Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1571 - 965: The Flower We Admire Together (Part 2)

"Bai Shuang, that individual is trying to stir up trouble for you. Do not allow them to manipulate you."

"She is not a divine Immortal Lord descending from the heavens as you perceive. She is the alluring demon, Ning Feiyan, from Mohe, and she is a woman! Crucially, she is a woman!"

Ning Feiyan gazed at Baili An with considerable astonishment: "You are remarkably candid, revealing all of our details to her?"

Although Ning Feiyan remained uncertain regarding the exact moment Baili An recovered his memories, her observations during the banquet, coupled with the frequent exchange of glances between him and Yin Baishuang, led her to a deduction.

Yin Baishuang's almond-shaped eyes widened slightly, momentarily suspending her anger as she fixed her gaze intently upon Ning Feiyan's countenance: "You are that... Enchanting Demon?"

Ning Feiyan offered a captivating smile: "Indeed, esteemed Lord Sparrow."

In contrast to the striking Rong Lijun, Ning Feiyan presented herself as a far more approachable figure for Yin Baishuang to accept.

The lingering redness in her eyes had not yet subsided, but the unease in her stare diminished. Her brows knitted together as she meticulously examined Ning Feiyan from head to toe.

"How did you discern my identity? And why, as a female Enchanting Demon, did you choose to create a disturbance at the marriage proposal banquet for Shifang City's third young lady?"

Ning Feiyan registered a degree of surprise at the absence of the anticipated hostility and prejudice in Yin Baishuang's gaze.

With a raising of her eyebrow and a smile, she articulated: "It is not as if Young Palace Master Yin has not witnessed my capabilities within the Demon World. My forte lies in the acquisition of intelligence and clandestine information."

"With such a momentous event as the Golden Immortal auction approaching, it was incumbent upon me to initiate arrangements in Shifang City well in advance. Many matters that remain concealed from others are often transparent to me."

Yin Baishuang's scrutiny intensified, her gaze piercing: "Did your presence in Shifang City genuinely stem solely from a desire to partake in the festivities?"

Ning Feiyan emitted a light chuckle: "I seldom awaken early without a profitable objective in sight."

Yin Baishuang drew out a prolonged sound of acknowledgment, "Oh?", and continued, "However, I had received word that while the Golden Immortal is orchestrating the auction of the Ancient True Dragon, your Demon World's River Lord of Erhe had already made a discreet arrival in Shifang City. My inference was that the River Lord's journey was motivated by Zangxin."

Ning Feiyan's smile faltered momentarily, a slight freeze crossing her features before her usual composure returned: "Young Palace Master Yin, you play a jest. I have consistently maintained a cordial relationship with Erhe Zangxin; there exists no logical basis for my specific attendance on his behalf."

Baili An also found the notion of Ning Feiyan's sole purpose in Shifang City being Zangxin to be unconvincing.

Ning Feiyan's inherent shrewdness was a perfect match for Zangxin's own cunning.

Furthermore, having been ostracized from the Demon World, she already faced considerable challenges in establishing and expanding her influence within the Mortal Realm.

To choose this particular juncture to antagonize Zangxin would yield only detrimental consequences with no commensurate benefit.

Yin Baishuang accepted the umbrella that Baili An had been holding for her.

Observing Baili An enduring the biting wind and snow for an extended duration, a pang of sympathy stirred within her, prompting her to shift the umbrella so that it provided partial shelter for him as well.

A faint smile graced her lips as she remarked: "During our encounters in the Demon World, Lady Ning Demon, you consistently exhibited an unnerving detachment towards warmth and cold, towards life and death, towards joy and anger."

"One moment you might exhibit tender affection towards an individual, yet in the ensuing moment, you could with graceful precision sever their head with a blade, seemingly possessing an eternal command over yourself, never betraying a flicker of uncontrolled emotion."

"However, upon our reunion in the Mortal World, Lady Ning Demon, you presented an entirely altered persona."

"Despite your present denials, even throughout my three years of bewilderment and delirium, fragmented whispers regarding you, the Lord of Sanhe, reached my ears."

"For the preceding three years, you have maintained an unbreakable alliance with Erhe Zangxin."

"Throughout the last millennium, wherever his clandestine operatives were situated within any Immortal Sect, dominion, the Savage Barbarian Lands, or the shadowy Dark Cities of the Mortal World, you were invariably instrumental in their complete eradication."

"Wherever his presence was detected, an immediate and horrific bloodbath would ensue, even upon the slightest indication of dissent."

"In days gone by, your appellation as the Lord of Sanhe was often synonymous with captivating allure; yet in recent times, mere mention of your name invoked profound terror, a palpable sense of lethal intent permeating the air. Speaking of which..."

Yin Baishuang's gaze shifted, and she retrieved the second umbrella from Baili An's grasp, holding it aloft to shield Ning Feiyan.

A wry smile played on her lips as she stated: "Even earlier, during the banquet preceding my little An's arrival, when you were seated in solitude, despite your meticulously chosen flamboyant attire,"

"there was yet an undeniable aura of untamed ferocity that clung to your presence."

Having voiced this observation, she turned her almond-shaped eyes, appraising Ning Feiyan with a peculiar expression: "Yet, I confess, I cannot pinpoint when precisely this raw ferocity vanished."

Ning Feiyan's usually composed and profound smile had entirely solidified, devoid of its former fluidity.

Baili An looked at Yin Baishuang with curiosity, inquiring seriously, "Before this, was her face... truly unpleasant at the banquet?"

He found it hard to envision, considering Ning Feiyan's skillful and multifaceted talents, what she would look like sulking in such circumstances.

"To state her face was merely unpleasant would be an understatement; she appeared brimming with the bitterness of a woman who had lost her beloved, much like Su Jing experienced back then."

Ning Feiyan let out a soft chuckle, her smile becoming rather detached. "Young Palace Master Yin, you couldn't even discern my gender, so how could you possibly perceive my mood with such clarity? Even your pronouncements... should possess some semblance of truth."

"Pronouncements?"

Yin Baishuang thrust the umbrella she was holding into Ning Feiyan's grasp and took Baili An's hand, guiding him a short distance away.

She gestured towards the array of brightly colored flowers gracing the courtyard, flourishing beautifully and dazzling against the backdrop of the snowy white scenery.

"Observe, are the flowers in this courtyard not exquisite?"

Baili An stopped, his gaze fixed upon the magnificent blossoms, and declared with amazement, "When did these flowers achieve such splendid blooming?"

On his journey here, he distinctly recalled that within this expansive garden, enduring the biting wind and heavy snow, only the plum blossoms had been on full, vibrant display.