The snow gradually weakened, fine snowflakes drifting with the wind into an ancient, elegant courtyard.
The courtyard was hidden within a plum grove, red plum blossoms contrasting against the snow, surrounding the residence like a scene from a fairyland.
Yun Beiwang paced back and forth in the courtyard, occasionally glancing toward the entrance, his heart burning with anxiety.
By all accounts, Yun Xubai was due to return from his Tribulation Crossing in a month, and today was the final day.
If he hadn’t returned by the end of tonight, Yun Beiwang would have to go looking for him.
Finally, a streak of silver light shot into the courtyard, the bamboo curtain rustling slightly, and the wind chimes under the eaves ringing crisp and clear.
“He’s back.” The weight on Yun Beiwang’s heart finally settled, and he hurried inside to find Yun Xubai.
In the inner chamber, beneath the dim yellow lamplight, a man’s silhouette was cast upon the jade screen.
The man was dressed in white, as if he had returned riding the clouds and mist.
His chiffon shirt outlined a fine waistline under the light, the flowing cloud patterns at the hem cascading like luminous moonlight stretching for miles.
His long fingers tapped lightly against the edge of the jade screen, as if lost in thought.
“Brother Xu!”
The moment Yun Beiwang entered, he lunged at Yun Xubai for a “hug of love,” only to be ruthlessly grabbed by the back of his collar and pulled away.
The man’s voice was crisp and clear, the corners of his eyes slightly upturned, and he laughed in exasperation. “Alright, alright, if you’ve got the guts, choke me to death!”
Yun Beiwang wasn’t upset at being pulled away. “Brother Xu, did your Tribulation Crossing go smoothly?”
They were both of the White Peacock Clan, and Yun Xubai was their leader.
When a deity’s spiritual power in the mortal world reached a certain level, they had to undergo tribulations decreed by the Heavenly Dao.
“I couldn’t dodge the final heavenly thunder.” Yun Xubai rolled his neck, his tone light and casual.
His nonchalant demeanor made Yun Beiwang frantic. “Brother Xu, are you injured?”
Yun Xubai gave a faint acknowledgment. “My wing was broken. I’ve been recuperating for a month…”
“Let me take a look…” Yun Beiwang was a physician of profound spiritual power within the White Peacock Clan.
If Yun Xubai was injured, it was naturally his fault.
He hopped around in a panic, about to step forward to examine him, when he was sent flying by a surge of spiritual power.
The door closed, and Yun Xubai’s voice drifted out. “You want to watch me bathe too?”
Yun Beiwang lowered his head, his tone respectful. “I wouldn’t dare.”
He remembered catching the scent of a human on Yun Xubai earlier and wondered if someone had dared to lay hands on him.
Absolutely,
what nerve!
Yun Beiwang: (◣д◢)
…
The man emerged from his bath, the moisture on his body quickly dissipating. Wearing only a pair of white trousers, he stood by the window, appearing even purer than the snow in the courtyard.
He extended his hand, and a silver-white light gathered in his palm. Gradually, the Peacock Mark on his brow surfaced as well.
At the same time, Meng Qitang, who had already gone to sleep, suddenly felt a scorching heat at her wrist in her dreams.
She let out a soft murmur, on the verge of waking.
Yun Xubai abruptly withdrew his hand. His gaze dimmed slightly, his face betraying no discernible expression.
The man’s brows and eyes carried an innate coolness and languor, as if there was nothing in this mortal world worth clinging to.
And now, his only Peacock Plume had wound itself around the wrist of a strange woman, binding her to him in an inescapable connection.
Tsk,
what a hassle…
The snow fell all night, causing traffic jams in many places.
Early in the morning, the KM Research Center sent out a notice that all personnel would have the morning off.
Meng Qitang was roused by the knocking at her door, yet even after being woken from sleep, no hint of irritation showed on her face.
She sat up, dazed for a few seconds before going to answer the door.
Lin Linlin had gone to the research institute early in the morning, only to receive a notice from the director halfway there saying she didn’t need to come in.
Since she happened to pass by Meng Qitang’s apartment, she brought breakfast and came to find her.
“Team Leader Meng, you’re awake?” She set the things down, unceremoniously pulled out a chair, and sat at the dining table. “Come on, eat breakfast! I bought your favorite soup dumplings!”
“Thanks,” Meng Qitang had gone to bed late the night before and hadn’t slept soundly through the night, so she was especially drowsy upon waking.
She ate breakfast with her eyes closed, moving entirely on autopilot.
Lin Linlin watched her, amazed at her nonchalance. “You’re really not afraid I poisoned this?”
Meng Qitang’s temperament was too steady, as if there was nothing in the world that truly concerned her.
Her greatest hobbies were practicing calligraphy and fishing, occasionally doing tai chi or brewing tea.
To many people, her hobbies didn’t quite match her stunning appearance.
“Just don’t give me some poison that leaves me half-dead, please.” Meng Qitang preferred things clean and straightforward—anything too troublesome gave her a headache.
Lin Linlin laughed at her, tapping her forehead with her chopsticks. “I’d never hurt you, silly girl…”
Meng Qitang was her only close friend, and she couldn’t express how much she treasured that friendship.
“Don’t just focus on the buns—have some soy milk too, careful you don’t choke.” Lin Linlin handed her the soy milk, then suddenly remembered something and asked, “Tangtang, did you brush your teeth?”
The woman slowly opened her eyes, her amber irises clear and bright, the butterfly mark at the corner of her eye prominent, making her appear even more aloof.
“I haven’t…”
“Oh my god,” Lin Linlin feigned disgust, pushing her toward the bathroom. “Go brush your teeth right now—how can you even eat like that?”
Hearing her words, Meng Qitang immediately spat out the bite of bun she’d just taken.
Lin Linlin: …
No need to be that obedient.
…
While Meng Qitang was brushing her teeth, Lin Linlin leaned against the doorway watching her. “Tangtang, I heard that the White Peacock He Muchen was researching escaped last night?”
“He Muchen treasures that White Peacock so much—he never even lets anyone get near it. Now that it’s gone, he must be frantic…”
Lin Linlin’s tone was leisurely as she admired her freshly done nails.
Meng Qitang spat out the mouthwash and rolled up her sleeves to wash her face.
But the Peacock Mark on her wrist was exposed, and Lin Linlin’s sharp eyes caught it. “What’s that?”
“You didn’t have that before—how did this thing show up today?”
Meng Qitang blinked, not as flustered as Lin Linlin. “I don’t know how to explain this either…”
She held her wrist under the running water, proving it to Lin Linlin. “It won’t wash off.”
Lin Linlin looked up, staring at her for a few seconds. “Tangtang, this thing didn’t appear on your hand only after the White Peacock escaped last night, did it?”
Meng Qitang said nothing, just nodded.
“No,” Lin Linlin grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the door. “You can’t keep this thing—if He Muchen and Ruan Yi see it, who knows what kind of trouble it’ll cause…”
Halfway there, Meng Qitang grabbed onto the doorframe and refused to move.
Lin Linlin tugged a few times but couldn’t budge her. “Why did you stop?”
The woman pressed her lips together, looking a bit pitiful. “I’m wearing pajamas. Is it okay to go out like this?”
Meng Qitang asked her, “00, where are you taking me?”
“Go get that washed off, go to a tattoo shop.” Lin Linlin thought that keeping the Peacock Mark on her wrist would only bring trouble.
“…Alright.” Meng Qitang hadn’t thought of that solution yet.
The ring of Peacock Mark had appeared strangely, and the human figure that suddenly emerged from that mass of silver light last night was even stranger.
What baffled Meng Qitang the most was that after being blasted away by that light, she was completely unharmed.
How bizarre—had she seen a ghost?