Chapter 447: Bad Woman, I'll Take On

“A recording stone?”

Zhao Xiang’er took the stone. It was bright and translucent, with intricate patterns within, like fine traces left behind as sound flowed through.

Si Ming rose from Zhao Xiang’er’s soft, straight thighs and knelt on the ground. She covered the hem of her divine robe with her hand; her fairy-like face, white as snow, was tinged with the color of sunset, and her light-colored long hair blazed like fire.

She bit her lip, unwilling to accept her predicament. She had not expected to end up like this again—her schemes foiled, reduced to a prisoner, and ultimately tortured into confession. It must have been the bullying of Bai Zang lately that led to this misjudgment. She had truly underestimated Zhao Xiang’er, to be fooled by such a trick…

Hmph, let her crow now; I’ll feign compliance. When she enters the sect later… Si Ming shook her delicate head slightly, immediately cutting off the thought, reminding herself that after so many beatings, it was time to learn her lesson.

“Yes, a recording stone,” Si Ming explained. “After our parting in Lone Cloud City, Sister Zhao asked me to keep a close eye on that villain. I kept it firmly in mind. When he spoke ill of you behind your back, I recorded it for your decision, Sister.”

Zhao Xiang’er looked at the recording stone. By simply injecting a stream of spiritual energy, the stone would play the recorded sound. Zhao Xiang’er, however, did not act rashly. Her gaze fell forward, and she waved her hand, saying, “Come in.”

Through the last gate of the Three Thousand Worlds, Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia stepped inside.

This was a world constructed by the Cloud Silk Immortal Pavilion. Thread-like clouds sometimes turned into cranes, sometimes fish, and sometimes drifted as clouds in the vast sky. The world resembled a sphere, with the sea and sky silently inverted, and countless rootless floating flowers and specks of dust interspersed within. Every minute detail seemed to hide a world, and within these worlds lay three thousand great worlds, making it impossible to grasp the full scope even with a lifetime of diligent study.

Lu Jiajia gazed at the dreamlike and illusory world, lost in thought for a long time. Finally, her eyes settled on the aerial pavilion in the distance, where a girl in a gold-embroidered dragon robe sat with her long hair loose, her posture elegant and upright. She looked at Lu Jiajia from afar, her slender calves unadorned, whiter and softer than clouds. Si Ming stood behind her, humiliatingly massaging her shoulders, frowning and biting her lip, her expression resentful.

Ning Changjiu approached her. He looked at the girl with the serene smile and said, “It’s been over a year since we parted in the imperial city. So much has happened since then… I apologize for being so late in coming.”

Zhao Xiang’er looked at him and couldn't help but recall the fireworks that enveloped the imperial city back then. She walked across the velvet carpet in her wedding gown, and the night’s clamor was the colorful mist swirling above. Afterward, they embraced on the couch, the arrow ready to fly, and just as they were about to become one, Xue Yuan and the Fish King broke into the imperial city together, ruining the good night. Later, from within the Three Thousand Worlds, she occasionally glimpsed their distant journey. So much had transpired during that time that looking back, it felt as though many years had passed. Yet, in reality, their last parting, when the first snowflakes fell, was only a year ago.

“Indeed, only a year has passed,” Zhao Xiang’er said softly, her thoughts drifting.

Lu Jiajia also said, “Miss Xiang’er, long time no see. Back then, outside the abyss, I truly thank you for often coming to accompany me.”

“The abyss…” Zhao Xiang’er recalled past events. “That’s right, I often disrespected you back then, Sister Lu. It seems we exchanged harsh words more than once or twice.”

Lu Jiajia’s expression was calm. “Yes, Xiang’er was quite fierce back then.”

Zhao Xiang’er smiled faintly. “I’m still very fierce now, you know. If Jiajia dares to contradict me, her fate will certainly be like this.” She then pointed to the divine official biting her lip behind her, her face full of grievance.

Lu Jiajia’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. “I am your senior disciple sister, after all.”

Zhao Xiang’er leaned in closer. “So what if you’re the senior disciple sister? Jiajia was truly magnificent for three years in the dream. It’s just a pity that this isn't Buke Guan, and you don’t have Master to back you up here.”

Lu Jiajia said unhappily, “Xiang’er, have you learned bad habits too?”

Zhao Xiang’er’s legs swayed slightly, her smile faint. “What’s wrong? Is Jiajia, the senior disciple sister, going to teach me manners?”

Lu Jiajia let out a soft snort. Although she occasionally considered herself the main wife, being in the Three Thousand Worlds at this moment, she could only dare to be angry but not to speak.

“Alright, stop bullying Jiajia,” Ning Changjiu said.

Zhao Xiang’er’s smile still rippled like waves. She looked at Ning Changjiu, her clear black and white watery eyes narrowing, radiating light under her eyelashes. “Is that so?” Zhao Xiang’er said. “You usually bully Jiajia much worse than I do.”

Ning Changjiu looked at the stunningly beautiful girl in the black dragon robe. After not seeing her for a long time, her already exquisite features had become even more peerlessly captivating. Her collarbones and fragrant shoulders were slightly exposed from her robes, revealing her delicate bone structure, yet her figure was not at all thin, with graceful and soft curves. Every movement exuded the air of an empress descending, an invincible and arrogant presence. Ning Changjiu couldn't help but recall the first time he saw her—at the little general’s mansion in the imperial city, she came walking with a red umbrella, half in light, half in shadow…

“Hey, what are you staring at? Is it that pretty?” Si Ming glared at Ning Changjiu coldly.

Ning Changjiu gently looked up, saying with a slight apology, “No, I was just recalling some old memories.”

Si Ming glared at him fiercely, silently keeping a tally.

Ning Changjiu looked at Zhao Xiang’er and asked, “Xiang’er, are you really that bored, watching my every move?”

Zhao Xiang’er said coolly, “If I weren’t watching you, how would I know about your usual womanizing? Right?”

Ning Changjiu knew he was in the wrong and didn’t reply. As he lowered his head, he happened to see the recording stone on Zhao Xiang’er’s lap. He frowned, finding the stone somewhat familiar, and asked, “What is this?”

Zhao Xiang’er said, “It’s a recording stone. Sister Xue Ci gave it to me, saying it contains you speaking ill of me behind my back.”

Ning Changjiu’s heart jolted, and he immediately looked at Si Ming. He remembered now: it was in Xihe Hall, when Si Ming asked him who was prettier, herself or Xiang’er. At the time, thinking no one was around, he answered her. Then Si Ming took out a recording stone as one of her means of control over him. He had originally wanted to seize the opportunity to retrieve and destroy that stone, but then too many things happened, and he forgot. Seeing the stone now, his heart twitched. He looked at Zhao Xiang’er’s gaze on him, vaguely feeling that the humiliating history of Linhe City from back then might be about to repeat itself…

“Is this the backup plan Sister Xue Ci mentioned?” Lu Jiajia asked from the side.

Si Ming gave a soft hum. She had anticipated losing; if she lost… she would use this to pledge allegiance. She knew that although both she and Xiang’er wanted to tease each other, they truly recognized each other as sisters. The only disagreement was over who was the elder sister and who was the younger. Now that she had completely lost, she obediently handed over the recording stone as a sign of surrender.

Si Ming then said, “Jiajia, what are you pretending for? Didn’t I show you this as well?”

“Ah…” Lu Jiajia pursed her cherry lips, her gaze evasive. “Did you?” In the past, Si Ming had indeed privately shown off this item to her and even shared some stones with Lu Jiajia, telling her to keep some leverage over Ning Changjiu so that if he dared to seek other women outside in the future, they could use Zhao Xiang’er as a knife to severely punish him. Although Lu Jiajia had accepted them at the time, she was gentle by nature and had never used the item.

Ning Changjiu looked at Lu Jiajia, smiling helplessly. “So Jiajia knew too.”

Lu Jiajia became a little firmer. “Isn't it your own doing?”

Zhao Xiang’er held up the recording stone and said, “I haven’t listened yet; I was waiting for you to come. Now that you’re here, shall we listen together to what you said back then?”

Ning Changjiu said, “What’s there to listen to? If Xiang’er wants to hear me speak, I can speak every day for the coming days.”

Zhao Xiang’er’s pretty face still held a faint smile. “Is that so? But I specifically want to listen now.”

Zhao Xiang’er injected spiritual energy into the recording stone.

Unwilling to wait for his fate, Ning Changjiu activated his authority over time. His figure flashed, and he appeared before Zhao Xiang’er. He cast a spiritual illusion over Zhao Xiang’er, making her fall into a brief stupor, then swiftly and decisively moved to snatch the recording stone. Zhao Xiang’er cooperatively froze for a moment, but just as Ning Changjiu reached for the stone, her stupor instantly vanished, replaced by a triumphant smile. With a flick of her wrist, the recording stone disappeared. She extended an empty hand, pushed forward, and phoenix fire suddenly erupted, pushing Ning Changjiu back to his original spot.

“This is my world, and all three of you combined are no match for me,” Zhao Xiang’er looked at Ning Changjiu and said quietly. “What? Trying to destroy the evidence? I’m actually becoming more and more interested in what you said behind my back!” Seated within the Three Thousand Worlds, she was like a divine lord ruling a divine kingdom. As the supreme authority of a sage had not yet fallen upon this place, within this world, she was an invincible goddess.

Ning Changjiu wanted to argue a bit more and find a good opportunity, but Zhao Xiang’er had already injected the spiritual energy. It was too late.

The recording stone emitted a beautiful radiance. The tiny patterns within were activated, turning into a sound like a flowing stream, lightly flowing out from the stone's very essence. Everyone concentrated to listen.

Then, everyone frowned.

“Jiajia, are you really not going to try it? This is a stone I brought from the Yuanfu Divine Kingdom, extremely rare in the world,” Si Ming’s clear and charming voice came from the recording stone.

“No, a recording stone like this damages trust. I just feel it’s not right.”

“Not right? What’s not right about it? Our husband is getting more and more out of line, and that Zhao Xiang’er is very arrogant. Even if we team up, we’ll probably be bullied together. Why don’t we use this recording stone to make those wicked people wear each other down, and then we can take advantage of the vacuum and establish our status in one fell swoop!” Si Ming patiently guided.

“No, Xiang’er and I have a very good relationship, and husband also…” Lu Jiajia sounded very troubled.

“Hmph, didn’t you used to tell me you wanted to teach Xiang’er a lesson and make her understand the senior disciple sister’s authority?” Si Ming demanded.

“Oh, back then by the abyss, although we mocked and even threatened to duel, those were just words said in anger; they don’t count,” Lu Jiajia’s voice was very soft.

“Forget it, forget it. Jiajia is too timid! Let me think of a way to teach her a lesson. You must help me keep it a secret.” Si Ming’s tone carried a mix of pity for her misfortune and anger at her lack of ambition.

“Mhm,” Lu Jiajia responded.

The conversation within the recording stone ended there.

Zhao Xiang’er, Ning Changjiu, and Lu Jiajia all looked at Si Ming at once. Si Ming looked at them blankly. “How… how could this be…” The content of the recording stone was completely unexpected to Si Ming.

Zhao Xiang’er said, “Sister Xue Ci, are you sure you didn’t grab the wrong recording stone?”

Si Ming touched her body, saying, “N-no, I didn’t.”

Ning Changjiu also looked at her, questioning, “Xue’er, what exactly happened?”

Only then did Si Ming realize that when she originally took out the recording stone to show off to Lu Jiajia, she seemed to have inadvertently reshaped its content and then recorded their conversation at the time… But how could she have made such a basic mistake? Si Ming was puzzled, unable to figure it out despite much thought. Whether she understood it or not was no longer important. In any case, the recording stone’s effect had backfired, and she, who had already surrendered, once again became the target of public criticism.

“Wicked people wear each other down, both suffer, then you take advantage?” Zhao Xiang’er asked.

“Husband getting more and more out of line?” Ning Changjiu asked.

The proud divine official, seeing Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xiang’er looking at her together, subconsciously retreated two steps. She said pitifully, “I… Xue’er truly knows she was wrong… With a major enemy before us now, why don’t we put aside our personal grievances…”

Zhao Xiang’er said quietly, “Originally, you and the Six-Eared Macaque would have had to fight for at least three days. I used a water mirror to calculate him, allowing you to defeat him in one day and one night. These two days were earned by me, perfect for teaching Sister Xue’er a lesson!”

“It can be counted like that too…” Si Ming wanted to cry but had no tears.

“Xue’er is truly proficient in bringing trouble upon herself,” Ning Changjiu looked at her. At this moment, Si Ming had no trace of a divine official’s dignity, looking adorably aggrieved.

Si Ming softly defended herself, “I just outsmarted myself.”

Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xiang’er had already walked towards her.

In the Three Thousand Worlds, white clouds scattered in alarm.

In the immortal pavilion, Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xiang’er sat facing each other. At one side of the cloud table, Si Ming, still wearing her divine robe, had watery eyes and disheveled hair, her delicate lips half-bitten, as she poured them tea. Lu Jiajia also sat gracefully. She glanced at Si Ming, feeling slightly apologetic.

Zhao Xiang’er wore a dragon robe, her dark hair loose, her features pure. She supported the bottom of the teacup with her finger, lifted the cup, sipped from it, then gently set it down, her posture elegant. She looked at Lu Jiajia and said, “All these people harbor ill intentions. Only Jiajia is the best.”

Lu Jiajia said softly, “Because… I am the senior disciple sister.”

Zhao Xiang’er smiled faintly. “Mhm, don’t worry, when we’re outside, I’ll give you face, Senior Disciple Sister.”

Lu Jiajia gave a soft hum, seeming angry but daring not to speak, merely saying, “Xiang’er truly gets fiercer the older she grows.”

Zhao Xiang’er held the teacup and said, “There’s nothing to be done about it. If someone needs to be the bad woman to keep everyone in line, then I’ll be that bad woman.”

Lu Jiajia softly reminded her, “Bad women usually don’t end well, Xiang’er. If you insist on doing so, be careful.”

Zhao Xiang’er said, “Besides Master, who cultivates apart from the world, who can suppress me?”

Lu Jiajia did not answer.

Ning Changjiu looked at the girl’s proud and exquisite face and tried to smooth things over. “We are all sisters who have shared life and death. Why bother with these divisions?”

“Hmph, I haven’t settled accounts with you yet!” Zhao Xiang’er glared at him.

Ning Changjiu asked, “What accounts do I have?”

Zhao Xiang’er took out a booklet from her embrace, held it up, and said, “It’s all recorded in here.”

Ning Changjiu gasped and asked, “Can I see what’s written inside?”

Zhao Xiang’er handed over the booklet and said, “Mhm, so you can rest in peace.”

Ning Changjiu took the booklet and began to flip through it. As he read, his brows furrowed more and more. He said helplessly, “Xiang’er truly cares about me.”

Zhao Xiang’er said coolly, “You’ve never made things easy for me! It’s hard not to care about you.”

Ning Changjiu once again recalled the terrifying shadow Xiang’er cast over Linhe City back then. This exquisitely beautiful girl, even if she was soft and fragrant, her fists always held the power to destroy heaven and earth. Ning Changjiu finished reading the booklet and said, “Many of these charges are clearly fabricated.”

Zhao Xiang’er said, “How are they fabricated? They are clearly your accumulated crimes!”

Ning Changjiu said, “Playing chess in the Sea Kingdom and making the woman opposite cry—what kind of crime is that?”

Zhao Xiang’er said, “The crime of flirting.”

“Huh?”

“Isn’t scaring someone to tears still considered provoking?”

“What about this one? Quickly defeating other women during the Heavenly Ranking…”

“Don’t think I don’t know. You did it to curry favor with Lu Jiajia.”

“Then becoming the sect master of the Joyful Union Sect is also a crime?” Ning Changjiu said with indignation and resentment.

“Of course it is,” Zhao Xiang’er said. “From now on, you’ll have to ask for my opinion on these matters.”

Ning Changjiu asked, “Then what is your opinion?”

Zhao Xiang’er said, “None, but you still have to ask me!”

Ning Changjiu said, “You’re being unreasonable!”

Zhao Xiang’er said unhappily, “Xue Ci can make a fuss and seize my Xihe Hall, but I can’t?”

Ning Changjiu defended himself, “How did I seize it? The Xihe statue is in the center of the divine kingdom. Why don’t we go see it together?”

Zhao Xiang’er said, “I’m not stupid. If I go to your divine kingdom, won’t it just be a repeat of what happened in the brothel back then?”

Ning Changjiu said, “So Xiang’er has been holding a grudge about that.”

Zhao Xiang’er didn't answer, merely saying, “I’m not Xihe; I won’t be clingy and blindly obedient to you… Perfect. For these two days, I’ll slowly settle accounts with you. After these two days, this princess will reluctantly be willing to let bygones be bygones and discuss important matters of the world.”

Ning Changjiu asked, “So, what does Xiang’er want?”

Zhao Xiang’er said, “Another match with me.”

Ning Changjiu shook his head. “In the Three Thousand Worlds, I can’t be your opponent.”

Zhao Xiang’er said coolly, “Are you still delusionally hoping to defeat me?” Although Ning Changjiu had already constructed his divine kingdom and become the lord of the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom, he was currently within Xiang’er’s divine kingdom. According to the laws of divine kingdoms, he still had no chance of winning. Zhao Xiang’er seemed determined to assert her authority.

Ning Changjiu handed the booklet back to her, saying gently, “Xiang’er, why do you only record my faults and not anything else?”

Zhao Xiang’er asked, “Anything else? Is there anything else worth recording?”

Ning Changjiu looked at the girl’s exquisitely beautiful face and softly reminisced, “During the time I was away, I often thought of you. For instance, when sitting alone by the window, I preferred to sit facing west. When walking alone by the river, I also liked to gaze westward, because that is the west, where the sun sets. You see, the sun toils all day, radiating boundless light to illuminate the human world, but whether the sun is ordinary or glorious in the eyes of the world, it eventually sets in the west to rest, spending a quiet night below the horizon.”

“So I often gaze in that direction…”

“That is the place of sunset, the resting place after the sun has radiated its light and warmth. I know I will eventually go there, and I also know you are watching me, waiting for me.”

Lu Jiajia was slightly lost in thought listening to these words, and Si Ming also showed a resentful expression. Zhao Xiang’er was similarly somewhat lost in thought. Listening to Ning Changjiu’s soft words, she couldn't help but recall their past years of sharing life and death and hardships. Her proud features seemed to be brushed by a gentle spring breeze, smoothing them out considerably.

“Since you knew I was watching you, you… you still did this,” Zhao Xiang’er said, still with lingering resentment.

“That’s because I…”

“Enough,” Zhao Xiang’er interrupted. “I won’t be swayed by a few words from you.” Saying this, Zhao Xiang’er stood up and slowly turned her back. Zhao Xiang’er slowly removed her dragon robe. It slid down her fragrant shoulders and jade arms, revealing more skin along her spine from the snow-white nape of her neck. Between her beautiful shoulder blades, one could see the astonishing symmetrical beauty of the girl’s jade back.

“On the way here, didn’t you say you wanted to curb my arrogance? Did you want to discipline me with family rules to assert your authority as husband? I’ll give you a chance. If I lose, I’ll accept the beating and punishment. But if you can’t defeat me tomorrow, you won’t have any chances in the future, you know.” She walked a few steps barefoot. After speaking coolly, the now empty dragon robe draped itself back onto her. She turned her cheek, giving a slight, provocative smile. Her cheeks had no makeup, yet possessed an ancient, seductive charm.

“That Sister Zhao… Sister Zhao is truly too arrogant,” Si Ming said indignantly. “She bullies me like this, and you don’t even help me. It’s already like this, what will happen in the future?”

Ning Changjiu said helplessly, “In the Three Thousand Worlds, how can I defeat her?”

Si Ming said, “Then why did you rush in? You’re clearly deliberately biased towards her. Hmph, as expected of a fiancée, your feelings are just different.”

Ning Changjiu said, “Alright, Xue’er, I promise I’ll get your revenge for you sooner or later. But you also have to promise me that after this, you won’t always think about bullying others, otherwise, your husband won’t be able to save you.”

“Sooner or later?” Si Ming still said discontentedly, “How many thousands of years is ‘sooner or later’?”

Ning Changjiu comforted her, “Xiang’er just hasn’t seen you for a long time, so she’s throwing a little tantrum. She’ll be fine in a couple of days.”

Si Ming became even angrier. “You’re still defending her?!” Si Ming stood in front of him and said, “In any case, you must win tomorrow! Otherwise, I’m not done with you!”

Ning Changjiu said, “I will find a way to win.”

Si Ming became disheartened again. “What method could you think of? This is the Three Thousand Worlds; you can’t possibly trick her into going to the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom, can you?”

Ning Changjiu shook his head. “While we are here, every word and action is under her observation. It would be difficult to employ any schemes.”

Si Ming said, “Can’t we just go to the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom to discuss it?”

Ning Changjiu said, “If we go to the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom, won’t that just prove we have ulterior motives? Even if there truly is a way, Xiang’er would probably be wary, making it difficult to implement.”

Si Ming frowned, saying gloomily, “Dealing with this girl is harder than dealing with real enemies.”

Lu Jiajia said softly, “These are just petty squabbles between us. Xiang’er has been watching alone in the Western Kingdom for so long; it’s inevitable she’d be angry. Tomorrow, we’ll just go along with her. The important matters afterwards are what should truly be discussed.”

“No, I can’t swallow this insult,” Si Ming said indignantly. “And… Jiajia, why have you become so easygoing? You’ve been silly all the way here, and just now in the hall, when she pressured you with her words like that, did you just take it submissively?”

Lu Jiajia said, “What else can we do?”

Si Ming sighed, saying, “Alas, I really can’t rely on silly Jiajia.”

Lu Jiajia smiled gently, then said, “I want to go practice my sword.”

Ning Changjiu nodded. The Golden Crow flew out and enveloped Lu Jiajia.

Si Ming did not go to cultivate but locked herself in her room, pondering tactics to deal with Zhao Xiang’er tomorrow. Ning Changjiu also did not enter the Golden Crow. He meditated as usual, closing his eyes to rest.

How could he win against Xiang’er? The only way should be the same as before: to bring her into the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom when she was unguarded. But Xiang’er wasn’t Xue Ci; she wouldn’t stumble in the same place repeatedly. What should he do?

Just as Ning Changjiu was deep in thought, Lu Jiajia’s voice quietly drifted from within the Golden Crow Divine Hall.