Marry First, Love Later With The White Cat Princess - Chapter 75

Luo Binglun sat with her back toward Chong Youhuai, feeling the other woman’s spiritual energy probing through her body. She couldn’t help but feel a spark of tension.

“It is indeed a significant amount of trouble,” Chong Youhuai said, opening her eyes after the examination. She addressed Luo Binglun: “Your body has already been transformed into that of a demon. Aside from using illusion techniques, you will be unable to revert to your human form until you have gained complete control over this body.”

Meng Nie, who had already heard of Luo Binglun’s situation, couldn’t help but ask, “But the Qingyuan is an ancient divine bird, supposedly an incarnation of blessings and auspiciousness. How could it attempt to seize the body of a human?”

“Though the Qingyuan is an ancient divine bird, you must understand that even gods have the potential to become fallen,” Chong Youhuai replied. “Moreover, she is not a god; she is merely a high-realm demon of the mortal world.”

“Then, are you able to seal her consciousness?” Luo Binglun asked. “Once she awakens, she intends to devour both my soul and Qingyue’s…”

“To be blunt, matters involving the soul and consciousness are things where outside interference only causes greater trouble. You must solve this yourself,” Chong Youhuai stated. “Since this is the Qingyuan inner alchemy your mother carved out for you, it indicates that this bird died harboring deep resentment. Having gained a chance to see the light of day once more, it is not incomprehensible that she would choose to seek revenge on you.”

Unwilling to give up, Luo Binglun pressed further, “If that is the case, could you perhaps offer some guidance?”

“Stop killing with killing,” Chong Youhuai said. “Her hostility is extremely heavy, attempting to reform her through kindness is useless. She threatens you because your power is too weak and you frequently resort to escapism, making you easy to manipulate.”

Luo Binglun: “…”

The Great Priest, hearing herself described to her face as “too weak” for the first time, fell into a stunned silence.

Yu Qingyue, however, understood exactly why the Great Priest received such an evaluation. It wasn’t that Luo Binglun lacked the power to suppress the Qingyuan, but rather that she feared if she suppressed it for too long, the bird would strike out and harm those around her the moment she became weak.

The Qingyuan exploited this psychological vulnerability, slowly eroding her patience bit by bit.

This was precisely why Yu Qingyue had brought Luo Binglun to see her old friend. Though she was a physician, she was not skilled in treating matters of the heart and mind.

As the two bid farewell to Madam Chong and departed, Meng Nie followed them out.

“I promised to escort Liu Fenyun out of the city,” Meng Nie said as they walked. “A soldier’s word is her bond.”

After speaking, she lowered her head in silence for a moment before asking, “I was wondering, should I tell Liu Fenyun about Madam Chong’s true identity?”

“There is no need,” Yu Qingyue replied. “If the senior wanted her to know, she would have told her long ago.”

Back when Liu Fenyun had first entered her tutelage, Chong Youhuai had reminded her: “This child will eventually leave me and return to where she belongs. Since I intend to sever my worldly attachments to attain the Dao, I must start by severing my ties with her as soon as possible.”

Yu Qingyue had originally thought her cold and irresponsible, but as she gradually sensed the changes in Liu Fenyun’s aura, she realized that what was said back then was the absolute truth.

Meng Nie gave a small “oh” and asked no further, simply pulling her cloak tighter.

By the time the group returned to Wutong Pavilion, it was still early before their departure. Luo Binglun and Yu Qingyue went to the palace to pay their respects to the Sovereign and declare their intent to leave, leaving Meng Nie at the pavilion.

Liu Fenyun had finished packing her luggage long ago. She was currently in the courtyard reading a book, accompanied by her cat while soaking in the sun.

The autumn sun was not as scorching as the summer’s, but Lian Yi still disliked direct sunlight. While curled up on Liu Fenyun’s lap, the cat pointedly tucked itself into the shadows cast by the branches and leaves.

As soon as Meng Nie entered the yard, she saw the person and the cat sitting leisurely under the tree.

Approaching for a closer look, she noticed that not a single cat hair was stuck to Liu Fenyun’s black dress. She couldn’t help but say enviously, “Being a cat demon is great. Ordinary cats shed constantly; they get fur all over you.”

Hearing this, the large white cat, who had been resting with closed eyes, gave a smug flick of its tail.

“Why have you come so early?” Liu Fenyun put down her book, looking at her in surprise.

“I simply had nothing else to do.” Meng Nie pulled over a nearby stone stool and sat opposite her. Looking at the book on the stone table, she asked curiously, “What book is this?”

Fearing she might flip through it and discover some “indescribable” reading material, Liu Fenyun quickly said, “A medical text.”

She followed up with a question: “Why did you leave my Consort Mother alone at the relay station?”

Meng Nie had practiced martial arts since childhood; her mind wasn’t particularly delicate. After learning that Chong Youhuai didn’t actually need anyone to look after her, she had followed the advice given and returned with Yu Qingyue’s group.

Faced with Liu Fenyun’s questioning gaze, Meng Nie was momentarily speechless. After a long pause, she stammered, “I trust the security here, and besides… when I escort you out of the city later, won’t I have to leave Madam Chong anyway?”

Liu Fenyun actually found this logical. Primarily, Madam Chong had given her a strange sense of confidence, she believed that even if the woman were left alone, she would certainly be fine.

However, her body shook its head: “No, go back and protect my Consort Mother first. Come find me when it’s almost time to leave.”

Meng Nie: “…”

She was an escort, not a tool.

General Meng had a short temper, and combined with the prior instructions not to reveal Chong Youhuai’s identity, she felt somewhat stifled. Staying meant facing Liu Fenyun’s reproachful gaze, but she didn’t want to leave either.

Her eyes regained their sharp edge as she asked coldly, “She is your Consort Mother. Since you want to protect her so much, why are you leaving her here to wait for the envoys?”

Since yesterday, Meng Nie had felt that Liu Fenyun was very strange. She had clearly shown such intense emotion in front of her mother, yet she hadn’t followed through on that reluctance at least, Meng Nie hadn’t seen Liu Fenyun take any action to try and stay.

She had no idea that the soul within that shell had already changed.

Liu Fenyun stared blankly at Meng Nie. Having never had a mother of her own, she had no idea what the “correct” thing to do was in a situation like this.

Since Madam Chong had insisted on not following them, Liu Fenyun hadn’t pushed the matter at the time. She hadn’t expected to be questioned about it by Meng Nie.

Lian Yi, who knew the truth, immediately jumped onto the stone table and said leisurely, “You really shouldn’t keep poking at people’s wounds. Ah-Yun was miserable all last night and cried herself unconscious several times. If there were any viable way, she certainly wouldn’t want to abandon her mother. Why don’t you just escort Madam Chong and come with us to the Demon Realm instead?”

Liu Fenyun: “…”

How can this cat lie so effortlessly without even a script?

Meng Nie had actually only spoken out of frustration, but hearing Lian Yi’s words made her feel as though she truly had been unintentionally rubbing salt in a wound. Feeling embarrassed, she thought about it and simply agreed: “That works. Anyway, back when I was in the army, the physician told me to spend more time in places with abundant spiritual energy. I’ll just escort Madam Chong to the entrance of the Demon Realm, that should save Liu Fenyun from worrying about her mother.”

Meng Nie figured that while Madam Chong said she didn’t want to interfere in the matter, she never said she couldn’t see her daughter off.

Liu Fenyun and Lian Yi were stunned that she had actually agreed. However, having a powerful teammate is always a good thing. After a brief moment of shock, the two used tea as a substitute for wine to welcome Meng Nie to the group.

After drinking the tea brewed by her new teammate, Meng Nie immediately set off to return to the relay station.

“That little general is quite interesting,” Lian Yi remarked after Meng Nie left. “She looks a bit thick-headed and loses her temper easily, but she’s very loyal.”

She hopped into Liu Fenyun’s arms, curled up in a comfortable position, and added, “I’m going to take another nap. Wake me when it’s time to leave.”

Yu Qingyue and Luo Binglun returned just before departure, but Meng Nie returned alone, wearing an awkward yet polite smile as she looked at Liu Fenyun: “I’m sorry, Madam Chong… she is unwilling to travel with us.”

Chong Youhuai was even more resolute than Liu Fenyun. When she chose to sever her attachments, she did so completely, whether it concerned family or romance.

She chose to stay behind and wait for the envoys from the Liuzhi Kingdom to take the opportunity to state her position to the old Emperor. After that, she would return to the Qingmu Immortal Mountain to continue her life of cultivation, far removed from the mortal world.

“However, Madam Chong asked me to bring this. She said it’s a peace talisman for her daughter-in-law, to make up for the lack of a proper meeting gift.” Meng Nie handed Lian Yi a date colored token.

Liu Fenyun took one look and was deeply shocked. This wasn’t some “peace talisman” it was clearly a Five Thunders Order!

Lian Yi didn’t recognize the Five Thunders Order, but she had a very good impression of Chong Youhuai. Hearing it was a gift specifically for her, she accepted it happily and placed it solemnly into her personal satchel.

Doubts began to swirl in Liu Fenyun’s mind. In the era before she transmigrated, the Five Thunders Order was a magical artifact owned only by Taoist cultivators; ordinary people couldn’t get their hands on them.

In this current period where spiritual energy was scarce, a magical artifact like the Five Thunders Order shouldn’t be circulating among commoners. She vaguely sensed that the original owner’s mother might not have a simple identity, but since Madam Chong wished to have no further contact, Liu Fenyun tucked away her curiosity.

Even though she didn’t have to escort Madam Chong, Meng Nie remained part of the team. After leaving Wutong Pavilion, the master and her three disciples walked in front while Meng Nie followed silently behind, carrying the cage containing the black panther cub.

Qi Ran carried a heavy scent of slaughter and blood that others found unbearable, but Meng Nie found it familiar. Sensing the scent of a kindred spirit, Qi Ran opened her eyes and looked at her with interest.

Feeling the gaze of the panther cub, Meng Nie asked curiously, “What did you do to get locked up by Physician Yu?”

“Murder, arson, robbery… caused families to be destroyed and loved ones to be separated,” Qi Ran said dully. After finishing, she glanced at Yu Qingyue and added, “I also broke up a pair of lovers.”

“Then you truly are an evildoer,” Meng Nie remarked. “But strangely, you don’t have an aura that makes people hate you.”

The General even suspected she was lying. Meng Nie had seen too many evil humans and demons, yet this panther demon was the first “evil demon” that made her feel sympathy, the kind where you felt they could be reformed if given a chance.

Qi Ran sneered and closed her eyes again. Since her demonic energy had been drained, she had been listless and spent most of her time sleeping.

Once they were outside Qifeng City, Yu Qingyue transformed into her original form. A massive Gyrfalcon landed before them, waiting quietly for them to climb onto her back.

This was the first time Lian Yi had been this close to Yu Qingyue’s demonic form. After the Gyrfalcon took flight, she stroked the feathers beneath her. They were warm, soft, and slightly silky to the touch. She turned to praise the bird to Liu Fenyun, only to see that Luo Binglun was already sprawled out on the bird’s back.

Lian Yi immediately became alert. Knowing that Luo Binglun’s body was occasionally taken over by the Qingyuan lately, she focused all her attention on her, watching with bated breath.

However, after observing for a while, she realized that Luo Binglun had simply buried her face in the feathers, taking deep, contented breaths.

Just like Liu Fenyun obsessed over “huffing” her cat, the Great Priest was currently enjoying the pleasure of “huffing” a Gyrfalcon.