Appreciating New Tea with an Inkstone - Chapter 63

Gu Xiyan originally wanted to ask Ye Qinming what else needed to be resolved, but fearing it might interfere with her healing, she held back her words and urged Ye Qinming to expel the residual spiritual energy from her wounds.

Ye Qinming closed her eyes and immersed herself in cultivation, while Gu Xiyan sat quietly by her side, listening to the changes in her breathing. Within just a few months, she had once again experienced numerous upheavals, eerily similar to those from eight years ago. For Gu Xiyan, it was simply too exhausting.

She tilted her head slightly, listening to Ye Qinming’s breathing and taking in her scent. After the stillness settled in, her weary heart was finally warmed. The corners of her lips curled up slightly—just how much virtue had she accumulated in her past life to be so fortunate as to meet Ye Qinming? And how lucky was she to have gained her love?

Matters of romance had never crossed her mind before. Even when Ah Qi occasionally read her stories of lovesick men and heartbroken women, she found them dull—too saccharine for her taste. Yet, now that it was happening to her, she had tasted every bit of the sweetness and sourness, and to her surprise, she relished it.

Gu Xiyan let out a soft sigh, smiling helplessly, yet within that smile was unmistakable sweetness. She regretted not being able to see Ye Qinming—if she could, she imagined just looking at her would bring a sense of peace and contentment.

She sat upright, her gaze seemingly fixed on Ye Qinming despite her blindness, unconsciously shifting closer. So, when Ye Qinming opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was her little blind girl sitting properly, appearing to stare directly at her. Well, perhaps not exactly staring, but she was so close, so focused, with an expression that was unbearably soft.

Ye Qinming felt an urge to laugh. Her eyes softened as she leaned in slightly, a smile playing on her lips. “Staring at me so closely—can you see me?”

Gu Xiyan turned her face slightly. She lifted her hand and gently traced Ye Qinming’s cheek, then lowered her head slightly, smiling warmly. “I don’t know why, but even though I can’t see, looking at you like this makes me happy, as if I can. I can feel your presence, catch your scent, and imagine your face. It’s almost the same as seeing you.”

Ye Qinming gazed at her intently, the light in her eyes deepening bit by bit. She covered Gu Xiyan’s hand with her own and murmured, “Gu Xiyan, how are you so good at saying such romantic things?”

Gu Xiyan was momentarily stunned before chuckling. “Was that romantic?”

Ye Qinming’s gaze darkened further as she whispered, “If it wasn’t, then why do I feel such an overwhelming urge to kiss you?”

Seeing Gu Xiyan’s ears turn red, Ye Qinming leaned in and kissed the lips she adored.

Gu Xiyan’s eyelashes trembled. Her fingers traced Ye Qinming’s brows before moving to the back of her head, and with a smile, she kissed her back.

After their moment of intimacy, Gu Xiyan steadied her breathing as she nestled against Ye Qinming, letting her play with her fingers.

“Does your back still hurt?” Gu Xiyan turned her head to ask.

It still hurt, of course, but it had improved a great deal. Especially now that she was in a good mood, Ye Qinming barely paid attention to the pain, which was still within her tolerance.

“It’s much better. In a few more days, I’ll be able to heal completely. Don’t worry.”

Gu Xiyan nodded, recalling what Ye Qinming had said earlier. Her brows furrowed slightly as she asked, “Qinming, earlier you told me not to stay here because of certain people. Have you encountered someone troublesome?”

Ye Qinming had no intention of hiding it from Gu Xiyan. If there were people they needed to be wary of, Gu Xiyan should know so she could remain vigilant.

“The Demon Realm has always followed the rule of the strong. As the Demon Emperor, I have four demon kings under me—Guiche, Jiuying, Feidan, and Baize. Their cultivation levels are formidable even within the Three Realms. Among them, Jiuying is the strongest. Ten thousand years ago, he was the most favored candidate for the position of Demon Emperor. Unfortunately for him, he met me and had no choice but to concede. Because of this, he has never fully accepted my rule. Every thousand years, he challenges me to a fight. A thousand years ago, due to my mistake, the Demon Realm suffered a setback, which only deepened his resentment. And now, with my current power greatly diminished, he is even more unwilling to let this go.” Her gaze turned cold as she took a deep breath and continued, “Do you remember when we returned to the Demon Realm? I sent a strand of spiritual energy into the barrier.”

“Yes.” Gu Xiyan nodded.

“At that time, I was notifying them to open the barrier. The defenses of the Demon Realm are heavily fortified. Opening them from the outside is extremely difficult, even for me—it would take a great deal of effort.” She paused, glancing at Gu Xiyan, her expression slightly complicated. “But from the inside, it would be much easier. However, no one opened it from within the entire time. And when you tried to open the barrier, there was another force attempting to shut it.”

Gu Xiyan’s brows knitted together as she said in a low voice, “Was it him?”

Ye Qinming let out a cold laugh. “Yes. And he didn’t even try to hide it. It seems he’s determined to make sure I never return.”

“So, the fact that the people from the Immortal Realm arrived so quickly wasn’t a coincidence either?” Gu Xiyan’s tone grew heavier. If that were truly the case, then Jiuying’s discontent with Ye Qinming had already escalated into murderous intent, to the point of colluding with the Immortal Realm. If things weren’t handled properly and the two forces really joined hands, it would be a great threat to Ye Qinming.

Speaking of this matter, Ye Qinming originally felt some anger. If Jiuying hadn’t interfered and prevented the barrier from opening, Gu Xiyan wouldn’t have had to take the risk alone, nearly losing her life to the Sun-Chasing Bow of Tianshu. But hearing Gu Xiyan’s words, she couldn’t help but smile instead. “How is my little blind girl so clever?”

Ye Qinming had called Gu Xiyan “little blind girl” a few times in her heart before, sometimes in frustration, sometimes in affection, but this was the first time she said it openly. Gu Xiyan was briefly stunned—not because she was angry, but because the way Ye Qinming said it was filled with nothing but tenderness.

She had lived for so many years, and many had called her blind before, but no one had ever addressed her like this. At twenty-six, she was no longer considered young among mortals, yet hearing those words made her face feel warm—especially with the added “my” in front of it.

Ye Qinming, of course, noticed the faint blush on her face, and her heart melted completely. How could there be such a gentle and good-tempered beauty?

She couldn’t help but chuckle softly, her fingers brushing lightly over Gu Xiyan’s eyes as she murmured, “I won’t let you stay like this forever. One day, I want to see your eyes truly reflect me. I want you to see me, to see the Three Realms that you love.”

Gu Xiyan held her hand and lowered her head with a quiet smile. “Alright.”

Ye Qinming was utterly enchanted by her smile. If not for the risk of seeming too impatient, she would have kissed her again. They had only recently confirmed their feelings, and after going through life and death together, they were in the stage where they couldn’t bear to part. That day, Ye Qinming used her injury as an excuse to leave all her duties to Guiche, staying with Gu Xiyan instead. Every now and then, she used the pretense of needing spiritual energy just to steal a kiss from Gu Xiyan.

How could Gu Xiyan not know her intentions? But she indulged Ye Qinming, and seeing her so happy, she simply let her be.

***

Meanwhile, on the other side, Jiuying had initially been somewhat unsettled upon hearing that Ye Qinming had safely returned to the Demon Realm. But in the end, he calmed down. He knew that even if Ye Qinming was aware of his actions, she wouldn’t dare act against him. After all, if they were to completely fall out, the one who would suffer the most would be her.

***

After spending a whole day with Gu Xiyan, Ye Qinming rose early the next morning. Looking at Gu Xiyan, still fast asleep, she smiled slightly before quietly leaving. She headed straight to the Fengshui Border, where Mujin and the others had been temporarily placed.

The Demon Realm was vast, far larger than the human world. Many of its landscapes were surreal and strange—some breathtakingly beautiful, others extremely harsh and perilous. Even demons dared not tread certain areas, such as the Underworld Waters near the boundary between the Demon Realm and the Heavenly Realm, where darkness reigned year-round. Hundreds of miles to the north lay the Nine Abysses of the Yellow Springs, a land so deadly that even someone like Ye Qinming feared it.

The Demon Realm was divided into four great territories: the eastern Fengshui Border, the western Boundless Border, the southern Sea of the Abyss, and the northern Desolate Lands, which were shared with the Heavenly Realm. The Four Demon Kings each ruled one region, while the central Demon Capital served as the core of the realm’s spiritual veins. This vast land was full of both opportunity and danger. The demons Ye Qinming had brought back would have to rely on their own strength to survive.

When Mujin saw Ye Qinming, her eyes immediately brightened with joy, but she quickly suppressed it, pursing her lips in discontent.

“What’s this? You don’t want to come with me?” Ye Qinming asked with a teasing glint in her eyes. This Mujin… her gaze softened for a moment. If her little blind girl knew, she would surely be happy.

Mujin tensed up. “I’m not going with you—I’m looking for my lady! Where did you hide her?”

“If you’re not coming with me, then where do you plan to look for her? Also, stop saying ‘my lady’ all the time—she’s not yours. Did you hear me?”

Mujin was momentarily stunned before furrowing her brows. “If she’s not mine, then what, she’s yours? Just because my lady likes you doesn’t mean you can be so possessive!”

Ye Qinming had initially planned to lecture the girl properly. If not for the fact that she had sensed Mujin’s connection to Ah Qi, she wouldn’t have been so indulgent. But hearing her say that Gu Xiyan liked her, Ye Qinming’s mood instantly soared. “How do you know she likes me?”

Mujin huffed in frustration. “Your smile is practically splitting your face—can’t you control yourself a little?”

Ye Qinming’s expression stiffened, and she immediately returned to her usual serious demeanor. “Nonsense. When did I ever smile? If you want to see the little blind girl, shut your mouth.”

And so, Mujin spent the entire journey calling Ye Qinming the real “little blind girl” and grumbling about how unfair she was to Gu Xiyan. Ye Qinming didn’t get angry—after all, whenever she called Gu Xiyan “little blind girl,” Gu Xiyan would blush shyly and never once protest.