As expected, things unfolded just as Ji Hongli had foreseen.
Upon the scorched earth of Mang Mountain, several golden lights quietly manifested. Several heavenly soldiers in divine armor appeared without a sound, carrying the unconscious Peony Immortal away.
Only Ji Hongli and Lin Wan could witness this scene.
The two returned to the Dream Immortal Pavilion.
Afterward, Ji Hongli smiled slightly, and with a shake of her body, her attire transformed to resemble Li Buping's.
"What are you doing?" Lin Wan couldn't help but ask.
"If we're going to put on a show, we might as well do it properly," Ji Hongli replied with a smile.
Then, the two began to wait quietly.
Seeing this, Lin Wan suddenly understood—no wonder Zhulong identified Ji Hongli as a man in this world. This was likely the only loophole Zhulong could manage to leave within the rules of this realm.
At this thought, Lin Wan felt a surge of indignation and muttered to herself.
"Could my wife possibly be more manly than I am?"
She narrowed her eyes, thinking resentfully.
"Once we get out of here, I'll have to have a word with Zhulong. If that's really the case, then even if he's a primordial deity from the primordial era, he'll have to give me a proper explanation!"
Sure enough, three days later, the Six Ding and Six Jia followed the heavenly secrets to their door.
They arrived stepping in the morning light, their golden armor reflecting the dawn, casting majestic shadows before the inn.
The armored leader stepped forward, explained his purpose to "Li Buping," then clasped his fists.
"Lord Li, although the Peony Immortal violated heavenly laws by bestowing rain without permission, the Empress defied heaven first by forcing a hundred flowers to bloom in winter. This is a grave taboo. The Heavenly Court has decided to give her justice."
Li Buping, transformed by Ji Hongli, immediately straightened his back, his eyes showing appropriately indignant outrage.
"The Immortal has been wronged! I am willing to contribute my humble efforts!"
"Good." The armored soldier nodded.
"Tonight at the Yin hour, you must be asleep. An immortal officer will then arrive to guide you to the execution ground personally, to question the Empress face to face."
Ji Hongli solemnly bowed in acceptance, watching as the Six Ding and Six Jia turned into golden light and vanished.
After they left, her lips curved into a smile, and her steps grew lighter as she returned to her room.
Meanwhile, Lin Wan leaned against the red-lacquered corridor pillar, watching the scene inside the pavilion with interest.
There, the real Li Buping, dressed in silk robes, held a white jade wine pot, pouring drinks for his guests with enthusiasm.
He beamed as he chatted with the patrons, occasionally reciting a fitting poem that drew applause from the entire hall.
Watching how completely he had embraced his role, Lin Wan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
She thought to herself what a remarkable talent this man was—just days ago, he was heartbroken over the Peony Immortal, and today he was thriving in this den of pleasure.
She took a light sip of wine, amused.
"It seems some people are simply born for this line of work."
A gentle breeze brushed the wind chimes of the Drunk Immortal Pavilion, ringing softly.
Lin Wan looked up at the sky, knowing the show was about to begin.
As dusk deepened, mottled tree shadows fell on the window lattices of the inn. Ji Hongli was seated at a table sipping tea when suddenly a cold wind swept through.
As the candlelight flickered, a man in official robes stood in the room.
The man had a face like jade but carried a sinister aura. It was none other than Lu Ziming, the City God of Luoyang.
His gaze lingered on "Li Buping's" handsome face for a moment, a flicker of jealousy in his eyes before he cupped his hands and smiled.
"Lord Li, I have long heard of your reputation."
Ji Hongli feigned surprise and rose to return the gesture.
"Who might you be, my lord?"
"This official is Lu Ziming, the City God of Luoyang."
He stood with hands behind his back, the dark patterns on his official robe faintly visible in the candlelight.
"I have come today to show Lord Li a way forward."
Ji Hongli pretended not to understand.
"What do you mean by that, my lord?"
Lu Ziming paced to the window, gazing at the silhouette of Mang Mountain in the distance, saying meaningfully.
"I hear Lord Li and the Peony Immortal are on intimate terms. Would you wish to truly marry her and live together as husband and wife?"
"This..."
Ji Hongli quickly waved her hands, looking panicked.
"The separation between immortals and mortals is heavenly law. How could I dare to harbor such thoughts."
But her eyes deliberately flickered, showing a hint of wavering.
Lu Ziming saw this, sneered inwardly, but appeared even more sincere on the surface.
"If the Immortal is demoted to mortal status, wouldn't that break this heavenly law?"
He lowered his voice.
"As long as Lord Li stays awake tonight at the Yin hour..."
Ji Hongli's pupils contracted slightly, feigning thoughtful contemplation.
Seeing this, Lu Ziming laughed triumphantly, his form gradually turning into green smoke.
"Opportunities like this are rare, Lord Li. You must seize it!"
Before the words had fully faded, he had already dissipated into the deepening night.
The room fell silent again, save for the soft crackling of the candle wick. Ji Hongli gazed in the direction Lu Ziming had vanished, a faint cold smile touching her lips.
Just as Lu Ziming's form dissipated into the night, Ji Hongli without hesitation lay down on the bed and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.
With her and Lin Wan's cultivation, they had long transcended the need for mortal sleep, but since they were putting on this show, they might as well go all the way.
The "Li Buping" on the bed gradually breathed evenly, as if truly falling asleep.
As the Yin hour arrived, a wisp of green smoke drifted in through the window, transforming into an immortal officer holding a jade tablet.
The immortal officer stood before the bed, muttering incantations, making hand seals, and a faint ghostly energy coiled toward Ji Hongli.
Ji Hongli found this amusing and allowed the insignificant amount of magical energy to tug at her for a while before slowly and deliberately allowing her primordial spirit to leave her body.
She feigned as if just awakening and bowed respectfully to the immortal officer.
"I thank you for guiding me, Immortal Officer."
The immortal officer nodded in satisfaction and waved his jade tablet.
"Follow me."
With that, he led Ji Hongli's primordial spirit through the wall. Their figures looked particularly ethereal in the moonlight, drifting and floating toward the distance.
The moment they left, Lin Wan, who had been hidden in the shadows, immediately followed with hand seals.
She maintained the perfect distance—not losing them, yet not alerting the immortal officer ahead. The night wind brushed her sleeves without making a sound.
The immortal officer ahead remained completely unaware, still guiding with a straight face.
Ji Hongli's primordial spirit glanced back, exchanging a knowing look with Lin Wan.
Under the moonlight, three figures—one leading, two following—drifted toward the unknown execution ground.
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