Chapter 99

"Y-You... You just know how to bully me." Ning Qianxue lowered her head in grievance, her eyes turning red. On one hand, it was because the pent-up emotions from earlier had yet to dissipate, and on the other, she was indeed a bit embarrassed and angry, tears welling up in her eyes.

The *Zuowang Zhenjing* teaches one to be without sorrow or joy. Ning Qianxue hadn't shed a tear for many years. She knew that her current state of mind was very dangerous, yet she couldn't help but feel like crying.

"Qianxue, you're really wronging me. We risked our lives to save you earlier, and even wasted a significant favor. You know, favors are like a resource; once you overdraw, you have less to use. I overdrawn a favor to save you, so if I encounter danger in the future, I won't feel right asking for help again. It's as if I used my life to save you... How can you say I'm bullying you? Has anyone ever used their life to bully someone? If there were, you should bully me a few more times, come on, Bai Bei..." Song Li said with a mournful face. "I even cooked fish for you out of kindness, and not only did I not get a good word from you, but you also said I was bullying you... Qianxue, you should be more considerate!... Qianxue..."

"Hey! Who allowed you to call me that?" Ning Qianxue felt a bit guilty after hearing Song Li's words, realizing she had indeed been a bit over the top. A low-level cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Induction daring to save someone under the watchful eye of the ruthless Evil Emperor Li Kangtian was already a commendable act. If it were any other cultivator, they would have long fled the scene, who would dare to meddle? But this young man had risked his life to save her, which was a tremendous favor. If he hadn't acted, Ning Qianxue would have had only two outcomes: either being killed by Li Kangtian or being abducted and forced to be his daughter-in-law. Neither outcome was something Ning Qianxue was willing to accept.

Given the great danger he had faced to save her, she shouldn't have acted so capriciously. However, Ning Qianxue didn't know what was wrong with her. She was never like this. Despite feeling guilty, she couldn't help but protest. When did this stinky guy start calling her "Qianxue" so affectionately? He looked to be only sixteen or seventeen, yet his tone was like that of an elder. Despite her guilt, Ning Qianxue couldn't help but speak up.

"Aren't you called Ning Qianxue? I heard Li Kangtian call you that." Song Li blinked innocently. In fact, he was doing it on purpose. Once you start calling someone something, it becomes a habit. The thought of being able to call the Immortal Lady Ning "Qianxue" so affectionately made Song Li's heart warm.

"Yes, I am called that... but you can't call me that." Ning Qianxue's gaze couldn't help but drift to the roasted fish in his hand. She felt her resistance weakening.

"Why not? You have to give me a reason."

"No reason, just not allowed." Ning Qianxue rolled her eyes, her gaze slightly threatening.

"Then what should I call you?" Song Li persisted.

"Hmm... call me Sister... I'm a bit older than you." Ning Qianxue said lightly.

"Got it, Qianxue." Song Li took a big bite of the fish, speaking with his mouth full.

"Call me Sister." Ning Qianxue's eyebrows furrowed again.

"Call you Sister... Got it, Qianxue."

"Can't you understand simple instructions? I said call me Sister." Ning Qianxue reminded herself to control her emotions, but Song Li was so infuriating, easily disrupting her composure.

"Isn't it just calling you Sister? I got it, Qianxue." Song Li blinked his big eyes innocently, looking at Ning Qianxue strangely.

"My goodness!" Ning Qianxue covered her forehead and groaned. If she weren't seriously injured, she would have pounced on Song Li and fought him to the death. How could this stinky kid be so infuriating?

"Calm down, I can't be angry." Ning Qianxue reminded herself. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths to calm her turbulent emotions. Forget it, let him call her whatever he wants, she wouldn't pay attention to him.

"You must be hungry too. Here, this is for you." When Ning Qianxue opened her eyes, she saw Song Li standing in front of her with a grin, holding a roasted fish that was golden and fragrant.

Song Li casually wiped his face, leaving a black mark on his nose and cheeks. Paired with his slightly silly, ingratiating smile, he looked quite comical. Ning Qianxue couldn't help but laugh.

Perhaps because she had been too cold before, Ning Qianxue's smile was like a warm breeze in the dead of winter, or like ice melting instantly. The beauty of it was indescribable, and Song Li was captivated.

"What are you looking at?" Ning Qianxue raised her chin proudly, her gaze slanted.

"Your smile is really beautiful. You should smile more often." Song Li grinned, revealing his eight white teeth.

"You're sweet-talking me, I don't know how much of it is true..." Ning Qianxue met Song Li's gaze for a moment, then looked away, her heart slightly flustered.

"Didn't think the lofty Immortal Lady Ning would have moments of insecurity." Song Li said casually.

"How am I insecure?" Ning Qianxue couldn't help but ask.

"If you were truly confident, you would understand that all the beautiful words in the world are pale in comparison to your beauty. You wouldn't think I was lying to flatter you." Song Li said seriously.

Ning Qianxue coughed a few times, not speaking. She had heard many men praise her beauty, but it had never affected her. She knew she was beautiful, having known it since childhood. But since she had embarked on the path of cultivation and practiced the *Zuowang Zhenjing*, her only goal was to transcend and become an immortal. She didn't pay much attention to herself or her surroundings.

But when Song Li praised her beauty, it stirred something in her heart. It was a feeling she had never experienced before. She even hoped that Song Li would say more such compliments.

Song Li didn't say anything more, handing the roasted fish to Ning Qianxue. His smartest move was knowing when to keep quiet.

This time, Ning Qianxue didn't refuse, silently taking the fish. Song Li laid out two mats on the ground, and the two of them sat down side by side.

Despite her hunger, Ning Qianxue ate very gracefully, using a wooden fork to pick small pieces of fish and chew them slowly. Even from such close proximity, Song Li could barely hear her eating.

Although Ning Qianxue didn't praise Song Li's cooking, she ate the entire fish. Song Li knew this was a form of praise.

Sitting next to the Immortal Lady Ning, smelling the faint fragrance from her, hearing her soft breathing, and occasionally glancing at her stunning beauty, Song Li felt that life was incomparably wonderful and comfortable. He secretly hoped that Ning Qianxue's injuries would never heal, and that she would stay with him in the cave forever. Waking up and going to sleep with her every day, roasting fish when hungry, and enjoying her every expression and smile—such a life, he wouldn't trade for immortality.

Song Li finally understood where poems like "I envy the mandarin ducks, not the immortals" came from. There were indeed women like Ning Qianxue in the world. If she were willing to spend her life with you, traveling the four seas and enjoying life, what attraction would immortality have?

However, Song Li vaguely felt that such hopes were unrealistic. Ning Qianxue's injuries would eventually heal, and she couldn't stay here for long.

After they had their fill, Song Li took care of the cleanup. Such rough work couldn't be left to the Immortal Lady Ning, right?

Ning Qianxue patted her stomach and let out a cute belch. Song Li pretended not to notice, but inside, he was overjoyed: Damn, in this world, probably no other man has the luck to see the Immortal Lady Ning belch.

After belching, Ning Qianxue immediately realized it was inappropriate to act so lazily in front of others. She glanced at Song Li and saw him busy cleaning up, not paying attention to her, so she relaxed. She then sat to one side, watching Song Li's actions intently.

Since practicing the *Zuowang Zhenjing*, she had rarely paid attention to her surroundings, even forgetting what life was like. Watching Song Li work happily, humming an unknown tune, she felt a sense of peace and joy. Reflecting on her dull life of the past twenty years, it seemed like a different world.

"Love isn't something you can buy, even if you want to. Now you need to use your heart to win me back..." Song Li sang while working, feeling extremely content, a feeling he couldn't express to others.

"Hey... what tune are you humming? I've never heard it before." Ning Qianxue found the melody of the song Song Li was humming to be very cheerful, unlike any tune from the Holy Lion Empire. It was quite pleasant, but a bit too folksy, like a rural tune.

"It's a little tune from my hometown... Qianxue, we have names, didn't I tell you my name is Song Li? Calling me 'hey' is so awkward. In my hometown, only wives call their husbands 'hey'." Song Li winked slyly.

"Ugh." Ning Qianxue spat at him, her face slightly red. This kid was really unbridled. "What are you talking about? Who... is your wife?"

"Even if you wanted to marry me, I wouldn't be worthy." Song Li sighed dramatically.

"Why is that?" Ning Qianxue's curiosity was piqued, not realizing that her question sounded like she was really considering marrying him.

"You're an immortal, and I'm a mortal. You can live for hundreds of years, while I can only live for a hundred at most. When I die, you'll have to remarry, and won't my head be green? Even in death, I'd be a cuckold, unable to rest in peace." Song Li put on a bitter face.

Ning Qianxue picked up a mat and threw it at Song Li, angry. "What kind of person do you think I am? I'll beat you, you unbridled stinky kid."

Song Li caught the flying mat and asked with a pained expression, "So you won't remarry?"

"I naturally won't..." Ning Q