Translator: CinderTL

Mi Man gazed at Fu Kaiyu with awe and apprehension.

As a disciple of the Spirit Jade Palace, and with the Fu Clan merely a cultivation family under the palace’s jurisdiction, Fu Kaiyu likely wouldn’t dare take her life. However, he could certainly make her suffer and force her to return the spirit stones and treasures she had obtained from Fu Hongwen.

Yet none of this was her greatest concern.

What truly worried her was her reputation.

If news spread that she had used her beauty to deceive others out of their treasures, it would become much harder to swindle gullible marks in the future.

It would effectively cut off her source of income.

"Senior Fu, you must be mistaken," Mi Man said, her voice trembling slightly, a hint of wronged innocence on her face. "Young Master Fu and I... share a genuine connection. I am deeply grateful for every gift he has given me and have never once considered deceiving him."

"Fifth Uncle!" Fu Hongwen interjected anxiously, as if fearing Mi Man might misunderstand him due to Fu Kaiyu’s words. He rushed to defend her, "Mi Man is telling the truth! She would never deceive me!"

"Fairy Mi Man is by no means the kind of person who covets treasures. Though she harbors no romantic feelings for me, she considers me her closest confidant. Whenever she faces difficulties, she confides in me, and when I’m in trouble, she does everything she can to help. When my father passed away, I was plunged into despair, unable to pull myself out. It was thanks to Fairy Mi Man’s comforting words that I gradually regained my composure. She has never asked for anything from me; on the contrary, I’m the one who always wants to shower her with treasures."

Fu Hongwen paused slightly, turning to gaze at Mi Man with deep affection and unwavering focus.

"Fairy Mi Man, your heart is set on eternal life, unwilling to be bound by worldly attachments. Therefore, I have never pressed you for anything. Simply being able to see you occasionally fills me with contentment."

Hearing Fu Hongwen’s heartfelt confession, Song Wen, Jing Bei, and Fu Kaiyu all turned to stare at him in astonishment. It was as if they were marveling that such a pure-hearted person could exist in the Immortal Cultivation World.

Song Wen even subconsciously suspected Fu Hongwen might have ulterior motives.

But then he realized he was projecting his own nature onto others. After all, there were still people in the world who treated others with genuine sincerity.

In this life, while scheming and manipulation might bring temporary gains, they also brought exhaustion and constant vigilance. Both he and Mi Man were such people.

For someone as sincere as Fu Hongwen, life was much simpler. However, without powerful backing, such individuals rarely survived long in the Cultivation World.

Unlike Song Wen and the other two men, Mi Man felt no warmth upon hearing Fu Hongwen’s words. Instead, she felt as if thorns were pressing against her back.

Fu Hongwen’s words were deeply affectionate, but spoken before Fu Kaiyu, the Fu Clan Ancestor, they amounted to a blatant accusation of her deceit.

Yet, just as her anxiety peaked, Fu Kaiyu merely smiled with serene detachment.

"Fellow Daoist Mi Man, since my young nephew speaks so highly of you, I naturally trust his judgment. He has a keen eye for character. In the Immortal Cultivation World, finding a true friend who treats you with sincerity is a rare blessing. I hope you won’t disappoint him."

Mi Man’s lips twitched as she forced a strained smile.

"This junior will heed Senior’s teachings. Though I cannot become Young Master Fu’s dao companion, I will never betray this cherished friendship."

"Very well," Fu Kaiyu replied calmly.

The immediate crisis had passed, but Mi Man’s heart remained uneasy.

This is going too smoothly.

Fu Hongwen, with his naive sincerity, had been easily manipulated. But Fu Kaiyu, the Fu Clan Ancestor—a man of profound cunning and experience—couldn’t possibly be deceived by mere words.

"Little friends Mi Man and Lei Yue, please take your seats. Fellow Daoist Jingbei and I merely came to observe and have no intention of disturbing your gathering."

"Thank you, Senior," Song Wen and Mi Man replied in unison, each finding an empty chair to sit on.

"Fellow Daoist Fu speaks truly. We have no desire to interfere in your affairs," Jingbei interjected, his gaze fixed intently on Mi Man, his eyes burning with undisguised desire. "However, seeing you has stirred my mortal heart. Since you have no interest in Fu Hongwen, would you consider me? If you follow me, I will ensure you have an inexhaustible supply of cultivation resources."

Mi Man’s expression froze momentarily, unsure how to respond. She immediately suspected that Fu Kaiyu had refrained from harassing her earlier only to curry favor with Jingbei, who coveted her beauty.

Beside her, Fu Hongwen, who had just sat down, abruptly stood up, his face etched with anxiety. "Senior Jingbei, please do not trouble Fairy Mi Man."

"Silence!" Jingbei snorted coldly, his gaze never leaving Mi Man.

Fu Hongwen tried to speak again, but found his mouth clamped shut, unable to open.

Hongwen struggled with all his might, only to find his body completely immobilized by an invisible force. He could only watch helplessly, his heart burning with anxiety.

"Hongwen, calm yourself," Fu Kaiyu’s voice echoed, revealing that he was the one restraining Fu Hongwen. "Fellow Daoist Jingbei’s affairs are beyond your intervention."

Mi Man’s heart sank as she realized that even Fu Hongwen, her only ally, had been subdued.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior," Mi Man said. "As Young Master Fu has stated, I have no intention of marrying. I hope you will forgive me."

"Heh..." Jing Bei let out a cold laugh, his tone dripping with disdain. "If you have no desire for a dao companion, then why has your Primordial Yin been lost? Are you naturally promiscuous, feigning purity while secretly engaging in shameful acts behind closed doors?"

Mi Man’s face drained of color, turning deathly pale.

She never imagined he could discern her loss of virginity.

Her gaze involuntarily shifted back to Song Wen.

Following her line of sight, Jing Bei turned his attention to Song Wen.

"So, you’re the one who defiled her."

At these words, all eyes turned to Song Wen.

Fu Hongwen’s gaze, in particular, burned with hatred, as if he were staring at his father’s murderer.

TL/N: LOL

When he heard that Mi Man had lost her Primordial Yin, Fu Hongwen felt the world spin. His eyes, initially filled with disbelief, gradually turned hollow.

Upon learning that Lei Yue was the culprit, he was consumed by fury and resentment.

He had even sought Lei Yue’s advice on how to win Mi Man’s favor. He himself had introduced Mi Man to Lei Yue. Yet Lei Yue had stolen her heart, a betrayal akin to inviting a wolf into his home.

Song Wen’s expression froze.

He had only intended to observe from the sidelines, enjoying the drama unfold. How had the blame suddenly shifted to him?

Moreover, what were Jing Bei’s true motives?

First, he had shown Mi Man kindness, then he had belittled her, as if deliberately trying to disgust her.

"Senior, you misunderstand. Fellow Daoist Mi Man and I share only a casual acquaintance, with no romantic entanglement whatsoever. As a disciple of the esteemed Spirit Jade Palace, Fellow Daoist Mi Man is surrounded by suitors, including those as exceptionally talented and of noble lineage as Young Master Fu. With her discerning eye, how could she possibly favor a mere rogue cultivator like myself?"

(End of the Chapter)