Release the Heroine, Let Me Handle This

Chapter 196: Why So Fast! [Part 3]

Huang Hanyan seemed accustomed to the label of being the runaway disciple of the Demon Lord. As she carried her tray, looking for a seat, she spotted 'Ye Wenxin' from afar.

Of course, 'Ye Wenxin' was actually Feng Ya Xianzi in disguise. Given Feng Ya Xianzi's personality, gossip didn't interest her. 'Ye Meijing' wanted to ask about Huang Hanyan but clammed up when Huang Hanyan approached.

"May I sit here?" Huang Hanyan asked 'Ye Meijing,' not 'Ye Wenxin,' surprising 'Ye Meijing.'

"Of course."

Though puzzled, 'Ye Meijing' courteously agreed. Huang Hanyan took a seat quietly, eating without further interaction.

'Ye Meijing' rarely encountered Huang Hanyan during meals. Recalling the recent incident where she gave Huang Hanyan a Marrow-Cleansing Pill, 'Ye Meijing' used her spiritual sense to check Huang Hanyan's cultivation progress and was pleasantly surprised.

With the pill's help, not only had Huang Hanyan stabilized her foundation, but she had also progressed to the second stage of Foundation Establishment, much to 'Ye Meijing's' astonishment and genuine happiness for her progress. Yet, remembering Huang Hanyan was the disciple whose departure led to her fleeing, 'Ye Meijing' felt a mix of emotions.

As they continued eating, Huang Hanyan didn't engage with 'Ye Wenxin,' as if her sole purpose there was the meal itself.

Feng Ya Xianzi, unaware of their acquaintance, ate slowly, seemingly detached from her surroundings. Seeing this, 'Ye Meijing' remained silent, focusing on her breakfast.

The meal was simple, consisting of spiritual porridge and buns. 'Ye Meijing' finished quickly, noticing Feng Ya Xianzi had already tidied her tray, waiting for her.

Glancing around, she saw the dining hall filling up, with more people watching them. Wary of drawing too much attention, 'Ye Meijing' suggested to Feng Ya Xianzi that they leave together.

Nodding, Feng Ya Xianzi stood, and as they left, Huang Hanyan set down her utensils and followed them at a respectful distance of about ten meters.

Feng Ya Xianzi noticed Huang Hanyan's tailing. Despite hearing about the "Peach Blossom Curse" from the old granny, seeing Ye Wenxin entangled with someone emotionally made Feng Ya Xianzi frown.

"Do you know her?"

"Don't you?" 'Ye Meijing' countered, seeing Feng Ya Xianzi shake her head and ask, "Should I?"

They engaged in a silent exchange, seemingly perplexed by each other's attitudes.

"Logically speaking, you should know her."

'Ye Meijing' didn't want to explain the melodramatic tale, suspecting that her dear adopted daughter Liu Churan was behind the rumors, aiming to mislead 'Ye Meijing' into believing her disciple's departure was all due to Feng Ya Xianzi.

Reflecting, 'Ye Meijing' shivered at the thought that, had she not fled, Liu Churan might have devoured her entirely. As she pondered, Huang Hanyan approached.

"Never mind, she's here. I'll explain." Knowing everyone noticed 'Ye Wenxin's' change, and considering Huang Hanyan's close relationship with her, 'Ye Meijing' planned to share her prepared excuse directly.

However, Huang Hanyan boldly approached 'Ye Meijing' instead of 'Ye Wenxin.'

"Shimei Wenxin."

"Why so fast!"

'Ye Meijing' was speechless. Previously, when Xiao Zhang impersonated her, no one suspected a thing. But now, starting with Feng Ya Xianzi, everyone discerned 'Ye Wenxin' was a fake just by observing.

"Fast? You mean I approached too quickly? I avoided everyone else, though." Huang Hanyan paused, puzzled by 'Ye Meijing's' remark about speed.

"That's not what I meant. How did you realize she was fake so quickly?"

Curious, 'Ye Meijing' listened as Huang Hanyan detailed her observations. "You lack that cold aura, and your eyes..."

Huang Hanyan described meticulously, noting everything from the way 'Ye Wenxin' moved and ate to her demeanor, making 'Ye Meijing' feel uneasy.

If not for Huang Hanyan's precise observations, 'Ye Meijing' wouldn't have realized her many subtle habits. Considering she might have to appear as the Demon Lord in the future, 'Ye Meijing' realized her disguise might not hold up.

These habits were one thing, but what about her icy constitution?

Moreover, had Feng Ya Xianzi noticed something yesterday and merely chosen not to reveal it? The more she pondered, 'Ye Meijing' felt overwhelmed yet relieved that Feng Ya Xianzi's disinterest in her surroundings allowed her large oversight to go unnoticed.

Now, 'Ye Meijing' needed an effective solution for her icy constitution, furrowing her brow. She felt a gentle touch smoothing her frown.

"Shimei Wenxin, what's wrong all of a sudden?"

"Nothing, just worried that others might easily see through my hired help."

'Ye Meijing' found a suitable excuse, noticing a hint of concern on Huang Hanyan's face.

"You've heard about the murders, right? There are Demon Sect members lurking in Cangyu Sect. If you continue like this, you might attract their attention." Recalling the rumors, Huang Hanyan sought out 'Ye Meijing' in the dining hall, only to discover her using a stand-in.

The murders linked to the Demon Sect had been frequently mentioned. Hearing it from Huang Hanyan didn't surprise 'Ye Meijing,' but she felt secure with Feng Ya Xianzi's protection, undisturbed by these minor issues.

"Don't worry. Even if the Demon Lord shows up, I'm not scared. My bodyguard is formidable."

'Ye Meijing' reassured Huang Hanyan with a smile, finding the Feng Ya Xianzi joke less amusing now, opting instead to boast about her unbeatable bodyguard.

"Not scared of the Demon Lord? Maybe you should be; that's the Demon Lord we're talking about." Huang Hanyan was amused by 'Ye Meijing's' humor.

Liu Churan's manipulations leading her to Cangyu Sect had left the Demon Lord and Feng Ya Xianzi as Huang Hanyan's shadows. But 'Ye Meijing's' jest made her laugh despite herself.

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