Chapter Eleven: Disrobing and Removing Fish Scales

"You can help me?" I looked at him skeptically and asked, "You really think you can conceal that aura about me that doesn't belong to mortals?"

"Yes," Putai nodded. "As long as you're willing to part with it, I can help you."

"Willing to part with what? What do you mean by that?" Seeing that there was a possibility, I stood up and pressed for an answer.

"Golden scale. As long as you're willing to pluck one golden scale from your body, not only will the other immortals remain oblivious—even the Purple Lotus Immortal Lord himself might not be able to sense a trace of demonic energy from you."

"This…" I hesitated. To pluck a golden scale is not only to lose a thousand years of cultivation, but also to endure the pain of it. I had heard from others in the demon realm that when a scale is plucked, the agony is unbearable, and afterwards, the wound only grows more painful with time, making life worse than death.

"Are you afraid of pain, Miss Yuge?"

"Yes," I nodded.

Putai winked at me. "In that case, rest easy. I have my ways."

His confident expression only made me more uneasy. After all, I had only just met him half a day ago; why had he appeared so suddenly, seen through me so easily, and gone so far as to help me get close to Purple Lotus with such enthusiasm? There were so many questions swirling in my mind, yet I didn't know where to begin.

Putai fanned himself leisurely and smiled, "If you pluck a golden scale, those immortals will see you as nothing more than an ordinary mortal girl. Add to that your disguise as a man, and with your lovely appearance, I think it’s only a matter of time before Purple Lotus Immortal Lord takes you as a disciple."

He spoke with such certainty that I felt comforted just hearing it.

I mulled it over. If I didn’t pluck the scale, I would likely be expelled from the immortal realm before I ever set foot inside, let alone catch a glimpse of Purple Lotus—being his disciple or consort would be nothing but a dream. Though the golden scale was precious, if giving it up meant I could sneak into the immortal realm and stay by Purple Lotus’s side as his disciple, then becoming his beloved was within reach as well. Thinking thus, I decided it was not such a loss. A thousand years of cultivation—I could do without it.

I didn’t ask for much, only to remain by his side. For that, I could forgo everything else.

As I struggled internally, Putai drummed his fingers impatiently on the table.

"Are you truly sincere about becoming Purple Lotus Immortal Lord’s disciple?"

"Yes, I truly am," I replied with conviction.

He frowned, a look of disdain crossing his face. "Truly? So truly that you can’t even bear to part with a single fish scale?"

"I can, I can!" I nodded frantically.

"But… you’re not suggesting I disrobe and pluck my scale right here, are you?"

"If Miss Yuge is willing, I don’t mind," he replied with a half-smile, stepping closer. "Would you like me to help you undress?"

"Get away!" I turned my back to him, putting distance between us.

"How do you know everything? You can’t just be an ordinary scholar. To me, you’re a most unusual scholar."

"Unusual?" Putai’s face lit up with pride. "Since you’ve praised me, I’ll agree to help you pluck the scale—and you won’t feel any pain at all."

"What?" I gasped, clutching my chest with both hands. "No, that’s impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"Why not? If I don’t mind, what’s there for you to mind?" he said, and without waiting for my consent, reached toward my chest.