Chapter 34: The Wolf Pack
Bai Jingxue searched the novel for useful information, recalling that the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, after divining the male lead’s destiny as the Child of Destiny, had become his loyal followers.
They had showered him with resources, treasures, and even beautiful women, including the pavilion master’s own daughter.
Could this be the male lead’s doing?
The bell around her neck shimmered, and Luo Nianshang’s voice echoed in their minds.
“I’m fine. Leave this place.”
As Bai Jingxue had suspected, Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord had deliberately allowed themselves to be captured, hoping to uncover the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion’s motives.
Since Luo Nianshang had instructed them to leave, Bai Jingxue tugged Lü Qingyan away.
Lü Qingyan, worried that the cat might tire easily, slowed her pace. She remembered Bai Jingxue’s lack of athleticism in their past life.
During a physical education class in college, their instructor had asked them to perform sit-ups. Everyone else had managed a decent number, but Bai Jingxue had struggled to do two in a minute, even pulling a muscle in the process.
Lü Qingyan had never seen anyone so physically weak. Knowing that Bai Jingxue was sensitive about it, she had never brought it up again, pretending it hadn’t happened.
But that was their past life. In this life, Bai Jingxue had a different body, a body capable of sending people flying with a single strike.
Lü Qingyan didn’t even dare to wag her tail.
Bai Jingxue, oblivious to the dog’s thoughts, was still preoccupied with the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion and the male lead. She couldn’t calm her mind.
Her life had been so peaceful lately that she had forgotten about the greatest threat. It wasn’t the male lead himself she feared, but the world’s favoritism towards him.
Based on their recent encounters, this favoritism seemed less potent than in the original story, but what if she was wrong?
She looked up at the sky, her eyes filled with worry.
Lü Qingyan, feeling that her current size might be uncomfortable for Bai Jingxue, expanded her body.
“Is this better, Jingxue?” she asked.
Bai Jingxue, nestled on the dog’s back, had to admit it was rather comfortable.
Lü Qingyan, pampered by Fu Yuan’s delicious food, had gained some weight. Her fur was soft and warm.
Bai Jingxue’s thoughts drifted to her soft, comfortable bed from her past life. She had been sleeping in a cat bed since her arrival in this world. It wasn’t terrible, but she missed her bed.
Her eyelids drooped, but she forced herself to stay awake, even if it meant keeping them half-closed.
“You’re still as warm as you were in our past life,” she mumbled.
Lü Qingyan froze, her pace slowing. The cat had rarely mentioned their past life.
She didn’t want to disturb Bai Jingxue. “Of course,” she said, trying to contain her excitement. “You always called me your little sun.”
Little sun?
Bai Jingxue frowned, then mumbled, “Well, you’re a dog now.”
Lü Qingyan didn’t mind being a dog. She considered herself lucky. She had been picked up by the Demon Lord the moment she woke up in this world.
The Demon Lord might be eccentric and unpredictable, but she wasn’t interested in killing, unlike Luo Nianshang.
As long as Lü Qingyan didn’t provoke her, she was safe. And even if she did, as long as she didn’t cross the line, the Demon Lord wouldn’t retaliate.
She knew Bai Jingxue was in that hazy state between wakefulness and sleep. She slowed her pace even further, allowing the cat to rest.
They walked through the forest, the sounds of birdsong and running water filling the air, a soothing lullaby.
Dewdrops clung to Lü Qingyan’s fur. She wanted to shake them off, but she didn’t want to disturb Bai Jingxue.
Would the dew drops disrupt the cat’s sleep?
She tried to curl her tail over her back, hoping to create a makeshift blanket for Bai Jingxue, but it was impossible.
She sighed, carefully choosing a path where the grass wasn’t too wet.
“Jingxue, are you asleep?” she asked softly.
The cat didn’t respond. Only the sound of her soft, even breathing filled the air.
Lü Qingyan’s steps became even lighter. It was like being back in high school.
A day of studying was always exhausting, especially for Bai Jingxue, who was far more dedicated than their classmates.
Lü Qingyan always sat in the last row, the back door within easy reach. She had often snuck out during evening study hall, but not anymore.
The classroom was full, but no one spoke. Only the scratching of pens against paper broke the silence.
The blackboard at the back of the classroom had been wiped clean, replaced with a countdown to the college entrance exam, written in bold red characters.
She normally hated this oppressive atmosphere, but now, she twirled her pen between her fingers, accidentally dropping it.
No one even looked up. She had only been admitted to this elite class, filled with top students, thanks to her parents’ influence and financial contributions.
The homeroom teacher’s face suddenly appeared in the window beside her desk. He frowned at Lü Qingyan, who was clearly daydreaming, but he had long since given up on her.
Lü Qingyan picked up her pen and placed it on her desk.
Seats were assigned based on academic performance. She glanced towards the front of the classroom, towards the desk closest to the teacher’s podium, but the distance between them was vast, their view obstructed by other students.
She craned her neck, trying to get a better look. Bai Jingxue, her expression focused, her profile illuminated by the fluorescent lights, was beautiful, even without makeup.
The tedious task of studying suddenly became a little more bearable. Lü Qingyan looked down at the test papers on her desk, her mind rebelling against the thought of actually attempting them. But after a moment of internal struggle, she picked up her pen and began to work.
When class ended, they left together, the other students heading towards the dormitories, while they walked towards the school gate.
Lü Qingyan retrieved her bicycle from the shed, patting the back seat. “Hop on,” she said.
The wind whipped against their faces, and Lü Qingyan asked, “Are you cold?”
There was no answer, but she felt a warmth against her back. She turned to see Bai Jingxue leaning against her.
Falling asleep on a bicycle was dangerous. Lü Qingyan pulled over, wanting to wake Bai Jingxue, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
They hadn’t gone far. She carefully got off the bicycle, gently supporting Bai Jingxue, then locked the bicycle. She stood there for a moment, then, her heart pounding, she scooped Bai Jingxue into her arms.
Bai Jingxue was light. She shivered in the cool night air, burying her face against Lü Qingyan’s chest.
Lü Qingyan, the fearless rebel, blushed, her cheeks burning. She awkwardly draped her school jacket over Bai Jingxue, then glanced around nervously.
But the students had all returned to their dorms. There were no witnesses.
She let out a sigh of relief, then carried Bai Jingxue out of the school, her heart soaring.
The security guard stopped them, but after questioning Lü Qingyan, he let them pass.
Lü Qingyan carried Bai Jingxue all the way back to their apartment. She had to set Bai Jingxue down to unlock the door, and as Bai Jingxue leaned against her shoulder, Lü Qingyan felt like her heart would burst.
Nothing had changed. Jingxue was still the same sleepy Jingxue. So much had happened, but she had found her again.
A cuckoo bird perched on a tree branch, its distinctive call echoing through the forest. Lü Qingyan paused, watching it, then began to hum a cheerful tune.
She suddenly stopped, her ears drooping. “Did I wake Jingxue?” she whispered.
She clamped her mouth shut and continued walking, leading Bai Jingxue away from the chaos and danger.
She didn’t know that Bai Jingxue was actually awake. She had been pretending to sleep, observing Lü Qingyan. Her emerald eyes were filled with a mix of emotions.
Suddenly, she sensed a demonic aura. “Qingyan, hold your breath!” she hissed.
Lü Qingyan obeyed, though she didn’t understand why.
Bai Jingxue’s heart pounded in her chest. She forced herself to remain calm. She jumped down, scooping up some mud and smearing it on Lü Qingyan’s nose. “I saw a fly on your nose,” she said casually. “I was trying to wipe it off.”
Lü Qingyan, though puzzled, didn’t question it.
Bai Jingxue pointed towards a distant path. “I want to stay here for a bit,” she said. “There’s a river over there. Could you fetch me some water?”
Lü Qingyan readily agreed. This was their usual dynamic. Except, it only happened when Bai Jingxue was suffering from menstrual cramps. Normally, Bai Jingxue would handle such tasks herself.
“Do cats even get cramps?” Lü Qingyan wondered. This was beyond her knowledge.
She set off, glancing back every few steps, worried that Bai Jingxue might disappear. Only when she confirmed that the cat was still there did she relax.
The moment Lü Qingyan was out of sight, Bai Jingxue turned and ran in the opposite direction.
The path Lü Qingyan had taken was unlikely to leave any tracks, but Bai Jingxue deliberately chose the softest ground, her paws sinking into the mud, her movements creating a rustling sound as she brushed against the foliage.
She sensed the demonic aura following her, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and relief.
She had analyzed the left envoy’s words and had concluded that the male lead had been involved in their capture. She hadn’t expected to encounter danger again so soon.
She tried to use the bell to contact Luo Nianshang, but it wouldn’t activate.
Desperate, she crushed the bell in her paw.
Silence. Nothing happened. Then, she was surrounded.
The male lead and his subordinates had intercepted her. Seeing that she was alone, the male lead’s expression darkened.
Bai Jingxue hissed, her fur bristling.
Her suspicions had been correct. Sending Lü Qingyan away had been the right decision. She had run fast, putting some distance between herself and their previous location.
The male lead clearly possessed some kind of advantage. Perhaps their previous failure had prompted them to study the bell.
“Where is the dog?” he demanded.
Bai Jingxue glared at him, then unleashed a burst of fire, scorching his hair.
She had aimed for his head, but only his hair had been affected. “Thick-skinned, as always,” she thought.
“You little beast!”
He raised his sword, about to strike, and Bai Jingxue, her body frozen, realized she couldn’t move.
Her journey in this world was probably over. She was a useless transmigrator.
But at least she had protected Qingyan. She hoped her corpse wouldn’t be found. The silly dog would be devastated.
Well, it wasn’t about the dog seeing her corpse. She simply wanted to maintain her dignity.
Suddenly, the entire mountain shook, the tremor so powerful that the male lead stumbled, his sword clattering to the ground as he struggled to regain his balance.
“What’s happening?” he shouted, his voice laced with panic.
His subordinates pointed towards the mountaintop, their eyes wide with terror.
The male lead turned, his breath catching in his throat.
Dogs! So many dogs! No, wait! They were spirit wolves!
Lü Qingyan, perched atop the alpha wolf’s head, waved her paws excitedly. “Don’t harm the cat!” she shouted. “I’m here to save you, Jingxue!”
Bai Jingxue stared at the approaching wolves, her mind short-circuiting.
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