Volume One, Chapter 10: Reclaiming What Is Rightfully Mine

When she returned to the sect holding the little wolf cub, Yuan Lingqing had not yet arrived.

“Hey, old hag Bai, let me go!”

“...”

Old hag?

Veins twitched on Bai Zhi’s forehead. “I am your master now, and besides, by living years, I’m actually a few years younger than you.”

“You humans are old just by being nearly a hundred years old, but our demon clan only comes of age at one hundred and eighty!”

Not bothering to waste breath on him, Bai Zhi flicked her sleeve, transforming the cub back to its original form, then cradled the small black wolf and headed up the platform.

Jiu Ze, who had hardly ever left the demon clan’s cave since childhood, found everything around him novel and curious. Seeing Bai Zhi ignore his attempts at fussing, he fell silent, his bright eyes roaming about inquisitively.

As they reached the platform, they saw the disciples gathered in the square.

Fu Ming came forward and glanced back, not seeing Yuan Lingqing.

“Madam Master, you’re back? Didn’t Master go to look for you?”

“He’ll probably be back in two days,” Bai Zhi said indifferently. “You’re all gathered here for something?”

Fu Ming’s expression was peculiar. After hesitating for a long moment, he said, “Let’s wait for Master to return before talking…”

Zhou Yan arrived and spoke directly.

“Madam Master, half of the spirit stones in the Treasure Storage Pavilion are missing. Didn’t Master tell you?”

Bai Zhi raised an eyebrow.

When she last saw him, he was in a frenzy, hardly the time to mention spirit stones.

“Oh, I took them. If there’s nothing else, you may disperse.”

Bai Zhi said lightly with a calm expression, stroking the little wolf cub in her arms as she prepared to leave.

“Madam Master! Those are the spirit stones of our Yunqing Sect! Even if you need them, how can you take them all at once? Yesterday was the day for distributing the monthly allowances, and everyone’s still waiting!”

The speaker was Cheng Yang, the Fifth Disciple of Yunqing Sect.

He was the most battle-hardened, but also the least thoughtful among the disciples.

Burly, with thick eyebrows and prominent eyes, he looked righteous and upright.

He was also the one who listened to Lin Caibing the most, harboring no trust for the Madam Master who had raised him since childhood.

In a previous life, he died under his hammer.

Seeing that foolish face, Bai Zhi frowned with some disdain.

“Madam Master, why aren’t you speaking? Please return the spirit stones and let us distribute the monthly allowances first.”

He couldn’t understand Bai Zhi’s expression and kept talking to himself.

Beside him, Xu Lingchuan noticed the change in Bai Zhi’s expression.

He couldn’t comprehend why Madam Master would show such a look at the Fifth Disciple.

Wasn’t she usually fond of that simple-minded, foolish brother?

Unable to understand, he remained silent but paid closer attention to every move Bai Zhi made.

Bai Zhi held the wolf cub with an indifferent expression.

“This month’s allowance will be distributed shortly, but from next month onward, you will have to earn your own.”

“What do you mean?” Cheng Yang asked, puzzled.

“Madam Master, do you mean you won’t return the spirit stones?” Zhou Yan was stunned, then suddenly realized.

“Return?”

Bai Zhi smiled coldly. “I’ve spoiled you all too much before, which made you rely on others for everything.”

“Madam Master, you can’t take all the spirit stones without Master’s consent!”

Cheng Yang spoke bluntly, not noticing the displeased expressions of the other senior disciples.

Over the years, almost all the spirit stones in the Treasure Storage Pavilion were obtained by Bai Zhi selling spirit treasures and pills.

The disciples occasionally earned a few through trials or other means—mere drops in the ocean—which Bai Zhi rewarded directly.

This kind of pampering had bred ingratitude.

Spirit stones are essential for cultivators; they can be used for cultivation or trade.

There are many ways to earn them, but trading is the main source.

Because the major spirit stone mines are controlled by the top three sects, and scattered smaller mines by various sects, spirit stones remain scarce.

Ordinary cultivators seeking spirit stones often venture into secret realms, but the risk is high.

Therefore, trading is the fastest and safest method.

“Madam Master, you mean…” Zhou Yan caught the meaning in Bai Zhi’s words and found it hard to believe.

Bai Zhi ignored the disciples and turned toward the Treasure Storage Pavilion, still holding the little wolf cub.

“Let’s go distribute the allowance.”

After receiving their monthly allowances in front of the pavilion, Bai Zhi glanced over the group, noticed Lin Caibing was absent, and without further ado, threw a hundred low-grade spirit stones to Zhou Yan.

“Lin Caibing isn’t here, Zhou Yan, collect hers for her.”

“Yes… Madam Master.”

Receiving the monthly allowance each month was usually a happy occasion, but today the disciples remained silent, the atmosphere heavy.

“Anything else? If not, go back after collecting.”

Everyone’s thoughts were elsewhere.

Back in the Treasure Pavilion, Bai Zhi scanned the room and began placing the treasures and pills displayed on the shelves into her bag one by one.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk… your heart is truly crooked, stealing your own sect’s spirit stones isn’t enough, now you want to steal treasures too, old hag.”

Jiu Ze had returned to his youthful form, leaning against a nearby shelf with a smirk, his eyes mocking Bai Zhi.

“You really don’t know the world’s dangers.”

Bai Zhi paused in front of a white jade sword, staring at it for a moment with some nostalgia, then shook her head and walked away without taking it.

“If you’re going to steal, why not take such a fine item?”

Bai Zhi rolled her eyes and picked up a fan, tossing it to him.

“This Moonlight Fan is for you. Use it well.”

Jiu Ze was stunned. Opening the fan, it shimmered silver-white like soft moonlight, intricate patterns flowing across it. Holding it felt cool and jade-like. It was a profound-grade weapon, exquisitely crafted.

Most importantly, the aura flowing over it perfectly merged with his demonic energy.

Playing with it in his hand, Jiu Ze found himself unable to part with it.

“Damn old hag, I don’t want it! You’re probably trying to drag me down with this, but I’m the young master of the demon clan, not a thief!”

Damn…

Seeing she ignored him, he cursed under his breath, caught up to her, and handed it back, though his grip was reluctant.

“Keep it. I forged it according to your attributes, meant to give it to you. Later, when you were poisoned, I forgot about it, and Yuan Lingqing hid it here.”

Bai Zhi smiled at his rudeness. “Jiu Ze, the Moonlight Fan was always yours. With me here, no one will dare say otherwise.”

Jiu Ze stared at her gentle smile, momentarily dazed.

Blushing, he turned away and muttered, “Whatever, it’s stolen anyway, not by me. Fine, I’ll keep it…”

Still stubborn.

Bai Zhi smiled secretly, watching him cherish the Moonlight Fan, feeling inexplicably pleased.

After gathering all that belonged to her, Bai Zhi stood in the hall, looking at the nearly empty display shelves, an unexplainable sadness rising in her heart.

Sensing Bai Zhi’s mood, Jiu Ze bit his lip and casually said,

“What’s wrong, old hag? Since you’re stealing, why not take the rest of the good stuff too?”

“I only take back what belongs to me. As for theirs, I won’t touch a single bit more…”