Chapter 82

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Chapter 82: Guardian Mo She

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

The triumphant sound of war drums reverberated through the heavens, a jubilant proclamation of victory that carried far and wide with the moonlight and clouds, mingling with the gasps and cheers of the armored guards. Mo Ze City had been saved; they had successfully defended their home.

In the sky, a serpentine beast of dark green paused mid-flight, then flapped its wings and descended toward the city wall. Its massive form momentarily obscured the moonlight, and as it landed, it transformed into a human figure, standing tall on the wall with a cold, haughty gaze sweeping over the scene below.

She was a young woman clad in a dark green brocade robe, her jet-black hair elegantly coiled and swaying gently in the breeze. A black feathered hairpin adorned her hair, and a jade pendant dangled delicately, swaying with her movements.

Her features were exquisite, etched with an innate aloofness. The slight arch of her brows and the icy glint in her eyes carried a hint of emotion, like someone who had experienced the fickleness of love—both tender and detached.

“Esteemed… lady,” an armored guard captain bowed deeply. “We are indebted to you for saving our lives.”

The alliance between the human race and the Demon Race demanded mutual aid, and gratitude was only natural.

Yet, the young woman showed no intention of responding. Without so much as a word, she cast a disdainful glance over the city wall. When her gaze fell upon Ming He, it lingered for a moment, filled with unspoken meaning, before she vanished and reappeared in front of her, tilting her chin up with a playful smile. “What a lovely petite girl you are!”

Ming He remained silent, unaccustomed to such attention. She lowered her head and stepped back, creating distance without uttering a word, her eyes cooling with restraint.

The demon woman chuckled softly, her laughter laced with a hint of malice, as if she were about to continue her teasing. But before she could, a clear voice rang out from the horizon, “Guardian, are you bullying someone again?”

Then, accompanied by a gentle breeze and the radiant moonlight, another figure descended. Ming He looked up to see a young woman in white, her features radiant and her smile warm, exuding the grace of a noble scholar, reminiscent of Xie Dan Chen. She carried herself with an air of carefree confidence.

The newcomer glanced at Ming He, her eyes flickering slightly—she wore blue clothes, was a sword cultivator in her twenties, and her demeanor was calm yet dignified. Recognizing Ming He’s identity almost instantly, she knew she couldn’t let the demon woman harass her; otherwise, someone would surely hold her accountable.

With a subtle flick of her right hand, she brushed the demon woman’s hand aside. “Guardian, this girl happens to be someone’s cherished junior sister. If you harm her, you might find yourself in trouble.”

“What trouble?” the demon woman frowned. “This guardian doesn’t care for such things.”

“Ha!” The woman in white chuckled lightly, but before she could say more, a brilliant sword light erupted in the sky. The demon race members, previously driven back by the demon woman, scattered under the sword light, their lives extinguished. Clad in white like snow, bathed in the soft glow of the moon, the sword’s wielder radiated an ethereal beauty, her delicate features untouched by the mundane as she coldly dispatched the remaining foes.

“Well, someone’s here. Now things are getting interesting,” the woman in white remarked with a bright smile.

The distant woman in white didn’t hear her. After clearing the area of demon race members, she redirected her flying sword toward the city wall. The sight of the woman in white, accompanied by the crescent moon, filled Ming He’s vision—the radiant moonlight and the beauty before her left her momentarily entranced.

She wasn’t the only one captivated. The demon woman’s gaze grew more intense, filled with admiration and desire as she approached the woman in white, her smile tinged with flattery. “Yi Qing, what brings you here?” Her delight was unmistakable.

But Qin Chu Yi didn’t even glance at her. Instead, she walked straight to Ming He. Seeing her covered in blood, Qin Chu Yi’s expression softened, her voice carrying a hint of urgency and concern she hadn’t intended. “Ming He, are you hurt?”

“I’m fine,” Ming He replied with a faint smile, still unaware of the emotions stirring within her. She found a strange satisfaction in the demon woman’s jealous glare, which only made her smile brighter. “Qin… Chu Senior Sister, I’m alright.”

Her words were calm and composed, though they carried a subtle warmth.

Though her smile was partially hidden beneath the blood, it couldn’t mask the youthful vigor and brightness in her eyes.

Qin Chu Yi hesitated for a moment, then pulled a white handkerchief from her sleeve and gently wiped the blood from Ming He’s face. Her slender, pale fingers moved with care, her expression focused and tender.

The moonlight bathed her features, making her appear even more radiant than the moon itself.

Ming He’s heart skipped a beat, and for some reason, her cheeks felt warm. She took Qin Chu Yi’s hand and the handkerchief, lowering her head slightly. “I can manage,” she said, her tone a little awkward.

“Of course,” Qin Chu Yi replied with a soft smile, unaware of Ming He’s inner turmoil. She turned her attention to the grim scene on the wall, her brow furrowing slightly. With a graceful wave of her hand, like a moon goddess bestowing blessings, she scattered spirit liquid to soothe the wounds of the armored guards and cultivators.

Then she spoke softly, “The invading demon race has been eradicated. You all should rest and recover. Tonight, I, along with my junior sisters and the demon guardian, will guard the city gate.”

The Tianwu Continent had strict rules: every city must be guarded day and night, for no one knew when the demon race might strike. Vigilance was paramount.

Even after such a fierce battle, the rules stood firm. No one, not even Qin Chu Yi, could defy the regulations set by the Sword Master. So, she took it upon herself to shoulder the responsibility, allowing the armored guards, who had fought tirelessly for a day and night, to rest and heal.

“Yes, thank you, True Disciple Chu,” the armored guard captain said, bowing with deep respect and gratitude. Qin Chu Yi, a true disciple of the Floating Cloud Sect, bore the Floating Cloud Token at her waist, making her identity unmistakable.

Ming He and Mu Qian also knew she was a true disciple of the Floating Cloud Sect, though her reputation was not widely known. They recognized her status but had never learned her name.

“Yi Qing, this is…” The earlier demon woman approached and stood beside Qin Chu Yi, her gaze towards Ming He filled with jealousy and resentment.

“This is my Junior Sister, Ming He.” Qin Chu Yi replied lightly, casting a sidelong glance at the woman. The coldness in her expression was clear. “Mo She, I won’t concern myself with your romantic escapades, but if you bully my human race like this again, I won’t show mercy.”

She referred to the incident with the demon woman and Ming He; if not for Zhan Qing Yi arriving in time, things could have turned dire.

“Yi Qing, how can you treat me this way?” The demon woman named Mo She lowered her eyes, appearing somewhat sorrowful. “This guardian’s heart only has room for you.”

“Ha.” Qin Chu Yi scoffed, ignoring her. The white jade long sword in its sheath emitted a faint ringing sound, and her gaze towards Mo She became sharp and cold.

“Fine, I won’t do it again next time.” Mo She finally conceded. She lightly glanced at Ming He to remember her identity and turned back to Qin Chu Yi with a somewhat ambiguous expression filled with affection. “I’ll wait for you in the East Sea.”

After saying this, the young woman in a dark green brocade robe swayed slightly, transformed back into her original form, spread her wings, and soared high into the sky, disappearing quickly as she had arrived.

“Senior Sister Chu, who is she?” Ming He watched the departing figure, her eyes slightly cold. She had no habit of letting matters rest; it was just that she was unable to overpower the situation before her.

The murderous intent that the demon woman had displayed earlier was unmasked. Ming He had just retreated from the battlefield and was highly sensitive to such hostility; how could she possibly be unaware?

If it weren’t for the unknown Woman in White arriving promptly by her side, she would have been walking on the edge of life and death today.

Thinking of this, Ming He looked at the Woman in White, gratitude flickering in her eyes.

The Woman in White stood beside Qin Chu Yi, observing the two with a smile. Clearly, she had not missed Ming He’s expression. She softly smiled back, her gaze gentle. “Junior Sister Ming He, no need to thank me. Since we are of the same sect, it is only right for Senior Sister to save her Junior Sister, is it not?”

Her carefree demeanor, illuminated by the moonlight, displayed a charm that equaled Qin Chu Yi’s.

“Junior Sister Ming He, I am Zhan Qing Yi, a disciple of the Floating Cloud Sect under the leadership of Wang Feng from the Snowfall Peak. I am a close apprentice of Qu Yanran and a sworn friend of Qin Chu Yi; I am also your Senior Sister.” She smiled warmly, addressing the confusion in Ming He’s eyes.

“Ming He, Qing Yi is my friend, and she knows my identity, so you needn’t be so reserved.” Qin Chu Yi emphasized lightly.

Ming He paused slightly, then realized that Qin Chu Yi meant Zhan Qing Yi was aware of her origins from the central region. Hence, without hesitation, she bowed respectfully. “Thank you for saving my life, Senior Sister Zhan.”

Zhan Qing Yi did not shy away from the bow and, with a knowing smile, added, “Actually, you should thank Qin Chu Yi. If she hadn’t mentioned you, I wouldn’t have recognized you.”

She wanted to convey that Ming He was important to Qin Chu Yi, though the latter remained oblivious.

Ming He did not catch the deeper meaning in her words, simply responding with a smile, “If I hadn’t been here today, Senior Sister Zhan would have acted for anyone in need.”

She spoke with a tone of certainty; some people, even upon first meeting, exude a sense of righteousness and responsibility hidden beneath their flowing robes.

“Exactly.” Zhan Qing Yi laughed heartily, her demeanor becoming more approachable than before. “If I did not know that person, I would still have intervened.”

Her gaze toward Ming He carried a hint of warmth compared to earlier.

So this is what made Qin Chu Yi look at her differently? It turned out that it was this kind of person; she was indeed worth it.

It seemed the Qin Clan’s Young Master was about to fall for the Sword Cultivator in Blue standing right before him.

Zhan Qing Yi glanced at Qin Chu Yi, her smile deepening. Though both wore white, each radiated a unique charm under the moonlight.

“As for that demon woman earlier…” Zhan Qing Yi’s eyes turned cold for a moment, just as Qin Chu Yi interjected, “She is a guardian of the demon clan, Mo She.”

Qin Chu Yi turned to Ming He with a gentle expression. “The demon race has ten great guardians; Mo She’s strength, bloodline, and status rank among the top, serving as the first guardian under the young leader of the demon race, Ji Wu Xu. She is one of Ji Wu Xu’s most capable aides.”

Ji Wu Xu?

Ming He instantly pictured a figure in fiery red attire in her mind. So Mo She was a subordinate of Ji Wu Xu, a faint smile crept across her lips, deepening in her eyes. It turned out she was a subordinate of Ji Wu Xu.

That makes things easier.

“Mo She’s true form is that of a soaring snake—passionate and yet cold-hearted. She is quite the devoted admirer of your Senior Sister,” Zhan Qing Yi added with a smile.

Qin Chu Yi shot her a disapproving glance, but Zhan Qing Yi remained unfazed, laughing even more joyfully.

Ming He didn’t catch the mention of "your Senior Sister," instead frowning as she pondered deeply. The Soaring Snake Clan—no wonder they were so formidable. The demon race’s physical prowess naturally surpassed that of humans, especially since the Soaring Snake Clan was among the elite bloodlines of demons.

“Chirp Chirp.” The little beast perched on her head let out a call at an inopportune moment, snapping Ming He back to reality. The battle had been fierce, and even Chirp Chirp had joined the fray, its glossy black fur now streaked with crimson.

She reached up and cradled Chirp Chirp in her hands, noting how the little black beast had turned into a red one. Its thick, silky fur was matted and clung to its body, leaving it looking utterly bedraggled.

Ming He felt a pang of pity and resolved to find water to cleanse the blood from the little beast. But as she shifted, a sharp pain shot through her, stiffening her body and sending waves of agony through her very soul. Her own injuries were severe.

“Ming He.” Qin Chu Yi stood beside her, offering support. As her spiritual energy probed Ming He’s condition, she realized the extent of the damage—far beyond what a single pill could mend.

“I’ll help you heal.” She wrapped an arm around Ming He, ignoring the bloodstains now marring her pristine white robes. Her frown barely masked the concern in her eyes.

“I…” Ming He began to protest, but Zhan Qing Yi cut her off. “Junior Sister, you’re gravely injured. You need proper healing. Let me take care of this little gray one in your hands.”

“Chirp Chirp.” The little beast chirped in protest at being called “gray,” but sensing Ming He’s condition, it didn’t struggle, allowing Zhan Qing Yi to scoop it up gently.

“Ming He, remove your clothes.” Once Zhan Qing Yi had left, only the two of them remained on the wall. Qin Chu Yi guided Ming He to a relatively clean spot to sit, then tossed the white jade long sword into the air, where it hovered as a sentinel. She smiled at Ming He, her expression softening.

Ming He stiffened momentarily, unsure how to respond. She wasn’t used to such closeness, but she knew her injuries were severe. Without assistance, it would take her half a month to recover on her own.

She wasn’t one to revel in pain, so she began to slowly peel off her blood-soaked blue robes, her movements sluggish both from her injuries and her lingering embarrassment.

“Are you shy?” Qin Chu Yi asked, noticing the faint blush on Ming He’s pale face as she wiped away the blood. A playful glint appeared in her eyes, and she deliberately let her gaze linger on Ming He’s exposed skin.

She remembered the events tied to the cause and effect of the mortal world.

“Senior Sister!” Ming He turned her head away, unwilling to answer. Her usually steady hands trembled slightly; she couldn’t reconcile this playful side with Qin Chu Yi’s typically cool demeanor.

“Ha!” Qin Chu Yi chuckled softly, then relented, her teasing giving way to concern as she carefully removed the rest of Ming He’s tattered blue robes. Her expression shifted when she saw the severity of the wounds.

“It’s fine; it doesn’t hurt much.” Ming He met her tender gaze, momentarily at a loss for words. Having lived in this world for nearly two years, she had faced countless life-and-death situations and grown accustomed to pain.

Besides, no one had ever cared whether she was in pain—no one ever had.

“How could it not hurt?” Qin Chu Yi crushed several pills and gently sprinkled the powder over the wounds, then used a white cloth to clean away the blood. She also took a spirit herb, crushing it with care, her heart heavy with sympathy.

She helped Ming He sit cross-legged, then settled behind her, pressing her palm against a vital point on Ming He’s back. She began channeling a steady stream of spiritual energy into her, just as Ming He had done for her in the past.

“Calm your mind, steady your breath, focus your spirit.” Qin Chu Yi’s voice, filled with concern, drifted from behind her.

Ming He paused, then surrendered herself to Qin Chu Yi’s care, closing her eyes to refine the spiritual energy flowing into her.

The crescent moon hung high, its silvery light bathing the bloodstained city wall and illuminating the two women—one in blue robes, the other in white as pure as snow. Both sat with their eyes closed, their expressions equally focused.

The white jade long sword circled them protectively as the night passed in quiet stillness.

As the moon set and the sun rose, the walls of Mo Ze City, nestled among the mountains, slowly came back to life under the blazing sun. Qin Chu Yi withdrew her hands and nodded slightly to the armored guards nearby. She then turned to Ming He, bending down to gently wipe the sweat from her forehead.

Zhan Qing Yi stood nearby, holding the now-clean little beast. She seemed about to speak but, glancing at Ming He, decided against it. The wall fell into a serene silence, a moment of peace the armored guards had granted Ming He.

After a while, the energy around Ming He shifted. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to swirl around her, signaling an impending breakthrough to the Dust Dispersal stage. Given the circumstances, it made sense—a day of intense combat, the surge of survival instincts in life-and-death moments, the pills and spirit herbs Qin Chu Yi had provided, and the night-long infusion of spiritual energy had all contributed to this advancement.

“Sister Qin, Sister Zhan.” Ming He steadied her surging spiritual energy and stood up. Chirp Chirp leaped eagerly onto her head, settling comfortably as if claiming its rightful perch.

Ming He chuckled softly, stroking the little beast’s head affectionately. She turned to Qin Chu Yi, her gaze warm. “My injuries have healed. Thank you, Sister Qin.”

“There’s no need for thanks between us.” Qin Chu Yi smiled lightly, her eyes meeting Ming He’s. Their shared look made Zhan Qing Yi feel somewhat out of place. “What are your plans now, Ming He? Will you return to the sect?”

Ming He hesitated. Logically, with her current cultivation at the Dust Dispersal stage, she wasn’t yet qualified to venture out for training. There were still many trial grounds within the Floating Cloud Sect she hadn’t explored, but the thought of returning didn’t sit well with her.

Having witnessed the horrors of the enemy’s assault on the city, she couldn’t bring herself to simply cultivate in safety until reaching the Wind Master realm before heading out to fight.

“What about you two, Senior Sisters?” She turned the question back to them, already knowing they likely wouldn’t return, as they were both beyond the Wind Master realm.

“We’re heading to the East Sea.” Zhan Qing Yi’s brow furrowed slightly, as if troubled by something.

Qin Chu Yi, however, brightened as her gaze fell on the jade pendant around Ming He’s neck. “How about I take you to see the East Sea?”

“Qin Chu Yi…” Zhan Qing Yi looked puzzled, but a glance from Qin Chu Yi silenced her.

“Okay.” Ming He’s eyes sparkled as she recalled the original storyline, where the dragon had stirred up towering waves. In that moment, she decided to follow her heart and agreed without hesitation.