Chapter 149: The Unlucky Butterfly

Yun Jiao asked Chief Jiao to set up a spirit-gathering formation around the butterfly demon to help her condense enough demonic energy to temporarily return to human form. Only then did she begin a careful examination of the creature’s injuries.

The butterfly demon was surprisingly easy to deal with—before anyone even asked, she obediently confessed everything in painstaking detail.

And what a pitiful story it was.

She had only recently achieved human form, and she hadn’t even planned on leaving the demon realm. But somehow, she’d wandered out by mistake. Lost and confused, she ended up in Tianfang City—right when a swarm of malevolent spirits was ravaging the place. Those ghosts were feeding on the life force of the townsfolk and had already killed many.

Caidie, reckless and naïve, had jumped in to fight them. Despite her weak cultivation, she somehow managed to win, but in doing so she revealed her true form. The very people she saved awoke to see a massive butterfly monster hovering over them—and in their terror, they screamed that she was the man-eating demon responsible.

To make matters worse, a group of exorcists from the Celestial Sect arrived just in time to “save” the terrified villagers. They never questioned what had happened—they simply attacked the “culprit.”

Caidie tried to explain but was beaten within an inch of her life. Barely alive, she fled—ironically back to Tianfang City, the very place where it all began. She hid in the shadows, recovering bit by bit until she could take human form again. And then… she met Qu Qiuming.

He had introduced himself as a divine physician. Caidie, still suffering from her grave wounds and the lingering cold of ghostly qi, was desperate for help. Trusting and innocent, she let him treat her. To her amazement, the yin energy in her body really did lessen after the first session. Though she could no longer use her demonic power, she no longer felt like she was dying.

From then on, she believed completely.

She followed him everywhere, hanging on his every word.

He told her not to call him “Young Master Qu,” so she started calling him “Brother Ming.”

He claimed he needed rare spiritual herbs to heal others, so she crossed mountains to find them.

He said traveling to the Celestial Masters Hall for certification would be costly, so she gave him her life-bound treasure to exchange for a teleportation charm.

He joked that she should “repay him with her body,” and she earnestly promised to marry him.

When he told her she was completely healed, she believed it—so much that even Yun Jiao’s warning about her imminent death hadn’t shaken her faith.

She had been utterly devoted, until he drained the last of her demonic energy—forcing her back into her true form.

As Yun Jiao inserted her silver needles, the little butterfly sat quietly and tearfully told her tragic tale.

Everyone listened in silence, but Sect Leader Jin Shang of Qiuhua Sect, who happened to be present, grew red with shame. Finally, he stepped forward, bowing deeply.

“Butterfly girl, this was our fault,” he said earnestly. “The disciples who injured you must have been from my sect. They were tracking the ghost’s aura and must have mistaken you for an accomplice. It was our disciples’ lack of skill that caused your suffering. I’ll punish them severely when I return—please forgive us.”

The more Jin Shang thought about it, the worse he felt.

This poor butterfly had saved the townsfolk, only to be beaten nearly to death by the very people she’d helped.

Caidie puffed up her cheeks in anger, glaring at him with the clear desire to kick him—but the needles in her body kept her from moving. In the end, all she could do was turn away and give an indignant “Hmph!”

“Rest assured, Butterfly Girl,” Jin Shang said solemnly, “no matter the cost, Qiuhua Sect will take full responsibility for your treatment. Whatever you need—so long as it’s not evil or against the heavens—we will provide it.”

Caidie blinked, her expression softening slightly as she hesitated.

“Actually, it doesn’t cost that much to treat her,” Yun Jiao interjected, pulling out the last needle and casually extending her hand. “Consultation fee—three hundred taels. Thank you.”

Jin Shang: “…”

Hall Master Xu: “…”

The rest of the sect leaders: “…”

Was this… daylight robbery?

Caidie looked back and forth between Yun Jiao and the speechless crowd, then fished out a small pouch from her sleeve and obediently placed it into Yun Jiao’s hand.

“Is this right?” she asked meekly.

Yun Jiao: “…”

The old man: “…”

Well. At least she was a very well-behaved demon.

Yun Jiao weighed the pouch, then passed it to the old man. “Only ten taels,” she said calmly before turning her gaze pointedly toward Jin Shang.

He understood instantly. Hastily, he pulled out three large silver notes and offered them with both hands. “I have it! I have it right here!” Thankfully, ever since attending Yun Jiao’s lectures, they’d all learned to carry large-denomination notes at all times.

Yun Jiao was wonderful, yes—but she was also expensive.

Once the payment was handled, Yun Jiao removed the last of the needles and said, “Try circulating your spiritual energy now.”

The little butterfly closed her eyes and concentrated. Moments later, her eyes flew open, shining with joy. “It’s working! My power—it’s really back!”

In her excitement, she threw herself toward Yun Jiao for a hug.

“I like you best!”

Yun Jiao, quick as ever, caught her by the head and held her at arm’s length. “I only reconnected your meridians temporarily,” she warned. “You’re still far from full recovery. I’ll write a prescription—take the medicine regularly to strengthen your channels.” Her tone grew serious. “But your demon core is damaged. Until your meridians are fully healed, you must not use your power. Find a quiet place to rest and recuperate.”

The moment she said this, Jin Shang brightened. “Butterfly Girl, why not come to Qiuhua Sect with me? It’s peaceful and full of spiritual flora—perfect for healing. You’d be safe and well cared for.”

He truly meant it, a sincere attempt to make amends.

Caidie didn’t even hesitate. “I don’t want to!” she said flatly.

Jin Shang: “…”

She turned instead and hugged Yun Jiao’s arm, gazing up at her like a baby chick clinging to its mother. “I like you. I want to go with you!”

Yun Jiao blinked, then patted her head gently. “Little butterfly, believe me—if you come with me, you probably won’t survive to the next chapter.”

…There was already one terrifying creature waiting at home. The last time she’d brought a demon back, the Demon King had practically declared war. This butterfly didn’t need to add to that particular racial grievance.

Caidie: “……”

“So, Qiuhua Sect it is,” Yun Jiao said, pulling her hand free and turning to write out the prescription.

Jin Shang approached, still uneasy. “Master Yun, Caidie’s soul seems unstable. Should I set up a Spirit-Stabilizing Array to help her recover?”

Yun Jiao paused mid-stroke, glancing up in mild surprise. “Not bad—you actually thought of that. I’ve already reinforced her soul with acupuncture, but yes, the array would help. It’s a complex one though—you might want to call for assistance.”

After all, their exam results had been… less than ideal.

“Don’t worry, Master!” Jin Shang puffed out his chest confidently. “I’m sure I can handle it.”

No sooner had he said that than the other sect leaders’ faces darkened. They exchanged looks—then began to speak, one after another, voices dripping with fake admiration.

“Yes indeed, Sect Leader Jin’s array skills are second only to Chief Jiao’s!”

“Right! He scored fifty-nine on the last test—just one point away from passing!”

“Exactly! He complained the loudest in the study group, but he still managed fifty-nine!”

“Master Yun, you can rest easy! A man who scored fifty-nine needs no help from the rest of us.”

“True! We might only drag him down. None of us scored fifty-nine, after all.”

“I didn’t score fifty-nine either…”

“…What’s fifty-nine?”

Jin Shang: “……”

Yun Jiao: “……”

The old man: “……”

The air was thick with the scent of sour lemons.

(End of Chapter)