Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Jiangxue

Song Yin immediately fanned away the lantern thrown at them and casually used the wind to push the unwelcome visitors out.

In an instant, the fox demons were knocked down, their lanterns scattered by the wind. Some unfortunate fox demons had their clothes ignited and rolled on the ground.

“Ah! I’m on fire!”

“Water!”

The disorganized mob instantly fell into utter chaos.

Song Yin’s eyes sharpened. She reached out to punish these clueless creatures, but Shen Yirong stopped her.

After tugging several times without moving her hand, Song Yin looked at Shen Yirong’s eyes with annoyance, “Let go.”

“Your Excellency.”

Shen Yirong’s voice was right by her ear. Song Yin’s body stiffened. She let out a soft huff and then fell silent.

From a distance, Qing Li rushed over.

The eyes of the group of fox demons filled with delight. The leader fox demon even shouted excitedly, “Your Majesty! The Ancestor must have been harmed by this villain!”

Qing Li had reached the courtyard, her expression darker than the night sky.

Suddenly, she kicked the instigating fox demon, scolding, “Brainless fool! Get down with your subordinates!”

The kicked fox demon spat out a mouthful of blood. She froze, her face full of shock.

The fox demon wiped the blood from her lips and slowly got up, “The murderer is right here! Is Your Majesty planning to shield them?”

Qing Li looked somewhat exhausted at this moment. Hearing the demon’s relentless pursuit, she couldn’t help but step forward again, stomping the demon to the ground. She ruthlessly twisted her foot, directly stomping the fox demon into unconsciousness.

The surrounding small demons were frightened and scurried away, trembling. Qing Li, however, put on a smile, “The Ancestor’s death was due to the end of her lifespan. If any of you dare to be disrespectful to my two distinguished guests again, do not blame me for disregarding our kinship!”

The remaining fox demons hurriedly bowed to the ground, replying with trembling bodies, “Yes!”

Qing Li waved her hand casually, commanding, “Take her away.”

“Yes.”

A few small demons nervously carried away the unconscious fox demon. Only Qing Li and her two attendants remained in the courtyard.

Shen Yirong noted that the kick was restrained. Clearly, Qing Li was putting on a show, actually protecting the fox demon.

Qing Li turned to the two following her, “You two go down as well.”

The attendants bowed and left, leaving only the two people and one demon.

Qing Li’s display of dominance vanished as her subordinates left. She looked at the two lying on the bed, apologizing with a bitter smile, “I sincerely apologize for the disturbance, both of you. They were just anxious for a moment. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Song Yin sneered, “This Venerable thought the Fox King was going to throw some mud at this Venerable to cause trouble.”

Qing Li’s tail hair was almost standing on end. She said with a wry smile, “How would this little King dare? The spell you two placed on me is still active.”

Qing Li shrank her shoulders anxiously, but finally said, “It’s just that the matter I promised you two will have to be delayed a little.”

The meaning was clear.

Because of this, Song Yin’s face darkened even more.

Qing Li explained in great panic, “It’s not that I’m deceiving you two. The Moon Lake’s water is affected by the Jiangxue Sword nearby. That elder just now was on good terms with Jiangxue’s Sword Spirit. With the elder’s passing, the Jiangxue Sword might not bless the lake water.”

Song Yin wouldn’t listen. She slowly raised her other hand. Seeing this, Qing Li crouched down and covered her head in fear.

Shen Yirong grabbed both of Song Yin’s hands, “Your Excellency, let her go.”

The more Song Yin struggled, the tighter the constraint on her hands became. She couldn’t help but say sourly, “You’re so generous, trying to help everyone.”

Shen Yirong didn’t intend to do that. She was just afraid that Song Yin’s excitement would harm Qing Li, which would likely postpone their body swap even further.

Although Song Yin’s body was far superior to hers, the inner demon in this body was too stubborn, constantly causing her to hallucinate the sound of rain.

But now was not the time to think about this. She felt that Song Yin’s anger was not about controlling her actions, but about defending Qing Li?

Shen Yirong thought for a moment and tested the waters, “Your Excellency misunderstood. I was afraid that hurting the other party would make the matter of us switching bodies even more distant.”

Shen Yirong smiled, “That wouldn’t be good for Your Excellency.”

Song Yin’s rising anger immediately subsided. She was stunned for a moment, then huffed and sullenly lay down on the bed, “I’m going to sleep.”

Qing Li wanted to slip away quickly once Song Yin had calmed down.

“Wait.”

Qing Li immediately froze. She wagged her nine tails behind her and forced a pleasing smile, “Is there anything else you need?”

Shen Yirong glanced at her furry tails, then shifted her gaze elsewhere, saying softly, “Take us to see the Jiangxue Sword tomorrow.”

Qing Li thought for a moment and nodded, “Alright. Please wait in the room tomorrow. I will come after I’ve dealt with the elder’s funeral matters.”

“It’s late. I’ll take my leave now. Please rest well, both of you.”

Shen Yirong nodded. After Qing Li disappeared into the courtyard, she waved her hand to close the door.

The creaking sound of the closing door was particularly harsh in the moonlight. Shen Yirong blew out the lamp inside and lay down beside Song Yin, slowly closing her eyes.

Perhaps due to exhaustion, Shen Yirong quickly fell asleep.

Song Yin opened her eyes amid Shen Yirong’s steady and prolonged breathing. She waved her hand in front of Shen Yirong’s eyes, but Shen Yirong remained motionless.

Her tense brows relaxed. Song Yin cast a spell to use the clone technique. Slowly, another shadow appeared in the darkness. The clone looked exactly like the main body, which was Shen Yirong’s appearance.

Song Yin slowly adjusted the clone’s face, but the whole face snapped back just halfway through the change.

Song Yin was not discouraged. She tried many times in a row, but all failed.

Just as she was about to try again, a restless hand wrapped around her waist. The hand on her waist was not hot, but the stimulus was considerable. Song Yin felt a little tickle. She reached out to push the hand away, but before she could act, she was pulled into an embrace. This wasn’t all.

Shen Yirong not only used her hands but also her feet. She stretched out a long leg and hooked it over Song Yin, looking like a clam shell, with Song Yin as the flesh inside the shell.

Song Yin couldn’t move. Then she heard the other party murmur in her ear, “Good disciple, sleep.”

Song Yin stiffened. She snorted coldly, “No.”

The cold answer seemed to hurt the sleeping person, who let out a very faint sob.

This sob gently swept across Song Yin’s heart like a feather. She stopped struggling, just looking at the moonlight streaming through the window, asking with intense sourness, “So many people stood in Master’s past.”

The night was silent. Shen Yirong’s consciousness was already deep in her dreams. She couldn’t answer.

Song Yin’s voice slowly became forceful, “Master, you can only like me.”

“…Okay.”

Song Yin was stunned for a moment, but the other party’s voice was low and vague, clearly still a dream talk.

The inner anxiety slowly subsided, yet Song Yin felt placated. Her voice was no longer filled with hostility, carrying a hint of proud coquetry, “You treated me so badly. I won’t forgive you.”

“Okay.”

“…Master, I hate you to death.”

“Okay.”

No matter what Song Yin said, the other party would only reply with a single “okay.” Realizing this, Song Yin was silent for a while.

She suddenly asked, “Like me, okay?”

“Okay.”

A slow smile appeared on Song Yin’s face. She snorted coldly and fell into a deep sleep in Shen Yirong’s embrace.

When Shen Yirong woke up the next day, she saw Song Yin in her arms smiling sweetly at her. She immediately thought she hadn’t fully woken up. She rubbed her head, ready to go back to sleep.

However, the knocking on the door stopped her. Qing Li’s voice sounded outside.

“Two adults, we can set off now.”

Setting off at this time was clearly too early. Shen Yirong was yawning.

Yesterday, she dreamt of returning to the modern world. She was sitting in the office, and her supervisor was briefing her on the upcoming tasks. She kept replying with “Yes, yes, yes.”

In her dream, she finished her workday, left the company, and bought a hawthorn-flavored ice cream.

Shen Yirong suddenly felt a little craving. She thought about trying to replicate a simple version of it someday.

Looking up at Qing Li, who was dressed in mourning clothes, Shen Yirong finally couldn’t help but ask, “Is the demon race’s funeral so quick?”

The dark circles under Qing Li’s eyes were obvious. She was cradling a small jar carefully, her voice somewhat hoarse, “Our Fox Clan’s customs are not much different from yours. Not holding a funeral was the deceased’s last wish.”

The small jar clearly contained ashes, not specially processed, just an ordinary wine jar. But Shen Yirong noticed a character ‘Liu’ on the jar.

Originally, she didn’t want to ask more, but she immediately became attentive, “What about that jar?”

“That was also the deceased’s last wish.”

Shen Yirong wanted to know more details. She quickly took two steps forward, closing the distance with Qing Li, “Did this elder have an old friendship with the Sect Master of Great Peace?”

Qing Li was in a bad mood and didn’t want to say too much, but Shen Yirong’s words were polite, even using the term ‘elder.’

Perhaps the excellent sunlight had evaporated the resentment in her heart. Qing Li still spoke, “The one who had a friendship with my maternal grandmother was the Sword Venerable Adult, not that drunkard Sect Master.”

Shen Yirong didn’t expect the Sword Venerable to have such a high rate of appearance. She must have traveled all over the cultivation world.

The people here didn’t believe she was the Sword Venerable. Shen Yirong didn’t resist much. She curiously followed up, “Are the fox tombs near Jiangxue?”

Qing Li shook her head, “No. I am just fulfilling my grandmother’s last wish, scattering her ashes from the hilt of the Jiangxue Sword.”

Shen Yirong asked again, “Why?”

Qing Li glanced at her. She knew Song Yin was watching nearby, but she couldn’t help but complain, “You sound like a chirping little bird. You have the Sword Venerable’s face, but your personality is nothing like hers.”

Shen Yirong smiled frankly, “How dare I compare myself to someone as formidable as the Sword Venerable?”

Her words were very sincere. Qing Li was pleased, and her attitude became more amiable.

A cold wind blew, and Qing Li hugged the ash jar closer in her arms, “Hmph, you know your place.”

Suddenly, she felt a cold, hostile gaze from behind. Qing Li didn’t dare to look back. She put away her little bit of pride and changed the subject, “There’s no reason why. Grandma was just tired. She always said she wished she was just a stone. She hates the Fox Clan, and I hate it too.”

Shen Yirong wanted to ask why, but the other party seemed very sad. She tactfully kept her mouth shut.

She thought of the Sword Spirit again, considering whether to unlock the constraint on her. But while she was thinking, Song Yin’s voice appeared in her mind.

“What do you want to know? Perhaps I can tell you.”

Song Yin was standing by her side, smiling at her.

Shen Yirong felt terrified, suspecting that the other party had taken the wrong medicine today. She couldn’t help but transmit her voice: Your Excellency seems very happy. Did something happen?

“Guess.”

How could Shen Yirong guess? Whatever the reason, if Song Yin was happy, she was happy too.

“I can’t guess, but I’m quite curious why a fox demon would hate the Fox Clan?”

Seeing Shen Yirong’s gaze completely focused on her, Song Yin snorted softly: The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan is mainly divided into Red Foxes and White Foxes. For the past thousand years, the status of the Red Fox Clan was very low. They were slaves of the White Fox Clan.

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but look at Qing Li’s fiery red tail. She then remembered the storybook titled “Fox Demon” that she had read in the mirror world. Song Yin, disguised as Li Xiu at the time, was reading it avidly. Could it be that the content of that storybook was similar to Qing Li’s experience?

Shen Yirong pondered for a moment: So you read that fox demon storybook in the Myriad Manifestations Mirror because of this?

“No, it was because the storybook was poorly written. I made a note of the author’s name.”

Shen Yirong was shocked. She awkwardly changed the subject: But the White Fox Clan is all dead. Shouldn’t so much hatred subside?

Song Yin’s expression remained the same. The fox demon yesterday had said a lot intermittently, but for someone with such a long lifespan, those few things were too short to summarize her entire life.

Actually, Song Yin was very envious, envious that the other party got to meet the Master from the beginning. When she met her Master, the Master was no longer as lively as described in her words.

Shen Yirong watched Song Yin’s expression darken. She thought she had said something inappropriate and planned to curb her curiosity.

“The maternal grandmother mentioned by that useless fox was from the White Fox Clan. She hoped the two clans could coexist harmoniously. When the White Foxes were in charge, she tried hard to save many Red Foxes, but you see the result now. The hatred accumulated over all these years is simply unsolvable.”

Shen Yirong was silent. She stopped asking questions.

The path was not particularly rugged, but there were many grape fields. The few of them walked across the ridges between the fields.

There were many fox demons in the grape fields. They were still in their beast forms. Seeing Qing Li approach, these fox demons scurried out from under the grape vines, but they were scared back by Shen Yirong’s face before they could even greet her.

Shen Yirong touched her own face and looked at Song Yin. The sunlight filtering through the gaps in the grapevines cast beautiful silhouettes on her face. When the wind blew, the silhouettes swayed.

Most of the time, Song Yin was composed. Being around her felt very secure. It seemed there was nothing this person couldn’t do.

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but ask: What about Your Excellency? What would Your Excellency do?

Song Yin suddenly sneered, startling the leading Qing Li.

“Of course, I would secretly support the Red Fox Clan, let the White and Red Clans fight to the death, and then reap the benefits of the conflict.”

Shen Yirong shuddered just like Qing Li. She weakly added: I mean, what would you do if you were a fox demon?

“I’m not. I would only become their nightmare. And even if I were a fox demon, I wouldn’t have such unrealistic fantasies. I wouldn’t torment myself for some person or some matter.”

Song Yin’s tone was too firm, but it was precisely this firmness that swept away the gloom in Shen Yirong’s heart.

The clouds in the sky gradually thickened. The sun was blocked by the clouds, and the hot sunlight completely disappeared, replaced by howling wind.

There was a muffled sound between the clouds.

“Boom!”

Large raindrops slanted down after the thunder. The grape leaves rattled loudly.

The little foxes who didn’t manage to hide under the grape trellis were drenched.

Shen Yirong saw the fox shaking off water, and she cast a spell to shield them from the rain.

Shen Yirong suddenly felt weak all over. After her body swayed twice, she opened her eyes, but her vision was blurry, like a windshield without wipers in the rain. She couldn’t see anything clearly.

There seemed to be some sound, but the rain was too loud for her to hear clearly.

Suddenly, someone pulled her out of this hallucination. She slowly saw the world clearly, seeing the sword-like mountain peak.

Her breath was cool, but her palm was warm. She turned her head and saw Song Yin’s face.

Shen Yirong realized belatedly that it was Song Yin’s inner demon just now.

While she was still thinking, her hand was gripped tighter. She heard Song Yin say to her, “From now on, do not let go of my hand.”

Shen Yirong nodded blankly.

Song Yin was still uneasy. She wanted to emphasize a few more things, but seeing Shen Yirong’s furrowed brow, the words changed before leaving her mouth, “Stay by my side as much as possible. Don’t leave. You won’t have to suffer for much longer.”

It was raining in reality too. Shen Yirong felt that the hallucination was starting to resurface with the sound of the rain. She silently moved closer to Song Yin, and the inner demon slowly retreated.

Shen Yirong felt a tight ache in her chest. Breathing through her nose was no longer enough. She gasped for air like a fish out of water, finally leaning against Song Yin’s shoulder.

Only then did she feel like she was back in the water.

After her consciousness cleared, Shen Yirong wanted to move away from Song Yin’s shoulder, but she was afraid the inner demon would return.

Song Yin said disdainfully, “If you want to lean, then lean. I’m not that petty.”

With this statement, Shen Yirong relaxed. She comfortably stayed on Song Yin’s shoulder.

Qing Li was utterly disgusted by the couple’s intimacy. She let out a subtle “ugh.”

In the rain curtain, the Jiangxue Sword emitted a soft white glow. In the hazy white light, a woman’s figure seemed to appear. Her dark hair was loose, a black round gemstone was suspended on her forehead, she wore a simple white robe, and a sash of the same color was loosely tied around her waist. Her demeanor was cool and arrogant.

She stood at the top of the mountain, looking in the direction of the Fox Palace. She suddenly lowered her eyes to look at Qing Li below the mountain, then moved her gaze indifferently, only to turn her head suddenly as if sensing something.

The woman’s eyes fixed on Shen Yirong. She flew down from the peak towards Shen Yirong, her eyes tearful as she opened her mouth, choking, “You.”

Shen Yirong reached out her hand and smiled, “Hello, my name is Shen Yi.”

Jiangxue looked blankly at the outstretched hand. She smoothly put away all inappropriate expressions, treating her like a stranger, “I am Jiangxue, the Sword Spirit of the Jiangxue Sword.”

Through Jiangxue’s body, one could see the mountains and trees behind her. Her body was already transparent beyond belief.

Qing Li’s voice was very respectful, “Sword Spirit Adult, I need to climb the mountain peak to fulfill my grandmother’s last wish.”

Jiangxue looked at the ash jar, her face showing no discernible emotion, “Go.”

Qing Li, having received permission, flew towards the mountain peak.

Jiangxue looked at the state of Shen Yirong and Song Yin, roughly understanding what was happening. A smile suddenly appeared on her illusory, beautiful face, “I didn’t expect the famous Demon Venerable Adult to also be afflicted by this soul-swapping spell.”

Song Yin’s expression turned cold, “Believe it or not, this Venerable will turn you into a useless sword.”

Jiangxue’s expression showed no fear. Instead, her eyes were filled with provocation and killing intent. She sneered, “Is that so? Then I really don’t believe it.”

Now that the Demon Venerable was trapped in Shen Yirong’s body, how could Jiangxue be afraid of her? She even thought about killing her right here.

Her killing intent intensified. The mountain peak behind her began to emit a stronger glow.

Song Yin let out a light laugh and began chanting a spell. Then, an iron chain flew out of Shen Yirong’s spiritual ring. This chain was originally used to bind Traceable Rain.

The chain slowly wrapped around Jiangxue’s weakened spirit body. Jiangxue, who had been composed moments ago, showed panic on her face. She gritted her teeth, trying to resist, but the more she resisted, the tighter the chain coiled.

Jiangxue glanced at Shen Yirong, then stubbornly refused to lower her head.

Shen Yirong saw Jiangxue’s spirit body fade a bit more. This couldn’t continue.

Shen Yirong quickly said, “Your Excellency, you can stop now.”

Song Yin had only intended to teach a lesson. Since Shen Yirong spoke, she recalled the chain, a hint of mockery slowly pulling at the corner of her mouth.

The tense atmosphere made Shen Yirong uneasy. She could only smile and greet Jiangxue in a very friendly manner, “Fairy, you must know why we are here.”

Jiangxue’s face still held reluctance, but seeing her spirit body become slightly more transparent, she finally calmed down.

When facing Shen Yirong, she adopted a different attitude, smiling and speaking softly, “You two were afflicted by the Soul Transfer spell and want me to bless the Moon Lake, correct?”

Talking to a smart person saved effort. Shen Yirong’s favorability toward Jiangxue increased by several degrees.

“Yes. Please bless the Moon Lake, Fairy.”

Jiangxue’s gaze flickered back and forth between the two, then she seemed somewhat perplexed. She suddenly leaned close to Shen Yirong and sniffed, then her expression changed.

Shen Yirong’s soul carried Song Yin’s scent, and vice versa.

Logically, the two should be enemies.

Jiangxue looked utterly devastated, and her body even became slightly more transparent.

She held her forehead, asking relentlessly, “May I ask what your relationship with her is?”

Shen Yirong answered very calmly, “I am her cultivation furnace.”

Jiangxue bit her lip tightly. She had been here for too long and couldn’t usually move. Her information was blocked, so she didn’t know that the Demon Venerable had taken a cultivation furnace whose appearance resembled the Sword Venerable.

Shen Yirong thought the other party hadn’t heard and repeated, “I am the cultivation furnace.”

Jiangxue cried out, stopping her, “Stop saying that.”

After speaking, she realized her attitude was wrong. Jiangxue suppressed her excess emotion. Only a smile remained on her face. She shook her head.

Shen Yirong instantly grew anxious. She thought Jiangxue was unwilling to help and couldn’t help but glare fiercely at the nonchalant Song Yin.

Song Yin frowned, and it looked like she was about to summon the chain to strike the Sword Spirit again. Fortunately, Shen Yirong patted her shoulder.

Song Yin snorted, but made no further moves.

Shen Yirong’s voice softened, “Does the Fairy require any reward?”

Jiangxue didn’t expect the Demon Venerable to be so obedient to her owner. Her mind was in even greater turmoil.

Although she couldn’t figure it out, she could answer some questions at this moment. She turned to look at Qing Li on the mountain peak.

The little fox, usually prone to watching drama, was not paying attention to their side.

Jiangxue shook her head helplessly, “Did the Fox King tell you that? But my ability is not what she claims. The blessed water can only be used to heal injuries; it cannot break this spell.”

Shen Yirong didn’t expect such a result. She worried, “Does this mean this life has to continue for another year?”

Looking at the despairing Shen Yirong, Jiangxue felt a little pity. She endured it as long as she could, then finally smiled and said, “Actually, there is one more way.”

Shen Yirong’s eyes immediately brightened, “What way?”

Jiangxue pursed her lips, then closed her eyes and smiled.

In Shen Yirong’s expectant gaze, Jiangxue slowly uttered two words.

“Dual cultivation.”