Flirting with the Villain's Mother - Chapter 27

The entrance to the Pixiang Mirror Dragon Formation was in the Ancestral Hall, while the exit led to the master’s chambers within Shen Manor.

The Shen Family had long abandoned this residence, yet the furnishings remained untouched. Regular cleaning kept the place from falling into disrepair.

When Shen Su and the others emerged, Jiang Ruiping was examining a painting hanging on the wall.

The painting was subtly concealed, its spiritual energy lightly veiled, but this couldn’t escape Jiang Ruiping’s keen eyes.

The ink painting depicted a small courtyard. A stone table stood at its center, where two women sat drinking tea. One, dressed in white with gentle features, and the other, in green with delicate beauty.

Beside the table stood a row of bamboo trees. Before them stood a woman, her exquisite face radiating tenderness as she cradled a child in her arms. Behind her stood a man and a woman, holding hands and gazing at the child with smiles.

“A-Niang!” Jiang Xu rushed forward, his eyes fixed on the woman holding the child as he called out.

Jiang Ruiping’s reverie of distant memories was shattered. She cast a cold glance at Jiang Xu and sneered, “Why aren’t you calling the rabbit ‘A-Niang’ anymore?”

Jiang Xu ignored her sarcastic remark, knowing Jiang Ruiping would never understand him.

Shen Su also noticed the painting. The woman cradling the child was unmistakably Wei Nanyi. In fact, there were six figures in the scene, and thanks to Mirror Quilt’s memories, Shen Su recognized five of them.

The two women seated at the stone table sipping tea were Shen Yinxue in white robes and Jiang Ruiping in green. Standing behind Wei Nanyi were Shen Yiwen and Mirror Quilt.

Jiang Xu stared at the painting for a moment before asking, “Who is A-Niang holding?”

Jiang Ruiping sighed inexplicably. “It must be Yiwen’s child.”

Shen Su had an epiphany. No wonder the child looked vaguely familiar! she realized. This must be one of my ancestors.

With the child’s identity clarified, Shen Su finally understood the painting’s meaning. This was likely a scene from Shen Yiwen’s imagination: his beloved wife, his revered master, the gentle Sect Leader, and the Senior Sister who had rescued them, along with their child.

It was a pity that Mirror Quilt and Jiang Ruiping could never reconcile. Of the six figures in the painting, four were dead, one was neither human nor demon, half-alive, and the last stood alone, surrounded by cold emptiness and only memories.

Jiang Ruiping suddenly turned to Shen Su, the final owner of the mansion. “Shen Su, would you gift me this painting?”

The painting held far greater significance for Jiang Ruiping than for Shen Su. Knowing Jiang Ruiping would cherish it, Shen Su nodded without hesitation. “Of course.”

Her quick agreement caught Jiang Ruiping off guard. Having rarely accepted favors from others, she was momentarily stunned. After a long pause, she said, “I won’t take your painting for free.”

One by one, white jade porcelain bottles were placed on the table. “These are Foundation Establishment Pills, Essence Replenishing Pills, Soul Transformation Pills…”

Jiang Ruiping presented her with over a dozen bottles of medicinal pills in one go. As a master of alchemy and formations, the pills she offered were undoubtedly of the highest quality. Even Jiang Xu couldn’t help but glance at the jade bottles with interest. “You’re being quite generous.”

Jiang Ruiping, who had never gotten along well with Jiang Xu, arched an eyebrow. “Relax. I’ll definitely be stingy with you.”

After placing the Medicinal Pills, Jiang Ruiping carefully rolled up the painting.

She glanced at Shen Su, signaling her to quickly store the pills. But as her gaze met Shen Su’s, she couldn’t help but notice the fox ears that hadn’t fully retracted. Jiang Ruiping lightly tapped her fingertip, sending a golden orb of light floating toward Shen Su. The orb landed gently on Shen Su’s fox ears.

Shen Su felt a cool sensation on her ears. When she reached up to touch them, the fox ears had already vanished.

Watching the fox ears disappear, Jiang Ruiping nodded. “I dislike demons, so I won’t keep you by my side. But you’re too weak—so weak it irritates me. You can’t even control your demon transformation. At this rate, you’re bound to cause trouble.”

Her words were harsh, but before Shen Su could react, Jiang Ruiping continued, “Shen Su, cultivate diligently. If you can condense a Golden Core within a century, come find me at Approaching Immortals Mountain. Regardless of which sect you belong to by then, I’ll bestow upon you a generous gift.”

Huh?

Jiang Ruiping’s offer seemed impulsive, yet she didn’t appear to be lying.

Wei Nanyi, who had also heard the exchange, said, “Miss Shen, if Martial Uncle Jiang has promised, he will certainly deliver. His generous gift should be the envy of all cultivators.”

Shen Su’s eyes brightened. “Thank you, Senior.”

Though she had only just met Jiang Ruiping, she trusted Wei Nanyi implicitly.

Currently only at the Qi Condensation Stage, with a long path ahead before reaching the Golden Core, Shen Su couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation for the promised gift, especially after Jiang Ruiping had casually gifted her a dozen top-grade Medicinal Pills.

Jiang Ruiping seemed distracted. “If you want to thank someone, thank Senior Sister Sect Leader.”

What does Shen Yinxue have to do with this? Shen Su wondered, but Jiang Ruiping offered no explanation. Still gripping the Yu Ling Sword tightly, she turned to Jiang Xu. “Let’s go.”

Jiang Xu cast one last deep look at the rabbit before silently following Jiang Ruiping toward the entrance.

This parting might be their last for an unknown time.

The farewell was quiet and solemn. Though Wei Nanyi couldn’t see, she sensed Jiang Xu’s impending departure. The White-Haired Rabbit nestled deeper into Shen Su’s palm, its eyes glistening with tears.

Shen Su should have offered Wei Nanyi a few words of comfort, but Jiang Ruiping hadn’t gone far, and Wei Nanyi didn’t want her to know her true identity. Shen Su found it difficult to speak, so she could only gently stroke the rabbit’s fluffy head.

Jiang Xu suddenly turned around and called out to Jiang Ruiping, “Wait!”

“What else do you want?” Jiang Ruiping asked impatiently.

Jiang Xu’s eyes were red as he softened his tone slightly. “Just wait for me a little longer.”

Without waiting for Jiang Ruiping’s nod, he hurried over to Shen Su. His handsome face closed in on hers, so close that Shen Su could see the bloodshot veins in his eyes. “Miss Shen, do you dare to kill demons?”

Jiang Xu was standing too close. Shen Su silently took a step back.

As she retreated, Jiang Xu moved closer again, repeating his question: “Do you dare to kill people?”

His voice was urgent, this question clearly vital to him.

Shen Su remained silent. Jiang Xu lowered his voice. “You know that bird demon escaped.”

He had only just remembered Cui Tao.

Jiang Xu had slaughtered all of Cui Tao’s accomplices, yet Cui Tao herself had escaped. Cui Tao was merely a bird demon, beneath Jiang Xu’s notice, and she feared no retaliation. But now that Jiang Xu was leaving, Cui Tao posed a threat to Wei Nanyi’s life.

Shen Su possessed cultivation, but she didn’t seem ruthless. If Shen Su harbored any kindness toward Cui Tao, it would spell disaster.

Of course, Cui Tao wasn’t the only danger. On the path of cultivation, one inevitably encounters cunning demons and treacherous cultivators. During their decade of wandering, Jiang Xu and Wei Nanyi had witnessed firsthand the depths of human malice.

Jiang Xu cared little for Shen Su’s life, but for the foreseeable future, Wei Nanyi would have to rely on Shen Su for protection. Showing mercy to enemies could be fatal.

Shen Su couldn’t answer Jiang Xu immediately. Her heart was resolute; she had even earnestly told Wei Nanyi that if anyone tried to harm her, she would strike first. Yet she didn’t know how far she could go, having never taken a life before.

“I can’t answer you about something I haven’t tried yet.”

Jiang Xu nodded abruptly. “I understand.”

Her eyes flickered slightly, and another golden longsword materialized behind her. The sword fell into Shen Su’s palm, and Shen Su suddenly realized she had little control over her hand. She found herself unconsciously gripping the sword tightly, a moment of panic seizing her. “Miss Jiang, what are you doing?”

Jiang Ruiping frowned and called out, “Jiang Xu.”

Jiang Xu, his eyes bloodshot, shouted at Jiang Ruiping, “Don’t stop me! I won’t hurt her!”

He didn’t hurt Shen Su. Instead, the golden longsword plunged into Jiang Xu’s own abdomen.

Thwack! Splattering bl00d stained Shen Su’s eyes crimson and dyed Jiang Xu’s abdomen scarlet.

Shen Su recoiled in fear, taking two steps back, but Jiang Xu advanced two steps, driving the sword deeper through his abdomen. “Since you’ve never killed a person or a demon, let my bl00d serve as your initiation into the Dao!”

Jiang Ruiping exhaled sharply. “Madman!”

She swiftly moved forward, gripping Jiang Xu’s shoulders and forcibly wrenching him away from the sword. “If you want to die, I’ll grant your wish.”

After feeding Jiang Xu a Medicinal Pill, a pale azure spiritual mist enveloped his abdomen, gradually stopping the bleeding. Jiang Xu sneered. “I haven’t killed Jiang An yet. I won’t die so easily!”

Jiang Ruiping was speechless. She knocked Jiang Xu unconscious with a palm strike, hoisted him over her shoulder, and turned to Shen Su. “It seems she really cares about this rabbit. You’d better take good care of it for her. This girl is mad as hell, but she’s right. You’re alone and vulnerable, carrying a great treasure. You need to be more careful. Now that you’ve embarked on the path of cultivation, you can’t afford to be unable to kill demons.”

Shen Su’s hand trembled uncontrollably as she gripped her longsword. She only half-heard Jiang Ruiping’s words, the rest lost in her daze.

She tightened her grip on the rabbit, but her hand holding the sword suddenly went slack. The sword clattered to the ground, its blade stained crimson with Jiang Xu’s bl00d, the color glaringly vivid.

Jiang Xu… Jiang Xu is truly insane.

Jiang Ruiping hadn’t expected Jiang Xu to go this far. Her brow furrowed deeper. “Why would she care so much about a rabbit?!”

When Jiang Ruiping had arrived, Jiang Xu was still trying to snatch Shen Su’s ear. She wasn’t foolish enough to believe Jiang Xu’s actions were for Shen Su’s sake. Recalling Jiang Xu’s earlier cry of “Rabbit A-Niang,” she felt a rare flicker of curiosity toward the creature.

She reached out to touch the rabbit, but quickly withdrew her hand. “Tch, I hate living things.”

Jiang Ruiping’s frown deepened, finally hardening into a cold dismissal. “Shen Su, don’t forget our agreement.”

With Jiang Xu slung over her shoulder and the Yu Ling Sword in hand, she vanished from the room in a flash.