105,3 - Little Peasant Wife

As they reached the town's gates, perhaps due to the upcoming festival, the road was bustling with travelers. Jing Ao Xue lifted the carriage curtain to take a look at the city gate, sighed at the long line, and then hugged Shen Luyin from behind, resting her chin gently on Shen Luyin's shoulder. She said in a muffled voice, "So many people... It seems like it will take a long time to get through the gate." Shen Luyin laughed and replied, "Then let's wait a little longer. It's not like we're in a hurry." She glanced at Liu Er, who sat in deep thought inside the carriage, and asked, "What are you thinking about, Liu Er?" Liu Er looked up and replied, "My foster mother gave me a difficult problem to solve, and I've been pondering over it." "What problem?" Jing Ao Xue asked curiously, "Tell me, maybe your mother and I can help you with some ideas." Liu Er hesitated and then said, "It's nothing major, just a scenario where two armies are equally matched—how to quickly achieve victory in war." Jing Ao Xue: "..." She forced a smile, thinking: "How can that not be a big deal? That's a huge issue!" She rubbed her forehead, trying to recall any war strategies she had read about in the past. Just as she was about to speak, she heard a soft laugh coming from a nearby carriage. A little girl's voice piped up from next door, sounding soft and inquisitive, "Auntie, what are you laughing at?" The woman who had just laughed responded with a gentle chuckle, "Oh, nothing. I just suddenly remembered two old friends." When she mentioned "old friends," her tone was laced with deep meaning. Jing Ao Xue frowned, feeling that the woman's voice was somehow familiar. Perhaps the people in the neighboring carriage held a higher status, as their servants went ahead to hand a token to the soldiers, granting them immediate passage. Jing Ao Xue frowned, racking her brain but unable to recall where she had heard that voice before. She glanced at Shen Luyin, who seemed unperturbed by the small incident and was already discussing strategies with Liu Er. Deciding to put the matter aside, Jing Ao Xue joined their conversation. Eventually, their turn came to enter the city gate. After the guards inspected them and collected the entry fee, they finally made it into town. Stretching lazily, Jing Ao Xue remarked, "Tomorrow is the Qixi Festival. We'll be staying here for two days to enjoy the festivities before heading home. Let's find a place to stay and park the carriage, then we can explore the town." Shen Luyin agreed, and the two found a modest inn, booking a single upper room. After securing the carriage in the inn's courtyard, the family of three set out to wander the bustling streets. The streets, usually lively, were now decked out for the festivities. Qixi Festival is a grand occasion in the mortal realm, celebrated by unmarried maidens and young children. Liu Er, being a half-demon, could also partake in the festival as half a girl before her second gender determination. Holding Liu Er in her arms, Jing Ao Xue declared generously, "Liu Er, anything you like, I'll buy it for you!" Liu Er smiled and pointed to a stall ahead, saying, "Mother, I want a sugar figurine." Following her gaze, Jing Ao Xue saw a group of children gathered around a stall, watching with rapt attention as the vendor shaped sugar figurines. The vendor's craft was remarkably skilled, swiftly creating lively designs. Carrying Liu Er over, Jing Ao Xue let her pick a figurine she liked, bought one for Shen Luyin, and continued their stroll. Ancient streets were quite akin to modern night markets, bustling with pedestrians. One needed to stay vigilant not to get separated in the crowd. It was Jing Ao Xue’s first experience of such vibrant historical festivities, and she found herself more engrossed and excited than even Liu Er. Shen Luyin looked at her with amusement, accompanying her until late into the night. It wasn't until Liu Er grew sleepy that they returned to the inn to rest. The next morning, after having breakfast at the inn, the family headed to Baicaotang. Baicaotang was busier than usual, with a long line waiting in front of Doctor Gu Qing. Jing Ao Xue glanced at the crowd and said, "There are so many people here. Perhaps we shouldn't go inside." They had only intended to drop by for greetings, but with so many patients, the clinic's doctors and assistants were busy. It didn’t feel right to squeeze in. Shen Luyin agreed and was about to turn away with Jing Ao Xue when they suddenly heard the sound of shattering glass from the upstairs. Frowning, Shen Luyin pulled Jing Ao Xue into a hidden corner of the street. Confused, Jing Ao Xue asked, "Why are we hiding?" Shen Luyin explained, "There was a familiar spiritual energy from the second floor of Baicaotang. It's not something we can handle right now, so it's better to stay away." Jing Ao Xue frowned and just then saw a group of people exiting Baicaotang. They were dressed in exquisite attire, the man and woman at the forefront exuding extraordinary presence. Jing Ao Xue was stunned, "It's... Lan Yi Niang!" Indeed, the young woman leading the group was Lan Yi Niang from Liang Shengrong's household. Judging by her intimate demeanor with the young man beside her, they appeared like a newlywed couple. Suddenly realizing, Jing Ao Xue said, "The voice we heard yesterday must have been Lan Yi Niang's. No wonder it sounded so familiar; she must have deliberately lowered her voice." She glanced at Shen Luyin, who was squinting at Lan Yi Niang, and felt reluctant to speak, so she chose to remain silent. Liu Er, who was in her arms, said, "Mother, we should leave here quickly." Curious, Jing Ao Xue asked, "Why?" Pointing at the young man, Liu Er explained, "I've seen portraits of him. My foster mother mentioned him a few days ago. He is the third prince of the royal family. On the surface, he seems uninterested in the throne, focused on unorthodox practices, but in reality, he is deeply scheming. He has secretly approached my foster mother for cooperation several times before. She even speculated he might come from the capital, but I didn't expect it to be so soon..." Jing Ao Xue's heart skipped, exchanging a glance with Shen Luyin before they quickly returned to the inn. Seated, Jing Ao Xue, her expression grave, asked, "What else did your foster mother tell you?" She believed Qin Yi Shu wouldn't have mentioned this without reason. There must be a cause, and it likely involved Liu Er. Liu Er shifted as if recalling something, then sat upright with a smile much like Qin Yi Shu’s and said, "My foster mother told me that the third prince is ambitious and has long been displeased with the emperor and National Master. He is a useful pawn; however, we should not approach him directly. Instead, we should use bait to lure him to us." "And that bait is me. As the only successor of my foster mother and the future head of the Qin family, the third prince might target me as a weakness to seek collaboration." Jing Ao Xue’s expression turned complex as she told Shen Luyin, "We should move." She had no desire to get tangled in this mess. Just as things had calmed down, now the high-ranking third prince and the scheming Lan Yi Niang appeared. Judging by their intimate demeanor on the streets earlier, Lan Yi Niang must have employed her usual tactics—pretending to rely on a man, becoming his concubine, and then using his influence to further her plans. Moreover, previous clues suggested that Lan Yi Niang and the National Master were at odds. Now the National Master, constrained by the powerful female cultivator, dared not enter the town or village. This place was now the safest, which Lan Yi Niang must have realized as well. Jing Ao Xue tightened her lips, recalling the Qingmu Zhenjun cave in the village hills. If she could sense something unusual, then surely, Lan Yi Niang would discover the treasure she sought hidden within the mountains of Duobao Village. If that were the case, there'd be trouble. Hateful as the National Master was, Jing Ao Xue deemed the cunning Lan Yi Niang, who toyed with the National Master, even more fearsome. Shen Luyin listened, gazing deeply at Jing Ao Xue. Jing Ao Xue, unsure if it was her imagination, thought she saw satisfaction in Shen Luyin's eyes. Before she could dwell on it, Shen Luyin calmly stated, "It matters not, this issue has nothing to do with our family. Since Qin Yi Shu mentioned that the third prince came looking for Liu Er, we'll return tomorrow and inform her of the third prince’s presence, sharing our concerns. Qin Yi Shu, wise and resourceful, will surely resolve this trouble." Jing Ao Xue paused, then said sourly, "Yes, even Liu Er thinks her foster mother is more capable, right?" Shen Luyin gave her an amused glance; even in such situations, she found time for playful jealousy. But that was precisely Jing Ao Xue’s nature; with her, even the greatest of challenges seemed manageable. Feeling a chill within, Shen Luyin hadn’t mentioned sensing Lan Yi Niang's severe injuries, indicating limited time left. Despite her Foundation Establishment stage power, dealing with her now wouldn't be difficult with Shen Luyin's demonic heritage. She pondered this and then asked Liu Er, "What do you think about this situation, Liu Er?" Liu Er hummed softly and said, "We should quickly return and inform foster mother about this. Why not skip the Qixi Festival and head back to the village today?" Jing Ao Xue frowned, "But..." Liu Er smiled, affectionately holding her arm, "I know you and mother only want what's best for me. As long as we're together, the festivals don't matter." Jing Ao Xue touched Liu Er's hair, heart softened, "Alright, if Liu Er wants to go back, we will. We had fun last night anyway, and there will be more chances to come out again." With a nod from Liu Er, the family checked out of the inn, boarded their carriage, and promptly returned to the village. As they passed by the town’s largest inn, Lan Yi Niang was plucking fresh petals from a vase. "This family is quite interesting. If I had more time, I might have enjoyed playing with them a bit longer." A handsome man, standing by the window, glanced indifferently at the passing carriage. "Respected one, you seem to have quite an interest in a female half-demon." Lan Yi Niang gave him a coy glance. "You don't understand, Third Prince. Half-demons are more interesting than men. Besides, this little half-demon is so fresh and beautiful, it would be my gain to have her under me as an old woman of a hundred years." She stood up, looking at the sleeping girl on the bed, chuckling, "It seems the Third Prince is not much different, coming here in a hurry with your illegitimate daughter just because you heard General Qin adopted a foster daughter. Could it be you plan to use a beauty trap on a child?" The Third Prince, visibly embarrassed, replied, "Enough, I won't argue with you. Now that I've brought you to this town, you should fulfill your promise." Lan Yi Niang laughed softly, retrieving a vial of pills from her sleeve, "Here you go. Isn’t this what you desire? Once you present this to your emperor father, he might abdicate in a few years." The Third Prince's eyes gleamed as he took the vial. He wanted to thank her, but Lan Yi Niang had already vanished. Gripping the porcelain bottle tightly, the Third Prince harbored a deep hatred for all cultivators. Yet, he couldn't deny their formidable capabilities. Both Lan Yi Niang and the National Master were exceptional. But they had sat atop their lofty positions for too long, unaware that even ants could retaliate. He believed that General Qin shared his disdain for the National Master. He was confident he could persuade Qin Yi Shu to aid him in seizing the throne! Taking a deep breath, he ordered preparations for departure, while Jing Ao Xue and her family returned to the village by afternoon, heading straight to Qin Yi Shu’s residence. Qin Yi Shu was resting when her servants informed her of the visitors. Her eyes flickered briefly, she instructed them to invite her guests in and prepared herself with her servants' help. Having grown accustomed to her incapacitated state, it still pained her to require assistance. Yet, she never displayed her emotions. Leaning on the soft couch, her gaze swept over them, then she smiled at Liu Er, "Did you enjoy the town?" Liu Er replied calmly, "It was fine. If foster mother regains her health, we could visit the capital for a broader experience." In just two sentences, she conveyed a lot. A mist gathered in Qin Yi Shu's eyes as she looked toward the courtyard, "It seems you've encountered the Third Prince already. He came sooner than I expected. Where did you meet him?" Jing Ao Xue scratched her head, feeling somewhat intellectually challenged. How did Qin Yi Shu discern their purpose with just a glance? Pausing, she explained, "At the entrance of Baicaotang, I heard sounds from upstairs. My wife sensed familiar spiritual energy and pulled me aside, and we happened upon Lan Yi Niang and the Third Prince. Speaking of Lan Yi Niang..." Qin Yi Shu interjected, "I know of her. She approached me once. Her real name is Hua Ling Lan. She arrived in the mortal realm around the same time as the National Master. The turmoil in our country and the mysterious corpses are linked to these two." Jing Ao Xue was taken aback, remarking with a complex expression, "General Qin knows far more than I imagined. What are your plans?" Qin Yi Shu glanced at her, "I plan to go to town. The village is too pure to be tainted by filth. The matter with the Third Prince won't involve Liu Er, so don't worry. For now, these people won’t dare make drastic moves." Relieved, Jing Ao Xue said, "Since you have a plan, handle it well. All I can do is send you more pills." Qin Yi Shu chuckled, "Your pills have been a great help, giving me hope for recovery." She then addressed Shen Luyin, "Thank you. I’ll remember your kindness and will surely..." "No need," Shen Luyin interrupted emotionlessly. "Just educate Liu Er well. We consider this an equivalent exchange, no need for further gratitude." Qin Yi Shu was momentarily stunned, gazing at the concerned Liu Er and nodding with a smile, "Alright." After a few more exchanges, once Qin Yi Shu's servants had prepared the carriage, Jing Ao Xue and her family took their leave. Liu Er couldn’t stay with Qin Yi Shu, and Jing Ao Xue was reluctant to let her go to town. Entrusted with a chest of books by Qin Yi Shu, Liu Er was allowed to remain in the village. Eyeballing the hefty chest of books, Jing Ao Xue sighed, "Qin Yi Shu is really something, this many books, when will they be done?" Yet Liu Er cherished them like treasures. She was currently obsessed with books, believing they would aid her, embracing them eagerly. Back home, Shen Luyin moved the books to the study, where Liu Er dove into reading voraciously. Sharing a glance with Shen Luyin, Jing Ao Xue helplessly moved on. In the main room, Jing Ao Xue rested her chin on her hand, "I feel uneasy. Lan Yi Niang is too terrifying, too sinister." Pouring tea, Shen Luyin paused, "She is indeed cunning and ruthless. As long as we guard these mountains, we’ll eventually clash with her and the National Master." Spot on, as Jing Ao Xue suspected, the treasure Lan Yi Niang and the National Master sought was Qingmu Zhenjun’s seclusion cave. Even the spiritual energy outside the mountain-protecting formation rivaled the cultivation world. Imagine the treasures within. Qingmu Zhenjun wasn’t an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator—being the only sixth-grade alchemist in a thousand years. Jing Ao Xue wouldn’t believe she hadn’t secured a significant opportunity. With unease, Jing Ao Xue said, "It seems boosting our strength quickly is crucial." Shen Luyin nodded, "Check the herb seedlings in the pharmacy. If they’re ready, hand the task to Wu Zhi Yong, and we can take Liu Er to the mountains." Jing Ao Xue nodded and checked the pharmacy. The seedlings were growing well, though not yet at their previous peak. After a moment of thought, she stored the seedlings in her storage bag, informed Shen Luyin, and headed to Wu Zhi Yong’s house. His home was lively, more chaotic than usual. Bypassing the commotion, she slipped inside, and spotted Wu Zhi An laughing among others, seemingly preparing to celebrate the Qixi Festival for the family’s only daughter, Wu Meng Qiu. Seeing Jing Ao Xue, Wu Zhi Yong rushed over, "Finally! I dropped by your place recently, but you were out. Where have you been?" Smiling, Jing Ao Xue, noticing discreet glances from others, greeted and then pulled Wu Zhi Yong aside to the riverside. Unpacking her storage bag, she released the seedlings onto the grass. Meeting Wu Zhi Yong’s astonished gaze, she explained, "I was cultivating in the mountains. I'm about to head back. I came to give you these herb seedlings. Since it’ll be a while before the fields harvest crops, in a few days, plant these in my field. I'll buy the herbs at market price, how about it?" Wu Zhi Yong’s eyes lit up, "Great! I'd considered this, but you weren't around. You're prompt with this." He admired the seedlings, "These are top-notch. Rest assured, I’ll cultivate them well." Confident in him, Jing Ao Xue gave a few more instructions before turning to leave. After a few steps, Wu Meng Qiu blocked her way, asking, "Aunt Jing, is Liu Er home?" Turning to Wu Zhi Yong and seeing him watching Wu Meng Qiu, Jing Ao Xue replied, "Liu Er is home. You can visit her with your father if you'd like." Wu Meng Qiu beamed at her father upon hearing this. Wu Zhi Yong said, "I'll call my brother to collect the seedlings. Wait a moment." Wu Meng Qiu nodded, and once Wu Zhi Yong moved away, she asked, "How has Liu Er been lately?" From her father, she learned that Liu Er was adopted by General Qin, studying under her, promising a bright future. She felt both happy for Liu Er and inadequate, left behind by her friend’s progress. These past few days, her mood had been somewhat gloomy, feeling unsure about how to catch up with her friends. Her father wasn’t optimistic about the situation either, advising her to be herself and not to compare herself to Liu Er. It wasn’t about comparison, she just felt... uneasy. Zhang Qiao'er had the opportunity to be taken away by a fairy, so why couldn’t she have the same? She also wished to become strong and formidable like Liu Er, willing to endure any hardship to achieve that. But she realized she didn’t even have such an opportunity. Once frail and living each day as it came, now her health had improved, yet she found new, insurmountable challenges. She couldn’t simply do whatever she pleased. Seeing her with her head lowered, Jing Ao Xue thought she was just missing her friend Liu Er and comforted her, “Liu Er is doing well. General Qin is wise and formidable, teaching Liu Er excellently.” She sighed softly, only to realize that Wu Meng Qiu sighed in tandem. Jing Ao Xue didn’t really understand the struggles of a young girl’s mind, just as Wu Meng Qiu couldn’t fathom why Jing Ao Xue could seem so immature. Sharing a smile, they both found their impressions of each other quite favorable. When Wu Zhi Yong arrived, Wu Zhi An followed closely, almost ready to kneel in gratitude for Jing Ao Xue's help, startling her. "It was nothing, really, just a small favor. You’ve helped me before, we're all neighbors. No need to be overly formal," said Jing Ao Xue, a bit sheepishly. Wu Zhi Yong cheerfully patted his brother’s shoulder, instructing him to gather the seedlings on the ground, which were placed in slightly larger porcelain bowls serving as plant trays. Wu Zhi An gave a bashful smile, patting his chest in assurance before getting to work. Jing Ao Xue then brought Wu Zhi Yong and his daughter back home, where Shen Luyin had tidied up a bit and was waiting with Liu Er at the door. Liu Er, seeing her friend, was immediately delighted, shedding her mature demeanor and behaving like an ordinary child, eyes crinkling with laughter. After the children exchanged whispers, Jing Ao Xue carried Liu Er up the mountain. Liu Er loved the mountains but hadn’t had many opportunities to visit. The last time... She frowned, vaguely remembering being in the mountains before but details were fuzzy—she only recalled her mother badly injured. Gripping Jing Ao Xue’s neck tightly, she asked nervously, “Mother, are we going hunting?” “No,” Jing Ao Xue replied, “We’re going into the mountains to cultivate. When Liu Er turns six, we’ll test your spiritual roots. If you have them, you’ll spend a lot of time cultivating in the mountains, as the spiritual energy here is the most abundant and beneficial for your cultivation.” Liu Er’s expression froze momentarily. She didn’t know much about the cultivation world, but she had tried using the jade slip left by the female cultivator, which gave her a rough understanding. She knew that the spiritual energy in the mortal realm was depleted, making the cultivation world the ideal place for practice. Yet her mother planned for her to cultivate here, claiming an abundance of spiritual energy. This could only mean that some heavenly treasure or divine beast was present... Wait, wasn’t Little Gray a divine beast, a phoenix? It had mentioned bringing abundant spiritual energy to wherever it stayed. Could it be due to Little Gray? Liu Er frowned. She had wanted to tell her mother about Little Gray several times but always held back at the last moment. She wondered how Little Gray was doing now. Lost in thought, she noticed her mother sweating and decided to walk on her own. She had been exercising and strengthening her body during her foster mother’s training and believed she could manage alone. However, Jing Ao Xue, concerned for her, preferred passing her to Shen Luyin rather than letting her walk. Feeling warm and cared for, Liu Er nestled against her mother’s shoulder, gazing at the lush surroundings, feeling a comforting drowsiness. Drifting into sleep, she was unaware that by the time they reached their destination, she had already dozed off. Jing Ao Xue chuckled softly upon realizing this, taking out a mat from the storage bag to sit down. "She sure is at peace, falling asleep so quickly." Shen Luyin gently set Liu Er on the thick mat, which insulated against moisture and cold, covering her with a blanket. "Liu Er must be tired from studying with Qin Yi Shu..." Seeing Jing Ao Xue gesturing for her to come over, Shen Luyin hesitated momentarily before moving closer. Jing Ao Xue embraced her, taking a deep breath. "I know you're uneasy, maybe because of Lan Yi Niang or something else. But, as they say, 'the cart will find its way round the hill.' There's no use worrying." Shen Luyin smiled wryly, "You should be telling that to yourself. You're the one having trouble letting go." They exchanged a resigned look and both sighed softly. Jing Ao Xue buried her head in Shen Luyin’s chest, feeling her push her away shyly, but she refused to let go, tightening her embrace. In a muffled voice, she grumbled, “These cultivators are so annoying, all more powerful than me.” Feeling truly frustrated, Jing Ao Xue remembered how she was once a formidable figure among humans during the apocalypse, rarely pushed to such limits as here in this otherworldly realm. Life was comfortable, but the troubles certainly hadn’t diminished. First Liang Shengrong, then Liu Steward, the National Master, and Lan Yi Niang... And when she thought about it, they were merely lower-tier figures. In the cultivation world, the Qi Refining stage was just stepping into the realm, followed by Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Out-of-Body stages... And it was said that Out-of-Body cultivators rarely appeared, yet above that, there were even higher levels. Just like there were levels above a sixth-grade alchemist, which astonished her. It felt like she was stuck in an endless leveling grind, finally clearing the first stage only to face ninety-nine more. When would it finally end? Sensing her disheartenment, Shen Luyin felt a rare pang of sympathy. Jing Ao Xue was usually the most upbeat and positive of them all, treating nothing as a big deal. But Jing Ao Xue was also human, a regular person, who hadn’t been a cultivator previously. Suddenly, Shen Luyin was overwhelmed with affection, bending to kiss the top of Jing Ao Xue's head. “Don’t worry, I’m here with you. I’ll always be by your side.” Jing Ao Xue quickly lifted her head from her chest, looking adorably pitiful, “Really?” Shen Luyin nodded, smiling. Suddenly, Jing Ao Xue suggested, “Then let's form a bond.” “Form a bond?” Shen Luyin asked, puzzled. Jing Ao Xue whispered in her ear and explained further, “I have a habit of forming partnerships with mutated plants. Since your true form is plant-based, essentially making you a demon cultivator, we can form a bond.” “You’re my wife. We won’t have a master-servant or spirit pet contract, but the most equal marriage bond. I hope you don’t despise my low cultivation level.” She playfully winked, and Shen Luyin extended her hand, “Alright, let's do it.” To demons, freedom was paramount, and they loathed forming bonds. But with Jing Ao Xue, it was different. She was human, and not highly cultivated, making her vulnerable. But Shen Luyin was a demon. Even if decapitated, it was merely losing a portion of her vine. Her life was exceedingly long, allowing gradual cultivation. Jing Ao Xue, however, couldn’t afford that time. She tenderly kissed Jing Ao Xue’s lips, “I want us to forge the ancient Qian Qian Yin Yuan bond.” An ancient pact where the stronger party would protect the weaker until they were equals, mutually benefiting each other. Jing Ao Xue wasn’t familiar with this bond; it was ancient knowledge, beyond the patchy information she had absorbed from the original owner. But Shen Luyin’s tenderness swayed her, and she agreed without hesitation. The process... Was excruciating, almost resembling being torn apart, as energy pierced her heart and eyes, making her lose much blood, and the pain was unbearable. She fainted, unaware of Shen Luyin’s shock and anger. Clenching her jaw, Shen Luyin held the unconscious Jing Ao Xue, turning her gaze to the sleeping Liu Er on the mat. Jing Ao Xue’s symptoms mirrored Liu Er’s prior experience. Initially dismissing it, now it explained many doubts. Why had Jing Ao Xue suddenly tamed strange fire? What was the fiery essence within her? Why detect a powerful demon’s aura? It all led back to her dear Liu Er, who must have been inadvertently bonded by an unknown, likely phoenix demon with a Qian Qian Yin Yuan bond! Coincidentally, Liu Er stirred awake, meeting her mother’s fierce gaze. Startled, she froze, fearing a threat in her direction, not daring to move a muscle. Shen Luyin gritted her teeth, placing Jing Ao Xue down gently on the mat before marching over to Liu Er with a fierce determination. "Liu Er, be honest with me. Did you encounter a Phoenix Demon King?" Liu Er's eyes widened in surprise. She opened her mouth, words failing her, and could only manage a wry smile. This confirmed Shen Luyin's suspicions, and she couldn't help but regret not noticing earlier. Pulling Liu Er into a hug, she spoke with a heavy heart, "Liu Er, you've been through so much." Tears streamed down Liu Er’s face, soaking Shen Luyin’s shoulder, an affirmation of the Phoenix's past wrongs. But then Liu Er shook her head and replied, "It treated me well. I tried to tell you before, but... I just couldn't find the words." "Now things are better since you finally know." Afraid that Shen Luyin might think poorly of Little Gray, she quickly added, "It helped me a lot, Mother. It's a good demon." The site has no pop-up ads, permanent domain (xbanxia.com).