Saintess Wants to Do Bad Things Together

The next day, at noon.

"Young Master You, the Saintess invites you to join her for lunch."

Yu Meng curtsied, her voice as soft and sweet as honey.

You Su shook his head and opened his eyes, recalling everything before he got drunk. Fortunately, he was well-behaved when drunk and did nothing out of line.

That flower wine was truly a rare delicacy; even after a hangover, it didn't leave one feeling dizzy or lightheaded, but rather quickly brought back to Qingming Festival.

"I was drunk last night, who brought me home?"

"It's me and my sister," Yu Meng replied respectfully.

You Su stood up. His black robe, made of precious silk, was smooth as flowing water and was now askew, revealing most of his firm chest. Yu Meng glanced at it, her pretty face flushed, and she quickly lowered her head, not daring to look any longer.

Just then, You Su's stomach rumbled at an inopportune moment. He had slept until noon and was feeling quite hungry.

"What if I said I wasn't feeling well and just ate something in my bedchamber?"

"The Saintess will likely feel remorse for a long time."

You Su sighed softly and said:

"Then please lead the way, Miss Yu Meng."

Yu Meng raised her head and smiled sweetly, saying, "Young Master You, please don't rush. You haven't washed up yet. Yu Long is all ready. Please follow me."

After washing up and tidying her clothes, You Su quickly went out, not daring to keep her master waiting too long.

Ji Xueruo, also dressed in a black brocade dress, was outside her palace. She watched the young man's hurried figure from afar, a question arising in her mind.

But she didn't press You Su for answers, because she also had an urgent appointment to keep.

Ji Xueruo, who doesn't like wearing makeup, is now stunningly beautiful with just a touch of powder on her face.

The reason she was invited to the banquet was because the person who invited her was Yu Mingzhen, the only son of the head of the Jade Ring Pool family.

When You Su returned to the Little Pond Palace, he learned that it was the exclusive palace of the Saintess and a forbidden area of the Little Pond Palace Jade Ring Pool where no one was allowed to trespass without permission.

It was the same reception room as last night, where Yu Die had been waiting for a long time. She looked at the person who came in with a jade-like face and black robe, whose eyebrows and eyes were like flowers blooming on branches.

"Your Saintess, I've kept you waiting." You Su bowed respectfully.

"Young Master You, please take a seat. It was Yu Die's excessive drinking last night that caused you to stay up late. It's only right that I wait a little longer."

You Su sat down and gave an awkward laugh. "I never expected that after I advised the Saintess to drink less, I would be the one who got drunk first. You Su has embarrassed herself."

Yu Die covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Young Master You has simply fallen into my trap. To be able to drink two full jugs of Flower Immortal Drunk on your first try is already quite impressive."

"Trap?"

Could it be that Yu Die didn't drink any wine at all last night? But when the two clinked glasses later, You Su clearly smelled the alcohol on her.

"It's called celestial brew, but it's really just wine. Although Young Master You has cultivation, this is your first time drinking it, while Yu Die, though a mortal, has relied on it to get through countless days and nights. In Jade Ring Pool, there are very few who can drink Flower Immortal Drunk can outdrink me. So it's not shameful for Young Master You to be outdrink me."

You Su suddenly realized that the wine from last night was extremely mellow, even ordinary people could drink it, and it wouldn't be surprising if people developed a tolerance for alcohol after drinking it for a long time. She just never expected that an eighteen-year-old girl with no cultivation would have grown up in a wine vat.

"Drawing a sword to cut water only makes it flow more, and drinking to drown sorrows only makes them worse. The Saintess Maiden is so young; it would be best if she avoided alcohol."

"Young Master You, like other men, loves to lecture."

Upon hearing this, You Su felt somewhat embarrassed. The sage said that men have two great hobbies, one of which is to persuade prostitutes to reform themselves. Although it was said in jest, it also shows that men always think highly of themselves and like to criticize others' choices.

"I was just saying it offhand; the Saintess can just You Su nonsense."

Yu Die had absolutely no intention of embarrassing You Su; she smiled and said:

"No, although Yu Die never listens to the patriarchs' lectures, it's different with Young Master You. Yu Die will listen to what you say."

You Su didn't understand what she meant, but suppressed her flattery and waited for Yu Die to continue.

"Because their preaching was of far less help to me than a cup of wine; but Young Master You is different, your help to Yu Die is far greater than a cup of wine. Last night's story was full of ups and downs, and I enjoyed it very much, as if I had experienced it myself. Although Yu Die was not drunk last night, she was already intoxicated by it. To express my gratitude, I toast Young Master You."

As she spoke, she pushed aside the exquisite jade wine glass beside her and exclaimed:

"Since Young Master You has instructed me to drink less alcohol, then please remove the wine from our Young Master You and replace it with juice from the Silver Pulp Fruit."

The surrounding maids obeyed the order, replied "Yes," and then removed the wine cups from the two of them.

You Su was slightly taken aback, not expecting that such a short story could captivate the Saintess of the Pool. She replied:

"Saintess. There's no need for that."

"Young Master You is not a fish in the water, so how can you understand the joy of fish?" Yu Die looked at the spirit fish that had become a butcher on the plate, her expression wistful.

"Saintess, this is merely a transaction," You Su solemnly reminded her.

Given his personality, it was truly unbelievable that things turned out that way last night; he still finds it somewhat unbelievable when he thinks back on it.

"That's right, it's a transaction." Yu Die raised her eyes, her gaze clear and bright. She seemed completely unaffected by You Su's deliberate attempt to distance himself. She added, "It's time for me to give back. Young Master You, please ask whatever you wish."

Upon hearing this, You Su pondered for a while. He had countless questions about this mysterious Jade Ring Pool, but when asked to start from the beginning, he didn't know what to ask.

"May I ask, Saintess... why does Jade Ring Pool choose to live in seclusion?"

"So Young Master You is indeed most concerned about this issue as well." Yu Die smiled, picked up her bamboo chopsticks, and invited, "Young Master You, we'll be having grilled fish for lunch today. Jade Ring Pool has more than just White Dragon Carp; there are many other fish that are quite delicious. You can eat while I tell you about them."

You Su nodded and began to savor the half of the spirit fish on the table, which was roasted to a crispy golden brown. The texture was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, but the tender fish meat under the skin was not bland at all; on the contrary, it was extremely flavorful.

He had not witnessed the beauty of the Jade Ring Pool with his own eyes, but the food there was certainly to his liking.

"It's actually quite similar to what's been rumored outside," the Yu Die Saintess suddenly spoke. "The Jade Ring Pool has always remained radiant, and even we, the people of the Jade Ring Pool, have always believed that it would forever be filled with profound Mystic Qi. But in reality, the Jade Ring Pool has long been overburdened. Too much unrestrained consumption, coupled with the hospitable hospitality of the people of the Jade Ring Pool, has caused the very foundation of the Jade Ring Pool to wither. People have been deceived by its beautiful appearance, immersed in its splendor, and have not noticed anything amiss. Only the Saintess, as the projection of the Jade Ring Pool onto the mortal world, has sensed the abnormality."

"The problems of Jade Ring Pool also manifested in her; her body gradually decayed, and her cultivation level plummeted uncontrollably. To die a worthy death, she sacrificed her life to forcibly activate the pool's protective array and halt all Jade Ring Pool activities. The clan leaders ventured deep into the lake's heart and discovered this was indeed the case, which is why they began to live in seclusion. However, after more than fifty years of maintenance, Jade Ring Pool is gradually recovering, and it is believed that it won't be long before the day comes when Jade Ring Pool reopens its doors."

Yu Die spoke slowly, but when she talked about her vision for the future, her tone was not excited, but rather tinged with sadness.

With keen perception, You Su said, "So it's precisely because the core of the Jade Ring Pool is depleted... that the Saintess is a mortal who cannot Channel Opening?"

Yu Die smiled and said, "Young Master You is astute. Not only am I not a mortal, but the previous Saintess was also a mortal."

You Su nodded slightly, which explained why the Yu Die Saintess was so saddened. Other Saintess at least had cultivation to rely on, but she was born in the most unfortunate time, not only trapped here unable to leave, but also destined to be a mediocre mortal.

"How many generations of Saintess have there been in these fifty-four years?"

"She is the seventy-ninth generation, and I am the eighty-first," Yu Die replied calmly, without a trace of sadness.

You Su was secretly alarmed. If there was only a generation between them, wouldn't that mean that Saintess without cultivation wouldn't live past her thirties at most?

"The Saintess are symbols of the changing of the Jade Ring Pool, so most of them have short lives. When Saintess's beauty begins to fade, that is when she is destined to die." Yu Die seemed to know what You Su was thinking and provided him with the answer.

If a saintess has cultivation to rely on, Saintess aging will be slowed down. Although her lifespan is short, that is relative to immortals of the same realm. She will not be like Yu Die, who, like an ordinary woman, begins to age and lose her beauty in her thirties.

"Everyone has their own destiny in this life, Saintess, there's no need to be sad," You Su comforted her.

"That is so. Though my life is short, I should still strive for a brilliant one." Yu Die put down her chopsticks and gazed firmly into You Su's eyes.

Just then, the maid who had gone to get the wine returned, holding a jar of silvery-white fruit wine. She poured a cup for each of them, the aroma of which was sweet and refreshing.

"Alright, Young Master You, let's not talk about such heavy things. Isn't enjoying the delicious food right now the most important thing to do?"

Yu Die raised her cup high, You Su also raised her cup to clink it against the air.

"That's right."

The Little Pond Palace got its name from a small pond within the palace that was specifically separated from the Jade Ring Pool.

Having a portion of the Jade Ring Pool to herself is a privilege reserved for the Saintess; no one else may set foot in this small pool except for her. Even the three heads of the major families have no right to monopolize even an inch of the Jade Ring Pool.

You Su stood obediently on the rocky slab by the pool, while Yu Die sat by the pool like a carefree young girl, kicking her feet back and forth on the surface, splashing ripples.

Her arches were beautiful and flowing, her toes were pinkish-white, and they appeared even more translucent after being touched by the water. Colorful fish swam in the small pond, attracted by her beautiful feet, and circled around her submerged feet, forming a colorful flower.

A ticklish sensation, like fish pecking at the soles of her feet, made Yu Die giggle. No one but the Saintess Yu Die dared to 'wash her feet' in this sacred Jade Ring Pool.

"Young Master You, are you really not coming down? Please trust Yu Die, I won't tell anyone."

The usually well-mannered Yu Die Saintess, now back in her own world, finally showed some of the playfulness that comes with her age.

"You Su is tainted by the dust of the world, then he will not defile the Jade Ring Pool."

To think that a grown man like myself, who practices swordsmanship every day, wouldn't be lucky if my feet didn't smell, let alone wash them in the lake that over a thousand people depend on for their livelihood, would be truly immoral.

"Is Young Master You saying that the Yu Die is so clean that it doesn't matter?"

Yu Die kicked again, sending water splashing in the air in a perfect arc.

"The Saintess and the Jade Ring Pool are one, so there's no need to avoid these things."

The girl withdrew her foot, stood up barefoot, and smiled sweetly:

"Where would you say that? Yu Die is just a mortal; she also needs to cleanse herself of impurities. Sometimes, after eating too much grilled fish..."

She seemed to just remember what she was going to say, lowered her head, somewhat embarrassed, and didn't continue.

You Su immediately understood her meaning: no matter how beautiful someone is, as long as they are a mortal, their excrement won't smell sweet...

You Su chuckled inwardly. This Saintess was actually quite adorably sincere. Her unrestrained speech seemed to completely disregard her status as Saintess, recklessly ruining her image in other people's eyes.

"Saintess, what do you need my help with this time?"

You Su did not forget the deal.

"To do bad things, of course you have to do it with others. Young Master You is unwilling to wash his feet in the water, then please do something else for me."

"Something bad?" You Su hesitated.

"Don't worry, Young Master You, the family heads actually approve of it, so it's not really a bad thing." Yu Die took a stack of fish food from the maid and said:

"The White Dragon Carp is a unique fish species found only in Jade Ring Pool. For generations, they have roamed the pond, like the Saintess who have guarded this great Jade Ring Pool. But in truth, the White Dragon Carp is a very brave and mystical fish; otherwise, they wouldn't be given this name. They also yearn for the world outside the pond. When I was very young, I thought that although I couldn't leave, I could let the fish go. So, I had my maids catch a White Dragon Carp and release it. When I saw its graceful figure eagerly swimming into Jade Ring Lake, I felt as if my body had left Jade Ring Pool with it. I was very happy, but the White Dragon Carp is very precious to Jade Ring Pool, and I cannot be reckless. Every five years, I only release one. The three heads of the family know this, yet they indulge my willfulness."

"And today is the day I save the fourth White Dragon Carp!" Yu Die sprinkled specially made fish food onto the surface of the pond at her feet, her eyes blazing with excitement. "This is the White Dragon Carp's favorite food, and they will swarm in soon! Young Master You is highly skilled in martial arts, and I want you to help me catch the biggest White Dragon Carp! I want it to see the vast world outside!"

You Su was slightly taken aback. Sure enough, a loud splashing sound came from the surface of the pond. Nearly a hundred white fish, which had been hiding in the deep pool, parted the clear waves and swam swiftly toward the small pond.

"May I ask, Saintess, is there a secret passage connecting the Jade Ring Pool and Jade Ring Lake at the bottom of the lake?"

This question didn't seem like a secret, Yu Die didn't hide anything. "There was indeed a secret passage a long time ago, but it was blocked by the family heads fifty-four years ago to prevent the pool water from flowing away. Now, these are two independent lakes that are not connected to each other. Why does Young Master You ask this?"

Is it blocked?

But today is the day the Saintess releases the White Dragon Carp...

What about the White Dragon Carp that I encountered deep within Jade Ring Lake the other day, which had cultivated a divine soul? Did it grow legs and cross the surrounding mountains on its own? Or did someone else release it?

You Su vaguely sensed that this problem was not simple; beneath the seemingly peaceful Jade Ring Pool lay unseen, turbulent undercurrents.

"Young Master You! They're here! I've already answered one of your questions for free, now you have to catch the biggest fish for me!"

Yu Die shouted excitedly, her exposed fair skin flushed crimson with her high spirits.

You Su snapped out of her daze, put the question to herself, and with a flash of sword light, the Ink Pine Sword was already drawn from its sheath.

"Young Master You! Please don't hurt them!" Yu Die called out with concern.

"I know what I'm doing."

You Su calmed his mind and used his Divine Sense to closely observe the movements of each fish. Thanks to the Mystic Qi in the body of the White Dragon Carp, their forms appeared even more real to You Su.

"Saintess, throw the fish food at the biggest one. When it leaps, I'll catch it in one fell swoop."

"But... I'm afraid I won't be able to throw it accurately, why don't you try it yourself..."

Yu Die lowered her eyes and brows, her fingers curling up unwillingly, so nervous that she forgot to say the humble "this humble servant".

You Su held the sword to his chest and laughed:

"Yu Die Saintess, didn't you say that doing bad things requires teamwork? How can it be called teamwork if you don't participate?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Die was stunned for a moment, then suddenly her face lit up with a smile, her joy overflowing. She looked at the blind boy waiting with his sword beside her, her eyes deep and thoughtful.

She could sense that even without a deal, You Su would help her fulfill her willful wish to do 'bad things' together. It was as if she had found an ally for the first time in this lonely world, and she even felt a slight urge to cry.

Without further hesitation, she grabbed the fish food and vigorously threw it at a White Dragon Carp at the head of the school.

That move was extremely precise.

As if sensing something, the White Dragon Carp surface split open, and several silvery-white White Dragon Carp leaped out of the water. Their six- or seven-foot-long bodies were fully revealed in mid-air, their white scales reflecting the dazzling sunlight, making them almost impossible to look at directly.

Undeterred by the bright light, You Su leaped out of the shadows and used the Ruyi Wind-Controlling Technique to take a few steps through the air. When he was exhausted, he actually stepped onto the fish body suspended in mid-air!

Using the fish as stepping stones, he leaped up and instantly caught the White Dragon Carp that jumped the highest!

Yu Die watched the boy's unbelievably graceful movements, her pure eyes shining brightly.

Old Yu leaned against the fishing boat that had been his companion for many years.

He didn't go fishing on the lake today. Ever since he lost the motivation to earn money for his granddaughter's medical treatment, he has become somewhat lax about fishing.

He had been fishing for fifty years, yet he knew nothing about this lake. To this day, he even wondered if he shouldn't be the exception, and if it was because he had taken too many fish lives in Jade Ring Lake that his granddaughter had suffered such undeserved retribution, turning into that monster.

Fortunately, the immortal masters at Jade Ring Pool will save Little Xiao Yu and even take Xiao Yu in as a disciple. Even being a servant inside is much better than him being out there exposed to the elements...

"Old Yu! Help!"

Old Yu frowned, looking at the newcomer.

Three people were carrying a water vat with its lid closed, hurrying anxiously toward the fishing boat.

"What's going on?" Old Yu asked impatiently, a hint of unease in his voice.

"Old Yu! Please take me to the Jade Ring Pool to find a sage to save my life! My wife... she's sick!"

As he spoke, he opened the lid of the water tank.

Old Yu only glanced into the water tank, and was immediately so frightened that he collapsed to the ground...