Although Eldest Miss Luo's tone was cool, her actual temperament was quite gentle.
After Yang Shifei silently admired the young woman's crowd-gathering assets for a good while, all he received was a slightly reproachful glance from her.
A sweet, tingling numbness, like that of a naive first love, welled up in his heart, accompanied by a wondrous sense of security from being accepted.
Yang Shifei's throat bobbed; for a moment, he was somewhat immersed in the current atmosphere.
"—All done."
Luo Xian'er's cherry lips parted slightly, her soft, delicate voice breaking the silence.
She re-stoppered the medicine bottle, then tucked a stray strand of glossy hair behind her ear with her pinky finger. Looking at Yang Shifei, who had become flustered because of this, a smile gradually bloomed in her beautiful eyes.
"Is Young Master very nervous?"
"With such majestic peaks before one, who wouldn't feel a sense of awe?"
"?"
Luo Xian'er tilted her head, a hint of bewilderment on her delicate face.
But on second thought, she couldn't help but let out a soft scoff. "Young Master, you're being lewd."
The Eldest Miss covered her chest slightly, her gaze profound, making Yang Shifei feel somewhat ashamed for a moment, as if he had sullied something pure and beautiful.
It seems ever since last night, I've been particularly prone to letting my thoughts wander. Surely it can't be that after tasting the tender delicacy of a young woman's lips, I've truly let myself go?
"Let's talk about serious matters first." Yang Shifei quickly cleared his throat and said calmly, "Miss Luo, regarding what happened at the Ninefold Gate Sect yesterday, did Tanxiang tell you?"
"…Mm."
Luo Xian'er pressed her lips together and nodded. "She told me in detail and also gave me that black jade box."
Yang Shifei pondered for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Then has Miss Luo heard of the so-called 'Filth'?"
Luo Xian'er was silent for a long time.
She merely cast a deep, inscrutable gaze at him, as if scrutinizing and assessing him.
And Yang Shifei met her gaze calmly, without the slightest evasion.
"I am already aware of Tanxiang's true identity. She is not an ordinary person but an existence bearing the aura of Filth. This matter, is Miss Luo also aware of it?"
"I knew from the very beginning." Luo Xian'er spoke coolly. "Both Tanxiang and Moli are demons. They followed me all the way to East City to settle down. And you, Young Master, should have already sensed something."
"Yes."
Yang Shifei took a deep breath, understanding that this was the moment for a showdown.
"On my very first night at the Luo Residence, I witnessed you, Miss Luo, revealing your true form."
Luo Xian'er looked at his candid and calm expression. Even though she already knew the answer in her heart, she still couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you afraid?"
"Afraid." Yang Shifei smiled. "Who wouldn't be afraid upon suddenly witnessing such a scene? However, after spending some time together, I feel that both you and your servant are quite good. Even if you truly are some demons or monsters, then you are good demons."
Luo Xian'er's eyelids drooped slightly, and she sighed softly to herself.
If an ordinary person knew they were demons, they would probably have turned and fled long ago, or at the very least, spread the matter around and find people to 'slay demons and eliminate evil.'
And this man, he truly was… an out-and-out eccentric.
"If this matter were to spread, I'm afraid it would leave everyone in the world dumbfounded."
"I promise I won't reveal your secret."
"That's not what I was referring to." Luo Xian'er looked at him helplessly. "It's you, sir. You truly are audaciously lecherous."
Yang Shifei: "…"
Wait, shouldn't she be saying I have a discerning eye for true quality?
Luo Xian'er sighed. "Even so, you still wish to maintain this marriage contract?"
"Of course." Yang Shifei grasped her slender hand, his expression growing more serious. "If I had wanted to flee, I would have run off the very next day."
Luo Xian'er's body tensed, and she subconsciously blinked her eyes repeatedly, clearly not expecting him to make such a direct move.
But the Eldest Miss's gaze flickered. She pressed her lips together, hesitating for a moment, but ultimately didn't pull her right hand away.
"You and I… can continue to interact as before."
She quickly averted her gaze, forcefully suppressing the ripple of emotion that stirred in her heart.
Immediately, she composed herself inwardly, her gaze turning cool again. "However, last night you…"
"Ahem." A trace of embarrassment appeared on Yang Shifei's face, and he looked somewhat troubled. "Actually, there's something I'd like to confess to you. Last night, Tanxiang and I had a bit of an accident… in my room."
But before he could finish his sentence, Luo Xian'er shook her head. "No need to say it. I know everything."
Yang Shifei: "…"
"Young Master is quite fortunate with women, and your courage is also plentiful."
Luo Xian'er slanted a look at him, her eyes seeming somewhat cold. "Knowing full well she is my servant girl, you still made a move. Do you know what consequences there will be after touching her?"
A chill ran down Yang Shifei's spine, yet he didn't show any fear or retreat, merely saying calmly, "I understand. But Tanxiang didn't intend for it to happen; it was due to her suffering from Qi deviation. If Miss Luo wishes to pursue the matter, you need only come to me."
Luo Xian'er gazed into his eyes, noticing the fatigue in his brow, and remained silent for a long time.
After a good while, the Eldest Miss silently withdrew her hand, walked to the medicine shelf, took out two black pills, and returned with a cool expression.
"Remember to take these before sleeping tonight and tomorrow night. They can help you concentrate your mind, calm your spirit, and eliminate fatigue."
"Miss Luo?"
Yang Shifei's face showed a peculiar expression. "You're not angry?"
"I won't throw a tantrum without reason." Luo Xian'er reached out, pulled him to sit beside her, and said faintly, "There was a reason for what happened between you two; I can understand. To blame Young Master for this would be far too unreasonable."
Saying this, the Eldest Miss glanced at him again. "Also, thank you for saving Tanxiang. She grew up with me and is no different from family."
Yang Shifei cleared his throat. "It was merely a small effort, no need to mind it."
That was the truth; after all, he had indeed only moved his hands and mouth.
Luo Xian'er looked at his subtly guilty expression, pressed her cherry lips together, and a hint of a smile flashed in her eyes again.
He has a lecherous heart and lecherous courage, yet also a youth's naivety and honesty. Quite interesting.
However, at least he didn't try to deceive me with flowery words…
Luo Xian'er felt slightly touched and couldn't resist pinching a bit of flesh on Yang Shifei's arm, giving it a gentle tug.
"Miss Luo?"
Meeting Yang Shifei's puzzled gaze, Luo Xian'er's movement stiffened slightly. She feigned calmness as she withdrew her jade-like hand and tucked her hair behind her ear. "It's nothing. I just remembered Young Master's restless eyes earlier and decided to punish you a little."
Yang Shifei: "?"
This punishment, isn't it a bit too much like flirtatious banter?
But seeing Luo Xian'er cast a 'threatening' look at him, he could only manage a couple of sheepish laughs.
"Ahem, I still have many things I don't understand."
Yang Shifei deliberately changed the subject for her. "Last night was the first time I heard of an existence called 'Filth.' There are still many things I don't understand. Could Miss Luo enlighten me?"
"This is an 'evil qi' naturally born between heaven and earth."
Luo Xian'er composed herself, her tone also becoming gentle again. "Its origin is unknown. It's said to have appeared a thousand years ago, but it's extremely rare. And once tainted by Filth, one cannot escape the fate of going mad."
"Then what is the connection between you all and Filth?"
"We are 'Aberrations'."
Luo Xian'er pointed to the spot between her eyebrows and said calmly, "We are born with Filth in our bodies and can absorb this evil qi for our own use. This point bears some resemblance to the legends of demons and monsters passed down through generations among the common folk."
Yang Shifei nodded in realization.
So, Yue Rui is probably one of them too.
He glanced at his own right hand again. If Miss Luo and the others were born as mutations, then what did that make him?
Possessing a mortal body, yet able to absorb the Filth of these demons and monsters, gaining a formidable physique and extraordinary combat awareness in an extremely short period.
"'Aberrations' are extremely rare; you don't need to worry too much." Luo Xian'er smoothed her skirt and sat down beside him, saying softly, "In this world now, there are only a few."
Yang Shifei reined in his thoughts and said pensively, "Then is it possible… to utilize this power of Filth through acquired means?"
"Impossible."
But Luo Xian'er shook her head decisively. "Even the slightest contamination by Filth causes irreversible damage to the mind and even the soul, damage that is incurable. Just like Xiang Tianlin; even with cultivation approaching the Grandmaster realm, he ultimately ended up mad and possessed, personally killing his wife and daughters."
Yang Shifei was slightly surprised. Tanxiang hasn't told Miss Luo about his constitution yet?
As he pondered, his brow furrowed slightly again. "Can Filth be stored? Like in—"
"The black jade box you found?"
Luo Xian'er mused, "This black jade box is made from 'Ink Yin Jade.' This material is mostly used to house Taiwu Sacred Weapons, often fashioned into scabbards for swords and sabers. I didn't expect it to also have some blocking effect against Filth."
Saying this, she looked at him calmly. "I understand what you're worried about. Firstly, Ink Yin Jade is extremely rare, its preciousness comparable to Taiwu Haoshi, so it's impossible to mass-produce. Moreover, this black jade box can only 'barely block' it, not completely seal it. Anyone who vainly attempts to utilize Filth will only suffer a backlash from it first."
Yang Shifei wore a contemplative expression. "And where did Xiang Tianlin obtain it from?"
Luo Xian'er shook her head helplessly. "Perhaps only when Xiang Tianlin is captured will we be able to find a clue."
"That's true."
Yang Shifei's thoughts turned, and he asked curiously, "Since Filth is so dangerous, when you and Miss Luo travel, will you affect others?"
"Please rest assured." Luo Xian'er said softly, "This aura of Filth will not leave our bodies; it can even be said to be a part of our flesh and blood. Even if it truly did leave our bodies, we could minimize the impact."
Yang Shifei smiled and nodded. "That's good. At least innocent people won't be harmed."
Luo Xian'er's cherry lips moved slightly, but in the end, she didn't say anything more.
She had wanted to ask, 'Aren't you afraid of death?' But then she thought, if he were afraid of death, how could he have stayed until now?
"Alright, let's go out and sit for a while."
"I've already sent someone to find a carpenter. The new bedstead will be ready soon—"
The two had just walked out of the pharmacy side by side when their figures simultaneously froze.
Tanxiang was standing by the door, having appeared at some unknown time, quietly looking at them. Her gaze finally settled on Yang Shifei's face, her expression very complex.