After Cutting Off Love And Emotions, I Was Pestered By The Demon Sect’s Enchantress - Chapter 16

Jiyu City (Part 2)

Zhu Shengxi looked at her; the woman’s expression was resolute and confident, as if she were certain that Zhu Shengxi was helpless to do anything else.

Just moments ago, when she was asking for trust, her face had been filled with sincerity and earnestness…

How could a person’s face change so quickly?

“I understand.” Zhu Shengxi left behind a Cleansing Talisman and turned to depart.

With a detached attitude and calm words, she accepted everything peacefully.

Her reaction was far too indifferent. A-Xu narrowed her eyes, a flash of dissatisfaction crossing her face, and she took a few quick steps to grab Zhu Shengxi’s wrist directly.

Zhu Shengxi coldly pulled her hand away and stared at her.

The relationship between the two, which had thawed slightly over the past few days, seemed to have returned to square one at this moment. Thinking of this, A-Xu felt a wave of inexplicable irritability in her heart.

“The inns in Jiyu City are not cheap. Stay here with me.”

Zhu Shengxi declined in a cold voice: “I have no need for an inn. I can find any spot to meditate and adjust my breath.”

It was true; she was used to cultivating through the night. Simply leaping onto a tree branch was enough for her to pass an evening.

“The wind is strong outside. If your cold poison flares up at night, I won’t be able to run out to save you,” A-Xu said expressionlessly. She then ignited the Cleansing Talisman, and the room was instantly refreshed.

Zhu Shengxi glanced around. The room was only this big. For two people to squeeze in here… was it really a good idea?

Gashes of cold wind whistled through the cracks in the window, pouring into the room. A-Xu walked over to close the window, and with her back turned to her, she said: “No one has lived here for a long time, and I don’t have new bedding, so it certainly won’t be warm. Therefore… you take the bed tonight.”

Zhu Shengxi gave a cold “mm” in response and pushed the door open to head out.

The lingering glow of the setting sun painted the horizon, outlining a swath of rosy clouds. There were many pedestrians on the street. Zhu Shengxi walked into a teahouse and found a random seat.

Teahouses were gathering places for people from all corners of the world; they were perfect for scouting intelligence.

“Guest, what would you like?”

“A pot of tea.”

“Coming right up.”

After paying, Zhu Shengxi looked toward the storyteller on the stage.

“What else would everyone like to hear?” The woman on stage was high-spirited, tapping a folding fan against her knuckles.

Someone in the crowd shouted: “How about telling us about the Left and Right Protectors of the Demon Sect?”

“Very well.” The woman flicked her wrist, snapping the fan open, and began her tale.

“The Left and Right Protectors of the Demon Sect are the right-hand aids of the Sect Leader, Lu Youque. The Right Protector, Fu Qianjiang, is skilled with blades and hidden weapons, and is in charge of assassinations. The Left Protector, Ning Xu, is an expert in poisons. The number of people who have died at their hands is beyond count.”

She paused for a moment before continuing: “There is little information regarding Fu Qianjiang, but that Left Protector Ning Xu is quite extraordinary. The incident at Shizhou City was her handiwork.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the people in the teahouse realized the weight of the topic and fell into a tacit silence.

The Shizhou City incident had caused a massive uproar at the time. The nearby Xuanqing Sect had intended to send people to investigate, only for Ning Xu of the Demon Sect to send a flying letter directly, brazenly declaring that she was the one who did it.

The woman took a sip of tea and sighed: “The Xu family was considered a great clan of the era back then. Overnight, dozens of family members, young and old, perished in a great fire. That Ning Xu is ruthless; she caused the extermination of the Xu family and was even extremely proud of it. At that time, every member of the righteous path wanted to capture her.”

“But her cultivation is not low, she knows many techniques, and her movements are unpredictable. The disciples sent by the Xuanqing Sect to capture her all returned empty-handed.”

Hearing this, Zhu Shengxi fell into deep thought. She had heard of the Shizhou City incident, but at the time, the Guiyun Sect had sent other disciples to assist. She had gone into closed-door cultivation shortly after, and later her senior sisters were secretive about the matter, so she did not know the inner details.

She hadn’t expected it to be like this.

Someone in the audience asked: “Why did Ning Xu target the Xu family? There were other families in Shizhou City, yet the others were left unharmed.”

The woman shook her folding fan. “At the time, people speculated that Ning Xu must have had a private grudge against the Xu family. If it had been an order from the Demon Sect Leader, the other families would not have been spared.”

The crowd sighed below: “Alas, back then the Xu family was a clan of demon hunters. they hunted countless demons and protected the commoners of Shizhou City. To think they would meet such an end.”

“As long as the Demon Sect is not eradicated, there will not be a single day of peace.”

“Indeed.”

…

As darkness fell, Zhu Shengxi was walking along the street when suddenly, a “ding” sounded behind her. She paused, then immediately slipped into a nearby alley.

Zhu Shengxi unsheathed her sword and said in a heavy voice: “Your Excellency has followed me all this way; you might as well reveal yourself.”

Silence reigned for a moment with no response. Instead, a dense swarm of fine needles flew out from the shadows. Zhu Shengxi immediately formed a hand seal and cast a protective barrier.

However, the protective barrier seemed to have no effect; those fine needles passed straight through the shield. Seeing this, Zhu Shengxi’s pupils contracted. She immediately retreated, her wrist twisting as she danced a sword technique that left no room for air to pass.

The fine needles struck the sword blade, making faint, crisp clinking sounds. While fending them off, Zhu Shengxi released her spiritual sense to probe the surroundings.

Suddenly, a powerful force tore at her spiritual sense, accompanied by a splitting headache. Zhu Shengxi was forced to stop her sword movements, a trace of agony appearing on her face.

The sound of something cutting through the air came from behind—likely a hidden weapon. But at this moment, she was powerless to dodge. Zhu Shengxi leaned against the wall, prepared to take the hit.

“Watch out!” A-Xu’s urgent voice came from behind. In the next instant, Zhu Shengxi felt her back being gently embraced. The expected pain did not arrive; there was only a nearly imperceptible muffled groan from the person behind her.

“Don’t turn around,” A-Xu commanded her. She then took out a wooden plaque and pointed it toward the dark corner.

The person hiding in the shadows quietly retreated. After waiting a moment, A-Xu withdrew the wooden plaque and leaned against the cold wall, appearing somewhat drained of strength.

Seeing that the other woman still hadn’t turned around, A-Xu couldn’t help but chuckle. “Alright, you can turn around now.”

Zhu Shengxi turned and was stunned when she caught sight of A-Xu’s pale face.

“What happened to you?”

A-Xu whispered: “Let’s go back first.”

Zhu Shengxi looked closely and only then realized that A-Xu’s left shoulder was covered in blood. The hidden weapon had pierced deep into her shoulder.

She tapped several acupoints around A-Xu’s shoulder to stop the bleeding, then placed an arm around the woman’s waist and leaped away.

Within moments, the two arrived back at the small house. Zhu Shengxi pushed the door open and helped A-Xu sit on the edge of the bed. By the time she closed the door and turned back, she found that A-Xu had already loosened her clothes and pulled out the hidden weapon herself.

“You…” Zhu Shengxi frowned slightly, a flash of worry rising in her eyes.

A-Xu was in so much pain that her lips trembled involuntarily and cold sweat beaded on her forehead. She picked up a medicine bottle nearby and struggled to sprinkle the powder onto her left shoulder.

Seeing her weakened state, Zhu Shengxi felt a pang in her heart. she walked to her side and said softly: “Let me do it.”

Her tone was unusually gentle. A-Xu was momentarily dazed, then gave a soft “mm” and handed the bottle to her.

Even after a layer of powder was applied, the blood continued to flow out. Zhu Shengxi looked at the deep wound and frowned instinctively.

“This medicine isn’t stopping the bleeding.”

A-Xu’s voice was weak. “It’s because the hidden weapon was coated in poison. It’s alright; once I take a detoxification pill, the bleeding will stop.”

Hearing her explanation, Zhu Shengxi said no more and quickly bandaged the wound for her.

A-Xu adjusted her clothes and swallowed a detoxification pill, only to see Zhu Shengxi still frowning deeply.

“Why the frown again?”

Zhu Shengxi ignored the question and asked instead: “Why did you block the weapon for me?”

A-Xu didn’t answer directly either, a slight smile playing on her lips. “Then… why did you help me apply the medicine just now?”

“I just thought you looked pitiful,” Zhu Shengxi said, glancing at her.

It was hardly a kind thing to say, but A-Xu didn’t mind and smiled. “When I saw the hidden weapon, I didn’t think too much.”

Her expression suddenly became serious, and she said warmly: “I just didn’t want you to get hurt.”

Zhu Shengxi was stunned, looking at her in bewilderment.

She didn’t want her to get hurt?

Why?