Chapter Fifty-Eight: You Are Devils!

The Twin Pearl Peaks of the Sun Moon Sect remained as fresh and crisp as ever, the air filled with the invigorating scent of greenery. A few young deer bounded playfully through the morning light. It was summer, and the cicadas sang ceaselessly, their relentless chorus threatening to drive one mad.

Within the Sun Moon Sect, safety was assured, and atop the Twin Pearl Peaks—his own home—Jiang Lin carefully sealed the blade of First Snow, handing it to Little Nian Nian. With that, he felt at ease letting her frolic among the woods.

As for danger… Most of the venomous snakes in the mountains had long since been caught by Jiang Lin and sold off. The non-venomous ones, traumatized by the fate of their kin, slithered away at the first sight of a human. There were, admittedly, a few black bears wandering the peaks, but his master was forever competing with them for honey, leaving them disgruntled and wary. They possessed just enough intelligence now not to provoke Little Nian Nian, especially when she carried First Snow in her arms.

Besides, she wore a protective necklace fashioned from a top-grade spirit stone around her neck. So Jiang Lin was content to let her play alone. Even if she failed to return home, he could track her easily through the GPS spell.

Thinking of his master, Jiang Lin ascended alone to the summit of Twin Pearl Peaks, gazing at the sky, his eyes damp, and sighed deeply:

"Master, when will you emerge from seclusion? Jiang Lin misses you so much… There are always people wanting to scatter your disciple’s ashes—what am I to do?"

Just as Jiang Lin was about to recite a poem to express his longing for his master, Brother Jiabaoli strode out from the newly built thatched hut, hitching up his trousers and wearing a broad, cheerful smile.

"Young Lord Jiang, you’ve returned~~~~"

"Young Lord Jiang, a top-grade spirit stone—are you sure you won’t reconsider?" Jiabaoli, adorned with heavy makeup and sporting eight-pack abs, yet speaking in a gentle voice, bumped Jiang Lin’s shoulder. As a martial artist of the Golden Body Realm, he nearly sent Jiang Lin flying.

"Brother Jiabaoli, I sell my skills, not my body. Please respect yourself… Respect yourself…"

"Oh, you’re so stubborn~~~~" Jiabaoli fluttered his lashes at Jiang Lin. "I hear you’re seeking a pure martial artist as a mentor. Perhaps I could be the one~~~"

"No need, no need," Jiang Lin replied hastily. "To be honest, Brother Jiabaoli, I’ve already hired a martial artist as my teacher, offering three peony corset wraps as payment. No need to trouble you further."

"Very well~~~~ But if you ever have more of that kind of business, remember to find me." Jiabaoli cast a lingering glance at the thatched hut. "I do adore such shy boys~~~~"

"Certainly…"

Jiabaoli summoned his flying artifact and drifted away from Twin Pearl Peaks, blowing a kiss at Jiang Lin, who quickly sidestepped.

As Jiabaoli departed, Fang Chaoxun, Diao Da, and the others arrived in succession.

"Sorry, Brother Jiang, I drank a bit too much last night."

"Indeed, fake wine is disastrous. My head still aches."

"No worries, I just arrived myself. But, Jiji Bo, what happened to your eye?"

"Ah… Don’t ask. Last night, I got drunk and went to confront the Minotaur. Ended up fighting him… Forget it, let’s not speak of it. No need to air our dirty laundry."

"If Brother Jiji Bo prefers not to talk, so be it," Jiang Lin said understandingly. After all, every family has its own troubles. "But, Jiji Bo, your hat is remarkably eco-friendly…"

"…"

Jiang Lin led the way, the four following behind, opening the creaking wooden door of the thatched hut. As Jiang Lin stepped inside, or rather as sunlight streamed into the room—

The three men, still bound to chairs with turtle shells and ropes, their clothes somewhat disheveled, shuddered involuntarily.

Their eyes flew open in terror. When they saw Jiang Lin, tears streamed down their faces, and they wept like three-hundred-pound tanks that had been somehow wronged:

"Jiang Lin! You’re a demon!"

"Jiang Lin! You beast! I never thought you’d resort to such means!"

"Jiang the Flower Thief, return my innocence!"

"Are you brave enough to do it yourself? Sending a muscleman—what kind of man is that?"

"Yes! Jiang Lin, you’re not a real man!"

"Ahem." Jiang Lin cleared his throat, pulled over a chair and sat down. "I’m not into that sort of thing. But heroes, after last night’s events, have you reconsidered?"

"My innocence is gone, I’ll never tell you!"

"Give me back my chrysanthemum!"

"Jiang Lin, you are a devil!"

"Yeah, if you’re so bold, do it yourself!"

Seeing no sign of softening, Jiang Lin remained unruffled and slowly clapped his hands:

"In that case, I won’t trouble you further. Jiji Bo, pour them some tofu pudding. Diao Da, bring out your special feather and give them an unforgettable experience."

"Wait! What are you doing?"

"Devils! You are devils!"

"You cultists… Hahaha… You… hahaha… You’ll get your retribution… hahaha…"

"No! I don’t want to eat sweet tofu pudding! Stay away! No…"

Half an hour later…

Inside the thatched hut, Jiang Lin and his companions each plucked a feather from Diao Da and scribbled notes onto sheets of paper.

The three men bound to chairs looked utterly despondent. One’s lips were twisted upward in a permanent grin, while the other two, with every breath, exhaled tofu pudding from their nostrils.

"Was it your sect leader who ordered you to assassinate me?"

The three nodded. "You killed our fellow disciples in the Maze Secret Realm. Our sect leader felt humiliated and naturally wants you dead."

"So, your sect leader Assassin sent you to infiltrate the sects as inside men to help conquer them in the future?"

"Not… not just for infiltration…" The Demonic Sect cultivator spoke, tofu pudding dribbling from his lips. "We were also to learn the sects’ techniques, integrate them, and if possible… recruit those with weak resolve to defect…"

"Anything else?"

"We only received those instructions."

"And what about the matter in East Forest City? How much do you know?"

"East Forest City? We… don’t know anything…"

"Still so stubborn, eh?" Jiji Bo threatened to bring over more tofu pudding.

"Wait! We really don’t know…"

"Yes… we three are just ordinary disciples, only given those few orders. We truly don’t know…"

"We’ve told you everything we know…"

"Hold on, Jiji Bo, I think they’re telling the truth," Jiang Lin raised his hand to halt Jiji Bo.

Hearing this, the three nodded frantically, but as they did, Jiang Lin’s next words froze them in place.

"For such a major move by the Demonic Sect, yet you know nothing—what use are you? Later, contact the intercontinental ferry and send them to the Ten Thousand Demon Continent."

"The Ten Thousand Demon Continent?"

"Yes, rumor has it that the Tai Yao Sect there has profound expertise in gender-altering spells. Aunt Lin took my advice and is assembling a girls’ dance troupe. Once they’ve been transformed, they can debut at Spring Breeze House."

Seeing the cold sweat pouring off the three, Jiang Lin smiled gently:

"After all, I am not such a devil, am I?"