Chapter 91: The Contest of Handsome Men (6000)

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“Your humble servants pay respects to the Sect Leader!” At the foot of Emerald Screen Mountain, several disciples bowed in unison to Jin’er.

Jin’er responded with a single nod and strode swiftly past them.

Only after she had walked some distance did the disciples straighten up.

“The Sect Leader is truly beautiful!” one of them murmured, turning to look at Jin’er’s fading silhouette, saliva nearly dripping from his mouth.

“Indeed, and she looks so tender, tsk tsk... It’s hard to imagine she’s the leader of our Ten Thousand Poisons Sect,” another said with infatuation.

“Are you courting death?! If the Sect Leader hears you, I doubt you’ll even know how you died! Get back to your posts immediately!” their squad leader barked fiercely. The two men sulked and returned quietly to their stations.

In the courtyard, Qing Yue sat with a sorrowful expression, playing the guqin.

He was well-versed in music and knew many instruments, but his favorite was the guqin. Over two months ago, he had sent someone to buy one from the foot of the mountain to pass the time.

Jin’er had been gone for half a year with no word. Besides occasionally handling sect affairs, Qing Yue spent most of his time either lost in thought or playing the guqin absentmindedly, his mind filled with the image of her face—sometimes sweet, sometimes cold and elegant.

Outside the door, Jin’er entered quietly without informing anyone. The mournful, melodious sound of the guqin, combined with Qing Yue’s pale, haggard, peerless beauty, stirred an inexplicable pang in her heart.

Dressed in white, Qing Yue sat beneath a tree amidst falling blossoms, delicate petals drifting over and around him. Some even settled in his smooth black hair, adorning him like a celestial being untouched by worldly affairs.

His long, fair fingers gently plucked the strings, his captivating eyes half-closed, gazing wistfully at the grass before him as if his soul had already departed with the music.

Only when Jin’er’s fresh pale green figure halted before him did Qing Yue startle awake. Looking up, he saw the breathtakingly beautiful woman he had longed for day and night, smiling softly before him.

“Jin’er!” Qing Yue hurriedly rose, circling the guqin to pull her into his embrace.

“You’ve returned, you’ve finally returned! I thought… you would never come back to me.” His voice trembled with unease.

“Didn’t I tell you I was going to bring you the antidote? How could I not come back?” Jin’er smiled helplessly.

“I was just afraid,” he admitted.

At these words, Jin’er stiffened.

Uh… was he acting coquettish just now? Goodness, she had goosebumps all over!

Qing Yue finally released her but grasped her shoulders, scrutinizing her carefully.

“Half a year apart, my Jin’er has grown even more beautiful. Yet you seem thinner. Could it be from missing me, just like me?” Qing Yue smiled tenderly, his watery phoenix eyes brimming with affection.

Jin’er tried to ignore the “my Jin’er” phrase and smiled awkwardly. “Didn’t I tell you to try not to…” Before she finished, Qing Yue’s slender index finger gently pressed her lips to silence her.

“Do you really think I can? Every moment since you left, I’ve thought of you until my heart aches. Do you know that…” Qing Yue’s voice was soft and tinged with sorrow.

Jin’er’s heart trembled slightly, touched but also filled with guilt.

His feelings were so genuine, so pure, crystal clear yet fragile enough to cause her worry.

As for her, though she thought of him occasionally, her feelings were nowhere near as deep. Her weight loss was not due to longing but the brutal practical training she endured. She still bore several unhealed external wounds.

Fortunately, she knew how to make a scar-removing snow muscle ointment, preventing countless knife and sword scars from marring her body.

“Jin’er, come, let’s go inside to rest. You must be exhausted from your journey,” Qing Yue said, pulling her toward the house while instructing the servants to prepare tea immediately.

Once inside and seated, Jin’er took out the ultimate antidote for the Deadly Life Powder from her bundle and handed it to Qing Yue.

Seeing him swallow the antidote, the heavy stone in Jin’er’s heart finally fell away, as if a great mission had been accomplished, leaving her feeling light and relieved.

“Thank you, Jin’er.”

Jin’er smiled and shook her head, reaching out naturally to pluck two petals from his hair.

Qing Yue smiled softly, lowering his head with a shy expression like a delicate daughter.

Jin’er was momentarily captivated by his gentle lowering of his head, only regaining composure after a long while.

Ah, Qing Yue, truly a captivating man of rare charm.

Who could remain unmoved with such a beautiful and devoted soul by their side?

Just then, Chief Steward Wang and Commander Bai, having heard of Jin’er’s return, hurried over together. Jin’er quickly composed herself and accepted their greetings.

After some polite conversation, Jin’er also handed the antidote to Commander Bai.

Receiving it, Commander Bai’s usually composed and reserved face flushed with uncontrollable excitement.

With a sudden thud, he knelt before Jin’er. “Thank you, Sect Leader!” He never expected the antidote to come so soon.

“Please rise. Since I promised you, I will fulfill it. Send a pigeon to Hall Master Hong and Hall Master Liu to come collect their antidotes,” Jin’er said with a faint smile. She remembered she had promised the three of them priority.

“Yes, Sect Leader!” Commander Bai began to respect the much younger leader from the heart.

Chief Steward Wang raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by Jin’er.

He had initially thought her a mere delaying tactic, but now he dared not underestimate her.

“By the way, Commander Bai, any leads from the inquiries I had the branches make?” Jin’er asked, looking up.

Commander Bai frowned and replied reluctantly, “Sect Leader, no news yet.”

Jin’er pondered, then after a moment, raised her brow and said, “Spread the word: I have several doses of the ultimate antidote for Deadly Life Powder. Whoever finds a lead first will receive the antidote.”

“Yes!” Commander Bai raised an eyebrow, admiring the Sect Leader’s cunning plan. With antidotes as bait, those people would surely spare no effort to investigate.

“Well then, if there’s nothing else, you may withdraw.”

Jin’er was growing ever more like a true Sect Leader—their manner and tone exuding undeniable authority, leaving Qing Yue gazing at her with adoration.

After Commander Bai and Chief Steward Wang left, Jin’er finally breathed a sigh of relief, leisurely sipping her tea. Suddenly, someone rushed in with a report.

“Sect Leader, someone is here seeking an audience. He says he’s your friend, called Tian Yu.”

“Pfft!” Jin’er, who had just taken a relaxed sip of tea, immediately spat it out, startling the kneeling disciple.

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“What’s wrong, Jin’er?” Qing Yue asked in surprise, quickly producing a pristine handkerchief to wipe the tea from her chin.

Jin’er, flustered, murmured, “How could this be? How did he get out?”

“Jin’er, what’s the matter?” Qing Yue asked anxiously.

Snapping back to reality, Jin’er hurriedly told the kneeling disciple, “Go, tell him the Sect Leader is occupied and to come back later.” But before the words left her mouth, a furious growl sounded outside.

“Jin—er!!” In an instant, a blue shadow darted like a ghost into the room, charging toward Jin’er.

“Ah!” Jin’er reacted swiftly, screaming and dodging aside, then escaping past the kneeling disciple as if fleeing for her life.

Two gusts of wind brushed past her; Qing Yue and the disciple stared dumbfounded at the rapidly retreating figures, stunned for a long moment.

“Jin’er!” Qing Yue finally reacted and chased after her.

Though hopeful, Jin’er knew she couldn’t outrun Tian Yu’s speed, so to avoid embarrassment before the disciples, she fled to a secluded spot.

Luckily, when she reached a deserted grove, Tian Yu caught her.

“Hey! Let go of me!” Jin’er struggled fiercely, but Tian Yu gripped her arm tightly.

“How dare you lie to me! Leaving me alone and running off! Do you know how angry I am?!” Tian Yu fumed, panting.

“I—I know, just like now, you’re so mad...” Jin’er looked at him guiltily, muttering.

“You!!” Tian Yu felt his lungs might burst with anger.

Damn it! She showed no remorse, and when she knew he had chased after her, she even wanted the others to deceive him?! It infuriated him!

Jin’er swallowed nervously, about to apologize and soothe him, when suddenly a sharp cry pierced the air.

“Let her go!” Qing Yue’s voice rang out as he swung his sword descending from the sky.

Jin’er’s heart leapt; she was about to stop them when Tian Yu yanked her behind him. Then the two figures—one blue, one white—clashed in a blur, dazzling to behold.

“Hey! Stop! Both of you, stop fighting!” Jin’er shouted, but her pleas only seemed to cheer them on, making their fight fiercer.

Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Jin’er finally said loudly, “You two fight all you want; I’m leaving.” With that, she strode past them without looking back.

Counting down—ten, nine, eight, seven, six—the sounds of combat ceased.

The next moment, the two figures appeared before her.

“Jin’er, who is he?!” they demanded in unison.

Hostility hung in the air—a natural, innate hostility. Yet, upon realizing neither was Jin’er’s enemy, the animosity didn’t lessen but seemed to intensify.

“Well... Tian Yu, this is my friend Qing Yue. Qing Yue, this is my friend Tian Yu.” Jin’er, sensing something odd about them, forced a smile as she introduced them.

“Friends??” they repeated in unison, scrutinizing each other with wary, probing eyes.

“*Ahem*!” Jin’er, unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, coughed to break the tension.

“Come with me; our account isn’t settled yet!” Tian Yu snapped back to himself, grabbing Jin’er’s wrist to pull her along, but Qing Yue caught her other hand.

“I forbid you to bully her!” Qing Yue’s gentle face was resolute.

Thus, Jin’er was pulled in two opposite directions.

Uh... were they planning to tear her apart?

Watching them unwilling to yield, Jin’er felt a headache coming on. Finally, she turned to Qing Yue and said, “Yue, it’s okay. You head back and rest; Tian Yu and I have some things to discuss.”

Qing Yue glanced at her, then at the smug Tian Yu, and reluctantly let go, feeling a bit wronged.

Jin’er admitted that every time she saw him sad, her heart ached. She wanted to comfort him but knew it was best to stay silent, or else these two would never stop arguing this afternoon.

Feeling utterly dejected, Qing Yue turned and left, leaving Jin’er alone with Tian Yu.

“Speak! You didn’t want me to come because of him, right?!” Tian Yu complained.

Jin’er raised an eyebrow, then hurriedly said, “No way! I just didn’t want you to risk your life with me.” This guy’s imagination was running wild.

“Hmph! I don’t believe you!” Tian Yu turned away in a huff.

“All right, all right, don’t be mad. I said I’ll take you out once I’m done. I just don’t want you to take risks for me,” Jin’er said earnestly.

After a pause, Tian Yu turned back, fixed her with a steady gaze, and said, “Don’t think you can ditch me. Wherever you run, I’ll catch up!”

Jin’er twitched at the corner of her eye but forced a smile. “Okay, enough. Let’s go back.”

Tian Yu took a deep breath, nodded, and took her hand as they walked back.

Several times Jin’er tried to pull her hand away, but he held on tightly, sweaty palms refusing to let go. Helpless, she gave in.

Along the way, Tian Yu curiously asked how she became Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect. Jin’er roughly told him, though she concealed the fact she had been poisoned.

“Oh, by the way, where’s Little Bai?” Jin’er suddenly asked, looking around.

“I was in such a rush that day. After finding my godfather, I hurried after you and... forgot it,” Tian Yu admitted guiltily.

“See? I told you to train properly on the island. When Little Bai can’t find anyone, it worries me to death,” Jin’er scolded.

“No worries, there’s plenty to eat on the island. It won’t starve. We’ll finish up here quickly and then go get it,” Tian Yu said.

Jin’er shot him a look and again felt pity for poor Little Bai.

Before reaching Jin’er’s residence, they saw a snowy figure standing by the gate. Who else but Qing Yue?

Jin’er suddenly tugged her hand free from Tian Yu’s grip.

If Qing Yue saw them holding hands, he would make a fuss again...

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Tian Yu was initially reluctant but gave in after meeting Jin’er’s warning gaze.

“Jin’er.” Seeing them return, Qing Yue hurried over, worriedly examining her until reassured she was unharmed.

“Why so nervous? Jin’er and I are friends. Do you think I’d harm her?” Tian Yu said irritably.

“Not so sure about that.” Qing Yue raised his chin slightly, shooting Tian Yu a disapproving glance.

“You!”

Just as they seemed about to clash again, Jin’er grabbed both, exasperated. “Stop it! Are you guys not annoying enough?!”

Seeing Jin’er’s irritation, Qing Yue glared fiercely at Tian Yu and stood beside Jin’er, ignoring him.

“Don’t get so close!” Tian Yu wished he could kick the man as pretty as a woman far away.

“I will!” Qing Yue retorted, linking his arm through Jin’er’s.

“You...”

“Ahhh! I can’t take it!” Jin’er screamed and ran off, leaving the two glaring at each other.

“Your fault!” they shouted in unison again.

Damn it! Why were these two so hostile yet so in sync?!

Jin’er spent the entire afternoon in misery. She realized the two were natural enemies...

Finally, dinner time arrived, but their battle followed them to the table, escalating.

Both tried to feed Jin’er, but their squabbling ruined the food. In the end, Jin’er ate nothing as they fought over every dish, dropping it everywhere.

She endured it.

After the table was wrecked, dinner ended.

“All right, you two can rest. I need to train, so don’t bother me,” Jin’er said, standing and heading out.

No sooner had she taken a few steps than their angry shouting resumed behind her.

Jin’er rubbed her temples, heart aching. Master, why did you agree to let Tian Yu come out...

Hungry, she practiced swordplay alone. Qing Yue and Tian Yu, seeing her ignore them, grudgingly left, arguing as they went.

Once they were gone, Jin’er stopped and ordered servants to fetch more food, dividing it into three portions—one each for Qing Yue and Tian Yu.

After waiting half an hour, the food arrived. Jin’er devoured it ravenously and realized that eating quietly alone was a kind of happiness.

That night, lying in bed, Jin’er pondered a problem.

The antidote was delivered; next she had to find the Fire Eye Stone. First, she needed to seek Mo Yan, but she didn’t know where he was.

After much deliberation, she decided to return to Junzhou City first; if she couldn’t find him, she would go to the Fire Kingdom.

Of course, she planned to go alone. She had never wanted to bring Tian Yu, and now that the two men were together, if she took them both, she would lose her mind.

Fortunately, Hall Master Hong and Hall Master Liu were in Jin Kingdom, not far away. They should arrive by late afternoon tomorrow. After handling their matters, she would sneak away at midnight.

Phew! She was truly eager.

Early the next morning, Qing Yue and Tian Yu arrived simultaneously, their coordination so uncanny that Jin’er couldn’t help teasing them as a pair.

Hearing this, they glared at each other with disdain and disgust but curbed their words.

Perhaps after reflecting last night, they realized their constant bickering annoyed Jin’er, so they behaved better.

Still, they occasionally lost control and argued, sometimes even coming to blows.

Jin’er adopted a “patience is a virtue” approach, turning a blind eye and enduring the day with difficulty.

Fortunately, everything proceeded smoothly, including her midnight escape.

Now, the night wind howled, the waning moon hung high. Though she disliked traveling at night, Jin’er gritted her teeth and endured. She had to leave quickly and get far away, lest Tian Yu catch her—something she feared she could never shake off.

Turning swiftly, she called out, “Jin’er!!”

“Jin’er!!”

Two cries pierced the rooftop as the blue and white figures dashed from her chamber, racing down the mountain.

Yet at this moment, Jin’er was already far from Emerald Screen Mountain, leisurely riding a carriage toward Junzhou.

Qing Yue and Tian Yu chased for most of the day but found no trace. Finally, they returned dejectedly to the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect.

Jin’er’s note instructed them to mind their own affairs; she would return when done. Besides, they didn’t even know where to look.

The Five Spirits Continent wasn’t too large, but not small either. Searching blindly was like finding a needle in a haystack. So, they could only obediently wait.

Thus, Emerald Screen Mountain remained in turmoil daily, much to Chief Steward Wang’s headache.

But what could he do? The Sect Leader was beyond their control, and as steward, he dared not interfere recklessly, only allowing them to continue their antics.

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Returning to Junzhou, Jin’er felt a rare warmth welling up inside, though unpleasant memories slowly resurfaced.

The cold, abandoned old imperial palace, the overgrown Liu residence, and the Imperial Medic Hall before her—all stirred her recollections.

“Miss, do you need to see a doctor?” A clerk emerged from the bustling Imperial Medic Hall and smiled, addressing Jin’er who stood a few steps away, lost in thought.