Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1536 - 951: The Proper Use of a Tail (Finally Home) (2)

"Not wearing red?" Su Jing’s dark eyes narrowed considerably, the tension around her easing somewhat.

Her gaze fell again. "In that case, it must have been a misunderstanding."

Hearing Su Jing’s confident assertion, Aunt Wu emitted a couple of stifled, dry chuckles.

She had initially suspected the woman in white had met Young Master Baili’s wife before; the notion of them being married would naturally invite a degree of prejudice.

One merely had to observe this group: clad in white robes and red sashes, all exuding an otherworldly aura—each figure resembled a dedicated cultivator, as plain as boiled water, clearly hailing from venerable and upright clans.

That girl Shu, with her earthly presence and the scent of domestic life, likely wouldn’t meet their standards. Her past self, with that alluring, foxy charm, probably adorned herself in red constantly, seeking attention.

Aunt Wu, her loyalties firmly with Shu Ci, hastened to offer an explanation:

"Indeed, this esteemed Immortal Lady must have mistaken my Shu girl. Although she possesses a bewitching and stunning appearance, initially seeming like a vulgar and ostentatious, ill-tempered viper...

...her core nature is good. She diligently attends to the young master day and night, foregoing rest, and since her marriage, she has entirely abandoned her flashy attire.

Nowadays, she exclusively wears simple linen and washes the young master’s clothes daily."

"But regarding your inquiry just now about where her beauty and charm lie, you certainly asked the right person.

My Shu girl’s figure is truly voluptuous, front and back, overflowing with allure. It is hardly surprising that the young master cherishes her so deeply."

Aunt Wu inwardly believed she had conveyed all that was necessary, having amplified Shu Ci’s virtues to the greatest extent, hoping these transcendental Cultivation practitioners would not hold her in disdain.

With so much said, surely this matter was concluded?

Unexpectedly, the white-robed Immortal Lady, who had been so reserved, suddenly adopted an expression as if facing imminent doom. Aunt Wu could clearly perceive the tension in her jaw, her teeth grinding beneath pale, snow-like cheeks.

"Voluptuous, front and back? Explain precisely what you mean by ‘curved.’"

Aunt Wu pondered how to articulate this verbally, resorting instead to exaggerating slightly and tracing Shu Ci’s prominent curves in the air.

Though she remained silent, her gaze guiltily drifted towards Su Jing’s chest, her expression undeniably explicit.

It became almost certain that the woman currently beside Baili An was entirely different from any he had previously known.

Su Jing’s countenance turned icy, her breathing growing noticeably rapid as her chest rose and fell.

She inquired once more, "From which direction did he depart?"

"Senior Sister Su Jing?" The female Disciple standing nearby interjected urgently.

"Now that we’ve confirmed Senior Brother is no longer in mortal danger, shouldn’t we hasten to Shifang City?"

Su Jing coolly responded, "For the Nine Classics to take a Direct Disciple as a spouse—this is a significant affair. It cannot be treated lightly, as if it were a mere jest."

Having spoken, she unsheathed the Emotion Slayer Sword, transforming into a streak of white light that streaked across the sky.

The female Disciple’s expression soured with a hint of exasperation. She muttered under her breath:

"Just moments ago, someone was stating that matters concerning the Scripture Master of the Nine Classics should not be trifled with... and now she acts as if her husband is about to be stolen and her own derrière is ablaze."

A fellow Disciple traveling with them quickly admonished her, her voice sharp, "Are you out of your mind? Daring to gossip about Senior Sister Su Jing—you must be tired of living."

The female Disciple fell into a sullen silence, compelled to follow suit, controlling her sword and reluctantly pursuing the others.

...

...

Along a narrow forest path, the sun ascended higher in the sky.

Baili An gently guided Shu Ci to rest in a shaded spot. Shu Ci noticed the damp handkerchief in his hand, her eyes widening in surprise. "Moonlight Wine?"

Baili An carefully pressed the wine-soaked cloth against the side of her face, which bore the marks of a severe scald, reddened and painful.

The coolness of the wine penetrated deeply, reaching the very bone. Shu Ci let out a soft hiss and instinctively flinched away.

However, Baili An’s palm encircled the back of her neck, preventing her from moving.

He raised his eyes and cast a glance at her. "Little sprite, your cultivation is meager, but your discernment is sharp. You recognize that this wine is brewed using moonlight as its essence and wish-power as its foundation."

Shu Ci harbored a strong dislike for the term "little demon." She knitted her brows and retorted, "I am not 'little' anything. You are the junior—show some respect!"

"Stay still," Baili An commanded, his face drawing uncomfortably close. His icy breath brushed against Shu Ci's eyebrows and eyes, his voice a low, almost inaudible rumble. The simple order, delivered at such proximity, sent an unnerving tremor through Shu Ci's chest, an unsettling crawl along her skin.

She attempted to pull away, but a cool, slender hand firmly grasped the back of her neck, arresting her movement.

Though Shu Ci typically detested being bossed around, for reasons unknown, she found herself feeling remarkably little aversion or resistance toward Baili An today.

In fact, her body subtly began to yield, relaxing with each passing moment in response to Baili An's quiet insistence.

Moonlight Wine, despite its clear appearance, delivered a peculiar sensation when it met an open wound. It wasn't a sharp, intense agony, but rather a delicate, icy sting, like fine threads of ice weaving through the injuries on her face, imparting a jolting yet mild discomfort.

Perhaps feeling a pang of self-pity for her perceived helplessness, Shu Ci's chest heaved dramatically. Amidst this emotional swell—

She forced her voice to sound stronger, though it emerged husky. "It stings a little..."

Baili An's hand paused, his touch softening. He gently massaged the area for a moment before inquiring, "Does it feel bad?"

Shu Ci met his clear, earnest gaze, which held no hint of distance. Her pupils quivered slightly as she looked up. "It still hurts a little..."

A slight furrow creased Baili An's brow. "You're that sensitive to pain?"

Shu Ci possessed the unnatural advantage of immortality, yet this boon was also a curse, denying her any semblance of peace. Under the condition of perpetual youth and indestructibility, Shu Ci's capacity to feel pain was amplified manifold compared to an ordinary person.

This explained the overwhelming tears she'd shed during the River Cleaning Banquet, when he had, to her profound mortification, pulled down her skirt and spanked her as if she were a child.

Lost in a haze, Shu Ci murmured twice that it hurt greatly. Upon regaining her senses, she was filled with immediate regret, wishing she hadn't displayed such vulnerability before him.

Just as she was about to mend her pride with words.

The blood-stained handkerchief pressed against her face was gently removed. Baili An lowered his head and softly blew a cool breath across her cheek.

"Is it any better now?"

The cool air caressed her skin, bringing neither pain nor itchiness, yet it imbued Shu Ci with an inexplicable, profound warmth.

The spot where he had blown instantly felt as if scorched by flames, radiating heat.

With a soft rustle, whether due to the comfort of his breath or the unusual tenderness in Baili An's gaze—it was unclear which stirred the reaction.

Shu Ci found herself descending into a peculiar, uncharted sensation.

Another soft rustle, and two large, fluffy white tails suddenly emerged from beneath her skirt, beyond her control. They unfurled behind her like a peacock displaying its plumage.

Baili An chuckled, amused by the sight of the two plump tails.

Embarrassed and angered by his smile, Shu Ci quickly turned, hugging her large tails tightly to her chest like plush toys, preventing them from wagging.

She snapped, "Better? My tail it hurts so much it just shot out on its own!"

Baili An asked with surprise, "When a fox is in pain, its tails just appear?"

Even Shu Ci herself was baffled by the spontaneous appearance of her tails. "Exactly! It hurts so much I could just die right now."

Baili An questioned with a hint of doubt, "Then why didn't your tails come out when that old Taoist burned you with fire earlier?"

Shu Ci struggled to find an explanation. Feeling a surge of guilt, she scooped up one of her tails and began swatting at Baili An's head with it.

"Why so many questions? Just look at me!"

Perhaps sensing Shu Ci's heightened sensitivity due to her injuries, Baili An observed her unstable temper. He responded with a touch of resignation, "Then what do you desire? This Moonlight Wine has already proven remarkably effective for the wounds on your face; it is truly a potent remedy. If you still feel pain, I confess I am at a loss as to what else can be done."

Shu Ci's eyes suddenly sparkled. Her typically placid gaze shifted, becoming sharp and alert. A subtle smile played on her lips as she said softly, "If you wouldn't mind letting me have a little sip..."

Before she could finish her request, the compassion and tenderness in Baili An's eyes vanished like mist, dissipating instantly.

His expression hardened, and he made to stand.

With lightning speed, Shu Ci wrapped her clutched fox tails around the back of his neck.

Leveraging the momentum, her body became pliant, leaning against him, her form pressing close.

Unhesitatingly demonstrating Lord Mohe's penchant for defying all limits, she continued her outburst.

"You heartless wretch! The instant you perceive my appearance to be unsightly, you cease to show any concern. Had I foreseen this, I would never have conceded to all your demands in the first place.

If you refuse to allow me even a single sip, then I shall embrace my demise right here and now～"