When the Tsundere Rival Turns Into a Cat - Chapter 27

After walking for a long time, they finally arrived at the Hall of Justice. As soon as she stepped inside, a chilling cold assaulted Li Xingcan, making her instinctively shrink her neck. Why was this ice-made building so much colder than the others?

Looking up, she saw a long wooden table at the far end with an armchair on each side and one behind it. The back wall behind the chairs was adorned with a vivid mural of the mythical beast Xie Zhi, its majestic gaze fixed intimidatingly on those below.

To both sides stood floor-to-ceiling wooden panels densely carved with intricate patterns, though she couldn’t make out the details from this distance. The setup differed greatly from modern courtrooms, resembling more of an ancient magistrate’s office yet not entirely the same.

Just as Li Xingcan wondered where everyone was, a sudden gust of wind blew past. In the blink of an eye, all three chairs were occupied. Though they had human forms, each retained distinctive features of their true selves—one resembling an ox, another a turtle, and the central figure with a prominent horn on his forehead that bore similarity to Xie Zhi’s.

Once seated, Hui spoke first: “During our mission to the human realm, we captured one anomaly and have returned to report.”

All eyes turned to Jiang Qingyue as Hui glanced around. “Where are the others?”

“These are turbulent times for our kind,” the elderly turtle interjected, attempting to dismiss the matter. “Everyone else is occupied. The judgment regarding this anomaly shall be postponed. Any other business?”

“Postponed? Then what of this anomaly?” Hui grew agitated, surprised at how much had changed during his brief absence.

“Wait for the Elder Council’s decision,” the ox-like figure rumbled as he stood to leave.

“Honored elders,” White Crane stepped forward to block them. “There’s more. Firstly, Hui made an unauthorized arrest in the human realm. Secondly, he injured a human during the process. Both parties are present for your judgment.”

The ox-man sat back down while Li Xingcan stood in her basket, studying the three demons. “I’m the injured human.”

After routine questioning, the three nodded in agreement and announced their verdict: “Hui shall be confined for one hundred days of reflection. As for this human, she shall be healed and returned after having her memories of demonkind erased. Case closed.”

Li Xingcan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you serious? I’m the victim here, and that’s it? Nothing else?”

“What compensation would you seek?” the central figure asked. “Human currency, rare herbs, gold, gems—within reason, we may grant your request.”

Li Xingcan pondered while gripping the basket’s edge. “I lack for nothing material. I have only two conditions: first, you won’t erase my memories. Second… I’ve noticed you demons have many peculiar medicinal pellets. Might I select some that catch my fancy?”

“Neither option is acceptable. The demon race and the human world have always kept to their own domains without interfering with each other, and goods are not exchanged between them. Therefore, you cannot take any items or memories back to the human world. You may think it over during your recovery and give us your answer before leaving.” The old turtle shook his head in refusal, leaving no room for negotiation.

Li Xingcan frowned. “That’s a lie. Then why did Principal Ding Pei and teacher Zheng Wenbai from our school have elixirs from your demon race? They even turned all three of us into dogs. And there was a list on the principal’s computer with detailed records of many demons. What’s going on with that?”

At these words, the expressions of those present shifted. The demon with horns between his brows finally spoke, “What list?”

“It was a list of humans and demons—seemingly those who had children together. Probably what you’d call the list of anomalies.”

Li Xingcan watched as the group’s expressions grew grave, feeling utterly confused. “What’s the big deal?”

The three demons on the dais exchanged glances, realizing something was amiss. “Let’s discuss this in detail at the Elders’ Hall.”

Once again dragged along without understanding, Li Xingcan glanced at Jiang Qingyue and then Xuan Yu. “Didn’t you know about this?”

“We weren’t aware of the list,” Xuan Yu replied. “Ding Pei serves as the demon race’s liaison in the human world, handling necessary matters—including the disposition of children born from unions between demons and humans.”

Xuan Yu explained the demon race’s previous approach to anomalies. For children of mixed human and demon heritage, they would be brought to the demon realm for bloodline assessment. Typically, the bloodline was never evenly split—they were either 80-90% demon or 80-90% human.

Their fate was decided based on this. Those remaining in the demon realm, being of impure bloodline, were neither permitted to cultivate nor reproduce. They would live on the fringes of demon society until death. Those sent to the human world would have their faint demonic bl00d extracted, along with all memories of the demon race and their demon relatives, left to live as ordinary humans.

As liaison, Ding Pei was responsible for placing these children—either with their human parent or in orphanages. Demons would then erase the memories of anyone involved, and Ding Pei was forbidden from keeping any records.

These were long-established agreements. As for Ding Pei himself—in his youth, he had loved a demon who died young. To preserve those memories, he chose to remain devoted to his lost love by serving as a bridge for peaceful coexistence between the races. This was why he was permitted to retain his memories as liaison.

Zheng Wenbai was Ding Pei’s recommended successor, as the aging principal needed someone to take over.

But clearly, something had gone wrong.

Listening to this, Li Xingcan couldn’t help scratching his head. “So children born from humans and demons can’t grow up with either parent?”

“Indeed,” Xuan Yu said gravely. “Twenty years ago, humans and demons could freely fall in love and become partners. But because the mixed-bl00d children born from these unions caused many problems, the demon race decided to sever ties with the human world. However, the children already born couldn’t be undone—they were treated as anomalies.”

Li Xingcan glanced at Jiang Qingyue beside her. Jiang Qingyue wasn’t even twenty yet, meaning she was born after the separation between humans and demons? No wonder there were no records about her among the anomalies.

“By the way, Ding Pei and Zheng Wenbai still want to harm Jiang Qingyue. It seems they want to open the demon world’s gate,” Li Xingcan nudged Jiang Qingyue beside her. “That’s true, right?”

Jiang Qingyue nodded, then told Xuan Yu they’d also said Xuan Yu was in danger, and that she couldn’t contact this side no matter what.

Xuan Yu reached out and ruffled Jiang Qingyue’s hair. “I scared you. The reason you couldn’t contact us is that the demon race has decided to completely sever all ties with the human world. I couldn’t do anything about it. I originally asked Zheng Wenbai to relay the message to you, but who knew they’d be so unreliable.”

“Completely sever ties?”

Hearing this, Li Xingcan looked at Jiang Qingyue beside her. “Does that mean she has to choose between the human world and the demon race? Aunt Xuan, aren’t you an elder? Why don’t you propose not severing ties? The human world is developing quite well now—we could all create a future together?”

Xuan Yu shook her head. “No. Humanity’s rapid development corresponds to the demon race’s rapid decline. The demon race is already barely clinging to survival now. Not severing ties would only cause our spiritual energy to leak away faster. Once the spiritual energy is exhausted, we won’t even be able to maintain the status quo. The demon race would degenerate into ordinary animals—that would be true catastrophe.”

The decision to sever ties was made for the sake of the entire demon race. Xuan Yu couldn’t disregard the greater good for personal reasons.

Realizing this was something she couldn’t change, Li Xingcan reached out to smooth Jiang Qingyue’s fur. “Can you still come back to the human world with me?”

Jiang Qingyue didn’t respond to Li Xingcan, only looking up at Xuan Yu.

Xuan Yu paused before answering Jiang Qingyue, “You can go back once to settle your affairs in the human world, then I’ll bring you back.”

Seeing Jiang Qingyue lower her head with an unreadable expression—certainly not a happy one—Li Xingcan suddenly thought of an important question.

“Aunt Xuan, what about Jiang Qingyue’s university entrance exams? She’s in her final year of high school now.”

“Do you think she still needs to take university exams here?” Xuan Yu’s meaning was clear.

“But she has excellent grades,” Li Xingcan said, feeling regret for Jiang Qingyue even though she’d neglected her own studies. “Aunt Xuan, Jiang Qingyue isn’t remarkable as a demon—she doesn’t know anything, her spiritual power isn’t strong, she can’t even speak human language when she turns into a cat, and her bloodline isn’t pure. In the demon race, she’d just be a cat in the outskirts. But as a human, she’s outstanding. Her monthly exam scores could get her into the advanced class, and she could test into top universities later. After graduation, she’d have many life choices—she could live very well.”

Li Xingcan’s words were harsh, especially the first part, which nearly made Jiang Qingyue raise a paw to swipe at her. But the latter half made her lower it again.

Regarding Jiang Qingyue’s bloodline, Xuan Yu understood better than anyone else. Especially since Jiang Qingyue had maintained human form from birth until nearly adulthood—no test was needed to confirm the ratio of human and demon bl00d within her. This was precisely why Xuan Yu had Jiang Qingyue begin cultivation training from a young age.

In the human world, Jiang Qingyue was an exceptional child. Even among the demon race, her cultivation talent and comprehension were far from lacking. Yet her innate bloodline was something that could never be altered.

But if Jiang Qingyue were sent to the human world now, with the two races on the verge of complete separation, wouldn’t that mean mother and daughter could never see each other again?

Moreover, how could Xuan Yu rest easy letting Jiang Qingyue go to the human world alone?

“Qingyue must remain with the demon race. This matter is non-negotiable.”

Xuan Yu’s resolve wavered only for a moment before she made an unshakable decision.