Chapter 33: Humans and Demons
“Alright!” Luo Jinxiao cheerfully dashed out, only to retreat halfway, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Hold on, save the tree demon?”
“The tree demon only has demonic energy, not evil energy. It hasn’t harmed anyone. I can sense it. Besides, the evil energy from that day is completely different. Hurry up.” Qu Weiyin said loudly, frowning.
Without further hesitation, Luo Jinxiao’s light blue figure soared into the air, landing directly amongst the crowd. With a silver light that streaked across the night sky, she shattered the formation. The disciples of the Qingyan Palace were caught off guard and tumbled to the ground in a heap.
“Who dares interfere?!” A woman wearing a veil leaped up, a cold light flashing from her hand as her sword pointed directly at Luo Jinxiao.
“Sorry!” Luo Jinxiao raised her hands, chuckling sheepishly, indicating she meant no harm.
Seeing Luo Jinxiao dressed in light blue robes, resembling a cultivator, with a delicate face and a friendly, sweet smile, the woman lowered her weapon. She called out, “Fellow cultivator, this tree demon has cultivated for a thousand years, exceeding the boundaries of the human realm and bringing calamity upon the mortal world. It should be eliminated. Please step aside and do not obstruct us.”
Luo Jinxiao continued to back away with her hands raised until she reached the foot of the tree demon. Only then did she speak, “I have no ill intentions. However, if you are looking for the culprit who harmed Pingxi Town, I’m afraid you have the wrong target. It’s best to investigate thoroughly before taking action, lest you harm the innocent.”
Hearing this, the woman sized Luo Jinxiao up and shook her head. “Fellow cultivator, you are mistaken. Even if we are wrong, this demon has been hiding in the human realm for so long, it’s only a matter of time before it causes harm. We see that you are young and will not argue further. Please step aside.”
“Wait, let’s talk a little more.” Luo Jinxiao looked up at the moon, judging that it was not yet midnight. The evil demon shouldn’t have arrived yet. She smiled again, “But if it hasn’t done anything wrong, wouldn’t it be inhumane to kill it just like that?”
“It’s a demon. How can we speak of humanity? Fellow cultivator, if you don’t move, we will take action!” A man jumped forward and shouted sharply.
As soon as he finished speaking, he drew his sword and leaped up, a surge of energy rushing towards Luo Jinxiao’s face. Luo Jinxiao quickly assessed the situation, deducing that their cultivation levels were all around the hallow void stage, nothing to be afraid of. She didn’t even bother using her sword, simply raising her hand to deflect his attack.
The man was stunned to see the young girl break his move so effortlessly. He exchanged glances with his companions, and then they all charged forward together, their combined strength forming a formation, attempting to trap Luo Jinxiao within.
Qu Weiyin watched from the sidelines, her heart tightening. She slightly raised her hand, wanting to lend Luo Jinxiao a hand. However, before she could act, Luo Jinxiao chanted an unknown spell. The moisture on the tips of the grass and leaves in the forest instantly condensed into frost, then into ice needles, which shot towards the weak points of the formation. In the blink of an eye, the formation shattered once more.
The Qingyan Palace disciples looked at each other in shock. Qu Weiyin, seeing this, lowered her hand, her eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and confusion, which eventually settled into silence.
The tree demon suddenly began to wave its branches, which were shaped like arms, clapping above Luo Jinxiao’s head as if delighted.
Luo Jinxiao was caught off guard by the sudden shower of withered leaves and branches. She rubbed her head, brushing off the debris.
“Fellow cultivator, helping an evil demon like this is disgraceful!” The man fumed, seeing Luo Jinxiao’s smug expression.
“And you, harming a life without distinguishing right from wrong—or rather, harming a demon’s life—is that righteous? If you kill all demons just because they are demons, what’s the difference between you and the evil demons you speak of?!” Luo Jinxiao cupped her hands around her mouth, amplifying her voice.
“You little…” The man wanted to charge forward again, but the woman beside him held him back.
The terrified townspeople could no longer bear it. They looked at Luo Jinxiao with hostility, and a few suddenly knelt before the Qingyan Palace disciples, crying, “Immortal Masters, we are suffering at the hands of this evil demon! Every night, people go missing. We are in dire straits! It is this demon that has killed so many of us! Please, Immortal Masters, eliminate this evil and save our lives!”
The Qingyan Palace disciples hurriedly urged them to rise, and the scene descended into chaos.
Suddenly, two young men from the crowd stood up and pointed at Xiu’er, shouting, “It’s her! She is possessed by the evil demon! She brought the demon here!”
The murmurs grew louder as the townspeople whispered amongst themselves. Some could no longer contain their fear and anger, flinging their torches at Xiu’er. She shielded her head, narrowly avoiding the fiery projectiles. The innkeeper, unable to bear the sight, rushed forward and shielded her, shouting, “Please, show mercy! She is merely bewitched, she is not a demon!”
But fear and hatred had robbed the people of their reason. More and more townspeople stepped forward, eager to punish Xiu’er.
They couldn’t overpower the tree demon, but they could surely take their frustrations out on a lone girl.
As the cries for retribution intensified, the tree demon, which had fallen silent, suddenly began to shake violently, seemingly enraged. Seeing the out-of-control mob surrounding the girl, the tree demon let out a shrill, piercing cry.
In a flash of light, a figure appeared, shielding the trembling Xiu’er. The light gradually solidified, revealing a woman with long, curly, dark green hair cascading over her shoulders. She hovered in mid-air, and suddenly, the surrounding trees began to sway violently. A fierce wind swept across the mountaintop, blinding everyone.
“It’s the tree demon!” The Qingyan Palace disciples cried out in alarm, rushing forward. Their spiritual energy converged, forming a giant, glowing sword in mid-air. With a deafening roar, they launched the energy sword towards the tree demon. Chaos reigned as the tree demon’s form became clearer, its feet touching the ground. Countless vines erupted from the earth, forming a natural barrier, shielding Xiu’er completely.
With tear-streaked cheeks, Xiu’er looked at the tree demon in front of her and finally felt a sense of calm, then collapsed to the ground.
Luo Jinxiao also breathed a sigh of relief. She summoned her divine sword, holding it horizontally in front of her. With a leap, she rose into the air and chanted an spell. A transparent ice wall materialized, encasing both the girl and the tree demon within a protective dome, shielding them from the onslaught of attacks.
“You again! Repeatedly aiding this evil! Who are you?!” The Qingyan Palace disciples were furious, pointing accusing fingers at Luo Jinxiao.
“Look up,” Luo Jinxiao said, pointing towards the sky.
It was nearing midnight, and the last vestiges of daylight had vanished. The sky was now pitch black, as if covered by a thick cloth, so dark it seemed as though ink might drip from it at any moment. An eerie silence fell over the crowd.
“What is this?” The man who had spoken earlier frowned.
“Demonic energy. This is what you’re looking for, the real demon that plagues the human realm.” Luo Jinxiao landed gracefully, her blue robes fluttering around her. Her brow furrowed as she surveyed their surroundings.
Qu Weiyin, who had been standing at the back, was nowhere to be seen.
“Senior Brother, the demonic energy is strong over there. She might be telling the truth.” The veiled woman hurried to the man’s side, her voice laced with panic.
Witnessing this scene, the townspeople’s legs turned weak, and they collapsed to the ground. Some fainted from fear, while others, worried for their families, rushed back towards the town, their torches bobbing like fireflies in the darkness.
The Qingyan Palace disciples quickly discussed amongst themselves. A few of them broke away from the group and soared towards Pingxi Town on clouds, leaving a sudden emptiness in their wake. The remaining disciples dispersed, leaving behind a scene of disarray. The innkeeper remained, kneeling outside the barrier Luo Jinxiao had erected, his eyes vacant and lost.
Xiu’er struggled to get up. The tree demon, silent until now, suddenly stirred. It lumbered towards her, extending an arm covered in vines. Gently, it wrapped its arm around her shoulders, helping her to her feet.
“Demon! Demon!” The innkeeper cried out in terror. Unable to break through the barrier, he scrambled towards Luo Jinxiao and threw himself at her feet, pleading, “Immortal Master, please forgive our ignorance! Please save my daughter! She must be possessed by this demon…”
“She’s fine,” Luo Jinxiao said calmly, her brow still furrowed. “She is not possessed. She is your daughter.”
“My daughter? How could my daughter be so close to a demon?” The innkeeper shook his head vehemently, refusing to believe his own eyes.
Luo Jinxiao could only shake her head in response. She didn’t know what to do either. All she could do was follow Qu Weiyin’s instructions and protect them for now.
Suddenly, a golden light streaked across the sky, similar to the previous night, but this time, it was even more blinding. Like a jagged crack in the heavens, it split the sky in two, pushing back the dark clouds. Moonlight poured down through the opening, illuminating the scene below.
Luo Jinxiao’s heart pounded in her chest. She clenched her fists, her face etched with worry.
Qu Weiyin’s power was astonishing. Even from such a distance, Luo Jinxiao could feel the immensity of her spiritual energy. Luo Jinxiao gradually felt reassured, looking towards the direction of the commotion with a smile on her face.
“Who is she? How can she possess such formidable cultivation?” The masked woman, still present, exclaimed in astonishment. She took a few steps forward, gazing up at the moonlit sky.
“She’s my Junior Shishu. Impressive, isn’t she?” Luo Jinxiao’s voice was laced with pride, her eyelashes curving with her bright smile.
After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Qu Weiyin returned. Dew clung to her as she appeared before Luo Jinxiao, her robes and sleeves swirling around her before settling gracefully.
Her expression was calm, as if the previous events were but a trivial matter. She stood tall and composed, her long hair whipping around her, revealing delicate features.
Luo Jinxiao couldn’t help but beam, her smile radiant enough to shame a fish. “Demon eliminated?”
“Reduced to ashes,” Qu Weiyin replied nonchalantly.
“Why is your face a little red?” Luo Jinxiao leaned closer, but Qu Weiyin smoothly evaded her, averting her gaze.
“They bowed to me,” Qu Weiyin said, her tone carrying a hint of rare vulnerability.
Luo Jinxiao almost burst out laughing.
Qu Weiyin cleared her throat, her gaze shifting to the tree demon and the girl. “Everyone’s gone. Let them out,” she said, her red lips pursed.
Luo Jinxiao cheerfully acknowledged, “Got it!” She waved her hand, and the icy barrier vanished. The innkeeper rushed forward to grab Xiu’er’s arm, saying, “Come, let’s go home.”
Xiu’er looked back at the tree demon, her feet rooted to the spot. They stood less than an arm’s length apart, yet it felt like an entire world separated them. The tree demon’s eyes were a striking pale green, strange yet captivating. It reached out, its vine-like fingers extending, only to be swatted away by the innkeeper.
“Demon!” he roared.
Xiu’er suddenly broke free from her father’s grasp and ran back to the tree demon. She wrapped her slender arms around its waist, burying her face in its embrace, tears mingling with the strands of her hair.
Deaf and mute, she could only express herself through tears.
The tree demon’s form shifted, becoming more human-like. Its bark transformed into smooth skin, and apart from its emerald green hair and eyes, it now resembled a young woman, slender and graceful. It gently stroked Xiu’er’s hair, smoothing out the tangles with a tenderness that belied its monstrous appearance.
The innkeeper almost fainted at the sight.
Luo Jinxiao was equally surprised. She had never heard of such a deep bond between a human and a demon. She turned to look at Qu Weiyin, whose eyes were dark and unreadable.
“Junior Shishu, what’s wrong?” Luo Jinxiao dared to ask.
“It seems today is the day she finally achieved a human form,” Qu Weiyin murmured, her eyelashes fluttering slightly as if touched by a hint of sadness. “It makes me wonder… can humans and demons truly never be together?”
“Not necessarily. I can summon fierce beasts, can’t I?” Luo Jinxiao offered, trying to lighten the mood.
“No, it’s different,” Qu Weiyin shook her head. “You don’t understand.”
Luo Jinxiao felt a flicker of annoyance at her words. She pondered for a moment but couldn’t decipher Qu Weiyin’s meaning. She bit her lip, forcing a nonchalant tone. “What’s not to understand? While cultivators are tasked with slaying demons and eliminating evil, we shouldn’t forget that all beings are equal. Besides, who I choose to be with is my own business, not anyone else’s.”
Qu Weiyin turned to look at Luo Jinxiao, her words might have been naive, but her eyes held a spark of determination and defiance.
“Oh,” Qu Weiyin feigned indifference, a faint “hmm” escaping her lips.
