Volume One: Hidden in the Azure Abyss Chapter Twenty-Three

"Who told you?" Geng Yuan was clearly flustered.

"It doesn't matter anymore. Judging by your complexion, you must have already taken the antidote. The Beauty Gu gives just one antidote in its lifetime, yet two people were afflicted? You are clever, and you must know that once the Gu poison is cured, all feelings born from it will vanish without a trace. So, you do not love me. In that case, there is no need for us to entangle any further. Go. This time, you truly can leave."

"... Jin, you can't... you can't do this to me..."

"When I began cultivating, I sought the Path of Freedom. I am neither a pious devotee nor possessed of a saintly heart. Now, I simply lack the strength to argue about the past with you."

She truly could not hate Geng Yuan, nor could she blame him. Revenge seemed almost laughable; she was simply too weary.

After a moment’s silence, Jinli spoke again, "I am tired, truly tired. I owe you nothing. Go, and do not return to Lotus River again."

Geng Yuan did not answer. He merely stood there quietly. When the moon emerged from behind the clouds, Jinli saw that the ground was scattered with pearls of all sizes.

She ignored them, rose, and walked away.

Three days later.

Yanhe Pavilion.

Xiao He carefully poured her a cup of sobering tea. "Mistress, please have some tea."

The young woman's eyes were glazed with intoxication. She stared at the gentle, handsome youth before her, then smiled, curling her lips. "Xiao He, you are truly beautiful."

Xiao He blushed, lowering his gaze.

The youths in the private chamber were all refined and charming, skilled in music and poetry.

At that moment, melodious notes filled the air, and several delicate boys nestled close to Jinli's side.

She had not seen Geng Yuan for three days. How fortunate! Yanhe Pavilion and these beauties kept her company—why waste thought on him?

But just then, noisy voices sounded outside the door.

"Move aside!"

The door was rudely pushed open. The music ceased abruptly. Jinli opened her eyes slightly, squinting at the uninvited guest before her.

A sullen youth stood there, anger clouding his face, yet his demeanor exuded an imposing authority that made hearts quiver.

He looked at Jinli, sprawled drunkenly on the soft seat, a handsome youth nestled at her shoulder, half-exposed, whispering in her ear.

He felt an overwhelming urge to strangle that reckless boy.

"Young master, you cannot—"

Geng Yuan casually tossed a handful of immortal stones to the waiting servant.

"Out."

The servant was quick-witted and hurried away.

Everyone in the room stared at the boy, whose aura was fierce and daunting.

Jinli set down her cup. "Oh, so it’s the Young Master. No, that's not right—should call you Sea Lord now."

Geng Yuan spoke coldly, "All of you, get out."

"Who dares?"

The beautiful youths exchanged uncertain glances, unsure whom to obey.

Jinli addressed the handsome men in the room, "This is the Sea Lord, ruler of the four seas, with untold treasures. If you win his favor, your lives will be secure."

Her words carried a chill and mockery.

"So you are the Sea Lord. Come, sit and drink with us, enjoy the music."

Geng Yuan strode forward, covering the distance in a few steps to stand before Jinli.

He glared at Xiao He, then raised his hand. Countless precious immortal stones fell before them. He said in a low voice, "Take these and leave."

His face, though beautiful, was cold and menacing, as if he might kill someone at any moment. Fear seized their hearts, and they hurriedly gathered the stones and left.

The handsome boys, entangled with the Mistress, dared not meddle in her private affairs. Besides, those stones could support them for a lifetime; with immortal herbs easily purchased, who would refuse such fortune?

Now only Jinli and Geng Yuan remained, staring at each other.

Jinli sighed inwardly, bored, and rose to pour herself more wine.

The youth’s chest heaved. He pulled her upright, wrapped his arm around her waist without a word. Jinli, tipsy and unsteady, leaned against Geng Yuan's chest and smiled. "Isn’t the Sea Lord always disdainful of such people? Why bother?"

But his next action startled her. His hand gently tightened around her neck, then he lowered his head and kissed her slightly parted lips.

That kiss was fierce and possessive, tasting every inch of her slowly.

Her lips were warm and soft, intoxicatingly sweet.

She could not tell if it was the Beauty Gu or genuine feeling.

After a long while, he released her. She gazed into his eyes and smiled faintly. "How ridiculous. The Beauty Gu has made the Sea Lord act in such a manner. Wasn’t your Gu already cured? Why do you still lose control?"

He did not know. He only knew he could not bear to see any other man at her side.

She played with the wine on the table, her tone carefree. "If you can’t restrain yourself, go find someone else. Don’t bother me."

For the first time, she cursed.

Jinli pushed him away, grabbed a jar of wine, and staggered drunkenly out the door.

Leaving the youth alone, questioning his own heart over and over.

Two days later, Jinli did not return to Yanhe Pavilion. She did not wish to see Geng Yuan again.

She stayed at Lotus River, drinking endlessly, hoping to numb herself with wine, or escape her wretched state.

She slept, slept until the world turned upside down, so she need not care about those troublesome matters.

She slept for seven days straight.

On this day.

"... Yunxiang, wine."

Yunxiang brought wine again and again, gazing at the bottles scattered across the ground. In the thick shade of the pear tree, Jinli’s face showed no sign of drunkenness. Her beautiful peach blossom eyes were full of allure, her gaze dreamy, shifting as she watched the light filtering through the leaves and branches. She tilted her head back, clear wine trickling down her fair face, past her delicate chin.

After finishing, Jinli smacked her lips, eyeing the wine jar with frustration. "Why is there no taste? How did Huayan brew this?"

She rested her head on her arm, staring blankly at the leaves. What was she doing, feeling lost and sorrowful over a love that should never have existed? She was Jinli, Mistress worshipped by all the gods of the Six Realms, and yet here she was, drinking for days over a mere merman.

How laughable, utterly absurd.

Perhaps all the Four Seas and Eight Deserts were watching her make a fool of herself.

Once, Jinli loved herself more than anyone. But now, she disliked the person she had become.

Able to let go, but unwilling to.

She had merely been tricked, yet her current state was far too wretched, too pitiful.

When she finally rose, Yunxiang was tidying the empty bottles. She got up and asked, "How long did I sleep?"

"Less than half an hour."

Yunxiang’s worried expression lingered. "Mistress, please return to your room. Though the weather is hot again, autumn is near, and the chill may set in."

Jinli climbed down from the pear tree, glanced at the empty bottles, and murmured, "Autumn?" The last autumn had been spent with Geng Yuan.

Forget it, thinking of him was truly unlucky.

She looked at the pears on the green tree; they were fewer now. Her lotuses still bloomed, maintained by immortal magic—how different they were. But how long could magically sustained flowers remain vibrant?