Chapter 107 - The Harem Rescue Project

Lin Qianshuang lifted her small paws and gracefully leapt down from the chair. She gazed up at Han Shengyao, who was lazily basking in the sunlight on the eaves, before paying her no mind and crossing her short legs to circulate the magic energy in her dantian to nourish her body. As things stood, they were practically strangers, the kind who only met briefly. She knew her master's temperament well. When would her master ever be so enthusiastic towards a nondescript little figure, especially after erasing her memory of the books seen in the study last time? Clearly, her master maintained a cautious distance from her. Engaging her in close conversation might be a ploy to probe for information, having perhaps recognized her as someone well-liked by the Lord of Tianxu City. Mu Weiyin could return to this courtyard at any moment. If she saw them being so intimate, she might harbor suspicions against her. Lin Qianshuang weighed the pros and cons. Directly refusing the master of the Demon Realm would damage her pride; it might be better to pretend she hadn’t heard anything. Han Shengyao leaned lazily on her chin, watching Lin Qianshuang, who was quietly meditating on the ground. She had originally made an appointment to meet a shadow guard here for an investigation, but unexpectedly encountered the little one she hadn’t seen for a few days. The more she looked, the more she found the small creature adorably naive, kindling a desire to tease her. Seeing that Lin Qianshuang ignored her, she lost interest and gave up. “Domain Master, I’ve secretly located the mechanisms set outside the Demon Subjugation Tower, and odd talismans are pasted around them,” said the shadow guard as he knelt and handed over the recorded runes on paper. Han Shengyao took the paper from the shadow guard’s hand, her already cold and elegant face turning even more chillingly stern as she tore the paper into pieces and burned it. Her phoenix eyes narrowed with a bloodthirsty gleam as she said, “So they’re still plotting against the Demon Realm. Those righteous cultivators are truly restless.” The shadow guard spotted Lin Qianshuang meditating on the ground. Momentarily surprised, he picked up his weapon and said, “Domain Master, there’s a little demon on the ground. What if it overheard our conversation? Should I kill it?” Han Shengyao glanced at the soft, cute, silver-white little beast gradually reverting to human form, seemingly unaware of their presence. She told the shadow guard, “No need. I can test her with a few questions. The Memory Erasing Curse hasn’t reached its limit. If she did hear, I’d handle her myself. Gather the Right Protector overnight to destroy these Demon Subjugation Diagrams. Be on full alert two days later at the tower to avoid falling into Mu Weiyin’s trap.” The shadow guard accepted the order, taking another look at Lin Qianshuang, who was pretending not to notice anything. Seeing that the Demon Domain's master hadn’t ordered her death, he no longer hesitated and dissipated into a wisp of demonic energy. Lin Qianshuang had heard every word exchanged between Han Shengyao and the shadow guard. She glanced at Han Shengyao with a touch of fear, worried that she might silence her, especially as she approached step by step, making her heart race uncontrollably. The tenser she got, the more obvious it would be. Deciding to relax, Lin Qianshuang closed her eyes and allowed her body to enter a meditative state. As the footsteps grew closer, Lin Qianshuang’s eyelids trembled with tension. In this heart-pounding moment, her mind suddenly became much clearer. She suddenly realized how to deal with Han Shengyao. The bone flute in Han Shengyao’s hand transformed into a sharp dagger against Lin Qianshuang’s throat. She was reluctant to kill this amusing little demon cultivator, but ruining her voice seemed the safest option. Just as she was about to act, those tranquil and beautiful light blue eyes suddenly opened, reflecting her face perfectly within their clear depths. Han Shengyao halted all movements, unexpectedly embraced as Lin Qianshuang barreled into her arms. She stumbled several steps back, her wrist knocked aside. Within the Demon Realm, no one had ever dared to act so boldly toward her. A flicker of irritation crossed Han Shengyao’s face, ready to lash out, when she heard Lin Qianshuang’s coy reproach. “Domain Master, I’d just managed to calm myself to focus on shape-shifting cultivation. Why did you come before me?” Han Shengyao’s phoenix eyes gazed at Lin Qianshuang with a hint of puzzlement, unsure why she would say such words. Recently transformed back into human form, Lin Qianshuang’s body shimmered as if coated in silver light. Her eyes swirled with emotion, and, feigning uncontrollable feelings, she leaned towards Han Shengyao’s ear, breathed gently, and awkwardly draped her arms around her neck in a childish mimicry of adult gestures. Bowing her head shyly, she said, “I’ve admired you for a long time. You deliberately approached me; perhaps you fancy me as well? That day at the mansion, I was shy, afraid, and unprepared, feeling unworthy of you. Now, my human form is unstable. If you like, why don’t we go inside and finish what was left undone?" Han Shengyao's expression remained unchanged as she looked at Lin Qianshuang, her amethyst eyes softening slightly. She had always felt an inexplicable fondness for the small creature before her, and Lin Qianshuang's confession brought a strange sense of joy, though she didn’t understand why. Lin Qianshuang knew she appeared endearingly naive, clearly acting like someone trapped in unrequited love rather than eavesdropping on their conversation. Seeing no reaction from Han Shengyao, Lin Qianshuang intentionally feigned grievance, saying, “If you disdain me, just pretend I said nothing and misread the situation.” Han Shengyao gazed at Lin Qianshuang for a long while, causing her scalp to tingle, before suddenly smiling softly, caressing her hair. In a tone reminiscent of an elder advising the younger, she said, “Little demon cultivator, you’re clever and spirited. I quite like your vitality. However, in my heart, there’s already someone. Though I cannot see her clearly, I know she is my one irreplaceable partner. Your cultivation age is still young. Focus on your training, alright?” Lin Qianshuang lowered her head in dejection, her heart still pounding rapidly, as if she’d just disembarked from a roller coaster, leaving her a bit breathless. Her hands trembled slightly as she retracted her magic energy into her body. Her little life was spared for now, and it seemed that Han Shengyao had a decent impression of her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have bothered speaking with her and would have stabbed her with a blade early on. “Why didn’t you notify the servants of the Domain Master’s visit?” Mu Weiyin walked in, glancing at Han Shengyao tenderly patting Lin Qianshuang’s hair, somewhat doubting her eyes. It was the first time she witnessed the demon realm’s cold-blooded and ruthless master being so amicable to someone. No wonder Du Shuang, before leaving, specifically sought this eloquent young woman as a stand-in; indeed, she was remarkable. Lin Qianshuang noticed Mu Weiyin's arrival and hurriedly knelt, declaring, “Thank you, City Lord, for the medicine. This servant has recovered.” Mu Weiyin could immediately spot the deep-seated fear Lin Qianshuang was hiding and deliberately urged, “Since you’ve recovered, come here. I have matters to instruct you on.” Feeling relieved, Lin Qianshuang bowed to Han Shengyao and then moved behind Mu Weiyin. Han Shengyao approached Mu Weiyin, saying, “The matter of inspecting the Demon Subjugation Tower’s layout two days hence has been entrusted to my Right Protector. I must return to the Demon Realm to manage affairs and bid farewell to the City Lord.”