Wei Jie had only given Cui Xiaoxiao a slight warning under the table at first.

Considering she had helped him burn the Golden Cores, he couldn’t just watch the little beauty get sick from eating.

But after seeing her finish a shrimp and remain perfectly fine, he was too lazy to remind her anymore.

Wei Jie was also very curious about what kind of background this so-called master of his had – why did she seem strangely discordant everywhere?

When he was drinking alone on the hillside, this girl seemed to appear out of thin air, suddenly bursting into his sight.

Could she be like Grandmother suspected – a demon creature trying to infiltrate the Wei family’s forbidden grounds?

Wei Jie waited optimistically to see what kind of demon spirit his master was.

However, Cui Xiaoxiao wasn’t so leisurely and relaxed. When people are full, blood inevitably flows to the stomach, making the mind somewhat drowsy and confused.

What should have been a moment to burp and relax turned into having knives at her throat.

Cui Xiaoxiao again lamented that this place two hundred years ago was truly no place for humans. Seeing her disciple Jie’er leisurely watching the show beside her, Xiaoxiao knew she couldn’t count on him.

Her sluggish brain was forced to start clicking as she slumped in her chair, trying to think of countermeasures.

However, having long experienced the martial world, she and her adoptive father had been cornered countless times before. Remaining calm in chaos was an essential tool for wandering the martial world.

When knives were at her throat, no matter how panicked Xiaoxiao felt inside, she appeared composed and collected.

This kind of bluffing made the Wei family matriarch quite appreciative, thinking: If she weren’t a demon, she’d have my youthful style!

Meanwhile, Xiaoxiao had made up her mind: First, she couldn’t tell the truth. Otherwise, would she say she accidentally traveled here from two hundred years later? Then, detail how the Wei family’s eldest grandson was a demon head who brought disaster to the world, causing devastation to all living beings, and advise the Wei family to eliminate this menace early for the world’s sake?

Hmm… even Cui Xiaoxiao felt this truth was too fantastical and easily unacceptable, potentially causing misunderstandings that would endanger her.

Since the truth was hard to tell, she’d have to embellish it slightly – half truth, half fiction.

Thinking this, Cui Xiaoxiao said softly: “Because I was unwilling to marry Lingyun Pavilion’s Young Pavilion Master, I was framed by him and attached by a Demon Pearl, suffering daily torment from its yin poison. Old Matriarch, you may kill me if you wish. Though I haven’t become a demon, I’ve been suffering constantly. If I die, I could be spared much agony… It’s just that my Talismonger Sect still has disciples waiting for my return. If I’m not there, wouldn’t the sect’s inheritance be hopeless… Jie’er, master’s legacy now depends on you. Don’t worry, master won’t blame your family for killing innocents… After I die, you can cut off my master’s hand and free yourself.”

As she said this, she turned to look at her beloved disciple, who was leisurely drinking wine, gripping their shackled hands tightly under the table, her slender fingers desperately scratching at his palm.

Damn rebellious disciple, actually sitting there so contentedly watching the show!

Even considering their previous shared life-and-death experience, he shouldn’t stand by so callously. At least she was a guest – was this the Wei family’s hospitality?

If not for feeling the pain in his palm, just seeing his master’s slightly reddened eyes and world-weary attitude, Wei Jie might have thought she was nobly willing to die alone!

But before he could speak up for her, his second uncle Wei Jingfeng glared at him angrily: “It’s all your troublemaking! Not knowing her background, you take her as master – are you trying to bring disaster to the Wei family again?”

After Wei Jingfeng said this, the Wei family clan elders sitting beside him also glared at Wei Jie in unison, clearly thinking this half-demon child who left years ago and suddenly returned could bring no good.

Wei Jie was used to it. In the Wei family, he had always been an outsider – except for his grandmother, everyone viewed him as a flood or savage beast.

Looking at it this way, this girl desperately scratching his palm for help seemed more lovable than his so-called relatives. If she were a demon, wouldn’t she be perfect for him, this half-demon disciple?

With rebellious bones stirring, he stretched his long arm, pouring the remaining wine onto nearby flowers. Without even glancing at his second uncle, he only said to his grandmother: “Whether she’s human or a demon has little to do with the Wei family. I’ve already paid respects to my father and should leave. Since she’s my master, naturally, she won’t stay here either. Grandmother, take care of yourself!”

After speaking, he stood up, sweeping his arm to generate a surge of true qi that immediately deflected the knives and swords at Xiaoxiao’s throat.

Then, following Xiaoxiao’s grip on his palm, he naturally took her slender hand and pulled her toward the exit.

Xiaoxiao was caught off guard, pulled stumbling by the tall man, and crashed into his embrace.

Though Wei Jie looked lean, he was solid muscle all over, making Xiaoxiao’s nose tip ache from the impact.

“Stop!” But the Wei family matriarch called out to Wei Jie.

Then the old grandmother slowly stood up, supporting herself with the golden walking stick, two heads taller than herself, taking short steps to reach Cui Xiaoxiao.

When she raised her hand, her wrinkled palm glowed with faint silver light. As her palm approached Cui Xiaoxiao, Xiaoxiao’s arms exposed outside her clothes became transparent under the old woman’s palm light, even revealing the blood vessels and meridians hidden beneath her skin.

It seemed this old grandmother had special abilities – her palm light could illuminate the human body’s meridians. How extraordinary.

The old woman unhurriedly moved her palm. Even areas covered by Xiaoxiao’s clothes seemed to be thoroughly examined by her.

Finally, she slowly lowered her palm, the light in her palm scattering like fireflies before disappearing. Then she said: “Hmm… you girl didn’t lie. There is indeed a Demon Pearl hidden in your body… It seems to be in deep slumber, harmless for now. But if it stays in your body too long, with your current cultivation, you probably can’t suppress it and will eventually be controlled by it… How did you encounter this Demon Pearl? I’ve lived so long, how have I never sensed such an evil Demon Pearl causing chaos in the mortal world?”

Cui Xiaoxiao thought: Of course you don’t know – this Demon Pearl was personally refined by your eldest grandson, naturally it’s evil!

But since the misunderstanding was cleared, she quickly said: “Old Matriarch, do you know any method to force out this Demon Pearl?”

The old matriarch squinted at Xiaoxiao for a while, then smiled slightly: “Girl, you haven’t told the complete truth, so I can’t help you for now… From examining your meridians just now, that Demon Pearl’s yin poison is quite potent and has spread throughout your limbs and bones. Roughly every twelve hours, you’ll have an episode. I have some pills to suppress the toxicity. If you trust me, take them and try – see if they can temporarily delay the poison’s onset.”

This old woman, though short in stature, seemed weighed down by her shrewd mind, immediately seeing that Xiaoxiao’s words held back some truth.

Cui Xiaoxiao knew her half-truths couldn’t convince the old woman, but since she was willing to give medicine to suppress the toxicity, it meant she wouldn’t treat her as a demon for now.

So she quickly accepted the pills and sincerely thanked the old matriarch.

Just then, the old matriarch turned and waved for someone to bring an inch-long, black, gleaming coffin nail, solemnly handing it to Wei Jie.

“Ah Jie, now that you’re bound together with her, you have the responsibility to monitor her well. If she becomes a demon, you must remember the Wei family’s duty to subdue demons and eliminate evil – don’t hesitate, immediately use this Soul-Severing Nail to embed it in her skull, absolutely cannot be soft-hearted!”

Xiaoxiao stared dumbfounded at that long coffin nail, unsure whether she should get angry at this withered old woman, especially since she had just kindly given her medicine.

But discussing how to kill her right in front of her, the person in question – wasn’t that somewhat impolite?

However, after handing over the murder weapon, the Wei family matriarch smiled kindly at her, as if making up for the missing courtesy.

Cui Xiaoxiao could only admiringly smile back, even instructing her obedient disciple Jie’er to carefully store the coffin nail – if it got dirty, it wouldn’t be useful later.

But the old woman’s main message to Wei Jie wasn’t as simple as killing one’s master to prove the way.

Seeing Wei Jie accept the coffin nail, she continued gently: “You are surnamed Wei after all, bearing the Wei family’s responsibilities… Recently, a Corpse-eating Beast escaped. You take after your father in being the best at capturing these strange beasts. If you could help your second uncle catch it, I wouldn’t have to worry.”

Hearing “Corpse-eating Beast,” Wei Jie couldn’t help but glance at Wei Jingfeng, raising an eyebrow: “That can’t be right! The current Wei family head has always been cautious and conscientious, much more dutiful than my father. Under his watch, how could a Corpse-eating Beast escape from the Underworld?”

His words were mocking, angering Wei Jingfeng to bulge his eyes again. But before he could rebuke, he was again interrupted by the Wei family matriarch.

She tapped Wei Jie’s forehead with her walking stick, then said: “You child! Can’t you see your second uncle has a sharp tongue but a soft heart? Yet you always hold grudges against him. I heard you single-handedly killed the Po Hun Snake in the deep valley – you have your father’s style… I thought, if you stayed to help your second uncle find the Corpse-eating Beast quickly, it could prevent disaster to living beings… Child, are you willing?”

The Wei family matriarch didn’t lack help – she just hoped this uncle and nephew could work together to mend their relationship. In her view, now that Jie’er was grown, if uncle and nephew could join forces and resolve past misunderstandings, wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Before Wei Jie could answer, Wei Jingfeng had already said first: “Mother, why use him for such a small matter? Your son will quickly catch that beast himself! If he wants to leave, let him leave!”

The old matriarch couldn’t help but sigh: Because of the eldest son’s death, Wei Jingfeng inevitably blamed the female demon, and by extension, wasn’t kind to this child, being stricter with him than others.

Ah Jie was fine when small and didn’t understand anything. But when he grew older and somehow learned about his background, he left Qilao Mountain in anger due to his second uncle’s harsh punishments.

In a flash, seven years had passed, and this little rascal had even changed his surname, wanting to break with the Wei family.

Wei Jingfeng was also frustrated inside and didn’t want to ask his nephew for help, making the Wei family matriarch’s mediation futile.

Hearing Wei Jingfeng’s words, Wei Jie’s mouth curved slightly. After bidding farewell to his grandmother again, he pulled Xiaoxiao and left without looking back.

Now it seemed Wei Jie and his second uncle were still incompatible, mutually disgusted.

The old matriarch sighed softly, but her gaze couldn’t help falling on the slender figure beside her grandson.

That child Jie’er had always been rebellious and couldn’t get along with anyone – how did he seem so harmonious with that Cui Xiaoxiao today?

Could it be… this rebellious one had taken a little girl as his master?

Meanwhile, as Cui Xiaoxiao was pulled along by Wei Jie, she was thinking about the “Corpse-eating Beast’s” evil deeds mentioned in her master’s secret manual.

This creature was a fierce beast from the Underworld that loved eating carrion and could become invisible, making it hard to detect.

Wherever it went, its yin qi attracted various evil spirits, causing devastation to local living beings, while it could feast contentedly among the corpses.

Back when Wei Jie was poisoned by snake venom, he was fighting the toxicity in a cave. But the Po Hun Snake’s corpse attracted the Corpse-eating Beast that had just escaped from the Underworld.

Master Tang Youshu was gathering herbs in Qilao Mountain’s valley and happened to see the Corpse-eating Beast attacking the meditating Wei Jie.

He righteously intervened to help Wei Jie repel the Corpse-eating Beast, but was injured by it and nearly died.

Fortunately, Wei Jie had already overcome most of the snake poison and helped drive off the Corpse-eating Beast. Grateful for Tang Youshu’s intervention, Wei Jie later took him as a disciple…

Thinking this, Cui Xiaoxiao shuddered – she realized something deadly serious.

Now that circumstances had changed, the great snake was dead, but Wei Jie wasn’t in the valley.

If that Corpse-eating Beast still followed the same pattern as over two hundred years ago and was attracted by the Po Hun Snake’s corpse to devour snake meat there, wouldn’t Master Tang Youshu encounter the Corpse-eating Beast alone?

At this time, the master was still an ordinary person with little cultivation – wouldn’t this be extremely dangerous!

Accidentally changing Wei Jie’s fate was a small matter, but if this killed her master, even crashing into a wall wouldn’t redeem her guilt!

Thinking this, Cui Xiaoxiao urgently tugged at Wei Jie: “The old matriarch asked you so earnestly – how can you refuse? Time is of the essence – let’s join hands as master and disciple to search for the Corpse-eating Beast!”

Wei Jie raised an eyebrow at her, thinking she was too warm-hearted. The Wei family had knives at her throat just moments ago, yet now she was speaking for the Wei family, trying to convince him to help?

Thinking this, Wei Jie raised his hand to scratch his head lazily: “They clearly said they don’t need it – why ask for trouble?”

He didn’t use his free hand to scratch his head, but precisely the one shackled to Xiaoxiao.

As a result, Xiaoxiao was too short and was lifted by him, having to jump to avoid dislocating her arm.

With one hand raised high, forced to hang on Wei Jie, she could only pound his solid chest with her other hand: “Hey, wouldn’t it be better to scratch your head with the other hand?”

Wei Jie laughed, showing sharp canine teeth, very contentedly looking down at Xiaoxiao’s slightly flushed face.

No wonder that the Young Pavilion Master of Lingyun Pavilion wanted to kidnap her. Though she appeared to be just a pretty woman at first glance, not of seductive beauty, both her eyes that sparkled like autumn waters and stars, and her delicate nose were very pleasing to look at.

Especially when glaring at someone, her mouth pouted slightly – quite adorable. Especially when she was putting on airs and being polite with her grandmother earlier, she was so slick it made one want to pinch her face…

Xiaoxiao had no idea what was in her beloved disciple’s mind. She was now single-mindedly focused on convincing Wei Jie to rush to the valley to save her master.

They were tied together and couldn’t be separated. If Wei Jie didn’t go, Cui Xiaoxiao couldn’t leave either.

Seeing he had no intention of helping the Wei family, Cui Xiaoxiao couldn’t help feeling anxious. Just then, Wei Jie naturally pulled her to continue down the mountain.

Cui Xiaoxiao wasn’t having it. She shook off Wei Jie’s hand holding hers, putting on a stern face: “Men and women shouldn’t have physical contact – how can you casually hold a young lady’s hand?”

Wei Jie looked at the nail marks she had scratched into his palm that hadn’t faded yet, then held his palm up to Xiaoxiao’s face, letting his master see clearly whether these marks looked like “no physical contact.”

Cui Xiaoxiao knew what he was implying. Right now, she had no mind to ponder who was taking advantage of whom, so she quickly softened her voice deliberately: “Good disciple, master won’t scold you anymore. But the master dropped something in that valley, probably lost during the fight with the Po Hun Snake. This item is also important – I must go back and look for it!”

Wei Jie smiled at his master’s ever-changing expression, then raised his head to sniff the wind blowing around them, saying lazily: “Fine, I ate too much earlier – a walk would help digest the food…”