95 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

Chapter 95: Inquiry Atop Yan Jue's jet-black hair, a pair of large ears had unwittingly appeared. They were truly sizable, as ink-dark as her hair but tinged with a subtle pink softness inside. Qi Xian Qing was close to Yan Jue, the warmth of her breath brushing against the top of her head, causing those ears to twitch in response. A thick aura of demonic energy suddenly filled the air, so intense that it pervaded the surroundings. Instinctively, Qi Xian Qing tightened her grip on the sword in her hand. Over the years, she had personally sent many demons on their way, making the act of grasping her sword at the scent of demonic presence almost second nature. The demonic aura continued to saturate the air, growing ever denser, and Qi Xian Qing found her hand, now clutching her sword, was unsteady. "Clang——" The sword was returned to its sheath by Qi Xian Qing. Yan Jue's clear amber eyes widened slightly, meeting Qi Xian Qing's gaze for a moment before she scrambled to her feet, attempting to run. Qi Xian Qing, coming to her senses, immediately grabbed her hand. Unprepared, Yan Jue's body jerked backward and she was pulled into Qi Xian Qing's embrace. "What are you planning to do, run away?" Qi Xian Qing asked hoarsely. The little fox demon's entire body reeked of alcohol. Held from behind by Qi Xian Qing, Yan Jue struggled briefly before giving up, her hands dropping limply as she hesitantly asked, "You won't kill me, right?" Looking at the flushed tips of her ears, Qi Xian Qing said slowly, "But you’ve heard so many of my secrets." Her tone suddenly turned sharp: "So, should I silence you to keep them safe?" Yan Jue was clearly shaken. "But I didn't mean to..." Qi Xian Qing listened and understood completely. It was clear now. This mischievous little fox had unwittingly handed herself over. Restricted by Qi Xian Qing, Yan Jue couldn’t move and subconsciously clenched her clothing. She was genuinely terrified of death; otherwise, she wouldn’t have tried to run away initially. The room was silent. Yan Jue’s throat bobbed painfully, her hands dangling by her sides. Qi Xian Qing realized she might have frightened her too much, pausing before she added, "Then tell me, how should I spare your life?" The question was half-jest. Yan Jue tilted her head, dazedly thinking it over before her body tensed completely, her large ears pinned back against her head as she bared her teeth defiantly: "I can only fight you to the death!" Qi Xian Qing: "..." Seeing Yan Jue like that, Qi Xian Qing was both exasperated and amused, reminded of a small fox cub by the cold lake. Suddenly, a strange "crack——" echoed in the air. Yan Jue abruptly curled into herself, her waist bending as a pained groan escaped her. Cold sweat trickled down her cheeks. The spiritual power from the "Sea Heart Fragrance" was unexpectedly pure, pushing her to a breakthrough now. Her mind swam in a haze, her bones aching fiercely as if they were about to melt. The process of advancing in the demon realm was vastly different from that of humans. This was the breakthrough of the fourth realm for demons, the "Bone Refinement" stage. Henceforth, a demon's bones would gain value, becoming harder and more imbued with spirit. This would also mark the beginning of the demon's fifth realm, the core formation. In the quiet room, a series of crisp snapping sounds began to fill the air. With each sound, Yan Jue's body felt more pliant and resilient. The pain was overwhelming... Yan Jue turned pale. Qi Xian Qing took a deep breath, stepping forward slowly as she placed her fingers gently over Yan Jue's black ears, softly rubbing them. Yan Jue was extremely sensitive; with just a touch, her entire body went tense. Qi Xian Qing bent down to look at her, her gaze complex. The potent demonic energy clung heavily around her, stabbing at her nerves and causing a throbbing headache. Perhaps due to a shadow left from childhood, she didn’t know when it started, but she felt discomfort whenever she caught the scent of a demon. Yet Qi Xian Qing could discern that the aroma surrounding Yan Jue was unlike any demon she had encountered before. While other demons had a chaotic, foul stench, Yan Jue's scent, even when unfurling all her demonic energy, was an enchanting milk fragrance. Qi Xian Qing had met Yan Jue long before; suspicion had brewed since the Wulong Banquet, but it was inconceivable to her that this person could be a demon sneaking into the Wulong Sect. Feeling a bit hot, Yan Jue reached to scratch her neck, shifting uncomfortably on the bed, only for Qi Xian Qing to steady her wrist. With a slight furrow of her brow, Qi Xian Qing began channeling spiritual power into Yan Jue, offering silent assistance. A faint, cooling spiritual force eased its way into Yan Jue's body, soothing her heat. She was helping Yan Jue with her breakthrough. Unbeknownst to her, the Bone Refinement was nearing completion. Yan Jue, even in her sleep, relaxed her brows, her small, pale face pressing lightly against Qi Xian Qing’s side, akin to seeking comfort in Qi Xian Qing's touch. Gently stroking Yan Jue's soft cheek, Qi Xian Qing realized that she genuinely had feelings for the person before her. Handing her life over repeatedly to Yan Jue confirmed this. Ironically, Qi Xian Qing, who had spent her life slaying numerous demons and dedicated herself to eradicating evil, had never had time for affection. And now, when she finally had feelings for someone, that someone was a demon. After rubbing Yan Jue's head for a while longer, Qi Xian Qing tucked her comfortably under the covers. "..." With a soft voice, Qi Xian Qing gazed down at her. "What am I to do with you, little fox?" In the quiet room, Qi Xian Qing's voice seemed even softer. Yan Jue turned in her sleep, contently smacking her lips. - After spending a night in the merfolk palace, the group prepared to depart the next day. Jiang Meng Chu, having drunk Sea Heart Fragrance the night before, awoke with a terrible headache, languidly standing at the back, massaging her temples gingerly. At the front, Yan Jue's head still felt a bit dizzy, her temples pounding acutely. The spiritual power in the exquisite Sea Heart Fragrance was beyond ordinary strength. That morning, in the room, Yan Jue had awakened to find she had indeed broken through. The Bone Refinement stage was fully past, marking her advancement into the demon's fifth realm, the core formation. Additionally, she noted that the Beihai Black Iron, which always rested obediently around her neck, had somehow slipped off and wrapped itself tightly around the jug of "Sea Heart Fragrance" on the table, clearly enamored with its scent. When Yan Jue touched her head, she discovered a pair of fluffy black ears had sprung up at some point. Her tail had also emerged. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Yan Jue felt a chill race through her — she rushed to recall the black iron ribbon back to its usual place and retracted her ears and tail. Surely... no one had seen anything, right? She remembered Qi Xian Qing had escorted her back to the room last night. If Qi Xian Qing had really discovered something, would she still have seen today’s sunrise? Qi Xian Qing must not have noticed. This was irritating... She couldn't remember anything from last night at all. Perhaps the spiritual power in the Sea Heart Fragrance was too potent for them ordinary mortals to handle, overwhelming their senses momentarily. How odd. Yan Jue's head throbbed painfully. ... The merfolk palace was indeed vast, and Yan Jue wasn't entirely clear on the way. Just as she intended to turn left, her nape was suddenly pinched. Yan Jue stiffened, turning to find Qi Xian Qing standing beside her, seemingly appearing from out of nowhere. Dressed in her usual white, Qi Xian Qing's cold, frost-like complexion appeared slightly fatigued. She lifted her chin slightly: "Right side." Yan Jue responded with a quick, "Oh." She immediately shook off Qi Xian Qing's grip and headed rightward. Yan Jue could be quite vengeful — she still remembered the incident from the deep-sea valley last night and wouldn’t yield easily to Qi Xian Qing. Qi Xian Qing: "..." When the trio arrived at the grand hall, they first encountered Jiang Yu exiting from within. Upon seeing Qi Xian Qing and Yan Jue, Jiang Yu hurried forward to greet them politely: "Meeting Lord Xian Qing at Yuxu Sea was truly a fortune of lifetimes." With a slight smile, Qi Xian Qing replied, "No need for such humility, Daoist Jiang. The secrets of Qingfeng Valley you showed me were nothing less than enlightening; I realized how much I am yet to learn." Although Qi Xian Qing usually seemed cold, she adeptly handled social interactions when necessary. Jiang Yu's cheeks reddened slightly, and turning to Yan Jue, he said, "Daoist Yan is also quite impressive." Yan Jue simply responded, "Hehe." Once Jiang Yu left, Qi Xian Qing entered the palace with Yan Jue. The Old Merman awaited them. Qi Xian Qing bowed, "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness. We must take our leave today." The Old Merman replied, "Thanks to you immortals, I've found my daughter and banished the vile serpent back to the abyss, ending its menace. The Jiao people are forever indebted." Qi Xian Qing, somewhat absent-minded, remarked, "It was our duty." The Old Merman waved, signaling a servant to bring forward a luxurious silk pouch. "This is the most precious treasure of the Jiao people," the Old Merman said, "a token of gratitude for you immortals." The servant presented the pouch to Qi Xian Qing, revealing its contents. Yan Jue was taken aback — it was a luminous, pristine night pearl. Clearly, the pouch contained more than one. After showing it to Qi Xian Qing, the servant replaced it and handed over the silk pouch. With a slight movement of her brow, Qi Xian Qing accepted it, "Thank you." The Old Merman smiled warmly and asked, “Do you know what this is, my dear Immortal?” Qi Xian Qing replied, “I'm afraid my knowledge is lacking. I assume it’s the most precious night pearl from the Merman tribe.” The Old Merman nodded slightly, “This pearl is indeed formed from our tears, but not just any tears.” “These are called Enlightenment Pearls. Whenever a Merman comes to comprehend the heavens and the way of the world, their tears are gathered. We collect these pearls to aid our tribe in better comprehending the vastness of the world.” “These are the true Merman Pearls.” Yan Jue understood immediately. Though the Old Merman lived in the ocean for many years, he was certainly not ignorant of the black-clad figure who had once stolen Merman Pearls from Qingfeng Valley. Had they taken those pearls directly from that figure's pocket back then, the Old Merman might not have gifted them with the true Merman Pearls today. Qi Xian Qing's meticulous nature had evidently anticipated this outcome from the start. --- Upon leaving Yuxu Sea, Yan Jue suggested a detour back to the fishing village. Qi Xian Qing was slightly surprised. If they had headed north from Yuxu Sea, they could have reached Wulong Mountain in just a couple of hours. She wondered why Yan Jue wanted to return there. Out of curiosity, Qi Xian Qing nodded in agreement. When Yan Jue returned to the location where the fishing village once stood, she found it gone. The village had been wiped away by the storm, leaving no trace. Looking up, she saw numerous dark figures on the hillside. These were the men from the village, striving to gather materials to rebuild their homes. From her vantage point, each man appeared wearied and sullen, their numbers markedly reduced. The tidal wave last night had evidently dealt a severe blow to them all. Opening her Yunxu Umbrella to increase her speed, Yan Jue swiftly approached the men. At noon, a few of them gathered around a pot, starting a fire for cooking. With her umbrella raised, Yan Jue walked through the crowd, soon spotting the little girl waiting for her mother. The girl sat alone, nibbling on a steamed bun. Suddenly, her back was poked. Startled, the girl whipped around, finding no one there. “…” Someone called out to her, “Er Yatou, what’s gotten into you? Go serve the soup.” “There’s nothing behind you, stop looking!” Despite the empty space behind her, the scene felt strangely familiar to the girl. Standing up, she ran to the pot to get some soup, then retreated to a corner to drink quickly. After finishing her soup, she wiped her mouth and nonchalantly headed down the hill. Once she reached a less populated area among the grasses, she raised her gaze towards the empty air nearby, hesitantly asking, “Big sister?” “Smart,” Yan Jue said, closing the umbrella and appearing before the girl. The little girl bit her lip, “There was a huge storm last night. Our village got flooded.” “We have nowhere to live now.” “Dad said the village chief is organizing everyone to build a new village further up the hill.” “What if Mom comes back and can’t find us?” The girl rattled off her concerns as her trust in Yan Jue solidified after the spirit fruit incident. Yan Jue knelt to meet her gaze, “You want to be with your mother, don’t you?” The girl nodded vigorously. Yan Jue continued, “Last night, I visited your mother’s home.” The girl’s eyes widened in disbelief, staring blankly at her. Yan Jue reached into her cosmic pouch and handed the girl a small, pitch-black pearl. A Water-Repelling Pearl. “Your mother misses you too. Take this pearl and head to the other side of the sea. Keep walking down and you’ll find where she lives.” Clutching the cool pearl tightly, the girl stood in a daze. Yan Jue asked, “Do you want to go into the sea?” The girl shook her head firmly, “I want to go.” She recalled faint memories from her childhood of her mother holding her gently in the water. Every time she gazed upon the ocean, she felt an inexplicable pull and a sense of yearning. Yan Jue led the girl to the shore. “No matter what, keep this pearl with you, understand?” Yan Jue instructed. The girl nodded, “Thank you, sister.” “Go on then.” Nervously, the girl bit her lip and cautiously stepped forward, entering the water. To her surprise, the familiar sensation of getting drenched by the sea wasn’t present. Holding on to the big sister’s pearl, the water parted to form a protective barrier around her. The abyssal black Water-Repelling Pearl emitted a faint glow in her hands, creating a spherical shield to safeguard her. All around, there was only the sound of flowing water. Yan Jue’s voice came from behind, “Go on, your mother is waiting for you below.” With grit in her teeth, the girl continued her journey, stepping deeper into the ocean. At first, everything was shrouded in blackness before the seawater shifted, becoming a bright azure. The girl looked up and froze. Not far off stood a woman. She wasn't just any woman but a figure from legend with a tail — a mermaid with golden hair, a turquoise fish tail, and alabaster skin that shimmered like snow. She stood watching the girl, her eyes rimmed with red. Though the girl had never seen her mother before, instinct drove her towards the woman, uniting them for an embrace. --- Yan Jue lingered at the shore, ensuring the girl had safely arrived before turning away. She unexpectedly saw Qi Xian Qing standing silently behind her. Sunlight scattered over the girl's fair face, leaving Qi Xian Qing momentarily entranced. Yan Jue asked, “What are you looking at, Senior Sister?” Regaining her focus, Qi Xian Qing shook her head, “Nothing.” Yan Jue didn’t press further. Having just completed her breakthrough, she was brimming with energy, her spirits high as she summoned her sword, Liu Bing, and silently uttered a sword incantation. Now, she could skillfully maneuver Liu Bing. In the sky, Liu Bing glowed with a soft blue halo, swiftly expanding into a broad, walkable surface. Yan Jue leapt onto Liu Bing. Watching her deft moves from behind, Qi Xian Qing felt a faint thread of satisfaction, then summoned her own sword, Zhu Ying. Together, the group departed Yuxu Sea, embarking on their return to Wulong Mountain. --- Upon her return to Wulong Mountain, Yan Jue found Bai Ying waiting at the dormitory entrance. Yan Jue hadn’t brought Bai Ying on this excursion. First, Bai Ying’s injuries hadn’t fully healed, and secondly, she had entrusted Bai Ying with important tasks while left behind. Once inside her room, Yan Jue closed the door before Bai Ying, finally speaking with a worried expression. Bai Ying spoke, “While you were away, Master, that Demon Lord resumed plotting unsavory schemes.” Before descending the mountain, Yan Jue had instructed Bai Ying to keep a twelve-hour watch over Mu Zhong Zi's main hall. After Yan Jue's previous infiltration, Mu Zhong Zi was on high alert, surrounding his quarters and courtyard with an array of formations. Yet Bai Ying, an experienced fox spirit, had already deciphered these wards and their shifts. Despite the formidable defenses, they couldn’t thwart all living creatures. Birds, insects could inevitably slip through... Being innately adept at shape-shifting, Bai Ying naturally found ways to blend with them. Thus, Yan Jue herself wouldn’t have to infiltrate in such a manner again. Yan Jue held absolute confidence in Bai Ying’s abilities. With a slightly serious expression, Yan Jue asked, “What has he done?” Bai Ying replied, “He’s been meeting with...the Demon Clan.” “The emissary from the Demon Clan.” Yan Jue frowned, “What were they discussing?” Bai Ying admitted, “I was afraid of being discovered, so I kept my distance and couldn’t hear their conversation.” Yan Jue sighed, asking, “Did they mention the Elixir of Immortality?” Bai Ying replied, “They didn’t say much about it. However, it seems he’s been tirelessly pursuing this elixir. If successful, it would greatly elevate Wulongmen’s prestige among the Six Great Immortal Sects.” Yan Jue rested her chin in contemplation. The Elixir of Immortality wasn’t likely crafted with Wulongmen primarily in mind. The Demon Lord couldn’t be acting selflessly. Most probably, it wasn’t truly an Elixir of Immortality at all, but rather a potion designed to wholly merge him with the head of sect, Mu Zhong Zi’s body. Perhaps the Demon Lord would use them to gather the necessary materials, craft the potion, and then claim the immortality elixir had failed… With this line of thought, the Demon Lord’s actions began to make sense. However, Yan Jue was still puzzled why the Demon Lord would meet with a Demon Clan emissary. Was it somehow connected to Qi Xian Qing being pursued by the assassins from Mount Killer Cliff? Since the incident at Sword Tomb Valley, the Demon Lord hadn’t caused her any trouble. Could it be due to fear... Yan Jue’s brow furrowed slightly at a sudden realization. Liu Bing had always reacted strongly to those entrenched in blood or demon energy... Could it be that the Demon Lord feared Liu Bing? - Yan Jue sat in her room for quite awhile, organizing her thoughts before stretching leisurely and transforming into her small red fox form on the bed. The recent journey had finally marked the end of her long and arduous period of turmoil, and she felt renewed. Once more, Yan Jue expertly leapt from the window, took the dense mountain path, and wove through the underbrush to reach the cold pool. Having not visited for several days, the sight of the pond now felt even more comforting to her. Under the moonlight, the clear waters of the pond were blanketed by a delicate white mist, filling the air with the scent of moist earth and fresh grass. Yan Jue’s five long tails swished behind her, leaving her feeling lighter than ever. Perhaps this is how the fox clan enhances their power through their prolonged cycles. Along the way, Yan Jue was imbued with an urge to let loose, chasing butterflies in the flower patches with little control over her frolics. As she wandered and played, she unconsciously found herself at the entrance to the Ice Peach Blossom Garden. As Yan Jue approached, she heard unusual sounds coming from within. Her paws hugged the ground tightly as she peeked her head through the entrance. “Boom!!!” The deafening noise made Yan Jue's fur stand on end. Qi Xian Qing was wielding her sword, Zhu Ying, striking relentlessly at a massive boulder. Yan Jue could vaguely see that the ancient thousand-year Rainbow Ice Rock was covered in scratches. Qi Xian Qing’s expression was cold and fierce. She suddenly threw Zhu Ying into the sky, and with another thunderous sound, the sword generated a huge vortex that charged directly at the boulder. The explosive power of a cultivator in the early Heart Movement stage was formidable. The rock shattered into fragments. Turning around with Zhu Ying in hand, Qi Xian Qing’s gaze seemed off. Instinctually, Yan Jue retreated a step, only to realize Qi Xian Qing’s clear peach blossom eyes had already caught her in their sight. In an instant, Yan Jue's five tails tucked behind her. At the sight of the little fox, Qi Xian Qing closed her eyes and sighed softly to herself. She sheathed Zhu Ying, approached, and crouched before the little fox. Yan Jue then found herself being gently cradled into a ball. Qi Xian Qing spoke softly, “Little fox baby, you've come again, haven't you?” The little fox wrinkled her nose, her five large tails swishing and making soft cooing sounds. Suddenly, Yan Jue froze. With Qi Xian Qing holding her paws up, their noses touched lightly. Yan Jue met Qi Xian Qing’s gaze, stiffly wagging her five large tails. Qi Xian Qing admitted, “I’m troubled.” Releasing her, Qi Xian Qing slowly headed towards the bedroom. The little fox followed hesitantly behind. Back in the room, Qi Xian Qing sat listlessly at the table, staring blankly at the old book before her. Yan Jue watched her for a time, her nose wrinkling gently. In the silent room, Qi Xian Qing propped her chin in her hand, distractedly gazing at the book before her. It was the first time Yan Jue had seen Qi Xian Qing this quiet. Usually, in the evenings, they would talk a lot. Qi Xian Qing used to share her thoughts earnestly, but now that she was suddenly silent, Yan Jue felt a bit at a loss, her five crimson tails drooping. It was clear Qi Xian Qing wasn’t happy. The bedroom in the Ice Peach Blossom Garden was always immaculate. Qi Xian Qing was a stickler for cleanliness, ensuring no speck of dust was left. Yet as Yan Jue glanced around, she noticed the dust on the floor, probably because it had been neglected for too long. This convinced Yan Jue even more that Qi Xian Qing was in a bad mood. With fluffy little paws, Yan Jue pressed lightly on the floor, leaving two shallow fox prints. Using her left paw, she gently traced a line, creating a streak across the ground. Qi Xian Qing, flipping through the book, gradually became inattentive, abruptly realizing she had ignored the little fox for too long. Looking down, she was taken by surprise. The dusty floor had somehow become home to a beautiful orchid crafted in the dust, standing an elegant testament to fine artistry. Shyly, the little fox hid under the table, her eyes following Qi Xian Qing attentively, her five large tails still tucked tightly behind her. “Scratch—” The sound of a chair being dragged startled the little fox. Qi Xian Qing stood up, crouched near the ground, gazing deeply at the orchid drawn in the dust, realizing it was an effort to cheer her up. At last, a hint of a smile appeared at the corners of Qi Xian Qing’s eyes. She picked up a brush, dipped it in water, and meticulously outlined a small fox next to the orchid. With her heart pounding, Yan Jue saw Qi Xian Qing glance up with a soft smile. Then Yan Jue found herself being lifted by Qi Xian Qing. Every inch of the little fox went rigid, her paws dangling, as Qi Xian Qing placed her on the desk. Staring steadily at her, Yan Jue was taken aback. Qi Xian Qing sighed and asked, “What do you do if the person you like turns out to be the kind you usually despise?” Yan Jue was caught off guard. For a moment, Yan Jue couldn’t grasp Qi Xian Qing’s meaning and simply gaped at her blankly. Looking at Yan Jue, Qi Xian Qing then leaned back in her chair, “I once read a story.” “A heroine who dedicated her life to slaying demons and evil, only to inadvertently fall for a serpent demon. This serpent was notorious as one of the four great evils, yet she couldn’t help but love her. What would you do if you found yourself in such a situation?” The little fox gazed at Qi Xian Qing for a long moment, feeling that the story sounded... oddly familiar. Yan Jue opened her mouth and let out a series of small cries, her five tails swishing so vigorously they knocked against the inkstone with a persistent thud. Qi Xian Qing frowned slightly, “Are you suggesting I should follow my heart and trust what I’ve seen?” Yan Jue: “…” Though Qi Xian Qing voiced it, the idea was not one directly offered by the little fox. It was, in fact, her own genuine thought. Qi Xian Qing silently contemplated the little fox's clear amber eyes, lost in her thoughts. Fox demons were known, albeit infamously, as part of the five demonic races. While Qi Xian Qing despised demons who caused harm, she didn't necessarily hate all creatures. But was this little fox wrong? The Immortal Sword Liu Bing was a divine weapon that had once severely wounded the Demon Lords of Duanhun Mountain and Jueming Valley, inherently repelling evil. Whether Yan Jue harbored any murderous intent or bloodthirsty aura could have been determined during the sword test at the Sword Tomb. If Yan Jue had once ended a life maliciously, she wouldn’t have been able to wield Liu Bing. But Qi Xian Qing already knew. Deep down, she had answers about her feelings regarding Yan Jue being a demon well before the sword test!