"Come, my lady, finish this cup—there are three more waiting."
Ling Xiao lifted the wine jar, refilling Nian Qingyun's cup. Deep in his eyes lay a playful glint of a plot succeeding.
"Hmph, does Ling Xiao intend to get himself drunk?"
Nian Qingyun saw through his scheme in an instant, a cold snort rising in her heart.
Did he really not know that alcohol's effects were trivial to her? If she wanted, she could dispel the intoxication with spiritual power in a heartbeat.
Yet this young master of the Ling Clan was truly different from the rumors. At the very least, the Ling Xiao she saw today was not just arrogant and lecherous. His cultivation and combat strength were far stronger than most "heavenly talents."
Moreover, in this hall, there were no beautiful concubines or maids—only the two of them. Outside the hall, though, a formidable aura lingered; it was most likely Ling Xiao's guardian.
"My lady, the moon is enchanting tonight. Why not do something interesting later?" Ling Xiao smiled, watching Nian Qingyun down three cups in a row before speaking up.
"Interesting...?" Nian Qingyun's expression tensed, then she realized what Ling Xiao meant by "interesting."
So this scoundrel's propriety was all an act! Character shows in how one holds liquor—and after just three cups, he'd revealed his true nature!
"Hmph, Ling Xiao! Even if we're betrothed, you'll never take advantage of me! Let me tell you the truth: in my eyes, you're nothing but a rogue. I, Nian Qingyun, will never have feelings for someone like you!" She sneered, her tone dripping with disdain.
Frankly, she had no fear of this heir of the Ling Clan. After all, her status was among the top in Eastern Borderlands, and both of them were peerless prodigies who had comprehended the Dao Principles. If they really fought, Ling Xiao might not even defeat her.
Recent rumors hailed Ling Xiao as "invincible in celestial elegance," but in Nian Qingyun's eyes, he was unworthy of the word "invincible." She knew of several heirs from sacred lands and saints from ancient clans who were no weaker than him. Had he really grown arrogant enough to call himself invincible just for crushing a few "lowly insects"? Ridiculous!
"My lady, don't speak so soon." Ling Xiao smiled cryptically, no longer hiding the greed in his eyes. "Who knows? Later, you might be begging me to do those things with you."
Heh, what a joke. No "holy maiden" in this world couldn't be dealt with by one cup of medicine. If one didn't work, three would.
"Ling Xiao! How dare you humiliate me... I..." Nian Qingyun's pretty face turned colder—yet in the next moment, her eyes widened in shock. A sudden, unspeakable urge had surged from the depths of her heart!
"What... what did you do to me?!" Her face flushed strangely, her gaze growing hazy.
"Ling Xiao! Tell me what you did!"
"My lady, what are you talking about?" Ling Xiao frowned, but the corners of his mouth curled into a sinister smile.
Heh—whether "Western Capital" (a veiled reference) gets "hot" or not, it's up to me, Lord Xiao! Did you think I, a villain, would act like a fawning puppy—urging you to drink warm water every day, slowly nurturing feelings? Impossible. That's far too slow.
"You... I..." Nian Qingyun glared fiercely at him, unleashing her spiritual power in a burst. But the harder she tried to resist the urge, the stronger her craving grew.
"I'll kill you!" She lunged at Ling Xiao—only to stumble, her legs giving way, and pounce straight into his arms.
"Ah! My lady... what are you doing?!" Ling Xiao feigned panic, falling backward so that they landed in an embrace on the ground.
What a joke— the medicine in that wine had cost him 2000 "villain points" from his system. Not even a pure-hearted maiden at the "Insight into Delusion Realm" could resist it, let alone a god-king. For a villain, using such underhanded tricks was second nature.
Ling Xiao wondered if he'd unwittingly become the first "protagonist" in all the heavens, the four seas, and the endless cosmos to drug his own fiancée.
"My lady... no... you must restrain yourself, we can't..." He "fought back," yet his hands pressed firmly against Nian Qingyun's jade-like thighs. She instantly felt something pressing against her, and the shyness on her face deepened into the hue of a sunset glow.
"Ling Xiao!! I swear I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" By now, Nian Qingyun would have been an idiot not to understand what was happening. But she'd never dreamed Ling Xiao would be so shameless—drugging his own fiancée?
If word of this got out, wasn't he afraid the entire Ling Clan would be shamed because of him? Even in the entire history of Holy Prefecture, there was no record of a clan heir drugging a woman. Absurd! Shameless! Despicable! This Ling Xiao was nothing but a scumbag!
Yet no matter how strong her killing intent, the urge in her heart slipped further from her control. She even pulled off her veil herself, her hot breath reeking of repressed desire. Who would have thought the "ice-clear goddess" of Miaomiao Dao Palace could have such a shameful side?
Nian Qingyun felt like dying—but she had no strength left. Held tightly in Ling Xiao's arms, the last trace of clarity faded from her eyes.
So hot. The heat in her heart wouldn't go away; the more she suppressed it, the more intense it became, until sweat soaked her body. Strands of black hair stuck to her forehead and neck, like a masterpiece of a painting.
"My lady... no... you must hold back, we..."
"Stop talking... kiss me!"
Finally, Nian Qingyun took off her white robe, revealing a stunning patch of snow-white skin on her chest—slender yet full, soft enough to fill one's palms. Like rivers and seas, it rippled with the wind, rising and falling in magnificent waves.
At first, there was only a moment of pain—then, soon after, it was like "mountains and rain approaching," like "soaring through nine layers of clouds."
In that moment, all thoughts of affection or indifference, all notions of "celestial elegance" and the Dao, were cast aside by Nian Qingyun. Even Ling Xiao could see no one else but the peerless woman in his arms—her head tilted back in breathless gasps, her delicate eyebrows furrowed.
It was a night of unrestrained, bliss. From dusk till dawn, the peaks of Xiao Yun were filled with the sounds of "surging waves crashing against shores." Fragrant sweat soaked their clothes; clouds rolled and swirled, soaring up to the ninth heaven.
They fell asleep in each other's arms, exhausted—forgetting just how shameful this absurdity had been.
"AHHH!!!"
The next day, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the entire sacred territory of the Ling Clan.
Ling Xiao looked gently at the disheveled woman lying atop him (her body bare), a tender smile on his lips. "My lady, you're awake?"
"Ling Xiao!! I'll kill you!!!" Nian Qingyun sat up furiously. The thin quilt slipped from her body, once again baring her perfect, graceful curves to Ling Xiao's eyes.
"So beautiful..." Even after their passionate night, Ling Xiao couldn't help but praise her. "Nian Qingyun, you are a favorite of heaven and earth! No words of beauty are too much for you!"
"You!! You beast! Scumbag! Wretch!!"
"My lady, it's still early. Why not... go for a second round?" Ling Xiao smiled calmly, grasping her jade-like hand and pulling her back into his arms. Before she could struggle, his lips covered hers.
"Mmm... mmph!"