Returning to the original battle site, Yusang saw from afar a figure standing in the forest ahead. Around him lay the corpses of bandits scattered in all directions. Dim light filtered down through the tree branches, outlining the person’s general form. Judging by the height, it looked very much like Zhao Yirong. Yusang walked over and patted his shoulder, saying, “It seems I underestimated you…”

The person turned around, and Yusang’s words came to an abrupt halt. This wasn’t Zhao Yirong – it was Zi Feng.

“What are you doing here?” Yusang asked in surprise.

“I had a nightmare yesterday, dreaming that something happened to you. I was somewhat worried, so I wanted to come check.”

“I’m fine, nothing’s wrong.” Yusang smiled as she lifted her face.

“What about that Yan Qige? Where is he now?”

The smile on Yusang’s face stiffened then disappeared. She lowered her head slightly, saying with some dejection, “I don’t know. That day he was with me, then it started raining, and after that I seemed to have slept. When I woke up, I was alone.”

“Since he left on his own, that’s probably for the best. You left in such haste last time that I forgot to tell you – when I was treating Yan Qige’s injuries, I discovered he had a strange seal in his body, like poison, yet also like a curse. His shocking cultivation at such a young age is probably related to this.”

“What will happen?”

“Perhaps each time he uses magic, the poison or curse will seep one more fraction into his meridians and bones, until eventually he’s reduced to dust and ashes.”

Yusang was stunned, her mouth slightly agape, unable to utter a single word.

“He’s bound to die sooner or later. If you want that Soul Collector, I’ll go retrieve it for you. Come back to Da Jing City with me – it’s better to visit this mortal realm less often in the future.”

“Zi Feng, didn’t we agree? I want to handle this matter myself. Don’t interfere.”

Zi Feng’s expression changed slightly, showing some anger, but this time he didn’t lose his temper. Instead, he seemed to forcibly swallow his anger and said, “So you’re determined to find the four soul artifacts to revive the divine tree and open the Netherworld Crossing gates again?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve been spoiled rotten by Bai Zhi. If something happens to you, just watch – I’ll go settle accounts with him. I’ll burn down his Jiwu Mountain, and that Yan Qige too. If he bullies you, just tell me. Though I don’t like killing, I absolutely won’t show mercy.”

Yusang lowered her head to suppress a smile. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Zhao Yirong unconscious, leaning against a nearby tree. She walked over and crouched down to check his breathing. In this moment, Zi Feng silently swept his sleeves and vanished without a word.

With the soft patter of rain beginning again from the sky, Zhao Yirong frowned before opening his eyes. Seeing Yusang crouched in front of him, he was stunned for a moment before smiling lazily, “I knew the beauty couldn’t bear to leave me.”

“How utterly shameless.” Yusang rolled her eyes at Zhao Yirong and turned to get up, but unexpectedly, Zhao Yirong reached out and grabbed her arm, refusing to let go.

“Let go, or I won’t be polite.” Yusang had never been teased by a mortal like this before, and couldn’t help feeling slightly annoyed.

“What if I don’t?” Zhao Yirong raised his eyebrows with roguish intent.

“You…” Anger flared in Yusang as she raised her hand to cast a spell, but was stopped by a clear, gentle voice from behind.

The moment Yusang heard this voice, her movements instantly froze. She slowly turned to look and saw a group of people carrying torches approaching them. In the blink of an eye, the dim forest around them was illuminated by firelight, and a group of guards in soft armor surrounded them.

The crowd parted to create a gap, and a black horse emerged carrying someone as elegant as an orchid or jade tree. In the flickering firelight and swaying tree shadows, the newcomer wore a black cloak, handsome and distinguished like a celestial being. His lips curved slightly but didn’t quite form a smile, cold and aloof – it was Yan Qige, unseen for months.

Yan Qige urged his horse forward a few steps, leaned down to look at Yusang, and revealed a rare smile, saying, “Are you alright?”

“When I woke up and found you gone, I thought you were dead.” Yusang was stunned for a long moment before speaking, her voice hoarse and choked, her eyes sore and scratchy.

“I’m fine. Night rain is harmful to the body – put this on.” Yan Qige removed the cloak from his shoulders and lightly tossed it, letting it fall across Yusang’s shoulders. He even personally helped tie the fastening cord for her.

“Prince Yan, could you perhaps postpone this romantic flirtation for a moment?” Zhao Yirong interjected most inopportunely, his tone strange.

Yan Qige wasn’t angered. He turned his head and gestured for the cavalry behind him to retreat somewhat, saying, “It’s been years since we last met. I trust you’ve been well.”

Zhao Yirong lazily stood up from beneath the tree and walked over a few steps, smiling, “Well, well indeed. It’s just that the beauty I just encountered is about to be deceived away by you again, which is truly heartbreaking.”

Yan Qige looked toward Yusang beside him, then suddenly reached out to encircle her waist and lift her onto the horse’s back, seating her securely in front of him. Then he curved his lips in a light smile as he looked at Zhao Yirong, saying slowly, “Yusang was already my betrothed Princess Yan. How could there be any talk of deception?”

Yusang felt as if struck by thunder. She turned to look at Yan Qige, about to speak, but Yan Qige had already acted first, placing an immobilization talisman on her back. She could only sit obediently in front of him, unable to move or speak.

Zhao Yirong was also struck dumb with surprise, then waved his sleeve with a laugh, raising his eyebrows, “So it turns out I was presumptuous.”

Yan Qige neither confirmed nor denied this, pulling the reins to turn his horse and leave, saying, “I’ve already instructed the steward of the imperial lodge outside Huadu City to prepare everything. We’ll rest there tonight.”

“Worthy of being Prince Yan – your reputation certainly carries weight.” Zhao Yirong leisurely cupped his hands in salute, then leaped onto a prepared horse nearby. After his gaze swept across Yusang’s face, he kicked his horse’s belly and galloped away.

“I’ll remove the talisman, but you mustn’t make a fuss.” Yan Qige reminded Yusang while pulling the reins to move forward.

Yusang blinked to show her agreement, and only then did Yan Qige remove the talisman paper. Yusang let out a long breath and turned to question Yan Qige, but discovered he was looking at her with a warm smile, which made her forget all the words that had been on the tip of her tongue.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Yusang asked softly, her face reddening with guilt.

“It’s nothing. We’ve been separated for so long – seeing you again today brings comfort to my heart.” Yan Qige reached out to grasp Yusang’s jade wrist hanging at her side, gentle and tender.

Yusang’s eyes widened slightly, thinking she had misheard. Looking at Yan Qige so close before her, her face suddenly burned red. She shyly turned her head away, but just as she was thinking of what to say in response, Yan Qige suddenly released her hand and returned to his former cold, indifferent manner, saying, “That’s how it should be. After entering Huadu City, be more gentle in public and speak less.”

The smile on Yusang’s face froze as she realized that everything just now had merely been Yan Qige putting on an act in public. She had been played again. Just as she was about to turn and lose her temper, Yan Qige suddenly kicked the horse’s belly and spurred it forward, scaring all of Yusang’s words back down her throat.

“What demon are we here to subdue on this journey?”

“Who told you I came to Huadu to subdue demons?”

“Then what for?”

“A ten-year pact.”