Embarrassed and ashamed

Xia exited the cave and looked in the direction Lin Qianshuang had run off to. Understanding dawned on him, and he turned to his three fellow disciples. “It seems our junior sister has gone to find our master. Today, the Demon Emperor is hosting a banquet in the Ink Lotus Pond of the Wanhua Hall for Guiyuan Sect’s cultivators, and that is precisely where our junior sister has gone.”

The three senior brothers exchanged silent glances. Their master had not mentioned anything about inviting their junior sister to the banquet.

Could this be some sort of unspoken connection between master and disciple?

Lin Qianshuang ran at lightning speed through the woods, releasing a few strands of demonic energy to sense resonance. Her animal ears trembled as she searched for the place with the strongest demonic energy, intending to find a good place with enough demonic energy to safely spend the weakest and most painful moment.

After running for an indeterminate amount of time, a thousand-year-old Ink Lotus pond nourished by monster essence and blood appeared in front of her.

Lin Qianshuang had once been taken to the Spirit Pool in the Demon Palace by Han Shengyao to rest and heal her injuries, but none of them could match the abundant demonic energy in the spirit pool before her.

The dark purple and red blood of the devil surged in the pool as if it were alive, and in the steaming mist, the ink-colored lotuses bloomed and swayed their dark green branches. The dense lotus duckweed swayed left and right with the pool water, and the bud that was about to bloom was hidden in the slightly slanted lotus leaves, as if in shyness.

Lin Qianshuang inhaled the sweet floral fragrance infused with potent demonic aura emanating from the magic lotus, secretly rejoicing in her fortunate discovery of a suitable cultivation spot.

Like a bolt of white lightning, she plunged into the lake, creating a faint ripple.

Concealed beneath a broad lotus leaf, Lin Qianshuang submerged herself in the demonic blood. Gritting her teeth against the excruciating corrosive pain, her skeletal fingers trembled as they grasped the petals of the Ink Lotus. Her body felt as if it were being devoured by a swarm of ants, and the flesh and blood covering her skeletal spine had dissolved into nothingness.

The flesh on her bones gradually peeled away, slowly regenerating on the white bones immersed in the scorching demonic blood.

Unaware of how long she had endured the excruciating process, Lin Qianshuang regained consciousness amidst the chaos to find her body propelled a considerable distance by the water’s current.

Towering palaces and halls lined her path, with long pavilion bridges rising and falling. Palace lanterns floated within winding corridors, casting a brilliant glow.

Amidst the incessant buzz of voices and the irregular rhythm of footsteps, Lin Qianshuang felt disoriented. Judging by her surroundings, she surmised that she had been carried by the current to the vicinity of the Demon Palace’s main hall.

Her beast fur felt heavy with water, hindering her ability to swim. Emerging from the rolling dark purple demonic blood, Lin Qianshuang transformed into her human form. Utilizing a few strands of demonic energy from the pool, she conjured a simple dress. Resolving to find a place to disembark, she sought to inquire about her whereabouts from passersby.

The warmth of the demonic blood against her skin felt as comforting as her own bed.

Nostalgically, she stretched her body in the water, using all four limbs to swim with agility. Gradually, she broke through the water’s surface and headed towards the shore.

In the shimmering lavender water, a woman clad in white with flowing green silk emerged, her bare feet gracefully stepping on a swaying Ink Lotus. As her toes touched the water, ripples spread out in concentric circles.

Dusk had fallen, and the sky blazed with fiery red light.

The faint golden rays that filtered through the clouds gently enveloped the woman as she walked on the water. Her exquisite features and elegant demeanor were illuminated by the light, radiating an ethereal beauty like a celestial being descended from the heavens. She exuded an aura of refinement, grace, and otherworldly pride.

By the white jade railing of the Ink Lotus Pond in the Demonic Palace’s Wanhua Hall, human and demonic cultivators alike set down their teacups. Hundreds of unfamiliar eyes gazed upon the figure who had unexpectedly appeared on the edge of the lotus pond.

Emerging from the water and gradually approaching the shore, Lin Qianshuang was astonished by the scene that met her eyes.

Having grown up secluded, this was her first encounter with such a grand spectacle, save for a childhood theatrical performance. Her discomfort was amplified by her drenched state, which left her feeling disheveled.

The countless gazes directed at her left Lin Qianshuang outwardly impassive, but inwardly filled with lament. She longed to transform into a beast and vanish into a burrow.

If their stares were a magical fire, she would have been reduced to ashes.

The Guiyuan Sect was present. Was a banquet underway? That would imply the Demon Emperor’s presence.

Lin Qianshuang’s heart raced as she lifted her trembling gaze.

On the high platform, the Demon Emperor held Bai Wan in his arms and regarded Lin Qianshuang with an inscrutable gaze. Han Shengyao sat at a side table, her expression contorted in anger as she shattered the wineglass in her hand. Servants around them poured wine for the guests while others held platters of fruit.

Observing Han Shengyao’s demeanor, Lin Qianshuang recognized that she had inadvertently caused a grave disturbance.

Her heart pounding, Lin Qianshuang approached the high platform, and addressed the Demon Emperor. “While engrossed in my cultivation, I became disoriented and stumbled into this banquet, unwittingly interrupting Your Majesty’s enjoyment. I implore your forgiveness for this transgression.”

To lend credence to her words, Lin Qianshuang assumed an air of confusion, as though she had just awakened from a reverie. Her petite frame trembled as she knelt, projecting an image of vulnerability and helplessness.

With trepidation, she lifted her gaze to study the Demon Emperor’s expression, and she astutely detected a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Lin Qianshuang thought silently in her heart. Han Shengyao had told her that what the Demon Emperor liked was her type, and it seemed to be true.

Her little life should be fine.

“Are you the personal disciple of the Holy Maiden?”

The Demon Emperor’s deep and resonant voice boomed from above.

Upon being asked this, Lin Qianshuang realized that he had likely noticed the identity jade ring adorning her wrist.

“Indeed,” she replied, her head bowed and eyelashes fluttering to conceal the emotions in her eyes. “I am wayward and entered here by mistake. This has nothing to do with my master. I implore Your Majesty, the Demon Emperor, not to hold my master accountable for my lack of discipline.”

A wave of disdainful laughter echoed from above.

“There is a deep sense of friendship between your master and disciple.”

Lin Qianshuang said nothing, waiting for the Demon Emperor to speak.

“Lift your head and let me take a good look at you.”

The Demon Emperor’s voice held a hint of anticipation, and his eyes were filled with interest as he gazed upon the bowed Lin Qianshuang.

Lin Qianshuang hesitated for a moment before slowly lifting her head.

At that moment, Han Shengyao suddenly set down the teacup he had been crushing, the piercing sound of porcelain shattering echoing through the air.

With a swift transformation into demonic energy, she arrived at the high platform in an instant and stood before Lin Qianshuang. She turned to shield Lin Qianshuang from the Demon Emperor’s view and addressed him, “Your Majesty, the honored guests of the Guiyuan Sect await your presence at the banquet. I will take my disciple and depart.”

A frown creased the Demon Emperor’s brow, displeasure evident in his eyes. He glared menacingly at Han Shengyao.

Han Shengyao refused to be outdone and met his gaze head-on without flinching.

“Master,” Lin Qianshuang whispered with a hint of joy, clutching Han Shengyao’s sleeve. “Follow Master. You are not yet ready to face the Demon Emperor.”

Han Shengyao murmured into Lin Qianshuang’s ear, grasped her hand, and prepared to retreat to the back garden.

Sensing Han Shengyao’s intent, the Demon Emperor’s voice grew louder. “Holy Maiden, as the guardian of the Demon Realm, you are obligated to join us for a toast with the Guiyuan Sect. You and your disciple shall remain.”

His command was not to be defied.

Han Shengyao’s footsteps abruptly halted. She turned her head slightly, her gaze cold as she looked at Lin Qianshuang.

Understanding the unspoken message in Han Shengyao’s eyes, Lin Qianshuang deliberately faltered, her demonic energy seemingly failing as she transformed back into a silver-white beast that lay listlessly on the ground.

“My disciple’s cultivation is weak, and she can no longer maintain her human form. Please forgive her transgression.”

Han Shengyao’s expression remained unchanged as she picked up the silver-white beast from the ground. Transforming into a wisp of demonic energy, she returned to her seat.

Bai Wan, her eyes clouded with a murky gloom, glanced at the distracted Demon Emperor and gently caressed her slightly protruding abdomen. Her gaze swept over the silver-white beast in Han Shengyao’s arms.

Han Shengyao, this woman, was indeed discontent, and she actually sent her disciples to openly seduce the Demon Emperor on such an occasion.

After this brief interruption, the Wan Hua Hall returned to its previous order, with the devil cultivators and human cultivators interacting harmoniously. Cultivators from the Guiyuan Sect showcased their sect’s secret techniques, while disciples from the three major demonic sects of the Demon Realm demonstrated the demonic path’s unique art of refining objects and extracting prana. As expected, cultivators from both paths engaged in some friendly competition.

After everyone grew weary, the Demon Emperor summoned a mortal dancer who had been nurtured in the harem for many years to perform and entertain them.

Before their eyes, snow-white limbs and vibrant ribbons gracefully swayed.

Lin Qianshuang felt her eyelids growing heavy and yawned.

The young dancers were indeed beautiful, but their faces lacked any spiritual energy, rendering them as lifeless as puppets.

As Lin Qianshuang drifted into drowsiness, her body was abruptly hurled out.

The impact sent a sharp pain shooting through her buttocks, and her vision blurred for a few seconds before gradually returning to normal.

Rubbing her bruised hand, Lin Qianshuang stood up amidst the chaos.

“Report! The Guiyuan Sect has seized the Immortal Mountain!”

“Protect the Demon Emperor! Slaughter these human cultivators!”

“Audacious Guiyuan Sect, how dare you invade the Demon Realm!”

“The three sects of the Righteous Path have breached the boundary and are marching toward the Demon Realm. Your Majesty, they intend to reinforce the infiltrators!”

The dancers huddled together, sobbing and trembling, while cultivators from the Guiyuan Sect and the three sects of the Demon Realm clashed fiercely.

Amidst the chaos, cold corpses littered the hall.

Lin Qianshuang rose hastily. Amidst the pandemonium, she spotted Han Shengyao standing beside the Demon Emperor, demonic energy surging from her hands as she repelled hidden arrows that threatened him.

Where was Bai Wan, who carried the Demon Emperor’s child?

Lin Qianshuang scanned the surroundings curiously. She noticed Bai Wan surrounded by Guiyuan Sect cultivators. With her hand protectively covering her abdomen, she stumbled backward in terror. The cultivators seized her hair, dragging her away.

In such a panicked moment, everyone’s attention was focused on the Demon Emperor, not even on one of his favored concubines.

Moreover, Bai Wan was merely a pawn to stabilize the three sects of the Demon Realm. Even if she died, there would still be a new “Bai Wan” to take her place.

Lin Qianshuang observed Bai Wan for a moment and decided to rescue her.

As the original character in the plot, Bai Wan’s death would shroud the future in uncertainty.

Now that she knew Bai Wan’s identity and disposition, it would be easier to deal with her later. With a different person in her place, it would be much more troublesome.

Lin Qianshuang considered Bai Wan a future pawn to restrain the Demon Emperor, so she naturally could not ignore her plight.

With remarkable agility, she leaped onto the shoulder of a Guiyuan Sect cultivator and raked her sharp claws across his face. Taking advantage of the other cultivators’ unpreparedness, she darted away with lightning speed, leaving the cultivators in her wake disoriented.

“Where did this beast come from? Catch it now!” The Guiyuan Sect cultivator immediately covered his face in anger and shouted.

“Isn’t this the little beast transformed from the beauty who just stepped out of the water?”, a cultivator suddenly said.

A group of people suddenly started making a commotion and rushed towards Lin Qianshuang in an attempt to capture her.

Lin Qianshuang nimbly leapt over their feet and shoulders, evading them with ease.

The human cultivators collided with one another in confusion, cursing and shouting.

Lin Qianshuang watched the chaos unfold with amusement.

Bai Wan’s eyes, filled with tears, witnessed the silver-white beast rushing into the crowd to save her, stirring complex emotions within her.

Seizing the opportunity amidst the disarray, Lin Qianshuang transformed back into her human form and draped a light fabric over her face as a veil. She then swiftly pulled Bai Wan out of the crowd and escorted her to safety.

The battle ended swiftly. Nearly all human cultivators from the Guiyuan Sect in the palace were slain. A few who lost limbs clung to life, but they were cast out to be devoured by the demonic beasts kept in the palace.

The Demon Emperor retracted his demonic energy and stood alongside Han Shengyao. As he ordered the three demonic sects to clear the battlefield, he felt a void in his embrace and abruptly recalled Bai Wan.

Anxiously, he seized a demonic cultivator and demanded, “Right Protector¹, where has my beloved concubine gone?”

Right Protector Su Qing bowed his head respectfully and said, “Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, Miss Bai was separated from us. Your subordinates are unaware of her whereabouts.”

Thinking of the child Bai Wan carried, the Demon Emperor’s heart raced.

His gaze turned icy as he faced Han Shengyao beside him. He shook his sleeves and berated her in anger, “Saint, if you fail to protect Bai Wan, what use are you by my side? Should any harm befall Bai Wan, I will not show you mercy!”

Han Shengyao’s expression faltered. Her eyes dimmed briefly, and her lips parted slightly, but she remained silent.

Just as the atmosphere between them grew tense, a clear and melodious female voice echoed through the air.

“Master, I have brought Miss Bai Wan here.”

In wuxia novels, 护法 are often a powerful martial artists who are responsible for protecting a particular sect or organization. I’ve chosen to use the less cumbersome term “Right Protector”, although it does sound a little silly.