Marry First, Love Later With The White Cat Princess - Chapter 36

Luo San and Luo Jiu returned early to Guizhi Hall, where the High Priestess lived. When Liu Fenyun and Lianyi arrived, Luo Binglun had already heard what had happened on the mountain and was coughing violently with anger.

Seeing them, Yu Qingyue who had been watching over the sickbed stood up and said, “Good, you’re here. I have a few things to tell you. Come with me.”

She was an honored guest and an old friend of Luo Binglun. With Binglun bedridden, Yu Qingyue was regarded by the servants as the de-facto mistress of Guizhi Hall. No one thought she was overstepping.

Yu Qingyue led the two to a study far from the bedchamber and swept her sleeve to set up a barrier.

“So it was you who saved Luo San and Luo Jiu?” she asked once Liu Fenyun and Lianyi sat down. Seeing them nod, she continued, “Did the arson site leave anything behind?”

“Nothing,” Liu Fenyun replied. “But we can determine who did it. I’ll try to find a way to meet her in the next couple of days.”

Yu Qingyue raised a brow. “You’ve decided to meddle in this matter?”

“To be honest, Master, we may have already met the demon you once warned us about and even interacted with her,” Liu Fenyun said. She held Lianyi’s hand. “Her behavior is very strange. We don’t yet know whether she acts of her own will or because someone is forcing her.”

Yu Qingyue still remembered how violently she had beaten Qi Ran the previous night, and couldn’t help asking, “What did she do?”

“It’s not convenient to say in detail… roughly speaking, she’s helping the wicked while protecting the weak,” Liu Fenyun said helplessly. “We plan to gain her trust first, then investigate further…”

“Nonsense!” Yu Qingyue cut her off. “Since you know she’s assisting villains, you should know better than to get dragged into this mess!”

Liu Fenyun was bad at talking back, so she could only look to Lianyi for help.

“Physician Yu might not know this, but the Kingdom of Zhuohuang is unlike other nations. At its founding, it suffered many demon attacks. From top to bottom, everyone hates demons to the bone,” Lianyi said coolly. “Before the truth is known, please keep matters related to demons secret. Otherwise, the High Priestess might hold a grudge against innocent humans simply because they’re connected to a demon.”

“Luo Binglun is not what you think…” Yu Qingyue began, but closed her mouth mid-sentence.

If Luo Binglun were willing to treat demons kindly, how could the two of them have ended up the way they were now?

The two had been mutually in love. Four years ago, Luo Binglun had even mustered the courage to confess to her, disregarding her status and doctrine.

Yu Qingyue had rejected her coldly because she knew Luo Binglun’s background knew how deeply she hated demons. Rather than let Binglun someday learn the truth and look at her with disappointment, she had cut off their budding romance with her own hands.

Her chest tightened faintly, but her expression remained unchanged. She nodded. “Very well. Just be careful. That demon is not an easy one to deal with.”

After instructing them, Yu Qingyue personally escorted them back to Morning Star Hall.

“I can’t help feeling like Master and the High Priestess have a story,” Liu Fenyun said with a bitter smile once they reached the bedchamber. “Feels like some tragic, star-crossed romance…”

“It’s no illusion,” Lianyi said while changing clothes. “But it’s their private matter. Best not to ask. The High Priestess is very sensitive. If your Master really hurt her once, she won’t recover easily.”

Liu Fenyun didn’t intend to pry; both were elders, after all. She had no right to interfere in their affairs.

Yu Qingyue had barely returned to Guizhi Hall when she heard Luo Binglun’s coughing again and the frightened voices of her two male disciples: “Please hold on, Master! Physician Yu will be back any moment!”

Hearing that, Yu Qingyue quickened her pace subconsciously, anxiety flickering in her star-bright eyes.

When she entered the bedchamber, Luo Binglun was wiping her mouth red staining the handkerchief.

They exchanged a look, and Luo Binglun rasped an order for her disciples to leave.

“You let your emotions run wild. It damages your body,” Yu Qingyue said, sitting on the bed. She opened her medicine pouch, took out a small bottle, and placed a pill at Luo Binglun’s lips.

Luo Binglun felt awful and barely parted her mouth. Yu Qingyue pinched her cheeks gently and slipped the pill in.

She leaned in close her faint medicinal scent rushed straight into Luo Binglun’s nose. Binglun momentarily lost her senses and even forgot to swallow.

Yu Qingyue said, “I was gone only a moment, yet you’ve forgotten how to take medicine?”

Luo Binglun hastily swallowed, then covered her mouth to cough again.

“The spring blossoms are in full bloom quite beautiful,” she said suddenly. “Would Qingyue like to go out and see them?”

“No. When the blossoms are in full bloom, pollen is heavy it’s bad for your health.” Yu Qingyue shook her head and looked at her steadily. “I was pondering some questions my disciples asked. I can’t figure them out, so I wanted to ask you.”

“Ask, then.”

“If a human willingly falls in love with a demon, what should be done?” Yu Qingyue asked quietly.

Luo Binglun’s heart jolted, but her face remained calm. “If a disciple dares ask such a question, she must already have someone in mind. If Qingyue disapproves, just punish her.”

“Besides punishing her, what else could I do?” Yu Qingyue asked again.

Luo Binglun instinctively replied, “Humans and demons walk different paths. If she strays, as her teacher, you should pull her back before it’s too late.”

“Why is love between human and demon a stray path?” Yu Qingyue pressed.

“This…”
Luo Binglun rarely hesitated on such matters, but since she had begun doubting Yu Qingyue’s identity, she found herself wavering.

After a long silence, she said, “Demons are beasts. Their nature is feral and vicious. To love a demon is to invite calamity. One day, you might get eaten or your family destroyed.”

“Then what if a demon can take human form, speak human language, and suppress its ferocity? Would it then be acceptable to love one?” Yu Qingyue asked.

Luo Binglun found herself speechless.

“Binglun, I know you were attacked by demons as a child and nearly lost everything,” Yu Qingyue continued calmly. “But you should also know: humans have good and evil, and so do demons.”

“There are humans with wolf hearts behind beautiful faces; and demons with terrifying appearances who have never harmed a soul.” Her voice deepened. “Binglun, it’s been years since our last debate. How do you still think this way?”

“I am the High Priestess of Zhuohuang,” Luo Binglun replied coldly. “Not consorting with demons is my bottom line.”

Both were cold-tempered; the atmosphere froze instantly.

After a long silence, Luo Binglun spoke first. “As long as I am the High Priestess, I will not be involved with a demon.”

She said it deliberately to see Yu Qingyue’s reaction.

But Yu Qingyue’s gaze didn’t change at all. “If the High Priestess has her own beliefs, then follow them.”

Luo Binglun’s heart sank.

Her tone, her expression they were identical to when she rejected her four years ago.

Yet because Luo Binglun was now poisoned and frail, Yu Qingyue did not turn away or say anything harsh.

But her composure still made Luo Binglun uneasy.

Not long ago, Qingyue had kissed her and whispered many tender things.

She didn’t believe Yu Qingyue would simply let go. The Qingyue she knew never abandoned someone she desired so easily.

“Qingyue,” Luo Binglun said suddenly, “if someone who lived by your side for half a lifetime turned out to be a demon, what would you do?”

Yu Qingyue answered without hesitation. “I do not dislike demons. If she never wronged me, then I would treat her as before. Knowing she is a demon would change nothing. I would still regard her as a close friend human or demon.”

After saying that, she tucked the blanket around Luo Binglun.

“You should rest. Since you’ve decided on your stance, stop thinking about such things.”

Her voice was calm as ever, but Luo Binglun felt her heart in turmoil.

Two days remained until the spring hunting competition. Even though Liu Fenyun had almost maxed out her riding and archery skills, she still had to show up at the hunting grounds.

As for investigating A-Ran’s background, that would wait until after the competition. Yu Qingyue also said she would investigate in secret over the next few days.

During the day, Liu Fenyun and Lianyi trained at the hunting and riding grounds at night, they soaked in the warm spring.

Every palace here had its own warm spring what later generations would call hot springs but those within the palace halls were for the hall’s master and family only.

That night, Liu Fenyun relaxed in the warm water. A small wooden basin floated beside her, carrying snacks and light wine.

Lianyi approached in a loose robe, and the moment she reached the spring, she turned into a large white cat and plopped into the water.

White fur flew everywhere, making Liu Fenyun cough.

“Your Highness, why are you shedding so much?” Liu Fenyun covered her mouth and scooped up the drenched cat. “Did you shed this badly in previous spring seasons?”

Lianyi thought about it, but couldn’t remember. She had never liked letting others see her demon form until after marriage only then did she start freely shifting into it.

The system suddenly chimed:
“Host, when demons shed heavily, it usually means they’re close to a breakthrough.”

Liu Fenyun was stunned. “But Lianyi hasn’t been cultivating!”

It was she herself who had to regulate the demon qi she received from Lianyi every day so that it wouldn’t backlash when she needed to use it.

Just as she had that thought, the system explained:
“Because you’ve been cultivating using Lianyi’s demon qi.”

Ah. That made sense.

“So… Lianyi shedding like this is actually because I’m about to break through?” Liu Fenyun blinked. The world’s spiritual energy was thin, and she had only cultivated to make spell-casting easier. She never imagined she could advance further. “What realm am I now?”

Before the system could answer, she felt weight on her body. Lianyi now in human form pressed close and wrapped her arms around her.

“If my demon form sheds, then I won’t use it.” Lianyi’s fingers traced her skin, her voice soft and sweet. “Isn’t this just as nice?”

And so the night went on. They played in the spring, then worried about dirtying the water Liu Fenyun wrapped the cat demon in a towel, donned Lianyi’s loose robe, and carried her back to the bedchamber.

The green curtains fell lightly, and another night of loving intimacy followed.

After several such nights, Liu Fenyun had nearly figured out the pattern.

Lianyi was true to her word: if she promised not to touch her, she kept it only cuddling and kissing, leaving all the initiative to Liu Fenyun. All she had to do was enjoy herself.

Seeing Lianyi so affectionate more clingy than before Liu Fenyun felt happy. She was curious, but she didn’t dare go further.

She feared she wouldn’t be able to take it.

After extinguishing the lights, she held the sleeping cat demon in her arms and finally asked the system:

“This world has cultivation realms too? What realm am I?”

“Yes,” the system answered, “though the divisions aren’t very clear. The host’s current realm inherits from the demon of the blood pact, so it’s hard to categorize precisely. Roughly… the peak of the Breathing-Qi Stage, or the peak of the Foundation-Qi Stage.”

Liu Fenyun was puzzled. “If the realms aren’t clearly divided, then what exactly am I supposed to break through to?”

“Forming a core,” the system replied. “If the host forms an inner core, it would be equivalent to gaining an extra life.”

Liu Fenyun hadn’t read many fantasy novels, but she had read the demon folk storybooks Lianyi gave her. They mentioned demon cores being able to save lives.

A demon’s cultivated inner core, when consumed, could advance one’s cultivation or even revive someone on the brink of death.

By analogy, a human’s inner core should be similarly potent. To the cultivator themself, it would be a life saving treasure. Even if one’s body was mangled, as long as the inner core remained intact, one could slowly recover.

“So what do I do to break through?” Liu Fenyun asked. “Do I need to go into seclusion?”

“The host’s situation is special. You only need enough demon qi to condense the core,” the system answered. “No seclusion required.”

Liu Fenyun was even more confused. All the demon qi she used came from Lianyi the spiritual energy she cultivated in her own body barely amounted to a few threads. Why was the system telling her to condense a core with demon qi? Was it trying to turn her into a demon?

Afraid that was the system’s intention, she didn’t ask further and quieted her mind to sleep.