Transmigrated as the Villain’s Sword - Chapter 39

The words had barely left her lips when Ling Chenyan directed Jinjin to immobilize the old man while simultaneously weakening his strength.

Ling Chenyan was not one for idle chatter, and Guan Luowei even less so. Almost the instant the long zither appeared, Guan Luowei moved, striking toward the old man.

Immobilized and seeing Guan Luowei upon him in an instant, the old man broke into a cold sweat, his spiritual energy surging to a terrifying level in a desperate burst.

Against anyone else, the old man might have stalled for time, but he was facing Guan Luowei. With almost no effort, she cleaved him in two and gripped his divine soul firmly in her hand.

Ling Chenyan watched with an expression of disbelief. “No way… wasn’t this old guy pretty strong when he was bullying others? He lost without even putting up a fight?”

Ancestor Heiyun’s soul was equally dazed, seemingly shocked at how quickly he had died. Hearing Ling Chenyan’s words upon coming to his senses, he nearly spat blood in fury.

Damn it! I wanted to fight back! Did she give me a chance? People usually build up their attacks, but she opens with a finishing move—using a Divine Artifact to freeze and weaken me before the kill. It’s a one-way trip!

Ling Chenyan felt it was rather anticlimactic. After stowing the artifact, her gaze fell on Guan Luowei.

Zong Xian was still reeling; she hadn’t even had a chance to show off before the old man was slaughtered by the pair. The speed was so fast she almost suspected the old man had let them win on purpose.

Guan Luowei ruthlessly crushed the old man’s soul and said to the two behind her, “Let’s go.”

The three of them strode away boldly amidst the surrounding Lingxiao Sect disciples. Those disciples, though their eyes were red with rage, lacked the courage to step forward and stop them.

Under everyone’s gaze, Guan Luowei tore through space and pulled the two inside.

Ling Chenyan thought they were heading straight back to the Demon Realm, but unexpectedly, she brought them to a cave within the Demonic Beast Forest.

Back toward Zong Xian, Guan Luowei surveyed the cave while asking, “What did the investigation find?”

Zong Xian lowered her head slightly. “From the traces at the scene, it truly looks like the work of the Demon Race. However, the residual demonic energy is strange—it lacks our clan’s domineering ferocity and feels more sinister and vile. Furthermore, I discovered that the disciples arriving to investigate weren’t just from the Lingxiao Sect; members of the Zither Sect were also present. Therefore, I surmise that the Zither Sect and Lingxiao Sect are framing you!”

Guan Luowei listened and asked, “Does His Majesty know?”

Zong Xian nodded. “He does. His Majesty instructed us to ignore them.”

“Mm,” Guan Luowei said. “You return first. I will handle this.”

“Highness!” Zong Xian knelt abruptly. “How can you be alone? Please, let me protect you.”

Ling Chenyan pouted from the side. “I’m a person too, you know.”

Zong Xian’s eyes flickered, but she remained silent.

Guan Luowei said flatly, “Zong Xian, return and protect the demon disciples. Don’t make me say it again.”

Zong Xian gritted her teeth. She clearly heard the displeasure in Guan Luowei’s voice. Realizing she had disobeyed twice in recent days, she forced herself to let go of her reluctance. She cupped her hands. “Yes.”

“If anyone forces their way to the Demon gate, say I am in closed-door cultivation,” Guan Luowei added.

“Yes.”

Zong Xian’s figure soon vanished, leaving only Guan Luowei and Ling Chenyan before the cave.

Ling Chenyan rubbed her hands together. “Highness, are we going to deal with the Lingxiao and Zither Sects?”

Guan Luowei turned to the expectant girl and raised an eyebrow. “You’re looking forward to it?”

Ling Chenyan nodded excitedly. She hadn’t been out in the world for a long time since becoming a “treasure-hunting sword,” and she was itching for action.

Guan Luowei turned to walk into the cave. “We’ll stay put today. We’ll move tomorrow night.”

Ling Chenyan blinked and followed her, curious. “Why?”

The cave was narrow but entirely sufficient for two slender women. However, Ling Chenyan looked at the jagged rocks inside and wondered how they were supposed to sleep.

Guan Luowei didn’t answer. She turned to look at her and said, “Go outside for a while.”

Ling Chenyan pouted and whispered, “You don’t answer me, and now you’re kicking me out.”

Guan Luowei let out a soft sigh and walked over to her. She looked down at the charming girl, who was wearing a peach-pink dress with pleated hems like layered blossoms, cinched at the waist by a pale belt to reveal her budding figure. Compared to a cultivator, she looked more like a pampered princess from the mortal realm.

And the princess was currently pouting her pretty face, questioning her with a mix of confusion and grievance.

Guan Luowei’s gaze shifted. “I’ll tell you in a moment. Go outside first.”

“Fine.” Ling Chenyan thought that since they had just reconciled, it was unlikely Guan Luowei would be warm to her immediately, so she slunk out of the cave dejectedly.

Guan Luowei found the girl’s retreating figure rather amusing, but she turned her attention back to the rocks in the cave.

Standing outside, Ling Chenyan chatted with the System. [Sys, do you think the Big Villain actually likes me?]

[…A woman should be self-reliant. Don’t spend all day obsessed with romance.]

[If she likes me, why did she just kick me out of the cave?]

The System looked at what the Big Villain was doing inside and fell silent. [If this isn’t love…]

Ling Chenyan rubbed her chin in confusion. [Is she planning to love me and leave me?]

[When did you two even start?]

[…Good point.]

Ling Chenyan decided not to dwell on it. Just as she was wondering why they were waiting until tomorrow to move, her storage space vibrated again.

Sensing something, she pulled out the broken sword. “Guyue? Guyue?”

The sword, snapped in the middle, emitted a faint hum. Ling Chenyan was overjoyed. “You’re awake?”

The broken blade moved, and Guyue’s voice emerged: “I’m… alive?”

“Yes!” Ling Chenyan hurriedly called Jinjin to check on him. “You finally lived!”

Unlike her joy, Guyue was shrouded in gloom and sorrow. “I’m alive. I’ve finally come back… I can avenge my Master.”

During his slumber, he had been trapped in a nightmare. Countless voices told him to sleep forever. But every time, the thought of his master’s unavenged death made him endure. He had finally defeated the punishment of the Heavenly Way and the nightmare, but he wasn’t happy.

Ling Chenyan looked at the depressed sword. “What’s wrong, little bro?”

Guyue murmured, “I’m just a useless, broken sword. How can I seek revenge?”

His power had been largely lost when he snapped. If he couldn’t handle those old men before, how could he now?

While he was wallowing in self-pity, the girl’s nonchalant voice rang out: “Oh, is that all? No big deal. Just work with me and Master. Avenging your master will be a piece of cake.”

Guyue slowly recovered. “But…”

“No ‘buts’,” Ling Chenyan said. “Don’t you want revenge?!”

“Of course I do!”

“Then follow us. Our target is the Lingxiao Sect anyway. Even if you can’t strike the final blow, you can watch them die. Besides, even if we can’t beat them in a head-on fight yet, we can certainly make their lives a living hell.”

Guyue’s tone shifted. “You mean?”

“Heh, nothing much.” Ling Chenyan winked and pointed at herself. “I’m top-tier at ‘treasure-hunting’.”

Guyue’s confidence returned instantly. “Alright, Boss, I’m with you!”

“Good, good.” Ling Chenyan’s eyes darted around. “By the way, Guyue, I still don’t know what you look like. Why don’t we get acquainted?”

The broken sword fell silent for a moment before emitting a faint light. A fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy appeared before her. He was handsome, with exceptionally long lashes and golden hair flowing smoothly down his back—he possessed an androgynous beauty. He opened his eyes and looked at her, sounding a bit shy. “Hello.”

“Hello!” Ling Chenyan smiled, a satisfied glint in her eyes. “You woke up at just the right time.” She was just in need of a sidekick for a grand plan!

Just then, Guan Luowei’s voice drifted from inside: “Yinye, you can come in.”

“Okay!” Ling Chenyan stuffed Guyue and Jinjin back into her space and ran in.

As soon as she entered, her eyes went wide with shock.

The messy, narrow cave had become spacious. A jade bed sat in the corner, fully furnished with bedding and even curtains. Before the bed sat a table that emitted a golden glow—clearly no ordinary object. At the foot of the bed was another wooden table with two stools. Guan Luowei had even thoughtfully laid down a plush, furry carpet. The cave had transformed from an ascetic’s den into a princess’s temporary retreat.

A “makeover” to be remembered.

Seeing Ling Chenyan dazed, Guan Luowei gave a light cough. “It will be more comfortable to stay here like this.”

More than just ‘comfortable’. Ling Chenyan looked at these items—none of which were ordinary—and lavished praise on Guan Luowei. “As expected of Your Highness! I love it!”

Ling Chenyan was curious about everything, touching this and looking at that. Once she’d finished her “inspection,” she stood before Guan Luowei, who was sitting on the bed.

Guan Luowei looked up at the girl. The girl’s eyes were bright, like a scorching sun that made her a bit restless. But soon, the gaze blinked in confusion. The girl let out an “Eh?” and leaned close to her face.

Guan Luowei’s breath hitched, but she endured and didn’t pull away. Her lashes trembled. “What are you doing?”

In the next second, the girl’s warm fingertip lightly poked her face and then wiped across it. She pulled her finger back. “What’s this?”

Guan Luowei followed the movement and saw a speck of black on the girl’s fair fingertip. She realized it was a smudge she must have accidentally picked up while cleaning the cave. Her face instantly flushed red, and she prepared to cast a cleaning spell.

Ling Chenyan, noticing the smudge and Guan Luowei’s reaction, felt a surge of amusement. She stopped Guan Luowei from using the spell. Taking out her own handkerchief, she gently touched the woman’s face.

“Highness, let me help you.”

Guan Luowei looked into the girl’s clear, crescent-moon eyes and didn’t stop her. She lowered her gaze, silently accepting the gesture. The warm fingertips gently wiped her face. The girl was leaning very close, the scent of pear blossoms filling her nose. When Guan Luowei looked up slightly, she could see the girl’s tender, moist red lips—like a flower bud after rain, vibrant and alluring.

Guan Luowei’s breathing faltered for a moment. She looked away quickly, but couldn’t help looking back. This time, however, she didn’t see those distracting lips, but met a pair of brilliant eyes.

Those eyes seemed to hold the stars and moon, or perhaps the glow of a bonfire. It made her hold her breath. Soon, mirth rippled through those eyes, and the girl’s lips curled as her warm breath brushed against her face:

“Highness, what are you looking at?”

Guan Luowei’s throat rolled. She suddenly gripped the wrist near her face. Her eyes, as she looked up, seemed to hide secret sparks of fire.

“I’m looking at you.”