Chapter 290: A Date with Xiaoqing

Inside the temple, Xiaoqing was explaining the events leading up to their current situation to Xiaobai.

"On that day, Master forced you to take this jade hairpin and ordered you to assassinate the Imperial Priest. Do you not remember any of it, sister?" Xiaoqing asked.

"Why does the Imperial Priest capture snakes? Why does he target us specifically?" Xiaobai asked, confusion evident in her tone.

"That despicable Daoist cultivates the Taiyin True Skill, which shares a root with our snake clan. He extracts the essence of our souls to enhance his power. Master despises the Imperial Priest and humanity as a whole. Master always said, 'The human heart is full of treachery; all humans are evil.'" As Xiaoqing spoke, her emotions grew more agitated, and she shot a sharp glare at Mu Chen.

"You're Xiaoqing, right?" Mu Chen, who was sitting on the threshold of the temple's main gate, glanced at her and retorted, "What exactly did I do to you? Did I steal your treasure? Did I harm you? Did I wrong you in some way to earn such hatred?"

"You're human, and all humans are inherently wicked," Xiaoqing snapped back.

"And demons? There are good and bad humans. Do you think there are no evil demons?" Mu Chen countered.

"Demons… demons…" Xiaoqing stammered, flustered. "You're twisting the argument! We're discussing humans here. Humans eat grass, pigs, and snakes. Some even secretly eat human flesh. Isn't that proof enough of their wickedness?"

"And what about your snake clan?" Mu Chen asked pointedly. "Don't you eat when you're hungry? You eat rabbits, don't you? Rats too. And in desperate times, you even resort to eating your own kind."

"You…" Xiaoqing's frustration boiled over. Her impulsive nature flared, and a green gemstone appeared on her forehead.

"Enough, Xiaoqing!" Xiaobai quickly stepped between them, calming her sister down before she could transform. "Mu Chen isn't an ordinary human. When I lost my memory and knew nothing, he saved me."

"That's different. He saved you because you're beautiful and he thought you were human. If he knew you were a demon, would he have still saved you? Humans and demons are fundamentally different," Xiaoqing argued.

"I would have," Mu Chen interjected.

"Of course you'd say that now. But once you've seduced her and taken her chastity, you'll abandon her. Since ancient times, the love stories between humans and demons have always ended tragically for the demon," Xiaoqing retorted, her tone laced with anger. She turned to Xiaobai, hoping to make her see reason. "Sister, wake up! Are you really willing to end up as a soul scattered to the winds?"

"As long as I'm here, I won't let any tragedy happen," Mu Chen said firmly, standing up from the gate.

"Human, don't be naïve. There are things beyond human or demonic control. The Three Realms have their rules, and they won't allow humans and demons to love each other. The heavens won't permit it. If you persist, you'll face not only societal scorn but also the wrath of heavenly soldiers and generals!" Xiaoqing warned, her voice filled with urgency.

"My love is my own. No one can interfere. If the heavens dare to stop me, I'll storm the celestial palace and bathe it in blood. Let's see who dares to oppose me," Mu Chen declared resolutely.

Boom!

A thunderous clap echoed through the skies, as if the heavens themselves were issuing a warning. Yet Mu Chen stood firm, showing no fear or acknowledgment of the celestial threat.

Xiaoqing stared at him, stunned. For the first time, she was moved by his unwavering determination. However, for Xiaobai's sake, she remained opposed to him.

"Sister…" Xiaoqing began.

"That's enough, Xiaoqing. I understand your concerns. I need to step out for a moment. Don't touch Mu Chen while I'm gone, understood?" Xiaobai warned sternly. Only after Xiaoqing nodded did she leave the temple.

As Xiaobai exited, she failed to notice the sly glint in Xiaoqing's eyes.

Once Xiaobai was out of sight, Xiaoqing turned her attention to Mu Chen and asked, "Human, you truly care for my sister, don't you? I was testing you earlier. By the way, what's your name?"

"Mu Chen," he replied cautiously, sensing something off about Xiaoqing's sudden change in demeanor.

"Mu Chen?" Xiaoqing raised an eyebrow, repeating the name. "What an unusual name."

"Mu as in 'wood' with three dots of water. Chen as in 'time.' Mu Chen," he explained patiently.

"Mu Chen," she murmured, her tone softening. "I'm sorry for how I treated you earlier. I shouldn't have been so harsh."

"It's fine. It was just a misunderstanding," he said dismissively.

"Mu Chen, do you know? When I was little, I dreamed of a prince charming coming to me on a rainbow cloud," Xiaoqing said wistfully.

"…," Mu Chen thought, rolling his eyes internally. A rainbow cloud? Do you think you're the Violet Fairy?

"Your words earlier really touched me," Xiaoqing continued, her tone seductive. She reached out, her fingers lightly tracing over Mu Chen's chest.

"Please, show some respect!" Mu Chen stiffened, stepping back. He began to piece together her motives.

"Are you rejecting me?" Xiaoqing frowned, her expression turning sorrowful.

"No," he replied, wary of her intentions.

"Then why are you avoiding me? You're clearly looking down on me!" she accused, stepping closer.

"I'm not!" he insisted, taking another step back.

"You are! You're holding a grudge against me," she said, stepping even closer.

"Fine, I won't move," Mu Chen relented, finally understanding her game. He stood still, watching as Xiaoqing's fingers teasingly trailed over his body, sending shivers down his spine.

"Do you like my sister?" Xiaoqing asked suddenly.

"I do," he answered without hesitation.

"Mu Chen, did you know? My sister and I have a pact. Whoever becomes her husband must also be mine," Xiaoqing said, her voice dripping with mischief.

"What?" Mu Chen asked, taken aback. If he hadn't known the storyline, her words might have caught him off guard.

"In human society, that might seem strange. But in our snake clan, it's common for sisters to share a husband," Xiaoqing said sweetly.

"Is that even possible?" Mu Chen exclaimed, feigning shock.

"Why not?" Xiaoqing pressed on. "It's just like how in your human world, when a lady mar

ries, her maid often follows her and becomes a concubine to her husband."

(End of Chapter)