Chapter 224

Chapter 224: Where Are You Going, Dangerous Place? (4000 Words, Two-in-One)

“Come back with me to the Western Regions, and I can let you ascend the Great Dao while enjoying endless pleasures.”

Mo Zhu’er’s alluring eyes were like a fishhook, trying to reel Xu Ming out of the sea, then knock him out and eat him.

“But you’re probably dreaming too much.” Xu Ming opened the door, entering sage mode, “There’s no way I’ll go back to the Western Regions with you, and there’s no way I’ll work for the Black Lotus Sect. If you’re done, just leave.”

In reality, in Xu Ming’s heart, there was still that impulse to dual cultivate with Mo Zhu’er.

Mainly because the joy from those two cultivation sessions was simply outrageous, hitting straight at the soul.

Fortunately, he was now as pure as a Buddha.

So that impulse wasn’t as strong anymore.

“Master is truly heartless~ But never mind, I believe you will eventually come around,” Mo Zhu’er pouted her little mouth, walking out of Xu Ming’s room with her long legs under her short skirt, leaving the courtyard.

“By the way~ Master said something wrong.” Mo Zhu’er turned around and smiled, “If you come back with me to the Western Regions, it’s not about working for me or the Black Lotus Sect, but making the Black Lotus Sect work for something.”

Xu Ming: “…”

“Go~” As her voice faded, Mo Zhu’er disappeared into black smoke.

After Mo Zhu’er left, Xu Ming took a deep breath, sat on a stone bench, and drank a cup of tea.

For some reason, after Mo Zhu’er left, Xu Ming felt an emptiness in his heart. In his mind, he couldn’t help but recall the scenes of cultivating with her earlier.

Xu Ming had heard of many kings from various countries who became obsessed with one woman, neglecting their duties for five or six years.

Before hearing this, Xu Ming thought it was a bit far-fetched.

If it was many women, Xu Ming could understand, after all, every day would be different.

If it was the honeymoon phase, it made sense, as the novelty was still there.

But the problem was, a king being obsessed with one woman for five or six years, seeing her every day.

Wouldn’t that get boring?

And now, Xu Ming felt like he understood this feeling.

Even though Xu Ming had only dual cultivated with Mo Zhu’er twice.

This time cultivating with her, his desire for her was even stronger than the first time. “What’s going on?”

Xu Ming closed his eyes, tightly clenching his fists.

Meanwhile, after leaving Xu Ming’s courtyard, Mo Zhu’er walked down a forest path, humming a cheerful tune.

There was a first time, so there would be a second, and a second means there will be a third.

As the embodiment of Luo Shen, the pleasure she brought to men was not something ordinary women could compare to.

“I don’t believe that after tasting delicacies, you wouldn’t miss me. Under the influence of my Luo Shen body and the connection of the ‘Joyful Union Dao,’ how could you not fall for me?”

Mo Zhu’er smirked, her steps becoming even lighter.

“Xu Gege, Xu Gege… wake up… wake up…”

The next morning, Xu Ming, half-asleep, heard Shen Shengsheng’s voice.

Xu Ming slowly opened his eyes and saw Shen Shengsheng standing by his bed, blinking at him.

“Xu Gege… sleeping in…” Shen Shengsheng said haltingly, shaking Xu Ming’s arm.

“Sorry, sorry.” Xu Ming rubbed Shen Shengsheng’s head, sitting up in bed and looking at the sun outside the window; it was already nine in the morning.

In his previous life, getting up at nine in the morning was considered early.

But in ancient times, getting up at nine in the morning was considered ridiculous. “Gurgling…” Shen Shengsheng’s little stomach growled twice.

Shen Shengsheng’s cheeks turned slightly red as she covered her belly.

Xu Ming couldn’t help but smile; this little girl was actually shy.

That was good.

At least it showed that Shen Shengsheng’s beastly nature was decreasing, and her human consciousness was taking over.

“Did anyone bring breakfast?” Xu Ming asked.

“Hmm…” Shen Shengsheng nodded, “It was delivered long ago.”

“Why didn’t you go eat then?” Xu Ming asked.

“Waiting for Xu Gege…” Shen Shengsheng blinked at Xu Ming.

Hearing Shen Shengsheng’s words, Xu Ming was momentarily touched but also realized it wasn’t entirely heartfelt.

It seemed she woke him up because she was too hungry and couldn’t wait any longer.

But still, this kind of Shengsheng was cuter in Xu Ming’s eyes.

“Sorry, sorry. Yesterday was tiring, and I slept late. In the future, if I don’t wake up early, you can eat first,” Xu Ming pinched Shen Shengsheng’s little nose.

Although Shen Shengsheng was hungry and couldn’t resist waking him up,

thinking from another angle, Shengsheng was starving but didn’t go eat alone; instead, she woke him up to eat together. Isn’t that a sign of care? Xu Ming got up, washed his face, and brushed his teeth. Shen Shengsheng stood beside him holding a towel, like a considerate little cotton-padded jacket.

“Eat.”

Xu Ming sat on the stone stool.

“Late meal, late meal~~~” Shen Shengsheng happily sat beside Xu Ming.

When eating, Shen Shengsheng’s speech always became more fluent.

Because Xu Ming specifically requested it.

So the outer disciples sent plenty of food, enough for Shen Shengsheng to eat her fill.

These outer disciples weren’t puzzled; after all, Xu Ming was a martial artist, and quite a powerful one at that. Martial artists naturally have big appetites, and the more skilled they are, the larger their appetites must be. If Xu Ming knew this, he’d definitely say it’s a stereotype.

After breakfast, these wooden boxes could just be left aside. When the outer disciples deliver lunch at noon, they’ll take them away.

After eating to her heart’s content, Shen Shengsheng continued watching ants and various insects in the flower bed.

To Shen Shengsheng, these ants and insects seemed very interesting.

Xu Ming hadn’t taught Shen Shengsheng cultivation yet.

Primarily, Xu Ming was worried that Shen Shengsheng might not control her body well; if the beast bloodline within her went berserk, it would create more trouble.

But looking at Shengsheng’s current state, Xu Ming felt perhaps it was time to teach her something.

Let’s wait until we return to Wudu. After returning to Wudu, try teaching Shengsheng cultivation.

Xu Ming drew his gaze from Shengsheng and closed his eyes, introspecting inwardly.

Xu Ming clearly felt that the spiritual energy and Martial True Qi within his body had calmed down again, just like the last time he was with Mo Zhu’er in the Mandarin Duck Cauldron.

“Could it be that whenever there’s a conflict between my spiritual energy and Martial True Qi, I have to find her?” A terrifying thought arose in Xu Ming’s mind, causing him to furrow his brows.

“It cannot be this way.”

Xu Ming shook his head and said to himself mentally.

If this continued, he feared he would become increasingly entrapped.

Rather than obeying Mo Zhu’er’s orders to continue either the path of a martial artist or a qi practitioner,

he might as well abandon one of the paths.

Mo Zhu’er had previously mentioned helping him resolve everything at once, without needing to resort to such “drinking poison to quench thirst.”

At that point, he would discuss it with her; if it doesn’t work, then when necessary, he must decisively sever ties, otherwise chaos would ensue. After making the decision, Xu Ming’s thoughts became clearer.

Xu Ming took a deep breath and continued observing inwardly.

He discovered that not only had the spiritual energy and Martial True Qi within his body calmed down, but compared to yesterday, they had risen somewhat.

Even the yang energy within him was as abundant as before the dual cultivation, recovering incredibly fast.

Moreover, Xu Ming again had the urge to dual cultivate with Mo Zhu’er.

This feeling was akin to playing games or traveling while earning a million monthly.

But Xu Ming immediately crushed this thought with his willpower.

“What a dual cultivation indeed.”

Xu Ming shook his head, feeling quite moved.

Xu Ming believed his willpower was exceptionally strong, especially considering the numerous times he had leveled up from childhood, surpassing many peers of the same realm.

Yet, even so, the desire for dual cultivation was still so intense.

“There is gain and loss in all things; nothing is perfect.

Dual cultivation may allow enjoyment and elevation of realms simultaneously, but it surely has its drawbacks or limitations.

I should focus on cultivation, striving to strengthen myself; that’s the hard truth.”

Xu Ming told himself, firming his resolve.

Just as Xu Ming opened his eyes, he once again sensed spiritual energy emanating from afar.

Xu Ming activated his Dao Pattern Eye, gazing toward the horizon.

In the distance, there were once again brilliant rays of light.

“It’s indeed time to check it out.”

Xu Ming stood up and looked at Shen Shengsheng in the flower bed.

“Shengsheng, come here for a moment,” Xu Ming called out.

“Aowu.”

Shen Shengsheng wiped the mud off her hands in the water vat, washed them, and happily ran to Xu Ming’s side.

“Shengsheng, do you remember that older sister?” Xu Ming smiled and asked.

She tilted her little head, as if saying, “Which one are you talking about, Brother Xu?”

“That…” Xu Ming thought for a moment, “the one who looks a bit cold, the one who came in the afternoon.”

“Aowu.” Shen Shengsheng nodded.

Ah, it’s that older sister who looked a bit mean.

“What do you think of that older sister?” Xu Ming asked.

“Fierce.” Shen Shengsheng said one word.

“Breasts? What about breasts?” Xu Ming paused, wondering if Shengsheng was referring to whether Yanhan had large or small breasts.

“Fierce, fierce, fierce…” Shen Shengsheng said.

Xu Ming: “…”

Xu Ming felt a bit embarrassed inside.

It turns out Shengsheng was talking about personality.

Damn.

All thanks to Mo Zhu’er, these days his thoughts have been skewed.

Xu Ming squatted down and gently rubbed Shen Shengsheng’s little head: “Although that older sister looks fierce, Brother has told Shengsheng before, right? That older sister only looks fierce on the outside, but in reality, she’s actually a very nice person.”

“Owu…”

Shen Shengsheng nodded.

“Shengsheng, Brother needs to go out for a bit, but I’m worried about leaving you here alone, so Brother wants you to stay with that older sister for a while, okay?” Xu Ming asked.

Hearing Brother Xu’s words, Shen Shengsheng lowered her little head, seemingly unwilling to stay with that older sister.

“Not… not like…” Shen Shengsheng lifted her head, “with… Brother Xu…”

“Be a good girl,” Xu Ming said softly, “Brother Xu is going somewhere rather… troublesome. If Shengsheng goes with Brother Xu, I’m afraid I won’t be able to take good care of you. This isn’t saying Shengsheng is a burden to Brother Xu; Shengsheng will always be Brother Xu’s family member. It’s precisely because of this that Brother Xu wants to do his best to protect Shengsheng’s safety, okay?”

The little girl lowered her head again.

Seeing Shengsheng frowning, Xu Ming knew she was conflicted.

However, Xu Ming didn’t say anything further and waited for Shengsheng to make her decision.

“Wo… support… Brother Xu…” Finally, Shengsheng gripped her skirt nervously, looking at Xu Ming anxiously.

“Hmm, good girl,” Xu Ming pinched Shengsheng’s little face, “Don’t worry, Shengsheng. Once everything is handled, Brother Xu will come to pick you up as soon as possible.”

“Owu.” Shengsheng nodded vigorously.

“Then let’s go.”

Xu Ming held Shen Shengsheng’s little hand, and the big and small figures walked out of the courtyard toward the Wu Kingdom envoy group’s residence.

The Wu Kingdom envoy group lived in a specific area, naturally led by Wu Yanhan.

Wu Yanhan lived alone in a courtyard.

When Xu Ming arrived at Wu Yanhan’s courtyard, she was practicing boxing inside.

Wu Yanhan wore a tight-fitting outfit that accentuated her graceful yet powerful figure.

Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, which danced with every punch and kick she threw, a delightful sight.

Upon seeing Xu Ming and Shen Shengsheng standing outside the gate, Wu Yanhan stopped her boxing stance, stood upright, her posture perfectly straight.

Her posture was really impressive.

Of course, Yanhan was also a female soldier.

“If you’ve come, just come in. Do I have to invite you?” Wu Yanhan said coldly.

“This is just so I don’t disturb you while you practice,” Xu Ming smiled and walked in with Shen Shengsheng.

Wu Yanhan boiled a kettle of water and brewed tea for Xu Ming.

Looking at Wu Yanhan’s elegant movements, if it weren’t for her tight-fitting clothes and the delicate sweat on her white forehead, who would have guessed that such a woman was a martial artist?

Wu Yanhan poured a cup of tea for Xu Ming and glanced at Shen Shengsheng who was hiding behind Xu Ming.

Feeling Wu Yanhan’s gaze, Shen Shengsheng grabbed Xu Ming’s sleeve and hid her head further behind him.

Wu Yanhan poured another cup of tea and handed it to Xu Ming; this cup was for Shengsheng.

“What’s the matter?” Wu Yanhan asked.

“Can’t I come see you if there’s nothing wrong?” Xu Ming took a sip of tea, “Your tea is better.”

“Tch.” Wu Yanhan didn’t care about Xu Ming’s flattery, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You’ve been like this since you were eight.”

Xu Ming: “…”

“Alright, then I’ll stop beating around the bush,” Xu Ming put down his teacup, “I want you to help take care of Shengsheng.”

Wu Yanhan looked at Shen Shengsheng, then at Xu Ming, “Where are you going, a dangerous place?”