Chapter 120: The Passionate Maiden

"It is I, Master."

Upon hearing that familiar, albeit hoarse voice, Dao Sansheng immediately recognized it as Du Xuetao.

"Thank goodness it's you. I was worried it might be someone else, but now I can rest easy."

After speaking, Dao Sansheng stopped pushing forward and walked toward Du Xuetao. He drew water from the nearby river, washed the grime from Du Xuetao’s face, and rinsed the dirt from his hair.

"My lord, I was so worried about you! You were truly incredible—charging through those layers of enemies and slaying that spirit beast in a single blow. I was stunned and terrified for you. I admire you so much, my lord; please, let me have a hug."

Before Dao Sansheng could react, the young girl rushed forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. Draped in green gauze, she leaned against him with a languid grace. Her voice was sweet and gentle, laced with a coquettish tone that made it impossible for Dao Sansheng to refuse. He felt an overwhelming urge to protect her with every ounce of his strength, to shield her from the world so that no one could ever touch her. Her pure, wide eyes were so endearing that they stirred the depths of his heart.

Nearby, Du Xuetao, who had just finished washing his face and hair, was sniffing his hands to check for any lingering scent. Hearing that irresistibly gentle voice, he suppressed the urge to look over and bit his own tongue to jolt himself back to reality.

*Oh no, Master is being bewitched by this demoness again. Women of the Soul Clan are not to be trifled with, and one as powerful as her is even more dangerous.*

Like a maddened bull, Du Xuetao charged, slamming into Dao Sansheng and sending him flying. Even Hun Qian was knocked to the ground, nearly tumbling into the river.

Hun Jian stood by the riverbank with his back turned, whistling. The sound of running water drifted over, intermittent, followed by the rustling of someone adjusting their clothes.

"Refreshing. I've been holding that in for so long."

Du Xuetao rubbed his hand over his face again, sniffed it, hesitated for a moment, and then licked his finger. His expression turned grim.

"Why did you push me, Du Xuetao? Even if I stepped on you, you can't just—" Dao Sansheng stopped mid-sentence as he saw Du Xuetao’s furious expression, then turned to see Hun Jian, who had just turned around, and fell silent.

"My lord, he pushed me! My life is so bitter; I have been destitute and wandering alone ever since I lost my parents. If not for my master taking me in, I wouldn't be alive today. And now, to be bullied for no reason... I could endure the insult, but you are a man of status, my lord, the very person I admire so much! Wuwuwu..."

Hun Qian began to sob, throwing herself at Dao Sansheng’s legs and weeping so pitifully she looked like a flower wet with rain.

The sound of her crying pierced Dao Sansheng’s ears, seeped into his sea of consciousness, and reached the figure inside who looked exactly like him. Hun Die opened her eyes, saw the soul of Dao Sansheng turning red, and began to soothe him.

Dao Sansheng, who had been perfectly fine a moment ago, suddenly acted as if he had lost his mind. He gently stroked Hun Qian’s hair and whispered into her ear:

"Wait here. I will seek justice for you. Just be a good girl and wait."

Hun Qian blinked her large eyes, nodded earnestly, wiped away her tears, and stood up.

"Brother, I will wait for your return. I will always admire you, Brother."

A flash of cunning glinted in Hun Qian's eyes as she smiled at Hun Jian.

Dao Sansheng strode off with purpose. Du Xuetao, who had been angry, suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. Watching Dao Sansheng’s movements, he guessed that the girl had cast some sort of spell. *Soul Clan members are notoriously difficult to deal with; I didn't think Master would fall for it.* Du Xuetao panicked, not knowing what to do, but Dao Sansheng was already upon him.

"Demoness, I know what you are. If you release my Master and stop controlling him, I will grant you whatever you ask for. Name your price!"

Knowing he had to address the source of the problem, Du Xuetao ignored Dao Sansheng and shouted at Hun Qian, who was smiling happily behind him, hoping she would let them go.

"Wuwuwu... My life is so miserable, I’m so frightened! I didn't even say a word, and that brute yelled at me and insulted me. I don't want to live anymore! Brother, you must take care of yourself. I am leaving now."

Dao Sansheng kicked Du Xuetao aside and thrust his sword forward. Du Xuetao rolled away, but the blade still pierced his abdomen, nearly striking his dantian.

In his panic, Dao Sansheng abandoned his sword, lunged toward Hun Qian, and grabbed her clothes, clutching them tightly with a look of desperate attachment.

"Just let me die! Brother, let me go. What is the point of living if everyone can bully me?"

The dazed look in Dao Sansheng’s eyes slowly cleared, and he regained his composure.

"Die, you demoness! How dare you bewitch me!"

Dao Sansheng gave a powerful shove, and Hun Qian, draped in her green gauze, tumbled toward the river. Hun Jian, having just finished adjusting his clothes, reached out and caught her.

Hun Jian held Hun Qian and soared into the sky, vanishing into the nearby woods. His speed reached its peak; in an instant, a white shadow and a green shadow were darting between the trees.

Dao Sansheng took off in pursuit, but halfway there, he heard Hun Die’s voice in his sea of consciousness. Remembering that Du Xuetao was still back there, wounded, he gritted his teeth and turned back.

"It’s fortunate I discovered it in time to wake the Master. You’ve performed a great service this time, so I’ll reward you with some time to play with me."

A white bird flapped its wings happily, dancing around Hun Die with its head held high in a haughty manner.

"If Master hadn't thrown me in here, I, the Chubby Chirper, could have saved him myself. But I saved him here too, so don't you dare admire me—it’ll make me proud, and that would be bad for me, you big butterfly."

Hun Die sat down, grabbed the Chubby Chirper, placed it in her hand, and said earnestly, "I am not a big butterfly. I am a descendant of the Green Clan. Master gave me a name; I am called Hun Die. Remember that."

The Chubby Chirper shook its head, rolled its eyes, and said, "Got it, Green Butterfly."

Seeing Hun Die’s helpless expression, the Chubby Chirper flapped its wings and circled in the air.

"Fine then, go play by yourself, you fat bird."

Hun Die sat on the grass, intent on cultivating. She didn't want to deal with this annoying bird; she didn't know where Master had caught it, but it had been chirping incessantly since it arrived.

"Sister Hun Die, I was wrong, I was wrong!"

The Chubby Chirper circled her, pleading until Hun Die, losing her patience, finally agreed to play with it.

Dao Sansheng flew back the way he came. He soon found the sandy patch where Du Xuetao was lying, a magical sword still protruding from his stomach. The blade had pierced through his body, and his lips were pale, his complexion fading.

Dao Sansheng landed, produced a bottle of medicinal pills, and without a second thought, poured them into Du Xuetao’s mouth. The effect was minimal. After half an hour, Du Xuetao’s color improved slightly, and Dao Sansheng reached out to pull the sword free.

"Master, it will take at least three months for me to recover. We cannot stay here. We must find a place quickly; it is getting late, and the scent of blood will attract spirit beasts. That would be disastrous."

Hearing Du Xuetao still thinking of his safety even after he had nearly destroyed the man’s cultivation, Dao Sansheng realized he was right. He needed a place for Du Xuetao to heal and for himself to rest.

Dao Sansheng helped Du Xuetao up, and the two disappeared from the sandy patch, leaving behind only the magical sword and a few drops of blood.