Transmigrated as the Villain’s Sword - Chapter 14

The wooden house was spacious. Bright moonlight poured through the window into the room, creating a scene of peaceful tranquility.

Guan Luowei had not spoken since their return, staring at an object in her hand for a long time. Ling Chenyan had originally intended to wait for Guan Luowei to ask what happened during her absence, but seeing the current situation, she poked her head out curiously to take a look.

It was half of a translucent green jade pendant, glowing with a soft luster under the moonlight, carved with complex and mysterious patterns. Ling Chenyan didn’t get a clear look because, in the next second, she was pulled directly in front of Guan Luowei.

The demonic energy in the Big Villain’s eyes had dissipated; her face was currently indifferent, masking any emotion.

She asked: “Want to know what this is?”

Ling Chenyan nodded.

“This was the token of love between my mother and that man,” Guan Luowei said, looking at the half-pendant. “This half belonged to that man.”

Ling Chenyan caught something unusual in the way Guan Luowei addressed him. She asked cautiously: “Is ‘that man’ your father?”

“Father?” Guan Luowei sneered. “He is merely a betrayer, the most shameless of men.”

Ling Chenyan pricked up her ears. Judging by Guan Luowei’s reaction, this jade pendant must have been found today. But why would something belonging to her father appear within the Lingxiao Immortal Sect?

Guan Luowei didn’t elaborate further, and Ling Chenyan chose not to press for more.

For now, whether it was the origin of this jade or the missing demon disciples, it was clear Guan Luowei would be staying here for quite a while.

If the captured disciples weren’t in the Profound Crystal Cave, where could they be? The Lingxiao Immortal Sect had four main peaks. The Sword Peak, where Venerable Chenxu resided, had already been turned upside down. There were still three other peaks to search one by one.

The next day, on her way to a lecture, Guan Luowei overheard the chatter of passing disciples.

“Did you hear? Someone broke into our Sword Peak last night and searched everywhere. Even Elder Chenxu went out to catch the thief, but they haven’t found a trace.”

“So bold. Could it be a demon?”

“Who knows? But they say security on the other three peaks has been tightened significantly. If that thief comes back, they’ll have a hard time escaping.”

Guan Luowei absorbed these conversations inconspicuously. As expected, security on the other peaks had been ramped up.

Furthermore, there was another piece of news that required her attention: it was said that Daoist Guize, fearing for the safety of the Sect’s treasure, had personally gone to stand guard.

Daoist Guize—the same person who had ambushed her that day. By her judgment, his cultivation was not inferior to hers, and she always felt his aura was strange. It was like a dying man clinging to his last breath, emitting a scent that made her extremely uncomfortable.

However, for a high-level cultivator to be “clinging” like that, it was likely due to either some forbidden evil technique or pills with countless side effects.

As for the “Sect’s treasure,” it was likely the Deceptive God Zither. In her previous life, the Sect only discovered it had awakened a spirit when Lin Qingwan was accidentally chosen as its master.

In this life, because of her intervention, the Zither’s spirit might be discovered early. Whether its master would change remained to be seen.

After the lecture, many disciples gathered to accept missions. In the Lingxiao Immortal Sect, aside from the monthly allowance, disciples could earn “Achievement Points” by completing tasks to exchange for pills or cultivation manuals.

Outer disciples were required to complete two low-level missions a month, while inner disciples needed one medium/high-level mission and two low-level ones.

Even though Guan Luowei didn’t need their pills, she had to do these tasks to maintain her cover within the Sect.

And she could use these missions as an excuse to scout the various peaks.

With this in mind, Guan Luowei walked into the Mission Hall. She intended to find some low-level tasks on the other peaks, but she was stopped as soon as she entered.

“Junior Sister, are you here for missions too?”

Guan Luowei looked up and saw Li Xiu, the one she had sparred with yesterday. She nodded. “Yes.”

“What a coincidence.” Li Xiu approached with a smile. “We were just about to take on a medium-level mission. Since you’re new and might not know the rules, you could join us.”

A person beside him chimed in: “That’s right, Junior Sister! This mission isn’t hard. There’s a village at the foot of the mountain where it seems a demon has committed a crime. We’re taking the case. If there really is a demon causing trouble—hmph, they’ll have to answer to the sword in my hand.”

If it were a hundred years ago, demon raids might have been possible. But in the last century, under her grandfather’s strict orders, such incidents had practically vanished.

Guan Luowei had intended to refuse, but this man’s words changed her mind. She nodded. “Alright. I’ll trouble you then, Senior Brother.”

Li Xiu smiled. “Not at all.”

There were five people for this mission: Guan Luowei, another female disciple, and three men.

The female disciple was named Liu Su; like Li Xiu, she was a mid-stage Gold Core disciple. The other two men were Zhang Cheng (late-stage Foundation Building) and Li Si (mid-stage Foundation Building).

With such a lineup, provided the culprit wasn’t too powerful, they were more than capable.

Li Xiu spoke first: “The town is far from the mountain. To speed up, we’ll fly on our swords.”

The other three agreed, but Guan Luowei looked down at the sword hanging at her waist and arched an eyebrow.

Li Xiu was already standing on his blade. Seeing everyone ready except Guan Luowei, he asked in confusion: “Junior Sister Luo, why aren’t you getting on your sword?”

Ling Chenyan guiltily turned her “back,” pretending not to hear.

Guan Luowei glanced at the silver sword but didn’t expose her. Instead, she took a small boat from her storage bag. As the boat slowly grew large enough to hold ten people, she said: “Sword-riding consumes stamina. Why don’t the Senior Brothers and Sister join me on this boat instead?”

In fact, before she even finished, the others were already wide-eyed. Liu Su gasped: “Is this a Wind-Riding Boat?”

Guan Luowei nodded, glancing at the sword again. This was one of the items from a certain sword’s “dowry.”

Not knowing the boat’s origin, the four assumed Guan Luowei came from a wealthy cultivation family and didn’t refuse further, boarding the vessel.

Once they set the course, they gathered to discuss the mission.

Li Xiu said: “Our destination is Fengxiang Town. It’s always been peaceful, until recently when people started dying one after another. Reports say over half the victims were pregnant women, and the rest were young, strong men. They died tragically—the infants were carved out and eaten, and the men were sucked dry. It was a horrific scene. Someone found an aura similar to the Demon Race on-site, so it’s suspected to be their work.”

The expressions of the four became grim. Such cruel methods were indeed characteristic of demon crimes in the past.

“However, some disciples took this mission a few days ago,” Li Xiu added. “They said they encountered the monster at night. It was wreathed in demonic energy and highly skilled. It sucked a man dry right in front of them but didn’t kill the disciples; it only injured them and left the town.”

Liu Su frowned. “If it were a demon, why would it spare our disciples? Perhaps someone is impersonating a demon to shift the blame.”

Zhang Cheng agreed, but Li Si argued: “I think it might really be a demon. As for why it didn’t kill our brothers, maybe it fears the Sect’s retaliation.”

Liu Su shook her head. The Lingxiao Sect and the Demon Race were ancient enemies; a demon wouldn’t show mercy given the chance. Furthermore, given the nature of demons, they wouldn’t fear retaliation.

Before she could speak, Li Xiu turned to her: “Junior Sister Luo, what is your opinion?”

Suddenly put on the spot, Guan Luowei lifted her eyes. “I agree with Senior Sister Liu.”

Li Xiu nodded. “Junior Sister Liu has a point, but such cruel methods… I feel only a demon could be capable of them.”

Guan Luowei’s gaze shifted to Li Xiu’s handsome face. She noticed that when he mentioned demons, his usual gentleness vanished, replaced by a look of profound loathing—as if the very word “demon” disgusted him.

“Forget it, let’s not discuss that for now,” Li Xiu said. “We should plan how to act once we arrive.”

As they neared the town, a thick mist suddenly rose, partially veering the gray bricks and green tiles.

Guan Luowei and the others jumped off the boat. A guide hurried forward, a bitter smile on his face. “Cultivators, I am Wang Er, your guide. It’s getting dark; please follow me into town quickly.”

Li Xiu and Liu Su exchanged a look; both saw the fear in Wang Er’s eyes.

After checking in, Li Xiu led the group to the town’s inn.

The world outside was swallowed by mist. The streets were empty, with only a few houses hanging lanterns that swayed with a crimson glow in the wind.

Upon entering the inn, they found it far livelier than the street outside.

Li Xiu scanned the room and asked Wang Er: “Brother Wang, have you gathered all the pregnant women in this one inn?”

Wang Er sighed. “How could we? Fengxiang Town is large with many people. This is only a portion of them. Others either have guards at home or fled during the day. Those left here are just looking for safety in numbers. Thankfully, you’ve arrived.”

Li Xiu estimated there were at least fifty pregnant women and only five of them.

After a moment’s thought, Li Xiu decided to set up an array outside the inn. When night truly fell, three would stay to guard the women, while the other two would scout the town.

Guan Luowei stood outside the inn, looking at the mist that was almost solid. Her fingers flickered, releasing a few wisps of black energy. A moment later, the energy vanished. She withdrew her hand, looking thoughtful.

Ling Chenyan asked: “Did you find something?”

Guan Luowei glanced at her. “The demonic aura is very faint. It shouldn’t be a demon.”

“If it’s not a demon, why is there demonic aura?” Ling Chenyan asked in confusion.

Guan Luowei’s eyes narrowed with a dangerous light. “That only suggests it either fought a demon recently and was injured, or it is carrying something that concentrates demonic energy.”

What Guan Luowei didn’t finish saying was that such an object was usually a Demon Core cultivated by a demon. This meant the culprit likely killed a demon and devoured its core.

As the night grew heavier and the air turned colder, Ling Chenyan looked at the desolate town and felt inexplicably frightened.

She tugged at Guan Luowei’s sleeve and whispered: “I’m a tiny bit scared.”

“Hide behind me in a moment.” Guan Luowei paused, her throat bobbing slightly. “I’ll protect you.”