Chapter 206: Mooring the Boat

Lu Xingzhou returned from the Pei family and set up memorial tablets for his own parents, burning joss paper to worship them.

This ritual was much simpler than the Pei family's more elaborate one.

In reality, his family's blood feud extended beyond his parents; over ten relatives, including cousins from various branches living together at the time, were all wiped out. However, he was young back then, and now, no one even remembers their names. All that remained was an indelible hatred that lingered to this day.

He profoundly understood Pei Chuyun's disappointment when she was stopped at that moment.

"Chuyun herself said she didn't have much desire for revenge, but when it came down to it, she couldn't bear it. That little demoness is clearly a romantic at heart; why does she try to act like a demoness?""She could have planned subsequent assassinations, yet when Pei Qingyan stopped her at that moment, her disappointment was palpable. People say a gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years. Now that ten years have passed, will you think I'm too slow?""I could have also planned an assassination, or even asked Sis... asked her to intervene, but I didn't. I insisted on doing it myself. Will you be disappointed?""It's because of this that I couldn't bear to see Chuyun's expression. In reality, her hatred is much lighter compared to mine..."

No one responded to him; he merely continued to talk to himself.

Ah Nuo sat beside him, burning joss paper, her head tilted as she watched Lu Xingzhou's face flicker in the firelight, remaining silent.

In truth, Lu Xingzhou hadn't observed the Qingming Festival for years, believing it was mere formality; after all, there was no underworld or King Yama in this world. But seeing others perform it so earnestly inevitably stirred his own thoughts. This particular worship became uncontrollable; he stayed before the memorial tablets for an entire afternoon, not moving an inch.

People spoke of the little demoness being emotional, but it was Master himself who was deeply sentimental, though it was usually suppressed and unexpressed. What people saw was merely his confident demeanor. However, things were much better now. In the past, Master was full of gloom and hostility, but now he smiled all day, and even his methods had softened considerably. After Sister Shen Tang came into his life... after he was able to stand up again. Sister A Nü also contributed significantly, which is why Ah Nuo didn't blame her for always wanting to hit him. Of course, the biggest credit goes to Ah Nuo! Who could look at Ah Nuo's face and not start smiling?

A "doorbell" sound came from outside the cave dwelling.

Lu Xingzhou looked at the character "Huo" on the memorial tablet, fell silent for a moment, and then whispered, "Put them away."

Ah Nuo rose to tidy up, and Lu Xingzhou went to open the door. Outside, Pei Chuyun stood gracefully, tilting her head as she observed his somewhat somber expression: "What's wrong with that look?"

In fact, the moment Lu Xingzhou saw her, a smile bloomed on his face: "Nothing. I also paid respects to my ancestors, so my mood was a bit heavy, but seeing you makes everything better."

"You say the right things," Pei Chuyun said, wrapping her arms around his neck and hanging onto him, refusing to get down. "Carry me inside."

"How did you manage to get out? Shouldn't Pei Qingyan be keeping an even closer eye on you today?""Because of Pei Jingshan's death, he can't just brush it off with a word. He has to handle all the loose ends and seize others' weaknesses. We had our fun for a bit, but he's been busy all day and is still working."

"Uh, what time is it?""It's dark," Pei Chuyun purred seductively. "Young Master is so good today, how should Ah Nü serve Young Ma—"Before she could finish, she saw Ah Nuo hunched in a corner, her arms crossed, looking at her like an idiot.

Her words caught in her throat, Pei Chuyun flushed with anger. "This is your master's cave dwelling! Don't you have your own separate one? What are you doing lurking here?"

Ah Nuo replied, "I'm here to pay respects to my grand-master and do some work, unlike some Pleasure Sect demonesses who only show up to flirt and are useless otherwise."

Pei Chuyun didn't care about being called a flirt; she smiled brightly. "Such a capable little apprentice... but I wonder, do you think your master wants to see you right now?"

Ah Nuo thought for a moment, then burst into tears and ran off.

Lu Xingzhou indeed didn't stop her, watching Ah Nuo run off before somewhat helplessly tapping Pei Chuyun's nose. "Last time you and Ah Nuo went to Qingyao Garden to spy on Shen Yuanyao and me, weren't you getting along quite well? Why are you fighting again?"

"Huh?" Pei Chuyun blinked. "You knew about that the whole time?""Yes. So I've always known that certain little demonesses can actually get jealous..."

Pei Chuyun's face flushed slightly. She had always told herself that her willingness to engage with him was merely common behavior for a Pleasure Sect demoness and meant nothing... But if it truly meant nothing, then why would she feel jealous?

She bit her lower lip and whispered, "Xingzhou..."

"Hmm?"

"Where did you pay respects to your ancestors? I want to pay my respects too."

"I've put them away," Lu Xingzhou said, surprised. "Why would you pay respects?"

Pei Chuyun purred, "You've already proposed. Am I not your fiancée?"

"Your father hasn't agreed yet."

"But I have," Pei Chuyun said, wrapping her arms around his neck, her gaze as fluid as water. "I, Pei Chuyun, don't need anyone to make decisions for me. If I've agreed, then it's settled."

"You really agreed?" Lu Xingzhou, still unaware of how this day differed from the past, placed her on the bed and teased, "Then how about we get serious?"

Pei Chuyun's eyes sparkled. "Come on, you wouldn't dare. What can you do besides slobber all over someone?"

"Damn it," Lu Xingzhou muttered, peeling off her clothes and burying his head.

Pei Chuyun cradled his head, looking down at his childlike appearance, her eyes soft.

She knew that for quite some time, it wasn't Lu Xingzhou who didn't dare, but she herself. Lu Xingzhou, in contrast, had been accommodating her, restraining himself.

There were many reasons for her reluctance. Her mother's past, a pure tragedy, had always served as a warning. When she first entered the Pei family, she still had expectations and didn't want her family to think she lacked self-respect. From the sect's perspective, a maiden's primordial yin was crucial, enough to control top-tier experts of the third rank and make them her loyal dogs. Wasting it on a fifth-rank cripple whom she couldn't even control would be a failure and squander over a decade of her cultivation. She even feared that in the midst of it, she might lose control and genuinely activate her cultivation technique to harm him; she couldn't trust herself. All these concerns for a moment of indulgent pleasure... was it really necessary? It truly seemed meaningless; it wasn't as if people couldn't live without such things.

But today, unbeknownst to Lu Xingzhou, almost all these reasons had crumbled. His reckless action, solely to avenge her, proved he was not as heartless as his father. She no longer cared what the Pei family thought, nor did she have her previous expectations. The sect had specifically ordered her to control Lu Xingzhou, so failure would be normal, wouldn't it? So why continue to hold back herself and him? Just let go. Her primordial yin, accumulated over these years, wasn't originally meant to be given to the strongest person... She wasn't a prostitute, waiting to be sold at the highest price.

Without realizing it, they were kissing again, engaging in dual cultivation by exchanging vital energy, a practice they were highly accustomed to. Lu Xingzhou habitually continued his dual cultivation, unaware that Pei Chuyun was secretly employing profound allure techniques.

The unsuspecting Lu Xingzhou was still being gentle, but as their movements continued, his eyes gradually turned red, and his breathing grew heavier. He felt a desire stronger than ever before, surpassing even the succubus art of the second layer of the Demonic Subjugation Domain. That was merely a diffused domain fluctuation in the air, but at this moment, it was direct contact, and he was completely unprepared for the full invasion of her allure techniques. His movements unconsciously became rougher. With a "rip," the little demoness's skirt, which had merely been lifted, was now torn to shreds.

Pei Chuyun: "..."His usual well-controlled restraint could no longer be held back this time.

By the time he reacted, he was startled awake by Pei Chuyun's scream.

Lu Xingzhou abruptly stopped.

Lu Xingzhou stared blankly at Pei Chuyun beneath him, her face contorted in pain like Xizi's famous frown. His gaze dropped, seeing blood flow from the barren land: "You..." Logically, if a Pleasure Sect demoness used allure techniques to provoke him into getting serious, it would be to employ her Maiden's Profound Cultivation for either control or cultivation absorption. But the little demoness did nothing of the sort; she simply allowed him to breach her defenses, wincing in pain.

Hearing his dumbfounded question, Pei Chuyun's brow relaxed slightly, and she pouted, a little annoyed: "So rough, you hurt me."

You used allure techniques, wasn't it to turn someone into a beast...? Lu Xingzhou's feelings were complicated, and he snapped, "What are you doing?"

"Having me," Pei Chuyun said, adapting to the pain and smiling again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and said sweetly, "Every time it's been like scratching an itch through a boot. If you're not annoyed, I certainly am. Can't this Pleasure Sect Saintess truly taste what it's like?"

Lu Xingzhou: "..."

"I've tasted it, and it's nothing special," Pei Chuyun said deliberately. "Can you even perform, Young Master Lu?"

The little demoness paid a heavy price for that reckless remark.

The next moment, a storm raged. Pei Chuyun couldn't utter another coherent word; her mind was overwhelmed. Only one thought surfaced in her mind: So, this is what it's like when it's real... It could make one soar to the heavens and descend to the earth, bewildered, with one's entire soul drifting like an untethered boat. Right, she had also called herself "Xing Nü," the rope that ties a boat. Had she tied him down now? Probably not... and he shouldn't be bound by anyone. But still, it was good that she was the first to tie him. In this life... he wouldn't forget, right?

In a daze, the overly intense yin-yang union naturally activated her Maiden's Profound Cultivation. Pei Chuyun herself didn't even realize it. When she did realize, her heart skipped a beat, and her half-closed starry eyes snapped open, meeting Lu Xingzhou's somewhat complex gaze.

"No, no, I didn't mean to..." Pei Chuyun's face paled slightly. "I didn't intend to..."

"I know," Lu Xingzhou said softly. "How could I suspect Ah Nü?" He gently kissed her forehead. "Don't be afraid, and don't try to force it back. We'll handle it together. As long as we manage it properly, your third rank is right here."

Pei Chuyun's panic slowly subsided. Feeling his tenderness, her heart softened even more. At this moment, he was still comforting her... and even considering her path to the third rank.

Pei Chuyun bit her lower lip, wrapping her legs around his waist. "Then you'd better be careful, okay..."

Lu Xingzhou teased, "Careful of what? Being squeezed to death?"

Pei Chuyun giggled, "Careful not to let this little boat be tied by Ah Nü."