Chapter 16: The Search (V) Part 2

Yun Jinxue tossed the Golden Toad Jade Platform into Yan Hui’s arms and slowly walked over to stand before Lady Yan.

Because of her superior height, when she looked at someone, she only lowered her eyelashes faintly, leaking scattered cold light. “So it seems…”

She spoke only half a sentence, but Lady Yan’s back was already drenched in cold sweat.

Yun Jinxue slowly moved her lips. “…that there truly is a demonic creature in the Yan residence.”

This second half of the sentence made Lady Yan come alive again. She quickly followed up. “The Immortal Lord is right. It seems there really is a demonic creature in our Yan residence. Would the Immortal Lord please help find it?”

Yun Jinxue turned and pulled Yan Guixing over to her side. “I, as a cultivator, will certainly help with this, but I have one condition.”

Lady Yan asked, “What condition?”

Yun Jinxue said, “You must apologize to Guixing.”

Lady Yan started, then fury surged into her heart. Her eyes nearly split with rage.

Back when they lived in the same town, Yan Guixing’s mother had always lorded over her. Naturally beautiful and intelligent, she’d married a cultivator of some repute, and the daughter she bore was outstanding and exceptional, besting her in every way.

She herself had used every trick in the book and barely managed to marry a somewhat wealthy merchant, only then securing a relatively respectable life. Yet that woman’s life had always sailed smoothly. How was that fair?

Thankfully, that family soon met its retribution. They encountered an accident and died cleanly away. She held several banquets in the Yan residence, drinking like a madwoman day and night. Amidst the reeking alcohol, she saw the little girl who had come to seek refuge with her.

So wretched, so pained, so humble—even needing to beg her just to survive.

Who could understand her smugness back then?

And yet, only a few years had passed? Her good days had only just begun for a few years? And this damnable girl actually encountered a fortuitous chance again.

The Immortal Lord the Yan family had heaped good food and good wine upon had vanished the moment things got critical. Yet this girl could draw such a major figure to help her!

Lady Yan’s teeth nearly shattered, her facial muscles twitching. She wrung her handkerchief desperately before finally calming down a little.

Once her mind was settled, her thoughts also became clear.

She was the one who had moved that jade ornament, yet this Immortal Lord couldn’t see through it. Her skill must be just so-so.

Furthermore, even if there really was a demon, there were immortals everywhere under heaven. She didn’t have to worry about finding someone to deal with it. Why did she absolutely have to be amiable to this woman?

If she didn’t apologize, what could this Immortal Lord even do to her?

Feeling refreshed, Lady Yan was about to show the guests out when she heard the Immortal Lord add another sentence. “Oh, right. I have already determined the characteristics of that demonic creature a moment ago. Among them, there’s one point I believe may cause you some trouble.”

Lady Yan said, “What?”

Yun Jinxue smiled lightly. “It causes infertility.”

Pfft—

This sudden laugh drew everyone’s sidelong glances. Jiang Yanyu covered her mouth, her eyebrows raised, and apologized. “I’m really sorry. I just couldn’t help it.”

Yun Jinxue turned back and just happened to meet her gaze. The teasing in those bright eyes looked as if she saw right through her nonsense-spouting.

Probably not. Even if Little Villain was clever, she hadn’t started cultivating and shouldn’t yet have the ability to discern demonic creatures.

Seeing her, Yan Hui’s eyes lit up again. “Aiya, as expected of immortal clans. This young lady is also so exquisitely crystal. Why not—”

Lady Yan cut him off. The brief moment of clarity from before completely vanished, replaced only by a fervor as if grasping at a life-saving straw. “Immortal Lord, are your words true?!”

The demonic creature was fake, but the matter of infertility was true.

The reason Lady Yan had been childless for years was that the head of the Yan family, Yan Hui, had been from the same village as her since childhood, and they shared a degree of blood relation.

At that time, both families were rather poor and couldn’t afford to raise so many children. Yan Hui was merely one of those sent away.

He had been so young at the time that he only remembered his own name and had forgotten everything else. It was only later, when Yan Guixing came seeking refuge, that he somewhat learned of his origins.

But the fact that he and Lady Yan were close relatives—that, he was unaware of.

Such a pair was destined to be unable to bear children. If by chance they conceived, it would be a deformed fetus.

Lady Yan’s previous negligence completely reversed. Her face bloomed into a brilliant smile. “Immortal Lord, please help! Whatever reward you want is fine!”

Yun Jinxue didn’t respond. She just lightly patted the shoulder of the girl beside her.

Yan Guixing tentatively looked at the woman. Yun Jinxue smiled at her. “As you wish.”

Her heart warmed. Yan Guixing said seriously, “First, please apologize to my parents. You should not have insulted the deceased.”

Lady Yan immediately said, “I’m sorry, it was my vile mouth! Your parents were both absolutely wonderful people!”

Yan Guixing said again, “Apologize to Immortal Lord Dao Rhythm. You should not have spoken rudely to her.”

Lady Yan started, her tone weakening considerably. “My apologies, Immortal Lord. It was I who had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai, daring to disrespect you. Please, as a great person, do not hold a grudge against a lesser one like me. Forgive me.”

Yan Guixing took a light breath and said, “Lastly, apologize to me. Since I’ve come here, you have wrongfully accused me 452 times. I never did any of those things. So all your accusations were groundless.”

Just as Lady Yan was about to speak, Yan Guixing added, “But at the same time, you raised me. Let these offset each other. You don’t need to apologize to me. However, please return my earring.”

That earring was her mother’s keepsake, the only thing in this household that belonged to her.

Lady Yan’s expression was complex. She said nothing further and placed the earring into Yan Guixing’s palm.

Yan Guixing carefully put the earring away and looked at Yun Jinxue. “Thank you, Immortal Lord.”

Yun Jinxue responded with an “Mm.” Then she added, “Guixing has a unique constitution suitable for cultivation. I will take her away with me later. As for the method of eliminating the demon, it’s actually quite simple. Remember everything I say next.”

Hearing the earlier part, Lady Yan’s expression had turned extremely sour again, but it quickly dissipated, and she made a show of listening carefully.

Yun Jinxue said, “Drink ice-cold water at dawn. Eat coarse grains and brown rice during the day. Sleep in the firewood shed or wild land at night. Go out onto the streets every day and shout that you were wrong. Occasionally, find a waterfall to wash your body under. Maintain this for five years—training the body and the heart. Finally, return to your hometown and check the local clan genealogy. That will do it.”

This time, even Yan Guixing’s face curved into a faint smile.

Jiang Yanyu, without any restraint, clutched her stomach and burst out laughing.

Lady Yan was somewhat stupefied. This was a method to eliminate demons?

But seeing the Immortal Lord so transcendent, like snow, she couldn’t voice any doubt and could only say, “I understand.”

Yun Jinxue added, “It must be strictly carried out. Otherwise, the demonic creature will not leave, and you will never have children in this life.”

These words were heavy enough. Lady Yan immediately became solemn. “I understand. I will certainly do exactly as you say.”

Yun Jinxue nodded. “Then we shall take our leave.”

Lady Yan prepared to see them off, but Yun Jinxue stopped her. “Start right now. Begin with drinking ice-cold water.”

Outside, a cold wind was still rustling. Lady Yan shuddered, said nothing more, and left dejectedly.

These physical torments were actually not as much as what Yan Guixing had endured, but for a person of this age, it was still a difficult trial to cross.

And by taking Yan Guixing away, she was bound to open an upward, smooth path for this girl.

For someone like Lady Yan who couldn’t stand seeing others do well, she would surely grow angrier and more resentful with every passing ordinary day from now on.

Not to mention, after returning to her hometown, she might uncover the blood relationship between herself and her husband.

Their days ahead would not be peaceful.

In the original novel, Elder Yan He did nothing to this family. And when the female lead grew up in the future, she also never troubled this family.

Elder Yan He followed the rules and didn’t interfere in mortal affairs. And the female lead didn’t retaliate against the Yan family simply because she was inherently too righteous, her heart too broad—she could treat the past as passing smoke and clouds, no longer caring.

But Yun Jinxue felt that if she could let her vent a little, leaving all her grievances here, her heart would certainly feel more at ease, which would also benefit her future cultivation.

She lowered her head and looked. Since their meeting, Yan Guixing, who had remained completely expressionless the entire time, was now smiling faintly. Her small face was much livelier.

As expected. Yun Jinxue’s heart felt light.

Jiang Yanyu looked at her, then at Yan Guixing, crossing her hands behind her head and blowing at the stray hairs on her forehead.

Behind them, Yan Hui was still speaking. Yun Jinxue paid no attention. Holding one young girl under each arm, she flew away, landing just past the Yan residence’s main gate.

Jiang Yanyu was speechless. “Senior Sister, we were just one step from the gate. Why didn’t you just fly straight out?”

Yun Jinxue said, “It’s about the sense of ceremony.”

She stepped over the threshold first, then turned back and smiled lightly. Sunlight happened to sprinkle down, falling around her form, gilding her with a layer of gold, like a smiling divine statue.

She said softly, “Let’s go. We’re going home.”

Step out through this door, and begin this era destined to belong to you two.