Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Whenever I Try to Give You a Little More Respect

Although the Six Souls Banner is the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable’s life-bound treasure, he only uses it as a last resort, usually relying on that so-called "Devouring Element Demon Cauldron," oh no, "Returning Ruins Ancient Cauldron."

Since Ji Mingyu could recognize the Six Souls Banner at a glance, this indicates that her relationship with Celestial Evil is definitely not that simple.

Originally, Chu Xuan always believed that no matter what the original owner of the Six Souls Banner did, it wasn’t his fault, and Ji Mingyu shouldn’t have treated him like that.

But now, he seems unable to say those words anymore because he is indeed the original owner of the Six Souls Banner.

This made Chu Xuan clutch his head in agony, pondering why his master would hate him so much, why he would strike so ruthlessly, and yet leave a glimmer of hope...

"There, there." Seeing Chu Xuan’s painful expression, Jiang Yiyi’s maternal instinct kicked in, and she held him in her arms, gently stroking his hair and comforting him.

Originally in low spirits, Chu Xuan felt somewhat comforted by this soothing gesture.

He lowered his hands, embraced Jiang Yiyi, and enjoyed this moment of tranquility for a while.

The scent on the ancestor was pleasant, like a sun-dried quilt, or a blooming sunflower, warm as if one could forget all sorrows and worries with just a gentle sniff.

...

After a while, Jiang Yiyi whispered in Chu Xuan’s ear, "How do you plan to bribe me?"

Chu Xuan, who was initially touched, felt his previously brewing emotion shattered by her words.

"What bribe?" Chu Xuan asked with a hint of helplessness, loosening his grip and raising his head.

Jiang Yiyi sternly replied, "First, answer me, who exactly are you? What are your intentions towards the Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace?"

Chu Xuan wasn’t afraid of her, he just held her hands and earnestly responded, "Ancestor, I indeed have some secrets."

"But I can’t tell you now. I can only promise you, I would never do anything to betray the sect. I can swear on it!"

Jiang Yiyi tilted her head, pondering, "I have to inform your master about this matter, after all, he is the sect leader, and important issues shouldn’t be kept from him."

Chu Xuan nodded without hesitation, "That’s my thought too. If my master, after knowing, decides not to let me stay in the sect, I’ll leave immediately without any complaint."

Jiang Yiyi slightly satisfied, asked, "Do you need me to keep this secret from others?"

"Of course."

So Jiang Yiyi reached out her hand, rubbing her fingers together, implying quite clearly that she was asking for a bribe.

Chu Xuan found it somewhat amusing and frustrating, this girl was truly skilled at ruining the moment.

"How about grilled chicken wings for you? And three-hundred-year-old monkey wine."

Jiang Yiyi’s eyes lit up at hearing this, but she maintained an air of aloofness and said, "Do you think I’m so easy to fool? How dare you try to appease me with such low-end stuff, I want grilled crane wings!"

Chu Xuan shook his head, "No way, the cranes in the sect are spiritual beasts, we can’t just grill them to eat."

"How about I go outside and catch a seven-colored childish chicken to grill for you?"

Jiang Yiyi started to swallow secretly upon hearing this, not knowing what a seven-colored childish chicken was, it seemed like something she hadn’t tasted before...

She raised a finger, "And add a crane; you can catch one outside."

Chu Xuan nodded helplessly, only then did Jiang Yiyi happily say, "When can I eat it?"

"Tonight, you go play first, and I’ll call you when I start grilling."

"By the way, can others see this so-called ’Time Dao Mark’ on me?"

Jiang Yiyi shook her head and said proudly, "Ordinary cultivators with their mortal eyes can’t see it, unless you meet a genuine Celestial Fairy like me."

With that, they sent off the ancestor in a joyful mood, and Chu Xuan closed the door.

He had already pulled himself together again; although he now seemed potentially guilty, he still wanted to find Ji Mingyu to get a clear explanation with a determination to die knowing the truth if necessary.

Moreover, Chu Xuan had another doubt: does my appearance now differ from during the Celestial Evil Period? How come she didn’t recognize me?

There’s no clue about this for now. Anyway, Chu Xuan only had one thought: never expose his true identity in the future!

The Celestial Evil Demon Venerable’s life can be said to be exceedingly arrogant. Although so many years have passed, most of his enemies should have already died, those who could survive until now are of high cultivation, most are formidable opponents.

For instance, even though Profound Silence True Monarch Shangguan Yu ascended and left, the Profound Celestial Sect he belonged to still exists.

They merely went into seclusion, not extinction. If they find out the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable is still alive, they would undoubtedly go to any lengths to eliminate Chu Xuan while he’s still weak.

Moreover, the romantic debts that the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable left behind, just thinking about those wronged women coming to seek ’revenge’ made Chu Xuan’s scalp tingle.

To put it simply, by merely looking at those records, with Celestial Evil being so infamous, Chu Xuan couldn’t believe that his "past self" was so kind-hearted, and that he was in love and mutual admiration with every woman. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

There might be relationships of mutual exploitation, perhaps even forceful ones, and now that he’s cornered, wouldn’t they rush in to kick him when he’s down?

Furthermore, they wouldn’t let him die easily; they’d employ the top ten tortures methodically, and the way the master drove him out could already be considered the most gentle, thanks to eight years of mentorship.

After all, even if there were a few genuine loves among the old flames.

But how can those highly cultivated women bear sharing their beloved men with other women? This is likely a grievance rooted in their hearts; if it couldn’t be vented back then, can it not be vented now?

At this moment, Chu Xuan is so weak that wouldn’t they just lock him up for some sickly tender love play?

So, regardless of reason or sentiment, he must guard this secret firmly.

Temporarily setting aside his concerns, Chu Xuan is even more motivated to cultivate and grow stronger, after all, if the secret is exposed, he would have nowhere to rest in peace, thus he must force himself to become more powerful.

Thinking it over, Chu Xuan went out, planning to see his master, he still had to at least inform him in person.

As for the few Supreme Elders of the sect, Chu Xuan is no fool, he dared not ask about the Celestial Evil matter.

If they saw through his true identity as Demon Venerable, then it would truly be over, not everyone is as forgiving as the floating cloud.

---------------------

In merely three days, the group from Purple Heaven Jade Mansion returned to the sect.

Gu Haitang, along with the two True Men, met with the sect leader and then returned alone to her study.

She brought out pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, and began to meticulously write down everything related to Chu Xuan, including his appearance, his personality, his habits, his Dao techniques, his speech, his attire...

In short, Gu Haitang condensed and distilled all her observations of Chu Xuan over the past half-month, extracting the key points, writing them all on this piece of white paper before her.

This was a secret mission entrusted to her by the family before departure.

In fact, about thirty years ago, the family began investigating across the cultivation world for especially talented infants or those born with celestial phenomena, or infants causing disasters upon birth.

Year after year, they did this, just adjusting the age higher as if they were searching for some special target.

This year the standard has become:

Young geniuses around thirty years old or those with average talent but advancing rapidly in cultivation; especially paying attention to whether the person has secretly cultivated demonic arts, or has associations with evil paths.

This matter is of extremely high importance within the family, even these standards themselves are classified, even core members like Gu Haitang, who are direct bloodlines with promising futures, only became aware last year.

Though she had long received instructions from the family, investigating talented disciples of Purple Heaven Jade Mansion whose ages fit.

At that time, Gu Haitang did not know the specific standards, she could only, like now, write down every detail about the target and send it back to the family where someone would analyze the details to determine if the target is who they’re seeking.

In Gu Haitang’s view, this might be searching for some demon searching for a way to extend life? Presumably, this demon has an immense origin that has the family elders so anxious.

Chu Xuan, this recently renowned Innate Dao Body, is naturally among the suspected targets.

As she penned the last stroke of her document, Gu Haitang’s mind was recalling the moment Chu Xuan released her hands, eagerly flying towards the white-clothed woman.

She shook her head then, wondering if she was being emotional?

The more she wrote, didn’t it mean she cared more about him?

After personally interacting with him, Gu Haitang didn’t believe Chu Xuan to be any demon.

Thinking this, she opened her mouth and exhaled a grayish chaotic flame, burning the document to ashes.

Then Gu Haitang fetched a new sheet of paper, writing only four words: "No Abnormalities."

She retrieved a jade whistle from her sleeve, placing it to her lips and blowing, yet no sound was heard.

Soon after, a plain pigeon flew into the study from outside.

As it descended onto the desk, the pigeon suddenly transformed into a teal spiritual fowl, its eyes lively and seemingly intelligent.

Gu Haitang fed it some spiritual grain first, then folded the paper and handed it to the teal bird.

It opened its mouth and swallowed a large piece of paper, appearing outwardly unchanged.

Then the teal bird transformed back into a white pigeon, flew out of the window, and vanished.

...

Unaware, Chu Xuan narrowly avoided a grave danger.

On the night he promised Jiang Yiyi, he kept his word by helping this ancestor roast a crane and chicken, and even drinking with her.

This beautiful maiden ate with her mouth full of oil, smiling with crescent-shaped eyes, she was very satisfied with the busy Chu Xuan.

The only issue is, although she likes to drink, her tolerance is quite poor, after a few drinks she became drunk, babbling nonsense, and eventually fell asleep holding Chu Xuan’s leg.

To be honest, she looked very lovely and cute when she was peacefully asleep, even her bosom was full and well-developed.

But Chu Xuan couldn’t harbor any illicit thoughts towards Jiang Yiyi, ever.

Mainly because of her personality... truly, whenever Chu Xuan wished to show her more respect, she would start speaking.

Only at times like this, Chu Xuan gently stroked Yiyi’s supple, translucent cheek, a slight smile tugged at his lips.

Jiang Yiyi murmured in her sleep, "Delicious, give me one more bite..."