Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 274 - Plaything (1)

That night, several people in Su You Village had trouble sleeping.

The next morning, Qiong Niang and You Lang instructed the villagers to send breakfast to everyone’s rooms early. After breakfast, they would take everyone to the Five-Wheel Pagoda.

Although the people of Su You Country appeared somewhat world-weary, they were quite attentive. Breakfast was very abundant: Baozhu mountain tea, pearl radish cake, barley sweet soup, clear dragon beard noodles… all vegetarian, but exquisitely prepared, and the taste was comparable to that of the sect’s offerings.

Gu Baiying sat at the table, absentmindedly moving his chopsticks.

“Fellow Daoist Gu,” Nie Xinghong, who passed by the door, looked at him with some surprise. “Don’t you eat green onions?”

Gu Baiying snapped back to attention. On the table in front of him was a small pile of chopped green onions. He paused for a moment. He didn’t have a habit of being picky with food, nor did he usually avoid any particular ingredients. Even he himself hadn’t noticed when he had picked out all the green onions from his bowl.

As Pu Tao was about to enter, her steps hesitated briefly. She glanced at the pile of green onions and then quickly looked away, speaking softly, “You Lang and Qiong Niang asked me to tell you that we can set off soon.”

Tian Fangfang replied, “Got it.”

Pu Tao took another look at the contemplative Gu Baiying before leaving.

On the other side, the demon clan was also ready.

Mimi had slept through the night and had reverted to her white cat form, following behind Zanxing as they went outside. As Zanxing exited the house, Xiao Shuang and the others were already waiting outside. Seeing Zanxing, Xiao Shuang appeared somewhat worried and said, “Your Highness…”

Last night, Xiao Shuang had seen Zanxing and Gu Baiying talking under the flowering tree but did not approach them. Firstly, their cultivation was exceptional, and getting close would immediately reveal him eavesdropping. Secondly, as an outsider, it was not his place to intervene. However, his concern was still substantial, especially since Bu Jiang had repeatedly instructed him not to let Zanxing suffer any harm.

However, Zanxing seemed relatively calm at present.

You Lang, the leader of the Si Shi Clan, said, “Qiong Niang’s side is also ready. It’s getting late, let’s set off.”

Zanxing thanked him, saying, “Thank you for your trouble.”

The Five-Wheel Pagoda was located at the top of Yue Mountain, where there was a temple called Liuxuan Temple. Master Mingjing, a former acquaintance of Bu Jiang, resided in Liuxuan Temple. Most of the predecessors who ventured into the Five Wheel Pagoda had disappeared, and for nearly a century, there had been no reports of anyone entering the Pagoda. Zanxing thought it would be prudent to inquire with Master Mingjing about the temple before taking any further action.

You Lang led the demon clan members, and Qiong Niang led the Demon Extermination Army, both heading towards Liuxuan Temple. Once they entered the mountain, they no longer needed to stay together. The two groups walked separately, separated by a river, each keeping a wary distance. Without Zanxing and Gu Baiying overseeing the situation, they would likely have started fighting on the road.

Although they didn’t end up fighting, verbal sparring was inevitable. The Demon Extermination Army criticized the demon clan for their strange attire, while the demon clan mocked the Demon Extermination Army for their dullness. The Demon Extermination Army accused the demon clan of being unruly, while the demon clan scoffed at the Demon Extermination Army for never understanding the joys of the mortal world.

The sect members were usually strict and formal in their actions, so their insults were not as rich or varied as those of the demon clan. They quickly fell at a disadvantage, and in their frustration, some turned their criticisms toward Zanxing.

A disciple from Chihua Sect said, “You talk big, but your demon clan princess is infatuated with our fellow Daoist Gu. We all saw it yesterday when they held hands, she kept staring at Fellow Daoist Gu!”

Zanxing: “……”

Previously, the disciple from Chihua Sect had many grievances against Gu Baiying, and now they were using Gu Baiying to attack Zanxing. It seemed that Gu Baiying was like a brick, wherever there was a need, he would be used.

Gu Baiying also heard the remarks and his expression turned quite interesting.

The disciple felt they had hit a nerve with Zanxing and gradually became smug, saying, “I’ve heard that back in Gufeng Mountain, she deliberately enticed Fellow Daoist Gu. It’s understandable. Fellow Daoist Gu is young and accomplished, full of spirit. It’s hard for ordinary women not to be infatuated. But, Fellow Daoist Gu has long been in love with Pu Tao from the Xiang Ling Sect,” he laughed loudly, making a show of his words while secretly observing Zanxing’s expression, trying to detect any hint of sadness, “A demoness from an evil sect can’t compare to a petite junior sister from a righteous sect! They are the perfect match!”

Gu Baiying, who was leading the group, could no longer endure and shouted angrily, “Shut up!”

Pu Tao was stunned, her face quickly turning red. She bit her lip, looking at the irate Gu Baiying, her eyes showing a hint of darkness.

Zanxing, hearing the provocation, found it incomprehensible. To be honest, the things said and done by the disciples of Chihua Sect were truly disgraceful at times. One couldn’t help but wonder how corrupt Chihua Sect’s conduct must be to have such unsophisticated disciples.

Before she could speak, the Skeleton Woman on the other side started to laugh. Her smile was charming, but her words were quite harsh: “Some people who have stayed in a well for too long start to think that the three inches of ground they see is the whole sky. Our demon women are not as insignificant as human women.”

She extended her jade hand, gently stroking the skull in her hand. Her smile became even more enchanting, but her tone carried a subtle disdain: “Our demon women can treat men as prey, pets, or even playthings, but we would never regard men as anything substantial.”

“Youthful and accomplished youths, we have hundreds or even thousands in Heishi City, all exceptional. It’s understandable that you treasure a good seedling when you find one in your sect, as you haven’t seen much of the good stuff. However, as for keeping a man constantly in mind, that’s something for your little junior sister from the Xiang Ling Sect to handle. Our little princess has to manage the affairs of Heishi City and favor seven consorts, with countless tasks every day and no time to spare.”

Zanxing cleared her throat, signaling the Skeleton Woman to stop speaking. It was getting a bit too much. Once the Demon Extermination Army returned, the cultivation world would be filled with rumors about her being lewd and extravagant.

Xiao Shuang promptly stepped forward, pulling out a handkerchief to gently wipe away the non-existent sweat from Zanxing’s forehead. With his refined appearance and graceful demeanor, he truly resembled a considerate and attentive male companion.

Gu Baiying, who was leading the group, glanced back at the two of them. His gaze was slightly intense, and he almost imperceptibly furrowed his brow.

Meanwhile, ahead, Youlang, who had been silently leading the way, suddenly stopped and looked ahead: “We’ve arrived.”

Everyone looked up and saw, about ten meters ahead, a lush old elm tree. The old elm tree shaded an ancient temple, with the words Liuxuan Temple written in black ink on a sign.

They had arrived at Liuxuan Temple.