Chapter 20: The Witch, Su Youwei

"Xiaoyao City?"

The maid's face showed a hint of bewilderment. "Your Highness, are you sure about going there? Isn't that the city recently established by the Paradise Demon Sect, one of the three top powers in the North State?"

The maid felt uneasy in her heart.

The Paradise Demon Sect—one could tell from the name alone that they were no good.

They were a giant of the Demonic Path, acting erratically and always at odds with the Righteous Path.

Although Xiaoyao City claimed to be "absolutely neutral with free trade," a Saintess of the Righteous Path heading into demonic territory seemed like a sheep entering a tiger's mouth no matter how one looked at it.

"It matters not."

Lin Qingyue said calmly, "A former Vice Sect Master of the Paradise Demon Sect owes my Revered Master some things. Before Revered Master entered seclusion, it was mentioned that those items would be beneficial to my cultivation. Since it's on the way now, there's no harm in going to reclaim them."

"I see."

The maid came to a sudden realization. "Since it is the Palace Revered Master's arrangement, there must be a profound meaning behind it."

Bai Qianqian's ears perked up.

The North State? Xiaoyao City?

That was the way home! As long as she reached the North State, with her familiarity with the terrain, she would have a chance to escape even if her cultivation was sealed!

"Two hundred million..."

Lin Qingyue murmured to herself, and in her mind, the figure of that Utility Disciple inexplicably surfaced.

"That Gu Heng definitely has a problem... If I find out that you were the one playing tricks..."

"Even if you are protected by Old Ancestor Qingxuan, I will make you spit out everything you've taken, with interest."

...

"Achoo!"

Gu Heng had just arrived at Xiaoyao City and stepped out of the teleportation array, tightening his clothes. "This godforsaken place really is as cold as the rumors say."

He raised his head and looked forward.

Amidst the swirling wind and snow, a giant city rose from the ground.

The city walls were a hundred zhang high, shimmering with radiant colors under the reflection of the aurora.

Inside the city, the clamor drowned out the howling of the wind and snow.

"So this is Xiaoyao City?"

Gu Heng narrowed his eyes, looking at the bustling crowd at the city gate.

There were no Mortals here.

Those coming and going were all Cultivators. Righteous and evil were mixed, and humans and demons coexisted.

As long as one had Spirit Stones, this was heaven; if one lacked strength, this was Hell.

"Seems like a good place for grinding mo—oh no, I mean, for tempering oneself."

The corners of Gu Heng's mouth curled up slightly as he stepped toward the city gate.

As soon as he entered the city, the scent of rouge and powder wafted toward him.

The streets were wide, with gambling dens, brothels, gladiator arenas, black markets... everything one could imagine.

"Have you heard? That Demoness from the Paradise Demon Sect is back!"

"Are you talking about... Su Youwei, known as the 'Thousand-Faced Rakshasa'? Didn't she go to the depths of the ice plains to hunt an Ice Dragon? She's back so soon?"

"I heard she had a bountiful harvest this time and supposedly brought back an extraordinary treasure. She's preparing to hold a banquet at the City Lord's Mansion!"

The sounds of discussion reached Gu Heng's ears.

"By the way, besides the Demoness, I also heard some explosive news!"

"It seems someone from that top power in the East State, the Qingyun Sect, has also arrived."

"Qingyun Sect? What are those hypocrites who call themselves the Righteous Path doing here?"

"Hehe, this is even more interesting. I heard the one who came is that big figure from the Wang Family, Wang Teng! Supposedly, because he committed an offense in the Sect, he was punished and sent here to 'temper' himself."

"Wang Teng? The Wang Teng who is claimed to have the 'potential of a Great Emperor'?"

"Pfft—what potential of a Great Emperor? Now everyone is calling him the 'Wealth-Giving Boy'. But a starved camel is still bigger than a horse; the Wang Family has deep foundations after all. I heard he brought many good things with him this time, so we might be able to get a share of the spoils."

Gu Heng's footsteps paused.

With a strange expression, he turned his head and looked at the few discussing Cultivators.

"Wang Teng?"

Gu Heng's mouth twitched. "It couldn't be such a coincidence, could it?"

Wasn't that guy punished to face the wall at the Cliff of Reflection? How did he get to the North State even faster than himself?

"It seems the Wang Family's influence is indeed not small, to be able to treat the Sect's ban as a mere suggestion."

Gu Heng shook his head. "But it's just as well that he's here. Since this kid is so persistent, I'll settle the previous accounts properly here in Xiaoyao City."

He was just thinking about it.

Suddenly!

The atmosphere on the street changed abruptly.

The Cultivators fell silent instantly.

A fragrance mixed with pressure diffused from the direction of the teleportation array outside the city gate.

"She's here! The Demoness is here!"

Someone shouted.

Whoosh—

The crowd on the street retreated to both sides.

The main road became empty, leaving only the snow-covered ground... and Gu Heng, who was looking down at a map.

A figure in a dress as red as fire, with a cinnabar mole between her brows, stepped out of the teleportation array carrying a spear.

"Hmph, that old man is really long-winded."

Su Youwei retracted her spear and gave a light snort. "It was just killing an Ice Dragon, is there a need for such a fuss? Even told me to keep a low profile... In this Young Miss's dictionary, the words 'low profile' don't exist."

As she spoke, she took a step with her long, slender legs and walked forward.

Behind her followed two rows of black-clad guards.

"Move aside! The Demoness has arrived, all bystanders clear the way!"

The surrounding Cultivators retreated ten zhang away, each one as quiet as a cicada in winter, not even daring to raise their heads.

Gu Heng was holding a map and had completely failed to notice the abnormality around him.

At that moment,

Su Youwei walked over.

Her gaze was instantly drawn to the figure blocking the path ahead.

For no other reason than this.

Gu Heng looked too clean and elegant.

In this Xiaoyao City filled with hostility, Gu Heng was like a small white flower growing out of the mud.

The Cultivators noticed this scene and cried out in their hearts.

"Who is this kid? Does he want to die?"

"He actually dares to block the Demoness's path? Does he think he's lived too long?"

"He looks a bit unfamiliar... must be a newcomer, a greenhorn. He's in for it now."

Su Youwei stopped her footsteps.

Gu Heng realized what was happening, raised his head, and happened to meet the Demoness's gaze.

Their eyes met.

Gu Heng suddenly frowned and spoke, "Uh... you're blocking my way."

Everyone: "???"

The cold wind swirled with snowflakes, falling in circles.

Su Youwei's expression suddenly froze.

What did she just hear?

The onlookers gaped, some even forgetting to breathe, their minds filled with only one absurd thought:

Is this kid perhaps deaf or blind?

Does he not know who is standing in front of him?

That is Su Youwei! The Saintess of the Paradise Demon Sect!

She is the most thorn-covered rose on this northern ice plain! Usually, she is the one telling others to scram; when has it ever been someone else's turn to complain about her blocking the way?

"You..."

Su Youwei instinctively took a step back, opening her mouth to say something, but no words came out.

She looked down at the snow beneath her feet, her pupils shrinking.

She actually... moved aside?

In front of this unknown pretty boy, she, the dignified Saintess of a demonic Sect, had actually instinctively chosen to yield?

In the moment she was dazed,

Shhh—

The sound of footsteps rang out.

Gu Heng's expression was indifferent as he slowly walked past.

They brushed shoulders.

Su Youwei caught a faint scent of ink, completely out of place with the smell of rouge in Xiaoyao City.

She turned around.

In her vision, that white-clad back was gradually moving further away, merging into the wind and snow.

He walked so casually, without any panic from offending the Demoness, nor any smugness from gaining a beauty's glance.

In fact, he didn't even look back once.

Su Youwei even seemed to hear the young man muttering trivial things like "why is this road so winding" and "this ghostly weather is really cold" as he left.

"..."

Su Youwei stood in place, the cold wind messing up the stray hairs on her forehead and also unsettling her thoughts.

From childhood to adulthood, from within the Paradise Demon Sect to her travels outside, she, Su Youwei, had always been the center of attention.

The way men looked at her was either with naked desire, with fear as if treading on thin ice for fear of provoking her, or like those hypocrites who pretended to be disdainful while secretly peeking.

Never had anyone, never had anyone been like this today.

"Could it be said that... he is completely uninterested in me?"

Su Youwei murmured to herself, her voice filled with doubt.

She looked down at her fire-red dress draped over her proud curves.

Then she touched her cheek; even in this wind and snow, her features remained as beautiful as a painting.

"On what basis?"

A nameless fire surged from her heart, instantly becoming a prairie fire.

Su Youwei raised her head, her peach-blossom eyes full of indignation.

"Does this Young Miss really have such little presence? Not even... a second glance?"

"Who does he think he is? A Saint from those Holy Lands in the Central State? Or the Reincarnation of some ancient monster who hasn't emerged for ages?"

"Which power is he from? To dare to be so arrogant!"

As Gu Heng's figure completely disappeared at the end of the street,

The onlookers looked at each other, their eyes full of relief.

"Heavens, that kid actually walked away alive?"

"More than just alive! Look at the Demoness's expression... Tsk tsk, this is the first time someone has made the Demoness suffer a setback!"

"Just who is this person? Could he be some hidden powerhouse?"

"Shh! Lower your voice! Can't you see the Demoness is in a fit of rage? If you want to die, don't take me with you!"

Hearing the surrounding discussions, Su Youwei took a deep breath to calm her surging emotions.

Calm down.

Su Youwei, you must calm down.

Perhaps this was that man's strategy of playing hard to get?

No... that kind of gaze cannot be faked. Perhaps that person really didn't hold her in any regard.

"...Very well."

Su Youwei laughed out of extreme anger. "No matter who you are, no matter where you come from."

"Since you dare to act cold and aloof in front of this Young Miss, then don't blame me for stripping away this layer of yours to see what kind of thing you really are inside!"

Su Youwei thought secretly, preparing to order her subordinates to investigate Gu Heng's whereabouts.

Rumble—

Outside the city gate,

The cross-state teleportation array erupted with light once again.

A pillar of light shot into the sky, stirring the clouds above and forming a vortex.

"What's going on? Someone else is coming?"

"This commotion... could it be some big figure descending?"

"What is with today? Usually, you don't see a big figure for half a month, and today two come at once?"

Everyone looked over one after another. Su Youwei couldn't help but frown and turn her head toward the teleportation array.

The light dissipated.

A group of figures appeared.

At the head was a young man dressed in brocade robes and fine clothes.

The young man held his head high and chest out, hands behind his back, chin raised high, his nose turned up at the swirling snow as he struck an extremely dashing and unrestrained pose.

Beside him followed an elder with a deep aura.

"So this is... the North State's Xiaoyao City?"

The young man spoke slowly.

"It truly is a bitter and cold land; the wind and snow are quite heavy."

"However, now that I, Wang Teng, have arrived, this wind and snow... should also stop for a while."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire scene fell silent.

Immediately following was a wave of commotion.

"Wang Teng? He is that Wang Teng from the East State's Wang Family?"

Everyone's gaze sized up Wang Teng, their expressions becoming somewhat strange.

How should one put it...

If it were half a incense stick's time ago, seeing Wang Teng's display and outfit, everyone might have thought this was indeed a top-tier second-generation heir, a person not to be provoked.

But.

Having just witnessed that white-clad young man's peerless style of treating the Demoness as if she were nothing, looking at this Wang Teng now...

He looked greasy no matter how one looked at him.

That deliberately struck pose, and that opening line so awkward it made one's toes curl in embarrassment...

He even wanted the wind and snow to stop? Just how high is his cultivation to dare boast so shamelessly?

Compared to the temperament of the person from before, he felt far short.

Wang Teng felt quite good about himself right now.

Especially seeing the surrounding silence, he naturally assumed they were intimidated by his domineering aura.

"Hmph, as expected, even in this North State, my name, Wang Teng, is quite famous."

Wang Teng felt secretly pleased and began to scan the crowd, trying to find a few admiring gazes.

Then.

His gaze instantly froze.

In the very center of the crowd, upon the pure white snow, stood a red figure.

Like an Equinox Flower blooming on the ice plains.

She carried a spear, her red dress fluttered, and the cinnabar mole between her brows added a touch of enchantment.

At this moment, she was slightly frowning, looking in his direction.

Wang Teng was stunned. "Is this... the 'fun' the Clan Elder mentioned?"

"Is this the beauty of Xiaoyao City?"

A flash of amazement crossed Wang Teng's eyes.

Although there were also beauties in the East State, such as Lin Qingyue, she was too cold, like a Fairy from the moon palace who could only be viewed from afar.

But the woman before him was like a ball of fire.

"The Clan Elder did not lie to me! This North State really is a good place!"

Wang Teng was ecstatic. He straightened his clothes and hat, a smile appearing on his face.

Then he stepped forward, ignoring the strange atmosphere around him, and walked straight toward Su Youwei.

"Ahem."

Coming close, Wang Teng gave a light cough. "I am Wang Teng of the East State's Wang Family."

"Having just arrived, I never expected to encounter such a beauty here."

"Your graceful and elegant demeanor is like a winter plum blossom in the snow, filling me with admiration. Seeing you with a locked brow, could it be that this wind and snow has disturbed your mood?"

"I have a 'Warm Sun Spirit Jade' here, which is a High Grade Spirit Treasure. I would like to gift it to you, as a way of making friends..."

As he spoke,

Wang Teng pulled out a piece of warm jade from his storage ring and handed it over affectionately.

At this very moment.

Su Youwei was on the verge of exploding.

She slowly turned her head and glanced at him.

"You are Wang Teng?"

Wang Teng nodded quickly. "It is indeed I. If you..."

"Get lost."

Wang Teng's smile froze instantly.

"???"

"Beau... Beauty..."

His face flushed red, and he suppressed his anger to maintain his poise. "Did you not hear clearly? I am from the East State's Wang Family..."

"Are you deaf? This Young Miss is in a very bad mood right now." Su Youwei snorted coldly. "If you don't get lost now, then leave your life behind!"

Nascent Soul Stage pressure erupted as she swung her spear, her red dress dancing wildly and the spear humming!

Thud, thud, thud!

Wang Teng's face turned pale, and he retreated several steps before barely steadying himself.

"You... you..."

Wang Teng pointed at Su Youwei, his finger trembling.

He was Wang Teng!

A direct descendant of the East State's Wang Family! To actually be yelled at by a woman in the street? And in front of so many people! Where would he put his face?

"Presumptuous!"

An angry shout rang out from the side.

The Wang Family Elder behind Wang Teng finally reacted.

With a flash, he appeared in front of Wang Teng, his Nascent Soul Middle Stage aura diffusing to counter hers.

"Little girl, you are young, but you have quite a temper!"

The Clan Elder snorted coldly. "My Young Lord kindly sought to befriend you. It's one thing if you don't appreciate it, but you actually dared to insult him publicly."

"Aren't you looking down on my East State Wang Family a bit too much?"