Chapter 79: When Things Cannot Be Done

With no other options, she had no choice but to temporarily retreat, returning to Hangzhou to heal her wounds. Once recovered, she would reconsider her plans. She had already found the person she was looking for, so there was no urgency.

It turned out that Jade Void Temple was the orthodox sect of the Daoist tradition. The righteous energy accumulated over hundreds of years had reached a level where evil spirits would flee and no magic could harm it. Fortunately, Shen Baiyu possessed profound cultivation; otherwise, she might have suffered severe injuries. If it had been an ordinary little demon, being exposed to such righteous energy would have meant certain death or injury.

When she encountered Miao Shihai that day, her heart was thrown into chaos. She lost the composure she usually maintained and didn’t think things through—she simply followed him inside. Whenever she remembered this, Shen Baiyu couldn’t help but feel a surge of nameless anger. She resolved that when Miao Shihai returned to her, she would teach him a lesson.

Xuan Yangzi glanced at Yi An in astonishment. Even this young man seemed to know something, as if he alone was kept in the dark, working tirelessly on thankless tasks.

Looking at the fierce and intimidating Shen Baiyu before him, Xuan Yangzi let out a bitter chuckle, his heart full of helplessness. She was a demon at the Day Wandering stage. There was no question of defeating her; the best he could hope for was that she wouldn’t come after him.

At this moment, Miao Shihai gazed at Xuan Yangzi with pleading eyes. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm his trembling heart and said, “Master, don’t leave me! I truly don’t know her!”

Xuan Yangzi waved his hand reassuringly, though inside he was deeply conflicted. This matter had already exceeded his expectations, reaching a point where nothing more could be done.

Yet he couldn’t bear to watch Miao Shihai fall into the hands of a demon.

For a moment, Xuan Yangzi was torn. On one side was the belief he had always held dear; on the other, the harsh reality. Should he preserve his own life, or stand bravely for righteousness? It was indeed a difficult decision.

As if sensing Xuan Yangzi’s predicament, Yi An stepped forward and said, “Miss Shen, even if he is the one you seek, a forced relationship will never be sweet. Why don’t we sit down and talk calmly first?”

Shen Baiyu raised an eyebrow and replied coolly, “But it quenches thirst.”

Yi An was left speechless.

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Could they even have a proper conversation anymore?

Miao Shihai’s face turned pale, especially after hearing the words “quenches thirst” from Shen Baiyu. A chill ran through his body as he imagined what might happen if he fell into her hands.

He had heard stories in old biographies about demons delighting in eating people. While he couldn’t claim to be especially handsome, he was certainly tall and graceful. Perhaps this demon had taken a liking to him…

Miao Shihai dared not continue his train of thought. A wave of despair swept over him, feeling as though the heavens were playing a cruel joke.

Shen Baiyu ignored Xuan Yangzi and walked straight to Miao Shihai’s side, her face radiant and gentle. “Enough fuss—come with me. I know your heart is full of confusion, but trust me, I won’t harm you. Soon, you’ll understand the cause and effect of everything.”

Miao Shihai shook his head desperately, muttering, “I don’t want to… Go away… Don’t come near…”

“Be good, don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. Just close your eyes; it’ll be over quickly. When you open them again, I’ll tell you everything you want to know, exactly as it is.” Shen Baiyu gently stroked his forehead, feeling a thin layer of sweat, but she didn’t seem to mind.

“If you truly don’t want to hurt me, then please let me go, will you?” Miao Shihai said miserably.

“No.” Shen Baiyu refused without hesitation.

“He’s human and you’re a demon. There is a gulf between you; what connection could you possibly have? I advise you to be kind,” Xuan Yangzi interjected suddenly.

After his earlier struggle, he could not overcome the principles in his heart. So be it. If he had to die, then so be it. He was prepared to fight the demon to the death.

“Stubborn priest, step aside. You’re no match for me, and don’t push your luck. I’m not to be trifled with. Letting you off last time was a huge favor. If you continue to oppose me, I won’t be so lenient again.” Shen Baiyu’s face darkened, and she was clearly not joking. Wan’er’s previous incident had already soured her opinion of Xuan Yangzi, but she was not unreasonable—hence, she had chosen to retreat once.

But this time, no matter who stood in her way, there was only one outcome.

Death!

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“Master, don’t worry about me. That demon’s powers are far beyond yours. She’s after me; I can’t let you be implicated,” Miao Shihai said suddenly, with resolve.

He wasn’t a heartless person. Previously, he hadn’t understood the situation. He believed Xuan Yangzi to be a highly cultivated master capable of handling demons. But after hearing Shen Baiyu speak, he realized the truth: the demon would not rest until she got what she wanted. He could not risk Xuan Yangzi for his own sake.

Xuan Yangzi fell silent for a moment. In truth, Shen Baiyu was right—he couldn’t save Miao Shihai here, and any sacrifice would be pointless. At that moment, he hated his own inadequacy. If he had half his master’s skills, things would not have come to this.

“Let us duel. If I am defeated, everything will follow your wishes,” Xuan Yangzi said in a low voice.

He knew his chances of winning were almost zero, but at least he could act with a clear conscience. If he left afterward, it would not be because he refused to help, but because nothing more could be done.

“Three moves are enough to deal with you,” Shen Baiyu replied calmly.

Xuan Yangzi did not argue. He summoned his flying sword, forming several seals. The sword became a streak of light, heading straight for Shen Baiyu.

But Shen Baiyu was unhurried. In the blink of an eye, her form split into countless afterimages, dazzling the eye so that it was impossible to distinguish her true body. Xuan Yangzi’s sword darted among them, striking several shadows in succession, but still failing to find her real form.

Xuan Yangzi sighed inwardly. This fox demon’s illusions truly lived up to their reputation, able to confuse truth and falsehood to the point even he could not tell them apart.

“Divide!” Xuan Yangzi growled, urging the flying sword to move even faster, its speed reaching the utmost limit.