Chapter 20.1

After Xie Zhaixing finished asking, Xiao Xihe’s heart pounded violently. Only after forcing herself to calm down did her voice remain steady: “Yes.”

Xie Zhaixing glanced at her overly ordinary features before his gaze landed on Liu An’an, pausing briefly.

Though Xiao Xihe kept her eyes lowered, she keenly noticed the pause in his gaze… Hah, men. Seeing how pretty her second senior sister was, he probably thought she had deliberately transformed to seduce Zhao Shaoqing, didn’t he?

Sure enough, Xie Zhaixing was still staring at Liu An’an.

Liu An’an, though puzzled, obediently greeted him: “Greetings, Demon Lord.”

Xie Zhaixing narrowed his long eyes, his voice so cold it seemed to drip with ice shards: “You know me?”

“Five years ago, your esteemed father visited Medicine God Valley. You resemble him greatly,” Liu An’an answered honestly.

Xie Zhaixing frowned slightly. Upon noticing the faint resemblance between her and Xin Yue in their features, he instantly lost interest.

The air fell into brief silence until Zhao Wuchen timely broke the quiet: “I presume the two young friends have already examined Shaoqing. How is his condition now?”

“Judging by his pulse…” Liu An’an hesitated but didn’t hide the truth, “I’m afraid he doesn’t have much time left.”

Zhao Wuchen froze, a flash of pain crossing his eyes, while Xie Zhaixing suddenly let out a soft scoff beside him.

Xiao Xihe silently swallowed, unable to resist stealing a glance at him—and sure enough, she caught the mockery in his eyes… Who was he laughing at?

Liu An’an had the same thought but wasn’t foolish enough to question him directly. She only suggested first treating Zhao Shaoqing for a few days and waiting until their master arrived before making further decisions.

“In that case, we’ll trouble you both,” Zhao Wuchen said with a cupped fist.

“Sect Leader Zhao, you’re too kind.”

After the pleasantries, Xiao Xihe and Liu An’an took their leave.

Zhao Wuchen’s brows remained tightly furrowed. Only after watching their figures disappear completely did he turn to Xie Zhaixing with deep concern: “Demon Lord…”

“As long as you’re willing to work for me, your son can live as long as you want,” Xie Zhaixing said indifferently.

Zhao Wuchen visibly relaxed at his words, his expression growing more respectful: “As long as my son can live a few more years, I am at your service, Demon Lord.”

“No need for empty loyalty,” Xie Zhaixing glanced at him before stepping inside, “I merely need your cooperation in finding someone.”

Meanwhile, Xiao Xihe and Liu An’an walked back in silence. It wasn’t until they returned to their quarters and closed the door that Liu An’an suddenly exploded: “He was laughing at me earlier, wasn’t he?! Thinking my diagnosis was wrong?!”

Xiao Xihe, distracted, nodded absently: “Maybe.”

Liu An’an refused to accept it: “He’s not even a Medical Cultivator—what right does he have to mock me? Has he gotten so used to being flattered that he actually thinks he’s omnipotent now? Doesn’t he understand the principle of specialization? His father was saved by mine back then!”

Xiao Xihe: “…”

After complaining a few more times, Liu An’an finally noticed her junior sister’s unusual demeanor and comforted her: “Don’t be afraid, junior sister. Though the Demon Lord is ruthless, cruel, and unpredictable, he would never harm anyone from Medicine God Valley. Just focus on your medical duties.”

Xiao Xihe snapped out of her daze and looked at her pitifully: “Second Senior Sister…”

“My poor little junior sister,” Liu An’an said, pretending to be mature as she hugged her.

Xiao Xihe hadn’t expected this kind of comfort and couldn’t help but laugh despite herself. Yet she had to admit it worked—the hug instantly eased much of the panic in her heart.

She took a deep breath and spoke solemnly, “Second Senior Sister, I can’t stay here anymore.”

Liu An’an was stunned. “Why?”

“…It’s too complicated to explain right now. I’ll tell you when I get the chance, but for now, I need to leave as soon as possible,” Xiao Xihe said with a furrowed brow.

Liu An’an studied her for a moment before hesitantly asking, “Is it related to Xie Zhaixing?”

Xiao Xihe sniffled, looking utterly miserable.

Without another word, Liu An’an turned and headed to the bed.

Xiao Xihe stiffened. “…Second Senior Sister?”

“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and pack your things,” Liu An’an said without turning around. “Daring to offend him—do you have a death wish?”

Seeing her cooperation, Xiao Xihe smiled gratefully and immediately began gathering her belongings.

They had only arrived half a day ago, so there wasn’t much to pack. They simply returned the medicinal herbs they had previously taken out of the Cosmos Sack, and within a quarter of an hour, everything was ready.

“Let’s go,” Liu An’an said, extending her hand.

Xiao Xihe wiped the sweat from her palms and followed her out the door.

Perhaps because she knew Xie Zhaixing was nearby, Xiao Xihe was on edge, jumping at shadows. Fortunately, Liu An’an’s presence helped her maintain a semblance of composure.

The two walked silently toward the main gate. Just as it came into view, a Cultivator suddenly emerged from a side path ahead, heading straight for the exit.

The moment he stepped outside, black smoke billowed from the previously empty space beyond the gate. Two figures clad in Black Iron Armor appeared and immediately seized the Cultivator.

Xiao Xihe quickly pulled Liu An’an behind a tree by the roadside.

“Who are you? Why are you arresting me?” the Cultivator demanded in panic.

Without a word, the two pressed a Jade Scepter-like magical artifact against the Crown of his Head. Moments later, the scepter glowed red.

“It’s a man. Do we still take him?” one asked.

The other nodded. “Take him. He might be a messenger.”

With that, they vanished with the Cultivator in tow.

Liu An’an swallowed hard, gaping at Xiao Xihe. “…What just happened?”

“There are guards outside. We can’t leave,” Xiao Xihe said grimly. Xie Zhaixing must have been certain she would come and had prepared thoroughly in advance.

…For someone who hated trouble, he had gone to great lengths to set up such an elaborate trap just to catch her. She shuddered to think what additional retribution awaited her once she was in his grasp.

Xiao Xihe felt her future grow dim.

Liu An’an, alarmed by her despondent expression, quickly hugged her. “Don’t be afraid. You’re a disciple of Medicine God Valley now. He wouldn’t dare touch you.”

After a pause, she added, “Just how did you offend him, anyway?”

“I slept with him,” Xiao Xihe summarized, omitting the part about ‘not taking responsibility.’

Liu An’an: “…”

“Second Senior Sister?” Xiao Xihe peeked out from her embrace.

Liu An’an looked at her with a complicated expression. “Junior Sister, you’re truly bold.” She knew Xie Zhaixing was handsome and powerful, with many female Cultivators secretly pining for him… but she never expected her own junior sister to be one of them—and to have actually succeeded!

“It’s a long story, and I can’t explain it all now, but it’s definitely not what you’re thinking,” Xiao Xihe sighed.

Liu An’an suddenly understood. “I get it. You don’t like him—you just lust after his body.”

Xiao Xihe: “…” No, you don’t understand. She wasn’t even that physically attracted to him—it was purely for survival.

“Judging by his demeanor, back then… he probably wasn’t willing, was he?” Liu An’an sighed. “Little Junior Sister, this is your fault. No matter how much you desired him, you shouldn’t have forced yourself on him!”

Then, with curiosity, she added, “You’re only at Foundation Establishment cultivation—how did you even manage to force yourself on him?”

“…Are you sure you want me to explain this now?” Xiao Xihe felt her head throbbing.

Only then did Liu An’an realize the timing was inappropriate and quickly comforted her: “Don’t worry, don’t worry. We don’t have to leave through the main gate. We can go to the back mountain and take the mountain path down instead.”

Though her Second Senior Sister always began her reassurances with “Don’t worry, don’t worry,” she was undeniably reliable in critical moments. Xiao Xihe forced herself to calm down and followed her to the back mountain.

The two had already been there once before and had some familiarity with the path. This time, they avoided the small trails and descended along the mountain ridge. However, before long, Xiao Xihe suddenly stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Liu An’an tensed up as well.

“…There’s a barrier ahead,” Xiao Xihe swallowed hard.

Liu An’an paused, staring ahead for a long time before speaking in confusion, “I don’t see anything. Isn’t it just an ordinary forest?”

“There’s definitely a barrier,” Xiao Xihe insisted. Having lived in Shady Valley—a place surrounded by barriers—for over two years, she had grown sensitive to the subtle shifts in energy whenever she approached one. The path ahead gave her the same unsettling feeling.

Seeing how serious she was, Liu An’an’s heart gradually sank. “Then what do we do?”

“…Let’s go back for now. Given the current situation, forcing our way out would be like walking into a trap. Since he hasn’t recognized me yet, I just need to be careful.” Xiao Xihe sighed.

Liu An’an nodded firmly. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”

Meeting her gaze, Xiao Xihe couldn’t help but smile slightly. “Was this what Master’s wife privately told you before we left?”

“How did you know?” Liu An’an exclaimed in surprise, pulling her hand as they turned back. “She didn’t explain it clearly, just said your identity is sensitive. If we encountered trouble after leaving the valley, I had to find a way to keep you safe.”

“Master’s wife is so kind.” Xiao Xihe was deeply grateful for Xin Yue’s unwavering trust.

Liu An’an chuckled. “It’s because you’re good that my mother is willing to treat you well.”

As they chatted, they returned to the mountaintop. Just as they were about to head back to their quarters to discuss their next steps, they ran into Zhao Wuchen and Xie Zhaixing again.

“Demon Lord, Sect Leader Zhao.” Seeing Xie Zhaixing again, Xiao Xihe had calmed down considerably, though her heart still raced uncontrollably.

“Young friends, where are you headed?” Zhao Wuchen asked kindly.

Liu An’an quickly replied, “We were looking for a good spot to dry medicinal herbs, so we took a walk around.”

Xie Zhaixing glanced at her.

Zhao Wuchen paused. “The Sword Mastery Sect is situated atop a mountain—sunlight is plentiful everywhere. There shouldn’t be a need to search for a specific spot.”

Liu An’an realized her mistake and grew flustered. “Well…”

“We brought a batch of Spirit Snake Grass this time, which has very strict drying requirements—it can’t be too sunny or too cold,” Xiao Xihe explained smoothly. “Though the sunlight here is excellent, we still need to carefully inspect the area to find the most suitable spot.”

Xie Zhaixing had initially only noticed Liu An’an, but when Xiao Xihe spoke, his gaze shifted to her. Xiao Xihe’s heart pounded like a drum, yet her expression remained calm, her eyes persistently lowered. Xie Zhaixing took in her slightly dazed appearance before looking away once more.  

“Exactly, that’s right,” Liu An’an chimed in.  

Zhao Wuchen suddenly understood. “Ah, I see. Have the two of you found a suitable spot?”  

“We have. The back mountain is more fitting,” Xiao Xihe replied without batting an eye.  

Zhao Wuchen nodded. “Good, I’ll have someone arrange it immediately… Are the two of you free now?”  

“We still need to return and write a prescription for the young master,” Xiao Xihe said, though she had no idea what he wanted. Given that Xie Zhaixing was standing beside him, she decided to tactfully decline.  

“There’s no rush with the prescription,” Zhao Wuchen said. “The culinary competition among the fellow cultivators in the kitchen has concluded. I’d like to invite you both to take a look and see if the dishes they’ve prepared are suitable for Shaoqing.”  

Though the selection of chefs was primarily to assist Xie Zhaixing in his search, Zhao Wuchen also hoped to find someone who could vary his son’s diet. Zhao Shaoqing had been frail since childhood, and ordinary chefs weren’t enough—their cooking methods, habits, and flavors all had subtle effects on his health. Having Medical Cultivators present would naturally be far more beneficial.  

After the earlier events, Liu An’an had already vaguely guessed the true purpose behind the chef selection. Now, hearing Zhao Wuchen’s invitation to the kitchen, she instinctively glanced at Xiao Xihe.  

Xiao Xihe’s face remained composed, but her mind was in chaos—because the porridge she had been cooking was still on the stove!  

“Fellow cultivators?” Zhao Wuchen’s eyes flickered with confusion when neither of them responded immediately.  

Xiao Xihe snapped back to attention, forcing a slight smile. “For the young master, taste is more important than suitability right now. My second senior sister and I are new here and unfamiliar with his preferences, so I’m afraid we won’t be much help.”  

“No matter, just come and take a casual look. No need to feel pressured,” Zhao Wuchen said with a smile.  

Xiao Xihe swallowed hard. “Actually—”  

“Afraid to go?” Xie Zhaixing suddenly interjected.  

Xiao Xihe’s head jerked up, instantly meeting his dark, fathomless eyes.  

Her heart skipped a beat, but her lips curved into a smile. “It’s just inspecting some dishes. What’s there to be afraid of?”  

A flicker of curiosity passed through Xie Zhaixing’s gaze as he continued to study her. Xiao Xihe feigned composure, though every second felt agonizingly long. Fortunately, she held her ground, and Xie Zhaixing found nothing of interest, eventually turning away with disinterest and walking ahead.  

Zhao Wuchen hurried after him, quickly wrapping up the conversation. “If the two of you truly aren’t free, I won’t insist.”  

“Of course not. We’ll accompany Sect Leader Zhao,” Xiao Xihe said with a smile.  

Zhao Wuchen gave a slight nod before striding after Xie Zhaixing.  

Only then did Xiao Xihe exhale sharply, feeling as though she’d never been so exhausted in her life. If she’d known he’d be this nitpicky, she never would have asked for his help in the first place!  

As she wallowed in regret, Liu An’an, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly tugged at her sleeve. Xiao Xihe turned to see her dear second senior sister’s questioning gaze: *Why go?*  

Xiao Xihe sighed inwardly, answering with her eyes: *No choice. Refusing would raise suspicion.*  

Liu An’an understood, giving her fingers a reassuring squeeze. Xiao Xihe sighed again in her heart, praying that the plain clay pot of porridge on the stove wouldn’t betray her.

The two followed Zhao Wuchen and Xie Zhaixing, soon arriving at the open space.

All the cultivators who had come to apply for the cook position were gathered there, immediately perking up when they noticed the newcomers. Xiao Xihe silently glanced at the crowd, thinking Xie Zhaixing was truly cunning—he knew that offering no reward would arouse her suspicion, yet understood that too extravagant a prize would attract more high-level cultivators, complicating his search. So he deliberately used a mid-grade Spirit Artifact as bait, drawing in low-level cultivators like herself while reducing interest from stronger ones and lowering her guard.

Had she not joined Medicine God Valley and instead heard rumors from the outside about Zhao Shaoqing’s Full Yin constitution, she might now be among these applicants—a turtle caught in a jar.

…Though her current situation wasn’t much better.

Xiao Xihe exhaled softly, just as Zhao Wuchen spoke: “Fellow Cultivators, please cease all activity and stand by the dishes you’ve prepared. The Demon Lord and I will inspect each one in turn. Until then, do not move or touch the completed dishes. Violators will face consequences.”

He then turned to Xiao Xihe and her companion. “The Demon Lord will conduct the first inspection. Afterward, I will select some promising candidates for your review.”

Xiao Xihe forced a weak smile.

Every applicant was a cultivator below Golden Core level—none had ever seen Xie Zhaixing before. Though they’d grown impatient from the long wait, the mere mention of the Demon Lord’s title instantly rendered them as meek as quails, obediently standing by their cooking stations to await his judgment.

…These people always prided themselves on righteousness, gossiping behind Xie Zhaixing’s back, yet when face-to-face, they became more docile than grandsons. Xiao Xihe mentally scoffed before catching herself—she wasn’t any better, so no point mocking them.

While her thoughts spiraled, Xie Zhaixing had already begun inspecting the first station. Her heart leapt—only to see him move straight to the second.

…That’s it? Xiao Xihe blinked, wondering if she’d missed something, but Xie Zhaixing passed the second station just as swiftly, proceeding to the third.

Within a quarter-hour, he’d reached the final row. The only noticeable change was the increasingly oppressive aura around him as fewer stations remained.

A bit terrifying—would he suddenly erupt in violence? Watching his perfunctory inspection, Xiao Xihe felt both relief and apprehension.

After checking the last station, Xie Zhaixing remained silent, but his presence crackled with impending storm, unconsciously radiating crushing pressure.

Everyone struggled to breathe under the weight—except Zhao Wuchen, who calmly asked, “Demon Lord, you didn’t find her?”

Darkness pooled in Xie Zhaixing’s eyes. “Her Gu Poison should be acting up. She couldn’t have stayed away.”

Xiao Xihe’s heart lurched—she hadn’t expected him to know even that.

“…So the person you seek isn’t among them?” Zhao Wuchen’s expression darkened. Only Xie Zhaixing possessed the medicine to save his son. If the target wasn’t found, he might withhold it.

Xie Zhaixing’s face grew so stormy it seemed water might drip from it. Though sculpturally handsome, his visage inspired no admiration—only the desperate urge to flee.

He stood motionless for a long moment, about to speak when his gaze suddenly fixed on an empty cooking station.