The abyss is deep, but the human heart? Now that’s a bottomless pit!
Nangong Liu Yun was smiling like a flower, but Jiang Xuan felt as uncertain as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
Right now, with the System in seclusion, Jiang Xuan had no idea how Nangong Liu Yun felt about him.
Nervously, he said, “Uh…Wife…you know I did just declare I’m firmly on your side, right?”
“Well, let’s be clear, Husband. What you did was more like a last-minute rescue, realizing you were lost on the edge of a cliff. But before we continue, can you explain why you lied to me just a moment ago, saying you didn’t know her? Are you hiding something?”
“Also, that Empress apparently said you took her ten billion spirit stones and then vanished? Where did you two meet, and what exactly happened? Come on, spill the beans!”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!!”
Desperately trying to keep up with all of Nangong Liu Yun’s questions, he felt completely overwhelmed.
This woman not only had an incredible intuition, but she could unearth all sorts of things from the tiniest details!
Thinking about it, Jiang Xuan realized how terrifying it was: before they even got properly married, she had already figured out all his dirty laundry.
He couldn’t let this go on—being a passive participant forever didn’t sit well with him. He wasn’t too keen on “staying down” indefinitely, you know!
So, time to give Nangong Liu Yun a little shock.
On the surface, Jiang Xuan’s demeanor became calm.
“Wife, you only need to know that I didn’t have anything going on with that Empress, and I never had any intentions of becoming an emperor. That’s enough for you, right?”
“Hmm? So you’re trying to hide the truth from me, are you? Sounds like you didn’t have a good time with me, so you’re thinking of greener pastures outside the relationship?”
Jiang Xuan: “???????”
“No way! I truly don’t think like that! I’m a well-behaved young man who respects male virtues! You’re already amazing, Wife…”
Seeing Nangong Liu Yun slowly licking her lips and walking toward him, he quickly blurted, “Please, can we not do that in the carriage? I have more things to discuss with you!”
Nangong Liu Yun chuckled, “Oh ho, if you were really so respectable, you would have cleared things up by now. Come on, if your explanation doesn’t satisfy me, I won’t hesitate no matter where we are!”
Jiang Xuan: “…”
Once Nangong Liu Yun stopped her advance and sat back down in front of him, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and slowly said, “Wife, I believe everyone has things they don’t want to share. We should give each other some personal space instead of probing into each other’s matters.”
Before he could finish his sentence, Nangong Liu Yun cut him off, “Husband, you’re mistaken. I believe partners shouldn’t hide things from each other. Unlike me, I’ve never hidden anything from you and have always been open about how I feel.”
At this moment, Jiang Xuan thought, “Great! That’s the line I was waiting for! So you never hid anything from me? Do you think our System is just a decoration? Now it’s my turn to be the general here.”
On the surface, Jiang Xuan held back his rising smile and casually asked, “Wife, are you sure there’s nothing you’ve concealed from me?”
“Of course not! I’ve never hidden anything from you. That’s why I expect you to be clear about your relationship with the Empress. Trust is crucial between partners. If you still refuse to talk, that’s fine. I can be very forgiving… at least in the carriage; it’ll just be a tiny punishment for you.”
Jiang Xuan: “…..”
After Nangong Liu Yun finished speaking, Jiang Xuan brought up, “Ah, trust is key between partners, huh? Then tell me why you’ve been pretending to be a spoiled girl all these years when you’re obviously an unmatched martial arts genius? Am I right?”
Upon hearing this, Nangong Liu Yun’s eyes widened in surprise, then she burst out laughing, “Husband, is that really how I appear to you? You’ve got it! I am indeed a cultivation prodigy. If that Empress dared to claim you, I would show her who’s boss! But, she was so intimidated by my aura that she never even tried!”
Jiang Xuan: “???????”
“Wife, you seem to have taken my words as a joke, and then you even went along with it, hoping to cover up. But I know what you said is true, only exaggerated with bravado.”
“Huh? Husband? What do you mean? I’m just a spoiled girl who hasn’t been able to cultivate since childhood.”
“Oh? You mean the spoiled girl who’s at the peak of Martial Emperor at just twenty?”
As Jiang Xuan stated her true realm accurately, Nangong Liu Yun’s pupils slightly narrowed, staring at him in shock.
She thought she knew her fiancé well enough, but it seemed like he was wrapped in a fog she couldn’t penetrate, while she was the one whose secrets had been laid bare.
Jiang Xuan was fully aware of how impactful revealing her true strength was. It was like walking past a very observant child and accidentally saying, “Long time no see, Kudo.”
As soon as he spoke, it sent Nangong Liu Yun into a spiral of confusion and self-doubt, giving him back the upper hand.
Nangong Liu Yun squinted, gazing intently at Jiang Xuan, “Husband, just who are you?”
“Uh? Of course, I’m your fiancé! Who else would I be? But I’d like to ask you—if you’re so against hiding things, why have you concealed your background and strength from me? By your own logic, doesn’t this mean you don’t trust me? Seems a bit hypocritical, don’t you think?”
“It’s not like that! My background carries a deep bl**d feud, and I didn’t want to drag you in. The more you know, the more dangerous it could be. You currently don’t have the strength to handle it.”
Jiang Xuan: “…..”
“Oh, so you hid things for my own good? In that case, can I hide things from you for your own good too? Why are you so sure I’m weak? Even if your strength is good, your sister is also a Martial King. But in my view? Below a Martial Emperor, everyone’s just ants!”
Nangong Liu Yun: “!!!!!!!”
“Could it be you’re actually a Martial Emperor? But since the last one ascended, this realm hasn’t seen one for thousands of years!”
Seeing this, Jiang Xuan waved his hand with an enigmatic smile and said, “A Martial Emperor? That’s just barely enough to meet me. In my eyes, they’re just slightly larger ants.”
“Oh? If you’re that strong, could you teach me a couple of moves later?”
“I can’t. Right now, you’re too weak. Once you reach the Martial Emperor stage, we can spar.”
On the surface, Jiang Xuan maintained a serene demeanor, but internally, he was panicking:
“Oh no, oh no! I got too cocky and overshot my boasting! What was I thinking? I shouldn’t have flaunted—I should have kept up the mysterious master image and let her think whatever she wanted!
But now I’ve messed it up! She wants me to teach? I’m just a Martial Apprentice! Can I even teach a Martial Emperor? Seriously?! If she figures it out, I’m done for!
No way! I need to come up with some profound nonsense to distract her and switch the topic fast!”
Making a mental note, Jiang Xuan continued, “Wife, cultivation is a journey against the heavens, but don’t forget the original intention behind your practice. I don’t know why you’ve concealed your power, but don’t lose yourself in the process; that’s what truly matters.”
As soon as he finished, Nangong Liu Yun took his hand.
“Husband, I understand your cultivation theories, but why is your cultivation just Martial Apprentice and your spiritual root so incomplete?”
Jiang Xuan: “……”
“It seems you still don’t grasp an essential truth. As they say, the combination of reality and illusion lies in the mind of the observer. Could it be that your detection of my cultivation is just a reflection of what I intentionally let you see? As for my true strength? Well, you’re not yet qualified to uncover that.”
“Oh! So you truly are a supreme master! So, does that mean every time you begged for mercy, it was an act?”
“Speaking of which, when we return to the Nangong house, I won’t let you escape easily, at least not for three full days and nights, right? I mean, you’re a supreme being, three days and nights should be a breeze for you, right?”
Jiang Xuan: “????????”
“Wife, I’m seriously sharing cultivation insights here, why are you taking it so far?”
As he spoke, Nangong Liu Yun cupped Jiang Xuan’s face with her hands.
“Husband, didn’t you just say that those beneath a Martial Emperor aren’t worth your time? So let’s discuss something else. Since you’ve revealed your strength, I expect you to keep it exciting! I always held back before, fearing your weak body couldn’t take it.
But now I’ve decided to go all out! Don’t worry, I’m not demanding too much; let’s say, about ten times what you offered before!”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!!!!!”
At that moment, Jiang Xuan was utterly dumbfounded. He just bragged a bit and now the price was tenfold torture? Seriously?!
Even if he was a spirited young man, there was no way he could handle that!
If she really meant ten times, a mere Martial Apprentice like him would be toast!
He could already imagine himself apologizing when he was barely hanging on, saying, “So sorry, Wife, I couldn’t make you happy in the end.”
Thinking about that inevitable conclusion, Jiang Xuan hurriedly confessed, “Wife, I was just joking earlier! I’m really just a Martial Apprentice!”
“Impossible! You saw right through my sister and me, so there’s no way you’re an ordinary person. Are you seeing someone outside? Otherwise, why complain about ten times?”
Jiang Xuan: “???????”
“Honestly, that was just luck! You totally exuded confidence in the palace earlier! If you’re not a complete fool, that must mean you have some serious backing. Clearly, you’re a deeply hidden powerhouse!”
“Enough with the dangerous exaggeration! I was just trying to mess with you!”
“Not a chance! I don’t believe you! You’re just backtracking because you realized I wanted to have an exciting time! This sounds like suspicion and proof you have someone else.”
Jiang Xuan: “……”
Just then, the carriage arrived at the front of the Nangong Mansion, and Nangong Liu Yun flashed a smile like a blooming flower.
“Husband, we should get out.”
Once they stepped out, Jiang Xuan felt an overwhelming urge to bolt, knowing what awaited him.
Just the thought of Nangong Liu Yun’s idea of “ten times” made his legs feel weak.
“Um… Wife, since we went to the palace today, I’m worried my mother will be concerned. How about I come visit another day?”
“C’mon, there’s no time like the present! Husband, you should spend the night at the Nangong Mansion tonight. Don’t worry about your Aunt Jiang; I’ll send guards to inform her. You can relax!”
“Uh… we aren’t officially married yet; isn’t it inappropriate for me to stay here?”
As soon as Jiang Xuan finished speaking, Nangong Liu Yun’s tone darkened.
“If my husband insists on returning to the Jiang household, does that mean you have someone waiting to meet?”
Ah, so it was true! Clearly, she felt she hadn’t satisfied him enough before.
“Rest assured; I’ll take full responsibility, ensuring you’re not only satisfied but also won’t have any thoughts of seeing other women.”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!!”
Before he could even argue that he wasn’t a supreme being, Nangong Liu Yun grabbed his hand and pulled him into the Nangong Mansion.
Shortly after, he met Nangong Liu Yun’s sister, Nangong Xin Wan.
Now, she seemed entirely different from her previous aloof demeanor.
Approaching Jiang Xuan and Nangong Liu Yun, she spoke respectfully, “Sister, Brother-in-law, um… I apologize for what happened last time. Thankfully, I didn’t harm you.”
Surprised, Jiang Xuan looked towards Nangong Liu Yun, who nodded back at him.
“Xin Wan, go prepare dinner; Brother-in-law is staying over tonight. I’ll take him to meet our mother first.”
Meanwhile, in the Jiang household.
A hidden passage in Jiang Xuan’s room opened, revealing a girl’s figure slowly stepping inside.
She murmured, “Hmm, strange. Where could the Pavilion Master have gone?”
