When the Immortal Venerable Picked-Up the Demon Cub - Chapter 48

When they arrived at the Gu Residence, Zhu Ning was surprised to find that Squire Gu hadn’t lavishly decorated his estate. The residence looked like any other wealthy family’s home, with only two servants standing guard at the entrance.

Upon seeing Zhu Ning and Lin Xiayan, the servants hurried over with eager smiles, ushering them inside.

“Madam, prepare tea immediately!” Squire Gu called out as soon as Zhu Ning and her companions entered the residence.

Madam Gu emerged from the main hall with an amused smile. “Already done,” she replied. “The tea has been prepared for some time. We were just waiting for our guests to arrive.” Madam Gu bore a striking resemblance to Gu Xi, even sharing her favorite color.

Lin Xiayan glanced sidelong at Gu Xi, wondering how this fabricated identity, arranged by the Demon Realm, could be so flawless.

Ignoring Lin Xiayan’s gaze, Gu Xi moved to Madam Gu’s side, adopting the demeanor of a refined young lady.

Madam Gu instructed several maids to lead Zhu Ning and the others to the main hall. She gently stroked Gu Xi’s hair, her expression gentle. “Xi’er, you must be tired from the long journey. Go change your clothes and rest. I’ll receive the guests in the main hall.”

Gu Xi nodded and left obediently. Madam Gu watched her daughter’s retreating figure, feeling inexplicably uneasy about something.

Perhaps it’s just that she’s changed so much after being away for so long, Madam Gu thought, trying to reassure herself as she was escorted to the main hall by a maid.

Before she even entered the hall, she heard her husband’s booming voice:

“Ah, our little girl has been spoiled rotten by us since childhood. This is her first long journey, and she encountered something as horrifying as children being used to refine elixirs. Terrified, she had no choice but to boldly ask for your help.” Squire Gu was a straightforward and generous man, speaking without the slightest hint of pretentiousness or social posturing.

Zhu Ning shook her head, politely declining the praise, while Lin Xiayan added a few more pleasantries. When Madam Gu entered the room, the conversation paused.

Zhu Ning glanced behind Madam Gu, noticing Gu Xi’s absence, and asked curiously, “Where is Miss Xi’er?”

Madam Gu was momentarily taken aback by the direct question, but quickly recovered with a smile. “Xi’er went to change her clothes first. She’ll be here shortly.”

Zhu Ning nodded and fell silent. Squire Gu, however, noticed something amiss. He quickly set down his teacup and asked, “Could it be that the Immortal Venerable’s question has something to do with my daughter?”

“This matter…” Zhu Ning began, but Lin Xiayan cut her off, taking over the explanation. “On our way here, we encountered a vengeful spirit.”

Squire Gu jumped in fright, quickly rising to stand beside Lin Xiayan, eager to hear every word of what she had to say next.

Seeing him approach, Lin Xiayan felt awkward remaining seated. Just as she was about to stand to meet his gaze, she felt someone tug at her arm.

Puzzled, she glanced down and saw Zhu Ning awkwardly pulling on her sleeve. When Lin Xiayan didn’t react, Zhu Ning tugged again, a little harder this time.

Lin Xiayan stifled a laugh but allowed herself to be pulled back down by Zhu Ning’s persistent tugs.

Only when Lin Xiayan sat down again did Zhu Ning release her arm. Zhu Ning simply couldn’t bear to see Lin Xiayan behave with such perfect propriety. Though she knew it was wrong, she secretly admired the Demon Realm woman’s carefree spirit, unbound by societal constraints—someone who wasn’t so… perfect.

Unaware of their unspoken thoughts, Lin Xiayan sat down without a word, ignoring Squire Gu’s embarrassed expression. She focused on herself, picking up her teacup and taking a few leisurely sips, leaving the Gu couple in suspense.

Seeing her dismissive attitude, Squire Gu awkwardly retreated to his seat.

For a moment, the only sound in the front hall was the soft clinking of Lin Xiayan’s teacup as she savored her tea.

Zhu Ning watched Lin Xiayan with amusement. As a Sect Leader who had always been known for her propriety and humility, she now secretly relished Lin Xiayan’s audacity. Truly, she’s utterly impudent.

Lin Xiayan finished her tea slowly. Noticing everyone was waiting for her to speak, she drawled, “This vengeful spirit was scorched by Immortal Venerable Zhu using the Cultivation Nine-Character Mantra, yet its soul remains intact. Do you know why?”

Squire Gu, unfamiliar with cultivation matters, stammered, “Immortal Venerable, please enlighten me. How is this possible? I know nothing of the Nine-Character Mantra’s power.”

Lin Xiayan didn’t bother explaining the intricacies of the Nine-Character Mantra, only stating its immense power. The rest would be left to Zhu Ning to elaborate.

Zhu Ning enjoyed watching Lin Xiayan’s bold demeanor, though she herself couldn’t quite match it. Seeing Lin Xiayan fall silent, Zhu Ning quickly added, “The power of the Cultivation Nine-Character Mantra is so overwhelming that ordinary vengeful spirits can’t withstand it. Yet the spirits we encountered endured it, dispelled their resentful energy, and became ordinary souls.”

Squire Gu listened with rapt attention, but Zhu Ning abruptly stopped. Just as he was about to tactfully urge her to continue, Gu Xi entered the front hall.

Gu Xi clearly favored blue. Her new attire was primarily lake blue, accented with subtle floral patterns. While most women couldn’t capture the elegance of lake blue, Gu Xi, in her youth, carried it off effortlessly.

The only difference in her appearance was the hairpin. Instead of the usual blue pin, she now wore a peach blossom hairpin carved from turquoise jade. The intricate carving was so lifelike that one could almost smell the fragrant blossoms emanating from the pin.

Though others remained unaware, Lin Xiayan knew this hairpin served the same purpose as her pearl necklace—to conceal demonic aura.

Squire Gu beamed with pride at his “daughter.” As she approached the front hall, he called her over, his face lighting up with delight.

As Gu Xi approached with graceful poise, Squire Gu’s worry grew. “Xi’er, I heard you encountered a terrifying vengeful spirit on your journey back. Were you injured?”

Gu Xi smiled sweetly and obediently spun slowly. “As you can see, I’m unharmed. The two cultivators possess profound cultivation, and thanks to them, I was able to return safely to your side.”

Hearing this, Squire Gu’s gratitude deepened, and even Lin Xiayan’s earlier rudeness was completely forgotten.

Realizing Zhu Ning hadn’t finished speaking, Squire Gu looked at her, gesturing for her to continue.

Zhu Ning shook her head. “Now that Miss Xi’er is here, why not let her tell you?”

Gu Xi immediately agreed, her voice ringing clearly.

“That vengeful spirit harbored a deep resentment, preventing her soul from dissipating. She revealed the Pavilion Master of the Hundred Demon Pavilion’s actions. Father, can you still ignore this?”

Gu Xi, usually composed, trembled slightly as she uttered the name.

To Zhu Ning, this tremor was a manifestation of grief and indignation for the murdered infants. But to Lin Xiayan, it hinted at something more complex.

In any case, after Gu Xi spoke, the vast hall fell utterly silent.

For Squire Gu and the others, the name “Pavilion Master of the Hundred Demon Pavilion” was taboo. To utter her name was considered a grave offense. Yet now, this Pavilion Master had become entangled with the vengeful spirit.

“Miss Xi’er is right,” Zhu Ning said, her voice deliberate yet growing firmer with each word. “Our journey here was precisely to seek the location of the Hundred Demon Pavilion. We’ve heard the Pavilion Master remains within, and as cultivators, we must confront her.”

After a long, agonizing deliberation, Squire Gu finally spoke as if making a monumental decision: “Very well. That Pavilion Master has plagued this place for too long. It’s time to settle the score! Immortal Venerables, rest here tonight to regain your strength. Tomorrow, I, Gu, will offer my full support!”

Zhu Ning, having obtained the answer she sought, didn’t press further.

Night fell, and for some reason, not a single star adorned the sky. Only a solitary, luminous moon hung in the void.

In her guest room at the Gu Residence, Zhu Ning attempted to draw talismans, but her mind remained unsettled. Watching perfectly good talismans ruined one after another, she finally set aside the cinnabar and gave up.

It wasn’t even seven o’clock yet, and Zhu Ning wasn’t the least bit sleepy. She stepped out of her room and into the courtyard.

This courtyard seemed to be reserved for guest accommodations. The West Side Hall was where Zhu Ning was staying, while the East Side Hall housed Lin Xiayan.

Seeing that the candle in the East Side Hall had been extinguished, Zhu Ning guessed that Lin Xiayan had already retired for the night. She strolled over to the small pavilion in the courtyard.

The pavilion was sparsely furnished, containing only a few stone benches and a stone table. Yet Zhu Ning found it perfectly suited to her needs.

The serene scene reminded her of her peaceful life in the modern world, where there was no turmoil, and time flowed by unhurried.

And where she hadn’t yet met Lin Xiayan…

Zhu Ning shook her head with a bitter smile, sat down on one of the stone benches, and removed the white jade hairpin. Her long black hair spilled down her back.

She held the jade pin in her hand. The coolness of the jade against her skin paradoxically brought her an overwhelming sense of warmth. Her slender fingers gently traced the intricate patterns carved into the jade, the smoothness of the polished surface resonating through her fingertips and into her heart.

“Tomorrow… every tomorrow feels so distant to me,” Zhu Ning murmured softly. Since transmigrating into this novel, she had come to realize one thing: no matter how well she knew the script, unexpected twists always arose.

Zhu Ning knew she would face the deeply resentful Pavilion Master of the Hundred Demon Pavilion tomorrow. No matter how high her cultivation level was, this was her first time entering this world, and she had no experience dealing with ghosts and monsters. All the knowledge she had gleaned from ancient texts had crumbled into useless theory when confronted with a real opponent.

Having come this far, she had to make the attempt, if not for herself, then for the suffering people. Zhu Ning didn’t dwell on it too much, but the lingering sense of disappointment was hard to ignore.

After sitting for an unknown length of time, Zhu Ning finally stood up, but instead of returning to her room, she walked to the door of the East Side Hall.

Now, Zhu Ning was just a door away from Lin Xiayan, yet she didn’t push it open.

“I’m afraid it’s me who will lose my life,” Zhu Ning murmured so softly that she knew the person inside couldn’t hear. Yet for some reason, saying it aloud brought her a measure of peace.

Zhu Ning felt fear for this world, but more than that, she felt an unshakable resolve and conviction to save the suffering people, no matter the cost.

She turned and left, walking quietly back to the West Side Hall, which faced Lin Xiayan’s room.

The night passed uneventfully.

The next day, after breakfast, the group gathered in the main hall.

Gu Xi was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday, clearly having no mind for choosing attire. Seeing Zhu Ning and Lin Xiayan approach, she hurried forward, looking excited. “Are you both ready?”

Support