My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

"...I regret it..."

When Yin Weiyin's words fell with the flickering candlelight, Chen Yi's heart grew uneasy and conflicted.

After a brief pause, he said indifferently, "You regret it?"

Yin Weiyin nodded gently and made a soft "Hm."

Chen Yi chuckled noncommittally.

She raised her gaze slightly, waiting for Chen Yi's response.

Chen Yi knew that if he uttered the words agreeing to help her achieve immortality, she would leap toward him in excitement, leaning against his chest, tears streaming from gratitude. For some time, she would be extraordinarily obedient, impassionedly accommodating him.

"At least you know how to regret." Chen Yi spoke.

His tone seemed to budge slightly.

Yin Weiyin's heart tightened, her lips trembled faintly, as if silently asking whether she could ascend to immortality, whether he could refrain from sapping her Taoist cultivation.

"If you don't regret, then you'll have to continue being my cauldron."

Chen Yi paused, looking at Yin Weiyin and said:

"If you regret, then you'll regret while still being my cauldron."

Yin Weiyin's face froze—neither nodding nor shaking her head. She pursed her lips and sat there, her delicate head slightly lowered. She seemed both confirming and silently rebelling. Her unclear stance left Chen Yi uncertain.

Chen Yi didn't bother to interpret. He took the porcelain bowl and walked toward Yin Tingxue, who handed over her own bowl to Chen Yi.

His figure disappeared into the bedroom.

Yin Tingxue turned her face toward Princess Jing, who seemed to have lost all spirit, slumped in the chair languidly.

Noticing Yin Tingxue's gaze, Princess Jing muttered as if speaking to her or simply murmuring to herself:

"It didn't work…"

Yin Tingxue rose from the chaise lounge, walked to her side, and whispered:

"It worked."

The female crown lifted her gaze toward Princess Xiang.

Yin Tingxue glanced at the door, leaned in closely, and whispered:

"He doesn't dislike you."

"He... probably only likes my body…"

Yin Tingxue shook her head. She wanted to express something but found it hard to articulate, so she simply said:

"It's not just your body he likes. Sometimes, he likes you genuinely. Besides... didn't he share a bowl of silver ear soup with you? He hasn't done that with me."

Yin Weiyin froze.

Princess Xiang observed this and smiled faintly.

Little fox lied just a little white lie. In truth, Chen Yi had shared a bowl of silver ear soup with her—and didn't let her off easily. Not only had they shared, but he had her personally feed him.

The reason for the fib was merely to encourage her cousin. Yin Tingxue knew somewhat of what transpired between her and Chen Yi, understood that the mistake lay with Sister Weiyang—perhaps Chen Yi could even be considered her savior. Yet Yin Tingxue still sympathized with her, hoping she would fare better by Chen Yi's side.

As if whispering secrets between concubines...

Yin Weiyin lowered her eyes for a long while before finally asking:

"Then what should I do? What do you... do?"

"I obey him completely... though I think Sister Weiyang isn't suited for that," Yin Tingxue mused softly. "Just relax, and adapt to him bit by bit."

Great Yin wanted to say more, but the sound of footsteps from outside ceased Little Yin's words as she gently slid off her embroidered shoes before climbing into bed.

Yin Tingxue instinctively moved to the innermost side of the bed but paused, leaned toward Princess Jing's ear, and whispered:

"Tonight, you sleep inside."

She gave up her spot to Yin Weiyin for the night.

The female crown was taken aback but nodded slowly before seeing Chen Yi enter.

Chen Yi calmly began to remove his robe, and Yin Weiyin reacted, removing her outer garment and keeping only her inner clothes. When Chen Yi approached, she rolled over and moved to the innermost side.

Chen Yi glanced at Yin Tingxue.

The little fox smiled at him, as if nothing had happened.

Chen Yi curled his lips, let out a sigh inwardly, then climbed onto the bed. Yin Tingxue extinguished the oil lamp and candle before burrowing into the bedding.

Yin Tingxue turned her back to Chen Yi. The light sound of snoring soon rose. Chen Yi looked at her for a while. This little fox wasn't someone who could fall asleep instantly; this was clearly another of her schemes, pretending to sleep.

Chen Yi turned, wrapping his arm around Great Yin's waist.

Yin Weiyin trembled slightly, glanced at him, and quickly looked away, not daring to meet his gaze even in the darkness.

Chen Yi waited for a long time without hearing a word from her. He didn't bother asking and closed his eyes.

At that moment, the female crown poked him softly.

"Do you want to say something?" Chen Yi opened his eyes and asked.

Yin Weiyin didn't reply, as if unsure of what to say, murmuring after a long while:

"I regret it..."

"Then regret it as you will."

Chen Yi paused, softened slightly, and asked:

"Since you're so regretful, is there still something you want to say?"

"I want to say..."

Yin Weiyin struggled to find the words, finally saying after some effort:

"Do you... actually like me?"

"...Below."

Yin Weiyin froze, unable to understand what he meant. Seeing his silence, she instinctively wanted to seek Little Yin's help but only heard soft snoring.

Chen Yi had already closed his eyes, ignoring the confused female crown. The day's exertions had taken a toll; as he closed his eyes, sleep surged over him.

Yet Yin Weiyin continued to ponder.

And so, he turned his attention to Yin Weiyin, saying:

"Say what you have to say, don't hide things and hesitate."

Yin Weiyin hesitated for a long time, opening her mouth several times but still unsure how to put it into words.

In the dark, her tongue flickered faintly as if recalling the sweetness of that silver ear soup.

After a long time, she finally said:

"Do you... sometimes like me, sometimes hate me?"

"Oh?" Chen Yi was surprised. "You've figured it out. Sharp notice."

"When do you hate me?"

"When you are unruly and calculating," Chen Yi replied disdainfully.

"Then..." Yin Weiyin hesitated before nervously asking, "When do you like me the most?"

Chen Yi thought for a while and replied:

"When you roll your eyes and face setbacks."

Yin Weiyin froze at his response, her long lashes lowering as bitterness slowly spread through her heart.

Watching her reaction, Yin Weiyin looked extraordinarily beautiful in these moments—like freshly washed skies after a gentle snowfall, faintly misty with subtle emotions. Chen Yi subconsciously pulled her closer.

After a long pause, Chen Yi spoke softly:

"I've told you before, if you're more obedient, I'll torment you less. After all, no matter what, you're mine in this household."

Yin Weiyin remained silent for a long time. Chen Yi chose not to sleep yet because if she made a move below, he'd be startled awake.

But perhaps she feared him too much. For a long time, there was no sound.

With no response, Chen Yi's eyelids grew heavy, and he slowly closed his eyes again.

As sleep deepened, pulling him down entirely, Chen Yi fell asleep while Yin Weiyin remained awake.

Her body softened slightly while his hand still gripped her waist. Princess Jing, her lashes still lowered, leaned forward slightly and muttered, "I am already yours now. I will no longer harm you like before, husband... from now on, I'll call you that…"

Yin Weiyin's murmurs carried a faint nasal tone, and in the darkness, Chen Yi's hand felt a drop of tear.

............…

The next morning.

Chen Yi glanced at Great Yin on his left, then Little Yin on his right. Both women were still sound asleep.

Carefully removing his arm from Great Yin's waist, Chen Yi gazed deeply at her.

He gently smoothed her slightly messy hair, then turned away.

From behind, he embraced Little Yin. Startled by the sudden embrace, she let out a soft sound but didn't wake, continuing to sleep peacefully.

After holding her for a while, Chen Yi felt somewhat satisfied and rose from the bed to wash up.

After his morning routine, under the clear sky, Chen Yi stretched lazily in the courtyard.

As he took a deep breath, he heard faint footsteps and turned to see Zhou Yitang stepping out of the guest room.

Chen Yi spread his arms and walked toward her.

However, as he approached within a single zhang, it was as though he hit an invisible wall—no matter how he pushed, he couldn't take another step forward.

Chen Yi gave up, sighing, "Can't even hug?"

"No," Zhou Yitang replied plainly, "If you have time, you should practice your sword."

Chen Yi grinned mischievously and said, "I still miss my previous life, when you'd let me hug you, hold you, no matter what I asked you to do—you had no choice but to comply, even if you didn't like it…"

Before he finished speaking, Zhou Yitang's fingers lightly raised.

"Are you threatening me?" Chen Yi asked sharply.

"What if I am?" Zhou Yitang didn't deny it.

"If you threaten me, I won't practice swordsmanship?" Chen Yi stepped back a few paces, growling, "Fine, I'll practice sword..."

Soon after, Chen Yi returned to his room and retrieved his sword.

The pitch-black Hou Kang Sword gleamed in the sunlight as Chen Yi positioned himself and began practicing sword momentum. Starting with an opening stance, followed by rotations, his movements flowed like water as he maneuvered across the courtyard.

Given Chen Yi's current Fourth Rank cultivation, practicing such basic sword stances felt excessive, yet martial arts were like sailing against the current—constant sharpening was essential to prevent regression. Moreover, many insights in cultivation often emerged only through relentless repetition.

What's more, this practice was for Zhou Yitang to see.

After about half an hour, calculating the time, Chen Yi sheathed the Hou Kang Sword, and Zhou Yitang nodded slightly.

"If you reach the Third Rank, as Taoists say, it's refining the spirit to return to the void," Zhou Yitang commented out of the blue.

Chen Yi vaguely remembered what "refining the spirit to return to the void" meant.

This concept came from the Taoists, also referred to as the "Upper Gate" or the "Nine-Year Gate." Essentially, it meant merging the cultivated Primordial Spirit into emptiness—spiritual intent transformed from presence to absence, then back to presence. In martial arts terms, it involved a similar process for martial intent.

Like a phoenix reborn from its ashes, "refining the spirit to return to the void" was a cyclical renewal.

In his previous life, Chen Yi had reached the pinnacle of martial cultivation, the First Rank—death eventually claimed him while patching the heavens. By that point, the Third Rank was long behind him. However, things didn't seem to follow the same path.

What marked his prior life as a mere game, left this life's insights disjointed—previous understandings required rediscovery, and they might unfold differently.

Chen Yi pondered for a moment before noticing Zhou Yitang's steady gaze upon him.

"The methods of Yin Sword Mountain's Taoist and Martial Dual Cultivation make reaching the point of spirit refinement as smooth as water following its course." Zhou Yitang stated calmly.

Chen Yi understood her hidden implications, chuckling bitterly.

He shook his head and, pondering for a moment, said:

"Why don't you lend me some Taoist skills to practice further?"

For him, the living sword techniques of Yin Sword Mountain could wait, but its Taoist skills were indispensable—especially crucial for navigating his future journeys across Jianghu.

The one-armed woman seemed to read his thoughts without much comment. Reaching into the Square Land tied to her waist, she pulled out a scroll.

With a casual flick, the scroll landed in Chen Yi's hands.

Chen Yi received the scroll with its two bold characters on the cover, "Dao Codex," which he glanced at before tucking away.

Turning away, Chen Yi gazed out into the distance for a long while.

Zhou Yitang did not look at him.

After standing for a while, Chen Yi finally spoke, "You're not curious what I'm looking at?"

"I don't need to ask."

Chen Yi laughed softly and then said:

"I'm watching Qin Qingluo and Zhu E over there. The reason is that I want to entrust something to you."

"Speak freely."

"Zhu E once told me during a private moment that on her wedding day, she and Qin Qingluo visited a Daoist Temple to pray. At that time, they had their fortunes read—the prophecy was, 'The Star of Destruction resides in the marriage palace; the union will bear a name but no substance.'"

Chen Yi paused briefly and then smiled:

"I plan to... make use of this revelation."