"Yo ho, how thrilling!"
A hundred miles away from Jade Capital City, within the dense forest and towering mountains, Zhu Yike leapt into the air, letting out a triumphant, monkey-like whoop.
With nothing more than half a stocking, a pair of underwear, and a bra, he had not only performed a Sky Stealing exchange to liberate the three women from Dao Qiongcang's grasp, but he had also managed to provoke a look of disgust from the unpredictable Hallmaster Dao.
As for the three garments, Zhu Yike had meticulously selected them from the residences and even the corpses of some unsavory young women in Jade Capital City. They were all genuine!
"I wonder if the esteemed Dao Qiongcang has a peculiar habit of sniffing his acquisitions once they're in his grasp?" Zhu Yike chuckled to himself, covering his mouth.
Hallmaster Dao!
This chapter would surely be etched into the golden annals of history, celebrated for generations!
However, Zhu Yike's revelry was short-lived. He knew better than to let his guard down. Dao Qiongcang was no ordinary figure. Despite being unable to see through the Golden Gate Stealing Technique, the Hallmaster might react swiftly and conduct a thorough search through the mountains. If that happened, Zhu Yike would find it nearly impossible to escape.
"Everyone…"
"Hehe, are you alright?"
His appearance was shifty, with only his eyes visible through the mask. Even though his face was concealed, his sly grin spoke volumes.
"What happened?"
Aunt Xiang felt as if she had stumbled into a magical realm. One moment, they were in grave danger, and the next, they found themselves in a serene snowy forest. It was as if they had been transported from hell to heaven.
If not for the fact that the surrounding spiritual energy mirrored that of Jade Capital City, Aunt Xiang might have believed she had transmigrated into another world.
"Who are you?" Aunt Xiang demanded warily, her arms crossed protectively over her chest. She was under a weapon prohibition order and felt powerless.
"Hehe…"
Zhu Yike's laughter was unsettling, his gaze filled with malevolent lust as he scrutinized the three women he had just rescued.
The one bound by the weapon prohibition was Aunt Xiang. Zhu Yike took particular interest in her, noting her impressive figure. The other woman, holding what appeared to be a broken pipa, was a mortal. Zhu Yike's gaze lingered, intrigued by the exposed back and her exceptional form. Could this be some sort of fetish of Dao Qiongcang's?
"Who are you?" Dongdong demanded, her expression a mix of vigilance and resentment. She had encountered this kind of repugnant gaze before, often from the disreputable men frequenting Yougui Pavilion.
With Aunt Xiang incapacitated, Dongdong was the only one left to face Zhu Yike's ire.
"Pa!"
Before Dongdong could react, she felt a searing pain across her cheek, nearly sending her soul reeling.
She turned her head in disbelief, glaring at the vile figure before her.
"You…"
"You what?!" Zhu Yike's eyes narrowed, his tone cold and dismissive. "First of all, don't address your savior with such disrespect."
"Secondly, I'm neither a virtuous person nor a gentleman. If you look at me like that again, I'll grant your wish and kill you on the spot!"
"Lastly, I have little patience for surprises. Either you cripple your cultivation level right now, or you take this Elixir. If you refuse, you're free to wander in the snow. I can't be bothered to take you away."
With that, Zhu Yike produced a dark purple Elixir from his palm. The pill was clearly poisonous; consuming it would mean certain death. Refusing it meant the dire choice of crippling one's own cultivation.
Dongdong's shock quickly turned to rage. The insult to her status as a Higher Void practitioner was unbearable.
Without uttering a word, she prepared to act.
In a flash, Zhu Yike's fingers moved with deadly precision. He struck fiercely at her abdomen.
"Boom!"
A muffled explosion echoed as Dongdong's eyes widened in shock. Being in the Higher Void State, she was unable to react in time to Zhu Yike's brutal attack. The pain surged through her chest and back simultaneously.
Dark red blood dripped from her back, and just as it was about to touch the snow, Zhu Yike leaned in and caught it with a wicked grin.
"You…"
Dongdong instinctively tried to pull away, repelled by the disgusting proximity and foul odor of Zhu Yike.
But Zhu Yike was relentless. After catching the blood, he savored the moment, placing his palm on Dongdong's chest and pressing upwards with his Heaven and Earth Reverse technique.
The wound in Dongdong's chest was forcibly pushed between her brows.
"Oh!"
Dongdong's delicate body convulsed violently, her once-beautiful face paling in horror. The shift of the wound from her chest to her forehead was nearly fatal.
"It's a bit too large, but there's no need for all this nonsense," Zhu Yike muttered with an air of disdain. He then dripped Dongdong's blood into a black jade talisman.
With a flick of his wrist, he forced the poisonous pill into Dongdong's mouth.
Since you didn't make a choice, I'll make it for you.
"You!"
Dongdong struggled fiercely. Her spiritual source tried to expel the poison, but Zhu Yike's fingers were already at her throat. The pill dissolved instantly, merging with her energy reserves.
"Pa!"
Dongdong crumpled weakly to the ground. Her energy reserves had been completely depleted, leaving her unable to draw upon any spiritual power. Despair was evident on her face.
She was utterly defenseless!
Who was this person? Where had he come from? Why had she never heard of him before?
Zhu Yike wiped his saliva-stained fingers on Dongdong's chest, then clapped his hands and smiled.
"Wouldn't it have been better if you had just cooperated earlier?"
"Don't worry. This is a Three Day Life Sacrifice Elixir. It can protect your current injuries but will cause your demise three days hence… Hmm, I don't have the antidote, so don't even think about trying to kill me."
"If we all survive after three days, someone else will come to your rescue."
"As for this jade talisman…"
Zhu Yike chuckled as he waved the jade talisman in front of Dongdong's vacant eyes.
"This is merely a personal indulgence of mine. Your life is now in my hands. From now on, you are my slave."
"Even if you survive past three days, you will be compelled to obey my every command."
Zhu Yike crouched down and twisted Dongdong's face away, pinching it with a disdainful smirk.
"Don't speak."
He then turned his attention to the mortal. "Stop pretending. You woke up a long time ago."
Ah Yao trembled and hid behind Aunt Xiang, clutching her dress and refusing to meet his gaze.
Hallmaster Dao had not specifically targeted her. Thanks to the protective Saint Talisman, she had regained consciousness after Zhu Yike's intervention.
Seeing Dongdong's treatment despite her Higher Void status had left Ah Yao fearful. If her face were seen…
Zhu Yike examined Ah Yao's face closely, his gaze roaming with interest before shaking his head in disappointment.
"What a stunning beauty!"
He slapped Ah Yao's lower abdomen, his eyes lighting up with an odd fascination.
"It can't be! There's no spiritual source at all? Then you're extraordinarily fortunate!"
"How could a mortal survive the Saint War?"
"I saved them," Aunt Xiang interjected suddenly.
Zhu Yike looked at her, raising an eyebrow. He withdrew his hand and stepped back from the trio.
Seeing the young girl's terror-stricken face, he chuckled and said, "Don't worry. Although I'm not a saint, I won't go so far as to torment you."
"I simply don't have the time to explain myself, keep you from betraying me, or prevent sneak attacks… Blah, blah, blah, that's it!"
"If it hadn't been for someone's request, I wouldn't have bothered with this mess." Zhu Yike shrugged.
Ah Yao exhaled a sigh of relief.
Dongdong took a deep breath, glaring at Zhu Yike with frustration.
She doubted the veracity of his words. She had Elixirs capable of healing her injuries, but none of the others could access their spiritual sources or open their spatial rings.
"May I ask how I should address you?" Aunt Xiang inquired calmly.
"My surname is Li," Zhu Yike responded with a smile.
"Brother Li, are you from the Southern Region?" Aunt Xiang inquired, shifting the topic.
Zhu Yike's eyes darkened. The small eyes now brimmed with a cold, dangerous aura.
"You'd best avoid wild conjectures. If I grow impatient, I might just kill you too."
Zhu Yike's laughter ceased abruptly.
Aunt Xiang's smile remained. Only a place as tumultuous as the Land of Sin in the Southern Region could produce such a ruthless individual.
People from the Central Region might remain oblivious, but the Southern Region knew all too well the nature of such people.
Just consider the way Brother Li handled Dongdong—his actions were a testament to the dangers faced by those who dared cross the ruthless beings of the Southern Region.
Aunt Xiang knew that Brother Li had likely suffered greatly in the past, yet he had managed to return from the brink of death, becoming highly cautious and suspicious.
His recent actions, such as the surgical technique that shifted Dongdong's injury from her chest to her forehead, were extraordinary. Such a feat was beyond the capability of ordinary spiritual techniques. It indicated a divine skill unique to the Southern Region!
Aunt Xiang's mind raced as she re-evaluated Brother Li. The First Pavilion in the Sky, Golden Gate Stealing Technique's inheritor, Zhu Yike!
"Thank you for saving our lives, Brother Li. We will never forget your kindness," Aunt Xiang bowed gracefully.
Zhu Yike finally shifted his gaze from the beautiful young woman.
That was someone else's woman… He shivered and sneered.
"No need for thanks!"
"I'm grateful that you didn't betray me. Don't forget it."
"Brother Li, are you not afraid of being discovered by Elder Dao?" Aunt Xiang inquired with a hint of a smile. "You've been here for a while, and we're not too far from Jade Capital City."
Zhu Yike's expression hardened. He muttered to himself before answering seriously, "I'm terrified, but I'm even more afraid of being betrayed by you lot."
"Don't worry. Hallmaster Dao's Divine Secret isn't that powerful. He won't be able to discover this place anytime soon."
Zhu Yike had used the 'Concealment from the Sky and Sea' technique all afternoon. No matter how one traced it, they would find no trace of this location, even if a demi-saint tried to find it.
Of course, if the Holy Emperor himself came, Zhu Yike would have no choice but to surrender.
The 'Concealment from the Sky and Sea' was one of the Golden Gate Techniques. It could erase all traces of existence and deceive the Order of the Great Path, leaving no sign of its presence.
Dongdong rolled her eyes at this claim but could not ignore the throbbing pain on her forehead. She could not help but retort, "Even Hallmaster Dao can't discover it? If you delay any longer, he might descend directly."
Zhu Yike glanced at her and sneered, "The Divine Secret is nothing. As long as he doesn't seal this old… Li here, he won't be able to break this old man's spell!"
"Ancestor…" Aunt Xiang's lips twitched at the slip of the tongue, and she quickly added, "Let's move quickly."
Zhu Yike nodded in agreement. After making the necessary preparations, he didn't dare to linger.
He grabbed Ah Yao with one hand, lifting her onto his shoulder. After pressing down, he let out a cold breath, "My dear, is this truly your waist? I might break it!"
The little girl's face flushed red, but she merely pursed her lips and trembled, too frightened to speak.
Zhu Yike reached out again but hesitated when he saw Aunt Xiang. He withdrew his hand with a sheepish grin.
"Uh, uh, uh…"
"No worries." Aunt Xiang shook her head, not concerned with such trivial matters.
"Then I apologize if I've offended you!" Zhu Yike braced himself, clasping Aunt Xiang by the waist and lifting her onto his shoulder.
He felt a warm sensation through her clothes, slight but unsettling. Zhu Yike even extended a wisp of his spiritual sense to ensure his grip remained firm.
"I must make it clear first. I wouldn't dare touch you under normal circumstances, but you agreed to this yourself. I didn't touch you arbitrarily."
"Yes," Aunt Xiang replied, slightly embarrassed as she was carried.
Zhu Yike took a deep breath and turned his attention to Dongdong.
Dongdong's face was ashen. Overwhelmed, she pointed at herself and asked, "What about me?"
"You can see for yourself…" Zhu Yike shifted his left hand but hesitated to move his right.
His body was partially paralyzed, but he managed a cheeky smile, "My hands and shoulders are occupied. I can't carry anyone else."
"You!" Dongdong's anger was palpable.
"My spell technique requires restraining people before I can transport them," Zhu Yike rolled his eyes and chuckled. "I have another idea…"
"What idea?" Dongdong had a sinking feeling.
Zhu Yike bent his legs and clamped his knees. "If you come over here, I can take you with me, but you definitely won't like it."
Dongdong's gaze dropped to his crotch, and her anger reached its peak.
"I am a Higher Void!" she seethed. "This is sheer humiliation!"
"Bring Sister Dongdong along…" Ah Yao's voice was barely audible, but she forced herself to speak despite her trembling.
Had Sister Dongdong not guided her away on Chaoling Street, Ah Yao would have likely fallen on the battlefield long ago. At this moment, she could only imagine the dire situation she might have faced.
"Alright, if you stay with me for one night, I'll bring her along," Zhu Yike said mockingly.
He had no real intention of bringing either woman.
Ah Yao's delicate frame shook as she made a tough decision. Her pale lips parted. "Okay…"
"If you leave her behind, Elder Dao will easily track you through the Divine Secret," Aunt Xiang interjected.
Zhu Yike raised his head and whistled, remaining silent otherwise.
He was aware of this risk but wanted Aunt Xiang to understand that he was risking his life for this endeavor.
Zhu Yike, serving as Lord Shou's honored second-in-command, was willing to risk his life. The debt of gratitude to the people from Yougui Pavilion, Bazhun'an, and the Saint Servant was insignificant compared to his current mission.
In the Southern Region, they knew the value of gratitude and resentment well. Zhu Yike had been tasked by Lord Shou to save them, and he did so willingly.
Even if he claimed he didn't want a favor returned, it was a mere formality. The debt remained.
"Whoosh!"
He flicked his thumb, and a copper plate flew into the air. It landed on Ah Yao's back before falling to the ground.
At the same time, Dongdong felt her vision blur as she was placed on Ah Yao's back.
"Oh!" Ah Yao groaned in pain, weakened and almost seriously injured from the ordeal.
"Thank you," Aunt Xiang said promptly. She understood the Southern Region's customs well enough, or at least the deadly practices from Cross Corner Street.
"You're welcome. It's only right," Zhu Yike grinned, his teeth almost tearing through the black cloth covering his face.
As he stepped onto the snow, the copper plate vanished. He couldn't afford for it to be discovered by Hallmaster Dao.
Zhu Yike meticulously checked his surroundings, ensuring that no traces of his presence remained. He had already returned the stones he had stolen from the mountains earlier.
The undergarments, unsuitable ones, had been discarded long ago, and any lingering odors resolved.
"Anything else…"
He conducted a final sweep and erased all traces left by the Shifting Shadows and the Concealment from the Sky and Sea techniques.
Despite their origin from the ancestor's inheritance, even these spells had detectable traces.
Was Dao Qiongcang careless?
Absolutely not!
Zhu Yike was under immense pressure. He had never been so meticulous in covering his tracks. Once satisfied, he asked Aunt Xiang, "Do you think there's anything else that needs addressing?"
"No, you're very… very cautious," Aunt Xiang remarked, carefully choosing her words. She refrained from adding: As expected of Xu Xiaoshou's people.
Zhu Yike took a deep breath after confirming everything was in order.
"Close your eyes!"
The three individuals on his shoulder complied, closing their eyes in unison.
"Take off!"
The birds in the forest and mountains remained undisturbed as the human figures vanished without a trace. The snow, swirling into a vortex, quickly covered the last traces left by Zhu Yike—two footprints.
Indeed, Old Zhu had anticipated this.