Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 178 - The Heartbroken Senior Uncle (1)

Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a glow on the floral-patterned lid of the wooden chest.

Mimi licked her paw and lay in the silken fabric, squinting at the person sitting on the floor.

Zanxing’s fingers, which were holding down the chest lid, trembled slightly. Even though she knew nothing of Miss Yang’s past, she could sense something was amiss at this moment.

The book was clearly written from the perspective of the demon race, and Miss Yang had carefully preserved these forbidden books about the demon race. It was hard to believe that it was just a whim.

She and the demon race definitely had an intricate connection.

In At the Summit of the Nine Heavens, Miss Yang’s role was only until about the first two thousand words. Along the way, Zanxing had rewritten the fate of “Miss Yang,” which went against the Heaven’s dao. Therefore, Heaven had set up obstacles, starting with the transformation of the Xiao Yuan Pearl from a spiritual treasure into a demonic object. Now, even her identity had been altered. Was Heaven not pursuing her anymore, and instead turning her into a villain?

What about ‘The Demon Queen’s Autobiography: On the Night of the Wedding, I Discovered My Husband’s Illegitimate Child’? Could it be that she was that illegitimate child?

Zanxing couldn’t help but shiver.

For now, she couldn’t reveal the matter of the Xiao Yuan Pearl to Gu Baiying.

According to Old Niu, these books were ones that “Miss Yang” liked to read regularly. They had not been touched for a long time and were well-preserved in the room. During this trip up the mountain, they were sent to Zanxing for leisure reading.

But who knew if “Miss Yang” had already known her true identity beforehand, or if there were people in the Yuecheng Yang family related to the demon race. If she were to tell Gu Baiying about the Xiao Yuan Pearl on her, and it turned out that “Miss Yang” was the demon race’s illegitimate child, it would be hard to believe that she had no ulterior motives in coming to Taiyan Sect, even Zanxing herself wouldn’t believe it.

This matter could only be put aside for now.

Zanxing looked at Mimi, the fat cat, who was oblivious to the drastic change that had occurred in the brief moment. Mimi meowed a couple of times, suggesting it was time to eat. After some thought, Zanxing stored the book chest into her Qiankun Bag and quickly stepped out the door.

The situation had changed, and Taiyan Sect was no longer a place to stay for long. It was better to plan ahead.

*

The next day was still sunny. Gu Baiying had waited for a long time at the Chu Hong Terrace but didn’t see Yang Zanxing.

After sitting in place for two hours, the young man finally couldn’t hold back and went to the Miaokong Hall to demand an explanation.

Hong Su was preparing spirit pill mixed rice for Mimi, using spirit energy to nourish the grains and steaming them with crushed spirit pills mixed in. It was the favorite flavor of the Silver Moon Lion, with a careful balance of meat and vegetables, and there were carved carrot flowers for decoration. Under this care, Mimi’s fur became even more lustrous and vibrant.

“Where is Yang Zanxing?” Gu Baiying asked.

Hong Su, while carving carrot flowers, answered, “Miss went to the Library Pavilion early this morning.”

Gu Baiying was taken aback and his expression darkened immediately. “Forgot the appointment? What kind of person is this?”

Old Niu was coming in from outside, holding a handful of green things. He was surprised to see someone in the courtyard and looked towards Hong Su.

“Uncle Niu, this is the Young Immortal Gu from Taiyan Sect.”

Old Niu’s eyes lit up. “So this is Master Gu? Truly a person of distinction and exceptional grace!”

Gu Baiying was about to leave when he almost doubted his ears upon hearing this. He stopped and looked at Old Niu. “What did you call me?”

“Master Gu!” Old Niu said with a look of naturalness and turned to Hong Su. “Is this the person Miss mentioned who will be our Master Gu in the future? Miss’s taste has always been good.”

Hong Su chuckled and didn’t deny it.

Gu Baiying stared at him as if seeing a ghost. “Stop calling me that!”

Old Niu was startled and fell silent.

The atmosphere grew tense. Gu Baiying felt a bit uncomfortable and glanced at the handful of green plants in Old Niu’s hand. He paused for a moment. “Why did you pick all the bone-washing leaves?”

It had taken Men Dong years of hard work to grow them, and they were usually treasured. Now, someone had pulled out a large bunch as if they were weeds. It would be surprising if Men Dong didn’t collapse in despair.

“Bone-washing leaves?” Old Niu responded nervously. “I saw these scallions looking so green and thought of picking them to make Miss’s favorite scallion oil noodles… Aren’t these scallions?”

“Of course, they’re not scallions,” Gu Baiying was silent for a moment, suddenly recalling something and looking at Old Niu. “Doesn’t Yang Zanxing not like scallions?”

“How could that be?” Old Niu chuckled helplessly. “Miss’s favorite dish is scallion oil noodles.”

Gu Baiying turned to look at Hong Su, who nodded in agreement, confirming Old Niu’s words.

Gu Baiying frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then said nothing more. He turned and left.

*

Zanxing was unaware that Gu Baiying had come to the Miaokong Hall looking for her.

In fact, since discovering the possibility of being the demon lord’s illegitimate child, Zanxing had completely disregarded the appointment to learn illusion techniques with Gu Baiying. During the day, she had been trying to find a solution for the Xiao Yuan Pearl in the Library Pavilion. Unfortunately, in the cultivation world of Duzhou, many books on demon secrets were forbidden, and the box of manuals about the demon realm that Miss Yang had looked like mere gossip and entertainment books.

None of them were useful.

By the time Zanxing left the Library Pavilion, it was already dark. With the vast expanse of stars in the sky, she took a few steps, looked into the distance, and couldn’t help but sigh.

Had she known this would happen, when the Snake Shaman in Wufan City had offered to answer one question, she should have asked “How can I return home?” or “How can I avoid disaster?” Such questions, even if the Snake Shaman couldn’t answer, would have been better than stumbling around aimlessly now, unsure if more traps awaited in the future.

While she was feeling dejected, someone approached and, seeing her state, called out, “Junior Sister?”

Zanxing looked up and saw that it was Mu Cengxiao.

The once fortunate prodigy who had his luck overshadowed by Zanxing, now had his spotlight stolen. Many times when he should have shone, he failed to display his abilities. Despite this, Mu Cengxiao was very diligent. Since returning to Taiyan Sect, he had either been reading in the Library Pavilion or cultivating at the Chu Hong Terrace, never missing a day.

Zanxing weakly nodded in response. “Senior Brother Mu.”

“What’s wrong, Junior Sister?” Mu Cengxiao asked. “Are you still feeling unwell?”

Perhaps because they had shared hardships in Wufan City, Mu Cengxiao was not as wary and distant as before and showed rare concern for her tonight.

“I’m fine,” Zanxing waved her hand. “Just a bit stressed.”

Mu Cengxiao understood. “Is it because of accompanying Senior Uncle to the treasure site? Don’t worry. Master said that Fifth Uncle and Aunt Yue Qin will also accompany you. Even if there are malicious demons, with their protection, you will be safe.”

Zanxing said, “It’s not really about that…” Suddenly, something occurred to her.