Chapter 42: Since When Have I, Cheng, Ever Needed Such Rewards!?

A cold, emotionless voice from the system echoed in Cheng Guang’s mind.

[Year 34 of the Sacred Era, seventh month, fourteenth day. On your eighth day after attaining the Celestial Human realm, you took revenge on Bai Shuxuan, the Holy Maiden of the Qingqiu Fox Clan, venting your anger. Yet with that came an overwhelming emptiness.]

[You know that Bai Shuxuan must have used some method, but whatever it was only hastened the process of making you fall for her; in the end, you truly did have feelings for her.]

[If you could, you would have brought her home as your wife. But there is no longer that chance. Even when the Duke Protector’s household flourished, you could not marry a Holy Maiden of the Qingqiu Fox Clan—how much less now, with your family in ruins, could you fulfill that wish.]

[With no other choice, you could only let go of the thought.]

[Sitting in the Myriad Phenomena Garden, you gaze at the bright moon above, recalling the assassination attempt you suffered years ago after meeting Bai Shuxuan.]

[Whether Bai Shuxuan was involved in that attempt, you do not know. But it was because you heeded her advice, dismissed all your guards, and went to Lake of Listening Rain alone, that you were ambushed and nearly killed.]

[Had it not been for your father secretly arranging a few Shadow Guards from the Lantern Division at your side, you would surely have died in that assassination.]

[Who was truly behind that attempt, and what role did Bai Shuxuan play? You know none of this.]

[You cannot understand it. You treated Bai Shuxuan so well, gave her everything she wished for—why would she toy with your affections, and even help others try to kill you?]

[Just remembering it causes a dull ache in your heart.]

[Now that you’ve become a Celestial Human, you secretly vow to uncover the truth behind that assassination and give those responsible a lesson they will never forget.]

[Novice Task 4: Find those who tried to assassinate you in the past, and teach them a lesson they will never forget.]

[Task reward: Prohibition-Breaking Pill.]

Cheng Guang stared at the system’s task notice, his expression gradually growing odd.

That original heir was truly a first-rate lovesick fool. Even after ascending to the Celestial Human realm, he remained obsessed with Bai Shuxuan, never letting go of the desire to marry her. Even when she seemed to have taken part in an attempt on his life, he showed no anger, instead blaming all the guilt on the assassins themselves.

Cheng Guang only needed a glance to feel his spirit contaminated, exclaiming inwardly at the absurdity.

“It seems, if I want to complete this task and find those assassins, I’ll still need to start with Bai Shuxuan.”

“The system says to give those assassins a lesson they’ll never forget. Does that mean killing them outright, or capturing and tormenting them before ending their lives?”

Unable to make sense of it for the moment, Cheng Guang decided not to dwell on it. If nothing else, he’d capture those killers alive, torment them for a while, and then finish them off.

He scanned through the task again, his gaze finally settling on the Prohibition-Breaking Pill listed as a reward.

Prohibition-Breaking Pill?

He had never heard of such a thing and had no idea what it was for. It seemed likely to break through restrictions.

Cheng Guang’s knowledge of restrictions was limited; he’d only encountered them in books a handful of times. Supposedly, certain rare treasures could cast restrictions, covering an area and limiting the abilities, cultivation, or actions of everyone within.

Such restriction-casting treasures were extremely rare, most having been collected by the royal family for security, used during occasions like coronations, great sacrifices, or important court assemblies.

With such treasures in short supply, opportunities to use the Prohibition-Breaking Pill would be even rarer.

To Cheng Guang at this moment, the pill’s appeal paled in comparison to the previous Bewitching Eye.

Still, he was not disappointed—any reward was not to be taken lightly. Moreover, the system’s task description had provided him with plenty of useful intelligence. He had nothing to complain about.

Besides, if restriction treasures were so rare and precious, then a pill that could break them would be even more valuable in some senses. Who knew when it might come in handy in the future?

After pondering for a while, Cheng Guang decided to stop thinking about it. Weariness swept over him, and he gradually drifted off to sleep.

In the middle of the night, in a haze half between dreams and waking, it seemed as if a soft, delicate figure slipped into his arms, bringing with it a faint fragrance.

“My lord…”

……

The next morning, as the chirping of birds rang out, Cheng Guang awoke.

Looking at Qingluan lying beside him, he scratched his head in confusion, still half-asleep and dazed.

“How did this little girl end up here?”

Cheng Guang was momentarily stunned, unable to make sense of Qingluan’s sudden initiative. After all, when he’d half-coerced and half-threatened her into submission before, her heart had come to favor him, but there had always been a subtle barrier. She had never taken the initiative to climb into his bed.

Cheng Guang had never forced her further or said anything about it.

But this time…

Qingluan had actually crawled into his bed on her own accord. Remembering the wildness of last night, Cheng Guang wondered if he was still dreaming.

In truth, in his drowsiness, he really thought it was a dream and had shown her no mercy at all.

Recalling how Qingluan had clearly been unable to bear it last night—her face drawn with pain, yet forcing a smile—Cheng Guang could not help but want to slap himself.

Damn.

I really am a beast.

What if I scared her, and she never takes the initiative again?

Looking at Qingluan, who seemed battered by wind and rain, Cheng Guang’s feelings grew complicated.

Just then, Qingluan’s lashes fluttered and she slowly opened her beautiful eyes, immediately seeing Cheng Guang at her side.

When she realized he was watching her, Qingluan startled, her cheeks turning crimson in an instant. She pressed her lips together, and like a squirrel, pulled the brocade quilt over her, burying her head under the covers.

“My lord…” she whispered softly, offering a shy greeting.

Cheng Guang couldn’t help but laugh, thinking, You were so bold last night; how are you so timid now?

He considered for a moment, then reached out and gently placed his palm on Qingluan’s smooth, delicate forehead, speaking in puzzlement.

“No fever... So why did you suddenly lose your mind and come to me in the middle of the night?”

Qingluan’s blush deepened, as if blood might drip from her cheeks. She bowed her head, silent.

After a while, she hesitated and finally opened her pink lips to answer, “It was to reward you, my lord.”

“Last night, I heard in Lin City that you only went to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion to watch the spectacle, reciting poem after poem, but never took a liking to the courtesan, and came back soon after.”

“That’s why I…”

As Qingluan spoke in a soft voice, Cheng Guang listened with a smiling but slightly stiff face.

What?

So that’s the reason?

Because I didn’t get involved with the courtesan, this was my ‘reward’??

What kind of person do you take me for?

Since when have I, Cheng, ever needed such a reward!?

So he righteously protested inwardly.

Yet, looking at Qingluan’s tender, dewy face, he couldn’t help but feel his heart quicken.

“My lord, it’s getting late. You should get up. I’ll prepare your washbasin,” Qingluan said. Seeing that Cheng Guang didn’t respond, she thought she’d done something wrong and hurriedly got up to gather her scattered clothes.

But Cheng Guang stopped her with one hand.

“No rush. It’s still early.”

“Ah!”

……