An Encounter with the Tsundere Immortal Lady Chapter 12

Shocking news was spreading through the streets of the Imperial City—two demonesses had slaughtered an entire bandit stronghold.
This news wasn’t false. It was said that a few days ago, the authorities received a confession from a disheveled bandit. He claimed their entire stronghold had been massacred by two demons. When the officials rushed to investigate, they found a scene of widespread bloodshed, with four words written in blood: “Retribution has come.” Out of one hundred and eight people in the stronghold, only one survived—the very same Scarface who was now imprisoned in the Capital Prefecture jail.
The authorities immediately commissioned portraits of the two demonesses and posted them throughout the kingdom. Once these posters went up, the entire kingdom was thrown into an uproar—for no other reason than that these two women were beautiful beyond anything that should exist in the mortal world.
It was heard that the current emperor of the kingdom had issued an order: these two must be captured alive.
But the two women seemed to have vanished, leaving not a single trace.
Just like real demons.
If it weren’t for the testimonies of the coachman and the residents of a seaside fishing town, everyone would probably have thought those two were merely figments of Scarface’s imagination.
“Retribution has come.” These words shook everyone in the kingdom to their core.
Listening to the gossip about them on the streets, Yu Huang and Lin Wuxi couldn’t help but feel a little strange.
“I heard those two demonesses are thousand-year-old snake demons from a legendary mountain range. They came down this time to repay a kindness.”
“…”
“We were originally two carp in the Prime Minister’s mansion’s carp pond. We entered the mortal realm to find a scholar named Ziyou.”
“…”
“I also heard that these two demonesses are actually incredibly ugly. They were killed by the people in the mountain stronghold after their true forms were seen.”
“…”
The two, who were in disguise, couldn’t listen anymore and turned to walk in another direction.
They had finally reached the Imperial City this time and were looking for an inn to rest properly. But unexpectedly, on the way, they heard these rumors that made them unsure whether to laugh or cry. Helpless, they could only change direction, found the nearest inn, and hurried to check in.
“Innkeeper, a heaven-grade room.”
Lin Wuxi’s inner demons were about to act up soon. Staying in the same room with Yu Huang would allow them to look after each other. Besides, they were both women, so there was nothing improper about it.
The innkeeper, however, seeing two unaccompanied young women, seemed a bit stunned. He looked at Lin Wuxi and Yu Huang a few times, and only after confirming they were not the ones in the portraits did he finally relax.
Even though it was the Imperial City, the spiritual energy in the mortal realm was too thin, completely insufficient for their cultivation. If they wanted to recover their spiritual energy, they could only wait for it to replenish on its own. Therefore, during this not-so-short period, they wouldn’t remain idle.
On the bustling Chang’an Street of the Imperial City, the crowd flowed like a river. Two exquisitely dressed, handsome young masters attracted countless sidelong glances from passersby. Round caps, folding fans, brocade robes, and cloud-patterned boots made the two look noble and extraordinary.
They were precisely Yu Huang and Lin Wuxi in disguise. Although they had deliberately toned down their appearances, it seemed they had still underestimated their own looks. Walking along the street, they attracted countless gazes. But both seemed to have long been accustomed to it, showing no discomfort at all.
The mortal trinkets on both sides of the road clearly interested them more than the stares. By the end of the day, both the one who seemed like a fairy-like prodigy from a sect and the one who appeared as an elegant young woman with her dark hair tied up, were laden with small items.
As the sun set, the two, laden with their purchases, casually entered a secluded alley. When they emerged from another similarly secluded alley, all the things they had bought were gone. They looked at each other and smiled. The real show was only just beginning tonight.
When the dashing young masters reappeared on the street, they once again attracted countless gazes. However, when people saw the direction they were heading, their gazes inevitably changed. Many shook their heads and sighed, thinking it was a pity for these two handsome young masters, for no other reason than because the two were heading to—a brothel.
The Gold Pavilion, which only solicited business at night, was the largest pleasure quarter in the entire Imperial City. Just like its magnificent and splendid exterior, the methods of earning silver inside were just as magnificent and splendid. It was both a true haven of tenderness and a true money pit.
But this didn’t deter countless men from their enthusiasm for it; they would spend their entire fortunes just for a taste of its pleasures.
The Gold Pavilion was different from ordinary brothels. There weren’t throngs of women at the entrance, only two young attendants to greet guests. Neither overly eager nor too cold, their demeanor was perfectly measured.
When Yu Huang and Lin Wuxi entered under the attendant’s guidance, they immediately drew the attention of everyone present. The patrons here were all of high status. Observing the young master in dark attire—though his clothes were made of common wealthy materials, his elegant temperament and composed demeanor suggested he was definitely not from an ordinary wealthy family.
As for the other young master, who wore a cold smile, merely standing there, he made people feel an urge to kneel and pay respects. In the hall, some even couldn’t control the fear in their hearts and actually knelt.
Yu Huang was slightly surprised inwardly. She had only intended to awe them slightly, so she had released a tiny sliver of her aura. Who knew these mortals’ tolerance would be so poor?
Little did she know that most patrons of this Gold Pavilion were high-ranking officials and dignitaries. Even the women here had undergone special training. If it had been the ordinary commoners outside this building, they would have likely knelt on the ground long ago, not even giving her a chance to fully retract her aura before succumbing.
Lin Wuxi was also secretly astounded. Although she had long known of Yu Huang’s noble aura, now that her own cultivation was suppressed, she could sense even more clearly and precisely the overwhelming noble aura around Yu Huang that couldn’t be suppressed even intentionally!
How could someone possess such an aura!
When the crowd came to their senses, their minds were still somewhat dazed, and they couldn’t clearly remember what had just happened. The madam of the Gold Pavilion was the first to react. She hurried over to greet the guests, feeling only that these two had extraordinary temperaments. Especially the stern-faced young master, who exuded an even greater nobility. Although she had never seen such faces before, she just assumed they were young masters from some prominent family who had sneaked out to play. Naturally, she dared not neglect them.
Yu Huang and Lin Wuxi were invited to a private room on the second floor. A performance was about to begin soon. The side of the room facing the center of the downstairs stage was open, with only an ornately decorated railing, offering the best viewing angle.
They politely declined the company of the girls the madam had brought to pour drinks, closed the door, and sat down at the table laden with food and wine. The two then waited for the real show to begin.
Facing the table of food and wine, Yu Huang recalled how Lin Wuxi had expressed interest in mortal food back in that palace in the Xuantian Secret Realm. Yu Huang picked up the tea, the only thing she recognized. She poured a cup and took a sip. The bland tea slid into her mouth, but it didn’t have the sweet and refreshing taste she remembered. She couldn’t help but put down the porcelain cup. “This isn’t very good.”
Lin Wuxi knew she was still thinking about the clear tea from that night. The corners of her lips curved up. She took out the Mingyun tea from a porcelain jar in her storage space, poured a cup for her, and teased, “I wonder if this will satisfy Young Master?”
Yu Huang turned her face away, not wanting to see Lin Wuxi’s smug expression. She only said lightly, “This is passable.”
Lin Wuxi’s smile widened. She looked at the dishes on the table. “This food has a strong worldly flavor. Senior Sister might like it. If not, shall we have it taken away?”
“Mm.” Looking at the table of food, Yu Huang thought that this must be what Lin Wuxi ate as a child. For some reason, she felt a little urge to try it.
“How should these be eaten?” Looking at the meal before her, Yu Huang didn’t know how to proceed.
Truly someone who doesn’t partake of worldly food, Lin Wuxi sighed inwardly. She picked up the chopsticks from the table and said, “These are chopsticks, used for picking up food.” She then picked up a piece of steamed sea bass, ate it herself, and gestured for Yu Huang to try.
The sea bass entered Lin Wuxi’s mouth. The food here, whether in ingredients or culinary skill, was much better than what she had in her childhood. But now, tasting it again, she only felt a strong worldly flavor fill her mouth, making her lose any desire to take a second bite.
Watching the people downstairs happily eating and drinking this fare, both Lin Wuxi and Yu Huang put down their chopsticks. They, even if they looked similar to mortals, were ultimately different.
“If it were my childhood, eating a meal like this, I would probably savor the memory for days.” Sipping her Mingyun tea, Lin Wuxi, trying to wash away the strong worldly taste in her mouth, felt rather melancholic.
From the moment they stepped onto the path of cultivation, they had no way back.
The enchanting music and dance from downstairs interrupted their thoughts. Veiled women danced seductively, and men in the audience cheered excitedly. The atmosphere was instantly pushed to a climax.
Under everyone’s gaze, the enchanting music shifted tone. The dancing women slowed their pace. A curtain was drawn back, and a graceful figure slowly walked onto the stage. Accompanied by the sound of a flute, an intoxicating sword dance appeared on this completely out-of-place stage.
The slender figure overlapped with the immature young girl in her memory. But Lin Wuxi never imagined that one day she would be in such a place, witnessing this sword dance again under such circumstances.
Life… truly full of unexpected reunions.
Yu Huang turned to look at the dazed Lin Wuxi. Does she like this performance that much? She’s completely captivated. For some reason, she felt a little uncomfortable. She couldn’t help but nudge Lin Wuxi and asked, “Do you like this sword dance a lot?”
Lin Wuxi, snapping back to reality, looked at Yu Huang and nodded. “Of course, I like it. It’s just… it shouldn’t be appearing here.”
Then where should it appear? Yu Huang didn’t ask. Instead, she said, “Once this sword dance ends, the one we’re waiting for should appear, right?”
Lin Wuxi’s expression turned grim. “We’re just waiting for them.”