Chapter 666

Chapter 666: The Truth Lies in Gan Tang’s Hands

As dawn broke, Xuan Yu was escorted by the Sword Sect disciples to the grand hall.

Lu Chao Chao clutched her head, a sharp pain throbbing in her skull.

“Ugh, it hurts… Who hit me while I was asleep?” She groaned, hugging her head. The scent of alcohol had faded from her cheeks, leaving her eyes clear and sober.

“Master, do you really not remember anything?” Zong Bai asked, eyes wide with terror.

“What could I remember? I had some sweet rice wine dumplings, ate two drunken crabs, and went back to rest.” She yawned innocently, looking entirely unlike the strongest Sword Sovereign of the Three Realms.

She sniffed the air. Odd. There was no scent of alcohol in the room.

Instead, there was a faint fragrance.

Glancing towards the window, she saw delicate pink and white petals blooming vibrantly, adding a touch of spring’s beauty to the scene.

“The problem was in the wine. You got drunk and went on a rampage in the Celestial Realm. The Sect Master didn’t sleep all night, running around apologizing everywhere.”

“He’s holding back his anger right now.”

Lu Chao Chao froze. She got drunk??

As she stood up from the soft couch, treasures clattered to the ground—loot from last night’s plundering spree.

She blinked.

“Why is the Monarch Emperor’s throne here?!” She pointed in shock at the dazzling Dragon Throne in the corner.

Zong Bai remained silent.

“Wait… I took it?” Seeing Zong Bai nod, she gaped, unable to shut her mouth.

“Drinking causes trouble! That fool Xuan Yu got me drunk…” Her voice trailed off as a serious expression flashed in her eyes.

A memory surfaced—the moment before she completely lost consciousness, Xuan Yu’s actions…

“Where is Xuan Yu?” she asked, her tone sharp.

“I was just about to report. The Sect Master had the Law Enforcement Elder bring him to the grand hall. The elders are already waiting outside, just waiting for you.”

“Today, he must undergo the Heart Inquiry. Master… what exactly is Xuan Yu’s Heart Demon?”

“You don’t know either?” Zong Bai hurried to keep up as Lu Chao Chao strode out.

Lu Chao Chao’s face darkened.

His Heart Demon is me!!

Curse it!

Zong Bai had no idea why his master suddenly looked so furious. He could only follow obediently with the other disciples, heads bowed, into the hall.

Inside, the elders were already seated. The Sect Master shot Lu Chao Chao a vicious glare.

“Xuan Yu is your personal disciple, trained in the rarest and most supreme sword techniques of the world. If his heart falters, he could become a calamity upon the world. Today, we shall test his heart. If his Heart Demon cannot be purged, we shall abolish his cultivation and expel him from the sect!”

“The disciples of the Sword Sect must dedicate themselves to slaying demons and protecting the common people!” the Sect Master declared.

The disciples responded in unison: “We shall take slaying demons and protecting the common people as our duty!”

The Law Enforcement Elder stood. “Bring forth the Heart Demon Mirror!”

“Bring in Xuan Yu!”

Xuan Yu entered, now dressed in clean robes, but his face was pale as snow. Though he had taken a Stabilizing Pill, he remained visibly weak.

His fellow disciples watched him with concern.

Yet, Xuan Yu avoided Lu Chao Chao’s gaze, fearing he might see disappointment in her eyes.

Hearing her name no longer made his heart race, but instead left a deep, suppressed ache.

“Xuan Yu, you were the last to join and the latest to become a disciple of the Sword Sect, yet you were also the most diligent. I once believed you would walk this path to the end…”

“And yet, you have birthed a Heart Demon.” The Sect Master sighed.

In truth, he favored Xuan Yu the most.

There was a tenacity, a fierceness in him that was rare.

But Xuan Yu remained silent.

“It is not cruelty that drives the elders to judge you so harshly. The rules of the sect have always been thus.” A Heart Demon could corrupt a person’s nature. If a disciple of the Sword Sect could not exorcise demons, then they must never become one themselves.

Every rule was forged in blood.

Xuan Yu nodded hoarsely. “Disciple understands.”

Zong Bai glanced at him. “Master, did they torture him? Why does he look so weak?”

“Impossible. If my disciple must be punished, it won’t be by anyone else’s hands.”

The disciples thought about it and agreed.

“Xuan Yu, place your hand on the Heart Demon Mirror,” the Law Enforcement Elder commanded.

Tall and silent, Xuan Yu’s face was pale yet unwavering as he pressed his palm onto the mirror…

Zong Bai held his breath, watching as ripples appeared on the mirror’s surface.

Gan Tang whispered, “If Xuan Yu is expelled, does that mean I become the Sixth Junior Sister?”

Everyone turned to stare at her.

Gan Tang laughed awkwardly.

Lu Chao Chao closed her eyes, unwilling to watch.

“Huh…?” Zong Bai suddenly gasped in astonishment, his expression shifting to pure joy.

“Master! Xuan Yu’s Heart Demon is gone!!”

“Master! That means Xuan Yu won’t lose his cultivation or be cast out!” For once, the usually composed Senior Brother was genuinely thrilled.

“Sect Master, elders! Xuan Yu’s Heart Demon has been purged!” he immediately reported.

Xuan Yu, still pale, let out a bitter smile.

The Sect Master visibly relaxed, stepping forward to clap Xuan Yu’s shoulder. “Good lad, you nearly scared me to death. Your master put great effort into you, don’t let her down.”

“Good, good! Since his Heart Demon is gone, this matter is settled.”

“Xuan Yu, cultivate well,” the Sect Master said, satisfied. Xuan Yu’s once dark and brooding eyes were now clear and unclouded.

As the elders left, Xuan Yu took a deep breath and stepped toward Lu Chao Chao.

He raised his head to meet her gaze directly.

His eyes were calm, no longer shadowed by past restraints.

Lu Chao Chao’s tightly furrowed brows eased slightly.

Xuan Yu knelt before her, his voice tinged with quiet desperation. “Master, please do not abandon me.”

“Xuan Yu knows his mistake.”

“From this day forth, I will devote myself entirely to cultivation, without foolish distractions. Master… please, do not abandon me.”

Zong Bai glanced between them, confused.

What kind of cryptic exchange was this? He, a man devoted only to swordsmanship, did not understand.

Gan Tang tilted her head, observing the two, before her eyes widened in realization.

“Xuan Yu, do not disappoint my expectations.”

“Go and rest now,” Lu Chao Chao said, retracting her gaze.

The disciples respectfully withdrew. Zong Bai wanted to check on Xuan Yu but was stopped by Gan Tang.

“Senior Brother, don’t go. He doesn’t need you right now.”

“I think I know what his Heart Demon was.” Gan Tang stroked her chin.

The others gathered around. “You? You’re always sneaking down the mountain. You barely spoke to Xuan Yu, yet you figured it out?” Zong Bai scoffed.

“A beautiful female master and a cold, brooding disciple—think about it… just think about it…” Gan Tang smirked.

The senior brothers rolled their eyes.

“You read too many romance novels. Move along…”

“Hey! Hey! Why don’t you believe me?!” Gan Tang stomped her foot. The novels always wrote it like this!