When the Immortal Venerable Picked-Up the Demon Cub - Chapter 27

Zhu Ning’s face turned cold. Her fingers gripped the chair arms so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her icy gaze swept over the elders, regarding them as if they were irredeemable villains.

Lin Xiayan also retreated slightly, her own cold gaze fixed on Yue Qing. She knew exactly who had brought these old men here and what their intentions were.

But she couldn’t say a word. She could only watch Zhu Ning and wait for her next move.

Zhu Ning decided to play the part of Sect Leader, adopting a formal tone. “I never imagined you all would be so concerned with the internal affairs of Yun Cang Mountain. Perhaps you’d like to help Elder Yue manage things?”

The elders, unaccustomed to such a response, flushed crimson and purple. The elder who had spoken first, clearly displeased by Zhu Ning’s youth, rushed to lecture her. “Our concern stems from our lack of confidence in you. If you could handle things as thoroughly as Elder Yue, we wouldn’t have needed to make this trip today…”

Before he could finish, Zhu Ning boldly interrupted him. “Then I’ll trouble you to return now. I believe I’m just as thorough as Elder Yue.” With that, she picked up a cup of tea, observing the elders’ expressions through the rising steam.

As expected, their faces darkened again, and they looked like they wanted to rush over and grab Zhu Ning, but they had to maintain their dignity. Their impatience, however, was already impossible to hide.

“Sect Leader Zhu, are you trying to drive us away?” the elder’s voice rose eight octaves, his tone sharp and cutting, like a shrew from the marketplace. Yet Zhu Ning couldn’t confront him directly again. Instead, she replied diplomatically, “Elder, you misunderstand. How could a junior like me dare to drive you away? I’m simply concerned about your and Elder Yue’s health.”

The atmosphere in the hall turned strange, as if these elders were the ones pressuring Zhu Ning with their seniority. Lin Xiayan couldn’t help but smile slightly, though she quickly lowered her head to avoid being noticed. The elders remained seated, silent and unwilling to leave, making the situation unbearably awkward.

Elder Yue, seemingly unable to maintain his composure, abandoned the pretense of testing Zhu Ning and abruptly changed the subject. “I’ve heard rumors of unrest brewing in the lands below. Is there trouble brewing?”

Elder Yue held his teacup, but didn’t take a sip, letting the tea cool gradually. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden glow that seemed almost divine.

Zhu Ning knew it wasn’t her place to speak, but she vaguely recalled a time when some elders had discussed this matter. In the original novel, they were all learned scholars, nothing like the sharp-tongued, petty men before her now. She casually picked up her teacup, blew lightly on the steam, and took a sip.

Lin Xiayan stood silently behind Zhu Ning, eavesdropping on the elders’ conversation. The smile on her face gradually froze.

“I’ve heard of this matter as well,” an elder sitting beside Yue Qing spoke up, breaking his silence. His face was thin and ratlike, his body gaunt as a skeleton. His beard trembled as he spoke. Combining this description with what she remembered from the novel, Zhu Ning recognized him as Fan Mo, an elder from Zhen Sui Mountain, a sect known for its strained relations with Yun Cang Mountain. Zhen Sui Mountain was led by a female Sect Leader, whose face had never been revealed.

Fan Mo’s words carried a clear barb aimed at Yun Cang Mountain. Zhu Ning couldn’t help but want to retort, but Yue Qing cut her off, his expression darkening. “Who isn’t a righteous sect?” he snapped. “Is Zhen Sui Mountain a wild chicken sect? Elder Fan Mo should think thrice before speaking or acting.”

Fan Mo, realizing he was in the wrong, reluctantly toned down his arrogance, but he still pressed the issue. “Zhen Sui Mountain and the other sects have already sent their best disciples down the mountain to fight demons. Why hasn’t Yun Cang Mountain made a move yet?”

Yue Qing’s face darkened. He had invited this man himself, so he had to endure his rudeness. But Zhu Ning’s strange mood these past few days made him anxious. Eager to avoid a confrontation, he quickly interjected, “Elder Fan, you misunderstand. Our Sect Leader has just returned, and naturally, our disciples must welcome him back and help him settle in.”

Before he could finish, Fan Mo let out a mocking laugh, his face contorted with disdain as he sized Zhu Ning up and down. “So the Sect Leader’s return is quite the spectacle, is it? Even the common folk aren’t treated as well as you…”

Yue Qing hadn’t anticipated the flaw in his words. He lowered his head in shame, unwilling to offer any excuses. Zhu Ning smoothed her white robes, lifted her elegant brows, and replied calmly, “Oh? If your sect truly believes that, why not send your Sect Leader down to fight demons himself? Sending only a few disciples seems rather halfhearted, don’t you think?”

Zhu Ning had considered her words carefully. The Female Protagonist possessed Immortal Bone, and as long as she remained unascended, she would lack the means to protect herself. This meant Zhu Ning would be responsible for her safety for as long as it took. Zhu Ning didn’t know how the Female Protagonist could ascend, but one thing was certain: she needed to take Su Mi and Lin Xiayan on a training expedition.

This served two purposes: keeping an eye on Lin Xiayan to prevent her from attacking Su Mi while they were away from the sect, and ensuring Su Mi’s safety.

For someone with Immortal Bone, venturing into the world unprotected was as dangerous as a lamb wandering into a wolf’s den.

As expected, Fan Mo seized what he thought was a flaw in Zhu Ning’s words and immediately pounced. “Oh, oh, oh! So Sect Leader Zhu intends to descend the mountain herself? Since you’ve already made the declaration, Immortal Venerable Zhu, you wouldn’t dare go back on your word, would you?”

Though Zhu Ning had already planned this, Fan Mo’s shamelessness still startled her. Lin Xiayan’s eyes flickered with confusion. A moment later, Zhu Ning heard a telepathic message: “Are you crazy? Why would you volunteer to descend the mountain when your injuries haven’t even healed?”

Zhu Ning heard the urgency in Lin Xiayan’s voice. She patted Lin Xiayan’s head reassuringly, gave her a reassuring look, and nodded. “That’s exactly what I intend. I won’t go back on my word.”

Yue Qing was stunned, his expression mirroring Lin Xiayan’s confusion. He refrained from mentioning Zhu Ning’s injuries. The elders, seeing Zhu Ning’s willingness to make such a sacrifice, were momentarily speechless, their own sects suddenly seeming petty in comparison.

The sun hung high in the sky, bringing a touch of warmth, but the grand hall remained chilly. Zhu Ning, weakened by her injuries, felt her hands and feet growing cold. Even several cups of tea offered no relief, yet the elders showed no sign of leaving, leaving Zhu Ning increasingly irritated.

At that moment, the silent elder finally spoke, stroking his long white beard with a benevolent expression. “We are all here to vanquish demons and uphold righteousness. Why bicker amongst ourselves? Speaking of the disciples’ skill exchange tournament scheduled for a few months from now, perhaps we should move it up. This would allow us to assess our disciples’ strengths and prepare them for demon-slaying missions.”

The elder’s proposal seemed reasonable, but Zhu Ning broke out in a cold sweat. One crisis had barely subsided before another loomed…

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