Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 904: Night Emperor, You Dont Want To...

So, you using the Heavenly Tome to wipe that area back then wasn’t enough for you? Now, you want me to personally wipe it for you?

Ye Wuming, face tense with suppressed disgust, stole a glance downward. Down there, she saw a fat, squirming caterpillar.

My poor eyes...

She had seen it before, and it was usually even in its soaring dragon form rather than this half-dead snake. Then again, she was more accustomed to seeing it inside someone else’s body...

Come to think of it, he often calls it his Dragon Bird, and Xia Chichi is the White Tiger. So when Xia Chichi is lying there, and that thing is hiding inside her... Is that what they mean by “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”?

Her thoughts had clearly derailed into absurdity. Ye Wuming quietly resolved that she really ought to stop writing books. Writers’ brains clearly did not work like those of normal people.

“Hello?” Zhao Changhe frowned, puzzled. “What are you spacing out for? It’s not like you’ve never seen it before.”

“You’re not even injured or covered in blood there. Why exactly does it need wiping?” Ye Wuming fought the urge to chop it off and kept her expression flat. “There’s no need to test it either. It’s not like the attacks were targeting that.”

“Don’t say that.” Zhao Changhe replied earnestly, “Everything in the human body is interconnected. What if a hit elsewhere somehow affected it? I can’t feel anything down there right now, so I can’t help but feel anxious.”

“You’re in no condition to feel anything right now. You’re one step away from being a vegetable. You think that thing’s gonna be functional?” Ye Wuming sneered, wrapped the cloth around her hand, and gave him a firm grab. “Well? Can you feel that?”

Zhao Changhe’s eyes bulged. “You’re murdering your future happiness—”

“I’m just tired of watching you throw your life away like it’s nothing. What, I’m not allowed to teach you a lesson?”

“You can’t just grab it like that! My future happiness relies on that thing!” Zhao Changhe grinned shamelessly. “Don’t be like this... If it’s swollen, shouldn’t you rub it gently to soothe it?”

Ye Wuming did not know whether to laugh or cry. My sweet sister acts so cold and aloof around me. Is this what she’s like behind closed doors with you?

Comparing this to the version of Ye Jiuyou from the previous era, who was all sinister villainess and shadowy menace, was like seeing what once was a sea become a mulberry orchard. The contrast was downright absurd.

“Won’t rubbing it only make it swollen?” Ye Wuming retorted before she realized what she was even saying. Am I still playing as Ye Jiuyou, or have I just gone and become a seductress myself? Well, as long as I don’t go back to being Ye Wuming and just keep Ye Jiuyou’s mask on, then I guess it doesn’t really matter.

Zhao Changhe smirked. “Swollen is good, isn’t it? If it gets swollen, that means it’s still working, and that means that I’m not beyond saving.”

“Your damn brain is beyond saving!” Ye Wuming snapped. “You can’t even move a finger right now, yet you’re focused on that?”

Zhao Changhe let out a soft sigh. “Honestly, it’s because I know just how bad my condition is. If I rely solely on conventional healing, I’ll need at least a year to fully recover. But if that function’s still intact and we can dual cultivate, we could cut that down to a single month. So yes, I’m absolutely thinking about that. If dual cultivation is off the table, I’ll have to start planning alternatives.”

A whole month of dual cultivation?! What is this, grinding a divine artifact into shape?

Ye Wuming ground her teeth. “If it will take a year, then let it take a year. What are you so afraid of? Luo Chuan’s injuries are probably even worse than yours. He’ll need a few years to recover. He’s not showing up anytime soon.”

Zhao Changhe’s smile faded. He spoke with quiet seriousness, “But we’re not waiting for him to come. We’re going to find him. If we don’t seize this chance to end it all for good, are we just going to keep running, dodging, and hiding forever?”

Ye Wuming wanted to reply, “You can lie down and rest now. We can go handle it ourselves.”

However, those words got caught in her throat.

This was a segmentum of the main world they were dealing with, and they had no idea if there were any special realms or minor worlds within the segmentum where Luo Chuan could go to recover faster. If Luo Chuan did recover faster than expected, or if he realized he could not monopolize the Heavenly Tome and rallied other demonic cultivators to his side, the battle might shift dramatically. They could not be sure of victory without Zhao Changhe.

The safest path was still to let Zhao Changhe heal fully. Somewhere along the way, he had become the true nucleus of their faction, whether it be in terms of rallying power or raw might.

He had survived against the full might of the Heavenly Dao, escaped alone, turned the tides, and forced a draw all without sacrificing a single comrade.

That outcome alone had proven the folly of her former mindset of always seeking mutual destruction.

With Zhao Changhe alive, a complete victory was no longer a fantasy. It was something they could aim for.

This meant that she could steer away from her original mindset...

Lost in thought, she did not notice Zhao Changhe’s arm rising and reaching around her waist. Before she could notice anything, he had already pulled her close.

Ye Wuming’s entire body stiffened. She said angrily, “Lie down properly! Look at your hand. It’s shaking just from being lifted, yet you still have the nerve to be this horny?”

“But isn’t me being horny for you a good thing...” Zhao Changhe clung to her waist, playing the pitiful husband. “Come on, we’re basically an old married couple, so what’s there to be shy about? Just try it. If it really doesn’t work, we’ll have to come up with a different plan. There’s no point stalling.”

Ye Wuming turned her face aside and looked down at his body.

After his rebirth, his old scars had all vanished. But this time, new ones had formed, and many of them were brutal.

And yet, in Ye Wuming’s eyes, every one of those fresh wounds stirred something deep in her heart.

She let out a faint sigh and resumed wiping his body in silence, slowly working her way downward... until her hand paused right at that fateful spot. She paused for a moment, and then, she actually did it. She actually started wiping him there.

Ye Wuming no longer knew what she was doing. Whatever. He’s a patient. I’m caring for a patient. This is just part of that. I should just not think too much about it.

The cool dampness of the cloth, combined with their long-shared history, did not stir anything inappropriate. Zhao Changhe was badly injured and exhausted. He did not react at all.

She kept wiping, but the caterpillar remained a caterpillar. There was no change to it.

Ye Wuming’s expression began to shift. The embarrassment of wiping that part had nearly vanished, replaced with growing concern. Don’t tell me... It’s really not working? If he’s lost that function, then that might just be worse than death. Those women will tear me apart.

But this isn’t my fault! If they hadn’t hit me with that witchcraft spell, things wouldn’t have spiraled out of control in the first place!

Zhao Changhe’s expression changed as well. “No way...”

Ye Wuming asked, her voice tight, “You... Can you feel anything?”

“I, I can...”

“So there’s some sensation but just no reaction?” Ye Wuming’s face darkened further. “Then that means—”

Zhao Changhe said desperately, “Maybe try without the cloth? Just use your hand?”

Ye Wuming: “...”

“What are you hesitating for?” Zhao Changhe’s tone turned anxious. “Don’t tell me you’re worried Ye Wuming might see? Who cares! This is a serious matter. If she were standing right here, I’d shove it in her mouth!”

“...”

Ye Wuming stared at him, half stunned, half exasperated. She had not seen Zhao Changhe this flustered in a long time. It was almost... funny. But given what he had just said, laughter was impossible. Instead, her annoyance surged, and she stuffed the wet cloth directly into his mouth. “Shove it in, then! Let’s see you try!”

But the cloth did nothing to stop him. Zhao Changhe immediately transmitted his voice, “If I want to shove it into Ye Wuming’s mouth, why are you the one getting upset?”

“Well...” Ye Wuming’s eyes flicked sideways as she snapped back, “That’s because you’re still thinking about Ye Wuming! You like her, don’t you?”

“Huh?”

Zhao Changhe opened his mouth, trying to argue, but just then, Dragon Bird was firmly grasped by a soft, jade-like hand.

All thoughts of rebuttal vanished. He went completely flat.

Ye Wuming asked icily, “So, do you feel anything?”

Of course, he did... And once his desire was stirred, it inevitably set other things in motion.

Zhao Changhe had been lying on his back, Ye Wuming seated at his side to clean him. In that position, his right hand could barely reach her waist. But somewhere along the way, he had managed to get closer and closer, until his head was practically resting on her lap. The hand that had circled around her waist began to gently knead, and then it started climbing higher.

Ye Wuming’s body went taut, her nerves drawn tight.

And then, right before her eyes, the half-dead snake recovered its dragon-level cultivation and soared up into the heavens.

“I knew you were perfectly fine!” Ye Wuming exclaimed in a mix of anger and panic. She snatched his wandering hand, clearly intending to stand up. “No matter how badly you want to dual cultivate, now is not the time. You have to recover at least some of your vital qi first! Let go!”

Once your vital qi recovers a little, it’ll be Jiuyou facing you again. At that time, you can do whatever you like. I won’t be joining.

But her movement to rise was too abrupt. Zhao Changhe, jostled by the motion, gave a muffled groan as his injuries flared, and he collapsed back onto the bed.

Ye Wuming turned to see his pallid face, and she once again saw that full head of white hair. Her lips pressed tightly into a line. After a brief silence, she sat back down. She reached again for the damp cloth and gently wiped the sweat from his brow. Her voice softened, “All right, we know it’s working. There’s no rush.”

Zhao Changhe sniffled. “Working? It’s clearly not as hard as it used to be.”

Ye Wuming thought to herself, How the fuck would I know how hard it usually is?! But she could only say aloud, “You’re weak. Of course, it’s not at full strength. As long as it’s functional, that’s what matters. Once your body recovers, it’ll be fine.”

Zhao Changhe still looked disgruntled. “You’re acting strange today. It’s like you’re weirdly resistant to getting intimate with me.”

Ye Wuming’s face did not so much as twitch. “You’re overthinking it. It’s just that you’re in no condition for that kind of thing. I can’t put you in more danger.”

“Fine.” Zhao Changhe sighed. “Since we’ve confirmed it’s working, I’ll get some more sleep. I should be much better after another rest.”

Ye Wuming exhaled. “You’re finally being obedient.”

Zhao Changhe pouted. “Kiss me, or I won’t sleep.”

Ye Wuming: “?”

Faced with Zhao Changhe’s increasingly suspicious gaze, Ye Wuming found herself in utter torment.

Is this really how married couples act? Are you two not well into adulthood? You’re still playing games like ‘kiss me or I won’t sleep’ like toddlers? Even Ruoyu didn’t need Yue Hongling to coddle her like this past the age of eight!

But if I refuse now, the act will fall apart.

Zhao Changhe’s no fool. He personally witnessed what went on between Piaomiao and Cui Yuanyang. If he figures out that the one doing all that earlier was not Jiuyou but me, then I might as well just cut my own throat right now.

Gritting her teeth, Ye Wuming leaned down and pressed her lips lightly to his. She even gave a couple of extra strokes for effect. Her voice turned gentle: “Good boy. Go to sleep. Tomorrow... tomorrow I’ll do that with you.”

Zhao Changhe’s suspicions eased. He was truly exhausted and, not long after, drifted off into real sleep.

Ye Wuming stood up, only to realize she was drenched in cold sweat.

“Hehe,” Ye Jiuyou’s giggling sounded from within the spiritual sea.

Ye Wuming’s temper flared. “When did you wake up?”

“A little while ago. Right when you started stroking him,” Jiuyou said, grinning. “Who would’ve thought Ye Wuming would actually do something like that? Even more shocking, you, Ye Wuming, were actually flustered and disoriented to the point of missing my awakening. That’s a first.”

“What do you mean do something like that?” Ye Wuming said stiffly. “I just had to sell the act! What are you even smug about? Are you one of those lunatics who gets off on cuckolding themselves?”

“Only because you’re the one doing it.” Jiuyou chuckled. “Seeing you like this makes both me and Piaomiao happy. Whether you did it for real or just for show, as long as you’re the one doing it, I’m delighted.”

“Psychopath.”

“Oh? You’re calling me names now? Should I just tell him outright next time that the one who fondled him and kissed him to sleep wasn’t me but Ye Wuming?”

Ye Wuming: “...”

She had assumed Jiuyou was in deep meditation and that no one would know of what she had done just now. And Zhao Changhe certainly would not be the type to randomly reminisce with Jiuyou later about their “affectionate moment,” so the whole incident would be buried and forgotten.

But Jiuyou had been awake the whole time.

What now?

Come on, you’re the Night Emperor, you don’t want others to know that you’re burning up this hot, right?

Ye Wuming’s thoughts whirled. Then her face returned to perfect stillness. “Whatever. If I can’t hide it, then I won’t bother. I was just taking care of him. He was worried his function was gone, so I checked. That’s a matter of healing, not romance. What’s there to be embarrassed about? You want to tell him, go ahead. If you think you can use that to hold something over me, you must be dreaming.”

Ye Jiuyou blinked. It was true. Once this woman decided to stop caring, she really became untouchable.

Even if Zhao Changhe knew about it, would that change anything? More likely, it would make him feel even more tender toward her, and then everyone would be annoyed.

So uncharming. She’s nowhere near as adorably bashful as Piaomiao.

Ye Jiuyou thought with a tinge of disappointment. Then, she yawned lazily and said, “Forget it. You can go meditate. Leave this place to me.”

Ye Wuming, soaked in cold sweat, promptly dove into a meditative state like an ostrich burying its head in the sand. Whatever. Whether this gets out or not is entirely up to Ye Jiuyou. She can do whatever she wants.

In truth, Jiuyou was not all that interested in harping on it. She had originally chosen to meditate first and let Ye Wuming handle Zhao Changhe simply because she had misjudged how soon he would wake. If she had known that he would wake up so quickly, she would have handled all those “dual cultivation tests” herself in a cleaner and faster manner.

Now, gazing at the peacefully sleeping Zhao Changhe, Ye Jiuyou reached out to gently stroke his body and was a bit surprised.

Ye Wuming had not used any spells or techniques. She had truly cleaned him like a mortal would, and astonishingly, she had done an immaculate job. Not a speck of grime remained.

So meticulous...

So you really feel nothing for him? Your mouth might be stubborn, but your hands say otherwise...

Ye Jiuyou shook her head, abandoning the idea of wiping him down again. A soft halo of light flared in her palm and she pressed it against his various wounds, silently aiding his healing.

* * *

Time passed swiftly in meditation and healing.

When Zhao Changhe next awoke, Ye Jiuyou was still sitting by his side, gazing at him tenderly.

“You’re awake?”

“Mm... Have you been watching over me the whole time?”

“It’s nothing. Just a day and a night. It’s gone by in the blink of an eye.”

Zhao Changhe tested his body. The pain had receded, and both internal and external injuries were steadily improving. “Just a day and a night? Your healing is incredible. That can’t be right...”

Ye Jiuyou smiled faintly. “I’ve already reached the Other Shore. Didn’t you notice last time?”

He had not, truthfully. That first awakening had been... dominated by certain functional testing. He gave her a curious look. You reached the Other Shore?

Suddenly, he recalled the terrifying force behind the Heavenly Tome’s last eruption, and his heart skipped a beat. “Where’s Ye Wuming?”

Ye Jiuyou snapped, “Ye Wuming this, Ye Wuming that. Is that all you think about?”

From Zhao Changhe’s perspective, her reaction now was identical to the one from before. Indeed, full marks to Ye Wuming’s impersonation.

He had no choice but to explain, “I just meant that under normal circumstances, neither of you should’ve been able to break through to the Other Shore this quickly. So I was wondering, did Ye Wuming pull another self-sacrifice and fuse with you?”

He knows her too well, Ye Jiuyou thought. But she said calmly, “No. She’s heavily injured and unconscious. Want to see?”

She flicked her finger, and a mirror-like image surfaced from deep within the Night Palace.

There lay Ye Wuming’s body, silent and still, like a slumbering Snow White. She had willingly fused with Jiuyou but could not bear to destroy her physical form, so she had hidden it away in the Night Palace.

Zhao Changhe took one glance, sensed no danger, and said, “As long as she’s alive, that’s enough. I’ll focus on recovery first. We can talk again later.”

Ye Jiuyou’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Yesterday, the test results weren’t... quite ideal, right?”

Zhao Changhe coughed awkwardly. “My body’s still weak... I need more time. Do you have... any suggestions?”

“I do.” Ye Jiuyou snapped her fingers. Ye Wuming’s body instantly appeared beside him, placed neatly beside his own.

“Men are fickle creatures, aren’t they? You keep talking about Ye Wuming. I imagine having her right here might be a little more... exciting?” Jiuyou smiled sweetly as she began loosening Ye Wuming’s clothing. “Why not give it a try?”

Deep within the spiritual sea, Ye Wuming’s eyes snapped open. “Ye Jiuyou! Don’t you dare!”

“What won’t I dare?” Ye Jiuyou replied, still grinning. She then looked at Zhao Changhe. “Come on, why don’t you give it a try?”