Chapter 95: Chu Lian's Past

"You're going back to Zhenzhou tomorrow, right?"

A few days passed quickly; that day Lu Chen had just woken up when he suddenly heard Chu Lian's voice.

"Mm, you might see your master then."

Lu Chen felt somewhat uneasy.

After all, that is a Dao-realizing cultivator, a demonic cultivator who has experienced the heavenly tribulation of the Dao-realizing stage.

"Be careful..." Chu Lian said, a little worried.

During this time, she had gradually come to accept Lu Chen's presence, and unconsciously began to worry about him over some matters.

"Did you take the wrong pill? Why are you suddenly caring about me?" Lu Chen blinked, wondering where the usual Chu Lian had gone.

"Hmph! My good intentions are treated as spite; from now on I won't care about you."

Chu Lian turned away, her expression displeased.

Actually, she had a reason for worrying.

Her parents were both demonic cultivators, and she grew up in a demonic sect from the time she could remember.

Later, her talent for alchemy gradually showed, and at the age of ten she was taken in as a disciple by Elder Yun Shu.

Over these years, he has treated her well.

But despite that, she has never felt grateful toward him.

The reason is simple: Elder Yun Shu's kindness toward her back then was always motivated by self-interest.

Moreover, the first lesson he taught her in becoming a demonic cultivator was to have her kill her own parents with her own hands.

He said this was something that must be done to become a demonic cultivator.

She still remembers how, when she refused to comply, her mother's chest was ripped open and her heart pulled out while it was still beating.

When she recalls that scene, her facial expression shows no change.

She has merely become somewhat numb.

Having been manipulated for so many years, she has become numb to the point of forgetting that memory.

She has become so numb that she has followed her parent‑killing master for many years.

Thus, after meeting Lu Chen, her reaction has been so strong.

To her, Lu Chen seems like an oddity among demonic cultivators—called a demonic cultivator, yet not quite like one.

At first, she viewed Lu Chen with her old eyes, thinking he approached her for the same selfish motives.

But as time passed, that feeling gradually faded.

In its place arose a feeling she herself could not put into words.

"If it's not necessary, try not to get close to my master; she has too many tricks."

"If you really must go, take me with you."

She spoke with her back to Lu Chen, not turning around.

"Why, aren't you worried that she'll find out about your innocence?"

Chu Lian froze for a moment upon hearing this; Lu Chen really is a blockhead.

She said that actually to protect him.

Because she has witnessed Elder Yun Shu's methods,

back when she disappeared from the Heavenly Demon Sect, everyone knew she was with Lu Chen.

His going there is essentially like a lamb entering a tiger's den, isn't it?

"Don't worry."

Lu Chen, however, is not worried about that.

If the soul‑hiding technique imparted by the Empress could be seen through, then she wouldn't be called the Empress.

That said, he now roughly understands Chu Lian's meaning.

Among demonic cultivators, discord between master and disciple is common, so he isn't too surprised by that.

"Mm." Chu Lian gave a soft hum and said no more.

Lu Chen got up and left the room.

Today is the day to go to the Zhenzhou Trade Fair.

Mu Han Yu had already woken early and was making preparations.

The Trade Fair's main purpose is to balance the strength of the various sects and clans, preventing a gap from being blown open too quickly should a major war break out.

Thus, both usable and unusable treasures from the past can be brought along.

Some things may be useless to oneself, but could be supreme treasures for other cultivators?

Especially for Lu Chen.

"With Su Qian and Qin Yan's items, we should be able to exchange for something useful, right?"

After waiting a while for Mu Han Yu, the two finally left their lodgings and went outside.

Mu Han Yu brought Lu Chen to the sect's gate.

Seeing that it was an elder, the sect disciples all bowed respectfully and quickly let them pass.

"That must be the Lu Senior Brother who just joined the sect not long ago, right? It seems Elder Mu really likes him; otherwise he couldn't have broken through so quickly... Reaching the Transforming Spirit Realm—how many resources have they poured into him?"

"Their talent is something we can't learn."

Having left the sect, one of Lu Chen's senior brothers was already waiting here.

Because he was worried that bringing only Lu Chen would arouse suspicion, etc., two days ago he had Mu Han Yu recall one of the disciples.

Anyway, the other party is also under the influence of the Pulling Technique, so it won't affect the plan.

The three quickly arrived at the mountains west of the sect, where they saw Mo Tian Cheng engaged in quiet breath cultivation.

"Han Yu, why are you so late?"

"After leaving the sect, Mo Tiancheng changed his form of address."

"Their prior relationship was never simple; outsiders simply weren't aware."

"He glanced at Lu Chen and another person behind Mu Han Yu, and his expression shifted slightly."

"Sorting the storage pouch delayed me a moment."

"I see. Since there's nothing else, let's go."

"Mo Tiancheng summoned a giant flying vessel; he brought no one else on this trip."

"Mu Han Yu glanced at Lu Chen out of the corner of her eye, then quickly followed."

"Lu Chen and his senior martial brother followed behind."

"Han Yu, how is the pulling technique proceeding?"

"After boarding the flying vessel, Mo Tiancheng sent a mental message."

"Don't worry, his status is so important that nothing unexpected will happen."

"Mu Han Yu said, and suddenly a few strands of regret arose in her heart."

"If she hadn't been too eager to act against Lu Chen, perhaps she wouldn't have ended up like this."

"That's good." Upon learning that the two had already been pulled, Mo Tiancheng suddenly leaned toward Mu Han Yu.

"Although the flying vessel is fast, reaching Zhenzhou still takes half a day."

"He hadn't seen the other party for some days, and he began to miss them."

"But what he didn't expect was that Mu Han Yu suddenly moved her body and dodged his hand."

"Han Yu, what is this?"

"Mo Tiancheng's brows furrowed slightly."

"Tiancheng, at such a critical moment, why are you only thinking about these things?"

"Let's talk about it after the exchange meeting ends."

"Mu Han Yu sent a mental message."

"Since that day when she was reversely pulled, Lu Chen gave her an order."

"In this lifetime, she can only take Lu Chen's form."

"... Never mind, what you say makes sense."

"Mo Tiancheng furrowed his brows slightly, accepting her explanation."

"After all, at this exchange meeting, the demon cultivators' unprecedented 'unity' means it's best not to cause trouble at such a critical juncture."

"Mm, you control the flying vessel; I've been a bit weary from cultivation these days, I'll go rest first."

"Mu Han Yu spoke."

She had just prepared to return to the resting chamber installed inside the flying vessel when she suddenly heard Mo Tiancheng turn his head and ask:

"When we get to Zhenzhou, would you like to also visit my clan brother's grave?"

"It is said that after his death back then, the Demon Sect, to disguise his defection, gave him a grand burial and interred him in a valley."

"Back then, not only Mu Han Yu betrayed Mo Xuan."

"Mo Tiancheng also had a share."

"Forget it, aren't you afraid that going there will disturb your Dao heart and prevent a breakthrough?"

"Mu Han Yu said, and her gaze swept a glance inside the room."

"In her eyes, Mo Xuan was presently inside the room."

"Reasonable, then we won't go."