Chapter 1: Who’s such a kind person who gives you a special CG right from the start?

Knock, knock, knock.

Under the silent night, the sudden knocking made Lin An’s heart tighten.

They say those who have done nothing wrong have no fear of ghosts knocking at the door.

But unfortunately, as an Imperial Court spy, he was exactly that traitor.

“Who’s there?”

The soft white light from the spiritual lamp overhead illuminated an extraordinarily handsome face.

Though his features still carried a trace of youth, they already possessed a sharp edge.

The light was on, which meant he hadn’t gone to bed.

If he pretended to be asleep or ignored the knock, it would seem suspicious.

Better to just respond.

That was his thought, and that was what he did.

But the person outside seemed intent on pressure.

Not only did they not speak, they instead…

Knock, knock, knock.

A second knock.

Holding his breath and focusing on the door, such an abnormal situation made Lin An’s scalp tighten and his throat go dry.

There was no choice.

Before coming here as a spy, he had done his research.

Factional struggles between various sects were common, and planting spies in each other’s organizations was a standard operation.

However, once discovered… the consequences were never good.

Forcing down his gradually accelerating heartbeat, Lin An swallowed and slowly approached the door.

“Is that Manager Li? I’m about to rest. Do you need something?”

Even as he said it, he knew perfectly well that the person outside wasn’t that squint-eyed fat manager.

If it were him, he’d have spoken long ago.

So who was outside?

Could it be… exposed?

Lin An didn’t want to make that assumption, but the current situation forced him to consider it.

Several times, his hand reached for the door, only to rise and fall again.

He wanted to struggle one last time.

“Who is it? Why won’t you answer? If this is a prank, you can leave!”

Lin An knew his reaction was already abnormal.

But there was no help for it.

He was genuinely afraid.

Who wouldn’t fear death?

Especially when someone was waiting for him to return.

Outside, it was still raining.

Water vapor seeped through the gaps in the door and windows.

The chilly wind made him shiver.

He had been in this world for eighteen years.

He had wanted to roam the land with a sword, walking and singing.

Yet the very first step had gotten stuck.

His natural soul-body conflict made his cultivation progress as slow as a snail crawling—maybe even slower.

Perhaps because his soul was different, he discovered that if he focused his mind, he could see “colors” on other people.

Through practice, he realized those colors represented the level of trust others had in him.

With this ability, he had successfully snagged a minor position in the local Yamen.

But just a few days into the job, he received a secret letter.

It sent him far away to become a spy planted by the Imperial Court inside the Heaven Origin Sect.

Even now, he couldn’t figure out how he, with his “incredibly high” cultivation, was qualified for such a mission.

Lin An subconsciously touched his chest.

Inside his heart was a Communication Device, placed there before he came.

He was told there was a long-buried Hidden Agent within the Heaven Origin Sect.

One of his tasks was to contact this person, and then the two of them would operate together inside the sect.

When the time was right, they would coordinate with the Imperial Court to uproot this thousand-year great sect entirely.

Lin An could roughly understand what the Emperor was thinking.

Wasn’t it just the classic “how can I let others snore by my bedside”?

Normally, that strategy would work, but this was a world where individuals possessed great power.

It could easily end with both sides losing everything.

So his conclusion was that the dog emperor had a screw loose.

And now, he had dragged Lin An down with him…

Knock, knock, knock.

“…”

The corner of Lin An’s eye twitched.

Identical to the first two times, even the rhythm hadn’t changed—it felt like a death knell beating on his heart.

Even a clay doll has a temper.

Okay, okay, you want to play it this way, huh?

Kill me if you’re going to kill me, but at least give me a clean death, all right?

He was already annoyed enough, and now this.

Fine, have it your way!

Lin An gritted his teeth and stomped his foot… then gently opened the door.

When he saw who was standing under the eaves lamp, only one thought came to his mind: It’s over.

He had seen her portrait.

Outside the door was one of the leaders of the Heaven Origin Sect, the Pavilion Master of the Game of Swords Pavilion, Bright Moon Immortal, Lu Mingyue.

The damp, cold fog of the plum rain night swirled around the woman standing in the corridor.

Her azure silk dress was embroidered with delicate silver orchid patterns.

Her black hair was tied up, a white jade hairpin slanted in her bun, and a few strands fell across her cheeks, making her jade-like countenance appear even warmer and gentler.

Her lips, like first-blooming cherry blossoms on a mountain stream, were slightly pursed, with shallow dimples at the corners.

She… was smiling?

According to intelligence, this immortal was a sword cultivator of the Dao of Emotionlessness.

The Dao of Emotionlessness, and a sword cultivator at that.

Hah…

She can smile?

The sun would have to rise in the west.

What made Lin An’s heart sink even further was that when he focused his mind, the “colors” he normally saw on others were completely absent from Lu Mingyue’s person!

He had never encountered such a situation.

Did that mean Lu Mingyue had zero goodwill toward him, or even… had already decided to kill him!

This was their first meeting.

At this time, with this deathly knocking pattern, could there be any other explanation?

Lu Mingyue’s gaze was calm, still smiling.

“Does this gentleman find this appearance pleasing to the eye?”

Her voice was soft, yet it sent chills down Lin An’s spine.

What does she mean?

Is that something she should be saying?

Mocking someone who’s trapped?

Wow!

I never thought you were this kind of immortal!

At this moment, Lin An felt that the woman before him was extremely malicious.

Her seemingly kind smile was full of mockery, and her calm eyes were filled with ridicule.

A surge of desperate, reckless anger rose from his heart.

They say extreme fear gives way to extreme anger and courage.

If you want to play this game, then I won’t hold back.

Lin An bowed slightly in salutation, his eyes devoid of any reverence a menial disciple should have.

“Of course. I’ve long heard that Pavilion Master Lu has a graceful, otherworldly bearing. Meeting you today surpasses the rumors. However…”

“However?”

Lin An’s gaze sharpened, landing on her rosy lips.

You’re enjoying this too much, aren’t you? Fine, fine.

“However, I wonder if Pavilion Master Lu’s body is equally enchanting.”

Lin An didn’t know what expression he wore now—probably the ugly look of a man about to die who still wanted to disgust someone.

But it didn’t matter.

The smile on Lu Mingyue’s face didn’t change, but a flicker moved in her pupils.

Seeing this, Lin An felt a slight satisfaction.

“Are these your true words, sir?”

The question caught Lin An off guard, but he immediately countered.

“Of course. Every word from the heart.”

The next second, Lu Mingyue’s smile receded slightly as she fixed her burning gaze on Lin An.

“I went up the mountain at six years old. I have never had physical contact with any man, nor do I understand matters between men and women. I hope tonight, sir, will take good care of me.”

“…?”

Lin An opened his mouth and slowly produced a question mark.

What is this woman saying? I don’t understand.

What do you mean by ‘matters between men and women’?

What do you mean by ‘take good care’?

What are you trying to do?

Raindrops scattered on the ground.

The night breeze drifted past the two of them.

The atmosphere fell into a terrifying silence.

What made it even stranger was that Lin An realized this woman didn’t seem to be joking.

But the very thing itself was the biggest joke!

“Wait… Pavilion Master Lu, what do you mean? I don’t understand.”

Lin An had imagined everything going smoothly—enduring a few years and then retiring.

He had also imagined being accidentally exposed one day, cut into pieces, and dying in a foreign land.

But this situation? He had never even thought of it.

So much so that he stood frozen, his mind blank for a moment.

Lu Mingyue seemed to have expected his reaction.

Without saying more, she lifted her foot to step inside.

Lin An was caught off guard.

Block her?

Well, he couldn’t stop her anyway.

He stepped aside to make way.

Once she was inside, he checked to see if anyone had witnessed it, then quickly closed the door.

Turning around, he found Lu Mingyue already sitting on the bed, hands folded on her thighs.

The loose dress, now that she was seated, appeared somewhat tight and full.

Lin An’s eye twitched uncontrollably.

Judging by her posture, she’s serious about this.

Or is it that you’re actually practicing some demonic technique of absorbing yang to replenish yin?

At this moment, a thousand thoughts raced through Lin An’s mind, but he simply couldn’t figure out what this woman was trying to do.

“Is there still something on your mind, sir?”

Lin An furrowed his brows.

Now he also sensed something strange.

Lu Mingyue’s expression hadn’t changed at all, as if she were talking about something unrelated to herself.

But… was that possible?

If what you said is true, we’re about to do some loving things in a moment.

And you have no reaction?

Even the Dao of Emotionlessness can’t be this emotionless.

Something’s off…

He sat down on a chair two steps away from her and asked, “May I ask why Pavilion Master Lu has come?”

“For you.”

“…”

A direct ball, huh? Just forcing the flirt?

“Ahem. I mean, why me?”

Lu Mingyue was silent for a moment, as if weighing her words.

“The Grand Evolution Sword Record that I cultivate requires the aid of your ‘Transparent Sword Body’ to break through its final shackles. That is why I have come to seek your assistance in my cultivation.”

“Transparent… Sword Body?”

Lin An raised an eyebrow.

He didn’t understand, but clearly it was a special constitution.

“Correct.”

Lu Mingyue stared into his eyes.

“Sir, have you been able to see things on others since childhood that ordinary people cannot see?”

Hearing this, Lin An’s pupils contracted, but he didn’t answer.

He had considered that his ability might not be unique, but he had never had the chance to verify it.

“That is because this is one of the mysteries of the Transparent Sword Body: ‘Observe Like and Dislike.’”

Lu Mingyue stood up, raised her hand, and pulled out the jade hairpin from her hair.

Her dark hair cascaded down to her waist.

“Then why can’t I see anything on you?”

Since she had brought it up, Lin An seized the opportunity to ask.

“You can’t, can you? That is precisely why I have come to you. The second mystery of the Transparent Sword Body: ‘Slaying Demon Seed.’”

As she spoke, she raised her hand in an empty gesture.

Lin An’s body felt as if he were lifted by some force, flying over and landing on the bed.

Before he could react, a jade hand pressed against his chest.

“I will explain everything to you in due time, sir. Now it’s getting late; we should make good use of our time.”

“Sss—”

Lin An sucked in a sharp breath and slapped her hand away.

“If you want to make good use of time, then do it properly! Don’t just grab wherever!”

Lu Mingyue tilted her head.

“…Sorry. I don’t know how. You lead.”