Chapter 377: The Crisis in the Shadows
In the side room of the palace, inside the guest room.
When Young Master Sang pushed the door open, Shi Qingyan was picking up the torture devices from the floor.
Seven Shadow Demons were all tied up with tools specially crafted by Fusa Pavilion, looking listless, as if they had just gone through something horrifying.
“How did it go?”
“Less than I expected,” Shi Qingyan casually sat at the table, pouring herself a cup of tea to moisten her throat. “But we did manage to extract some information.”
“The Shadow Demons hold a superior position in the Demon Clan due to their unique bloodline abilities; they can be understood as special attendants exclusive to the Ancestor Dragon Clan.”
“However, their numbers are not substantial. The current leader is a mid-stage Crossing Tribulation Stage Shadow Demon named Ying Huan.”
Young Master Sang immediately recalled the shadow they encountered that day at the bottom of the East Sea.
“That Shadow Demon that attacked Little Ying along with the Snake Demon must be this Ying Huan,” Shi Qingyan stated seriously. “Definitely someone to keep an eye on.”
“Got it,” Young Master Sang nodded. “What else?”
“Unfortunately, these Shadow Demons mainly operate under Ying Huan’s orders, and they don’t know much of the underlying details and secrets.”
Shi Qingyan shook her head regretfully. “They don’t even know much about the basic situation of the Demon Clan.”
“Why?”
“According to them, west of Buqi Mountain is vast and sparsely populated. The Demon Clan mostly distributes by groups, and different races rarely interact, so their understanding of each other isn’t extensive.”
Shi Qingyan shrugged. “I’ve pretty much used up my methods, and it’s safe to say they’re not lying.”
Looking at the listless and fearful expressions of the Shadow Demons, Young Master Sang could imagine what they had gone through.
“That’s enough.”
Young Master Sang nodded. “These Shadow Demons can be handled by Senior Sister Shi. Just make sure not to let them return to the Demon Clan with any news.”
“Ehehe, perfect timing,” Shi Qingyan licked her lips in a peculiar manner. “I’m feeling a bit hungry.”
“Though the taste of these Shadow Demons can’t compare to your blood, they should serve as a decent appetizer.”
Young Master Sang shrugged, not intervening with Shi Qingyan.
Leaving the room for Shi Qingyan, Young Master Sang then turned to the adjacent guest room.
Si Jingzhu was pitifully squatting in front of the mirror, counting her hair strands one by one.
“Wah wah wah… It’s over… I’m going bald…”
“What kind of sin have I committed to be so bewitched by Senior Sister Shi’s nonsense and get involved? Now my hairline is going to recede, and I’ll become ugly.”
“It’s okay.” Seeing her downcast expression, Young Master Sang, for once, felt a pang of sympathy and consoled her:
“You’re not that pretty even without going bald.”
Just one sentence.
Si Jingzhu cried even louder.
“Wahhh! You all bully me! Wuwu…”
“Alright.” Young Master Sang patted her little head, lazily saying, “No more jokes, I have something to tell you.”
Si Jingzhu stopped crying, looking up at Young Master Sang with red-rimmed eyes, pitifully.
——
——
“…Ying Huan?”
“Exactly.” Young Master Sang crossed his arms, slowly saying, “If the intel from the Shadow Demons is true, then this character is the leader of the Shadow Demons.”
“Don’t underestimate him, either; he’s a mid-stage Crossing Tribulation Stage expert, and with the Shadow Demons’ unique bloodline abilities, this guy’s elusive nature would likely make it difficult for even someone at the Great Ascension Stage to catch him.”
“He could pose a threat to you.”
“Me? What does that have to do with me?” Si Jingzhu asked in confusion. “If the Demon Clan is really targeting the Sang family, they should be going after Little Ying and the others, right?”
“After all, I’m just a neglected, unloved, invisible tool whose demise wouldn’t even be noticed…”
Seeing her sulking and mumbling, Young Master Sang gave her a hard tap on the head.
“Fool. Did you forget? You’re a Original Immortal?”
“Don’t forget, the main goal of the Demon Clan isn’t to create trouble, but to threaten us for the Original Immortal.”
“If they discover your true identity as the Original Immortal, they wouldn’t go through all this hassle and instead go straight for you.”
And the worst part is.
Young Master Sang feared the Demon Clan might already know this.
It wasn’t clear at first, but looking back, having a mid-stage Crossing Tribulation Shadow Demon secretly watching his family’s every move felt quite chilling.
They might have already done thorough investigations into his family’s situations and identities.
If so, Si Jingzhu would instantly become the most dangerous person in the Sang family.
Feeling a pang of pain, Si Jingzhu rubbed her head, and after a moment, nodded groggily. “…Right.”
“So, you really need to be careful.” Young Master Sang warned.
Si Jingzhu’s eyes sparkled mischievously, and she hurriedly wrapped her arms around Young Master Sang’s arm.
“Eh~ But I’m just a harmless, powerless Original Immortal~ If bad guys really came, I wouldn’t be able to defend myself.”
“Then how about I stick close to you? That way you can protect me, right?”
She winked at Young Master Sang with an expectant look.
Young Master Sang shook his head seriously. “No way.”
“What! Why!”
“I’m about to head to the Demon Clan. If I take you along, isn’t that just delivering you right to their doorstep? It’s better to leave you at home.”
“But you make a point,” Young Master Sang pondered. “Your unreliable self has no self-defense capability; I really can’t feel at ease with you.”
“How about this? When we pass Buqi Mountain on the way to the Demon Clan, Sister Gu can come farewell me. So you can tag along with her to the Sword Flower Palace in Yaochi Tianshan for a few days.”
“I don’t want to!” Si Jingzhu protested angrily.
“Protests are invalid, rejected. If you voice any more opinions, you won’t be allowed to take the Communication Device to the Sword Flower Palace.”
“You! Wuwu, you can’t bully me like this…”
Si Jingzhu felt extremely aggrieved,
Young Master Sang could only coax her gently in the end: “Alright. Be obedient. This is for your own safety.”
“When I come back from the Demon Clan, I’ll find a chance to take you out for a couple of days, okay?”
Si Jingzhu slowly stopped crying and smiled: “Really? Just the two of us?”
“Just the two of us.”
“A promise?”
“When have I ever lied to you?” Young Master Sang declared solemnly.
Though upon thinking it over,
It seems like he had quite a few times…
“Hmph, since you’ve sincerely asked this lady. I suppose I’ll graciously agree.”
With her head held high, she proudly stated: “Really, I can’t help it~ It’s just that I’m so kind-hearted, I can’t stand your pitiful demeanor when you act cute~ Sigh, I’m too soft-hearted; as soon as you act cute, no matter how unreasonable the request, I’ll agree—”
Just as she was rambling on and on,
Young Master Sang had already closed the door and made his escape.
