I don't talk about love with my Martial Sister

Chapter 24

Without further ado, the two of them stepped into the celestial realm, Tiantaitian.

Once inside, the atmosphere was much less constrained compared to the streets outside. Yunduan removed her conical hat, and the two were led by the attentive disciple Yin Qing to the guest room, where they could rest temporarily while waiting for Pei Chen's arrival.

"...How stingy."

Shang Can glanced at the table overflowing with tea and snacks on Yunduan's side, then at her own bare mahogany table, unable to suppress a sigh.

"Thank goodness he didn't move my chair too; otherwise, I'd have to sit on the table."

The news of Qingyu Yunduan and Biluo Huangquan Shang Can joining forces to investigate the attack on Tiantaitian had likely spread among the cultivators—though the version reaching them was probably that "Yunduan was to supervise the demon cultivator, Shang Can." So despite Shang Can appearing harmless with her mask on, anyone aware of the news would recognize her identity upon seeing her next to Yunduan, resulting in this rather unfair treatment.

Every time she came to Tiantaitian, it seemed nothing good ever happened. This cursed place just didn't suit her.

Lost in her thoughts, she noticed Yunduan placing her tea cup in front of her and saying, "You should drink."

Shang Can dramatically leaned back. "That won't do! If I drink Yunduan's tea, that disciple watching us at the door will definitely kick me out of Tiantaitian."

The disciple, who had thought he was hiding unnoticed, was startled and angrily withdrew his head.

"Just drink yours," Shang Can said, pushing the cup back. She leaned casually against her chair. "I'll just nibble on these sugar cakes that your admirers brought over. Want some? They're not as sweet as the ones we had before, but they're still decent—"

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Before she could take a bite of the sugar cake, Pei Chen's warm voice drifted in from outside the door. Shang Can frowned slightly, turning to look.

"The acting sect leader must be busier than someone like me—ah, I forgot, I'm also considered part of the workforce now, so I suppose we're equally busy."

Pei Chen didn't react to her sarcasm; instead, he smiled apologetically and gave her a polite bow. "Please don't take offense, Shang Can."

He even frowned slightly upon seeing the empty table in front of Shang Can, calling the reluctant disciple at the door to say a few words. Soon enough, the disciple unwillingly brought Shang Can a cup of tea, which only made her feel more suspicious.

"...What are you doing? You're not plotting something, are you?"

Shang Can refused to touch the tea cup and took a few steps away from her seat.

"At this point, I came here to clear my name; I have no intention of befriending Tiantaitian."

"Please don't misunderstand, Shang Can," Pei Chen shook his head. "While demon cultivators often have a bad reputation, I personally hold no bias against them."

"We're all cultivators; though demon cultivation methods resemble those of the demon race and their combat styles differ from ours, as long as they don't do anything heinous, I see no harm," he continued.

"Even though it's said that demon cultivators have peculiar temperaments, are fierce in their actions, and enjoy fighting, your recent conduct doesn't seem to align with that image, Shang Can."

He glanced at Yunduan, who had been silent, and added in a warm tone, "I believe Yunduan thinks the same."

Shang Can felt alarms ringing in her mind and stepped in front of Yunduan, expressionless, raising a hand to block Pei Chen.