Volume 1, Chapter 89 – The Sword, Through the Heart

As Lu Zhuxin watched Song Shixuan’s movements, Huang Shangshang also subconsciously tightened her grip on her sword hilt.

She didn’t know what was happening, but watching Song Shixuan’s movements, she instinctively sensed danger.

Among those present, perhaps only Song Shiyuan was completely unaware.

To her, even though she had identified Song Shixuan as that sword cultivator scum who betrayed his own kind, deep down she still subconsciously believed Song Shixuan wouldn’t be shameless enough to ambush her from behind.

This upright little junior martial sister of the sword sect had eyes full of nothing but the charming figure of the little fox demon before her.

She didn’t know that behind her, something extremely dangerous was brewing.

Lu Zhuxin’s lips beneath the mask curved in a smile as she waited for Song Shixuan’s move.

A flash of struggle crossed Song Shixuan’s face.

First distress, then hesitation, and finally when his gaze fell on Lu Zhuxin, it turned vicious.

Lu Zhuxin knew this man had made his choice.

He thought his movements were secretive, he thought the demon cultivation aura on his body wouldn’t be detected.

Little did he know that his movements and the evil demonic qi leaking from him when he used his secret arts were as obvious as candlelight in the night before an Eighth Realm cultivator.

His palm rose slightly, two fingers pressed together and curled, black ghostly light gathering between them.

This was a finger technique from the Bliss Demon Sect.

Completely different from Lingxiao Sword Sect’s yang-strong sword seals.

At this moment, Song Shiyuan, whose eyes were filled only with the little fox demon, still hadn’t noticed the abnormality behind her.

Lu Zhuxin’s demon core within her dantian circulated, her Eighth Realm demonic power spreading out slightly.

As long as Song Shixuan made a move, Lu Zhuxin could throw herself onto Song Shiyuan in the first instant.

If the little fox demon died at Song Shixuan’s hands while trying to save Song Shiyuan…

Would Song Shiyuan ever be able to forgive Song Shixuan afterward?

Given Song Shiyuan’s personality, absolutely not!

Closer! Closer! As soon as Song Shixuan struck, Lu Zhuxin would rush forward, using her body to block his attack for Song Shiyuan.

The little fox demon would die before Song Shiyuan’s eyes.

Then the fact that Song Shixuan possessed demon cultivation secret arts would be completely exposed before Song Shiyuan.

This was the scene Lu Zhuxin wanted.

Just as Lu Zhuxin’s plan was about to be fulfilled, suddenly the entire Fox Palace trembled.

Lu Zhuxin froze for a moment.

Song Shiyuan startled, immediately rushing to Lu Zhuxin’s side to protect her.

“Be careful.”

Song Shiyuan pulled the dazed Lu Zhuxin close.

From the distance in the Fox Palace, a woman’s voice could faintly be heard.

“I just sensed it, there’s demon cultivator aura here!”

At this moment, Song Shixuan’s eyes also flashed with alarm. The instant the Fox Palace changed, he had immediately withdrawn his hand and dispersed the demonic qi gathered at his fingertips.

Not far away, two extremely powerful auras were rapidly approaching.

Lu Zhuxin sensed those two auras drawing near.

Two sword cultivators, one Seventh Realm, one Eighth Realm.

The commotion just now was obviously them directly slashing through the Fox Palace’s outer formations.

Lu Zhuxin raised her hand to lightly tug at her hair.

The smile that had been at the corner of her mouth froze on her face.

This situation wasn’t within Lu Zhuxin’s expectations.

Although, calculating the time, those sword cultivators fighting in Mingzhao City should have come to the Fox Palace by now.

According to Lu Zhuxin’s original plan, she was supposed to lure them into the Fox Palace.

But they shouldn’t have broken through the Fox Palace’s formations and entered the interior so quickly!

They had arrived much earlier than Lu Zhuxin had anticipated.

Clearly, after leaving Mingzhao City, these two had barely hesitated before directly storming the Fox Palace.

Given Jiang Hongliang’s cautious and life-preserving nature, shouldn’t they first observe outside the Fox Palace for a while, and only enter after confirming there were no traps inside?

How had they arrived here so early?

And it was precisely when Song Shixuan was about to use his Bliss Demon Sect secret arts.

Just a little more and Song Shixuan’s secret would have been exposed.

This feeling of having her planned scheme suddenly interrupted was familiar to Lu Zhuxin.

It felt like… the will of heaven preventing Song Shixuan from being exposed at this moment.

“System, is this also the Heavenly Dao’s plot correction force?” Lu Zhuxin inquired.

According to the original text Lu Zhuxin had written, as the protagonist, Song Shixuan’s secret would never be exposed until the very end.

If Song Shixuan’s secret was exposed now, he would no longer be accepted by the righteous path.

Then the subsequent plot could never continue.

Therefore, the secret that Song Shixuan was a demon cultivator couldn’t be exposed yet.

Rеaԁ оո KаtRеαⅾіոɡСαfe

[Host, the heaven-fated male protagonist carries fortune. You haven’t successfully severed his fortune yet.]

The heaven-fated protagonist could suffer setbacks and failures, these could all be part of his growth and tempering.

But if Lu Zhuxin wanted to completely destroy him, then the Heavenly Dao would protect him.

For instance, although Lu Zhuxin possessed Eighth Realm cultivation, she couldn’t harm Song Shixuan in the slightest.

To deal with the heaven-fated male protagonist, she could only slowly boil the frog in warm water, bit by bit severing his fortune.

“Heh…” Lu Zhuxin held her mask, laughing coldly in a low voice.

“Someone’s coming,” Song Shiyuan pulled Lu Zhuxin behind her. “They’re sword cultivators.”

“This aura… it’s an Eighth Realm sword cultivator.”

Song Shiyuan looked at the little fox demon with some concern.

She could clearly sense those two Eighth Realm sword cultivators’ auras. They had no intention of hiding at all.

Two Eighth Realm sword cultivators had just barged directly into the Fox Palace’s interior like this.

Could it be that something had gone wrong in Mingzhao City?

Was the Fox Monarch not in Mingzhao City?

According to Lingxiao Sword Sect’s rescue plan, the Fox Monarch Lu Zhuxin would go to Mingzhao City tonight to hold a banquet, and they needed to rescue the sect disciples imprisoned in the Fox Palace while the Fox Monarch wasn’t there.

During this time, Lingxiao Sword Sect’s Sect Master Jiang Hongliang would guard Mingzhao City to prevent the Fox Monarch from returning to the Fox Palace.

Until they successfully evacuated the Fox Palace.

In this plan, the Eighth Realm sword cultivator wasn’t supposed to show himself, nor appear in the Fox Palace so brazenly.

But just now, the Eighth Realm sword cultivator aura Song Shiyuan had sensed was clearly Lingxiao Sword Sect’s Sect Master Jiang Hongliang.

The sect master had entered the Fox Palace?

Why would he personally come to such a dangerous place?

Song Shiyuan didn’t understand. Was this also part of the plan Song Shixuan and Lu Guan had made behind her back?

An Eighth Realm sword cultivator appearing so conspicuously in fox clan territory, weren’t they afraid of being discovered by the fox clan’s powerhouses?

Of course, what worried Song Shiyuan most was whether those two sword sect powerhouses would harm the little fox demon if they saw her.

At this thought, Song Shiyuan subconsciously tightened her grip on the little fox demon’s wrist.

No matter what, she absolutely had to protect her little fox demon.

Even if it was Lingxiao Sword Sect’s sect master, he couldn’t separate them.

“Sect Master! We’re here!” Song Shixuan shouted toward the newcomers.

Song Shiyuan glanced at Song Shixuan. This man had indeed known that Sect Master Jiang would come to the Fox Palace.

Only Song Shiyuan had been foolishly kept in the dark.

The two supreme powerhouses moved incredibly fast. The Fox Palace’s restrictions seemed unable to hinder them at all.

Soon, an unkempt middle-aged man and a young woman dressed in deep sea-colored robes appeared before everyone.

At this moment, the young woman’s brows showed confusion. “Strange, I clearly sensed demon cultivator aura here just now. How did it disappear in an instant?”

“Heh.” Jiang Hongliang said, “This is the Fox Monarch’s palace. These demon creatures and evil demons have always been inseparable. It’s not strange for there to be demon cultivator aura.”

“It’s just, where has that Fox Monarch hidden herself?”

“Logically, she should still be in the Fox Palace, so why can’t we find her?”

Hearing the two’s quiet conversation, Lu Zhuxin secretly rolled her eyes.

How were they so certain she was still in the Fox Palace? Did she, Lu Zhuxin, not have feet? Couldn’t she run?

“Sect Master.” Song Shixuan first gave Lingxiao Sword Sect’s Sect Master Jiang Hongliang a respectful bow.

Then his gaze turned to the young woman beside Jiang Hongliang.

When he saw that veiled young woman, a flash of admiration crossed his eyes.

Another woman who perfectly matched his aesthetic.

“This is?” Song Shixuan asked tentatively.

Jiang Hongliang said casually, “This is Qinglan Sect’s Sect Master, Liu Funing.”

“So it’s Sect Master Liu.” Song Shixuan was surprised. Although he knew this very beautiful young woman should be a powerhouse, he hadn’t expected her to be one of the Seven Sword Sects’ sect masters.

Liu Funing nodded slightly at Song Shixuan.

She had heard of this man. Lingxiao Sword Sect’s Young Sect Master, the Southern River Song clan’s prodigy.

Song Shiyuan watched this scene before her, finding this adaptable, pretentious man particularly disgusting.

The way this man had just looked at Sect Master Liu wasn’t pure at all.

How had Song Shiyuan never noticed before how disgusting and vile this man was?

Song Shiyuan and Huang Shangshang also bowed respectfully to the two sect masters.

“Lingxiao Sword Sect disciple, Song Shiyuan.”

“Lingxu Sword Sect disciple, Huang Shangshang.”

“Greetings to both sect masters.”

Song Shiyuan’s feet shifted lightly, imperceptibly shielding the little fox demon behind her.

But how could such a small movement escape the eyes of two peerless powerhouses?

Rеaⅾ οո КαtReadіnɡCаfе

Liu Funing’s gaze swept directly toward Song Shiyuan.

“Miss Song, the one hiding behind you is a fox demon, correct?”

“Though she wears a mask, her fox demon aura is completely obvious to sword cultivators.”

Liu Funing’s eyes narrowed slightly. Although the fox demon before her had a very weak aura, as if she had just taken human form…

But the mask on her face was identical to the one the Fox Monarch had worn earlier.

Lu Zhuxin, wearing the mask, swept her gaze over this beautiful woman wearing a veil.

Qinglan Sect Master Liu Funing?

The helper this old fellow Jiang Hongliang had brought was actually her?

This was something Lu Zhuxin hadn’t anticipated.

She wasn’t an Eighth Realm cultivator, but because Qinglan Sword Sect’s techniques were special, she could unleash Eighth Realm combat power.

Her overall combat strength might not compare to a true Eighth Realm cultivator.

However, Qinglan Sword Sect’s techniques were among the most destructive of the Seven Great Sword Sects.

So she was also an extremely difficult enemy to deal with.

And most importantly, she deeply hated fox demons.

“Sect Master Liu.” Song Shiyuan stood in front of the little fox demon. She could sense the ill intent emanating from this woman’s eyes.

“She is my friend,” Song Shiyuan said. “In this Fox Palace, she has helped me greatly.”

“When did disciples of Lingxiao Sword Sect start making friends with fox demons?” Liu Funing said.

“Song Shiyuan, what is the meaning of this?” Jiang Hongliang’s gaze also turned over.

“Sect Master Jiang.” Song Shiyuan bit her teeth lightly.

“Sect Master!” Song Shixuan interrupted Song Shiyuan’s words at this moment.

“My little sister Song Shiyuan has already been bewitched by this fox demon.”

“Please, both sect masters, strike down this fox and save my little sister!”

Hearing this, fury flashed in Song Shiyuan’s eyes. “Song Shixuan!!”

Song Shixuan actually wanted to borrow the two sect masters’ hands to eliminate the little fox demon.

This man, why?

Why must he make things so difficult for the little fox demon?

The little fox demon had never provoked him, right? Why must he insist on putting the little fox demon to death?

Was it just because Song Shiyuan said the little fox demon was her dao companion? Because she contradicted and defied his will?!

Or was it simply because of jealousy, wanting to destroy her little fox demon?

“Song Shiyuan.” Jiang Hongliang looked at Song Shiyuan. “You are Immortal Venerable Qingzhi’s disciple. You should know Lingxiao Sword Sect’s rules.”

Song Shiyuan bit her teeth. “Shiyuan knows.”

“It’s just that the little fox demon has shown me kindness. Without her help, I wouldn’t have been able to complete the mission the sect gave me so easily in this Fox Palace.”

Song Shiyuan knew that without the little fox demon’s help covering for her, she wouldn’t have obtained the Fox Palace’s formation defense diagram so easily.

Lingxiao Sword Sect wouldn’t have been able to attack into this Fox Palace so readily.

For her sake, the little fox demon had already betrayed the Fox Monarch, betrayed her own kind. She had nowhere left to go. Only Song Shiyuan could protect her.

Therefore, Song Shiyuan had to protect her.

She couldn’t flee at the critical moment again like that night.

Song Shiyuan swore secretly in her heart.

“She has shown me kindness, and in this rescue mission, she has contributed greatly. Although she is a fox demon, she stands on our side. Both emotionally and logically, I must repay her kindness,” Song Shiyuan said. “I promised her I would safely take her away from here.”

“This is the righteousness a Lingxiao sword cultivator should uphold.”

“As for violating the sect rules, afterward I will go to the sect’s Law Enforcement Hall myself to receive punishment!”

After speaking, Song Shiyuan looked at Jiang Hongliang with resolute eyes. “Please, Sect Master, grant permission.”

Jiang Hongliang’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Even if this punishment means abolishing your cultivation, severing your foundation, and expelling you from the sect?”

“Even so, Shiyuan has no regrets,” Song Shiyuan said without hesitation.

She had long been prepared for such punishment.

“Shiyuan…” The little fox demon pressed against her worriedly, saying softly, “You don’t need to go this far for me.”

Song Shiyuan gripped the little fox demon’s small hand tightly. “Axi, trust me. Leave it to me.”

Lu Zhuxin’s eyes narrowed.

The plan to have her die at Song Shixuan’s hands and expose his demon cultivation nature had failed. She had to think of another remedy.

Looking at it now, there would be a very good opportunity right here.

Jiang Hongliang looked at Song Shiyuan with complex emotions. This young woman had once been one of the young disciples he most favored.

He just hadn’t expected that even a prodigy like her would go astray and be stubborn because of a fox demon.

Fortunately, Jiang Hongliang had chosen Song Shixuan in the beginning. This man was clear-headed, had courage, and was ruthless enough. He was the most suitable choice for the sword sect.

“Miss Song,” Liu Funing suddenly said. “I understand what you mean.”

“Sect Master Liu.” Song Shiyuan took a deep breath.

She didn’t know this Liu Funing, nor what kind of person this Qinglan Sect Master was.

Rеаԁ оո ΚatReαⅾіոɡCafе

But just now, from her attitude toward the little fox demon, she clearly had no favorable feelings toward fox demons.

“As a sect master, I’ve seen too many children like you,” Liu Funing looked at Song Shiyuan and said. “Naive, sincere, full of passion. Yet too easily trusting of others, easily coaxed and bewitched.”

“You’ve never clearly seen the fox demon race’s true face.”

“But I’m different from you. I’ve seen many, many fox demons.”

“Young ones, old ones, beautiful ones, handsome ones, obedient ones, fierce ones…”

“No matter what kind of fox, they all share common traits.”

“The fox demon clan are all born liars, actors, social butterflies… fickle as water, honey-tongued with daggers in their hearts, living up to their reputation.”

“Do you think the her you understand, the her you’ve contacted, is truly the real her?”

“No, what you see, hear, and know is merely a specific mask she wants to show you.”

“The Seven Great Sword Sects strictly forbid disciples from contacting fox demons for precisely this reason.”

“The fox demon clan speaks nothing but lies and excels at disguise!”

“For instance, the seemingly harmless little fox demon behind you is among the finest examples!”

Song Shiyuan’s lips pressed together slightly, her fists clenching.

Behind her, Lu Zhuxin listened to Liu Funing’s words and couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

Although in the setting she’d written, she had indeed noted that Qinglan Sword Sect Master Liu Funing had fox-hatred syndrome, held great prejudice against the fox demon clan, and detested fox demons…

But only now, hearing Liu Funing’s assessment, did Lu Zhuxin want to applaud her.

Your judgment of foxes is spot on!

Of this little fox demon, only the face is real from head to toe.

“Sect Master Liu! This assessment is sharp, accurate, and hits the nail on the head!” Song Shixuan also exclaimed. “My poor little sister, so stubborn, completely toyed with by a fox demon.”

“For this fox demon, she even wants to sever our sibling relationship.” Tears squeezed from the corners of Song Shixuan’s eyes.

Song Shiyuan’s entire body trembled with rage.

“No, it’s not like that! The little fox demon isn’t like that!” Song Shiyuan said. “She has already lost everything for my sake. Now she only has me!”

“Little sister,” Song Shixuan said with a pained expression. “Turn back, little sister. I’ve told you all along, that fox demon has been deceiving you.”

“Song Shixuan, shut up!” Song Shiyuan raged. “You scoundrel, you’re not fit to be my elder brother!”

Song Shixuan wore a hurt expression. He walked to Liu Funing’s side and said, “Sect Master Liu, I’m out of options. What can I do to pull my little sister back to the right path?”

“Kill this fox demon, Song Shiyuan. You’re just temporarily deceived,” Liu Funing said. “Kill her and return to the righteous path. Don’t be confused by the beautiful illusion she’s created.”

Jiang Hongliang also said, “Just an ordinary fox demon. Kill her and be done with it. Song Shiyuan, this shouldn’t be difficult for you.”

“Song Shiyuan, like your brother Song Shixuan, you are one of the young disciples I most favor.”

“Kill her now, and I can pretend none of this happened.”

“After returning, you won’t need to receive punishment either.”

Song Shixuan also said, “Yes, little sister. I told you long ago this fox demon couldn’t be spared.”

“…” Song Shiyuan looked at everyone before her, indescribable emotions spreading through her heart.

Liu Funing’s gaze filled with killing intent and disgust, Jiang Hongliang’s indifference, and Song Shixuan’s mockery kept flashing before her eyes.

“No! It’s not like that!” Song Shiyuan lost control. “The little fox demon isn’t like that! She also contributed to our plan to rescue our fellow disciples!”

“Huang Shangshang knows this too!”

Song Shiyuan turned to look at Huang Shangshang. “Shangshang, you can testify for me, right?”

Huang Shangshang looked at Song Shiyuan with a complex expression. She sighed. “I only know that you brought her to find me. You said you trusted her.”

Huang Shangshang was telling the truth. At this moment, she could only tell the truth.

From her perspective, as a sword sect disciple who had been confined to Red Spring Pavilion all along, what she could see was extremely limited.

“Yes!” Song Shiyuan said. “That’s right! Young Sect Master Huang has testified for me!”

“Song Shiyuan, you’re mistaken,” Liu Funing said. “Young Sect Master Huang can only testify that this fox demon came with you to find Young Sect Master Huang. This cannot prove this fox demon didn’t deceive you, nor can it prove this is her true face.”

“Yes! Yes!” Song Shixuan also said loudly. “My dear little sister! Haven’t you considered that her being with you was just to gain your trust?”

“Perhaps approaching you deliberately to gain your trust was motivated by some unspeakable purpose all along?”

Song Shixuan laughed sinisterly.

Song Shiyuan bit her teeth. Traces of crimson could faintly be seen at the corners of her lips.

“It’s not like that,” Song Shiyuan said hoarsely. “There are others who can testify.”

Song Shiyuan saw a group of people approaching from the distance. It was Lu Guan leading Lingxiao Sword Sect disciples. They must have come looking for Song Shixuan.

“That’s right! The senior martial brothers can testify!” Song Shiyuan said. “I once had the little fox demon deliver a letter to the senior brothers. They’ve also seen the little fox demon!”

“So the senior brothers can testify to this too!”

The Lingxiao Sword Sect disciples who came with Lu Guan to find Song Shixuan looked at the scene before them, exchanging glances with each other.

Then, after Song Shixuan’s brief explanation, they understood what had happened.

“Junior Martial Sister Song…” A young man came before Song Shiyuan with a complex expression. “We all believe you… we did receive that letter.”

“But we still cannot trust a fox demon.”

“Have you forgotten, Junior Martial Sister Song? Lingxiao Sword Sect’s rules are exactly this.”

A group of young men chattered away. “That’s right! Junior Martial Sister Song, a fox demon is a fox demon. No matter how beautiful her appearance, you cannot be bewitched by her.”

Rеaԁ οո ΚаtRеаⅾіոɡCαfе

“We disciples of the sword sect should eliminate all demons and evil.”

“This is what the sect elders have always taught us, and what we sword sect disciples must do.”

Song Shixuan also smiled at Song Shiyuan. “Little Sister Shiyuan, you see? Everyone present, the senior brothers and sect elders, all share the same opinion.”

“You should immediately slay this demon!”

Jiang Hongliang said coldly, “Song Shiyuan, kill her. Otherwise, I can no longer regard you as a Lingxiao Sword Sect disciple.”

“Miss Song, turn back while you still can,” Liu Funing said. “I don’t want the tragedy that befell others to repeat itself with you.”

Song Shiyuan stared blankly at everyone before her, feeling that these once intimately familiar senior brothers and elders had suddenly become completely strange.

Why! Why must it be like this?

What had the little fox demon done wrong?

She had clearly done nothing!

She was also a victim!

Why were these people forcing her to die?

“No! This kind of thing! This isn’t right!”

Song Shiyuan said repeatedly, “Just because she’s a fox demon, she cannot be accepted by the world? This makes no sense at all!”

“I cannot accept it!”

“I will not accept this!”

Song Shiyuan’s heart ached, her eyes reddening.

“Shiyuan! Shiyuan!” The little fox demon suddenly grasped Song Shiyuan’s hand.

Only then did Song Shiyuan pause.

“Little fox demon.” Song Shiyuan looked at the little fox demon in a daze. “Little fox demon, don’t worry. I’ll take you away. I promised you.”

The little fox demon slowly shook her head before Song Shiyuan.

“There’s no need.”

“Sister Shiyuan, you’ve already done enough.”

Song Shiyuan froze for a moment.

Sister Shiyuan? Since the little fox demon had lost her memories, Song Shiyuan hadn’t heard this familiar form of address in a long time.

Now, hearing this familiar address from the little fox demon’s mouth again left Song Shiyuan somewhat stunned.

“Sister Shiyuan, actually what they said isn’t wrong.”

“Fox demons and sword cultivators, you and Axi being together was wrong from the very start.”

“You are Lingxiao Sword Sect’s Immortal Venerable Qingzhi’s distinguished disciple, while Axi is merely the lowest laundry maid in this Fox Palace.”

“The difference between our statuses is like heaven and earth.”

“Perhaps this is the best ending.”

Song Shiyuan stared blankly at the little fox demon before her. She felt she couldn’t understand what the little fox demon was saying anymore.

“Axi, what are you saying?”

The little fox demon still wore her mask, the corners of her mouth curving in a pure smile. She reached out her small hand, gently grasping Song Shiyuan’s hand.

That hand still held Song Shiyuan’s natal sword.

“Sister Shiyuan, the place that belongs to you was never by Axi’s side.”

“You belong to the sword sect, as the Immortal Venerable’s distinguished disciple.”

“Your future shouldn’t be tainted because of me.”

“So let Axi’s life erase this stain that shouldn’t appear on you.”

The little fox demon spoke softly.

Song Shiyuan didn’t notice that the Chengxin Sword had already been gently grasped by the little fox demon.

“Actually, what they said is completely correct.”

“Sister Shiyuan, until the very end, Axi has been deceiving you all along.”

“Axi actually never lost her memories.”

“Thank you, Song Shiyuan. During this time, I was very happy.” Lu Zhuxin laughed softly.

Then, goodbye, Little Shiyuan.

A soft sound!

Blood blossomed before Song Shiyuan’s eyes.

Song Shiyuan felt her consciousness seemed to cut off at this moment.

Before her eyes, only blood-red remained.

And the little fox demon collapsing into her arms, the words she murmured.

“Fox demons… really are a race… that loves to deceive…”

“Song Shiyuan…”

“In the future… you must never…”

“Trust again… a fox demon who loves to lie…”