Transmigrated into the villain? Watch my epic comeback in the ethereal fairy realm!

Chapter 8: Unveiling the Truth of the Demon Palace - A Perilous Journey

Dai Yao had a cold blade pressed against her neck, but she showed no sign of panic.

She coldly swept her gaze over the men in black around her, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

"Ling Hao, is this all you've got?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Hao appeared in front of everyone, looking smug, as if he had everything under control.

"Dai Yao, you trespassed into the forbidden area with the intention of harming Zi Ling. The evidence is conclusive. What else is there to say?"

Zi Ling hid behind Ling Hao, trembling, but a hint of smugness flashed in her eyes.

"Conclusive evidence?" Dai Yao scoffed. "Which eye of yours saw me trying to harm Zi Ling? She's clearly just feeling guilty and deliberately had someone frame me."

"Framed?" Ling Hao feigned surprise. "Dai Yao, you still want to deny it now? Who do you think you are, and who do you think Zi Ling is? Why would she need to frame you?"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding guards all cast disdainful glances at Dai Yao.

In their view, Dai Yao, a newcomer, was no match for Zi Ling.

"Identity?" Dai Yao raised an eyebrow. "My identity is unimportant. What matters is your identity? What gives you the right to point fingers at me?"

Ling Hao's expression changed; Dai Yao's sharp tongue caught him off guard. "How dare you! How dare you be so disrespectful to me!"

"Insolence?" Dai Yao sneered. "You imprisoned your fellow disciples and framed them; that's true insolence!" She glanced around, her gaze sharp. "You are all elites of the Demon Palace. Are you willing to be manipulated by Ling Hao?"

The guards looked at each other, and for a moment no one dared to utter a sound.

Seeing this, Ling Hao thought to himself that things were not good. This Dai Yao was indeed quite capable, managing to shake the morale of the army with just a few words.

He shouted sternly, "What are you all standing there for! Seize her now!"

Just as the guards were about to make their move, Dai Yao suddenly spoke up.

"Wait." Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable force.

"I'll go with you, but I want to see Elder Mo Yu." She looked directly at Ling Hao and said, enunciating each word clearly, "I want to expose your true colors in front of him!"

Ling Hao was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Dai Yao to agree so readily. He narrowed his eyes, secretly wondering what Dai Yao was up to.

"take away!"

Dai Yao's calmness surprised Ling Hao.

He had expected her to fight back desperately, perhaps even resorting to some hidden means, but he never expected her to give in so easily.

Does she really have something to rely on?

Or is this just a delaying tactic on her part?

Ling Hao waved his hand, signaling the guards to take Dai Yao away.

Dai Yao did not resist and let them hold her back. But before leaving, she gave Ling Hao a meaningful look, a look that made Ling Hao feel inexplicably uneasy.

On the way to Elder Moyu's residence, Dai Yao appeared to be calmly observing her surroundings, but in reality, she was secretly using her special ability to sense fortune.

The surrounding guards' aura fluctuations were stable and there was nothing unusual, but when her gaze swept over Shadow Killer, who was walking at the front of the group, she found that the aura fluctuations on his body were unusually violent, like a rolling black vortex.

Dai Yao was startled. This unusual fluctuation of fortune was very similar to the fluctuation she had sensed on Zi Ling before, only stronger and darker.

Could it be that... Shadow Killer is also related to the traitor?

This thought flashed through Dai Yao's mind like lightning, instantly making her understand many things.

Shadow Assassin is Ling Hao's confidant and has always been in charge of the Demon Palace's security. If he is a traitor, then many things make sense.

Dai Yao continued to observe Ying Sha without showing any emotion, trying to find more clues from him.

Shadow Killer remained silent and taciturn, his steps steady, his face expressionless, like a heartless killing machine.

Suddenly, Ying Sha stopped in his tracks. He slowly turned around, his cold gaze falling on Dai Yao, as if he could see through all her pretenses.

Dai Yao felt a chill run down her spine; she knew that she had been discovered by Ying Sha.

Ying Sha walked step by step toward Dai Yao, the long sword in his hand radiating a chilling light.

"What did you find?" His voice was low and hoarse, like a whisper from hell.

Dai Yao met Ying Sha's gaze, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

“I’ve discovered…” She paused deliberately, her gaze sweeping over the surrounding guards, and said in a low voice, “You are more dangerous than Ling Hao.” As soon as Dai Yao finished speaking, the killing intent in Ying Sha’s eyes intensified.

"You're courting death!" he hissed, his longsword flashing like a cold light as it pierced straight for Dai Yao's throat.

At the critical moment, Dai Yao dodged the fatal blow with a swift movement.

"Looks like you really have a problem!" Dai Yao shouted while dodging Shadow Killer's attacks, "Otherwise, why would you kill someone to silence them?" Her clear and loud voice instantly attracted the attention of all the guards around her.

Shadow Killer's attack came like a storm, with sword energy crisscrossing and cold light flashing.

Although Dai Yao's cultivation level was not as high as his, she had the advantage of being agile and quick-witted.

She used the surrounding buildings and trees as cover, constantly dodging and looking for an opportunity to fight back.

This sudden turn of events stunned the guards escorting Dai Yao; they hadn't expected Ying Sha to suddenly attack her.

For a moment, everyone looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

"What's going on?" A dignified voice rang out, and Elder Mo Yu appeared before everyone without anyone noticing.

His gaze was sharp as he surveyed the chaotic scene before him, and a powerful aura instantly enveloped the entire area.

Dai Yao seized the opportunity and quickly ran behind Elder Mo Yu.

"Elder, Shadow Assassin intends to kill me to silence me!" She pointed at Shadow Assassin and said anxiously, "I suspect he is a traitor like Zi Ling!"

Elder Moyu frowned, his gaze fixed on Ying Sha. Ying Sha knelt on one knee, head bowed, saying nothing.

“Elder, I was only following orders. This person attempted to escape, so I had no choice but to subdue him.” Shadow Killer’s voice was cold and devoid of any emotion.

Dai Yao sneered, "On whose orders? Ling Hao? He's the real traitor!"

Elder Moyu's gaze deepened, and he waved his hand, signaling the guards to take Ying Sha and Dai Yao away.

"I will investigate this matter personally, and no one is allowed to make any rash moves before then."

Ling Hao rushed over upon hearing the news, and upon seeing this scene, his face instantly turned pale. He hadn't expected things to develop to this point; Dai Yao had actually turned her anger on him.

Elder Mo Yu turned to look at Ling Hao, his eyes sharp as knives. "Ling Hao, do you have anything else to say?"

Ling Hao forced himself to remain calm, "Elder, you are wise. I am utterly loyal to the Demon Palace and have no other intentions."

Elder Moyu didn't speak, but gave Ling Hao a deep look before turning and leaving.

Dai Yao was taken to a private room, and she knew that the real battle had just begun.

The sudden attack by Shadow Killer made her realize that things were more complicated than she had imagined.

She looked out at the dark night sky and silently planned her next move.

Suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps came and stopped at her door.

“Miss Dai Yao,” a deep voice sounded from outside the door, “someone wants to see you…”

Dai Yao sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm.

"Come in." The door opened silently, and a dark figure flashed in. The person who came in was none other than Shadow Assassin, who had been taken away by Elder Mo Yu earlier.

Dai Yao raised an eyebrow, a sly glint in her eyes.

Shadow Killer, expressionless, handed her a small brocade pouch.

"This is..." Dai Yao took the brocade pouch, which was icy cold to the touch, and a faint smell of blood wafted through the air.

She opened the brocade pouch, inside which was a blood-stained jade pendant with the character "Ling" engraved on it.

Dai Yao's eyes narrowed; this jade pendant clearly belonged to Ling Hao!

"What do you mean by this?" Dai Yao's tone was icy, as if she had become a different person.

Shadow Killer remained expressionless, his voice low and somber.

"Ling Hao colluded with foreign enemies, intending to overthrow the Demon Palace. Zi Ling was merely a pawn in his game." He paused, then took out a letter from his robes and handed it to Dai Yao. "This is evidence of Ling Hao's collusion with foreign enemies." Dai Yao took the letter, quickly glanced through it, and her expression grew increasingly grim.

The letter detailed the contents of Ling Hao's deal with the enemy and their next plan—to attack the Demon Palace from within and without in three days!

“Three days later…” Dai Yao murmured to herself, a ruthless glint in her eyes.

She put the letter and jade pendant into her pocket, looked up at Ying Sha, and asked, "Why did you help me?" Ying Sha did not answer, but only gave her a deep look before turning and disappearing into the night.

Looking at the empty doorway, Dai Yao's doubts deepened.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door, accompanied by the guards shouting, "Catch the assassin! Catch the assassin!" Immediately afterward, there was the crisp sound of weapons clashing, and a scream.

Dai Yao's heart tightened, and she pushed open the door abruptly, only to see a familiar figure lying in a pool of blood... "Shadow Killer!"