Volume One, Chapter 32: Lost the Heavenly Sword and Still Had to Compensate Senior Sister?

"Ridiculous, why on earth should this Prince listen to you..."

Li Yunyi glared at Zhao Wujiang as he hurried away, muttering a few disgruntled curses under his breath. Ultimately, however, out of respect for the *Spring Palace Records*, he did not simply walk away. He and Zhao Wujiang were birds of a feather; there was no real hatred between them, and after all, Zhao had saved his life. With so many dead and injured here, someone indeed had to clean up the mess.

Long Zhan, noticing Zhao Wujiang’s movements, guessed that he was likely heading to find Li Yunrui, and he intended to follow. Since he had already lagged behind Zhao in matters concerning Li Yunrui, this was the perfect moment to reclaim his advantage. But just as he started to follow, he was interrupted.

"Hey, you... Commander Long." Li Yunyi regained his princely authority. "Stay here and assist this Prince in cleaning up this mess!"

"Your Highness, I have matters to attend to..."

"Presumptuous! Do you intend to disobey my orders?" Li Yunyi demanded sternly. Although he did not know why Zhao Wujiang wanted him to detain Long Zhan, and he had no desire to take orders from Zhao, his body acted with surprising honesty.

Hearing this, Long Zhan’s footsteps faltered, his expression shifting. Li Yunyi was Li Yunrui’s brother and a highly favored prince; forcing his way past him would mean offending him. Weighing his options, he turned and cupped his hands in a salute. "Long Zhan will obey your command, Your Highness."

***

*With the Tyrant Sword in hand, the world is mine.*

Zhao Wujiang held the blood-red, eerie blade, moving cautiously as he entered the inn. He did not see Ling Qingxue. He rushed toward his room, intending to collect Li Yunrui and flee this place of trouble. With this Tyrant Sword, he would have greater security, making it easier to lie low and avoid being manipulated by others.

Upon reaching the door, he cast a casual glance and his heart sank. The medicinal powder he had scattered at the threshold was disturbed. Someone had broken into the room. He pushed the door open and breathed a sigh of relief to see Li Yunrui sitting quietly on the bed.

"This sword... you succeeded, Zhao Wujiang." Li Yunrui beamed with joy. Seeing him return, she hurried over to meet him, her eyes filled with curiosity, wanting to touch his Heavenly Sword.

"Yes, finally succeeded." Zhao Wujiang grabbed her arms and kissed her, planting a slobbery smack right on her red lips.

Li Yunrui looked surprised. "No, what are you doing..."

"We're already a married couple, what is there to be afraid of? Celebrate with me using your body." Before she could resist, he pushed her back onto the bed.

"Zhao... Zhao Wujiang, wait a moment..." Li Yunrui’s face flushed a deep crimson. "My Imperial Brother is here, this isn't convenient..."

"Oh? How do you know your brother is here?" Zhao Wujiang asked deliberately, his actions not stopping, but rather growing more brazen.

Li Yunrui’s face grew even redder. She felt her body heating up and could not bring herself to truly scold him. "I just heard the commotion." She pushed him away with effort and chided, "Alright, alright, I’ll satisfy you later. Let me see the Heavenly Sword first."

Zhao Wujiang pinned both of her wrists with one hand. "No rush. Your husband has just obtained the Heavenly Sword; don't you intend to celebrate with me?"

Li Yunrui blushed, but a flicker of murderous intent flashed in her eyes. "Celebrate? How should I celebrate..."

"What do you think?"

Seeing Zhao Wujiang bullying her, she wondered, *Should I endure this... or should I just stab him to death right now and steal the sword for my junior brother?*

A subtle change crossed Li Yunrui’s face; for a fleeting moment, the features of Ling Qingxue appeared. *Oh no!* She quickly steadied her mind, preventing her *Mirror Flower, Water Moon* illusion from breaking. Looking at Zhao Wujiang, who was still savoring his time in her arms, Ling Qingxue felt fortunate that he hadn't noticed.

The problem was that she was currently injured, so she chose not to confront him head-on, especially with so many imperial guards outside. She had intended to pose as Li Yunrui and trick him into handing over the sword, but this man wouldn't even give her a chance to touch it.

*I’ll find an opportunity while he’s caught up in his arrogance...* Ling Qingxue thought, secretly reaching toward the hilt. But Zhao Wujiang suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her against him.

"How is it, Yunrui? Do you like my physique?"

Feeling his abdominal muscles, Ling Qingxue’s face turned slightly pink as she nodded. "It's... good." She had never touched a man’s body before. She used to find such things disgusting, but now she realized she didn't seem to reject it at all.

"So, shall we continue?" Zhao Wujiang suggested, still gripping her hand.

Ling Qingxue was so startled she immediately pulled back. "I... I don't dare. You should take the lead."

"Oh? Then I won't be polite."

"Mm..." Ling Qingxue endured it, one hand clenched into a fist while the other continued to reach for the hilt. The sword lay only two palms away, but with her upper body pinned firmly by Zhao Wujiang, she couldn't move. She was so close, yet still couldn't reach the handle.

"Wujiang, could you... loosen your grip on me a little..."