Chapter 234: Old Enemies

“Nayeli…was it really just another coincidence that he got injured?” Sha Yi raised an eyebrow. “If that’s the case, his luck is just too good!”

“Of course not. My mother had someone do it. His luck wasn’t that great—he was almost caught, but thankfully, the matter was brushed aside.” Kapa shook his head in denial. “How could there be so many coincidences?”

“Seems your mother was ruthless too.” Sha Yi sighed softly, murmuring, “Still under Yeli’s control, yet daring to do such a thing to someone like him. If exposed, the consequences would be severe.”

“There was no other choice. We couldn’t let him continue unchecked.” Kapa said, “Otherwise, we’d all die.”

“Someone had to take the first stand, so…” Sha Yi nodded, then shifted the topic. “Does Yelai know about Yeli’s attempt on his life?”

“Yelai has always had an idea of what Yeli did to him.” Kapa raised an eyebrow, equally helpless. “But he refuses to believe it, even when the evidence is right in front of him. He dismisses it as others sowing discord. After the first ‘accident,’ he became utterly convinced of their ‘shared fate,’ and that belief persists to this day.”

“Sooner or later, he’ll fall because of Yeli.”

“Yeli would never tolerate someone holding leverage over him. A weakness is best eliminated early. The only reason Yelai is still alive is that Yeli hasn’t figured out how to deal with him yet.”

“You’re right.” Sha Yi exhaled deeply and resumed walking toward the earthen kiln. “Yelai is a cold and heartless man. The only emotion he ever showed was misplaced, so it’s only fitting he gets a bitter end.”

Kapa acknowledged with a hum and said no more, quickly following her as she moved forward.

Kapa hadn’t forgotten—inside that kiln, Jialuo was waiting.

And, of course, that detestable yet pitiable Yelai.

Inside the kiln.

Due to the dim lighting and the enclosed space, the interior was still quite dark. The torches that had burned all night were nearly extinguished, and the air was stuffy, unlike the crisp freshness outside.

Jialuo, likely exhausted, was sprawled carelessly on a pile of dry grass near the kiln’s entrance. Masa was half-asleep, occasionally opening his eyes. At the sound of their entry, he woke fully and nudged Jialuo awake.

Jialuo, roused abruptly, was visibly irritated. He turned, ready to curse, but upon seeing Sha Yi, he clamped his mouth shut. Then, spotting Kapa behind her, his eyes nearly bulged out of his head, his expression full of disdain.

Sha Yi ignored the two of them, her gaze shifting to the man lying weakly in the deepest part of the kiln.

Yelai was still tied to a wooden post, lying on a bed of leaves, his spirit broken, looking far worse than he had days before.

Clearly, this was Jialuo’s handiwork.

Sha Yi noticed bruises covering Yelai’s face and body, and dried blood at the corner of his lips.

Earlier, when she and Saina were in the underground oil pit in the forest, Jialuo had beaten Yelai the same way. It seemed he had an intense dislike for Yelai. Even after leaving to gather intel and returning, Jialuo had resumed his assault.

Jialuo clearly held grudges.

Especially since his conflict with Saina had directly led to the current crisis.

Still, she didn’t object to him beating Yelai—as long as it wasn’t fatal. After all, for two cold-blooded, ruthless twins like them, nonexistence was preferable to existence.

For now, she didn’t confront Jialuo. Instead, she stepped closer to check Yelai’s breathing.

At that moment, the frail, battered man stirred.

Despite his injuries and exhaustion, Yelai’s dark gray eyes burned with defiance as he glared at her coldly, expressionless.

Sha Yi smirked and straightened up, uninterested in wasting words.

But while Yelai stayed silent, Jialuo had plenty to say. The moment she stood, he spoke darkly, “Sha Yi, didn’t you see him glaring at you?”

“He was glaring at you.” Sha Yi didn’t even turn her head. “I wasn’t the one who beat him. Why drag me into it?”

“You’re still as unpleasant as ever!” Jialuo abruptly stood, ignoring the dark-skinned woman beside him, and strode over. “Aren’t you worried I might kill him?”

“I also warned you not to lay a hand on Saina, but did you listen?” Anger flared in Sha Yi as she glared back. “Do you think any of my warnings ever mattered to you?”

“That’s different.” Jialuo pointed at Yelai, his earlier malice replaced with feigned innocence. “He’s the key to whether all of us survive or not!”

“And Saina isn’t?” Sha Yi snapped. “Your actions this time only helped Yeli. If not for Saina’s quick thinking, even Kapa’s life would’ve been lost because of you!”

“That’s not the same. Saina was just causing trouble. I could’ve killed him, but I didn’t.” Jialuo snorted, then glanced at the dark-skinned woman he’d left behind. “As for Kapa, she’s got nothing to do with me. If she can’t handle the risks, she shouldn’t have tagged along!”

Enraged, Kapa lost her temper and stormed forward, jabbing a finger at Jialuo’s face. “You heartless bastard! What about the promises you made to me and my mother? Now you’re pretending none of it happened?”

Jialuo swatted her hand away, equally annoyed. “What do you mean, heartless? I never told Yeli about our deal. How am I pretending? I just wanted to mess with Saina—what’s it to you?”

“Do you even realize I was with Yeli when he went after Saina? Do you know your fire left them with no escape, and nearly got me killed by Yeli too?” Kapa poked Jialuo’s chest, her voice trembling with anger. “Weren’t you supposed to be my partner? How could you not care if I lived or died?”

Jialuo looked horrified. “How was I supposed to know you’d be there? Do you think I’m your mother, able to predict everything? And stop with the ‘partner’ nonsense—who agreed to that? Don’t spout lies in front of me. You think I won’t hit you?”

“You—you—!” Kapa sputtered, too furious to form words.

Jialuo, meanwhile, looked smug, thoroughly enjoying her frustration.

Sha Yi understood perfectly.

Jialuo had a habit of burning bridges and denying everything. His cunning lay in his shamelessness. Kapa might not have realized it yet, but Sha Yi was all too familiar with his ways.

Still, now wasn’t the time for this. If Jialuo couldn’t be relied on, there were others—like Siyi and his group. They couldn’t let Yeli benefit while Kasan and the others suffered.

Moreover, if they could unite these two groups, it would greatly benefit their own men—at the very least, solving the issue of lacking partners and paving the way for forming a tribe.

Once a large tribe was established, their collective strength would grow, improving their ability to withstand harsh conditions and reducing conflicts. It was a goal worth striving for.

With that in mind, Sha Yi signaled for Kapa to drop the argument. Kapa complied, but Jialuo wasn’t pleased. He grabbed Sha Yi’s arm, furious. “What’s wrong with you, Sha Yi? Are you siding with this wretched woman now? Who’s really on your side? From the volcano eruption till now, it’s been you and me all along!”

Sha Yi was utterly speechless at Jialuo’s absurd jealousy.

She’d seen jealousy before, but never from a straight man over another woman. And to pin his own mess on her? Unbelievable.

At that moment, she seriously considered throwing him out. But Jialuo, shameless as ever, clung stubbornly. In the end, Sha Yi had to move to the far side of Kapa just to escape his grasp.

Silence fell over the five in the kiln, the atmosphere tense and awkward. Jialuo, though unwilling, had no choice but to relent.

After a long pause, the troublemaker spoke again. “Where’s Yeli?”

Kapa instantly flared up. “If not for your meddling, Yeli wouldn’t have escaped Saina so easily! Don’t ask—he’ll be here soon enough, and you’ll see him then!”

“I wasn’t asking you!” Jialuo snapped back, his expression sour. “I was talking to Sha Yi!”

“Do you really think someone who’s been stuck here would know Yeli’s whereabouts?” Sha Yi shot him a sidelong glance. “Did you see Yeli after you set that fire?”

“All I know is Saina’s forest is full of hidden pits now. I figured he had some plan. Sure, I taught him a lesson, but he still got what he wanted!” Jialuo smirked, suddenly proud. “At least, as you said, Yeli hasn’t shown up yet. Who knows what trouble he’s run into?”

“Everyone knows that! It’s because of Saina’s traps that Yeli’s men fell into those pits!” Kapa’s temper flared again. “That was Saina’s plan—what does it have to do with you?”

“Enough, both of you.” Sha Yi cut in before they could start another round. “Jialuo, tell me—is this why you beat Yelai?”