Chapter 101 - The Harem Rescue Project

Xu Zheng nudged Lin Qianshuang's shoulder with his folding fan, leaning in with a playful expression and said, "Little Six, I've heard the Lord of the Demon Domain has a fondness for women. Did she perhaps make a move on you?" He draped an arm around Lin Qianshuang's shoulder like a good friend, continuing in a half-joking manner, "That domain lord is stunningly beautiful. If she did make a move, it wouldn't be a loss for you. Did you manage to remember any of the techniques while you were there? Telling the city lord would warrant great merit." Lin Qianshuang felt somewhat irritated by Xu Zheng's words. She wiped her face indifferently and replied, "With thousands of ancient texts, how could I remember anything just by glancing at them briefly? If I really had seen anything, the domain lord would surely find a way to make me forget it." Xu Zheng was about to continue speaking to Lin Qianshuang when a streak of red shot across the floating stone bridge adorned with skulls, closing in on his position. The approaching demonic energy clearly intended to push him away. Xu Zheng quickly distanced himself from Lin Qianshuang, realizing the demonic aura was coming with hostile intent. The purple mist dissipated, and Han Shengyao appeared before Lin Qianshuang, her red-sleeved robes fluttering gracefully in the air. Lin Qianshuang was surprised, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes. Was her master here to punish her for her disrespect, or had she remembered something? "My messenger, you left your mask at my place." Han Shengyao retrieved the mask from her sleeve and placed it in Lin Qianshuang's hand. "Thank you, Domain Lord." Lin Qianshuang sighed in relief, accepting the mask with a smile before putting it back on her face. Han Shengyao casually glanced at the two young men standing not far from Lin Qianshuang and said, "I quite like you. If possible, during your time in Tianxu City, I would appreciate it if you could continue helping me organize the ancient texts." Lin Qianshuang bowed her head and softly replied, "Domain Lord, the city lord will assign others to assist you. In a few days, I am to... be wed." Han Shengyao cast a regretful glance at Lin Qianshuang, noticing her hesitant look toward a young man nearby. She turned her gaze towards him, seeing him holding a folding fan, sneaking glances at her with a flirtatious air that she found very unpleasant. Is this little demon cultivator choosing to bond with such a hypocrite as a partner? Han Shengyao's eyes revealed a trace of distaste as she remarked, "Did Du Shuang mention your affairs? Is this the person you intend to marry?" Lin Qianshuang nodded slightly. The task required it, so even if she didn't want to marry, she had to. In any case, it wasn't real. Han Shengyao lazily withdrew her gaze, saying with disdain, "What poor taste." Xu Zheng awkwardly coughed into his fan. Lin Qianshuang smiled and gently said in a concerned voice to Han Shengyao, "It's getting late, Domain Lord, you should rest early." Han Shengyao found the young man to be sly, and thought Lin Qianshuang had poor judgment in character; it was like a beautiful flower was planted in dung. The sight of him was particularly irksome, especially when she saw Lin Qianshuang's gentle smile, which for some reason stirred an inexplicable annoyance within her. Lin Qianshuang didn't dare leave before Han Shengyao and awkwardly said, "Domain Lord?" Han Shengyao could perceive Lin Qianshuang's true form—a furry little lion beast with beautiful blue eyes staring at her, the pointed soft ears quivering with a hint of fear. Her heart softened, and she couldn't resist ruffling Lin Qianshuang's black hair. Han Shengyao's stern profile softened, and her red eyes dimmed slightly. It reminded her that the former Demon Sovereign seemed to have a Persian cat with the same soft touch... Why did this thought seem so familiar? As if... she had thought it before. Lin Qianshuang stood frozen, feeling the warm hands on her head petting her like a cat. Her face turned red as she couldn't tolerate it any longer and grasped Han Shengyao's restless wrist, softly reminding, "Domain Lord." Han Shengyao huffed, noticing the fluffy white beast's little paw on her wrist, those innocent blue eyes looking at her, her heart melting even more. Yet she maintained her cool demeanor, looking at Lin Qianshuang and saying, "Tomorrow, I want you to personally accompany me to Tianxu City." Lin Qianshuang watched Han Shengyao leave, wiping the sweat from her brow. When her master's hand rested on her crown moments ago, she almost suspected she was about to be killed with a slap. She watched the red figure walking farther away with a lingering fear, suddenly feeling a complete blankness in her mind. Everything she had seen recorded in the demon arts texts at the estate was forgotten completely. At the Penglai Immortal Sect, Xiao Lanle sat in the Clear Mind Hall, letting bucket after bucket of icy pond water pour down over her head. Her hair clung to her ears, and her light pink blouse adhered to her skin, the bone-chilling cold gradually driving away the warmth of her fire spirit root. Usually afraid of water, she had undergone this kind of training more than once to overcome her fear. Last night, Xiao Shen had furiously punished her to kneel all night before her mother's grave after she refused the marriage arrangement with Senior Brother Chen, wishing instead to accept the trial for the head of Penglai Immortal Sect. One day, she would prove to her father that she had the strength to avenge her mother and the qualifications to inherit the position of sect leader. Xiao Lanle set down the bucket, took off her outer garment, picked up the Suwen sword, and transformed into a streak of white light as she dove into the unfathomable green water of the deep pool. The sense of cold confinement made her desperately want to rush to the surface, but she closed her eyes, reciting incantations to suppress the inner demons. The radiant Buddhist light in her consciousness transformed into strands of true qi, driving away the surrounding darkness. After swimming back and forth in the pool a few times, Xiao Lanle climbed ashore. As she was about to use her qi to dry herself, a cloak suddenly draped over her shoulders. A woman holding an umbrella extended a hand, channeling a stream of spiritual energy into her back, enveloping her and instantly leaving her clothes dry. Xiao Lanle turned her head with surprise and delight, looking at Lin Qianshuang. "Sister Qianshuang, what brings you here all of a sudden?" Recently, Lin Qianshuang had been traveling between the Penglai Immortal Sect and Tianxu City frequently. She had just settled the affairs of those from the Demon Domain in Tianxu City and was finding it hard to adjust to the human world's scorching sunlight, which was hotter than in Tianxu City. Using a paper umbrella to shield herself from the sun, Lin Qianshuang squinted and smiled at Xiao Lanle. "Junior Sister, I saw you dive into the water earlier and was worried about your safety. But now I see your swimming skills are excellent. I guess I was worrying for nothing." Xiao Lanle affectionately grabbed Lin Qianshuang’s hand, pulling her along with visible joy in her eyes and said, "Sister, today is my birthday. Did you come specifically to see me?" Indeed, she had come to see her... Because today was the day Xiao Shen would be killed, and Liang Jingxuan would inevitably attack the Penglai Immortal Sect. She needed to lead Xiao Lanle elsewhere and return when the time was right. She didn’t want Xiao Lanle to witness such a cruel scene. And if she had to explain why the sect leader was killed, how could she tell her, your father killed your mother and relatives for the Buddha Sapphire and wasn’t actually from the Chen family? That the massacre of the village wasn’t the Tianxu City lord’s doing, but you who lost control and killed them all? Would saying that your so-called revenge was just someone else's manipulation shatter her world? Most people would break down upon hearing such things. Lin Qianshuang intertwined her arm with Xiao Lanle's, adopting the manner of two girlfriends shopping leisurely as she said, "Lanle, wouldn’t you like to go down the mountain for a stroll? You can choose the place, and I'm free today." Xiao Lanle gazed at Lin Qianshuang's smile, and absent-mindedly touched her face, saying, "Sister, there’s something different about you today." The same warm smile her sister had when she deceived her and left in her nightmares... Lin Qianshuang’s smile faltered, but she quickly resumed a gentle smile as she teased, "Is it the dark circles under my eyes? Or have I just gotten uglier with age?" Xiao Lanle tugged at Lin Qianshuang's hair, mildly annoyed, "Sister, if you've aged and gotten ugly, then no young people are left in the sect. You were the first to build a foundation here, even three years earlier than me. You should be calling me Sister instead." Lin Qianshuang, pondering her master’s words about her nine-spirited sword body, realized the original beloved senior sister did have excellent aptitude. Without Liang Jingxuan, she might have smoothly continued on her path of sword cultivation to achieve immortality. Xiao Lanle pulled Lin Qianshuang's hand and grinned, "How about we switch roles—I call you Junior Sister, and you call me Senior Sister. Last time you took me to Tianxu City on your back; this time, I'll carry you down to the mortal world." Would she dare let Junior Sister carry her? Lin Qianshuang looked at Xiao Lanle’s delicate, slender frame and quickly waved her hands, saying, "No need! I’m quite heavy, and your qi may not last. If you accidentally break a bone, it’d be quite the problem." "Lin Qianshuang, how could you underestimate me? I can carry you even without using qi; my physical strength is much better than yours." Xiao Lanle dragged Lin Qianshuang over despite her reluctance, and crouched down, raising her brows teasingly. "Junior Sister, go ahead. I’ll give you a piggyback ride." Lin Qianshuang looked alarmed at Xiao Lanle’s narrow waist and fragile build, taking a few steps back. "Let's talk about this another time. If there’s a need for carrying, I should definitely be the one to carry you." "Call me Senior Sister!" Xiao Lanle stood with her hand on her hip, marched over to Lin Qianshuang, and lifted her in her arms, saying, "If you won’t let me carry you, I’ll just hold you instead." "Sister, what if you get hurt somehow? How would I explain it to the sect leader?" Lin Qianshuang found herself unexpectedly in Xiao Lanle’s arms, helplessly fretting over the slender but steady grip. "Let me down, I’ve got a special place I want to take you." Xiao Lanle effortlessly wrapped both arms around Lin Qianshuang’s waist, giving it a playful squeeze, proudly proclaiming, "Even if you’ve gained weight, I can still hold you. I can’t have the Five Sects laughing at me for being unable to carry my own wife." Hearing Xiao Lanle humorously call herself her wife, Lin Qianshuang chuckled, "Who’s your wife? Stop saying nonsense. Put me down." “If I put you down, will you still take me to that special place? You promised." Thinking about being carried through the streets, Lin Qianshuang felt flushed with embarrassment. Fearing she might hurt her by forcing her way out, she sighed, patting Xiao Lanle’s hands on her waist, and relented, "Fine, fine. I have a surprise planned just for you.”