My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 632 - 418: Great Yin is Getting Restless

Chen Yi said, "Come in," and Dong Gong Ruoshu pushed off the ground, vaulted over the threshold, and entered.

Upon seeing Chen Yi, her eyes lit up as she exclaimed, "You really are here."

Chen Yi glanced at the sky; dusk had fallen, with darkness approaching. The birds had ceased their chirping. It hadn't been long since he escorted Dong Gong Ruoshu back to Cui Feng Courtyard, and now she had already come looking for him.

"How did you know I was here?"

Dong Gong Ruoshu replied, "Seatmaster Wei found out that Lu Ying was staying here at Immortal Yin's place. Since you've been accompanying Lu Ying, you should be here too."

Chen Yi scanned her surroundings and asked, "Where are the others?"

"They're all guarding outside the courtyard. I didn't let them follow me in."

Chen Yi nodded slightly.

If she hadn't come alone, he wouldn't have opened the door under any circumstances. Her claim that she hadn't let anyone follow might be her way of avoiding exposing her identity—or perhaps Wei Wuque's gesture of goodwill.

"Come in and have a seat," Chen Yi paused and added, "Lu Ying is here too."

Leading Dong Gong Ruoshu into the main hall, Chen Yi showed her the way. She immediately spotted Lu Ying, rushed forward, and embraced her tightly.

"Let go—let go—I can't breathe!"

Chen Yi was still present, and Lu Ying's half-revealed face flushed red.

"I'll suffocate you! I'll suffocate you!"

Dong Gong Ruoshu squeezed in closer recklessly. Seeing this, Chen Yi chuckled lightly—Western Jin women were indeed bold and unrestrained.

"Are you foolish? There are other people here…"

"Doesn't matter. He already performed the ceremony with me as witness."

"What?!"

Like a bolt from the blue, Lu Ying froze mid-motion in the chair. Her heart suddenly felt hollow, then surged into chaos, tangled and messy without a thread to grasp. It seemed like she wanted to say something, but the words muddled into an awkward response:

"Oh… oh…"

She suddenly remembered he hadn't told her a story for several days…

Dong Gong Ruoshu paused as well, recalling that she hadn't told Lu Ying about this matter. It was, after all, exceedingly awkward, especially considering one of the people who disrupted the wedding was… Lu Ying's master Zhou Yitang.

Dong Gong Ruoshu suddenly felt goosebumps rise on her skin. Turning her head back, she caught Chen Yi giving her a profound look.

Even an idiot could decipher the meaning behind that gaze.

Certainly, Chen Yi wouldn't want Lu Ying to learn about Zhou Yitang's involvement...

Dong Gong Ruoshu hurriedly released Lu Ying and stammered, "We haven't consummated anything. Don't overthink it."

Don't overthink it…

Upon hearing this, Lu Ying's thoughts surged like a tidal wave, and she lowered her head, remaining silent for a long while.

Suddenly, she felt her mind in turmoil. Chen Yi was radiant and magnanimous—what was there to make her feel restless? She couldn't understand the reason. Was it jealousy spurred by the desire to compete? In the past, she had only seen him as an ordinary wanderer. But now, hearing that he was the Taichua Goddess's dao companion, and that Dong Gong Ruoshu, the Crown Princess Consort, had performed the wedding rites with him—it suddenly made him seem precious.

At the end of the day, what was so precious about him? He was still Chen Yi.

Lu Ying abruptly found clarity within herself. Devoted to solitary cultivation, she shouldn't vie for anyone's affections.

"Senior Sister Lu?"

Chen Yi noticed her dazed expression and leaned in closer.

Lu Ying responded with a sharp exhale, "I won't vie for you with anyone."

"What?"

"You're not worth it. Why would anyone fight over you? Since people are fighting, I won't take part. And if you harbor any lustful intentions, you'd better let go. Alas, there's no point in saying so much. I wouldn't want you to misunderstand that I care about you…"

Without a moment's hesitation, Lu Ying blurted out these words, then abruptly stood up, striding away with billowing sleeves as she stormed out of the hall.

In her heart, she felt triumphant as if laughing upward at the heavens, her departure carefree. Surely, this image would sear itself into Chen Yi's memory—leaving him stunned, ashamed, and muttering to himself how stupid he had been. Senior Sister Lu had seen through the truth with piercing clarity, rendering all his calculations futile, a failed effort.

Thinking of this emboldened her sense of transcendence—as though a celestial breeze elevated her beyond human convention.

Once she had gone far enough away, Dong Gong Ruoshu tilted her head and remarked, "Why did she scamper off like that?"

Originally feeling a hint of pity, Chen Yi nearly burst out laughing upon hearing her oblivious comment.

He stifled his facial expression with effort, pressing his fingertips against the muscles of his mouth, resting his elbow against the chair, and clutching his stomach to suppress the laughter with martial discipline.

Sitting back down slowly, Chen Yi spoke, "No need to discuss her anymore. Now, what's the reason for your visit this time?"

Dong Gong Ruoshu hesitated. "You really don't want to talk about her?"

She couldn't shake the feeling that Lu Ying's reaction had been odd, though as a naïve girl who hadn't yet experienced romantic stirrings, she couldn't figure it out.

Sighing, Chen Yi replied, "No need to discuss it, and I urge you not to bring it up. You'd better be mindful, don't provoke her."

If he had only sensed it faintly before, he now truly saw Senior Sister Lu's feelings.

Raised on a mountain, devoted to cultivation and rarely interacting with men, a girl might find herself unexpectedly captivated by a male friend during her eighteenth year.

Like the autumn drizzle arriving suddenly over the Jiangnan landscape, a hazy mist clouded the heart—and one couldn't discern whether that fleeting flutter stemmed from camaraderie or budding affection. Even when jealousy surfaced, it pretended indifference. If pressed closer, she'd reply, "Why would I care about you?"

Chen Yi interrupted his own thoughts and refused to delve further, recalling Zhou Yitang's many reminders to him.

Returning his gaze, he looked at the oblivious young woman, who then spoke:

"Seatmaster Wei wants to meet with you tomorrow."

"Meet with me?"

"Yes, about the Western Jin spies. He wants your assistance."

Chen Yi's brows slightly furrowed.

Dealing with Western Jin spies was something he hadn't wanted to get deeply involved in. If it weren't for Dong Gong Ruoshu, he wouldn't have meddled in the matters at Yuanfeng Building. As for Seatmaster Wei's invitation, he could agree or decline—it made little difference.

But… chances were, those spies had already marked him.

"Fine, I'll go. Where's the meeting?"

Dong Gong Ruoshu nodded slightly, then said, "It seems to be at Yingxiang Garden. That appears to be… a brothel. Likely, he wants to seduce you into hiring a courtesan."

"… A eunuch… inviting me to solicit prostitutes?" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Dong Gong Ruoshu pondered and said, "I heard that the Oiran there is exceptionally beautiful, renowned in the area for her poetic talent, mastery of songs and music, and delicate grace behind veils—a true embodiment of gentleness."

"Where did you learn to say such things?"

"They taught me," Dong Gong Ruoshu admitted honestly. "They told me to persuade you to hire one. Will you hire one or not?"

Chen Yi lowered his gaze and pondered. Before he could reply, footsteps suddenly sounded outside. Yin Weiyin's clear voice rang out:

"Go ahead, hire. Feel free to hire one—even tonight is fine."

Saying this, she cast a glance at Dong Gong Ruoshu. This Western Jin woman, indulging in improper behavior upon arrival—boldly trying to coax Chen Yi to visit a brothel. Such audacity!

Don't think you can succeed just because you performed a ceremony. Being an Immortal doesn't guarantee anything... Comparatively, Yin Weiyin still feared Dong Gong Ruoshu more than Lu Ying. After all, Dong Gong Ruoshu had the Empress Dowager's backing, and her marriage to Chen Yi was a direct thwarting of Yin Weiyin's plans.

Moreover, Yin Weiyin had discreetly planted traps for Dong Gong Ruoshu elsewhere. Watching this straightforward woman, she refrained from any guilty display, fearing Chen Yi would catch wind—and even more so that Dong Gong Ruoshu might expose the matter, leading to dire consequences.

"It's just to discuss matters," Chen Yi reassured her gently as he noticed her jealousy.

"I heard everything," Yin Weiyin replied firmly, word by word. "...You are not allowed to hire one."

"I'm definitely going."

"You..." Yin Weiyin murmured, "You said you cared about me."

"I also said I pity those courtesans."

Yin Weiyin recalled this conversation, nodded slightly, then leaned on the edge of his chair, settling down. She filled a tea bowl and served Dong Gong Ruoshu.

The tea nearly spilled over.

A clear signal to send her off.

"Thank you, Immortal Yin. I was getting thirsty," Dong Gong Ruoshu said, blinking, before downing the tea in one gulp.

Yin Weiyin froze completely. Wine filled to the brim is a sign of respect—tea filled to the brim, a signal of dismissal. How could she miss such an obvious meaning?

Seeing this, Yin Weiyin decided not to pour any more tea.

"Seatmaster Wei also asked me to relay something: The leader of those Western Jin spies is Duomian Ghost. He's quite formidable," Dong Gong Ruoshu continued, looking at Chen Yi. "Yuanfeng Building investigated, and the hiding places for those spies are running out—only three or four spots remain, like Gao Hai Martial Arts Hall, Chongyang Temple, and Miaoshang Monastery..."

"The two spies I killed at Yuanfeng Building—were their bodies found?"

"No sign of them."

"Then it seems the spies snuck away during the chaos. They even dared return—quite bold indeed." Chen Yi narrowed his eyes and remarked, "That Duomian Ghost isn't an ordinary figure—cunning and cautious to an alarming degree."

Yin Weiyin looked slightly stunned; it was rare for Chen Yi to describe someone with the word "alarming."

Clearly, this band of Western Jin spies plaguing Shantong City were no regular threats.

Chen Yi indeed felt so. Both Wei Wuque of Xique Pavilion and Huang Jing of Yuanfeng Building were far from fools, yet even they were toyed with by these spies, almost to the brink of fire. This only demonstrated the spies' exceptional skill.

Given that, they surely had their sights set on him now.

Chen Yi narrowed his gaze. Reflecting on the matter, he realized letting Little Peach go like that might not have been the wisest decision.

Yin Weiyin couldn't help but ask, "What are you thinking about?"

"I let someone go, moved by a moment of compassion."

"Wasn't there a risk?"

"Yes."

"Then why would you act so recklessly?" Yin Weiyin suddenly grew a little angry.

"It was nothing more than following my heart. To suppress my impulse would have been even more of a burden," Chen Yi massaged his brow before diverting the tension with a smile and said, "Just like how I'm willing to take risks to care for you."

Yin Weiyin froze in surprise, a blush creeping up her cheeks. She turned her face away, refusing to look at him, secretly musing, Such sweet talk—so abrupt—who could it possibly sway?

And yet, she had to admit she felt a slight sweetness in her heart…

Nearby, Dong Gong Ruoshu, feeling thirsty again, glanced at her empty tea bowl and scratched her head, asking:

"Why is there no tea left? Is there any more tea?"

She still had things she needed to share.

Yin Weiyin hadn't had much time to savor the gentle sweetness in her heart before the disruption snapped her thoughts back into focus, leaving her slightly annoyed.

Yet, she maintained her composure and replied evenly, "Apologies for the lack of hospitality; there's no more tea here."

"Immortal Yin is so stingy," Dong Gong Ruoshu commented.

"..."

Yin Weiyin seethed inwardly—can you simply not get the hint!

Still, the immediate priority was to send this woman packing.

Displaying a polite smile, she said, "This humble abode is rudimentary and the night grows late. My household offers little beyond simple tea and food, and I surely wouldn't wish to burden Miss Dong Gong by having her stay…"

"It's fine," Dong Gong Ruoshu shook her head and replied, "I'm not picky about food. Thank you for offering to share dinner, Immortal Yin."

Yin Weiyin froze.

She was at a loss for words.

After a long pause, she finally said, "Miss Dong Gong surely has important matters to relay. It wouldn't be ideal to delay them, so please proceed quickly."

Dong Gong Ruoshu concentrated and replied, "Indeed, there are certain things that remain unspoken."

"Then do speak quickly," Yin Weiyin urged.

Turning her attention to Chen Yi, Dong Gong Ruoshu said, "Seatmaster Wei mentioned he'll prepare a list of names tomorrow, detailing everyone who perished since the Lonely Smoke Sword attack at Chongyang Temple."

Chen Yi nodded slightly. Before he could say anything, Yin Weiyin already interjected and urged, "Anything else?"

"Uh… Also, Yuanfeng Building's Huang Jing—the building master—plans to kill Lonely Smoke Sword, while Xique Pavilion wants to capture him alive. They advise against you siding with Huang Jing."

Yin Weiyin, impatient for her departure, pressed, "Anything else?"

Dong Gong Ruoshu thought for a long time, racking her brain for anything else to tell Chen Yi. Under Yin Weiyin's pressing tone, she felt compelled not to refuse outright.

"Miss Dong Gong has no other matters, correct?"

Smiling faintly, Yin Weiyin asked. If truly nothing remained, then leave—her subtle message. After finally convincing Chen Yi to not entertain nonsense, she wouldn't let Dong Gong Ruoshu muddle things further. Despite how exasperating the night had already been, she still had patience for one more round of eye rolling.

Casually sipping her tea, the female crown subtly implied:

"If that's all then, I must…"

"There is!" Prompted by Yin Weiyin's urgency, Dong Gong Ruoshu suddenly remembered a trivial matter. Looking directly at Chen Yi, she declared: "I heard you have lots of secret moves. How many did you reveal at Yuanfeng Building? Which one is called 'Baby Pee'?"

Yin Weiyin instantly spit out her tea.

Her fingers trembled involuntarily, eyes slowly darting toward Dong Gong Ruoshu.

"Baby… Pee?" he asked casually. "Are there moves like that?"

Dong Gong Ruoshu nodded earnestly, explaining: "Yes, Immortal Yin told me about them herself."

Yin Weiyin suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous.

Finished…

Why out of nowhere, could she no longer keep steady posture?...