The group of newcomers from the Feather Clan had one particular figure leading them at the front: Ling Xuan, the prominent Elder of the clan.

The Feather Clan was anything but peaceful internally. Besides Chun Yao, three main elders held power within the core: Elder Ling, Elder Chen, and Elder Mei. From the names, it was easy to identify Ling Xuan and Chen Xin as the core disciples apprenticed under these elders.

The oldest, Elder Chen, was gentle and friendly, deeply loyal to the clan leader, and always inclined towards Chun Yao’s side. It was clear from Chen Xin’s mannerisms that he was heavily influenced by Elder Chen’s guidance. However, the other two weren’t as restrained.

Elder Ling, in particular, was the most unruly of them all.

Ling Xuan was his prized disciple, inheriting not only his skills but also his temper. The “Ling” in their names probably stood for “aloofness,” as their arrogant temperaments matched perfectly, both men looking down on the world with no one in their eyes.

Xie Shuangxue turned his head to observe Elder Ling. The elder’s face was calm and dignified, his presence commanding. After descending gracefully, he folded his large wings instantly, stirring up a breeze.

Clearly aware of Ling Xuan’s punishment, Elder Ling approached his apprentice with a crowd in tow, his voice thundering in reprimand, “What a disgraceful sight! Haven’t I taught you better than this?”

“What are you standing around for? Get over here! All you know is causing trouble for Her Highness. Just wait until I deal with you back home!”

Ling Xuan’s eyes lit up at the sight of his master, and he quickly took his place behind him.

Elder Ling was irritable but not without wit. He would never outwardly coddle his young apprentice; on the surface, he seemed furious, but after a few harsh words, he quickly gathered Ling Xuan to his side.

“Covered in dirt and blood—what a mess, you’re a disgrace,” Elder Ling glanced at him. “Now hurry up and change your clothes.”

This, in fact, was his way of taking Ling Xuan to get his wounds treated.

Initially, Chun Yao had sentenced Ling Xuan to contemplate his actions for half a day. However, not even an hour had passed, and Ling Xuan was already out of trouble, with no one daring to stop it.

“Master, I’m fine,” Ling Xuan grinned, clearly cheerful at his arrival. He lacked his elder’s shrewdness, grinning openly and, in a lowered voice, added, “Everyone in the clan has been looking after me. Someone even brought me medicine just now.”

Elder Ling shot him a glare and replied in a low voice, “Now tell me everything that happened here, every detail. Don’t leave anything out.”

Ling Xuan nodded and relayed everything.

He emphasized how detestable Xie Shuangxue was and barely mentioned the “ordinary person” who had saved Her Highness. But Elder Ling was sharp enough to pick up on something that Ling Xuan had overlooked.

It seemed Chun Yao had indeed taken a particular interest in someone.

Then, Elder Ling cast a glance at Xie Shuangxue, who was seated on the other side.

“So it was because of him that you were punished?”

“Yes,” Ling Xuan nodded, his gaze lingering on Xie Shuangxue with disdain. “All he does is act pitiful. Completely useless.”

If no one had kindly given him medicine, he would have been suffering miserably right now.

“Even Her Highness is going soft over this. He’s just the young master of the Xie family. What’s the harm in giving him a piece of your mind?” Elder Ling sneered, “Just wait—Master will help you settle this score.”

They were standing a good distance away from Xie Shuangxue, far enough that he couldn’t hear the words. But Xie Shuangxue had a pretty good idea of what was happening. He could more or less guess what would come next.

Soon after, he was led into a chamber within the hall.

Inside were Elder Ling and Chun Yao. Luo Yin was also there, though pretending to be unconscious. As soon as Xie Shuangxue stepped in, he heard Elder Ling address him, his tone deceptively friendly, though tinged with irony.

“…It’s right to thank someone who saved Her Highness, but this young man’s appearance and attire don’t quite match with anyone from Penglai City.”

When he noticed Xie Shuangxue enter, Elder Ling called him over. “Shuangxue, as the young lord of this city, take a closer look. Don’t you think I’m right?”

But Xie Shuangxue didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he looked at Chun Yao for a long moment, then at Luo Yin, hesitating before he said anything, neither nodding nor shaking his head.

He understood clearly. Elder Ling intended to bring Chun Yao’s so-called “savior” under his control, using him as a pawn.

Once again, he was cast into the role of the tool character—an identity he couldn’t evade.

“Penglai isn’t like the Feather Clan; it’s an open city where anyone can enter,” Chun Yao retorted without yielding. “You’re being overly suspicious, Elder.”

“Her Highness may not fully understand these matters due to youth. Penglai connects to the Feather Clan, so there are limits to who can come and go. Not just anyone can enter. This one here doesn’t seem like a frequent visitor.”

Elder Ling glanced at Xie Shuangxue, his voice laced with patronizing warmth, “I believe Shuangxue is simply startled. But think carefully, young master Xie. It’s unusual for Penglai to be slaughtered like this. The outsiders we’ve questioned were all known city residents, yet no one knows this one. If he’s a Demon Clan spy, wouldn’t he be a danger to Her Highness?”

He watched Xie Shuangxue closely, noting how his gaze fixed on Chun Yao’s hand as she tucked the blanket around Luo Yin, an unmistakable hint of jealousy barely concealed on his face.

With Elder Ling’s subtle hints, Xie Shuangxue’s expression changed. Finally, he spoke up, “He doesn’t seem to be from around here. Even nearby towns don’t dress like this. Her Highness should be cautious.”

Chun Yao ignored him, looking straight at Elder Ling instead. “What exactly are you getting at?”

“As the Chief Enforcer Elder of the Feather Clan, I have a duty to investigate those around Her Highness. If there’s nothing wrong with him, he’ll be richly rewarded.”

It was now clear what Elder Ling intended.

In the Feather Clan, he had always sought power. With the clan leader partially retired to guard the tower, he saw his opportunity, yet Chun Yao was unexpectedly difficult to corner despite her youth. This “savior” presented a perfect excuse.

Chun Yao, however, refused to comply.

Luo Yin was gravely wounded and hadn’t woken up. If he was handed over to the Law Enforcement Hall, who knew what torture awaited him? Elder Ling would undoubtedly make things up if necessary.

The two clashed subtly. Chun Yao, containing her fury, argued that questioning a comatose person was useless, at least until he awoke.

Elder Ling hadn’t entirely grasped Chun Yao’s character. With the clan leader gone only a few days, he had expected Chun Yao, still rattled by the bloodbath in Penglai City, to be a bit softer. Yet here she stood, unyielding at every step—more formidable than he’d anticipated.

Left empty-handed, Elder Ling left the chamber, his mind already hatching new schemes. On his way out, he spotted Xie Shuangxue, who had been standing quietly with his head down.

It seemed that the young master of the Xie family had been stealing glances at Chun Yao, his feelings unmistakably clear. Ling Xuan’s earlier comments sprang to mind, and Elder Ling quickly formed a new plan.

Once outside, he pulled Xie Shuangxue aside to a secluded spot.

“Shuangxue, you must help me—and help yourself. That stranger is suspicious, and Her Highness is clearly taken with him, not even sparing a thought for you.” Elder Ling said, “You, the rightful young master of Penglai, the most esteemed child of the city. How can you let an outsider overshadow you? It’s unfair.”

“I…I don’t understand, Elder.”

“Just do as I say,” Elder Ling smiled warmly. “I’ve known your father, Lord Xie, for years. Would I ever harm you?”

What a lie—the old fox was as sly as ever.

Yet Xie Shuangxue, outwardly convinced, hesitated before a hint of envy flickered across his face. “What should I do, then?”

But Xie Shuangxue knew exactly what he would do.

Yet another trap for him to fall into.

This development was identical to the original storyline.

Xie Shuangxue, infatuated with Chun Yao, succumbed to Elder Ling’s persuasion and his own jealousy. Following Elder Ling’s instructions, he discreetly tampered with Luo Yin’s medicine, slipping in a concoction tinged with demonic energy.

It would go undetected until, after a while, the demonic energy would be activated, giving Elder Ling an excuse to take control of the situation and interrogate Luo Yin.

Would this supporting character truly harm the protagonist?

Of course not.

Luo Yin had foreseen this; this was his plan all along.

With an exceptionally unique talent, Luo Yin had disguised himself as a descendant of an exorcist, intending to reveal his cover at the right moment.

Xie Shuangxue’s tampering with the medicine fit his plan perfectly.

Not only did he remain unscathed, but he also used this incident to prove his allegiance against the Demon Clan, gathering evidence to help Chun Yao counterattack.

At this stage, Chun Yao merely cared for Luo Yin as her rescuer, with no deeper attachment. She hadn’t planned to take him back to the Feather Clan.

But this event changed everything; Chun Yao ultimately decided to keep Luo Yin by her side, marking the beginning of their bond.

Although Elder Ling failed, he had planned meticulously, staying distant enough that Chun Yao couldn’t directly implicate him. In the end, Xie Shuangxue bore the full blame and was punished according to Feather Clan laws.

Elder Ling, displeased with his failure, increasingly targeted Xie Shuangxue, who became more isolated and twisted, his role as the “tool character” taking a darker turn.

In the present moment, Xie Shuangxue wore a hesitant expression, half-listening to Elder Ling’s words while formulating his own plans.

This couldn’t go on.

The special demonic herb was, after all, supplied by Elder Ling himself.

Seemingly yielding to the elder’s persuasion, Xie Shuangxue lowered his head obediently, preparing to leave, only to bump into Ling Xuan head-on.

“What are you doing here?” Ling Xuan looked him over and muttered, “Looking pretty energetic now, aren’t you?”

Oddly enough, Ling Xuan’s tone was softer than before.

Xie Shuangxue intended to leave, but he stopped in his tracks, sensing the shift in Ling Xuan’s attitude.

Did he notice something?

The healing herb?

Xie Shuangxue looked up at him, saying only one thing.

He met Ling Xuan’s gaze briefly, then shifted his focus to his shoulder, as if noticing the whip marks on his back.

“How’s your injury?”