The Mountain Lord's Daughter

How could he possibly have to stay with her?

But escaping the Mirage Realm was not an easy task.

Even though Zhan Yunwei had managed to escape the Jianhuan Tower with Yue Zhiheng, without the Dream Fragment Stone to break the array, they still couldn't get out.

Where would the Dream Fragment Stone be?

From her previous experience with a Mirage Realm, the vengeful spirit had hidden the Dream Fragment Stone inside Senior Sister Duan's body—so where was it this time?

Zhan Yunwei couldn't help but think of that pervert she had just encountered. She had killed him, yet the Dream Fragment Stone had not been found.

It seemed the Mirage Realm tended to hide the Dream Fragment Stone within someone the dream's target trusted. For Yue Zhiheng, who would that person be?

The answer came naturally to her mind: the mute girl!

Zhan Yunwei carefully recalled the child she had brought in earlier and realized that the mute girl was nowhere to be found.

She settled Yue Zhiheng down and then went out to find the manager of the Jianhuan Tower: "Are there any more goods delivered by boat tonight?"

The manager, wearing a white mask, glanced at the room and noticed that one of the auras was missing. However, evil spirits had no empathy. Survival of the fittest was common in Du'e City. Jianhuan Tower only made deals that met the price.

The manager asked in a strange voice, "What kind of goods does the noble one desire?"

"Any girls around seven or eight years old?"

Upon hearing this, the manager handed her a mirror. The mirror showed all the evil spirits' children delivered to the tower today.

Zhan Yunwei quickly found the mute girl in the reflection.

"This little evil spirit is still in the tower."

The manager, in a cold tone, reminded, "Noble one, she's mute."

Zhan Yunwei feared he might notice something odd, so she mimicked the pervert's tone, "The mute one is better, more interesting."

The manager didn't seem surprised and continued in a lifeless tone, "This is a rejected item, already sent across the river to the slave house on the other side. The ferry won't return until tomorrow night."

So, that meant they would have to stay at Jianhuan Tower for another full day and night.

With no other choice, Zhan Yunwei agreed.

The manager then asked, "Are you dissatisfied with the other goods in the room?"

Zhan Yunwei dared not let him take anyone else, so she smiled, "He's fine, leave him for now."

She had more or less figured out the ways of these evil beings and couldn't help but feel fortunate that she had become Wen Xun, a powerful and wealthy evil cultivator who had never been to Jianhuan Tower. Even if she said something wrong, it could be excused.

Zhan Yunwei handed over some top-tier spirit stones, and the manager seemed quite pleased, quickly going off to handle the matter.

Returning to her room, Zhan Yunwei found that Yue Zhiheng had somehow woken up.

He was staring at her without blinking.

Zhan Yunwei approached him, intending to check on his condition, but before she could, Yue Zhiheng tilted his head back, calmly displaying his exceptional looks: "Noble one, I can do it too. I can do it better than anyone."

He was still young and not yet as composed as he would later be. As he spoke, his pale eyes were tinged with a hint of flattery, even urgency. To show his determination, his hand reached for Zhan Yunwei's clothes. The pervert from before could not bring himself to act, but Yue Zhiheng, in this moment, lowered his head without hesitation.

Zhan Yunwei's heart skipped a beat as she gazed at him.

She immediately understood why Yue Zhiheng was doing this. He had overheard her conversation with the manager and thought she was going to defile or even devour the mute girl, which was why he was going all out.

When Yue Zhiheng made the decision, there wasn't even a moment of hesitation, nor did his hand tremble. If Zhan Yunwei hadn't reacted quickly, her outer robe would've been torn off.

Zhan Yunwei stopped his actions and told him, "You don't need to do this."

Her heart felt heavy, a kind of discomfort she couldn't explain.

After being rejected by her, Yue Zhiheng's gaze darkened, becoming filled with sorrow and resolve.

Zhan Yunwei didn't want him to misunderstand any further and was also afraid that he might truly try to end it all with her. So, she spoke up, "I didn't bring you and the mute girl here to make you do such things, nor do I intend to devour you."

Yue Zhiheng's hand froze for a moment.

"You saw it, right? I killed my companion. I'm not on the same side as him."

Yue Zhiheng looked at her, slowly nodding.

Zhan Yunwei didn't care whether he truly believed her or had other thoughts. She just needed to stabilize him.

"Tomorrow morning, that girl will be sent over. Then, I'll take you both out of Jianhuan Tower."

Yue Zhiheng didn't react much, only muttering in a hoarse voice, "Thank you, noble one."

Even though he said this, Zhan Yunwei saw the coldness in his eyes and his hand reaching for the whip again.

Yue Zhiheng didn't believe anyone would save him, nor did he believe anyone would truly be kind to him and the mute girl.

Zhan Yunwei was both amused and angry. Yue Zhiheng was still so young, yet already so cautious and deep-thinking?

"Don't think about killing me. You can't. I'm not that evil spirit from before. I won't underestimate you. If you really try to harm me, you won't get out of Jianhuan Tower."

Upon hearing this, Yue Zhiheng finally gave up on the idea of killing her.

His expression no longer held innocence. Coldly, he looked at Zhan Yunwei and asked cautiously, "Why are you helping me?"

Zhan Yunwei had initially intended to say, "No reason." But if she said that, Yue Zhiheng would likely spend the whole night wondering how to kill her, the person with ill intentions.

So, she changed her response, speaking softly, "You are still useful to me. You'll need to help me with some things."

"What things?"

"Specifically, these things will need you to do in the future." She squatted down, looking at the vaguely recognizable face of this future treacherous minister, and snorted, "First, if there's only one bed, I sleep on the bed, and you sleep on the floor."

Yue Zhiheng was silent for a while, clearly not understanding why Zhan Yunwei would say such a thing. However, he still replied, "Alright."

Zhan Yunwei, seeing his agreement without hesitation, took advantage of his youth and lack of later memories to continue, "Then, if I ask you to let someone go, you must let them go and never capture them again."

The young Yue Zhiheng furrowed his brow. "I haven't captured anyone."

"I mean in the future. If you agree, just say 'okay.'"

Yue Zhiheng: "...Alright."

Zhan Yunwei was very satisfied and continued with renewed determination: "If I want to part ways with you, you are not allowed to chase after me or bind me to your side."

Yue Zhiheng had no reply.

"Is that acceptable?" Zhan Yunwei pressed.

He could hardly argue—he was still trying to escape Du'e City, so why would he chase after someone who was talking nonsense and insist on staying with her?

Due to her distrust of Yue Zhiheng, Zhan Yunwei said, "Words alone aren't enough. You need to swear a soul oath."

Yue Zhiheng looked confused, and Zhan Yunwei realized he was still young and had never been taught such things. She then instructed him on how to make the oath: "Learn from me."

"Repeat after me," she said as she formed the hand seals. "If I break this oath, let my soul scatter and my body be shattered."

Zhan Yunwei expected that such a young child wouldn't be able to make a very powerful oath. The situation felt almost like a reversal of roles, back to when Yue Zhiheng had made her swear in the past.

However, to her surprise, Yue Zhiheng paused for a moment before speaking in a hoarse voice, coldly saying: "If I break this oath, may my soul scatter and my body be destroyed."

Zhan Yunwei: "..." No wonder, in her past life when she faced this person, she was repeatedly at a disadvantage. Yue Zhiheng was ruthless not only toward others but also toward himself.

Finally, after swearing, both of them let out a sigh of relief.

Zhan Yunwei wasn't sure if oaths worked in the Mirage Realm, but it didn't spoil her current sense of satisfaction. Once Yue Zhiheng left, he would become a scoundrel. At least for now, he looked somewhat bearable.

The young Yue Zhiheng kept his promise, even getting out of bed obediently and curling up on the floor without a word.

Zhan Yunwei couldn't bring herself to imagine this child, who was willing to sacrifice himself to protect the mute girl, growing into the ruthless master of the Later Heaven Court.

"I didn't say you had to sleep on the floor right now. You're still injured."

Yue Zhiheng lowered his eyes. "I'm fine."

Zhan Yunwei knew that he was likely still wary of her, so she didn't press the issue. She didn't want to sleep on that bed either, not wanting to touch anything in the room.

Yue Zhiheng sat in the corner. He had become accustomed to this kind of life. Life in the underground palace had been the same. The only bed was always shared with his sister, and they tacitly let their mother use it.

The blood moon hung high, casting a blood-red glow across the room, and no one could sleep.

Zhan Yunwei decided to try drawing on Wen Xun's spiritual power while pondering what other oaths she could have Yue Zhiheng swear. If they could be fulfilled, all her troubles might be resolved once they left.

"Do not harm the common people before they fall into full corruption."

"Once we leave here, remove my bracelet."

"Do not pursue or kill those from the Immortal Sect."

Yue Zhiheng: "..."

He knew that some evil beings cultivated disciples and, to be cautious, might also try to control their followers. But was this person in front of him overestimating him? How powerful would he have to become in the future to do all the things she was asking?

But having demands was a good thing. It meant she wouldn't harm him or the mute girl.

Perhaps Zhan Yunwei didn't understand the severity of the phrase "soul scatter, body shattered." For others, it was a terrifying concept, but for him, it was simply the prerequisite for surviving until tomorrow.

Yue Zhiheng lowered his head, his gaze cold. No matter what Zhan Yunwei said, he answered each request, trying his best to appear harmless.

The blood moon gradually faded as dawn approached.

Zhan Yunwei looked outside and noticed that the color of the dark river had changed—from a sinister black to a deep purple. The evil spirits in Du'e City were mostly nocturnal, and once the sun rose, the entire city seemed to fall into a deep slumber.

Using Wen Xun's senses, Zhan Yunwei knew that Jianhuan Tower still housed many powerful evil cultivators. It was best for her and Yue Zhiheng to stay here for another day and wait for the boat that would bring the mute girl back.

However, plans always fell short of expectations. Zhan Yunwei never anticipated that Wen Xun's "wife," kept in Du'e City, would come to Jianhuan Tower.

A woman's melodious voice came from outside the door.

"Wen Xun." Qi Yinuo's cold voice rang out. "Have you forgotten what you promised me? You said that as long as I stayed in Du'e City and allowed you to vent your resentment, you would try to control your bloodlust and not leave Du'e City. As expected, an evil spirit is still an evil spirit. Your words can't be trusted at all."

"I'm giving you one last chance. Come out now and return with me."

Indeed, a noble status came with endless trouble. Zhan Yunwei could tell that this woman might be good-hearted, but the trouble was that she was accompanied by four high-ranking evil cultivators, each of whom was even more powerful than the pervert from earlier.

Zhan Yunwei wasn't sure whether they were there to protect Qi Yinuo or whether Wen Xun had sent them to monitor her.

Zhan Yunwei dared not step out. Not only had the mute girl not arrived yet, but these people, who had spent so much time with Wen Xun, were most likely to spot something wrong with her.

With no choice, Zhan Yunwei decided to use the same tactics she had employed when dealing with the perverted companion to stall for time. "I have some business to take care of. Afterward, I'll come back in a few days. You can leave first."

Before Qi Yinuo could respond, the door was suddenly kicked open.

Zhan Yunwei looked up to see a young woman standing outside, dressed in light yellow clothes. Qi Yinuo was strikingly beautiful, with almond-shaped eyes and a bright, alluring face. She frowned as she looked at Zhan Yunwei.

The expressions of the evil beings behind her shifted from stiff to subtly lively and eerie. The one in the lead said in a chilling tone: "Mistress, have you forgotten what day it is today?"

Zhan Yunwei: "...What day is it supposed to be?"

Qi Yinuo replied: "You are not Wen Xun. If you truly were Wen Xun, you should have returned to the mansion today to suppress the disciples."

Zhan Yunwei finally understood where the problem lay.

Unlike the Spirit Domain, in Du'e City, the evil cultivators often take disciples and subordinates by extracting half of their inner dan and feeding them explosive pills, ensuring their obedience. They also give them antidotes on fixed dates.

It wasn't that Zhan Yunwei had answered incorrectly, but today was the day Wen Xun needed to suppress his subordinates and give the antidote to the evil cultivators.

If she were Wen Xun, she would not have failed to do this first!

Suddenly, four evil cultivators lunged at Zhan Yunwei.

Under the sky filled with black gas, Zhan Yunwei summoned Wen Xun's fated sword. Outside the door, Qi Yinuo stared at the sword, glowing as it had once, her expression somewhat dazed.

Zhan Yunwei exchanged dozens of blows with these evil cultivators before realizing the situation was dire.

After all, she wasn't the true Wen Xun, and she wasn't a sword cultivator. In just one night, she had managed to wield Wen Xun's sword this well, which was already impressive, but there was no way she could block four of them.

It seemed like they wouldn't be able to wait for the mute girl. If she kept delaying, both she and Yue Zhiheng would be finished. Without hesitation, Zhan Yunwei decided to leap out of the window with Yue Zhiheng.

Below them was the dark river.

The evil cultivators didn't chase them immediately. After exchanging a glance, they conjured bows and arrows from their evil energy and aimed at the backs of Zhan Yunwei and Yue Zhiheng.

Yue Zhiheng looked at the arrows, his pupils trembling. He knew that Zhan Yunwei's best choice now was to abandon him and dive into the dark river alone.

She could definitely survive on her own.

But he was only eight years old. In the cold and dangerous dark river, if she left him behind, he had no chance of survival. His survival instincts kicked in, and his expression turned cold. Without hesitation, he crawled onto Zhan Yunwei's back, shielding her from the arrows.

Years of experience told him that if he was useful enough, she might not abandon him.

Zhan Yunwei hadn't expected him to act this way, nor had she expected such skill from an eight-year-old. When she heard the sound of arrows striking flesh, her heart sank. She feared the worst—that Yue Zhiheng might die here.

Fortunately, the endless dark river stretched out before them. Gritting her teeth, Zhan Yunwei pulled Yue Zhiheng, who had fallen behind, to her front and together they dove into the river.

When Yue Zhiheng woke up, the blood moon had risen once again.

Another black night. Had a whole day passed?

He had thought he would die or be abandoned when he lost his value, but to his surprise, he was fine. The blood-red moonlight illuminated the dark river, and he found himself lying on a slender back.

The person carrying him was walking through the night wind.

She had formed the only protective barrier seal she knew, guarding him.

The air was filled with the pungent smell of blood. Yue Zhiheng looked down and realized that the person carrying him was covered in wounds.

This was the price of surviving the dark river.

Yue Zhiheng's gaze was calm and cold. He raised his hand and noticed that his skin had no wounds at all. His constitution was special; he was nearly immune to all evil energy. The arrows infused with dark energy had pierced his body but caused him no harm.

Yet, he didn't expect that this trick would deceive the person carrying him.

She hadn't abandoned him.

Why, why was there such a person in Du'e City?

Yue Zhiheng noticed that the person carrying him was staggering, almost unable to tell the direction. He whispered, "You can't see?"

Without making a sound, he drew a poison needle hidden in his hair and coldly pointed it at her neck.

Just like he had told the mute girl on the big boat, people like them could never trust anyone. In this world, only oneself could be relied upon.

He would never be foolish like his companions, trusting others only to end up being turned into a human skin drum or some kind of magical artifact, and still only be left crying.

But unexpectedly, the person beneath him rasped, "Mm, but don't be afraid. We'll be out soon."

She took a deep breath. "So this is what it feels like to be blind... It hurts so much. I don't know how you… managed to endure it."

The poison needle in Yue Zhiheng's hand hesitated just above Zhan Yunwei's neck.

The halo gradually grew brighter, and the moonlight even outshone the blood-red glow.

Zhan Yunwei smiled. "Hey, little evil spirit, you've never seen the Spirit Domain, have you? Look up."

Yue Zhiheng raised his head, never imagining that someone would carry him across the dark river, the land of death, and fulfill his childhood wish—to leave Du'e City and see the real moonlight on the other side of the Spirit Domain.

The night wind was both cold and brisk, but the protective barrier around them was warm.

On the other side where the two realms converged, the sky held a bright and pure moon. It turned out that not all moonlight in the world was blood-red. It could be so white, so soft.

Just a distant glance seemed to take away all the sword and blade struggles, more peaceful and beautiful than even his dreams.

Yue Zhiheng slowly tightened his grip on the poison needle.

As long as she didn't sell him out or turn him into a magical artifact, maybe... like the mute girl had said... it wasn't necessary to kill her.

She set him down, looking battered and barely breathing, but still smiling carelessly, "I told you, I would take you out."

Zhan Yunwei thought to herself that she had found the second key. It had actually been with her all along, from the very beginning.

She sighed, realizing she should have figured it out earlier. If she had, she wouldn't have suffered so much.

Zhan Yunwei handed the Dream Fragment Stone she had been holding to Yue Zhiheng and told him to crush it.

As the moonlight on the other side of the barrier tilted down, Yue Zhiheng's figure began to fade.

And the second key... Zhan Yunwei's fingers curled like claws, piercing her own chest. In that moment, all the pain vanished, and she returned to her original form. A Dream Fragment Stone appeared in her hand.

She had found it.