The Empress Chose My Bride, and Now I’m Stuck with a Yandere at -9999 Affection - Chapter 54:

Chapter 54: The Battlefield of Love Returns:

Facing Xia Xiaoyu’s increasing audacity, Jiang Xuan, snapping back to his senses, grabbed her restless hand and said slowly, “Xiaoyu, I feel like your words aren’t very credible. Our situation right now is extremely dangerous. Don’t trick me. What if the people from the Demonic Sect show up while I’m helping you cultivate?”

Xia Xiaoyu smiled and replied, “Brother Xuan, you’re worrying too much. I’ve already shaken them off. With their abilities, even if they can track us, it would take at least half a day to find this place. Don’t worry, it won’t take too much time. I’ll make it quick. Besides, with a delicate young man like you in this cave, the more I think about it, the more excited I—no, what I mean is, I’ll recover my spiritual energy as quickly as possible.”

Jiang Xuan, “…”

Was it really about making it quick? 

She was treating the Great Sage inside him as decoration! 

The more Jiang Xuan thought about it, the less he intended to agree to Xia Xiaoyu’s request.

“Xiaoyu, since you said they won’t find us for at least half a day, then there’s still time. You should focus on cultivating and recovering your spiritual energy. You told me before how important a solid foundation is for cultivation. I’m worried that if I help you cultivate, it’ll destabilize your foundation. So, for your own good, I won’t help you recover your spiritual energy.”

Xia Xiaoyu, “…”

Hearing Jiang Xuan’s words, Xia Xiaoyu was dumbfounded. She felt like she had just shot herself in the foot. Although Jiang Xuan’s reasons seemed reasonable, Xia Xiaoyu didn’t intend to pretend anymore. A lamb that falls into a wolf’s den isn’t supposed to be let go.

At that moment, she cupped Jiang Xuan’s face and said, “Brother Xuan, you’re still weak and already daring to refuse me. Once you become stronger, won’t I have no chance at all? That’s the last thing I want to see. Hmph, if Brother Xuan won’t cooperate, what if I insist? I originally thought you’d obediently accept, and I could be gentle and quick. But now I’ve changed my mind. I’ll take it slow and enjoy it properly. After all, you said the other me was stronger. I must prove myself to you.”

Jiang Xuan, “!!!”

Recalling Xia Xiaoyu’s craziness from last night, Jiang Xuan panicked, and so did the Great Sage inside him. In this state, Xia Xiaoyu’s tricks were unpredictable. Even the Great Sage’s defense was useless against her relentless moves.

Xia Xiaoyu, not giving him any chance to refuse or escape, leaned her small face against Jiang Xuan’s chest. “Hehe, this cave is desolate and isolated. Brother Xuan, if you’re scared, feel free to cry out. Anyway, I’m the only one who’ll hear your lovely voice.”

Jiang Xuan, “???”

Jiang Xuan was completely stunned by Xia Xiaoyu’s outrageous words. His childhood sweetheart constantly shattered his understanding of the world. He used to envy those boys who were captured by rich young ladies, but now he didn’t feel envious at all. Having experienced firsthand how powerful the women in this female-dominated world were, he just wanted to escape and find a secluded place to cultivate and grow stronger.

This cave would’ve been a great spot for cultivation if Xia Xiaoyu wasn’t here. Because of her, he couldn’t even get a chance to focus.

Back to the present, without giving him any room to react, Xia Xiaoyu left a possessive mark on his neck and eagerly awaited Jiang Xuan’s surrender. However, just then, a loud noise came from the entrance of the cave.

Xia Xiaoyu immediately sensed that something was wrong. She wanted to move Jiang Xuan to a different location, but was shocked to find that her spiritual energy was still depleted. She couldn’t even muster ten percent of her strength, let alone carry Jiang Xuan away.

Feeling somewhat hopeless, Xia Xiaoyu apologized to Jiang Xuan, “Brother Xuan, I’m sorry… I haven’t recovered my spiritual energy yet. Our situation is really dangerous now. It’s my fault. I let my guard down because I was too captivated by your beauty.”

Jiang Xuan, “…”

While they were talking, a figure slowly appeared in front of them. When Jiang Xuan saw who it was, the tension in his heart instantly eased. But Xia Xiaoyu quickly stepped in front of Jiang Xuan protectively.

“Brother Xuan, don’t worry. Even if I have no spiritual energy left, I’ll still protect you.”

“Xiaoyu, it’s alright. She’s one of us.”

As he spoke, Jiang Xuan stepped forward and said, “Sister Hongxin, you finally found me.”

Jiang Xuan initially wanted to address Xiao Hongxin as Vice Pavilion Master, but with Xia Xiaoyu present, he didn’t want to expose the Xuantian Pavilion. Hearing Jiang Xuan’s words, Xiao Hongxin’s eyes turned slightly red as she stepped forward and hugged Jiang Xuan.

“Little Xuan, I’m sorry… I was late. You’ve suffered.”

Behind him, Xia Xiaoyu was completely dumbfounded. She watched the scene in confusion, shouting inwardly, [What’s going on? Who am I? Where is this? Who is this woman? Why don’t I have any impression of her? I’ve never seen her around Brother Xuan before! Where did she pop up from?! Wait, the more I look, the more wrong this feels. Am I the outsider here?!]

Regaining her composure, Xia Xiaoyu immediately stepped forward and pulled Jiang Xuan and Xiao Hongxin apart. She glared sharply at Xiao Hongxin, “Who exactly are you? Barging in and trying to claim my childhood sweetheart? Do you even know what ‘first come, first served’ means? Jiang Xuan is under my protection, understand?”

Xiao Hongxin ignored her and instead looked at Jiang Xuan, “Little Xuan, who is she? Is she the one who abducted you?”

“Uh… Sister Hongxin, you misunderstood. She’s my childhood sweetheart, Xia Xiaoyu. Thanks to her, I managed to escape from the Charm Demon Sect twice.”

“Charm Demon Sect? That sect that only targets handsome boys? If they dared lay a hand on you, they have no reason to continue existing.”

Hearing this, Xia Xiaoyu cried out inwardly, [Wow, this woman is so domineering. No wonder Brother Xuan is enchanted. So handsome boys prefer strong and assertive women with a sense of security? Damn it! The other me was too shy, ruining my image in front of Brother Xuan. I already lost at the starting line.]

On the surface, Xia Xiaoyu maintained a serious expression and asked, “Brother Xuan, are you really that familiar with this woman? Don’t get tricked. There are so many scams involving women tricking boys with promises of Spirit Stones. I’m worried about you…”

“Xiaoyu, you’re overthinking it. Sister Hongxin and I have known each other for a long time. Besides, I’m the one who gives her Spirit Stones, not the other way around.”

Xia Xiaoyu, “???”

After speaking, Jiang Xuan realized his words sounded odd and quickly added, “Anyway, she wouldn’t deceive or betray me. Rest assured. Now, Xiaoyu, you should hurry and recover your spiritual energy. With Sister Hongxin here, I’ll be safe for now.”

Hearing this, Xia Xiaoyu was internally shaken. [It’s over. I totally misread the situation. This woman isn’t being kept by Brother Xuan… Brother Xuan is the one giving her Spirit Stones! I used to spend a lot of Spirit Stones just to hold Brother Xuan’s hand. Now he’s spending them on her?! How am I supposed to compete with that?! A soft-rice queen! I thought Nangong Liuyun was my biggest rival, but compared to her, my standing is nothing. And she’s even stronger than me. A powerful woman… who’s a soft-rice queen? How does she attract Brother Xuan? Has he already fallen for her wealth and beauty? If that’s true… I’m the real clown here.]

After analyzing the situation, Xia Xiaoyu forced herself to calm down. She took a deep breath and said, “Brother Xuan, wait here. I’m going to recover my spiritual energy. Later, I’ll snatch you back from that soft-rice queen!”

With that, Xia Xiaoyu turned and went deeper into the cave. No matter what, she was determined to take Jiang Xuan away, and to do that, she needed to restore her strength first.

Seeing Xia Xiaoyu leave, Jiang Xuan turned to Xiao Hongxin and asked, “Vice Pavilion Master, how’s the situation at Xuantian Pavilion?”

“Master, most of the Xuantian Pavilion’s members are stationed outside the Imperial City, awaiting orders. I mobilized them to search the Imperial City for your whereabouts, but we never found any trace of you. Luckily, not long ago, I finally detected your aura and tracked you here. Based on previous intelligence, you were taken by a mysterious figure in a golden mask. That person is extremely terrifying. Is that person from the Charm Demon Sect?”

Jiang Xuan shook his head, “Of course not. If the Charm Demon Sect had someone that powerful, Xiaoyu wouldn’t have been able to save me. The golden-masked person isn’t hostile.”

“Understood. Now that we’ve found you, should I summon the Xuantian Pavilion members here?”

“No need. The Charm Demon Sect sent some very strong people this time. The Pavilion’s core members might not be able to handle them. With you by my side, it’s enough.”

Hearing this, Xiao Hongxin blushed slightly and felt secretly delighted. [As expected, the Master cares about me. He even said having me alone is enough.]

She secretly observed Jiang Xuan, and unconsciously recalled the events in the shabby courtyard a few days ago. She had lost control and forced Jiang Xuan into various humiliating situations, making him say shameful things to satisfy her vanity. Thinking of Jiang Xuan’s pitiful and tender expression under her at that time, Xiao Hongxin couldn’t help but swallow. Her gaze toward Jiang Xuan carried a trace of hidden greed.

“Master… what are your plans next? Anything you need my help with?”

“I plan to wait until Xiaoyu recovers her spiritual energy. Then we’ll go on the offensive and eliminate the threat of the Charm Demon Sect. After that, I can return to the Jiang family.”

While Jiang Xuan spoke of his plan, Xiao Hongxin was distracted. She wasn’t listening at all. Her gaze fixed on the marks on Jiang Xuan’s neck.

“Master, may I ask what’s with the marks on your neck?”

Subconsciously, Jiang Xuan touched his neck and suddenly remembered those marks were left by Xia Xiaoyu. Of course, he wasn’t foolish enough to tell the truth, knowing it could lead to unnecessary trouble. After a moment’s thought, he said, “I’ve been in this cave for a while. The marks are probably from insect bites while I was unaware. They’ll fade soon.”

After hearing his explanation, Xiao Hongxin’s expression darkened dangerously, but she quickly smiled as if letting it go.

“Master… didn’t expect you to lie to me again. Naughty boys need to be punished.”

Jiang Xuan, “???”

Confused, he asked, “Vice Pavilion Master, I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Oh? Still pretending? Fine, I’ll be direct. The marks on your neck spell out ‘Xiaoyu.’ Am I wrong?”

Jiang Xuan, “!!!”