If We Meet Again in the Clouds, Let's Share Another Drink

The Dancing Girl raised her head again, her eyes regaining a hint of vitality as she cautiously glanced toward the door.

After confirming no one was paying attention, she lowered her voice to a whisper.

"Lately, in Anyang City, people have been disappearing every night."

"At first, it was just traveling merchants, but later... even the city's residents began vanishing."

"The authorities posted notices claiming it was bandits on the move, warning everyone to keep their doors and windows shut at night. But everyone knows there are no bandits in this city."

Her words came quickly, laced with an uncontrollable tremor.

"Some even say they've seen... the dead wandering the streets late at night."

"They move without expression, pacing back and forth like lost souls."

"Even more terrifying—when brave souls call out their names, those figures dissolve into pools of black water on the spot, leaving not even a trace of bone behind."

She swallowed hard.

"Others say it's vengeful spirits seeking retribution. The incense at the City God Temple has tripled in recent days."

"As for the specifics... this humble girl truly doesn’t know."

"After all, I’ve never stepped foot outside the Spring Breeze Pavilion. These are just rumors passed among the sisters from the guests."

"And... the officials of Anyang have strictly forbidden us from discussing this. Violators face immediate execution!"

"That’s why... I hesitated to speak earlier, Young Master."

Having said her piece, she bowed her head and fell silent.

Su Ji stroked his chin, deep in thought.

The dead returning to life? Vengeful spirits?

Just as he was about to press further, a cold voice from the window interrupted his thoughts.

"Enough. You may leave."

The words came from Su Jiu.

Her tone was icy, as if dipped in frost.

Su Ji turned to look at her. Her face was paler than the moonlight outside, her patience clearly worn thin.

He had no choice but to take the hint, sighing with mild disappointment.

"Mm. You may go."

With a flick of his finger, the two low-grade spirit stones on the table landed in the Dancing Girl’s hands.

Her body trembled faintly.

She didn’t look at Su Ji again. Instead, her gaze drifted past him, settling on the cold, aloof figure by the window. A complicated emotion flickered in her eyes—something unreadable.

She dipped into another graceful bow toward Su Jiu.

Then, slowly, she rose from the floor and turned to leave.

But at the doorway, she paused. After a moment’s hesitation, she glanced back.

"This humble girl still doesn’t know the Young Master’s name..."

Su Ji picked up the wine jug, poured himself a cup, and downed it in one go.

He didn’t look at her, his eyes fixed on the dimming lanterns outside. His voice carried a tipsy nonchalance.

"If we meet again among the clouds, we’ll share another drink."

"Leave."

The Dancing Girl shivered slightly.

She understood.

A fleeting encounter, their fate ended here.

Without another word, she cast one last deep look at Su Ji, then at the cold-faced woman by the window who had never once glanced her way—memorizing their faces.

Then she turned, the chime of her anklets ringing softly as she glided out of the room.

The sound faded into the distance, then vanished entirely.

The room plunged back into an eerie silence.

Su Ji could feel the tension thickening behind him.

Clearing his throat, he broke the stillness.

"See, Shimei? We got the information after all."

"This city is definitely hiding something."

Su Jiu finally turned from the window.

Her face held none of the anger Su Ji had expected—no accusations, no interrogation.

Instead, her cool, autumn-water eyes were filled with an emotion he couldn’t decipher—shock, confusion, and a trace of something even she hadn’t noticed... hurt.

"You..."

She opened her mouth, but only that single word escaped before she fell silent again.

She didn’t know what to say.

She wanted to ask—why had Su Ji bestowed such a precious cultivation technique on a stranger, a mere courtesan?

He pinched pennies over spirit stones, yet in the blink of an eye, could casually gift a mortal a chance to change their destiny.

The contradiction left her mind in turmoil.

Seeing her struggle, Su Ji grinned and sauntered over.

"What’s wrong, Shimei? Touched by your shixiong’s generosity?"

"Or is it my dashing charm when I throw around techniques like they’re nothing?"

"Maybe—"

"Shut up!"

Su Jiu finally snapped, raising a hand to slap him.

Su Ji caught her wrist effortlessly, pulling her into his chest.

Su Jiu stumbled forward, colliding against him. The familiar scent of him enveloped her, blanking her mind momentarily.

"Don’t misunderstand, Shimei," Su Ji murmured, his warm breath tickling her ear.

"I said I’m not used to sleeping with people around."

"But I never said I’m not used to sleeping with a fox."

Su Jiu: "..."

She was beginning to suspect his face was forged from millennium-grade black iron.

How could it be this thick?!

She shoved him away, glaring fiercely—though her cheeks betrayed her with a flush.

"You’d better not be using this mission as an excuse for personal gains!"

Suddenly, Su Jiu’s eyes sharpened.

"Wait."

"Shixiong... how do you still have spiritual power?"

Su Ji blinked.

"Eh? What do you mean, ‘still have’?"

Without answering, Su Jiu lifted her crimson spiritual sword.

Her pale fingers pressed against the hilt, flicking upward.

Normally, the blade would leap free with a cold gleam.

This time, it barely budged before clattering back into its sheath.

"See?" Her voice was calm. "Here, my cultivation is sealed."

"So how did you transmit that technique earlier?"

Realization dawned on Su Ji.

He waved off her questioning, pouring himself another drink.

"Didn’t open it."

"Didn’t open what?" Su Jiu frowned.

Su Ji shrugged. "Nothing was opened."

Before she could press further, he cut her off with a gesture toward the window, his expression turning serious.

"Enough distractions."

"Didn’t the Dancing Girl say it? Demons stalk the night."

"We need to find out what exactly we’re dealing with."

Su Jiu followed his gaze outside.

The streets were empty, save for a few swaying lanterns casting an eerie glow over the sleeping city.

"Here, the spring breeze stretches for miles, and the view is the best."

Su Ji stood up and walked to the window, pushing the half-open pane wide open.

The night wind rushed in, carrying a chill.

"Come, Junior Sister, sit here."

He patted the broad windowsill.

Su Jiu hesitated for a moment but eventually walked over, mimicking his posture as they sat side by side on the ledge.

Their legs dangled in the air as they gazed down at Anyang City below.

The night breeze brushed through her hair, and a few unruly strands drifted onto Su Ji’s face, tickling him.

He didn’t pull away. Instead, he leaned in closer.

Reaching out, he casually wrapped an arm around Su Jiu’s shoulders, drawing her nearer.

"Junior Sister, the night is cold. Stay close—don’t catch a chill."

Su Jiu stiffened instantly.

She could feel the warmth radiating from his palm, along with the scent of him—comforting yet unsettling.

She wanted to push him away, but his words, "don’t catch a chill," made her freeze in place.

Fine.

Without spiritual energy to protect her, she really was prone to colds.

And if she fell ill, wouldn’t she just become a burden to Su Ji?

He was only worried about her getting cold—nothing more.

Noticing her lack of resistance, Su Ji’s smile deepened.

He pulled her even closer, his chin nearly resting atop her head.

"Junior Sister, look—this spot is perfect."

"High above, with a clear view of everything."

"If any demons or monsters show up, we’ll spot them right away."

Su Jiu didn’t respond, only tilting her face slightly to the side, though the tips of her ears burned red.

She could feel his hand beginning to wander, fingers tracing slow circles on her shoulder.

"Senior Brother…" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"Hmm?"

"Your hand…"

"What about it?" Su Ji feigned innocence. "I’m just holding you so you don’t fall."

Su Jiu: "…"

She took a deep breath and decided to ignore the rogue.

The two remained like that—intimately close—sitting quietly on the windowsill, overlooking the city that had come alive in death.

Time slipped by, minute by minute.

The hour of midnight passed.

Yet Anyang City remained silent, save for the whispering wind.

Just as Su Jiu thought nothing unusual would happen tonight and was about to tell Su Ji to let her go—

A sudden disturbance erupted.

From the southern district, the door of a house creaked open.