Half of Qianqi Pass was carved directly into the mountain, while the other half rested against a cliffside, resembling a monstrous grey beast that coldly surveyed the land below. To withstand the assaults of the devils, the entire fortress had been reinforced with molten copper. The walls carried countless marks of blood and fire, proof of having endured the test of time and endless ravages of war.
Wei Liang’s gaze fell upon the lookout platform halfway up the mountain, where numerous high-level devils swarmed and circled, resembling a massive black tumor growing on the fortress. Below, another horde of devils streamed into the fortress’s base. Most passed through the fortress, charging directly into Yunshui Plain, while a smaller group climbed the stone steps toward the lookout platform.
A crescent blade of light suddenly burst forth, forcing the swarming devils back slightly. In that split-second, a clear, excited female voice rang out from the platform, “Master—!”
With a light tap on the outer wall, Wei Liang landed smoothly on the lookout platform, like a bird gliding through the air. His three disciples had been locked in an intense battle for quite some time. Qin Yunxi and Murong Chun took turns resting and recuperating, while Liu Qingyin guarded their perimeter, struggling to restore her depleted aura. Fortunately, the platform’s natural defenses made it relatively easy to hold, and most of the devils surrounding them were at the Nascent Realm, with only about a dozen high-level ones at the Soul Realm. As long as they could endure until Liu Qingyin recovered, the three of them could break through and escape.
Wei Liang’s gaze paused momentarily on Qin Yunxi.
The eldest disciple lowered his eyes and greeted, “Master.” He hesitated briefly, then lifted a sword with both hands, presenting it to Wei Liang. “Your sword, Master.”
With a casual “Hmm,” Wei Liang took the sword, his fingers lightly tapping the hilt. A sharp sound followed, and several streaks of light burst from the blade. Using a quick backhanded motion, he swung the sword in a wide, fan-like arc. The devils surrounding the platform were struck down one after another, instantly easing the pressure on Murong Chun and Liu Qingyin.
Liu Qingyin fluttered back. Like a delicate butterfly, she landed gracefully in front of Wei Liang, and just as a smile began to bloom on her face, she suddenly noticed the arm wrapping around Lin Jiu’s waist, causing her jumping heart to instantly sink to the bottom.
“Master…” The girl bit her lips, her voice tinged with complaint. “Just now, Eldest Senior Brother risked his life to lure that group of devils southward; it was incredibly dangerous! Fourth Senior Brother also suffered serious injuries while trying to save me!”
She was using the situation to express her personal grievances.
Wei Liang remained indifferent, “Why is Yunxi here?”
It was Liu Qingyin who spoke up again, “When he learned I had gone to Yunshui Plain to exterminate devils, Eldest Senior Brother rushed here even though his body hadn’t fully recovered. Fortunately, he had arrived just in time, otherwise I might have already…”
She let her words trailed. Even so, the resentment in her eyes was painfully clear—‘Why did you save her instead of me? Is it just because she’s weak? For such an incompetent and cowardly woman, you disregarded the danger to the three of us!
“Master!” Consumed by jealousy, Liu Qingyin lost her composure and blurted out in anger, “Fourth Senior Brother was already injured when he broke into Ji Yuan’s array to assist you! And Eldest Senior Brother, having just taken the Essence Solidifier Herb, has to drag his injured body across great distances to help… We’ve all been fighting desperately, and yet… you still have the time for romantic affairs!”
Murong Chun hurriedly repelled another wave of attacks and rushed back, trying to ease the situation with a forced smile. “Junior Sister, don’t be upset! I’m perfectly fine, and so is Eldest Senior Brother! Now that Master is here, we should prepare to break through. Although Eldest Senior Brother managed to lure the pursuing devils outside the pass, they’ll likely return soon. It’s not safe to stay here!”
A set of stone steps could be found behind the lookout platform, linking up to a higher platform and down to the base of the fortress. Numerous devils were already crowding up the steps, their noises growing closer. Even though those were low-ranking devils, getting attacked from two directions would be dangerous for their current situation.
Murong Chun didn’t see any issue with his Master choosing to save his wife first. After all, she was only at the Foundation Establishment stage and had no means of protecting herself. It was just obvious that she should be rescued first—and had nothing to do with any romantic notions. His junior sister’s temper was simply unreasonable.
However, Liu Qingyin ignored Murong Chun’s attempts to calm her and shouted angrily, “How can you say there’s nothing wrong! Earlier, you barged into the array, struggling to protect yourself, and still had to shield her!” Her slender finger pointed directly at Lin Jiu.
Lin Jiu merely smiled.
Murong Chun couldn’t understand why his junior sister suddenly brought up this issue and with a nonsensical argument on top of that. He quickly grabbed her hand, repeatedly apologizing to Wei Liang and Lin Jiu. “Junior Sister is simply overwhelmed with concern. Please, Mistress, don’t take it to heart.”
Then he said to Liu Qingyin, “You misunderstood, Junior Sister. Earlier, it wasn’t me protecting Mistress; it was Mistress who was protecting me.”
“Mis… tress? Protecting you?” Liu Qingyin stared at Murong Chun in disbelief. “Senior Brother, you… you…”
Murong Chun cleared his throat awkwardly. Although he knew his outspoken words would deeply hurt his junior sister, the truth was the truth, and it had to be spoken.
Liu Qingyin let out a bitter laugh, pressing her lips tightly together as she stepped aside in silence. Only now did she realize the old saying was true—a woman must appear weak to win a man’s favor.
‘Lin Qiu… besides pretending to be weak to gain sympathy, what else can she do? She has tricked Master, and now even Senior Brother is deceived! Listen to what he’s saying! For her sake, even someone as honest as Fourth Senior Brother blatantly makes up lies!’
Hatred twisted around Liu Qingyin’s heart like vines, constricting so tightly that she found it hard to breathe.
Meanwhile, Wei Liang paid no attention to Liu Qingyin’s outburst and calmly instructed, “You three should return to the sect. I will stay here for half a day. Go, I’ll cover the rear.”
Qin Yunxi, who had been quietly standing on the sidelines, asked: “Master, are you seeking the Aura Conduit Stalk’s yang plant?”
Wei Liang glanced at him briefly and nodded without a word.
Hearing this, Liu Qingyin’s face lit up. The lifelessness in her eyes faded, replaced by a renewed brightness.
She was born with an extreme cold constitution, causing her to suffer from chills for a few days every month. Their Master had been keeping an eye out for a fire-element spiritual herb for many years, but without success.
Now, hearing that he intended to stay and search for a yang plant, a spark rekindled in her heart—‘He hasn’t changed! He is just as he was before, always secretly caring for me, always being kind to me in his own way. This is how my master has always been, such an awkward person!’
Liu Qingyin’s lips curled into a joyful smile. Wei Liang was like a beacon of light for her; as long as this light shone on her, nothing else mattered. As long as their hearts were in harmony, everything else ceased to be an issue! She had never paid heed to the stifling rules of society, so why should she care about something as trivial as marriage status?
With this in mind, her chaotic heart finally settled with confidence.
Lin Jiu noticed that Liu Qingyin’s malice had abruptly ceased. She already opened five solid lotus petals, and the sixth required an enormous amount of malice. Despite Liu Qingyin’s clear resentment earlier, the petal had only quivered faintly now and then, and it would likely take three to five more days before showing signs of opening.
Lin Jiu believed that every little bit helped, so she was content with the steady drip of malice. However, as soon as Liu Qingyin heard that Wei Liang was looking for the yang plant of Aura Conduit Stalk, the malice disappeared.
‘What the hell is going on?’ Lin Jiu racked her brains and recalled a minor detail.
Liu Qingyin had an extreme cold constitution and would experience discomfort for a few days each month. Wei Liang had been looking for a fire-element spiritual herb to help her improve her condition, but to no avail. Once, after a quarrel, Wei Liang went through great effort to find a Crimson Flame Pill for her, quietly placing it in front of her abode. Deeply touched, Liu Qingyin immediately reconciled with him.
‘So… can this Aura Conduit Stalk’s yang plant cure Liu Qingyin’s ‘period pain’?!’
Lin Jiu’s heart skipped a beat. If the yang plant was found… whether Wei Liang used it on her or Liu Qingyin would reveal his true intentions. Flirty words and intimate gestures could be faked, but a man’s true feelings could only be measured by his actions and, most importantly, the results of those actions.
If Wei Liang was merely pretending to be kind to her to make Liu Qingyin jealous, he would likely come up with some excuse and hand the Aura Conduit Stalk over to the female lead.
The two women inadvertently exchanged a glance. Lin Jiu noticed that Liu Qingyin’s eyes held a trace of the contemptuous, pitying gaze of a victor. Her lips curved into a faint smirk, clearly expressing her contempt and disdain.
Lin Jiu suddenly felt a surge of irritation. She could do without Wei Liang, but this Aura Conduit Stalk’s yang plant was never mentioned in the novel as belonging to Liu Qingyin!
‘Then let’s see who has the better skills!’
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Translator’s Note:
Now that AerialRain is taking more novels, we re-arrange the release schedule. Don’t worry, we only shifted the release days, it’s still twice a week schedule.
Monday & Thursday: Daughter of the Dao and Devil Venerables, Transmigrated into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt, Three Years After Falling Off a Cliff
Tuesday & Friday: After Transmigrating Into the Cannon Fodder Real Daughter The Plot Changes, The Healer Demands Payment!, Wake Up Male Lead You Belong With the Female Lead!
Wednesday & Saturday: His Secret Guard, Marrying the Short-Lived Villain
Sunday: Extra releases and sponsored chapters
Wants more chapters?
Click this page for the status of sponsored chapters.
Click this page for advanced chapters TOC.
Again, the ease the first disciple used the master’s sword and the awkwardness between the two. Transmigration??? Rebirth???? And at this point, I’m just ignoring the og FL’s outbursts. She actually seems a bit delulu about her master’s feelings for her, almost her one-sided interpretation…