Inside the wine cellar, Li Jiang was healing the Grand Tutor, while Mu Dong and Mo Junqian guarded the entrance to the cellar and looked after the defensive formation. The others sat in their places, sighing and grieving from time to time.
The demon invasion has caused indelible damage to them, but all they can do is grumble.
But there's no time to vent their frustrations right now; everyone's starting to worry about what to eat.
Li Jiang and the others, along with the disciples of Fusheng Pavilion, all possessed cultivation and didn't need to worry about food. However, the rest of the people were ordinary citizens, including the elderly, women, and children. Forget about cultivation, even a single meal without food could take their lives.
Mu Dong, being kind-hearted, couldn't bear to see them like this. After thinking it over, she went to the bed and discussed with Li Jiang, "Senior Brother, why don't we take out the pills and distribute them to everyone?"
When they first left the Qingyun Sect, Qi Changfeng gave each of them several brocade pouches. One of the pouches was filled with pills. Although they were not high-quality and had no effect on ordinary people, the ingredients contained in them were enough to fill one's stomach.
Li Jiang knew his nature; he couldn't bear to see people suffer. Those pills were originally left to them by their master as a backup, but now...
After hesitating for only a moment, he finally nodded, "That's the only way."
With permission, Mu Dong took out his own pills to distribute to everyone, and Mo Junqian also took out his share and distributed it to the people.
Suddenly, a flash of light appeared in the wine cellar, startling the crowd. A pill in Mu Dong's hand rolled to the ground. He picked it up with a pained expression, wiped off the dust, and stuffed it into an uncle's hand. Then he jumped to the light and said, "You scared me to death, Junior Sister Lingyin. Where have you been these past few days? We were so worried about you."
Lingyin: "A few days ago, I saw that Qingshan was a beautiful place with abundant spiritual energy, so I found a place to cultivate alone. But just as I was about to go down the mountain, I encountered people from the demon race. Knowing that my cultivation was weak, I did not confront them directly. I hid in the mountain for a few days and only returned today."
As she spoke, her eyes darted around, and she happened to meet Li Jiang's probing gaze, so she quickly looked away.
Mu Dong, who was closest to her, noticed something was wrong and assumed she had something to hide. He said, seemingly believing her, "Is that so? Then you shouldn't go out. It's very dangerous outside."
"Hmm." Lingyin nodded. As if she had thought of something, she said to Li Jiang, "Senior Brother, I overheard some demon soldiers talking on the way here. They said that the demons came to the Central Plains this time to seize the Divine Pearl. You must keep it safe and make sure it doesn't fall into the hands of the demons."
Li Jiang concealed the deep meaning in her eyes and said, "Don't worry, I will."
"That's good." Lingyin walked to the side and went to rest alone.
Mu Dong walked up to Li Jiang, pretending to look at the old Grand Tutor, and secretly sent a divine thought to Li Jiang: There is a problem with Ling Yin.
Li Jiang returned his gaze with an affirmative look.
Mu Dong was surprised: You knew all along? Why didn't you tell me?
Li Jiang gave him a look: What do you think?
He's such a restless person; if I told him, it would definitely alert the enemy, so of course Li Jiang wouldn't tell him.
Mu Dong, clearly aware of his own limitations, pointed at Mo Junqian: "What about him? Does he know?"
Li Jiang nodded.
Mu Dong was very frustrated. His state of mind at this moment can be summed up in one sentence: Everyone else is "awake" while I am "drunk".
That night, everyone slept peacefully, except for Mo Junqian, who kept watch alone.
Lingyin walked to his side and whispered, "Have you missed me these past few days?"
She displayed a charming and delicate demeanor, but Mo Junqian remained unmoved.
In the darkness, Mo Junqian's handsome features stood out even more, and Lingyin stared at him, somewhat mesmerized. "You go and rest first, I'll keep an eye on things."
Mo Junqian glanced back at her, his eyes seeming to hold another meaning, but it was hidden too well for Lingyin to notice.
Without saying a word, he walked to the side, picked up the knife, sat down on the spot, and closed his eyes.
Lingyin looked at his profile, her mind filled with a myriad of thoughts. She didn't want to steal the Divine Pearl, and she didn't want him to think of her as a woman who would stop at nothing. But her father's words lingered in her mind, and she couldn't abandon everything and ignore everything. After all, he was the father who had been with her since she was a child.
Family ties and romantic love must always be sacrificed.
She withdrew her gaze and quietly walked towards where Li Jiang was.
The people around her weren't sleeping soundly; some were coughing, others were turning over, and every subtle movement was enough to make Lingyin tremble with fear.
He slowly moved to Li Jiang's side, leaned against the wall and crossed his arms to recuperate. He had already exhausted a lot of energy treating the old master's injuries.
Lingyin looked around, then reached out and carefully felt around Li Jiang's waist. Soon she found a smooth bead. She was delighted and took the bead out.
There were no lights in the wine cellar, and the bead didn't feel like the divine bead she had imagined when she touched it; it also had small, sharp edges.
Just as she was wondering what was going on, a hand grabbed her wrist.
What are you looking for?
Lingyin was startled and suddenly broke free from his hand, causing the bead to roll to the ground.
Li Jiang drew her sword and stabbed at her. By the light of the sword, she saw that the so-called bead was actually a smooth stone.
Li Jiang's cultivation level was not to be underestimated. She dared not delay and flung her hand backward, sending a dagger flying out from her sleeve to stab at Li Jiang.
Li Jiang dodged, and in the blink of an eye, Lingyin had disappeared into the wine cellar.
Mo Junqian and Mu Dong have already woken up; in fact, they have never actually slept.
“You all stay here and guard the wine cellar. I’m going out to take a look.” Li Jiang picked up her sword and walked out, but Mu Dong stopped her. “Let her go. There are demon soldiers everywhere outside. Wouldn’t it be too dangerous for you to go out?”
Mo Junqian didn't speak, but his eyes conveyed his attitude.
“No, if she really is a demon, then our location will be exposed. We must not let her go to see the Demon Lord. You two reinforce the formation. If I haven’t returned by dawn, you lead the people to find a new hiding place.”
With that, a flash of sword light appeared, and Li Jiang had vanished from her spot.
Mu Dong and Mo Junqian exchanged a glance, their expressions both solemn.
...
After running for dozens of miles, Lingyin was exhausted, but Li Jiang was getting closer and closer behind her, and her speed was getting faster and faster. It was only a matter of time before she caught up with her.
She stopped under a tree that would take five people to encircle.
Gripping the dagger tightly in her hand, she stared intently ahead, listening carefully to any slight movement.
A cold wind whistled and lashed at her face. She dared not blink or make any movement, simply standing frozen in place.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of her.
"Why did you conceal your identity and come to my Qingyun Sect? What is your purpose?"
Li Jiang pointed her cold sword at her, her words devoid of the gentleness she used to show her junior sister, replaced by doubt and indifference.
Lingyin retorted sarcastically, "Why? Don't you already know?"
Li Jiang questioned, "The matter of the Divine Pearl is top secret. Who told you about it? Demon Lord Ji Chen? Did he send you?"
At this moment, Lingyin was no longer the charming and cute little girl she once was, but instead had a cold and indifferent demeanor. "There are no secrets that don't get out, especially since the Demon Lord is incredibly powerful. There are very few things in the Three Realms that he doesn't know. I advise you to hand over the Divine Pearl voluntarily, lest you regret it later!"
Li Jiang sneered, "What arrogance! The demons were no match for the human realm a thousand years ago, and they will never be able to conquer the Central Plains again. You should go back and tell the Demon Lord to give up this idea as soon as possible!"
"You!" Lingyin was struck by his words and said angrily, "I will not argue with you. Hand over the Divine Pearl, otherwise the Demon Lord will not let Qingyun Sect go. It may become the next Fusheng Pavilion."
"So you admit that you're involved in the affairs of Fusheng Pavilion?"
Lingyin turned her head away, a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes. "I knew nothing about this. The affairs of Fusheng Pavilion have nothing to do with me."
Li Jiang sneered, "You demons are all in cahoots, I won't believe you. Today I'll capture you and take you back to apologize to those who died tragically!"
With that, he flicked his wrist, and the sharp blade of his sword struck towards Lingyin.
Just then, another force appeared and neutralized the sword energy, and a seductive voice rang out.
"Looks like I've arrived just in time."
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