Qu WeiYin was startled by her sudden action and paused for a moment, letting out a soft sigh. “I’m not injured, it’s you who’s hurt. Don’t act rashly in the future.”
She couldn’t express the terror she felt when she struggled out of Luo JinXiao’s arms only to see her unconscious.
In that instant, her blood nearly boiled over, threatening to cause trouble, but luckily, Luo JinXiao’s injuries weren’t too severe.
Otherwise…
“Hey, what are you doing! My waist…” The girl on the ground cried out, clutching her waist and backside, glaring furiously at the back of Luo JinXiao’s head.
Luo JinXiao seemed only to notice her fall now, turning back in surprise before pulling her up by the elbow with one hand, unsuccessfully hiding a smile.
“Xiao Tiantian, hard work for you. Carry her too, and we’ll go from above,” Luo JinXiao called, then turned to Qu WeiYin, lowering her voice, “Little Martial Aunt, I’ll carry you.”
Qu WeiYin’s heart skipped a beat, then she shook her head.
“We’ll only create more trouble if we encounter any demons along the way. Don’t worry, no one is here to see us,” Luo JinXiao coaxed patiently.
Qu WeiYin looked into Luo JinXiao’s bright, shimmering eyes, wanting to refuse but unable to speak the words.
Though the weather was calm, her heart felt stirred as if by a spring breeze.
“Let’s go,” Luo JinXiao insisted, tugging on Qu WeiYin’s sleeve playfully.
“Alright,” Qu WeiYin agreed, her cheeks slightly flushed. “But this must not be mentioned to anyone.”
Luo JinXiao was delighted, eagerly promising to keep it secret.
Whether in this life or the last, Qu WeiYin had never been carried by anyone except QiongQi. As she watched Luo JinXiao crouch down, waiting, shyness welled up within her.
Slowly, she placed her hands on Luo JinXiao’s shoulders, sliding down until she was pressed against her back.
Despite Luo JinXiao’s slender frame, her shoulders and back weren’t particularly soft, yet standing upright, she exuded a sense of safety, a fragrant scent wafting up.
Qu WeiYin gazed at her side profile, her fair skin tinged with pink, adorned with a delicate jade earring.
Behind her earlobe was a tiny mole, visible only to Qu WeiYin.
“I’m taking off,” Luo JinXiao cheerfully announced, adjusting Qu WeiYin securely, summoning her divine sword, and soaring into the sky. As they ascended, the wind subsided, revealing the demon realm’s peculiar beauty. The sky was a deep red, stretching endlessly like an inverted ocean.
Below lay a desolate expanse, resembling aged, withered bark with occasional undulations.
Behind them, QiongQi carried three people, fluttering her small wings, puffing as she flew, making Qu WeiYin smile.
“Little Martial Aunt, do you think the demon realm is beautiful?” Luo JinXiao suddenly asked.
“No,” Qu WeiYin replied, shaking her head.
“What about Wu Hui Mountain, Donghu’s cliffs, Mengshu’s grasslands, Changmu’s snows, and Zhehai? Do you like those?” Luo JinXiao continued.
“I’ve seen all the landscapes. They’re just vast and empty, nothing new,” Qu WeiYin scoffed lightly.
“I haven’t seen them. When I was stuck in one place, I often thought how wonderful it would be to travel the world and see all its beauty,” Luo JinXiao said with a grin. Turning to Qu WeiYin, she added, “Take me with you next time, Little Martial Aunt. Maybe with company, the scenery will feel fresh.”
Qu WeiYin’s heart trembled, avoiding Luo JinXiao’s gaze, offering no reply.
Yet secretly, she felt a growing sense of longing.
“Up ahead, where the wind comes from, is the exit,” Qu WeiYin pointed out.
“Got it!” Luo JinXiao chirped, steering her sword towards the opening. The air turned cool and refreshing, lifting her hair and clothes.
The bright light, so different from the demon realm, was blinding. Luo JinXiao blinked repeatedly, adjusting to the brightness. Below lay the small town, more beautiful in the morning light.
Once QiongQi joined them, Qu WeiYin released a hand, summoning spiritual energy to seal the exit, making it vanish.
“We’ll stay here for a few days. They’re injured and unlikely to cause trouble soon. Those two disciples are seriously hurt and need the demonic energy expelled nearby,” Qu WeiYin said softly.
Luo JinXiao nodded, looking down to find a suitable inn, pointing to one. “How about there?”
“Fine,” Qu WeiYin agreed.
To avoid alarming the townsfolk, they landed discreetly, allowing QiongQi to return to human form. Together, they helped the injured into the inn.
The innkeeper asked no questions, and they settled in without issue.
The two disciples were in dire condition, drifting between consciousness. The man was worse, black energy seeping from his brow.
Qu WeiYin approached to help but was stopped by Luo JinXiao, who pulled her back. “Little Martial Aunt, you’re not well. Let me.”
“It’s fine. Your cultivation is low; the demonic energy could harm you,” Qu WeiYin insisted, pushing her hand away.
“Little Martial Aunt,” Luo JinXiao said firmly, her doe eyes showing concern. “You’re pale. Let me check on you first.”
Qu WeiYin brushed her off, frowning. “I said I’m fine.”
“But you don’t look alright.”
“Luo JinXiao.” Qu WeiYin’s voice was sharp, as if angry or avoiding something.
Luo JinXiao hesitated, falling silent.
Qu WeiYin pressed a hand to her chest, swallowing hard. “Let me deal with it. Don’t let the demonic energy touch you.”
She moved to the male disciple, her slender fingers hovering over his face. Slowly, black energy flowed from his brow.
The process took some time, but his complexion improved, color returning to his cheeks and lips.
Luo JinXiao watched Qu WeiYin intently, relieved to see no drastic change in her after expelling the energy, though she was visibly tired.
“Next,” Qu WeiYin said coolly, opening the door. Luo JinXiao glanced back at the disciple, now breathing steadily in sleep.
The female disciple’s condition was better, with less demonic energy. Qu WeiYin rested briefly, and the girl soon regained consciousness, weakly thanking her.
“No need,” Qu WeiYin replied indifferently, stepping out. Pausing at the threshold, she added, “Let Wu Hui Sect know there’s no immediate danger. They should send disciples to eliminate the demons in town.”
Before Luo JinXiao could respond, Qu WeiYin was gone.
Sighing, Luo JinXiao relayed the message outside. Turning, she saw the girl they’d rescued also sending a message.
Raising an eyebrow, Luo JinXiao intercepted the letter. The girl jumped to snatch it, but Luo JinXiao held it high, out of reach.
“That’s a letter to my father! Give it back!” the girl cried, tears of frustration welling.
“I’m not stealing your letter. I just need to check it’s not meant for anyone else,” Luo JinXiao explained, inspecting it.
“You think I’d write to demons? How dare you accuse me!” the girl fumed, nearly lunging at her.
Luo JinXiao held her back. “Calm down. I didn’t say that, but it’s important. I don’t know you, so I have to be cautious.”
The girl pulled away, angry tears in her eyes. “It’s a letter home, asking my father to pick me up!”
Luo JinXiao unfolded it, finding nothing suspicious. Satisfied, she returned it.
The girl snatched it back, lips pressed tight in anger.
“You’re from Bai Yue Sect?” Luo JinXiao asked.
“Yes, the sect leader is my father!” she huffed, folding the letter.
No wonder, Luo JinXiao thought, recalling Bai Yue Sect’s reputation as the second most powerful. It explained her bratty demeanor.
Compared to her, Yan Ying’s antics were child’s play.
“If you’re the young sect leader, how did you end up captured in the demon realm?”
The girl’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she lowered her voice. “My father sent people to exterminate demons, but none returned. He keeps me confined, so I snuck out to explore, but then…”
Luo JinXiao chuckled, understanding her naivety. No wonder she couldn’t fight, despite her cultivation.
“Go to your father. I’m off to find my Little Martial Aunt,” Luo JinXiao said, waving as she turned to leave, only to be stopped by the girl.
“Hey, you saved me. I’m Tang Lan’er. What’s your name?”
“Luo JinXiao,” she replied, striding into the inn.
It wasn’t mealtime, so the inn was quiet. Luo JinXiao ascended the stairs, reaching Qu WeiYin’s door, intending to knock when she heard faint, labored breathing inside.
The sound, pained but suppressed, was barely audible.
Alarmed, Luo JinXiao knocked loudly. “Little Martial Aunt?”
The room fell silent before Qu WeiYin’s voice, calm yet languid, answered, “What is it?”
Her composure made Luo JinXiao doubt what she’d heard.
“Little Martial Aunt, I need to discuss something. Let me in,” Luo JinXiao fibbed, not wanting to reveal her concern.
“What is it? Tell me tomorrow. I’m resting,” Qu WeiYin replied.
Luo JinXiao hesitated, knocking again. “It’s urgent. I couldn’t say earlier, and it’s not safe to discuss outside. Someone might overhear.”
After a pause, footsteps approached, and the door creaked open.
Qu WeiYin stood in her thin inner robe, nodding for her to enter.
Luo JinXiao slipped inside, closing the door behind her, scrutinizing Qu WeiYin. Her expression was unchanged, but sweat beaded her brow.
Qu WeiYin noticed, pretending to adjust her hair to wipe it away.
“What is it? Speak quickly.”
Noticing her discomfort, Luo JinXiao grabbed her wrist, leading her to the bed and forcing her to sit.
“Luo JinXiao, what are you doing!” Qu WeiYin tried to break free, but lacked the strength, allowing herself to be pushed down.
“Let go, Luo JinXiao,” Qu WeiYin demanded, glaring up at her.
Luo JinXiao said nothing, her expression stern, channeling spiritual energy into Qu WeiYin, shocked by what she found.
“Little Martial Aunt, when you healed me, did you absorb my demonic energy?”
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