"Go!" Guan Ya placed both hands on the steering wheel, her profile sharp and elegant, her voice cold and clear as she issued the command. It had been a disappointing evening. Though she had hesitated and expressed reluctance to come, her relatively youthful appearance truly reflected her inner state. She had, in fact, been looking forward to this dinner. Yet the greater her expectations, the greater her disappointment—this evening's highlight wasn't her, but an unexpected ghostly figure. Unlike most young women, who are warmly welcomed by their boyfriend's family upon their first visit, she had been treated with indifference. The hosts had barely inquired about her age or family background. If this were a younger woman, she would have been crying in the car by now. Guan Ya wasn't a young woman—she simply felt a sense of quiet hurt. "Go!" When Zhang Yuanqing remained stubbornly seated, Guan Ya repeated the command with greater emphasis. After venting her frustration, she took a deep breath and said, "I'm sorry, Yuanshi. I'm not in the best mood right now—would you please step out?" "We can talk about that tomorrow," Guan Ya's expression and tone had returned to normal. She had managed to keep her emotions under control. Yet the more composed she was, the more Zhang Yuanqing felt he couldn't leave. According to the life coach's perspective, the intense connection between him and Guan Ya was simply the residual warmth from the cost of that day's business suit. This warmth would either intensify and deepen or gradually fade and be forgotten—depending on how he handled it. If today's matter wasn't resolved, then tomorrow when he reached out to hold her hand, she would surely pull away. By the day after, if he tried again, she would smile and gently change the subject. It would all come to nothing. Guan Ya might not diminish her fondness for him, but she would begin to wonder about her image in the eyes of his family. How promising, then, was their relationship? Would there be a future? When love becomes rational, it inevitably grows more distant, eventually settling into a comfortable friendship. —That was exactly what the life coach had said. "Guan Ya, the three-trail goddess who took over the spirit body of the shadow corpse just now—she left an imprint within the Vumag Staff when she first appeared in the killing quest. As soon as I pull myself out of the real world, her spirit will manifest here..." Zhang Yuanqing relayed the entire process of the old wooden pole's arrival. He believed that, with Guan Ya's keen insight, she must have already noticed certain subtle clues. "Three-trail goddess?" Guan Ya furrowed her brows, her expression concerned. "Could her presence pose any potential safety risks to you?" Zhang Yuanqing shook his head. "Not at the moment. The centurion has just completed his quest today. Tomorrow, he and the Dog Elder will likely come to see me and offer their opinions." Pausing, he grasped Guan Ya's hand and whispered, "As for my grandparents, I'll explain everything to them. I won't let them misunderstand you." "Phew, that's clear now. He subtly exhaled a sigh, then listened as Guan Ya withdrew her hand, speaking in a calm, composed tone: "It's best not to deal with someone of this level—despite how well-intentioned she may seem. Just as long as you have your plans, that's all. Yuan Shi, please get off the bus now. I need to head back." Hmm? Still not working? Zhang Yuanqing blinked, smiling brightly and saying, "I'm not getting off, Guan Ya姐, please don't be upset. I haven't even had my meal yet. Come with me—I'll explain everything to my grandmother and the others." "It's unnecessary. Going up now would only make things awkward. If you truly care about me, Yuan Shi, then get off the bus. You're an adult—be a little more mature," Guan Ya said, her tone steady and composed. "Guan Ya姐, this is just a misunderstanding. My grandmother and the others aren't against you—they simply think I'm being unfaithful, which is all my fault..." Despite Zhang Yuanqing's explanations, Guan Ya's expression remained cool and distant. Well, what now He deeply realized that dating a girl was quite different from simply being friends. Some things couldn't be resolved merely by high emotional intelligence—they required experience. Experience… Ah, yes. He should ask his life mentor about it. Zhang Yuanqing quietly pulled out his phone, opened the messaging app, and sent a message to Ling Jun for help. ——This was the one he had casually kept in his pocket since he had returned the Vajra during the replay. Prime Immortal: "My relationship with Guan Ya has encountered difficulties. Tonight, I invited her to dinner at my home, but due to unforeseen circumstances, another female friend also attended. My family assumed I was pursuing two women and thus didn't show much warmth toward her. Then, because of further incidents, their perception of her didn't improve, and the scene became extremely awkward—difficult to explain in just a few words." Prime Immortal: "I've already explained the situation involving the other friend and promised to defend her in front of my family to restore her image. Yet it seems ineffective—she remains cold and distant. I'm not sure how to warm her up. What should I do? I'm waiting online—this is urgent." He sent two consecutive messages. A few seconds later, his phone vibrated, and Ling Jun’s reply arrived. Ling Jun: "Most men believe they can reason with their girlfriends, thinking that as long as they hold the logical advantage, the girlfriend shouldn’t get upset. Yet they often overlook the power of emotions—just like when we were children and got angry, our parents tried to reason with us. Did that help? Not really. Any child willing to listen to their parents’ reasoning was usually afraid of the stick their parents held." Yuan Shi Tian Zun: "Just get to the point, already!" Ling Jun: "Your description was too vague. First, I need to confirm—have I clearly explained the woman’s issue? Has she truly believed it, or is she just going through the motions? If the reason for her emotional outburst stems from you, I recommend that you sincerely apologize, or even cry out of regret. Set your tone clearly, then step away—don’t linger. At this moment, women don’t want to see you; they need time to calm down." "Yuan Shi Tian Zun: 'It's definitely not my fault. Also, I've clarified the matter with the female colleague.' Ling Jun: 'Then, the reason for her emotional distress lies in the negative impressions your family has of her. She's become anxious, even contemplating giving up and fleeing as soon as possible. In a more pessimistic view, she's even considering distancing herself from you entirely.' Yuan Shi Tian Zun: 'I've already said that I'll explain it to her.' Ling Jun: 'No, no, no—explaining is the most fundamental thing. A dinner gathering full of expectations has turned into such a scene. What does she need most right now? Your promises, your reassurance, your care. Most women are quite rational, yet they tend to be emotionally sensitive in matters of love. Therefore, men must first explain, and then gently soothe their emotions.' Yuan Shi Tian Zun: 'I know—I try to comfort her, but it doesn't work.' Ling Jun: 'Then go further—kiss her. Let her feel your sincerity and understand the depth of your feelings toward her.' If sweet words fall short, then express your love more passionately. Come on, young man. "I'm just having dinner with my girlfriend," he said, not speaking. Should he kiss her? Zhang Yuanqing glanced at Guan Ya. Aside from the day he left the killing quest, when he had been compelled to kiss the elder magistrate, he had neither experience nor courage in kissing. To be able to passionately kiss a woman without hesitation or psychological pressure—was either a freak or a seasoned lover. Zhang Yuanqing was neither. As he hesitated, Guan Ya suddenly erupted, gritting her teeth: "It's truly a pity you've gone to all this trouble to pursue me. Now that it's settled, I'm not angry anymore—please, Mr. Zhang, go back home and play with your phone." Just as she finished speaking, he seemed to have made up his mind, with a determined expression, approaching her, placing his hands over her face, and giving her a passionate kiss. Guan Ya instantly widened her eyes, stunned, bewildered, and caught off guard—so much so that she forgot to resist. After a few seconds, her gaze trembled as she finally regained her composure. She vigorously pushed and pounded against the younger man’s shoulders and chest. Fortunately, everyone was at the Saint Realm level; if it were an ordinary man, he would have been crushed under Guan Ya’s blows, his ribs and shoulder bones shattered by now. The same softness, the same fragrance—yet the force of her strikes was now much stronger than before. Zhang Yuanqing bit down gently on the elder lady’s lower lip, drew a steady breath, and then gradually increased the pressure, mindful that she was in a state of reluctant submission, unwilling to fully engage. She hadn’t dared to extend her tongue, fearing she might be bitten. Yet the warm, yielding lips of the young woman already surpassed any delicacy in the world. Guan Ya, ultimately, did not wish to resort to full "violence" against him—otherwise, a single finger of sword qi would have chilled Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun to the core. With both hands pressed firmly against Zhang Yuanqing’s chest, she leaned her head back, striving to escape Until Guan Ya's head, pressed against the window, settled into a half-fall, half-reclined posture, and Zhang Yuanqing had already collapsed onto the driver's seat, his hands braced against the upholstery. "Ah, ah...," Guan Ya felt both embarrassed and angry, emitting soft, muffled sighs. Once again… Zhang Yuanqing took a deep breath, freed one hand, and slipped it beneath Guan Ya's buttocks, gently lifting her off the seat. As his body leaned back, he carried Guan Ya with him, settling both of them into the passenger seat. The compact space of the sports car made their bodies press closely together, allowing Zhang Yuanqing to clearly feel the fullness and softness of Guan Ya's chest. He lowered the seat back, expanding the space so that Guan Ya's upper body could fully rest against him. One hand supported and gently massaged the firm yet incredibly soft buttocks, while the other reached into her T-shirt, tracing the smooth, delicate skin of her back, brushing against the straps of her bra. Throughout the entire process, Guan Ya never resisted. Zhang Yuanqing once again enveloped Guan Ya's lips, this time boldly extending his tongue, gently teasing the delicate, tender tip behind her upper teeth. Guan Ya had initially been reluctant, awkwardly evading, but as Zhang Yuanqing's touch continued, hormones began to seep in, and gradually, his feelings deepened—he started to yield half-heartedly, eventually responding with passionate intensity. It wasn't clear how long it had been before Zhang Yuanqing felt his lips and tongue grow numb, and finally lifted Guan Ya's face to end their long, lingering kiss. The elder maid, her eyes half-lidded, gently opened them to gaze at him, as though still yearning for more, then nestled her head against his chest, both of them breathing softly. For perhaps a dozen seconds, there was a quiet stillness. Zhang Yuanqing wrapped his arms around Guan Ya's waist and murmured, "Guo Ya, take me home. I can already imagine that my grandparents have prepared the instruments of punishment, waiting for me to return and willingly surrender. Oh, Grandfather—he's been a police chief all his life, and he simply can't tolerate any imperfection. I don't know how to explain the story of the Three Mountain Goddess." Guan Ya softly hummed. Zhang Yuanqing sensed that her resentment had completely faded—more precisely, Lingjun is absolutely right—a passionate, heartfelt kiss conveys so much more than words, and it truly helps her understand a man’s feelings. Yet verbal reassurance is still essential. Zhang Yuanqing said, “My grandparents are practical and reasonable; we’ll go up and clarify things with them right after.” “You go, and I’ll stay right here!” Guan Ya rolled her eyes. The tone had changed dramatically—once cold and distant, now full of pouty affection. “Alright!” Zhang Yuanqing gently stroked Guan Ya’s slender, smooth waist. Her T-shirt had been lifted up, revealing a broad expanse of soft, smooth skin. Her waist was both narrow and delicate, with a low body fat that gave her skin a tight, smooth texture. Guan Ya seemed to remember something, lifting her graceful, oval face and glaring at Zhang Yuanqing. “Why does my younger sister seem to be targeting me?” “What do you mean?” Zhang Yuanqing looked puzzled. “I thought she wasn’t lying—didn’t you tell her exactly that yourself?” "Guan Ya sneered, 'I'm a scout—how could she hide her little schemes from me? She's been trying to push me out, to make your grandparents dislike me all along.' Zhang Yuanqing was instantly furious, 'Well then, Jiang Yu'er has been quietly targeting you all along! She's got no one to rely on, and she simply can't stand the fact that I've found a lovely, well-mannered girlfriend. I'm going to have her hung upside down and beaten when I get back!' Guan Ya studied him for a moment, then rolled her eyes, 'She shows absolutely no sincerity.' After all, her aunt was just one of those extended relatives—precisely the kind who exist to be overlooked and disliked. Suddenly, her eyes flashed with indignation, and she exclaimed, 'Don't you dare use your three-centimeter heirloom to poke at me!' As she spoke, she shifted her position, trying to avoid the object, but the space in the sedan was so limited, and she was so tall, that she couldn't escape it. Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuanqing was not satisfied, 'It's a thirty-centimeter heirloom all along!' "Hmm, a needle thirty centimeters long… Um, you— you keep doing that, and I’ll be truly furious." "Then just stay still. If you move again, your soft seat will turn into a plug." After a while of peaceful silence, Guan Ya suddenly asked, "What about that female ghost who calls you her husband?" Zhang Yuan mentally sighed—of course, this would come up. Women always had a knack for revisiting old grievances. "That’s the boss of the Ghost House attraction at Jinshui Water Park. I’ve since taken her as my spiritual servant. By design, she calls me 'husband,' but in reality, our relationship is completely pure." "Really?" "You’re giving me that skeptical look—what’s wrong? I’m Zhang, not Ning." Zhang Yuan spoke with confidence and sincerity. Indeed, his relationship with the ghost bride was entirely pure. "As for your ghostly body—how does the spiritual servant inhabit it?" Guan Ya didn’t need to say more; she knew Yuan Shi would understand. "I saw the awkwardness in your eyes, the strangeness, the very essence of the unnatural—something that a human shouldn’t have. Besides, I "What does it have to do with Xu again?" "You don't need to know." After murmuring for several minutes while lying on him, Guan Ya climbed off the young man and sat back in the driver's seat. She pulled down the hem of her T-shirt, adjusted the mirror embedded in the sun visor, and while straightening her clothes, glanced at her reflection—and there it was: her lips were swollen, bright red and puffy. That explained the numbness. Her second-ever kiss had turned out to be such a mess. "Get out of here! I'm going home!" Guan Ya snapped. At the sound of the security door opening, the three men at the dining table and the two women in the living room all turned to look. The grandfather stared calmly at the grandson entering the living room, his voice cold and authoritative. "Come here!" Zhang Yuanqing obediently approached. The grandfather's expression was serious. "What's going on with those two girls? Which one is your girlfriend?" "Guan Ya is my girlfriend. The other one is just a regular friend," Zhang Yuanqing explained. "But why has a regular friend come to our house? She could enter the house—either you brought her in, or you told her the access code. How could a regular friend know the lock code?" The grandmother stepped out from the kitchen, pressing her questions one after another. "This, this—your age, you must be quite logical, aren't you? I'm not sure how to explain this right now," Zhang Yuanqing stammered, at a loss. If this situation could be resolved, then the intelligence of the retired police chief and his wife would truly be underestimated. Zhang Yuanqing had to say, "Guan Ya is indeed my girlfriend, but she's quite shy. Since she's seen you before, she's been hesitant and reluctant to come. So I thought I'd bring a friend who has a good relationship with me to the house to make it seem more substantial. I didn't expect Guan Ya to come herself..." "Only a good friend, you mean?" Grandfather chuckled, "A friend who's not really close to you, is it?" Zhang Yuanqing lowered his head, adopting the posture of someone whose secret thoughts had been revealed. Since his official girlfriend wasn't coming, he'd been relying on someone more casually involved—someone with a somewhat ambiguous relationship. With this gesture, everyone understood. His aunt, seated on the sofa, immediately scolded him, "Yuanzi, this isn't right at all. When you're in love, commit to it. Young people shouldn't keep changing their partners, know what I mean?" "Understood, Aunt," Zhang Yuanqing replied, then added to Grandfather, "I promise I won't do this again." Grandfather's expression improved slightly, and he gave a sharp sigh, "Next time I find "Senior relatives are always partial and inconsistent—even a retired police chief with a strong sense of integrity can only offer stern advice. My grandmother is even more biased and inconsistent. She immediately sets aside her criticism of my nephew's infidelity and asks, 'What about Guan Ya? What's going on? Did Yu'er really say that?' Zhang Yuanqing turns to her sister-in-law, glaring angrily. 'Grandmother, don't listen to her nonsense. I did indeed meet Guan Ya through the case involving Bingbo. We have an informal connection, but at that time, when we were at Ping Tai Hospital, she was actively investigating the case. 'Back then, there were reports of the wanted suspect appearing at Ping Tai Hospital, possibly with a colleague working there. As a security officer, she pretended to be pregnant and sought information from the hospital staff.' Upon hearing this, my grandmother recalls that Ping Tai Hospital had indeed experienced a terrorist attack. 'Yuanjun, is this all true?' Chen Yuanjun gently rubs the deep furrows on her forehead. 'We're from different systems, but Yuanzi's account seems accurate.' "Really, that's it..." The grandmother glared fiercely at her daughter. "You always know how to make a fuss—how can someone of her age speak so mindlessly?" "...Zhang Yuanqing pressed a hand to his lips, speaking softly: 'My lady, it's me...' Truly, after soothing the person, one still has to deceive the ghost. ... Late at night. On the rooftop of a residential building, the evening breeze gently stirred his dark hair and the vibrant red skirt. Sitting at the edge of the rooftop was a woman wearing a silver mask. Her long gown, in the style of the Song Dynasty, was elaborate and elegant, adorned with golden cloud patterns embroidered on the sleeves and across the chest. Her eyes, beneath the silver mask, were fixed on the dazzling night scene. The bustling, hot day had ended, yet the city's night failed to bring peace. Neon lights formed winding pathways, and cars with their headlights on flowed continuously beneath the streetlamps. Between these glowing pathways rose towering skyscrapers, with pedestrians moving up and down the streets below. People on the ground and those within the buildings each enjoyed their own moments of time. The Lady of the Palace of Stilling gently rocked her slender, porcelain-white feet beneath the flowing skirt, gazing into the night, lost in thought. Only when the sound of footsteps from the stairs grew faint did a middle-aged man with a wild hairstyle, a rounded belly, and an unpolished appearance climb the stairs and reach the rooftop. "Master Gong!" said Qingdian Daxing, bowing respectfully, "The information you requested—about Guan Ya, a member of the Second Team from Kangyang District—has been fully gathered." He paused, then added: "Guan Ya comes from a renowned spiritual realm family, a descendant of the Fu family, and is a first cousin of Fu Qingyang. Her mother, Fu Xue, is the younger sister of the current head of the Fu family. Her father is a second-level prosecutor at the Heaven's Punishment Organization and holds substantial influence. The couple has divorced, but neither has remarried. Moreover, this prosecutor maintains strong business ties with the Fu family, making them a solid ally. We still don't fully understand why Guan Ya has taken up a position in Songhai. However, through inquiries made by my office with internal personnel of the Wu Xing Alliance, we discovered that her personal credit rating has been placed on the blacklisted status." "She seems to be disliked by the elder members of the Fu family, relying entirely on Fu Qingyang for support in Songhai. The specific reasons, however, remain unclear due to the relatively short duration of their relationship." The Master of Zhi Sha faced away from him, spoke calmly. "Enough. Go back now." The Great Saint of Emotion bowed and withdrew. As he descended the stairs, his light footsteps grew fainter and eventually disappeared. The Master of Zhi Sha gazed out at the night scene and suddenly said, "He has already been promoted to the rank of Saint." A relaxed laugh echoed from the dark, unlit staircase entrance. "I know. This indicates our plan is now on track." The Master of Zhi Sha placed both hands on the edge of the terrace, still not turning around, murmuring softly, "I often wonder whether assigning him the role of the Demon King was the right choice. Perhaps he could have lived a happier, more relaxed life." The tone at the staircase entrance dropped its lazy smile, adopting an utterly serious demeanor: "The Magus's fortune can only be absorbed by him. He is born a night-wanderer, inheriting his father's innate talent." "But it's also possible that he will follow in his father's footsteps." The Master of Zhishi spoke softly. "What's wrong with you today?" the voice asked, deep and steady. The Master of Zhishi remained silent. After a brief pause, the voice continued: "You used your spiritual force as thread and your own soul as the needle, mending his fragmented spirit—yet this is only a temporary measure. Without inheriting the Magus's role card, he cannot survive. This is his destiny. "To save him, you have sustained soul damage, your nature transformed, descending from the Sovereign Realm to the Saintly Realm. After a long struggle to regain some strength, you have done so much for him—yet now, you wonder if he deserves a life of peace and stability?" The Master of Zhishi spoke gently: "I simply feel that he has grown suddenly. Perhaps, it doesn't have to be me who stays by his side." "Set aside those foolish thoughts," the voice from the staircase said. "Once he inherits the Magus King's full legacy, the prophecy of the Light Compass will come true—peace will not last. In the wars between the factions, only death or survival will matter; there will be no coexistence. He has no choice, nor do we." "I understand," said the Master of Zhishake, lifting her snow-white wrist with a graceful gesture and waving it. "Go on!" Silence returned to the dark staircase. ... The next morning, Zhang Yuanqing yawned and happily pulled out his phone, intending to send a morning greeting message to Guan Ya. But upon opening the chat app, he first saw the image of a figure in snowy white robes, and a new message: "Come to Fu's village!" Fu Qingyang was calling him. Had the Centurion finally rested? Zhang Yuanqing silently closed the chat app and logged into the official forum to check the latest posts. Hmm, no mention of Yuan Ting's revelations. That's fine! With a cheerful mood, he dressed himself.