Transmigrated as the Villain’s Sword - Chapter 38

Guan Luowei’s throat moved slightly, a cold sneer surfacing on her face. She looked down at her with a sidelong glance, remaining silent.

Ling Chenyan shook the hem of her robe again, pouting. “Master, don’t be so cold to me.”

Guan Luowei’s face remained frosty and unmoved. “Let go.”

Ling Chenyan refused, acting shamelessly. She even went a step further and hugged Guan Luowei’s arm. “Master, my good Master…”

The girl’s voice was sweet and cloying. In a room where only the two of them remained, such suggestive words caused Guan Luowei embarrassment while simultaneously sparking a bizarre excitement. Flustered and annoyed, Guan Luowei was about to pull her arm back when she suddenly felt as if the limb held by the girl had sunk into a layer of soft clouds—light and fluffy.

Guan Luowei froze instantly. Her ears turned crimson, but she glared at her coldly, snapping, “Enough, let go!”

Ling Chenyan let go with a pitiful expression. Guan Luowei stood up from the bed at once and, without sparing her a single glance, strode to the window to stand with her back turned to Ling Chenyan.

Ling Chenyan’s eyes darted around. This time, however, she didn’t grab her again. She simply stood beside Guan Luowei, blinking her eyes and staring at her pathetically, as if she would keep staring forever if Guan Luowei ignored her.

At first, Guan Luowei would turn her head to avoid the gaze, but the girl’s stare beside her was simply too burning, nearly scorching a hole in her cheek. As time passed, Guan Luowei could no longer manage to ignore her completely.

She took a deep breath and straightened her head to look out the window. Outside, guests were coming and going in an endless stream. A tall osmanthus tree stood gracefully in the courtyard, its branches covered in golden blossoms clustered together like groups of girls whispering secrets. When the autumn wind blew, the entire courtyard was filled with fragrance.

Guan Luowei’s mind calmed slightly. She turned to look at the girl. “I will not place any shackles upon you. Now that you have a human form, if you wish to leave, you may do so now.”

“Master,” Ling Chenyan said softly, “I’m not leaving.”

“You had better think it through.” Guan Luowei narrowed her eyes and stared at her intently, as if trying to discern if she was lying. “If you miss this opportunity, it will be impossible for you to leave in the future.”

Ling Chenyan looked at the suspicion and the forced indifference in her eyes. Her gaze traced Guan Luowei’s exquisite features inch by inch as she whispered, “Mm. I’m not leaving.”

Guan Luowei stared at her for a long time. The hand behind her back slowly relaxed, then suddenly clenched tight. “Good.”

This was her own choice. If she wants to leave in the future—even if she flees the Six Realms for another world—I will follow the trail and drag her back. As I said before, I will break her bones and lock her by my side with iron chains, so she can never, ever leave me.

Hearing the reply, Ling Chenyan sidled a bit closer. “Highness, since I’m not leaving, you can’t ignore me anymore.”

Guan Luowei glanced at the girl’s approaching head, the coldness in her voice fading significantly. “Depends on your performance.”

With that, she looked away and called out, “Zong Xian.”

In the next second, Zong Xian appeared in the room, bowing respectfully. “Highness.”

“Prepare to return to the clan.”

“Yes!”

As Zong Xian stepped out, Ling Chenyan asked in confusion, “Why did she come here?”

Guan Luowei replied, “She came to report on the situation regarding the Lingxiao Immortal Sect.”

“Isn’t there a communicator?” Ling Chenyan said. “Isn’t a communicator much faster than coming here?”

Guan Luowei glanced at her. “Why don’t you go ask her yourself why she came?”

Ling Chenyan giggled. “I don’t care about her. After all, I only care about you.”

Guan Luowei looked away, saying coldly, “Sweet-talker.”

“Do you like it or not?” Ling Chenyan tugged at her sleeve, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “If you don’t like it, I won’t say it next time.”

Guan Luowei’s ears were visibly red, yet she still said, “As you wish.”

Ling Chenyan nearly burst out laughing. The Big Villain clearly liked her sweet talk, yet she had to feign coldness—truly duplicitous. Ling Chenyan hummed twice, not bothering to argue. “Since it’s as I wish, I’ll take it as you liking it then.”

Guan Luowei pursed her lips and turned to leave the room without a word, her receding back looking somewhat like she was fleeing in panic.

Ling Chenyan watched her go and couldn’t help but laugh, saying to the System: [Sys, the Big Villain is actually quite innocent, isn’t she?]

[She’s been ‘severing emotions’ for hundreds of years. In the original text, everyone the author wrote liked the male lead except for her; the author never explicitly wrote about her feelings for Mu Yunze. Do you know why?]

[Why?]

[Because you’re stupid.]

[?]

[If the author didn’t write it, how would I know why?]

Ling Chenyan: *[…] * My fists are clenching.

But since the System had no physical body, she couldn’t hit it and could only fume in silence. At this time, Guyue, who had been sleeping in her storage space, finally showed some activity, faintly showing signs of waking up. Ling Chenyan was both surprised and happy. After having Jinjin treat him once more, she left the inn in high spirits.

Outside, Guan Luowei and Zong Xian were already waiting. Seeing her emerge, Guan Luowei said, “Let’s go.”

They had arrived via a teleportation array, and returning the same way was naturally more convenient. Unexpectedly, after a moment’s thought, Guan Luowei said, “When we return, we will take the teleportation array from Xiling City to Lingyun Town.”

“Why?” Zong Xian asked in confusion. “Isn’t Jinghe City closer to the Demon Realm?”

Guan Luowei’s expression remained flat, and she did not answer. Zong Xian’s face suddenly changed, and she knelt on the ground. “I have overstepped. Please punish me, Your Highness.”

“No need,” Guan Luowei raised her with demonic energy. “Just be mindful in the future.”

Zong Xian looked as if she’d received a great amnesty, her gaze toward Guan Luowei becoming even more burning.

Guan Luowei was the successor to the Demon throne; her words and thoughts were to be obeyed. If there was doubt, one would have to defeat her before speaking their mind. However, if she could be easily defeated, she wouldn’t be the Princess. The throne was hereditary, but every Emperor had to defeat all challengers to earn the respect of the clan. Otherwise, even on the throne, they would not be accepted.

Ling Chenyan watched the scene without saying much. They had indeed used Jinghe City to arrive, but the reason for changing the destination was obvious with a little thought.

Ten days ago, Tong Di sent word that murders were occurring in towns under the Lingxiao Sect and the blame was being pinned on Guan Luowei. Since Guan Luowei hadn’t appeared, public opinion was likely on the Sect’s side. They would surely try to “seek justice” now.

As for their location—hadn’t they run into Mu Yunze recently? He surely reported it. But this was Xiling City, outside the Sect’s jurisdiction. If the Lingxiao Sect wanted to strike, they would have to station people at the teleportation points. Jinghe City, being closest to the demons, would naturally be surrounded.

Lingyun Town, however, was at the foot of the Lingxiao Sect’s own mountain. Even if guarded, there wouldn’t be many people. Relatively speaking, it would be simpler.

Although Guan Luowei was strong, the Lingxiao Sect had existed for ages and certainly had some powerful ancestors.

The three of them boarded the array and set off for Lingyun Town. The journey took two days. Ling Chenyan transformed into a sword and snuggled contentedly in Guan Luowei’s arms, much to Zong Xian’s envy.

After two days, they arrived. At the exit, Ling Chenyan’s sharp eyes spotted a long queue being inspected by disciples of the Lingxiao Sect. She felt an ill omen rising.

Just then, a conflict broke out ahead. A nine-foot-tall man was arguing with a disciple, seemingly dissatisfied with the random search. Suddenly, the man looked as if he were being strangled; his face turned red and his knees buckled in agony.

A raspy, unpleasant voice rang out: “So you’re the one refusing the search?”

An overwhelming pressure crashed down. The man managed to force out a single word: “No…”

Then, before everyone’s eyes, he exploded. Blood splattered onto those nearby. A short, elderly man who looked ready for the grave looked at the queue with a gentle smile. As the pressure surged again, he said kindly: “This person refused the search because there was surely something strange about him. As expected, he was an evil cultivator. My Lingxiao Sect acts on behalf of heaven today to eliminate him; please forgive the scene. Our actions are a necessity of circumstance. I hope for your understanding. If we have been impolite, I apologize on behalf of the Sect.”

He spoke with an air of benevolence, yet his Void-Hollow stage pressure was firmly crushing the crowd. Everyone looked grim, but no one dared to speak up.

At that moment, two women in bamboo hats slowly stepped out of the crowd, intending to leave without even glancing at the old man.

Ancestor Heiyun let out a “tsk.” His spiritual energy erupted, aimed straight at the three. The crowd scrambled to get away, but the woman in green flicked her finger. Demonic energy surged from her right hand, meeting the old man’s attack head-on.

The crowd watched in shock as the powerful Ancestor was forced back three steps. He spat out blood, staring at the woman in green in disbelief.

Guan Luowei retracted her hand and said nonchalantly, “You are no match for me.”

The old man’s cloudy eyes darted around. He stood up with an air of righteousness. “This woman is a Demon—the mortal enemy of all cultivators! The cruelty of the demons a hundred years ago is still fresh in our minds; many here must know of it. No person who cares for the world should sit idly by. My Lingxiao Sect is willing to help everyone eliminate this demon; please join me in battle!”

Despite his words, no one moved. These people might hate demons, but they weren’t idiots—if the old man couldn’t handle her, wouldn’t they just be throwing their lives away?

Ancestor Heiyun’s face was grim when a sudden chuckle came from nearby. He looked up in a rage to see a bright, vivid girl had appeared beside the woman in green. The chuckle had come from her.

Under his murderous gaze, Ling Chenyan wasn’t afraid at all. She even smiled. “You really have a way with words. You’re the one who has a grudge with us, yet you insist on dragging everyone else in. Saying you’re ‘willing to help others’—you make it sound like the Lingxiao Sect isn’t the one with the beef.”

Ling Chenyan’s blunt exposure made Heiyun’s face drop. But what alarmed him more was that he hadn’t even sensed when this girl appeared. He narrowed his eyes. Seeing she had no demonic energy, he tested her: “Young friend, I see no demonic aura on you. I assume you aren’t intentionally with this demon. If you are willing to help my Lingxiao Sect…”

“Stop right there!” Ling Chenyan interrupted. With a flick of her finger, a golden zither floated before her. She smiled as she watched Ancestor Heiyun’s face turn dark. “I am not willing.”

Ancestor Heiyun gritted his teeth. “So you are that sword.”

“Hmm?” Ling Chenyan raised an eyebrow. “It’s me. Not satisfied?”