Chapter Thirty-Five: Enchanting Beauty Belongs to the Enchantress

After I nodded in agreement, Elder Yuanxu’s expression did not soften; instead, it grew increasingly grim. All at once, his gaze sharpened, and his sword flashed from its sheath. He stepped forward, drawing his blade, intent on driving it into me.

I stared, frozen, considering flight, but my movements were no match for the speed of his sword. The blade was aimed straight at my chest, and my heart pounded wildly, as if it might leap from my throat.

“Wait.”

Zilian suddenly stepped in front of me, shielding me with his body. He reached out and grasped the blade tightly in his palm, his eyes lowered, long hair disheveled and obscuring his face.

At that moment, I could not see his expression.

“Master?” I looked at his hand, gripping the sword's edge, tears streaming down my face. Blood dripped from his palm.

“What are you doing?” Elder Yuanxu, both angry and anxious, glared at me, then cast a sharp glance at Zilian.

“If my disciple has erred, it is I, as his master, who must bear the fault. If you harbor doubts about him, speak them openly; there is no harm in hearing them. But why must you raise your sword?” His grip tightened, struggling against the blade, and blood flowed ever more freely. I watched Zilian’s bloodied hand, my heart aching, wishing I could rush forward and give Elder Yuanxu a sound beating to vent my anger.

“Zilian, do not obstruct me. There are rumors throughout the Six Realms that the Supreme of the Demon Realm, Chi Xiao, seeks vengeance for the late Demon Lord Mo Meili, and intends to send demon troops against Lingyun Mountain. My actions are for the safety of the cultivators who dwell here.”

When he mentioned Mo Meili, I saw Zilian’s face waver, his expression momentarily lost.

I wondered quietly—could it be that my master knew Mo Meili?

Elder Yuanxu sheathed his sword and shot me a glance as cold and sharp as a dart. If looks could kill, I would have died at his hands a thousand times over.

“Mo Meili is dead. The Demon Realm, now, is weak and unable to threaten us. There is no need to worry so much. Furthermore, Yu Ge is my disciple and has spent a day here in the Azure Luan Hall. Though I do not know him well, I am certain he is not one of the demon clan. I ask that you give this child a chance.”

Hearing Zilian speak of me so surely, I was filled with joy, yet a touch of unease lingered. He was confident in telling Yuanxu this because he was convinced I was a mere mortal—not a demon girl from the Demon Realm who had slipped away in secret, drawn by her affection for him.

If one day the truth is revealed—that his little disciple is actually a girl, and worse, a demon from the Demon Realm—I cannot imagine what would happen then. Should Yuanxu, as he did today, threaten me with his sword, would Zilian uphold justice and kill me himself, or would he risk everything to protect me?

“This youth’s appearance is overly delicate, resembling those of the demon and spirit realms—a likely spy sent by Chi Xiao. Moreover, he hesitates over the rules for disciples, proof that his desire to join us is not sincere. He does not truly wish to become a disciple of Lingyun Mountain.”

At last, I understood what it meant to hoist a stone only to drop it on one’s own foot. With the best intentions, I had told Yunxiang Moyu about Chi Xiao’s plans to attack Lingyun Mountain, thinking Senior Sister would be reasonable. Yet this difficult Elder had countered, trying to drive me away.

I only prayed that Zilian would not believe his nonsense. If I were truly forced down the mountain—never mind how I would feel—the journey here had been arduous: escaping the demon palace, tearing off my fish scales. The thought alone made me pity myself.

Is it wrong to be delicate in appearance? I am a girl, after all, pretending to be a boy—of course I appear delicate. Should I look rugged instead?

If a delicate face marks one as a demon, I glanced toward Yunxiang Moyu—then, aside from Yuanxu, everyone else on Lingyun Mountain must be a demon too.