After the Death Ceremony, I was Entangled by My Two Wives - Chapter 15

Fireworks exploded overhead, and Ying Buran, held tightly in Zhao Qingxun’s arms, felt like she was dreaming.

Zhao Qingxun had really… agreed? Did she truly reciprocate her feelings?

Ying Buran tilted her head back, meeting Zhao Qingxun’s gaze directly. “Is it true?” she asked hesitantly. “Do you really like me too?”

“I don’t know what ‘like’ means,” Zhao Qingxun replied, after a moment of inner turmoil, meeting her gaze. “But I feel… I definitely feel something different for you.”

Ying Buran saw no lie in her eyes. Her heart gradually calmed, then swelled with overwhelming happiness, as if she were still dreaming.

Zhao Qingxun heard her murmured words. “It’s not a dream,” she said. “The wind is strong tonight. Let’s go back after the fireworks end, okay?”

Ying Buran nodded, tentatively leaning against Zhao Qingxun. When she didn’t object, Ying Buran sighed in relief and continued watching the fireworks bloom overhead, unable to suppress a smile.

She never imagined that, with her life nearing its end, she could still have her wish fulfilled.

After that, life remained largely unchanged. They maintained their usual routines, but now, when their eyes met, they no longer looked away, instead exchanging smiles.

Unfortunately, this peaceful life didn’t last long. Just a few weeks later, Zhao Qingxun suddenly became incredibly busy, frequently departing on missions without warning and returning late at night.

“Welcome back. You’re back very late tonight. Should I prepare some hot water for you? A soak might help ease your fatigue,” Ying Buran said, having already finished her cold pool cultivation and was drying her hair, ready for bed, when Zhao Qingxun finally pushed open the door, exhausted.

Being the Sect Leader’s disciple was truly exhausting. Recently, every major and minor matter from all the peaks had been directed to her. The Sect Leader had vanished without a trace, leaving Zhao Qingxun to shoulder an even greater burden.

Seeing Zhao Qingxun’s visibly worn-out appearance, Ying Buran felt a pang of heartache. However, given the disparity in their cultivation levels and her limited involvement in Sect affairs, she could offer little practical assistance.

Zhao Qingxun nodded, initially wanting to hug Ying Buran, but then remembering her dusty clothes, she settled for patting her head with a smile. “Thank you. There have been so many missions lately. I might not have much time to spend with you. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Ying Buran replied, shaking her head. She skillfully used a Fire Spirit Stone to heat water for tea while asking, “But could you tell me what’s been keeping you so busy?”

After a moment’s thought, Zhao Qingxun explained, focusing on the key points: “It’s about the Heaven’s Wrath. The outbreaks are becoming more frequent, so we need to isolate those affected as quickly as possible while searching for a cure.”

So it’s the Heaven’s Wrath again, Ying Buran thought, nodding in understanding. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the increasing frequency of these outbreaks might foreshadow some major event. But sensing Zhao Qingxun’s reluctance to discuss the matter further, she refrained from pressing the issue.

Remembering Qi Yiwen’s earlier speculation, Ying Buran added anxiously, “I see… You all need to be extra careful. I heard it might be contagious.”

“Mm, we’ll be cautious. Thank you for the reminder,” Zhao Qingxun chuckled softly, ruffling Ying Buran’s hair before pressing their foreheads together and whispering, “We’ll be fine.”

Ying Buran’s face flushed crimson instantly. She could feel Zhao Qingxun’s warm breath, each exhale like a gentle tap against her heart.

She stood frozen for what felt like an eternity. By the time Zhao Qingxun had finished bathing, Ying Buran finally snapped out of her daze, grinned sheepishly, and collapsed onto the bed.

Zhao Qingxun ruffled Ying Buran’s hair again before reaching up to extinguish the lamp. Just as Ying Buran was about to close her eyes, she heard Zhao Qingxun say, “Oh, and if anyone asks you to go out during this time, don’t agree.”

“Don’t worry, no one will. Senior Sister Cheng is on a long-term mission, and Fellow Daoist Qi is busy traveling. No one will ask me out,” Ying Buran said, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

Recently, Cheng Banxia had suddenly received a message about a secret mission that would cut off all contact with the outside world. Now, the only person Ying Buran could reach was Qi Yiwen.

Qi Yiwen would never ask her out, so why was Zhao Qingxun asking?

Ying Buran’s drowsiness vanished instantly. She looked at Zhao Qingxun anxiously and asked, “Are you saying someone might try to harm me?”

Zhao Qingxun ruffled her hair again, reassuring her, “Yes, we’ve recently detected traces of people from Chasing Wind City near the Sect, so I’m a little worried.” Her tone shifted as she added, “But as long as you don’t leave this peak, you’ll be safe.”

She reached out and pulled Ying Buran into her arms, saying, “As long as I’m here, nothing will happen to you.”

Zhao Qingxun patted Ying Buran’s back rhythmically, each gentle stroke both soothing her and lulling her to sleep.

Clinging to the last dregs of her consciousness, Ying Buran asked curiously, “Alright, I swear I won’t leave this courtyard. By the way, what exactly is Chasing Wind City?”

“So far, all we know is that they’re a rogue cultivator organization unaffiliated with any sect,” Zhao Qingxun explained. “Their motives remain unclear, and we haven’t been able to decipher their operational logic. It’s best to remain cautious.” Seeing Ying Buran’s eyelids beginning to droop, she gently closed them with her hand and whispered, “Don’t worry about it anymore. Get some rest.”

Ying Buran nodded, suppressing the lingering unease in her heart. She obediently closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep within moments.

The following day, Zhao Qingxun had no pressing matters to attend to and stayed by Ying Buran’s side all day. Neither of them mentioned Heaven’s Wrath or the approaching “death date.” Instead, they spent the peaceful day admiring flowers, teasing birds, and watching the sun rise and set in the courtyard.

Ying Buran had hoped to return to her previous, more leisurely days, but little did she know that her earlier busyness was merely the beginning. In the days that followed, Zhao Qingxun even spent several nights away from home, sending only brief messages of greeting through the Heavenly Spirit Mirror.

Ying Buran scrolled through the Heavenly Spirit Mirror, feeling bored. As if sensing her mood, the Falling Star Flower also seemed to droop slightly.

After channeling a bit of spiritual energy into the flower to sustain its vitality, Ying Buran secretly dragged the hidden box from under her bed and opened it, hoping to find a storybook to read.

She flipped through the contents, but the storybooks she had once eagerly anticipated stealing glances at now seemed utterly dull.

“So bored… Should I chat with someone? Qingxun? Probably busy. Senior Sister Cheng… still offline. Fellow Daoist Qi is online!” Ying Buran retrieved her Heavenly Spirit Mirror, where only one avatar was lit up.

Perfect timing to ask about Chasing Wind City. Qi Yiwen was always out and about; she likely knew more about it.

Though it was late at night, Qi Yiwen replied almost immediately after Ying Buran sent her message: “Chasing Wind City? Why the sudden interest?”

Ying Buran painstakingly typed each word, her fingers still clumsy with the keyboard. “Qingxun said people from Chasing Wind City have been active nearby recently and warned me to be careful.”

Qi Yiwen sent a thinking emoji, followed by a lengthy message: “I see… I know a bit about Chasing Wind City. They’re an organization dedicated to opposing Heaven’s Wrath and the Heavenly Sacrifice. They don’t trust the Profound Gate and have been investigating and thwarting Heaven’s Wrath using their own methods.”

After a pause, Qi Yiwen asked, “Did she tell you to stay away from Chasing Wind City?”

“Yes, she said it’s best to avoid contact.”

Another long silence stretched between them, so long that Ying Buran began to wonder if Qi Yiwen had fallen asleep. Finally, Qi Yiwen sent another message: “I think this is an opportunity.”

Ying Buran blinked, confused. “An opportunity?”

Qi Yiwen: “Remember when I told you not to stay put? This is your chance.”

“If you get the chance, leave with the people from Chasing Wind City. The farther away, the better.”

Ying Buran’s heart leaped. The more she panicked, the slower her typing became, and the more mistakes she made. By the time she finished typing her next question, her palms were slick with sweat: “Why are you saying that?”

On the other end, Qi Yiwen remained calm, patiently waiting for Ying Buran to finish typing before replying, “I can only tell you that this is related to your death date. I can’t say more. There’s no harm in leaving.”

Ying Buran paused for a moment before typing her final message: “…I understand. Thank you.”

After parting ways with Qi Yiwen, Ying Buran lay in bed, wide awake, her mind racing with Qi Yiwen’s words.

Qi Yiwen had urged her to leave with the people from Chasing Wind City, likely as a way to avoid her impending death.

But Zhao Qingxun had told her to stay here and not leave.

So, would her final resting place be the Sect? But why? Why here? Or would leaving trigger her death?

One of them was lying.

Deep down, Ying Buran trusted Zhao Qingxun. Yet, a persistent voice within her kept urging her to flee.

A series of deliberately muffled footsteps echoed nearby. Ying Buran immediately sat up, listening intently. Was Zhao Qingxun back?

No, it wasn’t her. If it were Zhao Qingxun, she wouldn’t linger outside the window; she would either come straight in or go to the partition.

Who was approaching?

The window paper was pierced, and a tube was inserted. Seeing this, Ying Buran gently lay down, trying to make no sound as she held her breath and closed her eyes.

After a while, the person outside the window left, then softly pushed the door open and slowly approached the window, reaching out a hand.

The moment that hand touched the quilt, Ying Buran flipped over and kicked the intruder with all her might, then fled out the door.

The intruder’s cultivation level was higher than hers, so she couldn’t stay. She didn’t know why the courtyard’s defensive formation hadn’t activated, but fortunately, there was another place with a defensive formation. If she could just escape there, she would be safe.

But her plan was too optimistic. She hadn’t anticipated that there would be another person in the courtyard.

Realizing she couldn’t escape, Ying Buran immediately drew her sword to fight. Despite swinging her sword with all her strength, she was no match for two opponents. Her sword was knocked away, and the other person covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief from behind.

Ying Buran held her breath as long as she could, but she still inhaled some of the gas and lost consciousness.

She awoke after an unknown amount of time, her head spinning and feeling slightly disoriented.

Am I in a carriage? Just now, I was… Ying Buran immediately sat up, only to be hit by another wave of dizziness that nearly sent her tumbling. A hand steadied her.

She recognized the person supporting her as the one who had knocked her unconscious. The other person stood with arms crossed, leaning against the carriage wall with eyes closed, seemingly resting.

“Don’t try to reach for your weapons or contact anyone. We’ve already searched you,” the woman said calmly, noticing Ying Buran instinctively reaching for her waist. Her voice carried a hint of gentleness.

Yet beneath that gentleness, Ying Buran sensed a dangerous undertone. “Who are you? What do you want?”

The woman helped Ying Buran sit up straight and settle back into her seat, then chuckled softly. “Please believe we mean you no harm. Let’s talk. I’m Yun Xiangwan, and this is Si Nuo. We’re from Chasing Wind City.”