Oh no, I couldn't help myself...

Annoyed, she asked her next question: "Then tell me about your identity and background..."

"My identity?"

Bu Wuchen stopped and looked at her with a half-smile. "A fairy big sister with such remarkable abilities should find it easy to uncover my background, shouldn't she?"

Xia Nuoyi pressed her lips together, her pretty face flushing.

She knew her own situation all too well-

In the past, the Xia Lineage, which had single-handedly established the Myriad Nations Trade Alliance, had wielded enough influence to make the ruler of every nation pale at its mention!

As a daughter of the direct line, Xia Nuoyi had consequently enjoyed an exceptionally exalted status.

Never mind investigating someone from an ordinary kingdom...

Even uncovering the royal secrets of the secular world's most powerful "Seven Great Empires" would have been as easy as reaching out her hand!

At present, however, the Myriad Nations Trade Alliance was in serious turmoil;

Xia Nuoyi had even been forced to flee far away in secret, to this little frontier city in the Great Liang Kingdom.

Under these circumstances, she could not possibly draw on her lineage's resources, so naturally, she was completely in the dark about Bu Wuchen's identity and background!

At first, she had merely set her sights on the "Blood Dragon Birthmark" over the youth's heart;

But after spending these past few days with him, Xia Nuoyi's curiosity about Bu Wuchen had only grown.

Unless she got to the bottom of things, she felt uncomfortable all over...

Now, she could only bluff stubbornly: "O-of course this young lady has already investigated you!"

"I'm only asking you in person to confirm it again."

Bu Wuchen shrugged indifferently. "Oh, there's nothing to confirm. Whatever your investigation turned up is the truth."

"You... Hmph!"

Xia Nuoyi dearly wanted to walk away just like that.

Yet after only a few quick steps, she slowed again and turned to call out, "Hurry up! Stop dawdling!"

"Uh, you're the one who suddenly sped up."

"Less nonsense! I've still got questions for you!"

Over the following stretch, Xia Nuoyi asked several questions in succession;

Bu Wuchen either fobbed her off with random answers or simply remained silent.

The Xia Lineage's young lady, who had never suffered such infuriating treatment, finally could not take it anymore!

She abruptly grabbed Bu Wuchen's arm and forced him to stop, then planted both hands on her slender, supple waist, too small for a handspan, and snapped, "Hey, could you answer a little more seriously?!"

"Why do you always seem so distracted? What are you thinking about?"

"Oh, I get it. You must be worried about retaliation from the Lin Lineage, right?"

"Don't worry. With your current status, Lin Yunba wouldn't dare act against you lightly."

"Besides, I'll protect you too. Relax~"

This time, Bu Wuchen nodded in all seriousness. "Yes, what I'm thinking about really does concern the Lin Lineage."

"But I'm not afraid of their attacks or retaliation;"

The youth rubbed his chin and continued, "I'm wondering what I should do to be absolutely certain of wiping out the Lin Lineage..."

"What?!"

The girl in green gauze froze at his words. "Y-you, you want to wipe out the Lin Lineage?!"

She had thought Bu Wuchen looked distracted because he feared the Lin Lineage.

Who could have imagined that the youth's mind was actually full of thoughts of single-handedly taking down one of Blood Dragon City's three great lineages!

His audacity truly knew no bounds!

"Yes. What they've done has repeatedly touched my reverse scale."

"Since we're already mortal enemies, what's so strange about wanting to take them down?"

"Hey, I'm only telling you because I consider you a friend. Don't let it slip!"

Seeing the fearless, matter-of-fact expression Bu Wuchen wore as he said this, Xia Nuoyi felt her heart tremble involuntarily.

The words already on the tip of her tongue-"Don't be rash," "The difference in strength is too great," "Learn to endure," and so on-were all swallowed back down...

When her crimson lips parted slightly, what emerged was something else entirely: "All right! Since you're my friend, this young lady will lend you a hand!"

"That old bastard Lin Yunba actually dared speak disrespectfully to me before. Leave him to me."

"You can handle the others yourself. How about it?"

Bu Wuchen shook his head with a soft laugh. "I appreciate your kindness, fairy big sister~"

"Although I don't mind those fellows who 'call the grapes sour because they can't reach them' calling me a pathetic worm hiding under a woman's protection, still..."

At this point, Bu Wuchen's expression suddenly turned solemn. "That old dog Lin Yunba nearly poisoned me to death!"

"Of course I have to avenge that with my own hands for it to feel satisfying!"

As his words fell, the soft light of the setting sun happened to filter through the sparse shadows of the roadside trees' branches and leaves, spilling over the youth's slightly upturned face.

His star-bright eyes shone clearly, as though holding boundless heroic spirit;

His sword-like brows blazed, as though their edges concealed ambitions that soared into the clouds!

At that moment, Xia Nuoyi actually became entranced by the sight.

Before she could think anything through, this fairy-like beauty inexplicably tilted her head, pursed her red lips, and closed her eyes;

Then gently kissed the youth's resolute face, which looked as though it had been carved by blades and axes...

It happened so suddenly that Bu Wuchen froze outright.

The instant sensation of her crimson lips suddenly pressing against unfamiliar skin left Xia Nuoyi herself stunned!

Oh no, I couldn't help myself for a moment, and actually, actually...

Aaaah! H-how did I end up kissing this fellow as though possessed?!

Although Xia Nuoyi, known as the "Demoness," sometimes behaved like a soul-stealing enchantress,

She mostly did so to deliberately conceal certain things;

Not a single person had ever managed to take even the slightest advantage of her!

Those male cultivators who behaved frivolously or disrespectfully toward her often failed to taste the slightest sweetness and instead had their manhood snipped off...

That was precisely why Xia Nuoyi's name as the "Demoness" had spread like wildfire.

Just then, an aged, deep voice rang out: "Ahem, this old man didn't see a thing!"

"Carry on, carry on. I'll take another stroll over there."

"Ah!"

Like a startled little deer, Xia Nuoyi sprang away with a whoosh.

Her pretty face was so red it seemed ready to drip.

Bu Wuchen touched his cheek where she had pecked him, as lightly as a dragonfly skimming the water, and his heartbeat could not help quickening.

Perhaps to divert his attention, he hurriedly asked, "What guidance do you have for me, Headmaster?"

"I wouldn't call it guidance."

Zhou Wan'en strode forward. "This old man came after you to give you your specially sponsored student's waist token."

"It serves as both a symbol of your status and a pass to the highest-grade secluded chamber in the academy's Pill Hall."

After handing the item to Bu Wuchen, the old man did not forget to wink at him.

Recalling the scene he had just stumbled upon, even the slowest person could instantly read the suggestive meaning in the old man's eyes...