Chapter 378: Met the Boss Ahead of Time
A week later.
In the western region of the continent, a massive mountain range sprawls like a giant dragon, seemingly dividing the land in two.
One side is lush and beautiful, full of clear waters and fragrant flowers.
On the other side of the Not-Useful Mountain, however, lies a land that resembles a savage wasteland.
At the peak of Not-Useful Mountain, Gu Yingmian, dressed in a white sword robe, gazes gracefully at the endless barren land before her, her lovely eyes lost in thought.
“Gu sister!”
Hearing the voice, Gu Yingmian turns with a smile at the corner of her mouth: “I thought you’d be at home a bit longer; didn’t expect you couldn’t stand the boredom so soon.”
Young Master Sang arrives at the peak with Shi Qingyan and Si Jingzhu, scratching his head in frustration.
“There’s no way around it; work just keeps piling up.”
“Still, this is our first time heading into the unfamiliar territory of the Demon Clan.”
Gu Yingmian steps closer to him and carefully adjusts his attire, as if she were a wife reminding her husband before a journey: “Be careful on this trip. If things get out of hand, don’t fear the Demon Clan.”
“Perhaps the Demon Clan has been hiding for too long, forgetting how the First Holy Emperor drove them into the savage lands of the West.”
“If they truly want to see the methods of the Human Clan, then let them have their wish.”
Her tone is light, but there’s an undeniable confidence behind it.
“Don’t worry.”
Young Master Sang replies: “I really don’t like fighting, and I dislike dragging innocent people into conflict even more. If this can be resolved without bloodshed, that would be ideal. No matter what, I’ll think of other ways if it doesn’t work out.”
Gu Yingmian furrows her brow slightly, playfully glaring at him: “You just think too much about taking everything on yourself.”
Young Master Sang chuckles sheepishly.
Turning to Shi Qingyan and Si Jingzhu, Gu Yingmian smiles: “With Qingyan accompanying you on this trip, I’m at ease.”
“Then I’ll take Si back to Sword Flower Palace.”
“Thank you, Gu sister.” Young Master Sang nods.
Si Jingzhu seems a bit reluctant, lingering behind Gu Yingmian, muttering softly: “Well, I’ll listen to you and stay at Sword Flower Palace.”
“Don’t forget our agreement,” she chimes in.
Young Master Sang laughs: “Rest assured.”
“Let’s go.” He turns to Shi Qingyan.
Shi Qingyan nods slowly.
As the mountain wind sweeps by, the two figures disappear from the peak.
Gu Yingmian silently watches the direction they left for a long while before letting out a soft sigh.
“I have a feeling… this trip might not be peaceful.”
“That guy, Young Master Sang, is always looking for trouble, so of course it won’t be peaceful.” Si Jingzhu shrugs, complaining, “If he just stayed home to play with us every day, there wouldn’t be so much going on.”
Gu Yingmian smiles wryly and slowly says, “Let’s go. We’re headed back to Sword Flower Palace.”
“There, there will be plenty of sisters willing to play with you.”
Si Jingzhu cheers and follows behind Gu Yingmian as they slowly descend the mountain.
Once the mountain top returns to silence, from the shadow of an ancient tree, a pair of dark eyes suddenly emerges.
His gaze flickers briefly towards the direction Young Master Sang left.
Then it slowly settles on Si Jingzhu who is trailing behind Gu Yingmian.
——
——
That evening, Si Jingzhu followed Gu Yingmian back to Sword Flower Palace.
Originally, she intended to sneak a chat with Gu Yingmian, looking for tips on how she managed to get Young Master Sang.
However, Gu Yingmian remains the same sword fanatic, spending every day either practicing swordplay or handling affairs of the Sword Flower Palace.
In the end, the bored Si Jingzhu can only return to her guest room, idly scrolling through the communication device to pass the time.
“Sigh.”
Lying in bed, Si Jingzhu mutters to herself, holding her phone: “It’s been ten hours already.”
“Why hasn’t Young Master Sang come back to pick me up?”
Suddenly, the previously shut window creaks open.
Confused, Si Jingzhu wonders why the window opened by itself when there was no wind outside.
In the next moment, an invisible force suddenly seals her mouth, preventing her from making a sound.
“…Please forgive me for using such an impolite method to meet you.”
A ghostly voice calls from outside the window: “This place is filled with many restrictions, and there’s a human of considerable power stationed nearby. If I make even the slightest mistake, I risk exposing myself.”
Si Jingzhu is still in stunned silence, looking blankly toward the window.
Soon, a viscous, dark substance, resembling oil, slowly slithers in through the window. After landing, it gradually takes shape into a figure of a long-haired man.
The man’s features are rather rigid, giving off an inexplicable sense of misfit, as if he were a poorly drawn caricature.
As he fully materializes, the man immediately kneels on one knee, his expression one of reverent respect: “Greetings, honored Original Immortal.”
“Let me introduce myself. I am the leader of the Shadow Demon Clan, named Ying Huan. It’s an honor to meet someone as esteemed as yourself who has taken on form and gained intelligence.”
“Rest assured, Original Immortal, I mean you no harm and hold nothing but respect.”
Si Jingzhu cannot speak, only mumble incoherently.
Seeing there is no fear or tension in her eyes, Ying Huan tentatively says: “If you could promise not to expose me, I would lift this rude seal. How about it? Just blink if you agree.”
Si Jingzhu immediately blinks furiously.
Ying Huan visibly relaxes and lifts the seal, then respectfully kneels: “I bow to you, honored one.”
Si Jingzhu, not panicking immediately, clears her throat and takes a moment to scrutinize the man.
“Are you… the Ying Huan of the Shadow Demon Clan?”
“Honored one has heard of my name?”
“Uh, n-not really.”
Si Jingzhu chuckles awkwardly: “Just thought the name sounds quite unpleasant. Your looks are also somewhat abstract and artistic.”
Ying Huan: “…”
“Ahem… I sincerely apologize. Our Shadow Demon Clan, due to our bloodline properties, struggles to take form like other demon clans. What you see now is just a rough imitation of a human male I encountered on the road.”
“Oh, so it seems your drawing skills aren’t that great either.”
“…”
“So,” Si Jingzhu crosses her arms, looking at him skeptically, “why did you come to find me? Are you going to kidnap me?”
“Please don’t misunderstand!”
Ying Huan quickly kneels again: “How could I dare to have such an offensive thought! You are a heavenly outsider, and your status is immensely noble! I am just a mere lower realm demon, how could I offend you!”
“I come on behalf of my master, asking you to visit the Demon Clan. My master wishes to entertain you with the utmost reverence!”
Si Jingzhu’s mouth drops open: “Me? A heavenly outsider? Noble status? Honored one?”
She has never associated such labels with herself in her life.
“You are the Original Immortal incarnate!”
Ying Huan exclaims excitedly: “The Original Immortal is a treasure from outside the heavens, a rarity that can take form! Your existence is simply worth its weight in gold!”
“Worth its weight in gold?”
Si Jingzhu’s lips begin to curl in a smile that she can no longer suppress.
“Ha ha, not bad! Your master has quite the eye for talent.” She patted Ying Huan on the shoulder and then asked, “So, who is your master?”
“You’ll find out soon.”
Ying Huan suddenly transforms into a puff of mist, and in the mist emerges the imposing figure of a strong, majestic man.
“Greetings, honored Original Immortal.”
“I am Long Xiao, the lord of the Myriad Thunder Abyss Demon Clan.”
Si Jingzhu is momentarily caught off guard.
This guy… isn’t he the target that Young Master Sang is after?
How is it that I’m just sitting at home and ended up meeting the boss first?
