CHAPTER 491: CHAPTER 478: THE SPIRIT CLAN IS NOT A BROTHEL

Zhao Changhe did not know her inner drama was so intricate.

If he had known, he would have understood why she previously insisted on using the aphrodisiac... plainly speaking, it was about control, she wanted him to beg her, to dangle the bait without giving in, seeking the psychological upper hand in the battle of the sexes, yet he easily unraveled her scheme with a self-directed light-hearted approach.

Sisi must have been devastated at that time.

In Zhao Changhe’s view, the whole master and maid act was nothing but a continuation of an initial bond turned into a perverse joke; even using a false name was done in such a playful way, he did not feel it was a true conquest.

Perhaps he had not truly understood himself.

Actually, back in Shuilian Cave on the back mountain of Beimang, Chichi said he should dominate and conquer, which was the most insightful thing a woman sharing his bed could say about the temperament hidden deep within his bones.

Even though he had buried it deep, Chichi had discovered it, and so had her master.

When Huangfu Qing asked if he wanted the Vermilion Bird Venerable to kneel before him... at that moment, Zhao Changhe’s heart had thumped wildly, surprising even himself, and he wondered whether Huangfu Qing had noticed and what he was thinking.

Wanzhuang always believed he should be an emperor.

In any case, Zhao Changhe thought that although he had desires, which was normal — how could a person be without desires? Restraint was all that was needed. He just wanted Sisi to be more frank and honest, not actually looking to do anything.

All she needed to do was to admit honestly, "Stop teasing, I’m facing a dilemma now and need your help," and Zhao Changhe could assure himself that he wouldn’t continue to flirt with her. All said and done, he too had his own desires. Even without Sisi, he had already prepared himself to help the Spirit Clan. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone could quickly resolve their problems and get what they needed?

But Sisi kept on acting.

"Master, does it please you when I serve you..." Zhao Changhe was both annoyed and amused, really feeling a wicked thrill, so she really wanted to play it this way, huh?

Don’t play with fire though, what if I dare to take you completely?

The hand that was embracing Sisi’s waist had been behaving itself without moving; now, it finally began to act, gently caressing over her smooth bare waist, and drawing closer to her tender earlobe, he playedfully blew a breath and whispered, "Not enough yet..."

Sisi’s face flushed red to the tips of her ears, biting her lower lip and murmuring, "Master, don’t rush..."

"Do you think you ladies show off your waists openly so that men can touch them more conveniently?"

"..." Sisi inwardly clenched her teeth, could only coquettishly respond, "No, Sisi only lets Master touch."

Zhao Changhe:

He really couldn’t contain it.

Sisi let out a suppressed laugh, as if she had scored a point.

Zhao Changhe was both crying and laughing, what are you proud of: "Do you rub only the chest muscles when you bathe? The skin is almost rubbed off by you."

Sisi knew what he was hinting at and slowly continued the motion down: "I told you not to rush, we still have a lot of time..."

That hand roamed over the lower belly, brushing past it, just an inch away from where she once slapped his face, but she absolutely did not touch.

Beg me... If you beg, maybe I really will wash for you...

But Zhao Changhe asked, "Do we really still have a lot of time?"

Sisi responded, "Don’t we?"

"Have you forgotten that the Saint Envoy is only here to cleanse the dust, and your clan elders are still waiting for the Envoy to attend the banquet?"

Sisi was momentarily stunned, when the voice of an elder came from outside, "Is the Saint Envoy well?"

"Whoosh~" Sisi wanted to run but was caught by Zhao Changhe with an insinuating smile, "It has to be efficient then."

Sisi looked at him pleadingly, and Zhao Changhe silently mouthed, "Still going to play with fire?"

Sisi begged for mercy, "I was wrong... It’s not like holding it will hurt, can we get up first? Let’s have dinner, we can talk later."

Zhao Changhe said, "Am I a big fool?"

"You, you can’t solve it just by hitting it for a while. Can I make up for it with something else, please?"

"Hmm?"

Sisi swiftly kissed his face, hurriedly leaped out of the tub, and fobbed it off as a gesture.

Zhao Changhe did not take advantage of the situation but instead smiled at her.

Sisi walked out head down, knowing that this was the first time she had kissed him of her own accord.

It seemed as if she had flaunted herself to the point of drawing universal condemnation, giving the impression that the two had done everything together. But in fact, aside from once pretending to be Yue Hongling, this was the first time she had taken the initiative to kiss him.

She had lost a match.

Zhao Changhe took his time getting dressed, then opened the door.

The elder outside looked at both of them, their bodies both warmed and dried with energy, but Sisi’s wet hair hadn’t dried completely, and her expression was unusually flushed with embarrassment, which he had never seen before.

The old man actually broke into a grin, "Good, good, I’ve never seen Sisi this proactive before. Sisi ah..."

Sisi gave a bow, "Elder..."

"Serve the Saint Envoy well, this is your critical duty this time."

Sisi bit her lip in secret, her head hanging dejectedly, "Understood."

This war was unfair.

Turning her head, she saw Yue Hongling also exiting the door, her hair still tied back in a ponytail, wearing a striking red outfit, a new set at that. Who knew where she got so many gaudily red clothes from.

Sisi’s eyes darted cunningly, and she quickly clung to Zhao Changhe’s arm, cooing in a sweet voice, "Saint Envoy~ shall we go?"

Her voice was so loud it all but said "Sister Yue, come take care of this."

As a result, Yue Hongling just glanced over and nodded her approval, "This one’s fine, let her attend."

Sisi: "?"

What’s with this tone of voice that sounded like picking vegetables?

Weren’t you jealous of me before, why are you cooperating with him to play me now?

How could the misguided little demoness know that Yue Hongling did it to justifiably spend private time with her to discuss important matters?

Yue Hongling strode forward with determination, sizing up Sisi with a look of unfamiliarity, and said directly to the elder, "The banquet should have fewer people, just a few of us to talk."

The elder bowed, "As previously instructed by the Saint Envoy, the grand banquet has been withdrawn, we’ll just have a modest drink. Saint Envoy, please follow me."

Sisi, as if sleepwalking, clung to Zhao Changhe and found herself in the banquet hall.

Sure enough, there were only a few people in the hall, including the Elder himself, for a total of three clan elders present. Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling were seated in the place of honor, and there she was, standing between the two serving wine, the spitting image of a little maid.

The three clan elders indeed stroked their beards in satisfaction; they had thought Sisi to be the most troublesome, but hadn’t expected her to take initiative this time. They even worried that Sisi might be harboring some desperate plan, but from what had happened during their recent joint bath, any undertakings would have taken place then. It seemed there were none.

The Holy Daughter’s role was naturally to liaise with the Holy Land. Generally speaking, even with a sacrifice, she would not be the one sacrificed, as she was to exist as a representative and administrator between the Forbidden Land and the Spirit Clan on the Holy Mountain. Appointing the most troublesome person for this liaison work was quite an imaginative move on the elders’ part, they must say. As long as she knew she herself wouldn’t be harmed, she’d probably stop being troublesome.

As long as she personally sacrificed one or two clan members, she would become one of them in the future.

Perhaps, leading outside, she had begun to see that she had most of her life left to rule, and had finally come to terms with it? Or perhaps she wished to borrow the power of the Forbidden Land to become the Clan Leader? No matter, most of them were halfway into the grave anyway; they weren’t vying for that. If you wish to be part of it, then welcome aboard.

What does it mean to be ’part of it’?

Whether it’s exploitation or sacrifice, as long as it’s not my skin being peeled or my son being sacrificed, I can be the ruler, and my family can hold the most resources.

The presence of the Forbidden Land’s military forces suppresses any unruly younger factions.

Why refuse the Martial Arts of Xia? If everyone went out to learn the Martial Arts of Xia, what use would we have? The Ancient Swordsmanship, that’s tradition. There’s nowhere else to learn it, and only the clan elders and priests can control it.

This was the core logic of the elders. Its nature, nearly identical to the tribal chieftains outside, was even more naked and brutal.

Sisi hadn’t understood at first, but having gone out for these days, she understood everything.

So when Tang Wanzhuang said Sisi hadn’t been in touch for a while, it was because Sisi no longer wanted to learn sword techniques from her side. Meeting Zhao Changhe this time, she wasn’t too eager to see what new swordsmanship he could offer. Even if she took it, she wouldn’t dare teach it privately, and handing it over to the clan would just be an annoyance; what use would it be...

It all came down to force... As long as she herself wielded the power that could overturn the elders and priests, even overturn the Forbidden Land, that would truly liberate her entire clan.

Now, the power in her own hands had begun to strengthen. Although she hadn’t secured it outside and couldn’t possibly lead an attack back, this was her foundation.

And all of this was given to her by him...

Sisi silently poured the wine, only to hear the Elder laugh, "Sisi, why so stiff? Weren’t you just bathing together?"

Zhao Changhe chuckled and wrapped his arm around Sisi’s waist, "It’s just that the elder is present, Sisi is embarrassed."

Sisi demurely bowed her head, "What elders you all are..."

The meaning of those words could hold much, but the elders pretended not to notice, chuckling, "As long as you’re not throwing a tantrum, that’s fine. Come, let’s all toast to the Saint Envoy."

Zhao Changhe, without putting on airs, raised his glass in gesture and drank the opening toast.

Expecting the conversation to turn serious next, the Elder chuckled, "Sisi, where’s your toast?"

Sisi hastily raised her glass, "I was just pouring the wine, it should still be timely..."

"Using a cup when we use cups?" Another elder laughed, "We’ve bathed together, why not use something else to feed him?"

Sisi was dumbfounded, "Eh?"

Zhao Changhe turned to her with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, as if to say, see, acting in front of others is even harder than just between us.

Sisi gritted her teeth, took a sip, and fiercely planted a kiss on Zhao Changhe’s lips.

"Clang!" Beside them, Yue Hongling heavily set down her wine cup, "Are you here to talk business, or to sell love?"