Category: I Am the Female Lead’s Cat

Chapter 121: A Familiar Face

Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan, cautious, waited outside the hut.

Lü Qingyan crouched by the doorway, pulling at the grass, a small bald patch forming beside her. Bai Jingxue leaned against the wall, her eyes closed, seemingly asleep, but she was discreetly observing Lü Qingyan.

The door opened, and Luo Nianshang emerged.

Lü Qingyan, concerned about the Demon Lord, jumped to her feet. “Is she okay?” she asked, her voice filled with anxiety.

Luo Nianshang nodded, her extra hands gone, her clothes torn and stained. She had spare clothes in her spatial ring, but her magic was useless here.

She had always been mindful of her appearance, her status demanding a certain decorum. She fidgeted with her robe, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Bai Jingxue, noticing her discomfort, understood. Cang Xi was probably plastered with wanted posters. Returning to the city would be dangerous.

It was a shame there were no needles and thread here. She could have helped.

The young woman who had healed the Demon Lord emerged from the hut, her smile bright, her voice teasing. “A half-demon cultivator in love with a demon cultivator,” she said, her gaze lingering on Luo Nianshang. “How interesting.”

She extended a hand, her smile widening. “I’m Qu Ying,” she said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Her sudden change in attitude surprised them. She had been so reluctant to help earlier.

They exchanged glances, then Bai Jingxue, taking Qu Ying’s hand, her own smile polite, said, “Bai Jingxue. The pleasure is all mine.”

Qu Ying’s smile faltered as their palms met, her expression shifting rapidly, then settling on a cautious excitement. “Do you know what a cell phone is?” she asked. “Or a train?”

Handshakes weren’t a custom in this world. She had a theory.

Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan’s eyes widened simultaneously, and Lü Qingyan, her voice filled with an excited disbelief, exclaimed, “You’re also from another world?!”

Hearing that familiar term, Qu Ying’s heart soared. After countless disappointments, she had finally found her people.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she cried out, “Fellow earthlings! I’ve finally found you!”

Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan, their initial surprise giving way to joy, exchanged smiles. Lü Qingyan, her cheerful personality, instantly connected with Qu Ying, their conversation flowing effortlessly.

Bai Jingxue, however, less talkative, simply listened.

Since they were all transmigrators, their conversation naturally turned to their respective journeys. To their surprise, Qu Ying’s experience mirrored Bai Jingxue’s. She had also fallen into water after a doctor’s visit, waking up in the body of a bird.

But she had been fortunate. The bird had already gained sentience, saving her the trouble of cultivating from scratch. In this barren land, with its scarce resources, she might have remained a bird forever.

They settled down by a small stream behind the hut, their voices a low murmur as they shared their stories. Luo Nianshang stayed with the Demon Lord.

“You’re saying they’re Luo Nianshang and Qiu Yingxi?!”

Qu Ying’s voice was filled with disbelief. She had been shocked by the male lead’s death, then by the revelation of Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord’s relationship. And the female lead was half-demon?!

She pinched herself, then, convinced she wasn’t dreaming, she took a deep breath, staring at Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan with a newfound respect. “You’re amazing,” she said. “This is what a transmigrator should do. Not like me, hiding and running.”

Bai Jingxue frowned. “Who’s chasing you?”

Qu Ying’s cheerful demeanor vanished, and she punched the air, her frustration evident. “All demons, good or bad, are considered a threat in Cang Xi,” she said. “The original owner of this body was killed because of that. And when I took over, it seems I angered the Flower Goddess. I had to flee, then I found this place and destroyed the statue here.”

She picked up a stone, tossing it into the stream. It landed with a soft plop, creating ripples on the surface of the water. She sighed.

“The Flower Goddess was the one who brought me here,” she said, her voice laced with a bitter confusion. “But she pretends not to know me. I don’t understand.”

Bai Jingxue, her ears twitching, hearing a crucial piece of information, asked, “You’re saying the Flower Goddess brought you here? Are you sure?”

Qu Ying, also puzzled, nodded. “Didn’t she do the same for you?” she asked. “She even granted me a wish.”

Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan exchanged a look. Neither of them had any such memories.

Lü Qingyan shook her head. “I don’t think so,” she said. “What did you wish for?”

Qu Ying’s usual cheerfulness vanished, her smile replaced by a bitter sadness. “I wished to live,” she said quietly.

Bai Jingxue was about to ask another question, but seeing Qu Ying’s distant gaze, she stopped.

She was good at reading people’s emotions. She suspected Qu Ying was remembering something unpleasant. In such situations, it was best to change the subject.

Remembering the tear in Luo Nianshang’s robe, she asked, “Do you have any needles and thread?”

Qu Ying did. Bai Jingxue borrowed them, then returned to the hut, finding Luo Nianshang sitting beside the Demon Lord, a bowl of steaming medicine in her hand.

Luo Nianshang was trying to feed the Demon Lord, who was frowning, her distaste for the medicine evident. Luo Nianshang, seeing this, touched the spoon to her own lips, then offered it to the Demon Lord again, her voice flat. “It’s not hot.”

The medicine wasn’t hot, but the Demon Lord’s face was burning. Is this an indirect kiss? she wondered.

Realizing her thoughts were ridiculous, she quickly took the medicine.

It wasn’t as bitter as she had expected.

But tears still welled up in her eyes. She looked up at Luo Nianshang, her expression pitiful, resembling a spoiled noblewoman rather than the fearsome Demon Lord.

Luo Nianshang, her hand tightening around the bowl, felt a strange sense of familiarity. She offered another spoonful, observing the Demon Lord’s behavior, then her eyes widened in shock. The Demon Lord’s mannerisms were identical to Hong Ying’s.

Her hand trembled, and the bowl slipped, nearly falling, then she steadied it, her reflexes honed by centuries of training. She would have to brew another batch if she spilled this one.

The Demon Lord, seeing her near-miss, her voice filled with concern, asked, “Are you alright?”

Luo Nianshang, staring at the medicine, her voice distant, said, “I’m fine.”

The Demon Lord wanted to ask more questions, but she couldn’t be too enthusiastic. It would arouse suspicion. She suppressed her worry, snatching the bowl from Luo Nianshang’s hand and drinking the medicine in one gulp.

She immediately felt nauseous. She scoffed, her voice filled with self-deprecating amusement. “I’ve swallowed so many poisons without complaint,” she muttered. “And now I’m gagging over medicine. How pathetic.”

Luo Nianshang knew what she was referring to. The Demon Lord had been a medicine slave.

She wanted to offer words of comfort, but she couldn’t find the right words. Mimicking those romantic gestures from storybooks might backfire, as it had before.

The Demon Lord, oblivious to Luo Nianshang’s inner turmoil, took a deep breath, then she looked towards the doorway, spotting Bai Jingxue standing there.

“What are you doing there?” she asked. “You can transform now. You won’t trigger my allergies.”

Bai Jingxue hadn’t been worried about that. She had simply felt like she would be intruding. But the original story’s portrayal of the Demon Lord had been so deeply ingrained in her mind that she couldn’t quite believe there was anything romantic between them.

But the atmosphere in the room had been undeniably… charged.

She entered the room, her voice calm as she addressed Luo Nianshang. “Your robe is torn, Venerable One,” she said. “I’m quite skilled with a needle and thread. I thought I could help.”

The tear was under Luo Nianshang’s arm, carefully concealed. The Demon Lord hadn’t noticed it.

But she felt a twinge of annoyance.

Luo Nianshang, however, oblivious to the Demon Lord’s feelings, nodded gratefully. “Thank you,” she said.

She was about to unfasten her robe when the Demon Lord stopped her.

Luo Nianshang, her hand covered by the Demon Lord’s, looked at her, her brow furrowed with confusion, then the Demon Lord smiled. “I don’t like being indebted to others,” she said. “Since you helped me, I should repay the favor. Allow me to mend your robe.”

That charged atmosphere returned, and Bai Jingxue, her scalp tingling, her toes curling, quickly looked away, her mind drifting.

Luo Nianshang’s voice, calm and practical, rescued her from her awkwardness. “Very well,” she said. “Do you have a needle and thread?”

This last question was directed at Bai Jingxue, who quickly handed them over, then retreated towards the doorway, her head bowed. “I’ll be going now,” she mumbled.

Luo Nianshang, watching her flee, was confused. She placed the needle and thread on the bed, within the Demon Lord’s reach, then asked, her voice laced with surprise, “You know how to sew?”

Of course, the Demon Lord didn’t, but it seemed simple enough: poke the needle through the fabric, pull it out the other side. Anyone could do that.

“Of course,” she said, her voice filled with a false confidence. “Give me your robe.”

Bai Jingxue, escaping the hut, found Lü Qingyan and Qu Ying chatting about their past lives. She arrived just as Lü Qingyan mentioned a doll.

Bai Jingxue knew what doll she was referring to. She had made it for Lü Qingyan as a birthday present in their past life. Lü Qingyan had treasured it, keeping it in a display case, never allowing anyone to touch it.

They had been so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn’t noticed Bai Jingxue’s arrival.

“I miss that doll,” Lü Qingyan had said, her voice filled with a wistful longing.

Qu Ying had patted her shoulder. “Just make another one,” she had said. “I have some materials, though I might not have the same variety as in our world.”

Lü Qingyan had seemed tempted, then she had sighed. “It’s too much trouble,” she had said. “Jingxue pricked her fingers so many times making that doll.”

Bai Jingxue chuckled. “If you want it, it’s not a problem,” she said.

Her voice startled them. Qu Ying, her hand flying to her chest, couldn’t help but complain. “You’re like our homeroom teacher, sneaking up on us like that.”

Bai Jingxue ignored her, her voice eager. “Can I see your materials?” she asked. “I can trade you something.”

Lü Qingyan, her joy overflowing, jumped up, throwing her arms around Bai Jingxue. “Jingxue! Jingxue!”

Bai Jingxue, seeing her excitement, her words tumbling over each other, smiled. “I know,” she said softly.

Qu Ying, suddenly ignored, felt a twinge of annoyance.

Chapter 120: An Unexpected Turn

The area outside the room was a disaster. They could have resolved the situation faster, but Luo Nianshang had been reluctant to harm anyone, choosing instead to target their leaders.

She had swiftly bound the remaining guards, hoping to escape before reinforcements arrived.

The princess’s residence was large, the courtyard filled with people, and Luo Nianshang had been preparing to capture them as well, her hands already reaching for the silk threads hidden in her sleeves, when they suddenly collapsed, one after another.

A sweet, cloying scent filled the air, and Luo Nianshang, her head spinning after only a single whiff, glanced at the Demon Lord, who was playing with a handful of small spheres.

The Demon Lord, sensing her gaze, met Luo Nianshang’s eyes, then she held up the spheres, smiling. “Don’t worry,” she said. “They’re just unconscious.”

Luo Nianshang nodded, then, scooping up the cat and dog, she quickly left the room.

The Demon Lord, watching her go, her heart twisting, felt a surge of resentment. But she had no right to demand anything from Luo Nianshang. And being jealous of a cat and a dog was ridiculous.

She took a deep breath, reminding herself that she was the Demon Lord, then she looked up, realizing that Luo Nianshang hadn’t left. She was waiting for her.

A warmth spread through her chest, and she hummed softly, then, leaving the residence through a back exit, she joined Luo Nianshang, her gaze lingering on Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan, her expression still tinged with annoyance.

Seeing Lü Qingyan’s wagging tail, her joyful demeanor a stark contrast to the Demon Lord’s own inner turmoil, the Demon Lord scooped up the dog.

Lü Qingyan, startled, her body wriggling as she tried to return to Bai Jingxue, let out a series of muffled barks as the Demon Lord covered her mouth with a hand.

Bai Jingxue, seeing Lü Qingyan’s pleading eyes, couldn’t help but smile. She leaped from Luo Nianshang’s arms onto the Demon Lord’s shoulder, then, as she was about to jump down, she noticed the red rash spreading across the Demon Lord’s neck.

She suddenly remembered a crucial detail from the original story: the Demon Lord was allergic to dog fur.

As expected, the Demon Lord’s breathing became labored.

“Let go of Qingyan!” Bai Jingxue shouted. “You’re allergic!”

The Demon Lord, her eyes widening in alarm, quickly set the dog down, but the allergic reaction was more severe than she had anticipated. She gasped for air, her hand flying to her neck, her fingers scratching at the itchy rash. She looked down to see a similar rash spreading across her hands.

She wanted to curse, but the world suddenly tilted, her body lifted into the air. She looked up to see Luo Nianshang’s face.

She had finally gotten her wish, but she felt a pang of guilt. She hadn’t wanted to be a burden.

“Sorry,” she whispered, her voice strained.

Luo Nianshang, her mind racing, wanted to find a healer before the Emperor issued a warrant for their arrest. It would be too late then.

Hearing the Demon Lord’s weakened voice, her grip tightened. “Don’t apologize,” she said.

Bai Jingxue quickly turned to Lü Qingyan. “Qingyan, find a healer,” she said, her voice urgent.

Lü Qingyan, her nose twitching, sniffed the air, then dashed off, disappearing down a narrow alley.

They followed, their movements swift and silent.

Lü Qingyan led them out of the city, avoiding the main gates, choosing a less guarded section of the wall. They climbed over it, their movements agile.

There was no path, only trees and dense undergrowth. Bai Jingxue trusted Lü Qingyan’s instincts, so she remained silent, following closely behind.

Lü Qingyan suddenly stopped, her eyes lighting up, her paw pointing. “It’s here!” she exclaimed.

Bai Jingxue, following her gaze, saw a small, dilapidated hut, its walls made of mismatched planks and vines, its roof thatched with straw.

A young woman in simple clothes stood before the hut, tending a fire beneath a cauldron. Hearing their approach, she looked up, her eyes widening in surprise.

She set aside her fan, rushing towards them, her gaze assessing. “Are you also demons persecuted by the goddess?” she asked, her voice filled with a cautious curiosity.

Although their initial purpose had been to oppose the goddess, the young woman’s words were an accurate description of their current situation. They were indeed being persecuted.

Luo Nianshang nodded, then, her voice filled with urgency, she asked, “Can you help her?”

The young woman glanced at the Demon Lord, her lips curving into a small smile. “I can,” she said. “But is this your… food?”

The word “food” made the Demon Lord’s clouded mind clear momentarily. She glared at the young woman, then, her body wracked with pain and discomfort, she closed her eyes again.

Luo Nianshang, her voice firm, said, “No.”

The young woman, her smile fading, her gaze turning suspicious, stared at them. “You better tell me who she is,” she said, “or I won’t help.”

Luo Nianshang hesitated. Her sense of morality didn’t allow her to lie. But she quickly made her decision, her voice firm. “She’s my beloved.”

Bai Jingxue, listening, her eyes widening, was stunned. She hadn’t expected the righteous and principled Sword Saint to lie.

The Demon Lord, who had been drifting in and out of consciousness, her eyes fluttering open, stared at Luo Nianshang. Luo Nianshang’s grip on her had tightened.

She knew Luo Nianshang was lying.

But even a lie, coming from Luo Nianshang, made her heart soar. She smiled, a secret smile, then the darkness claimed her again.

The young woman, whose name they still didn’t know, seemed skeptical, then, seeing the sincerity in Luo Nianshang’s eyes, she believed her. She chuckled, her voice laced with a hint of mockery. “So you’re half-demon,” she said. “That explains it. But I’ll warn you, this kingdom despises demons. She might get you killed one day.”

She emphasized the word “killed,” but she didn’t realize that they weren’t from Cang Xi.

Luo Nianshang, however, believed her. The Demon Lord and the Sword Saint were on opposing sides.

Luo Nianshang, feeling the Demon Lord’s shallow breaths against her chest, her anxiety growing, said, her voice urgent, “Please help her. I’ll reward you handsomely.”

The young woman, seeing Luo Nianshang’s desperation, her own expression softening, sighed. “Bring her inside,” she said.

The Demon Lord was allergic to both cat and dog fur, so Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan had to stay outside. They sat by the doorway, occasionally peering inside, but the door was closed.

This place was remote, isolated. Bai Jingxue, realizing that the wanted posters wouldn’t be a problem here, transformed back into her human form.

“Qingyan, transform,” she said, her voice urgent. “We shouldn’t trigger her allergies in our human forms.”

Lü Qingyan quickly transformed.

But to be safe, they remained outside.

Lü Qingyan settled down, her gaze scanning the area, then she turned to Bai Jingxue, her brow furrowed. “There aren’t any statues here,” she said. “We usually see those little statues everywhere.”

They had encountered the evil god’s statues in every town and village they had visited, regardless of their size or prosperity.

But there were none here.

Bai Jingxue frowned, deep in thought.

Chapter 119: A Change of Heart

The Demon Lord wasn’t thinking about the commotion outside. Her mind was fixated on Luo Nianshang’s extra hands.

She wanted to ask, “What other surprises are you hiding?”

But she was currently Bai Cheng, not Qiu Yingxi, the Demon Lord. A normal person, upon seeing someone with six hands, would be terrified.

She was preparing to scream when Luo Nianshang’s words, spoken calmly, stopped her. “Demon Lord,” Luo Nianshang said.

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

She choked, her eyes watering.

Luo Nianshang, seeing her distress, wanted to pat her back, but she hadn’t used her half-demon form in centuries. She wasn’t sure which hand to use.

By the time she had sorted out her limbs, the Demon Lord had recovered.

But she still tried to deny it. “Demon Lord?” she asked, feigning ignorance. “What Demon Lord? I don’t know any Demon Lord.”

Luo Nianshang, her patience exhausted, muttered a single word. “Still.”

The Demon Lord froze, her body locked in place.

Luo Nianshang, seeing the panic and anger in her eyes, quickly released the spell.

The Demon Lord, knowing that her disguise was useless, gave up, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. “How did you know it was me?” she asked.

Screams and shouts echoed from outside. “Catch those demons!” someone yelled.

Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan had arrived. The Demon Lord relaxed, settling back onto a chair. She had no intention of getting involved.

Luo Nianshang also sat down. She wanted to pour herself a cup of tea, but her extra hands were making it difficult. They started fighting over the teapot.

To prevent the teapot from shattering, she gave up.

Seeing the Demon Lord staring at her, she explained, her gaze downcast, her cheeks flushing slightly. “You said my name,” she said. “Not many people know my real name. You were the first person I thought of.”

It was a simple statement, but the words “first person I thought of” made the Demon Lord’s heart flutter.

She couldn’t help but smile. “I see,” she said. “But your hands…?”

Luo Nianshang, glancing at the Demon Lord, relieved to see only curiosity, not disgust, said, “My mother was a spider demon.”

She watched the Demon Lord’s reaction carefully.

The Demon Lord’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh!” she exclaimed, slapping her hands together. “That’s why those flowers attacked you when you cut your hand on that cliff at the Ejian Sect. You have demon blood.”

Luo Nianshang paused. The Demon Lord hadn’t been there. It had been Hong Ying, Bai Jingxue, and Lü Qingyan.

She didn’t correct the Demon Lord. She suspected something was amiss. She would have to question Hong Ying later.

She suddenly felt a warmth against her palm and looked down to see the Demon Lord holding her hand, her gaze intent, her fingers tracing the lines on Luo Nianshang’s palm.

“So many hands,” the Demon Lord murmured, her voice filled with amusement. “But they don’t look like spider hands. Hahaha. Why haven’t I seen you use them before? They say two fists can’t defeat four hands. You have six!”

Her tone wasn’t unkind, although her joke wasn’t particularly funny.

Her touch was ticklish, but Luo Nianshang didn’t withdraw her hand. She simply let the Demon Lord do as she pleased.

The Demon Lord was surprised by Luo Nianshang’s passivity. The Sword Saint was usually so uptight and proper. She should have blushed and yelled, “How dare you!”

But her lack of resistance suited the Demon Lord just fine.

The sounds of fighting outside continued, the shouts changing from “Catch them!” to “Release the Emperor and the First Princess, you demons!”

But the Demon Lord ignored them. She noticed that Luo Nianshang’s palms were smooth and soft, calluses absent, and she couldn’t resist squeezing them.

Luo Nianshang’s ears turned pink, but she still didn’t withdraw her hand.

To distract herself, she answered the Demon Lord’s question. “I couldn’t control them when I was younger,” she said, her voice quiet. “Everyone treated me like a freak. My masters protected me, but I still remember those stares, their eyes filled with fear and disgust.”

The Demon Lord, her amusement fading, her anger rising, then she realized she had no right to be angry. She forced a smile, releasing Luo Nianshang’s hand. “I didn’t know you had such a difficult childhood, Sword Saint,” she said, her voice teasing.

Seeing the sadness in Luo Nianshang’s eyes, her heart aching, she couldn’t help but offer words of comfort. “But you’re the Sword Saint now,” she said, her gaze averted. “The most powerful cultivator in the righteous realm. No one can bully you anymore.”

Luo Nianshang had long since overcome those childhood insecurities. She had become too powerful. Ordinary methods were enough to solve most problems. She rarely needed her extra hands.

But here, in Cang Xi, her spiritual energy and cultivation were suppressed. However, her demonic abilities were still accessible. She might not be skilled with her extra hands, but producing silk threads was a simple task.

She could easily capture those mortals without harming them.

But Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan were handling it. She didn’t need to intervene.

She wasn’t sad because of her past. She was sad because she was thinking of her masters, still trapped in that well.

The Demon Lord’s unexpected kindness surprised and touched her.

She looked up at the Demon Lord, who was avoiding her gaze, her eyes darting around the room.

She wanted to express her gratitude, but all she could manage was a soft, “Thank you.”

The Demon Lord, her gaze fixed on an incense burner shaped like a beast’s head, said, her voice nonchalant, “You don’t have to thank me, Sword Saint. You shouldn’t be so polite to someone like me.”

In the past, Luo Nianshang would have been speechless, but now, she simply didn’t know how to respond.

After a long silence, she finally said, “You’re a good person. You don’t have to belittle yourself.”

The Demon Lord’s gaze finally met Luo Nianshang’s, and seeing the sincerity in her eyes, she couldn’t help but ask, “I’m a good person? How so?”

Luo Nianshang, flustered, her mind racing, her hands fidgeting, could only think of one thing. “You’re beautiful,” she said.

Those two simple words, spoken with such sincerity, her gaze unwavering, made the Demon Lord’s heart pound.

She had been about to make a sarcastic comment, but Luo Nianshang’s gaze had silenced her.

And that wasn’t all. Luo Nianshang, her gaze still fixed on the Demon Lord’s, continued, “And I think you’re very intelligent. You’re not like other demon cultivators. You’re special.”

The Demon Lord’s heart pounded even faster. “Stop,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Luo Nianshang stopped, but one of her hands, as if acting on its own accord, reached up, scratching her head.

The Demon Lord, however, was too flustered to notice. She couldn’t believe her ears. “Are you trying to seduce me?” she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Luo Nianshang, realizing her attempt at a heartfelt confession, inspired by those storybooks, had backfired, panicked, her hands flailing. “No!” she exclaimed. “I’m just telling you how I feel.”

The Demon Lord, remembering Luo Nianshang’s usually serious and reserved demeanor, her own interactions with Luo Nianshang, as the Demon Lord, not particularly pleasant, suddenly felt a surge of anger.

She should just abdicate and let Mo Li be the Demon Lord.

She quickly dismissed the thought. Mo Li, unlike her, was ambitious. She would cause trouble for Luo Nianshang.

And then she would have to watch as Luo Nianshang single-handedly defeated the entire Demon Realm, Mo Li’s fate no different from the previous Demon Lords’.

She didn’t want that. She liked Mo Li. She might be a lazy Demon Lord, but she didn’t want to send her loyal subordinate to her death.

She couldn’t abdicate.

She was frustrated. Her face hardened, her voice cold. “Don’t say such things, Venerable One,” she said. “It’s inappropriate.”

Luo Nianshang, her anxiety returning, assuming she had said something wrong, apologized. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice sincere.

The Demon Lord, seeing her remorse, regretted her harsh words. She was even more frustrated now. She fell silent.

The commotion outside had escalated. Bai Jingxue’s voice, calm and steady, reached them. “We don’t want to hurt anyone,” she said. “Let us and the people inside leave, and your Emperor and First Princess will be unharmed.”

Lü Qingyan’s voice, filled with a playful menace, added, “Yeah! Cooperate, or face the consequences!”

The chaos outside didn’t seem to affect Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord, but the silence in the room was making Luo Nianshang increasingly uncomfortable.

She fidgeted, then, searching for a topic of conversation, she asked, “Why did you come here?”

The Demon Lord had come for Luo Nianshang, of course. She was overly worried about Luo Nianshang, her anxiety intensifying whenever Luo Nianshang ventured into a dangerous place.

She couldn’t relax unless she was near Luo Nianshang, protecting her. Luo Nianshang might be powerful, but she was also naive, easily tricked.

She had created so many disguises, and Luo Nianshang hadn’t noticed any of them. If she had been more careful, she wouldn’t have been exposed this time either.

She scoffed, her voice laced with a feigned indifference. “Why do you think I’m here, Venerable One?”

Luo Nianshang, her previous theory now too embarrassing to voice, couldn’t answer.

The Demon Lord, not expecting a satisfactory answer, offered a fabricated one. “I’m here for the same reason as you,” she said. “That statue caused considerable damage to the Demon Palace. I’m here to demand an explanation.”

“And that statue is a threat to the entire Demon Realm,” she continued. “As the Demon Lord, I have a duty to protect my people.”

She lied effortlessly, her reasons plausible, and Luo Nianshang, her suspicions allayed, believed her.

She felt a pang of disappointment, then she closed her eyes, her mind calming, her expression returning to its usual composure.

“This is a dangerous place,” she said. “You’ll be safer with me.”

The Demon Lord’s heart skipped a beat, and she leaned closer to Luo Nianshang, their noses almost touching. Seeing Luo Nianshang’s gaze dart away, she smiled. “Are you worried about me?” she asked, her voice soft.

The door suddenly burst open, revealing Bai Jingxue, in her cat form, perched on Bai Zhao’s back, her claws at the Emperor’s throat, while Lü Qingyan, mimicking her, held the First Princess hostage.

Lü Qingyan, her voice filled with triumph, shouted, “We’re here to rescue you, Venerable Ones!”

Chapter 118: A Change of Plans

The Second Princess now resided in a separate residence. Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan, having escaped the chaos at the market, were heading towards her residence when they saw a group of soldiers posting notices.

Bai Jingxue, using her small size to her advantage, squeezed through the crowd, her gaze fixed on the notice board. It was a wanted poster, with portraits of her and Lü Qingyan.

News traveled fast. But it seemed the evil god hadn’t considered the possibility of them transforming back into their animal forms. This was convenient.

Bai Jingxue slipped away from the crowd, her worry about Luo Nianshang intensifying. She quickened her pace, Lü Qingyan trotting beside her. They soon arrived at the Second Princess’s residence.

The high walls were no obstacle for Bai Jingxue. She was about to grab Lü Qingyan by the scruff of her neck and jump over the wall when she realized the dog wasn’t behind her.

She panicked, then she spotted Lü Qingyan a short distance away, her gaze fixed on something near the base of the wall, her tail wagging excitedly. “Jingxue,” she said, “there’s a hole we can use!”

It was clearly a dog door, dug specifically for such purposes.

Lü Qingyan, seeing Bai Jingxue’s hesitation, quickly ducked through the hole, then poked her head back out, grinning. “Come on, Jingxue,” she said. “I checked. It’s big enough.”

Bai Jingxue, closing her eyes briefly, as if summoning patience, then ignoring Lü Qingyan’s suggestion, simply leaped onto the wall, then jumped down, landing gracefully inside the residence.

Lü Qingyan, the moment Bai Jingxue landed, rushed over, her usual cheerfulness returning, showering Bai Jingxue with praise. “You’re so amazing, Jingxue!” she exclaimed. “I’m struggling without my teleportation.”

Bai Jingxue sighed, then held up a paw, placing a finger against her lips. “Shh,” she said. “Don’t speak.”

“Who’s there?”

A woman’s voice, sharp and startled, made them quickly hide behind a small building.

A servant girl approached, her gaze scanning the area, then, seeing nothing, she muttered, “I must be tired. I stayed up too late last night.”

She yawned, stretching languidly. “I should ask Cui Er to switch shifts with me,” she said.

Then, her voice taking on a complaining tone, she continued, “I don’t understand what’s happening lately. The Second Princess dismissed all her personal maids, sending us to work elsewhere. I used to have such an easy life.”

“It’s all because of that vixen,” she muttered. “The Second Princess is obsessed with her. She’s even defying the divine decrees now.”

Bai Jingxue, who had been planning to sneak away, paused, her ears perking up.

The servant girl’s words were vague, but they provided some valuable information.

It seemed the Second Princess was infatuated with a woman and was even defying the divine decrees for her.

The recent divine decrees had been targeting them, ordering their capture. Perhaps this “vixen” was Luo Nianshang.

Bai Jingxue’s expression turned thoughtful. The words “vixen” and “Luo Nianshang” didn’t seem to fit together. She was skeptical.

And the Second Princess was likely the Demon Lord. Even if the Demon Lord and Luo Nianshang had reconciled, they weren’t that close, were they?

They were just ordinary mortals in Cang Xi, and the Demon Lord hadn’t trained her physical body. She was weaker than Luo Nianshang.

It seemed unlikely that the Demon Lord would defy an entire kingdom for someone from the opposing side.

Bai Jingxue shook her head, dismissing the thought, then she turned to Lü Qingyan, about to speak, but she stopped herself.

“Meow.”

She meowed, testing their mental connection.

Lü Qingyan blinked, then barked, a playful grin on her face.

Jingxue, let’s go.

Their connection was still intact. Bai Jingxue was relieved. She patted Lü Qingyan’s head with her paw. “Let’s go,” she said.

Lü Qingyan led the way, her nose twitching, her keen sense of smell guiding them.

They found Luo Nianshang’s room, but it was surrounded by guards, their weapons drawn. A group of archers stood at a distance, their arrows aimed at the room.

Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan exchanged a look, their confusion evident.

The arrow tips gleamed with a sinister green light. They were clearly poisoned.

Bai Jingxue frowned, her voice echoing in Lü Qingyan’s mind. Are you sure Luo Nianshang is in there?

Lü Qingyan sniffed the air, then nodded. Yes, she said. I can smell both Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord. And there are two other unfamiliar scents.

So her previous theory had been correct. Bai Jingxue was stunned.

This world was full of surprises.

She took a deep breath, then focused on the task at hand. They had to get inside.

She tossed a small stone from her hiding spot. It landed with a soft thud, and several arrows instantly flew towards it.

A bird swooped down, about to land on the roof, but it was instantly shredded by the rain of arrows.

Bai Jingxue withdrew her paw. She wasn’t afraid of the arrows, but she had her own reasons for avoiding a confrontation.

These people had been manipulated. They were, in a way, innocent victims. And she didn’t want to kill anyone unnecessarily.

She had no idea what was happening inside.

Inside the room, the atmosphere was tense. The Demon Lord didn’t understand how Luo Nianshang had been exposed. She had simply taken a bath. Now, Bai Zhao and the First Princess had arrived, their guards surrounding the residence.

Bai Zhao still cared for her daughter. She had offered a simple solution: hand over Luo Nianshang.

Luo Nianshang was, officially, just a commoner the Second Princess had kidnapped from the street. And it had only been a few days. There couldn’t be any real attachment.

That was what Bai Zhao had thought. She had never believed in gods, but the recent events, the divine decrees, had changed her perspective.

She still cared for her daughter. That was why she had chosen to negotiate.

She stared at her daughter, who was calmly sipping her tea, her demeanor unfazed, as if she wasn’t surrounded by armed guards.

She couldn’t understand her daughter anymore.

She suppressed her usual disdain, her voice gentle. “Cheng’er,” she said, “this is the will of the gods. You cannot defy it. You barely know this woman. Hand her over, and you can continue living as the Second Princess.”

The Demon Lord set down her teacup, scoffing. “This tea is terrible,” she said.

Her words were ignored, and Bai Zhao, her patience exhausted, having spent so long trying to reason with her daughter, only to be met with deflection and sarcasm, slammed her hand against the table, making the teacups jump.

“How dare you!” she roared. “Are you even listening to me?!”

The First Princess, delighted by her mother’s outburst, her voice seemingly filled with concern, but her words fanning the flames of Bai Zhao’s anger, said, “Mother, please calm yourself. Little Sister is simply blinded by affection. She means no harm.”

The words “blinded by affection” struck a nerve. Bai Zhao had almost lost her throne because of those words.

Her breath hitched, and she stood up, her voice cold and hard. “I’ll give you one last chance,” she said. “Choose. This unknown demon, or your life as the Second Princess.”

The Demon Lord looked up at her, then, annoyed by being looked down upon, she stood up, her gaze meeting Bai Zhao’s without fear.

She no longer bothered to hide her disdain. “My life as the Second Princess?” she scoffed. “If I truly desired something, it would be your throne.”

She looked Bai Zhao up and down, then chuckled. “Perhaps you should let me sit on it for a while.”

Bai Zhao, enraged, flipped the table, her voice a low growl. “You’re courting death.”

The Demon Lord wanted to laugh. Watching this insignificant mortal threaten her was amusing.

Her cultivation might be suppressed, but she still had many methods at her disposal, her specialty the use of poisons.

Her mind raced, devising various ways to eliminate these two annoying women. A single gesture, and they would be writhing on the floor, their bodies consumed by toxins.

The First Princess, her initial shock fading, her own anxieties resurfacing, remembering her concerns about the succession, about her mother’s blatant favoritism towards her younger sister, realized that perhaps she didn’t have to worry anymore.

But she had to maintain her image as a kind and gentle soul. “Mother, please calm yourself,” she said, her voice soft. “Little Sister didn’t mean it. That demon must have bewitched her.”

The Demon Lord glared at her, her voice cold. “I make my own decisions,” she said. “And you have no proof that she’s a demon.”

Bai Zhao, seeing her usually obedient daughter’s defiance, her heart hardening, had made her decision. She no longer cared. She wouldn’t bother explaining herself.

She scoffed. “Then die with your demon,” she said.

The Demon Lord was about to unleash her poison when Luo Nianshang grabbed her hand, stopping her.

Bai Zhao, grabbing the Demon Lord’s arm, dragged her out of the room, then the guards quickly locked the door.

Bai Jingxue, watching from outside, saw the two women emerge.

Lü Qingyan’s voice, filled with anxiety, reached Bai Jingxue’s ears. Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord are alone now.

Bai Zhao retreated, surrounded by her guards, her expression cold and ruthless. “Fire!”

Bai Jingxue’s eyes narrowed, her body tensing, and she kicked the nearest archer, sending him flying. His scream drew the other archers’ attention.

In that brief moment of distraction, she had taken down half of them.

“Protect the Emperor and the First Princess!” someone shouted.

Bai Jingxue’s eyes lit up, and she charged towards the two women, her movements swift and decisive.

Bai Zhao, staring at the black cat’s green eyes, her heart pounding, saw a human intelligence, a cunning she hadn’t expected.

Meanwhile, in the locked room, Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord waited, but the expected attack didn’t come.

The Demon Lord, hearing the commotion outside, her brow furrowed with confusion, then she noticed that Luo Nianshang was still holding her hand, and she tried to pull it away.

But Luo Nianshang’s grip was firm. She turned to Luo Nianshang, about to unleash her anger, then she froze, her eyes widening.

Luo Nianshang, sensing her gaze, released her hand, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I’m not used to this form,” she said, her voice apologetic. “I’m still learning.”

The Demon Lord stared at Luo Nianshang’s extra pair of hands, speechless.

So she really was a demon.

Chapter 117: A Reason to Stay

A flicker of pain crossed the evil god’s face, then she smiled, her voice cold. “You ask why I’m so fixated on destruction?” she said. “One doesn’t need a reason to crush an ant.”

The sunlight filtering through the leaves, dappling the ground around them, gradually faded, until they were enveloped in shadow. But it wasn’t the sun’s fault.

Bai Jingxue felt a sudden chill, the trees around them growing taller, their branches thicker, their leaves larger, until they formed a dense, impenetrable wall.

“Just like now,” the evil god’s voice, soft and menacing, echoed through the forest, “I don’t need a reason to harm you.”

She smiled, her form dissolving into mist, then vanishing.

A golden light emanated from the statue within the Flower Goddess temple, and the flowers surrounding it surged upwards, their vines spreading rapidly.

The pilgrims, witnessing this miracle, dropped to their knees, their hands clasped together, their heads bowed in reverence.

“The Flower Goddess has answered our prayers!”

“May the Flower Goddess protect my family.”

“Flower Goddess, please save my mother!”

The once peaceful temple was now filled with a cacophony of voices, their desires and their pleas rising with the incense smoke, merging with the statue’s golden aura. The statue’s eyes, as if awakened by their prayers, began to move.

She looked down at the kneeling figures, her voice soft. “Three wicked demons have arrived,” she said. “Cang Xi’s fate is uncertain. Find them, and destroy them.”

The golden light faded, and the statue’s expression returned to its usual serene composure, as if it had all been a dream. But three portraits had appeared beside the prayer mats.

A pilgrim, picking one up, saw the image of a beautiful woman, then more pilgrims gathered, their curiosity piqued.

“Isn’t that the woman the Second Princess took away?” someone exclaimed.

“It is! She was so beautiful. She didn’t seem like an ordinary person.”

“The other two portraits are of her companions. They’re staying at the inn next to my shop.”

“They’re demons? What are they doing here?”

“There they are!”

Bai Jingxue had expected the evil god to unleash a sea of flowers, but the earth hadn’t trembled, and no vines had appeared.

Instead, the trees, which had grown so tall, now shrunk, returning to their normal size, the only evidence of their transformation the distorted ground beneath them.

But this wasn’t a good thing. They were now exposed.

They were surrounded by hostile gazes, their eyes filled with fear and suspicion. Bai Jingxue grabbed Lü Qingyan’s hand, pulling her down the mountain.

The whoosh of an arrow, followed by several more, their targets the trees around them, made Bai Jingxue quickly pull Lü Qingyan behind a large tree trunk.

An arrow, narrowly missing them, embedded itself in the tree beside them.

Their escape had become dangerous. Bai Jingxue drew her sword, her face, reflected in its gleaming surface, unusually calm. She smiled, a rare sight.

Lü Qingyan, staring at the rain of arrows, couldn’t help but curse. “And she calls herself a god,” she muttered. “How cowardly!”

Then, she turned, her gaze falling upon Bai Jingxue’s smiling face.

She couldn’t understand how Bai Jingxue could smile at a time like this, but she trusted Bai Jingxue implicitly. “Do you have a plan, Jingxue?” she asked, her voice filled with hope.

Bai Jingxue shook her head, then sheathed her sword, a decisive nod replacing her smile.

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes, and a white light enveloped her. Her ears lengthened, becoming pointed, her body shrinking, her fur returning. She was a cat again.

She opened her eyes, examining her paws, her voice filled with satisfaction. “I can still transform,” she said. “Try it.”

Lü Qingyan, also sheathing her sword, transformed into her dog form.

Bai Jingxue grabbed Lü Qingyan by the scruff of her neck, then, with a powerful leap, she reached the top of a tree, then another, her movements swift and agile.

They leaped from tree to tree, quickly escaping the barrage of arrows.

Once they were safe, Bai Jingxue jumped down, Lü Qingyan landing gracefully beside her.

Lü Qingyan, turning to check on Bai Jingxue, saw her licking her paw, her demeanor calm and collected, and she couldn’t help but want to laugh.

Bai Jingxue, glancing up at her, her green eyes narrowed, not understanding the amusement in Lü Qingyan’s gaze, flicked her tail, then turned, her gaze fixed on the mountaintop.

The events of a thousand years ago had severely weakened the evil god. Even in this kingdom, where she was worshipped, she had to rely on mortals to eliminate them.

And Er Ya, a thousand years ago, even in her nascent stage, had been able to destroy a city with a sea of flowers.

Those trees, their growth so rapid and precise, had formed a cage, an attempt to trap them, a slow and insidious method of execution.

But the evil god hadn’t done that. She had manipulated the mortals, using them as her weapons. Perhaps her power was limited.

Manipulation, possession, consumption…

These were the evil god’s preferred methods. They were safe for now, since they weren’t in their human forms, but they had to warn Luo Nianshang.

The Sword Saint was currently in the princess’s residence, her situation precarious.

Bai Jingxue twitched her tail, then, her direction chosen, she turned to Lü Qingyan. “Let’s go to the Second Princess’s residence,” she said.

Meanwhile, at the Second Princess’s residence, the Demon Lord, watching Luo Nianshang sweeping the courtyard, her heart filled with a strange mix of emotions, her gaze lingering on Luo Nianshang’s every move, felt a surge of anxiety.

She had accidentally called Luo Nianshang by her real name. She had never asked for Luo Nianshang’s name, not as Bai Cheng. And Luo Nianshang wasn’t using her real name either.

She had expected Luo Nianshang to be suspicious, but Luo Nianshang hadn’t reacted, simply continuing her task, her movements precise and efficient.

Watching her sweep the fallen leaves into a neat pile, the Demon Lord wondered if she had been overthinking. If Luo Nianshang was that perceptive, she would have already seen through her disguises.

She relaxed slightly.

The leaves rustled in the wind, scattering the pile Luo Nianshang had just gathered. She quickly used her broom to gather them again.

A spider, its web destroyed by the wind, its tiny legs scrambling for purchase, clung to a leaf.

But its ordeal wasn’t over. The wind ripped the leaf from the branch, sending it spiraling downwards, but before it could reach the ground, Luo Nianshang caught it with her broom.

The spider, peeking from beneath the leaf, made Luo Nianshang smile. She gently lifted the broom, placing the leaf and its passenger on a higher branch, safe from the wind.

Her expression was so gentle that the Demon Lord felt a pang of jealousy towards the spider.

But the wind had scattered the leaves again. She would have to start over.

A servant girl arrived, and the Demon Lord instructed her to sweep the courtyard, freeing Luo Nianshang from her task.

Luo Nianshang, with nothing else to do, followed the Demon Lord inside.

They weren’t in the bedchamber. They were in the room with the large bath.

The screen had been replaced, but the marks on the wall remained.

The Demon Lord, staring at the hole where the dagger had pierced the wall, her anxiety growing, didn’t care about the evil god. She simply wanted Luo Nianshang to be safe.

But Luo Nianshang wouldn’t ignore this threat. She wouldn’t leave until the evil god was dealt with.

The Demon Lord found herself standing by the bath, her gaze drawn to her reflection in the water. It was an unfamiliar face: Bai Cheng, not the Demon Lord.

She had been exhausted from their journey, and the assassination attempt had left her feeling unsettled. She hadn’t had time to bathe. Staring at the steaming water, she suddenly felt incredibly dirty.

She was about to undress when she remembered that the door was open, that Luo Nianshang was still there.

She slowly unfastened the top button of her robe, then turned to Luo Nianshang, their eyes meeting.

She felt a strange surge of embarrassment, her voice sharp. “I’m going to bathe,” she said. “Leave.”

Luo Nianshang, as always, obeyed. She nodded, then left the room, carefully closing the door behind her.

The Demon Lord, relieved, stepped behind the screen, shedding her clothes, her movements graceful.

She tested the water, its temperature perfect, then stepped into the bath, her body sinking into its warmth.

She sighed contentedly, her head resting against the edge of the bath, her arms outstretched. The exhaustion of the past few days seemed to melt away.

She glanced towards the door, a small smile curving her lips. “Idiot,” she murmured.

Luo Nianshang hadn’t left. She stood outside the door, listening to the soft sounds of splashing water, her thoughts drifting.

She had been trying to figure something out since yesterday: was this truly the Second Princess?

She had heard her call her by her real name, then stop abruptly, her expression flickering with panic.

She hadn’t reacted, pretending not to have heard, though lying made her feel a twinge of guilt. But her lie hadn’t harmed anyone.

She had thought about it for a long time. She was a recluse, her social interactions minimal.

And with her power and status, no one dared to address her so casually.

Except for one person: the Demon Lord.

She suspected this Second Princess was actually the Demon Lord in disguise. But if that were true, then what was the Demon Lord doing here?

Cang Xi held no value for the cultivation world.

She closed her eyes, then, as if reaching a decision, she whispered, “Still.”

The splashing sounds instantly ceased.

She was surprised. Her spell had a limited range. This confirmed her suspicions.

She quickly dispelled the spell.

The splashing sounds returned, but her heart was pounding.

It was the Demon Lord. But why was she here?

She considered several possibilities, then a terrifying thought occurred to her. Could it be… for me?

Chapter 116: The Goddess and the Kingdom

The deity known as the evil god was revered in this kingdom as the Flower Goddess. Every festival, every celebration, seemed to be connected to her.

Shrines dedicated to the Flower Goddess dotted the landscape. Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan had also been busy. They had arrived at the largest Flower Goddess temple, located on a mountaintop not far from Lindu.

Pilgrims thronged the path leading to the summit, their faces filled with a devout reverence, their movements slow and deliberate.

Taking the main path would take too long. Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan, as demons, their physical abilities enhanced, chose a different route.

Bai Jingxue, her sword slicing through the thorny bushes blocking their path, the mountainside steep and treacherous, planted her sword firmly in the ground, then turned, extending a hand to Lü Qingyan.

Lü Qingyan grasped her hand, and they climbed, finally reaching a level clearing. Through the trees, they saw a majestic temple, its roof adorned with intricate carvings.

A sea of flowers, identical to the one in the Land of Fallen Gods, surrounded the temple, a narrow path leading through it, towards the temple gate.

The pilgrims, their movements slow and reverent, walked along the path, their silence unusual for such a large crowd.

Bai Jingxue’s breath hitched, and she closed her eyes, then opened them, her vision enhanced. She could still perceive the world’s underlying structure. Beside the statue of the flower-holding goddess, she saw a faint, shimmering shadow.

The shadow mirrored the statue’s form. It seemed to sense her gaze, its eyes fluttering open, meeting hers, a gentle smile curving its lips.

Before Bai Jingxue could react, the ethereal figure materialized before her.

She took a step back, her sword rising, its tip aimed at the shadowy figure.

But a physical weapon couldn’t harm a spirit. The blade passed harmlessly through the shadow’s throat.

The evil god smiled. “You can’t kill me,” she said, her voice soft.

She had Er Ya’s face, but her expression, cold and calculating, was one Er Ya had never worn.

Bai Jingxue lowered her sword, her gaze fixed on the evil god, her voice cold. “We’ll see about that.”

Their exchange was a silent one, their words unheard by Lü Qingyan, who, seeing Bai Jingxue seemingly talking to thin air, her brow furrowed with worry, tugged Bai Jingxue’s sleeve. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

Bai Jingxue, her gaze still fixed on the evil god, said, “The evil god is here.”

Lü Qingyan’s eyes widened, and she looked around, but she didn’t see anyone.

The evil god, amused by the dog’s frantic search, chuckled. “You’re so cute,” she said. “Why are you so determined to oppose me?”

Bai Jingxue scoffed. “Oppose you?” she asked, her voice laced with a bitter amusement. “You were the one who tried to kill us.”

The Black River incident, the right envoy’s descent into madness… they had both been targeted.

The evil god shrugged. “That’s true,” she admitted. “But if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had to resort to such drastic measures. I wouldn’t have been trapped for so long. I have every right to hate you.”

She glanced at her own temple, her expression a mix of sadness and resentment. “Are you trying to save the world?” she asked. “Or do you simply believe Luo Nianshang would be a better god than me?”

Bai Jingxue noticed that the evil god’s demeanor was unusually calm, her emotions controlled, which made her even more terrifying.

“I’m simply trying to save the people of this world,” Bai Jingxue said, her voice firm. “There’s so much beauty here. They deserve better than this. And yes, I believe Luo Nianshang would be a better god than you.”

There was another reason she hadn’t mentioned. She had the power to change this world, to create a happy ending for herself and Lü Qingyan.

But Lü Qingyan was right there. She couldn’t say that.

The evil god, seeing her unwavering resolve, chuckled, her voice laced with a mocking amusement. “How naive,” she said. “You’re always thinking of others. You don’t even love yourself. How can you possibly love someone else?”

Bai Jingxue, startled, her heart pounding, quickly masked her emotions. Seeing that the evil god had no intention of attacking, she said, her voice calm, “I have a question for you.”

The evil god, her interest piqued, her gaze fixed on Bai Jingxue, said, “Ask away, little kitten.”

Bai Jingxue took a deep breath, her eyes meeting the evil god’s. “Why do you want to destroy this world?”

Meanwhile, under the starlit sky of the Demon Realm, the Demon Lord, sitting in Bai Cheng’s bedchamber, her gaze drawn to a statue of the evil god displayed prominently in a corner, walked over to examine it.

Unlike the previous statues, this one’s features were clear, its face a perfect replica of Er Ya’s.

“Be careful, Princess.”

The Demon Lord, startled by Luo Nianshang’s voice, turned, her voice sharp. “Why are you so quiet?”

Luo Nianshang, unfazed, replied, “Years of training.”

The Demon Lord, exasperated by her serious tone, waved a hand dismissively. “I know, I know,” she said.

She then sat down on the bed.

This Second Princess seemed to have a strange obsession with the color yellow. Her clothes, shoes, bedding, curtains… everything was yellow, its brightness almost blinding.

The Demon Lord found it unsettling. She preferred red. Even her disguises were usually red. Now, because of Luo Nianshang, she was forced to wear this… this monstrosity.

And she had to maintain this persona. She had to visit Bai Zhao tomorrow. She shuddered.

She glared at Luo Nianshang.

Thanks to the Demon Lord’s protection, Luo Nianshang didn’t have to follow the usual customs.

But the Demon Lord couldn’t bear the thought of Luo Nianshang being subjected to those pointless rituals.

Luo Nianshang, assuming she had frightened the princess, saw her sitting on the bed, sulking, and she felt a pang of guilt.

But that statue was dangerous. She suspected it was absorbing the spiritual energy of the area, which was why Cang Xi was so barren.

She wanted to warn the princess, but in this kingdom, where the evil god was worshipped as a benevolent deity, such words could be considered blasphemy. She could be imprisoned.

Although she doubted any prison could hold her.

She decided to try to appease the princess first.

She stood there for a long time, her mind blank, then the Demon Lord, annoyed by her silence, her stillness, but also secretly pleased, since any action from Luo Nianshang, in this context, would feel like a betrayal, a violation of her own identity as Bai Cheng, said, “What?”

The Demon Lord was experiencing a strange, out-of-body sensation, as if she were being cheated on by herself.

Her previous disguises hadn’t felt this way. But Bai Cheng was a real person, with a real identity. If she used this identity to seduce Luo Nianshang, and Luo Nianshang actually fell for it, it would be complicated.

And her other disguises, except for Yao Yue, had been fictional. The real Yao Yue had been given a new name and relocated to a distant city, far from the Ejian Sect. The risks had been minimal.

She decided to use this identity to… well, to take advantage of Luo Nianshang.

But what should she do?

As she pondered this, a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, followed by a woman’s gentle voice.

“Little Sister, are you asleep?”

It was the First Princess.

The Demon Lord was about to refuse, but the lights were on, and she had dismissed all her servants. She frantically gestured to Luo Nianshang, hoping she would understand and send the First Princess away.

But Luo Nianshang, after observing her strange gestures for a moment, her brow furrowing in thought, as if she had finally deciphered their meaning, walked over to the door and opened it, her gaze fixed on the woman standing there. “The princess isn’t asleep,” she said. “Please enter.”

The Demon Lord wanted to scream, but the First Princess had already entered the room. She had no choice but to continue her performance.

“What brings you here so late, Elder Sister?” she asked, her voice casual.

The First Princess settled onto a chair, glancing at Luo Nianshang, a strange glint in her eyes, then she said, her voice laced with a playful tease, “I came to apologize for my behavior earlier, but it seems I’ve interrupted something.”

Her meaning was clear. The Demon Lord knew what she was implying.

She got out of bed, settling down at the table, pouring herself a cup of tea. “You’re mistaken, Elder Sister,” she said, her voice smooth. “She’s just my personal guard.”

The First Princess didn’t believe her. She knew her sister well. Someone this beautiful couldn’t possibly be a mere guard.

She suppressed a sneer, deciding not to argue.

She stared at her sister, a strange sense of unease settling over her. They looked identical, yet something was different.

The previous Bai Cheng, though she had never been particularly kind, had at least acknowledged her elder sister’s presence. But this one… it wasn’t disdain. It was indifference, as if nothing in this room, nothing in this world, truly mattered to her.

She suppressed her anxiety, her voice filled with a false remorse. “I apologize for what happened earlier, Little Sister,” she said. “I would never do such a thing.”

The Demon Lord wanted to grab her by the collar and throw her out.

To avoid further conversation, she closed her eyes, suppressing her impatience, then said, her voice cold, “I know, Elder Sister. You wouldn’t dare to assassinate me. I was simply… overreacting.”

Her performance was flawless, her demeanor identical to the Bai Cheng the First Princess knew.

The First Princess, staring at her, her gaze lingering on her face, finally nodded, seemingly moved by her words. “I’m glad you understand, Little Sister,” she said. “But that guard was clearly disloyal. This new… companion is a good choice.”

Luo Nianshang, her name mentioned, glanced up at them, then quickly looked away. She wasn’t interested in their petty squabbles.

The First Princess, however, her anger simmering at this blatant disrespect, not only from the princess but also from a mere guard, forced a smile, her voice curious. “May I know your guard’s name?” she asked. “And where is she from?”

The Demon Lord, her patience exhausted, her annoyance growing, using Bai Cheng’s usual arrogance as a shield, said, “That’s none of your concern, Elder Sister. It’s late. You should return to your own residence.”

The First Princess’s fists clenched, but she maintained her smile, her voice gentle. “As you wish, Little Sister,” she said, then she turned and left.

She was gone, but she had clearly taken an interest in Luo Nianshang. The Demon Lord was worried. She had to warn Luo Nianshang.

She sighed, then said, “Luo Nian-“

Chapter 115: A Touch of Jealousy

With a sharp whoosh, the hairpin flew through the air, piercing the screen, its painted landscape now stained with blood. It had happened so fast. The screen ripped open, revealing a masked figure in black, a dagger aimed at the Demon Lord’s neck.

Luo Nianshang reacted instantly, pushing the Demon Lord aside, then her leg shot out, connecting with the assassin’s wrist. The dagger clattered to the floor.

The assassin ducked, avoiding Luo Nianshang’s kick, then lunged for the dagger, but a gust of wind, Luo Nianshang’s attack a hair’s breadth from her face, forced her to roll aside.

Luo Nianshang snatched the dagger, then casually tossed it, its blade embedding itself in the wall.

The assassin, clutching her shoulder, where Luo Nianshang’s hairpin had pierced her, her eyes filled with hatred, now knew that Luo Nianshang was a formidable opponent. Her gaze shifted, and she yanked out the hairpin, turning, her weapon now aimed at the Demon Lord.

Everyone in Cang Xi knew that their Second Princess was a spoiled, incompetent, and lecherous fool.

The Demon Lord hesitated. Should she break character, or maintain her disguise?

As she debated this, the assassin suddenly flew across the room, crashing into the wall, her body slumping to the floor.

A hand reached out to the Demon Lord, and a familiar, comforting voice asked, “Are you alright?”

She looked up at Luo Nianshang, placing her hand in Luo Nianshang’s.

Luo Nianshang pulled her to her feet, the calluses on her palm brushing against the Demon Lord’s skin, a strangely intimate touch.

The guards, alerted by the commotion, soon surrounded the room. Their leader, seeing that the Second Princess was unharmed, his eyes wide with surprise, stared at her.

His reaction didn’t escape the notice of the two women in the room. The Demon Lord, her mind sharp, quickly deduced the reason for their delayed arrival.

How interesting. They hadn’t appeared during the fight, but now that it was over, they had rushed in, their feigned concern a poorly disguised attempt to protect their own positions.

She smiled, her gaze fixed on the guard, her amusement evident.

The guard, feeling the weight of her gaze, his heart pounding, quickly dropped to his knees. “Forgive our tardiness, Your Highness!”

The other guards, kneeling outside the room, their faces pale, their bodies trembling, didn’t share his fear. They were the Emperor’s personal guard, assigned to protect the Second Princess, but they had become her tools, enabling her whims.

She pampered them, providing them with food, wine, and generous salaries. Even their transgressions were overlooked. They had become arrogant and complacent.

But they didn’t understand that the woman standing before them wasn’t their spoiled, indulgent princess. She was the Demon Lord, forged in the fires of suffering and bloodshed.

Her eyes narrowed, but her voice remained gentle. “Since you failed to protect me,” she said, “then you shall be punished.”

The guard, his head bowed, was about to thank her for her mercy when he realized what she had said. His face paled, and he cried out, “Please spare me, Your Highness!”

The Demon Lord, tired of this charade, walked over to him, her foot connecting with his chest, her smile unwavering, but her eyes cold. “Who are you begging?” she asked, her voice laced with a dangerous amusement. “And which princess are you referring to? Me? Or my sister?”

She was done with this. Her face hardened. “Take him away!”

The guards exchanged nervous glances, then, seeing the Demon Lord’s glare, they quickly dragged the whimpering guard and the unconscious assassin away.

The guard, struggling, dropped a token, and the Demon Lord, picking it up, tossed it to Luo Nianshang.

It was the Captain of the Guard’s token.

Under Luo Nianshang’s questioning gaze, the Demon Lord returned to the room.

She began removing the numerous hairpins and ornaments adorning her hair. The fight had dislodged some of them, their chains tangled in her hair. Impatient, she simply ripped them out.

Luo Nianshang, watching her, her brow furrowing, tucked the token into her sleeve, then approached the Demon Lord, gently taking her hand, stilling her frantic movements.

She thought she saw the princess flinch.

She patiently untangled the hairpins and ornaments, her movements gentle and precise.

The Demon Lord, her usual impatience and irritability soothed by Luo Nianshang’s touch, stood still, her heart pounding in her chest.

Those hands, accustomed to wielding a sword, were now performing such delicate tasks. She felt a surge of warmth.

She wondered if she was the first to experience this gentle side of Luo Nianshang.

The weight on her head lifted, and she felt a strange sense of loss. She wanted this moment to last.

But such moments were always fleeting.

“Why did you give me this?” Luo Nianshang asked, holding up the token, her voice laced with confusion.

The Demon Lord touched her head, realizing that all the ornaments were gone. She turned to face Luo Nianshang, her lips curving into a small smile. “You’re quite skilled,” she said. “And not bad-looking. You’ll be my personal guard from now on.”

Luo Nianshang, surprised by this sudden appointment, found it rather impulsive, but also strangely familiar.

She thought of the Demon Lord, who had chosen her left envoy based on appearance.

She attached the token to her belt. Her goal of gaining access to the royal family had been achieved. There was no need to question it further.

But the Demon Lord’s words to the guard had intrigued her. She knew the Second Princess was favored, but she didn’t know the details.

And the information she had received might be inaccurate. This princess didn’t seem incompetent.

But what did a personal guard even do?

She was used to being the Sword Saint. She had no idea how to play this role.

The Demon Lord, seeing her standing there, her expression blank, thought, “Idiot.”

The room, after the fight, was a mess. She pointed at the debris scattered across the floor. “Clean this up,” she ordered.

Luo Nianshang, finally understanding her duties, nodded, then retrieved a broom and began sweeping.

She wasn’t good at acting. She couldn’t feign subservience. Even her sweeping movements possessed a certain grace and power, drawing attention.

The Demon Lord, watching her, struggled to contain her laughter.

She gathered the discarded hairpins, tossing them into a jewelry box, then settled onto a chair, her gaze fixed on Luo Nianshang.

The sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears, and she turned, her gaze fixed on the doorway. A figure in yellow robes entered the room.

The woman, her age evident in the lines etched on her face, her features similar to the Second Princess’s, her demeanor regal, was clearly the Emperor.

The Demon Lord, suppressing her annoyance, stood up, bowing respectfully. “Greetings, Mother,” she said.

“There’s no need for formalities.”

Bai Zhao, placing a hand on the Demon Lord’s shoulder, her expression suddenly changing, asked, “Have you grown taller?”

The Demon Lord’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly replied, “No, it’s just my shoes.”

Her shoes were hidden beneath her long robes. Bai Zhao wasn’t going to lift her skirt to check. The matter was dropped.

The Emperor of Cang Xi was known for her ruthless efficiency. Under her rule, the kingdom had prospered, its people grateful, believing she was a gift from the heavens.

She had worked tirelessly for years, only to have her achievements attributed to divine intervention. It had frustrated her, but the gods’ influence was too strong. She had been powerless.

She had had no one to confide in, except for her second daughter.

She settled onto the main seat, her gaze falling upon Luo Nianshang, who was sweeping the floor. She was startled by Luo Nianshang’s aura, her every movement radiating an air of power and authority.

She studied Luo Nianshang more closely, realizing that this girl’s presence was even more imposing than her own.

Knowing her daughter’s habits, she couldn’t help but ask, “Did you kidnap someone from Hua Yong?”

Hua Yong was a neighboring kingdom, their relationship with Cang Xi amicable. She had heard that Hua Yong’s current emperor was a puppet, the true power residing with his elder sister.

She had never met this princess, but her daughter had recently spent a month in Hua Yong. She suspected her daughter had kidnapped her.

But the Demon Lord had no idea what Hua Yong was. She had only recently learned about Cang Xi.

Seeing her mother’s gaze fixed on Luo Nianshang, she said, “No, I found her on the street. She’s quite skilled. She even protected me just now.”

Bai Zhao, unconvinced, decided to investigate. If this girl truly was the princess of Hua Yong, then she would have to proceed cautiously.

She examined her daughter, relieved to see that she was unharmed.

“You must have been terrified,” she said, her voice filled with a false concern. “Those guards were clearly negligent. I’ll replace them.”

“As for your elder sister,” she continued, “I’ve reprimanded her.”

The Demon Lord scoffed inwardly. A mere reprimand for endangering her life? It seemed her mother’s love wasn’t that strong.

Luo Nianshang, having finished sweeping the floor, retrieved the dagger from the wall.

Then, she approached the Demon Lord, her voice respectful. “Your Highness, I’ve finished cleaning. What would you like me to do now?”

Luo Nianshang had been standing sideways, her face partially hidden. Now, facing Bai Zhao directly, her beauty undeniable, Bai Zhao gasped.

Where had her daughter found this girl?

She was unsettled. Her voice turned cold. “What’s your name?” she asked. “And where are you from?”

Luo Nianshang had prepared a false identity. “My name is Chen Su,” she said. “I’m from Lu Cheng, in Hua Yong.”

Lying always made her uncomfortable. She fidgeted slightly, her hand, hidden in her sleeve, twisting nervously.

Bai Zhao, her intuition, always sharp, sensing a lack of sincerity, felt a surge of unease. This girl’s aura was unsettling, her presence radiating a power Bai Zhao couldn’t control.

Could she truly be the princess of Hua Yong?

Her voice, however, remained gentle. “It seems my daughter is fond of you.”

Luo Nianshang, hearing this, glanced at Bai Cheng, noticing her panicked expression, which she quickly masked with a smile. “Mother, you’re teasing me again,” she said, her voice playful. “Why would I be interested in such a cold and unapproachable woman?”

Chapter 114: A Strange Familiarity

She had assumed the princess had reformed, but she had been wrong.

And of all the people to target, she had chosen Luo Nianshang. Bai Jingxue couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the princess, then she grabbed Lü Qingyan’s hand, eager to watch the drama unfold.

Bai Jingxue didn’t understand this sudden turn of events. She frowned, deep in thought, then she slowly raised her hand.

Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan, assuming she was about to attack, quickly retreated, not wanting to be splattered with blood. They were wearing white. Bloodstains would be impossible to hide.

But instead of attacking, Luo Nianshang, her gaze fixed on the Second Princess, her expression serious, simply said, “I surrender.”

Luo Nianshang, with her sword at her waist, her demeanor confident, had seemed like a formidable opponent. The guards hadn’t expected her to surrender so easily. They hadn’t even drawn their weapons.

The Demon Lord hadn’t expected this either. She was furious. She was currently Bai Cheng, and Luo Nianshang hadn’t even resisted.

But her anger was fueled by her infatuation. Once she had calmed down, she understood.

Luo Nianshang was here to deal with the statues, but Cang Xi was a strange place, its unique properties hindering her abilities. The royal family’s assistance would expedite the process.

She understood, but she couldn’t accept it.

She had been looking forward to a fight. Luo Nianshang’s cultivation was suppressed. She was confident she could win.

Her face hardened. “Forget it,” she said, her voice cold. “She’s not even that pretty. I’m not interested.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Luo Nianshang, feeling the weight of their gazes, her cheeks flushing slightly, noticed Lü Qingyan’s knowing smile. She had no idea what the Demon Lord was doing.

Bai Jingxue stared at the Second Princess, her eyes wide with disbelief. “This princess has questionable taste,” she muttered to Lü Qingyan.

Lü Qingyan chuckled awkwardly. She was about to reveal the Demon Lord’s identity when she noticed Luo Nianshang retrieving a rope from her sleeve and swiftly tying herself up.

This was a first. The princess usually did the capturing, not the surrendering.

The Demon Lord, though amused, couldn’t allow Luo Nianshang to humiliate herself like this. “Interesting,” she said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. “Bring her to me.”

Luo Nianshang, without waiting for the guards to approach, untied herself and climbed into the carriage.

The Demon Lord, the familiar scent of Luo Nianshang filling the carriage, her heart pounding, suddenly panicked. Her cultivation was suppressed. She couldn’t change her height or physique. Only her appearance was alterable, thanks to her disguise.

She was afraid Luo Nianshang would recognize her.

She moved away slightly, then composed herself. She settled into the carriage, then turned, her gaze meeting Luo Nianshang’s. Luo Nianshang was sitting stiffly, her brow furrowed, her gaze fixed on the Demon Lord.

The Demon Lord’s anxiety intensified. She wanted to touch her face, to check for flaws in her disguise, but she couldn’t risk it, not now.

She placed a hand over her face, her voice haughty. “What is it?” she asked. “Is there something on my face?”

Luo Nianshang, hearing her voice, looked away, a strange sense of familiarity unsettling her. She had never met this princess before, yet there was something about her that felt… familiar.

But it was just a feeling. She dismissed it.

The commotion ended, and Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan, who had been left behind, watched as the carriage departed. They had agreed to stay together, but they had somehow been separated.

But Luo Nianshang shouldn’t be in any danger, right?

Bai Jingxue shook her head, chuckling. She was being ridiculous, worrying about the female lead. She should be more concerned about the Second Princess.

The street returned to its usual bustling activity, the sounds of vendors hawking their wares filling the air. The residents, who had been watching from their windows, their faces pale with fear, finally relaxed.

Bai Jingxue, remembering her initial purpose, decided to buy some food for Lü Qingyan.

Normally, after such an incident, Lü Qingyan would be chattering non-stop, her commentary filled with amusement and outrage. But she was unusually quiet.

Bai Jingxue turned to see Lü Qingyan staring at the departing carriage, her expression unreadable.

Bai Jingxue waved a hand in front of her face. “Earth to Qingyan,” she said.

Lü Qingyan blinked, her gaze focusing on Bai Jingxue, her voice filled with a hesitant uncertainty. “That Second Princess,” she said. “I think she’s the Demon Lord.”

Bai Jingxue frowned, assuming she had misheard. “What?”

Lü Qingyan nodded. “Yes,” she said. “She tried to mask her scent, but I could still smell it.”

Bai Jingxue was confused. “What’s the Demon Lord doing here?” she muttered.

Lü Qingyan, having read the Domineering Sword Saint story, its protagonist now revealed to be the Demon Lord, had a theory.

She didn’t quite understand it. This method of pursuing someone was rather unusual, even awkward. Couldn’t the Demon Lord be more direct?

But she couldn’t interfere. Changing the story’s course could lead to unforeseen consequences.

Remembering their agreement, she felt a surge of frustration. She was also eager for them to get back together! She wanted to grab Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord, shove them into a room, and lock the door.

Lost in her frustrated fantasies, she suddenly realized that Bai Jingxue was gone. Panic flared in her chest, and she looked around frantically, finally spotting Bai Jingxue at a food stall.

She rushed over, grabbing Bai Jingxue’s hand.

Bai Jingxue turned, then, before Lü Qingyan could speak, she offered her a sugar cake, her smile gentle. “Try this,” she said. “If you don’t like it, we can try something else.”

Lü Qingyan, still dazed, took a bite, then, under Bai Jingxue’s expectant gaze, she nodded. “It’s good,” she said.

Those two simple words were enough to make Bai Jingxue buy several more, as if afraid Lü Qingyan wouldn’t have enough.

Lü Qingyan, watching her, her heart melting at the sight of Bai Jingxue’s smile, felt a surge of happiness.

But weren’t they here to eliminate the evil god? Why were they casually strolling through the streets, enjoying themselves?

And Luo Nianshang had just been kidnapped!

Lü Qingyan’s conscience twinged. She felt like she should be doing something, even if it was just cheering Luo Nianshang on from the sidelines.

As she munched on a sugar cake, her guilt growing, the aroma of steamed buns reached her nose, followed by Bai Jingxue’s voice, soft and indulgent. “Try this.”

Lü Qingyan took a bite. “Delicious!” she exclaimed.

Bai Jingxue turned to the vendor. “I’ll take a basket,” she said.

And that wasn’t all. She spotted another stall selling dumplings, and she grabbed Lü Qingyan’s hand, pulling her along.

Lü Qingyan, watching Bai Jingxue’s slender figure, the tassels on her hairpin swaying gently, followed, her initial worries forgotten.

This wasn’t so bad.

They wandered through the streets, their arms laden with food, returning to the inn as the sky darkened.

The young woman who had warned them earlier finally emerged from her room, her face uncovered. She was relieved to see them return safely, though she was also confused.

Perhaps because she was bored, she approached them. “Did you buy all that food for a journey?” she asked.

Bai Jingxue placed the food on the table in their room, while Lü Qingyan stayed in the hallway, chatting with the young woman.

A while later, Bai Jingxue joined them, her questions more direct, quickly gathering information about Cang Xi and the young woman’s situation.

As their conversation ended, the young woman suddenly realized something. “I don’t even know your names,” she said.

“I’m Bai Jingxue,” Bai Jingxue replied. “And this is Lü Qingyan.”

The young woman, tired from their long conversation, rubbed her eyes, her voice apologetic. “Excuse me, but I’m tired,” she said. “See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow,” Bai Jingxue said.

Once she was gone, Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan returned to their room.

Lü Qingyan closed the door, her voice filled with a quiet concern. “According to her,” she said, “this entire kingdom is under the evil god’s control.”

Bai Jingxue nodded.

A flower demon had caused chaos, then a goddess had appeared, subduing the demon and bringing peace to Cang Xi.

This myth didn’t fool them. They knew about the evil god, that the flower demon and the goddess were one and the same.

But as long as the people of Cang Xi believed it, it didn’t matter. Their faith, however, was deeply rooted. It wouldn’t be easy to change their minds.

Bai Jingxue, noticing Lü Qingyan’s now-black hair, said, “We’re not supposed to be here. We need to be careful.”

Lü Qingyan, her heart warmed by Bai Jingxue’s concern, smiled, then she sighed, her head resting on the table. “I wonder how Luo Nianshang is doing.”

Bai Jingxue, assuming she was worried, reassured her. “She carries the destiny of this world,” she said. “She’ll be fine.”

Lü Qingyan, seeing that Bai Jingxue had misunderstood, grinned, then quickly schooled her expression.

Meanwhile, the Demon Lord, returning to the princess’s residence, was stunned. It might not have been as large as the Demon Palace, but it was filled with beautiful women.

She stared at them, her scalp tingling, but they simply glanced at her, then resumed their activities.

Luo Nianshang was right behind her, and she felt a twinge of guilt, then she reminded herself that this was Bai Cheng’s doing, not hers.

She felt a little better.

Luo Nianshang had been unusually quiet and obedient during their journey. The Demon Lord’s mind began to wander.

The heavy ornaments in her hair were giving her a headache. She wanted to rip them out, but that would expose her disguise.

She stopped a servant girl who was approaching her, then she turned to Luo Nianshang, who seemed to be lost in thought. “Come with me,” she said, her voice cold.

Luo Nianshang, startled, followed her inside.

The Demon Lord, however, froze as she entered the room. This wasn’t a bedchamber. A screen concealed a steaming bath.

She swallowed, memories of their previous encounter at the spirit spring surfacing.

She suppressed her anxiety, reminding herself that Luo Nianshang was just a mortal now.

She took a deep breath, her voice regaining its usual arrogance. “Remove my hairpins,” she ordered.

Luo Nianshang’s eyes narrowed, but she obeyed, approaching the Demon Lord and gently removing the hairpins from her hair.

Chapter 113: A Dragon’s Heart

“What? She went to Cang Xi?”

The Demon Lord’s surprised voice echoed through her bedchamber. She had heard of Cang Xi. It was a strange place, a land where even the most powerful cultivators were stripped of their abilities.

The left envoy, her left arm bandaged, her face bruised, her usually stern expression now comical, stood before her.

Oblivious to her own disheveled appearance, she reported, “Yes, Your Excellency. She said it was to deal with the statues.”

She winced as she spoke, the movement pulling at her injuries, but she endured the pain, her face twitching slightly.

Seeing her discomfort, a flicker of conscience sparked within the Demon Lord’s heart. She had been throwing both the left and right envoys into the Demon Realm’s forbidden zone at night as a training exercise.

The forbidden zone was incredibly dangerous, but it was also a great place for honing one’s skills. Only the Demon Lord could normally enter, but Qiu Yingxi wasn’t like her predecessors.

She didn’t care about the danger, but her actions had shocked her envoys, strengthening their loyalty.

She casually tossed a bottle of high-quality healing pills to the left envoy. “Find me everything you can about Cang Xi,” she said.

The left envoy, catching the bottle, before she could even thank her lord, was already mentally cataloging the information she had on Cang Xi. Remembering the “kiss for a statue” incident, she had a theory.

Cang Xi was a land of equals. Without the advantage of her superior cultivation, the Demon Lord—or rather, the Sword Saint—would be more vulnerable. It was the perfect opportunity for the Demon Lord to make her move.

She no longer harbored any animosity towards Luo Nianshang. Her loyalties and her opinions shifted with the Demon Lord’s whims.

Although she couldn’t understand why her lord was interested in someone so… old.

She realized she had crossed a line. She was questioning her lord’s taste.

She quickly banished the thought, bowing respectfully. “Yes, Your Excellency,” she said, then left the bedchamber.

The moment the door closed, the Demon Lord sat down on the bed. Although she knew Luo Nianshang was powerful, she couldn’t help but worry. She had been planning to stay in the Demon Palace for a while longer, to train her envoys.

But it seemed she had to go to Cang Xi. She couldn’t rest until she knew Luo Nianshang was safe.

Those statues were strange and dangerous. Cultivation provided a certain level of protection, but without it… the risks were far greater.

A small portrait of Luo Nianshang hung on the wall, easily overlooked. Qiu Yingxi glanced at it, her gaze lingering on Luo Nianshang’s face, as if she were looking directly at her.

The portrait captured Luo Nianshang’s likeness, but not her essence. Despite this, the Demon Lord stared at it for a long time.

She walked over to her vanity, pulling open a small drawer. It was filled with trinkets and baubles.

A small finger puppet occupied most of the space. She picked it up, slipping it onto her finger.

It was a simple doll, its head round, its face adorned with two dots for eyes and a straight line for a mouth. It held a tiny sword, a simplified version of Luo Nianshang’s Nianxue Sword.

She had made it herself. She had no idea why she had done such a silly thing.

Perhaps embarrassed by her own sentimentality, she removed the puppet, placing it back in the drawer.

“Knock, knock.”

“Your Excellency, I have the information on Cang Xi.”

The Demon Lord jumped, startled. She hadn’t expected the left envoy to be so efficient.

She returned to her desk. “Enter.”

The left envoy entered, placing a stack of jade slips on the desk.

The Demon Lord waved a hand dismissively, and the left envoy, bowing respectfully, left the room. Once she was alone, the Demon Lord picked up the jade slips, quickly scanning through them.

Her brow furrowed, and a sense of unease settled in her stomach.

The ruling family of Cang Xi was the Bai Clan. The current emperor was a woman named Bai Zhao. That wasn’t unusual, but she was said to dote on her second daughter.

And as a result, Princess Bai Cheng was incredibly spoiled and indulged.

The Demon Lord’s head throbbed. She remembered Luo Nianshang’s beauty. It was the type that would appeal to this princess.

This was an emergency. She had been planning to carefully consider her next move, but now, she had to act quickly. She vanished from the room.

The left envoy, back in her room, applying medicine to her wounds, suddenly heard the Demon Lord’s voice in her mind.

“Urgent matter. I’m leaving the Demon Realm in your care.”

A carriage sped through the borderlands of Cang Xi, Bai Jingxue and her companions inside.

Bai Jingxue had never ridden in a carriage before. And she never wanted to again. The constant bouncing was making her nauseous.

But their magic was restricted in Cang Xi. This was the fastest way to travel.

Their journey, however, was relatively short. Cang Xi was a small kingdom. After five days of relentless travel, they arrived at Lindu, the capital.

They found an inn, settling into a room and ordering some food.

Lü Qingyan, after a few bites, set down her chopsticks, her nose wrinkling. “This is terrible,” she said.

Bai Jingxue knew she was a picky eater, but their cultivation was suppressed. They couldn’t skip meals like before.

Worried that Lü Qingyan would be hungry later, she stood up. “I’m going to buy some food,” she said. “What do you want?”

Lü Qingyan’s face lit up, and she jumped to her feet, grabbing Bai Jingxue’s hand. “I’m coming too!”

Luo Nianshang, meanwhile, was quietly eating, having already finished a plate of tofu.

The tofu was clearly undercooked, its texture rubbery, but she seemed to be enjoying it.

Lü Qingyan, glancing at her, couldn’t help but feel a grudging respect. This woman could even handle the Demon Lord’s cooking.

Bai Jingxue would have thought the same thing before, but now, knowing the reason, she simply felt a pang of sympathy.

She couldn’t leave Luo Nianshang behind. “Do you need anything?” she asked.

She still felt awkward calling Luo Nianshang “Sister”. Their relationship was too complicated.

Luo Nianshang set down her chopsticks, shaking her head. “I’m fine,” she said. “But be careful.”

She then resumed eating, her chopsticks attacking a plate of overly salty steamed eggs, making Lü Qingyan shudder.

Bai Jingxue couldn’t bear to watch. She grabbed Lü Qingyan’s hand, pulling her away.

But before they could leave the room, a voice called out to them. “Wait!”

Bai Jingxue turned to see a young woman standing outside the next room, waving at them. Her face was covered, only her eyes visible.

Her attire reminded Bai Jingxue of their disguises in the secret realm.

Was she also a demon, hiding her features?

“Are you talking to us?” Bai Jingxue asked.

The woman nodded, her voice hushed. “You’re not from Cang Xi, are you?” she asked. “Don’t go outside. You’ll be captured.”

Bai Jingxue was confused. “What?”

The masked woman, glancing around nervously, lowered her voice even further. “The Second Princess is back,” she whispered. “If you go outside, you’ll be taken away.”

The Second Princess?

Bai Jingxue had no idea what she was talking about.

“The Second Princess of Cang Xi is spoiled and indulged,” Luo Nianshang’s voice, calm and even, said from behind them. “She’s also fond of women. She often kidnaps them from the streets.”

Bai Jingxue, turning to stare at Luo Nianshang, who was still battling the steamed eggs, asked, “Why didn’t you tell us?”

Luo Nianshang, her brow furrowed, as if confused by the question, said, “I calculated that her guards wouldn’t be a match for you.”

It was a perfectly logical explanation. Bai Jingxue couldn’t argue with that.

But the masked woman was panicking. “This isn’t a joke!” she exclaimed. “Offending the Second Princess means offending the Emperor!”

Bai Jingxue thought for a moment. Their priority was to resolve the issue with the evil god. Meeting the Emperor would be the fastest way to achieve that.

Whether they were invited or captured, it didn’t matter.

She grabbed Lü Qingyan’s hand, ignoring the woman’s protests, and pulled her out of the inn.

The woman, watching them go, her voice filled with a frustrated exasperation, muttered, “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”

Bai Jingxue, stepping out into the street, was surprised to see that there were no women in sight. It seemed the Second Princess’s reputation was well-deserved.

Her past life had been so ordinary. This new life was filled with extraordinary characters.

The remaining people on the street stared at them with a mixture of awe and admiration, some even giving them a thumbs-up.

Bai Jingxue, however, didn’t enjoy being the center of attention, especially not under these circumstances.

Although she felt uncomfortable, she pulled Lü Qingyan behind her, shielding her.

She was heading towards a restaurant. She remembered seeing one a short distance to the south.

She had only taken a few steps when she heard the sound of approaching hooves.

The people on the street immediately dropped to their knees.

Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan, the only ones standing, were even more conspicuous now.

The sound of hooves grew louder, and a procession appeared: guards in armor, their swords drawn, followed by a luxurious carriage, its curtains drawn, servant girls flanking it.

The occupant of the carriage was clearly someone important, perhaps even the Second Princess herself.

Lü Qingyan, her curiosity piqued, sniffed the air, her gaze fixed on the carriage, then she shook her head, her brow furrowed.

Their refusal to kneel was a sign of disrespect. The lead guard, his eyes narrowing, drew his sword, his voice a roar. “Insolent fools! How dare you disrespect the princess!”

But Bai Jingxue had come here looking for trouble. She straightened her back, her gaze meeting the guard’s without fear.

Lü Qingyan, her temper flaring, couldn’t stand being yelled at. “We’re not even from Cang Xi!” she retorted. “And we haven’t done anything wrong! How is this disrespectful?!”

The guard, surprised by their defiance, his eyes widening in anger, shouted, “Insolent fools!”

He swung his sword, aiming for Bai Jingxue’s neck.

Bai Jingxue’s eyes narrowed, and she channeled her spiritual energy, preparing to teach this guard a lesson.

But a voice, calm and authoritative, stopped him. “Hold,” it said.

The guard froze, his sword inches from Bai Jingxue’s neck. He turned towards the carriage, its curtains parting.

A woman, her clothes luxurious, her hair adorned with golden hairpins, her demeanor regal, stood there, her gaze fixed on them.

Lü Qingyan, staring at the woman’s unfamiliar face, her eyes widening in disbelief, stammered, “De- Demon Lord?”

Her voice was too soft. Bai Jingxue didn’t hear her. “What?” she asked, leaning closer.

Lü Qingyan, doubting her own senses, shook her head. “Nothing.”

Bai Jingxue frowned, but she didn’t press the issue, her attention returning to the princess.

This was the part where a conflict usually occurred. She imagined scenes from her favorite martial arts dramas, her own body performing those elegant, gravity-defying moves. It had been a childhood fantasy.

But now, in this new life, it was possible. She felt a surge of excitement.

She stared at the Second Princess, her gaze intense.

The Demon Lord, disguised as the Second Princess, her skin tingling under Bai Jingxue’s gaze, felt a shiver run down her spine.

She hadn’t expected to encounter someone she knew, especially not under these circumstances. And now, she had to save them.

The guard, his anger still simmering, but knowing that these girls wouldn’t be harmed, not with the princess’s indulgent nature, asked, his voice respectful, “Your Highness, shall we arrest them?”

“No,” the Demon Lord said, her voice calm. “Let them go. I was wrong in the past. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

Silence fell, the already quiet street now eerily still.

The Demon Lord didn’t care what they thought. She didn’t want to maintain this persona.

The matter resolved, she was about to return to the carriage when she heard Luo Nianshang’s voice.

“Did you find any food?”

She lowered the carriage curtain, pointing at Luo Nianshang, who had appeared behind Bai Jingxue. “Seize her!” she shouted.

Luo Nianshang stared at her, her brow furrowed in confusion. “What?”

Chapter 112: A Taste of Home

Bai Jingxue, carrying a food box, rounded a corner and bumped into Luo Nianshang, who was also carrying a food box.

They stared at each other’s food boxes for a moment, then quickly looked away.

Luo Nianshang had come from the mountain, which meant she had visited Fang Xin. But souls weren’t the same as physical bodies. They didn’t seem to experience hunger.

Lü Qingyan, perched on Bai Jingxue’s food box, seeing Luo Nianshang, greeted her cheerfully. “Venerable One, you’re back from delivering lunch?”

“Yes,” Luo Nianshang replied.

She had been so busy lately that she had forgotten to ask Lü Qingyan for advice. She had been agonizing over how to even broach the subject. It felt too awkward.

She decided against it, her voice soft as she said, “I’ll go up the mountain first. Please take care of Master.”

Bai Jingxue sensed that Luo Nianshang had something she wanted to say, but Fang Xin would be waiting. She smiled. “Don’t worry, Venerable One,” she said.

She then passed through the watery curtain, carrying the food box.

Fang Xin, sitting on her grave, pretending to nap, opened her eyes, her feigned sleepiness vanishing as she saw Bai Jingxue.

She floated towards the food box, her voice eager. “Hurry up and set it out, Junior Sister,” she said.

Bai Jingxue placed the food box beside the grave, then patted Lü Qingyan’s head, instructing her to get down.

Once Lü Qingyan had jumped down, Bai Jingxue opened the food box, carefully arranging the dishes.

She had learned to cook at a young age, her family’s traditional values emphasizing domestic skills. Later, she had experimented with different recipes, trying to impress Lü Qingyan, who was a foodie.

But in this life, with Fu Yuan as their chef, she rarely cooked. If it hadn’t been for Fang Xin’s request, she wouldn’t have bothered.

She placed an incense burner beside the grave, lighting three sticks of incense, then, as she inserted them into the burner, she couldn’t help but correct Fang Xin. “Don’t call me ‘Junior Sister’,” she said.

Fang Xin inhaled deeply, her voice filled with appreciation. “Your cooking is much better than that Fu Yuan girl’s,” she said.

She was clearly changing the subject.

Lü Qingyan, however, oblivious to the underlying tension, beamed. Whenever someone praised Bai Jingxue, she was even happier than if she herself had been praised.

“Of course it is,” she said, her voice filled with pride.

She was looking up at Bai Jingxue, her chin the only visible part of her face. Bai Jingxue, patting her head, gently pushed it down.

Fang Xin, her appetite sated, sighed. “It’s a shame there’s no wine,” she said.

Bai Jingxue, storing the empty food box, wasn’t planning to leave yet. She was sensitive to other people’s emotions. She had noticed that Fang Xin seemed lonely.

It was understandable. Trapped in this well, with no one to talk to, her only entertainment the occasional visitor…

But as for the wine… Bai Jingxue had brought some.

Having lost her initial purpose, she had been exploring her other interests, like cooking and brewing alcohol.

She still remembered the information from her elective classes in her past life. She had decided to put it to practice, though she hadn’t dared to consume her creations, nor had she offered them to anyone else.

Lü Qingyan, her small legs carrying her around the confined space, paused before a small pond near the two graves.

She peered into the water, but she wasn’t looking at her own reflection. She was staring at the blurry, colorful images shifting beneath the surface, like watching television through a fogged-up screen.

She reached out a paw, about to touch the water, when Fang Xin’s voice, sharp and warning, stopped her. “Don’t disturb her,” she said.

Bai Jingxue walked over, scooping Lü Qingyan into her arms, then she also glanced at the pond, her brow furrowing. The images were blurry, but she recognized them. It was Fang Yue Lian’s dream, replaying that tragic scene, the fire engulfing everything.

Fang Xin, who had been cheerful a moment ago, now seemed sad, her expression mirroring the dream’s despair.

Bai Jingxue, petting Lü Qingyan, her gaze lingering on Fang Xin’s face, offered words of comfort. “We’ll find a way,” she said.

Fang Xin, having always shouldered her burdens alone, surprised by this unexpected kindness, sighed, her voice laced with a weary hope. “Yes,” she said. “We will.”

There were many ways to resurrect the dead, but it required a functioning cycle of reincarnation. Once that was restored, they would have a chance.

She looked forward to that day. Destiny was shifting. She didn’t know what the future held, but it was better than endless waiting.

She returned to her usual spot, smiling at Bai Jingxue. “When we’re alive again,” she said, her voice filled with a playful amusement, “I’m going to call you ‘Junior Sister’ in front of Luo Nianshang. It’ll be hilarious.”

Bai Jingxue, realizing she was serious, felt a headache forming.

She didn’t want to be Luo Nianshang’s senior. Luo Nianshang was so much older than her.

She held up three fingers, her voice tempting. “Three meals a day, and you don’t call me ‘Junior Sister’. Deal?”

Fang Xin’s eyes lit up. She wasn’t particularly greedy, but after centuries of solitude, her desires had been amplified.

“Deal,” she said, her voice cheerful.

Lü Qingyan, however, wasn’t happy. She pawed at Bai Jingxue’s chest, her voice a mournful whine. “You haven’t even cooked for me yet, Jingxue.”

Bai Jingxue, staring at her pitiful expression, felt like a terrible person.

Fang Xin, watching them, her gaze envious, then she remembered she should reciprocate. She floated towards her grave. “Come here,” she said. “I have something for you.”

Bai Jingxue followed her instructions, digging until she unearthed a small, glass lamp.

She carried the lamp back to her room, Lü Qingyan circling it curiously.

She hadn’t closed the door, so Luo Nianshang, passing by, paused, then knocked softly on the doorframe. “May I come in?”

Bai Jingxue smiled. “Of course.”

Luo Nianshang entered, settling onto a chair. She recognized the lamp. It had been a treasure she had acquired during her travels, shortly after Master Yue Lian’s death, when the Ejian Sect, its resources depleted, had fallen from grace.

She had been filled with rage, her heart consumed by a desire to protect her sect. She had ventured into countless dangerous secret realms.

She had acquired the lamp during that time. It possessed the ability to nourish souls. She had buried it beside Fang Xin’s grave.

So much time had passed that she could no longer remember the faces of those she had hated.

Lü Qingyan, seeing the sadness in Luo Nianshang’s eyes, approached her, placing a paw on her hand. “Are you sad, Venerable One?” she asked, her voice soft.

Luo Nianshang, watching her, her heart softening, shook her head. “No,” she said. “Just remembering the past.”

The entire righteous realm was currently searching for those statues. As she had expected, every sect had at least one, but that was only a fraction of them.

And there were places even the righteous sects couldn’t reach. Those were her responsibility. She was preparing to leave.

But then she remembered that Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan also possessed unusual destinies.

She turned to Bai Jingxue, her voice calm. “I have a request.”

There was a small, isolated kingdom far from the Ejian Sect. Its spiritual energy was weak, too weak to support a cultivation sect. It was simply a small mortal kingdom, known as Cang Xi.

Luo Nianshang took Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan there.

The moment they arrived, Bai Jingxue felt her spiritual energy vanish. She could maintain her human form, but her abilities were disabled.

Luo Nianshang, walking along a narrow path, explained, “This place is special,” she said. “No techniques work here. Everyone becomes a mortal upon entering.”

Bai Jingxue nodded, then she noticed a small shrine by the side of the path. And inside the shrine was a statue, its goddess cradling a bouquet of flowers.

This place was beyond the reach of the cultivation world, too remote, too insignificant. It was a neutral ground, ignored by all three realms. It wasn’t surprising to find a statue here.

Luo Nianshang crouched down, reaching for the statue, but a voice, loud and angry, stopped her.

“How dare you defile the goddess!” the voice shouted. “Stop!”

It had been a long time since anyone had dared to speak to her like that. She looked up, her brow furrowing.

A group of mortals, their clothes simple and worn, their hands wielding hoes and rakes, their expressions hostile, were rushing towards them. They were soon surrounded.

Bai Jingxue stepped in front of Lü Qingyan, shielding her. She wasn’t worried. Although her magic was disabled, her demonic strength remained.

The mortals, intending to teach these disrespectful outsiders a lesson, paused as they saw their faces, their beauty captivating. They exchanged glances.

Luo Nianshang, their assessing gazes making her uncomfortable, clenched her fists, her anxiety mixing with anger.

They were just three seemingly defenseless women. These mortals thought they could easily subdue them.

Their leader, his clothes slightly better than the others’, looked them up and down, a greedy smile spreading across his face. “My friends,” he said, his voice filled with excitement, “these are rare and valuable offerings!”

Lü Qingyan, unable to bear it, rolled up her sleeves, preparing to fight, but Bai Jingxue stopped her.

The villagers, seeing that these women weren’t afraid, their defiance unusual, one of them, wielding a wooden club, swung it at Luo Nianshang’s head.

Luo Nianshang didn’t even flinch. The club struck her head with a sickening thud, then snapped in two.

She brushed the wood shavings from her hair, her expression unchanged.

The villagers stared at her, their eyes wide with a mixture of shock and fear, then another one, his courage fueled by disbelief, also attacked, but Luo Nianshang didn’t hold back this time. She kicked him, sending him flying.

Seeing that she was too powerful, the others turned their attention to Bai Jingxue and Lü Qingyan.

Bai Jingxue, who had been enjoying the show, suddenly felt a surge of killing intent. She saw a hoe approaching, its sharp edge aimed at her head. She ducked, then grabbed the man’s throat, tossing him aside.

Before he could react, she placed her foot on his chest, her voice a low warning. “Move, and I’ll kill you.”

Lü Qingyan, jumping up and down, her voice filled with excitement, shouted, “Jingxue is so cool!”

Bai Jingxue’s cheeks flushed. This dog was always so loud and enthusiastic.

The villagers, realizing they had underestimated their opponents, their courage vanishing, abandoned their comrade, scattering in all directions.

Luo Nianshang, discarding the farming tools she had confiscated, crouched down, retrieving the statue.

The injured villagers, seeing this, their cries of pain forgotten, scrambled to their feet, rushing towards her.

Luo Nianshang didn’t hesitate. She crushed the statue, reducing it to dust.

And the moment the statue was destroyed, they collapsed, unconscious.

Bai Jingxue removed her foot from the man’s chest, exchanging a glance with Luo Nianshang. “There are more of them,” she said.

Luo Nianshang, brushing the dust from her hands, stared at the unconscious villagers, her expression troubled. “This kingdom’s primary deity is the evil god,” she said. “They rule according to her divine decrees.”

In other words, this kingdom was completely under the evil god’s control.

Bai Jingxue sighed. This was a difficult situation. No wonder Luo Nianshang had to handle it personally.

But she was surprised that Luo Nianshang had brought them along.

They hadn’t killed anyone, so these mortals would simply sleep for a while.

“Let’s go,” Luo Nianshang said. “The capital is still a long way from here.”

She turned and walked away.

Bai Jingxue, grabbing Lü Qingyan’s hand, followed. After a few steps, she heard Lü Qingyan’s voice, soft and close to her ear. “Jingxue, if you’re tired, tell me. I’ll carry you.”

In their past life, whenever Bai Jingxue had been tired, Lü Qingyan had always offered to carry her on her back.

She had always been happy to do so.

But this wasn’t their past life.

Bai Jingxue suddenly bent down, extending a hand behind her. “Hop on,” she said.

Lü Qingyan, stunned, then her face lighting up, jumped onto Bai Jingxue’s back, her arms wrapping around Bai Jingxue’s neck.

Luo Nianshang, hearing their laughter, glanced back at them, then quickly turned away, a sudden regret filling her heart.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t have brought them,” she thought.

Then, a moment later, her thoughts drifted to the Demon Lord.

She shook her head, dismissing the thought, then sighed.