Chapter 6
“…”
Tightening his grip on Bai Zhe, Long Hua rotates his cultivation base, along with the Heaven Creation Mantra.
Amidst all this, time seems to grind to a halt.
Close to 30 minutes have passed since this tribulation had started, and the spirit Qi—that was absorbed into his body, has been thoroughly assimilated into his bones. Following this—
“Uh!”
Pain abruptly begins to emanate from every bone in Long Hua’s body, as if there is a hand of great strength attempting to crush them.
However, the worst pain of all stems from his head. This pain is probably the sort that one would be subjected to—when there is a giant insect inside of the brain, attempting to pry the organ apart to escape.
Under this torment, Long Hua’s vision distorts.
Momentarily, it feels as if someone had grabbed him by the head, and was pushing him forward at an astonishing rate of speed.
As the pain subsides, and the sensation of being pushed along settles, Long Hua abruptly finds himself standing in the middle of a landmass—one that is devoid of greenery.
The sky of this world is completely white—in fact, calling it a sky may not even be appropriate. If one looks more closely at the white space, they will realize that it’s nothing more than an endless void.
“…This should be the world within my spiritual sea.”
The spiritual sea of a practitioner refers to the deepest part of their mind.
Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult to come here, and even if an individual is able to get here, they wouldn’t be able to find much, unless they are in the Foundation Establishment realm—where the spirit Qi collected during the Qi Condensation realm are gathered, to form a foundation pillar.
However, in Long Hua’s case, there was no pillar to be found.
Instead, this vast landmass serves as a replacement to the pillar—that an ordinary Foundation Establishment realm practitioner would have.
“Bones manifest into vast lands.”
Through the cultivation of the Heaven Creation Mantra, one is able to create a world inside of their spiritual sea.
And the existence of this world—is what allows a practitioner of this cultivation method, to raise their cultivation base by absorbing other forms of energy, outside of spirit Qi.
“Success then.”
A faint smile appears on Long Hua’s face, and upon him closing his eyes, his consciousness returns to his physical body.
In the real world, not even a second had passed—since he had temporarily entered his own spiritual sea.
………
“…”
Halting the rotation of the Heaven Creation Mantra, but maintaining the rotation of his cultivation base, Long Hua leaps into the air, and closes in on the lightning sphere—while ignoring the rain of lightning that approaches.
As soon as the lightning sphere is within his striking range—
“Flowers within the Mist.”
Long Hua swings Bai Zhe.
(Flowers within the Mist, is it?)
Looking at the sight from a distance, the Tian Cheng—inside of the dreamscape, raises a sigh.
As if the sword in Long Hua’s hand had become a paint brush, every swing he performed would cause sword Qi—in the form of flower petals, to manifest around him.
“…”
With a final swing, Long Hua sends the flower petals forward, and—
*…! …! …! …! …!* upon contact with the sword Qi flower petals, the colossal sphere of lightning is readily shredded apart!
“Tai Xuan.”
Muttering this upon landing, Long Hua repairs the damage Bai Zhe had sustained—causing the dark spots on its blade to vanish.
………
“…”
As the lightning prison, and the lightning orb dissipates, Yao Ying blinks her eyes in surprise, as she peeks at the scene—from behind the cover of a large rubble.
(How beautiful those flower petals are……… Ah…)
Snapping her attention back to reality, Yao Ying sees the masked figure descending from the air.
As the white glow, that is emanating from their soft sword—dissipates, all traces of dark spots, that were on its blade, had vanished.
“…”
Manifesting flower petals on their left hand, the figure shakes his head—with what seems to be a bitter smile, before causing the petals to fade.
(No, they aren’t genuine flower petals—but sword Qi in the form of them, I think? Hm?)
Seeing a young lady—dressed in a set of attires, that she is unfamiliar with, approach the masked figure, Yao Ying tilts her head.
(Would he be willing to help me?)
Just as this thought crosses Yao Ying’s mind, two more figures appear.
The first is a man with white hair, and the second is a young girl—who looks to be of a similar age to herself.
“Lao Bai, this world’s tribulation seems off.”
Ignoring the young girl after a glance, the masked figure turns his attention to the white-haired man.
“Oh? You noticed? Let’s hear your impressions first.”
“It doesn’t seem like it was designed with practitioners in mind.”
Saying this, the masked figure turns to his female companion, who says—
“It seemed similar to a blacksmith hammering away at an anvil.”
Towards the two’s impressions, the white-haired man smiles, and explains—
“Tribulations in the Leng Bing Realm are uncommon, unusual even. No, maybe it’s better for me to say—that they tend to occur far out of sight? If a clansman of mine sees one, then they should report it under normal circumstances.”
“The guy I nabbed Kun from—didn’t seem surprised, when he saw it.”
“You mean Huang Wu? That was his first time here; he wouldn’t know this—unless, he bothered to read the introduction guide to this world.”
Raising a frown, the masked figure remarks—
“I get the feeling, you’re not willing to tell me the full story.”
“It’s much more fun to discover stuff on your own.”
Shrugging a shoulder, the masked figure replies—
“Same excuse as usual. So, what did you come here for? Not just to see me undergo that tribulation, I assume?”
Chapter 7
Instead of answering Long Hua’s question, Bai Wen asks—
“How’s your memory?”
“Ah, I see.”
Closing his eyes, Long Hua delves deep into his memories.
Immediately, a vast number of Foundation Establishment realm cultivation methods, and divine arts appear in his head.
(Oh, Tranquil Heart Incantation.)
Able to recall the details of the cultivation method—that he was searching for earlier in the day, Long Hua’s mood is immediately lifted.
Eventually, he answers Bai Wen’s question with—
“Foundation Establishment cultivation methods, and divine arts, some of them are tailored to me, and others are kind of random.”
“I would still need to wait until you reach the Spirit Assimilation realm, then? Hmm.”
“What kind of cultivation method in that realm are you even looking for exactly?”
“Good question, as for the answer…”
Thinking for a brief instance, Bai Wen didn’t see any harm in answering it honestly, as he says—
“A cultivation method that’s able to devour the souls of others, and refine them—to raise one’s cultivation base.”
“So, a demonic cultivation method then?”
“I don’t see the difference. Evil and just, two sides of the same coin. Who’s going to complain so long as it gets the job done?”
Raising a chuckle, Long Hua has to agree with this.
(Hmm. The Heaven Creation Mantra can probably do that as well, but…)
Instinctively, Long Hua feels like this cultivation method is special enough to the point—that if word of it gets out to the world, every practitioner would attempt to hunt him down in the hopes of obtaining it.
(No idea where shizun got this cultivation method from. But I shouldn’t just go giving it away to a stranger.)
Directing his eyes at Bai Wen’s companion, Long Hua asks—
“And this is?”
“Her name is Nuo’er. I guess… She’s kind of like my adopted child?”
“Oh?”
Facing Long Hua, Nuo’er performs a subtle bow, and says—
“Thank you for putting up with this guy’s stupidity.”
“…”
“Seems like you’re the adopted child instead.”
Compared to Bai Wen, who is unamused by Nuo’er’s remark, Long Hua smiles with amusement, before turning his eyes to the side, and says—
“Now then, the chonky rat over there, come out.”
Simultaneously, everyone turns their attention to a large rubble—that looks to have been the corner of a building’s roof.
“Who are you calling a chonky rat, you taotie mask?”
Shouting this, Yao Ying leaps out from behind the rubble.
“Lao Bai, don’t all young ladies of a rich household have a chonky wallet?”
“I suppose?”
Despite how torn Yao Ying’s robes are, Long Hua can still tell that they’re of high quality. Turning to Bai Wen, he asks—
“In any case, is she your clansman?”
“Doubt it.”
Raising a frown, Yao Ying says—
“I’m not a Ling Yuan family clansman.”
As Long Hua and Bai Wen exchange a look at one another, they have a feeling—that this young lady, has a long story to tell.
Shrugging a shoulder, Bai Wen says—
“Let’s hear your name first. As for your story, wait till we get back to the village.”
Seeing the two appear to be willing to help her, Yao Ying nearly sheds a tear, and replies—
“Chen Shi Yao Ying.”
“Chen Shi?”
Hearing Yao Ying’s surname, Bai Wen reacts with surprise, whereas Long Hua, who isn’t a native of the Everlasting Spirit Realm, can only tilt his head, and ask—
“Which family is that?”
Clearing his throat, Bai Wen answers—
“It’s a household that resides on Planet Dust Lock. They’re also the planet’s ruling clan.”
Towards Long Hua’s unusual reaction to her identity, Yao Ying remarks—
“…I think that was the first time I’ve ever had anyone ask that.”
Shrugging his shoulders, Long Hua replies—
“Who cares if a person is surnamed Chen Shi, or surnamed something else. The moment they die, they’re just a corpse.”
Raising an eye, Bai Wen remarks—
“Lao Long, you’ve changed.”
Seeing Long Hua beginning to give off a familiar air, Tian Cheng thought—
(This attitude, he’s definitely recalled quite a bit of memories after that breakthrough.)
Towards Bai Wen’s remark, Long Hua replies—
“Piss off. Change is inevitable.”
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With his cultivation base now in the Earthen Manifestation realm—that is the equivalent of the Foundation Establishment realm, Long Hua had been able to recall more of his previous life’s memories.
Within these memories, there are a vast number of faces—the names of these faces, however, he had long forgotten about.
The only commonality that these faces share is that they had all died by his hand, regardless of their identity, or status.
Dismissing these nameless faces from his head, Long Hua adds—
“Some of my previous life’s personal memories had returned as well. My daily life back then—was basically just spent traveling with shizun. If we encountered someone rich with a bad attitude, we’d ask them to kindly fork over their treasures.”
Putting on an odd expression, Bai Wen remarks—
“Ask? Don’t you mean coerce?”
“It’s all the same. You do whatever it takes to acquire resources. As Zhen-laoban would probably say—time is money.”
“Master, might I suggest we get a move on? This place isn’t very good for hosting a conversation.”
Blinking his eyes, Long Hua felt like there was a subtle hint of sarcasm in Tian Cheng’s tone—when she had addressed him.
“…True.”
Sheathing Bai Zhe into his sash, Long Hua heads in the direction of the closest teleportation magic array.
The others are quick to follow, but Yao Ying lags behind them—due to her injuries.
“Lao Long, how long are you going to wear that mask for?”
“I forgot.”
Taking the taotie mask off, Long Hua drops it into his storage pouch, while saying—
“Lao Bai, that outfit you’re wearing really doesn’t suit you.”
“I’m not going to wear a fancy business suit all the time.”
“What was the occasion when we first met then?”
“We were on our way back from a fancy restaurant that had a dress code.”
Instead of Bai Wen, it was Nuo’er who answered the question.
“Hey… Any of you able to carry me?”
With how much she is lagging behind the group, Yao Ying can only choose to call out to them before she loses sight of them completely.
“…”
The one to turn their head around is Tian Cheng, who comes back, and lifts Yao Ying—prior to carrying her like a pillow with one arm.
“…”
Being subjected to this treatment—which causes her to feel like she is no different from a piece of common luggage, light vanishes from Yao Ying’s eyes.
(This is weird. Shouldn’t it be a piggyback? At least carry me with two arms…)
Chapter 8
Located within the red roof pavilion of New Moon Village is Zhen Huai and Zhen Rong’s residence.
The reception area of the residence is divided into two layers.
The first layer is the windowless room that Nian Yao Yao and Nian Tao Tao had appeared in—when they were forcefully teleported away, during their first visit. The entrance that leads into the second layer is hidden within that same exact room.
Upon walking through the hidden door of the first layer, one would find themselves standing on a stone pathway.
Surrounding the stone pathway is a traditional lotus garden—that is the product of an illusion magic array.
And due to this environment being the product of a magic array, even the time of day within this open-air garden—can be changed if one wishes to do so. At this time, it is set to be night, under the moon and stars.
Situated in the center of the stone pathway is a pavilion with a green roof. Within this pavilion is a large stone table—surrounded by eight stone stools.
On the left and right side of the pavilion are bench like seats—should there not be enough room to seat everyone at the table.
“Lao Bai, Long-xiong, this situation…”
Looking at all who have gathered here, Zhen Huai can’t help but raise an eye.
Eventually, Zhen Huai’s gaze lands onto Yao Ying—who is still covered in dirt with torn robes.
(…Two guys sitting beside her and with the way she’s dressed right now, anyone would get the impression that she was molested by them in broad daylight, or something.)
Is the thought that Zhen Rong has, as she sits quietly beside Zhen Huai with a cup of tea pressed to her lips.
Heaving a light sigh, Zhen Huai says—
“Let’s have the young lady explain her situation first.”
“Before that…”
Using his divine sense, Bai Wen conveys a message to Yao Ying—telling her to not say anything about the weapon spirits of this realm.
“…Understood.”
“Good.”
As all eyes turned to her, Yao Ying explains—
“I was attending a celebration hosted by the Ling Yuan family. From there-”
The more he hears of Yao Ying’s story, the more Long Hua felt like it was only just a common tale—that could be found anywhere, in the practitioners’ circle of any world.
Similarly, to Long Hua, Tian Cheng thought—
(A tale like this is far too common. But this girl, she clearly isn’t even a hundred years of age yet. She’s still just a child in the purest sense. I guess, she’s pitiful, but what good does pitying her do? It’s not like it will change anything.)
Upon the conclusion of Yao Ying’s explanation—
“Qing Ming Yang and Xia Ri’er.”
Muttering the names of the two culprits, who had thrown Yao Ying into the Leng Bing Realm, Bai Wen places a hand to his chin, and remarks—
“They’re both Core Formation realm practitioners. Status-wise, neither of them is that high in the Ling Yuan family. Under ordinary circumstances, they can’t possibly have the guts to attack a Chen Shi family clansman.”
“Means someone hired them.”
“I figured the same.”
As Bai Wen, Long Hua, and Zhen Huai discuss matters among themselves, Yao Ying, who is listening in on them, thought—
(Much of what they’re talking about is something that I’ve considered as well.)
Eventually, Long Hua turns to Yao Ying, and says—
“Seems like we’re all on the same page, then? So, little girl, who did you offend?”
“No one. I’ve almost never stepped out of my family’s estate. Other than my grandfather, father, and a few older generation Chen Shi family clansmen, I don’t really talk to anyone else often. Who could I possibly offend under these circumstances?”
Raising a cold smile, Long Hua asks—
“Do you have siblings?”
“An older brother and sister.”
“There’s your culprit then.”
“I hardly ever talk to them though… And on the rare chances that we do, I didn’t feel any tension in our conversation.”
Hearing this, Bai Wen thought—
(So she says, but could it just be because she’s far too naïve to notice the tension?)
Continuing along, Long Hua asks—
“Are you all from the same father and mother?”
“Our mothers are different. Father has two other wives.”
“Chén Shì Xiāo Yīn (尘世箫音), her father—the current clan chief of the Chen Shi family has three wives. One of them is already dead though.”
Saying this, Zhen Huai takes a sip of tea.
“…”
(So, it was her mother that died then?)
Noticing Yao Ying’s face turning a bit dark—at the mentioning of one of Chen Shi Xiao Yin’s wives being dead, Zhen Huai looks away awkwardly.
Smiling with amusement, Bai Wen remarks—
“A man with three wives. Sounds like a scumbag.”
“Don’t insult my father.”
Towards Yao Ying’s glare, which can’t be described as especially fierce, Bai Wen shrugs his shoulders, whereas Zhen Huai says—
“In any case, this is clearly her family’s internal matter. What do you want to do now, Lady Yao Ying?”
“I want to go home.”
Without any hesitation, Yao Ying answers as such to Zhen Huai’s question, to which, the latter remarks—
“Home, is it? Hmm, can’t say I recommend it under these circumstances.”
“Why?”
“That’s…”
Facing Yao Ying’s innocence, Zhen Huai is at a loss as to how he should answer.
Clearing his throat, and turning to Zhen Rong, Zhen Huai requests—
“Xiao Rong, you mind taking her away to give her a bath, and some new clothes?”
“Sure. Follow me, Lady Yao Ying.”
Getting out of her seat, Yao Ying follows after Zhen Rong.
With the two of them gone, Long Hua remarks—
“How considerate of you, Zhen-laoban.”
Ignoring Long Hua’s sarcasm, Zhen Huai raises a sigh, and says—
“Lao Bai, Long-xiong, you two should already have a general idea of what her situation is like.”
“One, or both her siblings from a different mother—hired those two, to assassinate her. In the first place, how is it that she’s only accompanied by two guards at the Core Formation realm?”
Towards Long Hua’s question, Zhen Huai answers—
“Apparently, those guards came from her maternal grandfather’s side.”
“Oh? That’s means her grandfather’s side may have also wanted her dead?”
Towards Bai Wen’s guess, Zhen Huai shakes his head, and explains—
“Her grandfather is Yún Mò Tóng (云墨童), otherwise known as Mo Tongzi. He’s the clan chief of the Yun family—which is located on Planet Ink Waters. About 25 years ago—that was when they rose to the upper ranks of the practitioner household hierarchy.”
Nodding with understanding, Bai Wen says—
“Oh, I see how it is. They didn’t have anyone else they could spare.”
For a practitioner household, the first 100 years of their history—as a member of the upper ranks, is the most important time period.
This is the period, where they must solidify their standings in the upper rank circles by laying out a proper foundation—through the raising of resources, and newer generation talents.
Giving a nod back, Zhen Huai says—
“Exactly. Also, it’s somewhat common knowledge that Mo Tongzi dotes on his granddaughter dearly. The chance of him wanting her dead isn’t high. The fact that the Chen Shi family didn’t send some guards with her as well…”
“That alone is telling enough. Unlike the Yun family, they have more than enough resources to place an Immortal realm bodyguard by her side.”
Cutting into Zhen Huai and Bai Wen’s conversation, Long Hua asks—
“So, are we telling her our ideas later?”
“Long-xiong, you’re a real ass…”
Raising a laugh on the inside, Tian Cheng thought—
(You’re only just beginning to see a part of his true character.)
Shrugging his shoulders, Long Hua proceeds to pour himself a cup of tea, and says—
“The little girl needs to learn at some point.”
Taking a sip, Long Hua adds—
“Besides, what does it matter to us if she dies?”
Compared to Zhen Huai, who is frowning in response to Long Hua’s cold remark, Bai Wen—
“Tru- Ugh…”
Was just about to agree with Long Hua’s view, only to eat a punch to the gut from Nuo’er—who has been keeping quiet.
“Ai, you two have your conscience eaten by dogs.”
Towards Zhen Huai’s remark, Long Hua and Bai Wen replies—
“I’m just a product of the world I was living in.”
“I just can’t see myself raising a helping hand to a complete stranger.”
(Their conscience was eaten by dogs? Why do I feel like it’s ironic to hear this coming from a merchant?)
Just as Tian Cheng is thinking of this, Zhen Huai looks to Long Hua, and asks—
“Long-xiong, any new divine arts you can sell to me?”
Towards this question, Long Hua replies—
“Heh. The moment money is involved, Zhen-laoban’s conscience also gets eaten by a dog, I see.”
“I have a bunch of family members to feed after all.”
“Family, huh?”
Seeing the light in Zhen Huai’s emerald-green eyes, Long Hua could tell that the former wasn’t lying about that.
(Rapid breakthroughs in a short span of time isn’t really a good thing. I still need to stabilize my current realm of cultivation first.)
Deciding on this, Long Hua shakes his head towards Zhen Huai, and replies—
“I do have some, but I’m not in need of resources right now. Maybe in a month, or two?”
A hint of envy can be seen in Bai Wen’s one eye, when he looks to Zhen Huai, as he remarks—
“Ai, some people have a caring family, and some people have an uncaring family.”
Shrugging his shoulders, Long Hua asks—
“In any case, I assume none of us here—wants to be the one to break the news to that little girl?”
Towards this question, Bai Wen and Zhen Huai replies—
“I find it to be a pain to do so.”
“I don’t have the heart to.”
“I find it to be a pain as well. Let’s do this then.”
Taking out a piece of paper and a pen, Long Hua begins to write the details of their discussion down.
“Ai, Lao Long, smart move.”
Realizing what Long Hua is doing, Bai Wen directs a thumbs-up towards him.
Chapter 9
Cleaned, and with her wounds patched up, Yao Ying heaves a sigh.
Although her body is still aching in a few places, she’s still grateful to have a proper roof over her head now.
Instead of traditional robes, she is currently wearing a one-piece white dress without sleeves. For footwear, she is wearing a pair of short boots.
Finished with brushing Yao Ying’s pink hair that has a few strands of silver in it, Zhen Rong says—
“I think they should be done with their discussion now. Shall we head back?”
“Un…”
As they are currently in the canteen of the blue pavilion, the scent of food is rather heavy in the air—making it difficult for Yao Ying to keep her mouth closed.
(I haven’t eaten for over a day… Dammit, if I had known that this would happen, I should have stuffed my stomach a bit more back in the Ling Yuan family’s estate.)
“…”
Knowing what it is that Yao Ying is thinking of, Zhen Rong smiles faintly, but she doesn’t intend to ask the former if they wanted something to eat. Her older brother may have said to give Yao Ying some necessities, but that doesn’t mean they are free.
“Let us return then.”
“Yes…”
Despite being hungry, Yao Ying couldn’t find it in herself to ask for food.
………
Second layer of the reception area, inside of the red pavilion—
“Long-xiong.”
As Long Hua gets up from the stone stool in preparation to leave, Zhen Huai calls him out, and asks—
“Leaving for the night already?”
“My workplace during the daytime has plans for tomorrow.”
“Well, no harm in a couple more minutes, is there?”
“…?”
Seeing the light in Zhen Huai’s eyes, Long Hua frowns. The former seems to be up to something.
Just then, the northern side door opens—allowing Zhen Rong and Yao Ying to come in.
“We’re back.”
Nodding to Zhen Rong, Zhen Huai looks towards Yao Ying, and says—
“Welcome back, Lady Yao Ying, might I ask that you look through the paper that is on the table?”
“Hm?”
Sitting down on the stone stool in front of her, Yao Ying picks up the parchment, while Long Hua sits back down with a sigh.
“This…”
Reading through the first portion of the paper, Yao Ying raises her head, but before she can say anything—
“Keep reading. This is just what we ended up theorizing about to pass the time. Whether you believe it or not, well, that’s up to you. Still, since one of us actually put in the effort to write this up, it’s only proper of you to give it a thorough read, and think about the contents.”
Bai Wen speaks up, and silences Yao Ying with an uncaring look.
“…”
Looking over Yao Ying’s shoulder, Zhen Rong sees that the information written onto the parchment is quite organized.
The contents thoroughly summarized a series of possible reasons for Yao Ying’s siblings to have hired Qing Ming Yang and Xia Ri’er to assassinate her, along with the reason behind the lack of more capable guards—from the Chen Shi family’s side, to accompany her to the Ling Yuan family’s celebration.
(This handwriting doesn’t belong to either brother, or Bai-shao. Then…)
Directing a glance at Long Hua, Zhen Rong is impressed by the former’s ability to summarize everything so clearly.
“…”
As Yao Ying reads through more of the contents, the shakier her hands become.
“…!”
Getting to the part, which suggests to her—that her father may have been involved in this as well, a light of anger can be seen in Yao Ying’s eyes.
“Continue.”
Before Yao Ying can raise her head, Bai Wen pushes her to continue reading.
Eventually—
*Pah!* finished reading through the contents—with her head in a chaotic state of mind, Yao Ying smashes the paper onto the stone table.
“…”
“Lady Yao Ying, matters of this nature—requires you to think about them in a calmer state of mind.”
In a gentle tone, Zhen Huai suggests this to Yao Ying.
“…”
From the side, Nuo’er walks over with a cup of tea, and places it near Yao Ying’s hand—prior to moving back to Bai Wen’s side.
“………I have no aspiration for the clan chief position.”
Towards Yao Ying’s words, Zhen Huai replies—
“Whether or not Lady Yao Ying aspires for it—is not for yourself to decide. Your siblings believe that you do. That, is all the reason they need to hire a hit on you.”
Chiming in from the side, Long Hua, in a blunt manner, explains—
“Such an excuse aside, they could just have seen you as an eyesore. In a perfect garden, where every bit of vegetation is grown to a specific size, and length, weeds…- Plants that do not align with the garden’s image are not allowed to exist; hence, gardeners pluck them by their roots. Take a look around this lotus garden, do you see anything besides lotuses? If a single hibiscus were to appear suddenly, it would stick out like a sore thumb.”
“In this situation, the garden represents the Chen Shi family, and the gardeners are the power holders of the family; they are the ones who decide what plants get to stay in their garden. In these gardeners’ eyes, the plants are their clansmen and servants of lesser strength. And if a specific plant grows to be an eyesore… Well, I suppose, Lao Long had already said what happens to them, so I need not repeat myself.”
Speaking up to here, Bai Wen covers his mouth to yawn.
Chapter 10
“…”
With Yao Ying casting her eyes downwards, it’s clear to anyone in the vicinity that she is depressed.
Walking over to Zhen Huai’s side, Zhen Rong taps his shoulder, and whispers—
“Brother.”
“…I wasn’t expecting the mood to be this heavy. Now, I’m finding it awkward to speak up.”
Nevertheless, the conversation must go on.
Clearing his throat, Zhen Huai says—
“Lady Yao Ying, I recommend keeping that paper with you for the time being. Once your mind is in a calmer state, you should give it another read-through. Of course, if you still wish to return, we-”
“…What are the odds of these theories being true?”
Asking this, Yao Ying slowly raises her head.
Despite being what many might consider to be a sheltered princess, she is by no means a fool.
With how detailed the paper’s contents had been, along with her own assessment of the oddities around her, Yao Ying is partially convinced—that if she returns to the Chen Shi family under these circumstances, she would only be made to suffer another assassination attempt, and this time, she may not be fortunate enough to survive.
“If I said, there’s an 80 percent chance that it’s true, would you believe me?”
“…”
Towards Bai Wen’s claim, Yao Ying’s head lowers again.
“If returning to the Chen Shi family is impossible. Why not go over to your maternal grandfather’s side instead?”
Hearing Long Hua’s suggestion, Yao Ying’s face darkens, as she replies—
“…Whenever I asked grandfather if I could visit his place, he’d make a sad look. When I asked father if I could… He was vehemently against it.”
“…”
Narrowing his eyes, Long Hua gradually begins to form a clearer image of the situation in his mind.
(When asking to visit her maternal family, the father is against it, while the grandfather would have a difficult look on his face? Clearly, there’s some dark history behind all this.)
(Perhaps, her father was also involved in the death of her birth mother?)
Observing the situation thus far, this thought appears in Tian Cheng’s mind—in response to what Yao Ying had just said.
“Upper rank households tend to have some means to keep track of a clansman’s vital status. Since she’s alive, they might have asked someone to keep an eye on the Leng Bing Realm’s exit.”
With Bai Wen having said this, Yao Ying realizes that she may be assassinated the moment she walks out of this world.
“………”
Silence looms over the air—with Yao Ying not having a clue, as to what she should do.
“…Home… I can’t return home anymore…”
Muttering this, Yao Ying’s eyes clouded over with a hint of tears.
(Zang Luo Realm, my home…)
Recalling the name of the realm that he and his shizun had traveled around in, Long Hua closes his eyes with a subtle sigh.
(Well, at least, her home is closer, and easier to reach than mine.)
Compared to Yao Ying and Long Hua, who still have a place that they can call home, Tian Cheng—
(Earthborn Elementals’ Realm… Can I still call that place home?)
Is uncertain of whether or not—the place she had come from, could still be considered home.
“…C’mon, quit it.”
Aching from Nuo’er—drilling the knuckle of her index finger against his lower rib, Bai Wen breaks the silence.
“…Bai Wen, keep the conversation flowing.”
“Easier said than done, you know?”
Being the center of attention all of a sudden, Bai Wen scratches his cheek in an awkward manner, while thinking—
(Lao Zhen, you money-grubbing ass, you’re the one who started this, so why don’t you finish it yourself?)
“Hm? Is there something on my face?”
Towards Bai Wen’s one-eyed glare, Zhen Huai tilts his head with a puzzled look on his face.
“Tch.”
Clicking his tongue, Bai Wen ignores Zhen Huai’s question, and says—
“Lao Long, there’s a saying that goes, heaven never grants a hopeless path, so… You know.”
Hearing this, Long Hua let’s out a chuckle, as he opens his eyes, and replies—
“Heaven never grants a hopeless path? Sure, maybe, however, not everyone is able to open the locked gates—that are presented to them, as an obstacle.”
Raising a sigh, Long Hua turns to Yao Ying, and adds—
“Little girl, problems—that can be resolved with money, and brute strength, cannot be called problems. In your case, you lack strength, so your only alternative in this situation is money. That being said, you got anything of value—that this money-grubbing ass, might want?”
Narrowing his eyes, Zhen Huai asks—
“Long-xiong, is that all you see in me?”
“If you’re not a money-grubbing ass, then what are you? Not an ATM that can be cracked open for cash—that much is for certain. Besides, you’re a businessman, not the director of a charity organization.”
“Stings a bit when you’re so blunt with your words.”
As he laughs lightly, there is not a hint of regret on Zhen Huai’s face—for his part, in pushing the situation to its current state.
“I…-!”
Raising her voice, Yao Ying takes out a storage ring from her pocket. If there is anything of value on her, then it can only be in here. However, due to her cultivation base being sealed, she hasn’t been able to open it.