Chapter 17: I want to squeeze him dry

As they ventured deeper into the Huangji Sect’s cluster of peaks, Chui Xing Peak drew ever closer.

Li Xingruo couldn’t help but feel nervous.

How should she broach the topic of canceling the engagement with Si Ruochen?

Rumor had it he was already a broken man. As his supposed fiancée, bluntly demanding to end the engagement—wouldn’t that be too cruel?

Hurting him wasn’t a big deal, but if it provoked him and other Huangji Sect disciples rallied to his side, she’d be in trouble.

Maybe… offer him something as compensation for the broken engagement.

But what could she give?

Li Xingruo frowned, deep in thought.

Before setting out, she’d left all her possessions with the Radiant Sect. Her low-grade storage ring held only mundane items—nothing presentable.

She couldn’t exactly gift Si Ruochen a dress and say, “Brother, since you’re already a wreck, why not quit cultivating, put on some women’s clothes, and find a nice family to settle down with? No worries if you’re a man now—I’ll introduce you to the demonic path’s Holy Coffin to fulfill your girly dreams…”

The thought made her lips curl into a smirk.

If she actually said that, he’d probably fight her to the death.

Shaking her head with a wry smile, she thought: I’ve never met Si Ruochen, and we’ve got no grudges. It’s just canceling an engagement—no need to offend him mortally.

After all, he’s not this stinking Taoist beside me!

Right, the stinking Taoist…

Her eyes lit up, and she sidled closer, plastering on a sweet smile:

“Hey, Brother Shi…”

“What is it, Miss Xianer?” Seeing her expression, Shi Xiangwen asked with interest.

“Brother Shi, we’ve fought demonic cultivators and explored a spirit vein together. That makes us close comrades who’ve faced life and death, right?”

Shi Xiangwen smiled. “Miss Xianer, speak freely.”

Li Xingruo rubbed her fingers. “Your sister’s in a bind, Brother Shi. You’ve gotta help me out.”

He paused. “What could Miss Xianer need my help with?”

“A big matter, right now.” She twirled her storage ring. “Got any valuable treasures you could lend me? I’ll pay you back when I’m flush.”

“Oh, so Miss Xianer wants to pull a fast one.” His warm smile turned blank, and he refused flatly, “None.”

“Come on, you’re from Thousand Mechanism Peak—surely you’ve got plenty of treasures.”

Li Xingruo pouted pitifully, infusing her voice with spiritual energy and charm. “Brother Shi, don’t be so stingy. For the Huangji Sect’s sake, help your sister out.”

She gave her performance a silent three out of ten.

Far from passing, nowhere near the mind-melting allure of the Hehuan Sect aunties…

As expected, Shi Xiangwen wasn’t swayed by her “charm,” instead mocking:

“Calling me brother… Miss Xianer, do you fancy yourself a man?”

His gaze drifted down her stunning face, past her graceful neck, lingering on her curves. “I don’t have valuables, but if Miss Xianer enjoys showing off her charm, I’m happy to admire.”

Catching the teasing in his words, Li Xingruo’s brows shot up:

“Stinking Taoist, what’re you staring at!”

Unabashed, Shi Xiangwen shrugged. “Since Miss Xianer’s using heart-swaying techniques, why fear a few looks?”

She wouldn’t admit it, of course:

“Nonsense! The Li family is a scholarly house—how could I know such crooked tricks?”

But though her words were defiant, a new path for revenge sparked in her mind.

For a lecherous, vile Taoist like him, the Hehuan Sect’s charm techniques were perfect.

If she practiced hard, mastering what she’d learned from the Hehuan aunties, with her beauty and allure, handling this stinking Taoist would be child’s play.

Then, like the Hehuan Sect’s demonic cultivators with their simps, she’d shatter his Dao heart and drain his worth dry!

Not a drop left!

If her charm was strong enough, she could even make him blindly aid her plan to infiltrate the immortal sects’ spirit vein!

Let him sabotage the vein, ruin his reputation, and be despised for ages!

Hmph, that’s what you get for crossing me.

Such a brilliant plan… Li Xingruo nearly applauded herself.

Lost in her sweet revenge fantasies, Shi Xiangwen’s voice broke in:

“Miss Xianer, no matter how much you grin foolishly, I’m not giving you any treasures.”

Without her new plan, she’d have snapped back.

But now, suppressing her urge to bicker and swallowing her disgust, she softened her voice:

“Brother Shi, so unromantic. Don’t I look pretty when I smile?”

“Miss Xianer’s lovely with or without a smile, but cooing doesn’t boost your charm’s effect,” he replied earnestly.

“…”

Her charm failing again, Li Xingruo let out an awkward chuckle, her face flushing red.

With her stunning looks, her charm had no effect on this lecher.

If this got out to the Hehuan Sect, it’d be in their next pamphlet as a cautionary tale across the demonic world.

Taking a deep breath, she turned away, back to Shi Xiangwen. She didn’t have the confidence for a third attempt anytime soon.

…

After a while, Shi Xiangwen broke the silence.

“Miss Xianer, we’re here.”

He’d brought her to the base of a towering peak, pointing to a winding cyan stone staircase. “Follow this path to the top of Chui Xing Peak. The person you’re canceling your engagement with lives there.”

“You’re not coming up?” Li Xingruo asked, worried she’d lose track of him for her revenge.

Shi Xiangwen raised an eyebrow. “Miss Xianer, reluctant to part with me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I just need someone to escort me out after,” she said, rolling her eyes. “How do I find you afterward?”

“Come to Thousand Mechanism Peak’s Wenxin Pavilion if you need me.” Giving her the address, Shi Xiangwen said no more, summoned his flying artifact, and left in the opposite direction.

“Stinking Taoist, running off pretty fast…”

Once he was gone, Li Xingruo muttered a half-curse, then turned and climbed the stone steps toward the peak.

The stinking Taoist could wait—now it was time to meet her “fiancé.”

—

Signed and awaiting listing.

Will keep writing, so please don’t hoard the book!

If you hoard it too long, it’ll die, sob sob sob~!