The Villainess Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 3

The hall fell into complete silence. The beauties held their breath, daring not to make the slightest sound. Even Ling Shui, standing at the edge of the crowd, lowered her head so far it nearly touched the ground.

Yun Chuanzhi froze, turning to glance at the crowd. When she saw no one dared meet her gaze, she turned back, her expression complex as she looked at the woman now nestled in her arms.

Bai Fenghuo seemed slightly dizzy, one hand draped around Yun Chuanzhi’s neck while the other gently massaged her temple. Her soft shoulder leaned against the crook of Yun Chuanzhi’s arm, rising and falling with each breath.

Didn’t Bai Fenghuo despise Cui Ergou? What was going on here?

“This one feels unwell. You may all withdraw,” Bai Fenghuo murmured from within Yun Chuanzhi’s embrace. The beauties and Ling Shui bowed and retreated.

Yun Chuanzhi tried to leave as well, but a hand pressed down on her shoulder. “Did this one tell you to move?” Bai Fenghuo’s voice, low and heavy, carried an oppressive weight in every word, tightening Yun Chuanzhi’s heart.

Beautiful, yes, but with a temperament as unpredictable as the weather—like a venomous serpent, both alluring and deadly.

“If the Sect Leader feels unwell, she should summon the Medical Immortal,” Yun Chuanzhi suggested.

“Since when do I need you to tell me what to do?” Bai Fenghuo chuckled, her sharp nails sliding down Yun Chuanzhi’s jawline, leaving a tingling sensation as they came to rest at her throat.

Fine, I’ll shut up, Yun Chuanzhi thought, suppressing the urge to roll her eyes.

“My constitution is weak,” Bai Fenghuo said softly, her gaze fixed on Yun Chuanzhi. “The cold weather makes me susceptible to illness. I don’t need the Medical Immortal; I just need to lie down for a while.”

Rumor had it she wasn’t like this at all. And with such overwhelming pressure, how could she claim to be weak?

Bai Fenghuo noticed Yun Chuanzhi’s clenched fists. “You’ve coveted me for so long, yet why do you refuse to get close?”

As she spoke, her fingertips gently pinched Yun Chuanzhi’s hand and placed it on her waist. Even through layers of fabric, the woman’s skin felt soft, like sun-warmed cotton, radiating a faint warmth.

Yun Chuanzhi had never been so intimate with anyone. She withdrew her hand into her sleeve with a start, simultaneously pulling back her gaze, which had momentarily softened.

She’s testing me, Yun Chuanzhi’s heart pounded like a drum. Could Bai Fenghuo have known all along that I’m not Cui Ergou?

But the Body Offering Technique was the most secretive of arts, nearly impossible to detect even at the scene. How could Bai Fenghuo possess such extraordinary insight?

“Sect Leader, this humble servant… dares not,” Yun Chuanzhi replied.

“You dare not?” Bai Fenghuo suddenly burst into a series of clear, ringing laughter, the sound shaking the floral branches around them. “But aren’t you the most daring of all? How could you possibly dare not?”

What exactly did Cui Ergou do yesterday? Why is such a crucial event missing from my memories? Yun Chuanzhi was exhausted.

Maybe I should just end it all here?

He kept her head bowed, failing to notice the gradually sharpening glint in Bai Fenghuo’s eyes—a gaze that resembled a brewing storm, only to quickly return to calm.

“Ling Shui,” Bai Fenghuo suddenly called out, pushing Yun Chuanzhi aside as she rose gracefully. She covered her mouth and coughed a few times. “Take Little Immortal Servant Cui to clean up first. Give her some healing pills.”

Ling Shui, waiting outside the screen, acknowledged the order and stepped forward to lead away the relieved Yun Chuanzhi. As their retreating figures disappeared, Bai Fenghuo lowered her hand and stood ramrod straight.

The play of light and shadow divided her face into stark halves: one side bathed in light, the other shrouded in darkness, as if she were wearing half of a pitch-black demonic mask.

Returning to her chambers, Bai Fenghuo found the sky already studded with stars, their faint light unable to penetrate the lavishly furnished halls.

With a delicate lift of her hand, a wisp of flame danced from her fingertip to the surrounding lamps, igniting them one by one and illuminating the worn scroll before him.

“Whitey,” she called out. With a strange clanking sound, a round, heavy iron lump hopped onto the table.

“What do you want now?!” the iron lump suddenly spoke, revealing itself to be a humanoid puppet with a grating, ear-piercing voice. “I’m getting old! If you keep summoning me like this, I’ll fall apart sooner or later!”

Bai Fenghuo ignored its complaints and continued, “I saw the Immortal Servant earlier. Her appearance hasn’t changed much, but her demeanor is far more detached.”

“It seems Old Woman Whitebrow’s dream vision last night was true. This Cui Ergou has indeed been possessed by a demon.”

“Are you sure? Don’t accuse an innocent person.”

“Innocent?” Bai Fenghuo curled her lips in a mocking smile. “Do you know how complex the Body Offering Technique is? Even I would struggle to master it. How could a mere Immortal Servant like Cui Ergou possibly learn it?”

“Besides, what does it matter if I accuse her wrongly? Does this venerable one need a reason to accuse someone?”

The iron lump remained silent, only making a series of grotesque faces.

Bai Fenghuo brushed it off and continued, “As you suggested, I’m feigning weakness to keep her off guard for now.”

“Are you sure your act is convincing? Has she suspected anything?” The iron lump hopped twice.

“This venerable one’s acting skills are already flawless. Mind your tongue,” Bai Fenghuo retorted.

“Whether she’s as formidable as Old Woman Whitebrow claims or not, she’s currently occupying Cui Ergou’s body and possesses no spiritual energy. We should just kill her now and eliminate any future threats.”

“But Old Woman Whitebrow warned that her intentions are unclear. Forcing her death or expulsion might trigger a cataclysmic disaster,” the iron puppet clanked, waving its hand. “We should report this to the Sect Leader and await her decision.”

Bai Fenghuo scoffed coldly. “Tell my Senior Sister? She’d dismiss it as nonsense, claiming I’m trying to disrupt Mount Everlasting. Then she’d confine me for another decade. Where would I even go to plead my case?”

“This won’t work, and that won’t work either!” The iron puppet creaked anxiously. “Then what should we do?”

Bai Fenghuo stared at the paper on the table, which detailed the Body Offering Technique. “I’m alone in this world. Even if a cataclysmic disaster truly awaits, what do I have to fear?”

“Besides, everyone avoids me like the plague. If I die because of this, it would be a blessing for Mount Everlasting and the entire Qianyuan Realm.”

She smiled as she spoke, her tone light and detached.

“Bai Fenghuo, calm down. I think—”

Ignoring the puppet, Bai Fenghuo waved her hand. With a yelp, the iron puppet flew across the room, crashing into something with a loud clatter.

Yun Chuanzhi had no idea what was happening. Ling Shui had brought her to a snow-white pavilion filled with Medical Immortals. After swallowing a few medicinal pills, her injured lungs and internal organs suddenly felt light and refreshed.

With just a touch of spiritual water, Ling Shui removed the bl00d-crusted grime from her face and provided her with a set of clean clothes. As Yun Chuanzhi walked through the crisp mountain air, she felt surprisingly at ease.

Though the people of the Qianyuan Realm were utterly detestable, the land itself was undeniably beautiful, a thousand times better than Avici City.

It was just a pity she was stuck in Cui Ergou’s body. If she had been reborn into someone less unfortunate, this would have been a dream come true, something she never dared to imagine in her wildest fantasies.

Lost in thought, she found herself back in the sleeping quarters. Ling Shui, with a strange expression, led her to a lacquered red wooden door and knocked.

The door opened on its own, revealing no sound within, only a surge of steaming heat carrying a rich, fragrant aroma.

“Where is this?” Yun Chuanzhi asked.

Ling Shui refused to answer, shoving the wooden tray she had been carrying into Yun Chuanzhi’s hands. “These are the Sect Leader’s orders,” she said coldly. “Don’t ask questions.”

Fine, Yun Chuanzhi sighed, stepping over the threshold as the wooden door slowly closed behind him. The people of Mount Everlasting are all equally domineering.

Before her lay a tranquil corridor. Two rows of dragon-headed spouts protruded from the walls on either side, emitting warm, white mist so fragrant it made her slightly dizzy.

This looks like a bathing area. Why would Bai Fenghuo summon me here in the middle of the night?

Carrying the wooden tray, Yun Chuanzhi walked through the swirling mist. As the white vapor cleared, a massive, square pool of white jade came into view.

The floor tiles and walls were all made of jade, damp and slippery underfoot. Four white jade sculptures, each depicting one of the Four Guardian Beasts, stood around the pool, their lifelike details striking.

He took two steps forward when the smooth surface of the water suddenly rippled. A figure rose from the center of the pool, dark hair clinging to their body like seaweed. A droplet of water slid down their face, the pearl-like bead rolling down their pale, smooth skin.

When the droplet reached a point she couldn’t bear to look at, Yun Chuanzhi abruptly lowered her head.

Perhaps the scorching heat had flushed her cheeks. Yun Chuanzhi closed her eyes, letting her mind wander.

“You’ve come,” Bai Fenghuo’s voice seemed to melt into the misty air, sounding even more languid than usual. The splashing of water indicated she had moved to the edge of the pool.

“Did Ling Shui teach you how to serve this Sect Leader?”

Yun Chuanzhi gripped the wooden tray in her hands and replied, “No, she didn’t.”

“You can’t even handle such a simple task?” Bai Fenghuo chuckled softly. “It seems I’ve been too lenient with her.”

“Come closer, and I’ll teach you myself.”

Serve? What kind of service? Yun Chuanzhi’s heart leaped in alarm. Rumors of Bai Fenghuo’s debauched behavior were widespread. Could it be…?

Yet Bai Fenghuo was the Sect Leader, who had seen countless beauties. Why would she take an interest in someone as gaunt as Yun Chuanzhi?

“This lowly servant is clumsy and dares not offend the Sect Leader. I’ll take my leave now…” Yun Chuanzhi turned to flee, but before she could escape, a long whip coiled around her waist, yanking her violently to the pool’s edge. She stumbled to her knees, the wooden tray clattering to the ground.

“You’re afraid? I seem to recall you being quite bold when you snuck in to watch me bathe last time.”

Bai Fenghuo rose with a smile, her upper body emerging from the water. Her slender neck peeked through the curtain of her long hair, and the thin, gauze-like undergarment clung to her skin, revealing the warm hue of her chest.

Yun Chuanzhi dared not look any longer, feigning panic as she trembled and prostrated herself on the ground.

Cui Ergou spied on Bai Fenghuo bathing?

That little brat?

And I pitied her! If this is true, Bai Fenghuo’s slap was justified. But what about me? Now all this absurdity has landed on my head! Who can I reason with now?!

Bai Fenghuo watched the kneeling, “trembling” girl. Her smile slowly faded, leaving only her gaze fixed on her as she murmured, “It seems you truly refuse.”

He raised her hand above the water, and the surrounding mist gradually coalesced into a sharp, spire-like shape in her palm. At the same moment, an ancient bell tolled from an unseen source, its resonant vibrations numbing Yun Chuanzhi’s limbs.

The pool where Bai Fenghuo stood suddenly churned like a storm-tossed sea, its waters surging into relentless waves that crashed heavily against the shore.

This was the Thousand-Needle Soul Refining Bell, a magical artifact crafted by the most renowned artificer of their time. It could capture any divine soul in existence. Yun Chuanzhi knew that if she were captured, her soul would be scattered, reduced to nothingness.

He jerked her head up, and through the misty haze, their eyes locked.

Bai Fenghuo was testing him. Yun Chuanzhi recognized it the instant she met her gaze. Those radiant, willow-leaf eyes, reflecting the lamplight, revealed no trace of malice, nor any hint of her true thoughts.

There was no cruel intent to take a life, only a detached indifference that seemed to transcend mortal concerns.

If her intuition was correct, could she survive by giving Bai Fenghuo even the slightest reason to believe she might still be Cui Ergou?

After all, this life had been given to her freely. The worst that could happen was death, so there was no harm in trying.

Yun Chuanzhi took a deep breath, straightened her back, and, with the resolve of one facing certain death, leaned in and kissed the woman’s lips.