When the Immortal Venerable Picked-Up the Demon Cub - Chapter 39

Lin Xiayan walked toward Zhu Ning with a dazed look in her eyes, obediently sitting down in front of her and letting Zhu Ning apply the medicine.

Zhu Ning carefully took the ointment from its box, applying it little by little to Lin Xiayan’s wounds and gently rubbing it in with trembling fingers.

Lin Xiayan didn’t care about the pain. She simply looked up at the starry sky. The dark mist from the Vengeful Spirit had vanished without a trace. The house was nestled in the woods, and through the layers of bare branches, the stars twinkled brightly, forcing the surrounding clouds to retreat. The night had returned to its peaceful stillness, yet no one felt fear or unease.

Lin Xiayan’s tranquility, however, was making Zhu Ning’s task difficult. Throughout the process, Zhu Ning felt both heartache and embarrassment. She didn’t know why, but seeing the uninjured skin on Lin Xiayan’s back, as smooth as jade, made her ears flush. Realizing her odd reaction, Zhu Ning immediately began reciting the Heart-Clearing Incantation in her mind, thankfully avoiding any further awkwardness.

After a painstaking fifteen minutes, Zhu Ning finally finished applying the ointment. She let out a heavy sigh of relief and said casually, “Lin Xiayan, I’ve treated the wounds on your back. It’s getting late. Should we head back to the inn?”

Lin Xiayan snapped out of her stargazing trance, her expression now concerned. “What about your injuries?” She couldn’t forget how Zhu Ning’s face had gone pale from enduring the pain earlier.

Zhu Ning paused, stretched her arm, and smiled again. “It’s nothing. Thanks to the herbs from Yun Cang Mountain, my wound only reopened tonight because of a sudden surge of spiritual power. A night’s rest, and I’ll be fine tomorrow without using any spiritual energy.”

“Good. I’ll stay with you all day tomorrow. You need to rest properly before going anywhere else,” Lin Xiayan insisted. Zhu Ning couldn’t argue with her and reluctantly agreed.

They stood up, supporting each other as they slowly walked back. The moon hung in the sky, casting a soft, silvery light that gradually stretched their shadows…

Perhaps it was because the Vengeful Spirit had been exorcised, but as soon as they arrived in Yun Cang Town, a light drizzle began to fall. The rain sounded clean and pure; closing one’s eyes, it felt like being in the humid rainy season of the south. Old, damp stories seemed to drift like mist through every corner of the small town, both present and absent.

Or perhaps it was simply that the temperature had risen slightly, allowing rain to fall even in winter.

Back at the inn, Zhu Ning had already recovered through meditation. But her mind hadn’t been this calm in a long time. Gazing at the wisps of smoke rising slowly from the chimneys outside, she thought of her busy, restless life in the modern world. She had been so busy, she didn’t even know what she was busy with. How could she have ever appreciated the simple warmth of human life?

Lin Xiayan, who had followed her back, looked in the same direction. Her usual pride crumbled in that moment, though only for that moment. She stared blankly at the distant mountains, lost in time.

Noticing Zhu Ning’s earnest expression, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “Immortal Venerable Zhu? You’ve been Sect Leader for too long, haven’t you? You’ve forgotten the warmth of the Mortal World of Green Mountains.”

Her words flowed like a gentle stream into Zhu Ning’s heart. Being Sect Leader is just like being a CEO in modern times, Zhu Ning thought with a wry smile. “You’re right,” she replied. “All these years, I haven’t truly appreciated the beauty of these mountains and rivers.”

Lin Xiayan’s lips curved upward, and she left Zhu Ning to her thoughts.

The night passed in silence.

“Honored Master? It’s time to get up for breakfast.” The next morning, Lin Xiayan burst from her room and pounded on Zhu Ning’s door.

She called out patiently, taking advantage of her child’s stature to push the door open. She found Zhu Ning rolled over, clearly ignoring her.

Lin Xiayan chuckled at this adorable display of stubbornness and gave up trying to wake the woman pretending to sleep.

She strolled downstairs with her hands clasped behind her back to check on the breakfast the innkeeper had prepared. But as she descended the stairs, Lin Xiayan sensed a powerful magnetic field enveloping the entire small inn.

Lin Xiayan, instantly on alert, subtly surveyed the surroundings until she confirmed the source of the power was the blue-robed woman sitting alone at a table, fanning herself.

“Who sent you here?” Lin Xiayan asked directly, approaching Gu Xi. This blue-robed woman was the Demon Lord’s youngest daughter, Gu Xi, who could sweep aside opponents with just her jade fan.

Gu Xi had anticipated her arrival. She calmly picked up her teacup, took a sip, and replied, “Father feared the former Lin Xiayan might now be acting with restraint, so he sent me to assist you. What? You’re not pleased?”

Gu Xi’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she offered this high-sounding excuse.

Immortal Bone. It’s all about the Immortal Bone. Lin Xiayan knew the Demon Lord had provided considerable support for her trip to Yun Cang Mountain. This was because the Demon Clan distrusted her inaction and had sent their youngest daughter to keep a close watch.

If only this Demon Lord had become a mortal emperor, she thought. He’s a master of manipulation, always scheming and plotting. She shook her head slightly. “Thank you for making the trip, but I don’t seem to need your help.” Her words carried a clear undercurrent of threat.

Though Gu Xi felt the pressure from Lin Xiayan’s cultivation, her expression remained cold as she repeated icily, “I’m merely here to assist you.”

Lin Xiayan chuckled, letting Gu Xi do as she pleased. Few could move someone she didn’t want moved. “From today onward, I am City Lord Gu of Baicheng’s daughter,” Gu Xi declared, taking the initiative to give instructions.

Lin Xiayan casually agreed, snatching Gu Xi’s untouched breakfast and leaving.

Gu Xi smiled, unbothered, and began examining the jade fan in her hand. The thought of that playful, adorable figure in her heart brought a faint smile to her lips.

Lin Xiayan tiptoed upstairs and found Zhu Ning already up, arranging her hair.

Though Zhu Ning was skilled at styling Lin Xiayan and Su Mi’s hair, she always struggled with her own, leaving a few strands dangling. Frustrated, she noticed Lin Xiayan’s reflection in the mirror. Zhu Ning smiled awkwardly and lowered her hand.

Lin Xiayan, however, was momentarily entranced. She only snapped out of it when Zhu Ning called her name.

For the first time, she praised someone aloud: “Immortal Venerable Zhu truly possesses celestial beauty.”

Hearing this, Zhu Ning unconsciously touched her cheek, her face flushing slightly. “Xiayan, stop teasing me.”

Lin Xiayan clasped her hands behind her back, conjuring a white jade hairpin. She approached Zhu Ning, pretending to rummage through a yellow cloth pouch before producing the simple yet exquisitely crafted hairpin.

“How did you get a hairpin?” Zhu Ning asked, puzzled. She examined the hairpin, clearly meant for a woman’s hair, yet she had never seen Lin Xiayan wear one.

Lin Xiayan paused briefly, then replied, “Earlier, when I went to ask the innkeeper for breakfast, I saw a hairpin vendor resting here before moving on. I immediately took a liking to this white jade hairpin and bought it. I didn’t think I’d need it, but now it seems perfect for you.”

Zhu Ning accepted the hairpin with a nod, easily believing her. Unfamiliar with such things, she had no idea that a hairpin of this quality would never be found among ordinary vendors.

“But this is yours,” Zhu Ning said. “Should I give you the money for it?” Remembering Lin Xiayan was a major villain, she felt it wouldn’t be right to take the hairpin for free.

Lin Xiayan shook her head helplessly. “I came down the mountain with you for two reasons: to ease Yue Qing’s suspicions and to reassure you. We’re master and disciple now. Do we really need to talk about money?”

Zhu Ning rolled her eyes at Lin Xiayan’s smooth-talking act and fell silent. She tried to pin up her own hair, but her movements were clumsy.

Lin Xiayan smiled, took the hairpin, and stood behind her. With surprising skill, she began arranging Zhu Ning’s hair. Soft, silky strands brushed restlessly against Lin Xiayan’s hands, but she maintained her composure as she continued, creating a simple updo and securing it with the white jade hairpin.

This time, Zhu Ning’s hair was neatly arranged, the long, flowing strands cascading smoothly down her back, the white jade hairpin serving as a delicate accent.

“You actually know how to do hair?” Zhu Ning asked, a hint of amazement in her eyes. Back on Yun Cang Mountain, she had to style Lin Xiayan’s hair herself, and Zhu Ning had assumed she didn’t know how. Could it be that Lin Xiayan was a hidden master? Zhu Ning’s curiosity piqued, she pressed, “So, what else are you hiding?”

Lin Xiayan chuckled. For centuries in the Demon Realm, she had either used a magical technique or styled her own hair, never relying on others. It was only on Yun Cang Mountain, to provoke Su Mi, that she had asked Zhu Ning to do her hair.

“I can’t even do my own hair,” Lin Xiayan casually lied. Zhu Ning nodded, believing her. Before she could respond, Lin Xiayan forcibly fed her a bite of food.

“Ugh… cough, cough…” Zhu Ning choked badly on the sudden mouthful of food, while Lin Xiayan laughed heartily beside her.

“Consider this a lesson,” Lin Xiayan said, still chuckling. “Next time, don’t pretend to be asleep.” She handed Zhu Ning a cup of tea, which Zhu Ning gulped down to clear her throat.

Zhu Ning’s face flushed red from coughing, but she tried to maintain her composure. Her flustered appearance only made Lin Xiayan laugh harder, causing Zhu Ning to turn away in a huff.

As she turned, she noticed a blue-robed figure. It was Gu Xi, who had just come upstairs. Even Gu Xi’s usually alluring face showed a hint of shock at the scene she had just witnessed.

Zhu Ning, thoroughly embarrassed, still managed to ask politely, “Miss, are you looking for someone?”

Gu Xi, having composed herself, replied with a polite yet distant smile, “I am Gu Xi, daughter of City Lord Gu of Baicheng. I’ve been staying in Yun Cang Town recently to visit relatives. With the town becoming increasingly unsafe, my father has urged me to return home.”

Zhu Ning nodded, still puzzled. “But why was she standing outside our room? Was there something she needed?”

“I noticed you two are cultivators,” Gu Xi said, her ear tassels swaying gently. “I was hoping you might be willing to escort me home.” Her refined demeanor seemed etched into her very bones, the mark of a noble lady.

“This…” Zhu Ning glanced at Lin Xiayan, hesitant. Although they’d cleared most of the ghosts and monsters around Yun Cang Town, there was no guarantee another Vengeful Spirit like the one from last night wasn’t still lurking.

As Zhu Ning turned to look at her, Gu Xi subtly signaled Lin Xiayan with her eyes. Lin Xiayan pondered for a moment, but before she could speak, an old woman burst into the inn, weeping and wailing. She rushed straight to Zhu Ning on the second floor, grabbing hold of her white robe and refusing to let go.

“Ma’am, is there something wrong?” Zhu Ning felt a wave of panic. Is this some kind of scam?

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