“Let’s go!” Xiao Xiaoxiao gave Yun Qingxue a discreet wink, an action that to others would seem like she was winking at thin air. Fortunately, everyone’s attention was fixed on Zhou Dao, who had just tumbled down the stairs, so no one noticed her.
Yun Qingxue received Xiao Xiaoxiao’s signal and followed her as they took a few steps back. Before they could even leave the stairwell, their sharp eyes caught sight of two figures that had inexplicably appeared beside Zhou Dao’s corpse.
One had the body of a man and the head of a horse, while the other had the body of a man and the head of an ox—these were the underworld’s ghost envoys!
The Ox-Head and Horse-Face swiftly shackled Zhou Dao’s newly departed soul with a thick black chain and, without hesitation, dragged his spirit away, vanishing on the spot.
Suddenly, Xiao Xiaoxiao felt a strange pulling sensation in her body.
She exchanged a glance with Yun Qingxue and communicated telepathically, *”Hurry! We’ve stayed in this world too long! We can’t linger any longer!”*
Yun Qingxue also sensed the pulling force and, without a word, immediately followed Xiao Xiaoxiao as they sprinted toward an unpopulated area.
As they ran, the pulling force grew stronger and stronger…
Xiao Xiaoxiao and Yun Qingxue dashed at full speed. The hospital was too crowded—if they were dragged back to the underworld in front of so many witnesses, it would undoubtedly become a sensational supernatural incident. At that point, avoiding notoriety would be impossible!
The force intensified until, finally, Xiao Xiaoxiao and Yun Qingxue could resist no longer. They were yanked away, disappearing from the spot.
Luckily, they had already distanced themselves from the crowd by then.
Yun Qingxue’s vision darkened for a moment. When she looked around again, she and Xiao Xiaoxiao were standing hand in hand in the same large hall filled with “mirror frames” as before.
“Finally back, hm?”
Before Yun Qingxue and Xiao Xiaoxiao could even rejoice over not being seen vanishing into thin air by mortals, a deep, melodious voice laced with three parts anger, three parts amusement, and three parts indulgence reached their ears.
They turned toward the source of the voice and saw a man dressed in an exquisite black brocade robe with intricate dark patterns standing at the doorway, leaning against the frame. His strikingly handsome features were accentuated by a pair of long, upturned eyes that now regarded them with a faint, knowing smirk.
To be precise, the man was looking at Xiao Xiaoxiao—Yun Qingxue merely received a few passing glances because she happened to be standing beside her.
“King of the Underworld?” Yun Qingxue raised an eyebrow and spoke coolly.
“Flower King.” Ming Di withdrew his gaze from Xiao Xiaoxiao and turned to Yun Qingxue, his tone indifferent. “To what do we owe the honor of your presence in the underworld?”
“No particular reason,” Yun Qingxue replied with a polite smile. “I merely wandered here by accident. My apologies for the intrusion.”
“You flatter me,” Ming Di said, his tone neither warm nor cold. “However, my underworld is only meant for the dead. I fear it is no place for the Flower King to linger.”
“Ming Di, what the hell do you mean by that? Trying to kick my friend out? Not giving me face, huh?”
Xiao Xiaoxiao immediately glared at Ming Di, her expression stormy as she challenged him.
“Not at all. I’m simply stating facts,” Ming Di replied, his demeanor unchanged.
Xiao Xiaoxiao scoffed. “Qingxue doesn’t even *want* to stay in your lousy underworld! Just tell us—where’s the path from here to the Yunhuang Illusionary Realm? Point the way, and my Snowy and I will get out of your hair!”
“Xiaoxiao!” Yun Qingxue tugged at her sleeve, then glanced at Ming Di, whose expression had darkened slightly. A flicker of understanding crossed her mind.
It seemed Ming Di truly cared for Xiao Xiaoxiao, and Xiao Xiaoxiao was exceptionally skilled at provoking him…
“King of the Underworld, I truly had no intention of trespassing. I merely stumbled into the underworld by accident. If you could kindly show me the way back to the Yunhuang Illusionary Realm, I’d be grateful to resume my training,” Yun Qingxue said courteously.
“Qingxue!” Xiao Xiaoxiao grabbed her arm. “Don’t mind *certain people*. Stay in the underworld as long as you like. If *someone* dares to kick you out, I’ll leave with you!”
As soon as Xiao Xiaoxiao finished speaking, Yun Qingxue noticed Ming Di’s expression sour further. His handsome brows furrowed slightly…
“Xiaoxiao,” Yun Qingxue sighed inwardly. While Xiao Xiaoxiao’s fierce protectiveness warmed her heart, she didn’t want her to argue with Ming Di over this.
After all, Xiao Xiaoxiao was now the Queen of the Underworld, making Ming Di her nominal husband—and the ruler of the entire underworld.
Yun Qingxue could tell Ming Di had feelings for Xiao Xiaoxiao. But Xiao Xiaoxiao’s current attitude wasn’t exactly conducive to deepening their relationship.
“Xiaoxiao, from what I’ve seen, Ming Di seems like a decent guy. Don’t always be so cold toward him, alright?” Yun Qingxue advised with a smile.
A faint blush crept onto Xiao Xiaoxiao’s face. “What does it matter whether he’s decent or not?”
Yun Qingxue chuckled. Xiao Xiaoxiao’s bashful reaction made it clear she had feelings for Ming Di too—she was just being stubborn.
Turning back to Ming Di, Yun Qingxue said,
“King of the Underworld, I truly didn’t mean to intrude. If you could show me the way out, I’d be grateful.”
“Of course,” Ming Di agreed readily, though his gaze flickered briefly to Xiao Xiaoxiao before he continued, “However, Your Majesty need not rush. I am not an inhospitable host. My earlier suggestion for you to leave was only because the Nine-Yin Underworld is saturated with yin energy. Without protective magic, prolonged exposure could harm your health.”
Yun Qingxue smiled. “Thank you for your concern. I was sent by my master to train in the Yunhuang Illusionary Realm and only ended up here by accident. Since I still have duties to fulfill, I cannot stay long regardless.”
“There’s no need to worry too much. As long as you don’t linger excessively, the yin energy here won’t harm you. And once Your Majesty’s powers are fully restored, with divine light shielding you, you’ll be welcome to visit the underworld anytime. My wife and I would be delighted to host you.”
“Thank you for your kindness,” Yun Qingxue replied politely.
Xiao Xiaoxiao shot Ming Di an awkward glance. *So he was actually being considerate by urging Qingxue to leave?!*
And she had just snapped at him…
Well, it wasn’t entirely her fault—he should’ve explained himself properly instead of being so cryptic!
“Xiaoxiao, honestly, I think Ming Di is really quite good. Don’t let him slip away,” Yun Qingxue whispered teasingly.
Xiao Xiaoxiao immediately glared at her. “What, did he bribe you or something?”
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