Today, The Villain Couple is Settling Scores Again

The dense lashes of the youth resembled two tiny fans, shielding the ambiguous, alluring red glow of the lantern above. His brown pupils, hidden in the shadows, were like a lake shrouded in a vast white mist at dawn—enticing one to unconsciously lose themselves.

Jian Huan tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on his eyes, her mind momentarily adrift. She hadn’t drunk much, yet she felt as though she were intoxicated, her thoughts muddled, unable to recall anything except the face so close to hers.

That face, though cool and composed in expression, had eyebrows, the corners of his eyes, and the thin lips that parted slightly when he spoke—all inexplicably captivating.

For a brief moment, Jian Huan felt as though her body was no longer under her control. She almost nodded in response.

Remembering the unsettled debt between them, she quickly bit the tip of her tongue. The sharp pain brought her back to her senses, and she swiftly averted her gaze, ducking under his long arm to escape.

She didn’t know how to respond to him.

If she agreed, what if he didn’t repay the debt?

If she refused, what if he gave up entirely and refused to cancel the engagement, leaving the debt unresolved?

That’s why she had been afraid he would speak his mind earlier.

Besides, just because he asked, did she have to answer?

Jian Huan lowered her head, muttering a few complaints in her heart. She lifted the hem of her pink skirt, which was dragging slightly on the ground, and prepared to leave with a light step.

This time, Shen Jizhi didn’t stop her.

He stood straight under the ginkgo tree, watching the girl’s hurried figure with a calm gaze. Slowly, he said, “If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as your agreement.”

Jian Huan: “??”

Her steps faltered, and she turned back to retort, “In your dreams!”

The cool autumn breeze stirred the dark strands of hair on Shen Jizhi’s forehead. He smiled faintly, exhaling softly. “So, Jian Huan, what’s your answer?”

His voice was low, carried by the wind, lingering in the air like his unsettled heart.

Jian Huan’s hands hung by her sides, her fingers unconsciously tracing the embroidery on her skirt. She lowered her head, using her embroidered shoes to lightly crush the fallen leaves on the ground, her dark pupils darting restlessly.

The two stood in silence, separated by a pile of golden ginkgo leaves. Behind them was a crumbling earthen wall, from which dust fell in small showers as the wind blew. Ahead was the shimmering surface of the river under the moonlight, its waves lapping rhythmically against the rocks on the shore, creating a soft, soothing sound.

After a while, Jian Huan’s eyes lit up.

She had it!

She knew how to respond in a way that would both ensure he repaid the debt and leave her with room to maneuver in the future.

Jian Huan blinked, gathering her thoughts. She smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt and walked back toward Shen Jizhi step by step.

Shen Jizhi’s eyelashes flickered slightly.

Jian Huan stopped in front of him, smiling as she crooked her finger at him.

Shen Jizhi glanced at her, weighing his options for a moment before leaning down slightly.

Jian Huan took another step closer.

Shen Jizhi’s breath hitched.

She rose slightly on her toes, tilting her head to whisper softly near his ear, just as he had done to her earlier. “Whether it’s suitable or not, you’ll have to tell me before I can know.”

A shiver ran down his spine, as though a spark of electricity had coursed through him. Shen Jizhi instinctively stiffened.

Looking down, he could see the fine down on Jian Huan’s face, illuminated by the moonlight and lantern light, as soft as a wisp of cloud.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice rough. “Hmm?”

The autumn night was cool, but Jian Huan suddenly felt a wave of heat. She kept her expression serious, mimicking the mannerisms of the “bad women” she’d seen in modern dramas. “Next, you’ll have to tell me why you’re suitable and in what ways.”

Pausing, she added in her most coquettish tone, “And when you’ve repaid your debt, I’ll let you know if it’s a yes or no.”

Without waiting for his reply, Jian Huan turned and ran.

She hurried back to the old woman’s house, closing the door with a creak and leaning against it as though exhausted.

In the dark, unlit room, Jian Huan let out a long breath, fanning her flushed cheeks with both hands.

If she had known tonight would be such a trap, she would have just kept the food and not delivered it to him.

Beauty is a curse, she thought. Beauty is a curse.

At dawn, the streets were already bustling with activity.

Smoke curled from the chimneys of every household as wives prepared breakfast and husbands checked their farming tools. It was harvest season, and the rice fields were ripe, keeping everyone busy.

A comical old man with a thin mustache, swaying drunkenly, entered his small courtyard with a wine flask in hand.

He leaned against the window, peering into the bedroom where his disciple sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, deep in cultivation.

On the bed nearby, the bright red quilt was neatly folded.

There was no lingering trace of intimacy in the room—his disciple was still a virgin.

Gu Shan made a curious sound. “You two didn’t get together last night?”

Hearing this, Shen Jizhi opened his eyes, giving his master a look of mild disgust. “What are you thinking?”

Gu Shan: “What am I thinking? You told me not to come home, to leave the place to the two of you. Wasn’t that so you could dual cultivate?”

“…” Shen Jizhi’s lips twitched. “No.”

Gu Shan was puzzled. “If it wasn’t for dual cultivation, why did you send me away?”

This unfilial disciple had even spent one tael and one hundred coins to get him out of the house!

Shen Jizhi closed his eyes again, answering indifferently, “I just wanted to tell her something.”

“Tell her what?” Gu Shan stroked his mustache, eyeing Shen Jizhi. “Your feelings?”

Shen Jizhi gave a noncommittal hum.

“…” Gu Shan slapped his thigh, moving closer to Shen Jizhi. “Disciple, that was reckless!”

Shen Jizhi: “?”

Gu Shan sighed. “You can’t win a girl’s heart like that. Haven’t you heard? You don’t confess your feelings outright. First, you hold her hand. If she lets you, then you’re in!”

“That’s not winning her heart,” Shen Jizhi said flatly. “That’s taking advantage.”

“…” Gu Shan pointed at him with his wine flask. “Would your master lie to you? I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice. When it comes to matters between men and women, I know far more than you. Listen to me, and you won’t go wrong!”

Shen Jizhi opened his eyes again and chuckled. “You?”

“I heard that you and Hall Master Li once fancied the same woman, but in the end, neither of you succeeded. She married the elder of South Dust Immortal Island,” Shen Jizhi said, raising an eyebrow. “So, you’re going to teach me?”

Gu Shan: “…”

This unfilial disciple really had no respect for his master, bringing up something that happened hundreds of years ago.

Muttering to himself, he took a swig of wine and changed the subject. “Forget it, forget it. The younger generation has their own blessings. I can’t meddle in your affairs.”

“I’m off now,” Gu Shan said, stretching. “You two figure it out yourselves.”

Shen Jizhi paused. “Where are you going?”

Gu Shan replied with two words: “Ninghui.”

Shen Jizhi nodded in understanding. He rose from the meditation cushion and walked to the window.

In the courtyard, the maple leaves burned like fire. Gu Shan, swaying slightly, walked further and further away.

“Master,” Shen Jizhi suddenly called out.

Gu Shan stopped and turned back. “What is it?”

Shen Jizhi hesitated for a moment before saying, “Take care on your journey.”

After a pause, he added, “I’ve reached the Golden Core stage. If you need anything, you can call on me.”

“I know.”

Gu Shan smiled, lazily waving his wine flask before disappearing into the morning light.

Three days later, Jian Huan lay sprawled on her bed, scrolling through the Xuantian Mirror.

The matters in Ningzhang City had reached a temporary conclusion. She had reported everything she needed to.

That morning, Elder Yu Qing had also announced that there was no further need for her and Shen Jizhi to be involved in the affairs here. They were free to leave Ningzhang if they had personal matters to attend to.

The truth behind the events in Ningzhang City remained unclear, and it would take time to uncover everything.

The demons acted with caution and precision. The city lord’s mansion in Ninghui had yielded no clues, and the inner circle of the dark hall, who knew the most, had all been silenced by Ninghui.

For now, the situation depended on Gu Shan’s progress.

In any case, the demonic affair involved many parties, and the major sects had their own plans.

She and Shen Jizhi weren’t strong enough to be of much help yet. It was better to take on some missions to gain experience, earn spirit stones, and improve their cultivation. After leaving the dark hall, both of them had advanced from the early Golden Core stage to the mid-stage.

There were two ways to take on missions: through the Jade Clarity Sect or through channels like the Xuantian Mirror and the Immortal Storage Tower.

Each method had its pros and cons, but Jian Huan wasn’t picky. As long as the spirit stones were sufficient, she was willing to take on any task.

Every day, after finishing her lunch, Jian Huan would spend a small portion of her time scrolling through the Xuantian Mirror.

Lunch had been particularly filling these past few days, and the quality of her meals had been excellent, almost matching the standard of the feast Shen Jizhi had hosted during that infamous "Banquet of Schemes."

This made Jian Huan feel that the words she had spoken to Shen Jizhi that night were nothing short of a stroke of genius.

These past three days had been incredibly comfortable for her.

Leaning back against her pillow, Jian Huan hummed a little tune, her lips curling into a smile.

Suddenly, her hand, which had been scrolling through the Xuantian Mirror, froze.

[The Most Well-Informed Person in the Nine Provinces: Fellow cultivators! Something huge has happened!!! The Bodhi Pagoda has been stolen!!!]

[Snacking on Melon Seeds: What? The Bodhi Pagoda has been stolen? That can't be possible.]

[One Leaf Reveals Autumn: It doesn’t sound real. The Nine Provinces Treasure Hall, where the Bodhi Pagoda is stored, has eight guardian elders. How could it be stolen?]

[The Most Well-Informed Person in the Nine Provinces: That’s why I said something huge has happened. The Nine Provinces City is in chaos right now, and powerful cultivators are pouring in like ants. But that’s not the main point. The main point is that the major sects of the Nine Provinces are furious and have jointly issued a Xuanwu Order: whoever retrieves the Bodhi Pagoda will be rewarded with one million spirit stones!!!]

Jian Huan sprang up from her bed like a carp leaping out of water. She moved so quickly that she nearly tumbled off the bed, but just as her head was about to hit the ground, her feet nimbly swung around, executing a perfect 180-degree mid-air spin, and she landed firmly on her feet.

Standing in front of her bed, she held the Xuantian Mirror with both hands, holding her breath as she continued reading.

[It’s Cold and I’m Hungry: The Well-Informed Fellow is telling the truth. I’m in Nine Provinces City, and the Bodhi Pagoda really has been stolen. The individual battles of the Nine Provinces Grand Tournament just ended yesterday, and four of the eight guardian elders were sent to oversee the arena. Everyone was focused on the individual battles, so someone took the opportunity to enter the Nine Provinces Treasure Hall and steal the Bodhi Pagoda. The top nine contestants of the individual battles were supposed to enter the Bodhi Pagoda for enlightenment this afternoon, but when they went to retrieve it, they discovered it was gone.]

[Snacking on Melon Seeds: Hungry Fellow, may I ask who made it into the top nine this year?]

[It’s Cold and I’m Hungry: First place is Jiang Qiaoqiao from the Jade Clarity Sect! The Jade Clarity Sect is still as strong as ever this year, with many of their disciples in the top nine. There’s a girl who wields a big black sword, and a male cultivator with a pig—that pig is quite impressive…]

[Where There Are Spirit Stones, There’s Me: One million!!! Oh heavens, Nine Provinces City, wait for me, I’m coming! And to whoever stole the Bodhi Pagoda, if you’re scrolling through the Xuantian Mirror right now and see this, find me! We can split it. I’ll take 30%, you take 70%!]

[Training is Exhausting, I Don’t Want to Do It: One million? That’s a lot of spirit stones. I’m even tempted.]

Jian Huan skimmed through the rest of the comments, which were mostly filled with shock at the size of the bounty, with occasional discussions about the top nine contestants.

One million spirit stones?

Jian Huan’s heart raced uncontrollably.

She thoughtfully put down the Xuantian Mirror.

She actually knew quite a bit about the Bodhi Pagoda.

The book had explained it in detail.

The Bodhi Pagoda was a treasure of the Nine Provinces, crafted from a Bodhi tree. Cultivators who meditated within the pagoda had a significantly higher chance of achieving enlightenment.

When not in use, the pagoda was small, about the size from one’s elbow to the tip of their fingers, and was stored in the Nine Provinces Treasure Hall in Nine Provinces City.

When needed, three or more Nascent Soul stage cultivators would channel their spiritual energy to activate the pagoda, causing it to expand to the height of a nine-story building.

In the book, the Bodhi Pagoda had also been stolen once.

However, that night, the female lead, Jiang Qiaoqiao, had encountered the thief.

The thief turned out to be one of the guardian elders. Fearing that Jiang Qiaoqiao would expose him, he tried to kill her.

Jiang Qiaoqiao fought desperately for her life, and at the critical moment, the male lead, Jing Chi, arrived in time to save her.

Meanwhile, Shen Jizhi had been entangled with the original Jian Huan.

This was the turning point in the female lead’s romantic arc in the book. From then on, Jiang Qiaoqiao gradually grew disappointed with Shen Jizhi and grew closer to Jing Chi.

In the book, the Bodhi Pagoda was not taken away, as Jiang Qiaoqiao and Jing Chi managed to recover it that very night.

But now, it was clear that the Bodhi Pagoda had been stolen, and its whereabouts were unknown.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Moreover, Jing Chi was not among the top nine contestants of the Nine Provinces Grand Tournament.

Logically, Jing Chi should have easily made it into the top nine.

“One million?”

In a small courtyard where red maple leaves burned like fire, Shen Jizhi, dressed in black, suddenly sheathed his sword and turned to look at Jian Huan, who was sitting on the wall. His brows lifted slightly in surprise.

The Bodhi Pagoda had been stolen?

Without the power of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, the pagoda couldn’t be opened, rendering the theft pointless.

Unless the person behind this was a Nascent Soul stage or higher cultivator, but such individuals were well-known figures in the Nine Provinces. If they wanted to use the pagoda, they could simply ask the sect leaders for permission.

Could it be… the demonic faction?

But the Bodhi Pagoda and demonic cultivation were fundamentally incompatible. What use would the demonic faction have for it?

Shen Jizhi fell into deep thought.

Jian Huan swung her legs lightly, her gaze looking down at him from her perch.

Shen Jizhi had a dedicated set of training clothes—the same black outfit he had worn during their mission at Chu Manor to retrieve the missing Chu Chu. The outfit was plain, made of simple fabric with no embroidery or patterns, and Shen Jizhi had repurposed it for sword training.

Now, with his hair tied up in a high ponytail, beads of sweat rolled down his refined profile, glistening in the afternoon sunlight before disappearing into the slightly loosened collar of his training robes.

“Hmm,” Jian Huan silently averted her gaze and jumped down from the wall. “Should we head to Nine Provinces City first?”

Originally, they had planned to return to the Jade Clarity Sect early the next morning.

During their time in Ningzhang City, both of them had completed Xuanwu Orders for their sect and needed to exchange them for spirit stones.

They also had items in their storage pouches that needed to be “disposed of.”

Ningzhang City wasn’t particularly prosperous, so they wouldn’t get a good price for their goods there.

But one million spirit stones… that was worth changing their plans.

Shen Jizhi cast a cleansing spell on himself, restoring his appearance to its usual pristine state. He nodded. “Alright.”

“Then it’s settled,” Jian Huan said. “I’ll go pack my things. You do the same, and then we’ll set off.”

Shen Jizhi had no objections and stood still, watching her leave.

Jian Huan took a few steps, then paused and turned back, tilting her chin up. “Hey, Shen Jizhi.”

Shen Jizhi: “What is it?”

Jian Huan grinned mischievously. “It’s been three days, and you still haven’t made a move?”

Shen Jizhi’s brow twitched slightly. Though he didn’t speak, Jian Huan could read the meaning in his eyes.

“Those meals don’t count,” Jian Huan said with a huff, her tone slightly haughty. “Based on your current performance, you’re not making much progress.”

“Is that so?” Shen Jizhi looked at her thoughtfully, the sunlight illuminating her vibrant and radiant figure. Suddenly, the corner of his lips curled into a faint smile, and he began walking toward her.

“You’re no good, Shen Jizhi,” Jian Huan teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement. After delivering her final jab, she turned on her heel, ready to make a quick escape.

But just then, a spirit stone flew toward her from behind, about to fall to the ground in front of her.

She hesitated for a moment, debating whether to pick it up, but before she could decide, her hand had already moved on its own, snatching the stone out of the air.

The moment she caught the spirit stone, another hand—Shen Jizhi’s—closed around hers.

The young man had just finished an hour of sword training, and his entire body radiated heat like boiling water. The warmth emanating from him was intense, almost scorching.

Jian Huan flinched at the sudden heat and tried to pull her hand away, her face stiff. “If you keep this up, you’ll have even less of a chance…”

But the words caught in her throat as Shen Jizhi’s next action left her utterly stunned.

Jian Huan’s eyes widened in shock, her mind going completely blank.

He… he… he actually took her hand and placed it on his chest, just below his sternum…

Shen Jizhi’s figure was lean and elegant, and while his robes usually concealed the contours of his body, Jian Huan had caught a glimpse of them once before, years ago.

Since then, she had never seen him like that again.

Even when they shared a room, Shen Jizhi was always careful to keep himself covered, never allowing even a hint of skin to show.

But now, she could feel it.

The firm, well-defined muscles beneath his robes reminded her of the perfectly marbled ribs she had seen at the butcher’s shop—neither too fatty nor too lean, but just right.

Shen Jizhi lowered his head, his chin lightly resting on the top of her head. In a voice so soft that only the two of them could hear, he asked slowly, “How about this? Does it meet your standards?”

Jian Huan’s heart skipped several beats. The heat from Shen Jizhi’s body seemed to flow into her, staining the tips of her ears a deep red.

Shen Jizhi didn’t let her touch him for long. After a brief moment, he released her wrist and took a step back.

Jian Huan’s hand remained suspended in the air, still in the position where she had been touching his abs. It took her about three heartbeats to realize what had happened, and she quickly pulled her hand back, hiding it behind her.

Her movements were a bit rushed, causing the gold and jade hairpin adorned with silver tassels in her bun to sway slightly, tilting to one side.

Shen Jizhi reached out, calmly and unhurriedly, to straighten the hairpin for her. Before turning to leave, he casually remarked, “Would you like to see?”

He happened to be about to change his clothes.