Chapter 53: How Could It Possibly Be an Act!

Cheng Guang’s eyes flickered with a hint of oddity and amusement, though his expression remained unchanged, gradually showing a measure of difficulty.
“Shuxuan, the things you’re asking for are all quite precious. I’ll need some time to prepare them. I’ll try my best to get you some Sky Gang Stones and Primordial Pills.”
Seeing that Cheng Guang was no longer evading, Bai Shuxuan’s expression revealed a trace of pride and satisfaction. She nodded slowly, then spoke in a sweet, delicate voice:
“If the young lord can give Shuxuan more, it shows just how sincere he truly is.”
“Shuxuan is willing to give the young lord a reward.”
“Tonight at midnight, if the young lord comes to the pavilion six li from here, how about we meet in secret?”
As Bai Shuxuan spoke, a gentle blush appeared upon her cheeks, as if she were shy.
Even if Bai Shuxuan said nothing, it seemed as though everything had been said.
It was as if, so long as Cheng Guang went to the pavilion six li away, he’d receive some special favor.
Cheng Guang inwardly scoffed. Secret tryst? With a courtesan like you, what need is there for secrecy?
He kept silent, and Bai Shuxuan continued.
“Tomorrow, just have your people deliver the items here. You needn’t come yourself. Go directly to the pavilion six li away. I’ve already made arrangements there.”
“No need for the young lord to trouble himself.”
Her meaning was clear: on one hand, she feared Cheng Guang would die and wanted him to send her one last haul of resources. On the other, she feared he would actually come to her.
If Cheng Guang died, there would surely be an investigation, and she’d be implicated.
Better to send him away and forbid him from returning to Wanhua Tower or Jadeite Pavilion.
If Cheng Guang perished, it would buy her time to extricate herself.
Cheng Guang’s infatuated look gradually faded, and he asked,
“Six li from the pavilion?”
Bai Shuxuan nodded gently, not suspecting anything. She looked shy, her delicate hands nervously twisting her garment.
“As long as the young lord arrives six li from the pavilion, Shuxuan will wait there to meet him in secret.”
“You’re sure everything is arranged?” Cheng Guang asked again, his eyes glimmering with an ambiguous light.
Bai Shuxuan nodded once more, thinking Cheng Guang was about to leave and gather resources for her, and she reminded him,
“The Primordial Pills are no matter; if there aren’t enough, other precious pills can make up for it. But the Sky Gang Stones—the more the better. If you can’t manage, weapons forged from Sky Gang Stones will suffice.”
Cheng Guang chuckled softly.

Bai Shuxuan was startled by Cheng Guang’s laughter. Her shy expression faded as she looked at him, only to find his face was devoid of all infatuation.
It was as though the Cheng Guang of moments ago and the one before her now were two entirely different people.
“Uncle Qian.”
Cheng Guang suddenly called out. Bai Shuxuan was confused at first, then sensed the space around her trembling.
A figure slowly emerged from the emptiness.
Before his face could be seen, his voice arrived.
“Young lord, is the play over?”
Cheng Guang’s gaze was cold as he calmly lifted his teacup, not glancing at the stunned Bai Shuxuan.
“Yes, the fish is hooked. How’s the situation with Father?”
“I’ve already informed the director.”
Cheng Guang nodded.
“Uncle Qian, then let’s begin.”
Qian Siyuan stepped into Jadeite Pavilion, his vast aura radiating from his body. His gentle face broke into a brilliant smile.
“Alright!”
Bai Shuxuan’s expression changed dramatically. Her beautiful features lost all color, face turning sullen and dark, silver teeth biting her red lips. She looked at the man before her in disbelief, eyes wide.
“Qian Siyuan?!”
“How are you here?!”
She cried out in shock, then looked at Cheng Guang in disbelief.
“Young lord, what are you—”
Her gaze fixed on Cheng Guang, hoping to see lingering pity or concern, but she was quickly disappointed.
His face showed no change, as if he were not the same person she had known.
“You fox demon, if the young lord hadn’t wanted to lure out the big fish behind you, he wouldn’t have bothered acting out so many scenes with you. The young lord isn’t tired, but I am.”
Qian Siyuan’s face was gentle as he yawned, “The young lord wants you captured alive, so if you cooperate, I’ll be gentle. If not, I’ll have to use force.”
Hearing this, Bai Shuxuan was stunned, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief. Her pallor was ghastly, lips trembling as if searching for words to describe her feelings.
Her jade fingers gripped her garment tightly, and she instinctively stepped back.
She couldn’t accept the truth.

She had believed her plan was flawless. From the moment Cheng Guang entered Jadeite Pavilion, she thought she had him firmly under control. Aside from the first night’s surprise, everything proceeded as expected.
Never could she have imagined Cheng Guang was only acting, and that he had seen through her demon identity…
“How is this possible… I possess a treasure of perfect transformation, my aura is completely concealed. Unless I reveal myself, it shouldn’t be possible to expose me…”
“As for acting…”
“How could it be an act! The young lord spent so much time with me, surely he was influenced by my enchanting physique!”
Bai Shuxuan murmured inwardly, still harboring hope that Cheng Guang would speak for her, despite the evidence.
Yet the Cheng Guang before her was watching her with pure amusement.
That expression said it all.
At once, Bai Shuxuan’s heart sank.
As Qian Siyuan drew closer, Bai Shuxuan took a deep breath, forced herself calm, and let an icy aura spread from her, appearing furious.
“May I ask, young lord, when did you discover my identity?”
She was desperate for an answer.
Cheng Guang smiled lightly, “From the very beginning. Your methods are clever; if it weren’t me, any other would have fallen into your trap.”
Bai Shuxuan’s eyes widened. “From the beginning?”
She repeated softly, brows furrowed, but before she could speak, Qian Siyuan was already before her.
His gentle smile remained, as he slowly extended a hand.
“You fox demon, I don’t know what technique you used to transform into this form—there’s hardly any difference from a human.”
As his hand reached out, a powerful aura surged from him, pressing upon Bai Shuxuan like a mountain.
Her expression changed—her strength was far inferior to Qian Siyuan’s.
Feeling the crushing pressure, Bai Shuxuan didn’t hesitate. She pulled from her bosom a stone veined with lightning.
When she revealed the stone, faint sparks flickered in the air, and danger seemed to fill the room.
Qian Siyuan’s eyes narrowed. “Hm, a Thunder Vein Stone? You fox demon certainly possess some fine treasures.”
……