Nothing troublesome or unexpected happened to the group inside the flying carriage on their way back to the Winter Jade Empire's capital city.
Arriving inside the capital city, the group were greeted by a few trusted individuals of the Empress, while Jian Shen and Meirong were discretely asked to directly meet the Empress herself who was waiting for them.
Walking to the garden where he drank the poisonous tea, Jian Shen found Xifeng near the plant where she plucked the transparent petaled flower from.
"Drinking the poisonous tea again?"
Shaking her head, Xifeng said, "Just observing the beauty of this plant."
Saying those words Xifeng couldn't hide a trace of pride showing on her face because she thought she had spoken quite well.
Unfortunately, her childhood friend who knew her better didn't let her enjoy the moment.
"You're just trying to show off by standing in between all these flowers."
"Tsk! I forgot you were coming as well. Anyway, since you completed your mission you can leave now."
Waving her hand impatiently, Xifeng looked like she was very eager to spend some time alone with Jian Shen.
"Huh? Why would I leave? I'm going to remain beside my honey forever!"
Hearing this answer it wasn't just Xifeng who was stunned but Jian Shen as well.
Stay beside me forever???!!!
Did she really plan on doing that?
A little terrified to ask the question out loud because he might receive the answer he didn't want, Jian Shen felt that Meirong was turning more and more clingy by the day.
At first, it was just being near him and maybe hugging his arm. But now, she was sneaking inside his bed and constantly beside him.
And honestly, he really couldn't if it was because she loved him or was suspicious of him having an affair.
"Honey? I sent you there to explore the ruins, not seduce women Jian Shen!"
"Humph! What was there to explore in those boring ruins? My honey's time would be better spent if he chose to explore my body instead."
Once again stunned from never once having heard her friend speak like this, or even show such an expression of happiness and shyness on her face, Xifeng couldn't help but ask, "Oy Meirong, is this really you?"
"Of course it is. Who else would it be?"
"You just seem different."
Hugging Jian Shen from the back and pressing her boobs on his neck, Meirong said, "That's because I've never felt better than I do right now."
"You... "
Narrowing her eyes Xifeng who felt uneasiness spreading inside her from seeing Jian Shen and Meirong so close to each other said, "You should leave now Meirong, there's something I need to talk to with Jian Shen."
"Don't you remember what I said? I and honey are... "
Knowing that this was his chance to make Meirong leave for a while, Jian Shen who didn't hate her and just wanted some time away from her said, "Maybe you should listen to her Meirong. Let's just take a short break from each other."
"Honey??"
Looking like an abandoned puppy, Meirong began tugging at Jian Shen's heart and almost made him take his words back.
But since he really wanted to spend some time without her he didn't change his words and only awkwardly looked away making Meirong snort.
"Fine. Since that is what you want, I'll go for a walk."
Moving away from Jian Shen and walking towards Xifeng, Meirong who looked like she was just passing by her whispered in her ear, "I doubt my honey would be interested in used goods anyway."
Having said so she began skipping away as if she just achieved a great dead.
Glaring towards Meirong's back, Xifeng could only grit her teeth because her words sounded both ridiculous and scary to her at the same time.
But... What if she is speaking the truth?
Warily looking towards Jian Shen who didn't hear what Meirong said Xifeng found herself at a loss for words due to which she ended up just staring at him for a while.
Did he really think of her like Meirong said?
"What is it?"
"Huh?"
"You just keep staring at me. Wasn't there something you wanted to talk about?"
Nodding her head with a blank look Xifeng said, "It's... It's about the promise you made. You didn't forget what I asked in exchange for the piece of the Myriad God Sword right?"
Deciding to focus only on what was important right now, Xifeng continued by saying, "That boy you scared away decided to have one last competition with you. The winner will obtain the opportunity to marry Luli."
Looking completely uninterested, Jian Shen's said, "I really should've asked for more than just the one sword."
"As long as you win, you can have anything else you want as well."
Nodding his head, Jian Shen asked, "I don't think it'll be hard to win, but are you sure this will end your problems? Wouldn't his family just keep pressuring you into marrying her?"
Shaking her head, Xifeng explained that the boy was an honourable one and he'd stay true to his words due to which there would definitely not be any such problems on the future as long as he won.
"Okay. But what will I receive in exchange for helping you? That piece of sword was only the price for me to teach your daughter how to use the sword. I should receive something else for doing this."