A Minor Cat Incident

Ye Sha awoke the next day.
Though the little cat was lazy, her eyes were obedient, showing nothing.
This was not good at all.
Ye Sha was only vigilant.
He went out, still instructing people to lock the house tightly, waiting for him to speak at night. No matter what, he couldn't let her have a chance to escape.

With a very firm resolve, Ye Sha intermittently recalled some fragments from last night's drunkenness. At that time, he was half-awake, half-drunk, feigning foolishness with alcohol. His actions were not all unconscious.
However, being abrupt with Little Ying was true.
Not just abrupt, but also extremely "passionate" and "intense."
With her arrogant temperament, she would surely be extremely angry.

Ye Sha prepared for an argument with her at home, and he had thought it through: No matter how angry she was, he would meet her halfway. He would accept any scolding or beating, just not leave.
To deal with this little cat, and also fearing that he might not grasp the right measure and scare her away, Ye Sha even specifically consulted those colleagues who had wives and children at home.
A little cat, though not a wife, coaxing them was probably similar.

Unexpectedly, when night fell, the fully prepared Ye Sha pushed open the door and leaned against the frame, only to see a young girl with a radiant face in the mirror.
The young girl, with her jade-like skin and flowing hair, bit a delicate strand, seriously and primly examining herself in the mirror, patiently tidying her somewhat dry hair.
Her eyes were bright, her face fair, her features, the youthfulness and innocence of a young girl, were at their prime.
But her eyes held little joy, troubled as she glared at her somewhat dry hair ends—
Not eating well, not sleeping well, even beautiful peach blossoms would naturally wither a bit.
And Ye Sha’s sleeping quarters, apart from a mirror, had no cosmetics at all… making it impossible for her to adorn her tired and withered self.

Di Ying was unhappy. In the bronze mirror, the reflection of the handsome young man appeared behind her.
Ye Sha: "What's wrong?"
Di Ying yelled at him: "I've lost so many strands of hair! It's all your fault!"
Ye Sha was stunned, unable to understand what her hair loss had to do with him. Surely he hadn't pulled it out in his sleep last night?
Facing the angry young girl in the mirror, Ye Sha didn't dare to proactively bring up last night. He maintained a smile, sat down behind her: "What's the big deal? If you stay here, I'll help you nourish it every day, and your hair will still grow back."
He tentatively reached out two fingers, gently pinching a strand of hair at the back of her neck. The fine, soft hair made his heart stir.
Ye Sha curved his eyes: "I guarantee I'll take care of it for you."
Di Ying hummed, saying nothing.
If she hadn't been able to tidy her hair, she wouldn't have been able to appreciate herself in the mirror. Ye Sha observed her from behind, seeing that much of the vengeful aura in her eyes had dissipated.
He was just surprised and puzzled when he saw the little girl raise her cheek, staring at herself in the mirror, and coquettishly said: "I'm also very good, aren't I?"
Her gaze, reflected in the mirror, peeked at Ye Sha behind her.
Ye Sha was startled for the second time.
Realizing she was speaking to him, he felt flattered and replied: "Naturally."
Di Ying examined her eyes: "And I'm still young. I'll still grow, and get better and better. My eyebrows, my eyes, my nose, my mouth, they're all in a childish state. As long as I don't grow crooked, when I grow up, I'll be a person!"
Ye Sha was full of doubt.
His vigilance was replaced by amusement at her self-satisfied appreciation, and he chuckled inwardly.
But he didn't dare to show it.
He merely affirmed: "Indeed."
Di Ying glanced at him: "I'm also a cultivator. I have a Martial Uncle Shen. She's very old, but she's only in her twenties, young and beautiful. My Master entrusted me to her. I followed her to learn sword arts. In the future, I will surely be like her, successful in my studies, and also skilled in preserving youth!"
Ye Sha: "…Indeed."
Di Ying’s little cat tail gradually appeared: "…I will definitely be better than Liu Qing Mi!"
Ye Sha: "…?"
He didn't know why she mentioned Liu Qing Mi. He suspected she knew he and Liu Qing Mi were being set up. Ye Sha pondered in silence, considering her purpose.
Di Ying’s purpose was actually very simple: "I can't be worse than Liu Qing Mi."
Ye Sha’s pupils narrowed: "Who said you were worse than her?"
Di Ying pouted.
No one had said it.
But anyone with eyes could see—in reality, Liu Qing Mi was an adult, and everyone thought Liu Qing Mi was beautiful. Standing next to Liu Qing Mi, Little Ying faded in comparison.
Di Ying had long harbored resentment for this in her heart.
Taking advantage of this illusion, she blurted out: "You won't abandon me for her."
Ye Sha was surprised.
He said: "How could I abandon you for her? What relationship do I have with her, and what relationship do I have with you?"
As soon as he said this, he felt it was inappropriate, and quickly retracted, changing his excuse: "She and I merely knew each other since childhood. Actually, she doesn't understand me, and I don't understand her. But you… you are the little cat I personally raised. Naturally, I'm closer to you."
His voice carried a smile, a hint of testing.
He had said that, and Di Ying merely nodded contentedly, still not complaining about his actions last night.
Ye Sha felt uneasy.
Things had reached this point; self-deception should have its limits. He wanted to know what her plan truly was.
Di Ying was embraced from behind by the young man.
She was startled for a moment, a small flush of shyness appearing in her heart.
Her heart leaped with joy, but her face remained arrogant: "Get away, I don't need you."
Ye Sha smiled: "If you don't need me, who do you need?"
Di Ying’s eyes flickered, but she didn't speak.
Ye Sha hugged her and softly said: "You're not angry with me? Planning to stay?"
Di Ying raised her chin, putting on a generous facade: "Yes."
Not only that, she slowly turned half her shoulder in his embrace, actively welcoming him.
She regarded him as her Senior Brother in his youth, and thus became more curious, more fond. She only felt that this illusion was truly not bad—it satisfied her voyeuristic desire for her Senior Brother.
Di Ying grandly waved her hand: "I'm not leaving; I'll stay and accompany you. I feel you treat me very well, so I want to treat you well too."
Ye Sha: "…"
Di Ying felt that such generosity should move Ye Sha to tears and fill him with immense joy.
Unfortunately, Ye Sha didn't.
He looked at her with a strange gaze for a long time, his expression changing several times.
He gently pinched her chin, half-truthfully, half-jokingly smiling: "I'm not your Senior Brother, Jiang Xue He."
Di Ying’s eyes drifted upwards slightly.
Her clear gaze flew over, firmly landing on his face, smiling: "Yes, you're not."
Ye Sha sneered inwardly: Lying.
You clearly treat me as a "substitute."
But he didn't expose her. He also hoped for some compliance, some willingness from her—if she stayed by his side for a long time, he might not be unable to replace her Senior Brother.
He just didn't know how similar he was to her Senior Brother, to make her not throw tantrums at him, as she did with her Senior Brother.

Di Ying had no idea what he was thinking.
She showed her intention, lazily stretched her arms to hug his neck, and happily told him: "I want to be with you, want to treat you very well, want you to grow up, want…"
She secretly thought: Want to raise a Senior Brother.
Ye Sha: "…You really scare me."
Di Ying was startled.
Ye Sha lowered his eyes to her, saying: "What is your purpose? Suddenly being so good to me, are you not preparing to disarm my defenses, preparing to kill me?"
Di Ying choked for a long time, then angrily burst out: "You, you really! You don't believe me even when I'm good to you… Do I have to get angry, do I have to settle scores with you, for you to be happy?"
Ye Sha curved his eyes: "Now that's you."
Di Ying continued to choke for a long time.
He half-truthfully, half-jokingly shook her little chin, a smile playing in his eyes: "It's alright, if you want to kill me, I won't blame you. After all, I forced you to stay… To die under a peony, even as a ghost, one is still romantic.
"Just, can we not discuss it, and let me be romantic and happy for a little longer?"
Di Ying: "…"
She understood.
Being good to him required a gradual approach.
Giving him everything at once, he couldn't handle it.
…What a strange habit.

--
However, from this day on, Di Ying indeed stayed obediently confined in Ye Sha’s sleeping quarters, not mentioning leaving.
Ye Sha also changed a little.
He proactively suggested that he wanted to open his meridians, to see if he had cultivation potential.
Ye Sha hugged the little cat. Although he wouldn't let her go, when he had time, he was willing to take her, in her cat form, to play around the city.
Ye Sha half-jokingly said: "Wait a few more years, when Liuye City no longer has foul ghost tides, and I'm no longer a general, we'll leave this place and play everywhere, alright? We'll regularly report our safety to my parents, send some gifts to the City Lord. The world is vast, and we'll make our home anywhere!"

The little cat in his arms looked up and glanced at him.
When she was a cat, she couldn't speak, and some things naturally didn't need to be said.
But she already understood in her heart that the Dream Pearl had assigned this identity to her Senior Brother, making him a mortal in this life.
No matter how heaven-defying and favored by heaven Jiang Xue He was in reality, Ye Sha in the illusion would never be able to open his meridians or possess a spiritual root, only living out his life as a mortal general.
The Dream Pearl’s rules superseded everything.
To break these rules, one had to carry consciousness and possess cultivation… like a dependent such as Di Ying.
And Di Ying had only entered this place by accident. All her cultivation was sealed, and she couldn't break the Dream Pearl’s established rules.
However, why did Ye Sha want to open his meridians?
Did he want to cultivate, to become a cultivator?
…Could it be that her Senior Brother was not only talented but also extremely diligent and hardworking, which was why he was so powerful?
Di Ying grew vigilant.
She immediately decided not to waste time. While accompanying Ye Sha through this long life in the illusion, she had to seize the opportunity to cultivate, quickly comprehending and breaking through this realm…
Breaking through one realm, she would be able to cultivate her Primordial Spirit.
If she had her Primordial Spirit, this small Dream Pearl illusion could still be manipulated.

Thus, from dusk onwards, Ye Sha noticed Di Ying’s desire to cultivate diligently.
He had begun to believe that she might truly be a cultivator, but due to some reason, was trapped in a cat's body.
Di Ying sat cross-legged on the futon. Whenever he returned from outside, seeing her in this posture, he would feel a sudden chill in his heart—
The lively and agile young girl was exceptionally calm during cultivation, possessing a kind of emotionless aura that he found difficult to approach.
The Great Dao, as it ascended, always approached emotionlessness.
He was uneasy with her "emotionlessness."
He feared she would forget him, feared that when she left him, she would turn and walk away. At this moment, he merely held her with chains; one day, he would no longer be able to hold her.
Thinking this, he also wanted to cultivate, also wanted to seek the Dao.
Perhaps by becoming like her, he could aspire for more.

However, Ye Sha’s cultivation progress was extremely difficult.
Di Ying patiently taught him, but he couldn't even open his meridians, which earned him Di Ying’s mockery.
Di Ying was happy when he suffered setbacks, but Ye Sha always struggled, so Di Ying also felt a bit of conscience, no longer mocking him, and racked her brains to comfort him.
She even proactively let him hug her: "Not being able to open your meridians is actually nothing. Most people in this world can't, but don't they all live just the same?
"You and I are not the same… I'm a little genius, you're just a mortal."
Ye Sha asked: "You're a genius?"
Di Ying felt a little guilty.
But she made up her own story: "Yes, I am! I was very powerful when I was little. My meridians were naturally open, and my spiritual roots were directly usable. Everyone said I was the most powerful 'little witch maiden' in hundreds of years, and I would definitely satisfy the Ghost Maiden and eliminate disasters… In the future, who knows…"
…Who knows, she might even be selected into the Witch God Palace, become a divine maiden, become the supreme great divine maiden, ruling the entire Witch God Palace and protecting all of Central Continent.
However…
Later, some things happened, and none of that came to pass.
Her path of cultivating the Dao and immortality had nothing to do with divine arts.
This didn't stop her from boasting to the ignorant Ye Sha: "…I'm a heaven-defying talent, I'm so powerful! The Ghost Maiden wanted to eat me at first, but couldn't, because I was born with protection, with something very powerful that always protected me."
She didn't know what it was.
Perhaps it was the "Heavenly Dao."
For a long time, Di Ying truly believed she was the Heavenly Dao’s favored child.
So when her Senior Brother lied to her, saying she was a favored child of heaven, she immediately believed it… But her Senior Brother was deceiving her.
Thinking of this, Di Ying glared fiercely at Ye Sha.
Ye Sha was bewildered by her glare.
But he really liked her spoiled and ill-tempered appearance.
He held her in his arms for a long time, not daring to be too intimate with her, but also gradually eroding her defenses, making her accept him.
He smiled: "You're so powerful, then in the future, if I take you to the battlefield and get injured, can you help me heal?"
Di Ying was stunned.
She wasn't a medical cultivator, nor a disciple of the Alchemy Sect. How could she heal?
But Di Ying patted her chest and guaranteed: "I can!"
At this moment, she thought, mortal injuries… As long as her cultivation base was a little more refined, enough to open the sealed Storage Bag, the divine pills and miraculous medicines her Senior Brother left for her in the Storage Bag, if she casually took out a little, wouldn't it make Ye Sha gape in astonishment?

Ye Sha feigned surprise, picked her up, and raised his face to hers: "Then you're my little immortaless?"
Di Ying curved her eyes.
She was extremely bold: "Yes, I am! I'm your 'immortal sister'."
Ye Sha, with a few coaxing words, made her beam with joy. He didn't believe she was foolish, yet still praised her, just to make Di Ying willing to be close to him.

As winter arrived, snow fell across the land.
This year, the foul ghost tide did not come, but Liuye City still dared not relax. The City Lord sent envoys to persuade Ye Sha, and Liu Qing Mi also came several times. Seeing Ye Sha holding that cat, Liu Qing Mi frowned, her expression lonely, but said nothing.
When it snowed, Ye Sha, for the first time, held the little cat and brought her to drink and feast with his parents in the illusion.
Ye Sha’s parents announced that he wanted to keep this cat.
Indeed, he had kept this cat for a long time, but he had always hidden her, only now willing to let his family see her.
Ye Sha’s parents were surprised and worried, but they followed their son and played with the little cat for a long time.
In the late afternoon, snow fell like goose feathers, and heaven and earth were covered in silver.
Ye Sha himself drank some wine, but also guarded against the little cat in his arms secretly drinking. He constantly teased her, and the little cat was a bit unhappy. Ye Sha’s parents shook their heads repeatedly, unable to help but laugh.
Ye Sha’s parents, having drunk until their heads ached, fell asleep hand in hand. Ye Sha also returned to his room with the little cat.
The window was open. Ye Sha dismissed all the servants, not wanting them to remain in the courtyard.
He sat by the snowy window, holding the little cat, waiting for the moment she would transform into human form in his arms.
Snow fell on the young man’s eyebrows and eyelashes. He lowered his head and intimately rubbed against her, smiling: "Have you ever heard a poem?
"Soft kindling makes the felt warm, I stay with my cat slave and don't go out.
"Little Ying, when we're together, there's always a very familiar feeling… Perhaps a long time ago, we truly lived like this."
He murmured to himself, looking at the falling snow and pondering.
He was a little lost in thought, distracted by this familiarity in his heart—why did he feel
so familiar? Could it be that he knew her? How could that be…
A delicate and sweet girl's voice sounded at this moment: "Brother Ye Sha, do you really like all of this?"
Ye Sha noticed a change in the sensation in his arms. He lowered his head and, indeed, saw her transform into human form in his arms, looking up and asking him.
Ye Sha smiled: "Yes, I do."
Di Ying: "Do you like your parents?"
Ye Sha: "Yes, I do. My parents are very good to me. You know, when I was little, because I wanted to be a general, my parents were afraid I would die on the battlefield, and even considered whether to have a younger brother or sister… But they gave it up for me.
"I know that whatever I do, my parents will accompany me. That's why I want to cherish my life a little more… If I die on the battlefield, my parents will surely not be able to live either."
Snow fell rustling.
Di Ying looked up at him.
She knew that reality was in contrast to the illusion.
Di Ying asked: "Do you like the City Lord?"
Ye Sha: "I like him too. He trusts me very much… It's just that there have been some troubles recently, but it's alright; he'll eventually understand. He won't force me."
Di Ying nodded.
Di Ying murmured to herself: "They like you, and you like them, right? You live a very happy life, don't you?"
Ye Sha: "Naturally… If my little cat also made me so satisfied, that would be great."
Di Ying: "Hmph."
Ye Sha was overjoyed.
He hugged her tightly, looking up through the window at the falling snow.
Suddenly, an aura came from below.
Di Ying sweetly said: "Brother, lower your head."
Ye Sha casually lowered his head.
His lips warmed. The girl's kiss, a light peck, then retreated.
Ye Sha stiffened instantly.
His arms around her tightened slightly, his cheeks flushed in an instant. He lowered his head, staring at her unblinkingly.
Di Ying curved her eyes and smiled.
Snow fell on her eyelashes, on her eyes. She was bright and captivating, like a little immortaless in a frozen lake amidst the icy world, sparkling with light.
Di Ying: "This is a gradual approach!"
After saying that, she lowered her head, wanting to avoid his brightly shining eyes.
But Ye Sha didn't give her a chance to retreat. He suddenly bent down, leaning close to her face.
Di Ying’s heart pounded faster.
She saw the light in his eyes was very bright. Her heart was a little flustered, a little shy. Ye Sha’s fingertip touched her face.
He looked at her for a long time, then suddenly said: "Do you want to go out and play?"
Di Ying was stunned.
He seemed to have struggled for a long time, finally making up his mind: "…Not in cat form, but in human form.
"I've never taken you out to play in human form… But this Lantern Festival, let's go together.
"Not telling you before was a lie. I really did order clothes and accessories for you. I'll give them to you then, alright?"
Di Ying looked up: "But didn't you say that my appearance is very suspicious, and people would mistake me for a cat demon, which would be disadvantageous to you?"
This time it was his turn to coax her: "Don't be afraid, it's only for one night. I'll make all the arrangements."
He lowered his eyes.
The young man concealed the bright color and shyness in his eyes.
He softly said: "Besides, I have something to ask you."
Di Ying was startled.
She didn't fully understand what he wanted to ask, but seeing his demeanor, she suddenly became flustered and shy.
It must be some very important question… to make Brother Ye Sha so solemn.
Di Ying nodded: "Alright, whatever you say."
Ye Sha bent down and hugged her tightly. He held her very tightly, his heart beating rapidly, eliciting a small gasp from her.

--
But before the Lantern Festival, Liuye City had some skirmishes with surrounding cities, so Ye Sha went to the battlefield.
This was just a small matter.
Di Ying didn't mind.
Ye Sha told her to be good and wait for him at home. Not only did he instruct the servants to prepare food and drink outside on time, but after some struggle, he also removed the chains from the window.
Ye Sha left, joking with her: "You can go out for some air, but don't actually leave. Otherwise, I'll be very angry."
Di Ying pouted.
One night, Di Ying left the house. The little cat was just lazily stretching on the corridor when she was startled to find that this time, there was no food prepared for her outside.
Presumably, the Ye family had forgotten.
She didn't take it seriously, and returned to her room.
But the Ye family forgot repeatedly for three days, and Di Ying couldn't bear it anymore. She went out in her cat form to find food. As soon as she jumped down the steps, she felt danger.
In the cold night, three cold arrows shot from the darkness.
Their speed was swift.
The little cat agilely leaped, dodging the three arrows. More arrows flew, and the cat's body couldn't dodge them all. The snow-white little cat instantly elongated its body, transforming into a person.
The young girl clasped her hands together, casting a spell. The arrows that had been flying through the quiet night instantly stopped, then clattered to the ground.
Di Ying’s eyes widened.
Her hair whipped around her face, her skirt billowed slightly. She stood in the middle of the courtyard, seeing several people, accompanied by guards, enter the courtyard—
First came Ye Sha’s parents, looking stunned and shocked.
Next, came the delicate
and frail Miss Liu Qing Mi.
Miss Liu was as graceful as a willow in the wind, but Di Ying, in human form, and Ye Sha’s parents, who were deeply shocked, were extremely calm.
Liu Qing Mi gently said to Ye Sha’s parents: "Uncle and Aunt have arrived… I told you before that this cat in your house has problems. Seeing is believing; surely you two believe it now."
Ye Sha’s parents looked at Di Ying in fear.
They both faced Liu Qing Mi, trembling: "Miss… Ye Sha was completely bewitched by her, which is why he is like this today. We beg Miss to save Ye Sha."
Di Ying looked at Liu Qing Mi.
Di Ying understood.
She said: "So you wanted to lure Brother Ye Sha away to deal with me."
The fifteen-year-old Liu Qing Mi smiled gently.
She said: "Do you even deserve to call Ye Sha 'Brother'? In the past, you injured my hand. I spoke to you then, and you understood… I knew then that you were unusual. But Young General Ye was bewitched by you, always believing you, to the point of not believing us, who grew up with him since childhood…
"Because of you, he disregarded our affection, refused to marry me, refused to accept dual cultivation, refused to do anything for Liuye City… He became unlike himself, and I was very sad."

Liu Qing Mi walked forward.
Behind her followed some people.
Those people were divine maidens and heavenly officials invited by the Liu Family from the Witch God Palace. They wore veiled hats, yet they clearly saw through Di Ying’s foundation.
They told Liu Qing Mi: "She is not a demon. But her presence by Young General Ye’s side is a variable; she will change everything."
Liu Qing Mi lowered her eyes.
She bowed to the divine maidens and heavenly officials, gently saying: "Please, heavenly officials and divine maidens, for my Liuye City, for the foul ghost tide, kill her."

--
Di Ying retreated step by step.
In this icy world, these people whom Ye Sha trusted, wanted to kill her.
Di Ying: "You shouldn't do this…"
…Senior Brother would be sad.
Senior Brother would definitely be very sad.
Betrayal happened in reality, why must it also happen in the illusion?
Why must Ye Sha face such a choice?
Di Ying was anxious for them.
She didn't want to be enemies with Ye Sha’s parents, didn't want to be enemies with Liuye City, didn't want to be enemies with Liu Qing Mi, didn't want to harm anyone Ye Sha cherished… The heavenly officials and divine maidens of the Witch God Palace pressured her. Anxious and confused, Di Ying couldn't persuade them. She stood up and leaped onto the rooftop, wanting to escape this place.
The heavenly officials and divine maidens: "Pursue!"

--
That night, Ye Sha fought a bloody battle on the battlefield. Di Ying was forced outside the city, with nowhere to retreat.
Ye Sha’s parents and Liu Qing Mi followed her all the way.
Seeing that this woman actually fought against the heavenly officials and divine maidens of the Witch God Palace, they were terrified, thinking she had bewitched Ye Sha.
Ye Sha’s parents’ eyes flashed with fear and disgust: "Miss Liu, quickly tell the adults of the Witch God Palace to kill her! Only by killing her can our Ye Sha…"
Ice and snow fell on Di Ying’s face.
She had no way out.
She looked up at the midnight sky, the snow falling heavily.
Her retreat was blocked. Her cultivation was originally suppressed by the illusion. Two hours quickly passed. After turning into a cat, she could only wait for death.
She wouldn't die.
She couldn't die.
She had the Heart-Bonding Array on her.
If she faced a mortal predicament, her Senior Brother would surely sense it, and her Senior Brother would block death for her… But in this illusion, her Senior Brother was just a mortal. If he blocked a calamity for her, Brother Ye Sha would die.
Several people said: "Demoness, why don't you surrender!"

--
That night, Liuye City and the other cities achieved a great victory in battle.
After the victory, a sense of unease rose in Ye Sha’s heart. He left the battlefield, quickly galloping back to the city, wanting to share the joy of victory with his family at the first opportunity, wanting to find Di Ying, wanting to see her…
The horse neighed loudly.
He dismounted and rushed into the courtyard.
The young man ran swiftly, his voice loud: "Little Ying! Little Ying—"
The courtyard was silent.
The midnight was chilling.
A sudden pang of rapid heartbeat. He clutched his heart, his face pale, his back hunched.

--
Forced outside the city, Di Ying was sealed under ice by the people of the Witch God Palace.
She voluntarily allowed herself to be sealed.
Only if she didn't die would he not sense it, would he not be hurt.
But as she was being sealed, Di Ying pleaded with them: "Let me write a letter to Brother Ye Sha, otherwise he will definitely look for me."
She, for once, understood. In the snow, her trembling hand wiped away blood, and she wrote a few words for him, as a farewell: "I'm going to find my Senior Brother."
Ice and snow buried the vibrant young girl.
In the last moment, Di Ying’s eyes looked at the midnight snow. She thought, fortunately, this was just an illusion.
Ye Sha would soon forget her.
It would be good when the dream ended.
Really.
There wasn't enough time for Brother Ye Sha to grow up and become Jiang Xue He.
Nor was there enough time to wait for the Lantern Festival, to go out and play with Brother Ye Sha, and hear his question.
The gradual approach died prematurely halfway, truly.