Volume One, Chapter 18: The Embarrassed Young Master of the Demon Clan

That gaze carried an unmistakable tone of authority.

Bai Zhi did not understand why his master suddenly spoke that way, but his deep eyes seemed to convey some important message.

What his master intended would have to be asked in private later.

“Since that’s the case… let’s see how you perform from now on.”

Bai Zhi exhaled deeply and rose unsteadily to his feet.

There was still something important he had to attend to, and it could no longer be delayed. The longer he waited, the harder it would be to handle.

“Master, I have other matters. Please take care of things here for your disciple.”

“Go ahead.”

Chen Qing noticed Bai Zhi’s thoughts and spoke calmly.

Gratefully, Bai Zhi lowered his gaze and bowed deeply without looking at those around him. He took out the Void-Shattering Mirror, and his figure quickly vanished from the spot.

That little wolf cub with the ruffled fur—once provoked, he was truly hard to calm.

...

Somewhere in the world, a man looked up into the void, a voice from the Heavenly Dao echoing in his ears.

“Heartbroken, huh? Interesting...” the man murmured, a meaningful smile slowly curling at the corner of his lips.

“Lan Xiao.”

A man stepped forward from the shadows and bowed. “Your Honor, what are your orders?”

“Prepare yourself. I will leave seclusion soon.”

“Leave seclusion? But your injuries—”

A cold glare swept over him. Lan Xiao immediately fell silent, bowing his head in obedience.

...

Within the territory of the Demon Clan.

The moment Bai Zhi entered the demon lands, Old Mu rapidly emerged from underground, his face full of anxiety.

“True Immortal Bai, you’ve finally arrived!”

“What’s the matter?”

“The young master returned the other day with injuries and locked himself in his cave, refusing to see anyone. He even smashed his stone chamber...”

“Injured?” Bai Zhi was taken aback but did not stop walking.

Hadn’t Yuan Lingqing said he was unharmed?

Worry gnawed at him, and without asking further, Bai Zhi headed straight for the cave.

But before he could take a few steps, the Demon Queen appeared and blocked his path.

“True Immortal Bai.”

Her tone remained respectful, yet her eyes carried a hint of displeasure.

...

“Greetings, Demon Queen.” Bai Zhi was anxious but mostly puzzled by the look she gave him.

“True Immortal Bai, I entrusted Ze’er to you, yet this is how you treat him?”

Knowing he was at fault, Bai Zhi apologized sincerely with a bow.

“Demon Queen, the incident happened suddenly, and I didn’t have time to properly settle Jiu Ze. I didn’t expect—”

“Is that your excuse for letting the people of Yunqing Sect freely mistreat the young master of the Demon Clan? Our clan does not consent to this.”

Her reproach left Bai Zhi at a loss for words.

For Jiu Ze to lose his temper so badly and destroy the Yunqing Sect, those people must have provoked him greatly.

Under those circumstances, when Jiu Ze rashly climbed the mountain to find him, he must have endured much verbal abuse.

“Demon Queen, Jiu Ze is my only disciple. How could I allow anyone to insult him at will? The situation is complicated. Let me see him first and explain things clearly—surely then the matter will be resolved.”

“Explain? He’s just detoxified, his body not fully recovered, yet he forced a transformation and sustained many injuries. He’s currently recuperating...”

The Demon Queen showed no sign of moving aside, merely watching Bai Zhi in silence, her words blunt.

“He said he doesn’t want to see you... True Immortal Bai, please leave for now. When Ze’er wishes to see you, then you may come.”

Bai Zhi smiled bitterly.

He had long known of the Demon Queen’s fierce protectiveness, but to this extent—she truly would refuse the young wolf cub’s master just because the cub said he didn’t want to see her.

“Demon Queen, I am truly sorry. This oversight on my part has put Jiu Ze in danger. Still, he is injured now. As his master, I must see him. I have healing pills here that can spare him some suffering.”

Moved by Bai Zhi’s sincerity, the Demon Queen hesitated before sighing.

“But Ze’er does not want to see you...”

“Then… please give this healing pill to Jiu Ze on my behalf,” Bai Zhi said apologetically, handing over a vial.

“It is my fault that he was hurt because of me.”

The Demon Queen’s expression softened considerably. She accepted the pill with a slight bow and ordered her attendants to carry the sedan chair as she turned to leave.

Bai Zhi sighed, watching the Demon Queen enter the cave. Moments later, a loud crash sounded, the pill and its bottle thrown out, followed by Jiu Ze’s angry voice.

“I don’t want it! Tell her to get lost!”

The Demon Queen had never seen her son so furious and was momentarily stunned.

“Ze’er, don’t be so agitated. Your injury—”

“Cough... Yunqing Sect, our Demon Clan will never tolerate them! Cough...”

Then came the Demon Queen’s startled cry.

“Ze’er, what’s wrong? Don’t scare your mother!”

Hearing this, Bai Zhi’s heart tightened. Without hesitation, he leapt into the cave and saw a scene of utter chaos.

Jiu Ze leaned weakly against the bedside, violently coughing, black blood gurgling up his throat.

...

“Jiu Ze!” Bai Zhi immediately pulled him close, a burst of spiritual energy probing his body. His face turned pale with shock.

“How… did this happen? How did you get hurt like this? Who did this to you?”

His injuries were severe, several meridians nearly shattered.

Seeing Bai Zhi’s genuine worry, Jiu Ze trembled but was too weak to push her away. He merely turned his face away, weak but resolute.

“Get lost…”

“We’ll talk about other things later.” Bai Zhi produced a restorative pill and brought it to his lips.

He bit his lip and turned his head.

“I don’t need your… ugh!”

Without giving him a chance, Bai Zhi firmly held his cheek and forced the pill into his mouth.

“Your meridians are shattered. If you don’t treat it now, you’ll become useless. Who will the Demon Clan rely on in the future?”

Jiu Ze paused, reluctantly swallowing the pill but remaining silent, avoiding her gaze.

Seeing him take the medicine, Bai Zhi breathed a silent sigh of relief.

The Demon Queen looked on anxiously.

“True Immortal Bai, Ze’er is—”

“Demon Queen, rest assured. He is my disciple, and I will definitely heal him.”

Hearing Bai Zhi’s solemn promise, the Demon Queen felt an inexplicable reassurance.

“Demon Queen, please have someone guard this place carefully. Do not let anyone disturb us. I will begin treatment immediately.”

Grateful, the Demon Queen departed.

“Don’t move. I will heal your injuries.” Bai Zhi sat opposite Jiu Ze.

“Old hag… I don’t want your help!”

Though weak, Jiu Ze glared fiercely at Bai Zhi. Yet when he saw her pale face, his pupils trembled slightly, and a cold smirk curled at his lips.

“What’s wrong with you? Why do you look so miserable?”

“Shut up!”

Closing her eyes, Bai Zhi formed seals, using the pill’s power to slowly mend his meridians.

Jiu Ze looked at her strangely. Though he wanted nothing more than to lash out at her, inexplicably, he felt a sense of comfort.

Fine. He couldn’t let his stubbornness turn him into a cripple.

Warmth flowed through his body, and he closed his eyes, following Bai Zhi’s guidance to circulate his demonic energy.

Time passed, and Jiu Ze couldn’t help but admit that Bai Zhi was quite capable. His body now felt as if it had never been injured.

Opening his eyes and taking in the scene before him, his pupils suddenly contracted in shock.