Chapter 69
So what if she knows him?!
Hanging from the treetops, the skin flaps for a while, grinding its teeth unwillingly, only to realize that it has only a pair of eyes left, no teeth at all. The two eyeballs turn, and suddenly remembers the scene seen in that alley.
That dark and damp alley that no one pays attention to actually has a name, it's called "Wealth Avenue". At first glance, the end of the alley is just an ordinary wall, but if you pass through this wall, you will reach the black market in Qizawa Province.
Most of the business of trafficking in human and animal goods in the south passes through here.
However, a few days ago, Jia Yin wiped out this black market just to save a dog kept inside.
But all of this began months ago.
Jia Yin went to the Blood Mist Mountain in the Demon Realm a few months ago and was trapped there for almost half a month.
Xiluo, a snake demon who had been cultivating for a thousand years in the clan, thought he was dead. Leading a group of elite soldiers, he planned to take revenge and become the new ruler.
But little did they know, Jia Yin was not dead!
When he emerged from the Blood Mist Mountain, everyone panicked and rushed to put him on the top of the Killer List.
However, the rebellious demons miscalculated. Demon Emperor Jia Yin was a vengeful honey badger!
No matter where they were scattered across the thirteen provinces in the south or the seven mountains and ten valleys in the east, anyone who had harmed him would be hunted down, no matter how injured he was, and killed.
While chasing them to the borders of Qizawa Province, Demon Emperor Jia Yin did something unusual – he saved a life instead of killing. It was a dog.
It is said that this dog was a loyal companion to Jia Yin . When he went to the Blood Mist Mountain, Xiluo and his gang sold the dog in the black market.
When Jia Yin saved the dog, he took a closer look. The dog was soaked in blood, unable to maintain its true form, with half-human, half-dog body, exposed white bones, and festering flesh.
...
Even if this petty person knew Demon Emperor Jia Yin , it wouldn't matter. He was known for his ruthlessness.
This Nourishing Bead was specially bought for the dog demon.
Thinking it through, although these two people seemed familiar with each other, they didn't seem like old friends, let alone lovers.
Compared to a maid and a loyal companion who was willing to risk their lives for him, it was clear who weighed more.
Eliminating the option of being lovers, the petty person calmly hung on a tree branch and continued to watch the show.
...
Meanwhile, on the second floor.
Xiao Boyang and Lin Wu were confused, but at this moment, no one dared to speak up. They could only suppress their questions and watch the show.
Although Qiao Wan appeared calm, she was almost overwhelmed by the pressure.
However, she could still pretend to be confident.
So, Qiao Wan smiled again, revealing a row of neat and bright teeth, "I came to find something. But I didn't expect to run into you here after our separation."
"How have you been during this time? Have you finished what you needed to do?"
Everyone present was impressed by her courage to reminisce with Jia Yin and inquire about the Demon Emperor's private matters. "Miss, I admire your bravery."
Unexpectedly, Jia Yin actually responded!
His answer was brief, but it gave the person in front of him some face. "Just one more step."
Qiao Wan hesitated for a second, "Are you the buyer of the Nourishing Bead?"
Jia Yin calmly asked back, "Are you here for the Nourishing Bead too?"
Qiao Wan glanced at the kneeling Lin family members. "The Nourishing Bead does not belong to the Lin family. It is part of the dowry of Mrs. Cen from the Cen family and Jiang Rou ."
"The head of the Cen family was deceived by the Lin family, who stole the Nourishing Bead for themselves."
"Even if you want to buy it, you shouldn't buy it from the Lin family."
Jia Yin, in just one glance, saw through what she was thinking, "Do you want to take it back?"
Qiao Wan remained silent for a moment, "Yes."
The man glanced at her, his voice cold and thin, "I want to use this Nourishing Bead to save someone."
After this statement, the more than ten people present were all surprised.
Qiao Wan was also stunned.
Although she had vaguely guessed before that Jia Yin was the buyer, she didn't expect him to buy it to save someone else.
Qiao Wan focused her thoughts and attempted to negotiate, "I also want to use the Nourishing Bead to save someone. How about we make a deal?"
From Wangyun City to Qizawa Province, they had traveled together, so Qiao Wan had some understanding of Jia Yin's character.
The Jia Yin now was not the same as the Jia Yin from Wangyun City. At that time, he was restricted by many things. Reluctantly, he agreed to her request because her demands didn't affect his own interests.
It was also fortunate that he wasn't concerned about Wangyun City, which gave Qiao Wan the opportunity to negotiate with him.
Hearing this, everyone present was shocked.
Demon Emperor Jia Yin, although a battle maniac who traveled alone, was still the Lord of All Demons.
No one, no demon, dared to speak to him in this manner.
Even if he liked to fight with people, he was still a king!
This servant girl in front of them was young, with only initial cultivation in Qi refining. Where did she get the audacity to negotiate terms with Jia Yin?
She was truly audacious.
Unfortunately, Jia Yin's face did not show any signs of displeasure.
Seeing this scene with her own eyes, Qiao Wan's heart sank.
It was one thing to know Jia Yin, but negotiating with him as if nothing had happened was something that no one in the entire Qizawa Province had done before.
Had he miscalculated?
Could it be a love affair? A fleeting encounter?
Outside the restaurant, dark clouds filled the sky, and the wind howled.
Qiao Wan asked, "Can I borrow the Nourishing Bead for a few days?"
"What conditions do you propose?"
Jia Yin remained calm, not yielding at all, "I want the Nourishing Bead today."
Qiao Wan's heart skipped a beat, "I need the Nourishing Bead to save someone."
To save Mrs. Cen, and to save herself.
The woman who had been betrayed by her husband and resented by her adopted son, yet still remained gentle and composed, resolving others' difficulties and singing songs gently, patiently comforting the maids in the household.
Jia Yin said, "I also need it to save someone."
Qiao Wan gritted her teeth, "After you use the Nourishing Bead, can you give it to me?"
The man didn't immediately answer her, only gave her a glance.
But that glance from Jia Yin made Qiao Wan's heart turn cold.
Jia Yin said, "The person I'm saving needs to swallow the entire bead. Once it's used, it's gone. It's impossible to lend it to you again."
Swallowed, which means it's gone!!
Completely gone!
Qiao Wan's heart sank even further. She bowed, "Is there really no way to borrow it? How about we each have half?"
Jia Yin lowered his gaze, "Bring me the Nourishing Bead."
She didn't have the means to do so.
Qiao Wan felt like she had fallen into an icy cellar.
Even though they had a bit of a "bond of adversity" from traveling together, it didn't mean that she and Jia Yin had a special connection.
This is the world of "Immortal Ascending Road," where the opportunities between the main character and the supporting characters are worlds apart.
Qiao Wan smiled bitterly.
With a soft smile and a greeting, she couldn't always count on having the support of a powerful ally or a loyal companion.
The negotiations instantly broke down!!
Lin Wu, who had the Nourishing Bead in his pocket, suddenly felt the immense pressure as he watched the confrontation between the two.
This thing that could protect and nourish life, now tucked away in his pocket, felt like a life-saving talisman!!
The strong wind suddenly stopped.
A thunderous boom came crashing down from the sky outside the second floor.
The rain poured down like a waterfall.
In this instant, no one expected that Qiao Wan would dare to suddenly attack.
The girl shot out like an arrow released from a bow!
With a leap, she directly grabbed the Nourishing Bead from Lin Wu's pocket.
Although Qiao Wan's actions were sudden, Lin Wu didn't even have a chance to resist.
After all, he had long wanted to get rid of this life-threatening talisman, with open arms, to let anyone take it.
With one swift move, Qiao Wan successfully grabbed it.
Lin Wu took a few steps back in response, and several other disciples of the Lin family hurried forward to support him. Together, the fourteen of them exited the battle circle.
They've gone mad, completely insane.
Lin Wu was still in shock.
It's one thing for this servant girl to seek death, but to drag them down like this?!
As the others retreated, only Xiao Boyang remained kneeling on the ground, appearing particularly fresh and refined.
Xiao Boyang: Damn it!
The brothers who had been kneeling with him suddenly all cowardly vanished.
At the moment when Qiao Wan made her move, Jia Yin also acted.
"Lu Wan," the man's gaze darkened as he spoke in a low voice, "You're bold."
Before the words fell, five black dragon shadows emerged from his sleeves!!
Qiao Wan rolled on the ground, avoiding one dragon mouth. She tossed the Nourishing Bead into Xiao Boyang's pocket and used secret voice transmission at the same time.
"Run!!! Run with the Nourishing Bead! I'll stop Jia Yin here!! I have a plan to escape!!"
No matter what, this was originally part of the dowry given by Mrs. Cen. First, send out the Nourishing Bead, and then negotiate with him!
As a snow-white, perfectly round bead landed in his pocket, Xiao Boyang was instantly dumbfounded. When he raised his head, two black dragon shadows were already rushing towards him!
Stop?! How the hell can you stop them for long?!
This isn't the Nourishing Bead, it's a damn life-threatening talisman!
Fuck it!! It's over! Today is definitely the end right here!
To dare snatch something right under the Demon Emperor's nose! Xiao Boyang gritted his teeth. This little servant girl was truly causing him harm.
Just as she said that, she quickly took action. She was forced to do so. Even if she didn't run, she had to run. Seeing the two dragon shadows rushing towards her, the young master of the Xiao family leaped from the second floor, using the "Stellar Treading Technique," desperately running for his life!!
Boom!
And in that instant, Qiao Wan flew over and stood in front of Xiao Boyang.
The dragon shadows paused.
Then, Qiao Wan was directly knocked out by the dragon's shadow and crashed onto the tables and chairs on the first floor.
Luckily, the restaurant was reserved by the Lin family today, so everyone had left already.
Qiao Wan got up from the debris, coughed up blood, and without taking a breath, rushed out of the restaurant.
The streets were empty, and the rain was pouring heavily.
The blue-purple thunder ripped through the dark clouds, lighting up the sky.
The heavy rain soaked Qiao Wan in an instant.
But the man had an invisible barrier around him, protecting him from getting wet, not even a single drop touched his hair or robe.
In comparison, Qiao Wan looked even more disheveled, like a drenched chicken.
Jia Yin: "I didn't intend to kill you."
Qiao Wan held her chest, gasping for breath, blood bubbling at the corner of her mouth: "I've already sent away the Nourishing Bead, let's talk it out."
He truly didn't plan to kill her.
And she realized that he didn't want to kill her either.
He was weak in his cultivation. If he really wanted to kill her, a finger would be enough.
Qiao Wan breathlessly said, "Bring the person you want to save, and we can split it in half, what do you think?"
"If you agree, I'll immediately bring back the Nourishing Bead."
Jia Yin frowned.
When he saw the dog soaking in the blood, he made a promise to himself never to let him suffer another day.
At that moment, the youth was lying on the ground, unable to speak, but still smiling like a dog.
It was his loyal dog, his trusted companion, his dog brother.
"I promised him, that from now on, I will never let him suffer again."
That's why he couldn't lend the Nourishing Bead.
The dignity of the Lord of All Demons couldn't allow him to share it half with his beloved dog brother and Qiao Wan.
Demon Emperor Jia Yin may be ruthless, but he also valued loyalty and promises.
When he made a promise, he would follow through with it.
His fingertip moved gently inside his black robe.
He didn't plan to kill the cultivator in front of him, but making him lose his ability to move would be an easy task.
On the second floor,
Lin Wu crawled out of the restaurant and stood on the corridor, watching the confrontation between the man and the demon in the pouring rain.
This servant girl indeed had some face in front of the Demon Emperor, dare to snatch something right under his nose and still not get killed.
It seemed that Jia Yin didn't even consider killing her.
Jia Yin didn't intend to kill this servant girl, but his companions might have other plans.
"Where are the people?" Lin Wu anxiously looked around the empty street.
Why haven't they arrived yet?!
If they don't hurry, all ten of them will be left here to die!
Since it had come to this, there was no room for negotiation.
They could only do it this way.
Qiao Wan spewed blood and faced the five dark dragon shadows in front of her.
Her heart sank, feeling uncertain.
Although she said to Xiao Boyang that Jia Yin would stop her, she wasn't completely sure.
The man in front of her didn't immediately chase after Xiao Boyang because he saw no value in them.
He looked down on their abilities.
But living in this world, it's impossible to be a hundred percent certain about everything before doing it.
Perhaps, she was still influenced by evil energy. Ever since the time she fought fiercely with the Human-faced Scorpion-tailed Spider in the Mudstone Secret Realm, she had grown accustomed to risking her life.
Rain poured down, and Qiao Wan took a deep breath, paying no attention to the water streaming down her face, focusing her mind.
"Zila"—
Small electric currents suddenly burst from her palm, growing larger and larger.
The sky rumbled and thunder snakes danced!
A bolt of lightning descended from the sky, connecting with the lightning in the girl's hand, erupting into a dazzling light!
The familiar pain instantly surged through Qiao Wan's head, causing her to gasp for breath.
She was not afraid of being struck, as she had grown used to it.
Several bolts of lightning struck down, indeed strengthening the lightning ball in her hand by more than one level.
"Throw Your Thunder," a move that became more powerful as one's cultivation level increased. It was suitable for Gan Nan, who had immense spiritual power, but not particularly suited for her.
But things were different now.
In an instant, everyone from the Lin family, including their skin, seemed to be dumbfounded, frozen in place.
This was even more shocking than when they first met Jia Yin.
This delicate body directly harnessed the power of heavenly thunder, becoming its own.
Courageous and fearless.
She was a tough one.
Just one move.
As long as she could fight against Jia Yin with a single move, it would be enough.
Qiao Wan's gaze focused tightly on the man in front of her, observing his every move.
Five black dragon shadows roared and surged out.
Qiao Wan made a decisive decision and fiercely threw the lightning ball!
But it didn't end there.
Her bones expanded within her body, breaking through her skin, and rows of sharp bone spurs emerged in mid-air, aiming at the man in front of her.
All of this happened in an instant.
The lightning ball burst into a dazzling light!
As the thunder entered his body, even though he was a man, his fingertips couldn't help but tingle slightly.
Following closely behind the thunder, the bone spurs surged forth!
But what no one could have expected was that just as Qiao Wan made her move, a powerful demonic energy once again rolled through the street!
A dark green serpent shadow rushed out!
Here it comes!
The person they had been waiting for had finally arrived!
In the corridor, witnessing this scene, Lin Wu couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
Thunder, bone spurs, and snake shadow all attacked at once.
Jia Yin shook his sleeves, and from within, a black dragon mouth emerged. It bit down on the dark green serpent shadow, and with a flick of its tail, it instantly broke through the thunder and bone spurs.
But by the time the thunder and bone spurs disappeared, all that remained on the ground were shattered bones and faint bloodstains.
What about Lu Wan?
Lin Wu and the others, as well as the person on the treetop, all stared blankly at the empty street, momentarily stunned.
...
The realm of physical cultivation was not as simple as using bones as a shield or bones as weapons.
There was also the "shrinking to an inch" technique.
Hidden from the sight of others, a pink tiny figure was braving the storm, running for its life!
Damn it! Run!
There's no time to hesitate!
Without waiting for Lin Wu and the others to think about where Qiao Wan had gone, a thunderous sound rolled through and a bright white light shone. From every corner of the alley, different shapes of demons quickly emerged and surrounded Jia Yin in an instant.
Those were the rebel army of demon clans under the command of the thousand-year-old snake demon, Xiluo!
Yes, that's right.
Lin Wu breathed a sigh of relief and spat out a mouthful of blood with a gloomy face.
The praying mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
Why did the Lin family dare to confront the Demon Emperor head-on with just a few Qi cultivators? It's because the Lin family had long conspired with that snake demon.
They used the Nourishing Bead to deceive Jia Yin and trap him!
And these Qi cultivators, including one Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, were all just cannon fodder!
The situation suddenly took a turn for the worse!
In the blink of an eye, the hunter became the hunted.
On the long street, the Demon Emperor, dressed in a black robe and with a cold and arrogant gaze, was trapped in this desolate street.
Like a dragon trapped in shallow water, he was on the brink of death.
At this moment, Qiao Wan was still running for her life.
Her lungs were wheezing like a broken bellows.
Under normal circumstances, getting hit by raindrops wouldn't be a problem, but now she was only an inch tall at most. It was quite uncomfortable to be hit by raindrops.
Although she didn't know what the snake shadow was, seeing Jia Yin trapped, Qiao Wan couldn't help but feel a moment of excitement in her heart and continued to run as fast as she could.
Victory was in sight!
But suddenly, everything flashed before her eyes!
"I've caught something!"
A teasing laughter rang out.
The little pink figure running on the ground was instantly lifted up by a fair fingertip.
She looked up and met the enchanting face of a "giant" woman.
Without blinking, Qiao Wan's bones twisted and her height increased, returning to normal size in an instant. She twisted her body and kicked.
Her foot landed perfectly on the woman's chest.
The woman took a few steps back, her grip loosened, and her face turned green.
Qiao Wan sprung into the battle, landing next to Jia Yin.
Heavy rain poured down.
Jia Yin glanced at her but didn't move.
Qiao Wan stared at the demons and monsters in front of her, as well as the graceful woman who had grabbed her collar.
The woman's black clothes tightly wrapped around her curvaceous figure, with a large chest and slender waist, but dragging behind her was a pitch-black round belly and a pair of membranous wings on her back.
Qiao Wan took a sharp breath and finally understood how she was discovered.
This fucking woman was an ant spirit!
Now she finally understood.
These were all rebel demons, working together to put Demon Emperor Jia Yin on the top of the Killer List.
Wiping the rainwater off her face, Qiao Wan spoke in a deep voice that was loud enough to cut through the rain, clear and audible to everyone's ears.
"I'll help you. Let me borrow the Nourishing Bead."
Jia Yin glanced at her sideways.
He didn't need a Qi cultivator to help him.
Maybe it was the fearless spirit of Lu Wan that blurred his mind a bit, or maybe he didn't want to delay any longer. Perhaps he didn't want to let these sneaky "sparrows" take advantage while he was fighting with Lu Wan.
Thinking of these spies lurking around, Jia Yin couldn't help but get angry and a smirk appeared on his face, his voice cold.
The words that came out of his mouth surprised everyone present.
He said, "Alright."
The dark shadow in his sleeve roared and in a moment, it wrapped around a young man and threw him in front of Qiao Wan.
After running for his life for so long, in the blink of an eye, Xiao Boyang was caught by Jia Yin's controlled shadow, in a humiliating position like a caterpillar.
Looking up at the different gazes of the people, Xiao Boyang didn't have time to think about when so many people appeared. He just felt ashamed and furious.
Qiao Wan glared, "Xiao Boyang, you useless thing! I just trusted you and you went all out like this!"
With the arrival of reinforcements, the situation changed instantly within the battlefield.
