Inner Demons

Chapter 80: The Wind Howls, A Storm Approaches

The first drop of rain hit the wooden railing, creating a watery smudge.

The wind picked up. The strong wind made the silk curtains rustle loudly—the hall, which should have been a place of dancing robes and flowing drapes, now inexplicably took on a hint of chill and grimness.

A breath later, the downpour began, and the world became a misty expanse of water.

In such fierce winds, flying gauze, and torrential rain, Lingkongzi sat properly kneeling before the table, her face calm and gentle, her clothes not moving at all.

She said not to lower the cloth curtains, and no one dared to lower them.

The strong wind then brought rain drops rushing in through the windows, soaking everyone's clothes.

The power of heaven and earth, combined with Lingkongzi's aura, momentarily held everyone's breath. Some even wondered if this storm was summoned by this immortal—the power of an immortal was not something mortals could fathom.

It was a full few seconds after she spoke that the manager beside Pei Juezi wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead and gently tugged at his "master's" sleeve.

The manager tonight felt like he was going crazy.

His master, he didn't know if he was frightened, had been out of sorts all day.Logically speaking, no matter how high his status in the secular world or how good his family background, he shouldn't put on airs when facing the Head Disciple of a Grotto-heaven.

Was the royal family's status high or not?

But it was said that the previous dynasty's royal family had offended a Grotto-heaven master and lost the favor of both Daoist Orthodoxy and Sword Sect. That's why Emperor Taizu of the Great Qing Dynasty raised a righteous army and wiped out the previous imperial family—without a single cultivator intervening.

But now his master was like an idiot. The immortal Lingkongzi had already asked to see the painting twice!

He was still standing there, his eyes rolling around as before... not knowing what he was thinking!

It wasn't until the manager tugged at him again, and everyone was practically urging him with their eyes, that he, as if waking from a dream, untied a cloth bag from his waist.

Then, without hesitation, he pulled out the painting, walked to Lingkongzi's table, placed the painting on it, and then, like a puppet, retreated a few steps back to the manager's side.

His series of actions truly made everyone present break out in a cold sweat.

This was the first time any of them had met Pei Juezi, and they never imagined that this esteemed figure, who was about to take over the position of Royal Grand Artificer, would have such a demeanor and personality.

A "wild and unrestrained" or "unconcerned with minor details" personality might be acceptable with any of them present, but how dare he act like this with Lingkongzi?!

Cultivators were already unpredictable...

If Lingkongzi were to suddenly fly into a rage and kill Pei Juezi the next moment... no one would be surprised!

But fortunately... the white-robed immortal seemed to have no intention of doing so.

She looked up at Pei Juezi, her gaze briefly lingered on him, then returned to the painting.

Then she slowly unrolled the painting on the table, still sitting there attentively, looking at the artwork.

Everyone realized at this moment...

There was no song or dance, no small talk, no etiquette—the Treasure Blossom Assembly had already begun.

Perhaps... this was how cultivators behaved?

So simple and direct.

"Painting of the Old Fisherman Angling" was a Treasure Scroll, a rarity for most people present to behold. Therefore, even intimidated by Lingkongzi's "profound and unpredictable nature," some craned their necks, eager to see it more closely.

The four Artificers could discern some meaning, but not much. As for the other ordinary people, all they could truly see was the painting itself and the feeling it evoked in them.

Old Daoist Liu was anxious, his eyes wide—because a group of people slowly gathered, blocking the scroll. Soon, someone would probably hold the painting, allowing the wild Daoist priests by the window to "glance" at it from afar, but that was no match for a closer, clearer view.

Li Yunxin smiled and patted his arm, "Go and look. You're among the twelve guests, what are you afraid of?"

At this moment, the people in front obscured Lingkongzi's figure, and these wild Daoist priests by the window dared to speak in low voices. It was then that they huddled together in the strong wind and heavy rain, timidly greeting each other. Shi Kuizi wrapped her arms around herself and moved closer to Old Daoist Liu, "You go on, look at it, and come back and tell us."

When Li Yunxin spoke, the old Daoist hesitated slightly, but Shi Kuizi's urging removed his hesitation.

He then got up, glanced at the Daoists around him, stroked his beard, and said, "Good, I'll go, I'll go."

No matter why he was invited, at least at this moment, he felt he had gained great face among his peers. As Old Daoist Liu left, Li Yunxin's smile faded, and he refocused on Pei Juezi.

He had originally come for the "Painting of the Old Fisherman Angling."

But now, he had discovered something more interesting. That Pei Juezi... was not human.

He had initially only thought his expression was strange. But ever since the muffled thunder rolled across the sky and the heavy rain poured down, Pei Juezi's expression had become vacant. Li Yunxin felt this blankness was because he was trying to concentrate fully on "processing" something, resisting some kind of force, which was why he looked this way.

He was giving his all, even at one point...

Li Yunxin saw something emerge from his body—like a leg covered in coarse, dark hair. But it was only for an instant, then it recoiled as if shocked.

This Pei Juezi...

Was not the original Pei Juezi. What he saw was the entity possessing him almost being forced out of its body due to its intense struggle against some force.

The most logical explanation was that it was fighting Lingkongzi. But Li Yunxin looked at Lingkongzi and felt that this woman had not noticed the Grand Artificer's abnormality.

This was also very strange...

How could a Manifestation Realm pinnacle cultivator not see through a possessing ghost?

Li Yunxin then tried closing his eyes, relying only on Spiritual Power to sense.

The result truly surprised him—

Indeed, he couldn't sense any yin spirit or ghostly aura.

This thing... had some tricks.

So it was probably fighting some other presence's power.

He opened his eyes and glanced at the dark clouds outside the window.

Interesting. Tonight, it's a grand parade of demons, monsters, and ghosts.

The distinguished people on that side all went to view the painting, and their attendants retreated to the window side, waiting for the banquet to begin.

The young Daoist disciple whom Li Yunxin had disciplined earlier walked over nervously, specifically coming close to Li Yunxin, looking down at him with a smug expression, "You're still sitting. Do you know what's going to happen soon?"

Li Yunxin was deep in thought, making temporary adjustments to his plans, so he casually replied, "I don't know."

The young Daoist disciple, seeing his somewhat blank expression, assumed he was mesmerized by the night's scene and became even more pleased, "Then, do you want to know?"

Li Yunxin rolled his eyes, annoyed by his chatter interrupting his thoughts, "Not really."

The young Daoist disciple froze, then became angry, "Hmph, stubborn. I'll tell you, in a bit, my master will ask your master to present a painting to that immortal. You know what kind of skill your master has, it's bound to be crude and unsightly. Heh, at that time, my master will say that your master disrespected the immortal—since he's on one of these twelve seats, how could he have only this level of skill? Of course, he didn't give his full effort!"

"At that time, whether that immortal gets angry or not, the Governor and Prefectural Governor accompanying her will surely be angry. They'll deal with you two..."