Things happened too quickly for Jian Lin to react. Her mind was filled with only one thought: the Demon Lord had abandoned her and fled!
Her second thought was that her human scent had been exposed. The streets were now teeming with monsters, making her feel like a beef roll dropped into a hot pot – with no chance of survival.
Just as Jian Lin was about to ask the system to use her life-saving opportunity again, the black birds that had grabbed her quickly led her into a quiet alley and into a sedan chair.
After completing their mission, the black birds flew away one by one. Jian Lin opened her eyes amidst the chaotic air currents and met a playful, probing gaze.
Jian Lin belatedly realized that the black birds that had captured her were not the Ling Yu Guards, but smaller crows.
And the owner of the crows was dressed entirely in white.
Not only were his clothes white, but his hair, complexion, and lips were also white. Only his eyes were black, deep and dark, as if carrying heavy burdens.
The person before her was frail and coughed before speaking, almost choking. After a while, he managed to say, "Miss, please forgive me. I am not well, and I have been rude."
As soon as he spoke, Jian Lin suddenly guessed who he was. His speech was so refined; this must be the Grand Priest.
Jian Lin couldn't help but examine him closely. The Grand Priest wasn't wearing a mask. His features were refined and his demeanor ethereal. Although he was sickly, he exuded an aura of formidable power that could not be ignored.
"It's alright," Jian Lin unconsciously leaned back, her body tense, and asked cautiously, "Why have you summoned me?"
The Grand Priest stared intently at her, his gaze oppressive. "Why don't you ask who I am?"
Jian Lin looked troubled and said helplessly, "Let's not play games about this."
The Grand Priest smiled gently, and the atmosphere became less tense. He said softly, "Miss, you are more interesting than I imagined. I was right to seek you out."
Jian Lin didn't want to play riddles with him and said directly, "Grand Priest, let's be straightforward. What is your purpose in bringing me here?"
"There are many reasons, and it's hard to explain them all at once," the Grand Priest said evasively. He raised his hand, lifted the sedan curtain, and waved outside, saying faintly, "So, please, Miss, come to my residence for a visit."
With a thud, Jian Lin felt herself being lifted. Her attention, however, was elsewhere. As the Grand Priest raised his arm, the wide sleeve slipped slightly, revealing a dark scar on his wrist, starkly visible against his pale skin.
Jian Lin frowned and pondered. Combining this with the information she had previously received, she suddenly felt that going to the Grand Priest's residence might not be a bad idea. If you don't enter the tiger's lair, how can you catch its cubs? She was already anxious about the lack of progress, so she might as well take a gamble.
Thinking this, Jian Lin relaxed. She noticed the burn on her wrist, where a red, swollen petal pattern remained, similar to the wound on Tao Niang's neck earlier.
It was definitely more than just a skin injury. Jian Lin reached out to touch it, and the sudden sharp pain made her gasp, "Hiss..."
The Grand Priest heard the sound and glanced over. Seeing the wound on her wrist, he said knowingly, "Extend your hand, and I will heal you."
Jian Lin did not hesitate. She had already been captured, so she wasn't afraid of the Grand Priest having ulterior motives. If he had wanted to do something, he would have done it already.
The Grand Priest reached out and grasped the injured area. Jian Lin felt a chilling coldness wash over her. It was no exaggeration to say that the Grand Priest's hands were colder than those of the dead.
However, this coolness was very effective in treating the burn. By the time the Grand Priest withdrew his hand, Jian Lin's burn had completely healed.
"Thank you, Grand Priest," Jian Lin said with a smile, expressing her gratitude. Although the Grand Priest was the cause of her injury, politeness was still necessary.
"No need. I didn't expect you to get injured," the Grand Priest stared at her, his gaze unwavering, and then said pointedly, "Miss, your cultivation is so low, yet you dare to come to the Demon City. Truly commendable courage, I admire you."
Being told her cultivation was low by another person again, Jian Lin felt numb. She forced a smile and didn't want to dwell on it.
Fortunately, as they spoke, they arrived at the Grand Priest's mansion. Jian Lin lifted the curtain and peeked out, discovering that the Grand Priest lived at the highest point of the Demon City, even higher than the Demon Emperor's residence. The sedan chair, carried by crows, took them directly up.
Earlier, when she and Tao Niang were drinking and talking late into the night in Tao Niang's room at the Chuyun Pavilion, Tao Niang had pointed out the Demon Emperor's palace to her.
That palace, built halfway up the mountain, with its upturned eaves, red walls, and golden roofs, was exceptionally ornate and luxurious. When the lanterns were lit at night, it looked like it was floating in mid-air, exuding a magnificent aura.
Jian Lin had observed the Demon Emperor's palace carefully during the day. It particularly had the feel of a human emperor's palace, as if it were built by human hands.
Now, arriving at the Grand Priest's residence, this feeling became even more pronounced, making her start to wonder about the relationship between the Demon Emperor and the Grand Priest.
The Grand Priest's sedan chair landed directly on the Star Gazing Platform. Jian Lin stepped out and turned to look down, realizing that from this angle, she could see the tents outside the Demon City. It was evident how high this place was.
The night was cold and windy. As soon as the Grand Priest stepped out of the sedan chair, he began to cough incessantly. Supported by crow guards who had transformed into human form, he was led into the main hall. Jian Lin felt it inappropriate to continue admiring the scenery and followed them into the hall.
As soon as they entered the hall, many demon maids swarmed forward to assist the Grand Priest with washing his hands and changing into comfortable clothes. They escorted him to the back hall, brought a charcoal basin, lit incense, and two other maids brought tea and snacks, leaving Jian Lin dumbfounded.
He lived such a refined life! Since transmigrating, Jian Lin had never met anyone more refined than him!
At this moment, the Grand Priest, holding a brass hand warmer, sat cross-legged on the bed and gestured for Jian Lin to sit opposite him. "Miss, please sit."
Jian Lin unconsciously straightened her back and sat gracefully opposite the Grand Priest. On the small table before them, steaming hot tea and two plates of pale red, sticky pastries were arranged.
They looked delicious!
As if guessing her thoughts, the Grand Priest pushed the pastries towards her. "Miss, please try them. They are a specialty from my hometown. I specially sought out the secret recipe and ordered the demons to make them."
Upon hearing this, Jian Lin no longer stood on ceremony and picked up a piece. As she took a bite, the sweet and sour fruit aroma stimulated her taste buds, leaving her amazed.
"They're delicious," Jian Lin praised without reservation, her impression of the Grand Priest continuing to shift. He missed his hometown snacks and made these pastries. This Grand Priest wasn't a heartless villain who only wanted to cause trouble.
Then what was he doing all this for?
Jian Lin frowned, finding the situation increasingly inexplicable.
"If they are delicious, eat more," the Grand Priest picked up a pastry as well and sighed, "The demons like to eat meat and drink blood. These vegetarian pastries hold no appeal for them. It has always been lonely for me, having no one to share delicious food with."
"If you are lonely, why doesn't the Grand Priest return to the human world?" Jian Lin asked directly, staring at him.
The Grand Priest's expression remained unchanged, and he said faintly, "Because I cannot return. I swallowed a demon core and became a monster that is neither alive nor dead, neither human nor demon."
Jian Lin was stunned, unsure how to feel. It wasn't entirely unexpected; if he didn't have some unavoidable hardship, he would never have stayed in the demon realm.
Speaking of which, the Grand Priest was no simple figure. Having lived this long and enjoying a life of luxury in the demon realm, he wasn't really at a disadvantage. However, at the same time, she did feel a bit sorry for him.
"Is there no way to break this curse?" Jian Lin asked.
"Yes, I observed the celestial phenomena and, despite the backlash, forcefully deciphered heavenly secrets," the Grand Priest suddenly looked up. His dark eyes were devoid of light, like a terrifying abyss. He said clearly, word by word, "The heavenly secrets indicate that I will meet my destined person on the Ghost Festival. You... are my solution."
Jian Lin's heart sank. The pastries no longer tasted good. She quickly waved her hands and denied it, "Grand Priest, please don't place your hopes on me. Look at me, my cultivation is low, and I have no knowledge. I am protected when I go out, I enjoy eating, drinking, and being lazy. I swear to the heavens, I know nothing."
"Miss, don't be so modest," the Grand Priest withdrew his gaze and smiled slightly. "You can make the Demon Lord protect you, so you must have extraordinary qualities."
Mentioning this made Jian Lin angry. "How did he protect me? The moment he saw trouble, he abandoned me and ran... Alas..."
The Grand Priest chuckled softly, then coughed uncontrollably. He quickly took a sip of hot tea to suppress it. "He will come to save you. You two... have a deep connection."
"It doesn't matter. Whether he comes or not is his choice," Jian Lin picked up her teacup, savored it, and let out a satisfied sigh. She then said, "Grand Priest, allow me to ask, where did you see that we have a connection? I haven't seen it myself."
"Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed," the Grand Priest said with feigned mystery. "Miss, there's no need to be anxious, just wait."
Jian Lin took another pastry. "I'm not in a hurry. Grand Priest, your place is quite nice. The pastries are delicious, and the tea is authentic. I'm willing to stay here."
Jian Lin secretly declared her intentions, aiming to relax the Grand Priest's vigilance. As she spoke, she observed him discreetly. The Grand Priest maintained his deathly pale expression, and she wondered how much he believed.
They exchanged pleasantries and probed each other until late into the night. Jian Lin pretended to be sleepy and asked the Grand Priest if she could rest.
The Grand Priest didn't make things difficult for her. He waved for a maid to come in and escort her to her room.
After closing the door and drawing the bed curtains, Jian Lin exchanged with the system for a barrier, then let out a long sigh of relief, collapsing onto the soft, thick bedding.
This night had exhausted her.
She wasn't sleepy at all. She frowned and carefully analyzed the conversation with the Grand Priest, feeling that there were traps everywhere.
"A'Zha, the Grand Priest said I am his destined person. Do you think this is true?"
The system slowly activated, its male voice calm and rational. "Host, the system cannot determine."
"Tch, what use are you?" Jian Lin grumbled, then analyzed it herself. "It can't be true. I was clearly a minor cannon fodder forced into this, with no connection to the main plot. How could I be the Grand Priest's destined person? He must be deliberately playing the victim and exaggerating. I think his main target is still the Demon Lord!"
Jian Lin rolled over and lay flat, staring blankly at the bed curtains. Despite her frustration, now that she had calmed down, she only hoped the Demon Lord was smart enough not to come looking for her yet.
The Grand Priest was clearly more powerful. If the Demon Lord really came, wouldn't he be walking right into a trap?