I really couldn't hold back; the room has good sound insulation.

Wang Hu sneered inwardly. Look at him, already calling me "brother."

Who was it that just said we weren't worthy of being called brothers?

"Good brother, you should've said so earlier!"

Su Ji wore an expression of regret for not having met sooner, rubbing his hands together eagerly as he pressed, "So? Are they hot? Fresh and tender?"

"Got any of those... shapeshifting fox spirits?"

"This young master here has a thing for them!"

"Love playing with foxes that can—"

BANG!

A deafening crash sent the entire table jumping.

Su Ji's words were cut short.

Su Jiu stood there, her face as cold as ice, slamming her freshly sheathed crimson spellsword onto the table with enough force to make the wood tremble.

The sound of steel meeting wood struck like a hammer to everyone's chest.

The hall fell dead silent once more.

Every movement froze as all eyes turned toward them.

Su Jiu's clear fox-like eyes now burned with two icy flames.

She didn’t say a word—just stared daggers at Su Ji.

Wang Hu was momentarily stunned by the sudden outburst.

But then, an understanding smirk crept onto his face.

See? Just as I thought.

The bodyguard’s jealous.

And reacting this strongly to the words "fox spirit"?

Seems this spoiled young master has compared her to one too many times, pissing off the beauty.

Their relationship is even more fragile than I imagined.

Su Ji, though startled, recovered swiftly. He immediately put on an annoyed face and snapped at Su Jiu, "What the hell’s wrong with you?!"

"I’m discussing important business here. Who asked for your input?"

Without waiting for a response, he turned back to Wang Hu, winking and lowering his voice with a smug, boastful tone.

"Don’t mind her, brother. My guardian here’s just a jealous type—can’t stand me praising other women."

"Especially fox spirits."

Su Jiu’s chest, already not particularly broad, heaved violently once.

In the end, she forced her eyes shut, suppressing the murderous intent threatening to explode out of her.

This is an act, she reminded herself. All of this is just an act.

Wang Hu burst into laughter, clapping Su Ji on the shoulder with a knowing look.

"Brother, you’ve got it good, real good!"

"Then it’s settled."

"Tonight, third watch. Three li east of the city, the ruined temple by the mass graves."

"You better show up, brother. I guarantee you’ll witness what true earthly pleasures look like!"

"Wouldn’t miss it for the world!" Su Ji nodded eagerly, practically drooling.

"Then we’ll take our leave to prepare the goods. We’ll be waiting for you."

Wang Hu stood, cupped his hands in a mock salute, then swaggered out of the inn with his leering gang in tow.

As they left, the atmosphere in the hall gradually returned to normal—though the looks directed at Su Ji now carried even more disdain and schadenfreude.

Su Ji paid no mind. He picked up his wine cup, took a satisfied sip, then turned to Su Jiu, whose aura had practically frozen the air around her. His face was all smug triumph.

No words were needed.

The message was clear:

See, junior sister? Hook, line, and sinker.

The fish took the bait.

Su Jiu slowly opened her eyes, her gaze still piercingly cold.

Without a word, she turned and marched upstairs, her back radiating an icy "stay away" warning.

Su Ji hurried after her, tossing a careless order to the innkeeper over his shoulder.

"Landlord! Send these dishes up to my room!"

The two reached the private chamber in silence.

The door creaked open under Su Jiu’s push, then slammed shut behind her with a resounding thud.

Alone at last, Su Jiu could hold back no longer.

She whirled around, her striking fox eyes locking onto Su Ji’s face with lethal intensity.

"Senior brother."

Her voice was soft, but laced with venom.

"Do you think this is fun?"

"Of course it’s fun." Su Ji answered without a shred of guilt, pouring himself another cup of water at the table. "Look at those idiots, dancing in the palm of my hand. That’s called ‘all’s fair in war,’ got it?"

He gulped the water down and continued, "I’m gathering critical intel for the sect. Might even save the whole city indirectly—boundless merit! You should be praising me, junior sister."

Su Jiu: "..."

Once again, she found herself at a loss for words.

She knew he was talking nonsense, yet he always managed to dress up his shameless behavior in some grand, righteous justification—one that even sounded halfway logical.

Staring at his infuriatingly smug face, Su Jiu took a deep breath and forced out through gritted teeth,

"Then go ‘accumulate merit’ by yourself tonight."

"Wait—!" Su Ji’s smirk vanished instantly, replaced by pitiful pleading. "Junior sister, you can’t abandon me! This fragile body of mine wouldn’t survive their... enthusiasm."

He scurried over to her, inches from clinging to her leg in apology.

"You wouldn’t want to collect my corpse tomorrow morning, would you?"

Su Jiu remained stone-faced.

Su Ji’s eyes darted, then he leaned in closer, whispering by her ear in a low, teasing voice,

"Junior sister, don’t be mad."

"When I said I liked playing with foxes earlier, it was just part of the act."

"With the persona I’m putting on—Young Master Su, who’s sampled every kind of woman—I had to go for something extra to seem convincing."

His voice dropped even lower, carrying a hint of mischief.

"Besides..."

"None of those cheap perfumed hussies out there could compare to our junior sister’s scent."

"I promise—this senior brother only plays with one fox. And that’s you. Deal?"

The words were brazen, his warm breath brushing her ear, making her stiffen. A faint blush spread across her cheeks at visible speed.

Her hand shot up, ready to slap him.

Who says something so shameless to a fox—?!

But halfway through the swing, her palm hovered, unable to land as she stared at his grinning face.

This bastard...

Just then—

Knock knock knock.

"Honored guests, your food and wine have arrived."

The innkeeper’s voice sounded through the door.

Su Ji winked at Su Jiu, then cleared his throat, slipping back into his "Young Master Su" persona.

"Enter!"

The innkeeper shuffled in, balancing a large tray laden with exquisite dishes before carefully setting down a fine jug of wine.

"My lord, enjoy your meal. Call if you need anything."

Bowing deeply, the old man turned to leave, reaching for the door—but his hand paused mid-motion.

He hesitated, his weathered face a battleground of conscience and self-interest.

Finally, he bit his lip, made up his mind, and turned back, voice barely above a whisper.

"My lord... this lowly one dares to speak out of turn."

Su Ji arched a brow but motioned for him to continue.

The innkeeper glanced nervously into the hallway, ensuring no one was there, then leaned in closer.

"Sir, I wonder if you've heard about what happened in Anyang City?"

"Overnight, it became a city of the dead."

Su Ji leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine cup without comment.

"This group—they claim to be merchants, but in my thirty years of running this inn, welcoming and sending off travelers, I've seen at least eight thousand if not ten thousand. These men... they don't fit the bill."

"They seem more like... cultivators drawn by the scent of blood."

The innkeeper spoke cautiously, stealing furtive glances at Su Jiu.

"Women... you can have your fun with them anytime, sir. A day or two won’t make a difference."

"There’s no need to rush outside the city walls in the dead of night for such trivial matters..."

"If you’re truly... unable to hold back, the rooms here are soundproof. Why not just... amuse yourself with the one beside you—"

Before he could finish—

"Whoosh!"

A crimson blur streaked past his cheek.

"Thud!"

With a muffled impact, the entire scabbard, driven by an overwhelming force, embedded itself deep into the doorframe beside him, sinking inches into the wood.

The innkeeper shuddered, his body frozen stiff.

He could feel the icy wood splinters grazing his cheek, the sensation raising every hair on his skin.

His eyes flicked to the hilt, then he turned—slowly, painfully—to face Su Jiu, standing there with a frost-laden expression.

Her gaze bore into him, devoid of even a trace of warmth.

The innkeeper’s legs gave way, and he dropped to his knees.

"...Spare me! Spare me! My tongue is vile! I deserve death!"

He didn’t dare linger another second, scrambling out of the room on all fours.