187: Chapter 187 Mo Han's Confusion: Is This Punishment?

In the early morning, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, spilling onto the magnificent floors of the Young Emperors Palace.

Under the old locust tree in the courtyard, Mo Han slowly opened her eyes.

She had been squatting here all night.

Although for a Quasi-Saint expert, let alone squatting for a night, even squatting for a year wouldn't cause any physical discomfort, the mental devastation was very real.

Throughout the night, the terrifying fluctuations of spiritual energy emanating from the Bedchamber, along with sounds that defied common logic, were like a prolonged mental storm, shattering the worldviews of this assassin.

"Is it finally... over?"

Mo Han stood up, patted the nonexistent dust off her hem, and looked at the palace doors that had been tightly shut all night.

By now, the seven-colored spiritual mist inside the hall had dissipated, replaced by an extremely steady yet deeper aura than yesterday's.

Creak—

The heavy palace doors were slowly pushed open.

Xu Chen, dressed in white as pure as snow, walked out refreshed. A satisfied smile played on his lips, his aura restrained, yet the occasional leak of Primordial Dao Rhyme caused the surrounding space to tremble faintly.

This was the benefit of Dual Cultivation. Not only did it satisfy his wife's physical and psychological needs, but it also slightly improved his own cultivation.

"Morning, Little Shadow Kill."

Seeing Mo Han standing under the tree, Xu Chen greeted her in high spirits, "Did you sleep well last night?"

Mo Han looked at him expressionlessly, a hint of resentment in her eyes.

Sleep?

With that kind of commotion, let alone a human, even a ghost wouldn't be able to sleep, right?

"Young Master."

Mo Han bowed slightly, her voice somewhat raspy. "That... Goddess Jiang, is she... still alive?"

Xu Chen was stunned, then nearly burst out laughing.

"Alive? Of course she's alive."

Suppressing his laughter, he looked at Mo Han with a strange expression. "Why would you think she's dead?"

"Last night..."

Mo Han hesitated for a moment but decided to tell the truth. "Her screams... were miserable. And her aura remained very unstable, as if she were undergoing some... extremely painful torture."

"Although her aura became stronger in the end, it defies common sense. Unless..."

She thought of a certain evil secret technique recorded in the Heavenly Court—Blood-Burning Spirit Sacrifice. It stimulated potential through extreme pain to boost cultivation in a short time, but at the cost of overdrawing one's life.

Could the Young Master have used such a cruel method to help Goddess Jiang recover?

Just as Mo Han was lost in thought, a gentle voice came from behind Xu Chen:

"Sister Mo Han, what are you talking about so early in the morning?"

Mo Han looked up sharply.

She saw Jiang Liuli, dressed in a light purple Flowing Immortal Dress, walking out gracefully.

At this moment, how did she look like she had been tortured at all?

Her originally fair skin now glowed with a healthy rosy hue, like peach blossoms in March.

Her beautiful eyes were bright and expressive, and every corner of her eyes and brows flowed with an unprecedented charm and elegance.

What shocked Mo Han even more was that her aura was several times more condensed than yesterday, and that legendary Seven-Colored Luminous Heart was emitting a heart-palpitating pressure.

Was this... a blessing in disguise? Or a final glow before the end?

Mo Han was completely bewildered.

Subconsciously, she stepped forward quickly, circled Jiang Liuli twice, and even boldly reached out to poke Jiang Liuli's arm.

Warm, soft, and full of vitality.

"What's wrong?" Jiang Liuli was amused by her dazed and cute appearance; that little bit of jealousy from last night had long since vanished.

"Doesn't it hurt?"

Mo Han looked up, her clear black-and-white eyes filled with pure curiosity.

"Huh?"

Jiang Liuli was stunned, not catching on. "What do you mean, does it hurt?"

"Last night."

Mo Han analyzed with a serious face, "I heard you shouting 'don't,' and 'be gentler,' and you even cried. That kind of sound... is only made under extreme pain. Did the Young Master... use some kind of torture on you?"

Silence.

A deathly silence.

Jiang Liuli's face turned beet red at a visible speed, all the way down to her neck. She was so ashamed she wanted to find a hole to crawl into, and her watery eyes glared fiercely at Xu Chen.

It's all this bad man's fault! Tossing and turning her so hard last night!

Xu Chen stood to the side, his shoulders shaking violently, clearly struggling to hold back his laughter.

"Well... Mo Han."

Xu Chen stepped forward, put his arm around the mortified Jiang Liuli, and forced a serious explanation:

"You wouldn't understand. This is called... pain and pleasure."

"This is a special cultivation method between Dao companions. Although the process might be a bit... intense, you've seen the results; it's very beneficial to one's cultivation."

"Pain and pleasure?"

Mo Han tilted her head, her brows knitted tight.

She recognized each of these words individually, but combined, they became the most profound philosophy she had heard in three thousand years.

Pain can produce happiness?

Could this be the legendary... masochism?

She looked at the glowing Jiang Liuli, who was shy but clearly happy, then at Xu Chen, who was smiling mischievously, and felt the world had become even more surreal.

"Alright, alright, stop teasing her."

Jiang Liuli finally recovered, crossly slapped away Xu Chen's hand, then took Mo Han's hand and said softly:

"Sister, don't listen to his nonsense. Once you... have someone you like in the future, you'll naturally understand."

"Someone I like?"

Mo Han shook her head instinctively. "An assassin doesn't need emotions. They are a weakness."

"Is that so?"

Jiang Liuli gave her a meaningful look, then glanced at Xu Chen, who was staring blankly at Mo Han, a mysterious smile curling her lips.

"Perhaps... this weakness will find you sooner than you think."

Mo Han didn't understand, but she felt a chill run down her spine.

She instinctively shrank back, trying to distance herself from this strange couple.

"Alright, don't just stand here like a fool."

Xu Chen waved his hand, breaking the awkward and suggestive atmosphere. "Since everyone is awake, let's eat."

"Mo Han, go to the Imperial Kitchen and order a meal. Remember, I want two... no, three bowls of Red Date and Lotus Seed Soup to replenish my wife's blood."

"Replenish blood?"

Mo Han's gaze instantly sharpened.

As expected!

There was bleeding after all!

Although she didn't understand the mechanics, the logic of 'bleeding = injury' was deeply rooted in her mind.

It seemed this torture called 'Dual Cultivation' was truly terrifying.

She gave Jiang Liuli a sympathetic look and then nodded solemnly:

"Yes. I will have them add more red dates."

With that, she held her broom like a warrior on a mission and turned to leave with a serious expression.

Watching her resolute back, Xu Chen and Jiang Liuli looked at each other and finally couldn't help...

"Pfft—"

Both burst into laughter at the same time.

"Husband, this new little maid of yours... is truly a treasure." Jiang Liuli laughed so hard she trembled.

"Indeed."

Xu Chen hugged his lovely wife, looking in the direction Mo Han had left, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes.

"A blank sheet of paper is best for painting."

"There are... many days ahead."