So it turns out I'm the demon!

Chapter 273 Cypress's Melancholy

It was dusk when the carriage returned to the outskirts of Huzhou City.

The setting sun, like a glowing ember, was half-submerged in the outline of the distant mountains, bathing the entire city in an orange-red hue.

Weary birds return to the forest.

A peaceful and harmonious atmosphere filled the air.

However, the first thing Jiang Mu and the other two did upon their return was not to go directly into the city.

They found a secluded open space and freed the carriage from the demonic horse.

Then it was burned down immediately.

no way.

The wood, cushions, and even the canopy on the roof of the carriage had all become marinated after several days of discussions.

No one else should be allowed to sit there.

The flames roared and crackled.

Jiang Mu, Shui Miaozheng, and Ling Ye stood side by side in front of the fire.

As they watched the carriage, which held countless happy memories for them, gradually turn into ashes, the two women had complex expressions.

There is nostalgia for the absurdity of the past few days, and anxiety about the impending separation.

There was also a hint of... relief at finally being free.

After all, they were both very certain of it.

If they stayed in this mobile pillbox for another two days, even with the protection of star power, they would be truly ruined.

I really can't take it anymore.

But then again.

Such opportunities to set aside all identity and engage in philosophical discussions in the wilderness are likely to be rare in the future.

"It's a pity, it was still a bit too fast."

Jiang Mu stood to the side with her arms crossed, clicking her tongue with regret, "So many... uh, so many sights I haven't seen enough of yet."

Ling Ye blushed, spat, and turned his head away coldly, saying:

"What are you pretending for... You're just a little more capable, who knows if you've secretly taken some kind of magic potion. By the way, there's a girl named Chu Lingzhu who's a doctor, could she have given you some medicine?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mu immediately became displeased, put on a stern face, and said righteously:

"Sister Ling, you can insult my character, but you absolutely cannot insult my strength!"

Taking medicine? That would be the greatest insult to me!

Aside from the time I ate a little when I couldn't resist the urge during my discussion with Lady Peach Blossom.

It's not needed at other times.

Ling Ye was too lazy to argue with him about such nonsense.

She glanced at Shui Miaozheng, who was wiping the fine sweat from her forehead with a silk handkerchief, out of the corner of her eye, then suddenly grabbed Jiang Mu's sleeve, pulled him aside, and whispered:

"Little Jiang, I plan to begin my seclusion in the next few days to prepare for obtaining the Venerable Star Position of [Bi Yue Wu]."

You'll protect me then, right?

"..."

"Really?"

Ling Ye took a half step forward, and those phoenix eyes that were always covered with frost were now as soft as a pool of water, looking straight into his eyes.

Jiang Mu could only nod reluctantly, "Yes."

"You must not break your promise."

Ling Ye heard the satisfactory answer and the corners of his mouth turned up.

"I need to go to the garrison commander's underground palace now to check on my apprentice. I'll come to your house to find you later."

After saying that, the woman drifted away.

Seeing Ling Ye leave, Shui Miaozheng gracefully moved closer to Jiang Mu and whispered:

"Little Jiang, Aunt Shui plans to compete for that star position in the next few days. You'll protect Aunt Shui then, right?"

"..."

Jiang Mu got stuck again.

"Really?"

Shui Miaozheng raised her head, her bright, clear eyes staring intently at Jiang Mu.

These past few days have made Shui Miaozheng realize something.

Blindly yielding and compromising is meaningless.

Now that she has decided to share a husband with Ling Ye, she will have to rely on her own abilities to compete for his favor.

Try your best to win this little man's greatest affection.

Moreover, with such extraordinary talent as Xiao Jiang, he is destined to reach the pinnacle of the Dao and look down upon all living beings.

If my cultivation falls too far behind, how can I stay by his side for a long time in the future?

Therefore, she should still fight for the position of the Venerable Star of Bi Yuewu.

Not an inch will be yielded!

Faced with those eyes that seemed to melt a person's heart, Jiang Mu could only nod repeatedly like a broken record.

This is the most troublesome thing for Jiang Mu right now.

No matter how much they planned, they never expected that these two old ladies would coincidentally be vying for the same star position.

If one person succeeds in attaining star status, it means that within this star system, the other person will essentially have no hope of breaking through to the ninth realm. Both sides are equally important.

Whom should he help?

Difficult!

"Forget it, I can only let them fight for it based on their own abilities. Anyway, there are the restrictions of the Heavenly Laws, so I can't interfere."

Jiang Mu sighed inwardly.

Fortunately, he had a system cheat code to rely on. If all else fails, he could just wait until his cultivation level was high enough to snatch a few empty star positions at the Venerable level. Then he could give one to each of the two women as toys.

It's no big deal.

"But I remember you said before that you were still missing one more Star Core of the same type to meet the requirements for Star Proof?"

Jiang Mu suddenly remembered this and turned to ask.

Shui Miaozheng smiled slightly:

"I am confident that I can seize the remaining Star Pill."

I might have to leave for a couple of days to take care of this. You should go back and settle things at home first. I'll come find you once I've got Xingdan.

"You're going by yourself? Won't it be dangerous?"

Jiang Mu frowned and reached out to tidy up her hair that had been ruffled by the wind.

Shui Miaozheng extended her index finger and gently tapped the tip of his nose, giggling, "Don't worry, don't you trust Aunt Shui to handle things? There will be absolutely no danger."

Seeing her so determined, Jiang Mu felt relieved.

Although he had been transferred to Tanzhou City by Ran Chun'er, he had also decided to accompany Shui Miaozheng to Fazhou City for development in the future.

But right now, he does have many unfinished business to attend to in Huzhou City.

For example, finding that reborn prince is of paramount importance.

There are less than ten days left before the promised appointment of Quan Shanhai as the commander-in-chief of the inner guards is made.

He must find this time bomb within these ten days.

Otherwise, if that fox Quan Shanhai were to turn on me, I would inevitably face enormous trouble.

After bidding farewell to Shui Miaozheng, Jiang Mu walked briskly towards his mansion alone, his heart filled with a subtle excitement. Only at this moment did he suddenly realize...

It turns out that every time I travel far away, the moment I embark on my journey home, I always feel an unusually wonderful and peaceful mood.

That feeling is like a husband returning home from working in the fields, eagerly anticipating opening the door to see the light left on for him, and his wife quietly waiting under the light.

However, the thought of leaving Huzhou City for Fazhou immediately after finishing her work made Jiang Mu's mood sink again. "Maybe... I should stay?"

But he immediately dismissed the thought as soon as it popped into his head.

A man's word is his bond. Since he had already promised Aunt Shui to go to Fazhou, breaking his promise would surely hurt her. It's just that Comrade Jiang was young and impetuous at the time, and too excited.

While riding on the roof of the carriage, he acted impulsively and agreed to all of the woman's demands without thinking.

Sure enough, what men say at certain special moments can be deadly.

As her thoughts wandered, Jiang Mu arrived at the familiar gate of her own courtyard.

This time, instead of showing off by scaling the wall as usual, he walked up properly and struck the brass ring.

"Knock knock knock".

Not long after, the heavy wooden door was opened a crack.

A small head with two buns cautiously peeked out from the crack in the door.

The golden rays of the setting sun fell perfectly on the girl's face, making her pure features appear almost transparent.

The fine downy fibers shimmered softly in the halo of light.

Her almond-shaped eyes were clear and bright, brimming with the youthful energy unique to a young girl.

It was Yuan Aqing.

The girl was stunned for a moment, then her pupils suddenly lit up as if a sky full of stars had fallen into them.

"master!"

She cheered and threw herself into Jiang Mu's arms.

She wrapped her arms around the man's waist, buried her face in his chest and rubbed against him, letting out a satisfied whimper.

Jiang Mu caught the soft, petite body steadily, and casually pinched her cheeks, which were flushed with excitement, teasingly saying:

"Why does Ah Qing seem to have gained some weight in just a few days? Looks like you've been cooking well while I was away."

The girl blushed and lowered her head shyly.

Hearing the commotion at the door, Duanmu Li, who had been practicing her sword in the courtyard, quickly came out.

A smile appeared on his face when he saw Jiang Mu return unharmed.

But before that smile could even bloom, she habitually suppressed it.

She regained her usual cold and aloof demeanor.

Jiang Mu released A Qing, stepped forward, and naturally reached out to ruffle Duanmu Li's hair, slightly messing up the girl's meticulously styled hair: "During the few days I was gone, nothing much happened at the yamen, right?"

He didn't rush to tell the girl about her father, Duanmu Hanshan.

Duanmu Li turned her head away from his clutches and said calmly:

"What could possibly happen? It was just a few ordinary jobs, like killing a few minor demons."

Oh, right, there's one more thing. Yan Fenghuo from the Fourth Hall has broken through to the sixth realm.

"Oh? That kid is quite diligent."

Jiang Mu withdrew her hand and smiled. "Looks like I've provoked you."

Yan Fenghuo was exceptionally talented, standing out among all the hall masters.

Given his years of walking on the edge of life and death, it wasn't surprising that Jiang Mu was able to break through to the sixth realm at this moment.

"Oh, right."

Duanmu Li looked Jiang Mu up and down, and asked with some curiosity,

"What fortuitous encounters or good fortune did you gain during your trip to the Fallen Soul Swamp to participate in the imperial court's secret trial?"

The two girls, who live a secluded life, were completely unaware of the series of dramatic events that led to Jiang Mu being disqualified by the Chief Commander halfway through the journey and subsequently being re-evaluated for killing Yun Xiaocheng and others.

Jiang Mu stood with his hands behind his back, looked up at the sky, and said modestly:

"It wasn't anything special, just a casual stroll, and I barely broke through to the seventh realm."

Duanmu Li stood frozen in place, her cherry-red lips slightly parted, her expression blank.

Seven Realms?!

The young girl's heart was struck by a ton of blows.

Both are called "geniuses," but I'm still struggling and exploring in the fifth realm, while this guy breaks through as easily as eating and drinking, just by going out for a stroll.

Is there no justice left in this world?

Jiang Mu patted the girl's stiff shoulder, left her with the words "Keep trying," and walked into the courtyard with her hands behind her back.

He went straight to find the little cook he had been longing for.

Jiang Mu strolled all the way to the backyard.

I peeked into the kitchen but didn't see Bai Xiang busy at work.

"Isn't this woman usually preparing dinner at this time?"

With doubts in his heart, he came to the side room where Bai Xiang lived.

The door was half-open.

Jiang Mu gently pushed open the door.

The woman was indeed there.

She sat alone on a chair by the window, facing the doorway, staring blankly at the setting sun outside.

The dim light poured in, turning her simple light dress into a warm color.

It also outlined the contours of half of her face like a serene and moving painting, filled with unspoken melancholy.

Jiang Mu tiptoed over, intending to cover her eyes from behind.

Try to scare her.

But as soon as he stepped to the bedside, he suddenly stopped.

There was a blue cloth bundle on the bed.

It was struck neatly and solidly, like a silent period.

Jiang Mu's mischievous smile froze instantly.

What are you doing?

Jiang Mu slowly withdrew her hand, which was stretched out in mid-air, and asked.

Bai Xiang did not turn around.

She reached out and picked up a letter from the table, then handed it to him.

In fact, she should have set off for Fazhou City two days earlier.

She even left this farewell letter on purpose, thinking that she would leave without saying goodbye to avoid causing unnecessary sadness.

But halfway there, she felt a tightness in her chest.

It's like something was left behind in that little courtyard, and you just can't take it with you.

After thinking it over, she turned around.

Come back and wait, even if it's just to see him one more time or cook him one more meal, it's better than spending the rest of your life tormented by regret.

Jiang Mu took the letter with suspicion, tore open the seal, and began to read.

The letter was concise.

He only said that he had found some relatives at home and needed to take care of them, so he left.

"no……"

Jiang Mu frowned: "Didn't you tell me before that your hometown of Yancheng suffered a disaster and that your family members all died? How come a family member suddenly pops up now?"

Bai Xiang made his famous hand gesture:

One of them is still alive; they've been found.

"So, you're going back to your hometown, Yancheng, to find him?" Jiang Mu pressed.

Bai Xiang pursed her pink lips and did not answer.

Jiang Mu sighed.

Fate can really play tricks.

He had been struggling with how to bring up his intention to go to Tanzhou, but now, there was no need to even say it.

She was the first to offer her farewell.

He knew Bai Xiang's personality; once this woman made a decision, not even the King of Heaven could dissuade her.

"So, when do you plan to leave?"

Jiang Mu casually stuffed the letter into his pocket, trying his best to sound lighthearted.

Bai Xiang gestured with her hand: 【Tomorrow morning.】

She had already planned it all out in her mind.

Tonight, I'll cook this man one last big dinner, and then spend the night quietly with him.

We'll leave as soon as it's light tomorrow morning.

In this way, we can draw a line on this unforgettable period of living together in Huzhou City without leaving too many regrets.