Chapter 66: Like Looking at a Corpse
Chen Yin didn’t want to dwell on those memories.
He had once believed that it was his desperate will to survive that allowed him to escape the secret realm.
He found the scroll. He mastered the three swords.
He returned to Mount Yu, eager to reunite with his Master and Xiang’er.
…However, his strongest desire to live and his weakest desire to live…
…were separated by a single day.
When he returned to the main sect, his intense desire to survive crumbled.
He suddenly didn’t know why he had fought so hard to escape the secret realm.
All his efforts had only resulted in two cold corpses.
“If I could, I wish I had never gone to that place.”
He murmured as if talking to himself. “If I had stayed on Mount Yu, it would have been better.”
Seeing his downcast mood, Luo Luo snuggled closer to him, rubbing her head against his arm.
Qingying sat on the floor, her gaze vacant for a long time, before she finally shook her head.
“I don’t believe you.”
“That’s just your side of the story.”
“A’Chen only went to the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain a few months ago. If you were there, how could you be here now?”
“You’re lying to me.” Qingying stared at him intently.
Chen Yin shrugged. “Believe what you want.”
“But I will be going back to the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain eventually.”
“If you’re interested, you can come with me.”
“…Your brother’s last words on the jade pendant were filled with thoughts of you.” He looked at her seriously.
Qingying froze, then closed her eyes slowly.
“But for now, we have more pressing matters.”
Chen Yin resumed his casual demeanor and sat back down on the chair.
“What are you going to do? Just stay tied up like this?”
Qingying hesitated for a long time, then finally said:
“You’re… not a demonic cultivator?”
“Of course not. You know who I am.”
Chen Yin said proudly, “I’m the most handsome man in the cultivation world, the Number One Cannon of Mount Yu, a master of nothing but flirting and causing trouble, Chen Yin at your service.”
“If you had any sense, you would know that a true demonic cultivator wouldn’t bother wearing a mask and disguising themselves to infiltrate the main altar.”
Qingying remained silent for a while, then said slowly, “Alright.”
“I can temporarily suspend the Sect Master’s orders and not kill you.”
“But you must take me to the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain to find my brother.” Her cold, beautiful eyes stared at Chen Yin intently.
Chen Yin pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Okay.”
With a soft snap, the ropes binding Qingying untied themselves.
Chen Yin said casually, “Just in case, I’ve left a trace of sword energy near your foundation.”
“If you try anything funny, I can detonate it and send you on your way.”
Qingying simply rubbed her sore wrists and snorted. “You’re quite cautious.”
“Well, I’m a coward who’s afraid of death. I always feel safer with a few tricks up my sleeve.”
Chen Yin grinned. “You would do the same, wouldn’t you?”
Qingying didn’t answer, tacitly agreeing.
“What now?”
She turned to Chen Yin. “What are you doing at the demonic sect’s main altar?”
“…Many things. It’s a long story.”
Chen Yin thought for a moment, then said softly, “As a member of the secret division, you must be very good at stealth, right?”
“Work with Luo Luo and map out the entire demonic sect’s main altar. We need to know the layout to formulate our next plan.”
…He wasn’t worried about Qingying harming Luo Luo. With the master-servant contract, he would instantly know if Luo Luo was in any danger, and that would be enough for him to detonate the sword energy he had left in Qingying’s body.
“Remember, this is the demonic sect’s main altar. There might be many powerful elders here.”
Chen Yin warned, “Be careful. Your only objective is to scout the terrain. Don’t expose yourselves.”
Qingying was used to following orders and simply nodded silently.
Luo Luo, however, looked downcast, her ears drooping.
“Don’t worry.” A large, warm hand rested on her head, and Chen Yin said softly, “If there’s any news about Ya Ya and your friends being alive, I’ll definitely rescue them.”
“You just need to control yourself and don’t be impulsive.”
Luo Luo fidgeted with her fingers for a while before nodding obediently.
“Alright, let’s get to work.”
***
Zhao Han was having a good day.
He had been feeling quite miserable for the past two days, having to wait on the Holy Maiden hand and foot like a servant, serving her tea and fulfilling her every whim.
But as if the heavens had taken pity on him, they sent him Chen Yin, an obedient, capable, and seemingly naive subordinate.
Now, he didn’t have to do anything. The foolish kid handled everything.
He could finally slack off openly and sleep in.
After lunch, he was strolling through the tunnels of the main altar when he bumped into Chen Yin coming out of the kitchen. He immediately went up to him.
“Yo, still working hard so late at night?”
Chen Yin seemed a bit embarrassed. He hid his hands behind his back and chuckled awkwardly. “You’re still awake, boss?”
“Hah, it’s still early. Why would I be asleep?”
He pointed at something behind Chen Yin. “What’s that you’re hiding?”
Chen Yin reluctantly revealed a wine jar.
“Sorry, boss. I couldn’t resist. I saw some good wine in the kitchen…” He said with a guilty expression.
“Ah, it’s no big deal, go ahead and drink.”
Zhao Han said nonchalantly, “Didn’t know you were a fellow wine lover. You and I have the same taste.”
“Come on, let’s go to my room and have a good chat over some drinks.”
Chen Yin followed Zhao Han obediently, a glint of cunning flashing in his eyes.
***
Two hours later…
“…That damn Holy Maiden, who does she think she is!”
Empty wine jars were scattered across the floor, and the air reeked of alcohol.
Zhao Han, completely drunk, pointed at the ceiling and slurred, “J-just because she has the right physique and can cultivate demonic arts rapidly, she gets to be treated like royalty without lifting a finger! Why?!”
“Why… Why couldn’t I, Old Zhao, have that kind of luck?!”
Chen Yin poured him another drink, a flattering smile on his face. “Come on, boss, don’t say that.”
“Life is full of disappointments. Maybe the Holy Maiden has had her share of bad luck too. And maybe you’ve had your share of good luck.”
“Th-that’s true…”
Zhao Han burped and chuckled. “When I, Old Zhao, am lucky, everyone envies me, haha.”
…Here it comes. Chen Yin thought to himself.
“Right, Brother Zhao, you mentioned before that you became a second-class disciple because of a stroke of luck.”
Chen Yin asked as he poured the wine, “Can you tell me more about it? Maybe some of your good fortune will rub off on me.”
“Heh, then let me tell you about the significance of this second-class merit.”
As soon as he started talking about it, Zhao Han became incredibly excited, his greasy face flushed red.
“Have you heard of the Azure Fox Clan, brother?”
Azure Fox? Chen Yin blinked.
“Hah, it’s normal that you haven’t. Which cultivator these days cares about the affairs of the demon race?”
Zhao Han explained proudly, “The Azure Foxes are the kings of the fox clan.”
“It’s said that they hold an exalted position among all demon races. Even the most powerful beasts have to show them respect.”
“That’s because the Azure Foxes possess a unique bloodline talent—communication with the void.”
“This talent is incredibly powerful. You see, the void is a realm that only Grand Clarity Realm experts can access. Ordinary cultivators below that level would be obliterated upon entering.”
“But the Azure Foxes can ignore the dangers of the void and communicate with it. Those with a strong bloodline can even freely travel between the void and the material world, making them virtually invincible.”
…Freely travel through the void?
Chen Yin’s expression turned strange.
It seemed that Luo Luo’s background was even more impressive than he had imagined.
“Such a powerful talent.” He feigned surprise. “Aren’t they practically invincible?”
“Not exactly.”
Zhao Han smacked his lips. “With great power comes great difficulty in reproduction. The Azure Fox lineage has always been small, and their precious talent is often coveted by others.”
“Therefore, most Azure Foxes live in seclusion within a protective barrier created by their powerful elders, isolated from the world.”
“And they’ve become the most sought-after pets in the entire cultivation world.”
“If someone can form a master-servant contract with an Azure Fox, it’s like gaining a powerful ally.”
That was true. Luo Luo was indeed much more useful than he had imagined.
“And then?” Chen Yin asked, “What does this have to do with you, boss?”
“Don’t be impatient, let me tell you the story.”
Zhao Han said with a world-weary expression, “That day, I was on a mission with a few brothers from the main altar.”
“We were about to return after completing the mission when we stumbled upon a group of Azure Foxes in a valley deep within a mountain forest.”
“It was like a gift from heaven! Those Azure Foxes were all young and had low cultivation levels, and their bloodline wasn’t that strong.”
“When we encountered them, they had nowhere to run.”
Zhao Han laughed triumphantly, while Chen Yin continued to listen with a gentle expression.
“And then? Did you claim those Azure Foxes for yourself, boss?”
“Of course not.” Zhao Han chuckled. “I wouldn’t dare. I turned them over to the sect.”
“Azure Foxes, with their ability to communicate with the void, are perfect for transmitting information.”
“It’s a pity that those foxes were still young and their bloodline wasn’t strong enough. We could only keep them captive for now and wait for them to grow older before sending them to serve the Dao Master.”
I see. Chen Yin closed his eyes for a moment, then chuckled softly.
“Really? Are those little foxes still at the main altar?”
“Of course.”
Zhao Han pointed at Chen Yin with a grin. “You haven’t seen such rare creatures before, have you? Want to take a look?”
“No problem! I’m in charge of guarding those little foxes now. It’s no problem to let my brother have a look. Leave it to me!”
“Thank you, boss.”
Chen Yin smiled and added, “Oh, one more thing, boss.”
“Have those little foxes… formed master-servant contracts yet?”
“Of course, otherwise, they might run away.”
Zhao Han gave him a thumbs up. “Their lives are in my hands now.”
…So… you’re the one who formed the contract.
That makes things easier.
Chen Yin smiled at him.
Like he was looking at a corpse.