So it turns out I'm the demon!

After all that commotion, Jiang Mu was still in a daze.

Fortunately, the earth-shattering battles that had taken place either in the alternate dimension inside the coffin or were sealed within the sword domain.

Although the event was large in scale, it did not cause too much damage to the town.

Even those villagers who were killed by Jiang Mu in the Coffin Red Space were mostly just wisps of faith, so they wouldn't turn this area into a carnage.

Inside the inn.

Jiang Mu placed Yuan Aqing on the bed.

The girl's face was still pale, and her curled eyelashes trembled slightly with unease, as if she were still trapped in a nightmare.

"Master Jiang."

Xun Xiao arrived with several elite imperial guards.

This woman's main strength is her shrewdness.

He had mistakenly thought that Mo Huaisu was coming to his rescue, and then he sensed the arrival of the sword domain. Knowing that he would not know how he would die if he got involved in a battle between gods of this level, he decisively retreated.

Now that everything has calmed down, she finally showed herself.

Jiang Mu said calmly, "Yan Zixiao will be here tomorrow, and I will bring him to see you then. Now, take your people and get out of here." Xun Xiaomo's expression was somewhat unpleasant, but in the end, she didn't say anything. She cupped her hands in a gesture of respect to Mo Huaisu and withdrew.

Once the room was quiet, Jiang Mu grabbed Yuan Aqing's slender wrist and extended a wisp of star power to conduct a more detailed examination.

He frowned, turned to Mo Huaisu who was standing by the window, and said:

"Sect Leader Mo, would you please take a look?"

Mo Huaisu nodded slightly, his robes fluttering as he gracefully approached the bedside.

She extended her slender index finger, the tip of which shimmered with a faint light, and gently touched Yuan Aqing's brow.

Jiang Mu originally intended to tell her about what had happened in the Sword Domain.

But the words stuck in his throat.

Although Mo Huaisu had helped out earlier, he was still an outsider in the end.

Even though she cultivates the path of purifying the mind and eliminating desires, the opportunity to attain the Great Dao is a temptation for any cultivator.

If she were to deduce from the clues what Ah Qing was hiding, it's hard to guarantee that the Dao Sect leader wouldn't be tempted.

At that time, wouldn't Ah Qing become a delicious feast?

Mo Huaisu frowned and examined the area for a long time before withdrawing his finger, shaking his head, his tone tinged with confusion:

"I can't see anything amiss. There seems to be a mysterious energy residing within this girl's body. But this energy isn't completely integrated into her at the moment; it's as if it's protecting her. I've never seen such a strange situation before."

breath?

Jiang Mu seemed to be deep in thought.

Could it be that that opportunity was really snatched away by that silly girl, Ah Qing?

However, because she is currently only at the fifth level of cultivation, her foundation is too shallow, and she cannot digest it in a short time.

Jiang Mu couldn't figure it out, so she simply stopped dwelling on it.

As long as everyone is alright, that's all that matters.

He turned to look at Bai Xiang, who was sitting at the table, seemingly lost in thought, and asked, "Are you sure you weren't hurt? Why do you seem so distracted? Did something happen?"

Bai Xiang snapped out of her daze, shook her head, and didn't answer.

Jiang Mu didn't think too deeply about it, but just sighed and scolded him with a mix of heartache and reproach:

"It was my carelessness this time. I didn't expect that so many demons and monsters were hiding in this wretched town, and that they would cause such a big commotion. But it's also your fault. I told you to stay at home, but you insisted on coming along. Next time I go out, you better stay at home obediently, you hear me?" Bai Xiang pouted her red lips, revealing a hint of grievance.

That heartless blockhead! If I hadn't stopped Xuanyuan Wendao, things would have been in serious trouble.

How dare you turn around and scold me?

Mo Huaisu, standing to the side, watched Bai Xiang being scolded by Jiang Mu like a timid wife who had made a mistake, and for a moment felt it was all absurd.

The once dignified Empress of the Great Qing Dynasty, a princess of a nation, and the most powerful female cultivator in the world... was so subdued by a junior at the eighth realm that she became as obedient as a scolded cat.

If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would have thought she was dreaming.

But she just couldn't understand it.

Why did Bai Xiang submit to Jiang Mu's side?

What's the point?

For love?

Stop making people laugh.

Which great cultivator in the world who can reach this level is not someone who has severed ties with the mortal world and is decisive in killing?

How many people are the kind of love-struck fools who would die for a romantic relationship?

Bai Xiang is such a cunning woman that even she can't see through her. How could she be so infatuated with a young boy?

It's obvious that Bai Xiang has ulterior motives towards Jiang Mu!

Mo Huaisu sized up Jiang Mu.

Looking back on the past year or so, this once notorious playboy of Huzhou City has had a bizarre and miraculous growth experience.

Breaking through several realms in a single year, killing enemies of higher levels is as easy as drinking water and eating rice...

Mo Huaisu's eyes shone brightly, and he suddenly felt that he understood everything.

Jiang Mu's extraordinary luck, his unbelievable cultivation speed, and the secrets he hides are the real reasons why Bai Xiang is willing to stay by his side.

"As expected of a peerless powerhouse who bears the star position of 'Harem,' he actually started making plans so early and playing the trick of cultivating resources." Mo Huaisu secretly marveled in his heart.

In her eyes, Jiang Mu was nothing more than a koi fish that the other party kept in a pond.

Once they're fattened up, that's when they'll be ready to be placed on the chopping board.

They were eaten so thoroughly that not even a bone fragment remained.

Thinking of this, Mo Huaisu looked at Jiang Mu with a touch more sympathy.

Jiang Mu had no idea what this icy sect leader was imagining.

He took a shower, but since he couldn't wait for Yuan Aqing to wake up, he simply lay down next to the girl and prepared to take a nap first.

Tonight's series of intense activities has left me utterly exhausted.

The room next door was filled with steam.

"We were in a fight, and I'm all sweaty and sticky, it feels awful. Want to take a shower together?"

Bai Xiang reached out to test the water temperature in the bathtub and said to Mo Huaisu.

Bathing together?

An unnatural look flashed across Mo Huaisu's face.

She has always been used to being alone, and even as a woman, she rarely shows such frankness to others.

She was about to politely decline when Bai Xiang added, "You smell too strong. Let's go together."

Does it smell?

Mo Huaisu subconsciously raised his sleeve and smelled it.

I didn't smell anything.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally nodded.

The bathtub was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate two slender women.

Mo Huaisu removed his black and white Taoist robe, placed his whisk and wooden hairpin on the low table next to the screen, and then submerged them in the warm water.

A slight ripple spread across the water's surface before it slowly returned to calm.

Bai Xiang leaned lazily against the edge of the bathtub, her fair arms draped over the rim, her fingertips idly playing with a few petals on the water's surface, her gaze lightly sweeping over the other person.

The Taoist sect leader looked thin, but when he took off his clothes, it was discovered that his body was quite well-proportioned.

Every part that should have meat was included without any shortage.

Her waist was slender, concealing a peak; her still waters ran deep. Her shoulders were thin as if carved, yet she possessed a heart full of mountains and valleys.

That's probably what's happening right now.

Coupled with her aloof and ascetic face, she exudes a kind of immoral temptation that makes people want to pull her down from her pedestal.

Bai Xiang looked away.

As the ripples blurred his face, he suddenly felt a little disoriented.

Same bathtub, same heat, same communal bathing.

The only difference was the people they shared a bath with.

The images resurfaced from the depths of my memory, and I couldn't shake them off no matter what I did.

Amidst the rising steam, she seemed to see the man's grinning face approaching again, and she could almost hear the distorted poem, "Ten miles of calm lake, frost fills the sky; every inch of black hair is tinged with sorrow for fleeting years," echoing in her ears once more.

Bai Xiang's ears burned a little, and she quickly sank them into the water again.

"Miss Bai Xiang".

Mo Huaisu's voice suddenly rang out, pulling Bai Xiang's thoughts back from where they shouldn't have been.

Bai Xiang looked up and saw Mo Huaisu looking at her intently.

What exactly does Jiang Mu possess?

Bai Xiang was slightly taken aback, then smiled.

She pulled her arm off the rim of the bucket and asked with interest, "What do you think?"

"What does Sect Leader Mo think he could possibly possess?"

Mo Huaisu pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke:

"A little over a year ago, he was just a notorious spoiled young master in Huzhou City. In just over a year, he has become a renowned eighth-realm cultivator. Such speed is unmatched in the world."

There's something strange about him. Either he's been possessed, or he's hiding some kind of extraordinary treasure.

Bai Xiang lifted one of her long, shapely legs, scooped up a handful of warm water with her hand, and slowly poured it down her smooth calf.

Glistening water droplets slid down, splashing tiny ripples on the water's surface.

She watched the water droplets fall, a mocking smile playing on her red lips: "So, Sect Leader Mo thinks that I condescended to stay by her side just to covet that treasure he possesses?"

Mo Huaisu pursed his lips and remained silent.

But in her view, this was the only reasonable explanation.

"Well, you guessed correctly, you're half right."

Bai Xiang didn't deny it, looking at her with a half-smile, "So, if Jiang Mu really has such a treasure, does Sect Leader Mo intend to snatch it from me?" Mo Huaisu shook her head: "I can't beat you."

"So, deep down you still wanted to take it, but you were just too weak to do so, right?"

Bai Xiang chuckled softly.

"But I'm not angry. We're all cultivators, vying for a share of the food in this big pot of Heavenly Dao. Who doesn't want to climb up?"

Opportunities are inherently ownerless; they don't belong to someone just because someone preordained them.

Take the Myriad Swords Sect for example. They mobilized almost their entire force, creating such a massive spectacle, but what was the result? They ended up with nothing, like trying to fill a basket with water.

Bai Xiang abruptly changed the subject, her languid gaze sharpening as she stared intently into Mo Huaisu's eyes and said seriously:

"However, considering we've known each other, I have a piece of advice for you... Don't fall for Jiang Mu." Mo Huaisu was taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing across her face, and asked with some confusion:

"Why would you suddenly utter such absurd words?"

She cultivates the supreme path of detachment from worldly desires, how could she possibly fall in love with a man?

Bai Xiang stopped smiling and said seriously:

"I'm just offering well-intentioned advice. This man is actually very charming. Just look at the women around him who have affairs with him. I won't even mention the ordinary, mundane women, after all, they have too shallow a perspective and are easily misled, which makes them seem vulgar."

But look at Ling Ye, and Shui Miaozheng from Fazhou City.

Which of them wasn't a proud and accomplished woman with remarkable cultivation? And what was the result? Didn't they all fall for him like moths to a flame? You can't exactly say they all lacked a firm resolve, can you?

Mo Huaisu recalled the absurd scene he had secretly witnessed on the rooftop of the post station, where Jiang Mu and Shui Miaozheng had been having sex, and he seemed to be deep in thought.

She countered with a question:

"Since he is so dangerous, what about you? You stay by his side day and night; aren't you afraid of getting caught up in it yourself?"

Bai Xiang laughed:

"Me? Although I don't practice your path of detachment from desire and emotion, I consider myself to be very rational when it comes to romantic relationships."

I've been by Jiang Mu's side for so long, and he hasn't gotten the slightest advantage over me. Do you think any other woman could do that? Including you, you couldn't either.

Mo Huaisu looked at the confident woman in front of him and remained silent.

If it were anyone else offering such a reminder, she would certainly scoff and dismiss it as a pointless concern.

But cypress is different.

After all, her opponent was a powerful expert at the thirteenth realm, whose cultivation level was far above hers.

A higher level of understanding means that the other person stands higher, sees further, and understands more thoroughly.

If even a powerful figure like Bai Xiang, with a heart as firm as a rock, felt that Jiang Mu possessed an irresistible charm for women and even needed to be constantly vigilant.

That means this kid truly possesses a kind of demonic power that can corrupt one's Dao heart.

I really need to be extra careful.

It couldn't be that Bai Xiang was jealous and deliberately gave her a warning to prevent her from developing feelings for that guy, could it?

"Thank you for the reminder. I will certainly be careful."

Mo Huaisu said earnestly.

Bai Xiang nodded in satisfaction.

Children can be taught.

"As for your previous promise to use your star power to help me nurture my Dao foundation and assist me in breaking through to the next realm..."

Mo Huaisu tentatively steered the conversation back on track.

I'm here tonight to fight for you and even use the dojo to shield you from a sword, not to listen to a lesson on the psychology of love.

"I'll help you when we get back to Fazhou City."

Bai Xiang said calmly, "You know my current situation. I don't dare to use my full strength right now. I just exchanged a few moves with Xuan Yuan Wen Dao, and I was already a bit strained."

"Once we return to Fazhou City, my cultivation will be more stable. Then I can help you break through your bottleneck using the power of the Star Rank." "Okay."

Mo Huaisu was relieved.

The next morning.

Yuan Aqing was still unconscious, but her complexion was a bit healthier than the night before.

Yan Zixiao did come looking for her.

He still walked with a slight limp, but his spirits were noticeably better than when he was half-dead and hanging on the rack yesterday.

"What about the woman? Is she settled in?"

Jiang Mu asked.

Yan Zixiao poured himself a pot of wine, drank it all in one gulp, and said:

"I plan to take her away from Xiahe Town and settle down somewhere else under an assumed name. After all, this is one of the Demon Slayer Society's strongholds. Those lunatics have suffered such a huge loss; if they stay here, they'll be dealt with sooner or later."

Jiang Mu nodded in agreement:

"That's fine. Her husband is dead, and she's an orphan with no one to rely on. Having a great swordsman like you by her side to take care of her is a good outcome."

"Yes, this is also my way of saying..."

Yan Zixiao was about to nod when she suddenly realized something was off about Jiang Mu's words. She glared at him and said...

"No, why are you making it sound like there's something between us? I just helped someone out, don't make things up."

Jiang Mu smiled and then asked:

"Oh right, what about that bird demon? I thought she'd come with you. I didn't realize you'd be so wild these days, even birds. You have such eclectic tastes."

Yan Zixiao rolled her eyes in annoyance and said:

"What nonsense! I did have some interaction with that female demon when we were traveling around before."

"But I really owe her a lot last night. I followed your advice and led that mother and child out, but we were almost ambushed by the Demon Slayers on the way. It was she who appeared in time and helped me escape."

As he spoke, Yan Zixiao took out a worn-out compass from his bosom and handed it to Jiang Mu:

"Lord Jiang, I traveled all the way to Xiahe Town this time, actually hoping to find an opportunity left behind by the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. But after searching for half a month, I haven't even seen a trace of it, and instead I dug up this thing."

Before I was captured by the Demon Slayer Society, I entrusted it to that bird demon for safekeeping. After escaping danger last night, she returned it to me.” Jiang Mu took the compass, tossed it in her hand, and said:

"This doesn't look like some kind of magical artifact with spiritual power; it's just a piece of scrap metal."

Yan Zixiao grabbed a peanut from the table, popped it into her mouth, and said with a smile:

"At first, I thought I had dug up some junk. But the banshee told me that this thing started spinning on its own last night."

"Turn it on its own?" Jiang Mu raised an eyebrow.

Yan Zixiao said, "Try grabbing both sides and pulling outwards."

Jiang Muyi followed his instructions, gripping the two edges of the compass with her ten fingers and pulling it outwards.

"Snap!"

The compass broke in two from the middle.

At the smooth ends on both sides, a soft, dark yellow animal hide was pulled out.

Jiang Mu gently unrolled the animal hide on the table.

It is a map.

The painting depicts a solitary peak. At the summit of this peak stands a stone sculpture of a woman.

Behind the statue of the woman, there is a huge crescent moon painted.

There seemed to be something drawn at the foot of the mountain, but it was mostly covered by a crease, and only a stone door could be barely discerned.

"I've been thinking about it all night, and I'm guessing it's most likely a treasure map, or a key to some secret realm."

Yan Zixiao said, "Lord Jiang, this is for you. You have extraordinary luck and great fortune. Perhaps if you follow this map, you can find some great fortune."

Jiang Mu looked at him strangely:

"Why didn't you stay and go treasure hunting yourself?"

Yan Zixiao's smile faded, revealing a hint of weariness, and she sighed.

"I'm tired, Lord Jiang, I'm really tired."

Having gone through so much, I've come to see through it all. I used to think that the ultimate path led to heaven, and that as long as I gritted my teeth and kept climbing, I could eventually reach the clouds. Looking back now, what a load of rubbish that supreme path was.

"I have no desire to cultivate immortality again in this lifetime. I just want to find a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains, and live a peaceful and ordinary life for a few years. Also, consider this my way of repaying your life-saving grace."

Jiang Mu smiled and said:

"Didn't you already give me the 'Celestial Star-Stabilizing Token' as payment for saving my life? Why are you giving me another one?"

Yan Zixiao smiled helplessly:

"Lord Jiang, let's not beat around the bush. Don't try to fool me. I noticed when I arrived at the inn that the Imperial Guard's spies have been keeping a close watch on this place for a long time."

"If I were to swagger out right now, or if you were to hand me over directly, I definitely wouldn't survive the night."

Jiang Mu said clearly:

"So, all that going through all this trouble, sending you this and that, was just to get me to go all the way and save you one more time?"

Yan Zi said in a deep voice:

"I know those guards were brought by you. But if it weren't for you, I would have died on the execution rack of the Demon Slayer Society long ago. This time, Old Yan has no choice but to swallow his pride and entrust his life to you again, sir."

Jiang Mu stood up and patted his shoulder:

"Sure, you stay inside and don't go anywhere. I'm going out to take care of some trouble."

Jiang Mu walked out of the inn.

Xun Xiaomo was standing by the tea stall across the street, and it looked like he had been waiting for a while.

Seeing Jiang Mu come out, she went to greet her:

"Lord Jiang is indeed a trustworthy man; he did not keep me waiting in vain."

Jiang Mu walked up to her and got straight to the point:

"Let's skip the formalities. You promised me before that if I help you find Yan Zixiao, you'd give me the information on the star positions. Where's the stuff?" "Of course."

Xun Xiaomo didn't beat around the bush; he took out a brocade pouch from his sleeve and handed it to Jiang Mu.

Jiang Mu took the brocade pouch, untied the rope, and took out the note inside to look at it.

It did indeed contain detailed information about a star-ranked cultivator related to him within the same star system.

"Is this information accurate?" Jiang Mu asked.

Xun Xiaozhang smiled confidently:

"Lord Jiang, please rest assured. Our Imperial Guard's intelligence network covers the entire Daqing region, and the information here is absolutely accurate."

After all, with your potential, I hope we can have more opportunities to cooperate in the future. How could I lie to you about such a small matter? With that, she lifted her foot to walk into the inn.

Jiang Mu stepped aside, blocking her path: "Wait."

Xun Xiao frowned: "Does Lord Jiang have any other instructions?"

Jiang Mu said coldly, "Lord Xun, you personally assured me before that after finding him, you wouldn't forcibly take him away, much less harm him. Does that promise still stand?"

Xun Xiaozhang's eyes flashed with displeasure, then he explained:

"Lord Jiang, you misunderstand. I must take the person with me. This is an order personally given by the Commander, and I cannot disobey it."

But I can assure you, I will absolutely not harm a single hair on his head.

I only need to borrow him and the magical artifact he possesses to help me track down Yang Feifei's whereabouts; this will take some time. Once it's done, I'll release him immediately.

Jiang Mu tucked the brocade pouch into his robes, shook his head, and said resolutely:

"Lord Xun, Yan Zixiao is my friend. I don't trust you with him directly, especially here. You know what a mess Xiahe Town is in right now, and the Demon Slayer Society is still watching from the shadows."

I rescued him last night, but there's no guarantee that the moment you took him away, the Demon Slayers would pounce on him and kidnap him.

I don't trust your internal guard's protective capabilities.

Suppressing his anger, Xun Xiaomo asked, "Then, according to Lord Jiang, what should we do?"

Jiang Mu pondered for a moment, then spoke:

"Well then, I happen to be planning to go to Jingouzi Mountain to take care of some personal business. If Lord Xun is really in such a hurry to find Yang Feifei, why not come with me?"

On the way, you can gradually let Yan Zixiao use his magic weapon to sense Yang Feifei's location.

With me watching over you, firstly, I can be sure you haven't secretly harmed my friend. Secondly, since we're in the middle of nowhere, it will prevent you from being ambushed by the Demon Slayers or other demons.

How about killing two birds with one stone?

Xun Xiaomo's face darkened after hearing this.

The mighty Daqing Inner Guard is a force to be reckoned with wherever it goes.

When did it become necessary to be watched and guarded like a thief when you bring someone along?

But she also knew Jiang Mu's tough stance and that she had no room for negotiation, so she could only compromise and nod in agreement:

"Alright, then we'll do as Lord Jiang wishes."