Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1577 - 961: Picking Up the Golden Goblet, Kneeling on the Cloud Carpet (Part 2)
Previously on Journey to the End of the Night...
And so, the circumstances have concluded, with the esteemed guest for the eldest lady decisively shifting from nine individuals to a solitary figure.
After all, are not certain superfluous people merely an obstruction?
Baili An, with unhurried grace, selected a walnut, effortlessly cracking its shell with his fingertips, revealing a pristine kernel within.
"Hmm, quite satisfactory. Some present at this gathering are indeed rather displeasing to the eye. Come now… open your mouth."
He raised his hand, guiding the liberated walnut kernel toward her pale, delicately formed lips, his finger tracing the sharp contour of her mouth.
The corners of Baili An’s eyes curved subtly, lending a gentle appearance that contrasted with his sparse lashes.
His gaze, akin to a playful caress with a feather against a feline’s face, softly stirred the heart, carrying an unspoken invitation and a hint of seduction.
Such a look was undeniably provocative, yet utterly captivating to those with a disposition akin to a cat.
Fully cognizant of his deliberate teasing, Ning Feiyan had never before engaged in open flirtation under such a public scrutiny, especially while in her male guise.
In prior instances, the role of the teaser had invariably been hers.
A faint blush bloomed on Ning Feiyan’s cheeks, amplified by the crisp sweetness of the walnut. Her lips, deliberately painted in a light, boyish shade, now appeared strikingly vivid, deepening to an enchanting, alluring red.
She closed her mouth, her eyes betraying a hint of shyness and discomposure, instinctively parting them to accept the walnut kernel.
To her surprise, the finger that had been so tenderly teasing suddenly retracted, leaving her to nuzzle empty air.
Typically, Ning Feiyan was the one to playfully tease others, yet now she found herself genuinely ensnared by Baili An’s game.
She pressed her flushed lips together, a warmth spreading across her cheeks. Her beautiful, captivating eyes, now filled with a coy anger, fixed upon Baili An with an unspoken, charming petulance.
With an agile flick of his wrist, Baili An tossed the walnut kernel into his own mouth, a smile gracing his lips. "Since this walnut kernel cannot succeed in silencing Rong Lijun, perhaps it is best not to insist, wouldn't you agree?"
Ning Feiyan’s mortified expression was fully captured by Yin Baishuang’s gaze. She herself was feigning the act of cracking a walnut, a playful smile gracing her features. "Thankfully, I possess a quiet disposition, Immortal Lord."
Ning Feiyan, a mix of irritation and embarrassment coloring her features, brushed her lips with the back of her hand, murmuring under her breath, "Laugh all you wish. Wait until your eldest lady is finally claimed; let’s see if you, this bothersome cat, can still manage a smile then!"
Baili An’s gaze, lowered significantly, held a tranquil quality. He paid little heed to Mu Yunye, his attention focused on pouring wine with a calm demeanor.
"The Dao heart must be as unyielding as iron, the spiritual methods refined in the crucible of a furnace. Mere adequacy in transformation is insufficient; transformation in the face of adversity is paramount. Mu Yunye… cannot achieve ascension."
Ning Feiyan’s eyes flickered, her thoughts turning to whether this description – 'Dao heart like iron, spiritual method like a furnace' – pertained to Fang Geyu.
She regarded him with a subtle smile. "Are you so certain that Mu Yunye will not prevail?"
Baili An responded with a shake of his head. "Even as the offspring of an Immortal, faced with the precipice of the Abyss, how can one possibly overcome it?"
"It is not a trial." Indeed, Fang Geyu's voice chimed in lightly, her foot playfully nudging the golden cup resting at her feet.
"Should Immortal Lord Mu be willing to humble himself and approach, bending to retrieve this cup for me, only then will I believe that Immortal Lord Mu harbors genuine affection for me."
Fang You, who had risen, slowly resumed his seat, letting out a soft sigh of relief. He quietly addressed the attendant Qin Lou by his side:
"Little Geyu is employing the classic stratagem of feigned indifference, a masterful tactic of suppression followed by elevation.
In this manner, both dignity and admiration are secured; observe the younger, spirited Immortal Lords from the Immortal Realm gathered below; are they not all utterly captivated?
Who could have possibly anticipated that the esteemed son of a Golden Immortal, a preeminent youth among the younger generation of Heaven, would deign to stoop so low before little Geyu?
A consort! If she desires a consort, he shall cater to her whims; what else could this signify but utter doting! What else could it possibly mean but indulgence!
Little Geyu undoubtedly holds feelings for him as well, yet struggles to acknowledge them, compelling herself with such a demand to reveal her intentions.
Excellent! Truly excellent! I had never imagined that on this very first day, little Geyu would display such keen judgment, selecting the most outstanding among them, Mu Yunye – magnificent, truly magnificent; it fulfills my deepest desires."
Qin Lou’s lips twitched. He considered that among the nine contenders, seven were sons of Daoist Immortals.
Another could not compare, merely a minor disciple under the tutelage of a terrestrial Immortal from the Taixuan Nine Classics.
Yet another was entangled with both factions, serving as a mere placeholder.
To those with discernment, it was evident that Mu Yunye, the sole son of a Golden Immortal, stood unparalleled in talent, cultivation, scholarly pursuits, and lineage, making him the most formidable and exceptional candidate.
How could this be construed as keen judgment?
Could this sentiment be interpreted as flattery?
Moreover, is she truly delicate regarding her reputation?
One who openly declares before her prospective husband her intention to retain a consort boy – in what way can she be considered delicate!?
Mu Yunye's gaze calmly traveled over the carpet beneath him. Though entirely assured of Fang Geyu's decision, no hint of smugness over being selected surfaced on his countenance. His composed demeanor exuded an inherent self-assurance. This was a true recognition of his own superiority and might, a confidence naturally cultivated from frequently outshining his contemporaries. Nevertheless, regarding Fang Geyu's request, regardless of its triviality, Mu Yunye maintained an exceptionally sincere and attentive bearing. He meticulously adjusted his clothing, stood up from his position, and offered a respectful nod to Fang Geyu.