Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 25
Chapter 25: Double Bloom I Like Your Disguise
Song Yin’s romantic entanglement arrived.
Li Xiu stood in front of Shen Yirong, still smiling, “Mistress Zhai.”
Zhai Wenxu was not interested in others. She ignored Li Xiu and spoke to Shen Yirong, “I have something to discuss with you.”
Compared to yesterday, Zhai Wenxu was very gentle today, completely lacking the hysterical appearance of the day before.
But Shen Yirong was uneasy. She stood behind Li Xiu, “If you have something to say, say it here. Protector Li is not an outsider.”
Li Xiu’s smile deepened. She slightly drew the sword at her waist.
Zhai Wenxu showed no fear on her face. She suddenly raised her hand and swore an oath with joined fingers, “I swear on my Dao heart, I have no intention of harming you.”
Cultivation is essentially the cultivation of the heart. Cultivators are very cautious about this, and Zhai Wenxu had shown her sincerity.
Seeing Shen Yirong still hesitant, Zhai Wenxu looked at Li Xiu, “Please place a curse on me, Protector Li.”
Li Xiu was startled, “I wouldn’t dare.”
But Zhai Wenxu was persistent, “I’m telling you to do it. I can afford this cost.”
Shen Yirong frowned. Curses are the most insidious. Once placed, they are difficult to remove completely unless the soul is purified, but soul cleansing is a process where survival is a slim chance.
Given the situation, if she didn’t agree now, she might be harassed in the future. Having one Song Yin was already a headache; she didn’t want another.
With a light sigh, Shen Yirong patted Li Xiu’s shoulder, “Protector, please step away first.”
Li Xiu sheathed her sword and retreated to the side.
Shen Yirong followed Zhai Wenxu. The other person remained silent, finally stopping by a wall.
Shen Yirong looked at her back, “Sister Zhai, what do you want to say?”
“You slept with her.”
Hearing this so abruptly, Shen Yirong wanted to clarify to prevent the other person’s hostility from deepening.
“That doesn’t matter either.”
Shen Yirong was speechless, “Is this all you wanted to say, Sister?”
Zhai Wenxu finally turned around, “I am here to give you a choice. If you want to leave, I can help you.”
Shen Yirong found this tiresome. She had already inquired; the only way to escape the Demonic Palace was as a corpse. If one of the five Inner Palace Protectors helped, there might be a slim chance.
“I refuse.”
Zhai Wenxu remained calm, “Then please accept a commission from me.”
Shen Yirong was amused, “Why should I?”
Zhai Wenxu tossed a spatial bag into Shen Yirong’s hand.
Shen Yirong opened the bag and saw that the spiritual stones inside were a little less than half of what Li Xiu gave her, which was still a lot, equivalent to half a year’s worth for her.
Her expression instantly changed, “Accepted. What is the task? Can I bring Li Xiu?”
“Of course.”
With Li Xiu present, the risk was lower. Shen Yirong felt it was feasible, but she still needed to hear the specifics. After all, if it was a Heaven level task, Li Xiu’s presence wouldn’t help.
Her mind, which had been clouded by spiritual stones, calmed down, “Tell me the details first.”
Zhai Wenxu nodded, “It’s the Central Yue Kingdom in the north of the Southern Territory. This country has recently fallen into a collective slumber. The Southern Territory is close to the Demon Realm, and it was initially thought to be the work of demons, but the demon capturing mirror showed no reaction.”
“That is my hometown, and I cannot stand by and do nothing.”
Shen Yirong understood, “But why did you choose me?”
“Because if something happens to you, someone will certainly care. At the very least, the Protectors in the Demonic Palace will definitely not stand idly by.”
Shen Yirong felt like she was being used as bait, but on closer inspection, that was indeed the case.
She wasn’t sure about the other Protectors, but Qi Wu and Li Xiu would definitely help her.
After thinking it over, Shen Yirong agreed to the matter. However, before leaving, she went to find Qi Wu first.
Qi Wu had her own residence in the Inner Palace, but the place she stayed most often was the Council Hall. When Shen Yirong arrived, she was still buried under a pile of jade slips.
Seeing her so engrossed, Shen Yirong didn’t dare to disturb her.
Qi Wu noticed her and stopped her work.
“Mistress, do you have any instructions?”
Shen Yirong stood by her desk, but the stacked jade slips were taller than she was.
“Protector Qi, you work hard. I am here to inform you that I need to leave the palace.”
Qi Wu understood. She pulled out an arrow from her storage ring and handed it to Shen Yirong.
“If you encounter danger, channel spiritual energy and throw this arrow in the direction of the enemy. Even Nascent Soul cultivators will find it difficult to escape death.”
Shen Yirong was initially examining the arrow repeatedly. Hearing this, she treasured it and put it away.
She had only come to report, but she ended up obtaining a life saving artifact.
Who said demonic cultivators were all villains? Protector Qi was simply a wonderful person.
Shen Yirong was extremely moved, “Protector Qi, you are truly kind.”
Qi Wu only smiled, “Be careful outside and do not seek conflict, as accidents can happen in any situation.”
“However, Mistress, your identity is special, so we need to record it.”
Shen Yirong expressed understanding and gave the details of the location and the person accompanying her.
Seeing Li Xiu’s name, Qi Wu did not object.
Shen Yirong also received a few bottles of excellent elixirs from Qi Wu. This nearly erased Shen Yirong’s intention to escape.
She happily returned to her residence, fed her cat and dog, then entered her room to set up the Spirit Gathering Array and meditate.
Spiritual energy condensed into mist, but this time, the mist vigorously drilled into her body without her doing anything. Soon, the spiritual stones in the array turned to powder.
Shen Yirong opened her eyes with a pang of heartache. Only half an incense stick had burned.
She counted her spiritual stones and was once again crushed by life.
hai Wenxu retracted her hand, “It’s useless for you to stop me. I must go.”
The medical cultivator sighed, “Are you certain your plan will succeed?”
“Yes.”
What Zhai Wenxu told Shen Yirong was the truth. Her hometown was indeed suffering, and she genuinely couldn’t stand by. But this wasn’t out of nostalgia for her homeland; it was to save someone there.
Now, she could also trick Shen Yi into leaving. She had secretly contacted the Great Peace Sect, and once Shen Yi went with her to that place, she would figure out a way to knock her out and take her away.
The accompanying Li Xiu was only a Nascent Soul cultivator, so there would be no problem as long as the Great Peace Sect sent cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage.
As for the subsequent problems, she would simply blame them on the culprits causing trouble in the Central Yue Kingdom.
Zhai Wenxu felt her plan was sound. After all, a few accidents are normal on the path of cultivation. She had even heard of Nascent Soul cultivators choking to death on a sip of water.
The medical cultivator could only sigh. She transmitted a message to Zhai: What if Li Xiu is stronger than Nascent Soul? The strength of the Demonic Palace Protectors is often hidden. What they display outside is not necessarily the truth.
Zhai Wenxu was a little displeased, “My mind is made up.”
Seeing this, the medical cultivator stopped trying to persuade her, only giving her some calming elixirs.
Zhai Wenxu took the elixirs and left. On her way back, she ran into Li Xiu.
Li Xiu greeted her with a smile, “Mistress Zhai, are you feeling unwell?”
Zhai Wenxu disliked this person. She had a pleasant appearance, and her smile always made people drop their guard, but how could someone who could be a Demonic Palace Protector be an ordinary person?
Before coming to the Demonic Palace, she had been a bit dismissive, but after truly going undercover, she felt a measure of fear.
It was bad enough that these demonic cultivators were powerful, but most importantly, they were extremely loyal to Song Yin.
However, Li Xiu was likely going to meet a grim fate this time.
Zhai Wenxu forced a smile, “I’ve been overly worried recently, taking some calming elixirs.”
Li Xiu was a little surprised, “Please rest assured. With Mistress Shen and me accompanying you, the disaster in your hometown will surely be resolved.”
“Thank you. We leave tomorrow morning. I need to go back and rest.”
Li Xiu nodded and stepped aside. She watched Zhai Wenxu’s retreating figure, and the smile on her face slowly faded.
After watching for a while, she walked toward Shen Yirong’s residence.
Shen Yirong was staring at the swing set in the courtyard. She thought sitting on a swing and reading might be nice.
Li Xiu saw her awkward attempts and took over. In just a moment, the swing was properly set up.
Shen Yirong sat on it, “Protector Li, you are amazing.”
“I was a carpenter before embarking on the path of immortality. I know a little.”
Li Xiu said this while pulling out some pastries from her spatial ring, “Mistress seems to like sweets.”
Shen Yirong looked at the date cake and remained silent. Was this Protector being a bit too attentive?
She didn’t take the pastry, “Does the Protector have something to say?”
Li Xiu put away the date cake, her smile turning bitter, “Does Mistress still hold a grudge against me?”
“What?” Shen Yirong was confused.
“Before, the Venerable One borrowed my appearance to be with you. You seemed somewhat displeased with me after you returned.”
Shen Yirong finally understood. So this was an apology.
However, Li Xiu was only an Outer Palace Protector. She couldn’t help it if Song Yin wanted to borrow her identity.
Shen Yirong generously replied, “Don’t worry about it. I’m not that petty.”
Li Xiu finally relaxed, “I’m relieved to hear you say that. You can trust me fully.”
But then she felt uneasy again, “However, Mistress, you must still be cautious of Mistress Zhai.”
Shen Yirong felt the same way.
Thinking it over, she looked at Li Xiu, “Then I will rely on the Protector to protect me when the time comes.”
Shen Yirong wasn’t joking; it was a very serious request.
Li Xiu’s inner worry instantly vanished, “I will definitely not fail your expectations.”
Shen Yirong smiled. She had yet to see a Demonic Palace Protector make a move; the only one she had seen was the Fourth Protector.
Shen Yirong enthusiastically chatted with her about many things, from the current situation in the cultivation world to the new ruler of the Fox Clan in the Demon Realm.
As they chatted, they also discussed sword techniques.
Li Xiu initially intended to give Shen Yirong some pointers, but she was horrified to discover she couldn’t advise her at all.
She put away her arrogant thoughts and listened intently, then showed her own knowledge of sword techniques.
Shen Yirong flipped through it briefly, making subtle adjustments to a few movements. Fearing Li Xiu wouldn’t understand, she borrowed her sword and demonstrated it once.
After Shen Yirong finished the demonstration, she tossed the sword back to Li Xiu, but she suddenly realized something was wrong.
Li Xiu’s eyes had changed to one of complete reverence.
Shen Yirong immediately broke into a sweat. When it came to the sword, she easily got carried away. Fortunately, Song Yin wasn’t around, or she would be suspicious again.
She couldn’t stand that look, “It’s getting late. Protector, please leave.”
Li Xiu was still immersed in the sword moves. She suddenly felt very lucky and was afraid her joy would offend the other person.
“Then I shall take my leave first.”
Shen Yirong watched her leave, then closed the courtyard door.
Li Xiu was still contemplating the sword moves as she walked.
The more she thought about them, the more exquisite they seemed. She felt a refreshing clarity, as if the clouds had been swept away from her spiritual platform.
She was glad she had taken the initiative to resolve the ill feelings with Mistress Shen.
Just as she was feeling joyful, she suddenly felt a chill of fear.
She looked up and immediately knelt, “I respectfully greet the Venerable One!”
Song Yin looked at her, “I heard you are going out on a mission with her.”
Li Xiu’s heart turned bitter.
No… surely not!
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