Shen Jin stood so close that Xue Ying could feel the warmth emanating from behind her—no longer the cold Sword Immortal from her memories, but a living, breathing person, her master.
Shen Jin held Xue Ying’s hand, his smile like melting ice, reserved only for her. “Did you learn it?”
The last time someone had guided her hand in sword practice was when she was a child. Caught off guard, Xue Ying instinctively nodded.
Before Shen Jin could reminisce about the past, she cut in, “Got it. Let go.”
A single sentence shattered any hint of ambiguity. Shen Jin numbly released her hand. Without so much as a backward glance, Xue Ying walked out with Bailu in hand and spent the next three hours ignoring him, practicing her sword forms alone.
Shen Jin: “…”
Call her heartless, but she trained with utmost seriousness. Respectful to her master? She didn’t even spare him a glance.
It was like watching a swordsman doomed to eternal bachelorhood.
Shen Jin added mentally: Just like Yuhengzi.
After standing there for ages, Xue Ying finally deigned to look at him. “Master, you’re still here?”
Shen Jin shook off the snow clinging to his robes, about to offer some warm words, but Xue Ying cut him off before he could speak.
“Want to spar?”
“…Go rest early.”
Unaware of the suppressed frustration in his voice, Xue Ying obediently left when told, even tossing back a polite, “Thanks for the manual, Master.”
Give it back! He’d paid good money for that!
Having essentially bought himself a “nice guy” card with cold hard cash, Shen Jin was seething. He stormed back and furiously messaged Ming Gong.
“Your stupid idea was useless!”
“You there?”
“Answer me, Ming Gong! Get your ass out here!”
After shouting for ages, it wasn’t Ming Gong who showed up but Nü Hou, still heavily made-up, her eyes seductive yet her tone full of righteous concern. “Lord, the Tai Xuan Sect is full of hidden dangers. As the Demon Lord of the Demon Realm, you should be stabilizing morale from your throne, not venturing into the lion’s den alone. If anything happens to you, the three clans will descend into chaos again—”
Shen Jin couldn’t be bothered to listen. “Hmph. The entire Demon Realm thinks I’m in seclusion. Why hasn’t chaos erupted? Or are you, Nü Hou, deliberately suppressing it?”
Nü Hou: *Damn this man, I’ve been cleaning up his mess for ages!*
Just then, Ming Gong rushed in, visibly excited. “How did it go, Lord?”
With no outsiders around, Shen Jin shed his aloof Sword Immortal act, sprawling lazily with one leg propped up, a wicked smirk playing on his lips. “Truly Yuhengzi’s disciple.”
“Swindled me out of my sword manual and didn’t even spare me a second glance.”
Ming Gong was baffled. According to *Pure-Hearted Disciple, Charming Master*, such warm master-disciple interactions were supposed to boost affection.
“Maybe the method was wrong?”
Shen Jin narrowed his blood-red eyes. “Are you questioning my competence?”
In ancient times, to prevent endless bloodshed during the Four Realms’ upheaval, three clans willingly entered the Demon Realm to suppress the corrupt miasma. What began as a noble sacrifice turned sour over time—those bastards forgot their purpose. As centuries passed, the three clans suffered mutations from the miasma, becoming the monstrous “demons” everyone despised. Worse, Lu Yewan colluded with Tian Yin Pavilion to seal not just the miasma but the demons themselves.
Thus, the Three Realms enjoyed peace—no miasma, no demons.
Those hypocrites feasting on demon blood.
Having witnessed his people’s suffering, Shen Jin resolved to shatter the barrier and reclaim their rightful place under the sun.
Step one? Expel Xue Ying from Tai Xuan Sect and throw the Daoist world into chaos.
Ming Gong hurriedly flattered, “Lord, you single-handedly united the three clans and restored order to the Demon Realm. Who doesn’t revere you? My admiration for you is like the endless Dark River, surging and unstoppable!”
Seeing Shen Jin’s pleased smirk, Ming Gong knew he’d hit the mark. *Sigh, this new body is troublesome. Back then, I could tell his mood just by whether his hair was ‘man-slaying red’ or ‘Barbie pink.’ Now it’s just a black mess…*
Men’s minds are so hard to read.
After basking in the praise, Shen Jin shifted gears. “The entire Tai Xuan Sect respects Xue Ying. The elders even hint she might inherit the Sword Immortal title.”
Perfect. A female Yuhengzi, practically screaming *Yuhengzi is my dad* with her face.
What a waste of such beauty.
Shen Jin was solemn. “She’s a major threat to the Demon Realm.”
Pretty faces were nice, but the Demon Realm’s future came first.
Ming Gong pondered. “If the girl’s untouchable, perhaps target the elders instead.”
“Yuhengzi is Tai Xuan’s foundation. They’d never tolerate anyone disrupting his Dao of Heartlessness. Rumor has it he abstains from romance—especially with his own disciple. If word got out, it’d be a scandal. These righteous sects care about face. To preserve their reputation, expelling her would be the obvious choice.”
In short: tattle to the adults.
Shen Jin was thrilled, almost grabbing Ming Gong’s hands to call him *darling*. “Brilliant, Ming Gong. Truly my right-hand man.”
Nü Hou, sidelined the entire time, snorted coldly. *I won’t mention Yuhengzi’s disappearance. Men only learn after suffering.*
She watched as the two concocted a “heart demon” scheme, eyeing Ming Gong’s *Pure-Hearted Disciple, Charming Master* with disdain.
Fired up, Shen Jin nearly sprinted to tattle to Yu Xuzi. Spotting a snow weasel returning, he scooped it up, glaring at it.
He’d never seen such an adorable creature in the Demon Realm—a fluffy white sprite.
After petting its head, his fingers trailed downward, counting the tiny nipples on its belly.
“Three… four.”
Curiosity was a demon’s nature.
—
Eager to test her new techniques, Xue Ying headed to the training grounds, only to find a crowd marveling at Liu Junzhuo sparring with disciples.
“Junior Liu already got a divine sword?”
“Master Yuheng personally accompanied him—Senior Xue didn’t even get that treatment.”
Xue Ying frowned. *Didn’t Senior Brother say Master wouldn’t set foot in Tai Chu Sect?*
Noticing her, the disciples paled. “Senior, we didn’t mean—”
Xue Ying wasn’t petty. Pointing at one, she said, “I’ve got a new sword form. Spar with me.”
Liu Junzhuo approached, brimming with confidence. “I’ll be your partner, Senior.”
Xue Ying didn’t even look at him. “Come back when you’ve mastered sword intent.”
*A Silver-rank thinking he can challenge a Star Glory? The system wouldn’t allow it.*
Excited by the new form, disciples crowded around to observe or spar, pushing Liu Junzhuo aside. His expression darkened, missing Lin Jiu Jiu’s admiration.
*Lin Senior always looked at me like I was her hero.*
Once the crowd dispersed, Liu Junzhuo approached. “Senior, I—”
Xue Ying cut him off. “No time. Sect duties. Need something else?”
Her aloofness cooled his ardor. “Has Lin Senior returned?”
Xue Ying perked up. “Lin’s recovering in Tai Su Valley, all alone. I’d stay, but duties call. Could you write her a letter for me?”
Her enthusiasm soured Liu Junzhuo’s mood, but he agreed.
Delighted, Xue Ying directed him before seeking Wen An, only to find him seething at his desk.
“Senior Brother.”
Wen An didn’t even smile. “Back?”
Xue Ying grew concerned. “Trouble in the sect?”
Wen An tore a page. “Everything’s fine.”
“Then why—”
“The editor said my writing’s trash and wants a ghostwriter.”
The word *trash* sounded familiar. “Who?”
“Qing Yu An.”
Xue Ying stayed silent. Unaware she knew Qing Yu An’s identity, Wen An spat, “Even if she’s my confidante, stealing my income is unforgivable. If Qing Yu An can write, so can I!”
Xue Ying forced a laugh. *Just like Senior Du’s ‘if you can do it, so can I.’*
Knowing Qing Yu An’s true identity, she tried softening the blow. “Brother, I get royalties too. Qing Yu An’s a top-tier writer. With her, sales might boom, and you’d earn more.”
Wen An scoffed. “You’re my junior. How can outsiders compare?”
Touched, Xue Ying barely got out a “You’re the best” before he added, “Besides, you don’t spend on yourself anyway. Saves me from subsidizing you.”
Xue Ying: *Thanks a lot.*
Recalling the training grounds, she asked, “Did Master go to Tai Chu Sect?”
Wen An shrugged. “Liu’s his disciple. Special treatment. The sect head’s been gone for years—no harm in visiting. Jealous?”
Xue Ying wasn’t petty. “No. Just… Master’s changed since returning.”
Neither dwelled on it. Xue Ying handled sect affairs while Wen An raced to meet his deadline.
Later, as Wen An finally found inspiration, Liu Junzhuo burst in, panicked. “Senior Brother! Help Senior!”
Suppressing his irritation, Wen An set down his three lines and smiled. “What’s wrong?”
Disciples behind Liu shouted, “Senior Xue was arrested! The Disciplinary Hall took her!”
“Elder Yu Xuzi’s presiding. No pleas allowed!”
“They didn’t even give a reason!”
Wen An grew suspicious. “I’ll see.”
Truthfully, Xue Ying could’ve easily overpowered the Disciplinary Hall. Rushing over, he found Yu Xuzi and elders assembled, with Yuhengzi (Shen Jin) looking grim.
“What do we do?”
Elder Qixia sighed. “Senior Brother’s already injured. Now with this Qi deviation and heart demon… His future is bleak.”
Yu Xuzi sighed repeatedly. Spotting Wen An, he snapped, “Here to plead for Xue Ying too?”
Wen An remained calm. “The disciples are worried. Silence breeds rumors. Please explain, so I can reassure them.”
After hesitation, Yu Xuzi revealed, “Xue Ying seduced Yuhengzi, triggering his Qi deviation and heart demon. Had Qixia not intervened, disaster would’ve struck.”
“As a disciple, lusting after her master—unethical! She nearly ruined Yuhengzi’s cultivation. Such a traitor has no place here!”
Shen Jin gloated internally. *A little demonic aura, and these swordsmen panic, fearing I’ll turn demonic and slaughter them all.*
Wen An ignored Shen Jin, asking bluntly, “Can Yuhengzi be saved?”
Shen Jin twitched. Qixia hesitated. “If Sage Cang Wu intervenes…”
Another elder scoffed. “Heart demons stem from obsession—a cultivator’s trial. If Cang Wu could fix everything, the Three Realms would be overcrowded.”
Shen Jin agreed. The heart demon was specifically designed to prevent Cang Wu’s interference.
Before he could relax, Wen An pressed, “So Yuhengzi’s beyond saving?”
Silence confirmed it. Wen An feigned grief. “If Yuhengzi’s done for, expelling Xue Ying is foolish.”
The elders stiffened. Yu Xuzi scowled. “Explain.”
Wen An stood tall, ostensibly for the sect but really venting his frustration. “For generations, the Sword Immortal title belonged to Tai Xuan. With Yuhengzi gone, Xue Ying—born with a sword bone, unmatched in skill—is the heir apparent. Expelling her hands the title to rivals.”
The elders wavered. Shen Jin interjected, “Nonsense! Liu Junzhuo can inherit my title!”
Wen An stayed silent as the elders debated.
“Liu’s talented but late to cultivation. His resolve pales next to Xue Ying’s.”
Qixia understood Xue Ying’s temperament. “She’s proud and ruthless. What if she kills Liu?”
Tai Xuan’s streak would end.
Shen Jin fumed. “Expel her after crippling her cultivation! What trouble could she cause then?”
Whispers erupted.
“Crippling her? Would Tai Chu Sect interfere? Their soul lamps are there.”
“Xue Ying’s blessed by fate, with the Voice of Di Ting. If she recovers and seeks revenge…”
Qixia suggested, “Why not let it go? The demon realm has worse scandals—no one bats an eye.”
“True. Yuhengzi’s already crippled. Better to nurture Xue Ying. Our magnanimity will bind her loyalty. The next Sword Immortal stays with Tai Xuan.”
Yu Xuzi finally spoke. “The Sword Immortal title is Tai Xuan’s pride, our equal footing with Tai Chu. Expelling Xue Ying harms us. Instead… let’s arrange a marriage.”
He turned to Shen Jin, tearfully saying, “Junior Brother, for the sect… marry her.”
The elders chorused, “Yes, marry her.”
Qixia clasped her hands, moved to tears. “Senior Brother sacrifices for Tai Xuan. How noble!”
Shen Jin’s composure cracked. *Hypocrites! Sacrificing your own for reputation!*
*Once I break the seal, Tai Xuan dies first!*
Just then, Disciplinary Hall disciples were kicked in. Xue Ying strode in, icy and poised, her sword intent so fierce nearby blades trembled and flew to her.
She leveled her sword at them.
Yu Xuzi gasped. *This sword intent… rivals Yuhengzi’s!*
Before he could speak, Xue Ying unleashed a tirade.
“Stop your damn crying! Always scheming, never training, flirting instead—what, are you a flowering plant? Spouting nonsense with that sweet mouth, playing the victim in front of the elders—you deserve that? A swordsman who can’t sword? The title ‘Sword Immortal’ insults real swordsmen. Tai Xuan should hang ‘Sword Bastard’ on your forehead for all to spit on!”
Yu Xuzi weakly offered, “Xue Ying, we’ve decided to wed Yuhengzi to you—”
“**Fuck off!**”
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