Transmigrating as the Heart Demon of the Ruthless Sword Venerable – Chapter 24
by Little PandaEvil Cultivator, Demon Seed (Part 1)
What Is the Purpose of Cultivation
Tang Wenchun ducked into the room and patted her chest. She refused to think about the look Yu Zhaoming had given her. Social death was truly terrifying—right now, she had no desire to face Yu Zhaoming at all.
More importantly, she had finally recalled the plot concerning Yunzhongjun.
That was the first time a heart demon had fully manifested before cultivators’ eyes and become known to them. Previously, cultivators had only thought that heart demons disrupted one’s Dao Heart and could be eliminated by rectifying the mind. But because of a certain catastrophe, cultivators learned that heart demons could actually possess people and take their place. Panicked cultivators united to hunt down that heart demon.
Because the one who had triggered the catastrophe was Yunzhongjun, the Sect Master of the Sound Sect, this war came to be known as the War of Rectifying Sound1. Afterward, Yunzhongjun, who had brought blood and chaos to the cultivation world, was thoroughly erased from all records, becoming a vague topic glossed over in a few lines in the book.
That was why Tang Wenchun, despite being a fan of the novel, had never remembered this part.
If Elder Xuanjiu hadn’t mentioned that Yunzhongjun’s music had lost its upright and peaceful harmony, Tang Wenchun wouldn’t have recalled this either.
It was actually her? How had she gotten entangled with her?
The book mentioned that after the world discovered that a heart demon had committed body possession, they gathered all their power to eradicate it. What about herself, then? Having had contact with Yunzhongjun, would she also be suspected of being a heart demon and added to the extermination ranks?
Tang Wenchun didn’t dare think further, only feeling that the Swords of Damocles above her head had not only multiplied but also drawn closer.
Only by growing stronger—strong enough to surpass even Yunzhongjun—might she have a chance of escape.
Tang Wenchun slumped over the desk, scribbling and drawing, staring at the word “strong” she had written, unable to speak for a long time. This cultivation world was far more terrifying than she had imagined—a world where the strong devoured the weak.
But if she wanted to grow stronger…
Then shouldn’t she help Yu Zhaoming grow stronger?
But the moment she thought about how Yu Zhaoming, the number one cultivator in the world, would ultimately stand at the pinnacle by slaying her own heart demon, Tang Wenchun’s heart began to ache again. She felt like everything had come full circle—the peace of mind she had gained from her stable life these past days was once again churned into a chaotic mess.
Less than two days after Elder Xuanjiu communicated with the two of them, the Sword Sect assembled its disciples and began the return journey briefing. What was said differed little from what Xuanjiu had told them. The disciples raised no objections and accepted their orders.
“Tang Wenchun, do you have anything you need to pack? I’ll help you.” Bian Man had grown familiar with Tang Wenchun and came over, warmly linking arms with her.
Tang Wenchun had already been accepted by the Sword Sect disciples after leading everyone in earning spirit stones. Add to that her amiable, smiling personality—unlike Yu Zhaoming’s coldness—and in just two days, she was already chatting and laughing with Bian Man, having become friendly acquaintances.
“Ah… there isn’t really anything to pack.” Tang Wenchun’s belongings all depended on Yu Zhaoming; she had nothing to her name and was empty-handed. She answered hesitantly.
“That won’t do. I heard you’ll be returning to the Sword Sect with us—the sect is far away in a harsh, cold place, and you’ll need quite a lot of things. Let’s go to Treasure Street and buy what you need, just in case.”
Bian Man didn’t wait for Tang Wenchun to refuse, dragging her out the door.
Tang Wenchun wanted to refuse, but Bian Man, who looked soft and delicate, had surprising strength—Tang Wenchun couldn’t break free at all. Remembering that she couldn’t stray too far from Yu Zhaoming, she quickly turned her head, wanting to seek Yu Zhaoming’s help.
The other girl was looking down, speaking with Xuanjiu and several elders. Of course—as the Eldest Senior Sister responsible for leading the entire group, she carried an undeniably heavy burden and naturally needed to be spoken to separately.
Just as she was thinking this, Yu Zhaoming seemed to sense something and looked up, meeting Tang Wenchun’s gaze.
The girl’s eyes were like blades. In the instant they lifted, Tang Wenchun felt as though an ice edge had slid across her skin, bringing a faint sting.
But the sensation faded quickly, like flowing water, so fast it might have been Tang Wenchun’s imagination.
“Zhaoming, what is it?”
Elder Xuanjiu, having waited in vain for her disciple’s response, raised her eyes, her gaze landing on Tang Wenchun and Bian Man. She smiled slightly, as if she understood, and said, “Ah, so it’s Little Friend Tang. Making friends so quickly—looks like your charm is quite considerable.”
“Shizun, your disciple still has matters to attend to. I will speak with you in detail later.”
Yu Zhaoming cut off her Shizun’s words. Maintaining proper courtesy, she bowed to Xuanjiu and the elders, then walked straight toward Tang Wenchun.
“shimei, you are…” How could Elders Fang and Yuan not see through shimei’s intentions? They hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping themselves.
Elder Yuan was still alright, but Elder Fang was blunt and direct, frowning without hesitation. “Our martial niece practices the Emotionless Dao. shimei, stirring her heart like this is detrimental to her cultivation.”
“What’s so good about the Emotionless Dao anyway?” Xuanjiu snorted. “My disciple was young and foolish back then, choosing this broken path. You all should have stopped her long ago.”
Elders Fang and Yuan exchanged a glance. Delving into the past, this was another messy account, so they both fell silent.
The past could not be pursued—it became a silence of guilt or unwillingness among the elders.
And among the younger generation, silence continued as well. It was simply because after Yu Zhaoming came over, the aura she carried mixed with her Ice Spirit Root, and Tang Wenchun felt the surroundings shift from a warm spring day to the depths of winter, shivering from the cold, not daring to speak more.
Yu Zhaoming was completely oblivious to this. She walked beside Tang Wenchun, treating herself like an automatic walking machine—no emotion, only locomotion.
Tang Wenchun looked at the expressionless Yu Zhaoming, then at Bian Man, whose face had turned red from trying to say something but not knowing what. For some reason, even though Yu Zhaoming had come over for her sake, Tang Wenchun felt no touch of emotion—instead, she wanted to laugh.
After all, the scene was exactly like the encounter between a top student and a slacker in her school days.
Even her worries about the future had lightened considerably. Tang Wenchun naturally stepped in to smooth things over.
“What are you all planning to buy?”
Bian Man stole a glance at Yu Zhaoming before answering, “The sect provides daily necessities, but Medicine Valley and Weapon Sect are both on Treasure Street, so I plan to buy a little of everything, then figure things out after we return to the sect.” She lowered her voice, “I used to help my family in the mortal world… I always thought it wasn’t a respectable skill, but now it seems I might be able to supplement our income and earn some spirit stones.”
So she was talking about buying goods at wholesale and reselling them.
Sword Sect disciples were truly poor—even at a time like this, they were still thinking about spirit stones. Tang Wenchun pondered this. Yu Zhaoming was probably not wealthy either—just look at her Shizun, who even had to make crafts by hand so her disciple could sell them for money. It was enough to make anyone who heard it sad and anyone who saw it weep.
If she wanted Yu Zhaoming to soar, and to protect herself in the future War of Rectifying Sound, she would have to find ways to earn more spirit stones.
Tang Wenchun made a mental note of this and prepared to look around for goods to resell, just like Bian Man.
With her mind made up, they arrived at Treasure Street, only to find it had completely changed. The Desolate Heaven Secret Realm’s opening period was nearing its end, and this town that had risen because of the Secret Realm was also coming to its close.
Tang Wenchun saw many sect disciples standing in the street, all casting spells together. Buildings rose from the ground, slowly rotating in the air—with each rotation, the structures shrank until they became palm-sized, falling into the hands of the lead disciple.
Tang Wenchun had never seen such a sight. She stood with a group of rogue cultivators, watching in stunned amazement.
A rogue cultivator said, “No matter how many times I see this sight, I feel like my decision to step onto the immortal path was the right one.”
“Absolutely right,” Tang Wenchun agreed.
“When will I ever have such immortal means?” the rogue cultivator wondered.
“Tell me about it…”
From across the way, Bian Man glanced at Tang Wenchun before turning to whisper to Yu Zhaoming, “Eldest Senior Sister, I never thanked you for saving us back then.”
Yu Zhaoming withdrew her gaze and looked at Bian Man. She shook her head. “It was my duty. No thanks necessary.”
Bian Man bit her lower lip. “Even so, I must thank you before I can face my conscience and act without regret.”
Yu Zhaoming fell silent.
Bian Man continued, “Eldest Senior Sister, I know you practice the Emotionless Dao, but you absolutely must not do what they say in those stories—find someone to endure your Love Tribulation2 and then slay your spouse to prove the Dao3.”
Yu Zhaoming’s eyes widened slightly. “Since when do I have a wife?”
Bian Man answered righteously, “Isn’t Fellow Daoist Tang exactly that? We all know you treat Fellow Daoist Tang differently—you are always standing together.”
That was naturally because she feared Tang Wenchun might suddenly vanish before everyone’s eyes and expose her true identity—and it also served to keep watch on her…
Thoughts raced through Yu Zhaoming’s mind, but she revealed nothing on the outside and said nothing. Her demeanor seemed like a tacit admission. Bian Man grew even more convinced of her conjecture and said earnestly, “Fellow Daoist Tang is a good person—sincere and kind. Eldest Senior Sister, if you don’t have feelings for her, please don’t hurt her.”
Do not hurt her.
In just a few days, Yu Zhaoming had heard her Shizun say this, and now her shimei as well. She couldn’t help looking at Tang Wenchun again. Tang Wenchun blended seamlessly among the group of rogue cultivators who hadn’t seen much of the world, and in no time, she had already become one of them, her almond eyes curving into a smile.
It seemed that aside from when she faced Yu Zhaoming—when she would frown, fearful and afraid—Tang Wenchun was always smiling, smiling at everyone.
Yu Zhaoming thought: Everyone but me.
Everyone thought Tang Wenchun was a good person. But could a heart demon be good?
And everything she did was merely driven by her inner principle of repaying kindness and avenging wrongs—so why did people think she treated Tang Wenchun differently? Did she treat Tang Wenchun differently?
If she broke through to the next realm, could she still kill the other person without hesitation, as she had before?
Yu Zhaoming lowered her eyes, her fingers brushing lightly across the sword hilt.
Tang Wenchun was chatting and laughing with someone when she suddenly felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up, a chill racing through her. She looked around, her gaze landing on Yu Zhaoming. After a moment’s hesitation, she finally ran to Yu Zhaoming’s side.
“What’s wrong?” Yu Zhaoming asked, lowering her hand to her side.
Tang Wenchun rubbed the back of her neck, frowning. “I just felt a sudden chill, I don’t know why. I feel safer next to you.”
Yu Zhaoming watched Tang Wenchun carefully lean against her side, completely unguarded, and lowered her eyes without speaking.
Ahead, where the rogue cultivators were standing, someone shoved through roughly, clearing a path. The lead disciple frowned, barking at the others, “Good dogs don’t block the road. Get out of the way—the Wuji Sect is coming through.”
The rogue cultivators wore expressions of suppressed anger, but they parted to make way. The originally bustling street suddenly emptied enough for five people to walk abreast. A group of disciples dressed in white and gold, looking every bit the immortals, marched out in formation.
They appeared mostly young, their chins slightly raised as they looked at the people around them, their long swords swaying, walking with an air of importance. Behind them followed several servants in green, half-bowed, appearing to be of low status.
“Who are those people?” Tang Wenchun asked.
“Those are disciples of the Wuji Sect. Unlike us, the Wuji Sect covers pills, talismans, swords, and artifacts—they’re very wealthy.”
So it was like a comprehensive university. Tang Wenchun nodded and asked, “What about the ones in green?”
Bian Man whispered back, “Those are the Wuji Sect’s outer sect disciples. They’re called outer sect disciples, but most will never enter the inner sect in their entire lives. Many can only serve as menial servants to inner sect disciples. If they’re lucky enough to earn an inner sect disciple’s favor, they might have some hope of advancement.”
Hearing this, Tang Wenchun frowned. She hadn’t expected such a scene to exist in the cultivation world.
When the lead disciple noticed Yu Zhaoming and the others standing nearby, he paused briefly, then let out a disdainful chuckle, tossing out, “Look at that shabby appearance—no wonder they can only mingle with rogue cultivators. What an embarrassment to the Six Major Sects.”
The other Wuji Sect disciples laughed along.
Bian Man’s face flushed red with anger. She looked at Yu Zhaoming. Yu Zhaoming showed neither pleasure nor anger, standing quietly in place without moving.
Bian Man stomped her foot hard but ultimately didn’t talk back. It was Tang Wenchun who quietly formed a hand seal—the person in front let out a yelp, as if tripping, and the whole group behind him, including the green-clad outer sect servants, tumbled forward in a shouting, scrambling commotion.
Tang Wenchun snorted and laughed, “Ouch—those in the know would see cultivators. Those who don’t would think it’s some young master out for a stroll, with a bunch of old servants trailing behind him crying ‘Young Master, be careful!'”
The crowd burst into laughter, chiming in with agreement.
The Wuji Sect members whipped around. The lead youth pushed through the crowd, about to speak, but a paper crane flew over and intercepted him. He opened the paper crane, his expression shifting several times, before finally saying, “Let’s go!”
The Wuji Sect left quickly. The outer sect disciples behind them still didn’t know what had happened—they exchanged glances, and some turned to look in Tang Wenchun’s direction before departing in twos and threes.
Once they were gone, Yu Zhaoming finally turned, releasing the sword hilt, and looked at Tang Wenchun. “Reckless!” She lowered her voice. “If they knew you did that, given the Wuji Sect’s temperament, they’d flay a layer of skin off you. If that happened, I absolutely would not help you.”
“Can’t you protect me?” Tang Wenchun also whispered.
Yu Zhaoming met Tang Wenchun’s gaze. She didn’t understand why Tang Wenchun would think that. “Setting aside that you are my… why would you think I’d fight fellow cultivators on your behalf?”
“So you’re scared.” Tang Wenchun snorted, making a face at Yu Zhaoming. “If you have the ability, of course you should wipe out all the injustices in the world. Otherwise, what are you cultivating for?”
Yu Zhaoming was stunned, saying nothing for a long time.
The author has something to say:
We’re about to enter a new arc.
Little Tang forgot about her social death when she was snapping back at people, haha.
Yu Zhaoming: Why does everyone think we’re together? Why does everyone want me to treat her well?
Little Tang: Loved by all, adored by flowers, stopping traffic
I still like to make the world feel as realistic as possible. Also, a lot of what’s happening now is foreshadowing—for example, the Sword Sect is so poor now, so why will they be so rich later? (Is this too obvious a hint?)
I hope you all enjoy it, please leave lots of comments!!! Comments are really my only motivation—it looks like this is going to flop again.
Footnotes
- Zheng Yin zhi Zhan (正音之战), 'War of Rectifying Sound,' references the Confucian musical ideal of zhongzheng—upright, balanced tones—as the proper quality of ritual music.
- Qingjie (情劫), literally 'love tribulation,' is a cultivation concept where practitioners must overcome an emotional or romantic ordeal to break through spiritual bottlenecks.
- Sha qi zheng dao (杀妻证道), literally 'slay spouse to prove the Dao,' is a cultivation trope where an Emotionless Dao practitioner kills their romantic partner to overcome their Love Tribulation.
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