The second mist rolls down the flowers

Xi Ri Chang Dao: "Do not force me to do things I am reluctant to do. You are still very young; are you aware of how beautiful your tomorrow can be? I can assure you that by following me, you will make significant progress in your cultivation."

I hoarsely said: "Can you promise me one thing?"

Mother said that the harmony between men and women is the highest principle of human relationships, a harmonious union akin to the joy of fish and water, the delightful clouds and rain of Wushan. In short, she praises it in whatever way she sees fit. Xianglan has also boasted that General Li is a true man, describing how mighty and remarkable he is. Other elder sisters have remarked that men are just that way, shameless in bed, behaving as shamelessly as they please

It was only then that I realized, like that assassin, I had chosen to remain silent. I suddenly became aware that the prince of the mighty Da Gao Kingdom, known for his martial prowess, was certainly not someone who was powerless. I found myself feeling quite ridiculous for having chosen to stay behind to protect a man who did not need my protection at all

The tender web meticulously woven by Xiri Chang ultimately ensnared its prey, and as I lay on the bed, stripped bare, I suddenly smiled. Man is the knife, and I am the fish meat. I was too young and too naive. I paid the price for my recklessness, and I will remember it deeply. Xiri Chang, when I have the power to crush you, I will definitely show no mercy.

With a crisp sound of a bone breaking, I twitched my lips and said, "Your Highness, you have misunderstood; I merely wish to assist you in loosening your clothing"

He noticed that I remained silent and after a moment of silence said: "Today we will go to Linchuan, do you prefer to take a boat or continue by carriage?"

In that moment, I harbored a thought that would cause me to regret for a lifetime; the fearless spirit of a newborn calf made me bold, and I resolved to intercept the assassin. Before leaving Xiri Chang, I wanted to test my martial prowess.

These words are like lines from a play, yet knowing full well that he would not let me off the hook, I still asked: "Can I refuse?"

Yes

Glancing at the man sleeping beside me, I felt no attachment whatsoever. He had taken advantage of me, and I considered it the cost of my journey. As I turned to leave the inn, an ominous event occurred. A muffled sound came from outside, and I assumed it was the sound of the night watch being knocked down. Instinctively, I leaped and concealed myself in the beams of the room. The door was gently pried open, and a shadowy figure slipped inside, holding a dagger that glinted coldly.

"Since you have not left, then do not leave again." The voice of Xiri Chang was laced with temptation, "Let me trust you, let me believe in my own judgment, let me see your sincerity, let me have you so that I can do everything you wish to do."

"No!" The Western sun changes its face immediately, "Anything is possible except leaving me."

"Rest assured, I am not yet willing to kill you," Xiri Chang said gently in my ear, "but if you continue to act recklessly, then you cannot blame me. This is the last time I will issue a warning, Your Highness."

I think this is what my mother meant by giving a sweet date after a beating. My hand still hurts, my body feels like it's falling apart, yet he says this is to make me remember forever

The day after leaving Kyoto, I sat beside him. With one hand resting on my shoulder, his sidelong glance could indeed captivate most women in the world; unfortunately, I am part of the minority.

Shuli remembers deeply in her heart

I inhaled sharply. Why is this happening? I thought my progress in cultivation was rapid, yet it pales in comparison to his. I am still unsure how to delineate the realms of martial arts, while he perceives them with clarity. In this regard, I am far behind him.

The western sun smiled silently. With just one step, he was about to pull me into his embrace. Amidst the thunder and lightning, I reached out my hand, but instead of grasping his throat, I found my wrist held by him.

Xi Ri Chang unexpectedly looked at me and said, "You are a very interesting young lady." Before his words had finished, his hands were already covering my chest, still that extremely uncomfortable feeling; being grabbed is never pleasant.

I smiled and finally understood the difference between my mother and me. When it comes to women, my mother has not a single word of praise, only half a sentence; but regarding men, she has not a single word of criticism, all of it is spot on. Men's words are unreliable; one moment a man can swear with utmost sincerity, willing to do anything for a woman under the moonlight, and the next moment he can turn his back and deny it all.

I am despondent, yet I am fully aware of the realm I will attain in the future through the cultivation of my secret techniques, but the prerequisite is that I must remain alive

"Shuli, why aren't you leaving?" Xirichang said in a calm manner, "Do you know? Just now, when that person attempted to assassinate me, it was your only chance to leave me."

Xi Ri Chang lifted me horizontally and said, "Remember what you said, I am the first, the last, and the only man in this world for you"

After I jumped down, the assassin reacted swiftly, immediately lunging at me with a knife. Unarmed, I could only retreat and dodge, fortunately, my lightness skill was the one I had practiced the most diligently. Each move was perilous and deadly, as I danced on the edge of death, my veins inexplicably boiling with a roar. I could defeat him, I could kill him. Just as I began to gain the upper hand, the assassin feigned a move, tricking me, a novice in the martial world, and escaped through the window. I stared blankly at the empty window; it was only after repelling the formidable enemy that I felt a sense of dread. After all, this was my first battle, and a slight miscalculation could have cost me my life.

Li Yong failed to see the remarkable abilities hidden beside him, but fortunately, I have discovered them. You move with such grace that you can easily escape my embrace; this is not something an ordinary woman can achieve. Moreover, you are only fourteen years old, and to possess such skills at such a young age is extraordinary. In a few years, the title of the world's greatest female hero will undoubtedly belong to you!" Xi Richang gazed into my eyes and said, "Give me a chance, and also give yourself a chance. No matter what you wish to do, first, become my woman!"

You said, I will do everything I can for you

The sensation of pain is dull. As a martial artist, I can withstand pain a hundred times stronger than this. However, the actions of Xiri Chang on me gradually caught my attention. When he noticed me staring at him, he suddenly cursed and then intensified his movements. I held him tightly, realizing that what my mother and others said was all wrong; men are actually quite ridiculous. Yet, this ridiculous man is evidently stronger than me at the moment. I saw a few stars appear before my eyes, and the stars multiplied, becoming a blur that quickly obscured Xiri Chang's face. After feeling dizzy, I lost consciousness. I held him tightly, realizing that what my mother and others said was all wrong; men are actually quite ridiculous. Yet, this ridiculous man is evidently stronger than me at the moment. I saw a few stars appear before my eyes, and the stars multiplied, becoming a blur that quickly obscured Xiri Chang's face. After feeling dizzy, I lost consciousness.

I murmured, "As you wish"

"I was too impulsive yesterday." He brushed my forehead and said, "But I want you to always remember your first time, to deeply imprint my mark on your body and mind, only then will you remember, won't you?"

The next day, I woke up in the bumpy carriage, with Xi Ri Chang holding me tightly and whispering, "Are you awake?"

I heard an unpleasant sound of swallowing from my throat, and I saw his eyes shining with an even more intense light than before

On the third day, I sat in his arms, softly singing. He kissed me and caressed me. I felt very uncomfortable, but compared to the humiliation I was about to inflict on him, his future discomfort would far exceed mine. I withdrew from his embrace and said with a smile, "Prince, do you know? I hope you are the first, the last, and the only man in this world to kiss me."

I did not hear the heavy breathing of Xirichang, nor did I discern the merits or demerits of what they said. I only felt my body split in two; my physical form was unaccustomed to the intrusion and movement of external objects, while my mind was pondering how to persuade Xirichang to allow me to return to Kyoto. I must go back, for there lies the goal of my life, the burden of my family's blood debt, and a lifetime of hatred.

Suddenly, a pair of hands tightly embraced me from behind, causing me to shudder and weaken. Surrounding me was the familiar scent I had come to know over the past few days, that of Xi Ri Chang. These hands slowly moved from my chest to my waist and abdomen, and the rising and falling of his back made me aware that he was also quite excited

I want to return to Kyoto

Xi Ri Chang laughed and said: "Indeed, you are from the Qincheng Garden, very talented. No wonder Li Yong could not see through you, thus benefiting this prince for nothing." He suddenly imposed a ban, his movements swift as the wind, sealing off my seven major acupoints from my collarbone downwards with seven consecutive restrictions. Although I could still move, being completely sealed of my internal energy rendered me no different from a useless person. I bit my lip and said: "Your Highness, you truly misunderstand. How could I dare to lay a hand on you? With just a finger, you could take my life."

Understood, proceed.

Shuli, why aren't you calling out

I did not speak again

Outside the room, the guard timely reported: "My lord, the assassin has committed suicide by poison, and there are no markings on his body"

As I move, my brows furrow

In an instant, I saw a flicker of sparks in his eyes. Alright, I admit that my mother was right about many things, such as this saying: what cannot be obtained is what stirs the heart, and even more powerful than the idea that what cannot be obtained stirs the heart is the knowledge that it is yours, yet you cannot have it.

The setting sun shines gently on the path: "At your age, I had already reached the mid-stage of the Clear Origin, while you have just arrived at the peak of Solid Qi. What do you think accounts for this difference?"

If only you had chosen to escape just now, after I dealt with the assassin, I would have spared no effort to bring you back, provided that you first managed to evade my twelve Jingwei. That assassin was deliberately let in by them, intended for me to capture alive. Hehe, listen, the person has already returned at this moment

My heart is like a trapped ice cellar. It turns out he had seen through it long ago; he already knew that I possessed martial arts skills. I struggled to break free from his embrace, turned around, and opened my eyes wide