Chapter 6: "To Die Beneath a Peony Flower, Even as a Ghost, One Remains Charming"

Lin Fengmian acted this way not solely because he didn't want to drag Xia Yunxi into trouble, but more because he knew there was no escape.

Xia Yunxi was still too naive, not understanding the complexities of the situation. How could someone at the Qi Refinement stage like herself escape?

During this time, it wasn't just Lin Fengmian who had discovered something suspicious about the Hehuan Sect, but all who had noticed it had been captured without exception.

Lin Fengmian had even buried the desiccated corpses of those unfortunate individuals. Their horrifying state was indescribable.

He didn't want to become one of those corpses.

Xia Yunxi wanted to persuade him, but soon, they reached Hongluan Peak, where there were many eyes around.

She could only follow behind Lin Fengmian, her emotions complicated.

The two arrived at Sister Liu Mei's Red Lotus Courtyard. As Lin Fengmian started to walk inside, Xia Yunxi reached out to grab his sleeve, her eyes filled with reluctance.

Lin Fengmian gently pried her hand off, smiling, "Come back in an hour."

Xia Yunxi knew that an hour later, what she might find would be Lin Fengmian's corpse.

She wanted to say something more, but just then, the door suddenly opened. Sister Liu, dressed provocatively and exuding seductive charm, looked at them with a puzzled expression.

"Junior Sister Xia, what are you doing here? Don't tell me you want to watch?"

Xia Yunxi quickly shook her head. She had never been able to stand witnessing such things, especially when it involved Senior Brother Lin.

She didn't want to see Senior Brother Lin in that state, so she softly replied, "I was just passing by. I'll leave now."

"Since you're already here, why not watch? With your talent, that day won't be far for you either," Liu Mei chuckled.

Lin Fengmian took the initiative to approach her, wrapping an arm around her waist and laughing, "Sister, I don't want anyone watching."

"Come on, time is precious!" Liu Mei playfully scolded, "Oh, you've finally opened up today?"

Xia Yunxi watched Lin Fengmian flirt with Liu Mei as the door slowly closed, separating the two from her.

She felt a hollow emptiness in her heart, wanting to say something but unable to. In the end, she turned and left in embarrassment.

Once inside, Lin Fengmian closed the door, feeling conflicted.

Liu Mei walked gracefully toward the bed, shedding her clothes piece by piece onto the floor, revealing her alluring figure.

Lin Fengmian turned to face the exquisite body he had never dared to look at directly before, yet his mind was crystal clear.

Liu Mei's every movement was filled with seduction as she slid her clothes halfway off and beckoned him with her hand.

Smiling seductively, she said, "What are you standing there for? Didn't you say time is precious? Come over here."

"To die beneath a peony flower, even as a ghost, one remains charming, huh?" Lin Fengmian smiled.

Liu Mei laughed and replied, "You little fox, what are you thinking? I just want to have fun with you. Do you really think I'll drain your energy?"

"Isn't that your plan?"

Lin Fengmian's voice grew serious. "I've buried enough senior brothers and disciples to know your capabilities."

Liu Mei cast him a flirtatious glance, smiling bewitchingly. "Is it, or isn't it? You'll know after you try."

"By your logic, since I'm going to die either way, wouldn't spending my last moments with you be a good thing? After all, to die beneath a peony flower, even as a ghost, one remains charming."

Lin Fengmian's tone turned grim. "I'm not ready to die just yet, Senior Sister. I hope you'll show mercy. From now on, I'll follow your lead, doing everything you ask."

He wasn't keen on revealing too much, and persuading her was better than being forced into submission.

"You certainly have a sweet tongue," Liu Mei chuckled, suddenly waving her hand. Lin Fengmian, without the strength to resist, was pulled toward her.

She pressed him down onto the bed, her soft body lying on top of him as she leaned in, blowing gently into his ear.

Lin Fengmian smelled an intoxicating fragrance, and immediately, an uncontrollable desire ignited within him.

His eyes turned bloodshot as he instinctively embraced her.

There's something wrong with this scent!

Liu Mei laughed softly, her breath warm as she whispered, "Today, Sister has taken a liking to you. Just give in to me."

Her delicate hand began to undress him, gently caressing his chest. "Who would've thought you, who always looked so thin, would be so well-built?"

Lin Fengmian's vision blurred as he struggled to maintain his composure.

"Do you really plan to harm me, Senior Sister?"

"Don't worry, little Fengmian, I'll make sure you feel heavenly."

Liu Mei giggled, her hands restlessly exploring his body.

Suddenly, she gasped in surprise. "I didn't expect you to be so well-endowed. Sister likes it~"

Lin Fengmian sucked in a sharp breath, shivering.

She lay softly on him, letting out a gentle sigh. "Come now, let Sister take good care of you."

As if to confirm her words, a few drops of a slick liquid fell onto his leg.

Lin Fengmian glanced down, suddenly understanding that poetic verse.

*How does the stream remain so clear? It flows from a source ever fresh.*

The extraordinary scene left him stunned, drawing in a breath of cold air, nearly losing all rationality.

Indeed, knowledge gained from books pales in comparison to firsthand experience.

Just as Lin Fengmian was about to give in, he felt a sudden heat in his chest.

It was his jade pendant, warming him and pulling him back to his senses.

He knew that if he truly surrendered, he wouldn't feel heavenly at all, but face real death.

Biting down on his tongue, the metallic taste of blood spread in his mouth as he shouted, "Sister Liu, do you really plan to harm me? Aren't you afraid of offending Uncle Master Xie Yuyan?"

Hearing Xie Yuyan's name, Liu Mei hesitated, but didn't release him. With renewed interest, she asked, "What's your relationship with her?"

Lin Fengmian gritted his teeth. "I can't say. Just know that I'm important to her. If you harm me, she won't let you go."

Liu Mei, still pressing against him, continued her teasing touch and said with a smile, "Do you really think I'll believe you?"

"She's long forgotten about you. Otherwise, why hasn't she checked on you for years?"

Panting heavily, Lin Fengmian responded, "Don't believe me? Take a look at this!"

With a quick motion, he activated a spell with one hand, thankfully a technique that didn't require both hands, or he'd be in serious trouble.

Liu Mei initially scoffed, but a terrifying sword aura surged from the jade pendant on Lin Fengmian's chest.

The sharp energy pricked at her skin.

Her expression changed drastically, and she tightened her grip, causing Lin Fengmian to shudder involuntarily.

"Sister Liu, let go! Let go!"

Liu Mei slowly released him, sitting up without a care for her exposed body, staring in shock at the pendant on his chest.

She stared at Lin Fengmian's chest, and Lin Fengmian, in turn, found himself staring at her, so they were even.

"Now do you believe me? This is the jade pendant Uncle Master Xie gave me for protection before going into seclusion! Don't force me to fully activate it!"

Liu Mei's seductive expression vanished, replaced by a cold, serious look. "What exactly is your relationship with Uncle Master Xie?"