Chapter 44: Tired, Let It Burn

"Witch, don't forget the agreement between us."

An untimely voice sounded beside Mo Sangyu's ear.

Not long ago, the two had agreed that neither would approach Lin Chuan again, and would let him decide for himself after his memories awakened.

But Mo Sangyu had never intended to honor the agreement.

The one who agreed to it was the gentle Mo Sangyu—what does that have to do with me, Demon Venerable Mo Sangyu?

"Stinky woman, this time I'm definitely going to beat you!"

"Who wins and who loses isn't decided yet."

Yun Zhi Yi naturally wouldn't back down. She could allow A Chuan to take a concubine, but she absolutely could not tolerate living under the same roof as the Witch.

As the two women argued.

In Juncheng, Lin Chuan had already left the storytelling Stage with Xiao Rumeng and arrived at a residence.

The Lin Family's business was growing day by day. For convenience, Lin Yangyang had also purchased some shops and properties in Juncheng.

"Chuan'er, you're finally back."

The moment the door opened, they saw the stone table in the courtyard laden with a lavish spread of dishes.

Three people sat around the table. Besides his sister Lin Yangyang, there were also a man and a woman, both wearing Demon-Slaying Office attire.

Both were Four-Mark Demon Slayers.

Corresponding to cultivators at the Shedding Body Realm, the eighth of the cultivation realms.

"These two are the resident Demon Slayers of Youliang County, Daoist Friend Pei Yin Yi and Daoist Friend Yu Hui Lan."

"Greetings to you both, Daoist Friends."

Unfamiliar cultivators typically addressed each other as Daoist Friend. Lin Chuan followed suit and gradually grew accustomed to some of the customs of the cultivation world.

"Daoist Friend Lin Chuan, I've long heard of your great name."

Pei Yin Yi smiled and cupped his fists in return.

Though he was a full realm above Lin Chuan, he showed not the slightest arrogance, because he knew very well what talent an eighteen-year-old at the Soaring Sky Realm represented.

Let alone that the young man before him was also a true Sword Cultivator!

Yu Hui Lan smiled and said, "The Great Yan Dynasty hasn't seen a true Sword Cultivator in a long time. I never expected our Youliang County to produce one. What a fortune."

"You two flatter me."

Lin Chuan humbly cupped his hands.

He had looked into the definition of a Sword Cultivator in the Nine-phase World. It seemed that only Sword Path cultivators who had comprehended Sword Intent could be called Sword Cultivators.

Everyone else could only be called swordsmen.

Or rather, cultivators who wielded swords.

Lin Chuan was rather troubled. That day while slaying demons, he had been forced to show off, and got labeled a Sword Cultivator—a label he couldn't shake off no matter what.

If he had to do it again, he wouldn't be able to execute such a flawless Sword Path technique at all.

"From now on, we're colleagues. I'll toast everyone. On the Path of Cultivation, please look after us, Daoist Friends."

Pei Yin Yi had a rugged appearance and a hearty personality.

The four raised their wine cups together and downed them in one gulp.

They sat down and returned to the main topic.

Yu Hui Lan said solemnly, "Let me explain the mission to capture the Spirit Clan this time. The Spider Web has already gathered clear intelligence."

"The Spirit Clan is not a native force of Qingyun Prefecture, but an outside force."

"The so-called Spirit Clan is an organization founded by a group of Half-Demons united together, originally to resist the oppression of the Human Race and the Demon Tribe."

"But some of the Spirit Clan overcorrected, their hatred toward the Human Race and the Demon Tribe growing ever deeper, sowing discord between the Demon Tribe and the Human Race everywhere."

"For many years, the Demon Tribe and the Human Race of Qingyun Prefecture lived in peace, with only a few mischievous lesser demons causing trouble—not worth mentioning."

"But under the Spirit Clan's instigation, the warlike nature of the Demon Tribe has been aroused, and there are faint signs of them wanting to go to war with the Human Race again."

"The operation to eliminate the Spirit Clan is imminent."

Yu Hui Lan methodically recounted the upcoming mission plan.

"In this operation, our team is responsible for capturing two members of the Spirit Clan: Yu Xiao Rao, who carries the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan bloodline, and Cui Shuangsheng, who carries the Heavenly Wolf bloodline."

"Both targets are at the Shedding Body Realm. The former is extremely skilled at disguise and possesses strong mental charm abilities—quite difficult to deal with."

"Cui Shuangsheng is manageable. Aside from being fast, he doesn't have many strengths."

"For these two Spirit Clan members, the higher-ups require them to be captured alive. After all, they haven't participated in any evil deeds. The higher-ups mainly want to use them to contact the Spirit Clan's experts and resolve the conflict."

"Here is the detailed intelligence on the targets. Please have a look, you two."

Having said that, Yu Hui Lan handed two dossiers to Lin Chuan and Lin Yangyang.

The strength of the Lin Shi Jiedi had already been verified. Though only at the Soaring Sky Realm, they had the ability to contend with those at the Shedding Body Realm.

Having an extra helper was very important for the Demon Slayers carrying out the mission.

Lin Chuan took the dossiers. He only glanced briefly at the intelligence on Cui Shuangsheng of the Heavenly Wolf bloodline, without much interest.

By contrast, he read the intelligence on Yu Xiao Rao of the Nine-tailed Fox Bloodline much more carefully.

If this Spirit Clan and the Spirit Clan from the Forbidden Love were truly of the same origin, then Yu Xiao Rao might even have a connection to him.

"I'll help deal with this Yu Xiao Rao."

Lin Chuan volunteered.

"This—"

Yu Hui Lan said, "Daoist Friend Lin, have you thought it through? Yu Xiao Rao's charm is far more lethal to men than to women."

According to the Demon-Slaying Office's plan, it should have been her and Lin Yangyang dealing with Yu Xiao Rao.

Lin Chuan chuckled softly. "With sword in hand, one can sever the mortal world. A mere fox demon—nothing but a painted skeleton. It cannot shake my sword heart."

"Lin brothers, what great spirit!"

Pei Yin Yi laughed heartily in praise.

The real reason Lin Chuan chose Yu Xiao Rao was, of course, because his body harbored the soul of Tu Shan Jiao Jiao.

Tu Shan Jiao Jiao is, in the Tianyuan Continent of Forbidden Love, the most pure‑blooded Nine‑Tailed Fox of that era.

A mere half‑blood little fox cannot tempt at all.

That is Lin Chuan's confidence.

Whether the Spirit Clan in the dream or in reality is involved, Tu Shan Jiao Jiao's soul certainly cannot be counterfeit.

Pei Yin Yi and Yu Hui Lan also chose to trust Lin Chuan.

This is a respect for a Sword Cultivator!

Three rounds of wine have passed.

The two Demon‑Slaying Envoys said farewell and left.

Lin Yangyang had to go handle the trading house affairs, while Lin Chuan practiced sword alone in the small courtyard.

Yun Xin Shen Sword! Draw!

In the dream, the Yun Xin Shen Sword followed him and displayed great divine power.

In reality, its power was less than one ten‑thousandth.

After nearly a month of dream‑reincarnation idle cultivation, Lin Chuan has many inspirations to digest, and Breaking Realm progresses swiftly.

Void Space.

Yun Zhi Yi's eyes glittered, and she clenched the Pink Fist.

Finally! It's my turn!!

"Witch, oh witch, you still play mind games with me, not knowing I've long been heart‑linked with A Chuan; see how you will defend?!"

Yun Zhi Yi offered a drop of heart blood.

In terms of combat power, she is inferior to the Witch.

Regarding fortune, destiny, and karmic attainment, she is confident she surpasses the Witch.

Heart‑blood linked.

While practicing sword, Lin Chuan felt the blade becoming smoother in his hand, and images involuntarily floated in his mind.

That was in the 'Prince's Jianghu' dream, where he and Childhood Sweetheart Yun Zhi Yi shared deep affection, exchanging glances, both practicing sword together.

"Hallucination?"

It was only a moment, and Lin Chuan dismissed the thought.

During the day, Mo Sangyu set up the Stage, invited the gentleman, told a story, and gave him wild hints; at night, while practicing sword, a hallucination of Yun Zhi Yi appeared?

How could it be so coincidental?!

It must be that the jealousy jar of Childhood Sweetheart Niangzi was tipped over, sounding a counter‑attack horn to Mo Sangyu.

Destroy! I'm tired!

Lin Chuan really wants to lie on the bed and let the two ladies automatically resolve this endless dispute.