After the Villain Was Reborn a Hundred Times - Chapter 8

The Spirit Butterfly wasn’t native to the Demon Realm. It was a communication tool used by the Liuzhong Dianmo Sect to track and communicate, exclusive to their sect. How Wang Jinxue came to possess one remained a mystery.

After about half a day, the Spirit Butterfly returned. Its glistening wings trembled four times, and it affectionately tapped Wang Jinxue’s hand with the antennae on its head.

“Plain City—” Wang Jinxue let out a short, ambiguous laugh, her tone unreadable.

The Demon Palace Great Hall was dimly lit by a few flickering yellow candles, their flames swaying as if stirred by a breeze.

Even from a distance, Wang Jinxue could hear Zhaoying’s exasperated, perfunctory voice and another booming voice.

“Where’s the Demon Lord? I’m a guest here! This is incredibly rude!”

“Ah, have you demons run out of money again? Look at this floor, and these walls… tsk, tsk, tsk, times must be tough.”

“Bandit Sun! Come greet your aunt!”

Mo Yisi stood before the Demon Palace Great Hall, hands on her hips, shouting like a highway robber.

Finally arriving at the Demon Palace, Zhaoying calmly removed the cotton balls from her ears. Thanks to these cotton balls, her ears hadn’t been deafened by Mo Yisi’s shouting during the journey.

After her shout, seeing no one had come to greet them, Mo Yisi took a step forward.

Bang!

The Demon Palace Great Hall doors slammed shut.

Mo Yisi rubbed her nose, grumbling unhappily, “Almost hit my tall nose! Can you afford to pay for that?”

“If you dare whine again, I’ll send you back to Southern Jiang.” Wang Jinxue reopened the doors, shooting her a cold glare.

Mo Yisi pouted, defeated, and followed behind Zhaoying, afraid the Demon Lord might follow through if her mood turned sour.

Before Wang Jinxue could ask, Mo Yisi hurriedly pulled a pile of items from her Qiankun Bag and stacked them in the Demon Palace Great Hall, wiping sweat from her brow. “Everything’s prepared. I’ll explain how to use it later. I won’t be going to the Spirit Abyss, though, okay?”

“Oh? You don’t want to go to the Spirit Abyss?” Wang Jinxue asked, watching her with keen interest.

Mo Yisi grimaced. “I barely escaped from the Southern Jiang. If I go to the Spirit Abyss, I’ll definitely run into people from there, and I’ll lose all my freedom.”

“Demon Lord, please have mercy on me. I really, really don’t want to go back to the Southern Jiang. There’s so much fine wine and beautiful women out here—I don’t want to go back and suffer.” Mo Yisi even flirtatiously winked at Wang Jinxue. “Don’t you agree, Demon Lord Beauty?”

“That’s very reasonable,” Wang Jinxue nodded, her smile deepening as her palm swept across the air.

In an instant, Mo Yisi, who had just been boldly flirting with the Demon Lord, was slammed into the wall, leaving a bizarre, dark, and gaping “T” shape in the murky masonry.

Zhaoying’s lips twitched as he struggled to suppress a laugh.

“But do you really think I’m someone you can flirt with? This time, I’ll let it slide.” Wang Jinxue smiled lazily as she slowly released Mo Yisi. “Now, if you’re not going to the Spirit Abyss, where do you want to go?”

“Hey, I’ve got it all figured out!” Mo Yisi sat cross-legged on the ground, her chin propped up by one hand, a lecherous grin spreading across her face. She licked her lips and said, “I’m going to Plain City! I heard a stunning new dancer just arrived there, and I want to check her out!”

Wang Jinxue nodded, accepting the item and its instructions from Mo Yisi. She then sent her away, even managing to squeeze some silver out of her before she left.

Mo Yisi was greedy and lustful. After knowing her for years, Wang Jinxue had grown used to her antics.

Everything pointed to Plain City. Why would this unremarkable, middling city, neither particularly large nor significant, become the site of the Spirit Abyss’s opening?

Historically, cities where the Spirit Abyss opened shared two key features: first, they possessed exceptionally pure and abundant spiritual energy; second, they had produced great cultivators who sacrificed their lives for the city’s sake, ascending to immortality.

Plain City lacked both of these qualities, leaving Wang Jinxue utterly perplexed.

Since Mo Yisi was going, Wang Jinxue couldn’t be outdone. She immediately delegated tasks to be handled at the Demon Palace during her absence, temporarily entrusting the Demon Realm to Zhaoying and Gu Hong. Then, accompanied by the Northern and Eastern Demon Kings, she set off for Plain City.

Before leaving, Wang Jinxue specially went to the rear courtyard of Huishuang Hall to pick a red plum blossom, carefully tucking it into her sleeve.

Plain City was bustling today, with every shopkeeper wearing a beaming smile. The influx of travelers meant more people staying in inns, dining, and shopping, naturally bringing joy to the shopkeepers.

The Qingyun Inn was the happiest of all, as Lingxu Sect disciples Ming Shuang and Chanyue were staying there, drawing crowds straight to the establishment.

Wang Jinxue was no exception.

It was past noon, and the scorching sun blazed overhead. Plain City, being a flat, open plain, felt even hotter than other places.

Ming Shuang and Chanyue sat at a table by the window, eating lunch. Other tables were scattered with representatives from minor sects and rogue cultivators who had followed the enticing aroma.

Beiwu strode in first, followed by Dongruan. The demonic energy radiating from them sent a shiver through everyone present.

The minor sect representatives trembled, while the more capable rogue cultivators watched warily.

A faint floral scent wafted through the air, followed by the graceful figure of Wang Jinxue entering the inn. Her presence immediately illuminated the establishment, making it seem brighter and more vibrant.

The innkeeper paused, then hurried over with a bow. “Welcome, honored guests! Would you like to rest here or stay the night?”

“The best suites, three adjacent rooms,” Beiwu said, tossing over two crystal stones.

Seeing such a generous gesture, the innkeeper’s face lit up, his every wrinkle radiating obsequiousness. “This way, honored guests.”

From the moment she entered, Wang Jinxue’s gaze had been fixed on Ming Shuang, who stood to the side. She gave her a subtle wink, causing Ming Shuang’s ears to flush pink before she looked away.

When she looked up again, she saw the person sitting across from Ming Shuang, drinking tea. This must be Elder Chanyue. Wang Jinxue narrowed her eyes; the elder looked strangely familiar.

Noticing Wang Jinxue’s gaze, Elder Chanyue calmly met her eyes, then returned her attention to her tea, as if Wang Jinxue were merely an unremarkable passerby, not even a Demon Lord—and certainly not as interesting as a cup of tea.

But in the corner of her eye, Wang Jinxue saw the red petal patterns flicker.

She averted her gaze and followed the innkeeper upstairs.

The once-quiet inn hall erupted in a wave of hushed whispers.

“My god, that was terrifying! That was actually the Demon Lord? To see her in my lifetime… it’s both amazing and terrifying.”

“Hmph, a demon claiming to be superior? What a disgrace!”

“Quiet down! The Demon Lord is ruthless. If she hears you, you’re dead.”

“What’s there to fear? If she’s that kind of person, we have a right to speak. Ugh, what a piece of trash.”

As the insults grew increasingly vile, even resorting to slander about her rise to power through the previous Demon Lord’s bed, Ming Shuang could no longer tolerate it. The Bixiao Sword slid an inch from its sheath, its azure radiance instantly silencing the hall’s venomous chatter.

“If you doubt her strength, challenge her fairly in combat. Spreading such slander is the act of cowards!”

Clang!

Ming Shuang sheathed the Bixiao Sword, shot a furious glare at the offenders, and turned back to her seat.

Noticing her Master’s impassive gaze upon her, Ming Shuang lowered her head and said nervously, “This disciple has meddled in affairs beyond her purview.”

“It matters not,” Chanyue said, taking a sip of tea. “But you must learn to ignore such words. The world is never short of villains and gossip. We mustn’t let the Lingxu Sect become entangled with the Demon Realm. That would be truly unfortunate.”

“This disciple will heed Master’s teachings.” Ming Shuang bowed respectfully.

The night in Plain City was cool, a gentle breeze dispersing the last traces of summer heat.

The moon hung high above the willow branches.

Ming Shuang had just finished making her bed and lay down when she heard a whoosh through the air, followed by something tapping on her window.

This wasn’t the behavior of an outsider. In Plain City, apart from her Master, she didn’t know anyone else… A sudden realization struck her—could it be the Demon Lord?

She sprang out of bed to open the window, not even noticing she hadn’t put on her shoes.

Outside stood the Demon Lord, Wang Jinxue.

Wang Jinxue twirled a strand of hair, her eyes narrowing into a playful smile. “I heard you almost came to blows with those riffraff today to defend me?” She chuckled. “How touching.”

Ming Shuang pressed her lips together, quickly improvising, “It wasn’t about defending you. The Lingxu Sect’s rules prohibit speaking ill of others behind their backs.”

“Is that so? Then consider this visit never happened.” Wang Jinxue turned to leave.

Panicking, Ming Shuang blurted out, “Wait…” Then stopped herself. Why had she called out to the Demon Lord? What could she possibly say now? She realized her palms were sweating.

“Heh—” Wang Jinxue turned back with a grin, and a flower suddenly landed on Ming Shuang’s lapels.

Ming Shuang instinctively scooped up the flower.

It was a small, vibrant red plum blossom. How could such a flower bloom at this time of year?

“It’s getting late. Time to rest,” Wang Jinxue said, waving over her shoulder as she headed to her room.

Ming Shuang watched her walk away, then lowered her gaze to the red plum blossom in her palm. A faint smile crept across her lips.

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