Zu An hadn’t expected such an intense reaction. He quickly pushed her hand aside and retreated. “Are you out of your mind?”
Firework didn’t chase him, but she glared at him icily and asked, “How did you know?”
“The Deity of Death told me before I entered this trial,” Zu An replied. “He said you were a pitiful person. What drove you to make such a huge sacrifice?”
“What a joke! Someone who died is pitying me?” Firework harrumphed. “You’re in no place to pity me. Don’t blame me for getting nasty if you dare mention that again.”
She pulled down her clothes and stomped away.
Whatever happened back then must have hurt her greatly. If she ever opens up about that to me, it would mean that she's finally opened her heart to me and considers me a true friend.
“How long did you guard the forbidden land?”
“None of your business.”
“It must have been a long time. Did you feel lonely?”
“Hmph. You must have forgotten about my ability. I can have countless clones. I can single-handedly create a country, so how could I possibly be lonely?”
“But they're all you. Wouldn’t the bustle just make you feel emptier?”
“You darned brat! Are you asking for a beating?”
“There’s nothing much to do on the way, so I figured we could chat.”
Firework suddenly turned to him and asked, “Why don’t you talk about your past then?”
“Sure. What do you want to know?” Zu An smiled radiantly, showing his teeth.
Firework harrumphed. “How many wives do you have?”
“...” Zu An hadn’t expected this to be her first question, but he still answered it. “I have an official wife whom I properly wedded, but I have lovers as well.”
He suddenly fell into a daze. Come to think about it, I did go through the marriage ceremony with the ancient Mermaid Queen after she became the Chang clan’s Saintess...
Firework continued asking, “Is the person who resembles Tingxue your official wife?”
Zu An replied, “No, she’s my wife’s master.”
“Oh?” Even though Firework was still fuming just a moment ago, Zu An’s response piqued her interest. “Tell me what happened.”
Zu An was speechless. The desire to gossip is innate even for ridiculously powerful entities. However, he didn’t mind talking about himself, since he sought reconciliation. He told her about how Yan Xuehen had tried to kill him to end her disciple’s secular attachments, as well as how they'd eventually gotten together.
Firework was thoroughly entertained. Halfway through the story, she suddenly asked, “She spared you because you used that ‘Love is More Solid Than Gold’ skill, right?”
Zu An sheepishly replied, “I knew I wouldn’t be able to hide it from you. I was cornered and couldn’t find any other way out, so I could only resort to such despicable methods.”
“It’s not despicable. All is fair in a fight for survival. It’d be foolish to withhold your skills when your life is on the line,” Firework said with a smile. All of a sudden, her expression darkened. “Did you secretly use that skill on me as well?”
Zu An rolled his eyes. “I already told you I didn’t. Why would I have revealed that skill if I planned to use it against you?”
“It could be reverse psychology,” Firework sneered.
“So, are you in love with me?” Zu An asked.
Firework was stunned. Perhaps she'd arrogantly declared that she would make him her plaything, but that was because she had a favorable impression of him after spending some time together. He was merely different from other guys.
An entity like her wouldn’t fall in love with anyone.
Zu An continued, “You don’t need to worry about that skill—it isn’t omnipotent. It’s not just because of that skill that Xuehen and I got together. Many things happened in between that led to our eventual union.”
Firework heaved a sigh of relief. “That better be the case. I’ll say it upfront. If you dare to use that skill against me, I’ll rip you to shreds even if I fall in love with you. Your lovers will be next.”
Zu An’s expression turned cold. “You need not worry about that. I have no interest in spiders.” He flung his sleeves and walked away.
Even though he had expressed goodwill for the sake of working together, Firework had still threatened not just him, but his loved ones as well. That was beyond what he could tolerate. If that was going to be the case, he would rather not work with her.
“Spider?” Firework was so maddened that one could almost see steam puffing from her nostrils. If not for the restriction on supernatural powers, she would have shown Zu An the true horror of spiders.
You have successfully trolled Firework for +444... +444... +444...
Shortly after they parted ways, Zu An sensed footsteps behind him. He turned around and frowned. “What are you doing here?”
Firework beamed at him. “Don’t be so stingy. I came back because I was worried about you.”
Zu An frowned. She’s speaking in that girlish voice she used when we first met again. “Which one is the real you? Aren’t you worried that you might catch schizophrenia if you keep switching between the two?”
“My mind isn’t that weak, and these are all my real personalities,” Firework smiled. “Which one do you prefer?”
“I prefer sincerity.” Zu An couldn’t tell which of her personalities were real, and he couldn’t be bothered to figure that out either.
“I’m already being very sincere by offering to make you my plaything. I don’t even spare a glance at most men.” Firework jogged to his side. “Aren’t you going to consider me? Having me is as good as having all the women in the world. I can turn into anyone you want.”
Hmph, you brat. I’ll make you fall in love with me hard before dumping you. Let’s see how arrogant you’ll be then!
Zu An looked at her and asked, “You don’t know the way to the Tomb of Living Dead, do you?”
Firework’s smile stiffened up. “What a tactless man you are. How did you get so many women to fall in love with you?”
“Because we treat one another with sincerity.”
Firework snorted. “Ridiculous. That's just what simps say to comfort themselves. I don’t believe that you haven't met a woman who tried to exploit your feelings for her.”
Zu An shook his head. He couldn’t be bothered to waste his breath.
Firework continued prattling along the way. It felt as if the two of them had returned to the time when they first met. They traveled for half a month before reaching the foot of Mount Zhongnan.
Much to their surprise, many Mongol martial artists were gathered around the perimeter of Mount Zhongnan. From their conversations, Zu An learned that a Mongol prince had learned that there was a ravishing beauty at Mount Zhongnan and wanted to woo her.