Jian Zhen’s entire grass self was stunned.
Over these hundred years, it could be said that he understood Ye Jisheng’s temperament very well. After all, this was someone who, when he went mad, didn’t put anyone in his eyes. Back then, when he was a little grass, Ye Jisheng couldn’t bear to hit him, but now he had transformed into a human form.
Given the vast disparity in power between it and Ye Jisheng.
With a single palm strike from him, its grass life would be over!
Seeing the atmosphere about to drop to freezing point, the swelling soul fire filled the entire air.
A certain cowardly little grass’s legs trembled, suddenly going soft. Jian Zhen’s body swayed, and he almost fell, unconsciously letting out a light cry: “Ah…”
The surrounding soul-fire demonic power nearly dissipated in an instant.
Ye Jisheng reached out to steady him. His palm was broad, and as he leaned in, he carried a familiar cool fragrance to Jian Zhen. He frowned slightly and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Leaning against him, Jian Zhen said softly, “My legs hurt.”
Ye Jisheng released his hold so he could sit on the stone steps nearby. He bent down and pinched Jian Zhen’s leg, asking, “Where does it hurt?”
Jian Zhen sucked in a breath, his dark eyes carrying a bit of petty annoyance. “Be gentler.”
Ye Jisheng snorted lightly. “Delicate.”
That said, he still lightened his movements.
Sunlight from the mountains fell down. The tall, handsome man was half-bent over on the mountain path, his dark, gold-trimmed robe noble and extraordinary. Opposite him sat a youth as refined as white jade.
Jian Zhen said softly, “It doesn’t hurt anymore!”
Standing up again, the towering demon god let out a cold laugh. “Is this how Fu Changhuan has been raising you during this time?”
Jian Zhen said weakly, “It probably has nothing to do with the Immortal Lord. I’m tired from participating in the selection today.”
Ye Jisheng narrowed his eyes, his voice tinged with chill. “You’re defending him?”
A bone-chilling sense of danger rose behind Jian Zhen. Cold sweat on the little grass; the little grass’s voice stayed soft, still used to acting spoiled with him. “I’m not defending him. Don’t always misunderstand what I mean. My cultivation is relatively low, and I also participated in the selection, that’s why it’s like this. You were really scary when you got angry just now, that’s why my legs suddenly went weak.”
Ye Jisheng sneered. “Why do you think this venerable would be angry?”
Jian Zhen was obedient and honest. “Because you don’t like the Immortal Venerable.”
Ye Jisheng said flatly, “Since you know that, why are you still entangled with him?”
“I’m not entangled.” Jian Zhen’s fair little face puffed up. How could he accept such slander! “When I was a little grass, there was also a blade of grass on the immortal mountain. The Immortal Venerable took care of me. I didn’t mean to make you angry either.”
A breeze swept through the mountains.
The flowers on the grassland swayed in the wind. The afternoon sun gradually slanted westward, bringing a hint of coolness.
Ye Jisheng lowered his gaze to look at him and saw his slightly aggrieved little face.
The air fell silent.
Jian Zhen watched those red eyes slowly turn cold. Ye Jisheng spoke slowly, “You want to repay his kindness?”
There was no blazing soul fire, nor a bone-chilling temperature. The hillside was calm, and Ye Jisheng’s words were also light, giving no clue to his emotions. Yet precisely because of that, it was even more frightening.
Jian Zhen felt inexplicably flustered.
A cold laugh fell, carrying contempt and mockery.
Ye Jisheng turned to leave.
Jian Zhen subconsciously grabbed his robe. His fair little hand clutched that small piece of fabric and said, “Where are you going?”
Ye Jisheng did not answer, his tone light. “The Demon Realm.”
The dark robe was luxurious yet cold. The tall figure stood with his back turned, his side profile aloof and distant. The demon god seemed as though he should have always been like this, yet Jian Zhen felt he was so unfamiliar, no longer the big bad egg who always bullied him, not the Ye Jisheng who was always provoked into cold laughter by him.
The afterglow of the setting sun spilled down.
Ye Jisheng said lightly, “Since you are unwilling to return, then stay.”
Jian Zhen’s heart tightened. Just as he was about to speak, the figure that had been standing before him vanished into thin air. With his departure, the surrounding barrier seemed to dissipate abruptly as well. The figures of some disciples not far away reappeared, and the lively back mountain returned once more.
Only the youth sitting there did not move.
In a daze.
Watching Ye Jisheng’s departing back, Jian Zhen suddenly recalled not long ago in the main hall, the demon god who had been betrayed by his clan during seclusion, assassins grievously wounding him.
At that time.
The floor of the main hall was thick with the stench of blood. Ye Jisheng’s red eyes, looking calmly at the betrayer, were just like this.
He remembered.
Back then, what had Ye Jisheng said to him? He said, Zhuzhu, you will never betray me, right?
Jian Zhen was somewhat dazed.
Until a voice sounded beside him: “Brother Jian, I’ve been looking for you for a long time. So you were here!”
Yu’s face appeared before him. He patted his shoulder and said, “I got three tokens and passed the first round of the trial. How about you!?”
Jian Zhen slowly came back to his senses and said, “I got them too.”
“I knew you could do it.” Yu revealed a somewhat relieved expression, then asked in confusion, “Why does your complexion look a bit off? Are you not feeling well?”
Jian Zhen pressed his lips together and shook his head lightly. “I’m not unwell.”
It’s a heart ailment!
The caretaker master is angry, what to do if he can’t be coaxed!
Yu was completely unaware of the little grass’s worries and continued, “Hurry and get ready. The second round should be a team battle. Tonight the disciples will be given time to recuperate. We’ll go down the mountain to buy some tools or weapons so we’ll be prepared tomorrow!”
Jian Zhen said in surprise, “Now?”
Yu smiled at him, grabbed his hand, and said, “Yes, right now. We’ll take the small paths.”
The efficiency of action-oriented people always exceeded expectations. One moment they were still at the back mountain; the next, they were already on the path down the mountain. For Yu, who was familiar with every path of the yao clan, this was effortless.
The market at the foot of the mountain was lively.
Jian Zhen looked at the dazzling array of stalls and asked, “Where are we going to buy tools and weapons?”
Yu said mysteriously, “I know a shop that sells very good weapons and spiritual treasures. It’s just that they only open at night. Let’s go eat something and wait first.”
Jian Zhen nodded.
The two of them had just been about to casually find a tavern when suddenly, not far away on the street, someone shouted loudly: “Thief! Catch the thief, someone snatched my money pouch!”
A black shadow swiftly flashed past the two of them.
Yu’s brows furrowed. He said to Jian Zhen, “Brother Jian, wait here where you are, I’ll go catch the thief and be right back!”
Jian Zhen nodded and said, “Okay.”
The crowd surged, and the yao clan’s streets were still relatively unfamiliar to him.
Jian Zhen had originally planned to wait to the side, but just as he took a step forward, his movement halted. He reached out and touched the wooden token at his waist, his eyes widening slightly. In that brief moment of brushing past someone, the wooden token proving he had passed the disciple examination was also gone!
He turned his head.
He could still faintly see the silhouette of the black-clad figure’s back.
Jian Zhen did not hesitate and immediately chased after him. Although the other party’s pace was not slow, Jian Zhen ultimately still caught up, following all the way into a small grove. Just as he was about to look for where the other party was, a wisp of somewhat strange fragrance entered his nose. His vision went black, and he lost consciousness.
When he woke up again, all around was gloomy and cold, and it seemed water was still dripping from the roof.
There were voices of people talking not far away:
“Boss, we’ve struck it rich this time.”
“This pass token might fetch a good price.”
“I already asked around at the back mountain today.”
“Right, he has no father or mother, and no sect or family background.”
Jian Zhen slowly opened his eyes and saw a group of people not far away discussing something. This place seemed to be a dilapidated ruined temple. Outside, heavy rain was falling, and inside, cold winds gusted.
Almost the moment he moved, the people outside noticed it.
A man dressed in black turned around, his face bearing a knife scar. He said, “Kid, you’re unlucky to have run into us today. Once the rain stops, you’ll come with us!”
Jian Zhen realized he might have been kidnapped. His hands and feet were all stuck with talismans, making it impossible to break free. The little grass, always one to know the times, honestly asked, “Go where?”
The scar-faced man laughed and said, “A little yao like you has a decent face too, where do you think we’ll sell you?”
Several other companions burst into loud laughter upon hearing this.
Cold wind, along with fine rain, blew into the ruined temple. Jian Zhen only felt that his bound hands and feet were uncomfortable, and he also knew that with his strength alone, he definitely couldn’t beat these people.
Seeing the scar-faced man and the others about to leave.
Jian Zhen softly said, “Don’t sell me. Although I have no parents and no family background, I’m pregnant. I… my husband has money.”
The scar-faced man and the others paused, half-believing, half-doubting: “Really?”
Jian Zhen hurriedly nodded. He said, “My husband is very rich, and very generous. Contact him, no matter how much it costs, he’ll send it over.”
The scar-faced man sneered, “What nonsense are you spouting? I heard that when you were on the mountain, you didn’t even have money to eat, and were even made by the sect master to do chores at Qing Peak just to survive. Your husband can have money?”
So that was how it was explained to the outside world back then?
Jian Zhen choked slightly. No, if he were really sold, he might be able to endure the torment, but the baby in his belly wouldn’t be able to. These people looked vicious, who knew what they might do.
After thinking it through, the little grass steeled his heart. His dark eyes brimmed with pitiful tears as he said, “I, I secretly ran away from home behind my husband’s back. I quarreled with him, and he doesn’t know that I came to the yao clan.”
The scar-faced man had never seen this kind of act before. Instinctively, he wanted to doubt it, but seeing that the young man on the ground, though poorly dressed, had delicate features and fair skin, he indeed looked like someone raised by a wealthy household.
A subordinate said, “Boss, why do I feel like this is a bit dangerous? If his husband has some ability, wouldn’t we be in danger?”
Jian Zhen hurriedly said, “No, he won’t. My husband is very easygoing. His usual hobbies are just raising grass and basking in the sun. He’s never even argued with anyone.”
After all, no one would dare argue.
Those who dared probably weren’t alive anymore.
After hearing this, the scar-faced man was overjoyed. He slapped the table and said, “Good! Since that’s the case, we’ll contact him right now. Don’t worry, as long as your husband is willing to take out the ransom, we’ll release you.”
Jian Zhen hurriedly said, “Thank you, big brothers.”
The scar-faced man immediately took out a sound-transmission flying scroll and said, “Tell me your husband’s name. I’ll send him a message right now!”
Jian Zhen had originally planned to say the Immortal Venerable’s name, but the names of the Demon Venerable and the Immortal Venerable were known throughout the Three Realms. Saying it would immediately expose him. After thinking it over, it would be better to say Yu’s name.
Just as he was hesitating, a subordinate said, “Boss, didn’t he say he’s pregnant? We can just use his blood to transmit sound to the man who’s connected by bloodline to the child, can’t we?”
The scar-faced man immediately said, “You kid really have a good idea!”
Jian Zhen widened his eyes in some terror and saw the scar-faced man walk over, use a blade to take a drop of blood from Jian Zhen’s wrist. That blood quickly disappeared into the scroll.
After absorbing the blood, the scroll rose into the air.
The sound-transmission scroll trembled violently in midair for a long time, as if fearing something. The entire scroll seemed on the verge of being torn apart. Just as everyone thought it was about to fail.
The scroll suddenly stopped, flashing with an eerie red light.
The subordinate tremblingly tugged at the scar-faced man’s sleeve and said, “Boss, it worked.”
The scar-faced man seemed to awaken from a dream, swallowed his saliva, then said arrogantly, “Listen up, person on the other side. Your wife and child are now in my hands. He’s still carrying your child in his belly. If you know what’s good for you, immediately prepare ten million spirit stones and send them over. We’ll consider sparing their lives!”
As his words fell.
All around was silent.
After a long while.
Just when everyone thought there was no one at all on the other side of the scroll, when the scar-faced man was waiting for the other party to panic and beg for mercy.
A cold laugh fell, carrying bone-chilling coldness.
“Oh?”
