Chapter Seven: Bai Nianxuan, the Trickster Since Childhood

Bai Yue was taken aback for a moment. “But I hate him.”
“I know.”
Bai Nianxuan nodded obediently. “It’s precisely because you hate him that you shouldn’t let these good things go to waste. Why should all your suffering over the years end with you having nothing at all? Accepting these things isn’t forgiving him—it’s justice for yourself and for Aunt. You deserve them.”
Bai Nianxuan was indignant on Bai Yue’s behalf.
All these years, Bai Yue had endured so much hardship—the least she deserved were these treasures.
Did she suffer all those wrongs in vain?
Impossible!
Only those who cry get a sweet treat.
Bai Yue hated the Demon Sovereign Feng Xiu and refused to forgive him, but that was a matter for later. These things were rightfully hers.
“Think about it: if you don’t take them, these fine treasures will just sit and gather dust in his treasury, unknown to anyone.”
“Would you really let such treasures be neglected?”
With this incisive question, Bai Nianxuan successfully rendered Bai Yue silent.
“Besides, anything he’s stored in his vault must be exceptional. Take everything. If you can’t forgive him, then give them all to the Sanctuary Alliance—let the people there use them to fight against him!”
Bai Yue stared at Bai Nianxuan in a daze, never having considered such a possibility.
“No, that’s not right…”
Bai Yue hesitated, her voice slow and uncertain. “I hate him, but I don’t want him to die at the hands of our people. After all, he’s still my father…”
Her heart brimmed with hatred for the Demon Sovereign Feng Xiu, yet she did not wish for his death.
She refused to acknowledge him, but the blood tie between them could not be changed.
All she could do was avoid this reality, numbing her own heart in the process.
“Sister, you’re overthinking it.”
Bai Nianxuan’s delicate, sculpted face was solemn. “He’s the strongest among the demons, the honored Demon Sovereign. Unless he wills it, neither the humans nor the demons can kill him. So even if we bring these things to the Sanctuary Alliance, even if we arm its people with them, harming him would still be nearly impossible.”
“Accepting these things will help you feel better. It’s what he owes you—there’s no need for guilt.”
It was not the Demon Sovereign Feng Xiu who had suffered, but Bai Yue.
These gifts could never make up for the wounds she bore.
Bai Yue fell silent, surprised at how perceptive and incisive Bai Nianxuan’s reasoning was for someone so young.
“I know you’re sensitive, Sister, but this is for the Sanctuary Alliance.”
Bai Nianxuan’s obsidian eyes were fixed on Bai Yue, full of expectation.
“Think about it: these things in the hands of the Sanctuary Alliance will mean fewer deaths. Over the years, the casualties among the priests’ sanctuary have been several times higher than the other sanctuaries, because priests have no combat ability.”
“On the battlefield, the demons always target the priests first, seeking to weaken their healing power and thus cripple the Alliance’s strength. As a result, the priests’ sanctuary has always had the fewest numbers among the six sanctuaries.”

It was precisely because the priests lacked combat power that their sanctuary was the weakest of the six.
Of course, the six sanctuaries were united as one. Members of the other sanctuaries would come to their aid, lending them strength.
That was the reason the priests’ sanctuary had survived through six thousand years of war between humans and demons.
“Sister, even if you refuse these things, will Aunt’s death or your own suffering be erased? On the contrary, accepting them may bring you some comfort.”
Bai Nianxuan was doing her utmost to guide Bai Yue through her grief.
Though young, she could see that Bai Yue’s state was not right.
There was no desire to live in Bai Yue’s eyes—clear signs of a death wish.
Recalling the earlier conversation between the Demon Sovereign Feng Xiu and Bai Yue, Bai Nianxuan was terrified tragedy would strike; that was why she had pressed Bai Yue to swear an oath.
Only after Bai Yue’s mindset shifted did Bai Nianxuan breathe a sigh of relief.
Now that she no longer sought death, what harm was there in accepting these things?
Would refusing them make Feng Xiu any less her father?
Of course not.
Blood ties could not be denied.
In Bai Nianxuan’s view, if he dared to give, then they should dare to take.
They would empty Feng Xiu’s treasury, bring the spoils to the Sanctuary Alliance, and trade them for the best equipment for the human warriors—what could be better than that?
“You’re right.”
Bai Yue bit her lip and spoke slowly, “Taking these things doesn’t mean forgiveness. It’s just claiming justice for myself and for my mother.”
“Exactly!”
Bai Nianxuan nodded at once, worried that Bai Yue might change her mind.
“And whatever he gives must be usable by humans. If we can’t use them, we can let others have them.”
Bai Yue nodded, agreeing with Bai Nianxuan.
“Nianxuan, you truly are clever.”
The heavy stone in Bai Yue’s heart finally lifted.
She would live her life well—and make the Demon Sovereign Feng Xiu pay the price!
“You may come in.”
Bai Yue suddenly raised her voice, calling toward the door.
As for how much of their conversation had been overheard, she did not care. He would never kill them over these things.
Besides, they had no spiritual power now to erect a barrier against eavesdropping.
If he overheard, so be it—Bai Yue no longer cared what Feng Xiu thought.

If he found them troublesome and sent them back to the Sanctuary Alliance, all the better.
With Bai Yue’s permission, two black-haired, black-eyed young women entered, dressed in black robes.
Their features were striking and noble, with not a single ornament in their hair.
“Your Highness, I am Bei Qing, sent by His Majesty to serve as your personal attendant.”
“Your Highness, I am Zi An, sent by His Majesty to serve as your personal attendant.”
The two girls knelt before them, speaking with utmost respect.
Each held a red tray, covered with red cloth.
From Bai Yue and Bai Nianxuan’s perspective, the contents of the trays were hidden from view.
Bai Yue’s expression was calm as she asked, “What’s in the trays?”
There was no doubt they contained treasures.
Though she hated Feng Xiu, Bai Yue admitted he was powerful.
With his taste, nothing ordinary would ever find its way into his treasury.
“His Majesty said Your Highness need only open it to know.”
Bei Qing’s gentle voice sounded in their ears.
“Sister, let’s see.”
Bai Nianxuan clutched Bai Yue’s sleeve, slowly climbing down from the bed.
“All right.”
Bai Yue led Bai Nianxuan to Bei Qing’s side and reached out to lift the red cloth.
To accommodate them, Bei Qing thoughtfully lowered her hands a little.
As the cloth was lifted away, a pitch-black little box appeared before their eyes.
Bai Yue opened the box slowly, and at once a soft golden glow spilled forth.
When the lid was fully opened, both Bai Nianxuan and Bai Yue saw clearly what lay inside.
It was a tiny figure, with transparent wings sprouting from her back, radiating a holy golden light.
Her face was etched with exhaustion and fear.
“A light elemental spirit…”
Bai Yue and Bai Nianxuan spoke in unison.
Bai Yue froze in astonishment.