Chapter 331: Great Villain and Bad Woman

The inn fell silent for a moment. The evening breeze pushed against the wooden door, producing a short, grinding sound that reached the innkeeper’s ears. He was halfway through his sentence when he felt a lump in his throat. He felt a slight dizziness, and his vision wavered intensely.

Ning Changjiu turned around and gently comforted Siming. The woman’s expression remained unchanged, but the atmosphere in the inn lightened somewhat.

The innkeeper regained his composure, thinking it was just his aging eyes playing tricks on him. He steadied himself, his wrinkled eyelids lowered, watching them and awaiting their decision.

He had run this inn for many years and had seen all kinds of people. He didn’t understand cultivation, nor did he possess mind-reading abilities, but he could immediately tell that the relationship between the man and woman was unusual, certainly not merely fellow travelers they had met by chance, as they claimed.

These two, having traveled so far, had impeccable clothes and refined demeanors, suggesting they were a young master and mistress from noble families—a well-matched pair, merely having a disagreement.

Ning Changjiu projected his voice in a thread and asked, "My Lady Divine Official, what do you suggest we do?"

Siming said coldly, "What do you mean, 'what do we do'? Are you still hoping to share a room with me? Stop daydreaming."

"Then shall we stay on a lower floor?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"Are you insulting me?" Siming replied.

"..." Ning Changjiu said, "Miss Siming, what is your intention?"

Siming said, "This isn't the only inn in town."

"Alright then," Ning Changjiu said, "let's go look elsewhere."

Under the innkeeper's puzzled gaze, the two turned and left.

Inns were not scarce in the city. Although this place was remote, it connected to several trade routes and often attracted martial artists and merchants.

Siming walked ahead, her gaze indifferent, and sneered, "Don't think I don't know your mischievous intentions. I'm not some naive young girl."

Ning Changjiu also smiled and said, "My Lady Divine Official, you wrong me. This was merely a coincidence. Since you disagree, of course, I respect your wishes."

"Stop pretending," Siming retorted with a cold laugh, not believing him in the slightest.

As there were no longer any pedestrians on the street, Siming, with her light, graceful steps, gradually revealed her true appearance. Her peerless beauty lit up the night, her long hair in the wind like shimmering light, while her robe was the endless night.

With her hands clasped behind her back, she walked indifferently, truly like the night sky itself had descended.

Ning Changjiu walked slowly with her, passing through both quiet and bustling streets as the night breeze gently caressed them.

"How about this inn?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"The inn's signboard is decaying, what do you expect?" Siming said disdainfully.

The two continued walking.

"How about this one?" Ning Changjiu stopped in front of a delicate and elegant inn, asking aloud, "Does this suit your preference, My Lady Divine Official?"

Siming paused and looked for a moment. Beneath the soft red lanterns, delicate green vines clung, the eaves hung low, and a warm, gentle light seeped through, giving a sense of coziness. Siming initially wanted to enter, but as she looked up, she glimpsed the four characters 'Chang Ning Restaurant'. She frowned, thinking, "If you reverse those characters, don't they spell 'Ning Changjiu's establishment'?!"

How could she agree? She said coldly, "Let's find another place."

Ning Changjiu, resigned, could only continue walking with her.

"What about this one?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"The decor is too old."

"And this one?"

"Their Heaven-grade room is probably worse than the Earth-grade room at the first inn."

Ning Changjiu walked slowly with her, saying, "This one, however, meets all your requirements."

Siming took a deep breath and said, "Ning Changjiu, are you intentionally trying to provoke me? Don't think I don't recognize a brothel!"

"..." Ning Changjiu explained, "Xiang'er and I have stayed in one before; the environment was quite pleasant."

"If you dare to utter another word of nonsense," Siming said, "I'll sell you to a brothel!"

Ning Changjiu smiled and continued walking with her.

They circled the entire city, spending a full hour, but still couldn't find an inn that suited Siming.

The two walked on the desolate street.

"Coming to this mortal realm must truly be an imposition on you, My Lady Divine Official," Ning Changjiu sighed.

"Don't look so impatient," Siming said. "It is your three lifetimes' fortune to travel with me."

Ning Changjiu pursed his lips. He rubbed his elbows and thighs, saying, "My Lady Divine Official, you're not satisfied with this, and not satisfied with that. What are we to do?"

Siming snorted coldly, offering no reply.

As they walked, the streetlights gradually faded, and the street before them became completely dark. The old, heavy eaves were hidden in the night, showing no sign of life.

"Ahead lies a stretch of abandoned houses," Ning Changjiu stopped and said. "Such places always exist in desolate mountains and wild cities, what common folk call 'haunted houses'. They've been empty for many years, and there won't be any more inns beyond this. Let's go back."

"Go back for what?" Siming said.

Ning Changjiu gave a wry smile and said, "My Lady Divine Official, you can't possibly stoop to staying here. Although we aren't afraid of ghosts, those houses are likely full of cobwebs and dust by now. If we were to stay, it would take all night just to clean them."

"Wouldn't that be perfect then?" Siming suddenly turned her head, a charming smile appearing on her cool, serene face. She pointed to the adjoining abandoned houses and said, "You can stay there tonight."

"Hmm?" Ning Changjiu was puzzled. "Do you enjoy bringing trouble upon yourself this much?"

Siming smiled faintly and said, "Oh, I won't be staying here. At the first inn, wasn't there still a Heaven-grade room available? You stay here, I'll go back, and we'll meet in the morning. Oh... and give me the room money."

Ning Changjiu looked at Siming's outstretched hand and triumphant face, remained silent for a moment, then also began to laugh.

Siming frowned and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Ning Changjiu clasped his hands in his sleeves, lifted his head, and gazed gently at Siming's face.

His gentle gaze made Siming feel a slight unease. Ning Changjiu laughed for a while, then his expression gradually grew stern. He slowly said, "My Lady Divine Official, you always seem to forget your place."

Siming's heart chilled, and she said, "What do you mean? What are you trying to do?"

Ning Changjiu grabbed her outstretched hand, squeezed her wrist, and started walking towards the abandoned houses.

Siming's expression hardened, and she said furiously, "Ning Changjiu! How dare you be so presumptuous!"

With a thought from Ning Changjiu, Siming let out a low groan, her knees bent inward, and her graceful figure suddenly swayed and leaned forward.

Ning Changjiu had another thought, and this once-unrivaled Divine Official found herself on her knees, her slender, elegant shoulders hunched, her slightly arched back trembling uncontrollably, forced to cover her mouth with her palm to prevent any sound from escaping.

"Miss Siming, have you forgotten the master-servant pact we made that day in Broken Boundary City? Has too much time passed?" Ning Changjiu gently stroked her silver hair, speaking softly, then easily scooped her up by the back of her knees and carried her towards the abandoned houses.

As the innkeeper was about to close the doors, he saw the man and woman who had left over an hour ago returning.

The man's expression was unchanged, while the woman... her head was bowed, her lips pursed, and she remained silent. Though her aura was still cool and aloof, she appeared much gentler.

The innkeeper quickly said, "Oh, young master, coincidentally, just now, a guest had an emergency at home and checked out of their room. I've just finished tidying it up. Two rooms have become available, which works out perfectly; you two needn't argue anymore."

Ning Changjiu looked at Siming, who stood behind him with her head bowed, and smiled faintly at the innkeeper, saying, "No need, one room will be enough."

Siming looked up, her lips tightly pressed, appearing defiant but not daring to speak.

"Do you disagree?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Siming clenched her fists within her sleeves and said, "As you wish."

The innkeeper watched, bewildered, then immediately understood. It must have been a lovers' quarrel. The young master had probably gone out to 'assert his authority' and put the young mistress firmly in her place.

Ning Changjiu took the key with its tag and slowly ascended the stairs with Siming.

Inside the room, the candle was lit. Siming stood silently in the shadows untouched by the candlelight, watching Ning Changjiu make the bed with a frosty gaze, and said, "You've humiliated me in countless ways; you'll pay for this sooner or later!"

"If you showed me even a little respect, would it have come to this?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"You ungrateful wretch, returning kindness with enmity," Siming said. "Why should I respect your opinion?"

"If I truly wanted to repay kindness with enmity," Ning Changjiu said, "I would seize your virginity right now, preventing you from ever being a goddess again, instead of just inflicting some mild, insignificant punishment."

"You wouldn't dare!" Siming's gaze sharpened instantly.

Ning Changjiu looked at her murderous gaze, feeling increasingly weary. He thought, 'If you were truly this tough, then you wouldn't have pitifully begged for mercy and admitted your mistakes earlier, repeatedly promising not to offend again.'

Ning Changjiu heated some water and poured it into a basin. He used his spiritual power to cool it quickly. Once the temperature was suitable, he brought it before Siming, then took her hand and placed it in the water.

Next, he helped Siming sit on a chair and picked up a wooden comb.

The wooden teeth glided through her silky hair.

Siming was expressionless, neither compliant nor resistant, allowing him to do as he pleased.

After washing her hands and combing her hair, Ning Changjiu straightened her clothes and said, "Get some rest. We have to travel tomorrow."

"You go yourself," Siming said. "I don't want to go."

"What did you promise when we were at the abandoned houses, Miss Si?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"You..." Siming's cheeks flushed slightly. She gritted her teeth, her pretty face fierce like a small beast guarding its food, and snorted, "Hmph, you villain, you'll get your comeuppance sooner or later."

Ning Changjiu finished making the bed and said, "Go to sleep first. You can tear me to shreds in your dreams."

"Sleep?" Siming said. "Just because Lu Jiajia isn't around, you're eyeing me up? Hmph, with your temperament, why don't you go become the sect leader of the Joyful Union Sect?"

Ning Changjiu casually replied, "I'm occupied with unfinished business here; I can't get away."

"???" Siming paused, stunned, and said, "How shameless!"

"Do I have to tell you a story for you to be willing to sleep?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"Do you take me for a silly girl like Lu Jiajia?" Siming said. "Do you think a few sweet words will be enough to coax me?"

Ning Changjiu chuckled, "Jiajia is much more obedient than you."

'Obedient'? This word infuriated Siming even more. She silently got up, rolled up half the quilt, and spread it on the floor, saying sarcastically, "You are the master, I am the servant. How could I presume to sleep with you? I wouldn't dare disturb my master."

With that, Siming lay stiffly on the floor and fell asleep.

Ning Changjiu sat on the edge of the bed, his hand on his forehead, looking at the woman with her silver hair spread out. Thinking about the journey ahead, he found himself missing Lu Jiajia more and more.

He looked up, gazing at the moon outside the window.

Tonight was a full moon.

The moonlight was like silver. Floating night clouds resembled mist, and the moonlight threaded through them, sometimes hidden, sometimes revealed. It was so familiar, hanging high for thousands of years, always showing only one side to the mortal world, flawlessly illustrating its waxing and waning.

Master...

Is she on the far side of the moon?

Ning Changjiu thought silently.

In the morning, Siming woke up on the couch. Having flown her sword all day yesterday and bickered with Ning Changjiu, she was physically and mentally exhausted. She had actually fallen into a deep sleep last night, and... had slept remarkably soundly.

Siming opened her drowsy eyes, unable to accept this. She sulked for a while, then suddenly realized that where she was lying was very soft.

It was then that she discovered she had, at some point, been moved to the bed, and the quilt was pulled tightly over her.

"Feigned kindness," Siming concluded in her heart. 'I won't be grateful... For last night's humiliation, and all past insults, I will surely retaliate in the future!'

Siming imagined herself back on her divine throne for a while. At that time, the long river of time would flow before her, the suspended sundial book would glow brilliantly, and golden birds would fly by in flocks. Below the long stairs, Ning Changjiu would be bound to a golden cross, submitting to her...

Siming's lips curved upward slightly, then she immediately suppressed it. She frowned, thinking, 'Having lived for thousands of years, how can I be so childish? Xueci... what has gotten into you?'

When Siming got up, Ning Changjiu had already prepared porridge and invited her to eat.

Siming finished her porridge, gently wiped her lips, and said, "Hmm, it's not bad."

Ning Changjiu chuckled, "It's truly rare to receive a compliment from My Lady Divine Official."

Siming looked at the young man, who was a beast in human guise, and said with a faint smile, "That's just polite talk. You mortals have to do everything yourselves; it's no surprise that you become more skilled after doing it often."

Ning Changjiu glanced at the bed and asked, "Is this why you folded the quilt like this?"

"Doesn't it look like tofu?" Siming asked.

Ning Changjiu took a deep breath, forcing down the urge to spank her, and silently refolded the quilt.

Siming watched silently from the side.

Ning Changjiu tidied the bed and asked, "Do you want to bathe before we leave?"

"No need," Siming said indifferently. "I'm not used to the water in the city. Besides the sacred waterfalls from the Nine Heavens, I can barely tolerate some of the serene spring water seeping from beneath the mortal earth."

"Oh..."

Ning Changjiu couldn't be bothered to talk to her anymore. He increasingly appreciated Lu Jiajia's thoughtfulness and kindness. For a difficult woman like Siming, Lu Jiajia had managed to get along with her harmoniously for several months. 'Hmm... for a woman like this, perhaps it was best she remained solitary on her divine throne. After all... whoever married her would be unlucky!'

It is commonly said among mortals that a journey is the inevitable path for a loving couple to grow apart, appearing together but spiritually distant.

This was only the first day, and the two, who had been amiable enough in the Ancient Spirit Sect, already wanted nothing more to do with each other.

Siming felt greatly distressed thinking about the road ahead, traveling with this 'great villain'.

Ning Changjiu, pondering the prospect of caring for this 'bad woman' in the future, was equally exhausted.

Siming sat silently before the mirror, her hands tucked into her sleeves, waiting.

Ning Changjiu finished combing her hair.

Siming let out a noncommittal hum, then unfastened her fox demon mask from her waist and placed it over her face.

Although Siming had been taught a lesson last night and was much more restrained, she still couldn't shed her lofty demeanor. She slowly rose and said, "I'm rested enough. Let's go. I'll send you on your way!"

Ning Changjiu listened to her resentful words and couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

As the two walked down the stairs together, they suddenly heard murmurs of discussion.

"I heard there were ghosts at the abandoned houses last night..."

"Ghosts doing what?"

"Apparently, strange noises were coming from inside. No one knows which house, but they say it sounded like a woman slapping someone."

"Ah... could it have been two female ghosts fighting?"

"Who knows? Anyway, that place is eerie; it's best to stay far away."

Siming listened to these words, then silently covered her ears.

Ning Changjiu looked at her expression, feeling quite pleased.

The two left the inn, bidding farewell to the smiling innkeeper.

After stepping outside, Siming had a sudden thought. She stopped and turned back to look at the inn's signboard.

"Datong Inn?" Siming nodded lightly. "Hmm, 'Great Harmony under Heaven'. For a small inn in a remote, desolate town, to have such an aspiration is quite commendable. My stay here was not in vain."

"Perhaps the innkeeper's name is just Datong," Ning Changjiu said.

"..." Siming took a deep breath and made another entry in the ledger of her mind. 'Hmph, let you be arrogant for now; you'll have your time to cry later... When that time comes, I'll involve your entire sect, making all of you suffer punishment together, and tremble beneath my divine robe!'

Ning Changjiu interrupted her thoughts, "My Lady Divine Official, please summon your sword."

"Hmm..." Siming reluctantly stepped forward, conjured a phantom sword, lightly stepped onto it, and said expressionlessly, "Get on."

Ning Changjiu leaped onto the sword's tail.

The sword's light soared into the sky, great trees trembled, and forest birds scattered. Siming, feeling annoyed, initially wanted to make the sword ride a bit bumpy on purpose, but unexpectedly, to steady himself, Ning Changjiu directly clasped her waist. Greatly frustrated, she had no choice but to steady the sword's flight again.

The two still weren't idle on the sword. They chatted about various gossip and past events concerning deities, and incidentally, engaged in some indirect sparring by slandering embarrassing ancient gods. For example, the Imperial Divine Crab, who, due to its tyranny and arrogance, had its legs severed by a sage descendant, leaving behind the prophecy 'six kowtows, two claws'. And the Nine-Headed Sea Serpent of the Northern Abyss, who, after failing to seduce a deity, was transformed into an ugly sorceress...

This time, Siming, relying on her vast knowledge, left Ning Changjiu speechless, winning a round.

The sword's light swept into the depths of the ancient mountains and forests. Siming stopped near a secluded waterfall pool, and drew several divine curtains impenetrable to other deities' gazes before disrobing and bathing.

Ning Changjiu waited patiently for a full hour before Siming slowly emerged, dressed again.

Her long hair, not dried by sword-fire, still hung damply, and her features held a refreshing coolness, like a mountain after fresh rain. Droplets of water ran down the back of her neck, disappearing into her clothes, stirring the imagination.

Ning Changjiu had to admit that this 'bad woman' possessed a beauty so captivating it could topple empires. After her bath, the cool mist made her delicate form appear even more enchanting, and beneath her slightly open black robe, her collarbones were clearly visible, exquisite and slender.

Siming's eyes curved like a new moon, and she smiled as she looked at him, saying, "What's wrong? Why that expression? If you dare to entertain any improper thoughts, I'll tell Lu Jiajia everything."

Ning Changjiu exhaled, forcing his heart to steady. He felt increasingly like a saint.

He said indifferently, "Didn't you always wear more clothes than anyone else? Why are you so lightly dressed now?"

"Isn't it because my master forced me to?" Siming said pitifully. "Master... shows no pity for this humble servant."

Ning Changjiu could hear his own heartbeat, and his eyelids twitched. Even if Siming's enchanting allure was feigned at the moment, he dared not meet her gaze. He could only grit his teeth and say, word by word, "Since you're done bathing, continue sending me on my way."

Siming found some long-lost amusement in teasing him. As she tied her sash, she curtsied slightly, her voice soft and alluring, saying, "Understood. I will respectfully see my master off."

Ning Changjiu covered his ears and closed his eyes, utterly resigned.

This journey was still progressing with difficulty.

Siming stood in front, her damp long hair clinging to Ning Changjiu's face, slowly drying in the wind.

Ning Changjiu remained as still as a stone Buddha.

Half a day passed.

Siming's sword flight suddenly slowed.

"What's wrong?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Siming's nostrils flared slightly, and her gaze fell upon the vast mountains below, saying, "There's demonic energy."

"Demons?" Ning Changjiu wondered. "Are we nearing Myriad Demon City?"

"I don't have the ability to travel a hundred thousand li in a single day," Siming said.

"It's probably not unusual for powerful demons to hide in deep, ancient forests," Ning Changjiu said.

Siming pondered quietly for a moment. She saw a faint, ethereal thread, and with a slight stir of her spiritual sense, she suddenly said, "Let's go take a look."

With that, Siming steered her sword downwards, descending into the area with the strongest demonic energy.

Ning Changjiu lightly leaped off the sword.

This was an untouched primeval wilderness. In the dense forest, where decaying leaves piled high, towering trees reached the sky. Their trunks were slick with moss, and thumb-sized ants crawled upon them. In the dim forest, rose-red light filtered through the gaps in the leaves, forming long, distinct beams.

Siming's toes lightly touched the fallen leaves.

Below her, all centipedes and scorpions scurried away.

Ning Changjiu and she followed the pervasive demonic energy, walking deeper into the forest.

"This demonic energy is new," Siming said.

"New?" Ning Changjiu asked, puzzled. "Do you mean this powerful demon has just awakened?"

Siming nodded and said, "Its aura is unusual."

Ning Changjiu immediately became cautious. If Siming called something 'unusual', it must be a fierce and malevolent old demon.

Beyond this forest lay a pond filled with water. Lush vegetation grew along its banks, and the water itself was covered with algae and aquatic plants. Fish swam among them. The exposed surface of the water was bright as a mirror, intermittently reflecting the tree shadows above. The deep green hues seemed to be contained within a silver-plated mirror, and the reflected tree shadows were also serene.

By the pond, two young deer were still drinking water together. Only after Siming and Ning Changjiu arrived did the deer startle and run away.

Ning Changjiu looked towards the center of the pond.

On the duckweed there, an ordinary red-headed turtle lay quietly.

It gazed at the sunlight filtering down from above, seemingly lost in thought.

"Where is the great demon?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Siming pointed to the ordinary turtle and said, "That's it."

The turtle lowered its head, stared at them, and asked, "Are you here for me?"

Its voice was slow, as if it had just awakened from a long slumber.

"We were just passing by," Siming said. "We noticed some demonic energy and came to investigate; we mean no disturbance."

The turtle looked at them and asked, "How many years have passed..."

"How many years of what?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"The Divine War," the turtle said.

"The Divine War five hundred years ago?" Ning Changjiu asked.

The turtle thought for a moment, then said, "Oh, so five hundred years have passed."

"..." Siming listened to their conversation and suddenly felt that even the turtle was smarter than Ning Changjiu.

"Are you one of the great demons who survived that Divine War?" Siming asked.

The turtle gazed blankly at the sky and slowly said, "Indeed..."

"It's truly remarkable that you've survived until today," Siming said.

The turtle slowly drifted into thought, recalling, "At that time, the divine might sat high above, unleashing its boundless wrath, sending floods from the Nine Heavens, transforming this land into a sea, intending to drown and destroy the demon army. I am the Spirit Turtle of the Northern Sea, who cultivated for a thousand years and proclaimed myself the Rain Master of the land. After entering the Divine War, I did not achieve much merit, and held regret in my heart. When this calamity descended, a sage recognized my unusual nature, granted me a spiritual artifact, and commanded me to use my body to suppress the vast ocean. That suppression... has lasted five hundred years."

He looked at the vast mountains and forests, his voice slow. It was impossible to tell if he was sorrowful or not, only a sense of reminiscing about oceans turning into mulberry fields.

Ning Changjiu and Siming exchanged a glance.

The Spirit Turtle looked at them and asked, "Is the sage... still alive?"

"Close to death," Ning Changjiu said.

The Spirit Turtle nodded gently, as if expecting it, and said, "The Divine War... was lost after all."

"My condolences," Ning Changjiu said.

"You should not mourn for me, but for all under heaven," the Spirit Turtle lay on the dew-laden duckweed, looking at them both, its voice growing even more ancient. "The sage entrusted me with the Spirit Item that Calms the Seas, saying he would retrieve it after the war and reward me with merit. I never imagined... this item would soon become a relic."