Chapter 9: Identity exposed?

“Flower thief?”

The female cultivator who had wanted to confront Li Xingruo earlier erupted with righteous indignation at the term.

She reached for the sword on the table.

“Don’t be rash!”

At the critical moment, the older, calmer female cultivator stopped her.

The calm cultivator’s gaze turned to Li Xingruo, scrutinizing her:

“Young miss, you say this gentleman is a flower thief who kidnapped you?”

“Yes! You sisters look like righteous people! You must save me!”

Li Xingruo put on a pitiful act, raising her voice so all the diners could hear.

Her goal was twofold: to use her appearance to gain sympathy and cause trouble for Shi Xiangwen, and to pressure the three female cultivators onto a moral high ground where they’d feel compelled to help.

She knew shouting “kidnap” or “help” in a crowd might draw onlookers, but few would actually intervene.

But targeting specific individuals for help greatly increased the chances of assistance.

As the former chief disciple of the demonic path, she had her ways.

As expected, the diners, hearing that this enchanting girl was kidnapped by a flower thief, put down their chopsticks and cast hostile glares at Shi Xiangwen.

“What a pretty boy, looking all proper but doing such vile things. Come on, let’s drag him to the authorities!”

“Yeah, flower thieves deserve to be punished by all. Don’t let him escape!”

“Break his legs!”

Many believed Li Xingruo’s story, eager to bring the “flower thief” to justice.

Shi Xiangwen didn’t defend himself, standing by the counter as if the accusations weren’t about him, watching Li Xingruo with mild curiosity.

“Young miss, words alone aren’t proof. Do you have evidence?” the calm female cultivator asked, eyeing her for a few seconds before glancing suspiciously at Shi Xiangwen.

“I have proof! Look, my meridians are sealed by him!” Li Xingruo extended her wrist, urging her to check her pulse.

The calm cultivator frowned and nodded to the impulsive younger one, who promptly checked Li Xingruo’s pulse.

Moments later, the younger cultivator nodded angrily. “Senior Sister, she does have a cultivator’s seal on her, and… she seems to have decent cultivation.”

“Yes, yes, great observation, sister. I am indeed a rogue cultivator,” Li Xingruo said, seizing the chance to play the victim. “Because I’m a rogue cultivator with weak strength and no backing, I was tricked and kidnapped by this guy! You three sisters, clearly heroic figures from a great sect, must uphold justice for me!”

Confirming the seal, the calm cultivator began to believe her. “Don’t worry. If you were truly kidnapped by a villain, we’ll protect you.”

“He’s very strong, so be careful, sisters!” Li Xingruo warned.

“No need to worry. My senior sister is…” The younger cultivator, offended by the doubt in their strength, puffed out her chest to reveal her identity.

Halfway through, the calm cultivator covered her mouth. “Rest assured, young miss. The city has a patrol team guarding against demonic cultivators. No one dares to fight here.”

“Then I’m relieved.”

Li Xingruo feigned a sigh of relief.

Sticking out her tongue at Shi Xiangwen, she mocked with a smile:

“Hmph, sly little thief. Let’s see what you can do in front of everyone. When the patrol team arrives, they’ll drag you, a filthy kidnapper of innocent girls, to the authorities and have you beheaded at the market!”

She didn’t really want Shi Xiangwen jailed—she knew that was impossible.

Her words were a veiled warning: You can’t drag me away by force now, so why don’t you leave before the patrol arrives and you get in trouble?

Li Xingruo was certain Shi Xiangwen wouldn’t want this escalated to the authorities.

If she spilled about the canceled engagement there, it would still shame the Huangji Sect.

Shi Xiangwen clearly understood her hidden warning.

But instead of retreating as she expected, he walked toward her.

Ignoring the accusing diners, he approached the table and bowed to the three wary female cultivators.

“Please, ladies, don’t be hasty.”

Shi Xiangwen smiled calmly. “I’m no flower thief, and this woman is no ordinary girl. Don’t be deceived by her clever words.”

“What do you mean?” The calm cultivator’s hand rested on her sword, her face stern.

Pointing at Li Xingruo, Shi Xiangwen said, “I am Shi Xiangwen of the Huangji Sect’s Thousand Mechanism Peak, tasked by my sect to capture a demonic spy. This woman is a spy planted in our sect, and I came to the immortal-demon border to apprehend her for trial.”

Oh no!!!

Li Xingruo’s mind buzzed, nearly short-circuiting.

How does he know I’m a demonic spy?!

Is there a traitor in the demonic path?

Panicking, she glared and shouted:

“You filthy thief, what nonsense! You’re the demonic cultivator—your whole family is! I’m a rogue cultivator practicing righteous immortal arts, with no trace of demonic aura. How dare you slander me!”

“Indeed, this young miss has no demonic aura. Why call her a demonic cultivator?” The younger cultivator nodded, agreeing, and demanded.

“If you don’t believe me, check her ring. Everything will be clear,” Shi Xiangwen said.

Check my ring?

Li Xingruo calmed slightly.

Heh, good thing I’m one step ahead. I left all my magical treasures with Master before leaving.

The documents from the demonic path? I burned them to ashes after reading.

The ring only has mundane women’s clothes, cosmetics… and a few stockings.

This is supposed to be evidence?

“Check it then!”

Removing her ring, Li Xingruo handed it to the younger cultivator, huffing:

“Please, sister, dump everything out for everyone to see, so this guy can’t slander my innocence!”

“Okay, okay.”

Intimidated by Li Xingruo’s confidence, the younger cultivator believed her. How could such a beautiful girl be a demonic spy?

But after taking the storage ring and probing it with her spiritual sense, just a few seconds later…

The younger cultivator’s face changed drastically.