Chapter 60: Ice Prisons and Unforeseen Engagements

“Princess, if you have no urgent matters to attend to, perhaps you should return to your classes. What if you fall behind?”

It was strikingly clear that after yesterday’s events, Shangguan Yun still found herself unable to meet Ouyang Xiyue’s gaze directly.

Her eyes, whenever they flickered towards Ouyang Xiyue, would quickly dart away.

“Honestly, I’m not worried about falling behind at all.

The things taught at school are rather simplistic for me; it feels as though they are merely remnants of what my Master taught.

Rather than spending each day in class pondering how to cast spells, or engaging in those superficial, ‘point-to-point’ magic duels within luxurious training grounds… while these activities offer a minuscule benefit to one’s strength, I often wonder why the school doesn’t send students into the Beast Forest.

There, they could truly experience genuine combat, where even a moment of complacency could cost them their lives.

It’s a stark contrast to the current situation, where every young master and princess idles about, lacking any sense of decorum.”

Ouyang Xiyue sighed, propping his chin with a hint of helplessness.

‘Was this truly the campus life he had once yearned for?’

‘It felt so utterly dull, so boring.’

‘Ever since arriving at Sacred Sea, he had been plagued by one troublesome incident after another.’

‘He much preferred his former life, constantly teetering on the brink of death while following his Master.’

‘One shouldn’t be fooled by his outwardly beautiful appearance, which had long transcended gender.’

‘That was merely a result of his diligent self-care over the past few years.’

‘In truth, if he were to shed his clothes, one would see a body already covered in scars, bearing the marks of countless battles.’

‘After all, he was a boy; a few scars only added to a man’s charm.’

‘Why, then, was he now longing for that carefree life of old?’

‘Humans truly are peculiar creatures.’

“Oh, well, it’s fine, it’s fine.

After all, if it’s Young Master Xiyue, he certainly won’t fall behind.” Shangguan Yun uttered with a sigh of resignation, acknowledging the truth of her own unspoken thoughts.

‘Who was Young Master Xiyue, if not a genius born once in a millennium?’

‘And I’m not exaggerating; that very assessment came from Uncle Jian himself.’

‘I merely wished to express my awe.’

–Hello, is this Night Xuehui? How was the last incident handled? Is everyone alright? I had to leave in a hurry that day, so I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.

I’m truly sorry; I had an urgent matter to attend to.

–It’s fine, no one blames you.

The elemental spirit situation has been resolved.

Also, thank you for your help last time.

–Thank you? You’re welcome~ It was nothing but a small favor.

How rare!

I’ve known Young Master Night for so long, and I never thought even you would say thank you~ Ouyang Xiyue teased Night Xuehui relentlessly through the phone.

–Heh heh, you’re on the verge of disaster, yet you still tease me.

You’ve stood me up multiple times and taken several leaves of absence.

It seems you’ve been absent from work for quite some time now.

How am I, your creditor, supposed to invite you back to work obediently?

I think you need some punishment, otherwise, you’ll feel too unrestrained.

How dare you speak to your creditor like that?

Ah, no, the creditor part is one thing, but how dare you speak to your Master like that?

You’re quite bold, Xiyue.

Night Xuehui’s voice on the other end was as emotionless as ever, betraying no hint of feeling.

‘Ugh, how annoying.’

‘Ouyang Xiyue felt a dull headache throbbing, wondering why this person always spoke in such a tone whenever they chatted.’

‘Her expression must be completely stiff right now, as if someone owed her money.’

‘Wait, he actually did owe her, and quite a lot too!’

‘Damn it, how vexing!’

‘He could never discern any emotional shifts in her tone during their calls, so who knew what devious scheme she was concocting now?’

‘Best not to provoke her.’

–No, no, I know I was wrong.

Please spare me any punishment.

Considering how diligently I helped you last time, I promise to be on time from now on, work hard, and not cause any worries for my leader.

If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.

Ouyang Xiyue quickly changed the subject, eager to end the call, but… who was Night Xuehui?

She had already caught on to his hurried tone.

–Wait.

Call me Master.

Say it once, and I’ll let you off.

Take your time to consider; I won’t force you.

However, if you show up next time without having done so, I can’t guarantee what your punishment will be.

‘Tsk, that person is threatening him.’

‘A surge of resentment welled up in Ouyang Xiyue’s heart.’

‘Why had he accumulated such a massive debt to this person?’

‘It was truly because he was too poor, unable to achieve financial independence!’

‘What a useless person I am, sigh.’

Ouyang Xiyue looked around, and seeing no one nearby, he cautiously leaned into the phone’s microphone and whispered.

–Master.

Before Night Xuehui on the other end could react, Ouyang Xiyue abruptly hung up the phone.

He then slipped his mobile into his pocket and let out a deep sigh.

He felt as though his dignity as a boy had been trampled and ground into the dirt countless times.

His integrity, too, suffered the same fate; with each day he spent in women’s clothing, a piece of it seemed to fall away.

‘Now, it seemed, there was nothing left,’ he thought with a weary sigh.

‘Ah, well, what did integrity or dignity truly matter?’

‘They were just empty words, after all.’

‘Such illusory things served no real purpose.’

‘In any case, his current situation was quite good.’

‘After all, experiencing life from dual perspectives was enriching, teaching him many lessons.’

“Wife!” Just as Ouyang Xiyue was lost in thought, he suddenly felt a weight descend upon him as someone tackled him into a full embrace.

“What are you doing? Trying to crush me?”

Who else could so brazenly address Ouyang Xiyue as ‘Wife’ but that shameless Chi Congyu?

“Heh heh, my apologies.

I’m just a little too happy and excited.

After all, seeing my future wife so beautiful, like an angel, makes me feel like I’ve hit the jackpot, ehehehe.”

As Chi Congyu spoke, she playfully rubbed against Ouyang Xiyue’s flat chest twice, emitting a strange giggle.

“You flatter me.

You’re quite beautiful yourself.

And also, would you mind letting go of me? You’re making me quite uncomfortable.”

As he spoke, Ouyang Xiyue tried to push Chi Congyu, who clung to him like sticky candy, away.

However, it was utterly useless.

Chi Congyu was like a magnet, firmly attached to Ouyang Xiyue’s body.

No matter how Ouyang Xiyue pushed or struggled, it had no effect whatsoever, so he eventually gave up resisting.

‘At this very moment, Ouyang Xiyue was screaming frantically within his own mind.’

‘Heavens above! Oh God!’

‘What wrong had he possibly committed to deserve such a predicament?’

‘Could he only blame himself for being too kind?’

‘Was kindness itself a sin?’

‘He felt utterly exhausted; he wished a bolt of lightning would strike him dead!’

“Young Master Xiyue, it’s time to… to eat…” Shangguan Yun’s somewhat stammering voice suddenly drifted from the kitchen.

‘I knew it.

Sigh, this is troublesome now.’

‘I forgot to tell Yun’er.’

‘No, if this continues, something strange is bound to happen.’

‘After all, this girl has already started touching my legs, so don’t blame me.’

Ouyang Xiyue’s eyes narrowed.

He stomped his foot, immediately releasing a powerful surge of magical energy.

A blue magic circle swiftly flashed beneath Ouyang Xiyue’s feet, visible to the naked eye.

“Just stay put in this ice prison, obediently.

With your strength, you won’t be harmed by the cold anyway; at most, you’ll catch a cold.

It will automatically unseal in three hours.

Be good, don’t try to resist.

If you do, don’t blame me for being impolite.”

As Ouyang Xiyue spoke, he deftly slipped out from the gaps in Chi Congyu’s frozen form.

He then gazed at Chi Congyu, who had been turned into an ice sculpture by his magic.

‘As expected of the Pope of the Holy Light Church’s granddaughter, she truly is beautiful.’

‘Even frozen into an ice sculpture, she looks so lifelike.’

‘Time to go,’ Ouyang Xiyue thought, patting the shoulder of the ice-sculpted Chi Congyu, before walking straight to the kitchen.

“Yun’er, please forgive the scene you just witnessed.

I’ve already agreed to her, agreed to this marriage alliance.

I’ve also brought it up with my father and discussed it with Brother Yu.

And please rest assured about Ling’er; I’ve spoken with her as well.

We’re still young, so marriage can wait until after we come of age.

For now, it’s just an engagement, so technically, I am now Chi Congyu’s wife, sigh.” Ouyang Xiyue watched Shangguan Yun silently eating nearby, a hint of helplessness in his eyes that she didn’t even look his way.

“Yun’er, don’t worry.

I am, of course, aware of my identity, and I will conceal it well, ensuring no one discovers it easily.

Please rest assured.

I know you’re concerned about Ling’er, and I will do my utmost to stabilize her emotions.

You can trust me.” After speaking, Ouyang Xiyue also gazed out the kitchen window, watching the pedestrians outside, his expression suddenly becoming somewhat distant.

‘How quickly time flies,’ he thought.

‘It feels as if in the blink of an eye, I’m engaged?’

‘Engaged to someone I’ve only known for a few days?’

‘Will this truly be the happiness I seek?’

‘Heh, well, nothing matters anymore.’

“Yun’er, take your time eating.

I have something I need to attend to.”

After saying this, Ouyang Xiyue left the kitchen.

He then completely ignored the ice-sculpted Chi Congyu in the living room and walked directly to the bedroom.

Ouyang Xiyue, after closing the bedroom door, looked at his bed, then at the large ice sculpture, and at the little girl encased within it.

A smile, which he couldn’t suppress, bloomed on his face.

“Moxuan, it’ll be soon.

Just wait a little longer; it’ll be ready.”

As he spoke, Ouyang Xiyue pulled out his phone.

He needed to call the Pope of the Holy Light Church; after all, since he had agreed on his end, the Pope also needed to fulfill his original promise.

The phone rang twice before being answered.

–Hello… I am Ouyang Xiyue.

Is this His Holiness the Pope? Ouyang Xiyue spoke with a respectful tone.

–Oh, it’s Little Xiyue.

Still calling me His Holiness the Pope?

Although it’s only an engagement, it’s almost time to change that address.

What can I do for you, little Xiyue? The Pope’s voice was as benevolent as before.

Ouyang Xiyue felt a hint of helplessness.

‘Why were these two, grandfather and granddaughter, even more impatient than the other?’

‘One calls me ‘wife’ immediately after engagement, and the other wants me to call him ‘grandfather’ right after.’

‘Ah, well, as the saying goes, a true man knows when to bend and when to stand firm.’

–Grand… Grandfather, Xiyue is calling about a friend of mine.

When might you be available? I’m worried that if we wait too long, their body might not endure it.

Ouyang Xiyue uttered the word ‘Grandfather’ before asking.

–Hahaha, hahaha, good, good, good!

Hearing you call me ‘Grandfather’ truly puts my mind at ease!

And yes, you’re right; when someone has passed, such matters cannot be delayed for too long, lest their organs weaken, making revival troublesome.

Wait for me; I’ll be there this afternoon.

You just need to keep watch for me.

If there’s nothing else, this old man will get back to work, as official duties weigh heavily.

The Pope spoke with a satisfied smile.

–Alright, then thank you… Your Holiness, no, thank you, Grandfather.

Xiyue won’t disturb Grandfather any further.

Ouyang Xiyue said, then hung up the phone.

He was actually quite happy now.

After all, it was afternoon; soon, he would truly meet Moxuan.

‘If you don’t repay him in flesh, how can that be!’

‘For your sake, he has sacrificed himself, relatively speaking, of course!’

This was Ouyang Xiyue’s thought at that moment.