Chapter 326: Fox Marries Tiger Danger

Ning Xiaoling was sitting on the ground, looking at the fierce Sister Siming. Her nine tails trembled, and she nearly raised her paws in surrender.

Fortunately, Ning Changjiu arrived quickly.

Ning Xiaoling immediately cast off her fear. She held her head high, puffed out her chest, and looked imposing. Her long tails wagged back and forth as she smiled at Siming, feeling very pleased with herself.

Before Siming could get angry, the door behind her opened, and a young man in a green robe pushed it open and entered.

Siming, in her black divine robe, slowly turned her head, her cold, icy eyes looking at the young man, whom she hadn't seen in three months.

When he left, it was still deep winter with falling snow. Now, spring had arrived, and flowers were blooming.

"Long time no see," Ning Changjiu said with a smile, greeting Siming.

"Hm," Siming responded coolly.

She subtly glanced at Lu Jiajia. Lu Jiajia's eyes also held a gentle smile; her smile was softer than a spring breeze, yet to Siming, it felt like a biting gale sweeping across an icy lake.

The courtyard suddenly grew very quiet.

The sunset had long faded, and the starry sky covered them. Lu Jiajia looked at Ning Changjiu's slightly weary face by the doorway. Her shoulders relaxed, and the hidden worry in her heart finally vanished. Even the night breeze, as it brushed against her clothes, added a touch of etherealness.

Ning Changjiu looked at Lu Jiajia with gentle eyes. For some reason, Lu Jiajia felt a little shy; after watching him for a moment, her gaze instinctively drifted away. Ning Changjiu smiled softly as he watched her.

He walked across the courtyard.

The quiet atmosphere in the courtyard slowly began to melt away.

Ning Changjiu first walked up to Xiaoling, who was being oppressed by Siming's presence. He gently picked her up and held her close. Xiaoling nestled against Ning Changjiu's chest, her nine tails curled into a ball. She looked at Siming and meekly said, "Sister, please don't blame me. I... I just didn't want you to leave."

Siming let out a cold huff, her face like frost.

Although Ning Xiaoling's plan had succeeded, she still felt guilty in her heart. Her sister was always so good to her, yet at a crucial moment, she had pushed her sister into a "pit of fire."

Uh, wait, why was her senior brother a "pit of fire"?

Ning Changjiu, holding Xiaoling, walked over to Lu Jiajia. Lu Jiajia stood in the faint starlight, her figure elegant and graceful. Her face bore the serene coolness of a master and the gentle warmth of a wife. The starlight outlined her well-fitted clothes, as if dusting them with a fine layer of silver.

This was a scene Ning Changjiu would occasionally dream of when he was in the Command Tower. During the days they were apart, he always yearned for their reunion.

"Jiajia," Ning Changjiu called out to her.

Lu Jiajia composed herself. In front of Xiaoling and Siming, she didn't reveal too much emotion. She merely asked indifferently, "Why are you back so soon?"

Ning Changjiu chuckled, "If I were any later, things might have gone badly."

As he spoke, Ning Changjiu looked at the black-robed woman standing coldly to the side.

Siming's divine face, whenever seen, possessed an astonishing, captivating beauty that could overturn all beings. Her icy eyes, though pure and clear, always seemed to hold a myriad of shimmering light.

Siming stood in place, still angry with Ning Xiaoling, not saying a word.

Seeing her Sister Siming like this, Ning Xiaoling felt even more guilty. She extended a paw and tugged at Siming's sleeve, saying, "Sister, don't be angry. You've helped Xiaoling for so long, you must have wanted to see Xiaoling recover, right?"

Siming stared coldly at the little fox, still silent, looking as if she wanted to pull off her fox fur and make it into a scarf.

Lu Jiajia also said, "We owe a great deal to Sister Xueci these past three months. If not for her, we wouldn't have been able to keep the Ancient Spirit Sect stable, and many matters couldn't have been handled properly."

Ning Changjiu looked at Siming and smiled, "What's wrong? Does Miss Siming not welcome my return?"

Siming said indifferently, "Very welcome, especially by certain young ladies. On the surface, she's a sect master, but the moment her husband leaves, she longs for his return, restless day and night. Now that he's actually back, she's still putting on airs and pretending to be aloof."

"Aren't you a sect master too!" Lu Jiajia took the accusation personally. She lowered her head slightly in embarrassment and defended herself, "Besides, I wasn't restless day and night! I diligently practiced my sword every day and never slacked off. Sister, please don't make fun of me without reason."

Siming retorted sharply, "What joke? You should be hoping that Xiaoling and I leave soon, to give you two some alone time for intimate conversations and shared music, right?"

Listening to her sarcastic remarks, Lu Jiajia bit her lip and frowned, "It's clearly you who's being duplicitous! If you really wanted to leave, you would have gone long ago. Why wait until today?"

Siming, slightly annoyed, said, "It's all because your good disciple tricked me!"

A faint smile appeared on Lu Jiajia's face. She said, "The esteemed Lord Xueci, a divine official of the Divine Kingdom, so intelligent and unparalleled, tricked by a mere seventeen-year-old girl? I... find that a little hard to believe."

Siming's eyes narrowed, and a flicker of internal struggle crossed her beautiful face.

Lu Jiajia's words put her in a difficult position. As a former divine official who had lived for thousands of years, being tricked by a young girl's simple trick was indeed embarrassing to admit. But if she had let herself be tricked intentionally... wouldn't that make it seem like she was playing hard to get?

Either choice was embarrassing.

Why did both this foolish master and disciple suddenly become so clever as soon as Ning Changjiu returned?

Or had their foolishness been an act all along?

Siming found it hard to accept.

"I, this Lord, have thoroughly studied the calculations of heaven and man, so of course, I wouldn't be tricked!" Siming finally chose the former explanation. She looked at Ning Xiaoling and said coldly, "However, if you ever try to trick your sister again, be careful, or I'll skin you."

Ning Xiaoling nodded with a smile. She knew that even though Sister Siming's words were harsh, she had forgiven her.

Ning Changjiu asked, "Miss Siming, where were you originally planning to go?"

Siming replied, "Do I need your permission?"

Ning Changjiu smiled and said, "After three months apart, has Miss Siming forgotten her identity?"

Siming's heart trembled. She was used to acting imperious in front of Ning Xiaoling and Lu Jiajia. Now that her 'Divine Lord' had arrived and was about to humiliate her in front of them, Siming naturally couldn't afford to lose face.

She spoke calmly, "Identity? Which one are you asking about? Former Divine Official? Current Sect Master of Ancient Spirit Sect? The fourth strongest master in the world today?"

Ning Changjiu listened, thinking that with these titles, it was... getting more and more exciting to hear.

Siming saw his displeased expression and immediately changed the subject. She asked, "Why are you back so soon? What new opportunities did you find?"

Ning Changjiu unstrapped the ancient, seemingly unremarkable longsword from his back.

"This is the sword of the Sword Pavilion's second disciple," Ning Changjiu said.

They had all heard about Ning Changjiu defeating the Sword Pavilion's fourteenth disciple. As for the sword of the Sword Pavilion's second senior sister... there had been many rumors about that, but now it was truly confirmed.

Lu Jiajia glanced at Ning Xiaoling.

Ning Xiaoling immediately understood, and with a wary tone, asked, "I heard the Sword Pavilion's second disciple is also a sister?"

Ning Changjiu nodded.

Ning Xiaoling then asked, "And I heard the fourteenth disciple is also a sister?"

Ning Changjiu nodded again.

Lu Jiajia's expression was already tinged with distrust. Her lips parted slightly, wanting to ask questions herself, but ultimately, she valued her status. So, she gave Ning Xiaoling a look, making her her spokesperson.

Ning Xiaoling understood perfectly and said, "Senior Brother, what's this sword for? It couldn't be... a dowry, could it?"

As she spoke, Ning Xiaoling stretched her short fox neck, looking warily towards the door, wondering if there were other "sisters" standing outside, timidly waiting to enter...

Ning Changjiu patted her head and smiled, "What kind of nonsense are you imagining at such a young age?"

"I'm not small!" Ning Xiaoling retorted righteously. "Don't I know what Senior Brother likes? That Junior Sister Fourteen must be a kind and lovely little sword immortal, and that Senior Sister Two must be a heroic and valiant grand sword immortal. In short, they all fit Senior Brother's preferences perfectly!"

Ning Changjiu was surprised by how much his junior sister understood him, but his face turned stern. He said righteously, "Stop trying to sow discord between Jiajia and me! This sword was won by your Senior Brother after defeating Liu Xiwang."

"Oh, so her name is Liu Xiwang," Ning Xiaoling caught the key point. "Is she going to stay here and wash dishes?"

Ning Changjiu sighed, feeling a bit tempted to hand this little fox over to Siming.

"Let me see the sword," Lu Jiajia said coolly, turning her palm.

Ning Changjiu held the sword with both hands and dutifully handed it over.

"Liu Junzhuo..." Lu Jiajia took the sword, her clear eyes falling on the ancient scabbard.

Between the finely carved wooden sheath, the three characters "Liu Junzhuo" were written cleanly and boldly.

After murmuring the name, Lu Jiajia felt a subtle hint of hostility. She gripped the hilt, intending to draw the sword.

The sword slowly emerged from its sheath, casting a brilliant cold light.

Lu Jiajia's pace of drawing the sword grew slower and slower. The sword within the sheath seemed unwilling to submit to her, resisting her pull.

Lu Jiajia's delicate brows furrowed. She pulled at the sword without a sound, and a piercing pain echoed in her soul.

Ning Changjiu looked at her stubborn face and smiled slightly. He placed his hand over Lu Jiajia's, gripping it together with hers, and slowly drew the sword out.

"Kunlun," Lu Jiajia read the characters on the sword.

Ning Changjiu hummed in affirmation and said, "This is the legendary Heavenly Pillar of the Immortal Peak."

Lu Jiajia asked, "Why can you draw it, but I can't?"

Ning Changjiu replied, "This sword is still a bit unruly. After I temper it again, it should obey its mistress."

Hearing the words "temper" and "forge," Lu Jiajia's beautiful face flushed instinctively. She lowered her head, silently examining the sword, then quietly pushed it back into its sheath and tossed it back into Ning Changjiu's arms. She said, "Return the sword when you have a chance. No matter how poor our sect becomes, we don't lack outsiders' swords."

Ning Changjiu said, "If not for this sword, I wouldn't have made it back tonight."

Lu Jiajia thought about it, finding some logic in his words. "Then return it later, but don't keep it!" she insisted.

Keeping it would mean hidden connections and opportunities. She had promised Zhao Xiang'er to keep a close eye on Ning Changjiu. Now Siming was already a 'fish that got away' (in terms of her attempts to leave), and Lu Jiajia might still be able to find excuses to protect her. But if there were one or two more...

Ning Changjiu nodded and said, "Whatever Jiajia says."

Siming looked at the sword, feeling the dense, ancient sword intent emanating from it. She knew that this sword had once devoured the blood and bones of countless ancient dragons.

Fortunately, Ning Changjiu's Golden Crow lineage was still superior to those ancient dragons, allowing him to suppress it with divine power. Otherwise, if Ning Changjiu had forcibly drawn this sword, he might have been annihilated in both body and spirit.

Ning Xiaoling said guiltily, "I was thinking earlier whether Senior Brother would bring back another girl this time. It seems Xiaoling thought badly of Senior Brother."

Ning Changjiu thought of Liu Xiwang, and his heart tightened. He tugged at Xiaoling's tail and smiled, "How could your Senior Brother be such a person?"

Lu Jiajia gave a soft huff, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

"Why is your luck always so good?" Siming asked, feeling resentful.

Ning Changjiu looked at the silver-haired woman under the moonlight and smiled, "We are allies now, isn't it good for us if my luck is better? Or is Miss Siming feeling guilty about something?"

Siming stood quietly, her slender silver hair drifting in the cool breeze and moonlight, like a mist shimmering with moisture.

With her hands clasped behind her back, she calmly said, "What do I have to feel guilty about? I think it's certain people who are feeling guilty. Jiajia mentioned two women from the Sword Pavilion, and you casually brushed it off and turned the conversation to me. If that's not guilt, what is?"

Ning Changjiu was indeed feeling guilty, but he could roughly guess the misdeeds Siming might have committed in these past few months without needing to torture her for answers.

Lu Jiajia and Ning Xiaoling had eagerly awaited his return, and now Siming hadn't managed to escape at the last minute, making it a happy occasion for all. Next, he just needed to support Jiajia and his junior sister, and help them settle some old scores.

Ning Changjiu narrowed his eyes, smiling at Siming. "It's cold outside. Come in and sit down."

Siming saw his ill-intentioned smile and knew she couldn't escape her fate.

She showed no fear, turned around calmly, and walked into the room.

The wooden door blocked the cool night breeze.

Siming, with her hands behind her back, was the first to enter.

Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia, holding hands, walked behind her.

Ning Xiaoling sat on her senior brother's shoulder, hopping around, full of cheer.

The night was cool and gentle, like a maiden's fresh makeup. The bright moon hung high in the sky, like an eye gazing down upon the human world.

This was Lu Jiajia's boudoir in the Ancient Spirit Sect, spacious and well-lit, with curtains rustling softly.

Siming walked ahead, her almost floor-length silver hair swaying gently with her steps, making the exquisite and beautiful room seem like the lonely Guanghan Palace in the heavens.

She naturally took a seat, her legs crossed, her slender wrists resting on the armrests of the chair, fingers intertwined. Her gaze was calm as she looked at the two people and one fox.

Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia sat down beside her.

They smiled as they looked at Siming. The boudoir was quiet.

Siming grew increasingly nervous. She knew she was going to be humiliated tonight.

Under their gazes, she realized her posture was incorrect. Siming gently uncrossed her long legs and straightened them. Her elbows slowly left the armrests of the chair, and her delicate hands rested on her thighs, stroking her soft black robe. She looked surprisingly dignified and submissive, like a girl bowing her head in apology.

Since she couldn't escape, and knowing her fate, she thought it might be better to compromise for now, act more compliantly, and then slowly take revenge once she reclaimed her divine official's throne in the future.

Lu Jiajia and Ning Xiaoling hadn't seen Siming in such a subdued state for a long time.

Ning Changjiu sat in the center, like a judge holding power over life and death.

"Who stands before the court?" Ning Changjiu deliberately deepened his voice, speaking with authority.

Lu Jiajia was slightly startled but quickly got into character. "This humble civilian, Lu Jiajia."

Ning Xiaoling also said, "This humble... humble fox, Ning Xiaoling!"

Siming was reluctant to cooperate and remained silent.

Ning Changjiu said, "Miss Lu, you have reported a case tonight. What injustice have you suffered?"

Lu Jiajia looked at his serious face, suppressing a smile. She curtsied gracefully and said softly, "My husband is away on a long journey, and when I am alone at home, this sister often comes to trouble me, disturbing my peace... Please, Your Honor, deliver justice for your humble servant."

Ning Xiaoling also hopped onto the table, echoing, "Please, Your Honor, deliver justice!"

Siming scoffed coldly, "Two ungrateful foxes!"

A faint smile escaped Ning Changjiu's lips, but he quickly concealed it. He said calmly, "Rest assured, this official is fair, incorruptible, and dispenses rewards and punishments justly. Tell me the details of your grievances truthfully, and this official will grant you justice."

Lu Jiajia nodded and began to list Siming's 'crimes'.

Siming rubbed her crescent-shaped brows, sighed helplessly, and didn't bother to refute.

Ning Changjiu listened, his brows furrowed. He said, "In this time of peace and prosperity, there is actually such a wicked woman. Truly abominable. She must be lacking a good beating."

Hearing the word "beating," Siming silently cursed "corrupt official" in her heart.

After hearing the grievances of the case, Ning Changjiu directly pronounced his judgment. He said, "Although Miss Siming's crimes are heinous, considering her many good deeds, her merits and demerits balance each other out. A hundred slaps to the palm, how about that?"

Lu Jiajia smiled and said, "Many thanks, Your Honor, for delivering justice for your humble servant!"

Ning Xiaoling was also very excited, quite looking forward to seeing Sister Siming being "bullied."

Ning Changjiu asked, "Miss Si, do you have any objections?"

Siming said indifferently, "Would my objection be of any use?"

Ning Changjiu honestly replied, "No, it wouldn't."

He was determined to curb Siming's arrogance.

Siming let out a cold huff. She had anticipated this outcome the moment she couldn't escape today. Hmm... a hundred, that seemed acceptable.

Fearing Lu Jiajia might bring up more old grievances, she immediately stood up. Her fair hand moved the chair away, and her graceful figure moved forward. She gathered her beautiful silver hair, pulling it over her slender shoulders to fall in front of her, piling like snow on the table. Then, placing her hands on the table, she slightly bent her body, her gaze calm, and said indifferently, "Punish me."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Ning Changjiu looked at Siming's exquisite, curvaceous figure, slightly lost in thought. Lu Jiajia didn't scold him; both she and Xiaoling were a little dazed.

The woman before them was so familiar, yet if she merely hinted at a charm subtly different from her usual cool demeanor, it was enough to subdue even indifferent plants and trees.

Ning Changjiu composed himself. Just as he was about to stand up, his gaze drifted to the bedside and was caught by something.

"What's that?" Ning Changjiu asked, looking at the tassel-like object hanging by the bed.

Lu Jiajia immediately said, "It's nothing!"

Ning Xiaoling also jumped up, trying to block Ning Changjiu's eyes.

Siming was somewhat puzzled by their fuss. She said coolly, "Just a few fox tails I bought. What's so strange about them?"

"Hmm?" Ning Changjiu wondered, "Fox tails?"

He looked at Siming's calm face, unsure if the "tails" she mentioned were what he was thinking of.

Ignoring Lu Jiajia's attempts to stop him, he stubbornly walked to the bedside.

The tails came into view.

Ning Changjiu was silent for a long time.

Siming sneered, "Aren't they just a few decorative items to hang on a sash? Why do you look so unworldly?"

"Hung on a sash?" Ning Changjiu grew even more puzzled.

Lu Jiajia silently stepped forward, placed a hand on Ning Changjiu's shoulder, and whispered something into his ear.

Ning Changjiu's expression grew increasingly strange.

Ning Xiaoling pursed her lips. She looked at Siming, the only one in the room who was still oblivious, and knew that Sister Siming was truly in for trouble this time.

Siming also sensed something was off. "Are you... hiding something from me?"

Ning Changjiu, listening to Lu Jiajia's words, found the matter utterly absurd. He walked over to Siming with the tails, his gaze sweeping over the curve of her back. He said, "Miss Siming, take your punishment with this on."

Siming wondered what else this meant, besides looking like a small fox and being somewhat cute.

She hummed in acknowledgment and said, "You are the esteemed official; whatever you say goes. There's no need to feign asking for my opinion."

Ning Changjiu sighed, "Then tonight, I shall let Miss Siming know a cruel truth..."

"A cruel... truth?" Siming felt as if she were lost in a fog.

Lu Jiajia looked at Sister Xueci's rare display of innocence and couldn't bear it. She leaned in and whispered the truth into Siming's ear.

As Siming listened to the words whispered in her ear, her earlobes turned crimson, her body grew warm, and her face was filled with stunned disbelief.

"How... how could this be?" Siming looked at Lu Jiajia, annoyed. "You... you've been tricking me all this time?!"

Only today did Siming realize she had underestimated humans.

They could actually be like this...

Ning Xiaoling excitedly waited on the side, ready to watch the show.

Ning Changjiu, however, grabbed Ning Xiaoling and said, "Children should go outside."

Ning Xiaoling waved her paws, protesting loudly, "Let me down! I'm not a child! Woo-hoo, Senior Brother, let me down!"

Ning Changjiu opened the door slightly, tossed Xiaoling out, and said, "Junior Sister, go back to the Nine Nether Palace yourself."

The door slammed shut.

Ning Xiaoling clawed at the door.

Ning Changjiu said, "Junior Sister, be good and go back. I won't let you in."

"No... I wanted to say," Ning Xiaoling yelled, "Senior Brother, remember to turn Sister Siming into a nine-tailed demonic fox!"

Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia exchanged a glance.

Siming was utterly bewildered.

Of course, Siming couldn't actually become a nine-tailed fox.

As their palms met, the fire patterns realigned symmetrically. Siming endured the punishment and stood up, about to make a move, but was given an order: she was not allowed to remove the tails for a few days.

Siming silently rose. In the moonlight by the window, her graceful figure was still as beautiful as a goddess, yet now tinged with a beauty from the mortal world.

It was late, and she was about to leave.

Lu Jiajia, however, suddenly grabbed her wrist.

"Sister," Lu Jiajia blinked at Siming in the moonlight. With the old scores settled, Jiajia was satisfied, and they were good sisters again. Lu Jiajia gently said, "Sister... stay tonight."

Ning Changjiu heard this, and his heart skipped a beat.

Siming looked towards Ning Changjiu.

Ning Changjiu nodded softly.

Siming said, "What do you take me for?"

Lu Jiajia said softly, "Family, of course."

Siming scoffed, "I think you mean a housemaid. What kind of family..."

She trailed off.

Lu Jiajia said helplessly, "It's just because Sister is usually too mischievous."

Siming quietly looked at Ning Changjiu.

Ning Changjiu said earnestly, "You are family."

Siming had shown great kindness to him, Jiajia, and Xiaoling. After Boundary City, she had broken free from nearly seven hundred years of restraints, and her temperament had become much gentler and kinder. After Luoshu, he had never again treated her as an outsider.

Listening to Ning Changjiu's words, Siming didn't know whether to be happy or sad. She lightly flicked her sleeve, turned, and left, her voice still cool and distant: "Our usual little squabbles are fine, but a divine maiden must remain flawless. I will not change for anyone or anything."

As she spoke, she silently pushed open the door, her figure disappearing into the moonlight.

The room remained silent for a long time.

"Sister Xueci has already left. What are you still looking at?" Lu Jiajia said.

Ning Changjiu looked at Lu Jiajia and smiled, "This official won the case for you. How will you repay this official?"

Lu Jiajia understood his implied meaning and scoffed, "You corrupt official!"

The night was gentle and mild.

Within the boudoir, military tactics were unfolding.

Lu Jiajia employed the Empty Fort Strategy.

Ning Changjiu found a hidden path, advancing with his spear.

The night was calm.

Beneath the Nine Nether Hall, within the Underworld, was a place they could not see.

The girl in the intricate black dress stood before the throne, her body trembling.

Behind the throne, the white bones of the feathered serpent slowly awakened.

From the realm beneath the Sea of Darkness, numerous fragments of white bone gathered towards this place.

"We are one," the skeletal voice seemed to say. "Once I fully awaken, the Underworld will regain its former glory. This is what we have pursued for a thousand years, isn't it?"

The white bones seemed to speak.

Jiu You looked at it and, after a long silence, asked, "What about her... what will happen to her?"

The skeletal feathered serpent said, "How long have you known each other? Do you truly consider that girl a sister? The path of a monarch is always lonely. She will die before you eventually. Since sorrow will come sooner or later, why not cut all ties in advance?"

In the darkness, the girl's choked sobs could be heard.

"I... I understand."