Chapter 26 Part 2

The wind ruffled the loose hair at Liang Yiman’s temples. She sighed softly, looking at the empty courtyard: “How is it even legends are coming out now?”

What exactly was going on lately? She truly couldn’t put her heart at ease.

The path of cultivation was long and filled with trials and hardships. Most cultivators preferred to travel alone, especially Devil Cultivators.

Jiang Sujin was one such Devil Cultivator who enjoyed solitary travel. Recently, at her Master’s request, she was out adventuring alone, and incidentally, bringing back some uncommon medicinal herbs for her Master.

Her Master had said, “These few herbs aren’t used much, so few people sell them. Ah, they’re not particularly precious, not worth spending a huge sum to acquire. My dear disciple, during this outing, search for them along the way. If you find them, great. If not… hehe.”

Remembering this, Jiang Sujin shuddered and ran even faster, her legs crossing each other as she fled.

She thought miserably about how unlucky she was. To end up with such a difficult Master, then after painstakingly finding the herbs for her, encounter a Demonic Beast she couldn’t defeat. She’d just found a place to hide when, for some unknown reason, the beasts collectively panicked and ran amok, forcing Jiang Sujin to flee with them.

As soon as she jumped out, the Gray Rhino Beast—the one with the single hard horn on its head—spotted her. Mooing, it charged, intending to gore the human who had stolen its herbs.

And this Demonic Beast, once fooled by her hiding, wasn’t easy to trick again. No matter where Jiang Sujin hid, it found her immediately. Left with no choice, Jiang Sujin could only run faster. She was only at the Acquired Great Perfection stage, yet to break through to the Innate Realm; she couldn’t fly yet.

One day passed. Two days passed. Three days passed! Jiang Sujin was pale-faced from running, panting heavily, looking like she might drop dead from exhaustion at any moment. ‘No, I can’t die!’

If she died now, that devilish Master would definitely come personally, drag her soul back, and torment her day after day!

At this thought, Jiang Sujin clenched her fists, gritted her teeth, and pushed her legs forward— stumble! She tripped, tumbling and rolling several times.

“Moo…”

The Gray Rhino Beast let out a happy cry. It was also tired, also angry. It was just a little Demonic Beast that had recently broken through to the Innate Realm. Now that the damn human was finally collapsing, it charged joyfully, ready to kill the weak Devil Cultivator.

Just then, a clear woman’s voice sounded from nearby: “Quick, quick! That person is still alive! We have to save her!”

Whoosh!

The harsh sound of a whip cracking rang out. Just as Jiang Sujin steadied her body and looked up, she saw the Gray Rhino Beast sent flying.

And the one who lashed it away was a demon with a human upper body and a serpent’s tail! Wait… what was that on the demon’s body?

Jiang Sujin stared, slightly dazed, at a woman dressed in tatters—inner robe directly under soft armor, with three wooden cups tied by grass ropes hanging around her neck—riding on the back of the snake demon, directing it excitedly with outstretched hands.

The woman was holding onto the snake demon’s shoulders with both hands, her legs wrapped around its waist, literally treating the snake like a horse. The woman and snake duo killed the Gray Rhino Beast in two or three moves and headed towards Jiang Sujin.

Jiang Sujin watched them nervously, noting that the snake demon slithering towards her was incredibly beautiful, yet her gaze was sharp and terrifying. A faint, frightening aura emanated from her. Jiang Sujin secretly compared it to her Master’s and was alarmed to find it even more fearsome than her Master!

But as frightening as the snake demon was, the truly terrifying one was the woman on her back! On that woman, she couldn’t sense the slightest trace of Devil Qi. ‘She must be a peerless expert who has already entered the Transformation Realm, so unfettered that she can perfectly blend with nature…’

Furthermore, she could command such a terrifyingly beautiful snake demon! ‘Such a gentle and magnanimous senior saves people casually. She might not care about anything, but I absolutely cannot fail to show proper respect.’

Otherwise, being killed on a whim wasn’t impossible…

Thus, after Li Yueying carried her over to the rescued girl, Li Jiangying saw the girl suddenly flip over from the ground and prostrate herself in a grand gesture of respect.

Li Jiangying was shocked: ‘This is a bit much.’

The girl bowed her head, speaking respectfully: “Many thanks to Senior for saving my life.”

Li Jiangying smoothly replied, “A simple gesture, not worth mentioning.”

Thereupon, she found the girl becoming even more respectful: “Senior’s great kindness and virtue is something this junior will never forget, even if my teeth fall out. Is there any way this junior can repay even a fraction of this debt?”

Li Jiangying slid off Li Yueying’s back, stepped forward, and helped the girl up: “No need to be so polite. I just wanted to ask, how does one get to Flying Swallow Capital?”

“Flying Swallow Capital?” The girl obediently stood up, glanced at her in surprise, then immediately lowered her gaze and pointed in a direction. “Flying Swallow Capital lies southwest of here.”

“Many thanks.” Li Jiangying privately measured it. As expected, it deviated from the direction she had initially memorized.

But now that she had the right bearing, as long as they kept heading that way, they’d reach Flying Swallow Capital eventually.

But before that, she needed to make sure she didn’t die. Li Jiangying cleared her throat lightly and asked, “Do you know where there’s water nearby?”

“What kind of water does Senior want?”

“Water for drinking.”

A trace of confusion appeared in the girl’s eyes, but she didn’t comment. She simply said, “There is no water source within a hundred li of here. Senior, why not cast a spell to condense water?”

Li Jiangying replied, “Not very convenient, you understand?”

The girl showed an expression of sudden understanding: “Understood, understood.”

Li Jiangying laughed, unscrewed the already empty wooden cup hanging from her neck, and said, “If possible, please give me some clean water.”

In truth, besides water, the jerky Li Jiangying had prepared was also nearly gone. But meat could be hunted, whereas clean water wasn’t easy to come by. Especially in the Devil Domain’s hot and arid environment, her mortal body was even more susceptible to dehydration.

Last night, when the water ran out, Li Jiangying’s lips were dry and cracking from thirst. Seeing this, the crazy snake demon had forcibly cast a spell to condense some water for her. But after casting the spell, Yueying had curled up in extreme pain. Worried sick, Li Jiangying absolutely refused to let her use magic again.

The girl took the wooden cup but didn’t immediately fill it. Instead, she held it with a hesitant expression.

Li Jiangying raised an eyebrow: “What’s the matter?”

“Senior… actually, Senior and I have the same destination!” The girl gritted her teeth and boldly said, “The Devil Domain is scorching and water is scarce. If Senior doesn’t mind, please allow this junior to accompany and serve you.”

Travel together? This idea was indeed quite good. Li Jiangying began to think over its feasibility.

The rescued girl’s strength wasn’t enough to threaten Li Yueying. And Yueying, perhaps due to worsening injuries, could no longer use spells. Now, whether it was hunting or anything else, she relied entirely on her originally powerful physical body.

If she brought this girl along, she wouldn’t get lost, could solve the water problem, and could incidentally gather information about Flying Swallow Capital.

This was a great idea!

The only thing to be careful of was not to reveal her true identity in front of her. After all, one couldn’t know someone’s true heart. Who knew if she might harbor malicious intent out of greed?

After thinking it through, Li Jiangying gave her a warm and amiable smile: “Alright then, since we’re traveling together, there’s no need for such constant formality. I am Ying Suanli, and I never change my name, whether I travel or sit! May I ask how Miss is called?”

‘Ying Suanli? Among the notable figures in the Devil Domain, is there anyone with that name?’ Jiang Sujin was puzzled for a moment, then bowed and cupped her fists towards Li Jiangying: “This junior is Jiang Sujin.”

Experience had taught her: these old seniors had incredibly sharp eyes. It was best not to lie lightly before them. And if she could befriend such an expert, her Master would surely view her in a new light!

“Su Jin… a good name.” Exchanging names meant a degree of closeness. Li Jiangying voiced her question: “Why do you keep calling me Senior? Do I look that old?”

Or was it just a custom in the cultivation world to call anyone older by a year or two ‘Senior’?

Jiang Sujin maintained her respectful posture: “A Senior is a Senior. Although this junior is dull, I can see Senior’s aura is restrained and naturally integrated, yet you can command such a Divine Beast. You must be an extraordinary person! Please, Senior, don’t jest with this junior.”

Li Jiangying: “…”

After waiting a moment without a reply, Jiang Sujin felt uneasy. She didn’t know if directly pointing out Senior was pretending to be mortal was right or wrong. She cautiously raised her head slightly, peeking upwards, and saw Senior with a peculiar, thoughtful expression.

Senior didn’t seem to notice her peeking, but the alluring snake demon standing behind Senior definitely did. For some reason, this Demonic Beast seemed to carry a hint of hostility towards her. Seeing Jiang Sujin steal a glance, she suddenly opened her mouth wide, silently threatening her!

Jiang Sujin was so startled her heart pounded wildly. She quickly withdrew her gaze and stopped peeking. ‘So scary, so scary! Thank goodness she is Senior’s Demonic Beast. Senior is so gentle; she surely wouldn’t let her harm me, right?’

Just then, her gentle Senior Ying Suanli reached out both hands, supporting her arms and helping her straighten up.

Jiang Sujin kept her eyes slightly downcast, not daring to look at the snake demon behind Li Jiangying.

Li Jiangying’s smile was kind and amiable. She said to Jiang Sujin, “I didn’t expect you to see through me. I’ve been out of society for too long; my mind has grown dull. You’re good. I won’t hide it from you. On this venture into the world, I don’t wish to attract attention. So, Sujin, just call me by my name. There’s no need for such formality.”

“This… how could I be so presumptuous?” Jiang Sujin was utterly thrilled.

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? Otherwise, just call me Sister Ying Suanli, or Sister Pear?”

“Sister Ying Suanli…” Jiang Sujin blushed, a little embarrassed yet filled with restrained excitement as she called out.

Li Jiangying smiled with satisfaction.

But while she was satisfied, someone else was not.

For instance, a certain petty snake demon standing behind her.

“…Sister Li…” The snake demon opened her mouth, her forked tongue flickering, her hissing voice carrying a hint of resentment as she echoed the call. Before Li Jiangying could look back, she suddenly pressed against her back.

The tattered clothes and soft armor might as well not have existed. Li Jiangying could almost feel the shape of the snake demon’s cold, hard scales. She was tightly enveloped by her presence. Those arms, a combination of pale white beauty and ink-black ferocity, came from behind and wrapped around Li Jiangying.

Cold breath puffed against her ear as the snake demon nuzzled into her temple hair, murmuring, “So annoying… how can this be… you are mine alone… Jiang…”

Li Jiangying reacted with lightning speed. Reaching back, she gently placed her hand over the snake’s mouth, turned her head, and spoke to her with deep affection: “I will be in the future too, I know. If you’re jealous, then call me Little Ying, Yingying, A-Ying, pick whatever you like.”

Li Yueying shuddered as she called out, thinking of something unknown. A sudden blush tinged her pale cheeks: “Yingying?”

“Mhm, Yingying.” Li Jiangying nodded vigorously.

Jiang Sujin, watching from the side, was dumbstruck: ‘The relationship between this Senior and her contracted Demonic Beast… seems extraordinary. But only using a whimpering sound to address her is a bit strange; it sounds a little… unintelligent.’

The snake demon, granted permission for a new name, began calling out uncontrollably, over and over: “Yingying, Yingying, Yingying, Yingying…”

Pfft! Li Jiangying couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing before quickly covering her mouth, forcing her twitching lips to calm down.

She couldn’t help it. The repeated “Ying, ying, ying” was starting to sound just like “whimper, whimper, whimper.”

However, before Li Jiangying could enjoy her amusement any longer, the hand she was using to stifle her laugh was seized by the crazy snake demon. Holding her wrist, she placed her hand back over her own mouth.

“Yingying.” The snake demon was intoxicated in a sea of her new name. Excitedly opening her mouth, her long, split tongue snaked out and immediately licked across Li Jiangying’s palm.

“Yingying!”

Jiang Sujin: ‘This feels terrifying!’