My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion
Chapter 151 - 131: My Husband Is the Best

Chapter 151: Chapter 131: My Husband Is the Best

"Husband, this way!"

Before the words had fully left her lips, Yin Tingxue suddenly charged forward with all her might. At the same time, Chen Yi turned sharply, stamped his feet, and in an instant crossed several zhang, arriving before her. He gripped her hand tightly, and his blade was already unsheathed.

Elder Luo raised his eyes to look, but in the next moment, like the others present, he stood rooted to the spot as if struck by lightning.

On the bustling street,

the Purity Saintess had suddenly thrown herself into Chen Yi’s arms, gasping for breath, rubbing against him intimately.

And she... actually called the West Factory Thousand Households her "husband."

Had the Saintess, long protected from falling into the Laundry Bureau, used herself as bait to ensnare a West Factory Thousand Households?

At this moment, Elder Luo seemed to understand why Yin Tingxue had neither entered the Laundry Bureau nor ended up in the Music Bureau.

In other words... even he had become one of ours?!

The situation had changed abruptly, her mind still unable to process, when Chen Yi was already advancing with heavy steps, blade in hand.

Elder Luo flashed a timely smile, preparing to speak, but just as she opened her mouth, she saw a group of Jin Yi Guards surging forth behind him—these had been summoned from West Factory Chief Wu’s command. Her smile instantly vanished.

"The Demon Sect members are here; I’ll lead the way for you!"

Yin Tingxue raised her hand and pointed the group out to Chen Yi.

Everyone present from the Demon Sect had frozen in place, staring at the scene in disbelief.

Their Saintess... had defected?!

The scorching sun hung high in the sky; it was the moment when the cold wind was at its weakest. The atmosphere turned eerie with silence, and tension rose—it seemed that swords were about to be drawn at any moment.

Chen Yi scanned the Demon Sect members before him, then glanced at Yin Tingxue, who shivered while hiding behind him.

Bang!

As the Jin Yi Guards surged forward, Elder Luo had already reacted, striking suddenly in horror.

"Run quickly!"

As the sword’s edge swept forward, Elder Luo shouted.

A short sword sliced through the air, its force tearing up dust clouds.

Yet, this sword came to an abrupt halt. A hand gripped the blade tightly, and Chen Yi, still looking askance at Yin Tingxue, coldly asked:

"Who dares to run?"

Chen Yi applied slight pressure.

The short sword vibrated incessantly before slowly bending and snapping.

Yin Tingxue trembled in fright, instinctively shaking her head, then realized her mistake and quickly stopped herself.

Chen Yi pressed down firmly.

Elder Luo was forced down on one knee by the pressure, desperately trying to withdraw or raise the sword, but the blade remained firmly in Chen Yi’s hand.

Then, she felt her power rapidly draining along the sword’s edge. Looking at Chen Yi in shock and then at Yin Tingxue, terror filled her eyes.

"Star Absorption Technique!"

"Why—why?! You are the Saintess! One of the Four Dignified..."

Elder Luo was overwhelmed with horror, her voice hoarse.

"I won’t go with you!"

Yin Tingxue shrank further behind Chen Yi, her tone resolute:

"I’ll only follow him, to be his good woman!"

Even if it meant living a life of humility, she still wanted to be a good woman.

The Demon Sect members on the scene were startled by this spectacle and failed to react in time. By the time they attempted to break out, the Jin Yi Guards had already surrounded them.

Elder Luo tried to say something, but Chen Yi’s fist had already struck down.

The Demon Sect Elder’s face twisted instantly, blood seeping out. Chen Yi casually loosened his grip on the short sword and tossed it aside, casting a sweeping glance at the Demon Sect members who were being forced back step by step.

They saw the Jin Yi Guards pressing forward, driving away civilians and firmly controlling the situation, while they themselves were trapped like fish in a barrel, as if being hunted.

Even so, the Demon Sect members led by Elder Luo’s direct disciple clenched their teeth and fought to carve a bloody path out.

Direct disciple Qin Ying’s eyes were bloodshot, about to shout "Great Ming Venerate Buddha is born."

But at that moment, the Saintess uttered a phrase that made her and everyone else’s hearts tremble.

"There are more in the tavern!"

...............

"A total of fifty-seven people, nine were executed on the spot, and the remaining forty-eight were captured."

A Hundred Households of West Factory flipped through a register, noting down every captured Demon Sect member from the tavern.

Chen Yi sat to the side listening, holding Yin Tingxue tightly in his arms. She sat on his lap, breathing slightly fast, her cheeks flushed.

Capturing this group of Demon Sect members had not been much of a challenge, thanks to the sudden assault and Yin Tingxue’s guidance and persuasion.

The Hundred Households, originally a servant, turned to glance at Chen Yi, then at the veiled girl, his heart racing with guesses before coughing lightly and stating in a timely manner:

"Those Demon Sect members are bold beyond compare, daring to slander the Thousand Households by claiming your wife was their Demon Sect Saintess. After thorough interrogation, they won’t dare spout such nonsense again."

Chen Yi nodded lightly. The Hundred Households was a shrewd man, and since he had made outstanding contributions when rescuing the Emperor, he naturally would not provoke nor report this matter to Chief Wu.

Yin Tingxue leaned against Chen Yi’s chest, her back pressed against him. Though she wanted to move away and had tried to push a few times, he held her tightly, giving her no chance to escape.

She could only lower her head in submission, feeling embarrassed with so many people watching.

Yin Tingxue tightly clutched the herbal bundle, holding it close to her stomach.

"How did they end up with you?"

Suddenly, she heard Chen Yi’s question, his voice devoid of joy or sorrow.

His fingers lightly brushed against Yin Tingxue’s arm, stroking her through her clothing. The sensation sent shivers through her.

"They found me..."

Yin Tingxue was still unaccustomed to his touch, goosebumps rising as she spoke.

Chen Yi narrowed his eyes and asked:

"Oh? Is that so?"

Yin Tingxue felt terrified but still turned her face, gathering her courage to meet his sharp gaze,

"H-Husband doesn’t believe me?"

The timid demeanor as she summoned her courage was endearing, stirring pity in others. But Chen Yi knew she only called him "Husband" when she was pleading for something.

Yin Tingxue obediently curled up in Chen Yi’s arms, tilting her gaze upward timidly,

"...Don’t doubt me."

Chen Yi glanced at her but remained noncommittal, turning his gaze toward the doorway.

The sound of hurried footsteps drew closer.

Min Ning stormed into the tavern with great urgency.

"I... heard from my grandfather..."

She gasped for breath, her expression complex, her voice trembling:

"I’m sorry..."

Chen Yi turned his face away, no longer looking at her, his gaze falling into empty space as he remarked:

"That apology isn’t yours to give."

The implication was clear—he knew Min Ning wasn’t the one responsible.

Min Ning’s throat tightened, her body stiffened, wanting to speak but unsure of what to say.

Chen Yi slowly rose, pulling Yin Tingxue along, and stepped out of the West Factory.

Min Ning understood,

Though the outcome had been uneventful, he wasn’t the type to only care about results.

...............

On the way back, Chen Yi said nothing, and Yin Tingxue was so anxious she could die, replaying today’s events over and over in her mind.

No matter how she thought about it, her actions today could be explained, could be smoothed over. Leaving Chen Yi, she’d say she had accidentally gotten lost; being with the Demon Sect members, she’d claim she was forced into it...

As long as he had no grounds to pursue the matter, she could muddle through, and the herbs in the bundle... could be refined into Contraceptive Pills.

Yin Tingxue was prepared to parry any question he might ask.

But Chen Yi didn’t say a word.

Back at the courtyard, Yin Tingxue spotted the familiar white-robed female crown waiting outside the door.

She cautiously waved and greeted her.

Yin Weiyin responded softly, her gaze landing on Chen Yi,

"How did it go?"

"It’s fine,"

Chen Yi replied, looking at the female crown and then thanking her:

"If it weren’t for you, I’d have been delayed a bit longer there. Thanks."

Yin Weiyin seemed momentarily puzzled,

"Ah, oh, alright then."

Chen Yi smiled faintly, pushed open the door to his home, and instructed without turning back:

"Wait outside for a while."

The female crown froze for a moment, then glanced at Yin Tingxue, who had been brought inside, and muttered internally,

Wait outside... am I supposed to wait my turn now?

She was filled with resentment but shivered at the thought of his ruthlessness back in the underground palace.

The white-robed female crown dared not leave and stood quietly outside the door.

Inside the house, Yin Tingxue was led to the bedroom. Chen Yi promptly took a seat in the chair.

The girl cautiously looked at him,

"W-What’s wrong?"

"Do you have nothing to tell me?"

With his gaze fixed on Yin Tingxue, Chen Yi’s expression was unreadably calm.

"No..."

Yin Tingxue struggled to sound calm:

"I didn’t want to be taken away, and I came back too."

After she spoke, her almond-shaped eyes boldly looked at him, as if she felt no guilt at all, although her lips unconsciously clenched tightly.

Chen Yi looked at her with a faint but unreadable smile,

"Nothing at all?"

Yin Tingxue shrank down, lowered her gaze nervously, then tentatively glanced back at him. Already somewhat flustered, she nonetheless braced herself and replied:

"I don’t think so..."

Chen Yi’s eyes suddenly turned sharp,

"Really nothing?"

Yin Tingxue froze in place, her hand gripping the bundle slackening, causing it to fall to the ground with a sudden thud. The tied straps of the bundle came undone.

Chen Yi glanced briefly at it, and she almost lunged to pick it up, clutching it tightly against her chest before nervously looking up at him with trembling eyes, stammering:

"I-I... there is..."

Chen Yi merely smiled, but to Yin Tingxue, his smile at that moment was more terrifying than at any other.

"I didn’t run away this time,"

Yin Tingxue muttered hesitantly.

"You didn’t try to run away?"

Chen Yi questioned coldly.

"Just thinking about it; please don’t hold it against me..."

She murmured softly but met Chen Yi’s gaze, panickedly correcting herself:

"Really didn’t run, didn’t run—if I had tried to run, I wouldn’t have come looking for you. I was wrong..."

Yin Tingxue’s eyes welled up with tears, her moist gaze reflecting Chen Yi’s face.

Chen Yi opened his arms.

Yin Tingxue froze for a moment before quickly reacting, throwing herself into his embrace. Chen Yi stroked her trembling waist, while she meekly pressed against his neck.

"You’ve already halfway run away,"

Chen Yi said softly.

Though the words were harsh, Yin Tingxue could hear traces of tenderness in his tone. She immediately responded:

"I understand... I was wrong.

At that moment, I thought, even if I spend my whole life being bullied by you, I still want to be a good woman..."

"What’s the point of saying that? You’ve already halfway run away," Chen Yi said, gently stroking her back.

"I know..."

She mumbled for a while, then timidly pleaded:

"But considering this, could you not punish me so harshly?"

Chen Yi chuckled softly and kissed her forehead.

Yin Tingxue sighed in relief and snuggled even more closely, looking soft and compliant as she clung to him.

She managed to lift the corners of her lips in a subtle attempt to please and said:

"Husband... you’re the... best..."

Her words sounded forced, and by the end, her eyes were misty, nearly teary.

Chen Yi took in a deep breath, holding her tighter.

After surviving this ordeal, as he held her now, Yin Tingxue didn’t feel afraid or repelled for once. For the first time, she realized—his embrace actually felt a bit... warm.

Feeling the obedient warmth of the person in his arms, Chen Yi wanted to keep holding her for half the day. However... there was still a little matter between them that needed resolution.

Chen Yi’s tone turned cold as he said:

"Hand it over."

The girl, who had just let out a breath of relief, felt her heart skip several beats.