Chapter 191: Protagonist 29

Xiao Shou had once tried to win over Tu Hongying.

He had a protagonist’s halo—any woman who didn’t guard herself against him would naturally develop some degree of affection.

But Tu Hongying reminded him too much of Gongxi Yue. Both were the kind of women who were nearly impossible to sway.

Fortunately, unlike Gongxi Yue, who seemed to harbor an inexplicable hostility toward him, Tu Hongying simply looked down on him.

To get her attention, Xiao Shou used Gongxi Yue as a conversation starter.

In the Demon Realm, it was well known that Tu Hongying and Gongxi Yue were bitter rivals. They competed in everything, and while Tu Hongying showed little interest in most things, Gongxi Yue was her one exception.

Xiao Shou casually let it slip in front of Tu Hongying that he had a past with Gongxi Yue, painting a picture of a woman scorned—one who now wanted him dead out of love turned to hate.

He even hinted that Gongxi Yue’s rumored daughter had a complicated connection to him.

“You mean to say, that daughter of Gongxi Yue’s—the one from the rumors—is actually your child with her?” Tu Hongying finally showed a flicker of interest.

“Probably mine,” Xiao Shou said with a bitter smile, putting on a look of helpless regret. “But it was just… an accident.”

Tu Hongying had once witnessed Gongxi Yue attempting to ambush Xiao Shou outside the Ninth City. At the time, she thought Gongxi Yue was merely trying to sabotage some major event in the Demon Realm. But now, Xiao Shou’s version of the story added a whole new layer.

She studied his face carefully—the one crafted by the Skin-Painting Demon. They said he looked like this even before Gongxi Yue disfigured him. He was indeed quite handsome, and his story sounded convincing.

But still…

“You’re this weak—why would Gongxi Yue ever be interested in you?” Tu Hongying said, full of doubt.

Xiao Shou clenched his teeth. In his mind, Tu Hongying—who competed with Gongxi Yue in everything—should’ve been intrigued by a man her rival couldn’t have.

But Tu Hongying’s reaction caught him off guard. She was a pure power-worshipper.

At first, she showed a sliver of curiosity, thanks to the mention of Gongxi Yue. But once Xiao Shou’s cultivation stalled and he repeatedly failed to break through, even that faint interest vanished.

After finally forcing his cultivation up to the Nascent Soul stage with the help of countless pills, Xiao Shou sought her out again, hoping to reestablish his presence.

Tu Hongying was in the middle of punishing a subordinate Demon General. Her nine-section chain lashed out, flaying the flesh from his body. In just two strikes, the general was left a bloody mess.

When she saw Xiao Shou approaching, she gave him a cursory glance and said nothing.

Xiao Shou stepped forward and said, “I’ve made progress in my cultivation, and with the Immortal-Demon Convention coming up, I thought I’d discuss our plans with you.”

Tu Hongying noticed he had reached the Nascent Soul stage, but his foundation was clearly unstable. She frowned in disdain. “What use is a weak Nascent Soul? Just follow me when the time comes. Don’t do anything unnecessary.”

If her father hadn’t repeatedly insisted, Tu Hongying wouldn’t have brought this useless man to the Immortal-Demon Convention at all.

Sensing she was about to dismiss him again, Xiao Shou quickly added, “I heard Gongxi Yue has already reached the Void Glimpsing Stage. I wonder what plans you have, Young Mistress?”

Tu Hongying’s face darkened instantly. She and Gongxi Yue had once been equals in cultivation, but in recent years, Gongxi Yue’s progress had been abnormally fast.

“She’s advancing quickly, sure. But tell me—why? If you can’t give me a good answer, don’t ever mention Gongxi Yue in front of me again.”

Tu Hongying began wrapping her nine-section chain around her wrist, as if ready to vent her frustration on him at any moment.

Xiao Shou instinctively took two steps back. He probably knew better than anyone why—Gongxi Yue had stolen his fate and the support of his System!

“I only know it has something to do with her daughter. That child is… special. Perhaps Young Mistress could capture her and study her closely,” Xiao Shou said, inwardly hoping Tu Hongying would make a move against another System Host.

As he was thinking this, he suddenly saw the blood-streaked nine-section chain whip toward him. It tore a large chunk of flesh from his arm. If he hadn’t dodged in time, half his face might’ve been ripped off.

Clutching his bleeding arm, he heard Tu Hongying say coldly, “You dare lie to me? Get lost!”

Her killing intent was unmistakable. Xiao Shou didn’t dare linger and fled in disgrace.

Wounded, he made his way to the priest.

The priest had been injured by Sword Qi from a Sword Immortal in the Ninth City. He had returned to the Demon Realm to recuperate for nearly two years. Though not dead, he was barely clinging to life, his wounds never fully healing.

Xiao Shou had learned that this priest was the one who proclaimed him the Son of Heavenly Mandate, so he frequently visited to gather information and curry favor.

Seeing Xiao Shou’s battered state, the priest immediately guessed he had once again been humiliated by the Young Mistress.

“Don’t worry. The Young Mistress will accept you eventually,” the priest said, utterly convinced of his prophecy.

“Maybe so. I do care for her deeply, but she’s always so cold to me. I only hope we can come to understand each other soon,” Xiao Shou replied, eyes glinting with ambition.

“With the Immortal-Demon Convention approaching, I wonder if the priest has any way to help me?”

The priest stared at him for a long moment before finally saying, “I have a secret elixir. If you can consummate your relationship with the Young Mistress, she’ll become infatuated with you.”

“The Convention might be the perfect opportunity.”

Xiao Shou gave a faint smile. “Thank you, Priest. I won’t let your kindness go to waste.”

His gaze swept over the priest’s nearly rotting body, then he suddenly added, “Your wounds haven’t healed all this time… but I might know of a remedy.”

The priest’s dull eyes suddenly lit up with a sharp gleam. “What kind of remedy?”

“Wen Xunzhen, daughter of the Valley Master of Medical Valley—the same girl who triggered the sword strike that wounded you. She’s actually a living medicine, carefully cultivated by the Valley Master over many years. Her very body is a priceless elixir.”

“If we could use her flesh and blood to refine medicine, not only would this injury be healed, it might even push me to the next stage.”

The priest was tempted. After suffering for so long, the chance to recover—and take revenge in the process—was too good to pass up.

“But I heard she’s been hiding inside the Yunyin Immortal Sect all this time. She won’t be easy to catch,” Xiao Shou said with a regretful frown.

The priest could barely restrain his urge to seize her and devour her on the spot. He forced a stiff smile. “The Immortal-Demon Convention is about to begin. Who will protect her then? Once she’s lured out, capturing her will be a piece of cake.”

Not long after, Xiao Shou left with the secret medicine the priest had given him, looking smug and satisfied.

Tu Hongying—he would make her submit. And that Wen Xunzhen, who had cost him so dearly, he wouldn’t let her go either.

On the eve of the Immortal-Demon Convention, Tu Hongying went to see her father.

The Lord of the Demon Realm, Tu Jin, was hidden within a thick shroud of demonic energy. Not even his own daughter could see his face—only his hoarse voice could be heard.

“This Immortal-Demon Convention is unlike any other. Tomorrow, above the Ninth City at the border, a Godfall Secret Realm will appear. Cultivators from both the Cultivation Realm and the Demon Realm will enter. With the mingling of immortal and demonic energies, a Divine Artifact will emerge. You must obtain it.”

It was the first time Tu Hongying had heard of this—Godfall Secret Realm, Divine Artifact—enough to stir anyone’s blood.

“What kind of Divine Artifact is it?!”

“The prophecy says it can tear open space and help one ascend—it’s an artifact of ascension!”

“But the prophecy also says that only an ‘Outsider, Son of Heavenly Mandate’ can claim it.”

Tu Hongying immediately understood. “So that’s why you’re making me bring that useless Xiao Shou along?”

Her father’s special treatment and leniency toward Xiao Shou had long irked her. Now that she knew the reason, she would make full use of that worthless pawn!

“Don’t worry, Father. I will get that Divine Artifact!”

Tu Jin’s voice softened with affection. “You are my only daughter. I will give you the best.”

…

At the Yunyin Immortal Sect, on the eve of the Immortal-Demon Convention, all of Gongxi Yue’s generation of Direct Disciples had finally gathered. The last to arrive was the youngest, Junior Disciple Lou Yuan.

Years ago, Gongxi Yue had thrown him into the Mortal World Heart Refining Pagoda to seek his Sword Heart. Now, after all that time, he looked exactly the same.

When he returned, a group of disciples were enjoying a feast on Gongxi Yue’s Crane Cauldron Mountain, drinking and laughing. Xue Yingying was teasing Qian, asking him to draw something on her hand.

When she saw Lou Yuan appear like a gust of wind, Xue Yingying was struck by a sudden sense of déjà vu—it felt just like a few years ago.

She turned to look at her Senior Sister, who was speaking softly with Wen Xunzhen.

Wen Xunzhen handed a pill to Gongxi Yue and said, “This is the new medicine. Once you finish this one, the Medicine Worm should be fully digested.”

“Another one? Didn’t I already say I’m fine?” Gongxi Yue grumbled, but still took the pill and swallowed it without a second thought.

Afterward, she asked, “That was the last one, right?”

Wen Xunzhen chuckled at her furrowed brow. “That was the last one.”

Lou Yuan stepped in front of Gongxi Yue and greeted her, eyes locked on Wen Xunzhen, his gaze gradually turning hostile.

Seeing her little Junior Disciple after years apart, Gongxi Yue asked, “Did you find your Sword Heart?”

Lou Yuan pressed his lips together, a proud gleam in his eyes. “Of course!”

Then why are you still acting like a debt collector? The way he stared at her was like a wolf eyeing its prey. Gongxi Yue sighed and shooed him off to sit elsewhere.

The small banquet continued until Qian grew so sleepy he was swaying on his feet, whining that he wanted to sleep. Only then did everyone begin to disperse.

After spending the entire evening sulking like a storm cloud, Lou Yuan saw his Senior Sister carrying the child into the courtyard. He strode straight up to Wen Xunzhen and blocked her path.

“I know all about you. Don’t think I’ll go easy on you just because you’re a woman. Stay away from Senior Sister. Don’t even dream about things you shouldn’t.”

Wen Xunzhen blinked, utterly confused. “What are you talking about?”

Lou Yuan sneered. “Don’t bother pretending in front of me. You think I can’t tell you’re in love with—”

Second Senior Disciple Duan Yuanlang rushed over and clamped a hand over Lou Yuan’s mouth before he could finish. He gave Wen Xunzhen an apologetic smile. “Sorry, our little Junior Disciple is drunk and talking nonsense.”

He dragged Lou Yuan off Crane Cauldron Mountain. Only then did he let go and sigh helplessly. “What were you thinking, saying that in front of Fellow Daoist Wen?”

“Was I wrong?” Lou Yuan retorted.

He had always been hypersensitive to anyone who admired Senior Sister—like a sixth sense. He’d never been wrong. He couldn’t stand seeing anyone get close to her.

Duan Yuanlang said, “Even if you’re right, she hasn’t realized it herself. Why expose her like that?”

Lou Yuan froze.

“And besides,” Duan Yuanlang continued with a bitter smile, “after all these years, haven’t you figured it out yet? No matter how many people love Senior Sister, she’ll never love anyone back.”

In the early years, Senior Sister had merely been indifferent to romance. But after Qian came into her life, she became almost repulsed by the idea—avoiding it, even hating it.

She had even driven away the Junior Disciple she once cherished most, warning him sternly.

Duan Yuanlang didn’t know what had happened to her to cause such a change. But it felt like she was carrying some burden she couldn’t speak of.

And she was drifting farther and farther away from all of them.

Everyone had left. Wen Xunzhen sat dazed beneath the wisteria tree outside the courtyard.

Before long, Qian came looking for her. She looked almost exactly the same as she had two years ago—still like a three-year-old child, as if time had stopped for her and she simply stopped growing.

Gongxi Yue followed behind her. “She wants me to sleep with her tonight. And she wants you to sleep with us too.”

Though Wen Xunzhen hadn’t sorted out her thoughts yet, she had no choice but to get up and follow them back inside.

Qian lay in the middle, draping her left leg over Gongxi Yue and her right leg over Wen Xunzhen.

Wrapped tightly in the blankets, Wen Xunzhen lay on the inside, staring up at the canopy above, her thoughts a tangled mess. She could hear Gongxi Yue and Qian chatting beside her, but her mind drifted back to all that had happened over the past two years.

Not long after she arrived at the Yunyin Immortal Sect, someone from Medical Valley came to take her back. Gongxi Yue had stepped in front of her and driven them down the mountain.

She had said, “If you don’t want to leave, I won’t let them take you.”

Gongxi Yue had brought her to Qixiu Mountain and entrusted her to her martial aunt, Lang Qingyue, asking her to teach her.

When Gongxi Yue brought Qian books on formations, she also brought Wen Xunzhen many medical texts and herbal tomes.

They hadn’t gotten along at first, but because of Qian, their relationship slowly warmed.

After a long silence, Wen Xunzhen suddenly said, “I’ve gathered all the herbs I need. I’ll be able to refine the True Restoration Pill soon. If I want to, I can become a woman in every sense.”

“But if I wanted to, the True Restoration Pill could also make me a man.”

From the other side, Gongxi Yue replied, “If you become a man, I won’t let you sleep with Qian anymore.”

Wen Xunzhen: “…”

“Do you think it’s better for me to be a woman or a man?”

She held her breath, waiting, unsure if the other would catch her meaning.

“Zhenzhen, don’t change! I want to sleep with you, wuwuwu—”

Qian, lying in the middle, suddenly opened her eyes and blurted out.

Wen Xunzhen: “…”

Gongxi Yue: “Why are you still awake? You said you were sleepy just a moment ago.”

Qian innocently poked her hands out from under the covers and wriggled upward. “I can’t sleep anymore.”

Gongxi Yue pushed her back under the blanket and held down her legs to keep her still.

Qian squirmed under the covers for a bit, then pleaded, “Can we take Zhenzhen with us to the convention, please?”

At dawn tomorrow, Gongxi Yue would be leading the disciples of the Yunyin Immortal Sect to attend the Immortal-Demon Convention. Qian would be going with her, but Wen Xunzhen would stay behind to refine pills under Lang Qingyue’s guidance.

This had been agreed upon long ago, and Qian had been coaxed into accepting it. But now, on the eve of departure, the little girl was clearly having second thoughts. She wanted her playmate to come along.

“I have a bag! I can pack Zhenzhen inside!” Qian showed off the new Spirit Storage Pouch her grandmaster Jing Lingzhao had given her. It was like a storage pouch, but capable of holding living beings—usually used for storing Spirit Beasts.

“That thing can’t hold people. Stop dreaming.”

“Wuwuwu!”

“Crying won’t help. Call your Zhenzhen and see if she dares to go in.”

Zhenzhen: I really don’t.

After the mother and daughter finished their little exchange, Wen Xunzhen offered a suggestion. “The Immortal-Demon Convention will be crowded and chaotic. Maybe it’s better not to take Qian this time. Leave her at the Yunyin Immortal Sect—I can take care of her.”

Gongxi Yue refused flatly. “No.”

Everyone assumed she just didn’t feel safe leaving Qian behind, but only Gongxi Yue herself knew the real reason she had to bring her to the Immortal-Demon Convention: to obtain the Divine Artifact.

The soon-to-appear Godfall Secret Realm—only those who were outsiders to the world or children of fate could claim the Divine Artifact within.

Qian chimed in too, “No!”

Wen Xunzhen looked at her. “Didn’t you say you’d miss me?”

Qian mumbled, “But I want to go have fun with Mama.”

Wen Xunzhen feigned a pitiful tone. “So that’s how it is. I do have a place in your heart, but the moment you see your mother, you forget all about Zhenzhen.”

Gongxi Yue scooted away from her, clearly annoyed. “What nonsense are you spouting now?”

Qian, on the other hand, giggled and burrowed into Zhenzhen’s arms, rubbing her little head against her arm like a puppy.

Wen Xunzhen quickly pushed her away. “Alright, alright, I surrender. Go sleep on your side. I’m done playing with you.”

After a bit more fussing, the child finally fell into a deep sleep.

In the quiet of the night, Gongxi Yue suddenly picked up the conversation that had been interrupted earlier.

“Wen Xunzhen, don’t choose who you are based on what others want.”

After a long pause, Wen Xunzhen let out a soft laugh, her voice relaxed. “Mm. I still prefer being a woman.”