Today, The Villain Couple is Settling Scores Again

The last glimmer of light vanished from the horizon, and the sky plunged into complete darkness.

In the dimly lit room, Shen Jizhi's eyes were tightly shut, his brows furrowed.

Two days had passed since Jian Huan had come to see him.

Three days had passed since he had been afflicted by the Harmony Fragrance.

Four days remained.

Lost in his hazy thoughts, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the door.

With a creak, the door was pushed open, and the candlelight in the hand of the visitor instantly dispelled the darkness within the room.

Shen Jizhi instinctively opened his eyes and looked up.

The Baili family steward, his face etched with anxiety, glanced at the servant behind him holding a medicine bottle and quickly bowed to Shen Jizhi. "Young Master Shen, this is the antidote that the old master has just prepared. Please take it and follow us immediately. Madam Baili says something has happened!"

[Blade of the World: Miss Jian, something has happened!]

[Blade of the World: Are you still at the Hundred Artifacts Sect? My mother mentioned an unexpected situation. We must all leave by 7:45 tonight. Please hurry back!]

On her way back from the Hundred Artifacts Sect to Luo'an City, Jian Huan, who was flying on her sword through the treetops, frowned as she read the message from Baili Dao on the Xuantian Mirror and replied with one hand.

[Qian Duoduo Has Talismans: ? What happened?]

[Blade of the World: I don’t know either. My mother is busy packing things in the house and said she’ll explain everything once we’re on the carriage.]

[Blade of the World: Miss Jian, please hurry back. There’s a lot going on at home right now, and I’m a bit overwhelmed. Should I have the steward send someone to fetch you with a spirit horse?]

Jian Huan glanced ahead.

In the night, the distant forest was shrouded in a hazy darkness, and through the gaps, the faint glow of Luo'an City's countless lights could be seen.

Jian Huan declined Baili Dao's offer and rushed back to the Baili residence at top speed.

As she hurried, her thoughts wandered.

What about Shen Jizhi?

Should they take him and the bathtub onto the carriage?

Just as she was pondering this, before she could even turn the corner of the winding corridor, she heard Shen Jizhi's voice, seemingly asking Baili Dao.

"She said she’s almost here?"

"Shen Jizhi!" Jian Huan exclaimed, half in surprise and half in delight. Gripping her sword, she quickly turned the corner and looked in the direction of the voice.

The time for departure was near, and there were still many things left to pack in the house. Servants hurried past, carrying boxes along the corridor.

Shen Jizhi and Baili Dao stood aside in a corner, avoiding the crowd. Though there were many people around, Jian Huan’s eyes immediately found him, standing out like a crane among chickens.

In the evening, red lanterns hung every ten steps along the corridor. The tall young man, his high ponytail almost brushing against the lanterns, stood there.

Hearing Jian Huan’s voice, Shen Jizhi suddenly looked up.

The Harmony Fragrance must have been tormenting him. In just a few days, he seemed to have lost some weight.

His jade-like face, even under the faint red glow of the lanterns, still carried a touch of unhealthy pallor, making his glassy eyes appear even deeper.

Standing under the corridor, he was as cold and distant as the moon in the sky.

But when the corners of his eyes lifted slightly, and he gave her a faint smile, there was an indescribable charm to it.

Jian Huan’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat. She pursed her lips slightly, lifted the hem of her skirt with one hand, and gracefully hopped down the stone steps, weaving through the bustling servants as she approached them.

Baili Dao, seeing Jian Huan, completely lacking any sense of tact, took a few steps forward and directly blocked Shen Jizhi’s path, cutting off their line of sight.

Shen Jizhi gave the burly figure in front of him a faint glance.

The burly figure was happily greeting Jian Huan, "Miss Jian, you’re finally here!"

Jian Huan chuckled and pointed at the person behind Baili Dao. "How is he better already?"

Baili Dao: "My mother somehow got the recipe for the fragrance and had the old master prepare the antidote." He scratched his head, belatedly realizing something, and glanced between Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi, whom he had blocked. He quickly took a step back, his face reddening. "You two talk. I still have things to do. The steward will come to take you to my mother’s carriage later. We’ll sit together then."

After hurriedly explaining, Baili Dao strode away, glancing back every few steps and nearly bumping into a pillar.

Jian Huan: "..."

The two of them stood facing each other, momentarily at a loss for words.

Jian Huan lowered her head, her eyes blinking, and instinctively glanced at a certain part of him.

On the night they arrived in Luo'an City, after he had been afflicted by the Harmony Fragrance, when they were boarding the carriage, Jian Huan had been standing some distance away.

But cultivators have excellent eyesight, and she had seen something she probably shouldn’t have.

Now ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍it seemed the Harmony Fragrance had indeed been neutralized.

Jian Huan muttered to herself.

Shen Jizhi: "..."

Shen Jizhi: "...What are you looking at?"

Jian Huan quickly averted her gaze, looking up at the sky and then at the ground, flustered. "Nothing..."

Just then, the Baili family steward hurried over. Before he could speak, Jian Huan redirected the conversation, immediately scolding, "Your madam had the recipe all along. Why did she only give the antidote today?"

The steward was momentarily stunned and quickly bowed. "You misunderstand, miss. The antidote was just prepared. Madam Baili has been trying to contact Miss Ran Mu'er these past few days and only managed to get the recipe this evening."

Jian Huan’s eyes flickered. "Auntie contacted Ran Mu'er?"

"I don’t know the details," the steward said, gesturing forward. "Please follow me. Madam Baili said she would explain everything shortly."

Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi exchanged a glance and followed. After a moment, Jian Huan asked, "What about the spirit horse I brought back the other day?"

The steward was puzzled. "Wasn’t that Miss Ran Mu'er’s?"

Jian Huan shot him a look and firmly corrected him, "No, it’s mine."

Shen Jizhi, walking behind Jian Huan and the steward, added without blinking, "And mine."

"..." Jian Huan glanced back at him and quickly turned away, amending her statement to the steward. "It’s ours. Make sure it’s brought along."

The steward hesitated but ultimately said nothing, simply nodding.

Regardless of whose it was, it wasn’t his, so it didn’t matter.

The steward had already led Jian Huan a few steps ahead, but Shen Jizhi lingered behind.

His gaze lingered on the girl’s retreating figure, his eyelashes fluttering slightly at her choice of words.

In the past, she would have said, "It’s mine and his."

But now, she said.

Ours.

Jian Huan instinctively turned to look at him, slightly puzzled, and called out, "Shen Jizhi?"

He looked up, smiled, and followed. "Coming."

As they walked, Jian Huan continued to question the steward for more information, while Shen Jizhi listened, his thoughts drifting slightly.

If, in the future, he and Jian Huan were to marry, and if Ran Mu'er were still alive, perhaps they could invite her to the wedding.

Seven spirit horse carriages took off one after another, the agile horses galloping through the night clouds at incredible speed.

The wind howled, and though it was muffled by the high-quality spirit wood walls of the carriage, the sound still reached their ears clearly.

The interior of the carriage was as steady as solid ground. On the rosewood table were plates of candied fruits and a pot of steaming tea.

Madam Baili, slightly plump, knelt on the carpet around the table, nibbling on a piece of pastry.

Beside her, Baili Dao and his father sat stiffly, their wide eyes fixed on Madam Baili, waiting for an explanation.

Suddenly deciding to move the entire family, Baili Dao and his father were confused but had not opposed the decision. As soon as Madam Baili mentioned it, they began preparing.

Now, they wanted an explanation. Even if they weren’t the brightest, they could sense that Madam Baili was hiding something.

Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi sat in the corner near the carriage door, leaving most of the space to the three members of the Baili family.

After finishing her pastry and taking a sip of tea, Madam Baili wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and asked, "Dao'er, have you told Jian'er about this?"

Baili Dao nodded and briefly mentioned some arrangements for the household.

While they were discussing these matters, Jian Huan’s dark eyes fell on the table. She was about to get up and reach for the grapes that were a bit far from her, but as she rose, Shen Jizhi pulled her back.

Caught off guard, she half-fell into his arms and quickly glanced at Baili Dao and the others, whispering, "What are you doing?"

Shen Jizhi gave her a faint look, signaling her to sit properly, then reached out with his right hand and grabbed a large bunch of purple grapes, placing them on her lap.

As he leaned over, he whispered in her ear, "Jian Huan, in the future, if there’s something you want, can you call me first?"

Jian Huan was slightly stunned.

Shen Jizhi didn’t insist on an answer. After saying this, he straightened up and sat back, his eyes lowered, casually listening to the conversation of the Baili family.

Jian Huan, who had been sitting in a carefree manner, suddenly adjusted her posture, perhaps because of the bunch of grapes resting on her knees. She sat a little more demurely. Her thick lashes fluttered slightly as she carefully plucked a grape and glanced at Shen Jizhi before eating it gracefully.

She placed the grape skins in her other hand, intending to accumulate them and dissolve them with spiritual energy later. But in the next moment, a slender, bamboo-like hand reached out and opened itself before her.

Jian Huan tilted her head slightly, raising an eyebrow at him: "?"

Shen Jizhi gave her a meaningful look, leaving her to interpret it.

Jian Huan blinked, pondered for a moment, then plucked two large grapes from the bunch and placed them on his open palm.

Shen Jizhi stared at the two grapes, falling into silence: "..."

Jian Huan glanced at him again.

Was two not enough?

So she generously added a few more grapes to his hand.

Shen Jizhi: "..."

It seemed that they weren’t as in sync as he had thought.

He sighed silently, placing the grapes back on her lap.

Jian Huan: "?"

Shen Jizhi reached out, took her hand, gently opened her fingers, and collected the grape skins from her palm. With a casual wave, he turned the skins into dust and smoke.

Then he looked at her, giving her a look that said, *This is what I meant.*

Jian Huan: "..."

After eating a few more grapes, Baili Dao and the others finally finished their casual conversation.

Baili Dao nervously pursed his slightly thick lips and was the first to ask, "Mother, what’s going on?"

Madam Baili looked at her husband and son, her lips, similar to Baili Dao’s, pressing together tightly. Words that had been buried for too long came out with a tinge of bitterness: "I thought I could keep this from you forever..."

Madam Baili’s face showed a faint, bitter smile. There were too many secrets, and she didn’t know where to start.

After a long pause, she found the thread and turned to the middle-aged man with deep wrinkles between his brows, who had been silent for a long time. She began, "Baili, I’ve deceived you from the very beginning."

"My master wasn’t an unknown rogue cultivator," Madam Baili said, clutching a floral handkerchief tightly. "My master was Elder Yu of the Hundred Artifacts Sect. The lost Bodhi Pagoda—" She glanced at Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi, "was my master’s idea."

Jian Huan, fiddling with a grape in her hand, met Madam Baili’s gaze and shared what she had heard: "From what I’ve learned, Elder Yu fell into demonic ways..."

"Fell into demonic ways?" Madam Baili’s eyebrows shot up, and she spat out a vulgar curse. "That’s a load of nonsense!"

"My master would never fall into demonic ways," Madam Baili insisted through gritted teeth. "Others might not know, but we disciples knew him well. His world revolved solely around crafting artifacts. He would wake up and head straight to the forge, and when he was tired, he’d go back to sleep. He had no worldly ambitions—how could he have fallen into demonic ways? My master was framed! He was set up!"

As she spoke of this, hatred burned in her eyes, almost like flames. "When my master was accused, I was out on a training mission. By the time I heard about it, it was too late. My sect was branded as demonic, and the entire Nine Provinces Continent turned against us. I’ve had to live in hiding ever since."

Baili reached out and gently squeezed Madam Baili’s shoulder in silent comfort.

Baili Dao also called out, "Mother..."

"I’m fine," Madam Baili said, taking a deep breath to suppress the resentment she had carried for years. She patted her husband’s hand and turned to Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi. "You two are still young, and most of your time has been spent in the Jade Clarity Sect. The Jade Clarity Sect is a rare haven of peace, so you wouldn’t know."

Madam Baili’s words were filled with anguish: "The Nine Provinces Continent is already riddled with corruption, rotting from the inside, full of holes and decay!"

"There are many others like me, with similar stories. But we can’t speak out, we have no one to turn to—" Madam Baili waved her hands, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes, her expression sorrowful. "Because in the eyes of the world, they truly are demons. But we, who were close to them, can’t believe it... How could we? They weren’t like that..."

Madam Baili lowered her head, covering her face, her voice trembling slightly. "Ran Mu'er’s family is the same. She came to me this time to ask me to create a replica of the Bodhi Pagoda."

Jian Huan, who had been listening quietly, blurted out, "A replica?"

"Yes. Back when I was by my master’s side, I gained some understanding of the Bodhi Pagoda," Madam Baili said, having weathered many storms and now calm under the silent support of her husband and son. "Ran Mu'er’s brother has made contact with the demonic faction, and they’re demanding the Bodhi Pagoda..."

The demons wanted the Bodhi Pagoda.

The Bodhi Pagoda was an artifact crafted by her master. Despite opposition from his sect, Elder Yu had insisted on presenting it to the Nine Provinces’ Guardian Bureau, where it was jointly safeguarded by the major sects in the Nine Provinces’ Treasure Hall.

Not long after, her master died.

This had to be connected to the demons!

Madam Baili, who usually appeared kind and gentle, now wore a cold, murderous expression.

"According to our plan, Ran Mu'er would hand the replica to her brother, infiltrate the demonic faction, and investigate their activities. Meanwhile, she would take the real Bodhi Pagoda to the Jade Clarity Sect..."

Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi exchanged slightly surprised glances.

"To the Jade Clarity Sect? For whom?"

"Not for anyone in particular. It’s just safer to hide it within the Jade Clarity Sect’s territory," Madam Baili explained. "But Ran Mu'er has run into trouble."

She pinched the bridge of her nose, clenching her fists and pounding her thighs in frustration and regret. "The real Bodhi Pagoda was stolen... Ran Mu'er is currently gravely injured and unconscious, under Medicine Granny’s care. Medicine Granny informed me this afternoon, and I took the opportunity to ask her for the antidote formula for the Harmony Fragrance. That’s how she knew you were here and asked me to relay a message: she needs you to return to Approaching Immortal City. She has a request for you."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om