When the Immortal Venerable Picked-Up the Demon Cub - Chapter 26

Zhu Ning’s brow twitched, unsure how to explain. She lowered her head. “I was afraid they might bully you.”

This was indeed Zhu Ning’s true intention. The villain Lin Xiayan was notoriously unpredictable. If she suddenly flew into a rage, it would be bad for everyone.

Lin Xiayan’s gaze softened, her usual sharp aura diminishing considerably. Afraid they might… Bully me? She savored the words like a beggar who had just received a piece of candy, relishing the sweetness while trying to hide her surprise.

The magical power withdrew, and the bloodstain vanished completely. Zhu Ning marveled at the sight, examining her hand closely. Not even a scar remained.

“Why did Yue Qing make you kneel for so long?” Zhu Ning took Lin Xiayan’s small hand and led her to the dining table. The junior disciples had already set out the meal, which was still steaming, its warmth comforting.

Lin Xiayan washed her hands, her expression unreadable. She picked up her chopsticks but hesitated to take any food.

“I saw him standing outside the courtyard as soon as I woke up. I ran out to greet him, and he made me kneel from then until just now.” Lin Xiayan’s words were true. Yue Qing had indeed acted like a proper Elder today.

Zhu Ning couldn’t figure out what Yue Qing was up to. His attitude had been so unpredictable. Her wound still throbbed, and kneeling in the snow for even a short time had left her feeling weak and unsteady. She hadn’t fully recovered yet.

Lin Xiayan noticed Zhu Ning’s discomfort, but this injury was beyond the reach of magic. She could only ask Zhu Ning what she wanted to eat and then serve her.

Zhu Ning’s slightly curled lashes fluttered as she watched Lin Xiayan pick food for her with those captivating eyes. A blush crept across her cheeks, and she murmured “Thank you” after each bite.

Lin Xiayan couldn’t help but laugh, mimicking Zhu Ning’s mannerisms with frequent nods. “Thank you, thank you…”

Zhu Ning finally realized what she was doing. Her fair face flushed deeper as she picked up her chopsticks and took a bite. But whether it was the medicine she’d taken earlier or not, everything tasted bitter. She set down her chopsticks, her expression shifting through a series of grimaces.

Lin Xiayan had been eating, but when she saw Zhu Ning stop, she slowed her chewing. After a moment’s thought, she guessed what was troubling Zhu Ning. With a flourish, she produced a plate of jujube cakes, still steaming as if freshly steamed. Zhu Ning’s eyes widened. This? It couldn’t have been hidden beforehand; one of the jujube cakes’ defining traits was their far-reaching fragrance.

If it had been hidden beforehand, Zhu Ning would have smelled it immediately.

Lin Xiayan saw the surprise in Zhu Ning’s eyes and smiled slightly, swinging her legs proudly.

Zhu Ning took the small plate of jujube cakes and ate them happily, one after another, temporarily forgetting her morning’s unpleasantness.

The meal took an unusually long time, but the food stayed warm. By the time the junior disciple came to clear the dishes, Lin Xiayan was already applying medicine to her knee.

After the disciple left, Zhu Ning knelt down to watch Lin Xiayan carefully apply the ointment. “Today has just begun,” she said earnestly. “If Yue Qing acts out again, you must tell me.”

Zhu Ning spoke with genuine concern, afraid Lin Xiayan wouldn’t take her seriously. Since bringing her to Yun Cang Mountain, Lin Xiayan had not caused any trouble. Instead, she had treated many of Zhu Ning’s injuries. Zhu Ning found it impossible to dislike someone like that.

Lin Xiayan, however, looked completely unconcerned. A crimson light flickered at her fingertips, dangerous and alluring. “If he goes too far, I’ll fight him to the death.”

Zhu Ning sighed. How could a demon who had been proud for centuries possibly swallow her pride and endure such humiliation repeatedly? If Zhu Ning had arrived even a little later this morning, they would have clashed.

The warm winter sun streamed down. At least it wasn’t snowing. The day was clear, and even the wind wasn’t strong. It should have been a peaceful day, yet undercurrents of tension simmered beneath the surface.

Just as Zhu Ning was about to offer more words of comfort, Wen Ge, Yue Qing’s chief disciple, called out from outside the door.

“Disciple Wen Ge requests Sect Leader and Disciple Lin Xiayan to proceed to the main hall.” Wen Ge’s voice was clear and confident as he stood outside Mùdōng Courtyard, his demeanor impeccable. No one could find fault with his conduct.

Lin Xiayan sat inside, a flicker of impatience crossing her face. Still, she said nothing, smoothed her skirt, and replaced her annoyance with an innocent, radiant expression. She pushed open the door, a blast of cold air hitting her face. After adjusting to the chill, she stepped forward.

Wen Ge hadn’t expected Lin Xiayan to emerge first. His bow froze mid-motion, his face flushed with awkwardness as he stared at her. Zhu Ning followed slowly behind.

Remembering her injuries, Wen Ge hurried over to support her, his face full of concern. Lin Xiayan, standing behind Zhu Ning, felt a surge of inexplicable anger at his display of concern, her expression darkening.

“This disciple greets Lord Immortal Venerable,” Wen Ge said, his etiquette impeccable. Even Zhu Ning, who loathed Yue Qing, had to admit that Yue Qing had indeed taught his disciples well.

Zhu Ning nodded for Wen Ge to rise, her icy demeanor unchanged. She took Lin Xiayan’s small hand and led her toward the main hall.

During the three days Zhu Ning had been unconscious, heavy snow had fallen. Though the sky had cleared today, the snow remained unmelted. They trudged through the snow-covered path, Wen Ge awkwardly trailing behind.

Before the main hall, disciples practiced sword techniques and drew talismans, just as Zhu Ning had seen when she went to get jujube cakes a few days earlier. The only difference was the increased number of guards, all unfamiliar faces, their expressions tense and mysterious.

“Did the Elder say what this was about?” Zhu Ning asked, stopping at the hall’s entrance. She stood firmly at the doorway, refusing to step inside.

Zhu Ning peered inside the grand hall and saw several elders seated together, as if preparing to judge her.

Wen Ge, completely clueless, shook his head blankly. He only remembered Yue Qing had instructed him to summon Zhu Ning and Lin Xiayan.

Knowing she wouldn’t get anything out of him, Zhu Ning gripped Lin Xiayan’s hand, closed her eyes, steeled her resolve, and stepped inside.

The hall was indeed magnificent, the most opulent place in all of Yun Cang Mountain. Pearls were embedded in the pillars, glowing softly even in the dim light.

The elders had left Zhu Ning’s seat empty, arranging their chairs in a circle around it.

Wiping cold sweat, Zhu Ning felt an overwhelming sense of pressure. Yet her face remained impassive, maintaining her usual icy demeanor. After a brief nod, she sat down abruptly. Truth be told, the Sect Leader’s chair was remarkably comfortable.

But her comfort was short-lived. An elder spoke up before she could settle in: “We’ve long heard of Lord Immortal Venerable Zhu Ning’s decisive methods. I wonder if we’ll witness them today. When testing this Chief Disciple, we mustn’t show any leniency.”

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