Chapter 020

The man was very tall.

As the door slowly opened, a tall figure gradually loomed into view with the shifting of the doorframe.

Zhaoxue was so nervous that her back was drenched in sweat.

She clenched and released her hands repeatedly, doing this several times before she barely managed to force a smile at the corners of her lips. Lifting her head, she looked at him:

“Shishu, good evening…”

Her voice was so tense that it trembled and nearly changed pitch.

Steady.

Zhaoxue encouraged herself silently.

Jiang Lingfeng lowered his eyes to look at her.

Because his cultivation level was extremely high, the illusion created by the pill Zhaoyang had given her had no effect on him.

The girl only reached his chest in height. Her figure was thin and delicate. One wrist, clenched tightly at her side, slightly stuck out of her sleeve. Her forearm was slim, and the loose sleeve made the curve of her porcelain-white wristbone even more prominent.

She forced herself to raise her head and meet his gaze, but her downturned eyes kept blinking nervously, and when her eyes met his, she couldn’t help but look away again.

Jiang Lingfeng didn’t say a word.

Zhaoxue felt like her smile was about to fall apart.

…Why are this man’s eyelashes so long? She couldn’t even tell what kind of expression he had in his eyes while looking at her!

Still, she pulled herself together.

As the saying goes, “^[1]“You don’t hit a smiling face” means that people are usually unwilling to be harsh or aggressive toward someone who is being friendly or polite. It’s a common expression in … Continue readingYou don’t hit a smiling face.” Even if he didn’t like her, for the sake of big sister Zhaoyang—and her own effort in smiling so hard—she hoped he would at least let her finish what she had to say.

“Shishu… may I come in to talk?”

The implied meaning was that she had something important to say—not something that could be covered in just a few words—and if someone happened to see them, it might lead to gossip.

Jiang Lingfeng paused for two seconds, then slowly opened the door.

“Come in.”

His voice revealed no emotion.

Good.

As long as he didn’t hate her, that was enough.

Zhaoxue had never forgotten the way Jiang Lingfeng had looked at her, or the words he’d said, the first time they met.

She understood very well that he, like everyone else, saw her as the cold, withdrawn, and willful child of a prestigious family. Especially after learning the background and origins of her family, his opinion of her was likely a mix of pity and disdain—perhaps with a sliver of guilt too small to matter.

But even that sliver of guilt was enough.

As long as he still felt a shred of guilt toward her, he would at least listen to her request today.

“Shishu, you must’ve heard what Big Sister Zhaoyang said earlier today, right? After I returned to my room tonight, I thought it through very seriously.”

Zhaoxue got straight to the point. She turned around, looking at the man’s back as he closed the door, and continued,

“—This plan, for everyone involved, is far from the optimal solution.”

Jiang Lingfeng shut the door, not turning around right away, seemingly waiting for her to go on.

Zhaoxue swallowed and spoke again, her tone clear and certain:

“First of all, a four-person team going on missions is too conspicuous—it’s the easiest way to alert the demonic cultivator hiding in the dark. I privately asked Junior Martial Aunt about the past victims. All the female cultivators who were attacked before had their accidents in the evening or at night. That means the culprit must be extremely cautious and deliberately chooses times when he’s less likely to be exposed.”

Jiang Lingfeng slowly replied, “That’s right. Today’s incident also happened around dusk. But because of the heavy crowd, Zhaoyang and I weren’t able to uncover any additional clues about him.”

Seeing that Jiang Lingfeng agreed with her reasoning, Zhaoxue finally let out a breath of relief.

She had thought he wouldn’t respond at all—or worse, wouldn’t take her words seriously.

With a little more confidence, she continued:

“Second, if you plan to use Martial Aunt Fang as bait to draw out the demonic cultivator, based on the earlier analysis, it’s not going to be that easy. The four of you are from the same sect and have similar cultivation levels—it’s not hard to guess that it’s a trap. Even if you split up into two groups, subtle interactions between you would still easily give it away… Simply put, whether it’s a group of two or four, it doesn’t have the ‘normalcy’ needed to make the demonic cultivator let their guard down.”

This time, Jiang Lingfeng stayed silent for even longer.

Just as Zhaoxue began to feel uneasy and worry that she might have said something wrong, he slowly opened his mouth:

“…Zhaoyang told you?”

“What?”

“About the ‘bait.’ That was originally our plan.”

Zhaoxue paused for a moment. “No… I figured that out myself. Because in a big place like Yuxian Town, trying to find someone among the crowd is like fishing for a needle in the sea. The simplest method would be this, right?”

She said it naturally, as if it was the most obvious conclusion—just like how Zhaoyang might have come up with it.

“It is,” Jiang Lingfeng replied softly.

She really was just as Zhaoyang had described.

“The uncertainty you mentioned—I’ve already talked to Zhaoyang about it.”

Jiang Lingfeng looked at her and said, “It’s easy to tell whether a group of people belongs to the same sect just by observing their demeanor and habits. Moreover, by logic, the demonic cultivator would choose to target a woman who is alone. But whether it’s Zhaoyang or Fang Lian who goes alone, we can’t predict who the demonic cultivator will choose, so we can’t cover both options. And if the two of them stay together, their shared sect habits would easily give away…”

He hesitated a little, then used the phrase Zhaoxue had just used:

“…give away that sense of abnormality.”

“On top of that, in order to keep me from being left alone, Sister Zhaoyang insisted that one person stay behind to look after me.”

Zhaoxue picked up where he left off. “Wouldn’t that make your plan even harder to carry out? Just one exposure could mean missing this opportunity forever.”

Jiang Lingfeng said slowly, “Exactly.”

“So I…”

Zhaoxue clenched her palm tightly and nervously took a step forward. “I have a better method.”

With just a glance at her expression, Jiang Lingfeng seemed to instantly realize what she meant. He replied coldly,

“No.”

Zhaoxue’s eyes widened.

“Wait—”

She hadn’t even said anything yet!

“Uncle,”

Zhaoxue watched as Jiang Lingfeng reached out to open the door. She rushed forward, placing her hand against it and quickly said, “Please, at least listen to my reasoning!”

“Does Zhaoyang know?”

Jiang Lingfeng looked at the anxious and desperate expression on the girl’s face as she held the door shut.

“—That you want to use yourself as bait.”

“N-No… she doesn’t know…”

How could she possibly tell her? If her big sister knew about this, she’d definitely be kicked straight back to the Shen family!

Jiang Lingfeng continued pushing the door open.

Zhaoxue, anxious, instinctively pressed down on his hand:

“—Back then, you knew it too, didn’t you, Uncle?”

Jiang Lingfeng’s movement paused.

The girl’s soft, fever-warm palm pressed against the back of his hand—barely more than half the size of his own. Like fine porcelain, her fingertips rested over the faintly raised veins and sinews on his hand, blood steadily coursing underneath.

Her pale, cool fingernails gently scraped across his knuckles—perhaps brushing against an old scar, causing a faint, ticklish sensation.

Seeing that he didn’t reject her touch, she took a breath and continued,

“At that time, I survived an entire night alone in that old residence full of formation traps. No one discovered me, and I wasn’t hurt at all—I held out until Big Sister and you arrived to rescue me. I’ve always been so grateful to you both, especially Big Sister, who’s always looked out for me. That’s why, when I realized the demon might put her in danger, I became so uneasy. With her personality, she would absolutely, without a doubt, insist that the most powerful person—you—stay behind to protect me.”

“…”

“Just like Martial Aunt Fang said, you’re the pillar of support for everyone. We all deeply trust you. And because of that, I feel even more guilty. I don’t want Big Sister or anyone else to get hurt in this—not even a little.“

“…”

“I’m not saying this to force you to agree with me, or to foolishly try to sway you with my shallow reasoning… I just want you to understand that I do have the ability to protect myself.

I know what’s dangerous for me. I know when to run, when to call for help, and when to retreat behind you… I’m not reckless. For this plan, I’m the best choice.”

Zhaoxue spoke gently as she slowly wrapped both hands around Jiang Lingfeng’s left hand, moving it bit by bit away from the door.

“I’m young, so I won’t easily arouse suspicion. And just like Senior Sister Fang suggested, if you appear as my ‘uncle,‘ then us being seen together will feel natural—part of everyday life.”

“Besides, the pill Big Sister gave me has a cultivation limit. If this illusion can be seen through by the demon—wouldn’t that make me a perfect bait to draw its attention? And if it can’t see through it, that just proves the demon isn’t much of a threat, and I’ll be even safer.”

“I’ve truly thought about this plan carefully, and I genuinely want it to succeed—for everyone. Please… you must believe me.”

“…”

Jiang Lingfeng stared at the hand the girl now cradled gently in her palms.

She was quietly, little by little, moving his hand away from the door. It felt slightly warm and itchy.

Not just because of the old scar on his hand.

Perhaps she was even smarter than he had imagined.

Maybe this was her natural gift.

Jiang Lingfeng slowly lifted his eyelids and looked at her nervous yet urgent gaze.

He closed his eyes and slowly exhaled,

“Then, tell me your specific idea.”

Zhaoxue was momentarily stunned, then opened her eyes wide, looked into his, and showed a sincere smile.

“Alright!”

—

Just as Zhaoxue had guessed, the next day Jiang Lingfeng stayed behind to take care of her.

The other three spent the whole day and found nothing.

At night, the streets grew sparse and quiet, sounds of curtains being drawn and doors closing echoed everywhere. Occasionally, the drunken rambles of drunkards and the scattered footsteps of beggars could be heard.

Zhaoxue looked up at the tall figure in front of her.

“Uncle.”

She lowered her voice softly, calling out once. Then, quickening her pace with a few breaths, she reached out and tugged at his sleeve,

“I… I’m having a little trouble keeping up.”

Jiang Lingfeng said nothing, but his steps seemed to slow down a bit.

“Our usual inns are all full, and it’s already this late—at this rate, I don’t know if we’ll find any place still open…”

The girl carefully tugged on his sleeve, keeping a close but comfortable distance as she followed him.

The cold, indifferent man walked ahead, never uttering a single word from start to finish.

— This was Zhaoxue’s specific plan.

She had crafted a very detailed scenario for this bait mission:

Jiang Lingfeng was a disciple sent by a nearly fallen cultivation family to participate in the sect’s grand selection. Zhaoxue, on the other hand, was his niece—a weak spiritual talent, an orphan from a young age, struggling to survive in the big family, a little useless burden.

Jiang Lingfeng was the only person in the family who could even talk to her. To seek opportunity, she clung to his leg and persistently followed him, hoping to join the sect’s selection together.

However, the funds provided to Jiang Lingfeng by the family were limited. Along the way, caring for this little burden had cost too much, and he even gave her pills that created an illusion of spiritual power. The remaining money was barely enough to support both of them…

In short, Jiang Lingfeng was already tired of her.

He was looking for the right moment to shake off this little burden.

In order to better carry out the plan, Zhaoxue asked Jiang Lingfeng to cast a spell on her so she appeared to have faint spiritual power. During the day, they had already visited every accessible place in Yuxian Town.

She had called him “Uncle” almost all day.

Zhaoxue was exhausted. She had exercised as much today as she had in the past year.

According to the plan, Jiang Lingfeng was about to ditch her in a small alley.

And she would be left alone, wandering the streets—becoming the perfect target for the demon.

But Jiang Lingfeng still had no intention of abandoning her.

Not only that, he even slowed his pace so she could keep up.

Zhaoxue: “…”

She knew Jiang Lingfeng still had some doubts about her plan… or maybe a bit of distrust toward her. But they couldn’t delay any longer.

Zhaoxue took a breath, then jogged a few steps to catch up with him. She reached out, grabbed his right hand tucked inside his sleeve, and gently wrapped her arm around his, leaning against him.

Pressing close, she lowered her voice as much as she could, slightly out of breath. Her tone was low, soft, and weak, with a hint of panting:

“Trust me, Uncle.”

…She hadn’t yet corrected herself to say “Shishu” instead of “Uncle.”

Jiang Lingfeng noticed this.

At the same time, the softness and warmth pressed against his side reminded him—unlike before, when her voice was somewhat sweet and innocent, now it perfectly fit her role.

It was different from the hoarse, desperate voice she had when drowning in the lake. But that had been her true self.

This time, he was the one who got distracted.

He hesitated, not sure whether to leave her alone in danger.

But Zhaoxue gave him no time to be distracted.

Her eyes flickered, and suddenly she swayed, letting out a soft “Ah,” and fell to the ground, looking pitiful as she clutched her ankle. She pinched her calf, and redness quickly appeared around her eyes.

“Uncle, I think I sprained my ankle.”

She lowered her head, sniffled in pain, rubbed her ankle, then looked up with teary, glistening eyes at Jiang Lingfeng.

“I think I can’t walk anymore… what should I do? It’s so late…”

“…”

The warmth left.

Jiang Lingfeng curled his fingers, closed his eyes, remained silent for a moment, then finally said,

“Wait here for me. I’ll go check the nearby pharmacy.”

Although it was a bit rushed and he didn’t even check her injury, coming up with a line on the spot was already good enough.

Zhaoxue quickly nodded, sitting pitifully on the ground.

“The floor is so cold. Uncle, you have to hurry.”

Jiang Lingfeng looked away, avoiding her gaze. After standing there for a few seconds, he turned and walked off.

Soon, his figure disappeared around the corner.

Good.

Now, she had successfully been left alone.

Zhaoxue sat there for a while, shivering from the cold wind and sneezing several times.

After about fifteen minutes, she hugged her arms, rubbed her hands together, shivered, and struggled to stand up from the ground. Leaning against the wall, she walked forward in a daze.

No one was around.

After leaving the long alley, she still saw no one.

She moved her lips and called out, voice trembling, “Uncle.”

The only response was the cold wind howling through the night.

On the lonely long street, fewer and fewer people remained, and the few who were left gradually returned to their own homes.

But Zhaoxue was a person without a home.

She lowered her head, sobbed softly, wrapped her arms around her shoulders, and limped onward.

The frail girl seemed to slowly realize the harsh truth that she had been abandoned.

Late summer, on a night nearing autumn, the moon hung high, scattering a layer of frost.

In the blackness of the night, something seemed to be stirring and bubbling.

Restless and eager to move.

After a moment, Zhaoxue gradually sensed this feeling.

Her heart skipped a beat as she changed direction, walking toward the source of that sensation.

She walked slowly, and when she reached the street corner, the first thing she saw was a golden-red light nearly spilling out of the darkness.

Taking a few more slow steps forward, she finally saw clearly.

Like a blooming red lotus flower in the night, a tall and solitary figure stood. Her long black hair was tied high, with the rest cascading down like a waterfall. The hem of her red dress, embroidered with golden edges, piled on the ground, blossoming with breathtaking beauty.

Zhaoxue’s breath caught.

The beautiful woman saw her and, like a water lily, slowly floated in her direction, but beneath the skirt, a sticky substance was spreading.

Unconsciously, Zhaoxue walked toward the end of the long street.

One step.

Two steps.

—

Almost at the same time,

A long sword swung, its sharp cold light cutting through the moonlight, piercing the almost frozen air in front of her.

The illusion was severed, and the coldness slowly surged up, sending a chill that made goosebumps rise on the back of Zhaoxue’s neck.

She snapped back to awareness, eyes wide open.

At that moment,

A strong hand grabbed Zhaoxue’s wrist and pulled her back. Before she could react, a sleeve brushed across her eyes.

A familiar, low, and serious voice whispered reassuringly in her ear,

“Get behind me.”