"You dare!" Yun Qingjue's eyes blazed with cold fury, his grip tightening on the sword as he took a predatory step closer.
The blade's edge pressed so sharply against Yu Xiao's throat that she could feel the chill of steel bite into her skin.
"Tell me—who exactly are you? How did you get past the traps?"
Yu Xiao's knees buckled.
She raised her trembling hands, palms open in supplication, sweat beading on her brow.
Her voice quivered as she pleaded, "Young Master, you wouldn't dare hurt me, would you? Please—can't we talk this out? I swear, I would never dream of hurting anyone. Please, spare me!"
But Yun Qingjue's gaze remained icy, unmoved by her begging.
His blade stayed pressed against her delicate neck, a silent promise of violence.
"So what is your purpose barging in here?" he demanded, his tone razor-sharp.
"I—I'm looking for Tiaopi!" Yu Xiao stammered, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
A derisive snort escaped Yun Qingjue.
He arched an elegant brow, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Looking for Tiaopi? How creative. Making excuses to avoid punishment?"
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper.
"Yu Xiao, you're bolder than any woman I've ever met. Truly, the first one who's dared to defy me to my face."
Yu Xiao's eyes widened in terror.
"Wh-what are you going to do to me?"
Yun Qingjue's expression darkened, his eyes glinting with murderous intent.
"Take your head. Cut your limbs. Strip your tendons and throw you into the Black Lake. I'm sure the carnivorous swamps will relish your tender flesh."
"Huhu! You wouldn't dare!" Yu Xiao shot back, forcing a mocking laugh even as her heart raced.
She jutted out her chin, lips curling into a stubborn pout.
"How could a good-looking man like you stoop to such cruelty?" Her words dripped with disdain, though a flicker of fear lingered in her eyes.
Yun Qingjue's response was a low, chilling chuckle—a sound that felt more like an insult than amusement.
Shadows danced across his sharp features as he leaned in, his gaze never leaving her face.
"Do you really think your flattery could stop me?" he said, voice smooth as velvet and just as dangerous.
Yu Xiao fell silent, her bravado faltering.
She clenched her fists at her sides, struggling to keep her composure in the face of his cold indifference.
A smirk ghosted across Yun Qingjue's lips, cruel and knowing. His eyes narrowed, voice dropping to a mocking whisper.
"If I were you, I'd start reciting prayers—thousands of them. Perhaps, if you're lucky, one might save you."
"I told you, I came to find Tiaopi! Why won't you believe me?" Yu Xiao's voice quivered with frustration and desperation, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "You threaten me like this—as if you're not even a man!"
Yun Qingjue's eyes widened, surprise flickering across his handsome features.
The next instant, his expression hardened.
His gaze sharpened into a glare, and he pressed the blade even closer, the cold steel grazing Yu Xiao's skin.
Pity poor Yu Xiao—her body trembled as she squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for pain.
Was this truly the day she would meet her end?
"I told you, there's no Tiaopi here," Yun Qingjue said, his tone like ice. "Why are you so insistent?" He leaned closer, his voice laced with suspicion.
Yu Xiao opened her eyes, her lips pursed in a stubborn sulk.
She glared at him, defiance burning in her gaze.
"You're the one who keeps insisting he isn't here!" she shot back. "But in reality, you just don't want to lift a finger to help me. Instead, you threaten and argue with me for no reason. You're a scoundrel!"
"You…" Yun Qingjue's voice caught, his jaw tightening as he struggled to find a retort.
Yu Xiao tilted her head, a daring glint in her eyes as she pressed on, "What's wrong? Maybe I'm right, and you just don't want to admit it."
Yun Qingjue fell silent, his lips pressed into a thin, unreadable line.
She squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze without flinching.
"Drop your sword now. Or if you really intend to kill me, then do it quickly—don't drag it out!"
Again, Yun Qingjue's expression remained inscrutable.
He stared at her, silent and unmoving, the tension between them thickening with every passing heartbeat.
Moments later, Yun Qingjue let his sword fall to the ground with a metallic clang, his glare fixed on Yu Xiao, irritation flickering in his eyes.
"Don't stare at me like that!" Yu Xiao huffed, folding her arms across her chest. "Your eyes are bulging out of your head. If they pop out any further, don't blame me for it!"
Yun Qingjue's lips parted in astonishment, utterly taken aback by her audacity.
How could this woman speak to him like that?
Every word seemed to stab at his pride, grating painfully in his ears.
He tilted his head in disbelief, struggling to form words. His mouth opened, but frustration kept him silent for a moment.
"What is it… you—" Yu Xiao started.
"Stop."
Yun Qingjue cut her off sharply, raising a hand to silence her. His voice was cold, edged with exasperation.
"Fine, let's end this here. I won't argue with you any further. Your words are much sharper than my sword. Huff!" He let out a terse breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Now, tell me—where is Tiaopi?"
Yu Xiao turned on her heel, facing the center of the chamber.
Without hesitation, she thrust her finger forward, pointing directly at the captive inside the translucent, square cage.
Yun Qingjue's eyes widened in shock as he followed her gesture.
Disbelief washed over his face; his breath caught, and his hand rose shakily, finger trembling as he pointed at the center of the chamber as well.
He stared, unable to process what he was seeing.
"Tiaopi… Tha—That tiny silver spark?" he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Yu Xiao nodded frantically, a triumphant, sweet smile lighting up her face.
Speechless and stunned, Yun Qingjue rubbed his temple in disbelief.
All this time, he'd believed Tiaopi was a person somehow linked to Yu Xiao.
Never had he imagined that Tiaopi would turn out to be a tiny spark—he realized, with a twinge of embarrassment, just how mistaken he'd been.
Just then, a voice rang out, low and mocking, echoing through the chamber.
A mysterious figure materialized in the air, his form becoming solid and imposing as he stepped forward—it was Long Jianyu.
"So, this tiny trinket is the one called 'Tiaopi,'" Long Jianyu drawled, his gaze sweeping disdainfully over the sparkling captive in the translucent cage.
Yu Xiao fell silent, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to respond, caught off guard by Long Jianyu's sudden appearance.
Yun Qingjue's eyes narrowed, instantly on guard, as tension thickened in the chamber.
Long Jianyu's gaze swept slowly over Yu Xiao from head to toe, his eyes narrowing as he took in her disheveled appearance—her robes completely inside out, seams and ties exposed in chaotic disorder.
He arched a brow in silent disbelief, unable to hide his astonishment.
The reason she had undressed herself in the haunted chamber was just to invert her garments? Was she mad?
The thought flashed through his mind: this woman was utterly insane.
Long Jianyu's lips curled into a faint, teasing smile as he regarded Yu Xiao.
"I could hear the two of you bickering all the way over here," he said, his brows arching with playful provocation. "Why the sudden silence now?" His eyes lingered on her, clearly amused by her flustered state.
"You—you heard everything?" Yu Xiao stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Long Jianyu nodded slowly, a faint, enigmatic smile tugging at his lips.
"Hmn…"
Her eyes widened.
"Then… you've been here all along?"
"Hmn…" he replied again, his tone maddeningly calm.
Yu Xiao's mouth opened and closed, searching for words.
"Then…"
Long Jianyu cut her off, his gaze unwavering.
"I witnessed everything."
Yu Xiao stared at him, utterly mortified.
"Ha…?"
A strained, fake smile flickered across Yu Xiao's lips as Long Jianyu regarded her with an almost gentle warmth.
He tilted his head, voice soft but probing.
"What else do you need to ask? I'm utterly prepared."
Yu Xiao blinked rapidly, caught off guard by his unexpected kindness.
She met his warm gaze, her composure wavering as she tried to steady herself under his scrutiny.
"Wha—what else… did you see… s—sir?"
Yu Xiao stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Long Jianyu straightened, smoothing the sleeves that draped over his hands with deliberate grace.
He met her gaze, eyes gleaming with quiet amusement.
"What do I see?" he echoed, lips curving into a sly smile. "I see someone… clever."
Yu Xiao arched a brow, her curiosity piqued despite her lingering unease.
"What's clever about that?" she replied, forcing a faint, uncertain smile.
Long Jianyu's smile widened, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Not just clever—she's also shameless."
Yu Xiao's smile faltered and vanished, her brows knitting in confusion as she tried to process his words.
Shameless? Is he talking about me? How did I become shameless? I don't remember ever offending him.
Yu Xiao forced a laugh, masking her confusion.
"Oh… so this 'shameless' person you're talking about—isn't that me, right, sir?" she asked, her tone half-joking but her eyes searching his face for any sign of seriousness.
Long Jianyu merely glanced at her, a sly curve playing at his lips.
"What do you think?" he replied, his voice smooth and teasing, leaving the question hanging in the air.
Yu Xiao fell silent, her lips pressed into a thin line as she tried to gauge his meaning.
Long Jianyu's gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing as he fixed her with a piercing stare.
"I'll give you a clue," he said, his tone low and deliberate.
Yu Xiao swallowed, forcing herself to meet his eyes.
"Then… will you tell me now?"
Long Jianyu's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Floor collapsing trap."
The words echoed in Yu Xiao's ears like a giant bell.
She stiffened, her breath catching as her eyes widened in shock.
Long Jianyu, sensing her reaction, let his lips curl into a mischievous smile.
His voice dropped to a teasing murmur as he leaned in, his gaze never leaving her face.
"Are you afraid I might find out something?" he asked, his question hanging in the air, intensifying the pressure on Yu Xiao.