Transmigrated as the Villain’s Sword - Chapter 40

The facecloth had fallen to the side at some unknown point. Ling Chenyan looked at Guan Luowei, blinked, and said, “Looking at me?”

The woman before her seemed to snap back to her senses in an instant. The hidden fire in her eyes was replaced by clarity, and her gaze flickered as she turned her head away. “I…”

Ling Chenyan seemed to realize something. Her dark eyes sparkled with a mischievous light. Before the woman could speak, she slowly leaned in, tilting her head to catch the woman’s eyes, and smiled. “What is Your Highness looking at me for? Could it be that Your Highness has… for me…”

The girl’s watery eyes were full of cunning; one could see through her teasing intent at a glance. Guan Luowei’s heart skipped a beat, and her fingers at her side slowly tightened, though her face remained impassive. “I was looking to see if you still wanted to know why.”

Ling Chenyan’s eyes flickered. She was clearly hesitating; she did want to know why, but seeing Guan Luowei’s red-tipped ears and her forced composure, the desire to tease her was indeed irresistible.

Previously, she hadn’t been ready and didn’t dare respond to this affection. Now that she had thought it through, facing such a cold yet easily embarrassed beauty, her heart couldn’t help but feel a little tickle.

After a moment of internal struggle, Ling Chenyan blinked and slowly pulled back. She said leisurely, “Is that so? I thought Your Highness saw a smudge on my face and wanted to wipe it away for me.”

As she spoke, she watched the woman’s expression. After successfully seeing a flash of flustered annoyance cross that cold face, Ling Chenyan stopped her teasing with satisfaction. She sat beside her with a giggle, hooked her arm through the woman’s, and said, “Highness, tell me, why are we waiting until tomorrow to act?”

The flustered look on Guan Luowei’s face slowly faded. Seeing that the girl didn’t push further, she calmed down and began to explain slowly.

“With that Ancestor’s death today, the news of my return can no longer be hidden from them. So, back in Lingyun Town, I tore through space to create the illusion of returning directly to the Demon Realm.”

Guan Luowei paused, then continued, “That way, after they receive the news, they will go to the Demon Realm to demand an explanation. At that time, Zong Xian will spread word that I am in closed-door cultivation. Given those people’s temperaments, they certainly won’t leave easily. Do you understand what I’m getting at?”

Ling Chenyan processed this information and quickly caught on. The people of the Lingxiao Immortal Sect valued face above all else. Having an Ancestor die right in front of them was a direct slap to the face. Combined with the previous theft of the Deceptive God Zither, they would be absolutely livid and desperate to reclaim their honor.

Thus, upon hearing the news, they would take at least half of the Lingxiao Sect’s strength to the Demon Realm to demand justice. When that half of the power was gone, Guan Luowei would naturally be free to come and go as she pleased.

However, Ling Chenyan thought for a moment and said, “The Zither Sect is definitely involved in this too. The remaining strength at the Lingxiao Sect is hard to predict.”

Guan Luowei let out a cold snort. “What of it?”

Ling Chenyan looked at the disdainful Guan Luowei and thought that the Big Villain was truly arrogant. But then, she did have the capital for it. Her strength was already at the pinnacle, and with the help of the Deceptive God Zither, cutting down enemies really was as easy as slicing melons.

“However,” Guan Luowei’s tone shifted, her eyes flickering. “Our primary goal in going to the Lingxiao Sect is not to kill.”

“I know!” Ling Chenyan interjected. “We’re going to steal their treasures!”

Guan Luowei choked for a second, then her lips curled. “Yes.”

“The Zither Sect shouldn’t be spared either! Steal, steal, steal! Steal them clean!”

Guan Luowei found it rather amusing, but she went along with the girl’s suggestion, replying, “Alright.”

She looked at the jubilant girl beside her, then thought of the Lingxiao Sect. Her lips curved into a freezing smile. They had better not let me find THAT thing within their sect, otherwise, they shouldn’t blame me for being cruel later.

Daoist Lingxu and Daoist Chenxu looked at the Sect Leader’s ashen face on the communicator, exclaiming in rage, “What? Ancestor Heiyun has fallen?!”

Zhen Xuzi’s eyes were full of malice. “Yes. Just an hour ago, that demoness appeared at our Lingyun Town teleportation array. She killed Ancestor Heiyun in front of everyone and then tore through space to leave. Simply outrageous!”

Before the two Daoists could speak, a sinister voice rang out from nearby: “To die so easily… that old fool Heiyun really was a waste.”

Daoist Chenxu’s expression was grim, but he suppressed his irritation and said, “Ancestor Moyun, that demoness is truly arrogant. Knowing she has a grudge with our Lingxiao Sect, she still dared to appear at our teleportation array. This means she anticipated we would be waiting for her at the arrays. If Ancestor Heiyun hadn’t been there, we might not even know she had returned.”

He sighed and added, “This woman’s cunning and strength are truly terrifying. Now that she’s back with the demons, if she refuses to come out, how are we to deal with her? Are we to start another Great War?”

“Idiot.” Ancestor Moyun’s vicious gaze landed on him. “Start another war? With just the Lingxiao Sect? Setting aside whether we could win, the moment a war begins, your title as the number one sect in the world will likely pass to someone else.”

Chenxu’s face darkened at the rebuke, but he asked, “Then what are we to do?”

This time, before Moyun could speak, an old woman beside him spoke up: “You must realize our ultimate goal is to make them return the Deceptive God Zither, not to start a war. Tomorrow, we will go to the Demon Realm to apply pressure. Public opinion is already on our side. If that doesn’t work, there are surely many ‘righteous’ cultivators willing to assist us.”

Chenxu’s eyes flickered. “Yes.”

After speaking, the old woman walked to the communicator, looked at Zhen Xuzi, and asked, “How is the inspection within the sect going?”

At this, Zhen Xuzi’s face grew solemn. “We have identified over twenty ‘abnormal’ disciples. Most are from Guize Peak, with a few from other peaks.”

The old woman nodded, a sharp light in her eyes. “These ‘evil entities’ hide quite deep. Their aura is very similar to that of the demons. If we use them correctly…”

A flash of greed crossed the faces of everyone present. These evil entities were the same as Daoist Guize—their true forms were clouds of black mist that turned to foul sludge upon death. Crucially, since their aura resembled the demons, if they could be controlled, the world would be theirs for the taking.

Zhen Xuzi narrowed his eyes and said, “Ancestor Moshan, these disciples are usually normal, but once their evil form is triggered, they become unable to distinguish friend from foe.”

The old woman coughed twice. “No matter. If we truly can’t control them, we can just release them into rival sects…”

Zhen Xuzi nodded solemnly. The old woman continued: “Regarding the trip to the Demon Realm tomorrow, you will go with the Zither Sect. I will return to our sect tomorrow.”

“Ancestor, this…” Chenxu began, confused.

The old woman said flatly, “I am returning simply to prevent accidents. Someone must guard the sect.”

Everyone nodded, understanding her intent. After the others left, Ancestor Moyun frowned. “Since you are returning alone, if there is an emergency, remember to prioritize your own safety.”

Moshan smiled. “I know, old man.”

The sunlight gradually faded, dissolving into large clusters of golden sunset clouds that piled up at the horizon like a blushing girl’s face hidden behind a veil of clouds.

Guan Luowei caught two fish from the water and set up a barrier around the cave before starting a fire to grill them.

Ling Chenyan rubbed her hands together, watching Guan Luowei’s profile illuminated by the bonfire. She couldn’t help but sigh, “I didn’t expect Your Highness to be good at this too.”

Guan Luowei’s movements were practiced. Hearing this, she only said, “If you want to learn, I can teach you.”

Ling Chenyan giggled. “I only want to eat.”

Guan Luowei flipped the fish. “If you won’t learn, you won’t. After all, you have me…”

Halfway through the sentence, Guan Luowei suddenly stopped, refusing to say more.

Ling Chenyan watched the tight-lipped Guan Luowei. Her eyes darted around as a mischievous thought rose: “After all, I have Your Highness by my side, you won’t let me starve to death, right?”

The bonfire crackled loudly. The girl’s voice reached Guan Luowei’s ears clearly. Her gaze flickered; she felt the fire was burning too brightly, making her face feel unusually hot.

She stole a casual glance at the girl. Ling Chenyan was blinking her round eyes, the light of the fire reflected in them, looking at her with total expectation.

The words Guan Luowei had intended to say turned into a soft “Mm.” It was like silent indulgence, a helpless compromise.

Ling Chenyan was satisfied. She giggled and took the charred, fragrant fish Guan Luowei handed her. She was about to take a huge bite but suddenly remembered Guan Luowei was right there, so she took a tiny, dainty bite instead.

Yes, a lady. I am a lady!

Guan Luowei watched the girl take a tiny bite, her eyes light up, and then proceed to lavish praise on her. Between the praise, the girl would steal secret glances at her before taking another tiny bite. It was inexplicably funny.

A smile unconsciously touched Guan Luowei’s lips. “If you like it, I’ll grill more for you next time.”

“Really?!” The girl’s eyes brightened briefly before she hesitated, then said with painful righteousness, “No need. I can only manage one.”

Guan Luowei masked her smile and nodded. “Alright.”

A while later, having finished one fish, the girl looked at her with a lingering gaze but said, “I… I’m full.”

Guan Luowei used her energy to float the second grilled fish before the girl. “Full? Then this one will have to be thrown away.”

“Wait, wait a minute!” the girl’s eyes flickered, and she said solemnly, “We can’t waste food. I’ll eat it.”

“Hmm?” Guan Luowei pursed her lips, feigning confusion. “But didn’t you say you were full?”

“Oh, come on!” The girl gritted her teeth, pretending not to care as she glanced at the fish. “To avoid wasting food, I’ll put in the effort to finish it.”

Guan Luowei finally couldn’t hold it back. Her eyes and brows were filled with a smile as brilliant as spring flowers. “Alright, then I’ll trouble you to work hard.”

Ling Chenyan, seeing that smile, knew she was being teased. Her face turned bright red. she grabbed the fish aggressively. “Don’t laugh! Wasting food is a beheading offense!”

“I said don’t laugh!”

“I hate you!”

Late at night, Ling Chenyan lay slumped on the bed, well-fed and satisfied. “I’m a bit sleepy. Want to sleep. Big things to do tomorrow.”

Guan Luowei cast a cleaning spell on both of them. She stood by the bed, looking down at her. “It is time for rest.”

As if thinking of something, Ling Chenyan suddenly opened her eyes and sat up. She looked at Guan Luowei and asked pitifully:

“Highness, can I sleep on the bed tonight?”

Guan Luowei looked down at her. “Are you not already on the bed?”

Ling Chenyan’s eyes lit up. Knowing this meant she was allowed to stay, she immediately kicked off her shoes and scurried toward the inner side of the bed. She asked excitedly:

“Highness, together?”