Everyone in the room was looking at Ruan Qian Xiu.
Ruan Qian Xiu revealed a mocking smile: "Finally decided to kill me huh."
"Who?"
"Apparently people of my father."
"Qi Ling Feng?" Jiang Chao Ge thought from beginning to end, suddenly realising something: "He"s afraid you"ll reveal the spiritual power cultivation techniques of Qi Clan?"
Ruan Qian Xiu nodded.
Jiang Chao Ge"s heart beat, "Don"t tell me you still have the techniques on you?" Although the State Preceptor once gave him the primary cultivation techniques when he was still alive, he was still extremely curious of other cultivation techniques.
"It"s in my head." Ruan Qian Xiu kicked away the body with a foot, hanging Zheng Chen Crescent Blades at her hipbone, eyes becoming fierce and tough, "Almost no one that was targeted by Cha Xue has been able to successfully escape…… however, once we cross Bei Yue Mountain, we"ll be out of the north. The influence of Cha Xue will be weaker."
"Bei Yue Mountain is less that two hundred Li from Shao Xian Mountain." Jiang Chao Ge said with a smile: "It seems that you are destined to travel with us."
Ruan Qian Xiu looked at Jiang Chao Ge, "Thank you for saving me. I will definitely return this favour."
"Alright, then I will gladly remember it." Jiang Chao Ge had just finished speaking, when he felt someone tugging his clothes. He lowered his head and looked, Zhi Xuan was currently stretching his neck upwards and looking at him, "What is it?"
"Your face, is it bleeding?" Zhi Xuan stood on tiptoes, yet it seemed it was still difficult for him to see clearly.
Only then did Jiang Chao Ge remember that he was scratched by the hidden weapon of the Cha Xue a.s.sa.s.sin. He lifted his hand to feel it. There was a trail of blood on his face. He squatted down, two hands pinching Zhi Xuan"s rounded waist, "It"s just a little scratch alright?"
Zhi Xuan frowned severely, "Your lifespan will shorten again like this!"
Jiang Chao Ge said with a smile: "How can a little scratch shorten my lifespan?"
Zhi Xuan cupped his face and leaned closer, sticking out a soft pink tongue to lick his wound. Jiang Chao Ge froze, immediately wanting to move his face away. Zhi Xuan slapped his face with a palm, "Dont move, my saliva can speed up the healing of a wound."
"Really?"
"No kidding." Zhi Xuan licked his wound seriously, saliva covering half his face.
Although Jiang Chao Ge was unwilling, he still couldn"t refuse. But under the gaze of everyone he was somewhat embarra.s.sed. He hurriedly picked up Zhi Xuan and returned to his own room.
After Zhi Xuan concentratedly licked the entire wound once, he licked the corners of his mouth, "Your blood is sweet. Your flesh should also be quite tasty."
Jiang Chao Ge shivered, "I heard that the sweeter the blood, the sourer the meat. It"s not tasty at all."
"You"ve eaten human flesh before?"
"Uh….."
Zhi Xuan snorted lightly, "Fen Nian has eaten all kinds of human flesh. I believe what he says."
Jiang Chao Ge frowned: "Who"s Fen Nian?"
"You humans call him Tao Tie." Zhi Xuan stroked his chin, "That guy is quite interesting. At least alcohol and delicious food can be gathered together."
"The Twelve Ancient Rare Beasts, you"re familiar with all of them?"
"I"ve lived for thousands of years, I"m familiar with those I should be familiar with."
"Then are there any that hold a grudge against you?" Just in case they accidentally came across one that held a grudge against Zhi Xuan and summoned it. Wouldn"t that be bringing about their own destruction?
"Forgot….." Zhi Xuan thought with his head tilted to the side, "If there"s an opportunity, I would really like to bite them all to death. The strongest rare beast, only one is enough."
Jiang Chao Ge shivered, "Do the other ancient rare beasts also think this way?"
"Of course. Even if there isn"t The Origin of Heaven and Earth, we will still fight to no end. Don"t you humans say that a mountain can"t retain two tigers? How could this world accommodate twelve ancient rare beasts?" Zhi Xuan tightened his little fists, bright golden pupils flashing. "I"ll have to eat them all sooner or later."
It wasn"t the first time Jiang Chao Ge had realised Zhi Xuan belligerence, only he was often deceived by Zhi Xuan"s current appearance. Right now, he could only pray that the spirit weapon users of other Divine grade spirit weapons were weaker than him. Otherwise no matter how he thought, he"d be digging his own grave.
After experiencing this kind of more scared than hurt a.s.sa.s.sination attempt, they naturally couldn"t stay in the inn any longer. Zui You hypnotised the innkeeper and a few guests. They packed their luggage and hurriedly left.
On the road, Ruan Qian Xiu and Long Xiang briefed them once again on Blood Temple. This a.s.sa.s.sination organisation didn"t accept any and all types of jobs. They were extremely cautious with jobs that could cause the dispute of big clans, or those that brought calamity to the north. They also rarely accepted jobs that crossed the border, often operating only in the north. However, once Blood Temple accepted a job, they would even chase the target to the ends of the world. They"d nurtured many types of a.s.sa.s.sins. There were beautiful insidious female a.s.sa.s.sins, smooth and slick, able to dance beautifully. There were usually male a.s.sa.s.sins with respectable status". There was also a type called "Lonely Souls", neither male nor female a.s.sa.s.sins. This type of a.s.sa.s.sin needed to undergo tongue extraction and castration from childhood. Then they"d accept cruel training and long term brainwashing. They"d become qualified a.s.sa.s.sins, when they"d completely abandoned their own sense of self and thought and only knew how to follow the orders of the organisation. "Lonely souls" had no feelings, no desires, no fears, upon failure they would immediately commit suicide. They were the best killing tools.
Blood Temple used unfathomable ways to an outsider to control these a.s.sa.s.sins, hidden in every city on the Tian Ling continent, helping them gather information, carrying out missions. Being targeted by this kind of cold blooded organisation that struck terror in people was almost equal to being on death row.
It seemed that Qi Ling Feng"s determination to kill Ruan Qian Xiu was strong. It was unclear whether or not he knew about this matter.
Yu Ren Shu said with a sigh: "Blood Temple"s cruelty and ruthlessness has grown infamous on Tian Ling continent. Thankfully they haven"t caused trouble in the imperial capital yet. However…. The imperial capital definitely has their people."
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: "Since you aren"t a prince anymore, don"t be so concerned about this continent."
"Although I"m not a prince, I"m still a resident of Tian Ling continent in the end." Yu Ren Shu said resolutely: "As long as I have the power, I will definitely protect this continent."
The normally silent Long Xiang suddenly gave a snort: "People of Tian Ling continent find amus.e.m.e.nt in overseas races like monkeys. What is there to protect about this place?"
Yu Ren Shu said with a frown: "Tian Ling nation doesn"t permit the buying and selling of slaves, but Tian Ling continent is vast. Many places lack control. There"s nothing we can do." He looked at Long Xiang"s childish profile, originally still wanting to dispute a few sentences yet was suddenly somewhat rueful. This child was sold into an alien land. He must"ve experienced hardships unimaginable to ordinary people. He said: "Where is your hometown? Perhaps we can help you go back."
Long Xiang"s azure blue eyes stared unblinkingly at the pure white snow ahead of them. Only after a while did he speak in an extremely low voice: "I don"t know."
Zui You rubbed his hair.
"I was still very small then. I already can"t remember where I came from. That"s why I want to collect a lot of money and buy a huge boat to set out to sea and search for my hometown."
Jiang Chao Ge empathised with him, also gaining a more favourable impression of this mature youth.
Their whereabouts have already been exposed, so they don"t use horses to travel anymore. Instead they used rare beasts as saddle horses, rapidly heading towards Shao Xian Mountain.
Tian Rong and Zui You"s speed went without saying. Zhen Chen"s running speed actually didn"t fall behind at all, and it could fly. This made Jiang Chao Ge extremely envious. He rode a few times with Ruan Qian Xiu on this "flying horse", feeling quite cool.
On the road, in order to hide their tracks, they didn"t dare enter cities again. They camped outside without exception, eating the rations in Jiang Chao Ge"s Na Wu Pouch. Only the s.p.a.ce in that Na Wu Pouch was also limited. Their food decreased with each pa.s.sing day.
Yu Ren Shu lived in luxury from childhood with brocade garments and jade meals. Now he followed them, eating in the wind and sleeping in the dew, living like a savage. In a short month"s time, his whole person thinned down a layer, head of silvery hair losing its l.u.s.tre somewhat. At this moment, he was gnawing on a steamed bun as if it tasted like waxed.
Tian Rong really couldn"t bear to look any longer, "Shu, I"ll go hunt some things for you."
Yu Ren Shu hesitated, "Oh no need. I"m fine…… eating this." After speaking, he forced himself to take a bite of the steamed bun. In the end, his honourable esophagus didn"t accept such a dry hard thing. He suddenly began to cough, face flushed red.
Tian Rong looked at him with crossed arms and a frown, like he didn"t know what to do.
Zui You just happened to be at the side, stroking Yu Ren Shu"s back a few times. He shot a accusatory glare at Tian Rong, "Do you not know how to look after humans?"
Tian Rong wasn"t very happy, "Why must I know?"
"You can only have spiritual power when they are alive and well." Zui You twisted his head and teased Long Xiang"s chin, "So I"m very good towards Little Xiang. Isn"t that right Little Xiang?"
Long Xiang moved his face away, "Eat, don"t play around."
Tian Rong stiffened for a while, then slapped Yu Ren Shu"s back. Yu Ren Shu was currently coughing uncomfortably and was almost forced to cough up blood with that slap. This time his face became even redder. Tian Rong was startled and suddenly stood up, "I"ll go find food for you." Instantly transforming into his beast form after speaking, he very quickly vanished into the boundless screen of snow.
Zui You also pa.s.sed a bowl of warm water to Yu Ren Shu, "Come, drink a little. Catch your breath." That tone was extremely soft and tender. Even Ruan Qian Xiu, a woman, would consider herself incomparable.
Long Xiang gave Zui You a warning glance. Zui You said all smiles: "You humans are really strange. There"s not one that is considerate of others."
Zhi Xuan twisted his head to look at Jiang Chao Ge, "Will you be considerate of me?"
Jiang Chao Ge said smoothly: "Yes."
Zhi Xuan nodded his head in satisfaction and continued to drink alcohol.
Long Xiang said heavily: "We met by chance halfway in the first place and are each using each other. What need is there for consideration?"
Zui You pouted, "But I like people who look good. I like them all."
Long Xiang said in slight anger: "Why does a fox like you like to judge people purely on appearance?"
Zui You smiled bewitchingly, "I"m naturally full of affection. If it were not for the fact that you"re so cute, I wouldn"t want to mate with you at all."
Ruan Qian Xiu looked at them with her chin propped up, suddenly slipping in a sentence craftily: "How did you form a contract?"
Long Xiang was startled, suddenly flying into a rage out of humiliation, saying loudly: "Of course it"s through blood. What where you thinking?!"
Jiang Chao Ge and Yu Ren Shu both burst into loud laughter. Zhi Xuan shifted his eyes, small hand tightening on Juan Chao Ge"s clothes. It was unknown what he was thinking.
Zui You held back his laughter, "I actually wanted to use the second method. But Little Xiang was unwilling. Such a pity."
Long Xiang"s face was flushed a bright red, seemingly like he was practically about to drip blood the next second. He said angrily: "You say that again! You say that again and you"ll return to the weapon!"
"Not returning. It"s so fun it is outside. As if I"d want to be stuffed up inside." Zui You stroked Long Xiang"s head with a grin: "Your angry appearance is the cutest. I like it."
Long Xiang was practically about to explode from his teasing. He also really seamed somewhat pitiful. However, the adults only wanted to watch the fun.
Ruan Qian Xiu said: "Seriously though. I head that the second method to form a contract can increase the spirit weapon user"s spiritual power exponentially. You really don"t want to try it?"
On Tian Ling continent, males and females were generally lax. It was as natural as marrying a close relative. So no one thought it was unusual. It completely depended on willingness.
Yu Ren Shu smiled sadly, "If Tian Rong was a delicate and pretty youth, perhaps I would"ve tried it. But his appearance truly doesn"t match my aesthetic."
Zhi Xuan snorted coldly, "Tian Rong also makes little of you. You are only a lowly human after all."
Yu Ren Shu also didn"t get annoyed. They"ve interacted for so long after all. He also knew if Zhi Xuan"s true form. He was already long since accustomed to his arrogance.
Ruan Qian Xiu saw Long Xiang"s blushing appearance, thought it was interesting and asked unforgivingly: "Little brother, what about you? Why are you unwilling?"
Long Xiang said through gritted teeth: "Unwilling is unwilling."
Zui You had a face written full of disappointment, "Truly stubborn."
Ruan Qian Xiu"s gaze came to a rest on Jiang Chao Ge and Zhi Xuan, asking engrossed: "What about you? You guys haven"t formed a contract yet right?"
Jiang Chao Ge immediately wanted to change the subject, "Tian Rong should be able to hunt down some food very quickly. Let"s stoke the fire."
Zhi Xuan glared at Ruan Qian Xiu, "Female humans really like to meddle in other people"s affairs."
Ruan Qian Xiu couldn"t help but smile, "What you say is very reasonable."
Zui You said also curious: "That"s right. You guys have formed a contract yet. Don"t be shy if you need me impart some experience." He winked, crimson eyes bewitching people.
Zhi Xuan said curiously: "What experience?"
"Experience in mating."
Jiang Chao Ge was deeply afraid of Zhi Xuan thinking in that direction. This loathsome fox actually spoke about it nonstop. He really wanted to plug that mouth with a steamed bun.
Yet Zhi Xuan"s curiosity had already been sparked, "You actually need experience in mating? Why?"
Zui You"s slim finger rested lightly on a side of his lips, eyes limpid, saying with charm: "If you do it well, then it will be the most joyous thing in this world."
Zhi Xuan"s bright golden pupils gleamed, obviously somewhat interested.
Long Xiang shouted: "Zui You, enough!"
Zui You curled his lip, face full of disinterest, "I am a fox. But ever since I followed you, I could never enjoy the bliss of the human world."
Long Xiang leapt up, "I"ve never prevented you. Whoever you want to mat…. I can"t be bothered to care about you. Go find whoever you want!" Storming into the tent in a great rage after speaking.
Zui You shrugged his shoulders, shifting beside Yu Ren Shu, delicate fingers hooking Yu Ren Shu"s chin, thin lips breathing: "I like your silver hair. Truly beautiful."
Zui You"s enchantment was only effective on weak minded humans and beasts. In front of a high level spirit weapon user, the effect would be significantly impaired. So Yu Ren Shu only hesitated momentarily before his gaze regained clarity. He pulled away Zui You"s hand.
Zui You said with a smile: "Since you don"t like Tian Rong"s sort, don"t tell me my sort is also unacceptable?"
Ruan Qian Xiu enjoyed this full of interest. Jiang Chao Ge couldn"t help but sigh ruefully. Although this Zui You had the outward appearance of a male, he was even more flirtatious and charming than a female. No wonder he was a fox, and was also the ancestor of foxes, the Nine Tailed Fox.
Yu Ren Shu said with a smile: "I"m not in the mood for this at the moment."
Long Xiang suddenly rushed out of the tent, "Zui You!"
Zui You said helplessly, "Didn"t you say you couldn"t be bothered to care about me?"
"I will return you to….."
"Ok ok. I won"t play around anymore alright." Zui You said imploringly: "I won"t return to the weapon. I like being outside. I won"t play around anymore." This delicate and pitiful appearance really made people feel unbearable.
Long Xiang took several deep breathes, unable to express his flames of anger, almost retraining himself to death.
Jiang Chao Ge sympathised with this youth even more.
Zhi Xuan secretly observed Zui You"s thing, both eyes gleaming.
At this moment, Tian Rong returned. A porcupine hung from his mouth, leaving a long trail of blood in the snow.
Zui You acclaimed: "There"s meat to eat."
Everybody cooperated to skin and clean the bones of the porcupine before putting it on the fire to roast. They finally got their first taste of fresh meat in several days.
After eating and drinking their fill, Jiang Chao Ge carried Zhi Xuan into the tent to sleep.
Zhi Xuan laid down yet he didn"t close his eyes, using a small thin finger to hook Jiang Chao Ge"s chin, looking directly into his eyes.
Jiang Chao Ge said with a smile: "What is it?"
"That loathsome fox is really annoying."
"Mn."
"What kind of experience do you need in mating anyway?"
"He is talking nonsense. He"s a fox, how can there be truth in his words?
"But he seems to be very experienced, and he also said it"s very enjoyable."
Jiang Chao Ge said mockingly: "He"s lying to people."
"I"m not a human."
"What he likes you won"t necessarily like. You are a Qi Lin after all. He is only a fox."
Zhi Xuan shook his head, "For good and bad I"ve still lived for thousands of years. Don"t try to deceive me. I"ve heard that it is very enjoyable."
"Then how come you haven"t tried it before?"
"I don"t have another of the same species and I also hate humans."
Jiang Chao Ge said vigilantly: "Could it be you"ve gained interest now?"
"No!" Zhi Xuan said loudly: "I"m only curious of that flirtatious fox"s words."
Jiang Chao Ge stroked his head, "There"s nothing to be curious about. Let"s sleep earlier."
Zhi Xuan used his elbows to shuffle forward, cheeks pressing closer to Jiang Chao Ge"s face, asking softly: "Then…… have you mated before?"
Jiang Chao Ge almost coughed up blood.
Zhi Xuan saw that he wasn"t answering and said urgently, "Answer."
Jiang Chao Ge gulped, "I"ve said before, this word isn"t good. It"s too crude."
"Then how you say it?"
"We say it as- love."
"Then have you done- love before?"
Jiang Chao Ge said 囧: "Why are you curious about this today?"
Zhi Xuan said angrily: "Just answer! You are a servant, where do all these questions come from!"
Jiang Chao Ge could only give an "mn".
"With a male or female?"
Jiang Chao Ge had the pressed feeling a confession was being forced out of him by a girlfriend. He said helplessly: "Female."
Zhi Xuan stared at him blankly for a moment. He suddenly pushed his face away fiercely, turning his body around and lying down.
Jiang Chao Ge said with a sigh: "What are you angry for?"
"Don"t know." Zhi Xuan said unhappily.
Jiang Chao Ge had been tired the whole day, halfheartedly coaxing a few sentences, "Little Zuzong, don"t be angry anymore. Rest earlier we still have to hasten in our journey tomorrow."
Zhi Xuan narrowed his eyes, strange thoughts flickering within his golden pupils.
Through several long days of travelling, they finally arrived at the foot of Shao Xian Mountain going against chilling wind and snow. Shao Xian City at the bottom of the mountain was relatively prosperous. At the very least, the goods and materials were plentiful, allowing them to replenish many things. When Jiang Chao Ge went to make purchases, he fished out silver while feeling pained. Right now, practically everyone relied on him to support them. Although he had been arranged many gold coins from Yu Ren Shu"s private quarters, but upon entering his pocket, he quietly saw it as his own. Now it was being drawn out like flowing water. It was simply too sad, and thinking that he still had to pay Long Xiang a high monetary reward, he felt even more pained.
Shao Xian Mountain was more than three thousand metres above sea level, the mountain ranges continuous and unending. There was no telling when they"d be able to come down after going up this time, and it was also uncertain if they"ll even come down. That was why food and things to protect against the cold must be fully prepared. That bighead carp Na Wu Pouch exhibited the most use but unfortunately its capacity also had a limit. In order to clear s.p.a.ce, Jiang Chao Ge emptied a lot of the beast materials inside, selling it at a low price, stuffing food inside with all his might. He thought, if they could still come down from this trek, upon arriving at Da Liang City, he would definitely buy a Na Wu Pouch with a larger capacity regardless of the price.
After making the purchases, Jiang Chao Ge returned to the inn they"d reserved. At the same time he was making purchases, Yu Ren Shu and Tian Rong went into the city to look for clues, seeing if there was anyone familiar with the road that could take them up the mountain.
As soon as his foot stepped through the door, Yu Ren Shu and Tian Rong also returned, saying they found a local that was familiar with the road.
Long Xiang asked: "Shao Xian Mountain is so big, how are you going to find one weapon?"
Yu Ren Shu said: "The State Preceptor foresaw the general location. You can sense spiritual energy where there is Divine grade spirit weapons. The geology will also be very different from other places. It is extremely heavy after all. If we get even closer, perhaps the spirit beasts would be able to sniff it out."
Ruan Qian Xiu said: "So you guys don"t have a specific goal, just going to cover the mountains and plains."
Tian Rong snorted coldly: "You can choose not to come up the mountain with us."
Ruan Qian Xiu smiled: "I"m currently being chased by Blood Temple. I"d rather go up the mountain to face rare beasts with you."
With a move of her delicate hands, the crescents blade at her hip moved seamlessly to her hands. That crescent blade spun once in her hand and was then ruthlessly stuck into the table. She laughed lightly: "Its also been a long time since Zheng Chen has smelled the scent of blood."
Jiang Chao Ge looked around at everyone, "With you guys here, I"m not afraid of any rare beasts up the mountain."
At night, they rested at an inn. Tian Rong stood guard outside Ruan Qian Xiu"s door, Zui You stood guard inside. Tomorrow they would set foot on Shao Xian Mountain. If Blood Temple"s people don"t make a move now, it"ll be even more difficult to make a move once they"re up the mountain. So tonight, everyone was extra vigilant.
Jiang Chao Ge felt somewhat nervous about the journey tomorrow. After all, other than the one time he ran into a Fei Yi outside Hu An City, he had never been faced with a battle with rare beasts. He heard that there were large numbers of rare beasts on Shao Xian Mountain. He didn"t know if it was like walking into a den of Tigers and wolves. Would he come back alive?
Jiang Chao Ge looked at Zhi Xuan who was lying down back facing him, remembering that this ferocious kid hadn"t annoyed him all day and poked his spine, "Zuzong, are you asleep?"
It was like he had stirred up Zhi Xuan"s mechanisms. His shoulders trembled and he didn"t speak.
Jiang Chao Ge held back his laughter, "You"re not asleep right? You don"t need sleep anyway."
"Shut up."
"Why are you angry? We"re going up the mountain tomorrow. If I die on the mountain, will you still be angry at me?"
Zhi Xuan turned over suddenly, "You"re not allowed to die."
"I will try my best…."
Zhi Xuan stared fixedly at him for a while and whispered: "Definitely not allowed to die."
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: "I"ll, try my best."
Bringing adequate equipment, food, a total of four people four beasts majestically climbed up Shao Xian Mountain.
On the mountain, snow acc.u.mulated up to knee level. Only those big spirit beasts where able to walk as if flying. The guide took them up the mountain peak the State Preceptor foresaw, coincidentally being the same one Qi Ling Feng investigated as a potential lead to a Heaven grade spirit weapon.
They walked for half a day, and arrived halfway up the mountain. The guide said: "Sirs, I can only accompany you to here. Over this mountain peak, there are many ferocious man eating spirit beasts. Please be extremely careful."
Jiang Chao Ge tipped the guide a few extra silver coins, "Thank you. You can return."
The guide bowed while riding a horse down the mountain.
Jiang Chao Ge took a deep breath, "Let"s go."
Blood Temple/刹血- previously translated as Cha Xue. I thought this would sound better and it is essentially a direct translation of it.
Empathised with him/同病相怜- more specifically fellow sufferers empathise with each other. Simplified it to keep fluidity.
Translator"s Corner
Hey guys! My exams are finally over! Yayyyyy freedommmmmm. Dunno what to do with all this time tbh.
I"m back with a new chapter! I will be going overseas soon tho but I thought y"all needed something to chew on after this long period of hiatus. Sorry for the wait but I"m finally back! XD