Qing Jin might have looked composed, but inwardly, she was frantic.

Due to a single sentence uttered in a crisis, she spent the whole night tossing and turning, barely sleeping a wink for fear that Su Yi would demand something shameless and excessive.

That was why this morning, she steeled herself to come along and lay everything out in the open.

If she had to face this sooner or later anyway, it was better to get it over with. Still, now that she truly faced the matter head-on, she couldn’t help but tense up.

I hope my guess is right. Given his temperament, he’s unlikely to demand anything over the line… Qing Jin prayed to herself.

In her eyes, while Su Yi looked young, and although he was quiet and indifferent, he was proud right down to his bones.

She’d only seen eyes like that, eyes that took everything in with calm indifference, back in the sect. Some of the elders, the true experts, had gazes like that too.

All were mighty figures capable of shaking the entire Great Zhou Dynasty with a single stomp of their foot.

But if anything, they seemed less proud than Su Yi. He gave off the impression that he saw everything beneath the heavens as fleeting and insignificant; he felt no need to concern himself with any of it!

His eyes were empty; he saw nothing worthy of his attention.

Qing Jin found it rather strange. He’s a live-in son-in-law from a minor city. How could he be prouder than the heavens? 

There’s definitely something strange about it. 

But it was precisely because she could sense Su Yi’s deep-rooted pride that she was fairly certain that he…. Wouldn’t demand anything she couldn’t accept, nor would he humiliate her.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl. An instant passed before Su Yi responded, but to Qing Jin, it felt longer than a year. She was inwardly tormented with nervousness.

But in the end, Su Yi merely glanced at her and asked, “Why are you so tense?”

“Oh? Am I tense?” Qing Jin feigned calm, her bright eyes meeting Su Yi’s gaze directly, as if trying to prove that she wasn’t nervous in the least.

However, her eyes inadvertently revealed a thread of panic, betraying her true feelings.

“If you use any more force, your fingernails are going to rip the hems of your clothes right off,” laughed Su Yi.

Qing Jin froze, then looked down. Only then did she realize that she’d unwittingly started fidgeting with the fabric of her clothes. Her fingers exerted so much force that the veins bulged on the backs of her hands. 

Her beautiful face flushed bright red, and her eyes flashed with shame and rage. She glared viciously at Su Yi, “Just tell me! Otherwise, don’t blame me for going back on my word!”

Zhou Zhili watched this play out in a daze. So, Martial Aunt is shy too? 

Su Yi merely muttered, “You have a Spiritmist Jade Physique. In this mundane word, that sets you apart, and I just so happen to be lacking a serving girl. If you’re willing to follow me, within a year at most, I won’t just return your freedom—I’ll even help you fully realize the innate talents of your physique.”

When he finished his offer, the entire room fell so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

Yuan Luoxi and the others’ eyes widened. This woman’s attainments in the Martial Dao were so terrifying, she was on par with a Grandmaster, and her status was obviously lofty; even the sixth prince called her “Martial Aunt”!

But now Su Yi wanted her as his serving girl!?

Zhou Zhili couldn’t help but gasp. He knew Qing Jin’s status better than anyone, and when he heard Su Yi’s request, his mind went blank.

If the sect behind Qing Jin found out about this, how would they react?

Qing Jin was similarly dazed. She stared directly at him.

She’d long since decided that if Su Yi really coveted her good looks, that if he really demanded anything shameless, she’d refuse, even if it meant a fight to the death.

Who could have guessed that he’d demand something even more unreasonable?

He actually…. He actually wants me as his serving girl? Qing Jin’s entire face flushed red, and she clenched her teeth, her bright eyes sharp as knives. Beneath her loose clothing, her ample chest heaved.

“Who do you think I am?” Qing Jin paused for emphasis between each word, murderous intent billowing around her.

Everyone suddenly tensed up.

Except for Su Yi, who merely frowned. “An opportunity to follow me is a stroke of fortune others might fail to obtain no matter how much karmic merit they accumulated.”

“A stroke of fortune?” Qing Jin was so angry, she laughed. Her sect had treated her as the chosen daughter of heaven since she was little. She could speak freely even in front of an imperial prince like Zhou Zhili.

Yet now, someone was looking down on her to such a degree? Of course she was angry!

If not for the fact that Su Yi had saved her life last night, she might very well have drawn her sabers and cleaved this shameless braggart in half by now.

Simply detestable!

Against all expectations, Su Yi laughed too. “I know. There’s no way you’re resigned to this, and you think I’m just saying this to humiliate you. But it won’t be too late to make up your mind after you’ve read this.”

As he spoke, he took a rolled-up piece of paper from his jade pendant and passed it to her.

Qing Jin was stunned. She forced down her fury, accepted the paper, and opened it, only for the first line of text to stun her again. “The True Interpretation of Spiritmist?”

She continued reading.

Within moments, she was completely immersed. Irrepressible emotions surfaced on her brow: surprise, bewilderment, shock, excitement, and more. Her beautiful face changed erratically.

This made even Zhou Zhili, Yuan Luoxi and the others curious. They couldn’t help but wonder what was written on that paper.

Alas, it was too far away for them to see clearly.

A while later, Qing Jin reluctantly looked away. It seemed she’d yet to get her fill. She stood there, dazed and silent.

Her inner turmoil was obvious to all of them!

It was then that Su Yi said calmly, “That’s just the introduction, a rough overview of its principles. The way I see it, with your powers of comprehension, you should be able to fully comprehend the text’s mysteries within a year. But of course, if you’re unwilling, forget it. I won’t lower myself by pushing the matter.” 

The page’s contents were from something he called “the True Interpretation of Spiritmist.” It described the subtle mysteries of the innately talented Spiritmist Jade Physique, and it included numerous incantations for unearthing further abilities as well as practical applications for the physique’s power. 

He thought back to his past life. To research and deduce the applications of various types of innate talent in pursuit of the Dao, he’d used the “the Heavens’ Guide to Spiritual Physiques” as his basis, searching the world for bearers of all kinds of spiritual physiques. He then researched and pondered their mysteries, one by one. It was fair to say his gains were enormous.

The “True Interpretation of Spiritmist” was but one of the incantations he’d developed through this research. 

Everyone glanced at Qing Jin, as if interested to see what she’d decide.

After a while, Qing Jin finally stuttered awkwardly, “Can…. Can I take some time to think it over?” 

“Of course.” Su Yi nodded. “But my patience is limited. You must give me a clear answer before we arrive in the prefectural capital.”

Qing Jin inwardly sighed in relief, and she didn’t linger. She and Zhou Zhili bade him farewell, then hurried away.

Once she was gone, Yuan Luoxi couldn’t help but say, “Master Su, if you’re in need of serving girls, I can help you find some. Any personality you like, and as many as you want.”

Su Yi laughed. “I merely saw a rare innate spiritual physique and felt a bit curious. Of course, it’s fine if she refuses: we all have our own ambitions.”

Huang Qianjun lamented, “Brother Su, only you have the confidence to try something like that. Anyone else, and I’m afraid Qing Jin would have already killed them in a rage.”

Cheng Wuyong couldn’t help but laugh. “From my perspective, rather than saying Master Su is demanding something of her, it’d be better to say he’s offering her an opportunity to change her destiny. Whether she takes it or not is up to her.”

Su Yi smiled, but he didn’t deny it.

Yuan Luoxi suddenly recalled something. “Right, Master Su, we’ll arrive at the prefectural capital tomorrow night. If you don’t already have a place to stay, why not come to my family’s estate?”

“I naturally have a place to stay.” Su Yi shook his head. He couldn’t help but recall the three years he’d spent at Blueriver Sword Manor, as well as some of the people and incidents he’d encountered in the prefectural capital.

And, of course, Wen Lingxue.

……

The eighth day of the second lunar month.

Outside the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital, a pier extended into the Great Azure. Countless boats were docked there, and the port was lively as could be.

The enormous tower ship gradually drew closer.

Su Yi gazed at the riverbank and the distant outline of the city from the latticed windows of the ninth pavilion. He couldn’t help but mutter to himself, “Cloudriver Prefectural Capital, I, Su Yi, have returned….”

The Cloudriver Prefectural Capital was the heart of the nineteen cities of the Cloudriver Prefecture, with a population of over three million.

Furthermore, the Blueriver Sword Manor famed throughout all nineteen cities of Cloudriver Prefecture was built here.

Compared to Guangling City, the prefectural capital was unquestionably far more prosperous and densely populated.

Factions big and small occupied chunks of the city, while martial artists were as numerous as the clouds.

Throughout the prefecture, practically any young genius or youth with aspirations of pursuing the martial way gathered here. 

“Master Su, the boat is about to dock near the harbor. Shall we prepare to disembark?” Yuan Luoxi wore her usual military attire, a hint of excitement on her face.

She was about to return home. This spoiled, unreasonable little princess was obviously delighted.

Cheng Wuyong and Huang Qianjun had already gotten their things in order too.

Seeing this, Su Yi nodded. He walked straight out of the pavilion.

“Su Yi.” Before they got far, he saw Qing Jin walk over from afar.

Her wounds had fully knit together, and her long hair was in its usual ponytail. Her skin was clear as ice or jade, and the look on her exquisitely formed features suggested that she was in high spirits. Her shocking beauty set her apart from the masses. 

When she walked over, before Su Yi could even speak, she announced, “I’ve already thought it through. You might very well have good intentions, but I don’t want to lower myself before you!”

Her figure was tall and slender, and she crossed her arms across her chest and pursed her red lips. Her bright, dewy eyes shone with pride.

“An admirable decision,” said Su Yi with a calm smile.

Qing Jin saw no sign of disappointment in Su Yi’s gaze, which left her a bit stunned. She paused to consider her words before saying, “But I still owe you my life, and I’ll be certain to repay you one day.”

Su Yi thought nothing of it. “No need. If you ask me, you’d be better off worrying about that martial nephew of yours. It might prevent future disasters.”

Qing Jin hesitated, looking a bit embarrassed. “If you don’t mind, might I be so bold as to inquire where you obtained ‘the True Interpretation of Spiritmist’?”

“It’s the result of my own pondering,” said Su Yi casually.

Qing Jin was stunned. She couldn’t help but say, “If you ask me, producing a miraculous tome on the level of ‘the True Interpretation of Spiritmist’ is likely beyond even Earthly Immortals. You’re just disappointed that I refused to become your servant, right? Otherwise, why would you say something so ridiculous?”

She obviously thought Su Yi was deliberately refusing to tell her the truth. 

Su Yi couldn’t help but laugh. “Remember what I told you yesterday: an opportunity to become my servant is a blessing others can only dream of, no matter how much karmic merit they accumulate. How about this? If it’s fated, we’ll meet again.

“No, wait. It’d be better if we didn’t meet again; I certainly have no desire to get swept up into needless trouble again.”

With that, he continued walking ahead. Yuan Luoxi and the others hurried after him.

Beneath the light of the heavens, a young man in blue robes walked away, hands behind his back, leisurely and contented. 

Qing Jin froze on the spot, watching Su Yi’s figure fade into the distance, feeling inexplicably conflicted.