Chapter Five: You Should Visit Your Senior Sister More Often When You Have Time

Su Jian frowned slightly and asked, “Where did she go?”

To be frightened into tears so easily was truly dull. So fragile... compared to the young junior sister of the Jade Divine Palace, she was far inferior. What a pity, that person was no longer in this world.

The little maid gave him a timid glance and replied in a weak voice, “She comes and goes without a trace. How could I possibly know where she's gone…”

Su Jian had to settle for the next best thing, ceasing to press her further. “Then take us to her residence.”

The little maid hesitated, her emotions conflicted. “But she forbids anyone from approaching. She’ll kill me.”

Su Jian saw through her concerns. “So she’s not to be trifled with, but I am? Just lead us there, she won’t blame you.”

With the conversation at this point, the little maid dared not refuse any longer and immediately led the way.

...

Along the path, pavilions and towers rose at varying heights, winding corridors stretched on, and flowers bloomed in abundance. Su Henli’s residence was located in the deepest part of the estate, relatively secluded. Nearby, the cold green of bamboo stood out, and the pavilion backed onto a lake whose surface shimmered with clear blue light.

Su Jian harbored no hostility towards the nobility; instead, he considered that the environment in which he would be living for the foreseeable future was quite decent. Though it couldn’t compare to the immortal mountains and blessed lands, he was not picky.

As for Su Henli’s residence, Su Jian was naturally bold—he pushed the door open and entered directly, unwilling to stand outside and wait. The little maid shrank back, wishing she could leave, but in the end, Su Jian pulled her in as well.

He still had a few questions for her, such as what Su Henli had done since arriving, any oddities, and so on. From the outset, he never believed that this journey to Lingzhou would be smooth.

...

Meanwhile, in an unremarkable woodshed within the city lord's mansion, a middle-aged scholarly man sat carelessly on a chair that was about to fall apart, his head wrapped in a rag, unbothered by the filth.

Before him stood a young man in white, with long hair and the appearance of a refined gentleman—forming a stark contrast with the middle-aged man.

The young man spoke anxiously, “Father, I heard that that demoness has guests. Shouldn’t we go and see?”

The middle-aged man’s face was full of bitterness. “No... Just wait and see. I have already reported this matter to the court not long ago. Endure a little longer, and your hardships will soon come to an end.”

The young man’s expression changed dramatically, his voice urgent and trembling. “Father, don’t be naïve! If the court intended to intervene, they would have already. In my opinion, even the court dares not provoke her. Our situation now is like abandoned pawns. Let’s escape—if we stay, we’re doomed!”

The middle-aged man’s face turned solemn. “Do not criticize the court!”

The young man took a deep breath, striving to remain calm, and once again tried to persuade gently, “Father, even if that demoness doesn’t kill you, there are no secrets that can be kept forever. The things you’ve done are enough to warrant the loss of eight hundred heads!”

The middle-aged man’s pupils contracted slightly. He replied in a low voice, “Let me think about it…”

The young man moved his lips, but in the end, all his words dissolved into a sigh. He said nothing more and turned to leave the woodshed.

This middle-aged man was none other than the city lord of Lingzhou. Watching his son’s silhouette disappear, a smile curled at the corner of his mouth. “Son... don’t blame your father. The day you long for is not far off, but the subtle differences within it—do not mind…”

...

Elsewhere, by the lakeside pavilion.

It was not until midday that Su Henli finally returned. Her peach-blossom eyes swept over the interior, a barely noticeable hint of ruthlessness flickering deep within them.

Behind her followed a man whose face was slightly pale; his gaze was indifferent, and he uttered not a word.

Su Henli ignored Su Jian entirely, striding quickly toward Zhao Qianxue, plunging directly into her arms, pressing her smooth cheek tightly against Zhao Qianxue’s chest.

She spoke in a sweet voice, “Master’s wife, at last you’ve come. Your disciple has been waiting for so long. I heard that the sect suffered calamity recently, and these days I’ve been unable to eat or sleep well. If not for tasks entrusted by my master, I would have rushed to your side at once to fulfill my filial duty.”

Witnessing this scene, Su Jian could not help but wish to take her place. Though Su Henli’s beauty was not quite equal to Zhao Qianxue’s, she was nearly as lovely and perhaps even more alluring.

The little maid nearby turned her face expressionless, pursing her lips. Hypocritical demoness! These days she has not lacked for delicacies, and her appetite has even grown compared to before.

She had thought perhaps the demoness had encountered some happiness.

For this, she had been quietly troubled for quite some time.

Zhao Qianxue was greatly comforted, and she pointed to Su Jian beside her, introducing, “Thanks to your junior brother, we arrived safely. He risked his life many times to protect us.”

Su Henli smiled, “Little brother, you must come visit your senior sister more often.”

Before Su Jian could respond, she suddenly pointed a finger, a cold gleam flashing forth, launching a lethal strike at the little maid with lightning speed.

...

In an instant, a bloody hole appeared in the little maid’s brow. At the moment of death, her eyes widened in terror, and her frail body fell heavily backward with a dull thud.

Su Henli, as if nothing had happened, cheerfully called out, “Master’s wife, little brother, please sit. Don’t let a mere ant spoil the mood.”

For a moment, both Su Jian and Zhao Qianxue were stunned, unable to react—the scene had happened too suddenly.

The man standing behind Zhao Qianxue, however, remained unfazed, as if he had witnessed such things many times.

Su Jian’s heart trembled, his feelings complicated. Was this a show of force? Moreover, Su Henli was so capricious—she would be difficult to deal with, and being involved with her was almost like negotiating with a tiger.

But he had no better choice.

To take such a risk was a necessity.

He urgently needed a period of respite; otherwise, even with his golden finger in hand, he would have no opportunity to make full use of it.

Even Zhao Qianxue felt that Su Henli had become somewhat unfamiliar. She had not been so wanton in killing innocents before.

Zhao Qianxue forced a smile, responding honestly, “No matter. We of the Jade Divine Palace should not be overly concerned with trifles.”

Just then, several messages from the system suddenly appeared in Su Jian’s mind.

[Option One: Thank your senior sister for her hospitality and promise to follow her lead from now on, becoming her loyal follower.]
[Reward: Immediate activation of ultimate evolution for low-tier cultivation techniques.]

[Option Two: “Senior sister, I don’t want to work hard anymore!” Confess your love to her on the spot!]
[Reward: Immediate activation of your God of Cooking journey.]

[Option Three: Find a way to eliminate Su Henli.]
[Reward: Immediate activation of the Dao Companion linkage mode.]

[Note: Failure to complete the task will result in permanent loss of the opportunity to claim the reward. Please choose carefully.]