Chapter 36:

Later, when Wen An went to find Yan Zhi again, he went limping.

Yan Zhi was still struggling to secure an appointment with the Buddhist disciple. Seeing Wen An in such a disheveled state made her uneasy.

“Taoist Master, Zhi…”

Wen An studied Yan Zhi for a long time, his gaze eventually fixating below her neck before he covered his eyes in agony and informed her that the script had been changed.

Yan Zhi took the revised script and couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Taoist Master, why are you covered in wounds?”

“Xue Ying beat me up.”

Yan Zhi grew even more curious. “Why?”

Wen An looked half-dead. “I slandered my junior sister’s sexual orientation. I deserved it. By the way, she asked me to relay a message: she has practiced swordsmanship for years and deeply admires scholars, so she holds the Prime Minister in high regard. She simply wants to be friends with cultured people. If she has caused any trouble, she vows never to set foot in the East Sea again after this matter is resolved.”

After delivering the message, Wen An braced himself for a beating. “So, you really are a woman?”

Both were refined scholars, but Wen An paled in comparison to Yan Zhi’s effortless grace. Wen An carried a sharpness about him—the indelible aura of a swordsman—while Yan Zhi exuded an air of mystery, as if melancholy was woven into her bones.

These differences made women prefer Yan Zhi’s type. Whether it was because Yan Zhi played her role flawlessly or because women understood women best, silence meant consent, and Wen An finally understood.

Yan Zhi, however, grew intrigued and ventured a bold hypothesis, cautiously seeking confirmation. “So, does your junior sister like men, women, or perhaps eunuchs?”

Wen An scoffed. “Eunuchs? She only loves the sword.”

He didn’t want to recall the scene before his arrival and shifted his attention to the small card in Yan Zhi’s hand, adorned with Sanskrit and a heavy lotus motif. “What’s this?”

With the crisis averted, Yan Zhi had no use for it. She tossed it aside casually and chuckled dryly. “Nothing, just some street advertisement. By the way, Taoist Master, I met someone recently whose behavior suggested they might also be from the Tai Xuan Sect.”

Wen An knew who she meant. “She’s Xue Ying’s master. The relationship is too complicated, so I won’t elaborate. This time, Senior Uncle Cen came to Yunmengze to escort two demons.”

Yan Zhi remembered the “Flirting Swordplay” from that day. As the Prime Minister, it was her duty to understand every detail about others. She played along smoothly. “I’ve got plenty of energy. Feel free to elaborate, Taoist Master.”

With the barriers removed, their act became seamless. Xue Ying and Yan Zhi performed a few more times in front of Ao Fugui, who eventually approached Yan Zhi and asked, “Teacher, do you owe the Sword Immortal’s disciple money?”

Yan Zhi was still pondering the relationship between Xue Ying and Cen Wuwang when Ao Fugui’s question caught her off guard. “What makes you say that?”

Ao Fugui scratched his head. “Well, every time the Sword Immortal’s disciple talks to you, it feels overly flattering and insincere—nothing like romance. That’s why I asked.”

Yan Zhi knew the reason but couldn’t explain it outright. She deflected, “You’re joking, Crown Prince. If Xue Ying were my creditor, wouldn’t she just threaten me with her sword?”

Ao Fugui said, “Teacher, you’ve been in the East Sea too long. You don’t know how the world works these days. Now, debtors are the bosses, and creditors have to beg them to repay.”

Yan Zhi truly had been in the East Sea too long. Ao Fugui’s words shattered her worldview. “Is that really how it is?”

What kind of world was this where debtors ruled and creditors suffered? Was there no justice?

Ao Fugui nodded generously. “Teacher, the East Sea isn’t short on money. Let me repay her for you so she won’t chase you to the East Sea.”

Otherwise, it’d be a nuisance.

Yan Zhi couldn’t agree outright and replied tactfully, “You’ve misunderstood, Crown Prince. My relationship with Xue Ying isn’t about money.”

Ao Fugui caught on quickly. “Oh, not money, then it must be physical. Teacher, you’ve known the Sword Immortal’s disciple for less than a month and already have that kind of relationship? Impressive.”

Yan Zhi: “…”

What did a seven-and-a-half-year-old know? Yan Zhi deeply regretted not assigning Ao Fugui more homework. She mentally noted to increase his workload but couldn’t think of an excuse on the spot. Faced with Ao Fugui’s innocent gaze, she had a sudden inspiration. “She admires someone but struggles to confess due to identity and gender issues. So, she sought me out to test the waters.”

Yan Zhi then heavily hinted at Ao Fugui—it was the pink-robed swordsman always practicing “Flirting Swordplay” with Xue Ying.

Ao Fugui slapped his thigh. “I knew it! She’s cold to men but warm to women. So that’s why.”

The filial Ao Fugui earnestly warned Yan Zhi, “These days, there are many who deceive for marriage. Teacher, you must be careful not to get forced into something and end up with a cheating wife.”

Yan Zhi truly couldn’t take it anymore. Ao Fugui had only left the East Sea for a short while and had already turned into a gossipy busybody. “I found some classic texts recently. Take them and study.”

Ao Fugui took one look and nearly fainted.

A full set of “Five-Three” exam prep books.

How long had his teacher been away from the East Sea to be corrupted by the Daoist world’s influence?

Blind luck finally paid off, and with the magistrate’s enthusiastic promotion, the already curious Marquis Nu began closely watching Xue Ying and Yan Zhi’s performances. With an audience, Xue Ying and Yan Zhi acted even more passionately. After witnessing their dramatic “You don’t listen, I don’t listen” quarrels, Marquis Nu wondered if there was any truth to it.

Since she usually didn’t think things through, Marquis Nu sought out Duke Ming for a reliable opinion.

As one of the Daoist world’s famous cities, Yunmengze’s prison was top-notch, complete with bathrooms and a library. Duke Ming lived quite comfortably. A book lover and an elderly man, he was a kindly old man when not discussing serious matters. When asked why he was imprisoned, the answer was simple: he hadn’t killed anyone, just burned books—not a severe crime. Half a month later, he’d made many friends. When Marquis Nu visited, Duke Ming even greeted the guards.

Marquis Nu: “…”

Was he here to serve time or vacation?

After hearing Marquis Nu’s account, Duke Ming frowned. “So, you’re saying the Sword Immortal’s disciple is dating the East Sea’s Prime Minister?”

Before Marquis Nu could nod, Duke Ming dismissed it. “Impossible. Xue Ying is a born sword wielder and the next Sword Immortal. Why would she throw away her bright future for some random man?”

Marquis Nu said, “I saw it with my own eyes, and countless witnesses in Yunmengze can attest. How could it be fake?”

Were they setting up an elaborate trap just for her? Marquis Nu shared her suspicions, but Duke Ming chuckled. “What level are you? A loser to the Sword Immortal’s disciple. If they wanted to capture you, it’d be effortless. Why go through such trouble?”

Marquis Nu argued, “I may not be her match, but when it comes to hiding and escaping, I’m second to none.”

They couldn’t agree on whether this was a setup, so to avoid another argument, they dropped the topic. Marquis Nu declared that regardless of whether the Tai Xuan Sect was scheming, she had to obtain the Five-Colored Divine Feather.

“I noticed the Dragon Prince seems interested in you. You could target him,” Duke Ming quickly found a solution, rummaging in his sleeve for his literary masterpiece.

Marquis Nu accepted the suggestion but not Duke Ming’s advice. “Target him? Another ‘Demoness and Prince Tragic Romance’?”

The last person who believed Duke Ming’s nonsense was now locked in the Tai Xuan Sect’s Demon Suppression Tower. Truly, men’s words were deceitful.

Duke Ming had reflected deeply and made a self-criticism to Marquis Nu. “I failed to adapt my thinking to the times. After entering prison, I met many book lovers who introduced me to the hottest author nowadays—Qing Yu’an.”

Marquis Nu said dryly, “Last time it was Yan Ermei, now Qing Yu’an. Duke Ming, you’re just repackaging the same thing.”

Duke Ming bristled, wanting to scold her for being narrow-minded. “What do you know? Qing Yu’an is the real master, covering everything from national affairs to romance. After countless nights studying his works, I’ve grasped one truth.”

“What truth?”

Duke Ming looked smug. “Trends.”

“Old-fashioned romance is outdated. The Daoist world now values self-discovery and life philosophies.”

Marquis Nu was baffled. “Isn’t cultivating the Dao about seeking truth and the heart?”

“Wrong!” Duke Ming said. “Seeking truth and the heart requires struggling through life’s hardships. How many prodigies are there in the Daoist world? How many ordinary people? For those struggling to even cultivate, how can they pursue truth? Only when well-fed and clothed can they seek higher needs.”

Marquis Nu half-understood, somewhat relating. In the demon world, even eating was a struggle, let alone cultivation. “You’re right, but what does this have to do with the Dragon Prince?”

Duke Ming shook his head, muttering about unteachable fools. “This is the difference between chasing and being chased. If you deliberately pursue the Dragon Prince, they’ll see you as a demoness and be wary. But if you’re an independent, strong woman, the story changes.”

“A successful modern entrepreneur, a self-made unmarried woman—what parent would reject that? They’d even send their child to you, hoping to befriend you before others do. Understand? That’s the difference.”

As he spoke, Duke Ming handed her a book, outlining key points. “Remember, you’re not here to date the Dragon Prince. You’re here to do business with the entire dragon race. Your eyes are only on money, talking about billion-dollar deals. You’re not interested in the Dragon Prince—only the East Sea.”

This was the hottest persona now: the emotionless business tycoon paired with a rich, young heir. Career first, romance second. Long live Qing Yu’an.

P.S., Yan Ermei, who only drew smut, was trash.

Marquis Nu took the book, its cover emblazoned with golden letters: “The Path to Wealth.” Flipping it open, bold black text summarized its contents:

“Marry a Seafood Wholesaler.”

Skeptical but out of options, Marquis Nu found Duke Ming’s plan somewhat plausible.

She took the book back, memorized it in a week, and made several trips to the library to draft a proper proposal. With it in hand, she transformed her appearance, donning a sharp suit and smoking a pipe like Cang Wu’s, then went to meet the dragons.

Following Duke Ming’s instructions, she timed her visit to coincide with Ao Fugui’s presence and sought out Yan Zhi.

Ao Fugui immediately recognized Marquis Nu’s chest but, with Yan Zhi present, behaved obediently, sitting quietly and staring longingly at her.

Marquis Nu stayed in character—a businesswoman here to negotiate, not flirt. She didn’t even glance at Ao Fugui.

Tapping her crimson nails on the sandalwood table, she crossed her long legs and spoke lazily, “This is our sincerity. Partner with the Three Dukes, and your East Sea products will dominate all realms without worrying about sales channels. Just focus on supply.”

Yan Zhi expressionlessly closed the proposal. As the East Sea’s Prime Minister and a member of the Yan family, securing benefits for her clan was natural. After taking office, she had monopolized the East Sea’s supply chain.

Now, some “Three Dukes” claimed to be the largest distributors in all realms? Yan Zhi almost laughed.

“Your proposal is flawless, but there’s one issue: the East Sea sells seafood.”

Marquis Nu didn’t get it. “What’s the difference?”

Fish were fish. Could they suffocate?

Yan Zhi said coldly, “We don’t sell seafood.”