Translator: CinderTL
The pair continued walking, talking as they went.
Chang Yinu was well-acquainted with the Chaotic Cloud Mountains, but Xu Sanyan's knowledge of the area ran even deeper.
"Brother Lin, let's go play on that mountain! There's a sea of flowers there—it's so beautiful!" Chang Yinu pointed excitedly to a peak ahead on their left, her eyes brimming with anticipation, making it impossible to refuse.
"Alright," Xu Sanyan nodded, clutching the large banner as he followed her.
"Brother Lin, what's that thing you're carrying? Why do you take it everywhere?" Chang Yinu asked casually.
"Oh, this? It's my weapon. I need to keep it with me every day to nurture it."
"Can Yin'er see Brother's big... mystic treasure?" Chang Yinu asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"No, you can't," Xu Sanyan replied, a smile tugging at his lips as he looked at her adorable expression. "This thing must draw blood when it's unleashed. It's not something to be used lightly."
Chang Yinu didn't seem entirely convinced, but she didn't press the matter further. "Oh, okay then."
"Let's climb up! Mountain climbing is so much fun!" Chang Yinu suggested.
"Sure, let's go."
The pair left the village and soon reached the foot of the mountain. Chang Yinu pointed to the climbing marks on the rocks and said, "I used to love climbing this mountain alone when I was little. These are all my marks."
With that, she began to climb, her movements agile and swift. In no time, she had ascended several dozen feet. Turning her head downward, she called out, "Brother Lin, hurry up!"
Xu Sanyan looked up, his gaze perfectly positioned to catch a glimpse beneath Chang Yinu's skirt, revealing the snowy-white curve of her thighs.
This isn't mountain climbing at all—it's a perk delivery!
No wonder she insisted on climbing. If they had simply flown to the summit, he would have missed this spectacle.
"Brother Lin... what are you looking at? Oh my, how embarrassing..." Chang Yinu's voice was playfully reproachful, yet she made no move to stop him or adjust her skirt. Instead, she turned back upward, slowing her pace as if to prolong Xu Sanyan's view.
Xu Sanyan, as if just realizing his indiscretion, feigned nonchalance. "Oh, nothing. It's just... the mountain's so white. No, wait—those thighs are so high! No, I mean... the grass is so dark..."
Xu Sanyan rambled incoherently, but Chang Yinu didn't respond, urging him on, "Brother Lin, hurry up!"
"Oh, right."
Xu Sanyan followed her climbing route, occasionally glancing up to take in the breathtaking view.
Chang Yinu seemed oblivious, focused solely on her ascent. She reached the summit in no time.
The two stood side by side, gazing at the small sea of flowers that carpeted the mountaintop, neither speaking.
Chang Yinu still seemed flustered from her earlier embarrassment, her cheeks flushed crimson. She stole glances at Xu Sanyan, only to have each furtive glance "accidentally" caught by him.
Their eyes met unintentionally, deepening her embarrassment. She lowered her head further and further, until it was nearly buried against her chest.
"Brother Lin... is it beautiful here?" she whispered softly.
"Beautiful," Xu Sanyan replied without hesitation. "The scenery is beautiful, but you're even more beautiful."
"No way..."
"Brother Lin, I have something to tell you..."
Chang Yinu seemed to have been wrestling with her thoughts for a long time. She slowly raised her head to look at him, her eyes filled with shyness, but she forced herself to speak.
"What is it?" Xu Sanyan already had a good idea of what she wanted to say.
"What do you think of me...?" Chang Yinu asked, throwing the question back at him first.
"You're wonderful, Yin'er. You're not only beautiful but also kind-hearted, youthful, and vibrant—truly flawless," Xu Sanyan replied with unwavering sincerity.
Chang Yinu exclaimed in delight, "Really?"
"Absolutely! I, Lin Fan, never lie!" Xu Sanyan declared emphatically.
"Then... do you like me?" After asking, Chang Yinu turned her head away, seemingly too shy to meet his gaze.
"I do!" Xu Sanyan's voice rang out, clear and resolute.
"I... like you too, Brother Lin," Chang Yinu whispered, slowly turning back to face him. Her deep purple gown accentuated her alluring figure, and her bashful demeanor stirred an overwhelming protective instinct in his heart.
"Yin'er..." Xu Sanyan's voice trembled slightly. He pressed a hand to his chest and shook his head vigorously. "No, we've only just met. We don't know each other well enough. We can't rush things like this!"
Chang Yinu silently clenched her fists, her frustration burning within her. She wanted nothing more than to strip him bare and take matters into her own hands.
At that moment, she became even more certain: this man had no interest in women!
She had assumed he hesitated last night because they were in the village and he was too embarrassed to make a move. That's why she had brought him out here today,
Now that they were alone on the mountaintop, there was no need for restraint. Yet he remained hesitant, unwilling to make a move. What else could this be but a preference for men?
Could it be that she wasn't attractive enough?
Chang Yinu glanced down at her figure. Even if she wasn't conventionally beautiful, her curvaceous body was certainly worth playing with. Add to that the lingering tension in the air and the subtle maneuvers she'd employed during their climb, and his continued restraint only deepened her suspicions about his inclinations.
But she couldn't press the matter further. She couldn't just pounce on him, could she?
"Brother Lin is truly a gentleman..." she sighed, her words tinged with genuine admiration.
"Many people say the same," Xu Sanyan replied, nodding in agreement.
"Ah..."
"Why the sigh, Yin'er?" Xu Sanyan asked, feigning ignorance.
Chang Yinu gritted her teeth. "Nothing. Just a kidney ache."
"You should get that treated right away," Xu Sanyan advised earnestly. "Ignoring it could turn a minor ailment into something serious."
"Heh..."
She suddenly found herself speechless.
The sea of flowers swayed gently, but Chang Yinu had lost all interest in admiring them. She abruptly turned and said, "Let's go back."
"Alright."
The pair leaped down from the mountaintop.
On the return journey, Chang Yinu's conversation dwindled to the bare minimum of politeness.
They entered the mountain stronghold, followed narrow paths, and arrived at the courtyard.
"Brother Lin, why don't you go rest in your room first? I need to keep Father company," Chang Yinu said, her smile still present but lacking its earlier warmth.
"Alright," Xu Sanyan replied, turning to return to his room where he sat cross-legged to tend to his injuries.
He had seen through her little schemes. The more proactive Chang Yinu became, the more cautious he grew. Still, he found the earlier scene rather amusing.
Meanwhile,
Chang Yinu gritted her teeth as she stormed into her father's study. Her eldest brother, Chang Linmu, her second sister, Chang Fangmu, and her eldest sister, Chang Yulian, were already there.
Ignoring them, Chang Yinu plopped down on a chair, her face flushed with anger, and remained silent.
Old Master Chang stroked his beard and chuckled. "Heh, did you encounter a problem?"
Chang Yinu finally spoke. "It's not me who has the problem—it's him! I suspect he doesn't even like women!"
The others exchanged glances. Chang Yulian suppressed a laugh; according to family custom, whether her younger sister succeeded or not, the next man would be her turn.
Old Master Chang remained unfazed, calmly sipping his tea. "No matter. It's perfectly normal for cultivators to have unconventional preferences. Tonight, have your second brother try."
Chang Yinu's head snapped up, her eyes flashing with excitement as she turned to her second brother. She hadn't realized Chang Fangmu was bisexual.
"Second brother, can you do it?" she asked eagerly.
Chang Fangmu turned with a smile. "Little sister, do you still have any of that Soul-Summoning Incense from yesterday?"
(End of the Chapter)
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