Category: I Am the Female Lead’s Cat

Chapter 41: Cultivation

After deliberately letting the dog escape, the Demon Lord felt a profound sense of emptiness. She had always lived this way, alone and isolated, yet now, she felt a strange loneliness.

She scoffed, her thoughts echoing in the silence of the chamber. “How pathetic,” she muttered.

The left envoy, hearing her unexpected utterance, cautiously reminded her, “Your Excellency, Lin’an and Fu Yue have rejected Que City’s invitation.”

The memory of the Demon Lord’s ascension was still fresh in their minds. Those who harbored resentment towards her wouldn’t dare to act rashly.

Especially Lin’an City. It was the place where the Demon Lord had risen to power, capturing the then-city lord and immersing him in a vat of poison, carefully controlling the dosage, forcing him to endure the agonizing sensation of his flesh dissolving, inch by inch, unable to die.

That brutal act had instilled a deep fear in the hearts of Lin’an City’s residents. They wouldn’t dare to defy her.

But the Demon Lord wanted them to rebel.

“How is the Sword Saint’s disciple recruitment progressing?” she asked, her voice laced with a hint of amusement.

The left envoy had noticed her lord’s unusual interest in Luo Nianshang’s disciple recruitment. But it was understandable. The Sword Saint was the most powerful figure in the righteous realm. It was only natural to keep tabs on her activities.

“The final stage is tomorrow, Your Excellency,” the left envoy reported. “The chosen disciples will be officially announced.”

The Demon Lord twirled the two bells in her hand, their pure, untainted aura a stark contrast to the heavy demonic energy pervading the Demon Palace. She smiled, her gaze fixed on the bells.

“Then I shall pay the Sword Saint a visit tomorrow,” she said.

Luo Nianshang, unaware of the Demon Lord’s impending visit, was engrossed in her cultivation practice.

Lü Qingyan, lying on the floor, stared at the Sword Saint’s beautiful face, her brow furrowed in thought.

How do you make an iron tree bloom? That was the question plaguing her.

If only this world had internet access. She would have posted her dilemma on a forum, seeking advice.

She knew Jingxue had given her an impossible task, but she refused to give up.

In their past life, she had managed to get into the same university as Bai Jingxue within a year. She had barely scraped by, but she had made it.

The power of love was undeniable. Jingxue had said she wanted the Demon Lord and the Sword Saint to get along, to become at least casual friends.

The Demon Lord’s actions were always driven by hidden motives. If she revealed the Demon Lord’s tragic past to Luo Nianshang, the Sword Saint would surely feel sympathy. Problem solved!

Lü Qingyan’s excitement grew as she imagined Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord setting aside their differences, becoming friends, and then, she, Lü Qingyan, would finally win Bai Jingxue’s heart.

She giggled to herself, lost in her fantasy.

Luo Nianshang opened her eyes, her gaze falling upon the dog’s face, contorted in a rather unsettling grin. She blinked, then rubbed her eyes, looking again.

Yep, still creepy.

She had been happy to see Lü Qingyan return, assuming her disciple would be with her. But the dog had arrived alone.

Although Lü Qingyan couldn’t speak, she clearly understood human language.

Luo Nianshang would ask a question, and the dog would nod or shake her head. Through this method, she had learned about her disciple’s recent activities.

She was relieved to hear that Hong Ying’s cultivation was progressing smoothly, but she also missed her.

She couldn’t help but confide in the dog.

“When do you think she’ll be back?”

Lü Qingyan, remembering the Demon Lord’s words, barked.

Luo Nianshang, unable to understand, assumed the dog was trying to comfort her. She felt a surge of warmth.

She patted Lü Qingyan’s head, then her brow furrowed, her expression turning serious. “Have you practiced your cultivation today?”

Lü Qingyan’s cheerful demeanor vanished. She nudged Luo Nianshang’s hand with her nose, hoping to charm her way out of trouble.

She had no time for cultivation. Ever since Jingxue had given her that ridiculous condition, she had been obsessed with finding a way to make those two sworn enemies fall in love.

Cultivation had been relegated to the bottom of her priority list.

Luo Nianshang knew the dog was slacking off, but she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t exactly punish a dog.

She stared at Lü Qingyan’s pitiful, apologetic face, then sighed, unable to be harsh.

“What am I going to do with you?” she muttered, patting Lü Qingyan’s head.

Lü Qingyan wagged her tail, then dashed out of the chamber.

She followed Bai Jingxue’s scent, finding her practicing her cultivation. Seeing the cat open her eyes, she wagged her tail excitedly.

Bai Jingxue noticed that Lü Qingyan’s cultivation hadn’t progressed much. She wanted to ignore her, but if this continued, Lü Qingyan would be stuck as a dog forever.

“Aren’t you supposed to be cultivating?” she asked.

Lü Qingyan, surprised that the topic of conversation hadn’t changed, mumbled, “I’ll practice later.”

Those words were all too familiar. Bai Jingxue had heard them countless times when she had first started tutoring Lü Qingyan.

What had she done back then? She had refused to sleep until Lü Qingyan finished her homework.

It had been a surprisingly effective method. After three sleepless nights, Lü Qingyan had never forgotten her homework again.

Bai Jingxue had initially assumed Lü Qingyan had simply given in to exhaustion, but she had gradually realized that it was because Lü Qingyan cared about her well-being.

That seemingly carefree, goofy girl had a surprisingly tender heart. It had taken Bai Jingxue an entire year to recognize the depth of Lü Qingyan’s quiet, unwavering love.

Memories softened the heart. Bai Jingxue couldn’t allow Lü Qingyan to be so lazy.

She placed a paw on Lü Qingyan’s head, her voice firm. “Remember how I made you do your homework in our past life?”

Lü Qingyan shuddered. She hadn’t cared about college, so she hadn’t bothered with homework.

But her new tutor had been incredibly serious. After two attempts at slacking off, Lü Qingyan had found herself facing a sleepless tutor, her own sleep deprived as a result. Lack of sleep had made it difficult to focus in class.

Lü Qingyan had simply slept through the lectures, but Bai Jingxue couldn’t do that. She had endured, her head heavy with exhaustion.

Although Lü Qingyan had struggled academically, she wasn’t a bad person. She knew how important education was to Bai Jingxue.

She hadn’t wanted to ruin Bai Jingxue’s future, especially not when Bai Jingxue was so brilliant.

And she couldn’t bear to see the exhaustion etched on Bai Jingxue’s pale, thin face.

The memory brought a grimace to Lü Qingyan’s face. “You’re not going to use yourself as a hostage again, are you?” she asked, her voice filled with dread.

Bai Jingxue shook her head, her smile gentle. “Of course not,” she said. “This is a different life. I’ve changed.”

Lü Qingyan sighed with relief. “That’s good.”

Bai Jingxue’s smile widened, her eyes gleaming with a strange intensity. Lü Qingyan suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.

“I’m not human anymore,” Bai Jingxue said, her voice soft and menacing. “I can be far more ruthless than I was in our past life. Are you going to cultivate, or not?”

Lü Qingyan, defeated, lowered her head. “Fine, I’ll cultivate,” she mumbled.

Bai Jingxue, pleased, settled down to supervise.

Seeing that the dog was finally focusing, she resumed her own cultivation practice.

When they opened their eyes again, the night sky was ablaze with stars.

Lü Qingyan, standing by the entrance, gazed at the stars, then turned to Bai Jingxue, her tail wagging. “Jingxue, let’s go stargazing!”

Bai Jingxue stretched, but before she could finish her yawn, Lü Qingyan grabbed the bell on her collar, dragging her outside.

Reaching the roof wasn’t difficult, but they discovered that the best stargazing spot was already occupied by Luo Nianshang.

It didn’t matter. They were just a cat and a dog. They could use the most powerful Sword Saint in the world as a footstool.

Lü Qingyan, however, seemed a bit too comfortable.

“Couldn’t you sit somewhere else?” Luo Nianshang asked the dog, who had settled on her head.

Lü Qingyan wagged her tail, ignoring her.

Luo Nianshang, seeing that they were alone, let it go. She remembered the dog perching on the Demon Lord’s head.

Why was she thinking about the Demon Lord on such a beautiful night?

She patted the cat, who was curled up on her lap, her voice filled with approval. “You’ve stabilized your cultivation at the Foundation Establishment stage so quickly,” she said. “Well done.”

Bai Jingxue meowed, then resumed her stargazing.

Cultivating in this cat body was surprisingly effortless. At this rate, she estimated she would reach the Golden Core stage within two months.

Progress would slow down after that, but she was still optimistic.

After Golden Core came Nascent Soul, and after Nascent Soul, she could finally transform back into a human.

She wagged her tail, her mood light, then glanced towards the neighboring courtyard.

Fu Yuan had moved next door after they had relocated to this palace.

However, Fu Yuan seemed to be absent tonight. Only the two children were there.

Bai Jingxue usually avoided those two little terrors, but without Fu Yuan’s supervision, they couldn’t possibly be this quiet.

She glanced at them, her curiosity piqued.

She immediately regretted it.

“Meow!” she shrieked, leaping from the roof and dashing into the courtyard.

Lü Qingyan, seeing the cat run, followed, barking. “Jingxue, wait for me!”

She caught up to Bai Jingxue, only to find two small heads sticking out of the ground.

It was a rather unsettling sight under the moonlight.

Luo Nianshang, arriving a moment later, struggled to maintain her composure. “He Rong, Jwan Jwan, what are you doing?”

He Rong sneezed, her voice muffled. “We’re having a contest,” she said. “We buried ourselves. I bet I’ll be taller tomorrow. Jwan Jwan doesn’t believe me.”

Luo Nianshang pulled them out of the ground. “Stop being silly,” she said. “Go to bed.”

Lü Qingyan, watching the scene unfold, rolled on the ground, laughing. “What was that about, Jingxue?”

Bai Jingxue sighed. He Rong had a strange obsession with burying things.

“She believes that anything you bury will grow into a tree,” Bai Jingxue explained. “Fu Yuan scolded her for burying things, so she started doing it when Fu Yuan wasn’t looking.”

“The last time, she buried a roasted chicken. She dug a really deep hole. Something ate the chicken, but Fu Yuan found the oiled paper and spanked her.”

Lü Qingyan, initially amused, suddenly froze.

“Where did they bury the chicken?” she asked, her paw resting on Bai Jingxue’s tail.

Bai Jingxue, oblivious to the dog’s sudden anxiety, replied, “At the foot of the mountain, near the protective formation.”

Lü Qingyan’s face fell. She wasn’t laughing anymore.

Chapter 40: Reunion

Ever since his last failure, the male lead had been holed up in Que City, nursing his wounds.

The mysterious demonic cultivator who had been aiding him was now in a deep slumber, leaving him to fend for himself. He couldn’t understand why a mere cat and dog were proving so difficult to kill.

But this only solidified his belief that they were obstacles hindering his destined rise to power. As he pondered this, the pain in his leg intensified.

He cried out, wanting to sever the limb.

Su Yunluo, entering the room with a bowl of medicine, witnessed his self-destructive impulse. She flicked her wrist, sending his sword clattering to the ground, her voice laced with annoyance. “What are you doing, my husband?”

Su Yunluo was the former city lord of Que City. Although the male lead was now the nominal ruler, she still held the true power.

He wanted to lash out, but he was a master of opportunism. He knew he still needed Su Yunluo. He forced a pained expression, his voice weak. “The wolf venom hasn’t been purged,” he said. “It’s spreading. It would be best to amputate the leg.”

He had no intention of sacrificing his leg. He was simply desperate for relief from the pain. He remembered Su Yunluo’s ability to regrow his severed arm, and a glimmer of hope sparked in his eyes.

Su Yunluo suppressed a sigh of disgust. She gently coaxed him, dissuading him from his self-destructive impulses.

Since his rebirth, nothing had gone according to plan. Now, lying in a luxurious bed, pampered by a beautiful woman, a flicker of genuine emotion, perhaps even gratitude, stirred within his villainous heart.

Of course, this sentiment was fleeting. He was, at his core, a despicable creature.

Seeing Su Yunluo about to leave, he grabbed her hand, his voice filled with false promises. “Yun’er, when I become the Demon Lord, you will be my queen.”

Su Yunluo discreetly withdrew her hand, her voice gentle. “Whether I’m your queen or not doesn’t matter, my husband,” she said. “As long as I’m by your side. Now, rest.”

The moment she left his room, her expression transformed, her gentle mask replaced by a cold fury. She scrubbed at her hand, as if trying to erase the feeling of his touch.

Finally, she composed herself, resuming her usual graceful demeanor.

She now resided in a side chamber on the east side of the city lord’s manor, far from the male lead’s main residence. He had initially questioned this arrangement, but she had easily deflected his inquiries.

She entered her chamber, closing the doors and windows. The room was poorly lit, shrouded in shadows even during the day.

Only in this darkness could she think clearly.

“City Lord.”

Su Yunluo looked up, her gaze fixed on the shadowy figure standing in the dim light.

She rubbed her temples, not bothering to correct the title. “What news from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion?”

“They advise against it.”

Su Yunluo’s face contorted with rage, then smoothed into a mask of composure. “Tell them I intend to proceed, regardless of their counsel,” she said, her voice cold. “Let them reconsider their position.”

“Yes, City Lord.”

The figure vanished, leaving Su Yunluo alone in the silence.

Ever since she had learned of the male lead’s destiny as the Child of Destiny, she had plotted to steal his fortune. She had befriended him, showering him with kindness, even allowing him to become the nominal ruler of Que City.

But as she had gotten to know him, she had begun to doubt the accuracy of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion’s divination. Could this pathetic excuse for a cultivator truly be the chosen one?

The doubt gnawed at her, but there was no one to answer her questions.

The male lead, however, had created a mess she couldn’t easily clean up. Even if she killed him now, it wouldn’t solve anything. The Demon Lord, that ruthless woman, wouldn’t let her escape.

“That lowly medicine slave,” she thought, her anger simmering. “I should have crushed her when I had the chance.”

She had encountered the Demon Lord during her time as a medicine slave. Qiu Yingxi had been unkempt, her body covered in bruises from the experimental drugs she had been forced to consume. Her true beauty had been hidden beneath layers of grime and pain.

There had been countless slaves like her. Qiu Yingxi had been unremarkable.

No one had imagined that this insignificant medicine slave would one day become the most feared being in the Demon Realm.

Su Yunluo cursed her fate, her anger slowly subsiding.

---

Meanwhile, the “feared” Demon Lord stared at her dog, her expression a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

If she had to describe her current emotional state, it would be “regret.” This damn dog, as if a switch had been flipped, was obsessed with spinning.

She pushed the enthusiastic dog away, sighing. “Why can’t you be as well-behaved as the Sword Saint’s cat?”

Lü Qingyan, hearing the mention of the cat, instantly deflated.

Her enthusiasm vanished as quickly as it had appeared. She retreated to her bed, her backside facing the Demon Lord, whimpering softly.

The Demon Lord, realizing her mistake, scratched her head. “Just be patient,” she said. “It’ll be soon. I promise.”

Lü Qingyan turned, her eyes narrowed, then turned away again.

The Demon Lord chuckled. She crouched beside the dog bed, poking Lü Qingyan’s back playfully. “Where did you get such a temper, you little dog?”

Lü Qingyan inched away, avoiding the Demon Lord’s touch, then snorted, her disdain evident.

The Demon Lord was surprised by her own patience. She hadn’t turned the dog into stew yet.

She shook her head, smiling, then summoned her left envoy and left to drown her sorrows in alcohol.

The left envoy, seeing the sulking dog, smiled. “Did you anger Her Excellency again?”

Lü Qingyan wagged her tail.

The left envoy, unsure how to describe her current emotions, deviated from their usual routine. She usually focused on teaching the dog cultivation techniques.

She glanced towards the door, her voice laced with a hint of melancholy. “But since you arrived, Her Excellency has been much happier.”

Lü Qingyan’s ears perked up. She finally faced the left envoy, her gaze curious.

This new left envoy, Mo Li, was clearly loyal to the Demon Lord. In the original story, the Demon Lord had never had any truly loyal followers.

“Woof?”

The left envoy, seeing the curiosity in the dog’s eyes, smiled gently. The mask concealed her expression, but her eyes conveyed warmth and kindness.

“Are you curious about Her Excellency?”

No, Lü Qingyan knew the Demon Lord quite well. She was more interested in the characters who hadn’t appeared in the original story.

She shook her head, and they stared at each other for a long, awkward moment.

The left envoy suddenly remembered her purpose. She was here to teach the dog cultivation techniques. “Enough idle chatter,” she said, her voice still gentle, but the atmosphere had shifted, becoming more serious. “Time to practice.”

---

Meanwhile, at the Ejian Sect, Luo Nianshang was preparing to move.

She glanced around her chamber, her gaze lingering on the familiar surroundings, then, with a sigh, she left.

Bai Jingxue, perched on her shoulder, yawned.

Luo Nianshang, noticing the cat’s lethargy, said, “Even with cultivation, you need to rest.”

Bai Jingxue licked her paw, then jumped onto Luo Nianshang’s head, curling up there.

The Sword Saint, despite her obliviousness, realized this was rather undignified. She scooped up the cat, holding her close.

Bai Jingxue simply opened one eye, then closed it again.

Luo Nianshang squeezed the cat’s ear, and Bai Jingxue flicked it in response.

When they reached a more populated area, Luo Nianshang finally released Bai Jingxue, resuming her usual aloof expression.

Fu Yuan had already prepared their new residence. Calling it a “residence,” however, was an understatement. It was a palace.

Luo Nianshang was clearly stunned by the extravagant decor. She had specifically requested something simple. Was this the sect leader’s definition of “simple”?

“Disciple Fu Yuan greets Ancestor.”

Luo Nianshang, pushing aside her surprise, nodded curtly, then entered the palace.

Fu Yuan followed, acting as a tour guide, eagerly describing each room.

“This is the main hall.”

“This is the main bedroom. It’s for you, Ancestor.”

“This is the side bedroom. It’s for Junior Sister when she returns.”

“This is the cat’s room. And that room over there is for the dog.”

Bai Jingxue, who had been pretending to be asleep, opened her eyes at the mention of a “cat’s room,” then gasped.

This opulent, lavishly decorated room was for a cat?

She leaped from Luo Nianshang’s arms, staring at the spacious room, its furniture and decorations fit for royalty.

She felt a renewed appreciation for her decision to cling to Luo Nianshang’s thigh.

Luo Nianshang, who had been considering rejecting this extravagant gift, instantly changed her mind, seeing how much the cat loved it.

Bai Jingxue, her eyes gleaming with delight, rubbed against Luo Nianshang’s leg, purring loudly. If she could speak, she would have shouted “Sugar mama!”

“Wow, you little gold digger!”

Bai Jingxue’s fur bristled. She looked around, but there was no one there.

And that voice had clearly been Lü Qingyan’s.

She was hallucinating again.

“Jingxue! We’ll earn lots of money together and buy a big house!”

This was ridiculous. Why was her past life haunting her with surround sound?

Night fell, and Bai Jingxue, staring at her spacious room, felt a pang of loneliness. Something was missing.

She left the room, her mind restless, leaping onto the roof. She gazed at the moon, lost in thought.

“Jingxue! Jingxue! Open the door!”

Bai Jingxue sighed, rubbing her ears. “Not again,” she muttered.

“Jingxue! Jingxue! I’m at the foot of the mountain!”

Something was different this time. The phantom voice usually sounded as if someone was whispering directly into her ear, but this time, it was distant.

Lü Qingyan was really here!

Suddenly, the entire Ejian Sect was bathed in blinding light.

Disciples, their sleep and cultivation disrupted, stormed out of their chambers.

“Whose dog is this?!”

“Why is it barking in the middle of the night? I have early morning classes tomorrow!”

“I was about to reach the Nascent Soul stage in my dream! This dog ruined everything! Catch it!”

“Hey, doesn’t this dog look familiar?”

“All dogs look the same! Just catch it!”

Before Bai Jingxue could let Lü Qingyan in, the dog was captured by a group of angry disciples.

She had initially planned to teleport, but she realized that being caught was inevitable. She had given up.

The Ejian Sect, at least, was a righteous sect. The disciples, after capturing the dog, simply locked it in a room.

Once they were gone, Bai Jingxue leaped onto the windowsill, peering inside.

Lü Qingyan’s eyes lit up as she saw Bai Jingxue, her tail wagging furiously.

“Jingxue! I finally made it!”

Bai Jingxue, seeing the mud caked on her fur, felt a pang of sympathy. “Didn’t the Demon Lord forbid you from coming here?”

Lü Qingyan shook her head. “I missed you.”

Those three simple words were surprisingly powerful.

So powerful that Bai Jingxue almost said “I missed you too.”

She stared at the moon, unable to meet Lü Qingyan’s gaze. “Why are you doing this?” she asked, her voice soft. “We broke up.”

Lü Qingyan’s voice, cheerful and unwavering, echoed through the darkness. “I know,” she said. “That’s why I’m pursuing you.”

Bai Jingxue, after a long silence, leaped down from the windowsill, her voice firm. “If you can improve the relationship between the Demon Lord and the Sword Saint, I’ll agree to be with you.”

Lü Qingyan’s jaw dropped. She teleported out of the room, her voice filled with despair. “That’s impossible!”

She chased after Bai Jingxue, her tail wagging. “Can we renegotiate?”

…”Jingxue, wait for me!”

Chapter 39: Spinning

The Sword Saint’s seclusion had been unusually long this time, prompting frequent visits from Zhu Chi.

Perhaps because Zhu Chi was blind, Luo Nianshang felt less awkward around her.

However, the Sword Saint wasn’t a talkative person, so Zhu Chi always had to initiate the conversation.

Today’s topic was Luo Nianshang’s disciple recruitment.

Traditionally, when selecting disciples, cultivators prioritized talent and character. Character, however, could be faked. No one would declare “I’m a villain!” during such an important event.

Luo Nianshang’s approach seemed backward.

“Are you sure about this method?” Zhu Chi asked, her voice laced with concern.

Luo Nianshang, polishing her sword with a cloth, simply hummed in agreement.

Bai Jingxue, having completed her cultivation practice, emerged from the chamber, stretching languidly.

Luo Nianshang set aside her sword, scooping up the cat and placing her on her lap. She began to scratch Bai Jingxue’s chin.

Seeing the cat’s blissful expression, her eyes closed in contentment, she finally stopped.

Bai Jingxue, snapping out of her trance, mentally berated herself for her weakness. She tried to jump down, but Luo Nianshang held her back, petting her gently.

She gave up, resigning herself to her fate.

Her gaze fell upon Zhu Chi, her eyes veiled. She wondered why the sect leader of the Spring Snow Sect was always visiting the Ejian Sect. Did sect leaders and lords not have work to do?

Then she remembered the most idle individual of them all: the Demon Lord.

The Ejian Sect was the most powerful sect in the righteous realm, but it couldn’t directly command other sects.

The Demon Lord, however, was the ruler of an entire realm, her authority absolute.

And she had abandoned her responsibilities to become Luo Nianshang’s disciple.

Bai Jingxue still couldn’t comprehend the Demon Lord’s motives. The more she observed them, the more she was convinced that the Demon Lord was truly in love with Luo Nianshang.

But that was impossible. The majority of the battles in the original story had been between the female lead and the female antagonist. No matter how much this world had changed, Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord could never be together.

This was too much for her brain to handle. She decided to stop thinking about it.

Zhu Chi, despite her blindness, could still perceive blurry shapes through her spiritual vision.

She smiled, her gaze fixed on the fuzzy black shape in Luo Nianshang’s lap. “I never thought you would be fond of pets.”

Luo Nianshang paused in her petting. “I found her drowning in a lake,” she explained. “I simply saved her.”

Zhu Chi chuckled, her voice laced with admiration. “Ah, yes, simply saved her,” she said. “You’ve ‘simply saved’ countless people and animals, Venerable One. Do you remember them all?”

Luo Nianshang had lived for so long that the struggles of weaker beings seemed insignificant. She saved, but she didn’t remember.

Zhu Chi already knew the answer, but she had brought it up to help a certain someone.

She touched the veil covering her eyes, but there was no sensation, as if the flesh beneath was simply a sculpture. That was why it didn’t hurt.

She had long since grown accustomed to the darkness. As long as she was alive, she was content.

She closed her eyes, immersing herself in the familiar blackness. “I came to reminisce about old times,” she said, “and to offer a suggestion for your disciple recruitment.”

Luo Nianshang, intrigued, stopped petting the cat. “Tell me.”

Zhu Chi retrieved a scroll from her spatial ring, carefully unfurling it. “This is one of my disciples,” she said. “You saved her life during your second campaign against the Demon Lord. She traveled a great distance to seek you out as her master, but she was rejected due to her lack of talent. She eventually joined my sect as a servant disciple.”

Bai Jingxue’s ears twitched. She stood up, peering at the portrait.

The girl depicted in the painting was rather ordinary, clearly not someone who would have appeared in the original story. Bai Jingxue lost interest, settling back onto Luo Nianshang’s lap.

As Luo Nianshang and Zhu Chi discussed the disciple recruitment, Bai Jingxue seized the opportunity to escape.

As a weak and powerless cat, her freedom was limited. She needed to focus on her cultivation, to reach the stage where she could transform back into a human.

She returned to the chamber, her gaze falling upon the mountain of toys beside her bed. A few plush radishes were arranged neatly beside the pile.

A wave of sadness washed over her. She didn’t know why she had separated those particular toys.

Perhaps because they were Lü Qingyan’s favorites.

She had noticed that the phantom dog had vanished after she had separated the toys.

But sleep still eluded her. Whenever she closed her eyes, memories of her past life flooded her mind.

It hadn’t been a particularly memorable life.

But the memories were bittersweet, a mix of regret and fondness.

She couldn’t let go.

She sighed softly, carefully rearranging the plush radishes, only relaxing when they were perfectly aligned. She then curled up in her bed, resuming her cultivation practice.

“Stop thinking about her,” she told herself. “The Demon Lord wouldn’t mistreat the dog.”

With that comforting thought, she finally calmed her mind, focusing on her cultivation.

She was right. The Demon Lord’s tolerance for Lü Qingyan’s antics was surprisingly high. The Demon Palace had undergone a dozen redecorations in the past few days.

The attendants, who had initially chased Lü Qingyan around, now simply ignored her, even applauding her as she wreaked havoc. “Wow, Mao Mao, you’re so strong!”

Lü Qingyan, her anger deflated, had lost interest in destroying things.

The Demon Lord, having achieved her current position through her own efforts, followed a cultivation method that was only suitable for her. Besides, she was preoccupied with her own anxieties and the chaos in Que City. She had no time to teach a dog.

But as a responsible owner, she hadn’t neglected Lü Qingyan. She had appointed her left envoy as the dog’s temporary master.

The left envoy, despite her terrifying mask, was surprisingly gentle.

Her gentleness differed from Fu Yuan’s. Fu Yuan still possessed the impetuosity of youth. She could be easily provoked.

The left envoy’s emotions were always hidden, her expression unchanging, as if she were only capable of smiling.

Lü Qingyan was slightly afraid of her, so she obediently followed her instructions. However, some of the concepts were too complex. In the past, Bai Jingxue would have explained them to her. Now, she was on her own.

A fragrant aroma suddenly filled the bedchamber. Pink smoke swirled, then dissipated, revealing the Demon Lord.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glazed, her body reeking of alcohol.

Lü Qingyan covered her nose with her paws, backing away from the Demon Lord with a look of disgust.

The left envoy, seeing her lord return, bowed respectfully.

The Demon Lord waved a hand dismissively, settling down at her desk. “What’s the status of Que City?” she asked. “Has anyone made a move yet?”

“Lin’an and Fu Yue are showing signs of unrest,” the left envoy reported. “The other cities remain calm.”

The Demon Lord’s eyes narrowed, then she chuckled. “It seems the fire isn’t hot enough yet,” she said. “I need to add more fuel.”

Lü Qingyan, seeing the mischievous glint in the Demon Lord’s eyes, wanted to escape, but the Demon Lord caught her, scooping her up into her arms.

Seeing the dog covering its nose, the Demon Lord realized that she reeked of alcohol. She waved a hand, dispelling the scent, then held Lü Qingyan up, her voice laced with amusement. “How was your cultivation practice today?”

Lü Qingyan flinched, her ears and tail drooping. She couldn’t lie to the Demon Lord.

“You were progressing so quickly at the Ejian Sect,” the Demon Lord said, her brow furrowed. “What happened?”

Lü Qingyan was miserable. She couldn’t speak, so she simply stared at the Demon Lord with a pitiful expression.

The Demon Lord chuckled, setting her on the desk, then ruffled her fur. “Soon,” she said. “We’ll go back soon.”

Lü Qingyan tilted her head. “Woof?”

The Demon Lord glanced at the portrait hanging on the wall, her voice softening. “Back to the place you long for.”

Her voice was so soft, so fragile, like a feather caught in the wind, about to be swept away.

The left envoy, sensing her lord’s vulnerability, couldn’t help but say, “Your Excellency.”

The Demon Lord, startled, realized she wasn’t alone. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she had forgotten her envoy’s presence.

She chuckled, her expression turning serious. “Mo Li, I need you to do something for me.”

The left envoy, addressed by her true name, blinked, then dropped to her knees, her voice filled with fervor. “I will gladly do anything for you, Your Excellency!”

The Demon Lord stared at her, confused by her sudden outburst. She didn’t need such dramatic declarations.

“I simply need you to teach me about puppetry,” she said. “And I need one of those discarded puppets you have stationed in the righteous realm.”

Logically, shouldn’t her priority be the unrest in Que City? Why was she interested in a puppet hidden among the righteous cultivators?

The left envoy, unable to comprehend her lord’s motives, closed her eyes, then opened them again, her gaze filled with admiration.

“The Demon Lord’s thoughts are beyond our mortal comprehension,” she murmured.

The “great” Demon Lord, having acquired control of the puppet, was delighted.

Que City was a minor concern compared to Luo Nianshang’s disciple recruitment. In addition to the reports from her left envoy, she had been gathering information herself.

The demon cultivators hated Luo Nianshang for slaying their previous leaders. All the Demon Lord had to do was spend some time drinking at the brothels to overhear countless rumors.

That was how she had learned that Luo Nianshang had already chosen a disciple.

She had initially been jealous, but when she had learned the identity of the chosen disciple, she had almost burst out laughing. It was a puppet, a spy the Demon Realm had planted in the righteous realm.

However, this puppet had been abandoned long ago. They hadn’t used it to gather information in years.

Such a low-level puppet would have been easily exposed by Luo Nianshang, leading to further complications.

But not anymore.

The Demon Lord, overcome with joy, scooped up Lü Qingyan, spinning her around.

Lü Qingyan, dizzy, stumbled when she was set down, her legs unable to support her. She collapsed onto the floor, her belly hitting the ground with a thud.

The Demon Lord chuckled, then prepared to lie down.

She felt a tug on her robe and glanced down to see Lü Qingyan, her tail wagging, her body spinning in circles, as if trying to convey something.

The Demon Lord watched her, her amusement growing as the dog’s excitement turned into frustration. “Do you want to spin again?” she asked.

Lü Qingyan immediately sat down, her tail wagging obediently. She looked adorable.

And for that cuteness, the Demon Lord sacrificed an entire night’s sleep.

Chapter 38: Confession

The Sword Saint taking on new disciples was a momentous occasion, though Luo Nianshang herself didn’t see it that way.

She was currently focused on guiding Bai Jingxue’s cultivation. The cat, naturally gifted, had smoothly reached the Foundation Establishment stage under Luo Nianshang’s tutelage.

Bai Jingxue, sensing the steady flow of spiritual energy within her body, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction, was pleased.

She craved power. Strength would solve many of her problems.

Luo Nianshang was also pleased. “Little White, you’re so clever,” she said, a smile curving her lips. “What reward would you like?”

“Meow.”

Luo Nianshang realized, with a pang of embarrassment, that she couldn’t understand the cat. “You’ll be able to transform once you reach the Nascent Soul stage,” she said, patting Bai Jingxue’s head.

She couldn’t help but wonder, “What will Little White look like in human form?”

What would she look like? Bai Jingxue thought back to her past life. Her most notable assets had been her intelligence and her appearance.

She had always been cautious, distrustful of the world, believing that beauty was a dangerous trait.

She had kept her head down, avoiding attention.

As a result, during those formative years of adolescence, she had never received a single love letter.

Then, after the college entrance exam, she had found a long, heartfelt confession tucked into the pocket of her spare uniform. It had been signed “Lü Qingyan.”

Bai Jingxue would never forget the mix of emotions she had felt: the joy of being loved, the confusion that followed.

She had kept the letter, then continued with her life as if nothing had changed.

The end of the exams had also marked the end of her time in that city. She had two months to earn enough money for tuition before moving to another province.

She had packed her belongings, her suitcase surprisingly light, but the memories she was leaving behind felt heavy.

She couldn’t understand why anyone would love someone as awkward and introverted as her. She had wanted to escape.

As she had descended the stairs, a thought had struck her. Did she also have feelings for Lü Qingyan? Was that why she had felt such joy upon reading the confession?

Her mind a jumbled mess, she had quickened her pace. She usually took the bus, but she had hailed a taxi, then couldn’t help but glance back as she watched the city fade into the distance.

The taxi driver was a chatterbox, which was torture for Bai Jingxue.

“How did the exams go, young lady?”

Bai Jingxue, suppressing a sigh, replied, “They were okay.”

“Ah, well, it’s alright. Are you going home alone?”

He had asked because the streets were filled with private cars, parents picking up their children after the exams. Even those who couldn’t afford cars were waiting outside the exam hall.

He immediately realized his question had been insensitive. “Well, sometimes parents are busy,” he said, trying to recover.

Bai Jingxue forced a smile.

Her parents weren’t busy. They had simply forgotten that it was the last day of the exams. But she had long since abandoned any expectations from them.

They reached the bus station.

Bai Jingxue’s home was in the countryside. Buses there were infrequent. She waited for over forty minutes before boarding one.

She settled into a window seat at the back of the bus. Her phone vibrated, and she pulled it out. It was Lü Qingyan.

Her heart pounded. She almost dropped the phone. Answering would be awkward. They had both pretended the confession hadn’t happened.

After a moment of hesitation, she declined the call.

A message popped up on her phone.

[Lü Qingyan]: Jingxue, why did you hang up?

Lü Qingyan’s username wasn’t her real name, but Bai Jingxue had changed it in her contacts.

She hadn’t expected Lü Qingyan to contact her through messaging. She was about to delete Lü Qingyan’s contact when another message arrived.

[Lü Qingyan]: You left your wallet and ID card at my place!

Bai Jingxue froze, her finger hovering above the delete button. She frantically searched her bag, her heart sinking as she confirmed that her wallet was indeed missing.

She quickly asked the driver to stop, then rushed off the bus.

Panicked, she called Lü Qingyan. “Are you home?”

The background noise on the other end of the line was chaotic, as if Lü Qingyan were at a market.

Lü Qingyan chuckled. “Why are you in such a hurry?” she asked. “Is something chasing you?”

Bai Jingxue was speechless. The person “chasing” her was the one she was talking to. Lü Qingyan had written a confession, then pretended it hadn’t happened.

But since Lü Qingyan hadn’t brought it up, Bai Jingxue couldn’t initiate the conversation.

“Where are you?” she asked. “I need to get home.”

“Home?” Lü Qingyan said, surprised. “But the road to your village is under construction. It’s closed.”

This news was devastating. Bai Jingxue, usually calm and composed, raised her voice. “It’s under construction again?!”

That road was always under construction, constantly being closed and reopened.

“Yeah, I checked because I knew you were going home,” Lü Qingyan said. “It’s only accessible halfway. Don’t leave yet. I’ll take you home tomorrow.”

Bai Jingxue frowned. “How?”

“Hey, mister, these are all dead! Give me the fresh ones! Don’t try to cheat me just because I’m a girl! Huh? What did you say, Jingxue? It’s too noisy here.”

“I asked how you were going to take me home.”

“I’ll drive you on my motorcycle,” Lü Qingyan said, her voice muffled as she carried a bag of fresh shrimp out of the market.

Bai Jingxue hadn’t known Lü Qingyan could ride a motorcycle.

“Just stay one more night,” Lü Qingyan said. “I’ll make you dinner.”

“It’s settled then. Come back quickly.”

She hung up before Bai Jingxue could respond.

The bus had already traveled some distance. There were no buses available at this location. Bai Jingxue sighed, hailing a taxi back to the city.

The driver rolled down the window, and they both stared at each other, surprised.

The driver chuckled. “Looks like you’re bringing me good business today, young lady.”

Bai Jingxue forced a smile.

It was already dark when she returned to the apartment. She dragged her weary body up the stairs.

She placed her key in a spot where Lü Qingyan would find it, but before she could retrieve it, the door opened.

Lü Qingyan, wearing an apron, a spatula in her hand, greeted her with a smile.

She quickly disappeared into the kitchen, setting down the spatula and turning off the stove. She grabbed Bai Jingxue’s suitcase, pulling her inside.

“You’re just in time,” she said. “Dinner’s almost ready. Is there anything else you want to eat? I can’t cook it now, but I can order takeout.”

Bai Jingxue stared at the four dishes already on the table, her mind reeling. It felt like New Year’s Eve.

Wasn’t this enough? She wanted to order more?

Lü Qingyan placed the final dish, a spicy shrimp stir-fry, on the table, then removed her apron, muttering, “That vendor tried to cheat me because I’m a kid. He kept raising the prices and giving me the dead ones. Luckily, I’m smart.”

She placed two bowls of rice on the table, then rummaged through the refrigerator. “Where’s the yogurt?” she mumbled. “Ah, found it!”

Bai Jingxue, staring at the cold yogurt and the steaming dishes, felt her stomach churn before she had even taken a bite.

After dinner, Bai Jingxue sat on the couch, her silence heavy with awkwardness.

Lü Qingyan, however, was already putting on her shoes, her voice cheerful. “Let’s go for a walk,” she said.

She acted as if nothing had changed, as if she hadn’t written that confession. Bai Jingxue began to wonder if it had been a prank.

The park was bustling with activity. People were dancing in the square, and vendors had set up stalls, their wares illuminated by colorful lights.

Plush toys were displayed on blankets, and the vendor stood beside them, holding a ring toss game. A handwritten sign read “Twenty yuan for ten rings.”

But the most eye-catching item was a small blue cage containing a puppy.

The puppy, only a month old, trembled, overwhelmed by the noise and the crowd.

Bai Jingxue paused, her gaze fixed on the puppy. Lü Qingyan, noticing her interest, immediately bought ten rings.

“Here, Jingxue.”

Bai Jingxue glanced at her, momentarily mesmerized by Lü Qingyan’s smile.

She quickly looked away, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand. She began to toss the rings, aiming for the cage.

She missed every single one.

Just as she was about to give up, a ring landed perfectly around the cage.

“I got it, Jingxue! What else do you want?”

A while later, Bai Jingxue was walking down the street, her arms full of plush toys, the cage containing the puppy dangling from her hand.

The puppy, suddenly airborne, whimpered anxiously.

Bai Jingxue set the cage down. They wandered aimlessly, eventually reaching a bridge.

Bai Jingxue loved this spot. She often came here alone to enjoy the view.

But now, she wasn’t alone.

Remembering the confession, she felt a surge of awkwardness. Lü Qingyan, oblivious, was crouched down, playing with the puppy.

“Its fur is so white,” Lü Qingyan said, her voice filled with delight.

Bai Jingxue glanced at the puppy, then shook her head. “It’ll turn yellow when it grows up.”

She frowned, noticing Lü Qingyan’s school uniform. “Why are you still wearing that?” she asked. “I thought you hated it.”

Lü Qingyan scratched her head, her cheeks flushing under Bai Jingxue’s surprised gaze.

She took a deep breath, as if gathering her courage. “I have something for you,” she said.

She reached into her pocket, her expression shifting from shyness to panic.

She turned her pockets inside out. “It’s gone? But how?”

Bai Jingxue, seeing her frantic search, instantly guessed what she had intended to give her.

The clumsy girl had probably put the confession in the wrong pocket. Their uniforms had been hanging side by side.

The awkwardness she had been feeling vanished. She couldn’t help but tease Lü Qingyan. “What is it?” she asked.

Lü Qingyan was a mixture of embarrassment, frustration, and anxiety. She had spent hours revising that confession, crafting the perfect words. Losing it was devastating.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. “Jingxue, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.”

“I like you. Not as a friend. I want you to be my girlfriend.”

“This might be sudden. I’m not very good with words.”

She paused, glancing at Bai Jingxue, her voice hesitant. “What do you think of me?”

Bai Jingxue looked up at the sky, her thoughts racing. Finally, she smiled. “I think you’re quite cute.”

Her answer was vague, and Lü Qingyan was about to press for clarification when Bai Jingxue pulled out a few sheets of paper from her pocket.

Lü Qingyan’s face burned as she recognized her confession.

Chapter 37: Intoxication

It was a dark and windy night, the perfect time for a dog to escape.

The Demon Lord had been busy lately, spending her days attending to her duties, then her nights drowning her sorrows in alcohol.

Lü Qingyan, though slightly concerned, reasoned that a mature Demon Lord should be capable of taking care of herself. She seized this opportunity to launch her escape plan.

This wasn’t her first time sneaking out of the Demon Palace. Her recent cultivation progress had enhanced her abilities, making her escape even more effortless.

She had memorized the route to the Ejian Sect. It was a long journey, but she could teleport.

She was already lovesick after only a few days apart from Bai Jingxue. She sped through the night, her longing fueling her every step.

Confirming that there were no pursuers, she howled with joy, her voice echoing through the night.

“Jingxue, I’m coming!”

Meanwhile, at the Demon Palace, the attendants huddled outside the Demon Lord’s bedchamber, their faces etched with worry.

“What’s wrong with Her Excellency?”

“She used to hate alcohol. Now, she’s been drinking herself into a stupor every night.”

“Do you think she’s heartbroken?”

“Surely not. With her power and status, she could just take anyone she wants.”

The left envoy, overhearing their conversation, paused, her voice sharp as she addressed them. “How dare you gossip about the Demon Lord!”

The attendants, startled, realized their mistake and prostrated themselves, their foreheads pressed against the floor. “Please forgive us, Left Envoy!”

The eyes painted on the left envoy’s mask curved into a grotesque smile as she watched them, their foreheads bleeding from the repeated impacts.

“Report to the Punishment Hall,” she said, her voice cold. “You will receive your punishment there.”

The attendants paled, but they were grateful to have escaped with their lives. They thanked the left envoy and retreated, their faces etched with fear.

Once they were gone, the left envoy knocked softly on the door. “Your Excellency.”

The door opened automatically, revealing the Demon Lord, no longer in a drunken stupor. She sat at her desk, her cheeks flushed, but her eyes clear.

The left envoy, not daring to meet her gaze, reported, “Your Excellency, Mao Mao has escaped again.”

The last traces of the Demon Lord’s intoxication vanished. She rubbed her temples, her voice laced with weariness. “It’s fine,” she said. “I know where she is. What’s the status of Que City?”

The left envoy’s eyes gleamed with admiration. This Demon Lord might be young, but her methods were far more cunning than her predecessors.

Qiu Yingxi, before ascending to her current position, had been a lowly medicine slave in the Lin’an City Lord’s household. No one had expected this unremarkable woman to one day capture the leaders of the various demon factions and claim the title of Demon Lord.

But despite her ascension, her humble origins had made her an easy target for those who sought to undermine her authority. However, Qiu Yingxi’s ruthlessness had quickly silenced any dissent.

The Que City situation could have been easily resolved. If she had truly wanted to, she could have reclaimed the city within three days.

But she hadn’t. Instead, she had resorted to excessive drinking, creating an illusion of weakness and apathy.

This calculated act would eventually lure out the impatient fools who sought to challenge her authority. They would flock to the self-proclaimed ruler of Que City, Ouyang Ba, like moths to a flame, only to be trapped in her carefully woven net.

The left envoy, her admiration growing, bowed even lower. “The fish haven’t taken the bait yet, Your Excellency,” she reported, “but everything is proceeding according to your plan.”

The Demon Lord nodded, her lips curving into a playful smile. “Those attendants likely included spies from other factions,” she said. “Let them spread the rumors.”

She picked up the unfinished wine jar on her desk and tossed it towards her envoy. “Here, a reward for your hard work. I’ll be feigning illness for a while. Stay here and guard the entrance. No visitors.”

The left envoy caught the jar, glancing at the remaining wine, then at the countless empty jars scattered around the chamber. “Drinking too much is harmful to your health, Your Excellency,” she said, her voice laced with concern. “Perhaps you should consider…”

The Demon Lord’s gaze turned cold, her smile devoid of warmth. “You are overstepping your boundaries.”

The left envoy flinched, dropping to her knees. “Please forgive me, Your Excellency.”

The Demon Lord stood up, a strange smile curving her lips. “I’m going out for a bit,” she said. “Guard the entrance.”

The left envoy scrambled to her feet. “Where are you going, Your Excellency?”

The Demon Lord glanced at her, but this time, she didn’t reprimand her for her curiosity. “To catch a dog, of course,” she said, her voice light.

Meanwhile, Lü Qingyan had arrived at the foot of the Ejian Sect’s mountain, only to discover that she couldn’t enter.

She sniffed herself, realizing that she reeked of demonic energy, not just the Demon Lord’s, but also the combined auras of the countless demon cultivators residing in the palace. No wonder the barrier was rejecting her.

Remembering her previous encounter with the barrier, she decided to try a different approach.

She carefully chose a location far from the protective formation, then began to dig.

She soon created a tunnel, then turned, digging horizontally. After a while, she caught a delicious scent.

She paused, sniffing the air, her eyes widening. “Roasted chicken!”

She eagerly dug towards the source of the aroma, then paused, her brow furrowing. Why would there be roasted chicken buried underground?

But the scent was undeniable.

“Grrrr.“

She patted her flat stomach. She hadn’t eaten properly since her fight with the Demon Lord, and all the running and digging had made her even hungrier.

After a brief internal debate, her stomach won.

She dug towards the scent, finally unearthing a roasted chicken, wrapped in oiled paper.

Lü Qingyan was ecstatic. This was clearly a sign from heaven, a reward for her unwavering love. She bowed her head, her paws pressed together. “Thank you, heavens,” she whispered.

She devoured the chicken, then patted her full belly, letting out a satisfied burp. Her paw froze.

Her belly seemed a bit too round. Well, she was always well-fed, whether it was in her past life or this one. It was hard not to gain weight.

With her hunger satisfied, she resumed her digging.

She dug and dug, until her head collided with something hard.

“Ouch!” she yelped, rubbing her forehead.

She had no time to dwell on the pain. The barrier, sensing an intruder, glowed brightly, and a burst of energy sliced through the air, singeing her fur.

She abandoned her digging attempt, scrambling back through the tunnel.

She finally reached the entrance, her paws scrabbling at the dirt as she tried to climb out. But her belly, now round and full, was stuck.

Panic surged through her. She had forgotten how to escape.

But instead of being sliced in half, as she had feared, she was pulled out, as easily as a radish from the ground.

It was embarrassing, but at least she was safe.

The Ejian Sect, its defenses activated, was bathed in blinding light. The Demon Lord, holding the dog in her arms, stared at the mountain, her expression unreadable.

Before they could be discovered, she vanished, transforming into a wisp of smoke.

As they flew back to the Demon Palace, Lü Qingyan whined, her gaze fixed on the Ejian Sect.

The Demon Lord, holding her up to eye level, chuckled. “You’re the only one who dares to challenge my authority, you audacious little dog.”

She patted Lü Qingyan’s head. “I know what you’re thinking,” she said. “Be patient.”

“Woof?”

The Demon Lord, amused by the dog’s confused expression, gently pinched her cheek. “Are you upset that I brought you back?”

Lü Qingyan stared at her with a mixture of resentment and disappointment.

The Demon Lord laughed. “Whose dog are you, anyway?”

Jingxue’s dog, of course. No, Jingxue’s beloved.

The Demon Lord stared at the dog for a long time, then said, “I’ve always thought you two were special. Tell me everything when you can speak.”

“And sometimes, you look at me with pity.”

Lü Qingyan flinched. As someone with knowledge of the original story, she knew the Demon Lord’s tragic past. Not only had her childhood been filled with pain and loss, but her life as a medicine slave had been brutal.

She had finally become the Demon Lord, only to be relegated to the role of a villain in the male lead’s harem, constantly clashing with Luo Nianshang.

In Lü Qingyan’s eyes, the Demon Lord in the original story, despite being alive, had been as good as dead.

The Demon Lord rarely shared her feelings, but perhaps the alcohol had loosened her tongue. Or maybe she simply enjoyed talking to someone who couldn’t understand her.

She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Soon,” she said, her voice soft. “I promise, we’ll go back soon.”

Lü Qingyan’s anger dissipated. She felt a surge of sympathy for the Demon Lord. She could argue with the usual arrogant, mischievous Demon Lord, but not with this vulnerable version.

---

By the time Luo Nianshang arrived, the Demon Lord was gone. Relieved that it had been a false alarm, she immediately ordered the sect leader to inspect the protective formation.

She then returned to her chamber.

It was sparsely furnished, filled with items for her disciple and the cat.

Two small heads peeked in through the doorway. They beamed at Luo Nianshang.

“Mama!”

“Ancestor Grandma!”

Luo Nianshang still hadn’t gotten used to that title.

The two little girls, one dressed in a pale green jacket, the other in a golden robe, toddled towards her.

Luo Nianshang patted their heads. “He Rong, Jwan Jwan, what are you doing here?”

He Rong was the flower demon child Fu Yuan had adopted. Jwan Jwan was the bird demon Luo Nianshang had hatched from an egg.

They were usually mischievous, but in Luo Nianshang’s presence, they became angels, their voices sweet and innocent as they replied in unison, “We came to see the kitty.”

Luo Nianshang glanced at the cat bed, but it was empty. The cat had fled the moment these two little terrors had arrived.

“Little White isn’t here,” she said. “You should go back.”

The children, disappointed that they hadn’t gotten to pet the cat, nodded obediently. “Okay!”

He Rong, holding Jwan Jwan’s hand, paused at the doorway, as if remembering something.

“Mama said you’re the smartest person in the world, Ancestor Grandma,” she said, her voice filled with wonder. “Is it true?”

Luo Nianshang shook her head. She was simply powerful. She couldn’t claim to be intelligent.

He Rong seemed disappointed. She tugged Jwan Jwan along, their voices a low murmur as they argued about something.

Luo Nianshang didn’t pay attention to them. She had just spotted her cat, clinging to the ceiling of the chamber like a gecko.

Four words echoed in her mind.

“Like dog, like cat.”

Chapter 36: Wrecking the House

Back at Luo Nianshang’s chamber, Bai Jingxue felt a pang of loneliness. The Demon Lord was gone, and she had taken the dog with her.

The cat sat by the entrance, sighing softly. She was a little lonely, just a little.

As soon as her sigh faded, another one joined it.

She turned to see Luo Nianshang crouching beside her.

The Sword Saint was a chatterbox when they were alone, so Bai Jingxue resigned herself to her role as a silent listener.

“Little White, why do you think she suddenly decided to go on a solo training journey?”

“Meow.”

“Do you think she took the dog with her to find the Demon Lord? I’m worried.”

“Meow?”

Bai Jingxue wanted to say, “There’s no need to worry. Your beloved disciple and the Demon Lord are the same person.”

But she couldn’t speak. The frustration was almost unbearable.

Luo Nianshang, her anxiety growing, suddenly had an epiphany. “She must be bored here,” she said, her eyes widening. “I need to recruit more disciples!”

Her expression brightened, as if she had stumbled upon a brilliant solution. “Yes! Two more disciples!”

Bai Jingxue stared at her, her eyes filled with alarm.

A socially awkward individual actively seeking out disciples? What had happened to her character development?

Bai Jingxue was baffled. Her cultivation practice for the day was complete. She felt tired and retreated to her bed.

She closed her eyes, enjoying the peace and quiet without Lü Qingyan’s presence.

“Jingxue, look! This radish is so cute!”

Bai Jingxue opened her eyes, looking around, but the white dog was nowhere to be found.

“Ugh, I’m hallucinating,” she thought, annoyed. “She’s not even here, and I can’t even get a decent nap.”

She closed her eyes again, settling down for a proper sleep.

“Jingxue! It’s snowing so hard!”

Bai Jingxue’s eyes flew open. She looked around, but the chamber was still empty.

This was ridiculous!

Was she truly that obsessed with the dog? Was she losing her mind?

She refused to acknowledge her longing for Lü Qingyan. She curled up in her bed, covering her ears with her paws, convinced that this would block out the phantom dog.

“Jingxue! Fu Yuan’s cooking is so good!”

“Argh!”

Bai Jingxue sat up, her heart pounding. She couldn’t escape Lü Qingyan, even in her own mind.

Sleep was impossible. She decided to visit Fu Yuan. She was curious to see how the disciple was coping with her newfound childcare duties.

She rubbed her eyes, abandoning her bed with a sigh.

As she approached Fu Yuan’s door, an object flew out, followed by Fu Yuan’s shriek. “My plate!”

Fu Yuan dashed out, catching the object before it shattered.

Bai Jingxue had never seen the usually gentle Fu Yuan so angry. “Both of you, stop it!” she shouted.

The sounds of playful laughter and crashing objects from within the room ceased.

Bai Jingxue quickly retreated, her paw that had been reaching for the doorknob withdrawing. She didn’t want to get involved in this chaos.

She suddenly felt bored. Everyone seemed to have something to do.

What could a little cat do? She felt lost.

Fate soon provided an answer. A rat sauntered past her, its movements bold and unconcerned.

It glanced at Bai Jingxue, then continued on its way, unafraid.

Bai Jingxue felt a surge of annoyance, as if she had been challenged. She wasn’t afraid of rats, but she had no desire to touch one.

But why was she even annoyed?

She spiraled into a pit of self-doubt and existential angst.

“I wonder how Qingyan is doing,” she sighed.

Meanwhile, at the Demon Palace, everything seemed normal from the outside. The palace was as grand and opulent as ever. But inside, it resembled a disaster zone.

A white whirlwind had swept through the palace, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Objects were broken, furniture overturned, and even the sturdiest surfaces bore the marks of dog claws.

“Oh no! Little ancestor, please stop wrecking the house!”

“Yes, please! Tell us what you want!”

“Lord Demon, please come back! The palace will be in ruins if you don’t!”

Their pleas only fueled Lü Qingyan’s rage. She dashed through the palace, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake, barking furiously at the demon cultivators chasing her.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!”

If only she could speak!

She wanted to see Jingxue! That damn Demon Lord!

The little white dog, tears streaming down her face, continued her rampage, occasionally howling mournfully, as if she were being tortured.

Despite her anger, she exercised some restraint, targeting only inexpensive objects. She didn’t want to end up as dog stew.

Her anger subsided, replaced by exhaustion. She retreated to her bed, collapsing onto it.

Why had the Demon Lord abandoned her role-playing escapade? And why had she brought Lü Qingyan back?

She drifted off to sleep, her heart filled with resentment.

The Demon Lord, returning to the palace, thought she had entered the wrong place. But the familiar faces of her attendants confirmed that she was indeed home.

Her eyes narrowed. “Who broke in?” she asked, her voice cold.

The attendants trembled, prostrating themselves before her, their heads bowed. “No one, Your Excellency,” they stammered. “It was your pet.”

The Demon Lord hadn’t realized the destructive power of an angry dog. She chuckled. “Good,” she said.

She made her way to her bedchamber, her gaze falling upon the small white bundle curled up in its bed.

She contemplated how to punish this audacious dog, to teach her a lesson about respect.

But the white bundle twitched, whimpering softly.

The Demon Lord’s brow furrowed. She approached cautiously, her footsteps silent. She crouched down, peering at the sleeping dog, and realized that it was crying.

Her heart softened. She thought of the chaos she had witnessed outside, then looked at the dog, its tears staining its fur.

She sighed. “What harm could a little dog possibly cause?”

She gently stroked the dog’s fur, her voice laced with affection. “You’ve forgotten where you belong.”

“Knock, knock.”

The Demon Lord’s smile vanished. “Enter,” she said.

The door creaked open, revealing a woman wearing a strange mask. The mask was pure white, only her eyes visible. A second pair of eyes had been painted beneath the real ones.

And the painted eyes moved.

This was the Demon Lord’s newly appointed left envoy. She was far more obedient than her predecessor.

She knelt on one knee, her voice respectful. “Your Excellency, we’ve lost control of Que City. All our agents have been eliminated.”

The Demon Lord settled onto her bed, her voice laced with amusement. “How did a mere mortal manage to achieve this?”

The left envoy hesitated, her brow furrowed. “According to the reports from our deceased agents, the previous city lord fell in love with the mortal,” she said. “She not only healed his injuries but also relinquished her position as city lord.”

She glanced at the Demon Lord, but her expression remained unchanged. The left envoy was impressed. She could never hope to achieve such composure.

Que City was a strategically important location. The Demon Realm was already resource-scarce, and the competition for those limited resources was fierce.

Que City, with its two spirit veins, was a valuable asset.

But there was another reason why Que City was so significant. Ever since the demon cultivators had been driven to this barren land, they had been constantly at war with each other. The first Demon Lord had unified the Demon Realm, bringing a semblance of order.

After her death, chaos had returned, followed by the rise of a second Demon Lord.

But both the first and second Demon Lords had launched their campaigns from Que City. For the demon cultivators, this city represented power and ambition.

The Demon Lord, seeing that her envoy had paused, gestured for her to continue, as if she were listening to a trivial tale.

The left envoy lowered her head. “They also claim that you are unworthy of the position of Demon Lord,” she said. “They believe they are the rightful rulers.”

The Demon Lord scoffed. “They’re playing the same game as the mortal empires?” she asked. “The divine right of kings? Let them come.”

“Your Excellency, should we send disciples to suppress Que City?”

The Demon Lord raised a hand, silencing her. “Let them play,” she said, her voice laced with amusement. “It wouldn’t be fun to crush them too quickly.”

“…Yes, Your Excellency. I will take my leave.”

“Wait.”

The Demon Lord’s expression turned serious. “I tasked you with monitoring the Sword Saint’s activities,” she said. “What is she doing?”

The left envoy, assuming the Demon Lord was simply keeping tabs on a rival, had been diligent in her duties. Her information was always up-to-date.

“I heard she’s planning to recruit two personal disciples,” she reported. “She will be personally overseeing the selection process.”

“What? She’s recruiting more disciples?”

The left envoy had never seen the Demon Lord so furious. She quickly prostrated herself. “Please calm down, Your Excellency!”

Calm down? How could she possibly calm down?

She had only been gone for a few days, and Luo Nianshang was already recruiting new disciples?

If it weren’t for her last shred of sanity, she would have stormed the Ejian Sect and demanded an explanation.

“Fine, let someone else be the Demon Lord,” she thought. “Let them deal with this mess!”

She forced a smile, her voice strained. “What kind of disciples is she looking for?”

The left envoy, her body trembling, her clothes soaked in cold sweat, replied, “She’s not looking for talent, Your Excellency. She wants disciples who are kind, gentle, and pure. Preferably, they should also be skilled in cooking.”

The Demon Lord couldn’t help but grind her teeth. “So that’s her type,” she said, her voice laced with bitterness.

She rubbed her temples, waving a hand dismissively. “You may leave.”

She fumed for a while, then thought of Fu Yuan, her imagination running wild.

She stewed in jealousy, her anger simmering until she could no longer bear it.

She paced her chamber, her gaze falling upon the sleeping dog. “Useless mutt,” she muttered. “All you do is sleep.”

She paused, then crouched down, gently pulling the blanket over Lü Qingyan.

She then stared at the portrait hanging on the wall, her expression darkening. “Hmph! What’s so great about being gentle?” she said, her voice filled with indignation. “I don’t need it!”

Chapter 35: The Stone

The wolf pack quickly surrounded them. The alpha wolf lunged, its jaws snapping at the male lead’s neck. He raised his sword, blocking the attack, but another wolf sank its teeth into his leg.

Even a bite from an ordinary wolf was dangerous. These were spirit wolves, their bites venomous, their strength far surpassing that of their mundane counterparts.

And the rest of the pack was closing in.

The male lead, having spent most of his time recovering from his injuries in the Demon Realm, hadn’t had much time to cultivate. His progress was even slower than in his previous life. He had barely reached the Qi Gathering stage. If it weren’t for his subordinates, he would have been easily defeated by a single cat.

But even his subordinates were no match for the overwhelming number of wolves. He abandoned his sword, punching the wolf that had attached itself to his leg, then activated a teleportation talisman, vanishing in a flash of light.

Before disappearing, he glared at the cat and dog, his voice laced with venom. “I’ll be back!”

Bai Jingxue, watching the pathetic male lead utter the classic villainous line, felt a headache forming.

This despicable creature was no match for the true antagonist of this story. He was more like a cockroach, persistent and repulsive.

Suddenly, the world spun, and Bai Jingxue felt something heavy land on her, pinning her to the ground. She looked up to see Lü Qingyan’s face, her eyes filled with tears. “I knew you were hiding something from me,” she cried.

Bai Jingxue, feeling a pang of guilt, averted her gaze. “It was just a coincidence,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Lü Qingyan knew the cat’s stubborn nature. Pressing the issue would only result in a sulking cat.

She abandoned the topic, sniffing Bai Jingxue’s fur, only relaxing when she confirmed there was no scent of blood.

Bai Jingxue, her cheeks warming under the dog’s scrutiny, was grateful that her fur hid her blush. She would have burrowed into the ground if her face had been visible.

“Could you get off me?” she asked, her voice strained. “You’re a bit heavy.”

Lü Qingyan obediently moved back, sitting on her haunches as she waited for Bai Jingxue to stand.

Bai Jingxue shook her head and body, dislodging the leaves and twigs that had clung to her fur. She raised a paw to groom herself, then paused, her appetite vanishing as she saw the mud caked on her paw.

She felt grimy, longing for a bath.

Snapping out of her thoughts, she noticed the pack of wolves sitting behind Lü Qingyan, their postures mirroring the dog’s.

Where had they come from?

Lü Qingyan wagged her tail, her head held high. “My sense of smell is excellent,” she said proudly. “I sensed trouble and called for reinforcements.”

She explained what had happened.

She had been running when she had realized something was wrong. Despite the mud on her nose, she could still smell the male lead’s scent. She had been about to turn back, but then she had caught the scent of wolves.

She had teleported to their den and had successfully recruited their assistance.

Bai Jingxue sighed. This dog’s ability to make friends was truly remarkable.

The alpha wolf, seeing them chatting, nudged Lü Qingyan’s head with his paw.

His voice was deep and guttural, but they seemed to understand each other perfectly.

“You promised to show us a fire-breathing cat,” he said. “Is this the one?”

Lü Qingyan’s ears drooped. She glanced at Bai Jingxue, then, as if on cue, Bai Jingxue unleashed a burst of fire, her eyes narrowed.

The wolves howled in approval.

The villagers, hearing the wolves howling more frequently than usual, quickly secured their doors and windows, fearing an attack.

“Amazing! That little demon is only at the Qi Gathering stage!”

“Wow, she can actually breathe fire!”

“Hahaha, look at her face! It’s hilarious!”

Seeing that Bai Jingxue was about to lose her temper, Lü Qingyan swallowed nervously and stepped in front of the cat, shielding her. She then teleported onto a tree branch, as if to demonstrate her own abilities.

The wolves howled even louder.

The villagers, huddled inside their homes, trembled, hammering their doors and windows shut.

The impromptu animal show continued until nightfall. The wolves, satisfied, returned to their den, leaving Lü Qingyan exhausted.

She lay on her back, her paws in the air, gazing at the moon. Bai Jingxue’s face suddenly appeared in her field of vision. She tried to make a peace sign with her paws, but she realized it was impossible.

Old habits died hard. She chuckled. “Are you still mad at me?”

Bai Jingxue settled beside her, her voice neutral. “No.”

Compared to the potential loss of life, this was nothing. And Lü Qingyan had shared the burden, making it less embarrassing.

Lü Qingyan sighed contentedly. “That’s good,” she said. “I’m not afraid of anything, except for you being mad at me.”

Bai Jingxue closed her eyes, wondering why she was lying here, her belly exposed to the freezing night air.

“What if I was angry?” she asked, her voice soft. “What would you do?”

Lü Qingyan rolled onto her side, her tail thumping against the ground. “You would ignore me!”

Bai Jingxue was speechless.

It had been the same in their past life. The rebellious student, defying her teacher’s anger, had followed her, refusing to be left behind.

It had been a cold day. Bai Jingxue had sought solace in the frigid air, her anger cooling, replaced by a sense of regret. She had been too harsh.

Lü Qingyan had always been willing to listen, to try to improve. She hadn’t intentionally ignored the assigned work. She had simply forgotten.

It had started to snow, the wind whipping the snowflakes against their faces. Bai Jingxue had pulled her hat lower, covering her ears, adjusting her scarf.

She had sighed, her breath forming a cloud in the cold air, illuminated by the streetlights.

She had looked down at her snow boots, muttering, “Time to go back.”

Then, she had seen Lü Qingyan, huddled behind a streetlight, her figure illuminated by the pale yellow glow.

Lü Qingyan had emerged from the shadows. “Jingxue,” she had said.

She had uttered Bai Jingxue’s name so casually, as if they were close friends, when in reality, they had only been paired together for a temporary project.

Seeing the redness on Lü Qingyan’s cheeks, the way she shivered in the cold, Bai Jingxue had felt a pang of guilt. “I wasn’t going to leave,” she said. “Don’t worry.”

Lü Qingyan had rushed over, taking her hand, her voice gruff but laced with concern. “I was worried about you.”

She had rummaged through her pockets, then produced a pair of pink fingerless gloves, a cute cartoon rabbit embroidered on the back of each hand.

“I brought an extra pair,” she had said. “Put these on. I heard you get chilblains in the winter.”

Bai Jingxue had stared at the overly cutesy gloves, her suspicions aroused. Lü Qingyan was already wearing a matching pair. This extra pair seemed deliberate.

She suddenly felt petty. She accepted the gloves, then, noticing the bareness of Lü Qingyan’s neck, removed her own scarf and wrapped it around Lü Qingyan.

She held Lü Qingyan’s hand, preventing her from removing the scarf, a small smile curving her lips. “Lü Qingyan.”

Lü Qingyan, mesmerized by that smile, blinked. “Yeah?”

“Let’s go back.”

The memory, both distant and vivid, felt like a phantom limb, a lingering sensation of something lost.

She hadn’t realized back then that the notorious slacker’s sudden academic transformation had been motivated by a crush.

It was almost comical.

Bai Jingxue, now a black cat, raised a paw, remembering those gloves. She had later learned that Lü Qingyan had made them herself.

Lü Qingyan, her energy restored, stood up, wagging her tail. “Jingxue, we should go,” she said.

Bai Jingxue followed, her pace leisurely, a sigh escaping her lips as she watched the dog’s cheerful demeanor.

While some were happy, others were filled with dread. The members of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion were terrified, but they were also lucky. If they had encountered the Demon Lord alone, death would have been a merciful release. But with the Sword Saint present, they might at least receive a stay of execution.

Luo Nianshang ignored their pleas for mercy, binding and silencing them with a flick of her wrist.

The Demon Lord watched her, a fan materializing in her hand. She waved it languidly, her voice laced with sarcasm. “You seem quite skilled at this, Immortal One,” she said. “Perhaps you were a bandit in your past life. I bow to your expertise.”

Luo Nianshang ignored her.

The Demon Lord, frustrated by her indifference, snapped the fan in half. “We should just execute them here and be done with it,” she said, her voice laced with annoyance.

Luo Nianshang finally reacted, remembering the Demon Palace’s left envoy she had slain.

The Demon Palace had appointed a new left envoy almost immediately, its efficiency impressive.

If such an event had occurred at the Ejian Sect, the position would have remained vacant for a considerable amount of time, a series of tests and evaluations required before a suitable candidate could be selected.

The process would have taken at least a year, if not longer.

Of course, for cultivators, a year was considered a relatively short period.

“I heard you appointed a new left envoy,” she said, her voice laced with curiosity. “Don’t you need time to carefully consider such an important decision?”

The Demon Lord chuckled, stifling a yawn. She idly twirled a ribbon from her robe between her fingers. “Are you trying to uncover the secrets of my palace, Venerable One?”

Luo Nianshang was speechless.

The Demon Lord released the ribbon, her expression seductive. Anyone with a weaker will would have been mesmerized. Unfortunately for her, Luo Nianshang was a stone.

She was immune to the Demon Lord’s charms. “Your ribbon is coming undone,” she said dryly.

The Demon Lord gritted her teeth, cursing Luo Nianshang’s obliviousness. “Where are you looking, Venerable One?” she asked, her voice laced with amusement.

Luo Nianshang promptly closed her eyes.

The Demon Lord stared at her for a moment, then sighed, deciding to spare her teeth.

She shifted her position, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at Luo Nianshang’s face, a smile curving her lips. “I’ll tell you a secret,” she said. “I choose my subordinates based on their appearance. If the previous left envoy hadn’t been so beautiful, I wouldn’t have kept her around for so long.”

Her tone shifted, becoming more suggestive. “If you do fall to demonic influence, as they predict, with your beauty, I wouldn’t mind relinquishing my position as Demon Lord to you.”

Luo Nianshang opened her eyes. “That will never happen,” she said flatly.

Seeing that it was getting late, the Demon Lord stood up, preparing to leave. “I certainly hope you maintain your clear, untainted heart, Venerable One,” she said, her voice laced with amusement.

Once she was a safe distance away, her smile vanished. She opened her palm, revealing a jade slip resting there.

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.

Chapter 33: Hometown

The wasteland was showing signs of new life. Luo Nianshang had spent more time experiencing the mortal realm during this period than she had in her entire life.

She took note of every detail, every request, fulfilling them one by one. Determined to set a good example for her disciple, she had decided to investigate the village massacre attributed to the Demon Lord.

However, so much time had passed. A new village had been built, new lives had begun, burying the tragic past beneath layers of time and hope.

Luo Nianshang lowered the brim of her veil, setting the cat and dog down. “Go play,” she said, gently stroking their heads.

They both wore the bells she had given them, making it difficult for them to get lost. It wasn’t healthy for them to be confined to the mountain all the time. They needed to interact with others.

Bai Jingxue rubbed against Luo Nianshang’s palm, while Lü Qingyan dashed off, her tail wagging.

Luo Nianshang, enjoying the cat’s rare display of affection, petted her again. “Go on,” she said.

“Meow.”

Bai Jingxue wasn’t really interested in playing, but this matter involved the Demon Lord. Witnessing the unfolding events might prove useful.

She sauntered away, then leaped onto a rooftop, her movements graceful.

Her vision was unique. She could perceive things invisible to others, the flow of spiritual energy and the lingering traces of resentment taking on tangible forms.

But there was nothing here. This place was clean.

The souls of the villagers who had perished in the massacre had been taken away by the Demon Lord. There would be no evidence here.

Lü Qingyan sniffed the air, her nose twitching, then began to dig at the base of a poplar tree. The small dog created a surprisingly large hole, startling an old woman who had been feeding her chickens.

The old woman blinked, and the dog had vanished into a tunnel. A moment later, Lü Qingyan emerged, covered in dirt, her head poking out from the hole. She dashed off, her short legs carrying her towards Bai Jingxue.

“Jingxue! I found the Demon Lord’s childhood home!”

Bai Jingxue stared at her, her brow furrowed. “Are you sure?” she asked, her voice laced with skepticism.

Lü Qingyan nodded eagerly. “Of course! You’re doubting my professional skills.”

She even had the audacity to be smug about it.

A small smile touched Bai Jingxue’s lips. She leaped into the hole. It was dark inside, but they didn’t need light to see.

The tunnel descended vertically. When they reached the bottom, they found themselves before a doorway. Or rather, what had once been a doorway. The wooden door had long since rotted away.

Thankfully, the Demon Lord’s family had been relatively wealthy. The bricks and tiles were of good quality, preserving the structure.

But it didn’t prove anything. The house was filled with dirt. Even if there had been anything inside, it would be buried.

As Bai Jingxue pondered this, Lü Qingyan emerged from the darkness, a jade slip clutched in her teeth. “Look, Jingxue!”

Bai Jingxue stared at the mud-caked dog, then at the jade slip. She sighed, then nudged the slip with her paw.

The male lead in the original story had discovered the truth about the Demon Lord’s past by accidentally uncovering this jade slip. He had been battling an enemy, their clash of powers tearing apart the earth, revealing the slip buried beneath.

The Demon Lord’s family had been kind and generous, well-respected in the village.

Raised with love and compassion, the Demon Lord had treated everyone with kindness. One day, while playing outside, she had encountered a wounded man, covered in blood. She had called for her parents, who had taken him in and nursed him back to health.

But the man had discovered that the Demon Lord possessed a unique constitution, capable of storing potent poisons. Delighted, he had attempted to refine the young girl into a weapon.

His attempt had failed, the poisonous energy leaking out, engulfing the entire village. Only a few children, who had been playing in the cellar, and the Demon Lord, her unique physique protecting her, had survived.

Because the poisonous energy had emanated from the Demon Lord, the cultivators who had arrived had assumed she was responsible for the massacre.

The novel hadn’t elaborated on the aftermath. The backstory had simply been a convenient plot device to further the male lead’s conquests.

The jade slip contained a record of the events, written by the man who had caused the tragedy.

Bai Jingxue sighed. She didn’t understand why the Demon Lord had led Luo Nianshang here.

“Jingxue, let’s take this to Luo Nianshang,” Lü Qingyan said, her voice filled with excitement. She circled the jade slip, her tail wagging. If the Demon Lord and the Sword Saint could reconcile, perhaps it would bring peace to this world.

Bai Jingxue nodded.

Lü Qingyan was about to pick up the jade slip when she paused, her nose twitching. “The Demon Lord is coming,” she said.

A moment later, Bai Jingxue felt the spiritual energy in the area become chaotic, reality itself seeming to distort.

Dirt rained down from the ceiling, a clear sign that they needed to leave.

“Let’s go!” Bai Jingxue hissed.

Lü Qingyan scooped up the cat, tossing her onto her back, then teleported, their bodies vanishing from the narrow tunnel. However, in her haste, she had forgotten the jade slip, leaving it behind to be buried once more.

They reappeared on a tree branch, watching as the ground shook, houses collapsing, the villagers lying unconscious amidst the debris.

Luo Nianshang emerged from a toppled house, a child cradled in her arms. Her gaze met the Demon Lord’s.

“Did you do this?” she asked, her voice cold and accusing.

The Demon Lord, glancing at the child in Luo Nianshang’s arms, surprisingly, didn’t seem angry. “I’m the Demon Lord,” she scoffed. “Why would I bother with such a worthless place?”

She had simply been following Luo Nianshang, curious about her destination. She had stumbled upon a cultivator performing a dark ritual and had intervened, eliminating the threat. She hadn’t expected to be blamed for the ensuing chaos.

This village seemed to attract misfortune. It had been destroyed centuries ago, and now, it was happening again.

Well, without the constraints of the heavens, the lives of mortals meant little to those who possessed power.

And some cultivation techniques, particularly those favored by the unorthodox sects, required human essence.

The Demon Lord flicked her wrist, and a corpse rose from the ground, landing before Luo Nianshang.

“Surely, you recognize this fellow,” she said, her voice laced with amusement.

Luo Nianshang shielded the child’s eyes, then glanced at the corpse.

She didn’t recognize him, but judging by his attire, he was a disciple of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, a sect located in the south.

But what was a Heavenly Secrets Pavilion disciple doing here? And why was he performing a dark ritual?

She looked up at the Demon Lord, noticing that her attire had become more conservative. She had always favored revealing red robes, but now, she was dressed in a more modest outfit, her high collar buttoned to the top, resembling a righteous cultivator rather than a demon.

Luo Nianshang realized she had been staring and quickly averted her gaze. She had nothing to say to this demon.

But the Demon Lord wasn’t done with her yet.

She landed gracefully beside Luo Nianshang, her smile seductive. “Why so cold, Immortal One?” she purred. “We’ve shared two rather intimate encounters, haven’t we?”

Luo Nianshang glared at her, her eyes filled with murderous intent, and the Demon Lord wisely fell silent.

But the mention of those encounters only fueled Luo Nianshang’s anger. The secret realm had been an illusion, and so had the flower field.

They had been given new identities, their memories suppressed, forced to play out a preordained script.

She resisted the urge to draw her sword, her voice cold and flat. “They were just illusions,” she said. “Surely, with your cultivation, you could tell the difference.”

The Demon Lord, of course, had known. She had simply wanted to prolong their interaction.

She knew why Luo Nianshang had come here. She had wanted Luo Nianshang to discover the truth, but now, she was afraid. She didn’t want pity. She wanted something else.

With a cracking sound, a house collapsed. The Demon Lord, with a flick of her wrist, sent the debris flying, revealing the unharmed villagers trapped inside.

Seeing Luo Nianshang’s surprised expression, she chuckled. “What?” she asked. “Is there a rule that says demon cultivators can’t save people?”

Lü Qingyan, perched on a tree branch, wanted to jump down and retrieve the jade slip, but Bai Jingxue pinned her tail down with her paw.

The dog, confused, looked at her.

Bai Jingxue, her eyes narrowed, her voice a low warning, said, “This isn’t over yet.”

Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord sensed it too. They exchanged a wary glance, their bodies tense.

The ground shook again, then the entire village split in two, swallowing Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord.

Bai Jingxue, her heart pounding, was about to intervene, but then she paused.

“Jingxue, what do we do?” Lü Qingyan cried, her voice filled with panic.

Bai Jingxue remembered the look in Luo Nianshang’s eyes as she had fallen. There had been no fear, no hesitation. And the Demon Lord had even smiled.

She placed a paw on Lü Qingyan’s head, stopping her frantic pacing. “It’s fine,” she said. “They’re not ordinary cultivators.”

Figures clad in the robes of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion emerged from the surrounding forest.

“Qingyan, teleport. Get us out of here.”

Lü Qingyan scooped up Bai Jingxue and vanished.

They didn’t flee. They simply relocated to a more concealed location.

They hid in a thicket not far from the village, observing the group of cultivators, their curiosity piqued.

The leader, a man with a thin mustache, a pointed hat, and a fly whisk clutched in his hand, couldn’t contain his glee.

The other disciples, however, were less enthusiastic. They had just attacked the Sword Saint. They were terrified.

One of the younger disciples, his voice trembling, addressed the leader. “Uncle, are you sure the divination was correct?”

The leader, bristling at the question, snapped, “I used a hundred years of my lifespan to perform that divination! Do you think I would be wrong?”

“But Uncle, the Sword Saint has never done anything wrong. How could she have fallen to demonic influence?”

The other disciples murmured in agreement.

The leader glared at them. “Just because she hasn’t fallen yet doesn’t mean she won’t,” he snarled. “What chance will we have once she succumbs to demonic influence?”

“We are following the will of heaven! We are upholding justice! We cannot be blinded by our emotions. As members of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, our duty is to heed the whispers of fate!”

He chuckled, his voice laced with malice. “Besides, the Sword Saint wasn’t killed by me alone. There’s no turning back now.”

The disciples paled. They had assumed their uncle was joking, as he often did. But this time, he was serious. And he had succeeded.

Lü Qingyan, her anger growing with each passing moment, wanted to charge out and bite the leader.

Bai Jingxue quickly covered her mouth with her paw, holding her back.

She sensed a demonic aura clinging to the leader, but it wasn’t his own.

Why would a demon cultivator target the Demon Lord?

Bai Jingxue couldn’t understand.

Chapter 32: Zhu Chi

Under the dual pressure of Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord’s tutelage, the cat and dog’s cultivation progressed rapidly.

Lü Qingyan, always a cheerful creature, was even more delighted now. She had struggled academically in her past life, often receiving scoldings from her teachers and being sent to stand outside the classroom as punishment.

But now, Luo Nianshang frequently praised her, her hand resting gently on Lü Qingyan’s head. Lü Qingyan had been fixated on transforming back into a human, and this encouragement only fueled her determination.

Fu Yuan hadn’t visited the mountain to cook for several days. The two children in her care had come down with a fever, leaving her exhausted and sleep-deprived. Dark circles now adorned her usually bright eyes.

Bai Jingxue, observing Fu Yuan’s depleted state, couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

Raising children was clearly a tiring endeavor.

She missed Fu Yuan’s cooking. Although they had bigu pills, which suppressed hunger, they weren’t exactly delicious.

Lü Qingyan, her tail wagging happily, dashed over to Fu Yuan.

Fu Yuan, seeing the adorable dog, seemed to regain some of her energy. She crouched down, petting Lü Qingyan’s head, her brow furrowing as she noticed the tangles forming in her fur.

“I’ll brush your fur after I finish cooking,” she promised.

Lü Qingyan’s tail wagged even faster.

Fu Yuan set the dog down and entered the makeshift kitchen. The rhythmic sound of chopping vegetables soon filled the air.

Luo Nianshang, startled awake by the noise, opened her eyes, then turned to the Demon Lord, who was still lounging in bed. “You’ve been lying down for too long,” she said. “You should get up and walk around.”

The Demon Lord, a mischievous glint in her eyes, readily agreed.

But the moment she got out of bed, she swayed, pretending to faint, hoping to fall gracefully into Luo Nianshang’s arms. Luo Nianshang, however, caught her with one hand, steadying her.

The Demon Lord, disappointed but undeterred, said, her voice filled with remorse, “I’m sorry, Master.”

Luo Nianshang frowned. “It’s fine.”

Inwardly, however, she was puzzled. Were young disciples so frail these days?

Although many of her memories had faded, she remembered a mission early in her cultivation journey where she had broken both her legs and arms, as well as several ribs. But she had fully recovered within a week.

Well, everyone was different.

Luo Nianshang, seeing her disciple’s apparent weakness, gently guided her back to bed.

She then went to check on the cat and dog’s cultivation progress. Seeing how quickly they were advancing, she nodded in approval.

A spring breeze swept through the valley, the snow melting, the air turning even colder.

Green shoots were beginning to emerge beneath the thinning layer of snow. Luo Nianshang stared at them for a long time, lost in thought.

Her life had slowed down, allowing her to appreciate the small details.

But this newfound chaos wasn’t unpleasant. She had come to realize that she preferred being surrounded by others.

She made a decision that would have made the Demon Lord jump for joy.

She was going to recruit two more disciples, companions for her beloved Hong Ying.

She was convinced this was the perfect solution. Her disciple would be thrilled.

Fu Yuan soon finished cooking, preparing three dishes and a soup, with two different flavor profiles.

The Demon Lord loved spicy food, while Luo Nianshang preferred blander flavors. The cat favored fish, while the dog loved chicken legs.

Worried that the bones might choke the cat and dog, Fu Yuan, after serving Luo Nianshang and her disciple, sat at the table, diligently removing the bones from the fish and chicken.

When she finished, she noticed Luo Nianshang watching her. She felt a surge of anxiety. “Is there anything else I can do for you, Master?” she asked.

Luo Nianshang looked away. “No,” she said, her voice flat.

Fu Yuan chuckled nervously. “Then I’ll go feed them.”

Luo Nianshang nodded.

Fu Yuan placed the prepared food before the cat and dog, watching them eat with a smile, then collected the bowls.

As she left, Lü Qingyan sighed dramatically. “Such a kind soul, destined to be ruined by the male lead,” she lamented. “What a tragedy.”

Bai Jingxue agreed, but the events of the novel hadn’t transpired yet.

Speaking of the male lead, he had been suspiciously absent. She wondered if he was dead. She hoped he was dead.

If he wasn’t dead, then she would settle for castration.

She silently prayed, offering her most beloved dried fish as a sacrifice.

A woman, clad in black, her hair white as snow, a white veil covering her eyes, a red mole adorning her forehead, approached the mountain path.

Luo Nianshang, who had been trying to convince Fu Yuan to deliver a meal to the “bedridden” Demon Lord, saw the blind woman and seized the opportunity to delegate the task.

“Why are you here?” she asked, approaching the woman.

The blind woman smiled. “I heard you had taken on a disciple,” she said. “I wanted to see for myself. And I have some news for you.”

Luo Nianshang couldn’t help but scold her. “The journey here is long and arduous,” she said. “You’re not well. Why didn’t you bring a disciple to escort you?”

The woman chuckled. “I might be blind, but I’m not helpless.”

Bai Jingxue, seeing the woman, instantly recognized her from the novel.

She was another member of the male lead’s harem. She and Luo Nianshang had become acquainted through a rather unpleasant encounter, but the woman had still had her sight back then.

Not far from the Ejian Sect was a sect specializing in sound cultivation, known as the Spring Snow Sect. This woman was its current leader, Zhu Chi.

She had become the sect leader at a young age, her talent undeniable. However, her youth and inexperience had made her somewhat arrogant.

There had been a conflict between disciples of the Ejian Sect and the Spring Snow Sect. Zhu Chi, fiercely protective of her disciples, had stormed the Ejian Sect, seeking retribution. The Ejian Sect leader would have dealt with her swiftly, but unfortunately for her, Luo Nianshang had just emerged from seclusion.

Zhu Chi had been severely injured by a single strike from Luo Nianshang’s sword. The incident had become a running joke in the cultivation world.

Zhu Chi had returned to the Ejian Sect on multiple occasions, seeking to redeem herself, but Luo Nianshang had been in seclusion. She had eventually come to the painful realization that she couldn’t even defeat the Ejian Sect leader.

So she had transformed herself into Luo Nianshang’s biggest fan.

In the original story, when Zhu Chi had learned of Luo Nianshang’s devotion to the male lead, she had confronted him, only to fall victim to his manipulations.

Lü Qingyan, recognizing Zhu Chi, sighed. “Another victim of the male lead’s charm,” she said.

Bai Jingxue disagreed. She believed that fate was already changing.

Lü Qingyan, sensing a new topic of conversation, continued, her voice filled with excitement. “I’d love to have a guqin duel with her,” she said. “But I can’t play right now.”

Bai Jingxue appreciated such refined pursuits, but she couldn’t participate. She watched as Luo Nianshang and Zhu Chi vanished, a sense of foreboding washing over her.

“Jingxue, do you think her eyes can be healed?”

Bai Jingxue, snapping out of her thoughts, shook her head. “The novel didn’t offer a solution,” she said. “It’ll be difficult.”

Speaking of the novel, Lü Qingyan’s voice filled with indignation. “That stupid novel! The male lead took advantage of her blindness. He never even tried to help her.”

Bai Jingxue closed her eyes.

Zhu Chi had a lover, but he had gone missing. The male lead had impersonated him, deceiving her.

Her head throbbed. “You asked me what I wanted to do most if I transformed back into a human,” she said.

Lü Qingyan tilted her head. “Didn’t you say you wanted to walk on two legs?”

That had been a flippant response. Bai Jingxue had a true goal, though she wasn’t sure if it was achievable.

She opened her eyes, her voice calm but firm. “I want to see if the so-called ‘Child of Destiny’ can be killed.”

Luo Nianshang and Zhu Chi stood by the lake behind the mountain.

“Tell me,” Luo Nianshang said, her voice sharp. “What news do you bring?”

Zhu Chi, her hand resting on the veil covering her eyes, chuckled. “You’re still as impatient as ever,” she said. “You struck me down without a word back then.”

Luo Nianshang’s hand tightened around her sword hilt. She hadn’t intended to injure Zhu Chi. She had just returned from slaying demons, her senses still on high alert. When a figure clad in black had flown towards her, she had reacted instinctively, striking without thinking.

She had realized her mistake too late. Zhu Chi had been sent flying.

It had been as effortless as swatting a fly.

Eager to change the subject, Luo Nianshang asked, “Do your eyes still hurt?”

“I’ve grown accustomed to the pain,” Zhu Chi replied. “A cultivator must endure hardships.”

Her words struck a chord with Luo Nianshang, who thought of her frail, delicate disciple. She fell silent.

Zhu Chi, sensing her discomfort, decided to get straight to the point. “Remember that mortal you issued a warrant for?” she asked. “I heard something about him while I was in the Demon Realm.”

Luo Nianshang was intrigued. That man had been unsettling, his presence leaving her with a sense of unease.

“Where is he?” she asked, her voice serious.

Zhu Chi sighed. “He’s taken over Que City in the southwestern corner of the Demon Realm,” she said. “He’s the city lord now. My companions recognized him when we passed through, but I couldn’t intervene. It’s the Demon Realm.”

Luo Nianshang acknowledged this with a nod. “You were in the Demon Realm?” she asked. “Did you find any news about him?”

“No,” Zhu Chi replied, her voice laced with a hint of sadness. “It’s been so many years. Whether I find him or not doesn’t really matter anymore. If I did find him, I wouldn’t know what to do.”

Despite her words, Luo Nianshang could see the pain hidden in her eyes.

Love truly was a torturous emotion. Her master had been right about that.

Unwilling to dwell on the past, Zhu Chi changed the subject. “Let’s go see your disciple,” she said.

Luo Nianshang hesitated. She retrieved a bell from her spatial ring.

Remembering that Zhu Chi couldn’t see, she used her spiritual energy to fasten the bell around Zhu Chi’s neck. “This will help with the pain,” she said. “Consider it an apology for what happened.”

Zhu Chi, feeling the pain in her eyes lessen, accepted the gift gracefully.

“Let’s go see your disciple,” she said. “Although I can’t actually see her.”

Despite her blindness, the moment she entered the chamber, she sensed a wave of intense hostility.

Luo Nianshang introduced them. “This is Zhu Chi, the sect leader of the Spring Snow Sect.”

The Demon Lord forced a smile. “Greetings, Sect Leader Zhu.”

Her gaze, however, was fixed on the bell around Zhu Chi’s neck. The other bells Luo Nianshang had given out were white. This one was pink!

The Demon Lord seethed with jealousy, but she couldn’t reveal her true emotions. “Zhu Chi?” she thought. “More like Zhu Nobody!”