16. This Girl is Under My Protection
Miss Gong, in her current state, was helpless, even though she knew what was happening. Her perception of her surroundings was greatly diminished, and she didn’t even realize a sword was pointed at her.
Until…
A crisp, clear sound echoed, making her look up.
Her vision was blurry. She could only vaguely see a figure standing before her.
A figure in ragged clothes, with a wine gourd at their waist.
A wine gourd… could it be… that strange… uncle?
Their swords clashed, both resonating with the impact.
Although Yin Wuyai could sense that the scruffy man’s cultivation was much lower than his, his sword intent was incredible, capable of unleashing sword techniques without even using true essence.
Because of this, the man, while blocking his attack, could still leisurely take a swig from his wine gourd.
“Who are you?” Yin Wuyai frowned. “How dare you block my path?”
“Before you act, shouldn’t you ask your friend?” The man pointed at Gu Falie. “If things were as you thought, why would he stand there and try to stop you?”
“This…”
His words extinguished Yin Wuyai’s anger.
He turned and looked at Gu Falie, who simply shook his head.
“Old Yin, this is a bit complicated. I can only say that Wuzong’s death was not unjust. I’ll explain the details later.”
His old friend’s words suggested that this matter was not as simple as it seemed.
However, Yin Wuyai didn’t sheathe his sword. “I’ll listen to your explanation later, but… this girl is clearly from a demonic sect. A demon who has infiltrated Qian Yue Academy. I don’t believe she has no ulterior motives.”
Gu Falie couldn’t refute this.
Since ancient times, Dao and demons had been opposed. Regardless of her reasons, sneaking into Qian Yue Academy was a death sentence.
However, the uncle didn’t seem to think so.
“It’s just a broken-down place. She can come and go as she pleases. Do you really think you’re so important?”
“What did you say!?”
“What?” The uncle took another swig from his gourd. “She hasn’t done anything harmful to the Daoist sects. She might have even helped them. You ignore right and wrong and only care about your own assumptions. Is this the righteous path you advocate?”
“A demon is a demon,” Yin Wuyai said grimly. “Just because she hasn’t done anything yet doesn’t mean she won’t in the future. Wasn’t that Gong Muzhi also just an ordinary girl decades ago? How did she become the great demon lord she is today?”
“All threats must be nipped in the bud. That is the righteous path!”
At these words, the uncle burst out laughing.
“Over a dozen people ganged up on a pregnant woman, and you’re proud of it?” Hearing Gong Muzhi’s name, a flicker of anger appeared in his eyes.
His gaze sharpened, and his sword intent soared. With a single strike, he forced Yin Wuyai back a dozen steps.
Then, he turned, hoisted the dazed Gong Yiling onto his shoulder, and pointed his rusty sword at Yin Wuyai. “This girl’s life is under my protection.”
“What!?”
Suddenly, the uncle charged towards the entrance. Yin Wuyai instinctively tried to stop him but was intercepted by Gu Falie.
“Old Gu, what is the meaning of this?”
“Didn’t you want to hear what happened?” Gu Falie said calmly. “This can’t be explained in just a few words.”
Yin Wuyai’s beard quivered with anger.
“Damn it, you did this on purpose, didn’t you, Old Gu? You could have told me anytime, but you choose now?”
“So what?” Gu Falie didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. “It’s never too late to tell the truth. Just listen.”
“I’ll listen to your mother!”
“This is about the Mingjue Sect.”
“I don’t care about some Mingjue Sect… what? What did you just say? The Mingjue Sect!?”
…
…
Vaguely, Miss Gong felt herself being carried on someone’s shoulder.
The position made her head throb with a rush of blood, and the constant swaying made her dizzy. Even if she wasn’t dizzy before, she would be soon.
But her body wouldn’t let her pass out.
The true essence within her was in chaos, her meridians a tangled mess. If this wasn’t dealt with soon, it could have severe consequences, even crippling her.
But… she was helpless.
If she could still lift her arm, she wouldn’t have let herself get into this situation.
After an unknown amount of time, she felt herself being set down.
The uncle had taken her somewhere and placed her gently on the ground.
Then, she felt a powerful sword intent enter her body, its energy sharp and precise, quickly severing and clearing the chaotic forces within her.
With its help, the two conflicting powers were separated, and her body returned to a state of calm, the immediate danger averted.
As her consciousness faded into darkness, she tried to open her eyes and see the person before her, but she succumbed to a deep sleep.
—
Watching the girl sleep, the uncle withdrew his sword intent and sighed.
He had sensed something was wrong with the aura he had left on her and had rushed over, just in time to see her about to be killed by Yin Wuyai.
Perhaps it was fate. And he had never believed that all demonic cultivators deserved to die. So, he acted.
It was only when he examined her meridians that he was truly surprised.
Her talent in both Daoist and demonic arts was exceptional, a true dual-system genius. No wonder she could cultivate nascent soul power two realms ahead of her level, an almost impossible feat.
A demonic sect with such a genius… her future achievements would surely rival any of the current demon lords. From a strategic standpoint, such a person, if not an ally, would become a great threat.
But… to hell with strategy.
He looked at her face and felt a sense of familiarity, not just from having seen her before, but from a… deeper intuition.
He couldn’t describe this strange, innate feeling.
He only knew that if he hadn’t acted—he would have regretted it.
