CHAPTER 285: CHAPTER 280: HEROINE AND DEMONESS

"They’re here." Ye Qiu and Ji Nan hid in the dark. They had been waiting here for two days, carefully ensuring they weren’t discovered by the guards of Chongjian Manor, and finally, their target had arrived.

Leng Zhao Yue was dressed in a black outfit suitable for night travel, her figure lithe and agile, showing no signs of the severe injuries she had almost died from a month ago.

Now with Ye Chongtian and Lin Shuanghua not in the manor, Leng Zhao Yue made her way unobstructed to the detention room. She stood at the door hesitating, unsure of what expression to wear to face Yin Shaochen.

Perhaps at first, it was nothing but use, but after spending so much time together, Yin Shaochen’s passionate heart had already moved her. Yet, the Holy Sect had given her life and raised her from a young age; she couldn’t betray the Sect Hierarch.

Leng Zhao Yue’s eyes gradually became resolute. She would protect Shaochen. The Sect Hierarch only intended to borrow Chongjian Manor’s forces for a while; all would be well as long as Yin Tianhe, that old scoundrel, obediently complied.

"Creak!" Yin Shaochen woke up startled from his sleep, staring at the figure he knew all too well in disbelief. He pursed his lips and remained silent.

It was like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on Leng Zhao Yue, why was Shaochen looking at her with such unfamiliar eyes? Didn’t he love her anymore? Did he truly care about their identities?

What’s wrong with the Holy Sect? They are equally adored by the people in the Western Regions. It’s just that these Central Plains sects fear their own interests being encroached upon. Haven’t these hypocrites done things against heaven and harming nature?

A hundred years ago, these people had driven them out of the Holy Sect, and now they were merely coming to take back what belonged to them.

"Shaochen." Leng Zhao Yue stood at the door, her eyes trembling slightly.

Yin Shaochen lowered his head, his voice devoid of emotion: "What are you doing here?"

But seeing her safe and sound, his heart still let out a sigh of relief.

"I’ve come to take you with me," Leng Zhao Yue said with determination.

Yin Shaochen shook his head, his tone somber: "I won’t leave; you should go quickly before someone discovers you."

Upon hearing his words, Leng Zhao Yue’s face lit up with joy, and she quickly stepped forward to squat beside him: "Shaochen, you’re worried about me, you still like me, right?"

Yin Shaochen did not refute but only urged her: "Don’t worry about me, you should leave now."

"Unless you leave with me, I won’t go," Leng Zhao Yue said firmly.

Yin Shaochen sighed softly and gently touched her hair: "I’m here of my own volition, so I’m not leaving."

"I must take you with me today." Leng Zhao Yue’s gaze sharpened, and by the time Yin Shaochen realized something was amiss, it was too late. The powder scattered in the air, and he collapsed in disbelief.

Leng Zhao Yue, carrying Yin Shaochen, quickly fled. Along the way, someone spotted them, but Ye Qiu secretly lent a helping hand out of goodwill.

"Sister Ye Qiu, will they return to the Demon Sect?"

"They will." Ye Qiu affirmed, "The Demon Sect is currently struggling in the Central Plains, particularly against the harsh onslaught of Chongjian Manor and Ba Dao Cliff. They’ve captured Yin Shaochen, I guess, to control the forces under Yin Tianhe."

"Sister Ye Qiu, it’s one thing for Chongjian Manor to specifically target the Demon Sect to salvage their reputation, but why is Ba Dao Cliff going all out as well?" Ji Nan asked, puzzled.

"The men of Ba Dao Cliff are all just into their cultivation, usually busy with sparring among themselves without going too hard. Now, with the Demon Sect as their opponent, they’re enjoying fighting to their heart’s content."

After listening to his senior sister’s explanation, Ji Nan opened his mouth but said nothing. Alright, as someone who loves herbs, he could not understand those passionate about cultivation. Is cultivation really more important than one’s own life?

Leng Zhao Yue took Yin Shaochen and headed north. Yin Shaochen came to his senses halfway through, but Leng Zhao Yue didn’t ease her grip on him. After learning Leng Zhao Yue’s purpose, Yin Shaochen, uncharacteristically, got furious with her.

"Shaochen, don’t blame me. Rest assured, I won’t let anything happen to you," Leng Zhaoyue promised.

Yin Shaochen sneered, as if he was seeing her in a new light: "Zhaoyue, can you guarantee that Chongjian Manor is safe? Can you guarantee the safety of my parents? Can you guarantee that the entire Central Plains Martial World is safe?"

Leng Zhaoyue averted her eyes, unable to meet his gaze: "I can’t do anything about it."

"Then let me go."

Leng Zhaoyue’s face, illuminated by the firelight, was exceptionally cold: "Impossible."

Yin Shaochen leaned despondently against the tree trunk. His Inner Strength was sealed, rendering him unable to escape. Even though he had anticipated what the Demon Sect wanted him for, he was still powerless. How did things develop to this point?

"Shaochen, your parents will be fine," Leng Zhaoyue looked at him with concern, "You actually know it, you know how deep the influence behind your father goes. Our Sect Hierarch simply wants to cooperate with your dad, isn’t this what you once hoped for? Unification of the martial world?"

Yin Shaochen glanced downward, he knew, of course he knew, and that’s exactly why he was worried.

He had once thought that after his father became the Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch, they would reform the entire Central Plains martial arts together, leading the martial world to even greater glory, instead of being used by the Demon Sect as it was now.

The Demon Sect commits all manner of evil deeds—murder, arson, and robbery. How could their actions align with his original intentions?

But Zhaoyue had clearly been brainwashed by the Demon Sect, and she simply wouldn’t listen to his words.

Looking at the "capital" characters at the city gate, Ye Qiu and Ji Nan exchanged glances; they hadn’t expected the Demon Sect to be hiding here.

Although it was clear that the court’s influence had waned and the world of martial arts held greater sway, there was an unspoken agreement not to operate flagrantly within the Imperial City. Should martial artists have any disputes, they would typically avoid this area. They did not anticipate that the Demon Sect had already taken root here long ago.

But this wasn’t surprising. Since the Demon Sect’s Fourth Guardian could be the governor of Jiangning City, then the Demon Sect must be inextricably linked with the court.

"Anle Marquis Mansion?"

"Sister, aren’t we going in?" Ji Nan was somewhat anxious. Even the steadiest of children, who was only fourteen this year, would be nervous with the Imperial City in such close proximity, especially when the person sitting on the dragon throne might very well be his father. It was only natural for Ji Nan to feel tense.

"This is the Marquis Mansion, and it’s very likely that there are skilled fighters from the Demon Sect inside. Junior brother, we must not act rashly. Our qinggong isn’t the top-notch in the world, and it would be counterproductive if we were discovered by people from the Demon Sect."

"What shall we do now?"

"Wait and see whom their people will contact, and then investigate the background of the Marquis Anle."

"Waiter." Ye Qiu and Ji Nan, after changing their appearance, entered a tavern.

"Ah, guests, what can I do for you?" The waiter, seeing the distinguished appearance of Sister Ye Qiu and her brother, wore a wide smile.

"Two prime rooms, a pot of fine tea, and a few signature dishes, please."

"Alright, guests, please wait a moment."

"Sister, can we really find out the information we need here?" Ji Nan feigned difficulty.

"Guests, are you from out of town? What would you like to know? Here in the capital, apart from the Imperial Palace, there’s nothing I don’t know about," the waiter confidently claimed while pouring tea.