The Transmigrated Male Lead Confessed to Me - Chapter 23 (Part 2)

Looking at those bright blue eyes, filled with the morning light and shining with sincerity, Su Zhen felt as if she saw not only his sincere blessings but also many unspoken words.

She blinked. “Senior, do you have something else you’d like to say?”

Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up, and after a moment’s hesitation, he slowly spoke, “If—I mean, only if—you want, I could escort you part of the way. Do you plan to enter the Demon Realm directly or go through a boundary gate?”

In principle, the Nine Realms were connected. However, for those with insufficient cultivation, the only way to travel from the Human Realm to the Demon Realm was by crossing through a boundary gate.

According to legend, the Nine Realms were once unified, only to split gradually over time due to battles among the powerful.

Now, each of the Nine Realms was a distinct plane, but they also overlapped in certain places, where spiritual networks intertwined and overlapped, resulting in many rifts.

With enough rifts, a boundary gate was formed.

Most demonic creatures could enter directly through the rifts, but human cultivators lacking sufficient cultivation had to use the boundary gates.

There were two types of boundary gates. The first type was naturally occurring, as previously described, and the second type was artificially constructed; some of these gates were one-way, while others were two-way, and neither type was easy to locate.

The former appeared at irregular intervals and would dissipate after some time.

In the Eastern Region, most natural boundary gates were either guarded by cultivators from the Tianyuan Sect or sealed. If a seal was disturbed, it immediately alerted someone.

Even if disciples from other sects discovered a boundary gate, they typically didn’t hide it privately; they still needed to report it to the Tianyuan Sect.

However, given the Eastern Region’s vast terrain and abundant spiritual veins, a few natural boundary gates were hidden away in extremely remote and obscure places, controlled by demon cultivators or members of the demon clan.

Boundary gates could also be constructed, though it was a highly complex process.

Su Zhen could remember the locations of around thirty to forty boundary gates, approximately a third of which she could currently access.

In her past life, even when gravely wounded, she could cross directly between the Human and Demon Realms through spells. But if she attempted that now, she would be risking her soul shattering.

So, she had no choice but to use the boundary gates.

“I was just asking casually,” Xiao Yu explained, appearing slightly nervous again. “If you don’t need it, just pretend I didn’t say anything.”

Su Zhen regained her focus. “With my level of cultivation, I can only use the boundary gates. I’m setting out today because the gate I need only opens for a short period each year. Going early wouldn’t help.”

“…In the Eastern Region, there are gates like that, but none of them are opening anytime soon,” Xiao Yu said suddenly. “So the one you’re aiming for must be in another state?”

Su Zhen spread her hands. “Suiyun State. If I go on my own, it’ll take about a day, but if Senior takes me, it would be done in the blink of an eye.”

Xiao Yu’s eyes brightened. “Alright, then shall we go?”

Su Zhen gave him a thoughtful look. “Aren’t you curious why I’m going?”

“Oh, I don’t care what you’re going to do. I just want to know if you’re willing to have company. Besides, people only go to the Demon Realm to do things they’d rather keep in the dark.”

Su Zhen raised an eyebrow. “So you’ve done this too?”

Xiao Yu gave a dry laugh. “I wouldn’t say I’ve done everything you have, but I’ve certainly done plenty that would make the righteous cultivators gossip behind my back.”

Recalling his array of spells and considering his nature, Su Zhen didn’t doubt this for a second.

“If you take me there, should I consider myself in your debt?”

Xiao Yu responded cautiously, “I’ll act as your transport tool only and won’t interfere with anything else you’re doing.”

Su Zhen replied, “…Senior, you’re helping me, so who exactly owes whom here? Isn’t it more like you’re taking me?”

Without hesitation, Xiao Yu said, “I owe you since you’re guiding the way. I’m merely the transportation tool, so it looks like I’m taking you, but really, you’re leading me.”

Su Zhen: “?”

This sounded like a tongue-twister.

She pondered over his term “transport tool,” finding it highly amusing. “If you’re willing, and it saves time, why would I waste time on the road?”

With his level of cultivation, tracking her location would be effortless.

Although he probably wouldn’t do that, she felt it made little difference whether he accompanied her; it would actually save time.

Besides, she was somewhat curious to find out exactly what he thought of her.

Up until now, Xiao Yu had shown some unusual behavior, leading Su Zhen to speculate, though she hadn’t yet confirmed anything. Perhaps becoming more familiar with him would make it easier to discern his intentions.

“Alright.”

Xiao Yu didn’t hide the joy in his eyes. “Where in Suiyun State?”

“Near Feihe City is fine.”

“Let’s go.”

He lifted his hand, as if intending to touch her, but just as his fingertips were about to make contact with her arm, he hesitated and redirected his hand toward her shoulder.

Yet, he still didn’t make contact.

Su Zhen glanced sidelong at his broad, strong hand hovering above her shoulder, unsure where it was meant to land.

Su Zhen: “……”

Did he think I was some kind of vile creature covered in malevolent miasma?

Xiao Yu’s hand paused for a moment, then he raised it, releasing fine threads of golden light from his fingertips. Dozens of rays interwove in the air, then slowly descended to the ground.

Beneath their feet, a golden teleportation array appeared.

Su Zhen’s vision briefly darkened.

Then—

She found herself looking out at an expanse of snowy mountains stretching endlessly before her.

A cold wind swept through, scattering frost and snow across the sky. In the distance, the faint outline of a city could be seen, with villages dotting the mountain slopes. Streams of light flitted across the sky as cultivators traveled by sword, and the aura of spiritual energy became faint.

Su Zhen looked toward the large city ahead.

It stood between the snowy peaks, surrounded by towering mountains. The city walls and gatehouses were tall, with bustling streets visible even from afar. The narrow alleys teemed with people, while carts and carriages moved along the roads in a lively scene.

Su Zhen looked around.

The two stood in the snowy mountains outside the city, a few miles from the gate, surrounded by pine trees dusted with snow, their branches iced over. The air carried a damp chill.

Su Zhen: “…We didn’t even leave Weiyun Peak. I thought teleportation arrays could only be used within the sect.”

Xiao Yu: “It’s not a big deal. My master, senior brother, and senior sister have all done similar things. At most, the Sect Leader might sense something, but she probably won’t bother with it.”

Su Zhen decided not to dwell on it. “By the way, if I hadn’t asked Senior for help and just left on my own, what would you have done?”

Xiao Yu froze. “Left? Then I’d feel a bit dejected since I missed the chance to act as your transport tool.”

“Just that?”

“What else?”

Su Zhen crossed her arms. “So, did you change clothes for nothing?”

Xiao Yu spread his hands. “If you hadn’t asked, I would’ve let it go. I was afraid that offering would annoy you. I wasn’t sure if you’d ask, but I didn’t want to miss even the slightest chance, so I prepared anyway. Even if it was for nothing, that’s fine.”

“Wait a minute. If I wanted to travel with Senior, I wouldn’t mind waiting a moment for you to change. Besides, with your cultivation level, even a robe trailing three feet wouldn’t be an issue, right?”

“It wouldn’t hinder me, but it wouldn’t look neat either. What if it annoyed you?”

“Senior, you are really…”

Su Zhen was momentarily speechless. “So, even the braid is because of that?”

“Oh, no, that’s just because I wanted to look a bit younger.”

“?”

Seeing his serious expression, Su Zhen couldn’t help but find it amusing, and her mouth quirked up in a small smile.

“Hold on!”

Xiao Yu suddenly stopped, looking nervous. “Wait a moment before smiling. Give me a second to prepare.”

“?”

“…I’m just kidding.”

They continued along the main mountain road south of the city, where the terrain smoothed out and checkerboarded with farmland, and villages tucked within the forest, their dark rooftops faintly visible through the tree canopies.

The mountain paths, paved with wide and narrow blue stone slabs, were nearly buried under the snow. The footprints of passersby were quickly covered again, and a thin layer of ice formed beneath the snow.

In the distance, Su Zhen saw local residents. A woodcutter with bundles of firewood, a vegetable farmer with a large basket, and townsfolk carrying smaller baskets as they made their way into the city, all moving carefully.

Since she wasn’t in a hurry and interested in taking in the surrounding scenery, she walked slowly.

Xiao Yu followed beside her, matching her pace without questioning her.

They walked leisurely for a while before hearing the sound of labored breathing behind them.

Two people were moving a small wooden cart up the path, pushing and pulling it together. The wheels creaked over crushed ice and rattled against the stone path.

Su Zhen stepped back a few paces to give them room.

The cart was covered by a cloth, one corner of which had flipped back, revealing fresh fruits and vegetables inside, some still dusted with unmelted snow.

The two people wore patched-up jackets, bundled layer upon layer. Their faces were red from the cold, and white clouds of breath billowed out through the gaps in their scarves.

They seemed a bit tired, but their steps remained steady and strong.

Su Zhen glanced at the fruit on the cart, recognizing a few local specialties, all mountain produce enhanced by the influence of spiritual veins.

The locals often ate these spiritual fruits, which made them generally quite robust.

“Miss.”

Su Zhen reached out and took out a small piece of silver. “I’d like to buy two ziling fruits.”

Her voice, though soft, was not drowned out by the wind and snow but reached their ears clearly.

The person in front, startled, stopped abruptly, as did the one pushing the cart from behind, both looking up in bewilderment.

They had only seen two figures ahead and hadn’t looked closely. Now, with a proper glance, they were stunned.

The young couple standing at the roadside wore only light clothing, yet appeared unfazed by the bone-chilling wind. Not a single snowflake had settled in their hair.

Moreover, their features were strikingly refined, so beautiful that it was hard to look away.

The person pulling the cart gasped and bowed, “Immortals!”

“No need. I just want to buy two fruits.”

Su Zhen steadied the woman, slipping the money into her hand. “Can I pick out two myself?”

The woman nodded blankly. A moment later, she looked at the silver piece in her hand and gasped, “Immortal, you gave too much! I—I’ll give you back some change—”

She started reaching for her money pouch, but Su Zhen waved her hand to refuse.

“No need. I have nowhere to keep it.”

With that, she selected two fruits from the cart. “This is fine, I won’t keep you.”

The two continued on their way and soon disappeared down the path.

Su Zhen held the two round fruits in her hands, running her fingers over their purple-red skins. She summoned a stream of clear water to wash away bits of grass and soil.

Even in this frigid mountain climate, the water she conjured remained warm.

But as soon as it left the fruits, the stream froze mid-air before even reaching the ground.

Su Zhen held up one of the ziling fruits. “Senior, would you like one? It should be quite sweet.”

Xiao Yu accepted it with a look of calm. “Thank you.”

There were still water droplets on the fruit, but none of them showed any sign of freezing. In fact, the fruit felt rather warm in his hand.

Su Zhen bit into hers, but when she looked over, she saw him still holding the fruit, studying it with intense focus, as though he were holding a priceless artifact.

Su Zhen: “…You’re not planning to keep this as a memento, are you?”

Xiao Yu snapped out of his daze. “Hm? How did you know?”

Su Zhen gave him an exasperated look. “Can’t you act normal, Senior? Didn’t you eat the dessert I made for you last time?”

“That was different. That was a return gift from you.”

Xiao Yu’s voice grew softer and softer. “But this… we’re out here… and you thought to… buy me something too… Just thinking about it makes me feel so happy that Ah Wei has died again.”

Su Zhen: “???”