Chapter 40: I Do Not Trust You

Inside the Yellow Wind Ridge.

Led by Jin Wuwei, Yang Qingyuan and Wang Quanzui walked into the Yellow Wind Ridge under the watchful gaze of the surrounding demons.

The architectural style here was entirely different from that of Yellow Wind City. Most of the dwellings were caves carved out of natural pits and craters. They were built against the mountains; while they lacked the orderly beauty of human cities, they possessed a raw, natural charm that felt closer to the earth.

Jin Wuwei’s cave was located at the very heart of the Yellow Wind Ridge. Along the way, demons would occasionally cast hateful glares at Yang Qingyuan and Wang Quanzui. However, remembering that even Jin Linglin, the strongest warrior of the Ridge, had been no match for Yang Qingyuan outside just moments ago, no demon dared to rush forward and throw their life away.

Even so, under the weight of those gazes, Wang Quanzui felt deeply uneasy. She had no doubt that if Yang Qingyuan hadn’t displayed his overwhelming power earlier to completely intimidate these creatures, they would have rushed forward to tear her to shreds within seconds. To be honest, this was the first time in all her years that she had encountered someone like Yang Qingyuan, who dared to venture deep into demon territory to negotiate.

In stark contrast to Wang Quanzui, Tushan Yaya remained calm from beginning to end, even taking the time to observe the scenery of the Yellow Wind Ridge with genuine interest.

A moment later, the group finally reached Jin Wuwei’s cave. As soon as they sat down, Jin Wuwei went straight to the point: "I wonder, envoy, does your visit today come with any specific instructions from Tushan?"

"Yes, my sister said for you all to keep things quiet for now. She will handle this matter when she returns."

"I see. Might I ask when Lady Tushan Honghong will be returning to Tushan?"

"I don't know about that. My sister went to the Southern Kingdom to discuss the formation of the League of Demons with that old man, the Poison Emperor. She probably won't be back for a few days."

"This..." Jin Wuwei sighed helplessly, then turned his gaze toward Yang Qingyuan. "You mentioned earlier that you wanted to talk to me. What exactly did you want to discuss?"

"I want to know why, given that Yellow Wind City and Yellow Wind Ridge have always kept to themselves, your Ridge has recently started playing these petty tricks outside the city walls?"

"You don't know the full story, for I have been forced into this. A month ago, the eggshell of my offspring was stolen. Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the thief was a human from Yellow Wind City. I sent people to the city to demand an explanation from the City Lord—to have the stolen eggshell and the thief handed over—but the City Lord not only ignored the matter entirely but even had his men injure my subordinates. With no other choice, I had to channel my spiritual power and whip up the yellow sand as a means to pressure that City Lord."

"Eggshell?" Wang Quanzui looked at Jin Wuwei with confusion.

"The eggshells of the Golden Snake clan contain the demon power condensed by their mothers at birth. Consuming the shell significantly boosts the growth rate of the hatchlings," Tushan Yaya explained, sitting in her seat, chin propped on her hand, looking utterly impatient.

"So that’s it. No wonder someone would have their eyes on it," Wang Quanzui nodded in realization.

"Alright, I understand the situation. I will help you retrieve your child's missing eggshell, but in return, you must stop these little games outside Yellow Wind City."

Upon hearing this, Tushan Yaya, who had been bored out of her mind, couldn't help but take another look at Yang Qingyuan.

"Are you serious?" Jin Wuwei’s eyes lit up.

"Believe it or not, that is up to you. However, after today, if I see any small demons playing tricks in the shadows again, I will not show mercy."

"Rest assured, I will keep my subordinates in line. But in return, you must give me a deadline."

"Three days. In three days, I will return the eggshell to its rightful owner."

"In that case, I am much obliged." Jin Wuwei stood up and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect toward Yang Qingyuan.

Yang Qingyuan nodded, then prepared to take Wang Quanzui back to Yellow Wind City. Jin Wuwei made a polite offer to see them off, but Yang Qingyuan raised a hand to decline. "No need. Lord Jin should just wait for my news at home."

With that, Yang Qingyuan and Wang Quanzui transformed into streaks of light and vanished into the horizon. Watching their retreating figures, Jin Wuwei let out a long sigh. "Humans... they truly cannot be underestimated. How many years has it been, and already such a monstrous talent has emerged?"

Just as he finished lamenting, Jin Wuwei wanted to go back to chat with Tushan Yaya about the League of Demons, but upon returning to the cave, he found that Tushan Yaya, who had been in her seat just moments ago, was gone.

"Where... where did she go?"

***

Outside the Yellow Wind Ridge, Yang Qingyuan and Wang Quanzui were traveling back toward Yellow Wind City.

"Qingyuan, how much of what Jin Wuwei said do you think is credible?"

"I don't know, and it doesn't really matter. If he’s lying to us, won't we find out once we check things out back in Yellow Wind City?" Yang Qingyuan shrugged.

Perhaps they would have reservations while on demon territory, but once they returned to the lands of the Daoist Alliance, there would be no need for restraint. Given the powerful factions backing the "second-generation" members of the Mask, even if their identities were revealed after they had acted to uphold justice, who would dare to make a scene? Any one of the top aristocratic families they came from was far beyond what those "victims" could afford to offend. Besides, anyone who drove the Mask to intervene must have committed some shameful, underhanded act to begin with. If they were in the wrong and still tried to make a scene at the Daoist Alliance, wouldn't that just be asking for death?

The two had only left the Yellow Wind Ridge for a short while when Yang Qingyuan suddenly stopped and turned his head to look behind them.

"Come out."

As Yang Qingyuan spoke, a small, stealthy fox demon emerged from the clouds with an awkward expression.

"It’s you again..." Wang Quanzui frowned, her expression guarded as her hand reached for the Dream-Illusion Sword at her waist. "Why are you secretly following us?"

"Who... who is following you? I just happened to be heading this way too!" Tushan Yaya stubbornly insisted.

"This is the direction toward Yellow Wind City. If you’re heading back to Tushan, aren’t you going the wrong way?"

"I’m going to Yellow Wind City, so what?"

"What are you doing in Yellow Wind City?"

"None of your business!"

"You..."

Seeing that the two were on the verge of fighting, Yang Qingyuan quickly stepped between them. "You must be the Second Master of Tushan, Miss Tushan Yaya, right?"

"That’s right."

"A pleasure. While your sister, Tushan Honghong, has always been on good terms with our human race, the tensions between humans and demons are sharp right now. Given your identity, if you were discovered in Yellow Wind City, I fear it would cause quite a lot of trouble."

"So what if I’m discovered? You can come to Tushan territory, so why can’t I go to yours? Hmph! Let me tell you straight—I don’t trust you stinking human Daoists at all! I don’t know what kind of tricks you’re up to this time, but my sister told me to handle this, and I absolutely will not let you lot run wild!"