Today, The Villain Couple is Settling Scores Again

The Dark Abyss had fully transformed into a Black Rock Island in the Arctic Sea, much to the delight of everyone in Jiuzhou.

Although the root of the issues had been removed, there are still many big and little matters requiring management.

As the four key people who knew the ins and outs of the situation, Jian Huan, Shen Jizhi, Gu Shan, and Yin Yusheng temporarily stayed in Imperial Pacification Office in Jiuzhou city, coordinating with various arrangements in Jiuzhou.

Three days later, the afternoon sunlight was warm and pleasant.

In the guest room of the inn, Jian Huan who had just returned from visiting Elder Yu Qing sat by the window, letting out a long breath.

Finally, almost all matters had been dealt with.

In the Bodhi Tower, she omitted the details about the soul from other worlds and exaggerated the events a bit, sharing the story of the Bodhi Spirit with everyone.

The insect king's demonic poison of Elder Yu Qing was also completely driven out by her joyous spells. With a few days of further recuperation, Elder Yu would return to his original state.

The waiting now was for various gratuities from the Jade Clarity Sect and the Imperial Pacification Office.

Upon thinking of this, Jian Huan’s eyes curved, and her lips lifted into a smile, revealing two rows of white teeth.

She stretched out her legs onto the table, reclined back into the chair, hands folded onto her lower abdomen, and began to explore her primordial state in joy.

A progress from the golden core upwards was a qualitative change each step of the way.

The biggest difference from the golden core phase was that primordial stage cultivators have developed a Yuan Shen that could be manifested.

Jian Huan closed her eyes, controlling her Yuan Shen, stretched it outside her brain, aiming towards the Xuantian Mirror.

Previously, she needed to keep her eyes open to swipe the Xuantian mirror, and use her hands to reply to messages. But now, she could do it even with the eyes closed, and she did not need to use her hand to write anymore.

Ecstatic, Jian Huan typed swiftly using her spiritual sense, multitasking to reply to the long-accumulated pile of messages in the Xuantian Mirror.

There were messages from Medicine Granny, Jiang Mian, Gong Feihong, and close seniors from her sect that she chatted regularly with.

Halfway through the replies, a new message popped up.

[Pixiu with Sword: Have you returned?]

While still replying to Medicine Granny and Jiang Mian, Jian Huan tossed two words over casually: [Yeah.]

As always, the reply from the other end was concise: [Okay.]

Jian Huan weaved her spiritual sense toward Shen Jizhi's message query, [How about you, what did the old fellows say?]

Shen Jizhi got called by Sect Leader Dao Xuan right at dawn.

Although it was not specified, Jian Huan figured it certainly had to do with the Devil source stone within Shen Jizhi’s body.

It was only later that she learned that it was not only her primordial thunder catastrophe but Shen Jizhi also had his.

When the two thunder tribulations mixed, supplemented by the power of the Bodhi Seed and the root of the Dark Abyss, it resulted in such an enormous and frightening event that the whole Jiuzhou was filled with thunder and lightning clouds.

Technically speaking, after encountering the primordial thunder catastrophe and stepping into the primordial phase, there should be no devil qi in Shen Jizhi's body.

However, those old fellows were not at ease, they still called for Shen Jizhi, wanting to verify it themselves.

[Pixiu with Sword: Congratulate me on the dispersion of the devil qi, and stepping into the primordial phase. They said we are free to leave now and return to our sect to receive rewards.]

Jian Huan's heart thumped, and the Xuantian Mirror lit up brightly on the table: [Really? Nice!!]

[Pixiu with Sword: Nice?]

[Money Money Talisman 2: It means very good.]

[Pixiu with Sword: Oh.]

[Money Money Talisman 2: Since we can leave now, shall we return to Yuqing early tomorrow morning?]

Having been away for many days, Jian Huan missed home.

[Pixiu with Sword: Ok.]

Suddenly, Jian Huan turned serious and asked, [Shen Jizhi, are you writing on the mirror with your hand now?]

[Pixiu with Sword: If not?]

[Money Money Talisman 2: Try communicating with consciousness, it's so handy! You don't need to open your eyes or use your hand, you can respond to ten people at once!]

[Pixiu with Sword:... ]

[Pixiu with Sword: Right now, are you replying to anyone else but me?]

[Money Money Talisman 2: Why not? It saves so much time. Time is money, I'm saving lots of money at once.]

[Pixiu with Sword: Pretty good.]

He paused.

[Pixiu with Sword: Nice.]

Jian Huan: "..."

"Junior Sister Jian?" A warm voice called from outside the door. It was Yin Yusheng.

Hearing him, Jian Huan quickly stood up from her chair and ran to open the door, immediately asking: "Yin Senior Brother, so, did you bring me the sect rules?"

"I brought them." Yin Yusheng handed over two thick books to Jian Huan, the inquiry clear on his face. "What do you need these for?"

"We want to calculate something ourselves." Jian Huan held the books like cherished possessions. Right when she was about to ask something, her gaze went past Yin Yusheng, falling on a young man nonchalantly walking from a winding corridor.

Jian Huan's eyes brightened, and she pointedly waved: "Shen Jizhi!"

Shen Jizhi smiled and in a flash was beside Jian Huan.

Yin Yusheng greeted warmly, "Brother Shen."

"Brother Yin." Shen Jizhi nodded, glancing at the person beside him and naturally extending his hand.

Jian Huan threw the books in her arms to him. Turning to Yin Yusheng, she asked curiously, "Yin Brother, how is the Imperial Pacification Office going to deal with your and Ran Mu'er's matter?"

After all, the incident of the Bodhi Tower's disappearance was their joint effort.

In any case, it was a violation of the Nine Provinces Continent Law.

"Sin for merit, offsetting the good and the bad." Yin Yusheng looked at the flawless pair before him, sighed deeply, and bowed deeply, "This is the best outcome for me and Mu'er. Both of you were kind to my family, for this Yin shall never forget."@@novelbin@@

Shen Jizhi, hearing the words, showed no change in his expression.

He lowered his gaze to skim through the books, folding the corner of the page with applicable content.

"That's enough." Jian Huan waved her hand generously, "Your sister paid for it, we have squared the debt, no need to thank us."

Yin Yusheng smiled, "If you need anything in the future, feel free to approach me."

"Yeah, yeah." Jian Huan casually answered, then asked, "By the way, how is Ran Mu'er?"

"Mu'er is now with her master at the Harmony Union Sect. She suffered heavy injuries and has yet to regain consciousness, but her life is not in danger." Yin Yusheng replied, "I came here to bid you farewell. I am leaving in a while to take care of her at the Harmony Union Sect."

"Alright, we'll stay in touch. Shen Jizhi and I will probably also be heading back to our sect the day after tomorrow." Jian Huan greeted Yin Yusheng, "See you at Yuqing!"

Yin Yusheng also greeted Jian Huan in the morning in a simple manner: "Goodbye, take care, see you at Jade Clarity Sect!"

After Yin Yusheng left, Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi immediately returned to their room, sitting side by side at the table, engrossed in their reading.

Jian Huan looked through the two books brought by Yin Yusheng, one was "Jade Clarity Sect Rules", and the other was "Nine Provinces Continent Law". Inside the books were detailed rules, specifying different punishments for different misdeeds, and how rewards were allotted for meritorious deeds.

Together, Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi had made a great impact, killing the Demon Heart Worm King, and destroying the Dark Abyss. They had also found the Bodhi Stupa.

She calculated the total of the rewards they would receive and was left in disbelief; the total was astronomical.

"But... every calculation gives the same figure," Jian Huan exclaimed.

Jian Huan traced the surface of the paper, momentarily stunned. She turned towards Shen Jizhi, gripping his shoulder with her trembling hand, and asked in a shaky voice, "Shen Jizhi, what... what did you calculate the total to be?"

Shen Jizhi quietly closed the book, his slender fingers resting on the cover. His eyes glittered as he calmly responded: "Our total reward, from the two Elder Courts and the additional rewards, comes to 8,001,000,000 Spirit Stones."

Confused, Jian Huan blinked, frowning, "But I got exactly 8 billion, where did the extra 100,000 come from?"

Shen Jizhi glanced at her, taking her cool hand into his. He pulled her into his embrace without a word. He then reopened the book on the table, turning the pages until he landed on a particular one. Pointing to an entry, he said clearly: "The entrance to the Dark Abyss was discovered by us. Although we did not directly disclose it to the Nine Provinces, they were able to find it thanks to us. Even though they..."

He paused, drawing his hand back and wrapping it around Jian Huan's waist. There was a hint of displeasure on his cold face. "They arrived too late, but according to the law, we should get the reward of 100,000."

Jian Huan found a comfortable spot on his lap, nestled in his arms, she read the clause while following Shen Jizhi's logic. Finally, she nodded seriously, "You're right."

"Over 8 billion..." Jian Huan murmured, the feeling was surreal.

She leaned back dreamily, then suddenly looked up, "Your master should also get quite a lot, right?"

"Him?" Jian Huan had only loosely tied up her hair today, and the wooden hairpin had slipped a little. Shen Jizhi reached out to adjust it for her, then calculated, "One billion."

Jiang Wei was killed by Gu Shan and Yin Yusheng working together. Yin Yusheng stole the Bodhi Stupa and almost caused a disaster, but their merits counterbalanced their actions. Gu Shan could use this, along with a few other things, to get a reward of one billion.

"We should hurry up and tell Senior Gu so he can also feel happy," Jian Huan mumbled, "But these past two days, I haven't seen your master, where is he?"

Shen Jizhi chuckled lightly: "He's probably somewhere drinking wine, living in a drunken stupor."

Upon hearing this, Jian Huan burst into laughter, "Your master knows how to enjoy life the best."

Shen Jizhi offered no affirmation nor opposition, tightening his hold on Jian Huan, his chin resting at the base of her neck.

No one spoke, and the elegantly furnished room fell silent.

They sat by the window, in a quiet embrace, silently watching as the sun outside the window slowly set.

It was winter and the weather was chilly.

The tall white poplar in the front yard had leaves that had all turned yellow, hanging on the branches like golden ornaments. When the winter wind blew, dried leaves covered the ground.

Both of them were in the YuanYing stage, naturally not afraid of the severe cold.

However, due to their actions in the Dark Abyss, the Imperial Pacification Office had specially arranged for them the best room and ensured they were well taken care of.

In the morning when she and Shen Jizhi had left, the room was thoroughly cleaned by others. In the large gilt copper basin engraved with green, blue, yellow entwined flowers, fresh high-quality charcoal was replaced, making the room as warm as a spring day.

Perhaps the charcoal fire was too strong, or perhaps Shen Jizhi's embrace was too hot.

Jian Huan felt a thin layer of sweat on her body.

Her long eyelashes dropped and lifted, repeating the action again and again.

Turning her head, in the clear black and white pupils reflected the image of Shen Jizhi. She called out, "Hey, Shen Jizhi."

Shen Jizhi's adam's apple bobbed, his voice slightly deep, "Hmm?"

With an ‘ok’ sign, Jian Huan asked him, "What does this mean?"

Shen Jizhi paused momentarily, looked at her thoughtfully, as if understanding something, responded quietly, "It means 'good'."

"Correct." Jian Huan then switched her gesture, "What about this one?"

Shen Jizhi: "You like me."

Jian Huan: "......"

Jian Huan: "That’s a heart gesture!"

Shen Jizhi's lips slightly hooked, "Hmm, you like me, what's wrong with that?"

Jian Huan: "......"

Forget it; she wouldn't argue with him.

Irritatedly, Jian Huan withdrawn her hand, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Shen Jizhi, do you know why I know these things?"

Shen Jizhi gently played with her knuckles in an absent-minded manner, and responded with a sound, "Why?"

"I am not... from Jiuzhou." Jian Huan murmured softly, revealing everything that had truly happened inside the Pagoda to him.

The secret she had been hiding, surprisingly seemed easy to share, as simple as drinking water.

Maybe it was because she knew that no matter what she said, where she came from, who she was, none of it would affect him or her.

After listening to her story attentively, Shen Jizhi honestly said, "I had some suspicions."

But it didn't matter to him, as long as she was there, nothing else mattered.

"Is that so?" Jian Huan looked at him skeptically, shrugged, and huffed, "Fine, I guess you're somewhat intelligent."

Shen Jizhi seemed to disagree, "Somewhat?"

Jian Huan held back her laughter and then nodded.

But she couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.

She slanted her head and pointed at his nose, laughing and scolding, "You're really shameless."

"Is that so?" Shen Jizhi neither affirmed nor denied, "Since you've said it, then, Jian Huan—" His eyes that were as limpid as glass instantly plunged into the deep pool when he leaned closer. His voice became so low that only she could hear it, carrying an inexplicable seduction, "Would you want me now?"

A faint blush spread on Jian Huan's face, staring at the man in front of her.

His ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‍features hadn't changed from when they first met three years ago, still the face that seemed extraordinarily favored by the Heavens.

But his charisma, like a pot of peach blossom wine, had become more intoxicating with time, compelling people to get drunk in it.

Jian Huan leaned in, closing her eyes, and kissed him.

The simple touch of their lips made Shen Jizhi's heart throb. Something suppressed for a long time seemed to break through the earth.

Sensing something, Jian Huan's fine eyelashes trembled slightly, nearly knocking her off balance.

Feeling a skipped beat, her lips tentatively pried open his slightly cool ones.

Shen Jizhi gasped impatiently, leaning back on the chair, letting Jian Huan kiss him.

His fingers curling around her waist, a mix of respect and debauchery, started to pull at her light apricot belt, slipping underneath her clothes.

As if on a rainy day, sheltering under a broken oiled paper umbrella.

The rain slid down the leaky surface.

Soon, his hands were wet.

With a creak, the sandalwood desk by the window rattled.

Her porcelain-like back grazed it, the cold made Jian Huan tremble slightly.

She murmured in surprise, "Shen Jizhi…"

"Um?" His body, a blend of aesthetics and strength from practicing the sword, leaned over her. As his five-color spiritual power glowed, a barrier encapsulated the entire room, and the brown bamboo curtain by the window was lowered, keeping the splendid spring light outside.

"Jian Huan, your consciousness is not only used for the Xuantian Mirror." Shen Jizhi lowered his head, his forehead touching Jian Huan's; one hand supporting the back of her head, the other holding her bent knee. He sighed softly, "Could you release all your consciousness now?"

Jian Huan's hands gripped Shen Jizhi's shoulders as her breathing became irregular.

She realized the implication of his words, her moist eyes opening to look at him.

Male's cold and aloof features were covered by a layer of flushed color, the corners of his eyes implying lingering emotions, like a fallen moon fairy.

His voice seemed to carry a sweet charm that was hard to refuse.

Lines that resembled silkworm threads, threads of consciousness, began to float from the sea of consciousness of the two.

From the moment when those lines touched like electric wires connected, an intense tingling that shook her soul descended.

Shen Jizhi sank down further, their bodies pressed tightly against each other.

Body to body, soul to soul, heart to heart— all in this moment, sparked bright fireworks.

Outside the room, the golden crow set in the west, the sunset was entwining like it was about to overflow with golden splendor.

The barrier blocked everything, no one could hear the persistent shaking of the wooden table in the room on this winter evening.

Broken whispers blushed the charcoal fire, the young couple shameless, relentless, until the moon was on the tip of the willow, until the dawn broke.

…

Naturally, they woke up late the next day.

By the time they truly set off to return to Jade Clear, it was already the afternoon of the second day.

Dao Xuan, the head of the sect, was quite busy. However, when he heard that they were returning to the sect, he specially summoned the spiritual crane, which was usually kept as an auspicious mascot within the sect and seldom used, to take them back.

Amongst the snowy-white feathers, Jian Huan sat comfortably on the large spiritual crane, reprimanding Shen Jizhi, "I told you, we will definitely wake up late. But you insisted that we won't. You had to..."

Her words trailed off, her gaze sharp as a dagger as she glanced at the black-clothed young man who was peeling an orange for her. Her voice became lower as she murmured, "Indeed, one cannot trust a man's words in bed."

What last time.

What's nearly finished.

What's just switching to the last position.

Damn the last time!

Shen Jizhi kept his head down, meticulously peeling the orange.

He knew he had been too wild last night and had upset her. Knowing he was in the wrong, he remained quiet and let her vent her anger.

"I'm sorry," he raised his head, offering her cleanly peeled orange slices, "I will be mindful next time."

Jian Huan opened her mouth to bite into the sweet orange. She stretched out comfortably between the feathers of the spiritual crane and faintly hummed, "You better be..."

The spiritual crane soared between the clouds. The sea of clouds billowed around, the sky an unreal shade of blue.

Suddenly, with a cry from the crane, they broke through the cloud layer, causing the crane to dive down.

"Have we arrived?" Jian Huan sat up, looked down and started to marvel at the scenic view in the mountain range. The sight of it sparked joy in her eyes.

Snowflakes were falling in the mountain, light and pure goose feather-like snow was scattering down.

As they got closer to the ground, large adorned pavilions covered in a blanket of silver snow started to emerge slowly in the midst of the mountain range.

Earthly paradise couldn't look more ethereal than this.

Jian Huan's eyes were glinting as she held out her hand, palm facing upward, letting the snowflakes fall onto her warm palm.

Turning her head, her eyelashes, slightly moist from the snow, fluttered. Her eyes sparkled with joy, "Shen Jizhi, it's snowing!"

Although the snowfall was heavy, in just a short span, both of them were covered in snow.

Shen Jizhi's eyes were filled with warmth as he reached out to hold her hand, "Yes, it's snowing."

The spiritual crane flapped its wings, flying towards the slopes covered in snow.

At the entrance of the Jade Clarity Sect, two disciples contorted their bodies to enter its gate.

Hearing the cry of the spiritual crane, they looked up.

One of them said excitedly, "That's the Head's spiritual crane!"

"There seems to be someone on the spiritual crane?" Another squinted, trying hard to see but uncertainly called out.

"Really? But I can't figure it out. The spiritual crane is flying too high and the snowfall is too heavy."

"Yes, indeed. This year, the snow is falling especially heavily."

"That's great, as the saying goes, prosperous years are heralded by heavy snow..."

Prosperous years heralded by heavy snow.

From then on, it was good fortune year after year.