CHAPTER 208: THE DRUNKEN SCHEMES OF THE HALF-IMMORTAL FOX

A relationship more intimate than martial siblingship? Could that be what the legends call siblings by blood?

Mu Wanxuan had read plenty of information before and found that siblings often argued and fought. It didn't seem nearly as peaceful and affectionate as what she had with her junior brother. Still, she had already made up her mind. Tonight, even though the main goal was to help Xi Lian ease her emotions, she might as well take the chance to sort out her own feelings too.

Mou Yue, after all, was a mortal woman with rich life experience.

Mu Wanxuan quickly typed a reply.

Mu Wanxuan: Aren't my junior brother and I already the closest?

Mou Yue chuckled softly, then lowered her voice. "Of course not. You two probably haven't even kissed, yet you're calling yourselves the closest?"

"Pfft." Xi Lian's eyes shimmered with charm. Even Mou Yue, who was beside her, couldn't help but feel a bit dazed by her gaze. Gently, she said, "Little Xuanxuan was born for the Dao and has never developed worldly desires. What you're trying to explain won't get through to her. Based on how things are going, though, it seems like Little Xuanxuan is just about to start feeling it."

Mu Wanxuan tilted her head.

Mu Wanxuan: Could you elaborate?

"It's hard to put into words. After all, I never truly went through it myself back then. I had only just fallen for someone, and the fire of passion already left me restless day and night."

Xi Lian sighed softly as she gazed at the stars above. Beside her, Mou Yue blinked. Her sudden change of tone was completely unexpected.

A trace of wistfulness appeared in Xi Lian's clear eyes. Softly, she added, "Take me as an example. Back when I felt the strongest worldly desire, just a few days without seeing that cold-hearted Qinglin left me wondering when he'd come. When he did come, I'd keep thinking of ways to catch his attention. Sometimes I'd even have shameless thoughts. I'd imagine the two of us strolling under the moonlight, or sharing the same pillow under embroidered blankets.

"That would have made me so happy. Unfortunately, Daoist Master Qinglin always treated me as a junior; he never had a single improper thought about me. In today's words... if I had another chance, I'd definitely sleep with him!"

This senior...

Mou Yue's eyes lit up.

To be fair, before she was sealed, Xi Lian had always cultivated by Santong's side. Under his care, she never had to put on the airs of a senior. She was just the little tag-along of Santong and Qinglin, with the temperament of a young girl.

Later, Qinglin sealed her. Her heart filled with obsession and pain until she fell into the devilish path. After being force-fed Buddhist arts daily until the primal qi of heaven and earth disappeared, she fell into deep slumber, only to awaken now in the present. Her Daoist cultivation aside, she wasn't really that mature.

All those centuries seemed to have manifested only in her enchanting aura.

Hearing such a seductive half-immortal fox openly declare she'd "just sleep with him" made Mou Yue think the fox had quite a bold spirit.

Xi Lian sighed again and smiled. "I'm kidding, of course. If I manage to purify my devilish nature, ascend, and meet Daoist Master Qinglin again, I'd only ask him one question. Can you two guess what it is?"

Mou Yue snapped her fingers. "Must be, 'Will you marry me?' That's bold! If he won't marry you, turn and leave!"

Mu Wanxuan, who had a different stance on the matter, shook her head and typed in large fonts.

Mu Wanxuan: Can you take me with you, no matter where you go?

"Little Xuanxuan, you're too gentle. What if Little Fei Yu bullies you in the future?" Xi Lian asked with deep affection.

She raised her hand and, with an elusive movement, lightly pinched Wanxuan's cheek. Wanxuan only blinked, failing to notice what had happened.

The two young women waited quietly while the older one shared her musings.

Xi Lian smiled. "I'd ask him, if I weren't a fox fiend—if I were just a regular human cultivator, would he have fallen for me even a little?"

For a moment, Mu Wanxuan and Mou Yue thought they saw a faint glimmer of tears in her eyes.

Mu Wanxuan sighed softly. She realized she didn't understand any of this at all and couldn't help Xi Lian in the slightest.

Mou Yue, however, knew they couldn't let Xi Lian stay in this mood. She smiled awkwardly. "Senior, have you never resented him?"

"Probably not." Xi Lian's gaze turned distant. Perhaps she was truly drunk. Given her cultivation level, though, even the finest mortal liquor likely couldn't intoxicate her. "The reason for my fall into the devilish path wasn't hatred toward him, but resentment toward myself. I realized that once I started having feelings for Daoist Master Qinglin, I became hesitant and bashful, unlike my usual straightforward self.

"I kept asking myself, 'why wasn't I born as a human? Why did I, a fox, have to be caught in a hunter's trap and saved by Buddhist Master Santong?' That knot stayed buried in my heart for who knew how long.

"When Daoist Master Qinglin sealed me, I felt no hatred toward him. Why would I hate him? At the time, it felt like he was just purging a fiend. Back then, cultivators and fiends were sworn enemies. Frankly, we just had a senior-junior relationship anyway."

Mu Wanxuan blinked, a little surprised. Beside her, Mou Yue looked puzzled.

According to the Daoist view, didn't falling into the darkness mean losing one's true self and becoming cruel, ruthless, and unrecognizable?

The half-devil, half-immortal fox sounded completely rational and self-aware, her introspection sharp and profound. She didn't seem to have lost herself at all. On the contrary, she appeared to have a higher level of understanding.

Xi Lian's gaze cleared up. She smiled. "If my hatred toward him had made me fall, I would have fallen into the devilish path the moment he suppressed me. But I fell because I hated myself too deeply. I hated my fate. That's what made me lose my way.

"Now that I think about it, maybe this is all just fate playing tricks, so if you think you can help me let go of my resentment with a nice meal and some good wine, you're dreaming. Even Buddhist Master Santong couldn't stop me from loathing myself. What can you two do with a little food and comfort?"

Mu Wanxuan and Mou Yue exchanged awkward glances, then quickly lowered their heads and apologized.

Xi Lian said softly, "It's okay, I'm not blaming you. I'm actually grateful that you tried to comfort me even though I know you're just afraid I'll lose control and fall into the devilish path again."

Mou Yue weakly remarked, "I'm sorry, Senior. We were too forward."

Mu Wanxuan: That's not it. I just felt like you've been through too much and wanted to make you feel a little happier.

"Ah, Little Xuanxuan." With fond eyes, Xi Lian reached out again and gently pinched Mu Wanxuan's face. "How wonderful it would have been if I were your mother. Your parents must be proud to have such a thoughtful daughter. I'm so envious."

Her response would have been fine had she not mentioned parents. As soon as she did, Mu Wanxuan's expression dimmed. She lowered her head to look at her phone, her face full of helplessness.

Xi Lian blinked. "What's wrong, Little Xuanxuan? Did I say something wrong?"

Mou Yue blinked as well, then sent Xi Lian a message.

Mou Yue: Daoist Master Bu Yu was born with severe illnesses and signs of early death. Her family abandoned her outside a Daoist temple on the Wudang Mountains, and Daoist Master Bu Yan took her in.

Xi Lian's gaze turned even more tender. Still, she responded with refreshing directness. "Don't be sad about that. Maybe that's just fate. From now on, I, Xi Lian, will be your godmother—no, I'll be your big sister!

"Anyone who dares bully you, I'll fall into the devilish path on their mountain and fight even an immortal to protect you! Now, let's have another drink and keep talking about love and romance... This is actually my first time drinking. It really helps ease the heart."

The three clinked glasses. Mu Wanxuan's cheeks were red, but she quickly reigned in her emotions.

Now in a great mood, Xi Lian started sharing more private and womanly topics.

When it came to Mou Yue, Xi Lian bluntly pointed out that she was no longer a virgin. Mou Yue blushed and talked about her recent short-lived relationship.

Their conversation then deepened further.

Mou Yue finally voiced the question that had been on her mind the most. "Daoist Master Bu Yu, do you like your junior brother?"

"I... like!" Mu Wanxuan answered surprisingly easily.

Mou Yue blinked. "Not just that kind of like. I mean the real kind. When you look at him, do you feel peaceful inside? Sometimes, do you want to get closer and... kiss

[1] him?"

Xi Lian asked, "What is 'ke yi si'?"

"It means... muah!"

Xi Lian and Mu Wanxuan looked as if they suddenly understood what she meant. They couldn't help but feel as though the mortal woman really knew a lot.

Mu Wanxuan looked thoughtfully at Wang Sheng, who was sitting by the gate. She raised her hand and touched her lips.

Mu Wanxuan: Lately, I've had moments when seeing my junior brother meditating made me want to sit closer to him...

Mou Yue declared, "There it is! You're falling for him!"

"She's been falling for him for a while now; she just hasn't realized it yet." Xi Lian laughed. "You are as beautiful as a fairy, Little Xuanxuan. Even Chang'e[2] couldn't compare. I doubt Little Fei Yu has never had any impure thoughts about you."

Wang Sheng, who had long since fallen asleep at the gate, suddenly raised his hand, pointed at the sky.

The three women froze,

"I will become the greatest sword cultivator beneath the stars! My sword will light up the galaxy!" he shouted. He then burped, leaned against the door, and snored again.

Mu Wanxuan gave them a helpless look as Mou Yue slapped the table and stifled her laughter. Xi Lian burst into hearty laughter as well, though she soon looked worried.

Concerned, she asked, "That young man... isn't as heartless as Qinglin, is he?"

Mou Yue froze. "What should we do?"

"Little Xuanxuan." Xi Lian raised her hand and patted Mu Wanxuan on the shoulder. "I've been there. If a flower is ready to be picked, you must pick it. Don't wait until the flowers are gone and fall into the devilish path for nothing. He's drunk tonight, which means heaven has gifted you the perfect chance!"

Mu Wanxuan blinked in confusion, not quite grasping what she meant.

Mu Wanxuan: How do I pick?

Snap!

Xi Lian snapped her jade-like fingers. "Leave everything to me, your big sister! Come on, call me 'Big Sister.'"

"Big Sister..."

"Aye, haha! Hehehe!"

Just from her laughter, it was obvious the half-immortal fox was feeling beyond satisfied... and more than a little tipsy.

1. Mou Yue said this in English ☜

2. A beautiful and revered moon goddess in Chinese mythology. ☜