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Chapter 479 – My Master Is Not Human – The Situation Reverses (26)

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“Return the fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills to Dianxing Sect, and we’ll return the Radiant Pearl. Each item goes back to its rightful owner—that’s not an unreasonable request, is it?” Fu Maiwen said. Even if this matter were made public, they would still have the moral high ground. Besides, he didn’t believe the Grand Elder would willingly spit out such a piece of fat meat after getting his hands on it.

Sure enough, when the Grand Elder heard Fu Maiwen’s demand, his expression changed slightly. Maintaining a friendly smile, he said, “Le’an Immortal Sect and Dianxing Sect are like branches of the same tree. When it comes to fighting the demonic path, our goals are the same. If we start internal conflict among ourselves, wouldn’t that simply play into the hands of the demonic cultivators?”

The Grand Elder was much more eloquent than Ling Zhiye. Taking the moral high ground like that made it difficult for Fu Maiwen to argue back.

Pei Boyi raised an eyebrow. “In that case, Grand Elder, you also have no reason to demand that we hand over the Radiant Pearl.”

From the time they arrived at Le’an Immortal Sect until now, Ling Zhiye had already endured enough. There was no need to keep tolerating it anymore. Pretending to apologize, he stepped forward again and cupped his hands toward Pei Boyi.

“Fellow Daoist Pei, forgive my offense—”

Before he could finish speaking, Ling Zhiye suddenly attacked. Pulling out the treasured sword at his waist, he slashed toward Pei Boyi’s neck, intending to take his head.

Pei Boyi had anticipated this long ago and lifted his foot, kicking directly at Ling Zhiye’s knee.

“How dare you!”

An icy sword left its sheath, and a streak of sword energy descended between Pei Boyi and Ling Zhiye. Yin Chun gripped her sword and immediately charged toward the newly stabilized Ling Zhiye.

Sword shadows flickered in every direction. Yin Chun had inherited much of Wen Leng’s teachings. Although she had entered the sect not long ago, she was still able to exchange blows evenly with Ling Zhiye without falling behind.

However, women were ultimately at a disadvantage when it came to stamina compared to men. After over a hundred exchanges, Yin Chun gradually began to lose ground. Her speed was limited by exhaustion, and Ling Zhiye knocked her sword aside, forcing her several steps backward.

“Your speed isn’t enough. You hesitated.”

Seated above them, Wen Leng could clearly see all of Yin Chun’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Yes, Master. Thank you for your guidance,” Yin Chun said before returning to stand behind Wen Leng.

Bai Tang took out a small bottle from his pocket and handed it to Yin Chun.

“For treating your injuries.”

Anything produced by Medicine Peak had to be good stuff—especially if it came from Bai Tang himself.

Smiling gratefully, Yin Chun said, “This disciple thanks Martial Uncle He Yi.”

Because of her trust in him, Yin Chun didn’t even inspect it. She opened the bottle and swallowed the pill immediately. The paleness on her face faded within three breaths, and her complexion became rosy again. Anyone with eyes could tell that Yin Chun had recovered to her peak condition—perhaps her strength had even improved further.

No one understood the change better than Yin Chun herself. She became even more respectful toward Bai Tang. Ever since she was young, Martial Uncle He Yi had always treated every disciple kindly. Back then, he had even personally selected a suitable cultivation technique for her when she had first entered the sect.

Master had said that if she had not used those two cultivation techniques as her foundation, her chances of winning during the Inner Sect Competition would have been very small, and her path of cultivation would not have progressed as smoothly as it had now. Therefore, Yin Chun sincerely felt grateful toward Bai Tang.

With a wave of her hand, her sword automatically flew back into her grasp. If the people of Dianxing Sect still refused to let the matter rest, she would fight again.

Ling Zhiye was not as fortunate as Yin Chun. He swallowed two pills to restore his spiritual energy, but their effects were nowhere near as remarkable as the pills personally refined by Bai Tang. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he adjusted his breathing and recovered his energy, already too exhausted to continue fighting.

Of course, there was another way for Ling Zhiye to recover quickly—that was for the Grand Elder to take out a Soul-Returning Jade Pill. But the Soul-Returning Jade Pill was something meant to save lives; using it on Ling Zhiye would truly be a waste.

“Zhiye, you were out of line.”

The Grand Elder gave Ling Zhiye a token reprimand before turning to Bai Tang and saying, “Daojun He Yi, Fellow Daoist Pei, my apologies. Zhiye and Zhenzhen were very close, and he also wishes to capture the culprit as soon as possible. That is why he lost his judgment for a moment…”

This was essentially the Grand Elder lowering his stance and yielding to Bai Tang and the others. Great sects were expected to be broad-minded and not haggle over minor matters.

But Bai Tang had no intention of doing that.

Why should all the benefits go to the Grand Elder while they, despite being in the right, still had to back down? They had already been bullied at their own door, yet they were expected not to fight back?

The more Bai Tang thought about Ling Zhiye attacking Pei Boyi, the angrier he became.

“In that case, we cannot blame the Grand Elder. However, Ling Zhiye’s actions were disrespectful toward Le’an Immortal Sect and disrespectful toward this Lord. You may leave, but Ling Zhiye stays behind.”

“Daojun He Yi, you…”

“What He Yi says is reasonable. Dianxing Sect was once a great sect as well. I believe you would not shield a disciple who has made a mistake, Grand Elder, wouldn’t you agree?” the Sect Master said as he stroked his beard.

If a tiger never showed its claws, people would truly think it was easy to bully.

“This Lord?”

Bai Tang’s form of self-address caused suspicion to arise in the Grand Elder’s mind. As far as he knew, Daojun He Yi did not normally refer to himself in that way. Quietly, he began devising a small plan. Since he had already offended them, offending them a little more made no difference.

The Grand Elder composed his expression and cupped his hands.

“I truly apologize.”

He lifted Ling Zhiye from the ground and said, “Today, you attacked your companions without authorization. Dianxing Sect has no place for you.”

He brushed aside Ling Zhiye’s disheveled hair, and his tone suddenly softened into one of false kindness.

“Zhiye, you also need more experience and training.”

The Grand Elder’s willingness to abandon Ling Zhiye so easily chilled the hearts of Dianxing Sect disciples who had come with him.

After speaking, the Grand Elder pushed Ling Zhiye in Pei Boyi’s direction.

Ling Zhiye stumbled from the shove and fell forward, collapsing at Bai Tang’s feet.

Looking at Ling Zhiye lying there like a dead dog, Bai Tang felt that he was somewhat pitiful. But the fact that he had tried to harm Pei Boyi meant there was no possibility of forgiveness.

“This rebellious disciple will be left in Daojun He Yi’s hands for punishment. There is no need to consider Dianxing Sect’s feelings—punish him however you see fit,” the Grand Elder said righteously.

To avoid returning the Soul-Returning Jade Pills, the Grand Elder had truly taken shamelessness to the extreme.

Just as nearly everyone’s attention was focused on the Grand Elder, Ling Zhiye suddenly pulled a short dagger from his waist and slashed at Bai Tang, who was standing before him.

Bai Tang retreated in time. Although he was not seriously injured, the blade still cut the skin on his calf.

The Radiant Pearl could help conceal one’s aura, but demonic energy that had seeped into flesh, blood, and bones could not be hidden.

The moment Bai Tang bled, an overwhelming wave of demonic energy flooded the great hall.

The Sect Master and the others stared at Bai Tang in disbelief, seemingly unable to understand how things had suddenly developed in this direction.

So there really was a problem!

The Grand Elder’s plan had succeeded. Straightening his back, he declared righteously, “Daojun He Yi, I never expected you to willingly fall into corruption and actually defect to the Demon Realm.”

The identity Bai Tang had worked so hard to conceal had still been exposed, and he no longer wished to explain himself.

He completely released his pressure. The overwhelming might of a Demon Lord swept through the hall like a storm. Disciples with lower cultivation levels began bleeding from all seven orifices, rolling on the ground in agony as they screamed in pain.

“So what if this Lord is a Demon Lord? What does it have to do with you?” Bai Tang angled his feet outward, ready to run at any moment.

There were too many people here. If he could not win, he would run—preserve his strength first. As long as the green hills remained, there would always be firewood to burn.

Wait… where had he heard that saying before? It sounded strangely familiar. It felt like someone had explained it to him once.

“Since ancient times, righteousness and evil have never coexisted. Demon Lord, you infiltrated Dianxing Sect, sent people to deceive us and steal the Radiant Pearl, and even caused Zhenzhen’s death. If I do not capture you today, I would be betraying the disciples who died because of you!”

The Grand Elder took out his natal magic treasure and prepared for battle.

Bai Tang snorted coldly.

“Stop throwing false accusations at me. I never laid a finger on your so-called Zhenzhen.”

“So you want a fight? Then this Lord will indulge you.”

Bai Tang summoned his vines. He was no longer the demonic cultivator who had just emerged from the Da Ji Secret Realm. Even the other Demon Saints would give him some respect now, yet some mere Grand Elder actually dared to speak so arrogantly.

Without another word, the two began fighting. Two blurred shadows clashed fiercely in midair, neither willing to give way.

This sudden turn of events left the Sect Master and the others staring in shock. Just as Pei Boyi was about to join the battle, the Sect Master and the others finally came back to their senses and hurriedly stopped him, hoping to learn the truth.

“Pei Boyi, what is going on? How did Xiao Tang become a demon?”

“For our sake, TangTang became a demon while protecting us as we left the Da Ji Secret Realm. He has never harmed a single disciple from the righteous sects. Believe it or not, today I will take TangTang away from Le’an Immortal Sect.”

Pei Boyi shook off the Sect Master’s hand and joined the battle with his sword.

With the male lead, the male supporting character, and the major cannon-fodder villain fighting at the same time, it was practically a battle among immortals.

Originally, the Grand Elder and Bai Tang had been evenly matched, but with Pei Boyi joining in, the Grand Elder gradually began to lose the upper hand.

While turning around, the Grand Elder suddenly took out the Soul-Returning Jade Pills and swallowed them all at once. Spiritual energy rapidly refilled his dantian, his stamina surged, and fighting for several hundred more exchanges would no longer be a problem.

Seeing that the Grand Elder was at a disadvantage, Bai Tang had no intention of dragging the battle out and only wanted to seize the opportunity to escape. However, after consuming the pills, the Grand Elder’s strength increased greatly, and he took the chance to launch a sneak attack.

“Mm—”

Pei Boyi let out a muffled groan.

Bai Tang turned around and instinctively reached out to support him, only for his hand to be met with something sticky. A faint scent of blood drifted into his nose.

“A-Ayi…” Bai Tang panicked. How could this be…?

“I’m fine. TangTang, don’t cry.”

At some point, tears had already begun sliding down Bai Tang’s cheeks without him even realizing it himself.

“Go become master and disciple in the underworld together.”

The Grand Elder tossed aside his magic treasure, which had been cut apart by Pei Boyi, gathered spiritual energy into his palm, and struck toward Pei Boyi’s back.

A mouthful of blood sprayed across Bai Tang’s face. The warmth of it and the glaring crimson color filled him with uncontrollable rage. Turning his head, he met the Grand Elder’s triumphant expression.

He still had the nerve to look pleased.

He had hurt Ayi like this.

He had to die.

Bai Tang was consumed by fury. His hand transformed back into a claw as he thrust it forward, tearing through the Grand Elder’s defenses and plunging into his abdomen. He ripped out his heart and liver.

“I thought someone as vicious as you would have a heart as black as coal. Turns out it’s only this much?”

Only this much…

The words were deeply mocking, yet the person he loved most had been injured by someone like this.

At the moment Bai Tang ripped out the Grand Elder’s heart and liver, he also injected demonic energy into him. It corroded his soul and shattered his dantian.

He was beyond saving.

No amount of Soul-Returning Jade Pills could save him now.

Bai Tang had already decided that he would make the Grand Elder suffer a fate worse than death.

“Xiao Tang.”

Bai Tang held Pei Boyi and prepared to leave, but the Sect Master called out from below:

“Deal with these people. No one will ever know.”

The Sect Master truly adored his junior martial brother—to the point of almost spoiling him. Even though Bai Tang had become a demonic cultivator, he still believed Bai Tang had been forced into it.

For Bai Tang’s sake, the Sect Master was even willing to stain his hands with sin and kill every disciple of Dianxing Sect who had come to Le’an Immortal Sect that day.

Bai Tang was not cold-hearted. He was moved by the Sect Master’s love and protection.

But precisely because of that, he could not stay.

If he stayed, he would only bring disaster upon the Sect Master, upon the senior brothers and sisters who cared for him, and upon Le’an Immortal Sect.

“I’m sorry.”

Bai Tang silently mouthed the words before disappearing into the sky above Le’an Immortal Sect with Pei Boyi.

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Chapter 478 – My Master Is Not Human – Turning the Tables (25)

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If that hammer actually came down, Pei Boyi wasn’t sure whether his chest would end up flatter, but there was a ninety percent chance that Tang Tang would become a widow.

“But your body’s become way too stiff~” Bai Tang sighed. “Since you’re with me now, I can’t just ignore you.”

His dissatisfied expression clearly carried the message: You can’t avoid treatment just because you’re afraid of the illness.

“Be good, I have a very steady hand. It’ll be over in no time.”

Pei Boyi said, “I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt at all anymore.”

Bai Tang poked him with a finger. “But it’s still very—”

Pei Boyi immediately interrupted, “I said it doesn’t hurt, so it doesn’t hurt. Oh right, when I came back, I asked my senior brothers. They picked fresh tea leaves this morning, so I’ll make you some fried tea pine nuts.”

“But—”

Before Bai Tang could finish his protest, Pei Boyi had already put on his clothes and swiftly headed toward the side room on the right.

“Tang Tang, if you’re sleepy, get some rest first. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

By the time those words reached Bai Tang’s ears, Pei Boyi had already disappeared from sight.

Bai Tang pouted. “He just doesn’t trust my medical skills. Back in the Daji Secret Realm, I was the one who treated all your injuries…”

He sighed gloomily on the surface, but his mood had already lightened considerably. Getting hit in the chest with a hammer could actually kill someone. Did they really think he was some ignorant child who knew nothing and couldn’t tell that A-Yi was scared?

He had only wanted to imitate the version of himself from the illusion he had seen and play around with A-Yi a little. Though things had escalated more than expected, the results weren’t bad.

Hehe. Look at that—A-Yi had gone to make him delicious food again.

After the fried tea pine nuts were ready, Bai Tang didn’t bring up the hammer incident again. However, after Pei Boyi carried out the pine nuts, Bai Tang handed him a pill.

“Hurry and eat this. It’s good for strengthening the body.”

Pei Boyi’s heart grew warm, and he swallowed the pill.

A familiar place could make people let down their guard, and the two of them spent a warm and pleasant night together.

As early as when the two had returned, the First Elder of Dianxing Sect had wanted to meet Bai Tang. However, the Sect Master, who felt sorry that his junior brother had just returned from a long journey, forcibly put the matter on hold. Even a powerful outsider couldn’t suppress the local host, so the First Elder could only wait patiently.

He could wait, but Ling Zhiye—the eldest senior brother, whose heart was set on avenging Zhenzhen—couldn’t.

Early in the morning, before most people had even gotten out of bed, he secretly slipped away from the First Elder and stood guard outside the Sect Master’s residence, determined to make the head of Le’an Immortal Sect invite Daoist He Yi.

Since the two sects were on good terms, no matter how unwilling the Sect Master was, he couldn’t simply disregard Dianxing Sect.

When the sun had fully risen, he estimated that Bai Tang should be awake by now and finally sent a disciple to Medicine Peak to invite Daoist He Yi over.

Medicine Peak was the farthest of the five peaks from the main hall. To get there, the messenger disciple had to pass through the other four peaks first.

Seeing a messenger disciple passing by, each of the four peaks sent someone to ask about it. The disciple didn’t hide anything and directly said that at daybreak, the Dianxing Sect had already gone to the Sect Master to request a meeting with Daoist He Yi.

They had only returned yesterday, and none of them had the heart to disturb Bai Tang’s rest. The people from Dianxing Sect sure had some nerve.

A fire rose in the hearts of the peak masters, who were all hopelessly protective of Bai Tang. Just because Xiao Tang was gentle, they thought he was easy to bully? Did they think his senior brothers were dead?

Bai Tang’s senior brothers stormed into the main hall in a rage and sat down imposingly in the seats above. Low pressure seemed to radiate from around them, making others afraid to move carelessly.

The Dianxing Sect disciples who had followed behind were indeed intimidated. Standing behind the First Elder, they didn’t dare move an inch. Cold sweat rolled down their backs as they secretly complained inwardly that Le’an Immortal Sect’s rules were terrifyingly strict.

Only the First Elder calmly drank his tea as if nothing were happening. Even Ling Zhiye, who had come early in the morning to pressure them, felt uncomfortable, though he could still endure it.

Three of the five peak masters had arrived. Greetings suddenly sounded from outside the hall, and just as everyone thought Bai Tang had arrived and eagerly looked toward the entrance, the Sword Peak Master, Wen Leng, entered with her direct disciple Yin Chun.

As they passed by the Dianxing Sect disciples, an icy chill like a glacier’s freezing wind swept toward them. It felt as though the air itself had frozen and thinned, making it difficult to breathe.

“Frost Immortal.”

“Sect Master.” Wen Leng nodded at the Sect Master and the others in greeting.

With Wen Leng now inside, the oppressive atmosphere in the hall grew even stronger. The disciples with lower cultivation levels began turning pale, and even Ling Zhiye could no longer maintain his composure; his expression darkened.

Just as the First Elder was on the verge of losing his temper, Bai Tang finally arrived with Pei Boyi.

“Senior Brother Sect Master, Senior Brothers, Senior Sister—you’re all here?” The moment Bai Tang stepped in and saw the setup that looked like a full-scale interrogation, he felt a little guilty. Why was everyone gathered so neatly today? He was only together with A-Yi—was the consequence really this serious?

“Xiao Tang is here! Come, sit quickly.” The Sect Master smiled broadly and invited Bai Tang to sit beside him.

Bai Tang sat with the Sect Master on his left and Wen Leng on his right. As he passed Wen Leng, she gave him a slight nod.

“Yin Chun greets Martial Uncle. Martial Uncle He Yi, you’ve finally returned.”

The little girl Bai Tang had once met in the library had now grown into a young woman. Perhaps because Bai Tang had chosen a cultivation method for her, Yin Chun had practiced an additional wood-element cultivation art compared to the original storyline. It balanced out the killing aura brought by her sword path, so unlike Wen Leng, she didn’t appear cold and emotionless. Around people she knew, she still showed some warmth.

“Long time no see,” Bai Tang said with a smile.

He had no idea who Yin Chun actually was, but anyone present in the main hall today likely held some status.

Yin Chun revealed an innocent, harmless smile before stepping back beside Wen Leng, though her right hand remained on the hilt of her sword, ready to deal with any unexpected situation.

In front of all the sect leaders and peak masters, Pei Boyi wasn’t qualified to sit down. The Sect Master gave him a cold glance, suppressing the urge to kill him that rose from the bottom of his heart.

The Sect Master said, “Now that everyone is here and He Yi has arrived as well, let’s get straight to the point. First Elder, if you have something to say, speak plainly.”

The First Elder laughed loudly.

“Then perhaps I should first ask all of you fellow Daoists to withdraw your pressure. My disappointing disciples can’t withstand it.”

The Sect Master shot several people a look, and Fu Maiwen and the others reluctantly withdrew their spiritual pressure.

The First Elder nodded toward Ling Zhiye behind him. Receiving the signal, Ling Zhiye stepped forward two paces and said loudly:

“A few days ago, Fellow Daoist Pei Boyi, disciple of Daoist He Yi, came to Dianxing Sect to borrow the Radiant Light Pearl. When they were preparing to leave, the beloved daughter of Sect Master Jiayi of Dianxing Sect, Zhenzhen, was harmed by a villain and fell from a cliff at the back mountain, dying there.”

“Before leaving, Fellow Daoist Pei stayed at the back mountain for quite some time. Not long after he departed, Junior Sister Zhenzhen died. The timing and the people involved all match. Furthermore, when Fellow Daoist Pei left, he did not even bid farewell to Sect Master Jiayi and departed in great haste…”

“And the day before yesterday, disciples sent word by flying message that traces of demonic energy had been discovered on the mountain where several outer disciples, who had previously been injured after conflicts with Fellow Daoist Pei, were staying.”

Ling Zhiye spoke with resentment and anger, his eyes locked onto Pei Boyi. He was practically one step away from pointing at him and shouting, “You’re the murderer who killed Zhenzhen!”

After hearing this, the Sect Master and the others frowned and turned toward Pei Boyi.

“Pei Boyi, what explanation do you have?”

Bai Tang nervously gripped Pei Boyi’s hand, but Pei Boyi remained calm and unhurried.

“This disciple indeed went to Dianxing Sect and borrowed the Radiant Light Pearl in exchange for fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills.”

“At the time, my master had already been missing for three months. The Daji Secret Realm had been destroyed by demonic cultivators, and I was anxious, so I intended to use the Radiant Light Pearl to conceal my aura and infiltrate the Demon Realm to search for my master and determine whether he was there.”

“As for why demonic energy appeared within Dianxing Sect, this disciple truly does not know. I ask Sect Master to judge fairly.”

Pei Boyi cupped his hands toward the Sect Master and handed the initiative back to him.

Even though the Sect Master disliked Pei Boyi for harboring feelings toward Bai Tang, he was still one of their own, and also his junior brother’s prized disciple. Internal conflicts were one thing, but they could not allow outsiders to make a mockery of them.

The Sect Master pondered for a moment before saying:

“When we were in the Daji Secret Realm, we already learned that the Demon Realm intended to wage war against the righteous path. Therefore, it is not impossible that spies had infiltrated various sects.”

“As for Fellow Daoist Zhenzhen’s matter, Le’an Immortal Sect expresses its deepest condolences. Please restrain your grief.”

Trying to dump dirty water on Le’an Immortal Sect? Not a chance.

“You—”

Ling Zhiye froze for a moment and looked at Pei Boyi with eyes filled with venom.

Xiao Qiu had secretly told him that Pei Boyi was the culprit who had harmed Zhenzhen. Was he really supposed to just stand by and watch him escape punishment?!

“First Elder, this disciple has a different opinion.”

People naturally favored their own side. Ling Zhiye no longer expected the Sect Master of Le’an Immortal Sect to take the initiative and punish Pei Boyi, so he turned to his own sect’s First Elder for help.

The First Elder was also displeased by the implied message hidden in the Sect Master’s argument: your sect was simply too weak and incompetent.

Stroking his beard, he said,

“Speak.”

Ling Zhiye stepped forward again and said:

“After Junior Sister Zhenzhen was harmed, Dianxing Sect conducted an investigation of all disciples within the sect, and no traces of demonic energy were detected. So why is it that demonic energy appeared in the wounds of the outer disciples—and specifically those who had previously clashed with Pei Boyi? Moreover, this happened before he obtained the Radiant Light Pearl.”

“Now that Pei Boyi has the Radiant Light Pearl, any demonic energy on him naturally cannot be detected. If you truly want to prove that you have nothing to do with demonic cultivators, then return the Radiant Light Pearl. If no demonic energy is found afterward, Dianxing Sect will believe you are innocent.”

Hearing this, Bai Tang tightened his grip on Pei Boyi’s hand.

“A-Yi~”

“Daoist He Yi need not worry. If he is truly innocent, then even after returning the Radiant Light Pearl, no demonic energy will be detected. I, Ling Zhiye, will personally apologize to him.”

The Radiant Light Pearl had already fused with Bai Tang’s body after entering him. Where could they possibly find a second Radiant Light Pearl?

Pei Boyi’s continued silence only made Ling Zhiye more convinced of his suspicion.

It’s him. He’s the one who harmed Zhenzhen—ruined her reputation and caused her to die tragically after falling from the cliff.

“A-Yi~”

Bai Tang hesitated, silently calculating the difference in strength between himself and everyone else present. If he stepped forward to admit everything and then escaped while catching everyone off guard, his senior brothers from Le’an Immortal Sect probably wouldn’t have time to stop him, and the people from Dianxing Sect likely wouldn’t be able to stop him either.

“Return the Radiant Light Pearl?” Pei Boyi suddenly let out a cold laugh. “Then would my fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills have been given away for nothing? What a clever scheme.”

“First, you smear us with accusations, then take back the Radiant Light Pearl. Once everyone’s attention has been diverted, no one will care about those fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills. And if it later turns out to be a mistake, at worst you’ll just apologize while still getting my things for free.”

“What an excellent plan indeed.”

Pei Boyi smiled as he slowly applauded.

“They say Dianxing Sect was once a great sect, with profound foundations and immense strength. It seems your talent for plotting is no less impressive. This junior truly admits defeat.”

“Exactly!” Fu Maiwen immediately chimed in.

“You say there’s demonic energy, so suddenly there is demonic energy? Everything is coming solely from your side of the story. Neither our Le’an Immortal Sect nor the other righteous sects have personally witnessed any of this.”

“Do you really think that just because our master passed away and Le’an Immortal Sect has rarely appeared in public, our strength has weakened and we’re easy to bully? So you’ve decided to make us your target?”

In an instant, Fu Maiwen elevated the matter to the level of conflict between sects and even hinted at a larger conspiracy.

The First Elder had allowed his eldest disciple, Ling Zhiye, to pressure Pei Boyi, but he never expected them to turn the situation around on him instead, leaving him trapped in an awkward position with no easy way forward or back.

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Chapter 477 – My Master Is Not Human – There’s Really No Need (24)

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The little squirrel’s foodie nature never changed. Even if Tang Tang became more awkward and shy, as long as this trait was properly handled, nothing would be a problem.

Pei Boyi filled Bai Tang in on some knowledge about the Le’an Immortal Sect, then leisurely led him back. Tang Tang’s comfort came first; everything else was secondary.

Both of them were cultivators, so no matter how slowly they traveled, they could not really be that slow. On the fourth day after the sect leader issued the recall order, they arrived at the Le’an Immortal Sect.

Pei Boyi gently smoothed Bai Tang’s long hair that had been tousled by the wind. Bai Tang obediently did not resist. Half of his delicate little face was buried in the fluffy fur collar around his neck, something Pei Boyi had specially prepared because he was worried Bai Tang would catch a chill while flying on swords.

“Will they really not notice?”

The Le’an Immortal Sect was a major sect, and anyone capable of becoming sect leader was no fool. Bai Tang was a demonic cultivator, entering the territory of a righteous sect all by himself. Even if he was powerful, if they fought shamelessly and used a battle of attrition against him, taking turns one after another, sooner or later his demonic energy would be exhausted.

His watery almond-shaped eyes looked at Pei Boyi with concern. He did not doubt that Pei Boyi would betray him, but if he truly exposed some flaw and got caught, then Pei Boyi, just a minor cultivator, probably would not even be able to protect himself, much less help him.

“Ah… don’t worry about me. Just run first.”

Just while fixing his appearance, Tang Tang had already imagined some dramatic situation again.

Pei Boyi found it amusing. His Tang Tang simply had too much imagination and always loved thinking about all sorts of random things.

“Where could I run to? If something really happens and the sect no longer accepts me, then only by staying with Tang Tang would I have any chance of surviving.”

Bai Tang looked at Pei Boyi’s sincere expression and thought it over. That was true. The other party was weak in strength, and if someone targeted him, he would definitely be captured. And the consequences…

“Then stay with me,” Bai Tang said with his head tilted, wearing an expression that said ‘there’s nothing I can do with you.’ His face carried both indulgence and helplessness toward Pei Boyi. “Just be careful not to let anyone see through us.”

Clearly Bai Tang was the one who had gone astray, yet now he had somehow been led off course by Pei Boyi instead, making it seem as though Pei Boyi’s identity was the shameful secret.

Pei Boyi did not expose the misunderstanding. In an excellent mood, he continued acting pitiful.

“Please have mercy on me, Tang Tang.”

“Mhm, mercy, mercy.” Seeing his own husband acting miserable, Bai Tang’s heart softened immediately. In a sweet, childish voice, he said, “I won’t abandon you.”

Bai Tang had not become overly fearful from being hurt once before. Although demonic cultivators who once sought his protection had betrayed him, he felt Pei Boyi was different from them.

Being with him always felt comfortable. He took such meticulous care of him, and they had even done embarrassing, intimate things before (kissing). Bai Tang had never done any of that with those demonic cultivators who followed him, nor had he ever wanted to become close to them.

Pei Boyi was different from everyone else.

So he would simply protect him more.

Bai Tang shyly thought to himself that he should show Ah Yi even more affection, and if Ah Yi got hurt, he would give him a few extra kisses.

Thinking of this, the young man’s entire face turned red. He shrank his neck back and pulled his scarf higher, wishing he could bury his whole face in the fluffy collar.

During the short time the two of them lingered at the entrance, the gatekeeping disciples had already informed the sect leader.

“Xiao Tang, is that Xiao Tang?” the sect leader called out loudly.

He quickly walked over to the two of them. Bai Tang revealed only a pair of round eyes from within the fluffy collar and spoke in a soft, sweet voice through the warm fur.

“Senior Brother Sect Leader~”

“Ah~” The sect leader, carrying the heart of an anxious father, finally felt some relief. “It’s good that you’re back, good that you’re back.”

“I made Senior Brother Sect Leader worry. Bai Tang was at fault. Bai Tang asks for your forgiveness~”

Although Bai Tang had lost his memories, the familiar title from the past slipped out naturally the moment he saw the sect leader.

The sect leader was nearly moved to tears. He looked at Pei Boyi standing behind Bai Tang. Back then, this person had only been a child with a mixed spiritual root, yet now he was capable of supporting Medicine Peak in his junior brother’s absence and had even brought his junior brother back.

“You… very good.” The sect leader’s gaze deepened, and the look he gave Pei Boyi was full of approval.

His junior brother truly had not misjudged him back then.

Pei Boyi did not become smug from a few words of praise from the sect leader.

“This is what this disciple ought to do. Tang Tang deserves the very best in the world.”

Meeting Pei Boyi’s affectionate gaze, Bai Tang shyly lowered his head. His little follower really had a tongue sweeter than honey.

Having lived more than half his life, if the sect leader still could not see what was going on between the two of them, then all those years would have been wasted.

He raised a trembling finger and pointed at Pei Boyi’s nose. The appreciation he had felt moments ago shattered instantly into pieces.

“You little brat! So you had ulterior motives all along!”

The junior brother he had painstakingly raised had been snatched away by a pig—and not just any pig, but a pig with mixed spiritual roots.

At that moment, the sect leader no longer remembered things like promising young talent, leader of Medicine Peak, or savior of the cultivation world. He only knew that Pei Boyi had been coveting Bai Tang, and while everyone had been off guard, he had deceived their adorable squirrel-like junior brother and stolen his heart.

“Martial Uncle, your words are unfair. Tang Tang and I are deeply in love and have already made a dao companion pledge.”

Pei Boyi took out the token he had exchanged with Bai Tang before entering the Daji Secret Realm.

The sect leader took a closer look.

Wasn’t that his junior brother’s jade pendant, the one he had worn since childhood?

Good grief—so this guy really had been plotting against his junior brother from the very beginning. Maybe even joining the Le’an Immortal Sect had been part of his plan all along.

It had to be said, Senior Brother Sect Leader had accidentally guessed the truth.

Bai Tang stood obediently to the side without saying anything, but the blush on his cheeks still betrayed the turmoil in his heart.

Pei Boyi had even joined the Le’an Immortal Sect because of him?

Bai Tang secretly raised his eyes, only to find Pei Boyi looking at him. He immediately lowered his head again. Senior Brother Sect Leader was still here—how could he not show a little restraint?

“Whether you say so or not, marriages should still follow the wishes of parents and the guidance of matchmakers. Although Xiao Tang’s parents and master are no longer here, his senior brothers raised him. The eldest brother is like a father. We’ll discuss this matter later.”

For cultivators who had stepped into higher realms, such formalities could be observed or ignored as they pleased. Unless one held a particularly important status, people generally did not place much importance on them. The sect leader was clearly being unreasonable on purpose and simply pushed the matter aside.

“Alright, that settles it for now. People from the Dianxing Sect have arrived. I heard that you went there to borrow the Radiant Pearl. Xiao Tang, go back to Medicine Peak and rest first. Pei Boyi, come with me.”

The sect leader’s attitudes toward the two of them were like heaven and earth apart; the difference in treatment could not have been more obvious.

Bai Tang looked at Pei Boyi worriedly. The latter gently patted the back of his hand and said softly, “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”

Pei Boyi found a disciple to escort Bai Tang back to Medicine Peak while he followed behind the sect leader.

Bai Tang absentmindedly followed the disciple through twists and turns. The disciples of Medicine Peak had long since received news that their master had returned. They had waited and waited, but he never showed up. Just as they were considering whether to go check the entrance themselves, their adorable and kind master finally returned.

“Master…”

“Master, Master…”

“Master has returned…”

“This disciple has worried day and night. Master has finally returned safely…”

People always say that women talking together sound like a flock of ducks, but a crowd of men making noise was no less chaotic.

Bai Tang felt so overwhelmed by the noise that his head started spinning, and he shouted:

“Quiet, everyone!”

Fortunately, the Medicine Peak disciples were obedient. The moment they heard their master speak, they immediately fell silent. Only then did Bai Tang feel his head clear up.

“I know your intentions were sincere. Go do what you should be doing. Cultivate more and improve your strength—that’s more important than anything else. You’re all dismissed.”

Bai Tang’s words filled the Medicine Peak disciples with guilt. If they had not been so weak, their master would not have needed to risk entering the Daji Secret Realm, encountering danger and only returning now.

The eldest disciple of Medicine Peak organized the others to go train. Driven by their determination to protect their master, they eventually became the most united group in the cultivation world and encountered the fewest obstacles during ascension, progressing more smoothly than anyone else.

But that was a story for another time.

Without anyone guiding him, Bai Tang somehow found his way back to the main hall. As he looked at the familiar furnishings before him, two figures slowly began to appear.

“Tang Tang, it’s time to eat. No more snacks, or you won’t be able to finish dinner, and then you’ll complain about being hungry in the middle of the night.”

“I can eat snacks until I’m full. Then I won’t get hungry.”

“Nope. Give me the little pouch.”

“Bleh, no way. If you can snatch it, then it’s yours.”

The young man raised the small pouch above his head and ran all around the room with the man chasing after him. As an observer, Bai Tang could see clearly that the man could have caught up at any moment, yet he never actually tried to take the pouch away. The room was filled with laughter and joy, so warm and comforting that it made others envious.

A gust of wind swept in through the window, and the illusion vanished.

So this was how he and Ah Yi used to get along.

Bai Tang suddenly felt a sense of emptiness and loss, and he began missing Pei Boyi even though they had only been apart for a short while.

Without Pei Boyi by his side, time seemed to pass painfully slowly and felt utterly meaningless.

“When are you coming back? I miss you…” Bai Tang murmured by the window as he looked at the flourishing spiritual herbs outside.

“I miss Tang Tang too.”

A warm embrace suddenly wrapped around him from behind.

“Being able to receive Tang Tang’s affection makes me very happy.”

“Ah Yi…” Bai Tang murmured. He took the initiative to grab Pei Boyi’s arm and asked, “Senior Brother Sect Leader didn’t make things difficult for you, did he?”

“Martial Uncle Sect Leader cares deeply for his junior brother, so he gave me a little ‘lesson’…”

The so-called “lesson of love” clearly was not meant in a positive sense. Bai Tang quickly turned around and grabbed Pei Boyi, checking him over from head to toe. Anxiety filled his voice.

“Are you alright? Does anything hurt? Tell me where it hurts and I’ll kiss it better.”

Pei Boyi had originally intended to say he was fine, but Bai Tang’s words — “I’ll kiss it better” — instantly changed his mind.

He covered his chest and slightly furrowed his brows.

“It hurts a little.”

Bai Tang nervously pulled open Pei Boyi’s clothes, but his fair chest showed no signs of injury at all.

“Martial Uncle Sect Leader is a great cultivation expert. Internal injuries don’t leave visible wounds,” Pei Boyi said calmly when he met Bai Tang’s puzzled gaze.

“I’m injured. I beg the Demon Lord to show me mercy.”

Pei Boyi said it with complete seriousness, making Bai Tang—who had briefly suspected he was faking it—feel guilty for having such dark thoughts.

“I-I’ll take a look…”

Bai Tang leaned closer to Pei Boyi’s “injured area.” A dragon saliva incense scent mixed with the fragrance of pine nuts drifted into his nose, shaking his mind. His thoughts became hazy, his body gradually heated up, and some indescribable images surfaced in his mind.

Faced with such a handsome man, Bai Tang’s mind filled with flustered thoughts. He could neither bring himself to kiss him nor not kiss him.

“Tang Tang, I’m hurting…”

The man’s deep voice sounded from above.

Bai Tang steeled himself, shut his eyes, leaned forward, and charged ahead.

“Ow!”

The man’s rock-hard chest muscles knocked against Bai Tang’s teeth, causing a thin layer of tears to gather in his beautiful almond-shaped eyes.

“Your injuries must be serious. Your body’s gone stiff already. I’ll use something else to help you.”

At some point, Bai Tang had pulled a giant iron hammer out of his storage pouch.

“I once read in a book that when something is too hard, hitting it a few times will fix it.”

The enormous hammer glinted coldly in the air, sending chills down anyone’s spine.

Pei Boyi fell silent for two seconds. His gaze slowly shifted from the hammer back to Bai Tang’s face.

“I think… that really won’t be necessary.”

---

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Chapter 476 – My Master Is Not Human – Wherever You Go, I Go (23)

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Daoist Jiayi had suffered the devastating loss of his beloved daughter. Overwhelmed with grief, he said to the Grand Elder, “Pei Boyi must be involved somehow.”

The Grand Elder frowned. “Jiayi, I know you’re heartbroken, but before the truth comes out, we cannot falsely accuse anyone.” More importantly, there was the relationship between the Dianxing Sect and the Le’an Immortal Sect. If Pei Boyi really was the murderer, how would the two sects handle it?

The Dianxing Sect had just accepted fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills from the Le’an Immortal Sect. Taking benefits from them one moment and turning around to condemn them the next—if word of that spread, even if Dianxing Sect was in the right, it would still damage the sect’s reputation.

After the Grand Elder left, Daoist Jiayi suddenly seemed to age several decades. He slumped into his chair in despair, staring blankly into the distance. His eyes were unfocused and frighteningly empty.

After all the disciples had dispersed, Xiao Qiu suddenly returned and knelt before Daoist Jiayi.

“Sect Master, I know who harmed Miss.”

The scattered look in Daoist Jiayi’s eyes instantly sharpened again. He asked anxiously, “Who? Tell me quickly! Who harmed my Zhenzhen?”

Thinking of how kindly Zhenzhen had always treated her, Xiao Qiu gritted her teeth and pushed all the blame onto Pei Boyi, the man Zhenzhen had loved but could never have.

“It was Fellow Daoist Pei. Miss was feeling depressed, so before dawn she went to the back mountain to watch the sunrise and clear her mind. Who would have thought Fellow Daoist Pei would also be there to watch the sunrise? When he saw Miss there, he thought she had come to pester him again. To avoid future trouble, he decided to strike first and harm Miss…”

Xiao Qiu’s story was riddled with holes, yet Daoist Jiayi, consumed by grief for his daughter, desperately needed an outlet for his emotions. On top of that, Pei Boyi had publicly rejected him at the banquet the night before, causing him to lose face. Between a stranger he had only just met and someone who had served his daughter for years, Daoist Jiayi naturally chose to believe Xiao Qiu.

“Pei Boyi… Pei Boyi…” Daoist Jiayi gritted his teeth as he repeated the name. “You harmed my daughter. I swear I’ll tear you to pieces.”

As Daoist Jiayi immersed himself in hatred, Xiao Qiu, still kneeling below, secretly curled her lips into a smile.

In the bustling streets of the mortal marketplace, crowds of people moved back and forth in lively streams. Stalls lined both sides of the road, and the fragrances of all kinds of food mixed together in the air.

The young man had a candied hawthorn skewer in his left hand and a small bag of crispy peanuts in his right, with two strawberries stuffed into his cheeks.

Suddenly, he spotted a stall ahead spinning cotton candy. He hurriedly swallowed the strawberries and turned to the man behind him.

“That… that… cotton candy…”

The man gently touched his hand and took the bag of crispy peanuts from him. Then, as naturally as breathing, he took his hand in his own.

“Come on, let’s go buy some cotton candy.”

Bai Tang was in charge of eating: whenever he saw something he liked, he bought it and ate it. Pei Boyi was in charge of paying, following behind Bai Tang like a little attendant. After leaving the Dianxing Sect, the two of them had not returned to the Le’an Immortal Sect. Instead, they came to the mortal world to wander around and enjoy themselves. They had already been strolling around for two days, and Bai Tang was becoming more and more enthusiastic about it.

True masters were hidden among common people. He had tasted so many delicious foods. Aside from lacking spiritual energy, the flavors were no worse than those found in the cultivation world. Some were even better, making him want to swallow his tongue from how delicious they were.

“Boss, one cotton candy skewer, please.”

“Alright! Young master, please wait a moment.”

Most of the customers gathered around the stall were children. Even the adults there had mostly been dragged over by kids who pestered them into buying cotton candy. As for adults who genuinely wanted some themselves, Bai Tang was probably the only one.

After realizing this, Bai Tang, standing behind the children in line, quietly blushed. There were also passersby glancing at them repeatedly because of their striking looks. Those gazes made Bai Tang feel awkward. Leaving the line felt wrong, but staying in line also felt embarrassing, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to do.

Pei Boyi smiled, took Bai Tang’s candied hawthorn skewer from him, and held onto his hand without letting go.

“I want cotton candy. Tang Tang, buy it for me, okay?”

The man’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the people nearby to hear.

The people in front turned around and glanced at them. There was every kind of expression—amazement, confusion, envy, contempt. But their relationship looked pretty clear: Pei Boyi was clinging to Bai Tang, acting spoiled and shamelessly insisting on buying cotton candy. Such a grown man, yet he was behaving like a child.

Pei Boyi accepted everyone’s stares calmly. They weren’t stealing or robbing anyone; they were just lining up to buy something. What was there to feel embarrassed about?

The old craftsman making the cotton candy worked quickly, handing one cotton candy after another to the children in line. Before long, it was Bai Tang and Pei Boyi’s turn.

“Young master, what shape of cotton candy would you like?”

Bai Tang’s moist, innocent eyes filled with curiosity as he asked in surprise, “You can make different shapes?”

The old craftsman laughed heartily. “Of course! This old man has been doing this for decades. As long as you can name it, I can make it.”

“Then could you make a squirrel?”

The old craftsman said nothing and simply moved his hands skillfully, quickly creating a squirrel-shaped cotton candy according to Bai Tang’s request.

“Wow~”

Bai Tang stared in amazement. The squirrel was exquisitely made, lifelike and vivid. You could even see the adorably silly expression on its little face.

“You’re amazing~” Bai Tang praised generously as he accepted it, unable to put it down.

Pei Boyi smiled slightly and handed over the payment. “Thank you for your hard work, sir.”

“Thank you for your hard work, sir~” Bai Tang echoed cheerfully. Grinning, he held the squirrel-shaped cotton candy up to Pei Boyi’s mouth.

“Here. Since you’ve followed me around for so long, I’ll give you the first bite.”

In truth, Bai Tang had selfish motives. He was certain that he liked Pei Boyi. Giving him the first bite of the little squirrel carried a hidden meaning—he was willing to entrust himself to him.

Pei Boyi immediately understood the meaning hidden beneath Bai Tang’s actions. He took a small bite of the squirrel-shaped cotton candy. Whether it was intentional or just a coincidence, he bit off the squirrel’s mouth.

That instantly reminded Bai Tang of the kiss they had shared a few days earlier in the guest room at Dianxing Sect.

“Y-You…”

“The cotton candy is really good. Thank you, Tang Tang.”

Judging by Pei Boyi’s expression, he seemed completely unaware of anything unusual, but Bai Tang’s face had already turned red. Turning his head away, he muttered softly,

“You’re welcome.”

Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. The old craftsman, who had witnessed everything from the side, understood perfectly well. Smiling as he packed up his stall, he said,

“Young people, a little squabbling is fine, but don’t let small things cost you something important.”

There was a deeper meaning behind the old man’s words. Bai Tang looked confused, but Pei Boyi smiled and replied,

“That won’t happen.”

The old craftsman packed up and went home. Bai Tang absentmindedly nibbled on his cotton candy, his thoughts wandering, when suddenly Pei Boyi called out to him.

“Ah?” Bai Tang responded.

Pei Boyi pointed to the spot where Bai Tang had been eating and said,

“This part is especially sweet.”

Bai Tang lowered his head and looked. At some point, he had unknowingly started eating from the place where Pei Boyi had bitten the cotton candy, and he had already eaten nearly half of it.

Wouldn’t that mean…

Wouldn’t that count as an indirect kiss?

At that moment, Bai Tang wanted nothing more than to cover his face. He hurriedly shoved the cotton candy into Pei Boyi’s hands.

“I-I’m going to look around up ahead!”

Before he had even finished speaking, Bai Tang had already run off.

The little squirrel had run away, so naturally Pei Boyi had to chase after him.

On the narrow street, the two men ran one after the other. Their movements were so agile that they didn’t bump into a single passerby. Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought they were martial arts masters and marveled at their extraordinary skills.

Back at the Le’an Immortal Sect—

The Grand Elder brought his senior disciple to the Le’an Immortal Sect. Following proper etiquette before resorting to force, they first sent in a formal visitation card. After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the Sect Master came out to receive them.

“The Grand Elder of Dianxing Sect has come, and I failed to greet you from afar. My apologies.”

The Sect Master’s voice arrived before he did. By the time the Grand Elder and the others turned around, he had only just slowly entered through the doorway.

“Sect Master Siyuan.” The Grand Elder cupped his hands in greeting and lifted his robes as he sat down at the Sect Master’s invitation.

“What brings the Grand Elder here today?” the Sect Master asked with a smile. Inwardly, however, he had already become cautious. These honored guests seemed to have come with ill intentions.

Perhaps the Grand Elder hid it well, because there was little hostility visible on his face. However, the disciple following behind him had eyes full of resentment, and his face radiated killing intent. Even though he tried his best to conceal it, he still could not escape the notice of the Sect Master, an old fox.

“It’s nothing major. I came specifically to thank Sect Master Siyuan and Daoist Heyi.”

The Grand Elder smiled cheerfully, never taking his eyes off Sect Master Siyuan’s face.

“A few days ago, Fellow Daoist Pei Boyi, the prized disciple of Daoist Heyi, came to Dianxing Sect to borrow the Radiant Pearl. Afterwards, Daoist Heyi himself also visited Dianxing Sect, though he only briefly showed himself before leaving. Some time ago, Daoist Heyi disappeared in the Daji Secret Realm, and everyone in the cultivation world has been concerned about him. I wonder, how is Daoist Heyi doing now?”

“You’ve seen He Yi?” The Sect Master suddenly stood up, knocking over the tea beside him.

Seeing that the other man’s expression did not seem fake, the Grand Elder was startled.

“Could it be… Sect Master Siyuan, are you unaware that Daoist Heyi has reappeared?”

A thought crossed his mind. Was Sect Master Siyuan truly unaware, or merely pretending not to know? If he really did not know, then what exactly had Pei Boyi and Daoist Heyi needed the Radiant Pearl for?

The Sect Master was overjoyed.

His junior martial brother had been found. Although he had not returned to the Le’an Immortal Sect immediately, judging from the Grand Elder’s words, his junior brother was currently together with Pei Boyi.

A smile spread across the Sect Master’s face.

“He Yi truly has not returned to the Le’an Immortal Sect. I only learned of his whereabouts today from the Grand Elder. Thank you for bringing us such good news. As for the Radiant Pearl, why not stay at the Le’an Immortal Sect for a few days? Once He Yi returns, you can ask him directly.”

“Then we shall trouble you for your hospitality.”

The disciple standing behind the Grand Elder wanted to say something, but the Grand Elder stopped him.

He turned and shot him a look, leaving the disciple no choice but to suppress his unwillingness and quietly await the Grand Elder’s arrangements.

The Sect Master ordered someone to take them to a guest room to rest. As for himself, he immediately sent a recall order to Pei Boyi and Bai Tang, urging them to return as quickly as possible. As long as the two of them saw it, they would definitely come back.

The good news of Bai Tang’s appearance spread rapidly throughout the Le’an Immortal Sect. The masters of the various peaks rushed out as soon as they heard the news. The entire sect, especially the disciples of Medicine Peak, was filled with joy, as if Bai Tang had already returned safely.

Meanwhile, the two of them, who were still traveling through the mortal world, received the Sect Master’s recall order.

“It looks like our journey through the mortal world will have to be put on hold,” Pei Boyi said.

Bai Tang had little impression of the Le’an Immortal Sect and replied indifferently, “Whatever. If you want to go, then go. I’m not going.”

The mortal world was much more fun. As for the Le’an Immortal Sect, he had no interest in it at all.

Pei Boyi casually said, “Medicine Peak has the freshest spiritual tea leaves. They’re picked at dawn while still covered in morning dew, then brewed together with pine nuts…”

Pine nut tea!

Bai Tang’s eyes lit up. The food in the mortal world was delicious, but his absolute favorite was pine nut tea.

“Fine then.” Bai Tang lifted his chin proudly. “Considering how long you’ve been following me around, I’ll reluctantly go with you.”

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Chapter 475 – My Master Is Not Human – Reaping What One Sows (22)

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The Grand Elder forcefully barged into the small wooden cabin and looked around. Behind the bed curtains, a faint silhouette could be seen.

The Grand Elder flew into a rage and turned to rebuke Pei Boyi. “Pei Boyi, our Dianxing Sect has treated you with courtesy, yet you dare corrupt the disciples of our sect—”

Before he could finish speaking, a pale, slender hand emerged from behind the curtains, slowly pulling them aside as someone stepped out.

“A Yi, why is it so noisy?”

The young man’s voice was soft and gentle, and his features were exquisitely beautiful.

“Tang Tang.” Pei Boyi stepped in front of Bai Tang, clearly separating himself and Bai Tang from the Grand Elder and the others.

“Daoist Heyi.” The Grand Elder had once met Bai Tang many years ago. Even after all this time, Bai Tang’s appearance had not changed in the slightest, so the Grand Elder recognized him immediately.

“Grand Elder, it has been many years. I hope you have been well.” Bai Tang rested a hand on Pei Boyi’s arm, signaling for him to stand down.

“All has been well. We did not know Daoist He Yi had arrived. It seems this was a misunderstanding. Since you came to the back mountain of the Dianxing Sect without notice, we failed to welcome you properly.”

His words carried an implied accusation: you came uninvited and without sending word beforehand, so if we offended you, it cannot entirely be blamed on us.

“A Yi has been away for many days, and I was worried about him, so I came to look for him.” Bai Tang glanced at Pei Boyi. “Did you obtain the Radiant Pearl I asked you to borrow?”

“I just got it.”

“Good.”

Although Bai Tang had lost his memories, that did not stop him from putting on an imposing front. His cultivation had already reached the Great Perfection stage of late Nascent Soul Transformation, only one step away from advancing to the next realm.

If Pei Boyi could become the savior of the cultivation world, then just how powerful must Bai Tang—the one who personally taught him—be?

Bai Tang rarely appeared in public, and almost no one knew his true strength. Even the Grand Elder and the others did not dare provoke him lightly.

“I was the one who came uninvited, which was discourteous. You offended me, which was also discourteous. Let us consider the two offenses canceled out.” Bai Tang had no desire to continue entangling himself with them. Dealing with the righteous path was always troublesome—full of empty formalities and hypocrisy so disgusting it made him sick.

“You seemed to be searching for someone just now. Have you found them yet? I still have matters to attend to, so I will not stay any longer. Farewell.”

With a single change of topic, Bai Tang successfully redirected the Grand Elder and the others’ attention back to Zhenzhen. If they wanted to keep searching for someone, they could hurry and do so themselves—they were leaving first.

Pei Boyi protected Bai Tang as they walked out. The two of them even skipped the formal farewell at the main hall and departed directly on their flying swords.

The Grand Elder looked at the young maid and asked, “Didn’t you say Zhenzhen was inside? Where is she?”

How could the maid possibly know? She had merely accepted benefits from Xiao Qiu, Zhenzhen’s personal maidservant, and lured everyone to the back mountain at the agreed time.

Shaking her head, tears streamed down her face. “I-I don’t know…”

Having no other choice, the Grand Elder summoned the disciples and ordered a large-scale search throughout the back mountain.

The young maid was scared out of her wits. After the Grand Elder led the others away, her legs gave out and she collapsed onto the ground. A shadow slipped in through the crack beneath the door. The maid let out a small cry, her face turning blank and lifeless. After a short while, a strange smile appeared on her face before her expression returned to the terrified look she had worn before being possessed by the shadow.

“Senior Sister Zhenzhen, where are you? Senior Sister Zhenzhen…”

The maid opened the door and joined the search party.

She deliberately headed toward secluded areas. Whenever she encountered a disciple alone, she would ambush them. Strands of black qi seeped from her body into the disciples’. Their expressions froze, and they wandered in place like mindless corpses for several moments before regaining awareness, as though nothing had happened.

But from then on, they no longer searched aimlessly while calling out for people. Instead, they headed directly toward the cliff at the back mountain—the place where Zhenzhen was tied up.

“Senior Sister, Senior Sister Zhenzhen…”

“Junior Sister Zhenzhen, are you there?”

“Zhenzhen…”

More and more people gathered at the cliff on the back mountain. The person tied to the tree before them was clearly the very Zhenzhen they were searching for, yet it was as though they could not see her at all. They kept wandering in circles and shouting her name, and even after failing to find her, none of them left.

As the number of people on the cliff continued to grow, Zhenzhen gradually regained consciousness amidst the noisy voices.

Her state of near nakedness filled her with overwhelming shame. More than anything, she wished everyone would quickly disperse, but it was as though heaven itself was against her—the more she feared something, the more likely it was to happen. One after another, all the disciples sent out by the Grand Elder gathered there. If not for the fact that her loyal maidservant Xiao Qiu was still among them, she would have suspected they had come intentionally just to watch her humiliation.

The disciples truly could not see Zhenzhen. In their eyes, there was only a thick fog before them. Forget the tree—even the cliff itself was invisible.

Yet strangely, none of them wanted to leave and search elsewhere. It was as if they were certain someone was there. Even though the place appeared completely empty and could be taken in at a single glance, they simply refused to go.

“Senior Sister Zhenzhen…”

“Miss…”

The crowd packed tightly into the empty space. Suddenly, it was as though clouds parted to reveal the sun, and the scene hidden beyond the fog appeared before everyone’s eyes.

The disciples’ vision instantly cleared.

On a large tree beside the cliff hung the very Zhenzhen they had been searching for. One disciple picked up a sharp stone shard from the ground and flicked it toward her, slicing apart the curtain cloth binding her.

Zhenzhen’s legs were weak, and without support, she collapsed. The clothes she had previously torn herself fell away in strips of shredded fabric, leaving her beautiful body half-covered and half-exposed, fully displaying the alluring grace of a young woman.

The male disciples present all held their breath.

Time itself seemed to freeze, and not a single person stepped forward.

Unable to bear the humiliation, Zhenzhen let out a sobbing cry, and only then did time seem to resume its flow.

Xiao Qiu yanked off the outer robe of a nearby disciple and rushed forward to cover and embrace her mistress. Turning back, she angrily shouted,

“What are you all staring at? Get away! Keep looking and I’ll gouge your eyes out! Get lost!”

Not all of the disciples admired Zhenzhen. The male disciples who held no special affection for her became resentful after being scolded by Xiao Qiu. She was nothing more than a lowly maidservant. And as for Zhenzhen, she was only at the Foundation Establishment stage. So what if she was the Sect Master’s daughter? In the end, her body had still been seen naked by men—and not just one man at that.

From somewhere within the crowd came a cold snort.

“So that’s all she amounts to. Why act like some virtuous martyr? If she truly cared so much about her chastity, then after something like this happened, why didn’t she just die?”

“Shut up.”

The senior disciple leading the search shouted at the crowd, and the noisy group instantly fell silent.

“Xiao Qiu, quickly take Junior Sister Zhenzhen back to her room to rest. I’ll report this matter to the Grand Elder. We will definitely capture the person who framed Junior Sister Zhenzhen and restore justice for her.”

Xiao Qiu nodded, though guilt filled her heart. After all, wasn’t the greatest culprit her own young mistress? The entire situation had become a complete mess, and she had no idea how it could possibly be cleaned up.

Zhenzhen lifted her tear-streaked face and said to the senior disciple, “Senior Brother, there is no need to trouble yourself anymore. I no longer have the face to continue living in this world.”

After speaking, she pushed Xiao Qiu away and leaped off the cliff.

“Miss—!”

“Junior Sister Zhenzhen!”

Everyone rushed toward the edge of the cliff. The sound of her scream gradually faded into the depths of the seemingly bottomless abyss.

“Senior Sister, this wasn’t your fault…”

“Junior Sister Zhenzhen…”

“Damn it!”

One disciple grabbed another by the collar and threw a punch at him.

“Are you satisfied now? Zhenzhen is dead! If you hadn’t shouted those words earlier, would Junior Sister Zhenzhen have been driven to suicide?”

“What does this have to do with me? If you want revenge, then go after the person who framed Junior Sister Zhenzhen!”

The two rolled across the ground, locked in a fierce fight.

“Miss, Xiao Qiu will come accompany you now.”

Just as Xiao Qiu was about to jump down as well, the senior disciple grabbed hold of her.

“You cannot die. Come back with me and report this to the Sect Master and the Grand Elder. We must find the person responsible for Junior Sister Zhenzhen’s death.”

The woman he loved was dead, and the senior disciple was barely suppressing his fury. No matter what, he would find the culprit and avenge Zhenzhen.

Zhenzhen’s death caused the Sect Master to cough up a mouthful of blood on the spot. The matter concerning the Cliff of Reflection was temporarily set aside as the entire Dianxing Sect mobilized to search for the person responsible for her death.

Putting everything else aside, the fact that this person could evade the sect disciples’ patrols, move freely in and out of the Dianxing Sect as though entering an empty courtyard, and even abduct Zhenzhen was terrifying enough on its own. If such a person managed to sneak into the sect’s forbidden grounds, the consequences would be unimaginable.

After searching thoroughly, the Dianxing Sect still failed to discover any hidden expert. As a result, some began to speculate that the one targeting the sect might be a demonic cultivator. Demonic cultivators never acted according to common sense and were notorious for their extreme and unpredictable behavior. Since they could not win in a direct fight against many opponents, they had instead targeted Junior Sister Zhenzhen, whose cultivation was low and who had been alone.

This explanation seemed to make sense, but there was still a problem: they had not sensed any demonic aura within the sect.

If they concluded that a demonic cultivator had infiltrated the sect, then only two possibilities remained. First, the demonic cultivator’s cultivation level was extraordinarily high—even stronger than anyone in the Dianxing Sect—allowing them to perfectly conceal both their presence and aura. However, as far as they knew, there was currently no demonic cultivator in the cultivation world capable of reaching such a level. Besides, if someone truly possessed that kind of power, would they even need to act in secret?

The second possibility was that this person possessed a magical artifact capable of concealing their aura, allowing them to move among the disciples without anyone noticing.

At the mention of an artifact that could hide one’s aura, the Grand Elder suddenly thought of the Radiant Pearl that had just been lent out. The Radiant Pearl had only one function: concealing one’s aura.

However, they had interacted with Pei Boyi, and he clearly was not a demonic cultivator. Moreover, if he had truly been a demonic cultivator in disguise and they had failed to detect it, then he would not have needed the Radiant Pearl in the first place. So why borrow it? And besides, the fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills he had offered were genuine. Demonic cultivators were not known for keeping their promises.

“We also saw Daoist He Yi on the back mountain,” the young maid suddenly spoke from among the crowd when their speculation reached a dead end.

A spark flashed through the Grand Elder’s mind, and countless questions surfaced.

Why had Daoist Heyi appeared on the back mountain?

Why had they left without paying respects to the Sect Master?

Daoist Heyi had disappeared for a long time—why had he suddenly reappeared?

And what exactly was the Radiant Pearl being borrowed for?

The Grand Elder felt as though he had brushed against the edge of the truth, only for a thick fog to descend over it again, leaving him unsure where to begin.

“Strengthen the security of the Dianxing Sect,” the Grand Elder ordered calmly and methodically. “I will take several disciples to visit the Le’an Immortal Sect and see what explanation they can provide.”

“Jiayi, I’ll leave the sect in your hands. The cliff behind the mountain leads to a bottomless abyss. I’m afraid Zhenzhen’s remains will never be recovered.”

“My condolences.”

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Chapter 474 – My Master Is Not Human – A Trap Within a Trap (21)

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After Bai Tang returned again, aside from the fact that he had fallen into demonic cultivation, the way the two interacted was no different from before. If there was any noticeable change, it was that after losing his memories, Tang Tang had become even more innocent and easier to fool. The previous night, Pei Boyi had taken full advantage of him.

By the time the sky was fully bright, Pei Boyi estimated that the Xing Sect would soon send someone to summon him, so he used a warm towel to wake Bai Tang.

“Mmm~ What are you doing? Go away, go away.” The little squirrel in bed refused to get up, twisting around and whining sleepily.

“Oh baby, Tang Tang, my hand hurts.” Pei Boyi suddenly clutched his hand and cried out dramatically.

Bai Tang, who had still been lying in bed with his eyes closed, immediately jolted awake and flipped upright. “Where does it hurt? Let me see!”

He pulled Pei Boyi’s hand away, revealing the scabbed scratch marks underneath.

To Pei Boyi, this tiny injury was nothing at all. But in order to win Bai Tang’s sympathy, he deliberately avoided using medicine to treat it. He had even pressed hard on the scratches a few times, so what Bai Tang saw now was a ring of darkened skin around the scab, with the edges slightly lifted to reveal the raw red flesh beneath.

“How did it get worse than yesterday?” Bai Tang assumed he must have gone too hard on him while angry.

“Then… should I kiss it better again?” Bai Tang asked uncertainly.

Pei Boyi pulled him into his arms and casually wrapped a bandage around his arm. “It’s nothing serious. Tang Tang, get up and eat breakfast first.”

“Mhm~” Bai Tang habitually stretched out his arms, waiting for Pei Boyi to help him get dressed.

After the two finished washing up and straightening themselves out, someone knocked on the door.

The visitor was Xiao Qiu, the maid who often took the blame on Zhenzhen’s behalf.

“Fellow Daoist Pei, are you awake? The Sect Master requests your presence.” Her crisp female voice sounded pleasant enough, but although she hid it well, Bai Tang could still hear a trace of resentment in it.

What’s her problem? Did A-Yi do something to her? How dare she resent him?

Bai Tang rolled up his sleeves, ready to go teach her a lesson, but Pei Boyi caught him around the waist before he reached the door.

“Be good, Tang Tang. Someone like her isn’t worth dirtying your hands over. Leave it to me.”

“Hmph, I knew you were pitying women again.” Bai Tang simply could not stand seeing Pei Boyi defend other people, especially girls.

Trying to help only gets treated like ill intent. Fine then—just wait until some woman tricks you.

Pei Boyi answered with a brief “Please wait a moment,” then coaxed Bai Tang into turning back into a little squirrel.

“I’m not turning back. The world is huge—I can go wherever I want, and you can’t stop me.” The adorable little squirrel was jealous again.

“No.” Pei Boyi’s face suddenly turned cold, making Bai Tang’s heart pound.

“You’re yelling at me.” Tears began to gather in Bai Tang’s eyes. “Who are you to me anyway? What gives you the right to yell at me?”

“I’m not trying to control you. If anything, Tang Tang is the one controlling me.” Pei Boyi panicked. “Tang Tang, our important business isn’t finished yet. If the Xing Sect discovers you, wouldn’t we just end up wasting time here?”

“Emmm… but you yelled at me…”

“I’m sorry, Tang Tang. I was scared…”

Pei Boyi gently wiped away Bai Tang’s tears. Leaning against his shoulder, Bai Tang was suddenly enveloped in a faint white flash, and a round little squirrel appeared sitting in Pei Boyi’s palm.

“Chi chi chi—” Don’t be scared. I won’t leave, okay?

“Tang Tang…” Pei Boyi smiled faintly and held the little squirrel close to his chest. He would never let Tang Tang remain hidden away forever, unable to show himself openly.

He opened the door, and Xiao Qiu was waiting respectfully outside.

“Fellow Daoist Pei, the Sect Master requests your presence.”

“Then I’ll trouble Miss Xiao Qiu to lead the way.”

The Xing Sect’s status in the cultivation world had declined year by year, but a hundred years ago it had once stood alongside the Le’an Immortal Sect in fame. The sect grounds and buildings were no less impressive than those of the Le’an Immortal Sect.

Xiao Qiu led Pei Boyi through a winding path. Judging by the increasingly overgrown scenery around them, they were heading farther and farther into a remote area.

Pei Boyi followed silently. Even after walking for a long time, he never once asked where this unfamiliar road led.

After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, a small wooden cabin appeared before them. Xiao Qiu stepped aside and gestured ahead.

“Fellow Daoist Pei, it’s right up ahead.”

“Are you certain the Sect Master is the one who wishes to see me?”

“Of course. The Sect Master personally instructed me to come fetch Fellow Daoist Pei.”

Before she could finish speaking, Pei Boyi struck her with the edge of his hand and knocked her unconscious.

With Daoist Jiayi’s level of cultivation, if he truly wanted revenge, there would be no need to go through so much trouble to lure him here. Which meant the person inside the cabin definitely was not the Xing Sect’s Sect Master.

Inside the wooden cabin—

Zhenzhen lit a stick of Bewildering Incense. She had ordered Xiao Qiu to lure Pei Boyi over, and after waiting so long, he should have arrived by now.

She looked around at everything she had personally prepared. Thinking about what was about to happen made her both nervous and excited.

Last night, Pei Boyi had embarrassed her, but he was such an outstanding young talent, rare to find even once in a lifetime. He had rejected her father’s proposal—didn’t that prove he wasn’t greedy for wealth and status, and that he was an honorable gentleman?

She had never heard of him having someone he loved, so she believed even more strongly that his excuse about having a beloved partner was merely a reason to reject her father.

After today, Pei Boyi would be leaving. She still could not bear to let the opportunity slip away, so this was her last chance. Maybe he did not like her very much yet, but she believed that once they were together, he would eventually see her good side and be moved enough to fall in love with her.

Zhenzhen imagined their future together. Once Xiao Qiu brought him over, he would inhale the Bewildering Incense, and things would naturally progress further. Then Xiao Qiu would summon the elders. At that point, no matter how much Pei Boyi wanted to deny it, he would have no way out.

Pei Boyi dragged the unconscious Xiao Qiu into the wooden cabin and tossed her inside. Zhenzhen was startled by the shattered door. The backlight from the entrance made her squint, and it took her quite a while to recognize who had come.

“Xiao Qiu… Xiao Qiu…” Zhenzhen hurried to support the collapsed maid.

Pei Boyi looked down at her from above, as though mocking her for overestimating herself.

“You went through so much trouble to invite me here. Do you have nothing to say?” Pei Boyi stroked the little squirrel that had popped out.

“Squeak squeak squeak-” I told you she had bad intentions, but you wouldn’t believe me.

The little squirrel jumped from Pei Boyi’s shoulder onto the incense burner that was releasing curling streams of fragrant smoke, then kicked it over with one paw. The ashes of the Bewildering Incense scattered all over the floor.

As someone skilled in medicine, Pei Boyi only needed one glance at the ashes to understand what it was. He beckoned to the little squirrel, now covered in soot.

With a leap, the little squirrel jumped back onto his shoulder and even mischievously rubbed the ash in his fur onto Pei Boyi’s face.

“You little troublemaker.” Pei Boyi teased him with a few gentle strokes, then held him up and kissed him again and again, completely unconcerned by his messy fur.

Five. Four. Three. Two. One.

Zhenzhen’s eyes widened in disbelief.

How was this possible? He had inhaled the Bewildering Incense—why was he completely unaffected?

Meanwhile, Zhenzhen herself, who had also breathed in the incense, could no longer endure its effects. Her gaze became unfocused, her consciousness gradually slipping away as her hands restlessly tugged at her own clothes.

“How disgraceful.” Pei Boyi covered the little squirrel’s eyes, then tore down a curtain and used it to tie Zhenzhen up.

With both her body and hands restrained, Zhenzhen could no longer pull at her clothes. She could only helplessly follow behind Pei Boyi as he dragged her all the way to the cliff at the back mountain.

Her clothes were disheveled as she was tied to a tree. The effects of the Bewildering Incense would fade after about two hours, and leaving her there would help clear her mind.

Before summoning Pei Boyi, Xiao Qiu had already informed the Grand Elder that Pei Boyi had gone to the back mountain to watch the sunrise.

While Pei Boyi was dealing with Zhenzhen, the Grand Elder led the other elders toward the back mountain.

The two groups met along the mountain path.

“Fellow Daoist Pei, so you’re here,” the Grand Elder said with a smile. “I’ve already retrieved the Radiant Pearl.”

One of the elders behind him carried a box. As the lid slowly opened, a crystal-clear pale blue pearl could be seen embedded inside.

“Fellow Daoist Pei, this is the Radiant Pearl. Today, it is yours. As for the fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills…”

“This junior always keeps his word.” Pei Boyi took out a bottle containing the pills and exchanged it with the Grand Elder—one hand trading the box, the other the bottle.

After receiving the item, the Grand Elder opened the porcelain bottle and poured out the pills to inspect them.

Fifty pills. Not one more, not one less.

The Radiant Pearl was no longer useful to Pei Boyi, but to Bai Tang, it was a precious treasure capable of concealing the aura of a demonic cultivator.

He stuffed the Radiant Pearl into the little squirrel’s paws. Thinking it was something tasty, the squirrel instinctively shoved it into his mouth, and with one gulp, it accidentally slid down into his stomach.

“Blegh, blegh—” The little squirrel grabbed his throat and gagged. His belly felt strangely warm—the Radiant Pearl had actually fused with Bai Tang’s body.

“Tang Tang…” Pei Boyi hurriedly ran toward the wooden cabin, using it to block the others’ line of sight.

“How are you feeling?” Pei Boyi asked anxiously.

A flash of white light faded away, and Bai Tang reappeared in human form, his eyes red and watery as if he were about to cry.

“I-I got choked on it~”

“It’s alright, it’s alright. Let me check.” Pei Boyi rubbed Bai Tang’s stomach, but he could no longer sense the location of the Radiant Pearl.

“Fellow Daoist Pei, did something happen?” The Grand Elder’s voice came from outside the door. If the prized disciple of the Le’an Immortal Sect were to encounter trouble within the Xing Sect, the sect would never escape responsibility.

“Nothing is wrong, Grand Elder, there is no need for concern. If you have matters to attend to, please go ahead. This junior will head to the main hall shortly to bid farewell to the Sect Master.”

“Oh no, oh no! Senior Sister Zhenzhen is in trouble!”

A young maid came running while shouting, successfully causing the Grand Elder—who had just been about to leave—to stop in his tracks.

“Who did you say was in trouble?” the Grand Elder hurriedly asked.

Panting for breath, the maid pointed toward the wooden cabin.

“Senior Sister Zhenzhen is inside! Senior Sister Zhenzhen said she wanted to watch the sunrise and would return afterward for breakfast, but it’s already been a long time past mealtime and she still hasn’t come back…”

Terrible acting. Completely fake.

That was Bai Tang’s judgment after peeking at the maid through the window.

But fake or not, the Grand Elders actually believed her.

Someone knocked on the cabin door, and the Grand Elder’s voice sounded again.

“Fellow Daoist Pei, is Zhenzhen inside? Please open the door.”

Bai Tang hurriedly tugged at his clothes, trying to straighten them out in panic. Pei Boyi took over and swiftly helped him get dressed.

“Don’t be afraid. No one can detect the demonic aura on you now.”

The people outside were just about to break down the door when Pei Boyi opened it from the inside instead, catching the maid and the others off guard and causing them to stumble onto the ground.

“Grand Elder, accusations require evidence. Miss Zhenzhen is not here, and the room inside cannot be entered.”

The more he tried to hide it, the more suspicious it seemed. If there was nothing going on inside, then why be afraid of letting people look?

The more Pei Boyi blocked them, the more convinced the Grand Elder and the others became that Zhenzhen was inside.

“Grand Elder, if you insist on entering, then the friendship between your sect and the Le’an Immortal Sect—”

“Grand Elder, please save Senior Sister Zhenzhen!” the maid cried anxiously from the side.

The Grand Elder found himself caught in a difficult position. But if he could not even protect his own people within his own sect, how could the Xing Sect continue to hold its place in the cultivation world? And what meaning would there be in maintaining friendly ties with the Le’an Immortal Sect then?

The Grand Elder’s expression turned solemn.

“Fellow Daoist Pei, forgive the offense.”

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Chapter 473 – My Master Is Not Human – A Kiss for Tang Tang Will Fix Everything (20)

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After returning to his room, Pei Boyi immediately took the little squirrel out.

Bai Tang rolled onto the table, leaving Pei Boyi with nothing but a stubborn little back to look at.

Pei Boyi reached out and poked the squirrel’s back with a finger. The little squirrel waved a paw and smacked it away. He poked again, and it got smacked away again. Poke, smack, poke, smack—after several rounds of this, Pei Boyi finally realized that Bai Tang wasn’t injured from cultivation at all; he was sulking.

“Tang Tang, can you tell me why you’re unhappy?” Pei Boyi coaxed him gently. It would’ve been better if he hadn’t tried to coax him at all—because the moment he did, the floodgates opened.

The little squirrel’s round eyes instantly filled with tears, which began dripping down patter after patter.

“Squeak squeak squeak—” None of your business.

“Tell me, Tang Tang.”

“Squeak squeak squeak—” Go away, go away.

“Tang Tang…”

“Squeak squeak squeak—” Go find your Zhenzhen.

Well, case solved.

Pei Boyi took out some pine nuts. This trick never failed.

He peeled away the tea leaves wrapped around the pine nuts, revealing the fragrant and delicious nuts inside. Though the little squirrel was still sniffling, that didn’t stop him from eating.

Holding the pine nut with both paws, he stuffed it into his mouth while hiccupping softly from crying. His cheeks puffed up adorably as he ate.

“Tang Tang, I don’t like her at all.” Pei Boyi poured his heart out in confession to Bai Tang. Tang Tang still had no memories right now, so he absolutely couldn’t let him misunderstand.

A flash of white light passed, and the little squirrel rolled onto the bed, covering himself with the blanket. Tears still clung to the corners of his eyes.

“You say you don’t like her, but how am I supposed to know if you’re telling the truth or not? Who you like has nothing to do with me anyway. You don’t need to report it to me…”

“Who says it has nothing to do with you? It has everything to do with you.” Pei Boyi walked closer to Bai Tang, still holding a plate of peeled pine nuts.

“H-How does it have anything to do with me…” Bai Tang stretched out his smooth arm to grab a handful of pine nuts, shrinking back slightly when the other man got too close.

The bed was only so big. No matter how much he retreated, there was nowhere left to go.

Very quickly, Bai Tang’s back hit the wall, his bare skin pressing against the cold surface.

“Hiss—”

The boy sucked in a faint breath of cold air, but Pei Boyi’s sharp hearing caught it immediately.

Bai Tang was still feeling wronged when suddenly both he and the blanket were pulled into Pei Boyi’s embrace. That unique masculine scent surrounded him, and for some reason, Bai Tang found that he didn’t really want to push him away.

Pei Boyi adjusted him into the position Bai Tang usually liked to curl up in within his arms. It was so comfortable that Bai Tang became even more reluctant to leave the embrace.

“The person I love most is already in my arms. How could I possibly like someone else? No matter how wonderful anyone else is, could they ever compare to my little squirrel?!”

Bai Tang blushed red at Pei Boyi’s confession. Turning his head away, he buried his face in the other man’s chest, his muffled voice sounding slightly sulky.

“A man’s mouth is the mouth of a liar. You’re only saying things like this to coax me because you need something from me and want me to protect you.”

“Great Demon Lord, please see clearly—this humble one’s sincerity toward you can be witnessed by heaven and earth. If you don’t believe me, why not keep me by your side? Time reveals a person’s true heart. Then you can see for yourself whether I’m deceiving you or not.”

Since Tang Tang hadn’t pushed him away, Pei Boyi felt that life was infinitely beautiful.

“Hmph. I doubt you’d dare lie to me. Fine then, I’ll believe you this once. Once we get that pearl tomorrow, we’re leaving immediately. Got it?”

The moment Bai Tang thought about that Zhenzhen harboring improper thoughts toward Pei Boyi, he felt unhappy again.

He grabbed Pei Boyi’s arm and looked at the scratch marks that had already formed a thin scab. His expression carried both annoyance and heartache as he asked, “Does it hurt? Are you an idiot? Why didn’t you dodge?”

“It hurts. It hurts a lot. Only Tang Tang’s kisses can make it stop hurting.” With memories from multiple worlds, Pei Boyi acted shamelessly as naturally as breathing.

“You’re being outrageous.” Bai Tang lifted his head and looked directly into Pei Boyi’s eyes, only to drown in the deep affection within them.

“D-Does it really hurt that much?” Blushing, Bai Tang lowered his head and gently lifted Pei Boyi’s injured arm. He softly kissed the edge of the scratches.

“How about now? Does it still hurt?”

“It seems a little better.” Pei Boyi hadn’t expected such benefits, so naturally he wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass. Suddenly, he let out another pained groan. “Ah… it seems to hurt again.”

“Ah?” Bai Tang panicked slightly and quickly kissed the edge of the scratches several more times. “D-Does it still hurt?”

“It doesn’t seem to hurt as much anymore. Tang Tang, kiss me more. If you kiss me, it won’t hurt anymore.”

“It’s all my fault. If only I hadn’t acted impulsively. I’m sorry~”

Bai Tang hadn’t expected that a casual scratch from him would leave such serious aftereffects. It wasn’t even bleeding anymore, yet it still hurt so badly. He was the Demon Lord—far stronger than Pei Boyi—so it was only natural that Pei Boyi couldn’t withstand his strength.

“Wuuu~~~” Bai Tang’s eyes reddened, and tears began falling again like little golden beans. “I’m sorry…”

“It actually doesn’t hurt that much anymore. Just a tiny bit. It must be because you haven’t kissed me enough yet. Tang Tang, can you kiss me a little more?”

Seeing Bai Tang cry made Pei Boyi’s heart ache, so he couldn’t bear to keep deceiving him too much.

Even after becoming the Demon Lord, Bai Tang was probably still the purest and most innocent Demon Lord in the history of the cultivation world. How could he be so easy to fool?

Thinking about the past three months, during which he hadn’t been by Bai Tang’s side, Pei Boyi’s heart ached in waves at the thought of who might have deceived him during that time. His Tang Tang should have been cherished in the palm of someone’s hand and given the very best the world had to offer.

“Arguing with those old fogies earlier wore me out a bit. This place feels uncomfortable,” Pei Boyi said, pointing at his lips with anticipation in his eyes. “Tang Tang, can I have a kiss?”

“Ah?!” Bai Tang froze. Then, like a fully cooked lobster, his whole body turned red, his cheeks flushing an especially deep crimson.

“Th-Then don’t move. I’ll kiss you~”

Bai Tang spent a long time mentally preparing himself, reminding himself that he was only helping Pei Boyi for the sake of future meals. They had an agreement: he would protect Pei Boyi, and Pei Boyi would make delicious food for him. He couldn’t become someone who broke his promises.

Gathering all his courage, Bai Tang closed his eyes and slowly leaned toward Pei Boyi’s face.

His movements were painfully slow, and Pei Boyi quickly lost patience and took the initiative instead. Wrapping an arm around Bai Tang, he captured the lips he had longed for day and night.

“Mmn~~~”

Pei Boyi’s kiss was domineering and passionate. The suffering of three months of longing was released in that single moment, an intensity of love that the memoryless Bai Tang could hardly bear.

“Tang Tang, breathe through your nose.”

Pei Boyi was reluctant to part from Bai Tang, but the latter was so nervous and shy that he had actually forgotten to breathe, his entire face turning bright red. In the end, Pei Boyi mercifully spared three seconds to teach Bai Tang how to kiss before pulling him into another lingering kiss.

That night, neither of them dreamed.

It was the first truly restful sleep Pei Boyi and Bai Tang had had in three months.

At some point, Pei Boyi had already grown taller than Bai Tang. Compared to the smaller, delicate Bai Tang, he now looked more like a protector.

At this moment, Pei Boyi held the sleeping boy curled up in his arms, guarding Bai Tang tightly in the posture of a protector.

Half an hour later, daylight had fully broken.

Pei Boyi woke up and lowered his head to look at Bai Tang, whose head rested against his chest. A silent smile appeared on his face.

My Tang Tang… you’ve finally come back.

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Chapter 472 – My Master Is Not Human – Tang Tang Gets Jealous 3 (19)

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The spot where the little squirrel had bitten him still throbbed faintly with pain. Pei Boyi did not dare let Zhenzhen get close to him again. It did not matter much if he got bitten, but making Tang Tang angry was another matter entirely.

Zhenzhen still wanted to say something, but Pei Boyi pushed her away with one hand. Under her stunned gaze, Daoist Jiayi spoke up:

“Virtuous Nephew Pei, this sect master sees that you are young, talented, and handsome. I wish to form a marriage alliance with you. What do you think?”

“Oh, there’s no need to rush to accept or refuse. You may take your time to consider it. I have only one beloved daughter, Zhenzhen, and naturally hope for the happiness of both youngsters before making such a proposal.”

Pei Boyi had never once considered agreeing. Without even thinking about it, he directly refused.

“Thank you for your kindness, Daoist Jiayi, but this junior already has a beloved dao companion. This trip is precisely to find him and become bonded partners with him.”

Pei Boyi’s answer deeply saddened Zhenzhen. She truly liked him. If he merely did not like her enough, then perhaps she might still have had a chance. But now that he had openly spoken of becoming dao companions with someone else, she truly had no hope left at all.

Zhenzhen was the child of Daoist Jiayi and a mortal woman, and she had grown up among ordinary people. She was somewhat familiar with matters of love and relationships. Clinging to her last shred of hope, she asked:

“May I ask what kind of person Senior Brother Pei’s dao companion is? Could you tell me about him, so that I may finally give up?”

On the surface, Bai Tang and Pei Boyi were still master and disciple. While it was not unheard of in the cultivation world for masters and disciples to become dao companions, such cases were exceedingly rare. The saying “One day a teacher, a lifetime a father” was often enough to suppress any budding affection between them. To disregard the judgment of the world and become dao companions required tremendous courage.

Pei Boyi himself did not care much, but Tang Tang was currently suffering from memory loss. If Zhenzhen persistently investigated and uncovered Bai Tang’s identity as a demonic cultivator, it would place Bai Tang in the eye of the storm, which would not end well.

“This is my private matter. Miss Zhenzhen is overstepping,” Pei Boyi rejected her once again.

At the Dianxing Sect, Zhenzhen had always been spoiled and given whatever she wanted. Being rejected without a clear explanation, she naturally assumed he was making excuses to deceive her.

“I don’t believe you. If you truly have a dao companion, then why won’t you say who it is? You’re deliberately brushing me off, aren’t you?”

At that moment, the charming young lady tore away her gentle facade, revealing her unreasonable and stubborn side.

The little squirrel hidden inside the sleeve was extremely unhappy. You already don’t like her, so why are you still wasting so many words on her? Are you trying to keep one while eyeing another?

At this moment, Bai Tang had completely forgotten who was the one that had once declared there would be no further ties with Pei Boyi. His jealousy flared intensely.

The little squirrel could not see what was happening outside, but he could hear everything clearly.

The woman’s tearful sobs, along with the faint lingering fragrance of her perfume, made it obvious that he had been standing extremely close to her to even catch the scent of her cosmetics.

Oh, so this is what he calls keeping himself pure and proper. He was only behaving himself because Bai Tang was here. If he had not been around, would Pei Boyi have become Daoist Jiayi’s perfect son-in-law today?

The little squirrel stretched out its sharp claws and slashed across Pei Boyi’s smooth arm. Three fresh scratch marks instantly appeared, vivid and red. Hidden within the darkness of the sleeve, the scent of blood seemed magnified several times over.

The moment he drew blood, Bai Tang regretted it.

Clearly, it was the other person’s fault, so why did his own heart hurt so much…?

“Pat… pat…”

The little squirrel shed tear after tear, the transparent droplets soaking into the robe embroidered with silver patterns.

How annoying. He was not a crybaby at all. It must have been that overpowering perfume irritating his eyes. That had to be it.

At the banquet, Zhenzhen still tried to grab Pei Boyi’s sleeve again. A young woman’s reputation was extremely important, and if she had even the slightest physical contact with him in public, her father and the sect elders would definitely stand up for her. At that point, it would be difficult for Pei Boyi to avoid taking responsibility.

Zhenzhen had only entered the cultivation world recently and did not know that the strict separation between men and women was far less rigid there than among mortals. When cultivators encountered injured fellow daoists, physical contact while helping with healing was perfectly normal.

Pei Boyi’s expression suddenly turned cold. Under the flickering candlelight, his handsome face alternated between light and shadow. He withdrew the gentle warmth around him, and a sharp glint flashed through his eyes.

“Let go.”

With a forceful flick of his sleeve, Zhenzhen stumbled backward into the flowerbed behind her. Petals and grass clung all over her body, and combined with the tears and mucus on her face, she looked utterly disheveled.

“Virtuous Nephew Pei, do not go too far.” Daoist Jiayi was furious. Rising to his feet, he shouted angrily.

If he intended to refuse, then why embarrass him in front of everyone? Could they not have discussed it privately?

The elders of the Dianxing Sect also looked displeased. Pei Boyi’s actions were a blatant slap to the sect’s dignity. Did he truly not place the Dianxing Sect in his eyes at all?!

“Pei Boyi, this is the Dianxing Sect, not your Le’an Immortal Sect. This is not a place for you to act so arrogantly.” One of the elders across from him slammed the table, his voice carrying natural authority and anger.

Pei Boyi slipped his hand into his sleeve to comfort the angry and heartbroken little squirrel, not even bothering to raise his eyes.

“This junior only sees certain seniors using their power to bully others. Could it be that your precious daughter cannot find anyone to marry, so you must seize people at random to become her husband?”

Pei Boyi spoke without the slightest courtesy. Not only did he slap Daoist Jiayi across the face with his words, he also completely disregarded the young woman’s dignity.

Despair filled Zhenzhen’s face. Covering her face as she cried, she shouted loudly, “I hate you! I hate you!”

After saying that, she ran out. The maid named Xiao Qiu hurried after her, repeatedly calling, “Miss! Miss!” Her voice gradually faded into the distance until it could no longer be heard.

The banquet could no longer continue, and the atmosphere in the hall grew completely tense and deadlocked.

Daoist Jiayi’s face turned livid with anger. The reason he had invited all the elders here was precisely to pressure Pei Boyi into agreeing. Was that not the very definition of using power to bully others? Yet now, a mere junior had used his own daughter against him and turned the situation around. It was an unbearable humiliation.

Pei Boyi did not care whether Zhenzhen was truly heartbroken or merely pretending. Right now, all he wanted was to pull the little squirrel out and check on him. Tang Tang was crying—but why? Had he been injured while cultivating inside the sleeve, or was there some other reason?

“This junior came to your sect only to borrow the Radiant Pearl. The rental payment would be fifty Reviving Jade Soul Pills. Unfortunately, Daoist Jiayi did not agree and said he needed to discuss it with the elders. Since this junior has urgent matters to attend to, I cannot afford to wait around at the Dianxing Sect. A whole day has already passed, so may I ask what conclusion Daoist Jiayi and the elders have reached? Whether you agree to lend it or not, you should at least give me an answer.”

Since Daoist Jiayi had dared to scheme against him, Pei Boyi did not mind driving a wedge between him and the elders. Someone like Daoist Jiayi most likely had not informed the Dianxing Sect elders about the fifty Reviving Jade Soul Pills. Otherwise, they would never have remained so calm, allowing Daoist Jiayi to completely control the banquet.

Just as Pei Boyi expected, the moment he mentioned the Reviving Jade Soul Pills, the elders’ expressions changed in shock and uncertainty.

“What Reviving Jade Soul Pills?”

“Fifty pills?”

“Is what Fellow Daoist Pei says true?”

A moment ago, they had been calling him “Pei Boyi” by name. Now he had suddenly become “Fellow Daoist Pei,” the disciple of a friendly allied sect.

Pei Boyi let out a mocking laugh and said, “Naturally. When has this junior ever lied? Our Medicine Peak lacks nothing except spiritual pills and miraculous medicines. Three months ago, hundreds of disciples each received a Reviving Jade Soul Pill. Surely the elders have heard of that.”

Of course they had heard of it. That was exactly why they found it so hard to believe their ears.

Since when had a legendary medicine like the Reviving Jade Soul Pill—something that might only be refined once in a thousand years—become something that could practically be mass-produced and handed out whenever desired?

Pei Boyi took out a porcelain bottle and poured several pills into his hand.

Under the candlelight, the smooth round pills glowed with a faint jade-green radiance, and upon closer inspection, traces of red light reflected from them as well. They were unmistakably the legendary Reviving Jade Soul Pills.

Joy immediately appeared on the elders’ faces. Even the alchemy cultivators of the Dianxing Sect could not refine Reviving Jade Soul Pills. Fifty pills! If the sect obtained them, their disciples would have far greater confidence and security while traveling outside in the future.

“Isn’t it only the Radiant Pearl? The Dianxing Sect and the Le’an Immortal Sect have always maintained good relations. Surely we would not become enemies over such a minor matter tonight. Fellow Daoist Pei, could you wait one more day? Tomorrow at dawn, I will personally go to the Wind Tower and retrieve the Radiant Pearl for you. What do you think?”

For the sake of fifty Reviving Jade Soul Pills, the Great Elder shamelessly pretended that the unpleasant events from earlier had never happened.

“Exactly, exactly.”

“That is exactly the point. The Dianxing Sect and the Le’an Immortal Sect have always been on friendly terms. In the past hundred years, there has never been any conflict between us. Zhenzhen is just a young girl who still lacks maturity, so Fellow Daoist Pei must forgive her behavior. Our sect master is also a broad-minded man and would never allow the Dianxing Sect and the Le’an Immortal Sect to break ties simply because the younger generation failed to take a liking to one another. We old fellows certainly would not agree to the Dianxing Sect becoming enemies with any righteous sect.”

Pei Boyi smiled faintly. “Oh? Can the Great Elder make the decision?”

“Of course. This old man has been in the Dianxing Sect for several hundred years. I was already an elder during the previous sect master’s tenure, so why would I not have the authority to decide?”

“And the fifty Reviving Jade Soul Pills?”

Feeling the little squirrel inside his sleeve gradually calm down, Pei Boyi said, “This junior naturally keeps his word. In that case, I shall return to my guest room to rest and await the Great Elder’s good news tomorrow.”

With a flick of his sleeve, the man turned and left. The elders all let out sighs of relief, while the Great Elder released the restraint spell that had been binding Daoist Jiayi moments earlier.

“Jiayi, you are truly muddle-headed. Such an important matter involving fifty Reviving Jade Soul Pills, and yet you did not tell us.”

“Do you know what the Reviving Jade Soul Pills mean to the Dianxing Sect? Fifty pills! Not one, not two, but fifty! You…”

“Jiayi, when Senior Brother entrusted the position of sect master to you, it was because he believed you were steady and always placed the sect’s interests first. Yet now, because of worldly concerns, you have lost sight of your original intentions.”

The elders bombarded Daoist Jiayi from all sides, leaving him unable to argue back. But had he not also been thinking for the good of the Dianxing Sect? As long as Pei Boyi married Zhenzhen, then whatever the Medicine Peak of the Le’an Immortal Sect possessed, the Dianxing Sect would surely gain a share as well.

“I originally intended to inform the elders after the banquet ended…”

Daoist Jiayi still wanted to explain himself, but the Great Elder cut him off immediately.

“There is no need to say more. You can no longer distinguish what is important from what is trivial. Tomorrow, after Fellow Daoist Pei leaves, you will go to Cliff of Reflection and meditate in seclusion to repent, lest your heart continue to breed karmic demons.”

Daoist Jiayi might have been the sect master of the Dianxing Sect, but the Great Elder was the one who truly held the greatest authority within the sect. He rarely issued direct orders, but once he spoke, no one was permitted to oppose him.

Helpless, Daoist Jiayi could only bow his head and accept the punishment.

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Chapter 471 – My Master Is Not Human – Tang Tang Gets Jealous 2 (18)

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“It seems I misunderstood. Tang Tang isn’t jealous. I still have some matcha-roasted pine nuts here—would Tang Tang like some more?”

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo forest, forming rings of light and shadow that scattered delicately across the elegant and handsome man. His entire figure seemed wrapped in an ethereal aura, so beautiful that no one could look away.

Bai Tang was momentarily dazzled by the handsome man before him, even pausing halfway through eating the pine nut in his hand.

He watched as the man took out an exquisite little pouch from his storage space. The bag looked full and bulging, clearly packed with plenty of goodies inside.

Bai Tang twitched his nose. The fragrance of pine nuts mixed faintly with the scent of tea drifted into his nose. There was no doubt—it contained his favorite snack lately.

The matcha-roasted pine nuts in his own pouch-space had long since been eaten clean. Ever since becoming the Demon Lord, he had tried to find other delicious foods to replace them, but after tasting countless options, none suited his palate. If he hadn’t heard that Pei Boyi had come to the Dianxing Sect—and that only Pei Boyi knew how to make these pine nuts—he would never have gone through so much trouble to come here.

And what happened once he arrived? He saw someone bullying Pei Boyi.

Was this guy an idiot? He didn’t even know how to fight back when being bullied. In the end, didn’t he still have to rely on him?

“Give it to me.” Bai Tang snatched the pouch full of matcha-roasted pine nuts, opened it, and revealed the adorable round little pine nuts inside. He was so delighted that he could hardly hide it, yet he still stubbornly said, “I’m not returning this bag of pine nuts. Consider it repayment for me saving your life just now.”

Bai Tang never even considered whether Pei Boyi had actually needed saving. The moment he saw him being surrounded and attacked, rage had exploded inside him, and in a burst of impulse, he charged in. By the time he came back to his senses, the bullies were already sprawled on the ground.

Bai Tang pressed his lips together. At the thought that if he had arrived even a moment later, Pei Boyi might have been beaten to death, killing intent instantly overflowed from him.

“Are you an idiot? If you’re being bullied, don’t you know how to run?” Bai Tang felt murderous toward those people, but he was also angry at Pei Boyi for not standing up for himself.

Pei Boyi greatly enjoyed seeing how much Bai Tang cared about him. An angry Tang Tang was adorable too.

“It’s a good thing Tang Tang came. There were so many of them, and this is their territory. If Tang Tang hadn’t stepped in in time, I really wouldn’t have known what to do.”

Pei Boyi understood Bai Tang better than anyone. When it was time to act pitiful, he would act pitiful. As long as it made Bai Tang feel sorry for him, pride and dignity meant nothing.

Sure enough, Bai Tang’s heart softened. He even felt his own image grow taller and more heroic. As expected, he was amazing—those righteous-path disciples were no match for him at all.

Seizing the opportunity, Pei Boyi covered his face with his sleeve and said in a pitiful tone, “I’ve heard that Demon Lord Songzi is incredibly powerful—even Demon Saints are no match for you. I truly admire you. Right now, I’m alone in the Dianxing Sect, while they have overwhelming numbers. If they wanted to deal with me, I wouldn’t even know what to do. Yet I can’t immediately leave and tear apart the relationship between our two sects. I hope Demon Lord Songzi will take pity on me and protect me.”

But Pei Boyi was naturally good-looking. When this pitiful, delicate demeanor appeared on him, it did not diminish his handsomeness in the slightest. Instead, it gave him the air of a frail young master with no one to cherish him, making Bai Tang—who still had not realized he was in love with him—ache with pity inside.

Bai Tang glared furiously and split a bamboo tree in half with a palm strike.

“How dare they!”

“With Demon Lord Songzi here, naturally they wouldn’t dare. But if you weren’t around…” Pei Boyi deliberately left his words unfinished. In truth, if Bai Tang were not here and those people really tried to harm him, they would definitely suffer the consequences.

“To show my sincerity, I’m willing to offer delicious food to Your Lordship.” Pei Boyi took out many snacks from his storage space—sugar-roasted chestnuts, seasoned sunflower seeds, popcorn… Every single one was something Bai Tang loved to eat. Though none compared to his new favorite, the matcha-roasted pine nuts, changing flavors once in a while was still nice.

Bai Tang was tempted. Staring at the bags of snacks, his mouth watered as his heart screamed that he wanted to eat them—wanted to have them.

Pei Boyi waved the snacks lightly in front of Bai Tang and said with a smiling expression, “Demon Lord, what do you think of my sincerity?”

Bai Tang restrained his expression, thinking he had hidden it well, though his eager gaze kept drifting toward the snacks. Still, he spoke disdainfully, “Just this?”

Hidden beneath his wide sleeves, Pei Boyi clenched his hand into a fist, suppressing the urge to step forward and pat Bai Tang on the head.

“I’m honored that Demon Lord does not dislike it. I’m willing to cook for you whenever you wish. Whatever Demon Lord likes to eat, I’ll make it.”

Hearing this, Bai Tang was even more tempted. Just helping with a small favor would earn him a long-term meal ticket—no matter how he looked at it, this deal was absolutely worth it.

He puffed out his little chest and said arrogantly, “Fine then. This Lord will reluctantly agree to help you.”

“This Lord doesn’t care about food or anything like that. It’s mainly because you look too pitiful. We did spend a few days together in the Daji Secret Realm before, so we can be considered acquaintances with some fate between us. This Lord is only helping you for the sake of an old acquaintance, definitely not because of your snacks.”

At the end, Bai Tang added several more explanations, trying to make his image as a great Demon Lord appear even taller and nobler.

What he did not know was that his disguise had long since fallen apart in front of Pei Boyi. Back then, he had even declared that they would have nothing to do with each other anymore. But if there was no connection, they could simply create one—and now, weren’t they connected again?

Pei Boyi chuckled softly, then immediately suppressed the smile curling at his lips.

“Yes, Demon Lord is absolutely right.”

Yes, Lord Tang Tang was absolutely right.

A picture of an unfamiliar man flashed through Bai Tang’s mind, gradually overlapping with the Pei Boyi before him.

“From now on, I’ll rely on Lord Tang Tang to take care of me.”

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

“Tang Tang, I love you.”

In the vision, there were two men—one tall and one shorter—rolling around together as they laughed and played. As they played, they gradually started kissing…

The blush-inducing scene made Bai Tang’s heart race wildly. Although he had never seen the faces of the two men before, he had the strange feeling that they were himself and Pei Boyi.

“Tang Tang, what’s wrong?” Seeing Bai Tang’s flushed face, Pei Boyi frowned and reached out, intending to check his temperature.

Bai Tang quickly stepped back, avoiding Pei Boyi’s touch. When he saw the stunned expression frozen on the other man’s face, he suddenly felt that he might have overreacted. After all, everything had only been his own imagination. He was a Demon Lord with principles and boundaries—how could he casually take his emotions out on someone else?

Even as he tried to comfort himself with that reasoning, the images that had suddenly appeared in his mind refused to disappear.

“A-Anyway, I already promised to protect you, so you should go back now. If you don’t return soon, your Miss Zhenzhen will probably start worrying when she can’t find you.”

Clearly, that was not what he had originally wanted to say. So how had it turned into sour jealousy the moment it left his mouth?

“What does her worrying have to do with me?” Pei Boyi asked in return. Whether it was Zhenzhen or anyone else, none of them had ever entered his heart. There was only Tang Tang in it.

Bai Tang ignored the faint sweetness rising in his chest and said, “Alright, alright. Aren’t you here as a guest of the Dianxing Sect? When are you leaving? This Lord still has things to do—I don’t have much time to waste.”

“Where is Tang Tang going? I’ll come with you.”

Pei Boyi had come to the Dianxing Sect to borrow the Radiant Pearl and conceal his aura so he could enter the Demon Realm to search for Bai Tang. Now that Bai Tang had appeared on his own, the Radiant Pearl was no longer all that necessary.

Bai Tang thought about the matter with Shura Ice. He had been peacefully cultivating in seclusion, only to be schemed against by a group of petty villains, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He picked out the important parts and told Pei Boyi about them. At the end, he pouted aggrievedly.

“It’s all because of them that I lost my last matcha-roasted pine nut.”

It had fallen to the ground during the fight and gotten dirty, making it impossible to eat.

“Don’t cry. However many you want, I’ll make for you. We won’t eat the dirty ones—we’ll eat freshly made ones instead.”

Whenever Bai Tang cried, Pei Boyi’s heart ached. He pulled his beloved boy into his arms and gently wiped away his tears with a handkerchief.

“Okay~”

His soft, childish voice carried a teary wobble, his nose red from crying, making him unbearably lovable.

“Those people were clearly being ordered around by someone else. Once we find the mastermind behind it all, I’ll avenge Tang Tang.”

“Okay~”

As evening gradually fell, stars slowly began to light up the sky. Daoist Jiayi hosted a banquet for Pei Boyi, attended as well by many of the Dianxing Sect’s elders.

The banquet was held in a garden surrounded by blooming flowers. Curtains hung from the flowering branches, while thin curls of sandalwood incense rose from bronze burners. It lacked the extravagant luxury of the mortal world, yet possessed a unique charm of its own. The pastries and dishes arranged on the tables were all made from spiritual fruits and spiritual spring water. A single bite provided minor nourishment, and the level of refinement surpassed even the banquets of mortal emperors by several degrees.

The Dianxing Sect had truly spared no expense this time. Even when entertaining fellow sect members, they would never prepare a banquet with such meticulous care and grandeur.

After parting ways with Pei Boyi earlier, Zhenzhen returned to her room and carefully dressed herself up. She wore clothing that best highlighted a woman’s gentle beauty, put on exquisite makeup, and walked gracefully toward the head of the banquet with a round fan in hand, every step elegant and refined.

“Your daughter greets Father and the honored elders.”

The young woman’s voice was soft and alluring, the upward lilt at the end of her words like a feathery tail brushing against one’s skin, making listeners’ hearts itch.

She shyly glanced at Pei Boyi, her cheeks flushing red with embarrassment and bashfulness.

“Zhenzhen, sit down. Today is merely a small welcoming banquet for Nephew Pei,” Daoist Jiayi said. Looking at his daughter’s ethereal beauty and then at Pei Boyi’s extraordinary appearance, he increasingly felt the two were perfectly matched.

The elders invited to the banquet exchanged knowing looks when they saw this scene. They all felt that if Pei Boyi and Zhenzhen became a couple, the Dianxing Sect would surely receive preferential treatment from the Le’an Immortal Sect in the future, which would greatly benefit the sect’s prospects.

“Nephew Pei,” Daoist Jiayi said, “Zhenzhen accompanied you around the Dianxing Sect this afternoon, and you must have been exhausted from traveling all the way here. So this Sect Master took the liberty of preparing a welcoming banquet for you. The preparations were rushed, so I hope you won’t mind.”

Though his words sounded humble, neither his expression nor tone matched them. Clearly, he was very satisfied with the arrangements.

Pei Boyi replied, “Daoist Jiayi is too courteous. This junior has never paid much attention to such formalities.”

“Good, good, good…”

Daoist Jiayi raised a cup of spiritual wine. “This Sect Master offers Nephew Pei a toast.”

Pei Boyi raised his own cup in return. “This junior dare not accept such courtesy.”

After both parties drained their cups, Daoist Jiayi said, “Zhenzhen, Nephew Pei’s cup is empty. Why don’t you refill it for him?”

“Yes.”

Zhenzhen walked gracefully to Pei Boyi’s table. She lifted the wine pot and poured wine into his cup, exposing her elegant swan-like neck in a manner that easily stirred one’s imagination.

Suddenly, Pei Boyi frowned.

Zhenzhen happened to notice when she looked up. Thinking she had done something wrong and displeased him, her hand trembled, causing wine to spill across the table. The liquid slid toward Pei Boyi, soaking his clothes.

“Senior Brother Pei, I didn’t do it on purpose!”

Zhenzhen hurriedly took out a handkerchief, intending to wipe him clean.

Pei Boyi quickly dodged away. “I’ll do it myself.”

He cast a cleansing spell to dry his clothes, while at the same time reaching into his wide sleeve to feel for the little squirrel that had suddenly bitten him hard a moment earlier.

The little squirrel darted left and right, refusing to let him touch it.

“Squeak squeak squeak —” Who told you to flirt with another woman? I’m not letting you touch me. Not letting you touch me. Hmph~

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Chapter 470 – My Master Is Not Human – Tang Tang Gets Jealous (17)

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As the saying goes, no one knows a daughter better than her father. Seeing Zhenzhen’s shy expression, Daoist Jiayi changed his original plans. His youngest daughter was quite pretty, and many disciples within the Point Star Sect admired her. He had also heard that the Le’an Immortal Sect had far more men than women, and that Medicine Peak did not even have any female disciples aside from spirit beasts. Presumably, Pei Boyi rarely encountered young women.

Daoist Jiayi chuckled and deliberately changed the subject instead of continuing the previous conversation.

“You,” he said to Zhenzhen, “I know you admire Fellow Daoist Pei, but as a young lady, you should restrain your emotions a little.”

Though his words sounded like criticism, his indulgent tone carried no real reproach at all.

He then helped Xiao Qiu to his feet and apologized to Pei Boyi. “I’ve spoiled my daughter too much. Please forgive her behavior, Fellow Daoist Pei.”

Since Pei Boyi was currently asking a favor from him, and because this was their family matter, he did not say much in response.

“Not at all. Miss Zhenzhen is lively and straightforward. Even in the Le’an Immortal Sect, women like her are rarely seen.”

Hearing this, Daoist Jiayi immediately felt there was hope. Without hesitation, he took Pei Boyi’s polite words seriously and laughed.

“It’s rare for Fellow Daoist Pei to visit the Point Star Sect. Why not let Zhenzhen show you around? I just remembered that I have an urgent matter to attend to, so I must excuse myself.”

As the sect master, having important matters to handle was perfectly normal.

Pei Boyi stared at Daoist Jiayi, his sharp eyes seeming capable of seeing straight through the man’s thoughts, making the latter feel slightly uneasy.

After several breaths, Pei Boyi suddenly withdrew his imposing aura and cupped his hands politely.

“That won’t be necessary. This junior only wishes to borrow the Radiant Light Pearl. Since Daoist Jiayi has matters to attend to, I would not dare trouble you further. I am willing to offer fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills as compensation in exchange for borrowing your sect’s Radiant Light Pearl for three months.”

Fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills!

Such precious pills were extraordinarily difficult to refine, yet he was offering fifty at once. Not long ago, Pei Boyi had generously distributed Soul-Returning Jade Pills to various sects as a gesture of goodwill, curing disciples whose cultivation had been crippled after entering the Daji Secret Realm. The fact that he could now casually produce another fifty showed just how deep Medicine Peak’s resources truly were.

A trace of greed flashed through Daoist Jiayi’s eyes before he quickly concealed it.

He smiled warmly. “Ah~ The Point Star Sect and the Le’an Immortal Sect are both righteous sects. We should naturally help one another. Nephew Pei, you are being too formal.”

Pei Boyi noticed the subtle change in how Daoist Jiayi addressed him, but he did not expose it. Instead, he simply smiled and waited quietly for the man’s answer.

How badly Daoist Jiayi wanted to agree immediately.

But when he looked at his daughter’s bashful face, he felt it would be wiser to think long-term. If Pei Boyi became his son-in-law, would he ever need to worry about lacking spiritual pills and miraculous medicines in the future?

With that thought in mind, Daoist Jiayi painfully resisted the temptation and said, “There’s no rush. The Radiant Light Pearl is one of our sect’s treasures. Lending it out is not something I alone can decide. I’ll need to discuss it with the elders first.”

“Zhenzhen, take Nephew Pei around the sect and show him the sights.”

Zhenzhen immediately understood the meaning behind her father’s words. Her flushed face reddened even further, practically as red as a monkey’s backside.

“Father, Zhenzhen understands~”

Daoist Jiayi left with Xiao Qiu, and Zhenzhen looked at the handsome Pei Boyi as she spoke in the sweetest voice she could muster.

“Senior Brother Pei, this way please.”

Pei Boyi could not simply seize the Point Star Sect’s treasure by force, so he could only patiently endure the situation. Even fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills had failed to sway Daoist Jiayi, which showed just how greedy the man truly was.

“My thanks, Miss Zhenzhen.”

Along the way, Zhenzhen deliberately led Pei Boyi through the most scenic areas of the Point Star Sect, doing her utmost to explain the sights to him.

The path they took was far from secluded, and many disciples saw their beloved junior sister accompanying such a handsome and elegant man. The peach-blossom look on her face clearly showed that she had fallen in love.

Although Zhenzhen’s cultivation was mediocre and she was currently only at the Foundation Establishment stage, her status as the sect master’s only daughter meant she had always been doted upon. Whether sincere or fake, almost no one in the Point Star Sect had ever spoken harshly to her. As a result, she felt that the sect’s disciples lacked ambition and failed to match the ideal image in her heart. Pei Boyi’s appearance happened to fulfill all of her fantasies perfectly.

“Senior Brother Pei, are you tired? The Point Star Sect is quite large, so we won’t be able to finish touring it in a short time. There’s a pavilion up ahead. Why don’t we rest there for a while? I’ll have the servants prepare some tea, and afterward we can continue admiring the scenery.”

Could Pei Boyi refuse? Of course he could.

But considering she was a young woman who had accompanied him for so long, and since he had no grudge against her, there was no need to make things difficult for her.

He nodded, agreeing to her suggestion.

“Miss Zhenzhen is the host, so we shall follow your arrangements.”

Overjoyed, Zhenzhen hurried off to instruct the servants to prepare tea and refreshments.

The moment she left, it gave the disciples—who had long since grown jealous of Pei Boyi—the opportunity they had been waiting for.

Several outer sect disciples stepped forward and surrounded the pavilion, speaking to Pei Boyi rudely.

“Who are you? What is your relationship with Junior Sister Zhenzhen?”

Since Pei Boyi was not wearing robes from their sect, and because these outer sect disciples lacked experience and had never visited the Le’an Immortal Sect, they naturally failed to recognize him.

Pei Boyi’s gentle demeanor vanished as he replied coldly, “What does it have to do with you?”

The disciples exchanged looks, each seeing anger reflected in the others’ eyes.

They had actually been ignored.

They were considered the top figures among the outer sect disciples, and in next year’s sect competition, they would likely enter the inner sect. Yet this brat dared to be so arrogant.

“I’m warning you—stay away from Junior Sister Zhenzhen. A man who does not even dare reveal his name is not worthy of her.”

“And you are?” Pei Boyi sneered without bothering to argue further. “Your Junior Sister Zhenzhen is the one clinging to me. What can I possibly do about it?”

Those words were unbearably arrogant. Not only did they insult the disciples, but they also insulted Zhenzhen herself.

Enraged, the group immediately summoned their magical artifacts and charged at Pei Boyi.

“You only know how to run your mouth. Today, I’ll make you kneel and beg for mercy in tears!”

Newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivators were no match for Pei Boyi. In his eyes, their movements seemed slowed down dozens of times over. Without even drawing a weapon, he merely flashed past them, causing the group to stumble and fall flat on their faces.

“You—take out your weapon and fight us properly!” one of them shouted.

“And why should I fight you?” Pei Boyi replied disdainfully.

The lead disciple was completely enraged. He formed a hand seal and infused his sword with the Wind-Thunder Art. Anyone struck by the blade would suffer an impact like being hit by lightning.

“Ow—!”

Before they could even finish forming their battle formation, the disciple protecting the rear suddenly cried out as if something had struck his leg. One after another, they collapsed to the ground groaning in pain, while the lead disciple standing in the center turned pale.

It was not that he did not want to attack.

His body had suddenly become unable to move.

Not only that, but the moment he thought about teaching Pei Boyi a lesson, his entire body felt as though it were being electrocuted.

This brat must have used some kind of evil trick. Otherwise, how could he end up in this state without even touching him? I have to teach him a lesson… I must—

“Ah… ah… AHH—!”

Before he could do anything, waves of electric current surged through his body, shocking him until his eyes rolled back.

Clang—

His sword fell to the ground, and the lead disciple collapsed on top of the lackeys he had brought with him. The electricity crackling across his body spread to the others, making them howl miserably. Before long, a puddle spread across the ground, and the sharp stench of urine filled the air.

Pei Boyi covered his nose slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes as he watched the scene.

“Tang Tang, did you come to save me?” he said softly.

Yet aside from him and the fallen disciples, there was no sign of anyone else nearby.

Pei Boyi was not in a hurry. From his storage space, he took out a small pouch of freshly made sencha pine nuts and placed it on the stone table.

“What happened here? What are you all doing?”

Zhenzhen returned with her maidservants carrying tea and refreshments. The moment she saw the outer sect disciples sprawled on the ground, having lost control of their bowels and bladders, she immediately understood what had happened.

An ugly expression flashed across her face.

How embarrassing.

She had worked so hard to establish a good image in front of Pei Boyi, and her father had finally given her a chance to spend time alone with him—only for these idiots to ruin it all.

“Miss Zhenzhen, these junior brothers saw me sitting here alone and worried I might be bored, so they insisted on putting on a performance. Unfortunately, the space was too cramped for them to properly show their skills, which is why they lost control,” Pei Boyi said in a teasing tone, half-jokingly covering for them.

Zhenzhen gave Pei Boyi a slight bow. “Senior Brother Pei must be laughing at us.”

She quickly instructed the maidservants to call someone over to carry away the disciples, who could barely stand upright anymore. As she stepped over the unidentified liquid on the ground while holding the tea and snacks, she curled her lips in disgust before setting everything down on the stone table.

The table was now piled with delicate pastries and refreshments.

But the pouch of sencha pine nuts Pei Boyi had taken out earlier had mysteriously disappeared.

“Senior Brother Pei, please have some refreshments,” Zhenzhen said sweetly.

With a wave of his hand, Pei Boyi instantly cleared away the filth on the ground, and the foul smell dispersed with the wind.

“Senior Brother Pei is amazing,” Zhenzhen said admiringly.

Pei Boyi said, “It’s nothing serious. I’m tired, so let’s end the tour here for today. Miss Zhenzhen, please have someone show me to the guest room.”

He had already lost the patience to continue strolling around with Zhenzhen. Right now, all he wanted was to get away from her as quickly as possible so he could meet the person he had been longing for day and night.

Zhenzhen’s smile became somewhat forced as she cursed those disciples thousands of times in her heart.

“Since Senior Brother Pei is tired, I’ll continue showing you around tomorrow. For now, I’ll escort you back to your room.”

After returning to the guest room and watching Zhenzhen leave with her maidservants, Pei Boyi also slipped out of the room, following that familiar aura until he arrived at a bamboo grove.

“Tang Tang, I want to see you. Will you come out?”

The bamboo grove rustled softly. Pei Boyi’s voice was carried away by the wind, while one bamboo stalk swayed more violently than the others. A yellowish-brown little squirrel jumped down from it, and Pei Boyi immediately held out his hand to catch him.

The little squirrel did jump toward Pei Boyi— but instead of landing obediently in his palm, he stomped hard on Pei Boyi’s hand several times before leaping onto another bamboo stalk.

“Tang Tang…” Pei Boyi paid no attention to the scratches the squirrel had left on his palm. Instead, he looked at the lively little creature with delight.

How wonderful.

He had finally seen Tang Tang again.

The little squirrel transformed into a human. Bai Tang’s delicate face carried an arrogant, pouty expression, yet his words were thick with jealousy.

“Sorry for showing up at such a bad time and interrupting your lovey-dovey time with Miss Zhenzhen.”

Pei Boyi’s gaze never left Bai Tang for even a moment. He chuckled softly.

“Is Tang Tang jealous?”

The moment Bai Tang heard that, he immediately bristled.

“Who’s jealous?! Aren’t the sencha pine nuts delicious enough? Why would I eat vinegar? Whoever wants to be jealous can go ahead and be jealous—I’m not!” He huffed.

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