Chapter 37: Yielding to Temptation, Bone-Crushing Demonic Calamity

Jiang Youling tightened her expression; she loathed the feeling of having her agency stripped away. "If Senior Brother has something to say, please speak plainly."

"I have something here that can fulfill your grandmother's wish."

As he spoke, Zhao Cheng took an object from his sleeve and placed it on the stone table.

"Take a look. See if this can be exchanged for the Pine-Patterned Sword."

Jiang Youling stared at the envelope on the stone table, motionless for a moment. Zhao Cheng did not press her; he simply watched the young girl with calm indifference.

After a long while, Jiang Youling finally reached for the letter and unfolded it.

The three large characters, "Letter of Recommendation," met her eyes. Whoever held this letter—regardless of status or talent—could enter an immortal sect, provided they were between the ages of fifteen and sixty!

Jiang Youling's pupils trembled. With this letter, her mother or her uncle could enter an immortal sect, finally fulfilling Grandmother Cui's long-held wish!

This was exactly what she desperately needed!

Watching the shock in the girl's eyes, Zhao Cheng smiled with composed ease.

For him, as long as he obtained the Pine-Patterned Sword, the methods used did not matter.

He didn't believe that when something capable of fulfilling the Chen family's lifelong wish was placed before her, she wouldn't be tempted.

Clutching the letter of recommendation, Jiang Youling remained silent for a long time, feeling as though the object in her hands weighed a thousand catties.

It was because of her grandmother's and mother's high regard that she had been able to enter the immortal sect.

With this letter, she could finally repay their kindness!

Though she had obtained the Pine-Patterned Sword, it was ultimately just an external object. How could an external object ever compare to her kin?

However—

The girl placed the letter back on the stone table, her expression returning to a state of calm. "I will not exchange it."

If Zhao Cheng had approached her with sincerity from the beginning, offering this letter in exchange for the sword, she would have happily traded with him.

But now, she had first been deliberately provoked and then threatened. If she accepted this letter now, wouldn't all her previous grievances have been endured in vain?

"You won't?"

Zhao Cheng clearly had not expected Jiang Youling to make such a choice. His expression of absolute certainty froze instantly, and his gaze turned cold.

"Junior Sister Jiang, do you know what you are saying? This letter of recommendation is something countless people would beg for!

I advise you to think carefully. Do not let a momentary lapse in judgment lead to endless regret!"

Jiang Youling felt that her mind was clearer than ever before.

It was true that the letter was precious, and it was true that it was what she needed most.

But if she brought this item home and they asked about its origin, how could she explain it?

Lying would not work. Once they entered the sect, they would only need to pay a little attention to discover that the Pine-Patterned Sword was missing.

And if she told the truth... that would be even worse!

Her grandmother would surely tear up and push the letter back with trembling hands; her father would likely go to the mines overnight to find a way to scrape together spirit stones to redeem the sword for her; and her mother would surely scold her for her recklessness and order her to return the letter.

At this thought, Jiang Youling felt a surge of heat in her chest and a bitterness in her throat, further solidifying her resolve.

Though her grandmother and mother shared no blood relation with her, the affection they showed her was genuine.

In the future, she would find a way to earn a letter of recommendation for them.

"I have thought it through. If Senior Brother has nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Zhao Cheng watched the direction in which Jiang Youling departed with a frigid expression. He violently kicked over the bamboo stool she had just been sitting on.

From a distance, Ruan Ziqin caught sight of Senior Brother Zhao's dark expression and felt it was best not to cross him right now.

Just as she was about to slip away quietly, she heard Senior Brother Zhao speak. "Come here."

Helpless, she walked over with a resigned air, lowering her eyes submissively. "Senior Brother."

Zhao Cheng said expressionlessly, "What on earth is going through that Jiang Youling's head?

She looks like such a gentle and polite person, yet she actually has the audacity to refuse me. Have I given her too much face, making her think I am easy to deal with?"

Ruan Ziqin was startled and instinctively spoke up for Jiang Youling.

"Jiang Youling is, after all, a new disciple. She hasn't been in the sect long and doesn't quite understand the rules yet. Please calm your anger, Senior Brother; don't stoop to her level. I will go find her again..."

"No need."

Zhao Cheng sneered. "I see that this is just her temperament. She seems gentle, but she is arrogant to her very core. People like that won't know pain unless you break their bones inch by inch! They will never learn the rules!"

Ruan Ziqin's heart tightened. "What do you mean, Senior Brother?"

Zhao Cheng stood up, stretched his wrists, and let out a soft huff.

"It just so happens that I have a mission the day after tomorrow to hunt demons in Sangyu Town. I hadn't intended to use such methods on her, but since she refuses to be sensible, I'll just have to make her bleed a little."

Ruan Ziqin frowned deeply upon hearing this. Ordinary disciples could not practice spells unless they had reached the middle stage of Qi Refinement; even then, they could only master minor arts like Dust Cleansing or Water Gathering. In demon-hunting missions, they typically served in logistics.

However, Junior Sister Jiang's cultivation was so low that she likely hadn't even learned any spells yet. How could she be of any use?

"Senior Brother, please reconsider. Demon hunting is a serious matter. Junior Sister Jiang has neither experience nor cultivation. If you take her along, won't she just be a burden?"

Zhao Cheng was indifferent. "It doesn't matter. That demon's cultivation is mediocre. With Senior Brother Xie accompanying us, what does it matter if there's one more burden? Besides, I don't intend to take her life; I'm just going to teach her a lesson so she learns to be more sensible."

Seeing that Senior Brother Zhao's mind was made up, Ruan Ziqin sighed inwardly and stopped trying to persuade him.

On the fourth day, due to a breakthrough in her cultivation, Jiang Youling received a full five spirit stones and an entire bottle of Heart-Clearing Pills!

However, before she could rejoice, she saw Ruan Ziqin walking toward her.

"Junior Sister, a demon calamity has suddenly broken out in Sangyu Town. Junior Sister Zhu, who was originally scheduled to clear the demon threat, has an urgent matter and cannot make it. I'm afraid you'll have to make the trip."

A demon calamity?

Jiang Youling immediately sensed something was wrong and her voice turned cold. "Is Senior Sister joking? Since when are new disciples sent to clear demon threats?"

Seeing that no one was around, Ruan Ziqin lowered her voice.

"How else would this demon-hunting mission fall to you? Don't you know? It's clearly because you offended Senior Brother Zhao the day before yesterday that this trouble has come upon you! I am only following Senior Brother Zhao's instructions.

You haven't been in the sect long, so you probably don't know that the Deacon Brothers can only be those with spiritual roots—their influence is immense! Why must you insist on going against Senior Brother Zhao?"

Was it her going against him?

It was clearly Senior Brother Zhao who was making things difficult for her.

Seeing Jiang Youling's silent frown, Ruan Ziqin continued.

"Take my advice: give the sword to Senior Brother Zhao, bow your head to him, and say a few flattering, soft words, and this matter will blow over.

If you satisfy Senior Brother Zhao, your good days are still ahead of you!"

She could come up with a basketful of flattering words—but one had to look at who the person was and whether they were worth such words!

If she were to use extreme flattery on the cunning and sinister, how would she differ from a sycophantic petty person?

Was it just Sangyu Town with a demon calamity?

She had braved the Cold Pool of the Xuanming Valley; why would she fear Sangyu Town?

Having made her decision, Jiang Youling's face regained its composure. "If he wants me to hunt the demon, I will go."

Ruan Ziqin froze. "Junior Sister Jiang, are you serious?"