Chapter 84 – Mu Nanjin, you really do love stirring trouble.

Captain Liu looked toward the white-robed man standing beside Mu Nanjin. The man was a full head taller than him, with refined features and a gentle, approachable smile. Yet that smiling expression inexplicably made Captain Liu feel a sense of danger. Years of experience in the Jinyiwei told him this man was no ordinary martial artist.

The white-robed man flicked open his white folding fan and casually fanned himself, playing along with Mu Nanjin as he said,

“Lord, can you guess who I am?”

“……”

Captain Liu had never seen this man before, nor could he identify him from any distinctive features.

However, before he could think more carefully, Mu Nanjin’s inner voice exposed the man’s identity.

【Hehehe, this man is disguised. No matter how hard you rack your brain, you’d never guess he’s the infamous Demon Cult Leader, Shu Xiyao.】

“!”

What?!

The Demon Cult Leader, Shu Xiyao?!

Captain Liu nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

According to intelligence gathered by the Jinyiwei, the Demon Cult Leader had publicly claimed to be only a Ninth-Rank Grandmaster, but in truth, he was very likely already above the Martial King level, far beyond what small fry like them could afford to provoke.

Yet this cursed girl just had to go and provoke the Demon Cult Leader.

Was she tired of living?

The other Captains were also badly shaken by Mu Nanjin’s inner thoughts. One of them lost focus and nearly got slashed.

Far below the Observation Martial Tower, Kan Chaoyan was gasping for breath as well, his heart needing time to calm down.

Fortunately, he had the foresight to send Captain Liu back to the capital with an urgent report.

Captain Liu, too, silently thanked his luck for sending the message at top speed, hoping the Commander’s Office would send more men to deal with Mu Nanjin, this living disaster.

Seeing Captain Liu fall silent, Mu Nanjin spoke up,

“If you still can’t guess, I’m leaving.”

“You…” Captain Liu took a deep breath. “Come over here first.”

Mu Nanjin replied flatly, “No.”

【I’m not stupid enough to walk over and let you drag me back.】

Captain Liu: “……”

Shu Xiyao gently shook his fan and asked,

“Little girl, is he your family?”

Mu Nanjin answered decisively, “No.”

Shu Xiyao grew curious.

“Then why does he insist on taking you back?”

“The Commander of his household wants to take me as a concubine. I refused and ran away.”

Captain Liu: “……”

Even he almost believed that lie.

Wasn’t she afraid the Commander would hear about this and kill her?

“The Commander wants you as a concubine?”

Shu Xiyao examined Mu Nanjin in surprise, then nodded.

“You are quite pretty, no wonder the Commander took a liking to you. Though you’re a bit young for him. Still, being chosen by the Commander is your good fortune. Becoming his concubine wouldn’t wrong you.”

Mu Nanjin said calmly,

“How would it not wrong me? What I want is the position of his legal wife.”

Captain Liu: “……”

She actually dared to say that?!

Could it be… she truly had her sights on the Commander’s main wife position?

Shu Xiyao froze for a moment, then laughed.

“If you could become his proper wife, that would indeed be even better.”

Captain Liu coughed lightly.

“Mu Nanjin, stop fooling around and come here immediately.”

She asked, “Have you figured out who he is yet?”

Captain Liu’s expression stiffened. He glanced at Shu Xiyao.

“Come here first. Then I’ll tell you.”

Shu Xiyao noticed the flicker in his eyes. Clearly, the man had guessed his identity.

“If you can’t guess, I’m leaving.”

Mu Nanjin bolted away in a flash.

“You damn girl, come back!”

Captain Liu rushed to chase her but was blocked by Shu Xiyao.

Shu Xiyao turned to his subordinates.

“Capture that girl.”

“Yes.”

His men disappeared into the crowd.

When Shu Xiyao turned back, Captain Liu was already gone.

Shu Xiyao raised an eyebrow.

“Worthy of the Jinyiwei, quite slippery.”

Just a mere Captain. Not worth his effort.

Seeing the Demon Cult Leader hadn’t followed, Captain Liu finally let out a breath.

“This Mu Nanjin really…”

Before he could finish, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.

“Ah!”

Captain Liu yelped and spun around, only to see Kan Chaoyan.

“Lord Kan! You nearly scared me to death!”

“Are you alright?” Kan Chaoyan asked with concern.

“I’m fine. It’s just that the Demon Cult Leader’s subordinates went after Mu Nanjin.”

Thinking of who he’d just faced, Captain Liu’s legs gave out and he slid down against the wall.

“I strongly request that once we return, you transfer Mu Nanjin to another Captain.”

“That…” Kan Chaoyan said helplessly. “I’m afraid that’s impossible.”

“Why not?”

“After this incident, do you think any Captain would dare take her?”

Captain Liu: “……”

“If you can find someone willing to take her, I’ll move her.”

Captain Liu was utterly baffled.

“Who in the world assigned her to me in the first place?”

Kan Chaoyan admitted honestly,

“I did.”

Captain Liu nearly cried.

“Did you give her to me to supervise because you thought my life was too long?!”

“When I first met her, she was obedient and well-behaved. A little girl like that needed a responsible Captain like you. Otherwise, she might’ve been bullied. Who knew…”

Kan Chaoyan stopped halfway.

Captain Liu finished for him,

“Who knew she was a two-faced little menace.”

Kan Chaoyan chuckled and patted his shoulder.

“As long as you know.”

Captain Liu stood up.

“The Demon Cult people are chasing her. What should we do?”

Kan Chaoyan rubbed his temples.

“She’ll probably handle it.”

Then he reconsidered. Mu Nanjin had always been pretending to be weak. If he didn’t go save her, it wouldn’t look right.

“I’ll go find her.”

He jumped up and scanned the area.

The martial arena was packed. He had no idea where she’d gone.

【Come on, catch me if you can.】

【I even slowed down on purpose. How come you still can’t catch me?】

【Everyone says the Demon Cult is formidable. I’m honestly disappointed.】

Hearing her thoughts, Kan Chaoyan knew she was perfectly fine, and having fun.

He leaned against the wall, deciding not to interfere.

Then both he and Captain Liu heard her again.

【Boring.】

【Not exciting enough.】

Captain Liu sighed, exhausted.

“What is she up to now?”

Kan Chaoyan sighed too.

“I have no idea.”

【Attention, all martial artists, the Demon Cult Leader has arrived.】

The Jinyiwei: “……”

“What? The Demon Cult Leader?! Where?!”

Fighting ceased instantly as everyone scanned their surroundings. Even the Martial Alliance Leader was alarmed.

He leapt onto a rooftop to search for the Demon Cult Leader.

Mu Nanjin glanced back at those chasing her.

【Anyone wearing black robes and black headscarves with dark skin, that’s his men.】

Everyone immediately scrutinized those around them. Anyone fitting the description was glared at fiercely.

Those matching the description frantically waved their hands.

“Not me! I swear I’m not!”

“Doesn’t matter, beat them first!”

One of Shu Xiyao’s subordinates chasing Mu Nanjin was instantly swarmed.

The Demon Cult split into two groups, one to rescue their companions, the other to keep chasing Mu Nanjin.

She looked back again.

【Anyone in dark-blue robes with a white forehead band is also his subordinate.】

The crowd locked onto new targets and charged again.

Seeing the chaos, Captain Liu muttered,

“This is weird. Why does everyone believe her? Doesn’t anyone doubt her?”

“No one doubts her,” Kan Chaoyan replied.

“People checked what she said before. It was all true. Now they trust her completely.”

Captain Liu: “……”

【Don’t let anyone wearing flying-fish uniforms escape either…】

“Flying-fish uniforms?”

Captain Liu looked down at himself. Then at Kan Chaoyan.

They were wearing flying-fish uniforms.

Everyone’s gaze snapped toward the Jinyiwei.

The Jinyiwei who’d been watching froze, stiffening under those wolfish stares.

Captain Fang roared,

“Run!”

The Jinyiwei scattered in all directions.

【Haha, fun.】

【Thrilling.】

The Jinyiwei cursed in unison,

“Mu Nanjin, you damn bastard!”

【Those in flying-fish uniforms are Jinyiwei. They’re trying to capture me, stop them!】

Those already fighting Jinyiwei: “……”

Captain Liu ran while yelling,

“Damn it! Everyone’s being toyed with by her!”

Kan Chaoyan shoved his head down.

“Stop cursing. Watch out for hidden weapons!”

Outnumbered and beaten back, the Demon Cult finally snapped.

A sharp whistle rang out.

“Whii!”

The sound echoed across He Xing Mountain.

Everyone paused.

Then tens of thousands of black-robed Demon Cult soldiers soared up from the mountain below.

“It’s the Demon Cult!”

The alliance leaders’ faces changed. They hadn’t expected so many hidden forces and hurriedly rallied their people.

The battlefield descended into total chaos again.

Then Mu Nanjin spoke once more.

【The handsome young man in white robes holding a blank white fan, that’s the Demon Cult Leader.】

“The Demon Cult Leader?!”

They searched frantically.

Many wore white robes, but few held fans, and none had blank ones.

When they finally spotted Shu Xiyao, he suddenly leapt forward, landing before Mu Nanjin and pressing his fan against her throat.

He curled his lips.

“Little girl, you really do love stirring trouble.”

Mu Nanjin hummed and gently pushed the fan aside.

【First time meeting Shu Xiyao, and he already knows me so well. Worthy of the Demon Cult Leader.】

【Uh… his weapon is still at my throat. Probably not the time to praise him.】

【Captain Liu, save me.】

Captain Liu sneered.

Heh. Hurry up and die already.

“She’s pretending to be weak again.”

Kan Chaoyan chuckled.

“She really remembers you, calls for you when things go wrong.”

Captain Liu grumbled,

“I’d rather she forget me. The more she remembers me, the shorter my life gets.”

Kan Chaoyan’s eyes gleamed. He leaned close and whispered something.

Captain Liu hesitated.

“This… isn’t that inappropriate?”

“You’ll thank me after this.”

After a moment’s struggle, Captain Liu clenched his teeth and nodded.

In the distance, Shu Xiyao pressed the fan back again. A sharp hidden blade shot out, aimed at her throat.

“I disguised myself as others. How did you know who I was?”

“I noticed you days ago. Of course, I know.”

She wasn’t lying. She’d spotted him near the Alliance Estate’s mountain and gone down with Xu Cheng and the others.

Shu Xiyao narrowed his eyes.

“You followed me? How did I not notice?”

“That’s something you should ask yourself.”

He considered it. Perhaps there’d simply been too many people.

“Who are you?”

Mu Nanjin answered honestly.

“Mu Nanjin.”

“Mu Nanjin?” He’d never heard the name.

“Are you really the Commander’s would-be concubine?”

“Yes.”

He studied her. She was far too calm. Anyone else would’ve collapsed in fear.

“Move.”

He pushed her forward.

The righteous cultivators dared not attack with a hostage present.

Someone shouted, “Shu Xiyao! If you’re a man, release the girl and fight us!”

He ignored them and stopped before Kan Chaoyan.

“Lord Kan. We meet again.”

Kan Chaoyan, well-practiced by now, said smoothly,

“Cult Leader, let’s talk this out. Don’t hurt her.”

Shu Xiyao raised a brow.

“You care that much? Is she truly the Commander’s concubine?”

“Yes,” Kan Chaoyan answered without hesitation.

Captain Liu: “……”

Saying that in public was really not ideal.

Kan Chaoyan continued, “If you harm her, not only will we face the Commander’s wrath, you won’t escape the consequences either.”

“Are you threatening me?” Shu Xiyao asked coldly.

“Of course not. I’m thinking for your sake. You wouldn’t want the Demon Cult besieged by both the martial sects and the court, would you?”

He scoffed.

“This girl can mobilize the entire court?”

“Yes,” Kan Chaoyan said firmly.

“She’s more important than you think.”

【Didn’t expect Old Kan to value me so much. I’m touched. Should I help wash his underpants when we get back?】

Captain Liu nearly burst out laughing.

Kan Chaoyan: “……”

Not thanking me is the best thanks.

Shu Xiyao chuckled.

“Then I’m even more interested in taking her. Let’s see if you truly care that much.”

At that moment, a deep, icy voice echoed from the sky:

“Cult Leader, where do you think you’re taking my person?”