Chapter 89: Awakening

“Having caused such a disaster, anyone would know that I, the City Lord, would surely pursue him. Why doesn’t he run?” Ji Rui asked with a frown.

The young man did not speak but thought to himself, “Isn’t it obvious? He’s overconfident!” For this reason, he dared not act rashly and instead came to consult Ji Rui.

Ji Rui, a cunning and experienced old fox, naturally considered this as well and asked with a frown, “What is his strength?”

“He displayed the power of a twelfth-level origin force, but his actual combat ability far exceeds that. He defeated Mil and Tian Jin with just one move each.”

Ji Rui gasped, “Tian Jin was also defeated in one move?”

“He was ambushed by Mil before, sustaining some injuries, but they were only minor.”

Ji Rui’s expression was indecisive, and after a moment, he said, “Ask your Uncle Guan to go to the Four Directions Inn and be polite. Also, bring some gifts as a precaution.”

“Father, about this…”

“What about this and that! The fact that he hasn’t left shows that he doesn’t respect me. Even I, a seventeenth-level grandmaster, can’t scare him away. What use are you, a bunch of good-for-nothings!”

The young man repeatedly agreed, knowing that Ji Rui was in a bad mood and thus dared not linger, hurriedly retreating from the back garden.

In the inn’s courtyard, Qian Ye and Ye Tong had just finished their meal when there was a knock on the door.

Qian Ye opened the courtyard gate and saw a mighty middle-aged man standing outside, with a young man behind him. This formidable man did not conceal his cultivation; seven swirling pools of origin force were clearly visible. The young man also had substantial cultivation, having already formed an origin force vortex at such a young age.

The mighty man clasped his hands and said, “I am Guan Zhongliu, honored to serve under the City Lord as the Captain of the South Green City Guards. This is the City Lord’s twelfth son, Ji Shicheng.”

Twelfth son? Hearing that the South Green City Lord wasn’t very old, for this young man to be the twelfth son, he must be quite prolific. Qian Ye inwardly criticized but showed a smile, saying, “It’s rare to have such distinguished guests. Please come in.”

The dishes and drinks in the courtyard had not yet been cleared. Seeing this, Guan Zhongliu laughed and said, “Mr. Zhao, you certainly have a good temper. May I ask for your esteemed name?”

“I am Zhao Ye, just a wandering martial artist with no fixed abode.”

“Zhao Ye? Are you the same Mr. Zhao who achieved great feats in Lin Gang City?” Guan Zhongliu’s demeanor became noticeably more serious.

“That… is indeed me.” Qian Ye was quite surprised by Guan Zhongliu’s well-informed nature.

Guan Zhongliu said, “Mr. Zhao’s battle record is astonishing, and we have many good friends under Lord Su’s command, so we received the news early.”

Qian Ye smiled, “I hope that assassins from the Moonlight White Devil won’t appear soon, right?”

Guan Zhongliu hastily replied, “Of course not. Our South Green City is neutral and will not side with them. Besides, it’s common for mercenaries like Mr. Zhao to operate in neutral areas, so there’s no need to worry.”

Qian Ye just smiled. Though it was a convention, the Moonlight White Devil had suffered significant losses at his hands, and it was impossible they wouldn’t hold a grudge. However, as long as a divine general didn’t personally intervene, Qian Ye wasn’t afraid. After all, he still had the means to escape.

At this point, the attendant had cleaned up the dishes and brought tea and pastries. Guan Zhongliu took the opportunity to sit down and chat with Qian Ye. Throughout the conversation, he subtly inquired about Qian Ye’s background and intentions. Qian Ye remained tight-lipped about his origins but mentioned his interest in Dream Devouring Worms and similar items.

Su Dingqian had given all his Dream Devouring Worms to Qian Ye, which was public knowledge. So, Guan Zhongliu probed, “I heard that Lord Su gave Mr. Zhao at least three Dream Devouring Worms. Now, what purpose do you have for more? Perhaps I can assist a little.”

Qian Ye spoke frankly, “I’ll be honest with Captain Guan. These Dream Devouring Worms have unique effects and are very beneficial for a secret technique I practice. That’s why I’m going to great lengths to find them.”

Guan Zhongliu nodded, “Though our South Green City is small, Lord Ji does have a few Dream Devouring Worms in his possession.”

Qian Ye’s expression changed, “Is there any way to acquire them from Lord Ji?”

“The usual way is to serve the City Lord and earn military merit, as you did in Lin Gang City. The other way is to purchase them. One Dream Devouring Worm costs 150,000 gold coins, or you can offer goods of equal value.”

This price startled Qian Ye. According to the normal market price, a Dream Devouring Worm was only worth a few ten thousand gold coins. Lord Ji had raised the price threefold, which was quite steep. But Dream Devouring Worms were always in high demand, and the quoted price was for those willing to pay.

Qian Ye pondered, “Captain Guan, this price is too high.”

Guan Zhongliu laughed, “Indeed, but this is the City Lord’s decision, and I cannot change it. In my opinion, earning military merit is the fastest way. Mr. Zhao, didn’t you earn three Dream Devouring Worms from Lord Su? Lord Ji is much more generous than Lord Su.”

Qian Ye nodded, “Let me think about it.”

Guan Zhongliu did not press, “This matter requires careful consideration. I’ll take my leave now.”

As Guan Zhongliu rose to leave, he suddenly froze, staring at Ye Tong with a look of horror. After chatting with Qian Ye for so long, he had not noticed her presence. This realization made him break out in a cold sweat.

“Captain Guan, is something wrong? Are you unwell?” Qian Ye asked.

“No, no, nothing. Mr. Zhao, please rest. I won’t disturb you further.” With that, Guan Zhongliu quickly left, taking the twelfth son with him. The twelfth son never got a chance to speak.

Qian Ye did not understand why Guan Zhongliu had reacted as if he had seen a ghost but did not stop him.

Moments later, Guan Zhongliu returned to the City Lord’s residence and stood before Ji Rui. Ji Rui was pacing in his study, unable to sleep. Seeing Guan Zhongliu, he anxiously asked, “How did it go?”

Guan Zhongliu’s face was still pale, “That man is Zhao Ye. I suspect that the woman accompanying him may be a divine general!”

“A divine general!” Ji Rui was shocked, then relieved, “Thank goodness we showed proper respect! But this is a grave matter. Are you sure?”

Guan Zhongliu recounted the recent encounter. Ji Rui’s expression changed, “Someone who could completely evade your perception, even I couldn’t do that. It seems the woman is indeed a divine general. But where would a female divine general come from in the Eastern Sea Region?”

“Doesn’t the Moonlight White Devil have one?”

Ji Rui’s face turned grim, “Why would she come to our South Green City? This, this…”

Guan Zhongliu remained calm, “Let’s observe and see what they intend first.”

“True, our South Green City is only convenient for transportation. There’s nothing a divine general would want here.”

“But Zhao Ye mentioned wanting Dream Devouring Worms.”

Ji Rui thought for a moment, “We can’t give them directly. If he asks, we can offer a discount. If it’s too easy, it won’t seem like a favor.”

In the inn’s courtyard, the moment Guan Zhongliu left, it fell silent. Ye Tong looked tired and went to rest in the room. Qian Ye followed and sat on the bed, embracing her waist, and whispered, “It’s been a long time since we’ve been intimate.”

Ye Tong glanced at Qian Ye with a seductive smile, “Alright, seeing that you performed well today, I’ll reward you.”

Qian Ye was delighted and moved to pounce, but unexpectedly, Ye Tong lifted her leg, and a white, slender foot pushed him off the bed. Qian Ye, caught off guard, was thrown to the floor.

Qian Ye got up, no longer playful, but with a serious expression, he sternly asked, “Who are you?”

Ye Tong reclined on the bed, exuding natural allure, “When did you notice?”

“That’s not important. Who are you? Where is Ye Tong?”

Ye Tong stood up, put on her shoes, and calmly adjusted her clothes, “I am Ye Tong, and Ye Tong is me. Or rather, I am the true Ye Tong. Do you understand?”

A split soul or dual personality? Qian Ye wondered but had no answer.

Ye Tong, now dressed, had a mocking expression replaced by a cold, ancient air, “Since you’ve noticed, I won’t continue the charade. I’m leaving. Take care of yourself.”

Qian Ye was stunned and blocked the door, shouting, “Stop! Who are you, and where are you taking Ye Tong?”

Ye Tong glanced at Qian Ye, a sneer on her lips, “Weak as you are, do you think you can stop me?”

With her glance, Qian Ye suddenly felt icy cold, his blood turning to ice. In an instant, a layer of frost covered his body, and the room’s temperature dropped sharply.

Qian Ye was encased in ice, only his blood core and three partially crystallized origin force vortices still active. Seeing Ye Tong about to leave, he gritted his teeth and drove his blood core to its limit, and the three vortices burst with morning light, blending with the dark golden blood qi.

Morning light and dark golden blood qi, almost at the pinnacle of Dawn and Eternal Night, combined without restraint, resulting in a violent explosion!

Countless explosions occurred within Qian Ye’s body, severely injuring his ancient vampire form. Despite this, the explosive force shattered the ice, restoring his mobility.

Qian Ye stepped forward, blocking Ye Tong again.

Ye Tong’s eyes, once utterly cold, showed a flicker, “You’re ruthless with yourself. But even if you injure yourself, what can you do? Can you stop me? Foolish.”

With that, Ye Tong reached out and lightly touched Qian Ye’s chest. The force was not much, but it was enough to send him crashing to the floor. The impact reawakened all his wounds, and blood splattered, forming a red silhouette on the floor.