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Su Jinyan proudly declared, "What would I have to fear?"
Ha, woman, trying to provoke me with reverse psychology? As if I believe you'd actually confess that to Jing Yuan.
But if you truly dare to go through with it, then I'll risk everything alongside you.
Shortly thereafter, Jing Yuan, who was enjoying his rice bowl meal at the Seat of Divine Foresight, answered the video call.
As Jingliu's strikingly beautiful face appeared on the screen, Jing Yuan couldn't help but display a hint of suspicion.
How peculiar, how peculiar.
Why would his esteemed teacher unexpectedly call him via video chat? Could it be that she encountered some challenging issue?
Jingliu's lips parted hesitantly as she began, "Jing Yuan, there's something I need to tell you."
Jing Yuan's expression turned serious. "Go ahead."
It seemed his mentor had indeed faced a difficult problem; otherwise, she wouldn't display such a demeanor.
In a calm tone, as if discussing an insignificant matter, Jingliu said, "I'm pregnant."
"What did you say?!"
Bang!
Overwhelmed with emotion, Jing Yuan accidentally flipped his rice bowl onto the table. "You're pregnant?"
Within the Seat of Divine Foresight, Qing Zhu and Yanqing leaned in attentively, their faces reflecting uncontainable shock.
Ah?
The general's revered mentor, former Luo Fu Swordmaster Jingliu, is pregnant?
Who could have done this?
However, almost instantly, the image of a certain man unconsciously surfaced in all three minds.
It must be Su Jinyan's doing!
Only Su Jinyan could pull off such a feat.
Realizing this, Jing Yuan sighed in relief.
Picking up their chopsticks, they silently resumed eating their rice bowls.
"What's there to be so surprised about?"
"Master, Minister Su has quite the mischievous nature; please bear with him."
"We've all been glared at until pregnant, not just you alone."
"I, Qing Zhu, and Yanqing have all experienced it."
Qing Zhu and Yanqing displayed slight discomfort on their faces.
If only one person were publicly impregnated by such a gaze, it would undoubtedly lead to social ruin. However, when everyone shared this experience, pregnancy became commonplace and ceased to be extraordinary.
Yanqing privately thought, Our teacher has always been unconventional, daring, and audacious.
He must have employed that nefarious technique during sparring with Big Sister Jingliu, he surmised.
Qing Zhu secretly pondered, Has that lecherous Su Jinyan set his sights on our general's master?
Jing Yuan inwardly mused, That rascal Minister Su was supposed to accompany the master for a consultation at the Alchemy Commission. How did it escalate into a confrontation?
However, since the master personally called me via video chat...
"[That suggests the situation hasn't escalated beyond repair.]"
"[It seems I must personally intervene to mediate.]"
Jingliu's expression remained composed. "No, Jing Yuan," she said firmly. "You haven't grasped the full extent of my predicament."
"The Dragon Lady diagnosed me with an extreme Yin constitution, leading to an imbalance between Yin and Yang."
"Only by conceiving with someone like Xiao Didi, possessing a pure Yang body, can my chronic illness be cured."
Slam!
Jing Yuan overturned his rice bowl onto the desk once more.
"Did I hear that correctly?"
"You... You... You want to bear his child?" he stammered, incredulous.
"As diagnosed by the Dragon Lady herself?" Yanqing echoed, equally stunned.
Jingliu nodded calmly. "Yes, you heard correctly."
Jing Yuan abruptly stood up, pacing back and forth before expressing his irritation, "Damned Stellaron Hunter!"
"Silver Wolf, ah Silver Wolf, even after I lifted your arrest warrant, you dare provoke me again?
"Do you think I'm so easily trifled with?"
Yanqing and Qing Zhu fell silent, watching intently.
"Don't deceive yourself, Jing Yuan," Jingliu spoke softly.
"This isn't a synthesized image of the Stellaron Hunter."
"Should I recount some embarrassing stories from your childhood?"
"That year when you were eleven—"
Jing Yuan hastily interrupted, "Stop!"
Yanqing clicked his tongue with slight disappointment, having missed out on hearing about the general's childhood mishaps.
Jingliu picked up the written agreement and showed it to Jing Yuan. "Look, here is the document I signed."
Jing Yuan was dumbstruck. "Master, are you serious?"
"Is Minister Su with you?"
Jingliu's beautiful eyes shifted slightly, turning towards Su Jinyan. "Xiao Didi, Jing Yuan is asking you a question."
With a smile playing at the corner of his lips, Su Jinyan leaned closer to the camera. "General."
Confused, Jing Yuan asked, "Dragon Lady, why has your voice changed so much?"
Su Jinyan responded solemnly, "Could it be that I'm going through puberty?"
Both Jing Yuan and Su Jinyan fell silent for a moment.
After several seconds of staring at each other, Jing Yuan forcefully slapped Tong Andu, causing the rice bowl to jump in surprise.
"Minister Su!"
"You better explain this to me right now - what the hell do you mean by 'going through puberty'?"
"I entrusted you with accompanying our esteemed teacher so that you could take care of her, and look at what you've done?"
"You dare to harbor intentions towards our master?"
Jingliu's beautiful eyes remained composed. "Jing Yuan, there's no need for concern regarding your master," she said calmly. "This little brother is indeed trustworthy."
Su Jinyan gently stroked Jingliu's delicate, snow-like hand and sighed deeply. "Jing Yuan, I've given it much thought," he began. "From today onwards, let's each address the other as we please. You can still call me 'General,' while I will be content being addressed as 'Shigong'—your grandmaster."
Fuming with anger, Jing Yuan turned away and started rummaging through his belongings.
"General, what are you looking for?" Su Jinyan asked ingratiatingly. "Let Shigong help you find it?"
Enraged, Jing Yuan tightened his grip on the gilded formation blade. "Where the f*ck is my Divine Monarch? O radiant spirit, heed my command—"
"General, calm down! Please, stay calm!" Yanqing and Qing Zhu hastily stepped forward, attempting to pacify Jing Yuan.
"Jing Yuan, do not treat your Uncle Su like this!" Jingliu rebuked him sternly.
"Frustrated and furious, Jing Yuan exclaimed, "Get out of my way, I'm going to chop him!"
Yanqing swiftly restrained Jing Yuan's gilded formation blade, urging, "Hold on, Jing Yuan, let's talk this out."
"Rashly invoking the Divine Monarch is unwise, General."
"Think thrice before acting; don't become a laughingstock for others."
Jingliu's charming face fell with dismay. "It seems Jing Yuan struggles to accept us being together."
"Xiao Didi, you're in trouble now. Perhaps we should part ways."
Jing Yuan was speechless.
I know women can be fickle, but isn't this change too abrupt?
Su Jinyan gently interjected, "General, please hear me out."
"I understand that your master's pregnancy is difficult for you to accept."
"Yanqing likely comprehends how you feel right now."
Yanqing raised an eyebrow.
Jing Yuan looked equally puzzled.
Su Jinyan continued, "Consider it this way: when you were pregnant, I imagine Yanqing, as your disciple, found it just as challenging to accept."
"Don't you see, he has come to terms with it now?"
Yanqing took a step back and silently released his grip on Su Jinyan.
"General, perhaps you should go ahead and chop Teacher to death after all," Yanqing suggested.
Jing Yuan remained silent, exasperated.
Su Jinyan persisted persuasively, "Besides, practice makes perfect, doesn't it?"
"If I could make Jingliu Big Sister pregnant once, I can do it again."
"And there will likely be a third and fourth time after that."
"You should prepare yourself for this possibility."
Are you f*cking kidding me?
Jing Yuan looked weary. "Minister Su."
"Hm?" responded Su Jinyan.
With utmost seriousness, Jing Yuan asked, "Could you stand still and take my blade?"
Su Jinyan appeared somewhat troubled. "I'm afraid not; Jingliu Big Sister wouldn't agree to it."
"I agree," Jingliu said coldly. "Jing Yuan, use the technique I taught you—the one you're most proud of—to kill him."
Jing Yuan fell silent.
Su Jinyan's eyelid twitched slightly as he gazed affectionately at Jingliu's pregnant belly. He sighed, "Ah, a hundred days of gratitude for each day spent together as spouses."
"Jingliu, I know you harbor resentment, but surely you wouldn't treat me like this. Consider this: although we may lack the emotional bond of marriage, we have shared its practical realities.
"Even if you won't think about me, please consider our child, alright?"
Jingliu let out a cold snort, refraining from further response.
Su Jinyan then solemnly stated:
"General, please consent to our marriage."
"Not that your agreement matters much, mind you."
"I will take excellent care of Jingliu-jiejie and treat her like family."
Jing Yuan sighed. "Then I entrust my master to you; you must ensure she is well looked after."
Su Jinyan's expression shifted slightly as he clutched at Jingliu's sleeve. "Uh oh," he whispered.
"Why did the general agree so easily?"
"He must have been overwhelmed by our charm, triggering his Mara-Struck affliction."
Jing Yuan spoke with solemnity. "No, I am completely serious."
"My master fell into the Mara-Struck state precisely because she renounced emotions and desires, leaving only vengeance in her heart."
"Now, her willingness to open up to you serves as evidence of her improvement..."
"However, regardless of everything, she remains my esteemed teacher."
"I hope you'll sever ties with Fu Xuan and others, focusing solely on accompanying my master."
Jingliu glanced at Su Jinyan. "Well, Xiao Didi?" she asked. "I've already signed the contract, and Jing Yuan has agreed to our union."
"Isn't it time for you to fulfill your promise now?"
Su Jinyan smiled faintly and reverted to their original appearance.
"General, with such understanding from you, I am truly—"
Expressionlessly, Jingliu tore up the agreement. She then tightened her grip on the crystalline Tanhua Sword, her petite frame radiating intense killing intent.
"Prepare to die!"
Jing Yuan blinked, bewildered. What's going on this time?
A chilling sword aura assailed Su Jinyan as Jingliu unleashed lethal strike after strike. Each move aimed directly at ending his life—a testament that indeed, the more beautiful a woman, the better she could deceive.
Su Jinyan fled in disarray, causing vases, books, and various objects within the Medicine Pavilion to scatter across the floor.
The screen abruptly went dark.
Jing Yuan, Yanqing, and Qing Zhu exchanged puzzled looks, speechless.
In a panic-stricken rush, Su Jinyan fled from the Medicine Pavilion and transformed back into Bailu's appearance.
"Big Sister Jingliu, don't kill me—it's me, Bailu."
Jingliu took a deep breath and covered her eyes with black silk cloth. "Xiao Didi," she said, "in my haste just now, I overlooked something crucial. Since seeing the Dragon Lady's face makes it unbearable for me to harm you, why not simply avoid looking?"
Su Jinyan was astounded, his jaw dropping open. "Genius! How the f*ck did I not think of that?"
"But no worries, I can still mimic Bailu's voice." He pleaded, "Big Sister Jingliu, please don't kill me, okay? Pretty please~"
Jingliu's footsteps paused briefly. "True enough," she replied calmly, "but even then, I would still hear your voice."
Before Su Jinyan could sigh in relief, Jingliu continued, "Then I'll block my hearing as well. By sensing your presence alone, I can still dispatch you."
Su Jinyan stared incredulously. Am I destined to die today, or what?
As if reading his thoughts, Jingliu responded mildly, "Don't fear, Xiao Didi."
"You've been blessed by the Plagues Author, gaining an immortal body," Jingliu continued. "Even if I kill you thousands of times, you'll just come back."
Su Jinyan recoiled anxiously. "But it still hurts!"
Undeterred, Jingliu approached him steadily.
"Just as I once taught Yingxing," she said, "I will impart swordsmanship to you in a deeply unforgettable manner, alright?"
"This way, both my anger can be vented and your skills refined—a win-win situation."
"Wait!" Su Jinyan exclaimed urgently. "Before you kill me, there's something else I need to say. You should indeed kill me; I deserve death for having once possessed—"
"Bright Reflection Across Rivers!"
Can't you let someone finish their sentence?! Did you already block out all sound?
Su Jinyan fled clumsily, evading Jingliu's relentless sword glares. He had never encountered such a stubbornly determined pregnant woman—one who, despite being with child, still chased people down with her sword!
"Jingliu, Big Sister, please be careful," he pleaded. "Don't risk harming our unborn child! I fear you might injure them!"
Jingliu's hand holding the sword trembled slightly, unleashing even more frenzied sword glares.
Given this relentless pursuit, was my demise inevitable today?
Su Jinyan narrowly evaded the frenzied sword glares, his robes disheveled.
"Is it necessary, Jingliu Big Sister? Why force me to retaliate?"
Thanks to Su Jinyan's Pregnant Gaze, the pain of labor made Jingliu struggle to hold her Tanhua Sword steady.
Despite appearing fiercely determined in chasing him down, it was merely a facade. She didn't want to show any weakness before him. In reality, Jingliu could maintain this state for at most another half-minute before needing to pause and catch her breath. Otherwise, the agony would become unbearable.
Su Jinyan stood with hands clasped behind his back, gazing kindly at Jingliu as he activated the Loving Gaze.
"In truth, I'm not adept at fighting others; instead, I excel in transforming them through love."
"Now, please take a moment to experience what true love feels like."
Can someone already pregnant be affected by further pregnancy?
As Jingliu leaped into the air, she suddenly felt an inexplicable chill.
This was also Su Jinyan's first attempt at using the Loving Gaze.
Upon employing the gaze imbued with the power of love:
Any being gazed upon by Su Jinyan or meeting her eyes would experience profound love for five whole minutes.
This profound love manifests as genuine concern, care, and selfless devotion towards others, transcending boundaries of family, friendship, geography, or cultural background.
The moment Jingliu's gaze met Su Jinyan's, a wave of intense guilt washed over her.
How...how could I treat Xiao Didi like this? I clearly promised to let him have his way with me.
Not only did I go back on my word, tearing up the written agreement, but I also relentlessly pursued him to kill.
Jingliu swiftly closed the distance, appearing instantly before Su Jinyan, her breath forming faint mist in the cold air.
Su Jinyan looked at Jingliu nervously.
Did I succeed somehow?
"Don't be tense, Xiao Didi." Jingliu's eyes softened as she gently caressed his cheek. "I shouldn't have treated you that way earlier. Did I hurt you?"
Feeling somewhat unaccustomed to such tenderness from Jingliu, Su Jinyan replied hesitantly, "N-no, it's okay."
Jingliu took hold of Su Jinyan's hands reassuringly. "Relax," she said softly. "I've given it serious thought, and indeed, I was wrong. I had clearly agreed to let you indulge your desires, yet I went back on my promise."
"Not only did I go back on my word, but I also pursued you to inflict a thousand cuts."
"I truly am a deeply sinful woman..."
Su Jinyan's expression turned serious. "Jingliu Big Sister, there's something you might not know," he said. "I absolutely detest being deceived."
In a soft voice, Jingliu replied, "Xiao Didi, once I've promised something, I won't renege again."
"From this day forward, I am your wife, and you are Jingliu's husband."
"Husband, please impregnate Jingliu soon; she can hardly wait anymore..."
"No, no, no—"
Su Jinyan was drenched in sweat. Just five minutes wasn't nearly enough time! The cooldown for Loving Gaze typically lasts at least a week.
He couldn't use this skill again for the next seven days. If he took advantage of Jingliu while her mind is disoriented now,
once she regains clarity, wouldn't her pursuit become even more relentless?
Jingliu pursed her lips with a faint smile. "Don't be afraid, Xiao Didi."
"Are you worried that I'll chase after you once I regain my senses?"
Su Jinyan gently nodded. "You won't chase me, right?"
Jingliu's expression was gentle, but her words sent chills down Su Jinyan's spine:
"Let me think... How should I put this? My current state is quite peculiar; no matter what you do to me, I won't resist."
"However, once I regain my senses..."
"I will undoubtedly kill you over and over again, teaching you true anguish, ensuring your life becomes worse than death."
Su Jinyan fiercely captured Jingliu's icy lips.
"Well then, I'll take full advantage of you while I can," he growled. "Otherwise, it wouldn't be worth dying later."
Jingliu awkwardly reciprocated Su Jinyan's kiss. Perhaps yielding to Xiao Didi like this isn't so bad after all? Although, once I come to my senses, I definitely will change my mind.
I wonder what Jing Yuan would think if he witnessed this scene.
Meanwhile, across the vastness of the universe...
Aeon of Joy, Aha, sighed deeply, overwhelmed by intense feelings of guilt.
Ah, how truly despicable of me.
I shouldn't have disguised myself as The Nameless and infiltrated the Astral Express.
Inadvertently blowing up half of Akivili's carriage was a mistake.
Nor should I have sponsored the Destruction Organization to assassinate IX.
Even worse, I shouldn't have mocked Nanook and spread his dark past videos everywhere.
Sampo was severely injured by the explosion, unconscious, yet how could I laugh at that moment?
I created Su Jinyan's black fan club and fabricated his shady history myself. Watching him being relentlessly pursued by Jingliu would undoubtedly be entertaining, wouldn't it?
Unfortunately, I can't do that; I must treat Su Jinyan better instead.
[Here's some good news: even Joyseeker, who has been secretly observing you, has been influenced by the Loving Gaze.]
[Out of guilt, Aha has decided to compensate you with some rewards.]
[1. Fireproof, Theft-proof, Teammate-proof: In times of emergency, you may choose to send a distress call to any teammate you know.]
[The teammate must be someone familiar to you, and they retain the right to accept or decline your request.]
[Upon acceptance, the teammate can either teleport to your side or provide assistance from a distance.]
[Cooldown Time: Five minutes.]
[2. Perfect Blade Catch: Regardless of the strength of your enemy, you will always successfully intercept their blade with bare hands.]
[3. Delectable Erudition Berries: Consuming these significantly enhances computational ability. Recommended for honoring your Shizun Fu Xuan.]
Su Jinyan's heart stirred; Aha, so old Lao Deng is indeed watching me.
After a long moment,
their lips parted, leaving a shimmering silver thread between them.
Jingliu panted softly, her crimson eyes tender as she gently caressed Su Jinyan's cheek with her delicate white hand:
"Xiao Didi, I was wrong before."
"You can..."
"What can you do?"
Unfazed, Su Jinyan subtly stepped back.
The duration of Loving Gaze was about to end, and he needed to be prepared.
"Can you obediently accept your death?!"
Jingliu unleashed an unrestrained burst of murderous intent, swinging her sword directly at Su Jinyan.
Clang!
With hands pressed together, Su Jinyan effortlessly caught the bone-chilling Tanhua Sword.
Jingliu stared, bewildered.
Her strike had held nothing back, fully capable of annihilating Su Jinyan's body. Yet, he managed to block her blade with such ease, even dissipating its piercing cold entirely. Just how much hidden strength did he possess?
Angry, Su Jinyan retorted, "As expected, my Shizun was right all along. The more beautiful a woman, the better she lies." He added, "My Shizun truly knows best."
Jingliu pressed her lips tightly together, her expression cold. "Xiao Didi, Fu Xuan truly spoiled you too much." She sneered, "She treated you so well, indulging you endlessly, yet she couldn't be your lifelong partner."
"And every action of yours, as a lecherous man, only serves to break her heart. Hmph, how laughable."
"Let go now; I won't kill you anymore."
"All right," Su Jinyan agreed.
Unexpectedly, just as he released his grip, Jingliu, disregarding fairness, swung her sword at him again.
Su Jinyan caught the blade with his hand and said helplessly, "Jingliu Big Sister, that's going too far."
"Out of respect for the general, I've refrained from using my stronger techniques against you."
"Do you know why Luocha appears so worn out, like he's been excessively indulgent?"
A hint of unease flickered across Jingliu's face. "Why is that?"
Su Jinyan chuckled lightly, "I made Luocha run madly around the toilet for quite some time."
"Jingliu Big Sister, death comes to all, but its weight can vary—lighter than a feather or heavier than Mount Tai."
"You wouldn't want to bear such a tarnished reputation after death, akin to Luocha, would you?"
Jingliu remained silent, visibly shaken.
Seeing her uncertainty, Su Jinyan decided to release the Tanhua Sword completely. "How about we make a bet?"
"If conflict were to erupt between us and it escalated beyond control, do you think the general would side with whom?"
Jingliu fell silent.
As Jing Yuan's esteemed master, she knew his character very well.
The Jingliu of now was no longer the Swordmaster of Luofu; she had long been expelled from the Xianzhou Alliance.
"You're right, Xiao Didi," she acknowledged, "I've been somewhat impulsive."
"Let it be. I'll consider this just a nip from a dog." She extended an olive branch, "Xiao Didi, let's make peace."
Su Jinyan gently took Jingliu's icy-cold hand. "Wife, your understanding is truly heartening."
Jingliu gave him a cold glance. "However, there's one thing I must clarify beforehand."
"My intention to help you overcome lust remains unchanged."
"Distracting yourself with beauty is your greatest flaw. If you can conquer this weakness, your cultivation will undoubtedly advance further, reaching new heights."
At that moment, chaotic footsteps approached along with fragments of conversation nearby.
"How severe are the patient's injuries?"
"Sister Yun You, this outlander's wounds are quite serious. Close exposure to high-explosive ordinance nearly cost him his life."
"After emergency treatment and bandaging, he has stabilized for now."
"Bring this outlander to the Dragon Lady for healing as soon as possible."
Jingliu and Su Jinyan exchanged glances before she asked,
"Xiao Didi, are you skilled in treating injuries?"
"Should I summon the Dragon Lady?" Su Jinyan confidently replied, "No need. The patient has already passed the critical stage; my presence alone is sufficient."
"Let little Bailu enjoy herself for now."
Yun You, the High Elder's close attendant, arrived hastily at the Medicine Pavilion with two physicians, carrying a stretcher.
"Lady Bailu," Yun You began. "There is a severely injured outlander here. Would you like to examine him?"
Su Jinyan glanced at the patient and nearly burst out laughing. Isn't this f*cking my nephew, old Sampo?
"Doctor..." Sampo coughed weakly and asked, "Is there still hope for me?"
Su Jinyan rubbed her small hands together eagerly.
"Patient, your condition is extremely critical and requires immediate attention." She paused before reassuring him, "But don't worry, since I'm here, you'll be saved."
Touched, tears welled up in Sampo's eyes. "That's wonderful."
With a swift chop, Su Jinyan attempted to knock Sampo unconscious.
"What are you doing, Doctor?" Sampo winced in pain.
Whack!
Su Jinyan struck again. "Take deep breaths; feeling dizzy is normal."
Sampo struggled persistently. "Quack doctor! Let me go, quickly!"
Whack!
Su Jinyan delivered another strike. "How are you not faint yet?"
"I f*cking—"
Seizing Jingliu's Tanhua Sword, Su Jinyan declared solemnly, "Patient, we've run out of anesthesia. You'll have to bear with it."
Jingliu stared speechlessly.
Sampo's face paled instantly. "Wait, let me do it myself!"
Thud!
Sampo slammed his head against the ground, knocking himself unconscious.
Witnessing this entire scene, Yun You and the Alchemy Commission physician were left utterly dumbfounded.
"Who are you if not Lady Bailu?" Yun You asked cautiously.
Su Jinyan sounded somewhat disappointed. "Your vigilance is truly lacking. This guy isn't injured at all."
"How could that be?!"
Facing their skeptical gazes, Su Jinyan sneered and raised Tanhua Sword, swiftly stabbing it into Sampo's thigh.
"Aaargh!" Sampo howled.
With a hiss, blood gushed forth.
Su Jinyan chuckled awkwardly. "Mistakes happen; even horses stumble sometimes. It seems I guessed wrong."