Chapter 108 - The Harem Rescue Project

Mu Weiyin said politely, "The Domain Master is leaving in such haste, it seems Heavenly Pivot City has not hosted you well. How about a drink together before you go?" Han Shengyao gave a languid smile. "There's no need for that." She lifted her lazy violet eyes, her lips curling up with a somewhat enigmatic expression as she said, "When the Demon Suppression Tower is built, it won't be too late for the City Lord and me to meet again if you are willing." Mu Weiyin's face showed a hint of a polite smile, and with some regret, she replied, "Regarding the lady you mentioned last time, I've exhausted Heavenly Pivot City's resources, yet I still haven’t found a trace of her. She seems nowhere to be found. Could the Domain Master provide more details on where you saw this woman?" "If you can't find her, then let it be." Han Shengyao smiled nonchalantly. "She was merely a person in a dream. I don't know why I was so obsessed, foolishly thinking I could find her." As she spoke of this dream figure frequently mentioned among the people of the Demon Domain, she remembered nothing about her... Han Shengyao suddenly recalled the white-clothed woman with a zither under the peach trees by the stream at Listen-to-the-Wind Pavilion in Frost Mountain Manor. The woman slightly bowed her head and whispered to herself as the dappled light of the flowers and leaves fell on her dark hair and gauzy white attire, enveloping her in a haze of soft golden light. Her upturned pale red lips, clear eyes with a gentle smile, peaceful expression like peach blossoms falling in flowing water, reflected an understated elegance. Her slightly furrowed brows disturbed the tranquil scene, the delicate dance of pink petals merging into the rippling water, their arc fleetingly disappearing, leaving a charming impression. She seemed like a scene of splendid springtime, blending into the vibrant maelstrom of blooming flowers and frolicking birds, seizing all colors from her view at a glance, akin to encountering someone from a painting. Han Shengyao's gaze unintentionally shifted to Lin Qianshuang behind her. Her violet eyes flickered with a hint of contemplation, but her expression remained cold and indifferent, seemingly uninterested in the person she was looking at. Mu Weiyin seemed to have caught a subtle clue. Without any true intention, she mentioned superficially, "Could it be someone under my command has offended the Domain Master? If the Domain Master is interested, I can send her to the Demon Domain as an appeasement. What do you say?" Though it was phrased as an appeasement, all three of them understood the underlying meaning. "..." Lin Qianshuang couldn’t help but cough, reminding Mu Weiyin they still had a deal, and abandoning her now was not a wise move. She couldn’t understand why Han Shengyao and Mu Weiyin were flattering each other while dragging her, the innocent bystander, into their conversation. Han Shengyao was somewhat surprised that Mu Weiyin would casually propose to send someone by her side away. She looked at Lin Qianshuang with interest and said straightforwardly to Mu Weiyin, "I have no such intention. I don't prefer this type of woman. If you do send her over, I might consider accepting her as a cauldron. Are you willing to part with her, City Lord?" Mu Weiyin’s typically stern and rigid face showed a rare fluctuation, as if she was pondering Han Shengyao’s words. The girl known as "Jieyu" and her partner were too intimate for comfort. Mu Weiyin felt uneasy about it. The Demon Domain’s Domain Master seemed to have an interest in "Jieyu." If she could be sent over as a cauldron and placed in the Demon Domain, it could be advantageous. However, there was still a transaction between them, and she was quite satisfied with this cauldron. Furthermore, sending "Jieyu" away might upset Xiao Lanle. Seeing Mu Weiyin hesitate, Han Shengyao did not intend to make things difficult for her. She had spoken casually without genuinely wanting to trade the young demon cultivator like merchandise. "City Lord, until we meet again." Han Shengyao nodded at Mu Weiyin, though her gaze lingered on Lin Qianshuang for a few seconds before leaving the courtyard under the respectful guidance of guards. Mu Weiyin watched Han Shengyao depart, then turned towards Lin Qianshuang, placing five blood-stained magic pills into her hand. "Have you recovered? Come, I have urgent matters to discuss with you." Lin Qianshuang followed Mu Weiyin, staring nervously at the five blood-stained magic pills in her hand. These were the inner cores of the young cultivators Mu Weiyin had given her to serve as a cauldron. Lin Qianshuang couldn’t fathom Mu Weiyin’s intention. Was she rewarding her or sending a warning? Uneasy, Lin Qianshuang trailed behind Mu Weiyin, passing a Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. Various cultivators from differing sects knelt in allegiance to Mu Weiyin — they were likely the orphans-turned-members of the intelligence network under her care. Not far away, a pretty girl in blue stood on the sixth floor of a towering structure, smiling brightly and waving enthusiastically. Attempting to descend to greet them, she managed to climb to the sixth-floor balcony, but her foot suddenly slipped, causing her to teeter precariously, about to fall. Lin Qianshuang found the girl in blue familiar. She looked at Mu Weiyin’s face and noticed a resemblance. Could this girl in blue be Mu Xiaochi, the City Lord’s younger sister mentioned in the original story? Struggling to recall specific details, Lin Qianshuang was prompted by the system, revealing Mu Xiaochi was born simple-minded but bore a strand of spiritual essence from a great power of the upper realm. When the protagonist formed a partnership with the City Lord of Heavenly Pivot City, the realm of cultivation was plagued by demons. After the Demon Suppression Tower fell, an ancient fearsome beast, Taotie, appeared outside the seal. As cultivation sects united to combat the demons, they lost ground, suffering significant losses. Hundreds of sects spontaneously formed the Immortal Alliance, electing an alliance leader. The protagonist, Liang Jingxuan, dared not challenge Taotie. With Heavenly Pivot City as the first line of defense against the human cultivators' invasion, he intended to manipulate the city's resources for a grand tale of saving the world to secure the position of Immortal Alliance leader. Unbeknownst to him, Mu Xiaochi disapproved and obstructed his interactions with Mu Weiyin. Seizing an opportunity while Mu Weiyin was supervising the reconstruction of the Demon Suppression Tower, the protagonist, in a fit of rage, killed Mu Xiaochi and absorbed the spiritual essence within her, gaining a temporary immortal body which later saved his life during the siege by Taotie. This act established him as the hero who defeated the ancient beast and ruled as the undisputed Immortal Alliance leader. After the Demon Suppression Tower’s seal was entirely broken and Taotie emerged, Mu Xiaochi was the only one who could defeat the ancient beast. Watching Mu Xiaochi fall from the tower, Lin Qianshuang instinctively moved, using demonic energy to catch her mid-air. "Sister, have we met somewhere before?" Mu Xiaochi, unafraid, embraced Lin Qianshuang’s neck, her eyes similar in enchanting black-gray as Mu Weiyin’s, curiously examining her. She reached out to touch her non-existent beast ears, her laughter like silver bells, "Sister, has anyone ever told you that you smell sweet and cute? Your ears look soft and though you seem intimidating, you’re very gentle. I really like the way you look." Sweet, soft? Was she being described like a dessert? Lin Qianshuang landed steadily, automatically filtering out Mu Xiaochi’s words. She decided it wasn't worth arguing with a child’s innocence. Mu Weiyin’s unapproachable aura softened momentarily at Mu Xiaochi’s appearance. She pulled her out of Lin Qianshuang’s embrace, examining her closely with urgency, scolding, "Xiaochi, how many times have I told you not to come looking for me? Stay in your room and wait for my return. You almost got yourself killed this time, do you understand?" Unfazed, Mu Xiaochi giggled foolishly at Mu Weiyin, pointing to Lin Qianshuang, "Big sis would save me, and that pretty lady would too. Why should Xiaochi fear?" Mu Weiyin pursed her lips, directing her question to the accompanying personal guard, "Who has been watching over the young City Lord these days?" The steward appeared promptly, kneeling before Mu Weiyin with respect, "Young City Lord ran out on her own, claiming she smelled something fragrant and wanted to see it. A group of servants chased but couldn't stop her." Mu Weiyin felt a headache coming on as she handed Mu Xiaochi over to the steward, instructing, "Whatever Xiaochi wants to eat, no matter how troublesome, fulfill her wishes. Do not let her go hungry." The steward quickly agreed, taking Mu Xiaochi away. Unexpectedly, Mu Xiaochi, usually obedient, became stubborn for the first time. She held onto Lin Qianshuang's hand, refusing to let go, saying, "I don't want to leave; I want to talk to her more. Xiaochi likes her." Lin Qianshuang felt awkward, hesitantly considering whether to pry Mu Xiaochi’s hand away. Mu Weiyin calmly stepped forward, detached Mu Xiaochi and handed her to the steward, unfazed, "Take good care of the young City Lord, make sure she doesn't wander off, and bring a spirit rabbit to her room." The steward obeyed, pulling Mu Xiaochi along despite her struggles, and disappeared from view. Lin Qianshuang exhaled in relief but still felt a little embarrassed, awkwardly saying to Mu Weiyin, "Does the young City Lord have a fondness for furry creatures?" Mu Weiyin, walking ahead, replied, "Xiaochi has always been fond of white spirit pets. Like me, she has a heavenly eye destiny, allowing her to see your true form. Sorry if you were startled." Turns out she was mistaken for a spirit pet. Lin Qianshuang’s mouth twitched slightly, her mind wandering. The interior core gifted by the Canglan Beast surely wasn't its own; otherwise, how could the form and size differ so much, even the color didn’t match. Seeing herself tiny and fluffy, even she wanted to pet herself. — Mu Weiyin continued leading the way in silence, their footsteps quiet until they reached a wooden cabin. Lin Qianshuang pushed the door open and was instantly stunned. She had thought Mu Weiyin wanted to discuss the matter concerning the last person on the list with her, but instead, she found herself in a kitchen? Red peppers, yellow peppers, napa cabbage, winter melon, fresh pork, live fish... Surprised, Lin Qianshuang glanced at the array of ingredients spread across the table and then at Mu Weiyin, who was standing at the stove. "City Lord, are you planning to cook?" Mu Weiyin's expression was solemn, as if making an important decision. She earnestly addressed Lin Qianshuang, "Lan Le is participating in the sect leader trials tomorrow. I wish to prepare a dinner tonight and deliver it to her. You lived with her at the Penglai Immortal Sect for some time, so you should know her preferences."