In the Yi Fang, Elder Huai had finished brewing the Jingxin Shuqiyin, but Lin Xue hadn’t come to pick it up.
He waited for a while, but still no one arrived.
Elder Huai thought, maybe that Snake Spirit went out to play and lost track of time?
This medicine needs to be drunk while it’s hot—if it cools, its effect will be greatly diminished.
Anyway, the Yi Fang was quiet and there was nothing urgent to do, so Elder Huai decided to stretch his old legs and bring the medicine to Hong Yanzhi himself.
He packed up the medicinal soup, carried it in his hand, and walked out of the Yi Fang.
Just as he reached the lower level of the Cave, he saw Hong Huzhi, accompanied by his followers, forcing Lin Xue and Zhang Zongnian toward the outside of the Cave.
At once, Elder Huai understood why Lin Xue hadn’t come to get the medicine.
He shook his head and sighed regretfully, then, carrying the medicine, he shuffled unsteadily to the upper level.
When he reached the upper level of the Cave, after answering the Guard’s questions, Elder Huai came to the entrance of Hong Yanzhi’s chamber and called out,
“Demon Princess, this old man has brought your medicine.”
“Is that Elder Huai? Please come in.” Hong Yanzhi’s voice came from within the room.
Elder Huai entered the room. Hong Yanzhi came forward to take the medicine from his hands, a trace of doubt on her face.
“Why did you bring the medicine yourself, Elder Huai? Where is my Servant Girl?”
Elder Huai replied, “Just now I saw the Shao Ye taking your Servant Girl out of the Cave.”
Hong Yanzhi’s expression instantly changed.
She said angrily, “Why did no one come and tell me!”
Elder Huai gave a bitter smile and said,
“Those little ones wouldn’t dare. Last time, when your Servant Girl Pingping was snatched by the Shao Ye, a Lesser Beast later told you about it, and after the Shao Ye found out who told, he broke that beast’s leg and threw him down the mountain. That Lesser Beast nearly lost his life. I was the one who treated his injuries.”
“These little ones are too afraid to speak. Only this old man dares to come and tell you.”
Hong Yanzhi clenched her fists.
This brother of hers really was a constant source of trouble.
That Snake Spirit was left by her and her father as a gift to present to the soon-to-arrive mane-striped Tiger and Leopard Demons, and she had especially warned her brother not to touch that demon.
She never expected her brother would treat her warning like wind in his ears.
He always went overboard with his actions—what if something bad happened to that Snake Spirit because of his carelessness?
She intended to rush straight out, find her brother, give him a good scolding, and bring back the Snake Spirit.
But as soon as she took a step, she suddenly remembered what Hong Lao San had said: “A married daughter is like water spilled out.”
She drew her foot back.
From now on, this mountain would have nothing to do with her—why should she bother anymore?
In any case, all this would eventually be left to her brother. Let him do whatever he wants.
She said coldly, “My father said that whether it’s affairs inside or outside the mountain, he can handle it. He told me to focus on preparing for marriage. Elder Huai, you’d best go inform my father.”
Elder Huai was momentarily stunned by her words, then sighed, “Seems this old man is meddling too much.”
He cupped his hands, turned, and walked out.
Hong Yanzhi sat on the bed in a fit of pique, refusing to drink her medicine.
As she recalled her conversations with her father, she felt stifled, as if a heavy stone pressed on her chest.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind: If she didn’t have this brother, would she feel so uncomfortable?
Hong Yanzhi was startled by her own thought.
But the more she thought, the more dissatisfied she felt with her brother.
Once, Hong Lao San had cherished her like a pearl in his palm.
But ever since Hong Huzhi was born, most of the affection that had belonged to her had shifted to him.
Hong Lao San couldn’t bear to scold or hit his son, treating him as if he’d melt in his mouth or fly away from his hand.
Hong Huzhi had hardly trained properly; his late-stage body-refining cultivation was, just like Lang Buping’s core-condensing level, entirely propped up by Hong Lao San’s use of spirit medicines.
He and Lang Buping were both absolute wastes.
Hong Yanzhi had little affection for this brother—in fact, because her mother had died giving birth to him, she even held a grudge.
Previously, when Tian Shiqi tried to assassinate Hong Huzhi, and she slaughtered all thirty-five members of the Tian Jia, it was simply because a lowly Rat Demon had dared to lay a hand on the Master of the Cave’s son—this had touched her reverse scale.
If someone dared attack Hong Huzhi today, tomorrow they might target her, and the day after, perhaps even try to assassinate her father, Hong Lao San.
She only maintained her dignity as the Cave Master’s daughter—it wasn’t for her brother’s sake.
Hong Yanzhi sat on the bed, a faint cold smile flashing across her face.
Go on, keep making trouble, you wastrel.
Let’s see how you ruin this mountain. Let’s see if Father will feel regretful then.
She imagined in her mind the scene where, in the future, Hong Huzhi turned Xixia Mountain into a mess, Hong Lao San was furious and regretful, and wished he hadn’t married off such a capable daughter.
Suddenly, she heard a tremendous crash from outside.
Startled, Hong Yanzhi jumped up, unsure what had happened.
She hesitated for a moment, then walked out of her chamber.
She saw the four Guards stationed at the Cave all looking shocked, exchanging glances.
Hong Lao San also rushed out, his eyes wide with alarm. “What’s going on? What’s happening outside?”
When no one could answer, he said to his daughter, “Come, let’s go out and have a look.”
Then, with astonishing speed, he dashed out of the Cave.
Hong Yanzhi followed closely behind.
The various big and small demons inside the Cave had also heard the huge crash and were running outside, their faces full of confusion.
When they reached the place where the crash occurred, Hong Yanzhi saw a massive crater in the ground, with cracks radiating outward.
Zhang Zongnian stood pale-faced, holding Lin Xue in his arms, looking dejected and hopeless.
Lin Xue’s eyes were tightly closed, unconscious.
A short distance away, nine large Cat Demon corpses lay scattered across the ground, riddled with wounds as if pierced by a thousand arrows.
The fattest one was an orange tabby.
At a glance, Hong Yanzhi recognized him as her brother, Hong Huzhi.
The other eight Tiger and Leopard Demons’ corpses were clearly the usual cronies who followed him around.
Her brother was really dead.
The Lesser Beasts of the mountain had surrounded the area.
When the Lesser Beasts saw that the always arrogant and brutal Hong Huzhi and his followers were dead, they were shocked—yet, in their eyes, a trace of vindictive joy flickered.
Hong Huzhi had always acted without conscience, tormenting the Lesser Beasts for ages.
If it weren’t for Hong Lao San and Hong Yanzhi’s presence, they would have almost cheered on the spot.
Hong Lao San took one look at the orange cat’s corpse and immediately howled in grief, “My treasure!”
He staggered to the cat’s side and, overwhelmed by sorrow, rolled his eyes and fainted on the spot.
A few managing demons rushed forward in a fluster to support him, shouting, “Quick, go get Elder Huai to save him!”
Hong Yanzhi watched coldly.
She put on a look of grief, pointed at Zhang Zongnian, and ordered the Lesser Beasts under her,
“Take that Snake Spirit to the Yi Fang for Elder Huai to treat. Bring the Human Cultivator to the Interrogation Room—this lady will question him personally!”