Volume 1, Chapter 29: Seeking Accountability from Su Cheng

With the "frontrunner" Dongfang Jue having been soundly beaten, those who followed were clearly much better behaved. After all, there were already a dozen or so prodigies lying prone beside Dongfang Jue.

However, being a protagonist, Dongfang Jue was remarkably resilient. Seeing him attempt to crawl back up, Ye Qinghan gave a word to Xu Zhanfeng: "She is to leave with me. Understand?"

Xu Zhanfeng nodded repeatedly, offering a servile, mirthless grin to Ye Qinghan. "Understood, understood! Don't worry, my lady! Before you leave, she won't be able to crawl a single step!"

Xu Zhanfeng stepped forward and delivered a kick, gauging the force perfectly—just enough to incapacitate without killing.

At the entrance to the secret realm, a long line formed. Xu Zhanfeng collected "tolls" one by one; those who were truly poor even had to return to scour the realm for any remaining monsters to slay. As for those with lower cultivation levels further back, Ye Qinghan simply took their money, not wanting to waste more time in the realm, and decided to take Shi Yao out with her.

It must be said, Shi Yao was truly sensible. Though she hadn't gained any treasures while following Ye Qinghan, she had voluntarily handed over all the rare herbs and artifacts she had collected.

"You can keep yours, little sister Shi Yao."

"Are you sure?" Shi Yao peeked out, seemingly clinging to the idea that rules were rules. Having followed Sister Qinghan for so long, she had seen that any prodigy who crossed paths with her was immediately pummeled; in front of Sister Qinghan, no prodigy stood a chance.

"I’ve collected so much already, I don't need your pittance. You go on ahead first." Ye Qinghan wasn't in a hurry. Since she still had Xu Zhanfeng with her, she decided to send Li Shi Yao away first. Shi Yao looked back at the two of them; though reluctant, she figured that if Sister Qinghan said it was fine, then it must be.

Once Shi Yao left, Ye Qinghan spoke slowly. "Xu Zhanfeng, I can let you out."

Xu Zhanfeng knelt on the ground and began to knock his head against it like a drum—*thud, thud, thud!* "Thank you, my lady!"

"Don't be so quick to thank me, hear me out first," Ye Qinghan said with a sigh, though she didn't stop him.

"My lady, please speak."

"Once we're out, I won't have time to keep an eye on you every day, but... if you ever make me regret letting you go, I will make you beg me to kill you."

As she spoke, Ye Qinghan maintained a gentle smile, exuding the grace and composure of a refined noblewoman. However, Xu Zhanfeng felt far from comfortable; cold sweat began to bead on his already tattered skin.

"I am deeply indebted to you, my lady. I will never betray your grace today."

Ye Qinghan pointed toward Dongfang Jue, who was still clinging to a sliver of life, and said calmly, "Whatever. Bring that stray dog beside you with us."

This was a gift for Cheng Liang; she couldn't let Dongfang Jue go around wreaking havoc on her master. Were it not for this, Ye Qinghan would never have let Shangguan Rou leave this secret realm alive.

***

On the other side, Su Cheng was already surrounded by a group of cultivators—the unlucky victims who had been robbed in the secret realm. Surprisingly, some were even willing to speak up for Su Cheng. It was Li Shi Yao, who stood before the crowd, shielding Su Cheng behind her. She did this only for her Sister Qinghan, hoping to prevent Su Cheng from tormenting Ye Qinghan once they returned to Ling Shuang Hall.

"Are you saying that my disciple robbed you in the secret realm?" Su Cheng found it unbelievable. "How could that be? Miss Shi Yao, is what they say true? Did Qinghan rob you too?"

Shi Yao hesitated and shook her head. "They are telling the truth, but Sister Qinghan did not take anything from me."

"That's impossible! Qinghan is not that kind of person!" Su Cheng was bewildered. How could Qinghan do such a thing? Logic dictated that wherever Qinghan went, not a blade of grass remained, but how could these people have survived to lodge a complaint? It was so strange!

"What do you mean 'impossible'! You must give us an explanation today!"
"That's right! We demand justice!"
"Your disciple is of demon origin; their nature is inherently evil!"

More than twenty people swarmed around Su Cheng, loudly voicing their grievances as if waiting for him to preside over justice. Of course, this wasn't everyone; most were too afraid of retaliation from Ye Qinghan to do anything but watch from afar. After all, the destruction of the Pingyun Sect hadn't been long ago, and no one was unafraid of Ye Qinghan, the living King of Hell. But those who could enter the secret realm were the hope of their respective sects; it was impossible to expect them all to play deaf and dumb.

Su Cheng looked at the elders and family heads behind him; they all wore faces of gloating spectators. If not for Li Shi Yao blocking them, these people might have tried to beat Su Cheng up!

"Everyone, please remain calm. There aren't many people left in the secret realm. When Qinghan comes out, I will personally see that you get an explanation." He muttered to himself, "How could this Ye Qinghan act so recklessly? Isn't she just causing me trouble? Elders, please be patient, I will certainly give you all an answer."

Before long, Ye Qinghan arrived. However, she did not emerge from the main gate; she appeared out of thin air with Xu Zhanfeng, who was dragging the half-dead Dongfang Jue like a sack of trash.

Seeing Ye Qinghan appear, the disciples surrounding Su Cheng retreated a few steps. Ye Qinghan shed her icy demeanor and greeted Su Cheng with a smile.

"Master! Qinghan is back!"

The first thing she had to do was act spoiled; nothing was more important than her master.

"Hmm, how are you? Are you hurt?"

"No. Qinghan met someone named Pei Yunxiao. He claimed to be the owner of this realm and wanted to pass on immortal-grade techniques and a celestial sword to me!"

At these words, all the elders and family heads widened their eyes. Pei Yunxiao! Ye Qinghan might not have known the name, but they certainly had. He was a documented figure who had ascended to immortality as a righteous practitioner several millennia ago. That Ye Qinghan could mention his name was proof enough that she wasn't lying. The immortal-grade techniques and artifacts must have been taken by her!

"Oh? Is that so? Trying to poach my disciple?" Su Cheng pouted mischievously, though he wasn't truly angry. He didn't mind such things; the fact that Ye Qinghan was telling him openly meant she wouldn't do anything foolish.

"I didn't care for him! I kept the celestial sword, but I threw away his techniques!" Ye Qinghan poked her head out, waiting for her master's praise.

Everyone around them was stunned, save for Su Cheng and Li Shi Yao, who remained calm.

"My Qinghan is truly amazing!" Su Cheng said with a smile, stroking her fox-like head with doting affection.

"Thank you for the praise, Master! Hehe!"

Ye Qinghan then remembered Xu Zhanfeng and began to scold him. "Xu Zhanfeng! Why are you standing there like a target? Get over here!"

Xu Zhanfeng had been trapped in that secret realm for thousands of years! The sunlight, the air, the cultivation that belonged to him—it had all returned! Floating in mid-air, feeling the power coalescing within his body, he felt as if he were being reborn. Although his cultivation had only recovered to the Unity stage—far from his original Mahayana strength—he no longer harbored any other desires now that he was out. He had never expected that this fairy, who appeared to be merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, would actually have the means to bring him out!

Just as he was overcome with emotion, he heard Ye Qinghan’s scolding and quickly slid on his knees to reach her. "My lady, what are your orders?"