Chapter 432 - 226: The Non-Human Path

Chapter 432: Chapter 226: The Non-Human Path

As they say, trust is mutual. Yin Qingqing was the first to offer hers to Zheng Xiu.

Yin Qingqing nodded. "Yes."

A moment later, she released Zizi’s zither. The process of releasing it was identical to storing it: a fingernail-sized human skin package instantly expanded, resembling a large mouth as it spat the zither out.

"Here, try it on me!"

Zheng Xiu pointed at himself, his curiosity piqued.

Yin Qingqing’s calm expression finally broke. She was utterly dumbfounded.

Zizi and her three companions were even more astonished.

Qing Shisan, who had been secretly perched on the eaves listening to the music, flipped down and landed on the ground. He appeared silently at the entrance to the main hall. Blowing a smoke ring, he said softly, "Master, you must not place yourself in danger."

Countless shadows flickered atop the walls.

The Brotherhood chanted in unison, "All is illusory, all is permitted."

In an instant, a single sentence from Zheng Xiu had shattered the peace in the Zheng Family, filling the air with a tense, hostile energy.

They were terrified the "Time Demon" would spirit Zheng Xiu away.

Feng Bei silently took off her gloves and fixed her gaze on Yin Qingqing. "What did you do to him."

Yin Qingqing knew full well that one wrong word would bring the thunderous wrath of the Zheng Clan’s "nuclear option" down upon her. Panic flashed across her face as she hurriedly knelt. "This servant has done nothing!"

Everyone’s extreme reaction left Zheng Xiu stunned for a moment, then he felt a mix of exasperation and secret gratitude. ’It seems the Great Emperor sending Yin Qingqing over was like tossing a young she-wolf into a pack of tigers. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but my Brotherhood is being so careful, terrified this little she-wolf will try to pull a fast one on their tiger king.’

’On second thought, a Master Zheng should enjoy this sort of thing. Looking eighteen but actually being thirty-five... Eighteen every year, eighteen every birthday, eighteen every night. Just thinking about it is thrilling.’

Qing Shisan had the same thought. As he remained vigilant, he couldn’t help but sigh. ’The Great Emperor is a truly good judge of character.’

"It’s fine. All of you stand guard," Zheng Xiu said with a smile, waving to the others. He then gave Feng Bei’s hand a squeeze. "If she really dares to try anything, with all of you here, what trouble could she possibly cause? Besides, I trust she isn’t that stupid, and I trust the Great Emperor isn’t that foolish."

Yin Qingqing witnessed the small gesture between Zheng Xiu and Feng Bei, and her eyes widened in shock. ’I’ve heard Feng Bei’s hands are like an unsheathed Divine Sword! Anyone she touches is turned to ash! So why can Master Zheng be so intimate with her, treating that terrifying Omen as if it were nothing?’

At Zheng Xiu’s insistence, a flustered Yin Qingqing gritted her teeth and once again used her Innate Mystic Skill. She formed a piece of human skin and cautiously patted it toward Zheng Xiu.

The spinning piece of human skin grew larger, emitting a gray mist. As it approached, Zheng Xiu suddenly felt an itch on his forehead, as if something were about to burst forth. PAT! Yin Qingqing’s hand landed on Zheng Xiu, and the fingernail-sized piece of human skin fell limply to the side.

Yin Qingqing was stunned.

Feng Bei froze.

Qing Shisan choked on his smoke.

A few members of the Brotherhood tumbled off the wall.

In the awkward silence, Zheng Xiu bent down and picked up the tiny piece of human skin. It crumbled into a fine powder in his hand, and with a single puff of air, it dissipated completely. He glanced at the flustered and utterly bewildered Yin Qingqing, then turned to Qing Shisan. "Accompany Qingqing to the palace and report back to the Great Emperor. While you’re there, get to know the men from the Secret Ministry. We may be working as sister departments in the future."

Qing Shisan smoked in silence, pondering the deeper meaning behind his master’s words. He quickly figured out the gist of it and accepted the order with a smile.

"Wait."

Before she left, Zheng Xiu remembered something and said to Yin Qingqing in a serious tone, "Since the Great Emperor has entrusted you to me, you belong to the Zheng Clan from now on."

Yin Qingqing lowered her head. "This servant understands."

"From now on, you will go where I tell you to go."

"Yes."

"When I want to come, you must not refuse."

Yin Qingqing froze. She had misunderstood. Misery filled her eyes as she gritted her teeth and replied, "This servant understands."

The moment Yin Qingqing agreed, a line of fine text appeared before Zheng Xiu’s eyes.

[You have discovered a Post Station. You can now reach "Post Station · Time Demon · Jiyou · Yin Qingqing".]

[Post Station: Yin Qingqing has agreed to your entry.]

[You have obtained permission to enter the Post Station.]

[You may now enter and stay at the Post Station at any time.]

Overjoyed at acquiring a new [Post Station], Zheng Xiu failed to notice Yin Qingqing’s wooden, resigned expression. She followed Qing Shisan out in a daze.

Zheng Xiu took the opportunity to close his eyes and focus his mind, deciding to check out the new Post Station.

The landscape of the Heart Prison was unchanged. Zheng Xiu didn’t linger, heading straight for the Game Table. The very center of the table now looked a bit crowded.

After all, [Post Station Feng Bei] was in the same spot.

Next to the miniature figurine for [Post Station Feng Bei] stood another one: a big-headed girl with her eyes closed, wearing a bright red bodice and a pained expression. Zheng Xiu blinked. ’Why is this Post Station wearing a bodice?’

[Post Station] Yin Qingqing

[Affinity] Master-Servant

[Path] Time Demon (Jiyou)

[Destiny] Turning Misfortune into Fortune

[Physique] A Winding Path Leads to Seclusion

’A Winding Path Leads to Seclusion...?’

’Is that referring to... the Post Station?’

Zheng Xiu then tapped on [Post Station Feng Bei] to take a look. Only then did he see that its description had changed significantly after the Cannibal Painting incident.

[Post Station] Feng Bei

[Affinity] Adoration

[Path] Executioner (Ding Wei)

[Destiny] Celestial Killer Lone Star

[Physique] Magnificent Palace Halls

Zheng Xiu was dumbfounded.

He tapped the Monk’s figurine next. It had also changed.

[Post Station] Huahua

[Affinity] Life-and-Death Comrades

[Path] Ascetic Monk (Renchen)

[Destiny] Blessed with Good Fortune

[Physique] Vast and Boundless

Previously, the Monk’s [Post Station] had been "Unnamed." Since the Cannibal Painting incident, he had rediscovered himself and changed back to "Huahua."