237 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

Yan Zhao noticed that her senior sister was about to leave and quickly spoke up, "I want to go too!" Ren Qingyue turned back to look at her, "Senior Nangong needs someone to care for her. Stay here and don't go anywhere." Although the battle seemed to have quieted down, there was no telling if the Immortal Alliance members would resort to desperate measures. In such a chaotic time, it was better for Yan Zhao to keep a low profile and stay put. Yan Zhao couldn't grasp Ren Qingyue's concern; she was only afraid that if her senior sister left, she wouldn’t come back. So she pleaded anxiously, "I want to go with you!" Dongfang Cixin, unable to bear their fuss, waved her hand in annoyance, "Alright, alright, you both go. Stop being all clingy. These young couples today are so troublesome." Ren Qingyue attempted to explain, "We're not..." Before she could finish, Yan Zhao bounded over like an exuberant puppy, grasping Ren Qingyue's hand and leading her out, "The elder has given her consent, senior sister, let's go quickly and come back fast." Ren Qingyue: "..." Alright then. Outside the cave, Su Zijun and Yao Shenzi were discussing Nangong Yin's injuries. Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the forest. The two turned their heads but saw only the swaying shadows of trees, with no person in sight. However, Yao Shenzi frowned, his expression wary, "There was someone in the forest just now." Su Zijun shared his view, nodding, "Perhaps upon seeing you, they hid." To have eluded their senses so swiftly suggested a formidable level of cultivation. Yao Shenzi pondered deeply, "A Cloud-Floating Sect elder? Or someone from the Immortal Alliance?" Su Zijun considered for a moment, "There’s one more possibility." "What is it?" Yao Shenzi asked. Suddenly, Su Zijun raised her voice, "Since you've come, there's no need to hide. Yao Shenzi will overlook it." Before her words finished, a flash of lightning split the night, and the next moment, Jiang Ying appeared a few paces away, bowing respectfully toward Su Zijun, "Jiang Ying pays respects to Palace Master Su." Yao Shenzi was bewildered. After a pause, his eyes suddenly widened, "Nangong Yin's right hand protector?" Jiang Ying bowed again to Yao Shenzi, "Senior Yao Shenzi." Yao Shenzi was totally baffled, his mind racing. He turned to Su Zijun and asked, "Do you know her?" He quickly deduced for himself, "You are aware of the connection between Nangong Yin and Yan Yuanqing. You have links with these demon clans..." Su Zijun interrupted Yao Shenzi's rambling assumptions, honestly explaining, "We know each other. Yuanqing and I are old acquaintances, so it’s natural to have some contact with those around her. But Wanbao Palace and the demon clans do not have regular interactions. You can rest assured about that, senior." Had it been someone else hearing this, they might not have believed it, potentially dismissing Su Zijun as dishonest. For years, the Cloud-Floating Sect had tirelessly propagated the notion of the demon clans' ruthlessness, and the tension between the Immortal Alliance and demon clans had led to growing animosity. Collusion with demon clans was seen as a serious crime by the Immortal Alliance. This was why the people from the Cloud-Floating Sect radically changed their attitudes when they found out Yan Yuanqing was pregnant with demon blood. However, upon hearing Su Zijun's explanation, Yao Shenzi felt enlightened, "Oh, I see!" He turned to Jiang Ying, "Are you here to visit Nangong Yin?" Jiang Ying nodded, "Correct." She was executing a task assigned by Nangong Yin when she learned about the upheaval at the main peak and Nangong Yin's serious injury from her target. After finding out Yan Zhao brought Nangong Yin to Huangyin Peak, she followed. The bet was irrelevant; if Lei Shuang wanted to win that much, she didn’t mind conceding. Shortly after Jiang Ying exchanged a few words with Yao Shenzi, the waterfall behind them parted, and Ren Qingyue led Yan Zhao out from the cave. "Palace Master Su, Senior Yao Shenzi," Ren Qingyue greeted the two elders. Yan Zhao, in her usual lively manner, ran over, loudly exclaiming "Master!" and "Godmother!" Seeing Jiang Ying, Ren Qingyue was momentarily surprised, but then it made sense to her—wherever Nangong Yin was, her protectors wouldn't be absent. Politely, Ren Qingyue invited, "Please, all of you, follow us." Inside the cave residence, upon hearing footsteps at the entrance, Dongfang Cixin dismissed Zuo Xun. Shortly afterward, Su Zijun and the others appeared with an air of composure. Dongfang Cixin got straight to the point, "No one comes to this Three Treasures Hall without reason. Are you all here for Nangong Yin?" "Not exactly," Yao Shenzi spoke first, "I came to visit my dear disciple. As for me, I am Yan Zhao's teacher. I appreciate the care you’ve provided, so I’m here to thank you." Dongfang Cixin, understanding, nodded, "I see. There's no need for formality, senior. I didn’t help much at all." Having said that, she turned her gaze to Su Zijun. Su Zijun responded, "I am Yan Zhao's godmother, and I've come to thank you on her behalf as well." Dongfang Cixin: "..." Clearly, the person lying on the jade platform was Nangong Yin, yet those visiting were all here for Yan Zhao. An enlightening thought struck her mind, perhaps she understood something. It seemed that Su Zijun and Yao Shenzi's visit wasn’t solely about Yan Zhao. With an idea forming in her mind, Dongfang Cixin didn’t hold back, directly asking, "Did you both happen to read the letters I sent to Yan Zhao?" Acknowledging the impropriety of reading someone else's letters, which could be considered discourteous, Su Zijun felt a twinge of embarrassment and responded apologetically, "That was truly unintended. Since Zhao doesn’t know how to read, I read the letter on her behalf. Coincidentally, Senior Yao Shenzi was at Wanbao Palace, so we discussed the matter together, and I hope you will forgive us." "No worries," Dongfang Cixin assured them offhandedly. As it had a valid reason, and considering Su Zijun's candid demeanor, she wasn't particularly concerned and replied, "Ah, Yan Zhao can't read. That was my oversight." In that case, their ostensible purpose of expressing gratitude might actually have more to do with Yan Yuanqing. Finally, she turned her attention to Jiang Ying, who was standing slightly apart from the rest, "What’s your connection with Yan Zhao?" Jiang Ying waved her hands, looking puzzled, "I am a close aide to the demon lord, and with Yan Zhao..." "Having no connection," she was about to say, when Dongfang Cixin suddenly exclaimed, "Oh," her face showing a sudden realization, and she added, "You're family by marriage, coming to visit your niece." Jiang Ying: "???" What?! Chapter 257 The night was dark, wind cold and gusty. Ying Xiao moved swiftly through the cover of darkness. Watching Yan Zhao first defeat Yun Daozi and then subdue the ancient dragon had greatly shocked Ying Xiao. He dared not linger and hurried back to the Immortal Alliance under the cover of night, fearing that if he waited too long, he might suffer the same fate as Yun Daozi if caught by Yan Zhao. Although the Divine Source Fruit was valuable, one needed to survive to enjoy it. His association with Yun Daozi was merely for show, with a facade of cooperation, but in reality, they schemed against each other without any real commitment. He certainly wouldn’t risk his life for Yun Daozi. Traveling urgently through the night and constantly using spatial techniques, Ying Xiao barely arrived at the Meridian Immortal Domain by dawn. The domain naturally had an Immortal Alliance outpost, and Ying Xiao needed to relay the information he possessed to the higher authorities as soon as possible. The value of this information alone would suffice to ensure his safety. As Ying Xiao took his first step into the Immortal Alliance outpost, a sudden wave of dread hit him. Everything appeared normal, yet he felt an inexplicable chill creep up his spine. Alarm bells rang in his mind, and Ying Xiao quickly tried to retreat. However, before he could take another step, an immense pressure descended upon him like a mountain, forcing him to his knees with a thump. Ying Xiao instinctively resisted, struggling to get up, when a heavy blow pressed onto his back. His back was suddenly weighted down, and his chest slammed into the ground with a muffled thud. Blinded by the impact, Ying Xiao's hazy vision made out a beast's leg. In a flash, clarity returned, and he stopped resisting, remaining motionless on the ground. Standing on his back was a jade lion beast. This creature, one of the divine beasts from the celestial realm, was a fierce warrior under Immortal King Zhan Feng. Being subdued by it meant that any attempt to escape would result in being torn to shreds and devoured. Beneath the beast's searing breath and suffocating stench, Ying Xiao envisioned its large, terrifying beastly head hovering over him. The jade lion beast only needed to open its mouth to remove his head. Hearing the clicking sound of its jaws opening and closing sent a chill through Ying Xiao's body. Soon, he saw a pair of white shoes appear in his low-to-the-ground view. The shoes were crafted from the finest brocade, with intricate patterns woven in gold and jade threads, exuding a subtle elegance and splendor. Ying Xiao recognized the person and, despite the fear coursing through him, forced himself to speak, "Immortal Lord, save me. I didn't mean to run away midway; I was rushing back to bring you news!" The figure, turning his back on Ying Xiao while playing with a jade pendant, chuckled softly, "Well then, share your news and let's see if it measures up to the value of an ancient dragon." "It certainly does!" Ying Xiao replied eagerly, "It's about the Divine Source Fruit! I've found the whereabouts of the Divine Source Fruit!" As his words fell, the jade pendant shattered into powder in the Immortal Lord's hand. The person turned around, a playful expression flitting across his face as he glanced at Ying Xiao, "If you've found the Divine Source Fruit, why not bring it back?" Ying Xiao lay trembling on the ground, pressing his forehead to the icy surface to hide a flash of dark cunning in his eyes. Faced with the Immortal Lord's inquiry, he dared not delay, hurriedly explaining, "There's a reason for this. The Divine Source Fruit is hidden within a child's body, and this girl has a deep connection with Nangong Yin. I didn't expect Nangong Yin would intervene on her behalf. Please forgive me, Immortal Lord!" The Immortal Lord raised an eyebrow, "So you're saying that the ancient dragon was killed by Nangong Yin?" "Yes, I saw it with my own eyes!" Ying Xiao knocked his head on the ground, swearing earnestly, "However, Nangong Yin is also seriously injured. Coupled with her previous injuries from the Demon Slaying Sword not yet healed, now is the perfect opportunity to assassinate Nangong Yin and retrieve the Divine Source Fruit!" Killing Nangong Yin and bringing back the Divine Source Fruit would be a significant accomplishment. Ying Xiao was gambling, hoping that the confidant of the Immortal King wouldn't waste time reporting back to the celestial realm but would instead claim the credit alone. He intentionally withheld the identity of who had the Divine Source Fruit to prove to this person that he still had value and thus ensure his own survival. The Immortal Lord remained silent for a long time, leaving Ying Xiao drenched in cold sweat. Finally, he heard the person speak. "I originally intended to take you to the celestial realm and let the Immortal King deal with you," the Immortal Lord said with ease, "but since you’ve found the Divine Source Fruit, I can give you a chance to redeem yourself." Hearing this, Ying Xiao's tension eased, and he let out a long breath of relief. He had won the gamble. "Thank you, Immortal Lord, for your magnanimity!" Despite being humiliated under the foot of the jade lion beast, he still had to express gratitude. Ying Xiao mentally detached his will and pride from his physical self, adopting a submissive posture to show allegiance to the Immortal Lord. The Immortal Lord, satisfied with Ying Xiao's demeanor, didn’t notice the ambition hidden in those downcast eyes and said dismissively, "Get up." Ying Xiao's expression turned cold and stern. Patience in small matters is critical to achieving great plans. The humiliation he suffered at the hands of this person would be repaid in full. That day was not far off. · Cloud-Floating Sect, Huangyin Peak. Jiang Ying, utterly bewildered by the "in-law" label Dongfang Cixin had casually assigned her, took a long time to recover her composure. Just as she was about to question what "in-law" meant, she was interrupted by a fit of coughing from the jade platform. Dongfang Cixin immediately turned, lifting Nangong Yin's arm to check her pulse. Jiang Ying was quick to move closer. Forgetting what had just transpired, she asked anxiously, "How is the demon lord?" Dongfang Cixin concentrated on listening to the pulse and didn't answer Jiang Ying; instead, Yan Zhao responded, "The elder just said that Ah Yin's life is not in danger." Jiang Ying glanced at Yan Zhao, feeling a tumult of mixed emotions. The reason Nangong Yin was severely injured was because of Yan Yuanqing, yet the involvement of Yan Zhao could not be entirely discounted.