Chapter 433 431: A Pretext to Accuse

Qiu Rong Wanxue forced a wry smile. She was at a loss for words. Although she also disliked Prince Yin Yue and his group, Li Qiye's words were simply too arrogant. He had actually offended the Ten Thousand Bones Throne. If word of this truly reached the Ten Thousand Bones Throne, she feared it would bring about a calamitous annihilation.

It was too late for Qiu Rong Wanxue to stop Li Qiye from saying such things. If his words truly got out, even nine lives wouldn't be enough to save him.

Li Qiye's words instantly made Prince Yin Yue's expression turn cold. Although the Yin Moon Ghost Clan was only a second-rate sect in the Netherworld, even a second-rate sect was a behemoth compared to the humans there.

In the Ghost Sacred Realm, the Human Race was very weak everywhere except for Yao Yun. In other regions, a human power reaching the level of a second-rate sect would already be considered incredibly formidable.

In Prince Yin Yue's eyes, a human junior like Li Qiye was nothing more than an ant. How could he not fly into a rage when this ant dared to spout such arrogance?

"You court death! The Netherworld is no place for an ant like you to run rampant!" Prince Yin Yue roared. His Blood Qi surged like a great, churning wave. Without even making a move, he sent his Blood Qi crushing down on Li Qiye, intending to grind him into a rain of blood with its sheer power.

To Prince Yin Yue, Li Qiye was merely an ant. He could crush him to death with a single finger.

As Prince Yin Yue suddenly struck, Qiu Rong Wanxue's expression sank. Li Qiye, however, merely narrowed his eyes.

"No fighting on my Ferry Boat!" At that moment, the Ferryman on board spoke in a listless voice.

Although the Ferryman's words were listless, they carried immense weight. Prince Yin Yue's expression changed, and he immediately withdrew the Blood Qi that was crushing down on Li Qiye.

In Fengdu City, no visitor was willing to make an enemy of the local residents—be they ghosts or ferrymen. Antagonizing the original inhabitants of Fengdu City was not a wise move. Anyone who did would not find it easy to leave alive.

"Hmph. Junior, I'll spare your life for now," Prince Yin Yue snorted. He was unwilling to swallow this insult, but he dared not offend the Ferryman.

Li Qiye didn't even bother to glance at him. The Ferryman steered the Ferry Boat away, and it vanished across the sea. Standing at the prow of his own boat, Prince Yin Yue coldly watched Li Qiye's group disappear into the distance.

"Your Highness, once they're ashore, we can deal with them whenever we please," Young Master Hei Yun quickly said to Prince Yin Yue.

Prince Yin Yue's eyes turned cold. He let out a cold snort, a terrifying killing intent glinting within them.

Li Qiye's Ferry Boat finally reached the shore. They leaped off, and the moment their feet touched solid ground, the Pengzhuang Sixth Minors breathed a collective sigh of relief, which was quickly followed by a rush of excitement.

"Heh, let's head into the city and see what goodies are for sale." Peng Zhuang patted the money pouch at his waist, the very image of a nouveau riche. You couldn't blame him. The number of Night Sun Fish each of them now possessed was staggering. Even a disciple from an Emperor Immortal Gate who fished in the Night Sea for three years wouldn't necessarily have as many as they did.

Here in Fengdu City, they were now bonafide tycoons, able to buy almost anything they wanted. Of course, acquiring true treasures still required good fortune and a keen eye.

In contrast to Peng Zhuang's nouveau riche mentality, Qiu Rong Wanxue, as Clan Leader, managed to keep her composure. The amount of Night Sun Fish she now had was also astonishing, but she was a Clan Leader, after all. She wasn't like the Pengzhuang Sixth Minors, who were practically too excited to sleep.

Qiu Rong Wanxue looked at Li Qiye beside her and asked, "Young Master Li, where are you headed?"

Li Qiye looked at the mature, beautiful woman before him and smiled. "Is Qiurong Clan Leader planning to accompany me? That's not a bad choice. Fengdu City is brimming with Ghost Qi. It would be so lonely to walk alone."

Li Qiye's teasing words made Qiu Rong Wanxue both angry and annoyed. She wanted to glare fiercely at him, but she suppressed her irritation, maintaining the elegance and composure befitting a clan leader. "We will escort Young Master Li part of the way," she said.

"So, Qiurong Clan Leader is worried for my safety," Li Qiye said with a knowing smile. He understood her intentions; she was afraid Prince Yin Yue's group would seek revenge and wanted to offer him protection.

Qiu Rong Wanxue looked at Li Qiye and said with calm elegance, "Young Master Li helped us acquire so many Night Sun Fish. If you are in trouble, we should at least offer what little help we can."

Although Qiu Rong Wanxue knew that protecting Li Qiye would bring trouble to the Snow Shadow Ghost Clan, she was still willing to do it. She was a grateful person. Since Li Qiye had helped them catch so many Night Sun Fish, it was only right that they lend him a hand in return.

"Clan Leader, let's talk on the move. Prince Yin Yue's group might catch up to us any minute," Peng Zhuang urged, glancing back toward the Night Sea.

The other minors were also worried for Li Qiye. They weren't afraid of Young Master Hei Yun's group, but the Yin Moon Ghost Clan was not an existence their Snow Shadow Race could afford to provoke. Even so, since Li Qiye was in trouble, they were still willing to help him with all their strength.

Qiu Rong Wanxue made a swift decision. "Let's get out of here first," she said, leading the group away from the Night Sea.

Li Qiye couldn't help but smile at Qiu Rong Wanxue and her group's kindness. Since it was a heartfelt offer, he wouldn't refuse it.

"Leaving in such a hurry? Feeling a guilty conscience?" However, Qiu Rong Wanxue's group hadn't gotten far from the Night Sea when a troop of people appeared ahead, blocking their path.

It was none other than Young Master Hei Yun of the Black Cloud Ghost Clan, along with a dozen of his clan's disciples. The moment they blocked Li Qiye's group, they adopted a hostile stance, and the atmosphere instantly became tense to the extreme.

"You again, you little black ghost," Peng Zhuang sneered. "What, you think the likes of you can stop us? Are you tired of living?" He cracked his knuckles, spoiling for a fight.

The Snow Shadow Ghost Clan and the Black Cloud Race were enemies for generations. Now that Young Master Hei Yun had come looking for trouble, the Pengzhuang Sixth Minors were furious. They would show no mercy to their enemies.

As Clan Leader, Qiu Rong Wanxue was far more composed than the Pengzhuang Sixth Minors. She stopped the six of them from lunging forward and asked Young Master Hei Yun in a heavy voice, "What is the meaning of the Black Cloud Race blocking our path?"

Young Master Hei Yun gave a sinister laugh. "Qiurong Clan Leader, we have no intention of making an enemy of the Snow Shadow Race. However, our Black Cloud Ghost Clan has lost something of incredible importance."

"What the hell does your Black Ghost Race losing something have to do with us?" Peng Zhuang sneered irritably.

Young Master Hei Yun smiled sinisterly. "Indeed, it has nothing to do with the Snow Shadow Race. However, it has everything to do with *him*!" he said, pointing a finger at Li Qiye.

"And?" Li Qiye gave him a lazy glance, completely unconcerned.

Young Master Hei Yun gave another sinister laugh. "A while ago, a human brat snuck into the Black Cloud Race and stole our clan's treasure. He concealed his face, but he couldn't change his build. Ever since I first saw you, I've felt that your figure looked familiar from behind. Now I remember! You're the human brat who infiltrated my Black Cloud Race!"

At Young Master Hei Yun's words, not only the Pengzhuang Sixth Minors but even Qiu Rong Wanxue's expression changed. Only Li Qiye remained completely unperturbed, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

"One must be careful with their words," Qiu Rong Wanxue said in a heavy voice. "Young Master Hei Yun, an accusation like that requires proof."

Young Master Hei Yun chuckled sinisterly. "Qiurong Clan Leader, the Black Cloud Race would only dare to accuse this human brat because we have proof. Heh, if he's innocent, he can come back to the Black Cloud Race and face our questions. If it turns out we've made a mistake, the Black Cloud Race is willing to offer a formal apology."

Qiu Rong Wanxue's expression sank. She knew Young Master Hei Yun's so-called accusation was nothing but a pretext. Once Li Qiye set foot in the Black Cloud Race's territory, he would likely never come out again. Even if the theft was a complete fabrication, the moment he was in their hands, it would become an established fact with "ironclad proof."

Everything Young Master Hei Yun said was just an excuse. His only goal was to lure Li Qiye to the Black Cloud Race.

"Young Master Hei Yun, your word alone is not enough. Young Master Li will not be going with you to the Black Cloud Race," Qiu Rong Wanxue stated in a heavy voice. "If your Black Cloud Race has ironclad proof against him, you are welcome to present it to my Snow Shadow Race at any time. For now, Young Master Li is our honored guest."

Young Master Hei Yun's expression turned cold. "Qiurong Clan Leader, are you determined to harbor a human thief?" he said coldly. "You should know, if word of this gets out, it will not be good for the Snow Shadow Race. A clan of the Ghost Race sheltering a human thief... will there still be a place for the Snow Shadow Race in the Ghost Sacred Realm?"

"That is no concern of yours." Qiu Rong Wanxue was determined to protect Li Qiye. "You should all leave," she said coldly. "As long as Young Master Li is an honored guest of the Snow Shadow Race, the Black Cloud Race can forget about taking him away in my presence!"

"Qiurong Clan Leader, you're making things very difficult for me," Young Master Hei Yun said, seemingly without a shred of fear. "All of my brothers are here. If you make me return empty-handed, how am I supposed to answer to the clan's Elders?"

At this, the dozen or so disciples from the Black Cloud Race closed in, surrounding Li Qiye's group. The air was thick with tension; they were ready to attack at a single command from Young Master Hei Yun.

Qiu Rong Wanxue's gaze sharpened. A kingly aura erupted from her, majestic and solemn, making her seem like an Empress. She said coldly, "If the Black Cloud Race insists on making an enemy of the Snow Shadow Race, then I will oblige you anytime."

"It seems we'll have to settle this for real, then." Despite knowing that Qiu Rong Wanxue was stronger than him, Young Master Hei Yun remained completely unfazed.

"We are all of the Ghost Race, so why the hostility? As members of the Ghost Race, we should be united and harmonious." Just then, a voice rang out. Prince Yin Yue arrived, leading a group of disciples from the Yin Moon Ghost Clan.