When the Immortal Venerable Picked-Up the Demon Cub - Chapter 14

How could Zhu Ning have forgotten Lin Xiayan’s volatile temper? Yue Qing had just publicly humiliated her, and the naturally hot-tempered Lin Xiayan was bound to explode.

Realizing this, Zhu Ning quickly grabbed Lin Xiayan’s hand and squeezed it tightly, hoping to restrain her since she lacked the Voice Transmission Technique. At the same time, she sacrificed her own dignity, saying, “Elder, the Demonic Beast has clearly angered you. Your qi is likely in turmoil. You should return to your quarters and rest immediately.”

This wasn’t a suggestion or a plea; anyone with discernment could hear the thinly veiled command in her tone. Yue Qing raised his head in surprise, wondering why Zhu Ning, who usually avoided meddling in others’ affairs, was acting so uncharacteristically.

Zhu Ning didn’t have time to notice Yue Qing’s gaze. As long as the murderous aura behind her began to subside, everything would be worth it.

“Immortal Venerable… let’s go back,” Lin Xiayan said, tugging insincerely at Zhu Ning’s sleeve. Her soft, saccharine voice sounded jarringly out of place in the training grounds.

The murmurs of gossip and speculation abruptly ceased as all eyes turned to the girl in the red dress, their gazes filled with curiosity.

Zhu Ning rolled her eyes inwardly but dared not voice her thoughts. She merely instructed the disciples beside her to dispose of the Demonic Beast’s corpse before striding toward Mùdōng Courtyard, her hands clasped behind her back, radiating an air of haughty superiority. The only discordant note was the little girl in red, whose waist bells jingled incessantly, their crisp, melodious tones echoing through the snowy valley.

“Elder… perhaps you should rest first?” Yue Qing’s Chief Disciple approached cautiously, fearing to displease his master.

Yue Qing’s expression was indeed dark, but he was not one to vent his anger indiscriminately. His face remained grim as he swept his sleeves and strode away.

The countless disciples left behind exchanged uneasy glances.

“Chief Disciple, why is our master suddenly in such a foul mood? Wasn’t his Spiritual Power surge incredibly strong?” This question dominated their hushed discussions.

Wen Ge, the Chief Disciple, shook his head, his grip tightening on the sword at his waist. His own expression was troubled as he dispersed the gossiping crowd and sought out Su Mi.

Su Mi still wore her emerald-green robes, a striking yet gentle figure amidst the white-clad disciples. Wen Ge bowed respectfully before speaking. “Do you know if there’s been a disagreement between our master and the Sect Leader? Why are they both speaking in such harsh tones today?”

Su Mi had been intently studying a book on talisman crafting when Wen Ge’s sudden interruption caused her to frown. After understanding his question, she replied with equal confusion, “I’m not aware of any such matter either. But it does seem our Honored Master Sect Leader has changed quite a bit. Things she used to strictly forbid, she now turns a blind eye to. And she’s never treated the Elders with such…”

As Zhu Ning’s disciple, Su Mi could only offer seemingly fair and impartial words on her master’s behalf. Unable to get the answers he sought from Su Mi, Wen Ge returned in puzzlement.

By then, Zhu Ning had already reached the small courtyard of Mùdōng Courtyard. She glanced around, then firmly closed the courtyard’s bamboo gate. The sight of her stifled frustration, barely contained, made Lin Xiayan chuckle.

With a wave of her hand, another transparent barrier enveloped Mùdōng Courtyard, sealing out all external sounds. Lin Xiayan finally reverted to her adult form, stretching her limbs as if she’d been cramped for ages. She lazily reclined on a chair inside the courtyard’s house, basking in the warmth of the heated floor.

“Even though demons aren’t bothered by the cold, it’s still nice to have something to warm up by,” Lin Xiayan remarked, ignoring Zhu Ning’s face, which was darker than the bottom of a pot. She didn’t invite Zhu Ning to sit, instead smoothing her long black hair and smiling at Zhu Ning, who stood in the courtyard.

Realizing Lin Xiayan had seemingly taken over, Zhu Ning felt this wasn’t right. She stepped further into the room. “You promised me you wouldn’t cause trouble or use your magical power carelessly in Yun Cang Mountain. Yet you’ve broken those promises repeatedly. What am I supposed to do? If I hadn’t stopped you today, would you have gone to fight Elder Yue?”

Zhu Ning’s voice was cold, like pearls falling on jade, clear and melodious. Though she spoke at length, her words ultimately came down to Lin Xiayan’s misuse of magical power.

Zhu Ning had no idea that her words carried no real threat. Instead, she resembled a wild rabbit, all claws and teeth, yet endearingly fierce. Lin Xiayan’s gaze lingered on her, full of amusement. With a slight nod, she exuded an air of pitiful remorse.

“But he showed me no respect or dignity…” Lin Xiayan protested. “I’ve lived freely as a demon for so long. Of course I can’t adjust overnight. Must you be so harsh with me over this?” Despite her stunning beauty, Lin Xiayan’s words carried genuine sincerity. Zhu Ning felt as if everything she said or did was wrong.

Zhu Ning took a few hesitant steps forward, finally crossing the threshold. She stared at the great villain, slumped in a chair, looking utterly pathetic. She could hardly believe her eyes.

Ever since returning to Yun Cang Mountain, one crisis had followed another. Zhu Ning couldn’t shake the feeling that things here were even more chaotic than outside. Ironically, she’d felt more at ease when she was away.

But what could she do? She was now trapped in the body of Yun Cang Mountain’s Sect Leader, bound to share its fate, for better or worse.

The thought weighed heavily on her. She found a small stool and sat down, gazing out the window at the snow-covered peaks of Yun Cang Mountain. The distant mountains rose and fell like the ups and downs of life itself.

Lin Xiayan watched her silently. Assuming Zhu Ning was still furious, she awkwardly offered, “Don’t… don’t be angry. I promise I won’t use my magical power again, except to change my appearance. Okay?”

Lin Xiayan’s voice, usually seductive, now trembled with anxiety. Her face, usually mocking, was etched with worry as she frantically tried to reassure Zhu Ning.

Zhu Ning blinked in surprise. Only then did she realize Lin Xiayan thought she was still angry. A warmth spread through her heart. So even the great villain has a heart, she thought. She’s not just pure evil.

This discovery suddenly gave Zhu Ning a flicker of confidence in her journey through the novel. The tea on the table still steamed gently, its warmth blurring Lin Xiayan’s unwavering gaze. Zhu Ning, her back still turned, spoke with newfound ease.

“I believe you. But I also hope you’ll trust me. Here at Yun Cang Mountain, I won’t let you suffer any injustice or harm. If anyone dares to bully you, even Elder Yue himself, This Venerable One will not stand idly by. But if you use your magical techniques, it won’t be as simple as me punishing them.” Zhu Ning tried to reason with her gently. Lin Xiayan seemed to absorb some of her words, her gaze shifting restlessly upward to the intricately carved ceiling, its patterns symbolizing blessings.

Staying at Yun Cang Mountain is worse than becoming a nun, Lin Xiayan thought bitterly. Yet she had come for the Immortal Bone and had to maintain her deception.

Lin Xiayan raised her hand, dispelling the barrier. The moment it vanished, a soft knock echoed against the bamboo door.

The tension that had just eased in Zhu Ning’s mind snapped back into place.

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