So it turns out I'm the demon!

Just as Bai Xiang was about to make her move, Jiang Mu pulled her up, patted her clothes, and said, "Alright, it's too windy. Let's go, let's find a quieter place to take you for a walk."

Bai Xiang was taken aback, and the corners of her lips turned up slightly.

At least this bastard has some sense of propriety.

At least he didn't flirt and flirt with other women under her watchful eye.

She obediently took the man's arm, and the two walked side by side toward the other side of the lake.

However, in the instant she turned around, Bai Xiangying's slender fingertips lightly flicked at the surface of the lake behind her.

"laugh"

A thin, transparent watermark appeared on the lake's surface.

Ji Hongyuan, sitting on the rock with her legs crossed, stared at the man's departing figure and opened her red lips in astonishment.

Then, she snorted coldly:

"You brat, what are you pretending to be so proper in front of me? Before, in the carriage, your eyes were practically glued to my legs, but now you're acting all innocent."

Watching the two walk away, Ji Hongyuan stood up listlessly.

Just as they were about to leave, a loud bang was heard.

The once calm lake surface suddenly exploded, water shooting skyward and pouring down like a torrential downpour, drenching Ji Hongyuan. "Splash!"

The water flowed too fast, it was too eerie.

Ji Hongyuan didn't even have a chance to dodge before being drenched.

Her alluring red dress clung to her body, dripping wet, and water droplets streamed down her pert nose, making her look like a drowned rat. Ji Hongyuan was stunned.

She froze for two seconds, then looked around and shouted sharply, "Who? Which scoundrel dares to plot against me? Show yourself!"

The lake shore was deserted.

Willow branches swayed gently, and wild ducks leisurely paddled along the water, without any fluctuations of spiritual energy.

Ji Hongyuan's gaze suddenly fixed on the direction Bai Xiang had left, her expression shifting between light and shadow, filled with suspicion.

Just then, a young man in white suddenly appeared under a weeping willow a dozen or so feet away on the other side of the lake.

The boy had a handsome and refined face, exuding an air of aloofness.

He carried a long sword on his back, frowning thoughtfully as he stared at the ripples on the lake that had not yet completely dissipated.

Ji Hongyuan narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth, saying:

"The people of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect... they're really sick in the head! What did I ever do to offend them?!"

However, the other party was too strong, so she didn't dare to cause trouble.

With a flick of her sleeve, the woman transformed into a wisp of red smoke and vanished into the air.

The young man in white didn't seem to care about Ji Hongyuan's departure.

He remained standing under the willow tree, gazing at the gradually calming lake, and murmured in admiration, "Using the power of heaven and earth invisibly, concealing murderous intent in the smallest detail... Impressive, truly impressive."

The two wandered around the city for a long time.

From the lakeside to the old temple in the south of the city, and then from the old temple to the market in the east of the city.

The two didn't return to the courtyard until the sun was setting.

Jiang Mu had originally planned to find Xun Xiaomo today to set a time to set off to find Yan Zixiao, but now she didn't want to move an inch. To hell with star positions!

I just want to spend the day quietly like this.

The moment Jiang Mu led Bai Xiang through the gate of their courtyard, all the women were stunned.

"Sister Xiang!"

The happiest person was undoubtedly Yuan Aqing.

The girl let out a clear cheer and threw herself into Bai Xiang's arms, her eyes reddening: "Sister Xiang, I thought I would never see you again."

Bai Xiang reached out and stroked the girl's hair, her smile gentle, but a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

She watched this girl grow up little by little.

Back in Huzhou City, she had secretly helped this girl temper her bones and cleanse her marrow.

At the time, I just thought the child had a good foundation, but I never expected that he would have been transformed to this extent so soon after we separated.

Although Duanmu Li was aloof and didn't have any deep feelings for this former butler, there was a hint of joy in her eyes.

Finally, we can improve our meals and eat something delicious.

The only one who wasn't in a good mood was probably Little Doctor Chu Lingzhu.

This seemingly fiery young woman, whose fate seemed to be incompatible with Bai Xiang, was standing by the medicine shelf with her arms crossed, pouting her rosy lips and muttering sourly:

"I really thought someone's feelings for a man were as steadfast as a rock, unmoved by any external influences. Turns out, he's just being stubborn. What he can't bear to part with will ultimately remain so, and no matter how far he runs, he'll always come back."

Especially when Jiang Mu told the women that Bai Xiang lived right across the street.

The two bumped into each other by chance when they opened their respective courtyard gates this morning, and Little Doctor was extremely jealous.

Fate my ass.

Dinner was naturally cooked by Bai Xiang herself.

Although Chu Lingzhu felt a little awkward, she still took the initiative to go into the kitchen to help.

When the dishes were served, the whole courtyard was filled with their aroma.

Chu Lingzhu picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. After chewing it a couple of times, she suddenly felt that the sourness in her heart had lessened considerably.

Anyway, my belly can finally enjoy some good things from now on.

As for other things, let's put them aside for now and finish this pot of sauerkraut fish first.

After dinner, Jiang Mu began to pack Yuan Aqing and Duanmu Li's bedding, clothes and other daily necessities.

They packed up the two girls and moved them to Bai Xiang's courtyard across the street.

Yuan Aqing was gentle and had always been very close to Sister Xiang, so she naturally had no objections and was even quite happy about it.

But Duanmu Li was somewhat unhappy.

The girl clutched the large knife, her face tense, her feet rooted to the spot, refusing to budge.

After all, she would occasionally eavesdrop by the wall at night to satisfy her secret little gossip craving. If she moved to that quiet, deserted courtyard across the street, wouldn't the long nights be incredibly boring?

But Jiang Mu's attitude was unyielding.

Under Jiang Mu's forceful suppression, which was half-threatening and half-coaxing, Duanmu Li reluctantly carried her bedding and followed him over, occasionally glancing back at the man with a resentful look.

Bai Xiang arranged beds for the two girls in the side room and settled them down to sleep.

Back in the courtyard, a black figure suddenly appeared.

"master."

The female guard pulled off her black mask, looking puzzled. "What's going on? Where did these two girls come from?"

Bai Xiang did not respond. She walked to the vegetable garden, bent down, picked up a wooden ladle, scooped half a ladle of water from the water vat, and watered the vegetable plots little by little along the furrows.

The few tender seedlings that Jiang Mu had trampled have been straightened up again by her.

The leaves are still a bit wilted and need to be watered for a few more days to recover.

After watering, she said calmly:

"Jiang Mu has been transferred to Fazhou City as the deputy commander. That house across the street is the one he bought."

The female guard was stunned.

What a disgusting and tragic fate!

Back in Huzhou City, she had gone to great lengths to persuade her master to leave, simply because she was afraid that her master and that scumbag would develop feelings for each other and something irreversible would happen.

The results of it?

After going around in circles like this... well, you're stuck together again, aren't you?

For a moment, she even suspected that Jiang Mu had found out about their background beforehand and deliberately followed them.

But after careful consideration, I realized it was impossible.

Tanzhou City is so vast, and buying this house was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Even if Jiang Mu had extraordinary abilities, he couldn't have predicted it so accurately. "Master, how about... we choose another courtyard?"

The female guard said with a bitter face.

She really didn't want to see that guy hanging around in front of his master.

Bai Xiang put down the kettle, turned around and glanced at her quietly, then said calmly:

"I will find the Jiang Chaoxi lineage here myself. I'm giving you a new task."

You shall set off immediately for the ruins of the Mirror Kingdom to investigate why the Black Armored Guards were resurrected after the kingdom's destruction.

Uncle Huo is currently only surviving thanks to that bead. If we could figure out the mechanism of death energy circulation within the Black Armored Guardian, perhaps we could find a way for him to survive in the long term.

The female guard remained silent.

After a moment, she raised her head and, mustering her courage, tentatively asked:

"Your Highness, you sent me to such a far place... are you deliberately trying to get rid of me?"

Congratulations, you got it right.

Bai Xiang inwardly gave it a thumbs up, but her face remained expressionless:

"Don't overthink it. Just do the tasks I give you. What? Are you worried about me?"

Don't worry, Jiang Mu and I are just friends.

Have you forgotten the restrictions placed upon me? No man can touch my body.

"But……"

The female guard wanted to persuade her again.

"You have a problem with me?" Bai Xiang's beautiful eyes suddenly turned cold.

The female guard felt a chill run down her spine.

Knowing her master's temperament well, even with a thousand resentments and worries in her heart, she could only nod and reply in a deep voice:

"Yes. I dare not. I will set off to investigate immediately."

"Okay, go ahead."

Bai Xiang gently patted a withered leaf off Xuan'er's shoulder, her tone softening slightly, "No matter what, you are the closest person to me in this world. I trust you, and I hope you can trust me too."

The female guard's eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and she immediately knelt on one knee:

"My lord, Xuan'er swears to follow you to the death!"

After the female guard left, the courtyard returned to silence.

Bai Xiang turned around and looked at the vegetable garden in front of her.

She crouched down, gently stroking a tender, emerald-green leaf, and murmured softly:

"Many of the connections in this world are as fleeting as dreams and illusions."

For the next two days, Jiang Mu spent almost all his time strolling around the city with the young cook.

Shui Miaozheng naturally noticed the difference in Jiang Mu's feelings towards Bai Xiang.

Although the charming and sophisticated lady couldn't help but feel a little jealous, she wisely refrained from becoming a third wheel.

They even deliberately reduced the number of times they came to demand public grain at night.

Lan Rou'er was gentle by nature and never cared about these petty squabbles; as long as she could stay by Jiang Mu's side, she was content. Only Little Doctor Chu Lingzhu had been quite unhappy these past few days.

I'm very unhappy!

That night, the moon was bright and the stars were few.

Jiang Mu was about to cross the alley to the other side to chat with Bai Xiang about life and ideals, and maybe even get a late-night snack.

As soon as he stepped into his own courtyard, he saw Little Doctor Chu Lingzhu.

The girl moved a small stool and sat in front of the stone mill in the corner of the yard, holding a pestle in her hand, pounding medicine in a stone mortar with a "clattering" sound.

The force was so great that it seemed to crush all the resentment and emotions within it.

Jiang Mu chuckled and tiptoed closer.

He peeked out from behind her, looked at the girl's puffed-up face, and teased, "What's wrong? Who made our goddess Doctor Chu so angry? You've practically pounded the mortar through the bottom."

Chu Lingzhu didn't turn around, but pouted her pink lips and huffed in annoyance:

"It's nothing. I'm just full and need to digest."

Looking at the girl, Jiang Mu felt a surge of affection. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind and, with a little effort, lifted her off the stool and brought her into his warm embrace.

Chu Lingzhu struggled for a moment, but couldn't break free, so she stopped moving.

Jiang Mu lowered her head, affectionately flicking the other's delicate nose with the tip of her nose, and chuckled softly:

"You've never been this jealous when Aunt Shui used to come over. Why are you reacting so strongly now that the woman across the street has moved in? Do you really dislike Bai Xiang that much?"

Chu Lingzhu muttered:

"I thought she was the only living person here, and we were all just air."

Hearing the girl's aggrieved mockery, Jiang Mu couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt.

Yes.

These past two days, overwhelmed by the joy of reunion and his special fondness for Bai Xiang, he has indeed devoted most of his energy to the small courtyard across the street, neglecting his wives here.

It has to be admitted that having a harem sounds exciting, but it's extremely difficult to actually do it.

You can never hold a bowl of water level.

Being an emperor is tough.

Forget it, I won't go to the other side tonight. I'll make it up to this girl properly.

Jiang Mu made a decision in her heart.

Perhaps sensing the guilt and desire to make amends in the man's eyes, Chu Lingzhu's proud and arrogant demeanor resurfaced.

She pushed the man away unhappily, raising her chin and snorting:

"I don't want your kind of charity compensation. You should go and keep your head butler company, lest he get impatient."

I've finished grinding the herbs, and I need to fetch water to wash my feet. Don't get in my way and disturb me.

Good, good, it seems that Little Doctor is really jealous this time.

Jiang Mu pulled the girl into his arms again and whispered gently in her ear:

"No matter how good other people are, they are still other people. Some positions can never be taken away by anyone. In my heart, you will always be that irreplaceable existence." Chu Lingzhu fell silent.

After a long while, she finally uttered a muffled "Really?"

"You wanted to wash your feet? Okay, tonight, as the host, I'll personally fetch the water and wash them for you!"

"Of course it's true."

Jiang Mu released her, turned around and went to the corridor to fetch a basin. He left half a basin of hot water from the pot in the kitchen and brought it back, placing it on the stone stool next to Chu Lingzhu's feet. "Come, take off your shoes and socks. I'll wash your feet myself."

Chu Lingzhu looked at the basin of water, then at Jiang Mu squatting in front of her, and awkwardly shrank her feet.

The girl stammered a little, which was unusual for her.

"Master... there's no need for that. I was just saying. If word gets out that you, a manager, are washing a woman's feet, how embarrassing would that be?"

"What's so shameful about giving my own wife a foot bath?"

Jiang Mu forcefully grabbed the girl's ankle, ignoring her struggles, and removed her embroidered shoes and stockings. He then gently pressed her small, delicate feet into the warm water basin, casually saying...

"You're going to give my Jiang family a healthy baby boy or a healthy baby girl someday, so how can you not serve me well now?"

Chu Lingzhu's face was flushed.

She bit her lower lip, her watery eyes gazing tenderly at the man. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she asked, "Then tell me honestly...did you ever wash Bai Xiang's feet before?"

Jiang Mutou didn't even think about it:

"You are the first and only one to enjoy this honor."

Upon hearing this answer, the girl's lips curled up involuntarily.

She tilted her head and giggled sweetly:

"Then, boss, how about I wash your feet every day from now on? Besides being good at medicine, I can also do everything else, from scrubbing backs and washing feet to serving tea and water, and even the traditional three obediences and four virtues."

"OK."

Jiang Mu smiled and replied while feeling the adorable little feet in the basin.

Although if we only consider "feet", among all the women Jiang Mu has seen, the demon Qiu Yuexin is indeed the most beautiful.

But this doesn't mean that the small feet of other beauties were much less exquisite.

For example, the pair of young girl's feet held in my palm right now possess a completely different kind of beauty.

Her delicate little feet were only slightly larger than Jiang Mu's palm.

Five plump and adorable toes, like freshly peeled water chestnuts, translucent and delicate, playfully curled up in the man's palm. Fine bluish veins could be faintly seen beneath the skin of the instep.

Chu Lingzhu was enjoying the man's service when suddenly her eyes darted around, and she asked thoughtfully:

"Master, tell me, is it because I dislike Bai Xiang so much in my past life that she stole my man, which is why I harbor such hostility towards her?"

As she spoke, the girl leaned closer, continuing to unleash her boundless imagination:

"Master, do you think it's possible that in your past life, I was your lawfully wedded wife, and she was just a concubine?"

As it turns out, she was very scheming. She would pretend to be pitiful in front of you every day to win your favor, and in the end, she bewitched you and killed me.

So that's why we can't stand each other when we first meet?

Jiang Mu was amused and couldn't help but tease:

"Is it possible that in your past life you were actually the spoiled and arrogant concubine?"

"How is that possible?!"

Chu Lingzhu widened her almond-shaped eyes and retorted,

"Master, you have to trust your judgment and taste, okay? Look at me, I'm so beautiful, I can even treat illnesses and dispense medicine, I'm a perfect wife who can handle both social occasions and domestic duties."

How could you bear to let me become a concubine who suffers mistreatment? You agree, don't you?"

Jiang Mu was speechless for a moment.

This girl really is obsessed with being the principal wife.

"I don't care. Boss, I'm definitely going to be the first woman to give birth to your baby."

As the girl spoke, she suddenly lifted a small, dripping foot from the basin of water, her toes deftly tracing an arc in the air before touching Jiang Mu's nose.

A cool droplet left a damp trail on the man's nose.

Chu Lingzhu withdrew her foot, looked at Jiang Mu's slightly comical appearance, and giggled, her laughter as clear and melodious as silver bells:

"Hmph, just you wait and see. I'm a professional gynecologist, and I know best how to prepare the body for conception."

"Really? That's great."

Jiang Mu casually grabbed the dry towel draped over his shoulder and wiped the girl's delicate little feet clean.

Then he got up, picked Chu Lingzhu up in a princess carry, and strode towards the bedroom where the candles were lit.

"Since Doctor Chu is so confident, then let's have as many babies as you want. I, your employer, can certainly afford to support them. There's no time like the present, let's go inside and make babies now."

"Hey! Boss, put me down..."

With the girl's coquettish protests, the two rolled around in each other and fell onto the bed.

Just then, Jiang Mu suddenly stopped moving.

He frowned, released the girl from his arms, and took out a wooden box from his storage space.

The wooden box emitted a purple glow.

This box was given to him by Wen He, a former colleague who had betrayed the Demon Slayer Division, before his death.

At that time, Wenhe asked him to pass this thing on to Tian Wenjing.

But later, Tian Wenjing said he didn't need the item, so Jiang Mu kept it.

Jiang Mu opened the box.

Inside the box, a creature resembling a cicada lay quietly.

At this moment, the insect is chirping like a cicada.

This thing is called the "Heavenly Silkworm".

According to Tian Wenjing, the function of this item is to sense the existence of other star officials who are in the "same star system" as the holder within a certain distance.

Jiang Mu always carried it with her.

It hadn't made a sound for so long, but tonight it reacted so strongly.

This means that...

A cultivator who also possesses an orthodox star position under the [Kang Jinlong] Venerable system has now appeared in Fazhou City.

And it wasn't far from him.

"What's wrong, boss?"

Chu Lingzhu propped herself up halfway from the covers, her face still flushed, and asked softly, "Something happened?"

Jiang Mu put away the box, turned around and smiled, "It's alright, let's continue."

Although Chu Lingzhu occasionally likes to throw a little tantrum, she always knows how to distinguish between what is important and what is not when it comes to matters of principle.

She clearly realized that the man was facing something important, so she made a playful face at Jiang Mu:

"Forget it, I'm going to find Rou'er to refine medicine. Who has time to play with you, young master, making babies? It's such a waste of time."

With that, the girl put on her embroidered shoes and left the bedroom.

Watching the girl's sensible figure leave, Jiang Mu felt a warmth in her heart.

Regaining her composure, Jiang Mu took out the wooden box again and gently touched the back of the Heavenly Silkworm.

"Buzz"

The Heavenly Silkworm flapped its wings and flew out of the box.

It circled in mid-air once, seemingly confirming the location of the energy flow, before transforming into a faint streak of light and flying towards the door.

Jiang Mu pushed open the door and followed closely behind Tianji Can.

The silkworm flew up and down in the night sky.

They passed through two markets, crossed a low wall, and finally entered a dilapidated temple.

Most of the temple's walls have collapsed.

Due to the war, the monks in the temple either died or fled, and now it has long since become an empty temple that no one visits.

Only a few meditation rooms that were still relatively intact remained.

However, at this moment, candlelight was shining in a meditation room.

Jiang Mu stood in the shadows and saw the Heavenly Silkworm hover in mid-air for a moment before transforming into a streak of purple light, slipping through the crack in the door of the brightly lit meditation room, and disappearing from sight.

Clearly, the mysterious cultivator who possesses an orthodox star position under the [Kang Jinlong] system is currently in the meditation room of this dilapidated temple.