Transmigrated as the Little Concubine of a Paper-Thin Man - Chapter 15

After Huanzhu was arrested, Shi Yunjii’s days were considerably quieter. She became the only person serving by Yan Ling’s side. When Zhao Feng occasionally came to Yu Ling Palace for an audience, he would wink at her, congratulating her on climbing the social ladder.

Shi Yunjii always pretended not to see him and went about her own business.

Her peaceful life lasted less than two days before Hua Yan, the Sect Master of the Flying Immortal Sect, returned from his travels. Perhaps to display his authority, he immediately made a big move upon his return: thoroughly investigating the strange incidents that had occurred within the sect.

When the investigation concluded, everyone found that most of the incidents were connected to Yan Ling’s Ling Ling Peak.

Huanzhu was brought up for questioning.

“The sect was robbed, and the map was stolen—was that your doing?” Hua Shu held the replica of the sect’s map that had been confiscated from Huanzhu. “Speak, do you have any other accomplices in the Flying Immortal Sect?”

Shi Yunjie stood by Yan Ling’s side, her head bowed, quietly observing the situation. When she heard this, her heart jumped, and she couldn’t help but look up at Huanzhu.

Unexpectedly, the other person was also looking at her.

Just when Shi Yunjii thought she couldn’t possibly escape this time, Huanzhu cracked a bright smile.

She looked at Hua Shu: “Do I need accomplices to deal with your Flying Immortal Sect?”

Hua Shu was furious and raised her hand to slap her. “You have a death wish.” She grabbed Huanzhu’s collar: “Say it, what was your purpose in infiltrating the Flying Immortal Sect? Besides stealing the sect map, what other sordid deeds have you committed?”

Huanzhu’s hands were bound behind her back, and she looked disheveled, but her presence was not inferior to the other woman’s.

She narrowed her eyes: “Don’t flatter yourselves. What good things does your Flying Immortal Sect have? I wasn’t after your Flying Immortal Sect.” She shifted her gaze to Yan Ling, teasingly: “Ling Ling Immortal Master can vouch for me, right?”

Yan Ling merely took the teacup from Shi Yunjie’s hand and silently drank her tea, not sparing a single glance.

Hua Yan, who had been sitting upright listening to Hua Shu’s interrogation, couldn’t hold back.

He looked at Yan Ling: “Yan Ling, was this demonic woman targeting you?”

Yan Ling gave the Sect Master some face and nodded: “Yes.”

“Speaking of which…” Hua Yan pondered, “the previous incident with Zhou Huaibi and others causing trouble in the sect was also because of you. Zhou Huaibi and his group were killed by you, and the outside world is spreading rumors that you murdered them for their treasures.” As he spoke, he stroked the whiskers on his chin: “You practically wiped out the Zhou Clan in one move. This matter, it’s difficult for us to explain to the outside world…”

“Father.” Before Yan Ling could speak, Hua Shu became anxious. “Wasn’t that Zhou Huaibi’s fault? They attacked Ling Ling Peak to cause trouble. How can outsiders twist the facts and push the blame onto us?”

Hua Yan glared at her, but wasn’t truly angry, and his tone remained gentle: “What do you, a young girl, understand?”

He glanced at Yan Ling, hinting: “The Key of All Souls belongs to the Zhou family, that’s true. The news that the Key of All Souls appeared on Ling Ling Peak is also true. Now that Zhou Huaibi and his group are dead, the truth can’t be verified, and there are all sorts of speculations outside.

“If we let the rumors continue to spread, the Flying Immortal Sect might become the target of condemnation in the cultivation world.”

Hua Shu frowned and stepped forward to tug at Yan Ling’s sleeve: “Yan Ling, quickly explain to my father.” She asked: “I believe you about the Zhou Huaibi incident. You weren’t at fault, were you?”

Yan Ling pulled her sleeve out of her grasp.

Hua Yan frowned: “Yan Ling?”

Yan Ling finally spoke: “I sought the blueprint for the Key of All Souls from Zhou Huaibi. I promised him a million spiritual stones and a pouch of spiritual medicine in exchange for it.”

Hua Yan’s brows relaxed, and he nodded: “I knew you weren’t that kind of person.”

Yan Ling glanced at him and continued: “Later, I refined the Key of All Souls. Zhou Huaibi learned I was injured and thought he could take advantage, so he gathered people to attack Yu Ling Peak. He misjudged my power and ultimately died by my hand.”

Hua Yan pressed further: “Where is the Key of All Souls now?”

Yan Ling smiled faintly: “Shouldn’t Hua Shu know better than I do?”

Hua Yan paused and looked at his daughter.

Hua Shu quickly explained: “The day you threw out the Key of All Souls, I did immediately lead people to look for it. But in the chaos, the key ended up in someone’s hands, I don’t know who. “Then I sent people to search the vicinity for a long time, and even checked the bodies of those from the Zhou Clan, but the key wasn’t found.”

“That’s strange…” Hua Yan’s whiskers trembled slightly. “You all saw Yan Ling throw out the key with your own eyes, how did it inexplicably disappear?”

Hua Shu gritted her teeth in frustration.

While the others were discussing, Huanzhu was hunched over, trying her best to minimize her presence, but Hua Shu still noticed something amiss.

She quickly walked up to Huanzhu: “This lowlife was also on Ling Ling Peak at the time. Could it be that you, this little lowlife, took the item?”

Huanzhu blinked innocently: “Miss, you can’t accuse people recklessly without evidence.”

Hua Shu sneered: “It seems the search just now wasn’t thorough enough. Guards—”

Seeing this, Huanzhu’s face turned slightly pale. She looked at Yan Ling on the main seat, attempting to plead for help: “Immortal Master…”

Yan Ling merely turned her head away: “It’s too noisy.”

Hua Shu was stunned, said, “I’ll take her out to deal with her,” and dragged Huanzhu out of the hall.

After the group of inner disciples left, the hall became much quieter.

Sensing the time was right, Hua Yan asked: “During my travels, I heard many rumors. That Zhou Huaibi and his group were after a certain box on you, is that true?”

Shi Yunjii’s brow furrowed.

She secretly looked up at Hua Yan, trying to discern any clue from his expression. But Hua Yan was, after all, an old fox. His expression was full of concern for Yan Ling, without the slightest hint of greed.

Yan Ling nodded: “It is.”

“I shouldn’t inquire about your belongings,” Hua Yan said, frowning slightly, looking a bit troubled. “But the matter has escalated to this point. The Zhou Clan has been almost wiped out, and forces allied with them are about to cause trouble for the Flying Immortal Sect…”

He deliberately paused, then said: “I believe you. Since Zhou Huaibi was intent on snatching your treasure, no matter how many people come, the sect will stand up for you. But the explanation here…

“Yan Ling, do you have any evidence that can convince the public?”

Yan Ling thought for a moment and shook her head: “My initial transaction with Zhou Huaibi was only a verbal agreement, so I couldn’t leave any evidence. I do have one witness, the rogue cultivator Qin Zhen. I also traded some materials with him at the time, and he witnessed almost the entire discussion between Zhou Huaibi and me.

“It’s just that I don’t know if Qin Zhen is willing to step forward and testify.”

“Qin Zhen…” Hua Yan nodded. “Good, I will send people to find him and try to persuade him to come forward as a witness.”

Yan Ling smiled: “Then I thank the Sect Master.”

“You’re welcome,” Hua Yan stroked his long beard, then suddenly added: “Speaking of the box in your hand, I have a suggestion. Listen to it. Of course, it’s just a suggestion; whether you adopt it or not is up to you.”

Yan Ling: “Please speak.”

Hua Yan: “Now the outside world knows about this matter. If we keep hiding it, it will look like we have something to conceal.

“If you have nothing to fear, we can openly display the box so that outsiders will know that Zhou Huaibi coveted the treasure on you and deliberately tore relations with you. ”

Shi Yunjii held her breath, only daring to stare at her toes. Yan Ling, who was seated on the main chair, also remained silent. In the vast jade palace, the atmosphere slowly became oppressive, as if an invisible hand was choking everyone’s breath.

After a long while, Hua Yan couldn’t help but say: “Yan Ling…”

“I think your suggestion is very good,” Yan Ling interrupted before he could continue.

Hua Yan was startled, almost unable to believe his ears: “What?”

“I am willing to take out the box.” As if to verify her words, she untied the pouch at her waist as she spoke. The next moment, the magnificent wooden box appeared in her delicate fingers.

“The ‘Box of Dao Heart’ is not something shameful, and besides, I also want to take this opportunity to seek advice from the wider cultivation community.”

Shi Yunjii looked at her in surprise.

Yan Ling continued on her own: “If even the Key of All Souls is ineffective, what other way in this world can safely open it without damaging the box?”

Hua Yan’s eyes were practically glued to the “Box of Dao Heart.”

Hearing Yan Ling’s words, he recovered: “You, you are right.” Then, he took a deep breath: “Since that is the case, I will widely distribute invitations, inviting all famous cultivators in the world to gather at the Flying Immortal Sect.

“One, to help you clear your name of murder and silencing, and two, to help you find a way to open the box.”

Yan Ling smiled sincerely: “In that case, I thank the Sect Master very much.”

“Why talk about ‘thanks’ between us?” Hua Yan stood up. “I will go and arrange this now. I only hope that Yan Ling, you will cooperate fully when the time comes.”

“That is inevitable,” Yan Ling replied coolly.

Outside the hall, Hua Shu had already found the Key of All Souls on Huanzhu. She held up the key and joyfully showed off to Hua Yan. Hua Yan glared at her. Realizing something, she quickly put the key away.

Then, the father and daughter exchanged a few words and left side by side, flying off without looking back.

Inside the hall, Yan Ling lifted her eyes to look at Shi Yunjie: “Go and bring her in.”

Shi Yunjii took a deep breath and went outside.

Huanzhu had a few more slap marks on her face, but her overall condition wasn’t too bad. Shi Yunjii quietly helped her up and brushed the dust off her clothes.

“You’re finally living a good life,” Huanzhu lamented faintly to Shi Yunjii.

Shi Yunjii felt somewhat conflicted facing her. She shook her head, then, as instructed, brought Huanzhu before Yan Ling.

“You heard Hua Yan’s words, didn’t you?” Yan Ling looked at Huanzhu.

Huanzhu still had the strength to curl her lips: “Of course.” She slightly narrowed her eyes: “Immortal Master, you don’t think that old fox has no ideas, do you? He is also stuck at the last step before ascension, just waiting for an opportunity to ascend.”

Yan Ling tapped her right index finger on the armrest: “You don’t need to worry about his intentions. I’m here to inform you…”

The transcendent woman on the main seat leaned slightly forward: “If you cannot give me a way to open the box before Hua Yan convenes the gathering, I will hand you over and let them deal with you.”

Huanzhu’s face slightly changed.

But she quickly recovered: “And if I can?”

Yan Ling slightly curved her lips: “I will pay you the corresponding reward.”

Huanzhu intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Shi Yunjii beside her: “If I had known this, I would have approached you directly. Compared to that broken box whose contents are unknown, I’m more interested in the reward the Immortal Master can offer.”

Yan Ling stood up: “It depends on whether you live to claim it.”

Huanzhu tried hard to straighten her back: “Immortal Master, rest assured, this maid will give it my all.”

Yan Ling didn’t bother to look at her anymore, finished speaking, and rose to leave.

Shi Yunjie was about to leave too, but Huanzhu grabbed her sleeve.

“Little Yunjii, you wouldn’t be heartless enough to watch me die, would you?” Her tone suggested they were close friends. “For the sake of me having saved your life once, you must help me.”

Shi Yunjii was a little confused.

Huanzhu saw through her thoughts at a glance and narrowed her eyes: “Forgotten?

“When you stole the Flying Immortal Sect map, who kindly reminded you to mask your soul aura?”

Hearing this, Shi Yunjii’s brows slightly knitted.

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