Chapter 30: The Little Demoness Who Drains Essence

Zhang Jimin hurriedly followed Ye Cheng’s pace. Was there something unclean in the house? He still didn’t quite understand what that meant and could only wait for Ye Cheng to see for himself.

…

As soon as he stepped outside, Ye Cheng saw Tang Yiyun standing at the door. At that moment, she was gently biting her…

Qing Mengshuang had heard this story, but only in passing, and hadn’t paid it much mind. A labor contract that could only be dissolved by one party was essentially a deed of sale. Would abolishing the law really make all oppression and exploitation vanish entirely?

“If A’zi is willing, then next year, after she comes of age, Qi Yan will bring his betrothal gifts and formally come to propose.” Qi Yan, a bit uneasy, turned his head slightly, then faced Yun Zi directly, gazing into her eyes and speaking earnestly.

But Long Jianfei had already drawn his dagger; with a lift of his left hand, the tip struck precisely into the man’s heart. After a violent shudder, the man died a miserable death.

Li Zhichen raised his right hand and firmly gripped the scimitar, while his other hand struck out, sending invisible sword energy flying. Ai Kuan’s expression changed; his other scimitar slashed down toward Li Zhichen.

Li Zhichen’s left hand clenched, and a jade sword appeared. With two sharp swishes, he sliced through several strands of the tough, flexible ropes binding him. The jade sword flashed, and every rope was severed, dozens of golden bells clattering to the ground.

A chain bridge connected the opposite peak, suspended in midair, with an abyss below so dark and deep that nothing could be seen. Many shrank back at the sight, but those who had come this far would not turn back. Each summoned their courage, stepped onto the chains, and sped across.

Leng Yanshuo resentfully withdrew his chopsticks and slapped them onto the table with a loud smack, startling Li Luo so that the just-added poached greens fell into the bowl.

“Uncle Zhong! Didn’t I say you needn’t come out to greet us? The weather’s so cold—what if you catch a chill?” Yun Zi’s words were spoken with genuine feeling; she had always cared deeply for Uncle Zhong.

“How can you laugh! Do you realize how dangerous that was? Do you know what kind of place the Seven Star Gate is? They chew people up and spit out nothing but bones, and you dared to go in alone!” Qi Yan furrowed his brows, finally unable to keep from scolding.

Qin Xiong was somewhat incredulous, but there was no harm in telling Qin Hao the truth, so he recounted the story in detail.

When no one responded, Kui Mu Lang waved his hand, and one of his men brought forth an oversized porcelain bowl filled with a blood-red liquid.

Halfway along the road, at a corner, I spotted a faint black mark. My face instantly turned pale at the sight of it.

Qu Qingran first bent at the waist to gaze at the water spirit in the pool, then, after a moment’s thought, knelt with one knee at the broken edge of the pool. Though she still had to look down, this effort to meet the other’s gaze on equal footing conveyed a greater sense of respect.

For a full minute, no one spoke. Sweat beaded across my forehead, my palms slick and clammy, the moisture nearly forming droplets ready to drip from my fingertips.

Song Minghao drew a cigarette from the pack Walter tossed him, stuck it in his mouth, and reached out a calloused hand—toughened by years of handling firearms—toward Walter.

He had collaborated with those in the Immortal Realm, lying in wait nearby. When the latecomers were locked in a furious battle, he struck without hesitation.

Just then, the inn’s front doors, which had been wide open, suddenly slammed shut with a bang, though there was no wind. The light that had been shining through the entrance abruptly vanished, plunging the threshold into darkness.

Zuo Zhu opened his eyes, bloodshot and terrifying—he must not have slept for days. He went out to wash his face, then, cigarette dangling from his lips and phone in hand, left the house.