Chapter 174
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Chapter 174: Arrival at Mo City
“Very well, I understand,” Ming He declared with an air of pride, her fingers idly playing with the dark strands of Qin Chu Yi’s hair. Her voice, sharp and clear, carried a tone of casual indifference. “We did encounter some minor troubles on our journey to Mo City. Since Master Yan has extended such a gracious invitation, my Senior Sister and I will accompany you.”
She cast a glance at Yan Situ, her brows slightly arched with an air of arrogance. “If any insignificant troublemakers pursue you and you find yourselves outmatched, my Senior Sister will naturally intervene.”
“However, in times of peace, refrain from causing any disturbance that might disrupt the tranquility my Senior Sister and I seek.”
Ming He paused, tugging gently at Qin Chu Yi’s sleeve, and added, “Send a few more men to take charge of this carriage.”
The narrow mountain path had been the scene of recent chaos, leaving the black-clad guards too preoccupied to attend to their carriage. Consequently, Qin Chu Yi had been sustaining it with her spiritual energy.
Ming He’s implication was clear; she expected Yan Situ to assign someone to manage the carriage.
This was only fitting, as envoys of the Demon Race held a dignified status and would not ordinarily stoop to such tasks; a moment of necessity was quite different from a habitual lowering of one’s station.
Yan Situ nodded in agreement, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his features. He summoned several black-clad guards, meticulously instructing them on various details, and considerately took it upon himself to rehang the curtain that Qin Chu Yi had earlier torn.
The black drapery descended, obscuring the last vestiges of sunlight, plunging the carriage into a profound darkness and silence, shielding its occupants from prying eyes.
Yan Situ then returned to the forefront of the convoy, issuing the command to proceed with a confident stride. The lengthy caravan reformed, navigating the treacherous Cloud Mountain Path with precision, advancing steadily toward their destination.
As the curtain fell, Ming He straightened, drawing Qin Chu Yi into her embrace. She observed her Senior Sister’s labored breathing and evident fatigue, her heart aching with concern. Adjusting her posture to offer more comfort, she spoke in a soft, soothing tone:
“Senior Sister, how are you faring?”
Upon awakening, Ming He had found her spiritual energy in disarray, likely a consequence of the injuries she had sustained before being swept into the spatial currents. Qin Chu Yi, now pale and breathing rapidly, was clearly not unscathed.
Despite her ability to barely muster her spiritual energy, she had been compelled to sustain the carriage while also employing her powers to repel the mountain rocks and intimidate their adversaries, as well as to assert dominance over Yan Situ. She must have reached her limit.
“It’s nothing,” Qin Chu Yi murmured, leaning softly against Ming He, her head shaking almost imperceptibly. After a deep exhale, she looked up at Ming He. “What are your thoughts?”
Ming He, her brow furrowed with a mix of concern and contemplation, remained silent for a moment before responding, “This is the first trial of the Vast Ancient Realm, the cause and effect of the mortal world.”
The cause and effect of the mortal world was a scenario crafted within the Ancient Realm.
Upon seeing Yan Situ enveloped in magical mist, they had presumed themselves transported to the demon race’s domain from millennia past.
Yet, in truth, they remained within the Vast Ancient Realm.
At that moment, the Vast Jade hung prominently at their waists.
Along with the small horns adorning Qin Chu Yi’s head, her pair of rabbit ears, the Left Envoy Young Master’s coming of age ceremony, and Yan Situ’s solemn deference,
Ming He deduced that their roles as envoys of the Demon Race had likely been assigned to her and Qin Chu Yi by the Vast Ancient Realm.
Much like their initial foray into the Ancient Realm Trial of the cause and effect of the mortal world, where she had assumed the guise of a disguised Young Master of Zhenyuan Escort, and Qin Chu Yi had been cast as a daughter of the governor of Jiangnan.
This realization alleviated some of Ming He’s unease.
After all, it was customary for the Ancient Realm Trial to impose limitations on one’s cultivation.
However, this time, their memories remained intact, and given their presence in a particularly sensitive era and locale within the demon race, she surmised that the phrase “cause and effect of the mortal world” bore a significant connection to Xin Ming Zhu, the catalyst of upheaval among the human race.
Thus, their attendance at the Left Envoy Young Master’s coming of age ceremony was imperative.
They remained uncertain of the means to pass the trial.
Yet, concerning the battlefield of the heavens—
Ming He sighed, embracing Qin Chu Yi more tightly. Noticing the same concern etched in her Senior Sister’s furrowed brow, she clasped her hand and reassured her with a smile, “Senior Sister, do not fret. Friend Nineteen is unharmed.”
She had entrusted the Four-direction Compass to Nineteen to safeguard her life, but Ming He would forever remain its primary owner, having bound it with her own blood.
Even though the contract had been dissolved, a subtle connection still lingered in the unseen realm.
Thus, she could sense that Nineteen was safe and alive.
Moreover, it seemed Nineteen had not been drawn into the trial of the Vast Ancient Realm.
Was it because she lacked the Vast Jade?
Nineteen, a formation master, possessed survival skills in the spatial currents that surpassed even Ming He and Qin Chu Yi. Once assured of Nineteen’s safety, Ming He felt little concern.
Qin Chu Yi paused, then asked softly, “What about He Lou Feng?”
She, too, had been swept away by the spatial currents.
Ming He’s breath hitched; she had indeed overlooked He Lou Feng.
The Fifth Prince of the Tian Yan Tribe, who had saved Yóu Lìng’s life, enabling her to survive as a life puppet with her royal bloodline.
“Like Friend Nineteen, she has inherited the ancient formations and mastered formation mastery. She should also survive.”
“Let’s follow Yan Situ to Mo City first. Though without spiritual energy, it might prove troublesome.” Ming He decided firmly, her white rabbit ears swaying, a stark contrast to her icy demeanor.
Qin Chu Yi couldn’t help but laugh, sitting up in Ming He’s embrace. One arm wrapped around Ming He’s neck for support, while the other played with her rabbit ears, twisting them into odd shapes. She smiled under Ming He’s cool gaze. “There are other ways, you know.”
She snuggled closer, nuzzling Ming He affectionately, her fingers gently tugging at the rabbit ears. “Ming Xiao Yi—”
Qin Xiao He, clad in vibrant red, curled up adorably in Ming He’s arms. She leaned in, whispering softly, “These horns on our heads aren’t entirely useless.”
She smiled, bending the snowy rabbit ears. “I seem to draw power from them, enough to slowly nourish the stagnant energy within me.”
The Vast Ancient Realm had whimsically cast them as envoys of the Demon Race, even adorning them with traits favored by the royal Demon Race during transformation. Was it all just for amusement?
Ming He paused, silently considering Qin Chu Yi’s words. It made sense, and she extended her spiritual sense to explore her own rabbit ears for any peculiarities.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Qin Chu Yi sitting up, seizing the moment to grasp both rabbit ears with both hands, her lips curving into a radiant smile as if discovering a new world, utterly captivated.
Ah, women!
Ming He let out a cold laugh, initially inclined to let her be, but the flash of red at Qin Chu Yi’s waist caught her eye, accentuating the crimson at the corners of her lowered gaze, creating an unexpectedly striking image.
Ming He could bear it no longer. She pulled Qin Chu Yi down by the waist, meeting her puzzled gaze as her hand reached for the dark little horn atop Qin Chu Yi’s head.
The horn appeared sharp and imposing, exuding an air of authority, yet felt soft and warm to the touch, radiating a refreshing coolness like a clear spring.
Ming He began to understand Qin Chu Yi’s fascination with her rabbit ears.
She smiled, leaning down to meet Qin Chu Yi’s pleading, dreamy gaze, pressing her lips against the hint of red on Qin Chu Yi’s lips, her hand still resting on the dark little horn.
Kissing while caressing, she swallowed the soft whimpers between their lips, her touch tender yet commanding. After a long moment, she finally released the fresh air, a smile playing on her lips. “Senior Sister is right.”
What had she just said?
Qin Chu Yi, dazed, breathed in deeply, her mind racing. She had heard that when the Demon Race transformed, the features they retained, when touched by a beloved, signified desire.
As Ming He’s hand left her head, the dark little horn trembled, rippling softly.
Qin Chu Yi buried her face deeper into Ming He’s embrace, her ears tinged with a faint blush, momentarily feeling as though she truly belonged to the Demon Race.
Outside, the convoy moved steadily along the steep and treacherous Cloud Mountain Path. Inside the carriage, Ming He and Qin Chu Yi sat undisturbed, Yan Situ having spared no effort in accommodating the envoys of the Demon Race.
With Qin Chu Yi and Ming He present, Yan Situ’s group exuded remarkable confidence and fearlessness.
Whether this confidence deterred the hidden forces or news of Qin Chu Yi’s previous actions had spread remained unclear.
In any case, they encountered no further pursuers on their journey, which proceeded with remarkable calm and steadiness. Consequently, Qin Chu Yi had no need to intervene again.
The heartland of the demon race, the so-called royal city of Mo City, was now within reach.
Ming He reached out and lifted the curtain, peering through the gap. In the distance, she glimpsed the faint outline of a towering city emerging from the black fog, standing majestically with an ancient yet imposing aura that radiated both danger and awe.
As the carriage drew nearer, the city’s silhouette gradually sharpened. The heavy, oppressive atmosphere that filled her nostrils was suffocating, no less intense than the natural pressure of the battlefield of the heavens.
This sensation was unique to her and her Senior Sister, as Yan Situ and his companions did not share the same experience.
They stood motionless, gazing up at the city with an almost reverent awe, their eyes brimming with tears, momentarily overwhelmed by excitement.
Was it because they were of the demon race, while she and her Senior Sister were of pure human lineage?
As Ming He pondered this, she noticed Yan Situ suppressing his excitement as he approached them. She leaned back softly into Qin Chu Yi’s embrace, instinctively using her as a personal cushion.
Qin Chu Yi felt a pang of guilt, recalling how often she had teased Ming He by playing with her rabbit ears. She adjusted her posture to accommodate Ming He, just as Yan Situ’s cautious voice called from outside, “Envoy Qin, Envoy Ming, we have arrived at Mo City.”
Their agreement had been to travel together to Mo City to fulfill their respective needs. Now that they had arrived, it was time to part ways.
Qin Chu Yi responded with a light “Mm,” then untied the Vast Jade from her waist and tossed it casually. “Take this jade ornament to the guards of Mo City and have the Shura Palace send someone to escort me.”
As envoys of the Demon Race, they were naturally entitled to a grand reception by the Shura Palace.
However, Qin Chu Yi was uncertain how much of the identity assigned to her and Ming He by the Vast Ancient Realm was genuine. She straightened up, pulling Ming He closer, and mentally prepared for a quick escape if necessary.
Fortunately, during their playful journey, they had also studied the peculiarities of the dark little horn and the white rabbit ears atop their heads. While they couldn’t hope to conquer the Shura Palace or Mo City, escaping unscathed was well within their capabilities.
“Understood,” Yan Situ replied, his respect deepening at her confident tone. He took the white jade ornament and approached the guards of Mo City.
Moments later, the ancient black gates of Mo City swung open, revealing a line of armored guards in black armor standing in perfect formation. At the rear of the procession rode a Young Man atop a magnificent steed. Dressed in dark brocade, his hair tied high, he exuded an air of pride and authority as he approached the carriage.
The horse was no ordinary mount. Ming He recognized it at once.
It was Black Whirlwind, a steed conjured by powerful demon cultivators through profound magical means. Capable of traveling thousands of miles in a day, it possessed its own consciousness and could accompany its master into battle with unmatched ferocity.
“Envoy Qin, Envoy Ming,” the Young Man said warmly as he halted before the carriage. “I am Shi Cheng Sui, the chief disciple under the Left Envoy of the demon race. I extend my gratitude to both of you for traveling such a great distance to attend my little Junior Sister’s coming-of-age ceremony.”
Seated tall on his impressive steed, he offered a graceful bow, his demeanor poised and dignified. “My Master has instructed me to escort you to the Shura Palace. Please step into the carriage I have prepared for you.”
With a wave of his hand, two Black Whirlwind steeds drew forward, pulling a carriage that dwarfed theirs in both size and grandeur.
This was to be expected, as Fei Hua Zhai hailed from the impoverished lands of the Extreme West. Yan Situ and his group could scarcely afford mounts, let alone luxuries.
The carriage they had been using was already the finest in the convoy.
Yet Qin Chu Yi’s concern lay elsewhere.
What troubled her was Shi Cheng Sui’s immediate use of “Envoy Qin” and “Envoy Ming.” Had he learned this from Yan Situ, or was it the doing of the Vast Ancient Realm?
After a brief pause, she replied lightly, “Very well.”
With Ming He following closely, they stepped out of the carriage and, flanked by the armored guards of the demon race, entered the lavish carriage prepared by the Shura Palace. Throughout it all, Qin Chu Yi cast only a fleeting glance at Shi Cheng Sui, offering no further words.
Shi Cheng Sui’s expression shifted subtly as his gaze lingered on Ming He before settling on the dark little horn atop Qin Chu Yi’s head. He clenched his fists, as if to suppress some emotion, yet his eyes betrayed a flicker of excitement and calculation.
Envoys of the Demon Race?
He murmured softly, his eyes glinting with a hint of bloodlust. Perhaps they were not entirely beyond his reach.
