Record of a Demon's Cultivation Chapter 1260: Primordial Yin Lost

Mi Man regarded Fu Kaiyu with a mixture of reverence and trepidation.

As a disciple of the Spirit Jade Palace, and with the Fu Clan being a mere cultivation family under the palace’s dominion, Fu Kaiyu would likely hesitate to take her life. Nevertheless, he possessed the power to inflict suffering and coerce her into returning the spirit stones and treasures she had acquired from Fu Hongwen.

However, these possibilities were not her primary concern.

What weighed most heavily on her was the potential damage to her reputation.

Should word spread that she had exploited her looks to swindle others out of their valuables, her future endeavors in deceiving unsuspecting individuals would become significantly more challenging.

Effectively, it would sever her primary source of income.

"Senior Fu, you must be mistaken," Mi Man stated, her voice betraying a slight tremor, a veneer of wronged innocence adorning her features. "Young Master Fu and I... share a genuine bond. I cherish every gift he has bestowed upon me and have never contemplated deceiving him."

"Fifth Uncle!" Fu Hongwen exclaimed with urgent anxiety, perhaps fearing Mi Man might misinterpret Fu Kaiyu's words. He hastened to her defense, "Mi Man speaks the truth! She would never deceive me!"

"Fairy Mi Man is by no means the sort of person who covets treasures. While she harbors no romantic affections for me, she regards me as her closest confidant. Whenever she encounters adversity, she confides in me, and when I face difficulties, she exerts herself to offer assistance. When my father passed away, I was consumed by despair, unable to extricate myself. It was thanks to Fairy Mi Man’s comforting words that I gradually regained my composure. She has never sought anything from me; conversely, it is I who consistently wish to lavish her with treasures."

Fu Hongwen paused briefly, directing his gaze towards Mi Man with profound affection and unwavering focus.

"Fairy Mi Man, your heart is set on eternal life, unwilling to be ensnared by worldly attachments. Consequently, I have never pressed you for anything. Simply being granted the opportunity to see you occasionally fills me with contentment."

Upon hearing Fu Hongwen’s heartfelt declaration, Song Wen, Jing Bei, and Fu Kaiyu all turned to regard him with astonishment. It was as though they were marveling at the existence of such a pure-hearted individual within the Immortal Cultivation World.

Song Wen even found himself subconsciously suspecting Fu Hongwen of harboring ulterior motives.

Yet, he quickly realized he was projecting his own nature onto others. After all, genuine sincerity still existed among people in the world.

In this lifetime, while schemes and manipulations might yield transient advantages, they also brought forth exhaustion and the need for constant vigilance. Both he and Mi Man embodied this reality.

For someone as genuine as Fu Hongwen, life was considerably more straightforward. However, without formidable backing, such individuals seldom endured for long in the Cultivation World.

In contrast to Song Wen and the other two gentlemen, Mi Man felt no warmth from Fu Hongwen’s words. Instead, a prickly sensation, as if thorns were pressing against her back, overwhelmed her.

Fu Hongwen's statement, though deeply affectionate, served as a blatant accusation of her deceit when delivered in the presence of Fu Kaiyu, the Fu Clan Ancestor.

However, just as her anxiety reached its zenith, Fu Kaiyu offered a smile of serene detachment.

"Fellow Daoist Mi Man, given that my young nephew speaks so highly of you, I naturally place trust in his discernment. He possesses a keen eye for character. Within the Immortal Cultivation World, encountering a true friend who treats you with sincerity is a rare boon. I trust you shall not disappoint him."

Mi Man's lips twitched as she compelled a strained smile.

"This junior shall heed Senior’s counsel. Although I cannot become Young Master Fu’s dao companion, I shall never betray this cherished friendship."

"Very well," Fu Kaiyu responded with composure.

The immediate peril had subsided, yet Mi Man’s heart remained unsettled.

This is unfolding too smoothly.

Fu Hongwen, with his naive sincerity, had been easily swayed. But Fu Kaiyu, the Fu Clan Ancestor—a figure of immense cunning and experience—could not possibly be deceived by simple words alone.

"Little friends Mi Man and Lei Yue, please be seated. Fellow Daoist Jingbei and I merely arrived to observe and have no intention of disrupting your gathering."

"Thank you, Senior," Song Wen and Mi Man replied in unison, each finding an unoccupied chair to settle into.

"Fellow Daoist Fu speaks truly. We harbor no desire to interfere in your affairs," Jingbei interjected, his gaze fixed intently upon Mi Man, his eyes alight with undisguised desire. "However, your presence has stirred my mortal heart. Since you hold no interest in Fu Hongwen, would you perhaps consider me? Should you choose to accompany me, I shall guarantee you an inexhaustible supply of cultivation resources."

Mi Man’s expression faltered momentarily, uncertain how to reply. She immediately suspected that Fu Kaiyu's earlier restraint in confronting her was merely a ploy to gain favor with Jingbei, who clearly harbored covetous intentions towards her beauty.

Beside her, Fu Hongwen, who had just settled down, suddenly leaped to his feet, his countenance a mask of worry. "Senior Jingbei, I implore you not to involve Fairy Mi Man."

"Silence!" Jingbei retorted with a cold snort, his gaze unwavering from Mi Man.

Fu Hongwen attempted to voice his protest once more, but found his mouth sealed shut, utterly incapable of uttering a sound.

Hongwen struggled with every ounce of his strength, only to discover his body rigidly held by an unseen power. He could do naught but watch, helpless, his heart consumed by mounting anxiety.

"Hongwen, compose yourself," Fu Kaiyu's voice resonated, revealing himself as the source of Fu Hongwen's restraint. "Fellow Daoist Jingbei's matters are not within your purview to intervene."

Mi Man's heart sank, the realization dawning that even Fu Hongwen, her sole supporter, had been rendered immobile.

"I am grateful for your concern, Senior," Mi Man replied. "As Young Master Fu has conveyed, I have no desire for marriage. I hope you will accept my apologies."

"Heh..." Jing Bei emitted a chilling laugh, his tone laced with utter contempt. "If you have no wish for a dao companion, then why has your Primordial Yin been depleted? Are you naturally licentious, feigning virtue while secretly indulging in depraved acts behind closed doors?"

Mi Man's complexion vanished, leaving her deathly pale.

She had never conceived he could detect her loss of virginity.

Her gaze involuntarily flickered back towards Song Wen.

Following the direction of her stare, Jing Bei shifted his attention to Song Wen.

"So, it was you who defiled her."

At these pronouncements, all gazes converged upon Song Wen.

Fu Hongwen's stare, in particular, blazed with animosity, as if he were confronting his father's killer.

When he comprehended that Mi Man had lost her Primordial Yin, Fu Hongwen felt the world tilt. His eyes, initially wide with disbelief, slowly became vacant.

Upon discovering Lei Yue as the perpetrator, he was enveloped by a tempest of fury and bitter resentment.

He had even sought Lei Yue's counsel on endearing himself to Mi Man. He himself had facilitated Mi Man's acquaintance with Lei Yue. Yet Lei Yue had stolen her affections, a betrayal akin to inviting a predator into one's sanctuary.

Song Wen's expression turned rigid.

His sole intention had been to observe from the periphery, reveling in the unfolding spectacle. How had the culpability inexplicably landed upon him?

Furthermore, what were Jing Bei's concealed intentions?

Initially, he had extended kindness to Mi Man, then proceeded to demean her, as if deliberately aiming to provoke her disgust.

"Senior, you hold a misconception. Fellow Daoist Mi Man and I are but casual acquaintances, with no romantic ties whatsoever. As a distinguished disciple of the Spirit Jade Palace, Fellow Daoist Mi Man is courted by numerous admirers, including individuals of exceptional talent and noble standing such as Young Master Fu. With her refined judgment, how could she possibly bestow her favor upon a humble rogue cultivator like myself?"