Chapter Thirty-Three: Lady Xin Fourteen

An Renjie’s face turned purple-red with anger. “You really don’t know shame. I won’t be polite anymore.”

“Are you sure you want to be impolite?” The woman reached out and lightly traced a circle on An Renjie’s body. Her hand was as white as her jade-like feet, and the exquisite touch sent An Renjie floating as if on clouds.

Then An Renjie lowered his head, but instead of the rise and fall of her chest, he saw her long, elegant legs. She gently lifted one, seemingly jointless, and struck his lower abdomen at an incredible angle.

Just now, he felt as if he was soaring among clouds; now, he truly was airborne.

He rose farther and farther from the ground, terror flooding his thoughts. In an instant, he reached the highest point, and he knew that falling from such a height, he would never be whole again.

He did fall, but unexpectedly was not hurt, for a sword gently caught him.

When Shen Lian infused true energy into the sandalwood sword, its force was immense. With a flick and a lift, it was like a master painter at work—calm, unhurried, his skill on full display.

An Renjie’s descent turned into a tumble to the side, crashing into several tables and chairs. Though unscathed, he dared not make trouble again. He was a spoiled young master, not a fool, and knew this woman was not one to be trifled with.

Shen Lian finally saw her beautiful face clearly—rare in the world, flawless even on close inspection. Not a single scar, pores delicate and free of blemishes, her skin perfect as porcelain, exquisite and captivating.

Ordinary women, no matter how lovely, always have minor flaws—acne marks, large pores, or unclean features—but she had none.

Shen Lian’s vision was sensitive enough to see the tiniest detail, and at this distance, nothing could escape him.

Moreover, she wore no powder.

Unless she had cultivated a Daoist skill akin to “Severing the Red Dragon” or “Subduing the White Tiger,” she was certainly not human.

“You are the Jade Gentleman,” the woman said, her expression as bright as moonlight, pure and clean.

Her tone and demeanor were innocent and unaffected.

“My surname is Shen. But if you’re looking for the Jade Gentleman, I suppose that’s me,” he replied.

“So, your surname is Shen. Then why do they call you Jade Gentleman? I once heard a verse: ‘He walks among the people like jade; the gentleman is peerless in the world.’ Perhaps it refers to someone like you. Calling you Jade Gentleman isn’t wrong.”

She gazed seriously at Shen Lian, seemingly fascinated by his refined face, her eyes showing fondness without infatuation.

“Miss, who are you, and what business do you have with me?” Shen Lian calmly returned her scrutiny with a question.

He wondered about her origins, but had no clue. His keen intuition told him she exuded a dangerous aura, yet he did not dislike her.

“I am Xin Shisi Niang. My father asked me to invite you as a guest.”

“Did you walk here through the snow?” Shen Lian suddenly asked.

“Of course. I don’t have the power to stop the snow, nor would it be my concern,” Xin Shisi Niang replied, not aloof but straightforward as she appeared.

She called An Renjie ‘Young Master Zhu’ not as an insult, but because he reminded her of a pig.

Naturally, when An Renjie tried to act tough, she had to respond in kind.

“I think I understand now. Your father is not human, and neither are you,” Shen Lian finally confirmed his suspicion. Xin Shisi Niang had come through the snow with not a trace on her body—something no martial skill could achieve.

Even if one’s energy was cultivated to the point where “flies cannot land, a feather cannot add weight,” to walk such a distance and remain untouched was nearly impossible.

Shen Lian saw no carriage nearby, so she likely walked.

If she had used internal energy to shield herself from wind and snow, the consumption would be enormous, and she would not appear so energetic.

Her earlier kick at An Renjie showed no sign of internal energy either—it was pure strength.

For a woman of her build, such explosive power was extraordinary.

All signs pointed to only one explanation: she was not human, and her father even less so.

“Of course I’m not human, but you’re the first to realize it at a glance. You’re truly remarkable.”

“I didn’t see it—I guessed,” Shen Lian replied honestly. To do what one can and not boast is a timeless principle.

“A wise man knows his measure,” he added.

“You are clever,” she said.

“I won’t deny that,” Shen Lian smiled, gentle as a spring breeze.

“On the fifteenth of this month, my father will host a banquet at the Jialan Temple in your honor. That day is also my birthday—don’t come empty-handed.”

The beauty departed, her voice lingering in the air.

An Renjie rubbed the spot where Xin Shisi Niang had kicked him, seeming to savor the memory. “Brother Lian, who is that stunning woman? She’s something else.”

“I told you, she’s not human—didn’t you hear?”

“Not human? Then she’s a demoness?”

If not for the intensity of her kick, he would have said “fairy” instead of “demoness,” for he was always blunt.

“I don’t know for sure. The Jialan Temple was abandoned after Ling Chongxiao expelled the monks, and has been deserted ever since. Now it seems this father and daughter have claimed it. Uncle Wu, do you know anything?”

Shen Lian turned to the steward Wu.

“I’ve never heard of anyone taking over Jialan Temple. I heard strange noises there before—no security company would ever go near. If the young lady isn’t human, perhaps monsters really do lurk in the temple,” Wu replied, growing anxious. If Xin Shisi Niang was a martial wanderer, that was one thing; if she was a monster, he must warn Shen Lian not to take risks.

“She invited me—should I go?” Shen Lian seemed to ask himself and those around him.

“Certainly not,” Wu said.

“Of course you should,” An Renjie added.

“Let’s not decide now. When the time comes, we’ll know,” Shen Lian said.

“If you go, take me with you, alright?” An Renjie pleaded, grinning ingratiatingly, almost wagging his tail—if he had one, it would be wagging.

“You never learn. If not for me, you’d be laid up for three months.”

“But you’re always there. My father said your martial skills are top-tier in the world.”

“I’ll take you, but you have to give me that treasure you’ve been hiding.”

“That’s my father’s lifeblood. If I bring it out, he’ll kill me.”

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