Chu Xinghui helped bring the food to the table, and the two of them finally sat down to have a slightly late dinner.

Xie Liufeng remembered Chu Xinghui’s praise for the tangyuan filling earlier and specially filled a bowl for him.

Chu Xinghui poked the tangyuan in his bowl with a spoon while accepting Xie Liufeng’s feeding. He began to relay Yue Yao’s plans to Xie Liufeng.

Xie Liufeng naturally didn’t have any objections to this decision: “Alright, I’ll keep the things here. Before Yue Yao arrives, nothing will go wrong.”

Chu Xinghui then told Xie Liufeng about his next plans: “Starting tomorrow, I’m going to the library to see if there’s any information related to the Heavenly Ladder and the upper realm. In a couple of days, I plan to take the black bird to Changyang Mountain again.”

It was at Changyang Mountain where he first learned about the concept of the “Book of Fate.”

The origins of this sword remain unclear to this day. Even the connection between Chi Heyu and the sacrificial items was first discovered by the sword spirit in the bird’s nest outside.

Although it might not necessarily be related, the clues are currently too scarce to ignore, and it’s essential to search everywhere.

Xie Liufeng didn’t stop his plans. After thinking for a moment, he offered a new approach: “Actually, there’s a more direct way to find out these things.”

Chu Xinghui guessed who he was talking about: “You mean Qin Suyun?”

Xie Liufeng nodded.

Chu Xinghui had considered her before but didn’t hold much hope: “Getting her to speak is probably difficult.”

After all, Qin Suyun was in an illegal state of illegal entry, and even though her identity was leaking all over the place, she herself probably wouldn’t dare to speak out.

However… this person couldn’t be left alive for long, whether it was due to the Heavenly Dao’s punishment or another’s hand—it would end the same. The question was whether they could force her to speak before she died by using some form of torture.

Chu Xinghui started seriously considering the feasibility of this approach.

Xie Liufeng analyzed: “If she’s already facing death, the chance of her revealing any information to us is indeed very low. Plus, she probably still has a backup plan. It’s always better not to force things. But her purpose in coming down from the upper realm was to take a shortcut to become a complete god, and this method of ascension definitely can’t be through conventional means. So, she must have some other way of returning. And this way… would likely require something connected to both the upper and lower realms as a medium.”

Currently, the only thing that could act as this medium is likely the Book of Fate in the upper realm.

Xie Liufeng looked at Chu Xinghui, smiling lightly: “What if this medium fails?”

This idea emerged when Chu Xinghui mentioned Yue Yao earlier.

The key was to take away Qin Suyun’s biggest trump card, and while she was still unaware of the current situation, it would be easier to manipulate her into forming the wrong conclusions.

The best way to deal with someone like Qin Suyun was to make her believe that her interests were aligned with theirs.

In this way, at least for the part concerning “common interests,” Qin Suyun would be motivated to protect it actively.

Chu Xinghui understood what he meant: “So, we need to make her think… that she can no longer contact the Book of Fate and will never be able to return to the upper realm?”

This approach was indeed aligned with what Yue Yao was trying to do right now.

Xie Liufeng picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and smiled: “Let’s wait for news from Yue Yao. If she succeeds, we can ride her coattails.”

Chu Xinghui nodded while chewing the food.

*

There were so many things going on these days that it was rare to get a night off. The two of them didn’t discuss too many serious matters, slowly finished their meal, and then tidied up the dishes before heading to their bedroom together.

Chu Xinghui lit a lamp and casually picked up a book to pass the time.

Xie Liufeng didn’t have anything else to do for the moment and found himself bored. He looked at Chu Xinghui, who was reading the book.

Xie Liufeng was someone who couldn’t resist fiddling with things.

Whenever he found himself with nothing to do and Chu Xinghui was conveniently nearby, he would start instinctively bothering his newlywed partner.

This included, but wasn’t limited to, randomly calling Chu Xinghui’s name, walking back and forth, or playing with his hair and accessories.

Chu Xinghui hadn’t even read two pages when he realized he was using all his energy to handle Xie Liufeng’s interruptions.

So, in order to focus on his book and to keep his partner occupied, Chu Xinghui passed the book to Xie Liufeng, asking him to read it aloud.

Xie Liufeng eagerly took the book, flipped through it, then straightened up and began reading seriously.

Seeing him so earnest, Chu Xinghui listened for a while.

At first, everything seemed fine. The protagonist of the book, during his travels, entered a forest that no one had ever been to before and fought fierce beasts with his sword.

However, the battle scenes were described in great detail, and Chu Xinghui distinctly remembered that this particular author wasn’t a sword cultivator and didn’t use a sword.

But Xie Liufeng’s expression was so serious that Chu Xinghui reluctantly went along with it.

Then, Xie Liufeng began to drift off course.

He started describing the hunting and cooking methods for wild pigs in the mortal realm and casually introduced the process of making cured meat.

Chu Xinghui couldn’t help but raise an objection: “Wasn’t this person supposed to be traveling everywhere?”

Though he hadn’t read much yet, he clearly remembered that this book was supposed to be a travelogue.

Xie Liufeng thought for a moment and, without changing his expression, started inventing a story: “The author had traveled for so long that he found it boring, so he retired to the countryside to grow vegetables and raise chickens. That’s why the latter half of the book focuses on his life after settling down in a remote mountain forest.”

Chu Xinghui, half convinced, continued to listen.

After a while, he became distracted by Xie Liufeng’s face and found himself admiring it.

It was very pleasant to the eye.

By the time Chu Xinghui snapped out of his daydream, the author in Xie Liufeng’s retelling had already started doing business and buying surrounding shops.

Chu Xinghui couldn’t resist interrupting again: “Wasn’t this supposed to be a story about settling down in a remote forest?”

Xie Liufeng continued his tall tale: “Because the author had rich experience in planting and breeding, his life was filled with abundant resources. He started trading the surplus and accumulated initial funds, eventually opening shops and establishing a vast business empire.”

He said seriously: “So, for humans, learning is very important. Practical knowledge can truly change one’s destiny.”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He began to shift his focus, concentrating on Xie Liufeng’s pleasing face, while continuing to listen to his nonsense.

Chu Xinghui no longer objected, and Xie Liufeng’s storytelling became even more outrageous.

The protagonist of the story started off doing business, suddenly became an official, then unexpectedly retired to the countryside to farm and raise chickens, followed by a failed rebellion, and after several ups and downs, he eventually became a great figure remembered in history. He lived to a ripe old age of one hundred, passing away peacefully after a fulfilling life.

It sounded quite dramatic.

It was hard to tell that Xie Liufeng’s preference was actually for these kinds of stories.

Chu Xinghui reflected on the bizarre tale for a moment, remained silent for a while, then finally reminded Xie Liufeng: “This author, the protagonist, was a Nascent Soul cultivator.”

Objectively speaking, a Nascent Soul cultivator’s activities should not be limited to the mortal realm, and they certainly wouldn’t die of old age at a hundred.

In fact, the book’s protagonist should have already been over a hundred at the start.

Xie Liufeng, who was quite pleased with his creative invention, flipped through the book, confused: “Huh? This is an autobiography?”

He realized with a start—he thought it was just a fictional novel.

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He thought Xie Liufeng’s energy level was a bit too high.

So, he took the book from Xie Liufeng’s hands and directly pushed him onto the bed.

Since they had so much free time, why not just engage in some dual cultivation?

…

The next morning, Xie Liufeng woke up early to handle some matters, then came back and stood, staring at Chu Xinghui, who was still in bed.

Chu Xinghui was almost awake but not fully. He instinctively snuggled into Xie Liufeng’s arms and lazily kissed him before slowly opening his eyes.

Xie Liufeng casually held him and mentioned their plans for the day: “Fang Yan has invited several seniors to discuss the Book of Fate and the matters concerning the Bihai Taohua Island. I’ll be going over to help entertain them.”

When it came to business, Chu Xinghui finally woke up completely, nudged Xie Liufeng to make some space, and said: “I’m going to the library.”

He got up from bed and quickly tidied himself up.

When it was time to tie his hair, Chu Xinghui paused for a moment while looking at the hair tie in his hand.

This time, he could tie his hair, but he suddenly didn’t want to move.

So, he subtly glanced at Xie Liufeng, showing him the hair tie.

Xie Liufeng took it from him and tied his hair for him, even making a nice knot.

Then, Chu Xinghui reciprocated and tied Xie Liufeng’s hair as well.

Once they were both ready, they left the room together.

Chu Xinghui headed for the library, while Xie Liufeng went to help Fang Yan.

As they reached the door, just as they were about to part ways, Xie Liufeng suddenly received a message from Fang Yan.

Fang Yan didn’t waste any time and said directly: “Master, Qin Suyun wants to see you.”

Since Qin Suyun had been confirmed as a sacrificial offering last time, she had been under control and hadn’t been allowed to leave for some time.

It wasn’t surprising that she would make some move due to the lack of information, but for her to seek out Xie Liufeng was rather odd.

Xie Liufeng was momentarily confused: “Huh?”

He glanced at the message, then looked at Chu Xinghui, who had walked a few steps ahead.

Had the wrong person been contacted?

Did he somehow have some unknown connection with Qin Suyun?

Hearing the commotion, Chu Xinghui stopped and quietly walked back, standing next to Xie Liufeng to listen to Fang Yan’s message.

Fang Yan spoke with a serious tone: “Yes, she specifically said she wants to see Sword Master. She also told me to tell you that this matter concerns your life, and you should not tell Brother Chu.”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He quietly spoke up from the side: “I’m here.”

Fang Yan: “…”

He had known this would happen.

Well, he was just relaying the message, he hadn’t intended to actually hide anything from Chu Xinghui.

Even if he hadn’t told Chu Xinghui, Xie Liufeng would likely have shared it with him anyway.

Although the situation seemed a bit off, seeing Chu Xinghui’s expression made Xie Liufeng want to laugh.

He barely held back a smile and responded: “Alright, we understand. We’ll head over right away.”

After the transmission was completed, Xie Liufeng grabbed Chu Xinghui’s hand: “Let’s go. We’ll go together.”

He hadn’t heard news that concerned his life in a long time, so he was curious if he’d get something out of it this time.

 

 

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