Chapter 117: Not Sharing One's Worries in Front of Others

"What did you say?" True Person Shangqing was greatly shocked. "Is this true?"

"Absolutely certain. When Chiyanzi arrived, his clothes were in tatters; he must have encountered hardships in Manzhou," True Person Qianyuan said, frowning, his face full of worry.

The Elders were also solemn upon hearing this. If the Demon Lord were truly lurking in Manzhou, he would be right on their doorstep. Over the years, given that person's capabilities, making a comeback would not be a difficult task.

After all, back then, he had fought his way back to the Demon Realm alone and reclaimed his throne. But since he is able to command the Demon Race, why would he linger in the human world?

True Person Shangqing pondered for a moment, then summoned Hanyang for questioning.

"Where is Fucang Elder?"

Seeing the expressions of his master and the other Elders, Hanyang only felt that perhaps Lingxiang had caused some trouble again. Hesitating and not knowing how to speak, he saw True Person Shangqing urge him anxiously:

"Matters have their priorities; report it quickly!"

Seeing this, Hanyang hurriedly replied: "Just now, Junior Aunt went down the mountain, saying she was going to see an old friend..."

Now that Bai Wuchang's whereabouts are unknown, and he had once infiltrated the sect during the martial arts tournament, if the Demon Lord's goal is truly Lingxiang, how could they allow her to be so reckless?

"You, go down the mountain immediately and find Fucang Elder! Do not fail!" True Person Shangqing ordered.

Just as Hanyang was about to accept the order and leave, True Person Donghui suddenly spoke up.

"Wait!"

Hanyang looked at the Elders on the platform, not knowing what to do, when he saw True Person Donghui perform a Daoist salute toward True Person Shangqing and say:

"Sect Leader Brother, do not be so anxious; listen to me. The Demon Race is indeed making moves, but they must still have some reservations; otherwise, given that Demon Lord's temperament, he would have already attacked the sect."

"Furthermore, back then, Tumi Fairy cast the Curse of Nightmare upon him. I suspect he is collecting Life-Prolonging Pills because of this curse. Although many years have passed, that curse is unsolvable; even if he possesses another's body, this curse will accompany his soul and cannot be shed. That is why he only dispatched the White-Faced Asura."

Saying this, he looked at True Person Zhaoming: "Moreover, the Mountain Gate Array is still strong, so even that Bai Wuchang cannot force his way through, which is why he used petty means to enter. Although we do not yet know how he managed it, precisely because of this, it seems that even if the Demon Lord has a goal, Lingxiang should be safe for now."

"What we should do now is to first find this internal traitor to prevent the Demon Race from invading again; that is the proper course of action."

The Elders fell into deep thought upon hearing True Person Donghui's insights. After a long while, True Person Zhaoming finally spoke:

"Fourth Brother's words are not without reason, but some things must be guarded against. Back then, it was because we did not expect that the person who came with Tumi Fairy to save the Master would be like that, which led to the sect suffering such hardships. Now that we know, and the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light, we must be cautious."

"Caution is naturally necessary," True Person Chengxin frowned and said, "but what the Fourth Junior Brother said is also reasonable. If we prepare for battle now, I fear we will startle the snake, and it will not be easy to catch the internal traitor later. In my opinion, it is better to act as if we know nothing. The Junior Aunt is safe regardless, so it is better to sort out our own affairs first before discussing further."

"That is exactly the point," True Person Fuyin echoed. "Lingxiang is not someone who does not understand the bigger picture. Even if she went down the mountain now, I imagine she has her own calculations. Truth be told, I fear we brothers are not even a fraction as shrewd as she is. We shall just keep a close eye on her in the future."

True Person Shangqing listened to the Elders, closed his eyes to deliberate for a long time, and finally made his decision.

"Since that is the case, Hanyang, you do not need to look for your Junior Aunt for now. Just focus on teaching your junior brothers and sisters their Dharma Techniques and Daoist Techniques, and act as if nothing has happened. All Junior Brothers, please intensify the training of the disciples to prevent a Demon Race invasion."

The Elders performed a Daoist salute and agreed, and Hanyang also accepted the order and left. True Person Shangqing then instructed True Person Qianyuan: "Second Junior Brother, come with me to see Daoist Chiyanzi and ask him about what he has investigated in detail."

……

Lingxiang strolled through the market alone. She had not wandered the old streets of Guyang for a long time. The shops on both sides remained the same, but now that her heart was heavy with unresolved matters, her mood was not like it had been years ago.

Walking to the south of the city, the neighbors by the road were still as enthusiastic as ever when they saw Lingxiang, greeting her incessantly.

"Oh! Little Lingxiang! It's been so long, I thought your Youran Abode had closed down!"

"Little Lingxiang, have you found a desirable husband? Is Youran Abode no longer in business?"

……

Lingxiang responded all the way, saying only that she had encountered some tricky matters while away and could not get away, and that this time she had only returned to pick up some items and would have to leave again.

Hearing this, everyone urged her to take care of her health and not to push herself, and Lingxiang agreed to each one.

Many times, she felt that if she had been born into an ordinary family, not knowing cultivation or Daoist methods, living such a peaceful life would not have been bad. But she was ultimately born into the Daoist Sect, and since she knew all the causes and effects, she could not let go of the beginning.

Pushing the door open and entering, Youran Abode was much emptier. Since she had tidied up after the Shangyuan Festival, the tables, chairs, and cabinets had all been discarded, and the room was empty, looking somewhat desolate.

"I thought you were so carefree; what's this, only a few months apart, and you've become so sentimental?"

Someone suddenly spoke in the courtyard, and Lingxiang smiled upon hearing it.

"I didn't realize that someone who was once full of resentment could become so cynical," she said, lifting her feet and walking toward the central courtyard. "Could it be that you were enlightened by me, which led to such an open mind?"

She saw a man in white lying on the hammock where Lingxiang often lay in the courtyard. It was none other than Wu Yuan.

He was swinging comfortably, fiddling with his fluffy tail in his hand, looking extremely at ease.

"That goes without saying. Heaven has shown mercy, letting me live these years in this fox form. If my heart were not even as broad as a yellow-haired girl's, wouldn't people laugh if it got out?"

"Laugh at what? Laugh at a big-tailed fox who can't let go of things?" Lingxiang laughed, leaped up, and sat on the water vat in the courtyard. "The mortals who would dare to laugh at you probably haven't even been born yet."

"Whether mortals dare to laugh at me or not, I have no way of knowing, but as for someone who would tease me like this, I fear you are the only one," Wu Yuan laughed, then added: "I heard from that old brat Chiyanzi earlier that you are from the Yuanqing Sect. How come those old antiques you call masters were willing to let you down the mountain?"

Master?

It seems Brother Chiyanzi did not explain things clearly to Wu Yuan.

"Although the Yuanqing Sect is a large sect, there are really not many who can control me," Lingxiang said, sitting on the edge of the vat and swinging her legs lightly. "And who told you those old antiques of the Yuanqing Sect are my masters? I am a proper Elder, and I have a title too."

What? Is that how it is?

Wu Yuan was stunned for a moment, then his expression returned to normal: "It seems I misunderstood. That old brat only said half of what he meant and didn't say who you were."

Lingxiang looked at Wu Yuan, her face full of pride, but in an instant, her expression changed again.

"Get off my hammock. A big, burly man lying there spread-eagled and swinging like that—if you break it, are you going to compensate me with a new one?"

Wu Yuan laughed, tucked away his tail, jumped off the hammock, walked to Lingxiang's side, and asked: "Since you've already fished me out of that old brat's mouth, just say what your purpose is for this trip. Why beat around the bush like this? It's not like you."

Lingxiang smiled upon hearing this: "Hey, since you asked so sincerely, I will reluctantly tell you."

"Are you skilled in the Transformation Technique?"