When the Immortal Venerable Picked-Up the Demon Cub - Chapter 7

Amidst the flood of memories, Zhu Ning seemed to find details about Elder Yue. His name was Yue Qing, an elder of Yun Cang Mountain, renowned for his strictness. No disciple of Yun Cang Mountain dared to defy him.

However, due to his advanced age and declining strength, the position of Sect Leader inevitably fell to the original host.

The disciples before them were all under Yue Qing’s tutelage. Though they were here by order, each secretly relished the opportunity to breathe the fresh air.

Lin Xiayan abandoned her chopsticks and hurried to Zhu Ning’s side, her pale face framed by a serious expression. “Are you all disciples of Yun Cang Mountain?” she asked. “I’m going there soon too!”

With that, Lin Xiayan tottered between the disciples, mimicking their bows to Zhu Ning. Her endearing pose quickly won over the female disciples; if not for Zhu Ning’s presence, they would have swarmed forward to pinch her cheeks.

Zhu Ning’s lips twitched. How does she have the nerve to act so innocent?!

After silently settling the bill, Zhu Ning followed them outside the teahouse. But when she looked around and saw no carriage, she suddenly felt a pang of anxiety.

Are they really going to fly straight there? Although it would be perfectly normal for someone of their cultivation level to use a flying sword or spell, Zhu Ning was in a tough spot. She didn’t know how to ride a sword at all, and if she fell during the journey, she might lose her poor little life.

“Immortal Venerable? What’s wrong?” The Chief Disciple watched Zhu Ning standing in the snow, the falling snowflakes dotting her white robes. But she didn’t move, and none of the others dared to act rashly, so they could only stand with her in the snow.

Zhu Ning clearly wasn’t used to having an audience. The sudden question nearly startled her. After calming herself, she glanced at Lin Xiayan beside her and quickly came up with an excuse. “She’s too young,” she declared grandly. “Flying on a sword might scare her. Fetch This Venerable One a carriage.”

Snowflakes clung to Zhu Ning’s eyelashes like pearls, and her cheeks were flushed pink from the cold. Her peach-blossom eyes curved with captivating charm, yet standing in the snow like this, she seemed untouchable, meant only to be admired from afar.

The falling snow also dampened her hair. Behind her, Lin Xiayan’s forehead was practically covered in question marks. Her dark eyes studied Zhu Ning’s flawless features, but she couldn’t find a single flaw. Her own eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

The carriage was much slower than flying on a sword. What if something happened along the way and disrupted her plan to infiltrate Yun Cang Mountain?

Lin Xiayan was still deep in thought when the carriage arrived. It had been sent by the local magistrate, supposedly his most prized vehicle. Zhu Ning glanced at it and saw that it was indeed lavish and imposing. Tassels hung from each corner, swaying with every movement and emitting faint jingles.

Zhu Ning immediately took a liking to it and wanted to pull Lin Xiayan inside. But after a moment’s consideration, she decided it was best to let Lin Xiayan climb in herself. After all, this villain was best avoided. Who knew when she might try to kill her?

Lin Xiayan didn’t miss Zhu Ning’s hesitation, and her suspicions grew. Standing in the snow, she itched to grab Zhu Ning by the collar and demand answers. But her young body made even simple tasks difficult.

So she could only take short, labored steps and struggle into the carriage.

Zhu Ning, who followed behind, stifled a laugh as she stepped onto the footrest and easily climbed in. She settled comfortably inside and noticed Lin Xiayan was already slightly winded from the effort.

The dust hadn’t been fully wiped from Lin Xiayan’s small face, and she remained as quiet as ever. The journey was neither short nor long, and Zhu Ning was experiencing what it truly meant to be bored for the first time.

Throughout the ride, Zhu Ning lifted the curtain countless times, only to lower it just as quickly. Not only did she see no scenery, but the disciples guarding the carriage also repeatedly asked if she was feeling unwell.

I’m so bored, but I won’t say it, Zhu Ning thought.

Lin Xiayan, slumped in the corner of the carriage, finally straightened up as if struck by a sudden pang of conscience. She reached out with her small, delicate hand and gripped the hem of Zhu Ning’s skirt. Zhu Ning noticed this subtle gesture; it seemed Lin Xiayan enjoyed tugging at her skirt.

“Zhu Ning…” Lin Xiayan’s voice was soft, yet beneath the gentle tone, a hidden chill lurked. Before Zhu Ning could respond, she continued, “Ahem, Lord Immortal Venerable. I wonder… who exactly is this Senior Sister of mine?”

These words felt like an invisible hand gripping the back of Zhu Ning’s neck, controlling her fate. She couldn’t afford to be distracted; fear gripped her. The Senior Sister Lin Xiayan had mentioned—wasn’t that the Female Protagonist?

The Female Protagonist’s name was Su Mi. Born with an Immortal Bone, she had been hunted by demons and monsters since birth. Her parents had sacrificed themselves to deliver their daughter to Yun Cang Mountain, hoping the Sect Leader would protect her.

In the original story, after Lin Xiayan’s failed attempt to kill the Female Protagonist and steal her Immortal Bone, she transformed into a young girl’s appearance to approach her. Seizing the opportunity, she sowed discord, ultimately causing the entire Yun Cang Mountain Sect to lose faith in the Female Protagonist. To protect her, the Holy Mother’s original host was forced to painfully expel her from the sect. However, this act unexpectedly led to the Female Protagonist’s corruption. After awakening her Immortal Bone, she embarked on a murderous rampage, leaving neither Lin Xiayan nor the Holy Mother’s original host alive.

In the end, the Male Protagonist appeared and redeemed this corrupted, deranged Female Protagonist, leading to a happy ending.

This is precisely why Zhu Ning gave the novel a one-star rating. “Wasn’t the Female Protagonist supposed to focus on rebuilding her sect and seeking revenge?” she fumed. “Not only did she act like a heartless ingrate, killing her own master, but she also turned out to be a damn romance-addled fool, falling for the Male Protagonist at first glance and being swayed by his charm?”

Now that Lin Xiayan had brought up the Female Protagonist, was she brewing some new scheme?

Noticing Zhu Ning’s prolonged silence, Lin Xiayan’s hand, clutching her skirt, trembled slightly as she shot her a pointed look. Zhu Ning snapped out of her thoughts and turned back to the great villain, her earlier sympathy completely vanished. This villain wasn’t just a bloodthirsty killer; she was also a power-hungry schemer intent on overthrowing the entire Demon Realm.

Having endured humiliation and hardship to reach this position, Zhu Ning knew all too well that a single misstep could land her on the villain’s hit list.

“Is that your Senior Sister?” Zhu Ning asked. “She’s so diligent in her cultivation, never causing any trouble.” Zhu Ning almost bit her tongue as she spoke. Who was the one later slaughtering everyone in sight?!

Lin Xiayan obediently removed the pearl necklace from her hair bun and placed it in Zhu Ning’s hand, her expression solemn.

“This is a greeting gift for her,” she said in a soft, childish voice. “Please make sure to deliver it for me.”

After speaking, she focused intently on staring into the distance, leaving Zhu Ning holding the pearl necklace in bewilderment. Could this necklace be poisoned? She examined it carefully but found nothing amiss.

Just then, Lin Xiayan coldly interjected, “It’s not poisoned.”

Hearing this, Zhu Ning hastily tucked the necklace away, her smile awkward. Who cares about checking now?

Though the carriage moved slowly, time passed quickly. Before they knew it, they had reached the foot of Yun Cang Mountain.

The majestic Yun Cang Mountain stood before them, its snowy peak towering above. Only a few disciples guarded the entrance, where the three characters “Yun Cang Mountain” were carved on a stone tablet, radiating solemnity and reverence.

An eerie silence enveloped the scene, broken only by the soft fall of snow and the sound of their breathing.

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