QT Cannon Fodder's Record: Dekachapter 226

Chp 2251: Grow an Adam’s Apple

She could bind her chest, but how was she supposed to get an Adam’s apple?

Elder Shen took out a bottle of medicine and said to Ning Shu, “Here you are. If you take this medicine every day, it will help you grow an Adam’s apple, along with facial hair, chest hair, leg hair…”

Ning Shu: ...

Ning Shu did not dare take the medicine from Elder Shen, unable to imagine her appearance with a beard and an Adam’s apple.

The medicine sounded like testosterone. Will her chest also be shrunk? Will she even grow a dick?

“Is there no other way?” It was fine to be a masculine woman, but Ning Shu didn’t want to be transgender.

“No. When it’s time, you can just take some medicine and your body will return to normal,” Elder Shen said indifferently.

Not everyone disregards their body. Taking medicine like this was also extremely harmful to the body.

What was she to do if she got an endocrine disorder?

“It’s up to you. If you don’t want the resources available, then scram.” As Elder Shen was about to put away the medicine bottle, Ning Shu reached out to grab the medicine. “I’ll take it.”

When Ning Shu went to her room wearing Qi Yi’s face, she met many maids on the way. The maids threw Ning Shu their handkerchiefs, stuffed embroidered pouches into her hands, turned around, and ran away shyly.

When Ning Shu smelled the sachets, it was very fragrant. Sure enough, the ‘jade-faced young master’ was very popular.

Mei Wu was guarding the door of the room. When Mei Wu saw Ning Shu, he was taken aback for a moment before asking, “What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m not doing anything.” Ning Shu entered the room, took off Qi Yi’s face, and placed it into the liquid medicine.

Ning Shu took out the medicine bottle and tapped the black pill out into her hand. As she looked at the black pill, she swallowed hard.

After taking this pill, will she become a masculine female with a long beard?

Ning Shu threw the pill into her mouth and swallowed it with a gulp.

After taking the pill, Ning Shu couldn't help but peek into her clothes to see if her chest had shrunk or grown hairy.

Alas, Ning Shu sighed and started cultivating. What was there to fear about a bit of hair if she was strong?

For the next few days, Ning Shu cultivated, took medicine, and ate when she was hungry.

Having regularly taken the medicine, Ning Shu clearly felt that her voice was much lower, and her throat was quite uncomfortable.

She was really becoming a man.

The medicine had clearly disturbed her endocrine balance; the most observable manifestation was that her period was abnormal.

Ning Shu sequestered herself like this in her room, cultivating. And within a month, Qi Yi’s pigeon had returned.

A maid came and called Ning Shu to the hall.

Ning Shu arrived at the main hall, half-kneeling and saluting to Ye Hua, "Greetings, Sect Leader."

Ye Hua raised the note in his hand, "The other side has responded."

"Is Qi Yi really a traitor?" The old devil couldn't help but say.

"Facts have proved that he is," Ye Hua said, handing the note to Ning Shu. Ning Shu saw that the general content of the note was urging Qi Yi to leave the Sacred Demonic Cult as soon as possible. Someone in the town nearest to the demonic cult was waiting to extricate Qi Yi.

"This Qi Yi had really hidden himself deeply, even the former sect leader was blind to it." The old devil felt embarrassed so he dragged the former sect leader through the mud as well.

"Who would have thought that Qi Yi was a spy? I heard that his whole family was killed by the righteous sects, and that was why the former sect leader brought him back. Though now it is evident that the deaths of his parents were faked," The old devil said angrily.

"Those people were really killed. However, those who died by the righteous sects probably had nothing to do with Qi Yi." The old devil scowled. "Saying that our Sacred Demonic Cult is evil, these people are clearly not much better."

“What do you think?” Ye Hua asked Ning Shu. When Ye Hua saw Ning Shu’s face, he asked with astonishment, “It’s only been a while since I last saw you, how did your face become like this? Your skin is rough and greasy, and the fine hair on your face has even turned black.”

Ye Hua had been busy with the Sacred Demonic Cult every day. It was normal for the pair of siblings to have gone without contact for a month.

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2252: I Want to Try and Experience Being a Man

Since he hadn’t seen her for a long time, Ye Hua could see the changes in Ning Shu’s appearance even with only a glance. Ye Hua’s stare moved downwards and he saw something resembling an Adam’s apple. “What are you playing at?”

Ning Shu: …

Ning Shu couldn’t help but touch her face. She then calmly said, “Recently, I have discovered that a man is living inside this body of mine. I want to try and experience being a man.”

“Troublemaker,” Ye Hua chided.

As soon as Ning Shu said her excuse, Mei Wu, who was standing as still as a statue, had a face spasm.

The old devil saw that they had something to discuss so he excused himself.

Ning Shu cupped her hands and saluted Ye Hua, then said, “Brother, since they’ve arranged to infiltrate us with a spy, we can retaliate by doing the same.”

Ye Hua stroked his sleeve and lightly said, “What do you want to do?”

Ning Shu took out the sheet of Qi Yi’s face skin and put it on her face. She then said to Ye Hua, “I can sneak into the righteous sects for the Sacred Demonic Sect.”

Ye Hua was expressionless. "When did you start caring about the sect’s affairs?"

"I want to share my brother’s worries. Moreover, didn’t Qi Yi seek to trick me because he saw how naïve and clueless I was?" said Ning Shu earnestly.

Ye Hua stretched out his hand to touch Ning Shu’s head, but his cold hand then slid down and touched Ning Shu’s neck.

Ning Shu felt goosebumps all over her body.

Ye Hua retracted his hand. “This matter is very dangerous. It’s not something you can handle. Even if we were to send a spy, it wouldn’t be you.”

“I can do it,” Ning Shu said in a low voice. “I want to do this. This is why I asked for medicine from Elder Shen. I can’t suffer this in vain.”

“I already have plans. You don’t need to say more. Leave.” Ye Hua dismissed her with a wave of his hand.

“Elder Brother…”

Ye Hua glanced at Ning Shu expressionlessly.

"Will you write a reply?" Ning Shu asked.

"We'll talk about that when we find someone suitable."

Ning Shu shut up and exited the hall. Mei Wu trailed after her.

Suddenly, Mei Wu drew his sword and held it horizontally in front of Ning Shu’s neck. Ning Shu glanced at the sword, pinched it with her fingers, and moved it away from her neck.

“What are you doing? I told you, if I die, your young miss will never return,” Ning Shu said lightly.

If Mei Wu didn’t listen, this time, she was definitely going to teach him a lesson.

Ning Shu moved her neck, making harsh cracking sounds.

Mei Wu’s face was bright red. He pressed his sword against Ning Shu’s neck again. “Are you a man?”

“Huh?” Ning Shu snorted.

Mei Wu's face convulsed. "Have you ever disrespected the young miss’s body?"

Ning Shu: ...

Ning Shu's mind suddenly made up an image of herself touching this body vulgarly.

“I am a woman,” Ning Shu righteously said.

"I don't believe it." Mei Wu stared at Ning Shu. "You said it yourself. You said there is a man living in this body."

"I am a woman."

"You don't have the tenderness of a woman at all. I can only believe that you are a man."

Ning Shu: ...

Ning Shu flicked the sword away with her fingers, then turned and left. “Don’t point your sword at me. Your behavior will make other people suspicious of me. If I die, your young miss really won’t be able to come back. You’d better think things through.”

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2253: Sect Leader This, Sect Leader That

Mei Wu retracted the sword angrily. “If you haven’t left the young miss’s body when the time comes, I will tell the sect leader.”

Ning Shu rolled her eyes. “Everyone will already be informed if you speak just a little louder. When that happens I will be burned to death as a monster, and your young miss will also be reduced to a pinch of ashes.”

Mei Wu felt that his IQ was repeatedly insulted. "It is obviously you who should be careful. Why are you threatening me? I advise you to know your place and not make a fuss in front of the sect leader. Not only is the young miss not close with the sect leader, but she is also actually scared of him."

Ning Shu raised her hand and felt around her head, and her fingers landed on the place Ye Hua had touched.

On Ning Shu’s neck, there was a small raised object, which seemed to be a mole.

It seemed that Ye Hua was a little suspicious of her. However, she had to gain his support for this plan in order to achieve the best results.

If Ye Hua disapproved though, then she would have no choice but to act alone.

Ning Shu was just worried that Ye Hua would also send people over after she impersonated Qi Yi. If that happened, she would have to fight the people on her own side.

Ning Shu returned to her room and wanted to continue practicing. Mei Wu asked Ning Shu, "Are you really going to follow through with such a dangerous task?"

"You can't take risks while you’re in the body of the young miss. Didn’t you say that the young miss won't be able to return either if you die? I’m going to ask the sect leader not to let you go," said Mei Wu.

"Sect leader this, sect leader that. Do you have any thoughts of your own?" Ning Shu said angrily, "If the sect leader kills me, your young miss won't be able to come back either. Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

“All you ever do is threaten me with the young miss! I’ll complain that you have threatened me… I’m n-not afraid.” Mei Wu stammered.

Ning Shu said, "When I finish what I came here to do, I will leave naturally. If I do nothing, the time I stay will only increase. When your young miss finally returns, she will have become a wrinkled old woman."

"I need to follow you in order to protect the young miss’s body." Mei Wu said.

"Up to you."

The question was whether or not Ye Hua would allow Ning Shu to go.

Ning Shu took a pill and began to practice. No matter what, Ning Shu had to cultivate first. The energy in her dantian was so close to forming a shape.

After the energy successfully took shape, she would be much stronger.

Ning Shu waited for a few days, and Ye Hua finally called for her. He probably finally thought things through.

Ye Hua was straight to the point. "I will allow you to go."

"Thank you, Brother."

"Call me Sect Leader."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

So ruthless, so cold, so unreasonable.

"Another letter is here, its contents urging you to hurry up and leave." Ye Hua sneered, they really treated the Sacred Demonic Cult as a place where one could come and go whenever they pleased.

Ye Hua looked at Ning Shu and said, "This task is very dangerous. Don’t pay any mind that those people are from the renowned righteous sects, and that they seem to place the good of the common people in their hearts. Scholars will use their words to overturn courts, and soldiers will use their military might to fight wars. Once discovered, you will surely die a miserable death."

There was a little struggle on Ning Shu’s face before she said, "I still want to go. I also want to help you, Brother... Sect Leader. I am also a child of the former sect leader."

Ye Hua was expressionless, touching his sleeves. "Does Hong Ye want to be the sect leader?"

Ning Shu: →_→

"Hong Ye has no such thoughts. The Sacred Demonic Cult has always been painstakingly managed by the sect leader. Moreover, other sect members will not even know that Hong Ye is carrying out this task. Hong Ye depends on the protection of the Sacred Demonic Cult, and Hong Ye wishes to take on this task to repay the cult."

Ye Hua had a faint expression and pressed a button on his chair. A small box appeared from the wall behind Ye Hua.

Ye Hua took a manual out of the box and threw it to Ning Shu. Ning Shu quickly caught and took a look at it. It was "Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts".

The manual was very old and seemed to have experienced wear throughout the years. Ning Shu said, "Sect Leader, actually, a fake would be good enough."

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2254: It Is a Fake

“It is a fake,” Ye Hua said.

Ning Shu: ...

Such a high-quality forgery!

“This is the ‘Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts’ that you will bring to meet those people,” Ye Hua said.

Ning Shu nodded. “I see. I will go prepare myself.

“Is this manual entirely fake?” A forgery must contain at least some genuine things. No one would fall for it if it was completely fake.

And if a master of martial arts took a look at it, the master would recognize it as a fake with one glance.

“Ninety percent of its content is true,” Ye Hua said. “But don’t even think about cultivating it. You can’t cultivate this thing.”

Ning Shu nodded again. “I understand.”

Ning Shu shifted her gaze. "Brother, can you cultivate it?"

Ye Hua glanced at Ning Shu. "This manual is not something you can cultivate simply because you own it. The manual must also pick you."

Ning Shu caught the implicit meaning of Ye Hua’s words. Ye Hua himself did not cultivate it, but nor did he give the manual for others to cultivate.

If someone else was actually able to cultivate this manual, Ye Hua’s rule over the Sacred Demonic Sect would be overthrown.

“Tell me when you will leave. I will send people to hunt you down,” Ye Hua said. “Be careful.”

Ning Shu returned to her room with the items, and then casually flipped through the forged Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts manual.

This was actually a very crude and rudimentary cultivation technique. Since it was a secret cultivation manual, something like a spiritual root was required for its cultivators.

Without a spiritual root, an ordinary person could practice until they die and there’d be not a single bit of progress.

Ning Shu tied her hair into a man bun, changed into men's clothing, and then took out the sheet of face skin and put it on her face.

The face skin was tightly pressed against her skin. After taking a look at the bronze mirror, Ning Shu saw that she indeed looked a bit like the ‘jade-faced young master,’ Qi Yi, although she was a little shorter and her frame was a little smaller.

Ning Shu exited the room with her bundle of belongings. Mei Wu was waiting for her outside the door. Ning Shu stared at Mei Wu and said, "Are you really going to follow me?"

"I need to protect the young miss's body," Mei Wu said.

Ning Shu didn't care. She and Mei Wu initially exited the Sacred Demonic Peak without any hindrance.

They headed towards the town nearest to the Sacred Demonic Peak.

However, they were then ambushed on the road by some people sent by Ye Hua.

Ning Shu deliberately allowed them to injure her, and Mei Wu was also wounded.

When they ran, the group pursued them.

Ning Shu collected more and more wounds along the way, although none of them needed urgent attention.

They eventually made the exhausting journey to the small town, but once they arrived, the group caught up with them and they had to run again. In broad daylight, Ning Shu and Mei Wu were chased on the streets and even overturned many small stalls.

They cut very sorry figures. They were covered in blood and they seemed like they had run out of energy. They could only barely support themselves.

When they passed by a restaurant, a few distinguished young men in white clothing with swords at their waists leaped down from the window and stood protectively in front of Ning Shu and Mei Wu.

They looked very imposing.

“Bold evildoers of the demonic sects, how dare you try to murder people in broad daylight!?”

“Who are you? I’m only chasing a traitor of the Sacred Demonic Sect. Keep your nose out of it!” said the leader fiercely.

“Bah, it’s the rats from the Sacred Demonic Sect! The lot of you cover yourselves in black from head to toe every day, even hiding your faces. Are you that ashamed of yourselves?” said one of the youths.

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2255: No Sense of Justice

Several distinguished young men of the righteous sects stood in front of Ning Shu. They looked majestic and extremely contemptuous of Ning Shu’s pursuers from the Sacred Demonic Sect.

The leader of the Sacred Demonic Cult pursuers stared at Ning Shu. “Qi Yi, hand over what you stole and I’ll let you go. Otherwise, you can just wait to become Elder Shen’s test subject.”

Qi Yi, wasn’t this the person they were waiting for? The young men shared glances.

“This sir, are you Qi Yi?” a handsome young man asked Ning Shu.

Ning Shu nodded. “Indeed, I am.”

“We are here by the order of the leader of the Zhao Clan Stronghold to meet Senior Brother. Senior Brother, you can rest assured now.”

The man stretched out his hand, bent his fingers, placed it in his mouth, and blew a sharp whistle.

In just a few moments, more people had arrived. The leader of the Sacred Demonic Cult pursuers saw that they were surrounded. He pointed at Ning Shu and threatened, “Just you wait. The sect leader will not let you off. Let’s withdraw!”

The people who chased Ning Shu and Mei Wu withdrew and scattered.

“These devils from the demonic sects have no sense of justice at all.”

“They bully the weak but are afraid of the strong.”

“The reputation of the martial arts world is tarnished by these rats.”

Ning Shu: …

If a person were outnumbered, weren’t they allowed to run? Don’t tell her that the person should let themself be martyred to be considered righteous in the martial arts world?

“Senior Brother Qi, don’t be afraid. Everyone from the Sacred Demonic Sect has left,” the man said to Ning Shu.

Ning Shu tightened her grip on the bundle and nodded.

“Senior Brother Qi, how come you are so short and your frame is so small?” asked another man, a little suspiciously.

Ning Shu waved her hand. She feigned reluctance to remember her past, but still said in a gloomy voice, “Those people of the Sacred Demonic Cult only know how to dig and live in holes. I can’t even get any sunlight most of the time. I went to the Sacred Demonic Cult shortly after I turned ten, and I basically haven’t grown any taller ever since.”

“Senior Brother Qi, we’ll take you to see the stronghold leader.”

Ning Shu was a little surprised. "Even the stronghold leader has come?"

"The stronghold leader came to personally pick you up."

Ning Shu nodded. She followed the group of people into a large residence and into the main hall.

A middle-aged man was sitting at the seat of honor. When he saw Ning Shu come in, he stood up, embraced her with a hand, and laughed. “Qi Yi, you are finally back!”

He patted Ning Shu’s shoulder as he said, “What a frail body. Thank you for enduring such hardships.”

Ning Shu waved her hand. “Since it was for Uncle’s goals, and for the sake of the common people, I don’t consider it a hardship at all. It’s nothing.”

This imposing man was the current martial alliance leader, Qi Yi’s biological uncle, and the leader of the Zhao Clan Stronghold.

“You have suffered a lot over these years. Go and wash up, then we will leave,” Zhao Bo said.

Zhao Bo’s gaze then shifted and settled on Mei Wu. “This is?”

“This is a member of the Sacred Demonic Sect that Nephew incited to rebel. It’s just that he has a few loose screws in his brain.”

Mei Wu glanced at Ning Shu but said nothing.

Zhao Bo smiled heartily. “Abandoning the dark to turn to the light. This is good.”

Ning Shu said, “Let’s leave first. This town is very close to the Sacred Demonic Cult. They may come back to chase after us soon.”

Zhao Bo smiled faintly and said, “It’s fine. There is still time for you to wash up.”

“It seems that Uncle has already made a surefire plan. Then, I will take a short rest,” Ning Shu said wearily.

Zhao Bo probably wanted to see if the Sacred Demonic Sect would chase after her. If she really had stolen something valuable from them, the Sacred Demonic Sect would naturally not let her off.

"Go ahead."

Ning Shu took a look around the room. She then washed up, though still cautious throughout it all. Afterward, she lay on the bed, holding her bundle, and went to sleep.

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2256: War Between Good and Evil

Ning Shu couldn’t sleep properly the entire time. When she heard the creak of the door opening, however, Ning Shu pretended to be asleep, even as she felt a gaze scanning her.

While Ning Shu was trying to guess who the person was, she heard Zhao Bo’s voice. He said, “The people of the Sacred Demonic Sect are coming. You need to hurry and leave.” At the same time, he shook Ning Shu’s body.

Ning Shu opened her eyes. She glanced at the sky and saw that it was dark outside.

“They’ve caught up?” Ning Shu quickly got up.

“Yes. Hurry and leave,” Zhao Bo said. “The people of the Sacred Demonic Sect cannot know that I was here. Otherwise, there will be another war between good and evil.”

Ning Shu took Mei Wu and left the residence. Meanwhile, each person from the Zhao Clan Stronghold’s rode their horse and rushed out of the small town, towards the Zhao Clan Stronghold-controlled territory.

This small town was under the jurisdiction of the Sacred Demonic Cult. This was because the areas surrounding where each sect was located were their territory by default.

Regarding Ning Shu, it’d be a surprise if the Sacred Demonic Cult would let go of someone who stole their property on their own turf.

The group of people hurried out of the town with people from the Sacred Demonic Cult hot on their heels.

Zhao Bo led the people of the Zhao Clan Stronghold towards their territory.

They did not take any rest on the road. It seemed that these people had even previously arranged where they’d change their horses.

This way, they gradually got rid of their pursuers from the Sacred Demonic Cult.

Ning Shu cupped her hands in salute toward Zhao Bo and said, "It’s all thanks to Uncle’s attentiveness and foresight that we managed to shake off the pursuers of the demonic sect so quickly."

Zhao Bo shook his head. "The martial world is sinister. You must prepare for everything and always have backup plans.

“Nephew, sooner or later, this Zhao Clan Stronghold will be handed over to you. In two years, the martial alliance will have a general election. At that time, I hope the leader of the martial alliance will still come from the Zhao Clan Stronghold.”

Ning Shu's eyes lit up. "Qi Yi understands. Qi Yi will definitely live up to Uncle’s expectations."

"In the future, you will no longer be called Qi Yi. You will be called Zhao Yi instead."

"Yes."

While Zhao Bo and Ning Shu talked, everyone took a short rest to eat some food. Then, they continued to hurry along the road.

The Zhao Clan Stronghold disciples, who were previously very confident and relaxed, now cut a very sorry figure.

After almost ten days on the road, many people in their group had chafed thighs that were bleeding.

Ning Shu herself was not much better.

At the end of the long journey, Ning Shu was in a daze when she saw the gate of the Zhao Clan Stronghold.

Zhao Bo's hand patted Ning Shu's shoulder. "It's good that you’re back now. Make sure to eat properly from now on so you grow tall."

And this was even after Ning Shu put on special shoes that were meant to make her look a little bit taller.

Ning Shu nodded. “I finally don’t have to be wary of the demonic sect anymore. Those people aren’t human at all. They kill and slaughter without any qualms whatsoever.”

Zhao Bo glanced at Ning Shu's bundle. "Go take a good rest first. Afterward, I have something to discuss with you."

"Alright…"

The steward arranged a room for Ning Shu. However, the room was horrible. It was narrow and desolate.

The furniture and furnishings were all dilapidated. Ning Shu had no expression on her face.

The steward said to Ning Shu, "This is your room."

"This is the room?" Ning Shu stared at the steward. "This is the kind of place where the servants would live. Do you know who I am? Why would you arrange such a room for me?"

"I'm simply following the orders of my master."

"Nonsense." Ning Shu frowned and kicked the steward out of the room.

The steward fell on his butt with a thud.

The steward also knew martial arts, but he never expected that Ning Shu would suddenly attack. He got back up while supporting his waist and pointed at Ning Shu. "You, you..."

"What ‘you, you’!? You’d better get me another room right now, I'm not very good-tempered." Ning Shu sat on a stool boldly. "After all that I’ve contributed, this is the type of room you give me?"

The steward clutched his chest, gave a cold snort, and left with his tail between his legs.

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2257: How Could You Prepare Such a Room?

Mei Wu stared at Ning Shu. “Can’t you take it down a notch and lay low? If something happens to the young lady’s body, I won’t let you off.”

“Don’t keep saying ‘young lady’, ‘young lady’ all day. Are you trying to let people find out my true identity?

“I’m here to sabotage them. It doesn’t matter whether I lay low or not. I still have what Zhao Bo wants.” Ning Shu picked up the ceramic teapot on the table, only to find that it was empty.

Ning Shu put it down irritatedly. “There’s not even any water to drink.”

Hurried steps were coming towards the room. Ning Shu’s face was full of dissatisfaction.

“Yi, what happened?” Zhao Bo walked in and sized up the whole room.

"Old Zhao, what are you doing? How could you prepare such a room for Yi? Prepare a better one for him."

"Yes, yes," the steward said immediately. "This old servant had been thoughtless."

"Yi, Child, for better and worse, Old Zhao has also worked for the Zhao Clan Stronghold for so many years. How could you do this kind of thing as soon as you come back?" Zhao Bo said disapprovingly.

Ning Shu sneered inwardly. She was sure this was Zhao Bo’s idea from the very start. He must’ve wanted to give her an initial show of strength.

If Ning Shu wanted good treatment, she must exchange it with the thing she had stolen from the Sacred Demonic Sect.

He couldn’t ask for it outright, so he could only use this method.

It wasn’t right for the martial alliance leader of the righteous sects to rely on crafty means and take things from others like this. Even if someone else was genuinely giving something to them, the martial alliance leader should still politely refuse it at least once.

“In the future, the Zhao Clan Stronghold will be handed over to you. If you do things like this, how would you be able to win over the hearts of your subordinates?” Zhao Bo told Ning Shu. “Don’t be so reckless next time.”

Ning Shu said with some shame, “Uncle, this nephew has been in the Sacred Demonic Sect for so long. It is inevitable that my temperament isn’t good. You also know that those demonic sect members are abnormal. If Nephew didn’t adjust, and was patient and accommodating in all respects, I would have been swallowed whole by those bastards.

“After such a long time, I have become accustomed to the Sacred Demonic Sect’s way of acting. I will gradually adapt,” Ning Shu said, seeming slightly distressed.

“It’s okay. Take your time. Your aunt will prepare a feast for you. You can see Linger then as well,” Zhao Bo said. He showed concern about Ning Shu, and said to the steward beside him, “Prepare a new room for Yi.”

“Yes, Stronghold Leader,” the steward responded immediately.

“Thank you, Uncle. Yi will definitely live up to Uncle’s expectations,” Ning Shu said to Zhao Bo earnestly.

Zhao Bo nodded. "When you are settled, come to eat." After saying this, he walked away with his hands behind his back.

After Ning Shu kicked up a fuss, she was given a new room, this time a spacious and bright one. Everything in the room was also new.

This room was obviously freshly decorated.

A maid later came over to call Ning Shu for dinner.

Zhao Bo’s family of three was already inside the place they would eat.

Zhao Bo had a daughter named Zhao Linger. Besides her, he had no other children.

“Yi, hurry and come here.” Zhao Bo beckoned Ning Shu.

“Uncle.” Ning Shu walked over. She saw a woman who had a mature charm created by her age.

“This is your aunt.”

"Aunt Zhao, hello."

"This is Linger."

"Cousin."

Zhao Linger looked charming. She looked Ning Shu up and down, then said in contempt, "You are so short. Are you really a man?"

“Linger, don’t be rude. You shouldn’t talk to your cousin like that.” Madam Zhao scolded Zhao Linger.

Zhao Linger was obviously a child who was spoiled into arrogance. Her father was the martial alliance leader, and she was also his only child. There were naturally many people sucking up to her in the Zhao Clan Stronghold.

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2258: Equate to Acquiring the Zhao Clan Stronghold

Zhao Linger was the sole heiress to the Zhao Clan Stronghold. In a roundabout way, marrying Zhao Linger would equate to acquiring the Zhao Clan Stronghold.

The bridegroom would also have a martial alliance leader as his father-in-law. It was fully marrying into wealth and power!

He’d be able to shorten his struggle by so many years!

Because of this, wherever Zhao Linger went, there would always be men fawning over her.

However, someone whom her parents cared so much for suddenly popped out of nowhere.

Therefore, Zhao Linger was completely hostile to Ning Shu, the person who suddenly appeared.

“He is also a man from the Sacred Demonic Sect, yet the two of you are so different in terms of your height.” Zhao Linger said, pointing at the taller Mei Wu, who was standing to the side like a wooden stake.

“He traded his brain for his height,” Ning Shu lightly said. “Also, if you were the one who became an occasional test subject for scorpion poison, you would be even shorter than I am.”

Ning Shu said lightly, "Not only did I have to live in a cave all year round, but I was also turned into a test subject for scorpion poison when I first arrived. My body was subsequently harmed.”

“Why? What’s the problem? Does my shortness bother you?” Ning Shu’s gaze was fixed on Zhao Linger.

“How dare you speak to me like this!?” Zhao Linger pointed to Ning Shu.

“No one in the Sacred Demonic Sect would dare to speak to me as you do. If anyone had dared, I would have torn them in half, like this.” Ning Shu grinned, then slammed her fist on the wall, smashing a small hole into it.

Zhao Linger was rendered speechless. She could only stare at Ning Shu with her wide, round eyes.

Ning Shu blew the dust off her hands.

“Nephew, you are not in the Sacred Demonic Cult anymore, so please restrain yourself. Linger is still young and she has been spoiled rotten by her mother. Don’t mind her.”

Ning Shu immediately said, “Yes, Uncle. It was all my fault. I will definitely restrain myself from now on. Cousin Linger, I’m sorry.”

Zhao Linger stubbornly ignored Ning Shu’s apology.

"Come, come. Sit down and eat," said Madam Zhao to Ning Shu. She then kept adding more food to Ning Shu's bowl.

Madam Zhao gave Zhao Linger a meaningful look. Zhao Linger then unwillingly gave Ning Shu a meatless fish head.

Madam Zhao glared at Zhao Linger. Meanwhile, Zhao Linger smugly said to Ning Shu, “Cousin, eat the fish head. It’s the most nutritious part of the fish.”

Ning Shu glanced at Zhao Linger, picked up the fish head, then threw it on the table. "In this life, there is nothing I hate more than eating fish heads."

“Linger.” Zhao Bo looked at Zhao Linger imposingly. “What is the matter with you?”

Ning Shu immediately responded instead by saying, "Uncle, it is my fault. I will learn to control my temper in the future. I’m too used to being in the Sacred Demonic Sect, and my mind hasn’t adjusted yet."

"Just eat. Come to my study after eating, I have something to talk to you about," Zhao Bo said.

Ning Shu nodded and picked up more food. Almost half of the dishes on the table were eaten by her alone.

Zhao Linger whispered, “Gluttonous pig.”

Ning Shu only ignored her. After she finished eating, Ning Shu followed Zhao Bo to the study. Mei Wu closely followed after them.

“Nephew, tell your friend to wait outside,” said Zhao Bo to Ning Shu after he glanced at Mei Wu.

Ning Shu turned her head and said to Mei Wu, “Go and eat. We are not in the Sacred Demonic Sect anymore, so I will be fine.”

Mei Wu only glanced at Ning Shu and stayed silent. Ning Shu scowled. “Go!”

Mei Wu then turned around and left.

Ning Shu stretched out her hands helplessly. "He’s just a bit slow. When he first came to the Sacred Demonic Cult, he was bullied. I helped him a little then and he’s followed me ever since."

"It’s not bad to have a person like that by your side. It’s much more convenient to have an errand runner," Zhao Bo said indifferently.

Translator: Take

#Take’s comments: This isn’t my first time reading this arc but up until I translated this chapter I literally thought Mei Wu was a girl.

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2259: The Next Martial Alliance Leader

Zhao Bo closed the study door behind them. He said to Ning Shu, “Yi, you have been in that Sacred Demonic Sect for so many years. You should be familiar with every nook and cranny of that place.”

“I am. I’ve always paid attention to the terrain,” Ning Shu nodded and said.

Zhao Bo pondered for a moment. He then said, “You have stolen from the Sacred Demonic Sect. They will definitely not take it lying down. We will take advantage of the time while they have not yet reacted, and defeat every last one of them. We will exhaust every effort for the good of the world.”

Ning Shu was nodding repeatedly. “I’ll listen to Uncle.”

“Moreover, the general election for the martial alliance leader will be held in two years. I hope you can be elected then. If you can assemble and lead the renowned righteous sects in the attack, that and Zhao Clan Stronghold’s reputation will give you the chance to become the next martial alliance leader.”

“I completely agree. I’ll leave everything for Uncle to decide.” Ning Shu’s face was full of agreement.

This was why Ning Shu needed to directly kill Qi Yi. Even if Qi Yi escaped without the manual, he’d still be able to easily gather people and arrange an attack on the Sacred Demonic Cult.

It wouldn’t matter if he decided to first eliminate the Sacred Demonic Sect, then slowly search for the manual. He wouldn’t lose out either way.

As the protagonist, Qi Yi would naturally succeed in everything he did. It would have caused endless trouble if Ning Shu had let him escape.

Zhao Bo was in a hurry to attack the Sacred Demonic Sect. On one hand, he was worried that they would spread the word about the stolen manual. It would cause the Zhao Clan Stronghold to become a target of public criticism.

On the other hand, he also wanted to establish absolute prestige for the Zhao Clan Stronghold among the various factions.

Regarding the future martial alliance elections, even if Zhao Bo himself could not be re-elected, the Zhao Clan Stronghold must still produce another martial alliance leader.

Retaining the title of the martial alliance leader was simply too important to the development of the Zhao Clan Stronghold.

The martial alliance leader would be able to give out orders to the martial world and gather up resources.

For now, however, he’d just focus on having Ning Shu hand over the manual first.

Ning Shu nodded repeatedly. "When will Uncle convene the renowned righteous sects?"

“As soon as we got back, I began to send letters to the heads of the various factions with pigeons. These people will soon gather with their troops to attack the Sacred Demonic Sect,” Zhao Bo said.

“When the time comes, you will lead these people to attack the Sacred Demonic Sect and establish your reputation in front of all sects.”

How swift! Ning Shu nodded. “I will follow Uncle’s arrangement."

It was no wonder that Qi Yi got the manual, yet still needed to attack the Sacred Demonic Cult. It was because he needed the merit, prestige, and capital to become the martial alliance leader.

There was also that he wanted to wipe out his past in the Sacred Demonic Cult.

Zhao Bo looked at Ning Shu, and she immediately said, “Nephew will definitely not waste Uncle’s efforts. The Sacred Demonic Sect will definitely be destroyed.”

Zhao Bo nodded, and then exhorted, "Now that you have left the Sacred Demonic Cult, you can't behave like you did in there. Remember to always be humble and appropriate.

“Although I am the martial alliance leader, there are still many seniors in the martial world who are of higher virtue, higher reputation, and who have greater martial skills. You must not offend these people. Do you understand?”

Ning Shu nodded. “Nephew understands. I will definitely adjust my behavior.”

“Didn’t you say you have been poisoned? Someone from the Immortal Medicine Valley will be coming over too. At that time, have them take a look at you,” Zhao Bo said, with concern.

Joy appeared on Ning Shu’s face. “When will they arrive? Perhaps I can grow taller once I am detoxified.”

“The leader of the Immortal Medicine Valley is the most medically skilled, but you can’t easily get him out of their valley.” Zhao Bo sighed. “I will try my best to invite him for you.”

“Thank you, Uncle. Right, by the way, I have something to give you.” Ning Shu seemed to suddenly remember about the manual.

There was a hint of eagerness on Zhao Bo’s face. However, this emotion only flashed by in an instant. Besides that, his face stayed very calm.

“Uncle, please excuse Nephew for a moment.” Ning Shu cupped her hands in salute, went out of the study, and returned to her room. She then took the manual and returned to the study to hand it over to Zhao Bo.

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2260: I Thought It Was an Assassin

Zhao Bo eagerly took the secret manual and started flipping through it page by page.

“Uncle, I got this manual from Hong Ye, the sister of the Sacred Demonic Sect’s leader.”

“This nephew employed a few tricks to get Hong Ye to steal the secret manual,” Ning Shu boasted.

"Very good. Don't tell anyone about this." Zhao Bo put away the manual.

"Go and rest up. In a few days, all the sects and factions will gather, and then it will be up to you to lead these people."

Ning Shu nodded. "Understood."

Ning Shu left the study, glanced at the study door, and sneered inwardly.

Without a spiritual root, practicing this manual would be meaningless. That aside, only 90% of the forged manual she just handed over was real. Even with spiritual roots, the cultivator would probably suffer spiritual deviation after cultivating the manual.

Ning Shu headed back to her room. Suddenly, a figure jumped out of the rockery, seemingly wanting to scare Ning Shu. The figure was even groaning strangely.

Ning Shu kicked the person who suddenly appeared, and they fell to the ground with a thud.

Zhao Linger, the person, fell to the ground and was unable to get up. There was even blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.

“Cough cough cough… You!” Zhao Linger’s face was contorted in pain.

“Ah, Linger, it’s you? I thought it was an assassin.” Ning Shu walked towards Zhao Linger and reached out to pull her up.

“Go away!” Zhao Linger pointed at Ning Shu.

“Junior Sister.” Some disciples from the Zhao Clan Stronghold came over and saw Zhao Linger lying on the ground. A disciple hurriedly helped her.

“Junior Sister, what happened to you?” The surrounding disciples asked Zhao Linger with deep concern.

When no one was around to comfort her, Zhao Linger did not cry. Now that there were people on her side, Zhao Linger suddenly felt wronged. Her tears fell like raindrops on pear blossoms as she cried.

Who would dare to treat her like this in the Zhao Clan Stronghold? Zhao Linger felt extremely wronged.

"Qi Yi, how can you bully your junior sister? As a man, you bullying a woman is really disgusting,” said a disciple. He was one of the distinguished young men that Ning Shu had met in the small town before.

“Senior Brother, can you help me teach him a lesson? He’s too much!” said Zhao Linger angrily as she pointed at Ning Shu.

"Then, Senior Brother Qi Yi, I apologize, but let us exchange a few blows. Junior Sister is a person protected by all the people of Zhao Clan Stronghold." The disciple drew out his sword and said, "I ask Senior Brother Qi Yi to please accept this fight."

Ning Shu glanced at Zhao Linger, who was still wiping tears. She stared at Ning Shu triumphantly through her fingers, like a mischievous spirit.

Ning Shu turned around and left. She couldn’t be bothered to deal with these people.

“Does this mean you admit defeat?” Zhao Linger put her hands on her hips. However, Ning Shu’s kick had seriously been painful. After she uttered a few words, she felt pain in her abdomen and solar plexus.

"What are you all doing here?"

Zhao Bo had come out of the study. He saw a group of people gathered together, and said imposingly, "You all think you're already the greatest martial artist in the world, so you don't need to go practice martial arts anymore?"

“Master.” One by one, these disciples clasped their fists and saluted.

Meanwhile, Ning Shu shouted, “Uncle.”

Hearing Ning Shu's address, these disciples were taken aback for a moment. All of them turned to look towards Ning Shu.

Zhao Bo smiled and said, "Let me introduce him to all of you. This is Zhao Yi, a part of the Zhao Clan Stronghold. From now on, you are all part of the same generation of disciples."

“Father, he hit me! He attacked me for no reason. I even coughed up blood!” complained Zhao Linger to her father as she stomped her feet.

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho