Chapter 17

As Dong Xia reached her hand downward, Li Qing’s spiritual sense had already seen what her fingers were about to grasp.

He immediately realized that he had been tricked by that unknown demonic cultivator.

The demonic cultivator had used his own life as a price to lure him away from Dong Xia’s side, risking death to deliver this mask untainted by any demonic energy into Dong Xia’s hands.

This was the mask that Dong Xia had never taken off when she appeared in the world as the “demon woman”. After hundreds of years, its influence on her was naturally deep and long-lasting.

From the moment Dong Xia reached for the mask until it was placed in his hands, countless explanations and methods had already flashed through Li Qing’s mind.

He had no third option but to either hurt Dong Xia or continue deceiving her.

“…Did Xie Pei Jun give this to you?” he asked slowly.

“Perhaps, but I didn’t see her today,” Dong Xia shook her head and persisted, “Is this the demon woman’s mask?”

Li Qing did not hesitate: “Yes.” This was certainly something he couldn’t hide.

“Then what is her relationship with me?” Dong Xia asked again.

Li Qing hesitated for a moment, lowering his head to look at the mask in his palm.

Compared to Dong Xia’s original, this could be considered crudely made, but Li Qing could still instantly recall all the details of the mask Dong Xia used to wear.

He had seen the demon woman remove her mask and smile gently at him, and he had also seen Dong Xia put on the mask and transform into the charming and ruthless demon woman of the demonic realm.

“Li Qing,” Dong Xia called his name softly, “My past is a blank. Is it related to the demon woman?”

Li Qing snapped back to his senses and firmly denied: “No.”

He answered with certainty, but his gaze didn’t fall on Dong Xia until she cupped his face with her two cold hands, forcing eye contact.

“Are you lying to me?” She stared into Li Qing’s eyes, asking him word by word.

Li Qing had never been so nervous before.

He knew that even his slightest movement would be caught by Dong Xia’s eyes at this moment, and he also knew how skilled she was at observing words and expressions to deduce people’s hearts. But in this situation, there was no room for him to think of other solutions.

Li Qing tightened his fingers, crushing the mask, and said expressionlessly: “The demonic cultivator is trying to deceive you.”

A hint of disappointment flashed in Dong Xia’s eyes as she looked at him.

She let go of her hands and said, “I want to be alone for a while.”

“Dong Xia—”

“Yin Fu Guang once told me,” Dong Xia interrupted Li Qing, “He asked if I had ever thought that you might have been deceiving me all along, but I didn’t believe it then.”

A flash of murderous intent crossed Li Qing’s heart, but he forcibly suppressed it.

“…But now I believe it,” Dong Xia closed her eyes briefly, “I just don’t know how much you’ve lied to me. Li Qing, what is it about me that you need to lie about? Is it just to deceive a mortal’s love, need, and trust?”

Li Qing remained silent.

“I want to calm down first,” Dong Xia repeated patiently, “I don’t want to argue with you because I’m angry now.”

“Today’s meal…”

“I’ll stay in Chu Ling’s courtyard for the night,” Dong Xia turned her gaze away, “I know Chu Ling isn’t there, but there are still many female disciples of Wen Tian Gate I can talk to.”

“…I’ll take you there.”

“They can all fly on swords. Let them make an extra trip to pick me up.” Dong Xia avoided Li Qing’s outstretched hand and walked straight past him towards the exit.

As she reached the door, Dong Xia vaguely heard what sounded like something hard breaking behind her, but she resisted the urge to look back.

When she leisurely walked to the outside of Li Qing’s cave dwelling, sure enough, a female disciple was already standing there.

Seeing her, the disciple waved happily: “Dong Xia, the Immortal Lord sent me to pick you up. She must have some important matters she can’t get away from. Let’s go, the sisters heard you were coming. Some are cooking, and others have gone down the mountain to buy ready-to-eat food for you.”

Dong Xia finally showed a slight smile and stood on the female disciple’s flying sword.

As the flying sword spiraled into the air, Dong Xia finally looked back at Li Qing’s cave dwelling.

For a moment, she felt as if it was a black demonic beast with bared teeth and claws, seemingly opening its huge mouth to chase after her.

Dong Xia sighed and turned her head back.

…When she had thought things through and calmed down, she would come back to talk properly with Li Qing.

Perhaps he had some difficulties that he couldn’t speak of for the time being. It wasn’t impossible.

…

The female disciples of Wen Tian Gate didn’t know what had happened between Dong Xia and Li Qing. They only knew that Dong Xia’s old illness had flared up today, and they treated her like a precious treasure, afraid of dropping her.

Surrounded by them, the uneasiness and irritation in Dong Xia’s heart lessened a bit.

She thought that in a few days’ time, she might be able to calmly go back to see Li Qing.

She only hoped that in these few days, Li Qing would have figured out how to explain things to her.

“Will Chu Ling not come back tonight either?” Dong Xia asked.

“Sometimes she comes back, sometimes she doesn’t. With two demonic cultivators appearing consecutively, Master Chu is very busy,” a female disciple answered, “I haven’t seen her recently either.”

“Does Dong Xia have something to ask Master Chu? Why don’t you tell us? If we see her, we can pass on the message for you.”

“I want…” Dong Xia thought for a moment and said uncertainly, “I want to see her more. If I could see a beauty, I feel like my head wouldn’t hurt anymore.”

The female disciples immediately burst into laughter, and someone affectionately pinched Dong Xia’s cheek: “You little ungrateful one, so many of us are keeping you company, but you’re only thinking about Master Chu. You’re just like a fickle man!”

Dong Xia widened her eyes in self-defense: “Then I’m an emperor with three thousand concubines.”

The female disciples laughed even harder.

“Dong Xia, if you’re the emperor, then what would the Immortal Lord be?”

Dong Xia thought for a moment and said sweetly: “The Male Empress, I suppose.”

The laughter stopped for a moment, then became even louder, with some people laughing so hard they fell onto the table.

“…What’s so funny?” Chu Ling’s voice cut in halfway, “Sit properly.”

Dong Xia’s eyes lit up as she turned her head, indeed seeing Chu Ling’s cold and peerless face: “Chu Ling!”

Chu Ling’s movement paused, and she responded indifferently. As she walked forward, she really couldn’t ignore Dong Xia’s gaze and hesitantly patted her head: “Why are you in my courtyard? Did your senior brother let you come out?”

Dong Xia’s gaze flickered, and she said softly, “I have something I want to talk to you about.”

Naturally, Chu Ling couldn’t refuse Dong Xia. She led her all the way back to her own room, closed the door, and then asked, “What happened?”

“I had an argument with Li Qing,” Dong Xia said.

Chu Ling: “…?” For a moment, she didn’t even know what these two could argue about or how they could argue.

“…When we were about to argue, I said I didn’t want to fight with him, so I came to stay with you for a while,” Dong Xia intertwined her fingers, “After a few days, when I feel calmer, I’ll go back to see him.”

“What did you argue about? Can you tell me?” Chu Ling asked.

Dong Xia thought for a moment, then shook her head silently: “I only know half of it. I’ll tell you after Li Qing explains it clearly to me.”

Chu Ling had a bit of a headache, but thinking that Dong Xia must have obtained Li Qing’s permission to leave his cave dwelling, she felt reassured again: “Then you can stay here. I won’t be around much these days, so don’t go out alone to avoid any trouble.”

“Okay.” Dong Xia nodded obediently, then fidgeted a bit and tentatively asked, “Where has Chu Ling been going to handle affairs these days? Is it far?”

“Not far. I’m responsible for the security and search of the outer perimeter of Wen Tian Gate. That area is inhabited by mortals and can easily be mixed with all sorts of people. There might even be demonic cultivators hiding among them.” Chu Ling explained in detail, then paused and added somewhat uncomfortably, “When I go out tomorrow, I’ll see if there’s anything new and interesting in the market to bring back for you to relieve boredom.”

Dong Xia took a few steps closer to her side and asked excitedly: “Chu Ling, can I just go with you?”

Chu Ling rejected her without even thinking: “No, there are too many people down the mountain. If something unexpected happens, how can I explain to your senior brother?”

“I’ll stay right by your side and won’t wander off!” Dong Xia raised her hand and swore solemnly, then immediately changed her tone to a soft and gentle one, “I’ve been in Wen Tian Gate for so long, always staying in Li Qing’s cave dwelling, at most coming to your courtyard. I haven’t seen any other places and have almost forgotten what the outside world looks like!”

Chu Ling thought seriously: “…” It did seem a bit pitiful to be confined like that.

“Besides, I just had an argument with Li Qing, and I want to go somewhere else to clear my mind,” Dong Xia secretly hugged Chu Ling’s arm and swayed back and forth, coquettishly, “As for far-off places, that’s another matter. But aren’t you just patrolling at the foot of Wen Tian Gate? It’s so close to Wen Tian Gate, what could happen?”

Chu Ling: “…” That did make sense. Even if something unexpected happened at such a short distance, Li Qing would be able to arrive instantly.

“Chu Ling is beautiful and kind-hearted, how could you bear to see me unable to eat or sleep well,” seeing Chu Ling’s expression gradually wavering, Dong Xia pressed on, “I’ll just quietly follow you for one day, and tomorrow I’ll go straight back to Li Qing’s cave dwelling!”

Chu Ling: “…”

Under Dong Xia’s persistent coaxing, Chu Ling quickly surrendered and agreed to her request.

“But only for half a day, and you must not leave my side. Also, you have to listen to what I say, understand?” Chu Ling emphasized seriously.

Dong Xia agreed with smiling eyes, almost raising her finger to swear again: “What do I need to bring?”

Chu Ling lifted her eyelids slightly: “You don’t need to bring anything. Do you think I’d let you spend money?”

“Chu Ling is so nice,” Dong Xia immediately flattered her.

“Better than your senior brother?” Chu Ling snorted coldly.

Dong Xia smiled and said: “Chu Ling is good, Li Qing is better.”

…As long as Li Qing wasn’t deliberately deceiving her, Dong Xia could calmly accept any explanation from him.

The next day, just before setting out, Chu Ling was about to send a message to Li Qing about taking Dong Xia away, but she interrupted herself halfway through forming the spell.

Dong Xia was following her like an excited little bird, looking extremely happy.

They had just had an argument, and if Li Qing knew Dong Xia had left, he might rush to take her back in a panic, which could lead to a new argument.

Chu Ling sighed inwardly and repeated to Dong Xia with a cold face: “Only half a day, then I’ll send you back to your senior brother’s cave dwelling.”

Dong Xia nodded in agreement, her mind already flying to the foot of the mountain: “Chu Ling, I heard there’s a delicious rice cake down the mountain…”

Chu Ling: “…” She picked Dong Xia up and placed her on her flying sword, expressionlessly ordering the curious Wen Tian Gate disciples beside her, “Let’s go.”

…

Chu Ling’s message was never sent out. What she didn’t know was that even if she had sent it, Li Qing wouldn’t have received it.

Although sending messages was quick and simple, it relied on several prerequisites.

For example, the receiving party must not be in any kind of seal; or the receiver must be clear-minded.

After Dong Xia left, Li Qing didn’t step out of his cave dwelling for a full day.

The Wen Tian Gate disciples who occasionally passed by the Immortal Lord’s cave dwelling only felt that the pressure in the surrounding area was heavier than usual, and they all passed by at a greater distance, trembling with fear.

When Li Qing finally reordered and withdrew the chaotic and disordered true energy back into his body, he realized that it was already the second day.

The room where Dong Xia had originally lived had already been reduced to powder and fragments, and that golden mask was nowhere to be found.

Li Qing opened his eyes and silently waved his hand to rebuild the furniture and arrangements in the room, while extending his spiritual sense to search for Dong Xia’s whereabouts.

His movements quickly came to a halt because Dong Xia was not within the range of Wen Tian Gate.

The sea of consciousness that had just stabilized and calmed down almost immediately showed signs of turmoil again. Li Qing took a deep breath to suppress it, and his spiritual sense poured out without reserve, enveloping the entire spirit world. He quickly found Dong Xia’s figure.

—She was following Chu Ling, the two of them flying on a sword alone towards a direction away from Wen Tian Gate, with bright and relaxed smiles on their faces.

Li Qing silently summoned his long sword with his fingers.

Yu Xu was as restless as its master, and the usual flowing light on its blade also appeared obscure.

Li Qing gently stroked Yu Xu and said in a low voice, “Let’s go bring her back.”

Yu Xu let out a low cry and quickly carried Li Qing away from Wen Tian Gate.

In just a dozen breaths, Li Qing had approached behind Chu Ling and Dong Xia.

He hadn’t concealed his aura at all. When Chu Ling alertly turned her head, her expression quickly froze: “Senior brother?”

Li Qing didn’t spare Chu Ling a single glance. He said coldly, “Dong Xia, come here.”

Chu Ling observed Li Qing’s expression and instinctively felt something was wrong.

Therefore, when Dong Xia hid behind her, Chu Ling subconsciously reached out to protect her, while trying to persuade: “Senior brother, if there’s anything to say, let’s talk it out…”

Before the last word “out” could leave her mouth, a silver light flashed before Chu Ling’s eyes, and Li Qing’s sword energy had already reached her face.