Chapter 8: I Understand
The next day.
“Senior Brother, Mrs. Zhang from Flowing Cloud City finished making my clothes. I’m going to pick them up.”
“Do you need Senior Brother to go with you?”
“No need.” Xiang’er smiled. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay, be careful on the road.” Chen Yin also said with a smile.
After Xiang’er went down the mountain, Chen Yin slowly lost his smile.
…As expected.
Before leaving, Xiang’er would still find an excuse to go to the demonic branch altar in Flowing Cloud City.
Fortunately, this time, Chen Yin was prepared.
After Xiang’er left, he also put on his mask and chose another route, quickly heading towards Flowing Cloud City.
***
Arriving at the demonic branch altar in Flowing Cloud City ahead of Xiang’er, Chen Yin saw the little fox Luo Luo, who had been waiting for a long time.
“Young Master, over here, over here~”
The little fox hid behind a pile of ruins, wagging her tail and waving at him.
“Has anyone arrived yet?” Chen Yin asked hurriedly.
“Not yet.” Luo Luo looked around. “It’s just me and Young Master here.”
“Good, go keep watch outside. Notify me as soon as someone comes in.”
The little fox responded with an “oh” and, with her nimble movements, concealed herself in the void and left the ruins.
Chen Yin covered himself tightly with his mask and hooded cloak.
Not long after, the little fox sent a warning: “Someone’s coming!”
Chen Yin quickly put away the stone and hid himself.
***
Yu Xiang, who was slowly entering the demonic branch altar, suddenly narrowed her eyes and quickened her pace.
“This… this is…”
Arriving at the main hall, she frowned deeply as she looked at the hall, which had been reduced to a pile of rubble.
The System also spoke in confusion: “What’s going on?”
“Was the branch altar discovered?”
At that moment, Yu Xiang’s gaze suddenly turned sharp, and a deep purple thin sword pointed directly at a spot near the ruins.
A terrifying aura surged from her.
…It had actually reached the astonishing Boundless Realm, even comparable to the level of her peer, the prodigy Shen Shuanglian.
However, under the pressure of her fully unleashed cultivation, the person opposite her stepped out slowly and unhurriedly, walking towards her.
“Hehe, don’t be so angry, Holy Maiden.”
“Who are you?” Yu Xiang narrowed her eyes as she looked at the mysterious man who was completely covered from head to toe.
“I am a messenger from the main altar. I’m here to deliver a message to the Holy Maiden.”
A message? Yu Xiang was puzzled.
“Immortal Yu Ling discovered this branch altar, and even Elder Hei Ran has been killed by her.”
“You can’t stay here anymore.”
Yu Xiang was stunned: “Master…”
But the next moment, her expression turned serious. “Wait, why didn’t you use a transmission jade for such an important matter?”
The man remained unfazed and said calmly, “With Elder Hei Ran’s death, there’s a possibility that many of the sect’s secrets have been exposed.”
“The previous transmission jades have all been discarded. Until the new ones are ready, I will be responsible for all communication between you and the main altar.”
“It’s best for the Holy Maiden to discard the previous stone as well, to avoid being discovered and exposing your identity.”
Yu Xiang looked at him suspiciously, but the man’s aura was calm, without any panic, and he didn’t seem to be lying.
After a moment, she slowly said, “…Why should I believe you?”
“Hehe, it doesn’t matter if the Holy Maiden doesn’t believe me.”
The man shrugged. “Anyway, this incident has caused doubts within the sect regarding the Holy Maiden’s loyalty.”
“After all… who knows who revealed the location of this branch altar to your Master?”
Yu Xiang’s face turned slightly cold. “Are you suggesting that I betrayed you?”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
The man said calmly, “I’m just a small messenger.”
“If the Holy Maiden wishes to prove her loyalty and clear her name, she should cultivate diligently and master her demonic arts as soon as possible.”
“Hmph.” Yu Xiang turned around lightly. “Don’t worry about me.”
“As it happens, I’ll be leaving for a while.”
“I’ll discard the previous transmission jade. If the sect needs to contact me, use this.”
As she spoke, Yu Xiang tossed a small stone to the man.
After catching the stone, the man pondered as he played with it.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave—”
“Lastly, I have a personal question for the Holy Maiden.”
Yu Xiang turned her head and looked at the man, who was bowing respectfully, her eyes flashing with impatience. “What is it?”
“Our demonic sect’s hard work in establishing the Flowing Cloud City branch altar has been completely destroyed. I wonder… does the Holy Maiden feel any heartache?”
Yu Xiang glared at him with disgust. “Why would I feel heartache?”
“Our relationship is just one of cooperation.”
“I cultivate the demonic art ‘Quenching Nether Mantra’ for you, and you provide me with cultivation resources.”
“As for your affairs… I have no interest in them.”
The man looked deeply at Yu Xiang, then slowly cupped his hands.
“Farewell, Holy Maiden.”
Yu Xiang’s gaze lingered on him for a moment before she turned and gracefully left.
After returning to Flowing Cloud City, Yu Xiang fell silent.
“Hmm…” The System’s thoughtful voice sounded in her ears.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing… I just feel like something’s off.”
“Why?” Yu Xiang asked in return. “Did what that man said differ from the plot records?”
“Not really, the plot records don’t mention this at all… but for minor events that don’t affect the main storyline, it’s normal for the System’s plot records to not include them.”
The System’s voice still carried a hint of doubt. “But, I still feel like something’s not right.”
“What’s not right…”
Yu Xiang only thought for a moment before shaking her head.
“It doesn’t matter. Let them worry about the demonic path’s affairs.”
“I just need to focus on cultivating and improving myself, so I can take revenge as soon as possible.”
“Anything else is irrelevant to me.”
“Let’s go back quickly. Otherwise, Senior Brother will become suspicious.” She said slowly.
The System sighed helplessly and fell silent.
***
After Yu Xiang left, Chen Yin slowly removed his mask.
Looking in the direction Yu Xiang had gone, he fell into deep thought for a long time.
…The previous conversation was quite dangerous.
But fortunately, he didn’t expose any flaws.
However, no risk, no reward. He had gleaned quite a bit of information from Xiang’er.
“The demonic art ‘Quenching Nether Mantra’…” Chen Yin muttered to himself.
This was the key to Xiang’er’s connection to the demonic path.
Master was knowledgeable. He would ask her about it when he returned and see if she knew anything about this demonic art.
Maybe there was a way to save Xiang’er.
However, he still had no clue why Xiang’er was willing to agree to the demonic path’s terms.
“It seems I can only find another opportunity to pry information from her later.” Chen Yin sighed and shook his head.
Just then, he heard the little fox Luo Luo’s voice:
“Young Master, is that girl your sweetheart?”
Chen Yin couldn’t help but cough, embarrassed. “Don’t think too much, little girl.”
“I’m not little!”
The little fox puffed up her cheeks unhappily.
“Are you sure?” Chen Yin glanced at her with a strange look.
Luo Luo looked down at her flat chest, and her fox ears drooped dejectedly.
“Hmm…”
“Ahem. Don’t worry, you’ll grow up eventually.”
Chen Yin patted her head comfortingly, then looked around.
“Alright. It’s not safe to stay here for long, let’s go.”
***
After returning to the residence in Flowing Cloud City, Chen Yin changed back into his ordinary clothes and was about to head back to the mountain before Xiang’er.
Before leaving, he suddenly remembered something and turned around.
“Right. You should also prepare these two days. You’ll be going on a long trip with me.”
“A long trip?” Luo Luo twitched her ears in confusion.
…After thinking about it, Chen Yin still felt that having Luo Luo, with her excellent ability to conceal herself in the void, would be very convenient on the journey to the Number One Fairy Conference.
So, in the end, he decided to take Luo Luo with him.
“When the time comes, you’ll stay hidden in the void and follow me, understood?”
“Ah? But Young Master, concealing in the void is very tiring and consumes a lot of spiritual energy—”
“All your food expenses along the way will be covered.”
“—But to serve Young Master, I will not hesitate!”
Seeing the little fox happily wagging her tail as if her face had changed, Chen Yin chuckled and rubbed her head.
…Another advantage of taking Luo Luo was…
He could pet this fluffy and cute little fox anytime, anywhere.
***
Rushing back to the small wooden hut at the foot of the mountain, Chen Yin arrived before Xiang’er.
Reaching the hut, Chen Yin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Just as he was about to push the door open and go back to his room, he suddenly froze.
“Ma… Master?”
Inside the wooden hut, a little loli, wrapped in a loose, oversized silk robe, was sitting cross-legged on a chair, pouring tea with a frown.
Seeing Chen Yin, Master pouted and said resentfully:
“Why, couldn’t you and your Junior Sister make a baby at home? Did you have to go to a tavern in the city and get a room?”
Chen Yin: “…How is it that your mind is filled with nothing but NSFW thoughts?” (NSFW-not safe for work(+18))
“Honestly, do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”
Master raised the teapot high and poured it directly into her small cherry mouth, tea dripping down her lips, chin, and over her shoulders.
Chen Yin had no choice but to accept his unrefined and oblivious Master.
“Where’s Xiang’er? Why didn’t she come back with you?”
She looked at Chen Yin suspiciously. “Don’t tell me you left the poor girl in the city, unable to get out of bed, and came back alone?
“You perverted loli granny, get out!!”
Chen Yin sighed and was about to make up an excuse when he suddenly heard Xiang’er’s voice coming back from the entrance:
“Huh? Senior Brother? Master? What are you doing here together?”
Chen Yin’s heart skipped a beat.
…He couldn’t let Xiang’er know that he was just out.
Otherwise, if Xiang’er noticed something, it wouldn‘t be good.
So, he desperately winked at Master, making her confused.
However, Master quickly understood. She looked at Chen Yin meaningfully, a “I understand” smile appearing on her lips.
That smile sent chills down Chen Yin’s spine.
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