Chapter 42

Chi Xiao descended from Piaomiao Peak with several of her fellow sisters, cutting an imposing figure like a natural leader.

“Chi Xiao!” Jiu Li’er beamed and ran up to her, hugging her arm affectionately—a clear sign of how close they were.

Chi Xiao gave her a quick once-over, then turned her gaze to Han Luo, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
“Li’er, am I interrupting something?”

At those words, Jiu Li’er’s face instantly flushed red, her entire demeanor betraying a bashful happiness.
“Don’t say that, Chi Xiao. My senior brother and I were just studying formations. It’s not what you think.”

But such a hasty explanation only confirmed Chi Xiao’s suspicions. Her matchmaker bloodline stirred to life almost instantly.

“I never said what I was thinking. So how do you know what I meant? Or could it be that you’re hiding something and worried I’ll find out?” Chi Xiao teased, reaching out and giving a firm squeeze to a certain soft spot on Jiu Li’er.

“Ah—!” Jiu Li’er squeaked, her already flushed cheeks now reddening all the way to her neck as she stood there glowing with a strange sense of joy.

“There are people here!” she whispered, flustered and not daring to glance at Han Luo.

“What’s the big deal? It’s not the first time.” Chi Xiao replied boldly, giving another firm squeeze for good measure.

Then she turned toward Han Luo.

Her crimson-gold eyes glinted as if channeling some divine technique, clearly trying to see through him.

Han Luo, sensing her probing gaze, actually felt more at ease. Last time at the marketplace, she had almost seen through his disguise. Since then, he'd taken precautions. Using the ancient bronze mirror, he had altered his appearance and aura completely.

To everyone who met him, he appeared differently—in both face and figure. Even the name “Han Luo” had been modified in subtle ways. So even if people compared notes, they’d simply assume they’d met different individuals with the same name.

Chi Xiao scrutinized him carefully, trying to uncover something unusual, but in the end, she found nothing. Still, something about him felt strangely familiar—like a vague memory she couldn’t quite place.

“Have we met somewhere before?” she asked, stepping closer and circling around him, trying to pinpoint that elusive feeling.

“Ahem…” Han Luo cleared his throat, pretending to stammer.
“N-no… no way… we… we couldn’t have… met before.”

He exaggerated the stutter so well it was actually convincing.

Chi Xiao shook her head at the sound.
The guy she was thinking of had a silver tongue—she knew that firsthand. Ugh, why am I even thinking about him?

Besides, that bastard had talent. There’s no way he’d still be stuck at the first level of Qi Refinement after four years.

And honestly—what are the odds?

With over fifty thousand disciples in Luoxian Sect, what were the chances she’d run into that guy at the foot of Piaomiao Peak of all places? And with how cautious he was, he’d never set foot near here.

“Chi Xiao, are you out on a mission?” Jiu Li’er quickly changed the subject, trying to shift attention away from Han Luo.

“Mhm, we heard there were signs of demonic activity near the sect,” one of the sisters behind Chi Xiao replied casually.

“Bai He!” Chi Xiao snapped, cutting her off. Bai He immediately shut her mouth, tongue poking out guiltily as embarrassment spread across her face.

The matter of the demons had been kept tightly under wraps. The young disciples involved in the original incident had all sworn to secrecy. Most people in Luoxian Sect still didn’t know anything about the demonic presence.

The reasons were simple—one, to avoid widespread panic; and two, to prevent the hot-blooded disciples from charging off to fight the demons. After all, many had lost family members to the Demon Race in the Holy War.

Just as I thought—things really aren’t that simple.
Han Luo now felt the urgent need to return to Luoxian Mountain immediately. Not another second to waste.

“Alright, alright,” Chi Xiao said with a grin. “I won’t disturb you two lovebirds any longer. But let me make something clear—” she stepped close to Han Luo, releasing a wave of Qi Refinement level-seven pressure, “—if you dare bully Li’er, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Han Luo feigned a nervous glance away, not daring to meet her eyes.

Ancestor, I beg you—just leave already. Why do you always have to meddle in everything?

Chi Xiao frowned, clearly unimpressed by his cowardly demeanor.
Once this mission was over, she definitely needed to have a talk with Li’er. Finding a Dao companion was fine—but at least pick someone decent. This guy looked like a total pushover. Probably not even as strong as that damned bastard! What good was he? A talking toy?

“Let’s go.”
Chi Xiao waved her hand and led her group away.

Only after she was completely out of sight did Han Luo breathe a sigh of relief. Another crisis narrowly avoided.

Jiu Li’er had watched the whole interaction carefully. Sharp as she was, she noticed something odd.
“Senior brother… you seem really afraid of Chi Xiao.”

“Who isn’t?” Han Luo shrugged. “Every male disciple in Luoxian Sect is terrified of her.”

After all, she was the kind of woman who would attack you not because you did anything wrong—but simply because she didn’t like the look on your face.

And the worst part? You couldn’t beat her.

Even worse? The more you resisted, the more excited she got.

And worst of all? The more excited she got, the harder she hit.

Plenty of disciples had been beaten so badly they couldn’t control their bodily functions, and some were still recovering in critical care.

Just thinking about Chi Xiao’s reign of terror sent a cold sweat down Han Luo’s spine.

But strangely, Jiu Li’er looked a bit pleased to see Han Luo so afraid of Chi Xiao.

“Actually, she’s really kind,” she said softly. “She takes great care of us. If anyone bullies us junior sisters, she’s the first to step in and teach those jerks a lesson.”

Jiu Li’er clearly admired Chi Xiao deeply. In fact, most of the younger generation on Piaomiao Peak felt the same.

That was also one of the reasons Chi Xiao could go toe-to-toe with someone like Li Jun.

“Right, right. She protects you by beating the crap out of us. What a rough life, being a man…” Han Luo shook his head.

Two lifetimes, both as a man—he knew the struggle all too well.

Then again, isn’t life itself just one big trial?

Jiu Li’er chuckled at his rare moment of sarcasm.
“I think you’re a good person, senior brother. Chi Xiao will realize it too—eventually.”

Han Luo glanced at her serious expression.

Child, you’re too naïve.
If Chi Xiao ever found out who I really am, not even a Da Luo Golden Immortal could stop her from chopping me to pieces.

With that chaotic encounter behind him—and confirmation that the Demon Race was indeed up to something—Han Luo parted ways with Jiu Li’er and returned to Luoxian Mountain via secret tunnel #11.

Once back, he thoroughly rechecked all the formations and traps to ensure everything was in place. Then he sent out a transmission talisman to Da Niu, instructing him to immediately report any signs of demonic activity.

Da Niu, of course, was less than thrilled to be ordered around by Han Luo.

But upon discovering a small “incentive” video tucked inside the talisman, his attitude changed completely.

He immediately responded:
“Don’t worry, big bro Han! As long as I’m around, you’ll be the first to know about any demon-related news!”

Han Luo nodded in satisfaction. He appreciated people who knew how to read the room.

Things were heating up—time to lay low again.

Perfect timing, actually. The Mirror Realm had been neglected for a while. He could use this break to tidy things up.

Time passed quietly.

One month later, Da Niu sent back a major update.