It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Mu Zhi’an opened the paper crane, noticing Bai Ruoxi’s intense gaze, and chuckled inwardly.

He knew Lan Mulian wouldn’t write anything compromising. That was why he had agreed to read it with Bai Ruoxi.

If Wei Mengrou had sensed Bai Ruoxi’s demonic aura, Lan Mulian definitely had as well.

And she hadn’t sent him any messages in the past few days, seemingly upset with him. Was it truly a coincidence that she had chosen to contact him today?

He suspected the letter was about Bai Ruoxi.

He unfolded the paper, revealing a single sentence: Meet me at the Rising Phoenix Inn at noon today. I have some questions for you regarding Bai Ruoxi.

As expected.

He pondered for a moment, then said, “It seems Senior Sister is indeed suspicious.”

Bai Ruoxi’s expression turned worried. “What should we do?”

“It’s not entirely a bad thing,” he said.

“At least her tone isn’t hostile. That’s a good sign.”

“And you were bound to reach Core Formation eventually. It’s better that it happened in Tianxuan City. What do you think would have happened if it had occurred at the Two Polarities Sect?”

His words eased her anxiety.

He was right. It was fortunate that this had happened in Tianxuan City. If it had occurred at the sect, the consequences would have been far more severe.

He put away the letter, then studied her, his brow furrowing slightly. “I don’t sense any demonic aura from you now. Does it only leak out during a tribulation?”

She shook her head. “I was careless. I didn’t suppress my spiritual energy properly. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have happened.”

She hadn’t even known she possessed demonic aura. While Bai Yuanfeng was a Three-Tailed Fox, she hadn’t passed on any of her demonic traits to her daughter, or so they had thought.

No one had expected this to happen after the tribulation.

He pondered for a moment. “So you can completely conceal it, if you want to?”

She nodded. “As long as I don’t use it, it won’t leak out.”

The demonic aura had leaked out at the city gates because she had overexerted herself, using the bronze sword repeatedly. When her spiritual energy was depleted, the sword had drawn upon the demonic aura within her vessel.

“Are you going to see Senior Sister?” she asked.

He nodded. “I have to.”

“If I can understand her intentions, we won’t have to worry about anyone in Tianxuan City reporting us,” he explained.

She frowned. “If even the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce and the Gongsun family wouldn’t dare, who else would?”

“No family in Tianxuan City would do such a thing.”

He paused, then smiled. “But individuals, especially foolish ones, they’re capable of anything.”

She tilted her head, her eyes filled with confusion. “Who are you talking about? Gongsun Cheng?”

“He’s only at Foundation Establishment. He wouldn’t have sensed that faint trace of demonic aura.” He shook his head.

She pondered for a moment, then her eyes widened as a realization dawned on her. “Ye Yu?”

Ye Yu was also at Foundation Establishment, but the old man in his body, his current strength was unknown.

But at Dragon Head Forest, when he had possessed Ye Yu, he had been at Core Formation.

If it was Ye Yu, he might have sensed it.

And if he reported it to Lan Mulian…

She clutched her dress, her heart sinking.

If it was just her, it wouldn’t be so bad. But to implicate the Bai family and Mu Zhi’an…

He looked down at her, her beauty as captivating as ever, her white dress accentuating her delicate figure, her aura a mixture of aloofness and vulnerability.

He covered her hand with his, and she looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and hope.

“Don’t worry about it. Focus on your cultivation,” he said, his voice reassuring.

“I’ll handle everything.”

…

At the Rising Phoenix Inn, Mu Zhi’an arrived at Lan Mulian’s room, as promised.

She wore a moon-white dress that suited her personality, her long hair held in place by a white ribbon, a single strand framing her beautiful face.

She was cold and elegant, her beauty breathtaking.

“You’re on time. It seems Miss Bai is important to you,” she said, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“I always prefer to arrive early. I don’t like waiting, and I don’t like making others wait,” he replied, smoothly deflecting her observation.

She nodded, inviting him to sit down. “Do you know why I asked you here?”

He nodded. “You mentioned it in your letter.”

She stared at him intently. “Bai Ruoxi, she’s a demonic cultivator, isn’t she?”

“There’s no need to lie to me. I can confirm it with the Aura Sight Technique.”

So she noticed. As expected of Lan Mulian. He hesitated, then nodded, but then shook his head.

“She’s the child of a human cultivator and a demonic cultivator, but aside from a trace of demonic aura, she has no connection to the Demon Realm,” he said, revealing the truth.

He had carefully considered his options and decided against lying to her.

As she had said, if she was suspicious, she could simply use the Aura Sight Technique to confirm Bai Ruoxi’s identity. There was no need to summon him.

This was a test, both for him and for Bai Ruoxi.

If he lied, she would be disappointed.

And it might not even work.

She rarely used the Aura Sight Technique, but he couldn’t be sure she hadn’t used it on him before this meeting, to detect any lies.

She remained silent, and he continued, “What do you intend to do?”

“According to the Two Polarities Sect’s rules, anyone who colludes with demonic cultivators will be severely punished.”

She pondered for a moment, then said, her voice soft, “But since she’s not even a half-demon. I’ll let it slide.”

“Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. That’s what my master taught me.”

Her words spoke volumes.

She might not have the authority to make such a decision.

But if it came from the Jade Empress herself, it was as good as law.

“You’re not going to pursue it?” he asked, seeking confirmation.

She looked at him, her gaze intense. “I can overlook it for now, but if she ever harms anyone. I’ll personally eliminate her.”

She’s just trying to hide her embarrassment. Senior Sister is a bit tsundere. He nodded, then asked, “Will her demonic aura leak out every time she faces a tribulation?”

She shook her head. “Theoretically, as long as it’s concealed within her vessel and not used, it won’t be detected.”

“Perhaps she didn’t even know she possessed demonic aura until today.”

“You’re very perceptive, Senior Sister,” he said, his admiration evident.

As I suspected, she’s cold on the outside, but warm on the inside. And she deduced the truth so quickly. Such an intelligent woman, if I could marry her, it would be a blessing. He sighed inwardly.

“The entrance exams are approaching. Don’t forget to cultivate amidst your recreational activities,” she reminded him.

He nodded obediently. “I’ll heed your advice, Senior Sister. Once I join the sect, I’ll be at your service.”

He seized the opportunity to cling to her thigh… metaphorically.

She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t need your service.”

“May I bring you some osmanthus cake tomorrow?” he asked tentatively.

She didn’t agree, but she didn’t refuse either. She simply took a sip of tea.

He understood. “I have some matters to attend to. I’ll visit you again tomorrow.”

…

He didn’t return to the Mu Manor after leaving the inn. He sent a spy to the Gongsun family, while he himself headed towards the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce.

He waited in the main hall, then was greeted by Master Huang, dressed in his usual luxurious attire.

Master Huang sat down, brewed some tea, then poured a cup for Mu Zhi’an, smiling. “What brings you to the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce at this hour, Nephew Mu?”

Mu Zhi’an took a sip of tea, then spoke, his voice cryptic. “You’re an intelligent man, Uncle Huang. You should know why I’m here.”

It sounded like a veiled threat, but for someone as clever as Master Huang, it would only confuse him further.

Master Huang’s hand, holding the teacup, froze, and he stared at Mu Zhi’an, his mind racing.

After a moment of silence, he chuckled. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about, Nephew Mu.”

Mu Zhi’an smiled, retrieving a paper crane.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand, Uncle Huang. But you should recognize the owner of this crane.”

Master Huang’s gaze fixed on the crane.

The spiritual energy emanating from it… it was Lan Mulian’s.

So he really is involved with her. Master Huang’s eyes narrowed, then he laughed heartily. “As I said before, Nephew Mu, the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce only cares about profits. You needn’t worry about us.”

“I know nothing, and I’ll do nothing,” he assured him.

As expected, a businessman only cared about his own interests.

They couldn’t have missed the tribulation this morning. He knew everything, but he was choosing to play dumb.

“Actually, Uncle Huang, I have a favor to ask. I hope you can assist me.”

He noticed Master Huang’s lack of interest and continued, “Miss Huang and I are quite close. Once we join the Two Polarities Sect, we can look after each other.”

Master Huang’s eyes narrowed, then he smiled. “Ask away, Nephew Mu. Considering your relationship with my daughter, I’ll do everything in my power to help.”

Mu Zhi’an was involved with the examiner. He only had one daughter. If he could make Mu Zhi’an owe him a favor, ensuring his daughter’s safety within the sect, it was a worthwhile investment.

“You’re a smart man, Uncle Huang. And so is Uncle Gongsun.”

Mu Zhi’an sighed. “But some people… they might not be so wise.”

“If anyone tries to harm Ruoxi. I hope you can help us… prove our innocence.”

Master Huang bowed. “Considering our relationship, Nephew Mu, it’s a small matter.”

They chatted for a while longer, then Mu Zhi’an stood up to leave.

“Are you going to visit the Gongsun family next, Nephew Mu?” Master Huang asked, escorting him to the door.

“There’s no need. I’ve already sent someone to take care of things. They’re intelligent people. They know what to do,” Mu Zhi’an replied with a smile.

Everything was in order.

If any clowns tried to stir up trouble, they would only be entertaining him.