Yan Hong’s words dripped with mockery. Qi Yong wasn’t an idiot—how could he not hear it? His expression changed at once.
“Hall Master, you’re such a busy important person. How would this old man dare trouble you with his petty private affairs?”
“Speaking of busy important people, how could a lowly woman like me ever compare to Elder Qi?”
Yan Hong let out a tinkling laugh and went on,
“Elder Qi not only has to handle sect affairs, you even have to spare time to meddle in a Protector’s private life. You must be so busy that you don’t even have a moment left to visit your concubine, right?”
“You—!”
Qi Yong’s face flushed scarlet with anger. He was a dignified Tri-Origin Elder of the cult; when had anyone ever dared speak to him like this? Had this girl turned the heavens upside down?
“Elder, don’t be angry, don’t be angry, mind your health.”
Guo Ping hurried forward to pat Qi Yong’s back and leaned in to murmur calming words into his ear.
Yan Hong gave a light snort. As if afraid Qi Yong wouldn’t be pissed to death, she added,
“Besides, we’re people of the Demonic Cult to begin with. If we keep chanting rules and morals all day long, what difference is there between us and those righteous-path hypocrites?”
The moment everyone heard that, they all felt Yan Hong made a lot of sense, and the hall broke into low, buzzing discussion.
Yeah. If they acted all proper and rule-abiding like those righteous sects, what kind of demonic cult members would they be?
The former Cult Master had been branded a “demon” in the first place precisely because he refused to go along with those righteous-path people, enraging them into slapping the Demonic Cult label on him out of shame and fury.
Guan Fusha practically wanted to stand up and applaud. But when she saw Qi Yong’s face trembling with rage, she finally held it back, coughed twice, and stifled it.
“All right, the two of you, don’t quarrel any further.”
Guan Fusha spoke up at the right moment, offering Qi Yong a step down.
“Left Protector hasn’t been in the cult for long and isn’t yet familiar with our affairs. As the Right Protector and also her senior, it’s only proper that I take responsibility for guiding and teaching her.”
What she said was reasonable and well-put. For a moment, Qi Yong couldn’t find a single argument.
“Since Elder Qi also agrees with this, let’s end today’s assembly here.”
With that, Guan Fusha rose and left the main hall without another word.
“Protector…”
Qi Yong originally wanted to chase after her and keep persuading, but Yan Hong suddenly stepped sideways and blocked his path. She even walked extra slowly on purpose, clearly determined to keep him from catching up.
Qi Yong was about to explode. It was this Punishment Hall Master again—sabotaging him again and again, clearly set on opposing him to the bitter end!
Yan Hong acted as though she didn’t see the way Qi Yong was grinding his teeth at her back. She sauntered lazily out of the main hall.
The sky was clear and bright today, and Qi Yong’s frantic, flustered expression had put her in an excellent mood. For once, instead of going straight back to the Punishment Hall, Yan Hong wandered through the gardens, admiring the flowers, the grass, and keeping an eye out for pretty faces.
When she neared the Hibiscus Courtyard, she caught sight of a familiar figure.
“Well now, isn’t this Miss A Tian?”
A Tian’s steps faltered. No matter how unwilling she was, she still turned around, bowed slightly, and greeted her.
“This servant pays respects to Hall Master.”
“Mmm~”
Yan Hong drew out the sound in obvious good humor. Narrowing her eyes, she gave A Tian an appraising look.
“This outfit you’re wearing today really makes you look quite lovely.”
The corner of A Tian’s mouth twitched. She lowered her gaze obediently.
“Thank you for your praise, Hall Master.”
If she had to pick a single word to describe this Punishment Hall Master, A Tian thought, then aside from “shameless rogue,” there really was no better word.
Those unfamiliar with Yan Hong’s temperament might not know, but anyone who did knew clearly: Hall Master Yan Hong of the Punishment Hall was “Rogue” written in bold, with extra strokes for emphasis.
Those who had suffered under her were as numerous as the stars in the sky—like that pitiful bunch in the Punishment Hall, or like Qi Yong, who had nearly been driven into a stroke in the main hall just now. And at this very moment, A Tian had a strong feeling that she would be the next unlucky soul.
“No need to thank me.”
Yan Hong’s eyes curved into crescents, like an old fox who had just spotted a juicy rabbit.
“Speaking of which, A Tian… I seem to recall you still owe me a favor, don’t you?”
A Tian sighed inwardly. Sure enough, what was bound to come would come.
Last time, to stop Xiao Yuan, she’d been desperate and grabbed Yan Hong—who had just happened to be nearby—for help. Because of that, she owed her a favor.
“I don’t know what Hall Master would like A Tian to do for you?”
A Tian steadied her thoughts and asked respectfully.
“Well, let me see…”
Yan Hong ran her gaze up and down A Tian, then took a step closer.
That eye-searing scarlet sleeve swished right in front of A Tian’s eyes. Without lifting her head, A Tian took a step back to maintain a proper distance.
Yan Hong looked at her with great interest, unhurriedly stepping forward again, a teasing smile playing at the corner of her lips.
Seeing this, A Tian retreated another step. Yan Hong immediately followed. Back and forth like this a few times, before A Tian realized it, her back was already against the wall—she had nowhere left to go.
Yan Hong braced one hand against the wall beside her, and with the other hand she lightly hooked A Tian’s chin, forcing her to look up.
“I’m not some flood beast or savage monster. Why is A Tian dodging me like this?”
She lowered her head. Those bright red lips were almost brushing A Tian’s ear as she breathed softly, her voice like warm orchid-scented air.
“A Tian really breaks my heart.”
A Tian forcibly suppressed the shiver that ran over her skin. She knew it—once you offended this rogue, getting away unscathed was impossible.
“Hall Master thinks too much. A Tian is simply not used to being this close to others, that’s all.”
Her tone was as calm as still water, not a ripple.
“Is that so?”
Yan Hong stared at A Tian’s expressionless face, apparently unmoved by her teasing, and her playful mood only grew. She simply pressed her lips directly to the shell of A Tian’s ear, opening and closing them on purpose, gently rubbing against it.
“I’m standing this close. Doesn’t it make you uncomfortable, A Tian?”
That blatantly suggestive move made A Tian’s ears flare hot in an instant. Her legs went a little weak. She tried her best to act as if nothing was wrong, but if one listened carefully, there was a faint tremor in her voice.
“Hall Master already knows—why bother asking?”
Yan Hong smiled in delight, like a cat that had just stolen cream.
Tao Hua had been quietly cultivating in the side courtyard for several days and had finally memorized all the moves recorded in the Flying Dragon Sword Manual. These past few days, Guan Fusha had been busy with sect matters and only came by very late to see her. Tao Hua was getting impatient, so she simply had Xiao Zhu bring her over to Hibiscus Courtyard to find her.
She had absolutely not expected to walk right into this kind of scene.
A textbook-perfect wall slam, plus that ambiguous ear-kissing…
Tao Hua’s jaw nearly hit the floor.
Sh-she… she hadn’t seen wrong, had she? When had these two gotten together?!
Never mind A Tian for the moment—wasn’t Yan Hong supposed to be secretly in love with Guan Fusha?
A Tian shot a glance at the wide-eyed Tao Hua and Xiao Zhu, then calmly slipped out from under Yan Hong’s arm. She smiled the same gentle, friendly smile as always.
“Protector, are you here to see Protector Guan?”
“Y… yes.”
Tao Hua looked at A Tian, then at Yan Hong, her expression like she had a whole egg stuck in her throat.
