smile that threatened to curve her lips and said, "You bullied me so much last night, and now that your husband's gone, you think you can just get away with it?"

Lu Jiajia said, "New Year means letting go of the old and embracing the new. Let's not bring up old grudges; we can settle new ones later, okay?"

Si Ming didn't rush to retaliate but instead asked, "Your husband left you alone. Are you resentful or anything?"

Lu Jiajia replied, "My husband asked me to stay and take care of Xiaoling. Don't think you can sow discord."

Si Ming said, "I can also take care of Xiaoling."

Lu Jiajia said, "Didn't you say you had your own things to do?"

Si Ming said, "I lied."

"..." Lu Jiajia suddenly wanted to chase after Ning Changjiu.

Si Ming saw through her thoughts and said, "Don't bother. If he's hiding something from us, he has his reasons."

"Hiding something from us?" Lu Jiajia was slightly surprised. "What is it?"

Si Ming retorted sarcastically, "If your beloved doesn't know, what good is asking me, who is just a 'knee-dweller'?"

Lu Jiajia hung her head in shame.

Si Ming said, "You don't need to worry too much about him. He's already close to the peak of the Purple Court, and he might just find an opportunity to break through the Five Paths because of this."

Lu Jiajia asked, "Who is currently guarding the Heaven Ranking?"

Si Ming said, "Someone named Xiao Qiu. He was guarding it before the Eighth Disciple of the Sword Pavilion went there. Now that the Eighth Disciple has finally left, he'll naturally reclaim his post."

Lu Jiajia asked, "Then can my husband win?"

Si Ming said, "That Xiao Qiu uses a spear."

"Hmm?" Lu Jiajia was confused.

"Ning Changjiu's spear mastery is unparalleled in the world, so he naturally isn't afraid," Si Ming smiled.

Lu Jiajia's pretty face flushed slightly. She looked at Si Ming with suspicion and whispered, "How... how do you know that?"

Si Ming's smile grew even more charming and seductive: "I mean, the Sinful Monarch uses a spear. Since he has already fought the Sinful Monarch, how could he lose to any other spear-wielder? Jiajia, what were you just thinking?"

"I..." Lu Jiajia stammered, feeling like she had fallen into another verbal trap.

Si Ming said, "Alright, stop worrying about him. Right now, you should be more concerned about yourself."

Lu Jiajia's heart sank. She had known last night that for the next few months, she would be in trouble.

Ning Changjiu flew his sword over the snowy peaks.

The sword's roar echoed through the cold rivers and icy snow.

His cultivation had advanced again, and his sword-flying speed was much faster than when he arrived.

His expression, however, was grave.

Ning Changjiu had long understood his opponent, so he wasn't overly concerned about that.

What he was thinking about was something else entirely.

Only he knew that where he was going was not merely the Heaven Ranking.

He felt that he was very likely to meet someone.

That person was the "Evil" he had been desperately searching for.