Chapter 73: The Reason
With the Sword Saint’s residence becoming increasingly lively, the Demon Lord’s jealousy intensified.
No matter how much she gritted her teeth, the number of people surrounding Luo Nianshang didn’t decrease. But she couldn’t express her true feelings.
How could she say, “My feelings for you are real”?
Luo Nianshang would surely reject her. How could she make that cold and distant woman open her heart?
The Demon Lord was troubled. Her frustration led her to devour all the ripe spirit fruits in the courtyard, leaving only unripe ones behind.
She tossed the last fruit core out of the courtyard, sighing. “This is boring.”
Bai Jingxue, overhearing her, looked up, amused by the Demon Lord’s listless demeanor.
She still couldn’t understand the Demon Lord’s true intentions. She hadn’t tried to poison Luo Nianshang yet.
He Rong was napping at the table. Since Luo Nianshang had brought her here, the little girl’s life had been filled with homework.
But she had no interest in studying. No matter how energetic she was, the moment she touched a book, her eyelids would droop, and she would fall asleep.
When it was time to submit her assignments, she would simply ask Jwan Jwan to copy them for her.
Lü Qingyan, returning from her trip, settled beside Bai Jingxue. She had been frequenting the Spring Snow Sect, hoping to learn from Zhu Chi, but Zhu Chi was absent today, so she had returned early.
Seeing He Rong, who seemed to have been asleep for a long time, Lü Qingyan couldn’t resist poking her cheek. He Rong, disturbed, swatted Lü Qingyan’s hand away.
Lü Qingyan, finding this amusing, continued poking He Rong until the girl, annoyed, buried her face in her arms.
“Hahaha, she’s just like me,” Lü Qingyan chuckled.
Bai Jingxue glanced at her, shaking her head. “You’re proud of that?”
Lü Qingyan grinned. “I had no motivation back then. I had no expectations for the future.”
She had been simple-minded. She knew her family would take care of her, even if she didn’t study. Good grades hadn’t mattered to her.
She remembered her first year of high school. She had slept through every exam, not even bothering to write her name, effortlessly achieving the lowest score in the entire school.
She had become infamous, but her homeroom teacher had nearly had a heart attack.
Her parents, however, hadn’t wanted their daughter to be a disgrace. They had hired countless tutors, but she hadn’t taken any of them seriously.
Then, during her final year of high school, Bai Jingxue had entered her life, and she had found her first true goal.
She wanted to get into the same university as Bai Jingxue. She wanted to be Bai Jingxue’s girlfriend.
Young love was pure and innocent. As long as two people loved each other, it seemed like nothing could stand in their way.
Lü Qingyan had believed in that illusion for a long time, but after graduating, she had realized that reality was far more complicated.
She hadn’t expected her parents to confront Bai Jingxue’s family. When it had happened, she had rushed to find Bai Jingxue.
She had searched everywhere, finally finding her on the bridge they often visited.
The summer breeze had been warm, the river below rushing, and Bai Jingxue, turning to face her, her eyes red from crying… it was a sight Lü Qingyan would never forget.
Bai Jingxue, embarrassed by her tears, had quickly turned away, wiping her eyes. “You’re here,” she had said.
There had been no accusations, no anger, just her usual greeting, as if nothing had happened.
Lü Qingyan had never seen her cry before. Her strength was terrifying.
Unlike Lü Qingyan, who was still immature and naive, Bai Jingxue saw the world clearly, her rationality often overshadowing her emotions.
Being with Lü Qingyan had been the only time she had allowed her heart to rule her head.
Lü Qingyan, speechless, had stood beside Bai Jingxue, their gazes fixed on the scenery, the words she longed to say caught in her throat.
Finally, she had apologized, her head bowed. “I’m sorry.”
The wind had lifted Bai Jingxue’s long hair, revealing her delicate earlobes and the round earrings adorning them, a birthday gift from Lü Qingyan.
She had seen those earrings at the mall and had thought they would suit Bai Jingxue perfectly, but Bai Jingxue hadn’t had her ears pierced. She had hesitated, then bought them anyway.
Bai Jingxue had stared at her, her expression a mixture of amusement and gratitude. “Did you buy these because you want me to wear them?” she had asked.
She had nodded, her cheeks flushing.
Bai Jingxue had smiled, accepting the gift. Then, she had gotten her ears pierced and had worn the earrings.
The wind, tugging at Lü Qingyan’s hair, brought her back to the present. Their hair tangled together.
“Qingyan.”
“Yeah?”
Bai Jingxue’s voice, soft and hesitant, was almost lost in the wind. “Are you afraid of being with me?”
Lü Qingyan had shaken her head. “No.”
Bai Jingxue, her gaze fixed on the setting sun, the sky painted in hues of orange and red, her voice even softer, had said, “But I am.”
Lü Qingyan remembered the fear that had gripped her heart. She had never seen Bai Jingxue so vulnerable, so fragile.
Now, a similar fear tightened her chest. She reached out, grasping Bai Jingxue’s hand, her grip firm, her voice cheerful, trying to mask her anxiety. “Your hands are warm, Jingxue.”
Bai Jingxue tried to pull her hand away, but Lü Qingyan’s grip was strong. She looked up at Lü Qingyan, her brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
Lü Qingyan couldn’t reveal her true feelings. Those memories were too painful for Bai Jingxue. It was better to forget.
She took Bai Jingxue’s other hand, her smile mischievous. “I’m just taking advantage of you,” she said.
Bai Jingxue, her gaze narrowed with suspicion, then withdrew her hands. “You little pervert,” she said, rolling her eyes.
The Demon Lord, watching them, her teeth grinding, was convinced that they were in love.
“Damn it,” she thought. “Even cats and dogs can find love, but why can’t I be with Luo Nianshang, even though we’re the same species?!”
But then she remembered that Zhu Chi and that little whale demon weren’t the same species either. Perhaps interspecies relationships were the key to happiness?
She tapped her chin, her desperate heart clinging to any hope, no matter how absurd.
A brilliant idea struck her.
“Hey, everyone!” she shouted, her voice cheerful. “I found a great place that might help with your cultivation! Want to go?”
Ying’s voice reached them from afar.
Lü Qingyan, still wary of the pink dragon, quickly hid her tail, her head bowed in silence.
Bai Jingxue, amused by Lü Qingyan’s sudden obedience, replied, “Sure. Where is it?”
Ying appeared at the doorway, clad in silver armor, her usually loose hair tied back in a ponytail. She looked rather heroic.
But still flamboyant.
Bai Jingxue raised an eyebrow. “Why are you dressed like that?”
Ying, ignoring Lü Qingyan, who was pretending to be a statue, settled down beside her, nearly giving the dog a heart attack.
“I found an unclaimed secret realm,” Ying said, her voice filled with excitement. “I checked it out. The monsters inside respawn infinitely. You two lack combat experience. It’s the perfect place to practice.”
Bai Jingxue’s eyes lit up. “Where is it?”
Ying, pleased by her interest, said, “It’s a bit far, but you can ride me there.”
Bai Jingxue hesitated. Dragons were noble and proud creatures. Riding one seemed disrespectful.
And why was this pink dragon so casual? She lacked the typical dragon temperament.
But riding a dragon… it sounded rather impressive. She was torn.
Ying, unaware of her concerns, urged her, “So, are you coming? If you are, then get ready. We’re leaving soon.”
Bai Jingxue, her desire for power overriding her hesitation, nodded. But she couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you being so nice to us?”
Ying had found her through a dream after a single encounter, then had plucked out her own scales without hesitation.
She had been spending her days exploring the area, clearly for their benefit.
Bai Jingxue didn’t believe in unconditional kindness. She needed a reason.
Ying blinked, confused. “Huh?”
She thought for a moment, then smiled. “Because you’re both adorable and fluffy,” she said.
What kind of reason was that?!
Ying, ignoring Bai Jingxue’s shock, suddenly slapped her forehead. “Oh, right! Do you still have those dragon scales I gave you?” she asked. “They’re great for cultivation. If you’ve used them all, I can pluck out some more.”
She transformed her hand into a dragon claw, preparing to pull out more scales.
Bai Jingxue quickly stopped her. “No, thank you!”
Ying, assuming she was simply being polite, chuckled. “Even if you don’t need them, Mao Mao probably does,” she said. “Let me pluck out a few. It doesn’t hurt.”
Lü Qingyan, her tail bristling, jumped to her feet, her posture rigid. “I don’t want them!”
Ying, rejected by both of them, looked a bit hurt. She transformed her claw back into a hand, her voice laced with disappointment. “You’re rejecting me?”
Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan sighed with relief.
They were determined to embark on this training journey. They needed to pack their belongings and inform Luo Nianshang.
But Luo Nianshang was nowhere to be found. Bai Jingxue decided to leave a note.
She finished writing the note, placing it in Luo Nianshang’s room, then turned, only to find the Sword Saint standing behind her. Her tail bristled, her heart pounding.
She relaxed, recognizing Luo Nianshang. “Venerable One, I…”
“I know,” Luo Nianshang interrupted. “Go.”
Bai Jingxue, though relieved to have received permission, noticed the strange expression on Luo Nianshang’s face.
She took a few steps, then turned back, her brow furrowed with confusion, but Luo Nianshang had already entered her room, closing the door, shutting out both Bai Jingxue and the Demon Lord, who had been hoping to curry favor.
Bai Jingxue, staring at the Demon Lord, who was now sulking in a corner, felt a surge of confusion.
Ying’s voice reached her ears. “Are you ready?”
Bai Jingxue turned, her voice bright. “Coming!”
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