Chapter 129: The Abacus

Perhaps she is the daughter of a wealthy family, fleeing because of some unforeseen circumstances that have turned her world upside down. She must be dressing this way to escape and avoid being captured!

Zhu Xiaoyuan was quite certain of this; it was exactly the kind of thing he had read in novels and seen in television dramas. Regardless of who this little girl was or what her status might be, he was determined to save her. Saving a life was of the utmost importance.

"I suspect this young lady’s identity is not simple," Zhu Xiaoyuan said, feeling as though he had figured everything out. "However, since Ruofeng has already brought you in, you may stay here with me for now."

Upon hearing this, the little girl’s lowered eyes flickered. As expected of an ancient god, she thought; he must have already seen through her true identity. Yet, he did not seem to care about it at all. Was his attitude so casual because he truly didn't mind?

The little girl blinked her large eyes, looking exceptionally well-behaved. "Senior... thank you."

Zhu Xiaoyuan smiled. "There is no need to call me Senior. Just call me Big Brother." He then turned to Ruofeng. "What about the girl’s uncle? Let him come in."

Ruofeng replied immediately, "Her uncle is still at the gate... he feels a bit awkward about coming in."

Zhu Xiaoyuan understood. It seemed this so-called uncle was little more than a bodyguard. It was probably better not to let such a person in. "In that case," Zhu Xiaoyuan nodded, "let her uncle leave first. If any pursuers manage to track them here, they will certainly find themselves in for a rough time!"

After all, besides himself, the courtyard was currently occupied by Long Ruxuan, Lu Ran, Zhangsun Puyu, and Xianchen. If anyone came looking for trouble, they were well-prepared. Even if they had to fight, they were many, and no one would be able to do anything to them. Furthermore, this was a small mountain village, and Zhu Xiaoyuan was confident that all his neighbors—men, women, young, and old—would jump in to help. They were his real backup!

Ruofeng agreed and headed to the door. The little girl followed, trotting along to catch up, and took Ruofeng’s hand tightly. "Big Sister, I’ll go with you. I still want to say a few words to my uncle."

"Very well."

Ruofeng walked with the girl to the gate. "Little one, our Master has decided you may stay, but you must ask your uncle to leave."

Upon hearing this, Ming Yexin’s expression shifted dramatically. How could he leave the Demon Lord? Now that the Demon Lord possessed only a sliver of her primordial soul, what would happen if he weren't there to protect her?

The girl spoke before Ming Yexin could, "Uncle, please leave and find a safe place. It is truly safe here; the Senior will protect me!"

Ming Yexin’s heart skipped a beat. Protect the Demon Lord? Who exactly were the people in this small courtyard that even the Demon Lord felt compelled to address one as "Senior"? Could this be the territory of an ancient god from the Immortal Realm? And since the Demon Lord herself wanted him to leave, he struggled for a long moment before bowing deeply. "Understood!"

With that, he turned and left, quickly vanishing into the mountain village. Ruofeng led the little girl back into the courtyard and shut the gate behind them.

Outside, Shang Yu appeared at the gate, clutching a black bottle. "This is the place," he breathed, inhaling deeply. "The primordial soul is in this small courtyard."

"The Courtyard of Leisure." He looked up at the four large characters inscribed above the gate. They seemed to manifest before his eyes as if they were the laws of the Heavens themselves. The courtyard appeared to exist independently, as if it were a world unto itself.

"What is this place? Could this be the territory of some mighty figure from the Immortal Realm?" he muttered. Then, his expression darkened. "Could it be that Qiya’s people have colluded with the Immortals? Truly a disgrace to our Demon race! Today, I will take you back by force!"

Shang Yu took a step forward, intending to enter the courtyard. But the moment his foot touched the threshold, he felt as if a thousand-pound boulder had been placed upon his shoulders. His expression sank. He was at the peak of the Profound Demon realm; how could he be unable to take even a single step? What kind of terrifying place was this?

A surge of anger rose within him. "Impossible! I possess the Demon Commander’s treasure, the Black Demon Bottle! No one can stop me!"

He roared in defiance, and the Black Demon Bottle erupted with brilliance as waves of black mist poured out. Above Zhu Xiaoyuan’s gate, the sign "The Courtyard of Leisure" flashed, radiating a profound aura.

"Ah!"

Shang Yu let out a sharp cry and vomited a mouthful of black blood. He collapsed uncontrollably, and the Black Demon Bottle in his hand crumbled into dust, scattering onto the ground.

...

Although Ming Yexin had left the courtyard, his heart was heavy with worry. After walking a long distance, he stopped. He could not bear it any longer and turned back. "Shang Yu has the Black Demon Bottle; its power is immense. Although the people inside can protect the Demon Lord, I don't know their true strength. I must see for myself."

He quickened his pace and soon returned to the gate. The sight that greeted him left him stunned. Shang Yu lay at the entrance, his body fracturing into pieces that dissolved into the air until nothing remained. The powerful Black Demon Bottle was now nothing more than powder on the ground, blown away by the wind.

Ming Yexin could not believe his eyes. Shang Yu was a peak Profound Demon with a legendary artifact; even in the Immortal Realm, few could rival him. Yet, he hadn't even managed to enter the courtyard. He had been obliterated the moment he approached! What kind of power was this? Who were the people inside?

Ming Yexin’s body trembled. He couldn't even imagine it. No wonder the Demon Lord addressed the man as "Senior"!

"This must be an old acquaintance of the Demon Lord," Ming Yexin thought to himself. "With this person’s protection, the Demon Lord is surely safe. For now, I must keep myself hidden, find a way to protect the Demon Lord’s interests, and contact Demon Commander Qiya."