The Villainess Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 28

“Come down,” the wind-like voice commanded, its laughter gone but without a trace of anger.

Yun Chuanzhi released her grip, her toes tapping softly against the floor. She lowered her head and glanced up at Bai Fenghuo, who stood steady as ever. Only the layers of her collar had been tugged askew, revealing a small patch of smooth, jade-like skin.

“I’m sorry,” Yun Chuanzhi said hastily, stepping forward to straighten Bai Fenghuo’s collar.

“Who told you This Seat was going to kill anyone?” Bai Fenghuo shot her a sidelong glance and scoffed. “Do you take This Seat for some brute?”

Isn’t it because you kill so easily and so often? Yun Chuanzhi thought to herself. But knowing Bai Fenghuo had no intention of harming Qi Yurong, her heart finally settled. She turned to check on Qi Yurong.

Despite the commotion, the others slept soundly, as if sealed within their dreams. Yun Chuanzhi pinched Qi Yurong’s nose and realized, “So the Sect Leader cast a spell to block out external noise.”

Bai Fenghuo hummed in agreement, pacing slowly between the beds as if inspecting them. “This Seat only wanted to teach these arrogant little brats a lesson. I didn’t want to attract Senior Sister’s attention again and have her come bothering me.”

Yun Chuanzhi released Qi Yurong’s nose, suddenly remembering something. She pulled out a charcoal pencil and began sketching on the woman’s delicate face, smiling slyly. “Why do you want to punish them?”

“Could it be…?”

“None of your concern. This Seat has always disdained the practice of dividing people into ranks. When Master was alive, such a hierarchical atmosphere never existed within the Sect. Yet in just a few decades, even this noble tradition has vanished.”

Yun Chuanzhi hummed in understanding, about to lower her head, when Bai Fenghuo spoke again.

“However, bullying those under This Seat’s protection—even a mere Immortal Servant—will not be tolerated.” Bai Fenghuo’s tone was icy.

So, he’s still sticking up for her after all, Yun Chuanzhi thought, a corner of her mouth curling upward as she finished the final stroke of her drawing.

“Are you done?” Bai Fenghuo suddenly asked.

So that’s why she’s been so still—waiting for me to finish sketching, Yun Chuanzhi realized. She quickly put away the pencil and stood aside, stealing a glance at Bai Fenghuo’s profile. Who knew this fellow could show such human warmth sometimes?

Seeing Yun Chuanzhi retreat, Bai Fenghuo flicked her sleeve lightly. Qi Yurong, who had been sleeping soundly, began to writhe as if caught in a nightmare. She gasped sharply, then bolted upright.

Terrified by something unseen, Qi Yurong’s face was drenched in sweat. When she saw Bai Fenghuo, she covered her ears and screamed hysterically.

So noisy! Yun Chuanzhi plugged her ears, but Bai Fenghuo remained unfazed, her long lashes lowered as she gazed at the woman. Finally, a corner of her lips curled into a smile, and she said softly, “Screamed enough?”

Bai Fenghuo’s smile was far more terrifying than her usual expression. Qi Yurong immediately fell silent, clamping her hands over her mouth and trembling like a leaf.

“S-Sect Leader Bai,” Qi Yurong stammered, her eyes darting nervously between Yun Chuanzhi and the wall, as if trying to shrink into it. “I-I…”

“Don’t be afraid,” Bai Fenghuo said. “This Seat doesn’t eat people. I’ve come to ask you to apologize to my Little Immortal Servant.” She turned slightly and gestured toward Yun Chuanzhi.

Tears streamed down Qi Yurong’s face. Clearly panicked, she kept glancing at Bai Fenghuo as she dropped to her knees, stammering, “I-I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Yun Chuanzhi nodded. “I’m just a Little Immortal Servant. There’s no need for such formality.”

“My legs… they’re just weak,” Qi Yurong sobbed, wiping her tears.

Yun Chuanzhi fell silent. She glanced at Bai Fenghuo and saw the corner of her lips twitch upward for a moment—another smile.

That bastard is clearly enjoying my humiliation, Yun Chuanzhi thought bitterly. She then spoke aloud, “Sect Leader, since she has acknowledged her mistake, let’s return early. It will be dawn soon.”

She was exhausted and longed to sleep.

“Mm,” Bai Fenghuo nodded, glancing briefly at Qi Yurong, who remained prostrate on the couch. She beckoned Yun Chuanzhi closer.

Puzzled, Yun Chuanzhi cautiously approached Bai Fenghuo. The Sect Leader raised her index finger and pressed it to her forehead. A searing heat instantly enveloped her brow. Yun Chuanzhi instinctively recoiled, but a palm cradled the back of her head, holding her in place.

“Bear with it. It will be over soon,” Bai Fenghuo said, pressing harder with her fingertip. Yun Chuanzhi gritted her teeth against the pain, her hand involuntarily rising to grip the fabric of Bai Fenghuo’s robe at her waist.

The warmth of her touch seeped through the fabric. Bai Fenghuo didn’t flinch. Only when the burning sensation on Yun Chuanzhi’s forehead turned icy did she release her.

He then slapped the back of her hand. “Don’t touch This Seat.”

Yun Chuanzhi jerked her hand back, her tear-streaked eyes half-lidded as she stared up at him. Her hands flew to her forehead, patting it frantically. “Did you… steal my soul?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Nonsense,” Bai Fenghuo snapped. “What use would This Seat have for your soul?”

“I merely removed the brand from your forehead. What utter nonsense about Slave Status! Some bastard must have invented this torturous system.”

“I’m no longer a slave?” Yun Chuanzhi was instantly both shocked and delighted. Though she didn’t care much about her status, since arriving in the Qianyuan Realm, this mark had been a constant restraint, preventing her from truly enjoying her freedom.

Clinging to powerful figures had proven effective. With someone backing her, life would undoubtedly improve. Bai Fenghuo was an exceptionally strong and reliable backer. Yun Chuanzhi’s mindset shifted rapidly as she quickly devised her future strategy.

By doing small things to please Bai Fenghuo, she could not only live comfortably but also gain her protection. With Bai Fenghuo’s cultivation level among the highest in the Qianyuan Realm, no one would dare bully her again.

“Thank you, Sect Leader,” Yun Chuanzhi said, feigning obedience and bowing deeply.

Bai Fenghuo glanced at her, seemingly too lazy to reply, before turning and opening the door to leave. The peach blossom grove outside was already bathed in faint dawn light, the air still and serene as the world prepared to awaken.

“Aren’t you coming? Want to sleep under the peach trees?” Bai Fenghuo’s voice echoed from afar. Yun Chuanzhi hurried out, gathering her skirts as she chased after him. Behind her, the others in the room slowly stirred awake, Qi Yurong bursting into tears.

As dawn broke, the soft murmur of Immortal Cultivators comforting the woman mingled with the chirping of birds, heralding the new day.

Yun Chuanzhi returned to her chambers and collapsed into sleep. The harsh sunlight streaming through the window cracks failed to rouse her, and no one dared disturb her slumber. She finally awoke at three quarters past noon.

Though her eyes were open, her soul still lingered in the realm of dreams. She lay limply on the beauty couch, her gaze vacant.

“Er Gou!” A boisterous shout crashed through the chamber door and into Yun Chuanzhi’s ears. She jolted upright, and a streak of purple light shot from behind the screen, silencing the voice at the entrance.

“Tell your fox-and-dog friends to shut their mouths, or This Seat will tear out their tongues,” Bai Fenghuo’s voice echoed ominously from the depths of the chamber.

“Yes, yes,” Yun Chuanzhi stammered, belatedly remembering Bai Fenghuo was still resting in the chamber. She lowered her head and scurried out the door.

Stepping cautiously outside, she opened the door to find Cheng Jinshu standing beneath a maple tree, her face a picture of resentment, her mouth sealed by Immortal Arts.

“Didn’t you know the Sect Leader was in the chamber?” Yun Chuanzhi chuckled, descending the steps. “What were you shouting for? Aren’t you afraid she’ll tear out your tongue?” She nodded to Ling Shui, who stood beside Cheng Jinshu.

Yun Chuanzhi turned to Ling Shui and asked, “Sister Ling Shui, were you injured yesterday?”

“No, I only fought those women in black for a moment before reinforcements arrived and subdued them,” Ling Shui replied, her almond-shaped eyes curving into a smile as she studied Yun Chuanzhi. “What about you?”

“I was with the Sect Leader the whole time. I’m fine.”

“I was rescued by several women in black armor. They took me to a safe place and vanished without a trace. I suspect they were Aunt’s people,” Cheng Jinshu said, still shaken by the previous day’s events. “I thought Aunt had long been isolated, but it seems she still has hidden loyalists.”

Bai Fenghuo was known for her meticulous planning and constant vigilance, so it wasn’t surprising she had cultivated such loyalists. Yun Chuanzhi nodded in agreement.

“News of yesterday’s incident has already spread. Gossip travels faster on Mount Everlasting than the Sect Leader’s official announcements,” Ling Shui said, her expression worried. “Everyone knows Sect Leader Qiu plotted to assassinate our Sect Leader. This kind of news can’t be suppressed.”

“What are the Immortal Cultivators saying?” Yun Chuanzhi asked, curious.

“All sorts of things. Some are horrified that Sect Leader Qiu secretly raised demonic creatures, while others praise her as a righteous hero who eliminated a threat to the people. I heard so many opinions during breakfast this morning, my head is spinning,” Cheng Jinshu said, pressing her temples.

Ling Shui chimed in, “Speaking of which, something else happened this morning. Did you hear about it?”

Yun Chuanzhi shook her head, a puzzled expression on her face.

Ling Shui glanced around before leaning closer to Yun Chuanzhi, her eyes dark and serious. “Sect Leader Qiu is dead.”

Yun Chuanzhi’s eyes widened instantly, her mouth opening slightly in shock. How could Qiu Hanshan, who seemed so indignant just yesterday, be dead now?

“How did she die?” she asked.

“Suicide,” Ling Shui replied.

Suicide? While raising demonic creatures was a grave offense, Bai Fenghuo hadn’t suffered any real harm. At most, she would have been expelled from the Sect or stripped of her Immortal Bone—nothing that warranted death.

Could she have hated Bai Fenghuo so much that she took her own life?

Ling Shui met her gaze and shook her head. “I find it highly suspicious too. The prison is now sealed off, and all the Sect Leaders, Sect Masters, and even the Mountain-Guarding Elders who never leave their seclusion have gathered there. I wonder if they’ll uncover the truth.”

“Oh, and this year’s Core Sect Day has been canceled because of this,” Ling Shui added, her lashes drooping with disappointment.

Ling Shui had been looking forward to participating in Sect affairs as a disciple for the first time. Now that the opportunity was gone, her spirits naturally sank. Yun Chuanzhi understood her disappointment but couldn’t share her sorrow.

After all, she wouldn’t have to embarrass herself on stage now. Qiu Hanshan’s death was truly gratifying—a tragic yet heroic end.

Even Ling Shui’s usually ramrod-straight shoulders slumped in sorrow. Yun Chuanzhi and Cheng Jinshu, equally relieved, exchanged a glance before feigning concern and drawing close to Ling Shui, each draping an arm around her neck.

One sighed, “Ling Shui, everything has two sides. You’ve proven your loyalty and earned merit in front of Aunt. Perhaps when we return, she’ll even take you as her disciple.”

The other murmured softly, “Sister Ling Shui, don’t be sad. I’ll put in a good word for you with the Sect Leader later. She adores me now. Maybe if she’s in a good mood, she’ll grant your wish.”

Before Ling Shui could respond, a refreshing, ethereal fragrance drifted on the breeze, accompanied by silent footsteps. Bai Fenghuo, clad in a pale purple silk robe, her long hair pinned up with several golden hairpins, swept past them with regal grace.

She paused, took two steps back, and cast a sidelong glance at Yun Chuanzhi, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Yun Chuanzhi’s breath caught in her throat, freezing her in place. Cheng Jinshu, reacting more quickly, retreated ten feet in an instant.

Bai Fenghuo’s cool gaze swept over Yun Chuanzhi’s hand draped around Ling Shui’s neck. With elegant composure, she stepped forward, pinched Yun Chuanzhi’s collar between her fingertips, and yanked her away, sending her stumbling.

“This Seat now… adores you, does she?” she purred, each word dripping with mockery.