Today, The Villain Couple is Settling Scores Again

The eight gate-keeping elders each had their own mansions in Jiuzhou City.

Late at night, with the moon hidden behind clouds, if one stood outside the backyard wall and looked up from a certain angle, a faint fluorescent glow could be seen enveloping the entire Elder's mansion.

This was a protective formation to prevent outsiders from intruding. Anyone who tried to enter without using the main gate would be attacked by the formation and immediately detected by those inside.

Moreover, the formation was specifically designed to counter Invisibility Talismans.

In earlier years, Invisibility Talismans were highly useful, whether for escaping, scaring people, or eavesdropping.

However, ever since Elder Yuqing developed a formation to counter Invisibility Talismans three years ago, their usefulness had significantly diminished.

But this formation couldn't stop Jian Huan.

Jian Huan had applied a modified Concealment Talisman to herself and Shen Jizhi, blending her sword energy, which could merge with all things, into the talisman.

The two young figures, clad in pink, drifted like peach blossoms blown from a branch by a spring breeze, silently and effortlessly scaling the high courtyard wall and landing lightly on the ground.

With a soft sound, the window of the study opened, and the two blossoms floated inside before the window closed again.

The moonlight was blocked by the closed window, leaving the room in darkness.

Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi exchanged a glance in the dim light before quietly and quickly beginning to search different areas.

The darkness didn't hinder their vision. Elder Gao's study was filled with various miscellaneous books, and Jian Huan had been searching for a while without finding anything particularly noteworthy.

By the rosewood desk, Shen Jizhi crouched, gently feeling the underside of the table.

It seemed he had been there for quite some time.

Jian Huan floated over, leaning forward with her hands on her thighs, her voice barely above a whisper: "What is it?"

Shen Jizhi shifted slightly to the side, motioning for Jian Huan to take a look.

Jian Huan crouched down and ran her hand over the area Shen Jizhi had just touched. Her fingers traced deep, uneven scratches, as if someone had clawed at the wood with great force, leaving behind a sense of unspoken rage and anxiety.

Jian Huan withdrew her hand, resting it on her knee as she smoothed the soft fabric of her skirt. She turned to Shen Jizhi and said, "Elder Gao must be suffering from a heart demon."

At Elder Gao's level of cultivation, the focus was more on the Dao heart.

A person with a stable Dao heart wouldn't randomly damage their desk like this. It was likely that his Dao heart had been compromised, leading to emotional instability.

Of course, Jian Huan's certainty stemmed from another important reason.

The book didn't mention the name of the elder who stole the Bodhi Pagoda, only referring to him as a "gate-keeping elder."

However, it did mention that the elder was the younger brother of a certain sect's leader.

"Hmm," Shen Jizhi responded softly, his gaze lingering on her before he suddenly asked, "Did you already know Elder Gao had a problem?"

Jian Huan paused her hand on her skirt, meeting his gaze calmly. "'Already'?"

Shen Jizhi's eyes held a hint of scrutiny. "Back in the treasure hall, after the old steward mentioned Elder Gao, you seemed distracted. After we left, you immediately suggested visiting the Elder's mansion tonight."

Jian Huan blinked, casually averting her gaze and shrugging. "I was distracted because I was thinking. Since the Bodhi Pagoda was stolen, the first people to investigate would naturally be the four elders on duty that day. Out of the four, the old steward specifically mentioned Elder Gao, so it makes sense to come here, doesn't it?"

"Is that so?" Shen Jizhi withdrew his gaze, pursing his lips before looking at her again. Softly, he added, "But I feel like you're hiding something from me."

How perceptive.

First, as a transmigrator, there were rules to follow. Revealing the plot of the book to anyone was forbidden by the laws of heaven.

Second, Jian Huan would rather take the secret of her origin to the grave than tell anyone.

In this world, she trusted only herself. Even Shen Jizhi, whom she had spent the most time with and knew the best, wasn't someone she would confide in completely.

Jian Huan gave a sly smile, patting his shoulder as if soothing a child, her voice soft and sweet. "Shen Jizhi, you can rest assured."

Shen Jizhi wasn't so sure.

Sure enough, the next moment, the girl leaned in and grinned. "Of course I'm hiding something from you. Do you really need to ask? You're so clueless."

Shen Jizhi: "..."

After discovering the scratches under the desk, Jian Huan went on to check other furniture in the room for similar marks.

The bookshelves, the daybed for resting, and the wooden cabinet holding writing tools all bore hidden scars in their less noticeable corners.

Before leaving the Jiuzhou treasure hall, she had specifically asked the old steward about Elder Gao's usual temperament.

The old steward had said, "Most people think Elder Gao is a good person. He's always willing to help and often has a smile on his face. But..."

The old man caught himself. Even though Elder Gao was currently being interrogated at the Imperial Pacification Office, there was a chance he might be released. It wouldn't do to speak carelessly. He changed his tone, "I also think Elder Gao is a good person."

Jian Huan: "But you just said he was imposing."

The old steward chuckled, "He has an imposing aura, that's all. Alright, you've seen enough. You should go now. I need to rest..."

Remembering this, Jian Huan straightened up and walked over to Shen Jizhi, about to share her findings, when a faint rustling sound came from outside the window.

At first, it sounded like the wind brushing against the bushes, but upon closer listening—someone was approaching!

Without hesitation, Shen Jizhi grabbed Jian Huan's hand.

The study window was gently opened from the outside, and the moonlight spilled in, casting a silvery glow on the ancient screen in the corner.

A flash of pink skirt disappeared behind the screen.

The moonlight illuminated the screen, making the vividly painted ink orchids on it shimmer softly, as if blooming quietly in the night.

...

The window closed again.

Not long after, a husky voice spoke: "Senior Sister Wen, you take that side, I'll take this side."

The female cultivator carrying a large black sword didn't respond, only nodding.

The man and woman who had just entered began searching the study, following the same path Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi had taken earlier.

Hearing the familiar yet unfamiliar voices outside, Jian Huan crouched low and peeked out with one eye to observe the study.

Yang Ye flipped through a book and muttered, "I didn't expect to be flipping through books again after more than two years. Back in the Lotus Square Secret Realm, I got so sick of it. Now, seeing these books brings back memories of those days."

Wen Jiu couldn't help but laugh, her voice soft and faint. "If we recover the Bodhi Pagoda, we'll get a million spirit stones. Just bear with it, Junior Brother."

"Speaking of which, I wonder how Senior Brother Shen and Jian Huan are doing. Hearing about the million-spirit-stone reward, they might come too?" Yang Ye added, "But since Jiang Qiaoqiao is with us now, I feel bad inviting them."

The feelings Jiang Qiaoqiao harbored for Shen Jizhi were somewhat known among the members of the Jade Clarity Sect.

After the incident that occurred before the Jiuzhou Conference began, even more people were aware of it.

Wen Jiu sighed softly at the thought. "Let's focus on searching. I wonder if Senior Brother Yin and Jiang Qiaoqiao have found anything..."

The group had participated in the Jiuzhou Conference with Jiang Qiaoqiao. After the Bodhi Pagoda was stolen, they had teamed up to search for it.

Yang Ye nodded. "Let's hurry up. We shouldn't keep Senior Brother Yin waiting..."

Behind the screen, Jian Huan's dark eyes widened with excitement.

It was Wen Jiu and Yang Ye!

Her old companions from the days of shared debts and wolf hunting in the Lotus Square Secret Realm.

According to their plan, she and Shen Jizhi were going to meet them the next morning.

Who would have thought they'd run into them here!

Jian Huan pulled her head back, turning to Shen Jizhi with excitement, but as she did, her slightly parted lips accidentally brushed against his chin.

The screen painted with ink orchids was haphazardly stacked next to the daybed, leaving little room to hide.

While Jian Huan had been crouching and peeking out, Shen Jizhi had leaned in slightly to observe as well.

Jian Huan's sudden turn caught them both off guard.

The boy's chin had a clean, sharp line, adding to his overall cool demeanor.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

But while it looked as cold as snow, it felt as soft as cotton candy.

Realizing what had happened, Jian Huan quickly took a small step back.

She glanced at the faint glistening mark on Shen Jizhi's chin.

Uh, was that her saliva...?

For a moment, Jian Huan wished she could vanish into thin air. She apologized softly, her voice trembling with embarrassment, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

Shen Jizhi was visibly stunned as well.

Hearing the faint quiver in Jian Huan's voice, his eyelids flickered, and his gaze settled on her face.

She didn’t dare to look at him, her eyes fixed on the dark wall behind him, her expression a mix of obvious shyness and flustered awkwardness.

It was a stark contrast to her usual demeanor.

That night, when he had confessed his feelings to her, she had even whispered bold words into his ear and later dared to follow him to watch him change his clothes.

But now that something had actually happened, why was she acting like this?

Like a paper tiger, all bluster and no bite.

Shen Jizhi had held back for a long time in front of Jian Huan.

He had always been able to restrain himself, but this was the first time he had failed to do so.

Shen Jizhi bent down, tilting his head slightly. His light brown eyes lingered on her faintly pink lips before he closed them gently, leaning in to place a restrained kiss on the bridge of her nose.

The tip of his well-defined nose brushed against Jian Huan's left cheek, leaving a slight indentation in her soft, fair skin.

As his masculine aura enveloped her, Jian Huan forgot to breathe.

Her thick eyelashes fluttered like the wings of a butterfly playing among flowers.

Shen Jizhi pulled back slightly, opening his eyes slowly. After a moment of thought, he whispered softly, "I did that on purpose."

With those words, he reached out and ruffled her hair before stepping around her and walking out from behind the screen.

Outside, Wen Jiu and Yang Ye, who had been rummaging through some items, immediately raised their heads in alarm.

With a sharp clang, Wen Jiu drew his black sword.

With a loud thud, Yang Ye released his little pig from its pouch.

The piglet, Yang Xiaozhu, had been sleeping soundly in its master's pet pouch and, upon being released, instantly went on high alert. Its fur bristled, and it shook itself vigorously, ready to charge at the intruder.

But after sniffing the air a couple of times, its fur smoothed down, and its little legs pattered excitedly as it tried to nuzzle against Shen Jizhi's ankle, letting out delighted squeals.

Shen Jizhi sidestepped before the pig could reach him and looked at Yang Ye and Wen Jiu. "It's me, Shen Jizhi," he said.

The two of them finally recognized him, their faces filled with surprise. "Senior Brother Shen? What are you doing here?!"