CHAPTER 335: CHAPTER 335: BLOOD JADE BRACELET (1)_1

"If you have the skills, you can go down three hundred meters underground and find the Man-Eating Flower. As long as you deal with it, then I believe those three pearls—no, it should be four, including the Wood Spirit Bead inside the Man-Eating Flower—will all be yours," Shangguan You’s soft voice rose, allowing Ye Sanshao to embrace her. Right now, I’m supposed to be the weak woman, so I naturally need to play the part well, she thought.

"What? Three hundred meters underground, four Spiritual Pearls?" Zhuge Yang murmured, lost in thought.

"Elder Shi, you are awake." Shen Po quickly took Elder Shi’s pulse while feeding him several Medicinal Pills.

Coughing loudly, Elder Shi slowly regained his breath and swept a cold glance at Shangguan You and Ye Sanshao.

"Elder Shi, let’s return first," Zhuge Yang said to Ye Sanshao. "The Five Spirit Pearls—we must obtain them, no matter what. Thank you, all three of you, for saving our Elder Shi. The Zhuge Family owes you a favor, and we will remember this debt."

Zhuge Yang’s words, however, were merely a formality. Considering Ye Sanshao’s status, he was unlikely to accept favors from the Zhuge Family.

"Elder Yang, they are... they are..."

Hearing Zhuge Yang treat the group as benefactors and acknowledge a debt to them, Elder Shi panicked. They stole the four Spiritual Pearls, and Shangguan You is Elder Meihua! I know it very well! He wanted to speak out, even to shout, but the words caught in his throat as if something were forcefully choking him, preventing him from speaking. The more Elder Shi tried to talk, the more anxious he became, and the tighter the grip on his throat seemed to get.

"Elder Shi, they are your benefactors, and the Zhuge Family will remember this. You can rest assured," Zhuge Yang said, seeing Elder Shi struggling to speak. He patted Elder Shi’s back to comfort him.

Elder Shi’s behavior only further convinced Zhuge Yang and Shen Po that he was trying to express his gratitude for being saved by Ye Sanshao and the others, but was simply too overwhelmed with emotion to speak.

"No, it’s not... He is my... he is my..." Elder Shi became increasingly agitated; something was harshly constricting his throat, preventing him from speaking.

"I know, they are your benefactors, and they are the benefactors of our whole family. You can be at ease." Zhuge Yang nodded understandingly, indicating he got the message and there was no need for Elder Shi to remind them again.

Hearing Zhuge Yang’s words, Elder Shi spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted from agitation.

"Elder Shi!"

Shangguan You watched Elder Shi faint and couldn’t help but curl the corners of her lips. HAHAHA! This is too satisfying! The enemy is right in front of us, yet our own ally is thanking that enemy as a benefactor. He knows the truth but can’t speak out. The more stifled Elder Shi is, the more relief I feel. This feeling is incredibly exhilarating! Shangguan You chuckled lightly.

"Elder Zhuge, regarding the favor you owe us, I only hope that when the time is right, the Zhuge Family will repay it," Ye Sanshao said, his lips curling into a roguish smile as he glanced at the excited young woman beside him.

"Certainly. From now on, the Ye Family and the Shangguan Family are our friends," Zhuge Yang nodded in agreement.

"I would like to transfer this favor to this young lady. Is that acceptable?" Ye Sanshao asked, his eyes glinting foxily as he looked at Zhuge Yang. Aside from Elder Shi, who had passed out, Zhuge Yang was now the highest in stature.

"Of course. May I know what relation this young lady has to you, Ye Sanshao?" Zhuge Yang glanced at Shangguan You, a girl in her teens. Transferring the favor to her is even better; it will be easier to repay, he thought.

"She is, naturally, my woman," Ye Sanshao said with a smile. His expression suggested a light-hearted playfulness, as if he were merely toying with an underage girl he’d lured with some benefits to keep her happy. This made Zhuge Yang nod. Ah, I understand, he thought.

Shangguan You pinched Ye Sanshao’s waist fiercely. How dare you talk so loosely and make that kind of expression!

she fumed internally. While forcing a smile, she twisted the flesh in her hand hard several times. Only when she heard Ye Sanshao gasp did she finally let go.

"Do you have any requests?" Zhuge Yang asked.

"Can you handle any request I make?" Shangguan You’s clear eyes blinked as she looked at Zhuge Yang, who was eager to repay the favor, and played along.

"As long as it is within our capability, any request can be fulfilled," Zhuge Yang declared, proudly raising his head, confident that his Zhuge Family, being a renowned clan, could handle such a small request.

"Actually, I don’t have any specific requests. I just want you to help me find someone. Do you think you can do that?" Shangguan You deliberately dragged out her words. Let them stir up internal strife; I’ll just sit back and reap the rewards, she mused.

"Who are you looking for?" Zhuge Yang prompted.

"My Auntie Li, Li Wanying."

"Li Wanying? The Shangguan Family’s Commander’s wife? You are from the Shangguan Family?" Zhuge Yang’s brows furrowed. I might have agreed too hastily. Although nothing has leaked out, we do have some understanding of the national situation, he thought.

"Indeed. My Auntie Li was captured by some unknown people and has been missing ever since. I have been very worried about her. I don’t know where she is or if she can return safely. So, I would like to ask Elder Zhuge to help me find and bring back my Auntie Li." Shangguan You’s expression, coupled with her actions, made her plea for Li Wanying’s safe return seem utterly genuine.

Hearing Shangguan You’s words, Ye Sanshao inwardly cursed, ’What a fox!’ Li Wanying had been taken by the Zhuge Family’s people. Outsiders might not know, but he and Shangguan You knew very well. Now that this young lady was asking Zhuge Yang to search for her, wasn’t she just maneuvering Zhuge Yang into uncovering his own family’s secrets? This move was brilliant, truly brilliant!

Ye Sanshao found himself growing even more satisfied with the young woman he had his eye on.

"I didn’t expect such filial piety. In three months, I will surely bring her back safely," Zhuge Yang nodded in agreement. It’s just finding one person; that should be simple enough, he thought.

Elder Shi slowly came around. Upon hearing Zhuge Yang’s words, he became agitated once more and fainted from shock again. They are clearly my enemies, yet my own people are helping them find someone! This is a direct slap in my face!

"Master, Elder Shi has fainted again! Let’s save him first," Shen Po said urgently, quickly pressing several acupoints on Elder Shi’s body.