The death of the bearded man shook the entire region within a hundred li. Everyone was stunned by it. Everyone knew how terrifying this man was. Relying on his strength, he had tyrannised and bullied people freely within a hundred li. Yet no one had dared to voice their anger.
This time, when they heard he had gone to deal with three young people, they could not help sighing for them. They thought that encountering such a man-eating demon meant the three were simply out of luck.
But no one could have imagined such an outcome. The person they all resented and feared had died just like that.
While everyone rejoiced inwardly, they also began to feel deep awe towards Ye Chu and the other two. Even the city lord of Ma Yuan City hid away and did not dare show himself. As Ye Chu and Ye Jingyun travelled onward, no one within a hundred li dared block their path.
Whatever the three needed, someone would quickly deliver it. This saved Ye Chu and the others a great deal of trouble.
In this manner, they travelled unhindered on horseback until they reached the outskirts of a canyon. Seeing that Ye Jingyun and Tan Miaotong still intended to press forward, Ye Chu could not help asking, “How much farther is your destination?”
“It will still take quite a while. From here, it should be another two or three thousand li,” Tan Miaotong replied to Ye Chu. Her eyes could not help glancing curiously at him again. All along the way, Ye Chu had accompanied them. Ye Jingyun had repeatedly said that Ye Chu was following because he had designs on her.
Although Tan Miaotong found it amusing, she could not help starting to wonder now. If Ye Chu truly had no such intentions, why would he follow them so far? When asked about his own destination, he refused to say.
Tan Miaotong knew very well that continuing forward would bring them into the heartland of cultivators on this continent. Places like the Yao Kingdom were among the most remote regions, extremely barren. Cultivation resources were almost nonexistent there. Yet further ahead, cultivation resources became abundant beyond measure. In Yao City, an Innate Realm cultivator could already become a national teacher. But a hundred li further on, while Innate Realm cultivators were still somewhat respected, their status was no longer so lofty. Some were even reduced to mere guards for other people’s households.
“Ahead is Black Jade City!” Tan Miaotong said to Ye Jingyun. “This city trades a large amount of black jade. Black jade is a type of spiritual jade that contains spiritual energy and is extremely beneficial for cultivation. So in this city, do not be too arrogant. There are plenty of Innate Realm cultivators here, and dozens of Primordial Spirit Realm ones. In particular, the city lord has already reached the great cultivator level.”
Ye Jingyun nodded upon hearing Tan Miaotong’s words. She naturally understood how terrifying a great cultivator was.
Just as Tan Miaotong and Ye Jingyun stepped into the city, several cultivators suddenly approached them respectfully. “Are the two of you Miss Ye Jingyun and Miss Tan Miaotong?”
“Hm?” Ye Jingyun and Tan Miaotong exchanged a glance. They wondered who these people were and how they recognised them.
While the two women were puzzled, the man dressed in luxurious robes smiled and said, “I am the owner of the Jade Workshop in Black Jade City. I have come on the orders of Young Master Shangguan to welcome the two young misses.”
Only then did Ye Chu and the others understand. Ye Jingyun could not help winking at Tan Miaotong. “Miaotong’s charm really is something else. No man can resist you. First we had a clingy tail following us the whole way, and now someone is arranging things for you.”
“Don’t talk nonsense!” Tan Miaotong’s face flushed red. She could not help sneaking a glance at Ye Chu. Seeing that he showed no anger at Ye Jingyun’s words, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Ye Chu naturally would not get upset over something like that from Ye Jingyun. He had endured far worse insults in his life. This little jab was not even enough to itch. Still, he was inwardly surprised by Tan Miaotong’s background. The direction she was heading was exactly the same as his. Only a hundred li or so separated their paths before they would diverge.
Ye Chu knew that further ahead lay the central region of this continent, the most prosperous area with the greatest abundance of cultivation resources. For Tan Miaotong to hold a position of influence there, her background must belong to no small force.
“You can go back. Tell Young Master Shangguan there is no need for him to concern himself,” Tan Miaotong said to the owner of the Jade Workshop. Ignoring them, she pulled Ye Jingyun forward.
The owner of the Jade Workshop clearly had not expected this reaction. He thought to himself that with Young Master Shangguan’s family background, who would dare refuse him? It seemed utterly unbelievable!
“Young miss, perhaps you should reconsider. You may not have heard clearly. It is Young Master Shangguan Min Da!” The owner smiled, his expression kind and amiable, like a Maitreya Buddha.
“No need!” Ye Jingyun paid them no attention and prepared to leave.
“Young miss!” The owner hurriedly blocked Tan Miaotong’s path. He said to the two women, “Please do not make things difficult for us. Young Master Shangguan has given strict orders to bring the two of you to the residence and entertain you properly. If you do not go, I will have no way to explain myself.”
“Explain however you like. What does that have to do with us?” Ye Jingyun was growing impatient. She stared at him and said, “Go back and tell that Shangguan fellow to stop pestering us and chasing after Miaotong. In the future, stay far away from our Miaotong.”
Ye Jingyun had not disliked Shangguan Min Da before. After all, his family background was decent, and he had treated her and Qing Wenting reasonably well. But last time outside the tomb, he had actually joined outsiders to deal with Wenting. That had thoroughly disgusted her. She was even less willing to let Miaotong have any contact with such a person.
“If the two young misses insist on acting this way, then do not blame me for being impolite,” the owner said angrily. In Black Jade City, he was also someone of status. No one dared speak to him so rudely. Even Young Master Shangguan had spoken to him politely when asking for this favour. Though he knew it was only surface courtesy and the young master did not truly regard him highly, at least the young master had given him face.
But what were these two women? How dare they speak to him like this? They probably did not know how powerful Young Master Shangguan was. In this region, who did not try to curry favour with him?
“Try laying a hand on us if you dare!” Ye Chu stared at him and said, “Although we do not want to cause trouble, if someone insists on asking for a beating, we will still oblige.”
“Take them back!” The owner knew that Young Master Shangguan fancied one of these women and did not dare go too far. But he figured that using a bit of force to bring them back would still be forgivable.
Seeing the group surround them, Ye Chu quickly said to Tan Miaotong, “Miaotong, let Ye Jingyun go bite him!”
These words made Ye Jingyun’s face turn green with anger. She glared furiously at Ye Chu. “Ye Chu, you’re asking for death!”
Ye Chu completely ignored Ye Jingyun’s fury. All along the way, this woman had mocked him nonstop and filled Tan Miaotong’s head with ideas of how bad he was. If he did not retaliate a little, he would truly be letting her off too easily.
Tan Miaotong heard Ye Chu’s words and could not help bursting into laughter. But seeing Ye Jingyun’s ugly expression, she quickly held it back. Then she glared at Ye Chu. “You’re not going to help me?”
Tan Miaotong put on a pitiful look. Her watery eyes blinked at Ye Chu. Though Ye Chu knew she was pretending, her appearance still stirred pity and affection in him.