The Shaking Building

In the cultivation chamber.

Gu Yan and Leng Qingqiu slowly descended from the air and landed on the ground.

A month's worth of pent-up impulses.

Finally found release in this moment.

Gu Yan absorbed Qingqiu's energy.

While Leng Qingqiu absorbed Gu Yan's energy.

The two replenished what they had lacked over the past month.

[Perception increased, increased......]

[Pure Love value rising, rising....]

A comforting sense of ease filled both their hearts.

If not for their plans, Gu Yan truly wished he could spend every day and night like this with Leng Qingqiu.

But alas... reality did not permit it.

On Leng Qingqiu's side, she only snapped back to her senses when she noticed the rate of her perception enhancement gradually slowing and the tingling sensation fading away.

Her eyes flew open abruptly.

With a sudden strike—Bam!

She slammed her palm against Gu Yan's chest.

"Cough!!"

[Pure Love value +500 for being struck by your beloved~]

Gu Yan immediately let go and staggered back, dropping to one knee. Clutching his chest in pain, he grimaced and looked up at Leng Qingqiu with a helpless expression. "Seriously, Qingqiu? Was that much force necessary?"

"Haven’t we been apart for so long?"

Wait, forget the fact that I always lose all my cultivation power in front of Leng Qingqiu—

Can this damn system stop notifying me about every little thing?!

How does getting hit even give Pure Love value?

Are you trying to say 'hitting is affection, scolding is love' or something?

Just as the thought crossed his mind—

Leng Qingqiu wiped her lips, her face flushed with anger as she coldly spat, "You scoundrel! Shameless pervert!"

[Pure Love value +1000 for being insulted by your beloved~]

Gu Yan: ?

He took a deep breath, forced himself to stand, and then protested, "Qingqiu, what do you mean by that? How am I a scoundrel or shameless?"

"Hmph! I was in the middle of cultivation, and you... you ambushed me out of nowhere!"

Leng Qingqiu couldn’t bring herself to utter the vulgar words, so she settled for an indignant glare.

"Ambush?"

"I was merely delivering my love to you, Qingqiu."

Gu Yan patted his chest—his injuries had already healed.

Smiling, he stepped forward and casually took Leng Qingqiu's hand. "Qingqiu, my dear Qingqiu, don’t tell me you didn’t miss me?"

"I was just so excited to see you that I couldn’t help myself."

"Or... now that you’ve become the head of the Sword Holding Department, have you started looking down on this humble husband of yours?"

Humble husband?

How does this bastard manage to spew such nonsense without batting an eye?

Leng Qingqiu angrily shook off his hand and scoffed. "Who’s looking down on who remains to be seen."

Gu Yan moved closer again, attempting to take her hand once more, but she dodged.

Understanding her implication, Gu Yan feigned ignorance. "What do you mean by that, Qingqiu?"

"Tch, you know exactly what I mean!"

Leng Qingqiu clenched her fists, her voice icy. "A whole month without returning home, not a single word from you."

"When the civilian martial factions sought out your Gu family, only a woman named Luo Ya was managing things. You vanished without a trace."

"And you dare say you weren’t avoiding me because you’ve grown tired of me?!"

Hearing this, Gu Yan sighed softly and spoke with sincerity. "There’s a special reason for that. I’ll explain it to you later."

"Besides..."

"Qingqiu, my love for you is as vast as the heavens. If you don’t believe me, you can—"

"Shut up. I don’t want to hear your excuses."

"Qingqiu~~ I was wrong!!"

"Oh? And what exactly were you wrong about?"

"I was wrong for not coming back to see you for a whole month, leaving you lonely and heartbroken, crying in secret all by yourself."

"?"

At these words, Leng Qingqiu—whether struck by a particular keyword or not—immediately trembled with rage. Her face flushed crimson as she glared at Gu Yan’s life essence, spiritual daggers materializing behind her.

She gripped one and pointed it at Gu Yan’s infuriating face. "Who was crying in secret?! Who was lonely and heartbroken?!"

"Gu Yan! Don’t you dare spout such nonsense! Even if you died out there, I, Leng Qingqiu, wouldn’t shed a single tear for you!"

"Mocking the head of the Sword Holding Department—do you have any idea how severe that crime is?!"

"Do you want me to execute you right here and now?!"

Seeing this, Gu Yan raised his hands in surrender and grinned. "Alright, alright. Qingqiu, it was actually me who was lonely and heartbroken. Every night I spent outside, I’d look up at the moon and think of you, alone at home."

"Every time I remembered you weren’t by my side, I just couldn’t stop the tears."

"I was wrong, Qingqiu. If you’re still angry..."

"Then go ahead and execute me right here!"

With that, he spread his arms wide, ready to accept any punishment.

"You—!"

"Shameless bastard!"

Leng Qingqiu was left fuming, the situation at a standstill.

One second passed, then two, then three...

Finally, she pursed her lips and dispersed the spiritual daggers.

She lowered her hand, turned away, and after a deep breath, spoke calmly. "Just leave. I have a lot of work to attend to."

"The ancient martial world is in turmoil, and the mortal realm is plagued by demonic invasions."

"Countless people have lost their homes."

"Especially around the Third Forbidden Zone—recently, abnormal energy fluctuations have been detected, and now it’s shrouded in a dark barrier of sealing magic."

"We suspect the demonic uprisings are linked to the Forbidden Zone."

"Gu Yan, my schedule is packed. I have a meeting this afternoon, so if you have nothing important to say, just go."

Leng Qingqiu had already guessed where Gu Yan had been this past month.

Within the Third Forbidden Zone, there was a power fluctuation she recognized all too well—

The Power of Night.

Though she didn’t know what Gu Yan had done there, spending an entire month meant he must have obtained something.

The demonic invasions had also begun this month.

To say it had nothing to do with Gu Yan? Leng Qingqiu refused to believe that.

Right now, Gu Yan was walking a completely different path—all to help her exact vengeance.

She had noticed it earlier when he held her hand—his temperature was even colder than before.

Yet, his demeanor remained unchanged, which reassured her somewhat.

Still, she feared he might become what she once was.

If that happened... she didn’t know what she would do.

She was terrified—terrified that Gu Yan wasn’t simply doing this for her sake.

What if he had other plans for the Power of Night?

If she confronted him about it... would he leave her?

The thought terrified her.

That was why she chose not to press the matter. She’d rather maintain this possibly false relationship with Gu Yan than risk losing him entirely.

Besides... he seemed perfectly fine now.

So... surely nothing was wrong.

Gu Yan must have many plans in motion. She shouldn’t force him to stay.

However—

"Qingqiu, when did you get the idea that I’d just leave because you told me to?"

Gu Yan’s exasperated voice reached her ears.

Immediately, Leng Qingqiu felt a lecherous hand wrap around her waist.

A warm breath brushed against her face.

Gu Yan had pulled her into his embrace, his arm firmly around her waist.

"You—!"

"You bastard! Let go of me! This is the Sword Holding Department!"

Leng Qingqiu froze, her face flushing red.

Her composure shattered as Gu Yan's presence sent her heart racing wildly.

She tried to push him away, but he caught her wrist effortlessly.

"Ah, the scent of these delicate hands… still as intoxicating as ever~~!"

"!!!!"

Leng Qingqiu's face burned crimson. The tingling sensation at her wrist and Gu Yan's shameless words left her mind blank.

Then, Gu Yan leaned in, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "The Minister has quite the authority, huh? Ready to dismiss your own husband just like that."

"Seems like after a month apart, you’ve really settled into your role here."

"So now..."

"Since I’ve overstepped in your private training room, I wonder how the esteemed Minister of the Sword Holding Department will deal with me?"

"Hmm? Say something… Minister~"

Hearing Gu Yan call her "Minister" over and over—

Especially when he mentioned this was her personal training room—

Leng Qingqiu's heart pounded at a terrifying pace, yet she also felt an inexplicable surge in her perception.

Why… Why is my perception spiking now of all times…

[Heh, because hearing your "furnace" say these things and his perverse actions have already—]

Shut up! Shut up! I refuse to acknowledge this!!

Leng Qingqiu screamed inwardly.

With a furious shove, she pushed Gu Yan away. "Get lost!!"

Thud!

"Oof!"

Gu Yan, now powerless, collapsed onto the floor.

"You… damn bastard."

Leng Qingqiu's expression darkened as she summoned a psychic blade, advancing step by step toward Gu Yan, who was writhing on the ground like a worm.

Oh no, I pushed too far!

Am I about to be executed by a furious Qingqiu? This isn’t the right time for me to die!

The next moment—

"Stop squirming!"

Leng Qingqiu snapped, stepping forward.

Thump!

"Gah!"

Her Martin boot stomped down on Gu Yan's chest, pinning him in place.

He groaned in pain.

Then, with a flick of her fingers—

Hum!

Gu Yan's body floated uncontrollably into the air.

"Qingqiu?!"

Before he could react, an invisible force yanked him backward and slammed him into the training room wall.

Bang!

Immediately after—

Swish! Swish! Swish!!!

Several psychic daggers materialized and shot toward Gu Yan—only to pierce the fabric of his clothes, pinning him firmly against the wall.

Trapped, he hung helplessly.

Tap, tap…

Leng Qingqiu approached with icy calm.

Just as Gu Yan braced himself to be diced into pieces—

The unexpected happened.

One hand pressed against the wall beside his face, Leng Qingqiu bit her lip, her voice trembling. "Since you insist on provoking me..."

"Then… you’d better endure it."

Before Gu Yan could process her words—

She grabbed his collar and yanked him forward.

"Mmph!!"

His eyes widened in shock.

Their lips met.

Leng Qingqiu ravaged his mouth with violent hunger.

The moment Gu Yan tried to gasp for air—

Hum!

Her psychic power sealed his airways.

Gu Yan: ???

Pop~

Leng Qingqiu pulled back, panting slightly, her voice unsteady. "If you’re going to challenge me… be prepared to pass out."

"W-Wait, Qingqiu, hold on— Mmph!!"

No mercy.

His protests were swallowed again.

In an instant—

A euphoric, near-death sensation overwhelmed Gu Yan.

My… my cultivation… where did it all go…

Boom! Boom! Boom!!

Tremendous energy surges shook the entire building.

Outside—

Candidates undergoing aptitude tests murmured in awe.

"Such a commotion… Minister Leng must’ve achieved a breakthrough!"

"Right! And wasn’t Young Master Gu up there earlier? Maybe he pissed her off!"

"Ha! Bet she’s disciplining him right now!"

"Eh, just some domestic drama~!"

Meanwhile, Leng Ling'er suddenly looked up.

She stared at the trembling building.

Huh? What’s this?

Why is my "sister-sense" tingling? This feeling…

Gasp!

Her eyes widened.

Brother-in-law and Sister are getting frisky?!

Inside the Sword Holding Department headquarters?!

So bold!!

I wanna see…

Of course, none of them could’ve guessed…

The true ordeal Gu Yan endured that day.