The One You Used This to Deceive My Sister With? (Bonus Chapter for Hu Tao Loves Me, 6k)

"White Dragon Carp! It's White Dragon Carp!"

Chen Shen leaned over the edge of the boat, watching the flash of white light beneath the fishing boat, and shouted excitedly.

For fishermen from outside the area, the excitement of seeing the legendary White Dragon Carp was enough to temporarily overshadow his worry about his wife's imminent death.

Old Yu, however, no longer had the same high spirits he had when he last saw it. He looked at the White Dragon Carp speeding towards the edge of the lake with a somewhat solemn expression.

Even in the stories passed down from generation to generation, there has never been a case of seeing two White Dragon Carp in a short period of time.

What puzzled him even more was why this one, which was the same size as the one he had caught the day before, didn't attack the fishing boat.

What was the purpose of that White Dragon Carp, which had already been gutted, attacking the fishing boat...?

Old Yu's cloudy eyes suddenly gleamed with a sharp light. This elderly man's mind, like his arms that rowed the boat, was still full of vitality. A strong intuition shot straight to his head!

That fish came for that Young Master Xu!

Just then, the boat subtly shifted its course. Chen Shen, holding the fish tank where his wife was, was completely unaware.

But Old Yu was different. He was the most experienced fisherman on Jade Ring Lake, and his keen sense of water flow made all the other fishermen pale in comparison.

Now, he could clearly feel that the fishing boat was caught in a whirlpool, a whirlpool from which there was no escape!

Old Yu's face was extremely pale. He paddled desperately, trying to escape the underwater currents.

"Chen Shen! Throw all the heavy objects off the ship! Quickly!"

Chen Shen, bewildered and still shaken, looked at the old man who seemed to have gone mad, and quickly got up to do as he was told.

But it was as if there were two invisible giant hands in the water, firmly gripping the hull and forcing it to drift with the current.

Chen Shen also sensed something was wrong. The purpose of reducing weight was to prepare for the escape, but everything that could be thrown off the ship had already been thrown overboard...

He looked at the only remaining heavy object on the boat—a water vat filled with water, in which lay his wife, whose half-body had transformed into a fish tail.

His expression suddenly turned fierce, and his hands gripped the rim of the vat tightly.

"If you're going to throw her away, you should go into the water with me. That way, I might be able to escape."

An aged and chilling voice drifted over, and Old Yu had already given up struggling.

He then realized that the legacy of Jade Ring Pool was no longer in his hands. He would be swallowed up by this great lake, just like the fishermen who had mysteriously disappeared in Jade Ring Lake.

He took a puff of his pipe and calmly exhaled a smoke ring.

"Born in this lake, I will also die in this lake..."

"Young Master You, what question do you wish to ask this time?"

Yu Die wiped the sweat from her forehead with her arm. She was breathing heavily, but her face was flushed.

"Young Master You has helped me a great deal. Whatever you want to ask, I will tell you!"

The lucky White Dragon Carp was transported from the Little Pond Palace to the dock where You Su landed. Although You Su did most of the work, Yu Die insisted on following along for a long distance, which seemed a bit strenuous for her, as she was not used to going out.

You Su stared blankly in the direction where the White Dragon Carp had disappeared. These White Dragon Carp, having left the Jade Ring Pool, would face an even more dangerous world.

They might die on their way out of their 'home', or they might find a place in the outer waters only to attract even greater covetousness. In the end, how many White Dragon Carp can truly live a better life than those in Jade Ring Pool?

"Is it really a good thing for it to go out and see a bigger world...?"

You Su's soft murmur made Yu Die's joy falter, and she also looked at the vast line where the sky met the lake.

She quickly recovered and her smile lingered long afterward.

"Rather than die meekly in a small pond, I would rather be a fish that swims north in the morning and rests in the east in the evening, even if I die the next day, I will have no regrets. I released the White Dragon Carp according to my own will. Young Master You may call me hypocritical, but if it stays here, isn't it destined to be eaten anyway? Besides, Yu Die... was never a perfect person to begin with."

As she finished speaking, she turned to look at You Su, a playful smile on her face. She seemed to never care about her image; even with her perfect appearance, she frankly admitted her imperfections.

"No one is perfect, You Su didn't mean that." You Su bowed slightly in apology.

"Let's go back, Young Master You." Yu Die smiled serenely, unconcerned, and lifted her skirt to walk barefoot onto the wooden path.

You Su followed behind, remained silent for a while, and then asked the question he wanted to ask:

"Saintess, it is said that the dragon carp is miraculous and can refine the soul. Are you just going to let it go like this? Aren't you afraid that it might become Divine Beast in the future? That would be a considerable loss."

"No, perhaps it's due to the influence of the Jade Ring Pool. We haven't seen White Dragon Carp capable of refining the soul for a hundred years."

?

As the sun set, Ji Xueruo returned to her palace. The four handsome young men who had been sent to serve her had long been replaced by four beautiful young women.

"Miss Ji, would you like to have your meal first, or would you like to take a bath first?"

She concealed the strange look in her eyes well, offered no answer, and silently walked inside.

When she suggested to Yu Zhen Master Yu Zhen politely declined, saying that the servants were all part of the palace and could not be replaced individually.

But the eldest young master solved her problem with just a simple sentence.

The eldest son, as the son of the head of the Jade Ring Pool family, possessed extraordinary strength and gentlemanly demeanor. This not only changed her view of men but also made her realize that not all humans were utterly despicable.

Most importantly, Yu Mingzhen agreed to her request for the Lotus Root Heart. The price wasn't difficult either; he only wanted to exchange it for the blood of the Snake Ancestor from the Snake Blood Pool. The Snake Ancestor's blood wasn't nearly as miraculous as humans thought, so this deal would only bring her snake clan a profit.

With the Lotus Root Heart, she could complete the mission issued by the Golden Peng Clan Star Zhao Divine Mountain in the Eastern Ying Continent and become a guest of honor of the Golden Peng Clan. The Golden Peng Clan has great power in the Divine Mountain, and with their support, it would greatly help the Snake Clan's future return to Star Zhao Divine Mountain.

Ji Xueruo's heart was filled with emotion. She seemed to see the day when the snake clan would be revived, when they would once again set foot on the land of the sacred mountain, enjoying boundless glory.

The water in the bathtub covered her delicate collarbone, and in the shimmering light, her alluring body was faintly visible beneath the surface. Her flawless, white skin appeared even more seductive in the hazy steam.

"Miss Ji, I've come to add some medicinal herbs for you."

The maid in the green dress carried a basket of various medicinal herbs. Her name was Yu Qing, and she was the highest-ranking of the four maids.

Ji Xueruo nodded in agreement, and Yu Qing carefully placed the medicinal herbs into the water one by one. The flint under the bath seemed to become even more powerful, giving the soup a warm and comfortable feeling.

Yu Qing knew that this mistress was difficult to serve and was very cold to people. After she finished what she was supposed to do, she was about to leave respectfully, but this dignified and noble young woman called her back.

"Didn't Yu Mingzhen send an invitation to tonight's banquet?"

Yu Qing was taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied with a smile:

"Miss Ji, don't worry, I will inform you as soon as the young master has made an invitation."

"Yes, thank you for your trouble."

Ji Xueruo said it casually, but to Yu Qing, it sounded like she was trying to hide her disappointment at not receiving an invitation.

Yu Qing thought to herself, "As expected, my young master's charm is truly extraordinary. He can even make this ice-cold girl less cold." She imagined the two of them standing together, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a very well-matched couple.

She actually mustered up her courage and cautiously probed:

"Miss Ji, what kind of person do you think my eldest son is?"

Ji Xueruo her overstepping her bounds. Her face, hidden behind the rising steam, pondered for a moment before offering her sincere assessment:

"A gentleman as fine as jade, unparalleled in the world. Young Master Yu Mingzhen is accomplished in both appearance and martial arts. If Jade Ring Pool had not secluded himself from the world, he would undoubtedly be a renowned prodigy in the Central Yuan Continent."

"That's a very high compliment."

Yu Qing thought of the eldest young master's handsome appearance, which seemed like an immortal reincarnation, and felt honored to hear Ji Xueruo's praise.

"These are all my honest opinions, and anyone else would have given the same evaluation."

Yu Qing smiled sweetly, "If the young master heard Miss Ji speak of him in this way, he would surely be very happy."

Ji Xueruo blushed instantly. She sat up straight in the water, the water cascading down her collarbone.

"No, don't tell your young master..."

Is she shy...?

Yu Qing's smile deepened. It seemed that what the old woman had said was true: even the most chaste and noble horse on the Northern Ao Grassland would one day be tamed. If not, then it was simply because it hadn't met the right person yet.

"Miss Ji, rest assured, I know what I'm doing."

Of course, Yu Qing wouldn't go around gossiping about these private matters. This Miss Ji was now her master, and with just a casual remark, she could easily take Yuqing's head.

Besides, in her opinion, she was overjoyed that an outsider shared her appreciation for her young master's unparalleled talent, and she would never deliberately tease Miss Ji.

"Hmm... these were just casual conversations, they don't count." Ji Xueruo lowered her head, her expression becoming even more insincere.

Yu Qing gave her a knowing look. She had intended to leave, but she felt a growing sense of closeness with Miss Ji. She decided to strike while the iron was hot and asked:

"Miss Ji, you must be Yu Qing. How about I give you a shoulder massage?"

Ji Xueruo a moment before slowly nodding.

Yu Qing was overjoyed. Yesterday, when Miss Ji was bathing in the hot spring, she hadn't even been allowed in, but now she was allowed to touch her. This was probably all thanks to the eldest young master, who had made this aloof girl begin to let go of her resentment towards the Jade Ring Pool...

Yu Qing knelt behind Ji Xueruo. Her technique was extremely skillful. She used her profound qi, cultivated at the Channel Opening Mystic Qi, to massage Ji Xue Ruo's shoulders, making her feel very comfortable.

From her perspective, Ji Xueruo had just been blushing, had returned to normal. Her eyes and brows were clear-headed, like a venomous snake lurking among the leaves, waiting to strike.

The mountains, water, and people of Jade Ring Pool are all beautiful. The food, clothing, and accommodations are all exquisite. Everything is so beautiful it's like a fleeting, ethereal bubble.

And everyone here is telling her to just enjoy the beauty of Jade Ring Pool; they all hope she can fall into this dream and never wake up.

But the monster Xiao Yu that Old Yu hid in the fish cellar was like a thorn that couldn't be pulled out of a finger, preventing her from immersing herself in it.

She traveled a long way to get here, and since her younger sister is already capable of handling things on her own, she will never back down easily.

She was determined to get that Lotus Root Heart no matter what.

Today is the third day since I arrived at Jade Ring Pool.

The weather at Jade Ring Pool always seems to be this good; the unchanging bright sunshine is a special gift from the sky to this sacred place.

A small boat drifted on the Jade Ring Pool. Ji Xueruo sat at the stern of the boat. The colorful lotus flowers were within reach, but she did not presumptuously reach out, as serene as a black lotus flower.

The noble young man standing silently at the bow of the ship was handsome and had an unparalleled air about him, yet he did not give off a sharp or aggressive vibe. Instead, he was as calm and gentle as the spiritual pool beneath the ship. Even the most demanding female cultivator could not find any fault with him.

He is Yu Mingzhen, the only son of Venerable Chengtao, the master of Jade Ring Pool.

The eldest young master had already reached the Water Condensing Lower Realm at the age of forty, possessing unparalleled talent. Everyone in Jade Ring Pool unanimously believed that if Jade Ring Pool hadn't secluded itself from the world, which had prevented the eldest young master from gaining fame, his reputation as a prodigy alone would have elevated Jade Ring Pool's reputation to a whole new level.

"Miss Ji, do you know why the lotus flowers in Jade Ring Pool have five kinds of heavenly beauty?" Yu Mingzhen's voice was as smooth as jade, and his laughter was as gentle as a breeze.

In Jade Ring Pool, there are five colors of lotus flowers: white, blue, red, purple, and yellow. Each of them has a completely different meaning and alternative name.

Ji Xueruo replied, "It's probably because the sap in the petals is a different color; in the mortal world, flower sap is often used to dye clothes."

"Miss Ji even knows about mortal affairs?" Yu Mingzhen seemed somewhat surprised. "Miss Ji is right, but this flower juice has a source. At the bottom of Jade Ring Pool, where these precious lotuses take root, the soil in the water is five-colored. This Five-Colored Soil is the most important thing in Jade Ring Pool besides the pond water. The lotus flowers and lotus roots also grow by taking root in the Five-Colored Soil."

"Jade Ring Pool is truly a treasure trove..."

Ji Xueruo somewhat moved. All the lakes she had ever seen had black silt at the bottom, but this Jade Ring Pool was like a clean Fairy, without a trace of black mud.

Just then, a lake breeze swept by, causing thousands of lotus petals to sway and fall, reflected in the clear water, like ten thousand beautiful concubines bowing and smiling at you.

Such a beautiful sight would stir the heart of anyone.

"Miss Ji, do you have any knowledge of poetry and literature?" Yu Mingzhen asked gently.

Ji Xueruo knew that the eldest young master would ask this question, so she naturally had a prepared answer in mind and replied:

"Our Demon Race doesn't practice this. Only human cultivators appreciate elegance. However, I've read extensively since childhood and have read some famous poems. But asking me to compose a poem on the spot is too much for me. If you, young master, are in the mood, I'd be happy to listen."

"I was merely inspired by the beautiful scenery," Yu Mingzhen said, her clear eyes fixed on Ji Xueruo she admired the flowers. "Then I'll make a fool of myself."

"Everyone loves peonies, but I alone love the lotus for its purity, rising from the mud unsullied, cleansed by the clear ripples without being seductive, its stem straight and hollow, not sprawling or branching, its fragrance growing more pure as it spreads, standing tall and clean, to be admired from afar but not to be trifled with."

Ji Xueruo repeated the passage in her mind, somewhat surprised. She had thought the eldest young master would recite a carefully prepared poem, but she hadn't expected it to be an essay. After all, when it comes to poetry and prose, everyone's first thought is poetry.

Although the argument is simple, the image and character of the lotus are vividly portrayed, highlighting the noble personality and magnanimous spirit of those who love the lotus. She hadn't expected the eldest son to actually utter a sentence that would make him famous for eternity, and couldn't help but look at him in admiration:

"Rising from the mud yet remaining unstained, washed by clear ripples yet not becoming seductive. Even the immortals of the Xuanxiao Sect's Book Immortal Peak would find it difficult to write such beautiful lines."

After she finished praising him, she noticed that the eldest young master was standing frozen at the bow of the boat, looking as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Ji Xueruo, then suddenly realized that the voice didn't belong to the eldest young master at all; it sounded more like... that blind man's voice?

Sure enough, another small boat emerged from among the verdant lotus leaves. You Su, dressed in a black robe, stood at the bow, his hands behind his back, and bowed to Ji Xueruo in gratitude.

"Miss Ji is right. When I first read this article, I was also amazed by its Celestial Person."

Ji Xueruo realized the misunderstanding and replied, "When you first read it? Was this essay not written by you?"

"Yes, Miss Ji, Young Master You said this article was written by a mortal scholar surnamed Zhou; he only happened to see it by chance."

Yu Die appeared behind You Su, while Ji Xueruo was captivated by the girl's beauty.

Yu Die was looking at You Su with admiration. As a book lover, she naturally knew that if such a masterpiece truly existed, it could never have been overlooked. She took it as You Su's modesty.

But Ji Xueruo heard these words and interpreted them differently. Right now, she still kept those erotic books that You Su had written to make a living in her Storage Bag.

When her younger sister told her that she was writing books for her senior brother to earn money, she held You Su in high regard, simply because she disliked the barbarity of the Demon Race and therefore respected scholars. She never expected that the books she had specially bought would all be imperial books! She admitted the plots were captivating, but why were there so many descriptions of women in their boudoirs?! Especially that book, * The Legend of the White Snake *, which, in her eyes as a snake demon, was utterly blatantly obvious!

You used books like this to subtly trick my sister into your relationship, didn't you?

Compared to the barbarity of the Demon Race, the human race's method of subtly changing your mindset through writing is even more chilling to Ji Xueruo.

Therefore, she absolutely could not believe that You Su, who wrote those kinds of erotic stories, could write sentences with such noble sentiments.

How terrifying a beast in human clothing must someone be if they can be both extremely lewd and extremely refined?

"I've also heard of this scholar surnamed Zhou. Many unsigned, astonishing fragments are said to be his work. That alone is enough to make him famous for all time."

Ji Xueruo said, "I don't want to see this blind man trying to win over other women with stolen poems."

Having only recently parted ways with her sister, Ji Xueruo was already having a Yu Mingzhen here, she was single and pretending, so she had the confidence to criticize You Su in her heart.

You Su, however, was also candid, remarking with emotion:

"Yes, there are thousands of paths in this world, but only in the path of literature can a mortal surpass an immortal."

Whether one is an immortal or a mortal, the number of characters one recognizes is the same, and the kind of poems one can write has absolutely nothing to do with whether one is an immortal or a mortal.

"Well said. Immortals may be proud and arrogant in this world, but how many immortals can truly achieve the ideal of 'rising from the mud unsullied, and being cleansed by the clear water without becoming seductive' that a mere mortal desires?"

Ji Xueruo also sighed. Although she appeared arrogant, she had always been self-reflective since childhood and actually respected all things. At this moment, she wholeheartedly agreed with You Su Sufan's disrespectful words that could surpass even immortality.

Yu Die blinked her beautiful eyes. The man and woman, who seemed to be having a pleasant conversation, were both dressed in black. She interrupted them somewhat anxiously:

"Young Master You, the boat is veering off course; we should head towards the West Lake Pavilion."

Reminded, You Su realized that the two boats were about to collide, and hurriedly used his sword as an oar to turn the boat around.

The eldest son simply waved his hand casually, and the small boat beneath him came to a stop. A calm and composed expression appeared on his face as he let You Su pass by first.

In perfect unison, the two men did not reveal their identities to each other until they disappeared into the sea of flowers.

"Brother You is truly a remarkable person. Is Miss Ji acquainted with you?" Yu Mingzhen smile.

"We're not close; we just happened to go into the pool together." Ji Xueruo coldly distanced herself from the situation.

"What a pity, otherwise I would have liked you to tell me more about Brother You's wonderful deeds." Yu Mingzhen was clearly not concerned about You Su himself.

"Young Master, you haven't recited your poem yet."

Ji Xueruo seemed like a reminder, but in reality, she wanted to shut the eldest young master up. Having already heard such exquisite verses, what other brilliant lines could he possibly utter?

"There's no reason in this world to throw out a jade to attract a brick. Mingzhen won't embarrass himself by offering his own."

Ji Xueruo also regretted inadvertently revealing her impatience, as it was detrimental to her pretense, so she tried to make amends:

"Poetry is merely a pastime for us; cultivators should prioritize their spiritual cultivation. Only those who don't focus on cultivation have the time to study poetry and literature."

Ji Xueruo's words of comfort seemed somewhat indifferent; her gaze was deep and uneasy as she looked in the direction where You Su had disappeared.

It seems You Su is also being tempted by Jade Ring Pool's sweet talk. She doesn't know Jade Ring Pool's purpose, but she's worried whether You Su, being blind, harbors a lingering sense of wariness like she does.

If he were to truly fall for that young girl in her pink dress, would he be worthy of Lingruo?

For the next three days, Yu Mingzhen invited Ji Xueruo to experience the different beauties of Jade Ring Pool each day.

Ji Xueruo played her role very well as always, seemingly a real outsider whose defenses were gradually broken down by Jade Ring Pool. But she also maintained a very subtle distance, always keeping a detached and ambiguous relationship.

You Su was different from her. He often left early and returned late. Last night, the Saintess even visited his Qinglan Palace in person and didn't leave until late at night.

Seeing You Su completely bewitched by the Saintess, Ji Xueruo wanted to kindly remind him, but she was also exasperated. If he lacked self-control so much, how could he be worthy of being her brother-in-law?

More importantly, she feared that she was only scaring herself; perhaps Jade Ring Pool really was that beautiful?

To verify this, she decided to go find the Xiao Yu that had disappeared after being put into the pool. Through subtle questioning of Yu Qing, she learned where the Xiao Yu had been placed.

Tonight, the stars and moon are dim, and the Jade Ring Pool looks as if it has been splashed with a layer of ink that cannot be wiped away.

Ji Xueruo, dressed in a black dress, blended seamlessly into the night...