298 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

The power of the Divine Origin Fruit was indeed formidable, but Ren Qing Yue's injuries were truly severe. If treated at a normal pace, it would take ten days to half a month using the dual cultivation secret method daily for her to recover to her current state. However, the Divine Origin Fruit within Yan Zhao's body increased the efficiency tenfold. Even so, Ren Qing Yue was not fully recovered. Her primordial spirit was seriously damaged, her mental clarity was only a tenth of what it had been, and her memory might have also been affected. Full recovery would take time. Yet, seeing as it naturally gravitated towards Yan Zhao, spending every day with him and being nourished by the Soul-Consolidating Pearl, recovery was merely a matter of time. Yan Zhao felt a sudden pang of disappointment but wasn't discouraged. The fact that the Little Fox had awakened was already enough to make him happy. "Don't worry," Yan Yuanqing consoled Yan Zhao. "At this rate, in at most a month, Yue'er will be completely healed." Moreover, during this period, her memory should also recover bit by bit each day. Hearing Yan Yuanqing's reassurance, Yan Zhao's furrowed brow relaxed completely, and his anxious heart was at ease. A month was not ten or eight years, Yan Zhao sighed in relief. With his tension released, Yan Zhao caught the aroma wafting through the air. His nose twitched, and he craned his neck towards the fire pit, his mouth watering. "Mom, how much longer for the beggar's chicken?" "It should be almost ready," Yan Yuanqing estimated, pulling the two clay-covered parcels from the fire pit, and cracked the dried hard mud, revealing lotus leaves wrapping the pickled chicken inside. The lotus leaves had faded from their verdant hue, their surface turning grayish-white. Yan Yuanqing expertly tore open the lotus leaves, releasing a rich aroma that immediately spread. Yan Zhao gulped audibly. Yan Yuanqing handed the larger chicken to Yan Zhao, reminding him, "Be careful, it's hot." As soon as Yan Zhao took it, the Little Fox, following the scent, poked its head from his arms and bit without hesitation. "!" Yan Zhao quickly withdrew his hand, and the Little Fox missed its bite. Watching this scene with amusement, Yan Yuanqing couldn't help but wonder: Do these two value their relationship over a beggar’s chicken? Yan Zhao stood, raising the beggar’s chicken above his head, swiftly tearing off a drumstick, then teasingly waving it like a toy for a dog. The Little Fox's tail wagged furiously, whimpering as it chased the chicken leg in Yan Zhao's hand from side to side. After chasing for a while without a bite, the Little Fox grew annoyed and opened its mouth to nibble at Yan Zhao's pant leg. In the next instant, the drumstick was pushed into its mouth. Yan Zhao squatted down, speaking softly, "Be good, don't eat too quickly, it's hot." With that, he released the drumstick and laid down a piece of lotus leaf, patiently tearing the chicken in his hands into strips and placing them on the leaf. --- Chapter 326 As night fell and dew gathered, Su Zijun, having finished her duties at the palace, prepared to return to the bamboo grove for meditation. Midway through the forest, she suddenly heard the sound of something slicing through the air. She paused, looking up toward the source of the noise, spotting a fluctuation in the void a hundred feet away. Occasionally, a dark purple glimmer flashed, appearing especially secretive in the dim light. It was hard to notice without careful observation. Su Zijun was rather surprised, her figure blurring as she ascended several feet into the air, intercepting the hurried person. Raising her brows with a smile, she asked, "Out so late, why the rush? Shouldn't you be with your wife and daughter?" The person halted, forming a knot in the air. A silhouette appeared five steps away. Nan Gong Yin frowned, her face showing undisguised worry. Instead of answering, she asked, "Su Palace Master, have you seen Yuanqing?" "?" Su Zijun looked puzzled. "Isn't she in the bamboo grove?" Nan Gong Yin sighed helplessly, tossing something to Su Zijun. Su Zijun was even more confused. Catching the flying jade slip, she infused it with her power. The surface of the jade slip glowed with a hazy white light. The light converged, displaying several vigorous characters in the air: Left home, do not pursue. Su Zijun: "..." She glanced sideways at Nan Gong Yin. "What kind of game are you two playing?" "It's her who enjoys playing, not me," Nan Gong Yin replied with an unusually aggrieved expression. She explained to Su Zijun, "She even took Zhao'er with her." Su Zijun's eyes widened. "Huh? Did you two have a fight?" Nan Gong Yin shook her head. "Not really." At most, she had teased Yan Yuanqing a bit, making fun of her, and deliberately tantalized her without granting satisfaction... ahem, but it was all in good fun. How could that be called a fight? At most, it was a bit of playful banter. Su Zijun pondered upon hearing this. They hadn't fought, yet Yan Yuanqing had taken Yan Zhao away. That woman was indeed removing the rug from under her feet. "So you're going to chase after them?" Su Zijun found it somewhat amusing. "But you don't even know where they've gone. How do you plan on catching up?" These two would surely be the talk of the town if word got out—a celestial venerable and a demonic ruler, playing catch and chase. Nan Gong Yin exhaled, giving an honest answer, "Wherever mortals go, they leave traces. I suspect she might be heading toward the Celestial Ladder." "Celestial Ladder?" Su Zijun expressed her surprise. "Is she heading to the Immortal Realm?" But why take Yan Zhao to the Immortal Realm? Su Zijun couldn't understand and didn't have the time to dwell on it. Nan Gong Yin told her, "I don't know what she's intending, but I must find her quickly. Su Palace Master, excuse me." Su Zijun uttered an "oh," and when she looked up again, Nan Gong Yin had vanished before her eyes. Nan Gong Yin left Wanbao Palace in a hurry, making her way swiftly. But being not fully healed from her injuries, spreading out her spirit to search was taxing, causing fatigue soon, forcing her to stop and rest. After rushing through the night, she found herself exhausted the next morning. Needing a place for a temporary rest, she suddenly heard the tinkling of a bell carried by the wind. She paused, retracing her steps in her mind, and redirected herself. The next moment, she appeared by a small river, materializing on a smooth, flat stone. The river flowed gently, the surrounding mountains and waters created a picturesque scene, perfect for appreciating scenery and sipping tea. The faint aroma of tea lingered in the air, and subtle traces of an array were faintly detectable, clearly the handiwork of Yan Yuanqing. Nan Gong Yin glanced to the right, seeing a recently extinguished fire pit, the warmth not yet dissipated. The area around the fire was dotted with scattered footprints, their depth indicating the presence of two people, interspersed with the Little Fox's small paw prints. Having arrived just a step too late, Nan Gong Yin sighed, realizing Yan Yuanqing had slipped away again. She sat by the extinguished fire to rest a while, then rose. With the wind, her figure vanished. No sooner had Nan Gong Yin left than the void shimmered, and Yan Yuanqing, Yan Zhao, and the Little Fox in his arms all appeared. Patting her chest in lingering fear, Yan Yuanqing muttered a complaint, "Oh dear, how is that woman so smart?" Nan Gong Yin's reflexes were swift. She hadn't even had time to rest, yet Nan Gong Yin had almost caught up here. Yan Yuanqing assumed that with Nan Gong Yin's injuries, a full night's head start would have been enough for at least an hour's rest. She had underestimated Nan Gong Yin; the physical resilience of demonfolk was truly remarkable. Despite being so gravely injured, she remained unhindered. But thankfully, Yan Yuanqing was quick-witted. With the Soul-Consolidating Pearl around Ren Qing Yue’s neck, they could teleport back to the cave at any time, without the worry of Nan Gong Yin catching up. Now relaxing since Nan Gong Yin believed they'd left, Yan Yuanqing sat comfortably once more, retrieving the teapot and cups. Yan Zhao looked around curiously. "Mom, why are we avoiding Sister Yin?" The Little Fox in his arms continued to munch on the beggar’s chicken. Yan Yuanqing replied bluntly, speaking her thoughts aloud, "We're on an adventure, avoiding them means we can enjoy wandering around freely." "That makes sense." Yan Zhao nodded. The Little Fox, indifferent to their chatter, carried on gnawing away at the chicken. After half an hour, the chicken was gone, and they'd had enough tea. Yan Yuanqing stretched and clapped her hands, calling to Yan Zhao, "Zhao'er, it's getting late, let's keep moving." Obediently, Yan Zhao moved closer to Yan Yuanqing, stretching his neck to make it easier for her to grab his collar. As Yan Yuanqing rose and placed her hand on Yan Zhao's shoulder, the smile froze on her face. Across the river, a figure in a dark robe stood, though it was uncertain for how long. Or perhaps she had just arrived, otherwise, Yan Yuanqing would have sensed her presence. Yan Zhao looked up in confusion: Weren’t they about to leave? Why had they suddenly stopped? Yan Yuanqing, looking slightly embarrassed, instructed Yan Zhao, "Zhao'er, why don't you take Yue'er and hide in the cave for a bit." Yan Zhao replied, "Alright." In an instant, the surroundings shifted, and Yan Zhao found himself back in Yan Yuanqing's cave. Nan Gong Yin raised an eyebrow. Was sending Yan Zhao away Yan Yuanqing's way of saying she wanted a candid discussion? Just as she was thinking this, there was a sudden whoosh. Yan Yuanqing soared into the sky on her sword, quickly flying far away, leaving only her laughter echoing from the distance, carried by the wind: "Hahahahahahaha, catch me if you can!" Nan Gong Yin: "..." Childish. In the next moment, she leaped into the air, chasing after Yan Yuanqing. Leaves swirled and drifted onto the water's surface as a gentle breeze carried a foot across the floating leaves, lightly crossing to the opposite shore. Another figure quickly followed, tapping the water's surface with their toes, barely leaving a trace. Sensing Nan Gong Yin closely on her tail, Yan Yuanqing decided to speed up and widen the gap between them. But just then, she heard a soft groan from behind. Nan Gong Yin stumbled, bracing herself against an old tree to steady her footing. Her figure hunched over, and moisture spread beneath the soles of her shoes. She clutched her chest with one hand, her complexion pale and expression pained, seemingly unable to continue the chase. Her breathing was rapid, her chest heaving, and her body wavered as if about to collapse down the tree trunk. In the next moment, Yan Yuanqing appeared out of nowhere behind her, and as Nan Gong Yin's body fell, she naturally ended up leaning into Yan Yuanqing's embrace. Seeing Nan Gong Yin in such a state, Yan Yuanqing felt a twinge of guilt, realizing she might have gone too far with her little game. She quickly grasped Nan Gong Yin's hand, her fingers touching her pulse to examine it carefully. After a moment, her expression turned peculiar. However, before she could react, Nan Gong Yin had already twisted her wrist, pinning Yan Yuanqing's hand in return. Then everything spun around as Yan Yuanqing's head bumped against Nan Gong Yin's palm, flipping her onto the ground. Her chest was promptly sealed with a stillness talisman. Yan Yuanqing lay immobile, only able to move her eyes. She used those eyes to convey a wealth of emotions, expressing her unvented anger: Nan Gong Yin, how dare you trick me! Nan Gong Yin was indeed injured, but she was very careful with her exertion, ensuring she didn't overly deplete her strength. Moreover, her injured organs were wrapped in spiritual energy, so the situation wasn't as dire as it looked. Her earlier display of weakness and pain had been entirely feigned. A smile spread across Nan Gong Yin's lips. "All's fair in love and war." Yan Yuanqing rolled her eyes, conceding to her misfortune. However, Nan Gong Yin could tell from her spinning eyes that she was still plotting her escape. A simple stillness talisman couldn't truly restrain Yan Yuanqing. So, Nan Gong Yin casually removed the talisman. Yan Yuanqing's eyes widened. "Why are you letting me go?" Nan Gong Yin twirled the talisman between her fingers, showing it to Yan Yuanqing. "Do you want it back on?" "That wasn't what I meant," Yan Yuanqing sat up, rubbing her arms, then pinched her neck, feeling stiff from being under the talisman's effect. She had been contemplating fleeing again, but with Nan Gong Yin voluntarily removing the talisman, it seemed pointless.