Chapter 7: You are not allowed to escape marriage

Li Xingruo subtly asked a few more questions about the Huangji Sect.

Comparing Shi Xiangwen’s answers with the intelligence gathered by the demonic path, she finally confirmed there was no issue.

This handsome “savior” was indeed a disciple of the Huangji Sect’s Thousand Mechanism Peak.

He was here merely by chance, traveling near the immortal-demon border, sensing demonic aura and a fight, and came to check out of concern for righteous cultivators being harmed.

“Forgive my boldness, but may I ask something?”

After answering her questions, the man calling himself Shi Xiangwen clasped his hands and posed one of his own:

“Miss Li Xianer, why were you captured and brought to the demonic domain? Could you share the details?”

“Since Young Master Shi wishes to know, there’s nothing inconvenient about it.”

Li Xingruo laughed inwardly, knowing he’d ask this. She’d already prepared her story while questioning him.

“I had a falling-out with my father over some matters and ran away from home, only to unfortunately encounter demonic cultivators who kidnapped me to the demonic domain.”

Shi Xiangwen nodded slightly, silently urging her to continue.

Li Xingruo smiled brightly. “This matter is somewhat related to your sect.”

“Oh? How so?” Shi Xiangwen showed a hint of curiosity, asking softly.

“It’s a long story…”

As they walked toward the immortal sects, Li Xingruo mentally organized the Li family’s intel and began:

“My family has ties with your sect’s former leader. Over the years, the Li family has been under the Huangji Sect’s care, maintaining a tradition of marriage alliances. Before the old leader reincarnated, he took in a young disciple. I was just born then, and when he visited to propose, my father betrothed me to your sect’s Immortal Si Ruochen.”

At this, Li Xingruo bit her tongue hard, forcing a flush to mimic a shy noble lady’s blush.

Lowering her head slightly, she said in a soft yet resolute tone:

“Pampered by my father since childhood, I’ve grown a bit willful. With the wedding approaching, I didn’t want to marry Immortal Si Ruochen, whom I’ve never met, so I relied on my modest cultivation and fled home.”

Her expression turned to a wry smile:

“Alas, my skills were lacking. Not long after leaving, I was targeted by demonic fiends and captured to the demonic domain.”

Listening silently to her half-true tale, Shi Xiangwen’s face lit up with realization:

“I never imagined you had such a connection to the Huangji Sect.”

“Mm…” Li Xingruo nodded.

She wasn’t making it up.

According to the demonic leaders’ intel, the Huangji Sect was rife with factional strife.

Thousand Mechanism Peak ranked third in strength and had been ambitiously eyeing Chui Xing Peak, hoping to oust Si Ruochen.

Thus, as a Thousand Mechanism Peak disciple, Shi Xiangwen would never help Si Ruochen.

Li Xingruo figured he was secretly delighted hearing she’d fled Si Ruochen’s marriage!

“Young Master Shi, past the checkpoint gate ahead is the immortal sects’ territory.”

During their talk, Li Xingruo glanced at their surroundings and turned to him.

With the pursuing demonic cultivators scared off, she didn’t want to travel with Shi Xiangwen further.

Her priority was to investigate which smaller sects had access to the immortal sects’ spirit vein, join one, and complete her mission to disrupt the immortal sects and revive the demonic path.

As a Huangji Sect disciple guarding the spirit vein, Shi Xiangwen was the ideal person to ask.

But having known him for barely two hours, asking about such sensitive matters might arouse suspicion.

Better to take the harder route and gather intel elsewhere.

Making up her mind, Li Xingruo stopped before the checkpoint. “Young Master Shi, I have private matters to attend to, so I must part ways.”

“You’re leaving, miss?” Shi Xiangwen smiled.

Li Xingruo nodded. She’d planned to offer treasures or spirit stones to repay his help.

But then she remembered most of her treasures carried demonic aura, so she hadn’t brought them.

Besides, as the Radiant Sect’s seventeenth-generation chief disciple—er, now chief senior sister—not repaying kindness is pretty normal, right?

“Mm, I won’t accompany you further, Young Master Shi.”

Her tone was warm yet polite. “I have urgent matters. Your lifesaving kindness today, I’ll repay another time.”

Her master said immortal sect folks were rigid and hypocritical.

This Shi Xiangwen seemed a typical immortal sect cultivator.

Surely he’d say something like “It’s a trifling matter, not worth mentioning” or “Helping the distressed is only right; how could I ask for repayment?”

Then she’d thank him twice more, and the matter would be settled.

Heh, plan perfect!

Li Xingruo smiled and bowed:

“Young Master Shi, I’ll take my leave!”

Shi Xiangwen raised a hand to stop her:

“Wait, miss, you can’t leave.”

“Your noble spirit is admirable, but a lifesaving debt must…” Li Xingruo began her prepared lines.

Halfway through, she froze. What did he just say?

Blinking, she asked:

“Young Master, is there something else?”

Shi Xiangwen repeated, “I said—wait, miss, you can’t leave.”

Huh?

This… this isn’t what I expected.

He didn’t see my water-type Heavenly Spirit Root and expect me to repay him with my body, did he?

Li Xingruo subtly stepped back half a pace.

If he showed the slightest hint of that intent, she’d bolt for the checkpoint, cause a scene, and escape.

“Why can’t I leave, Young Master?” She tucked her hands into her sleeves, her smile growing more radiant.

“If you don’t wish to marry into the Huangji Sect, you could formally cancel the engagement. Fleeing like this shames the Huangji Sect’s reputation. As a sect disciple, I can’t let this slide, so I must apologize, miss,” Shi Xiangwen explained calmly.

“My escape only shames Chui Xing Peak and Si Ruochen, right? I’ve heard many in the Huangji Sect resent Si Ruochen holding Chui Xing Peak…” Li Xingruo said softly.

She wanted to remind him that the peak master’s fiancée fleeing was a golden opportunity to undermine Chui Xing Peak and oust Si Ruochen!

Shi Xiangwen shook his head:

“Sect disputes are irrelevant. You can’t leave today.”

Li Xingruo’s head ached, and she compromised:

“Fine, fine, I won’t flee. Escort me back to Qinghe, and I’ll wait at home for the wedding.”

Shi Xiangwen shook his head again: “No, the Li family likely can’t control you. I must personally escort you to the Huangji Sect to be at ease.”

“You…”

Li Xingruo’s lips twitched.

This Thousand Mechanism Peak Taoist is even more rigid than Master described.

I knew I shouldn’t have used that cursed name Li Xianer from the start!