Chapter 53

“What are you looking at?”

What are you looking at?

Just five simple words, a plain question, but in this context, it became an unsolvable puzzle, leaving Qu Panyan startled and terrified, with her hair standing on end and goosebumps rising all over her body.

What’s the difference between this and those little boys getting caught by their parents while watching adult films?!

Having lived for so long, Qu Panyan never imagined that she would end up in such a situation, flipping over like this. A mix of embarrassment and guilt surged within her, reaching its peak in an instant—there would be no one in the world more embarrassed than her right now.

Reading her own smutty fanfiction in the room and getting caught by the other protagonist…

If Su Lingyu finds out what she was looking at, Yan Ruyu’s Bookstore could instantly turn into a freezing place…

Most importantly, what would Su Lingyu think of her?

So, Qu Panyan didn’t dare to dwell on it, telling herself not to panic. She ignored her trembling fingers and calmly closed the book, quickly stuffing it into the Qianbao pouch before Su Lingyu could take it away.

Qu Panyan: Very good, very natural. I can still save face.

Su Lingyu reached out, grabbing at the empty air. Her five fingers stiffened in mid-air, and she couldn’t help but lower her gaze at Qu Panyan. “Yan’er?” What was it that she didn’t want to show her?

Qu Panyan extended her hand to entwine around Su Lingyu’s fingers, standing up naturally while hugging her waist, effortlessly changing the subject, “Sister Lingyu is back. By the way, is Yuan Qijun in Changhe Town?”

As she spoke, she managed to steal a glance outside the window, only to see a sky full of stars—she had actually been reading smut fanfic until nightfall?!

Su Lingyu replied decisively, “He’s not here.”

She affectionately tapped Qu Panyan’s nose and asked, “What was Yan’er looking at?”

Qu Panyan withdrew her gaze and put on a bright smile, but couldn’t help thinking: I was looking at you in my smutty fanfiction, where you’re about to sleep with me!

But could she be honest about this? No way. As long as Su Lingyu didn’t know what she was looking at, it would be as if she hadn’t read any smut at all!!!

Qu Panyan casually said, “Just some books that the owner of Yan Ruyu’s Bookstore gave me, nothing special, just browsing.”

Su Lingyu looked at her, “Hmm?” Nothing special and yet you stuffed them into the Qianbao pouch so quickly?

Seeing that Su Lingyu was suspicious and she couldn’t really take them out to show her, wouldn’t that be like offering her head on a platter?! So, she resorted to using her cute and coquettish method, encircling Su Lingyu’s slender waist, gazing at her with innocent and bright eyes while tilting her head up, and said, “I really was just casually browsing, does Sister Lingyu not trust Yan’er…”

Su Lingyu, accustomed to her coquettishness, saw those innocent eyes, and she couldn’t help but soften her heart and responded, “Of course, Sister Lingyu trusts Yan’er.”

Qu Panyan: Successfully avoided disaster!

A hint of joy appeared in her raised eyebrows, her eyes forming crescent moons. She took the initiative to move closer, puckering her lips slightly.

Su Lingyu understood her intention, smiled faintly, lowered her head, and captured those two cherry-like lips, gently sending her tender breath into Qu Panyan’s mouth, stirring up a mess of intoxicating and eager aroma.

Their kiss was filled with passion, and their rationality was on the verge of being swallowed up by this entwined moment. Whenever Su Lingyu tried to pull back slightly, Qu Panyan couldn’t help but hook her neck and tiptoe to kiss her more actively, as if not allowing her to retreat, determined to immerse themselves in this sea of desire.

While they were still kissing, Su Lingyu suddenly chuckled out loud, emitting a soft sound that aroused curiosity and impatience.

When Qu Panyan opened her eyes, she met a pair of clear and pure eyes, filled with the purest love and an inexplicable hint of amusement.

Qu Panyan, who had been tiptoeing for a long time, stopped her movements, and her mind was full of question marks—why did this sister suddenly laugh while we were kissing?! Is my kissing technique so bad that it’s laughable?! Why didn’t I see her laughing like this before?!

She was about to ask what was going on when she suddenly felt an added force on her body. The next moment, she was sitting securely on the table, her slender legs wrapped around Su Lingyu’s waist in a flirtatious manner, as if she was about to perform something blush-worthy.

Before she could react, she heard Su Lingyu’s tender inquiry, “Does this feel less tiring?”

Qu Panyan: !!!

So, she’s concerned that I’ve been tiptoeing for too long?

Oh, my dear celestial sister is so kind!

Qu Panyan happily nodded and once again hooked Su Lingyu’s neck, sweetly saying, “Sister Lingyu, you’re so good to me.”

However, with this position… Sister, don’t you want to do something else?

We’re all adults here, don’t restrain yourself!

Don’t pity this delicate flower! I’m already yours!

While Qu Panyan was shouting in her heart, she cooperated with her sister’s actions. In no time, her mind was completely emptied, leaving only Su Lingyu in her thoughts.

“Knock knock—” An untimely knocking sound came from outside the door, rudely dispersing the atmosphere of romance in the room. The two inside paused, turning their gaze toward the door, and then they heard someone say, “Sect Master’s wife, are you there? Senior Sister Kang has woken up and would like to see you.”

Qu Panyan cleared her throat and responded, “Alright, I’ll go over right now. Tell her to wait for a moment.”

The disciple outside acknowledged her response and left, completely unaware that they had disturbed the deep emotional exchange between their Sect Master and the Sect Master’s wife.

Business matters couldn’t be delayed, after all.

Su Lingyu took the lead and distanced herself from Qu Panyan. With a soft sigh, Qu Panyan’s levitating feet finally touched the ground. After adjusting her appearance, she pushed the door open and went to find Kang Congshuang.

Su Lingyu concealed her presence and followed behind. Kang Congshuang was the second proud disciple of the Xianmeng Sect, and as the Sect Master’s wife, Qu Panyan naturally cared about her well-being.

When Qu Panyan arrived, the junior disciple was coming out of Kang Congshuang’s room, holding a bowl of half-eaten porridge. She saw Qu Panyan approaching, so she bowed and greeted, “Sect Master’s wife.”

Qu Panyan smiled gently, her smile full of warmth, making the junior disciple feel a sense of familiarity. She casually asked about Kang Congshuang’s condition and then let the junior disciple rest.

Entering the room, Qu Panyan found Kang Congshuang sitting by the table, drinking hot tea slowly. Her face had a slight flush of color, but her eyes were clear and bright, not resembling a sick person at all. It was as if she hadn’t endured the torment of the illness in the room just now.

Although they were supposed to experience the training together, the relationship between Qu Panyan and the disciples of the Xianmeng Sect was still that of the Sect Master’s wife and the disciples. The disciples still had to bow in front of her. When Kang Congshuang saw her coming, she was about to get up and perform the proper courtesy, but Qu Panyan quickly stepped forward, preventing her from standing up, and said, “Your body is weak, there’s no need for unnecessary formalities.”

Kang Congshuang was always disciplined and courteous, only relinquishing formalities when bedridden and unable to rise. With a serious expression, she was about to say something when Qu Panyan seemed to have already guessed what she wanted to do and promptly raised two fingers, preempting her, “Hey, since the Sect Master isn’t here, the Sect Master’s wife has the final say. I said to skip the formalities, so you must comply. No objections allowed, otherwise, I’ll tell Sister Lingyu that you don’t listen to me as the Sect Master’s wife.”

Su Lingyu, hidden from sight, couldn’t help but lift the corner of her lips into a gentle smile—Her wife was indeed more adorable than anyone else.

Her adorableness was truly one of a kind.

Kang Congshuang then gave up the idea of arguing and looked at Qu Panyan, asking, “What did you find out at the Wu family today?”

Qu Panyan scrutinized her, unable to ascertain whether she was truly fine or not. She was afraid that Kang Congshuang’s spirit hadn’t fully recovered, and as soon as she learned who the culprit was, she would immediately set off without caring for her own well-being—she should prioritize herself for now, and only when she restored her spirit and took care of her body could she do what she wanted.

Seeing the doubt in Qu Panyan’s gaze, Kang Congshuang felt somewhat resigned and said with a touch of compromise, “I will rest well and leave tomorrow morning.”

Qu Panyan trusted her words and proceeded to inform Kang Congshuang about what she had learned at the Wu family, omitting the part involving Su Lingyu. As for how she could be certain that the culprit was Yuan Qijun without Su Lingyu’s help, Qu Panyan lied and said she had heard Su Lingyu mention him before and had a deep impression of him, thus managing to conclude the truth.

Why would a Necromancer cultivator practicing dark arts have a connection with the victim and then cruelly mutilate their organs afterwards? What kind of twisted motives lay behind such ruthless and depraved actions?

Kang Congshuang furrowed her brows with deep worry, her gaze lowered in silence, and her five fingers unconsciously clenched her sleeves.

Life is so precious, how could it be subjected to such wanton harm?!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She felt an overwhelming rage burning in her chest, with no outlet to vent. The fingers gripping her sleeves turned white from exertion, and a taste of blood surged up her throat.

Seeing her suddenly coughing up blood, Qu Panyan was startled. She quickly forced Kang Congshuang to clear her mind and control her breath, then infused her with inner energy to help her stabilize and calm down. Once her breath had steadied, Qu Panyan sternly forbade her from saying another word and ordered her to rest on the bed. Everything could be discussed the next day.

Kang Congshuang’s weak body was no match for Qu Panyan’s strength, and she was easily pressed back onto the bed. Her shoulders were firmly held down, and she helplessly said, “Sect Master’s wife, I’m fine…”

Qu Panyan didn’t listen. “Your recent bout of coughing up blood doesn’t seem fine to me.”

Kang Congshuang didn’t want to simply go to sleep like this; she wanted to think about how to deal with Yuan Qijun. She struggled to get up.

Qu Panyan narrowed her eyes and suddenly said, “I know a spell that can help you.”

Kang Congshuang paused and looked at her seriously while asking, “What kinds of spell?”

Qu Panyan reached out and touched the center of her eyebrows. “The Instant Sleep Spell.”

Kang Congshuang’s eyes widened, and the next moment, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep slumber.

Having been subjected to so many instances of the Instant Sleep Spell herself, Qu Panyan had learned it as well, but she never expected Kang Congshuang to be the first person she would use it on. She shook her head helplessly; children never listen when they’re sick, but a good sleep will fix everything.

After settling Kang Congshuang, Qu Panyan returned to her own guest room. As soon as she closed the door, Su Lingyu appeared, raising her hand to pat her head gently. She spoke warmly, “Thank you for taking care of Congshuang.”

Qu Panyan smiled and replied, “It’s just a small effort.” She truly hoped that Kang Congshuang would be better, not only because of the Qu family’s intention to strengthen ties with the Kang family but also because she genuinely appreciated Kang Congshuang as a person.

She glanced at the sky outside and estimated that it was time to rest and sleep. After her eyes rolled around for a moment, she quickly hopped onto the bed, then turned to Su Lingyu and said, “It’s getting late, Sister Lingyu, we should rest too.”

Su Lingyu stared at her motionless with a calm expression and said, “Yan’er, cultivators don’t need to sleep every night.” The implication was that she didn’t need to sleep.

Qu Panyan was both angry and amused. Before, Su Lingyu said this to comfort her when they couldn’t share a bed due to her illness. Now that they were Dao companions, why was she still saying this?

Are they not adults? Are they not Dao companions anymore?

This celestial sister sometimes seemed quite obtuse!

Qu Panyan patted on the bed and said, “No way!”

Su Lingyu looked at her and asked, “Hmm?”

Qu Panyan said firmly, “Cultivators may not need to sleep every night, but those who have Dao companions must!”

Suddenly, Su Lingyu seemed to comprehend something. She stared at Qu Panyan with her eyes fixed on her and asked, “You mean… dual cultivation?”

Then, with uncertainty, she repeated, “Do you want to?”

Prev / ToC / Next

---

We’re currently looking for editors, so if you’re interested at all, then please contact @Glariosa or @sinensis on discord.

Come join the Discord, where all the cool kids hang out!

Please support us on Ko-Fi. You can now read extra chapters by supporting.

Translator: Glariosa
Editor: iToon

---