Chapter 63: The Fool Clobbers the Master

Ugh…

Chu Huaizhou watched the white mist of Bai Li’s departure, reaching out but grasping nothing.

Suddenly, soft, jade-like arms wrapped around him from behind. The familiar, warm breath grazed his face—it was Leng Qingqiu.

Clad only in sheer silk gauze, her graceful figure pressed against his back.

“Darling~ I loved how you covered for me just now~”

Her voice, slightly husky with sleep, teased his heart like a hook. Her fingers, brushing his clothes, traced faint circles along his side.

Chu Huaizhou: “M-Madam… can you let go?”
Leng Qingqiu: “Nope~”

The sun rose slowly, then sank. Time slipped like sand through fingers, unnoticed until evening.

Chu Huaizhou lay exhausted on Leng Qingqiu’s bed, alone in her boudoir. Curling up, clutching the blanket for comfort, he caught a faint plum scent on it. He felt utterly defeated.

My life’s a mess now.

Per the original setup, this cultivation system was meant for him to blaze through challenges, conquer secret realms, defeat peerless geniuses, and become the world’s supreme powerhouse. Why, after waking up, had he skipped all that? Even his disciples—and his pet fox—had improper thoughts about him. His life rivaled the plot of some indecent game.

Leng Qingqiu redefined his view of her. No longer the shy, aloof disciple who despised him, she was now a super yandere and pure demon!

Last night’s ordeal was nowhere near her limit—only urgent dynasty matters pulled her away.

Three butterfly-like void messages reached her shoulder:

• Someone reported General Mansion’s claim that her forces brutally killed their son, prompting the general to rally troops to “clear the court.”

• The battle with the Calamity Plague Emperor drained the dynasty’s resources, damaging ley lines in restored areas, causing diseases that could escalate into a dynasty-wide plague if untreated.

• Other dynasties, eyeing their weakened state, were poised to seize territory. Leng Qingqiu had to organize defenses.

A lesser issue: the Youming Sect was stirring trouble on her turf, causing chaos. She needed to confront their leader, or her title as Northern Empress would take a hit—worst case, her authority could crumble.

One thing she didn’t mention: as a Great Vehicle cultivator at the pinnacle of existence, conceiving a child was nearly impossible, especially with Chu Huaizhou’s early Nascent Soul cultivation. So, she planned to scour the world for secret methods to bear his child, to bind him closer, mold him to her shape, and ultimately keep him solely hers—forever cut off from others, hehe~

Barring that last secret, the other issues were urgent. Lingering with Chu Huaizhou at Heavenly Sword Peak for over a day was already indulgent.

Yet, despite being forced into such acts, Chu Huaizhou couldn’t help pitying her, bearing the dynasty’s burdens alone. Wanting to ease her load, he offered to handle the Youming Sect.

It aligned with his own goals: the Youming Sect excelled in gu insects and curses. He could investigate ancient records for poisons or curses causing memory and cultivation loss—better than relying solely on Emperor Xiaoyao. In the game’s lore, the ancient Youming Sect was linked to the Calamity Plague Emperor. They might know why he turned into that eerie “gate.” Others might see it as an unrecorded trump card, but having cleared the game’s first cycle, Chu Huaizhou knew the Emperor had no such move. It felt oddly like a myth from his pre-transmigration world.

Leng Qingqiu firmly refused, insisting she handle it alone as a matter of her empress’s pride. Chu sensed she was protecting him.

After intense debate, she relented, letting him take Xia Baiqian and Bai Li to deal with the Youming Sect. But she insisted on a pre-departure “massage” to “relieve his fatigue,” leading to another grueling round. It left him more exhausted.

Before he left, she handed him an eighth-grade pill and two ancient Snow Soul Silver Clouds from her storage ring, silently urging him to protect himself and “that wolf” Bai Li.

To Leng Qingqiu, Bai Li’s top-tier strength was wasted—she had the heart but not the guts for boldness. Without alcohol, Bai Li wouldn’t dare act on her feelings for Master. Plus, today’s events likely crushed her, making her feel guilty and think of Leng Qingqiu first.

But Leng Qingqiu miscalculated. She assumed Bai Li, a nine-tailed celestial fox wielding Charm dao rhyme, would grasp romantic subtleties and recognize the disheveled scene for what it was, even if she denied it.

In truth, “genius” Bai Li had no clue. She thought Leng Qingqiu was merely retaliating for Chu Huaizhou’s past strictness and mockery. The fool had outwitted the master.

…

Under a starry sky, crows flew south. Heavenly Sword Peak’s high altitude made nights colder than elsewhere. Chu Huaizhou stepped out, spotting a familiar array in a clearing by the cliff. With a spell, he opened it, chuckling.

As expected, the wine’s still here.

He’d use it and the two Snow Soul Silver Clouds to apologize to Bai Li. Selecting a fine jar, he stored it in his ring.

Tomorrow, he’d find her.

Knowing her, she was probably crying in the back courtyard’s hot spring. Today, he’d failed to stop Leng Qingqiu, causing a huge misunderstanding. Bai Li cared so much for him, yet he’d hurt her deeply.

He owed her a proper apology.