The Demon Lord had been appearing and disappearing these past few days, off to gather information. Jian Lin stayed at the inn with her senior brother and sister, occasionally visiting the first floor to eavesdrop on idle gossip. She had never heard anyone mention Hao Jun.
Given Hao Jun's status, if he were dead and outsiders knew nothing, it could only mean one thing: a more powerful figure was suppressing the news.
Jian Lin could guess with a little thought that Yuan Shuo was undoubtedly involved. She was even more curious about how Hao Jun had died.
"I don't know. After that night, Chiyan Peak was under strict guard, making it difficult to gather information from inside," the Demon Lord said, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. He suddenly asked Jian Lin, "What do you think that formation meant to Yuan Shuo?"
"You mean, after the formation was destroyed, Yuan Shuo... needed other power to fill the void." The more Jian Lin spoke, the more terrified she became, fearing Hao Jun's death was just the beginning.
Her feelings were extremely complicated. Logically, after her senior brother and sister safely left, she had no further connection to Chiyan Peak. However, thinking of Yuan Shuo's disciples being in mortal danger, Jian Lin felt a pang of guilt.
Those disciples, in the end, were all innocent.
"It's just my wild speculation," the Demon Lord stopped tapping and glanced at Jian Lin, as if understanding her thoughts. "If you're worried, why not ask the person who created the formation? He would definitely know if there's any connection."
Jian Lin understood immediately, realizing what the Demon Lord was implying.
Right, if she wanted to know what would happen, why not ask Bai Xian?
For the past few days, Bai Xian had been lying quietly, relying on tonics to maintain his spirit. He was delighted to see Jian Lin enter, and even more surprised to see the Demon Lord following behind.
Bai Xian could sense that the Demon Lord didn't particularly like him and had been deliberately keeping his distance. He, however, was very interested in the Demon Lord and wanted to seize the opportunity to chat with him.
"A rare visitor, a rare visitor," Bai Xian said politely with a smile. "I am overjoyed that you two have come to see me."
"Alright, alright, stop with the pretense," Jian Lin interrupted Bai Xian and got straight to the point. "I have an important question for you. After you destroyed the formation on Chiyan Peak, what impact will it have on Yuan Shuo?"
Bai Xian sat down shakily, picked up the teapot, and poured tea for the two guests. After slowly completing these actions, he finally opened his mouth to answer, "Actually, it didn't have much of an impact. After ten years, the spiritual energy of the thirteen disciples had basically been depleted. The formation had already cultivated a spirit, and with Yuan Shuo's profound cultivation, he could maintain the formation's operation with his own power."
Jian Lin frowned, not quite believing Bai Xian's statement. "If there's no impact, why would he kill his beloved disciple? There must be something wrong."
Bai Xian was taken aback and asked uncertainly, "You mean, Yuan Shuo killed his beloved disciple?"
"Yes, Yuan Shuo killed his most beloved senior disciple," Jian Lin explained seriously to Bai Xian. "That senior disciple held a noble status and had a powerful backer. I'm certain Yuan Shuo wouldn't kill him without reason. Something must have happened, and you and I know it best."
"The formation truly didn't have much of an impact," Bai Xian confirmed again. He held his teacup and suddenly had an idea. "Unless, he couldn't control his greed and decided to take a risk, using his disciple to fill the void."
"Just because of greed?" Jian Lin couldn't understand. Was that worth Yuan Shuo killing someone?
"Yuan Shuo, that person, possesses all the base aspects of humanity," Bai Xian curled his lips and sneered dismissively. "He relied on the formation to gain power, achieving rapid breakthroughs without arduous cultivation. Having it come so easily before, losing it suddenly, how could he adapt? Naturally, he greedily wanted to continue maintaining it."
It sounded absurd, but that was the reality.
Jian Lin's heart sank. She knew Bai Xian was right. Most importantly, Yuan Shuo would definitely not stop. If this person remained, more disciples of Chiyan Peak would be harmed.
Should she intervene? How? Jian Lin fell into a state of extreme indecision.
A brief silence fell in the room. Suddenly, the Demon Lord spoke calmly, bringing up another matter. "I also have something to ask you. Is the forbidden curse related to demonic energy in Guanlan Sect also connected to you?"
Bai Xian's expression was calm, as if he had expected the Demon Lord to ask. "Lord Demon Lord, have you finally noticed?"
Jian Lin was quite surprised. Guanlan Sect was practically Bai Xian's second home; how could he be everywhere?
"I noticed long ago," the Demon Lord said, crossing his arms, unwilling to concede. "I was just looking for a way to break it."
"You can't find it, can you?" Bai Xian's expression was infuriatingly smug. Being able to trouble the Demon Lord was something he was proud of. "The twelve peak lords united; it's an unbreakable alliance. There's no way to break it."
Jian Lin was furious listening to this. She glared at Bai Xian, wishing she could burn two holes in him.
In the past few days, she had learned about formations and curses from the system, understanding the principle of invincibility.
For various forbidden curses, unless the curse master voluntarily lifted them, there was no other way.
"It's fine, it doesn't matter if it's not broken," the Demon Lord raised his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly. "I just wanted to confirm it was you. Then, the next steps will be much easier."
Jian Lin was confused. What did the Demon Lord plan to do? If Bai Xian refused to lift the curse, what could he do?
The Demon Lord didn't elaborate at the time. He and Bai Xian exchanged barbs and taunts for a long time before he left the room contentedly.
Jian Lin followed him out, catching up to his pace, wanting to ask him how he planned to proceed and if she could help.
"I can threaten him for you," Jian Lin said fiercely. "If he doesn't lift the curse, I'll seal him back. I definitely won't let him off easy."
"No need," the Demon Lord said, his hands behind his back as he walked down the stairs. He turned back halfway and said to Jian Lin, "Don't seal him. I need to take him out tomorrow. His true body will be useful."
"Useful for what?" Jian Lin asked worriedly. "Where are you taking him tomorrow?"
The Demon Lord continued down the stairs. "Consider him a guardian. We're sending Protector Liu and the others out. You come along and help me keep an eye on Bai Xian."
This was definitely something she could do, and Jian Lin was more than willing to help, but she was still uneasy.
"Are there any other things to be aware of? What's the principle behind this? Is it really safe?" Jian Lin asked with concern.
"Curses have a blind spot. Near the curse master, the curse becomes ineffective," the Demon Lord said in a relaxed tone. "Don't worry, it's absolutely safe. I've finally found a way to break it."
Jian Lin was happy for the Demon Lord, but still a bit annoyed. She vowed, "Lord Chong Yuan, don't worry, I will definitely trick Bai Xian into telling the truth and help you completely lift the curse."
"You?" The Demon Lord looked back at her, not hiding the disdain in his eyes. "Forget it. You trick Bai Xian? He'd trick you, more like. So naive."
This scoundrel! He couldn't say anything nice.
Jian Lin, unable to contain her anger, lunged at his back like a hungry tiger, wrapping her arms around his neck and saying, "Who are you calling naive?"
"I'm naive, I'm the most naive, alright?" The Demon Lord didn't seem to care about the embarrassment. He carried Jian Lin on his back all the way out of the inn and onto the bustling street, heading straight for the small courtyard.
It was Jian Lin who became embarrassed. She noticed the gazes of the surrounding people and realized this way of showing affection was too unrestrained. She quickly asked to be let down, but the Demon Lord tightened his grip on her thighs.
"Put me down, everyone is watching!" Jian Lin's ears turned red, and she whispered her complaint into the Demon Lord's ear.
The Demon Lord acted as if he hadn't heard her and continued to walk forward with Jian Lin on his back.
Jian Lin had no choice but to rest her head on the Demon Lord's shoulder and pretend to faint, acting weak and ill, allowing the Demon Lord to carry her for as long as he wished.
The hustle and bustle filled her ears, her heart pounding. She didn't know what possessed the Demon Lord that day, but she remembered his broad shoulders and his pleasant scent.
The next day at noon, the three of them checked out of the inn and arrived at the small courtyard where Protector Liu was hiding.
To avoid alarming Protector Liu, they concealed Bai Xian's identity, saying he was a friend who had come to help them leave.
At the Demon Lord's command, Protector Liu didn't suspect anything. She went in and out, busying herself with preparations for the Demon Lord.
Jian Lin, fearing Bai Xian would cause trouble, stayed close to him, warning him not to make any small moves.
Bai Xian, however, was quite at ease. With Jian Lin by his side, he directed her to do things for him. If he was thirsty, hungry, or tired, or if the chair was too hard and needed a cushion, and so on.
Jian Lin was furious. She had no intention of obeying Bai Xian and instead pointed at him, telling him not to go too far.
As the two bickered back and forth, Protector Liu sensed something was amiss.
While the two were drinking tea in the courtyard, Protector Liu followed the Demon Lord. Finding an opportunity indoors, she quietly said to him, "My Lord, there's something I feel compelled to say, though it may be abrupt. I don't know if you..."
"If you want to say it, then say it. When did you become so shy?" The Demon Lord stopped what he was doing, casually sat on a chair in the main hall, and looked up at Protector Liu. He guessed, "Are you injured? Do you need my help with anything?"
"No, I'm fine," Protector Liu felt a warmth in her heart. Seeing how kind the Demon Lord was to her, she mustered her courage and reminded him, "My Lord, you must really like Miss A Pei. I see that Miss A Pei also has a good relationship with that friend. My Lord, you must be careful, careful that Miss A Pei isn't snatched away."
The Demon Lord hadn't expected Protector Liu to say this to him. He chuckled softly, not taking it too seriously. "You don't need to worry about that. They aren't in that kind of relationship."
"My Lord," Protector Liu said nervously, "Don't take it lightly. This kind of thinking is the most dangerous. Miss A Pei is a dancer, of humble origin, and she respects you greatly. You must feel it's foolproof, right? Precisely because of this, you aren't gentle or considerate towards her, and she might be swayed by someone else's gentle affection. By the time you realize something is wrong, she will have already been deceived by another man, and it will be too late to regret it."
The Demon Lord's expression became serious. He had never considered this point.
He looked out through the open door. Jian Lin had just slapped Bai Xian's hand. The relationship between those two was indeed unusual.
After all, she was his destined person.