My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 775 - 486: Bright Moonlight (Combined - s)

The person departed far away, but the air still carried a lingering fragrance.

Chen Yi turned his head to the side as Yin Tingxue's flushed little face peeked out. He tightened his belt and teased with a grin, "Ignored you, huh?"

The girl quickly shook her head without hesitation, afraid of being implicated by his antics—she knew all too well what kind of person he was.

Besides, in the forest, what manner of decorum could this even count as?

His actions couldn't be called anything short of crude, nor could they be described as anything but lawless debauchery. Yin Tingxue had always disliked such things, and now her brows furrowed lightly. That peculiar smell wafted into her nose, filling her with disgust, and she said repeatedly, "This isn't right. Too casual."

Chen Yi didn't care much and replied, "She asked for it."

"Then she's wrong," Yin Tingxue paused, then added, "And you're wrong, too."

Chen Yi turned his head and raised an eyebrow to look at her.

"Wrong is still wrong..." Her tone weakened.

Chen Yi snorted in response, indifferent to the comment, and said, "Man and woman tease and jest; he gifts her with a peony."

Yin Tingxue knew this was a line from the Book of Songs referring to forest trysts. She could clearly hear the smugness in his voice. Using the Book of Songs as a pretext—wasn't this just twisting the meaning? She shook her head and said, "You're misappropriating context."

"Where's the misappropriation?"

Yin Tingxue rolled her eyes and said, "Your line mentions peonies. Are you planning to tryst with Master Zhou next?"

"How do you know I haven't already?"

"Huh?"

Yin Tingxue froze on the spot.

Her image of Zhou Yitang shattered like fragile ice, cracking abruptly.

Chen Yi smiled at her and said, "Just kidding. Nothing like that ever happened."

Yin Tingxue let out a sigh of relief—of course. Master Zhou was such an upright person; how could he ever do something so absurd? Even if Chen Yi managed to charm him later, everything would remain as it always was. Master and disciple—respecting their hierarchical roles was key.

But with the conversation heading this way, Yin Tingxue had lost the urge to reprimand Chen Yi further. She edged nearer to him.

Chen Yi turned and walked toward the small building, asking as he went, "How was it this time?"

"… A little scary, but I didn't realize I was this strong!" At the end of her comment, her voice involuntarily rose in excitement.

"Hmm, I was late."

As he said this, there was a hint of remorse in his tone. He wondered if Yin Tingxue would pick up on it but couldn't bring himself to say a straightforward apology.

The girl's delicate ears twitched as she looked at him and said, "I don't mind."

Chen Yi raised his brows slightly at her response and said, "I wasn't apologizing to you."

"Hmm-hmm. I already knew that."

Chen Yi took a deep breath.

Yin Tingxue secretly laughed to herself.

Back at the small building, Chen Yi instructed Yin Tingxue to wait outside before stepping in calmly. Inside, the many foster children of the Guhuo Bird had just awakened. The sight of someone entering immediately made them tense as if facing an enemy.

On the contrary, the Guhuo Bird hurriedly greeted him with an ingratiating smile.

Chen Yi spoke unhurriedly, "You intend to surrender to the court?"

"Yes…"

"Swear a Heart Demon oath to serve me henceforth."

His tone brooked no argument.

The Guhuo Bird dared not refuse. Without delay, it uttered a spell and swore a Heart Demon oath. A thin mist coiled around it and soon merged into its heart.

Chen Yi retrieved the No-Life Tripod from his robes. Its fissure remained, making it far from its former glory, but it was still functional. He asked, "Do you want to bring this along when you go to surrender?"

The Guhuo Bird hesitated for a moment before shaking its head and saying, "It's not essential."

To the court, compared to the so-called Holy Artifact of the White Lotus Sect, intelligence was far more important. Besides, this No-Life Tripod's origins were unclear; it wasn't even truly a Holy Artifact of the White Lotus Sect.

Chen Yi nodded slightly. Since the Guhuo Bird didn't want it, he could study it further. Heading south to Dragon and Tiger Mountain to confront the White Lotus Sect was inevitable. Knowing the enemy was paramount.

He rubbed his finger over the intricate patterns on the tripod.

Certainly, the Heavenly Eye should be able to uncover the origins of this No-Life Tripod.

......

After rescuing the dancer who was about to be devoured by the demons, she helped Chen Yi and Yin Tingxue find their way.

To head south toward Hu-Guang, the best route was via water. They would follow the main stream of the Yellow River southward to Mount Song, covering nearly a thousand miles overnight before switching to land routes at Mount Song, then diverting to Ru River. After bypassing the Qinling Mountains, they'd enter the Yangtze River system, instantly reaching the Hu-Guang area.

Chen Yi and Yin Tingxue didn't delay. For three days, they traveled from dawn till dusk. Still, by the time they reached the water town, they were running a bit behind. It was curfew time—the night watchmen beat drums and gongs as they patrolled, sending pedestrians back home. Only faint shadows were left in the streets.

The two didn't go to the inn first. Instead, they tried their luck at the pier.

By the pier, a few small boats floated, tethered by ropes but unmanned. It seemed the boatmen had gone home.

"What now?"

Yin Tingxue looked frustrated. They were supposed to settle at the inn for the night, but Chen Yi had insisted on coming here first. Now the inn was likely closed, and they might have to make a trip to the government office.

"Don't fret." Chen Yi chuckled and crouched down, reaching his hand into the water.

Yin Tingxue raised an eyebrow and watched.

The water rippled, and when Chen Yi pulled his hand back, he held a shrimp and a crab in his palm.

He threw the shrimp onto the ground first.

"Shrimp Soldier."

The large shrimp landed, rapidly expanding in size. Its mouth opened and closed rhythmically as it stood on two legs with drooping claws, looking dazed and slumpy.

Chen Yi then tossed the crab to the ground.

"Crab General."

The crab stabilized itself on eight limbs before forcing itself upright. Standing on two legs like a person, it swivelled its eyes around and looked noticeably more intelligent than the shrimp.

Under Yin Tingxue's amazed gaze, the Shrimp Soldier and Crab General clinked their claws together before bowing to Chen Yi.

"Are you ready, kids?" Chen Yi asked loudly.

"Yes, Captain."

"Too soft! Louder."

"Yes, Captain!"