"Is this what Young Master wants from me... Fine, see all you want,"
The Holy Maiden's voice was soft, like a snowflake landing in a furnace.
She loosened the sash of her fairy robe, and it slid from her shoulders like moonlight cascading over jade, revealing the profound mountain peaks that could shake even a sage's heart to its core.
Her creamy skin gleamed under the starlight; flawless and pure.
Yet, her expression was one of cold disgust. Like a sacred swan forced to offer itself to a toad.
She stood there, half-bared beneath the heavens, yet not a shred of warmth lingered in her eyes.
Only silent defiance.
Pride clashing with shame.
Seated cross-legged on a meditation cushion, robes immaculate, the young master did not even glance at her.
"Ah... It seems the Holy Maiden is misunderstanding something,"
"This Young Master is but a wandering Daoist. It was the Holy Lord who handed you to me as a concubine,"
"And it was Ye Chen who issued a life-and-death duel against me. I have done nothing but observe as the world paints me a villain,"
"If the Holy Maiden shares affection with Ye Chen, then you should speak with the Holy Lord, not disturb my rest, baring your body in the dead of night,"
He waved his sleeve lightly. A breeze swept through the chamber, rustling the hanging scrolls and dimming the lantern flame.
For a moment, silence hung in the air like the tension before a sword was drawn.
The Holy Maiden stiffened. Her fingers curled into fists, clutching the edges of her robe.
A flicker of emotion passed through her starry eyes.
Why... Why does he speak as though I'm the one at fault?
I only did this to protect Ye Chen... I never wanted to... also... There is nothing between me and Ye Chen.
I just don't want him to die a brutal death due to his stupidity.
Then why... why does it hurt to hear those words?
She hastily gathered her robe back over her shoulders, knotting the sash with trembling hands.
Her cheeks were pale, but her lips pressed into a firm line.
"You truly are heartless," she said quietly.
She turned away, but didn't leave.
Her footsteps paused at the threshold.
Then again... perhaps I was the fool. Hoping for even a sliver of kindness from a Young Master like him who has obtained the title of Devil's incarnation.
Unparalleled talent, unparalleled looks, unparalleled background, unfathomable strength, firm Dao heart.
No wonder he has the title of Devil's incarnation, his bone age is lower than mine yet he has already reached the height that I can't fathom.
There is really a vast difference between heaven and earth.
Someone's dream is another one's starting point.
Ye Chen was simply COURTING DEATH by challenging the Young Master like him.
The Young Master cleared his throat, his tone still calm, unhurried, and uncaring.
"It seems the Holy Maiden plans to leave without offering a proper explanation to this Young Master. Do I not deserve any face?"
His gaze, which had avoided her until now, finally lifted, it was calm yet felt abyssal, as if holding the profound dragon might within.
He raised a single finger.
A ripple tore through the air.
The Holy Maiden's body jerked violently, as an invisible force coiling around her like chains of law.
Her breath hitched as her jade feet lifted from the ground.
Before she could even react, her divine figure was drawn toward him, her long hair whipping behind her like a comet's tail.
In the next instant, she hovered in front of him, suspended in air, inches away from his figure.
Her eyes widened, disbelief and fury mixing in a storm of helplessness.
He dares... What is he trying to do?
Her robe trembled from the force, and though still clothed, she felt more bare than ever, as if her dignity had been peeled away by sheer Dao pressure alone.
The Young Master didn't move.
He simply looked at her, neither lust nor affection in his eyes, only indifference that chilled her soul.
He slowly rose to his feet.
"You have come this late to show me your figure, perhaps Holy Maiden is expecting something, This Young Master's heart has many questions so, hope you can enlighten me," He said brushing her chin.
Her breath got caught up in her throat.
The touch beneath her chin was barely there, soft as silk, yet it carried the weight of an entire realm pressing upon her soul.
She had faced ancient beasts, sword trials, and the lightning tribulation of the ninth heaven. Yet none made her feel so powerless, so utterly seen and unseen, all at once.
"Y-You! What is young master trying to perform,"
"What to perform? What can't I perform? I can do any heinous act I want to,"
His eyes, like still lakes beneath a full moon, bore into hers.
Unmoved, unshaken, and unfeeling.
"Tonight, the Holy Maiden enters my domain, undresses herself, and then calls me heartless?"
"Is this truly righteousness, or is it hypocrisy dressed in white silk?"
"The reward shown must be given gracefully..."
His finger tilted her chin higher.
"Or perhaps Holy maiden is cherishing herself for that Ye Chen, ah, how lucky, the heavens must truly favor him to create beauty as yourself for him,"
"You even want to protect him from this young master, what is it? Devotion? Love? Or simply foolishness,"
"Hmm!? What is it? Did he ever touch your jade hands?"
"or these cherry lips... Did he taste it," He said rubbing her cherry lips.
"Y-Young master got it wrong... There is nothing between me and Ye Chen, I just see him as a junior brother, nothing else," She said helplessly.
"Oh really, you really came here for him yet you tell me he is your junior brother, perhaps my worldview isn't widened yet,"
Her lips trembled beneath his touch, but she didn't pull away.
Not because she wanted to stay, but because her body simply no longer dared to resist.
He's mocking me... tearing apart every shred of justification I clung to... maybe I shouldn't have come here.
I am truly a foolish woman.
Her pride screamed, but her Dao heart wavered.
"Y-Young Master... please..." She whispered, not knowing whether it was a plea for mercy or for understanding.
His eyes narrowed faintly.
"Please? Hah... How strange. When this Young Master asks for clarity, I receive evasion. But when I act... I receive pleas,"
His hand, still beneath her chin, lifted her gaze to meet his directly.
"You say he's your junior brother. But you were willing to offer your purity for him. Is that not foolish? Or is this a Holy Maiden's twisted mercy?"
Her teeth clenched. "I... I just didn't want bloodshed... You wouldn't understand,"
"I understand it... And I understand way more clearly than you,"
"I understand it's your sophisticated upbringing that forces you to follow the path chosen by your father for you, as such, You came to me and not the holy lord. I know you can't make any demands in front of your father...
And I know very well why... it's your lack of talent, the shame that you want to hide, don't get it wrong, you are fairly talented but that's it, you aren't a genius that's worth remembering, it's the shame that doesn't let you talk you your father or mother,"
"And your junior brother, Ye Chen... Isn't it just your empathy, you saw him come from a humble background with limited talent yet he was crushing the pure talents, you saw something in him that made you feel like, he was like you but better who was challenging the world's law, a free bird flying in the sky while you remained caged,"
"It was this feeling that made you connected to him, the helplessness, lack of pure talent, and origin,"
"And the reason you came to me was so, I can spare him, so he could soar the sky, rule the heavens, conquer the earth,"
"Your reasoning was; this is your fate but this isn't Ye Chen's fate... A sad story perhaps from your view,"
"But is this all to the story? Am I the bad guy?"