Chapter 137
When Chu Feng arrived at the Lodging Courtyard, she was warmly welcomed inside. Song Pianxian and Yu Yi escorted her to the reception room, with Lu Bie and Lu Yi accompanying them.
Lu Yi understood that their family had no significant ties with Master Chu Feng, nor did she visit primarily for them. After fulfilling her duties as hostess and engaging in scholarly discourse, she promptly guided her still-eager uncle away, leaving space for the women to converse privately.
Upon exiting, she spotted Yin Bi lingering incessantly near the corridor and casually asked, “Do you have something to report? If it’s not urgent, please return for now—we’re entertaining guests.”
Yin Bi opened her mouth, hesitating before replying, “Many thanks, Miss Lu. I’ll wait here for summons.”
Such perceptiveness? Miss Lu, the eldest daughter, gave her an extra glance. Observing Yin Bi’s alluring figure paired with her slightly timid yet obedient demeanor, a sudden urge to sympathize with this beauty arose within her.
Despite being a demon cultivator, Yin Bi usually conducted herself quietly and responsibly, like a sensible little snake. Now, bound by necessity to protect her life, she had surrendered her heart’s blood for the contract, undoubtedly feeling the discomfort of dependence on others.
Just imagine—a proud Primordial Infant cultivator, standing in the daytime corridor at someone’s beck and call, perhaps even secretly weeping under blankets at night.
Lu Yi conjured up a flurry of dramatic scenarios, deeply moved by her own thoughts, envisioning herself as a gallant white-robed swordsman rescuing the beleaguered young demon serpent.
Just imagine—a mighty Primordial Infant cultivator, spending her days standing at someone’s beck and call under the colonnade, and perhaps even hiding beneath blankets to weep secretly at night.
Now, bound by necessity for survival, she had surrendered her heart’s blood to form a pact, forced to rely on others’ goodwill. It must be unbearable.
Despite Miss Lu’s penchant for drama, she understood this wasn’t a common practice. Maintaining her facade as a refined cultivator, she gently cleared her throat and spoke with reserved decorum:
“Are you a water elemental demon cultivator? Our merchant company recently acquired several demonic techniques suitable for your use—”
“Many thanks for your kind offer, but it’s not necessary,” Yin Bi replied swiftly and resolutely.
“Huh?” Confused, Lu Yi blinked.
“Miss Lu, please head back soon. Don’t forget, you have to inspect the merchant company today, right? With thirteen branches in Tianfeng City, make sure you don’t miss any like last time.”
“Oh, and remember to bring delicacies from Golden Jade Pavilion on your way back. Senior Sister Yu Yi specifically requested them; be careful not to forget again or she’ll surely mention it.”
“Oh…” Upon hearing this, Lu Yi realized how busy she was and began walking absentmindedly forward. Wait, why was she listening to Yin Bi? What about that pitiful figure from before?
Lu Yi turned back just in time to see the graceful, verdant silhouette standing by the corridor, delicate as a fleeting spring scene.
At that moment, a voice echoed from within the room:
“Is Yin Bi here?”
“I am!” Yin Bi promptly responded, her tone swift and certain.
In those brief words, Lu Yi detected a hint of joyful eagerness. Before she could ponder further, the emerald presence took a few steps out of view and entered the room.
“…I had kept Yin Bi confined within the Buddhist Sect for her cultivation until she reached Primordial Infant stage before releasing her to gain experience. I never anticipated this would happen so soon,” Chu Feng explained, holding onto her gray-green prayer beads as she spoke calmly from within the room.
“Yin Bi is the orphan entrusted to my care by a departed friend. Sensing something amiss with her life token, I ventured out to find her. At the Heroes Feast, I detected her presence and thus came calling.”
Only now did it become clear why Chu Feng had specifically sought them out for discourse.
According to Chu Feng, after discovering that Yin Bi had encountered trouble, she left the Buddhist Sect to trace Yin Bi’s whereabouts. Fortunately, Yin Bi had fallen into familiar hands.
Her visit today served two purposes: first, to clarify the circumstances; second, to take Yin Bi away. She also intended to reimburse Yu Yi and Song Pianxian for the spirit stones spent at the auction.
Yu Yi gently stroked her contracted beast while listening, appearing much more composed than Song Pianxian, who seemed entirely unaware of the situation.
As such, when Chu Feng finished speaking, she directed her gaze towards Yu Yi: “From what I’ve observed today, perhaps Yu Yi already suspected?”
“Not quite early.” Yu Yi lowered her head, sinking further into her chair as if feeling somewhat dispirited. “Just yesterday.”
“Yesterday?” Yin Bi exclaimed in surprise from where she stood below, clearly puzzled.
“Hmm, your scents are indeed quite similar.” Like Chu Feng’s visiting card, both carried a subtle aroma of incense ash. Yu Yi glanced briefly at the silver fox by her feet.
If not for Manzhi’s disdainful remark that day, she wouldn’t have paid such close attention to their scents. After all, she had never been in close proximity to either Chu Feng or Yin Bi before. The faint trace of incense on Yin Bi was likely accumulated over many years.
This suggested that Yin Bi truly must have spent a significant amount of time within the Buddhist Sect.
“I’ve never heard of demonic cultivation existing within the Buddhist Sect,” Yu Yi remarked casually.
With the grand array separating the Nine Provinces, it went without saying that the attitude of the five Daoist provinces towards demonic cultivators was far from friendly. Strictly speaking, this wasn’t merely about mistrusting those outside one’s own kind; rather, the cultivation world would stop at nothing for resources. The presence of different races merely provided them with an excuse to exert control over others indiscriminately, sparing them the need to fabricate justifications as a facade.
Having a single demonic cultivator in the Buddhist Sect wasn’t particularly concerning. Although people often clamored against demonic cultivators, no one foolish enough to confront the powerful Buddhist Sect directly.
But could there be only one such cultivator in the entire Buddhist Sect? This intuition seemed unfounded, yet Yu Yi voiced her question nonetheless.
Regardless, even Demon Empress Manzhi knew Chu Feng? The number of demonic cultivators connected to her seemed rather excessive.
Under Yu Yi’s gaze, Chu Feng appeared as steadfast as a mountain forged from ice and frost, nearly saintly and commanding respect. She recited a Buddhist phrase, saying, “The Buddhist Sect is inherently pure; harboring one demon like Yin Bi already reflects our Buddha’s compassion.”
Yu Yi studied Chu Feng closely. It seemed that she held no prejudice against demonic cultivators, treating them indifferently. As this thought crossed her mind, a rustling sound came from beside her legs. Looking down, she saw Manzhi wagging her tail enthusiastically, its white fur spreading like a flurry of snow on the ground.
What was she upset about?
While the girl interacted with the silver fox, Song Pianxian and Chu Feng had nearly concluded their discussion.
Song Pianxian didn’t request spirit stones but instead sought a sacred relic from the Buddhist Sect: the Sitting Buddha Bone. If they couldn’t find the Qilin bone required for the pill formula later, the Sitting Buddha Bone could serve as a substitute ingredient.
The Sitting Buddha Bone was an exceptionally rare spirit medicine within the Buddhist Sect. Initially hesitant, Chu Feng ultimately agreed after learning it was for refining a pill for Yu Yi. Relieved, Song Pianxian then instructed Yu Yi to return Yin Bi’s heart blood.
When Song Pianxian handed the jade bottle to Yin Bi, the young woman respectfully accepted it with both hands, clutching it tightly, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Observing Yin Bi’s actions, Song Pianxian remarked, “Is this why you were reluctant to return to Lingyun Sect and insisted on coming with us to Tianfeng Province?”
With such an important event unfolding in Tianfeng, Chu Feng wouldn’t miss it. Even if she didn’t attend, representatives from the Buddhist Sect surely would. Yin Bi’s chances of finding her here were greater than staying at Lingyun Sect.
For a moment, Yin Bi looked flustered before deeply bowing. “Elder Song… You and Senior Sister have been very kind to me. But I hesitated initially, making it difficult to speak up later. Please forgive me, Elder and Senior Sister.”
Song Pianxian shook her head, using spiritual energy to help Yin Bi rise.
“Your choices reflect your stance, and since they haven’t harmed others, there is no wrongdoing,” she paused briefly, her voice carrying a hint of warmth. “It seems that during your training journey, despite facing hardships, you’ve learned the importance of self-protection. In the future, under Sect Leader Chu’s guidance, your interpersonal skills will undoubtedly improve.”
“Elder Song…” Yin Bi’s eyes welled with tears as she tightened her grip on the jade bottle, speechless yet bowing again in gratitude.
If earlier Yin Bi had still harbored some reservations about expressing her true feelings, now she was entirely moved.
“You both have shown immense care towards me.” She bowed mid-sentence, meeting the silver fox’s gaze directly, “And Sister Manzhi… Yin Bi has indeed kept secrets, feeling truly unworthy and remorseful.”
With tears welling up in her eyes, Yin Bi clutched the jade bottle tightly and, without uttering another word, bowed once more.
“Sister Manzhi.”
Hearing this somewhat unfamiliar term while leisurely sipping her tea, Chu Feng glanced around the room and spotted a snow-white fox at Yu Yi’s feet.
She was slightly taken aback; before Yin Bi mentioned the name, she hadn’t noticed the fox in the corner despite her keen spiritual senses, which seemed unusual.
“Is that…a Heavenly Snow Silver Fox?”
Yu Yi nodded. “Yes, it’s my demonic beast companion. It can already speak human words and is close to taking humanoid form.”
Chu Feng acknowledged with another nod. She had never been one for excessive conversation, and after receiving confirmation, there was little else she felt inclined to ask. Even high-level unclaimed beasts held no interest for her, let alone someone else’s pet. The extra inquiry today was solely due to the uniqueness of this fox.
Firstly, it could seemingly “disappear” from her spiritual perception, and secondly…the pair of striking eyes on this silver fox were truly captivating.
Despite herself, Chu Feng couldn’t help but take another look. However, always disciplined in controlling her desires, she quickly retracted her gaze, ensuring not to dwell further.
“In that case, I’ll take Yin Bi back now. As for the Buddha bone relic, I will send someone from the Buddhist Sect to retrieve it and deliver it here later.”
“Agreed,” Song Pianxian responded with a smile. Just as she was about to continue speaking, a flurry of white caught her eye.
Lowering her gaze, she saw her silver fox emerging gracefully, its gait reminiscent of a bewitchingly seductive enchantress, captivating everyone’s attention with each sway.
The silver fox approached Chu Feng, gracefully sitting down with its fluffy tail curled elegantly behind it, both beautiful and poised.
Then, under everyone’s watchful gaze, the silver fox lifted its right forepaw and deliberately placed it on Master Chu Feng’s snow-white boot.
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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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