Courting Disaster

“Cousin, it seems you’ve grown even more ruthless since we last met. Your methods of killing are truly something to behold. I must say, you have my admiration,” Yun Feiyue said as she began to slip past him.

Avoiding her cousin whenever possible was a basic rule of survival—an essential principle of life.

The saying goes, cousins are natural adversaries. And the notion that she wasn’t afraid of being beaten by him? Impossible.

Yun Feng shielded Yun Feiyue. “Let’s go, Yue’er.”

As Yun Feiyue sidled away, she caught sight of Le Fei. His own battle had ended; he’d defeated his opponent flawlessly and now flashed a dazzling, irresistible smile.

“As my very first enemy, Yun Feiyue, having enjoyed my protection, don’t you think you owe me some compensation?” Le Fei approached her, deep blue hair falling messily across his brow, laughter dancing at the corners of his eyes, shining with a free and sunny charm.

Little Mumu yawned, his voice soft and childish. “I’ll let you be one of my mother’s suitors. If you have the ability to win her over, you’re more than welcome. But make sure you survive until the Forest of Phoenix Heaven.”

Le Fei grinned, revealing eight gleaming white teeth. “Is that so? And what if I refuse?”

Yun Feiyue drew a deep breath, steadying herself.

She turned her head away from Le Fei and walked toward the Yun family residence. Yet Le Fei trailed close behind. “Hey, since we’re enemies, can’t we negotiate properly?”

“Can’t you just give it a rest?” Yun Feiyue crossed her arms over her chest, raised her chin, and shot Le Fei a sideways, disdainful glance.

After sizing him up, her gaze lifted to the nearby mansions. “If you want a decisive battle, wait for the Tianwu Rankings. If you don’t want to be my enemy, stay quiet.”

Le Fei shrugged and slung the huge blade—which had never been drawn—back across his shoulders.

“In any case, when the Tianwu Rankings begin, I will hunt Yun Feiyue. If anyone wishes to join me, feel free to contact me. You can assist, and I’ll do the killing while you sit back and watch the show.”

With that, Le Fei narrowed his eyes in a grin, then vanished into the night with several swift leaps.

Yun Feng glared after him, dissatisfied. “That guy is looking for death!”

“Third Brother, don’t waste your energy on people like him. He’s not our real target.”

Yun Feng nodded slightly, saying nothing. Little Mumu clung to Yun Feiyue’s neck, murmuring, “Mother, that presence hasn’t faded yet!”

Yun Feiyue patted his head, offering no response. People from the Ghost Path were like bedbugs—where there was one, there were many. Whatever cultivation method they practiced made them nearly impossible to eradicate, as stubborn as cockroaches.

“It doesn’t matter. Just act as if they don’t exist at all.”

With that, they slipped through the endless night and returned safely to the Yun residence.

That night, the moon was cold and clear. A figure clad in snow-white robes stood atop the highest point of the Abyss, moonlight bathing his entire being, as if draped in a luminous cloak. With his eyes half closed, every inky lash was distinct and elegant.

Behind him stood a woman of flawless form, her lips curved in a subtle smile, her unblinking gaze fixed on Mo Feiyuan.

Only when Mo Feiyuan finally rose did she speak. “The Gongsun family has been destroyed. The Nangong family won’t last much longer. Beichen Yi, that madman, hasn’t followed the plan. The peace you desired may be lost.”

Mo Feiyuan’s face was expressionless as he slowly opened his eyes, a glacial indifference in his gaze. “The useless deserve to be abandoned.”

Mo Mei parted her lips, hesitated, then said, “It was that woman—Yun Feiyue—who ruined everything. She could have saved the Gongsun family… Your Majesty, you know she’s a disaster waiting to happen. Why haven’t you executed her? Isn’t it best to eliminate such unpredictable variables?”

Damn, Yun Feiyue shifted slightly in her sleep; this woman truly was trouble. She’d have to deal with her one day.

A sharp slap landed on Mo Mei’s face. Not from Yun Feiyue, of course, but from some mysterious figure.

A child’s voice spoke up, “Mo Mei, your courage grows by the day.”

Mo Mei looked up to see a vast shadow in the moonlight.

“You dare lay a hand on me, You Tong?”

“And so I have. What of it? You speak so lightly of executing the future Queen—do you not know your place? I, You Tong, am ranked sixth. Why shouldn’t I teach you a lesson? If you wish to be His Majesty’s woman, you should learn some humility. Your talents have already reached their limit.” The voice remained sweet and childish, but the figure was nothing more than a massive shape in the shadows.

Yun Feiyue had just drifted into sleep, but old memories kept her restless, compelling her to turn back—and so she witnessed the scene.

Little Mumu blinked obediently and lay low, saying nothing.

Though Yun Feiyue didn’t fully understand what they were discussing or who was protecting her, she sensed the tension.

“I—I was chosen by the gods… except for me—” Mo Mei bit her lip, but dared not continue.

Mo Feiyuan’s lips curled into a faint, icy smile—a rare expression that seemed both discordant and terrifying. Mo Mei bowed her head.

“Chosen by the gods? My woman?” Mo Feiyuan countered.

Mo Mei, questioned so coldly, lacked the courage to answer or even protest. Though she was indeed the one appointed by the gods to be Mo Feiyuan’s woman.

Mo Feiyuan chuckled softly. “Enough. Don’t repeat those words again.”

“The gods will be angered!” Mo Mei suddenly shouted, her pent-up frustration erupting. “Don’t you know what she really is? She wasn’t invisible to the gods before—after her soul lamp went out, she suddenly became someone even the gods can’t see. Don’t you find that strange?”

With a whoosh, You Tong landed another slap—this time, Mo Mei dodged it.

She stepped aside, straightening her posture. “Regardless, I am the ninth chosen lord, divinely appointed to assist you. I will not let you stray. Your Majesty, everything I do is for your own good. Only I am truly sincere toward you. You Tong, Mo Twelve—they’re all mere upstarts from the Eye Wheel Realm’s remote regions, their time with you is fleeting. Can you really tell who’s genuine?”

“You dare speak ill of me to my face?” You Tong sneered.

Mo Feiyuan withdrew his gaze, offering no comment. He simply said to Mo Mei, “You know what to do.”

Mo Mei pressed her lips together and, after a long silence, bowed her head. “I understand.”

“Leave,” Mo Feiyuan said coldly.