My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 674 - 443: It’s Quite Dull After All (Two in One) - Part 2

Min Ning held the sword but muttered, "No, this isn't right."

"Indeed, it isn't right."

"Zhu Yu?" She suddenly responded, catching Min Ning off guard, both surprised and delighted.

Still holding the sword, Min Ning didn't dwell on why she hadn't answered earlier but quickly asked, "Tell me, what isn't right?"

"Every single one who died here was no ordinary master of the Sword Dao. It's open and straightforward swordsmanship—how could their imitation lack tenfold resemblance?" Zhu Yu said at a slow and steady pace. "Wu Buxu's sword is not rooted in the swordsmanship itself."

Min Ning tightened her grip on the sword and asked anxiously, "Then where is it rooted?"

"In the Dao," Zhu Yu's tone carried a trace of complex sentiment. "Skill reaching the realm of Dao—it requires obsessive determination to achieve the utmost pinnacle of technique. They could mimic the swordsmanship, but could they mimic the obsession?"

"To comprehend the Sword Intent from swordsmanship alone… How difficult that would be. To kill an Immortal with such swordsmanship… truly makes one stand in awe." Min Ning murmured softly to herself.

Zhu Yu suddenly remarked, "Standing in awe—does that mean one should not ascend the mountain?"

Min Ning abruptly raised her head and said:

"Are you suggesting that one must grasp the Sword Intent within it?"

Zhu Yu didn't respond, leaving it unclear whether her silence was a confirmation or denial.

Min Ning didn't mind. She knew Zhu Yu enjoyed being cryptic, and besides, there were truths words could hardly convey—only understanding could capture them.

In short, she was accustomed to it.

Min Ning raised her sword once again, practicing the swordsmanship from the murals.

Time slipped away unnoticed, and night gradually embraced the surroundings.

Lu Ying never raised her sword. She sat before the stone wall for a long time, lost in thought. Yin Weiyin saw that several times she wanted to touch the sword, but each time, her trembling hands froze in mid-air.

Yin Weiyin observed this scene and frowned slightly.

This isn't good—neither of these two women will survive.

The female crown had never held much expectation for Min Ning, who came from a family steeped in martial traditions, but she did harbor some hope for Lu Ying. After all, Lu Ying bore the prestigious title of the Sword Armor's first disciple; perhaps she could surpass her predecessors. Yet witnessing this moment was truly disheartening.

The bonfire was lit, and Min Ning naturally knew Lu Ying hadn't been practicing her sword forms. But instead of urging her, Min Ning merely exchanged a glance with her and offered a reassuring smile,

"Rest well first."

When night deepened, Lu Ying, troubled by her restless state of mind, could only sleep.

Min Ning continued practicing her sword.

During a brief pause, she turned back and saw Yin Weiyin leaning against the stone wall, gazing in her direction. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

His gaze lingered upon the smoke-cloud hair pin nestled in her tresses.

"Want to talk?" Min Ning approached and initiated the conversation.

Yin Weiyin glanced at her and extended his hand.

Min Ning didn't rush to return it. Instead, she said, "Let me ask you a few questions first. Give me an honest reply, and I'll return it to you."

"We're all going to die anyway. Why bother taking my pin to the grave with you?" Yin Weiyin countered sharply, then swiftly added, "You're asking about him?"

Ignoring the sarcasm, Min Ning sat down, poking the bonfire with a twig to brighten the flames before speaking:

"How's he been eating lately?"

Her first question turned out to be about food, a trivial matter Yin Weiyin found baffling but still replied:

"Fairly well. Though he can fast, he still has a taste for food, and I've never let him go wanting within my Xuan Manor."

"You wouldn't dare neglect him," Min Ning remarked.

Yin Weiyin fell silent for a moment before scoffing softly, "Why would I need to neglect him?"

Min Ning propped up her chin with one hand. She wasn't concerned about Chen Yi's meals or lodgings; fretting over these was far less pressing than worrying about the two children left behind in Master Bai's estate. Still, she figured those two could fend for themselves.

She asked such trivialities simply because she didn't know what else to ask.

"How is my sister?" Min Ning paused, then added, "How does Chen Yi treat her?"

Yin Weiyin recalled briefly and said, "Your sister? She's behaving diligently as a good servant. Chen Yi hasn't given her any trouble, and Tingxue shields her well."

Min Ning nodded slightly.

Then Yin Weiyin turned her eyes slyly and suddenly chuckled, "Min Yuechi, are you worrying he'll act on his lust? Relax, will you?"

"Why should I relax?" Min Ning always had reservations when it came to Chen Yi on such matters.

Yin Weiyin gestured at herself, saying, "He now heeds my every command."

Min Ning furrowed her brows lightly, her expression blurred by the flicker of the flames as she questioned:

"Is that true?"

Even though Min Ning knew Chen Yi was deeply enamored and that Yin Weiyin was irresistibly alluring to him, the news that he completely obeyed her still left an unsettling feeling in her heart.

As though she were watching him fall into a trap.

Yin Weiyin knew Min Ning didn't want to believe it, but she pushed her to accept it, saying, "Why else would he marry me?"

"Simply out of consideration for your reputation," Min Ning dismissed indifferently.

Yin Weiyin curled her lips into a cold smile. She was well aware of how infatuated Chen Yi was with her—their days of intimacy in Shantong City were fiery and relentless, their nights filled with endless whispers of tender words. His love, though often unintentionally revealed, was unmistakable.

Now that there were only the two of them, Yin Weiyin revealed a glimpse of truth, saying:

"Even before leaving the capital, he refused to let me go easily. And in Xuan Manor, he lingers at length. You needn't ask elsewhere; for matters as personal as this, I yield to him—why would he be wanting in any other regard?"

Min Ning arched a brow, glancing sideways before remarking suddenly:

"Well… thank you."

"Huh?" Yin Weiyin was momentarily taken aback.

"Thank you for taking care of him…"

Min Ning poked at the fire, releasing sparks from the red-hot embers that floated away like scattered stars. The calm night, broken only by occasional distant thunder and the faint cries of birds piercing the mountain silence, was tranquil and unintrusive.

The quietly tense atmosphere gradually softened.

Min Ning lowered her eyes to the fire, seeming to see her own reflection distorted within it—the visage adorned with the smoke-cloud hairpin. Yin Weiyin thought the pin suited her; Min Ning believed otherwise.

It was never meant for her. If she were to leave, it would mean nothing.

Min Ning removed the smoke-cloud hairpin and handed it over.

The faintly shimmering silver light flickered. Yin Weiyin hesitated but ultimately accepted it, cautiously fastening it back into her hair.

She thought of saying thank you, but seeing it was Min Ning, she swallowed the words.

The female crown lowered her gaze slightly.

Presumably, Min Ning thought she was dying soon and decided to return the pin.

No need to thank her, it seemed.

"Go on, keep talking. Tell me a bit more about you and him." Min Ning said.

"I regard him as my Dao companion. He lacks for nothing," Yin Weiyin continued softly. "But—you know his desires are immense. With his needs met, naturally, he has no troubles. The issue lies in the excess of those desires; Tingxue and I often suffer."

Her tone was calmer now, void of previous sarcasm.

"You… both of you?"

Min Ning cautiously asked, her cheeks flushing as she ventured into personal territory.

Yin Weiyin didn't deny it, her expression remaining stoic as she replied:

"Occasionally. I cannot handle it alone.

However, when Tingxue has her monthly ailments, the two of us naturally cannot accompany him together."

Min Ning followed the logic, saying, "So… you don't have to serve him then?"

Yin Weiyin shook her head and said, "No. Then I have to use two doses of mugwort..."

Min Ning: "…"

Seeing her longtime rival suffer such indignities at Chen Yi's whims, Min Ning wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry; her hands trembled slightly.

As the words spilled out, Yin Weiyin felt a flicker of discomfort but couldn't allow herself to lose face. She silently recited the Supreme Forget Love Technique.

The two women continued their conversation throughout the night.

The black clouds surged overhead as the cliffside was blanketed by shadows. The dimming sparks from the fire flickered faintly, while their words—trivial and insignificant subjects—filled the void.

The earlier barbs from Yin Weiyin were few and far between. Instead, she spoke more often, and Min Ning listened. They rarely shared such peaceful exchanges since their acquaintance began.

"It'd be a shame for you to die like this," Yin Weiyin suddenly remarked without warning.

Ultimately,

Yin Weiyin didn't truly wish for Min Ning's death. Reflecting on the grudge between them, she thought Min Ning crying day and night in agony would be more fitting. She had even considered how to discipline her and how to whisper tales into Chen Yi's ear to win him over. If Min Ning were to perish, leaving their feud unresolved in an instant…

It would be unbearably dull.