Chapter 571: Reverse Strategy 30

After the banquet, Xuan Mo rose and took his leave.

Watching his retreating back, Chenshu's fingers twitched slightly, and then Chenshu looked at Jin Chen.

"Ah Chen, do you still have reservations?"

Just now at the banquet, he looked at Jin Chen as if he didn't quite trust this Xuan Mo.

"It's not that I don't trust him; I just feel he might have some deeper plan."

Jin Chen rubbed the wine cup in his hand, brought it to his lips after speaking, and drained it in one gulp.

"No matter what other ideas there are, if we can get this done, it will align with our wishes and plans."

Chenshu softened her voice, fingertips lightly brushing Jin Chen's cheek, "Ah Chen, have you noticed? Lately, for the sake of the two clans, your smile has grown rarer."

Jin Chen blinked slightly, lowered their gaze to look at him, their voice hoarse from the drink.

"I've been a bit worried, but fortunately Shu'er is by my side."

During this period, whenever he came into contact with the representatives sent by the human race, he felt a surge of anger.

"Being the Yao King is so exhausting, right?"

Chenshu's tone was so gentle it was unreal; Chenshu stays by Jin Chen's side every day, so Chenshu naturally knows Jin Chen's worries.

If the worries of the human and demon clans are not eliminated in a day, Jin Chen probably won't truly be happy.

Seeing Jin Chen's eyes all day shrouded in fatigue and anger, Chenshu also couldn't bear it.

When it comes to the person dearest to one's heart, one can never truly remain calm.

"Yeah, being the Yao King is really tiring."

This is the first time Jin Chen has said these words since accepting the Yao King's inheritance all those years ago.

He suddenly recalled that, years ago, he was merely a nine-tailed little fox demon, interested only in the beauty of the world's mountains and rivers, wandering everywhere all day.

Craggy peaks, deep paradises, flying waterfalls—almost every place had once borne his trace.

Later, when the demon clan fell into turmoil, the former Yao King gave his life to the formation, protecting all demons safe and sound.

He was bewilderingly chosen by the sacrificial formation as the new Yao King, and in a daze accepted the inheritance; thereafter, for several hundred years, he never again saw such beautiful scenery.

Because he had once been bound by the feeling of lack of freedom, that's why, when earlier facing a choice in the Chenshu family's backyard, he hesitated—he simply didn't want Chenshu to end up trapped like him.

Having drunk too much, a tipsy feeling rose, and Jin Chen then realized he had been thinking a lot again.

He pulled Chenshu into his embrace, his palm gently rubbing the back of Chenshu's neck, "If it weren't for Shu'er's companionship, these long days would be hard to endure."

Chenshu leaned obediently against Jin Chen, clutching the collar and burying the face in Jin Chen's shoulder, eyes flickering.

"It'll be okay," he comforted Jin Chen, "it'll pass quickly."

Since Jin Chen is so worried, we should resolve this worry sooner.

【Detected target's Heartbeat Value 5, accumulated Strategy Value 70!】

——

After returning to the Slay Demon Sect, Xuan Mo immediately went to see Yue Zongyang, who had been waiting a long time.

"How did it go? What did the Yao King say?"

Seeing him enter, Yue Zongyang couldn't help but rise from behind the desk, his tone quite urgent.

"Reporting to the Young Master, the Yao King trusts me greatly; half a month later, there will be a banquet in Azure Water City, hoping the current leaders of all major sects can attend."

Xuan Mo's tone was sincere, showing no trace of the depth he had when in the Yaogong.

"As expected, as soon as the lives of those little demon descendants are mentioned, he still cares!"

Yue Zongyang finally heard something that made him a bit happier; clenching his fist and pounding his palm, he felt a sense of relief from venting his frustration.

"Did you use this to threaten him, leading to that compromise just now?"

"Of course; everything is under your control."

As he said this, Xuan Mo lifted his eyes to look at Yue Zongyang; the wariness and unfathomable coldness in his gaze inspired dread.

But after just one glance, he lowered his eyes and continued reporting other matters.

Not long after, a servant came up to report.

"Not good, Young Master!"

That servant knelt on the ground, expression torn.

"Young Master Chen Ning has injured Young Master Ji Qiu again, and furthermore made him……"

Yue Zong impatiently asked, "Hurry up and say it—what else?"

"Furthermore, he told him to get lost from the Slay Demon Sect if he knew what was good for him, Young Master Chen Ning also ordered us not to give Ji Qiu any food, using your status as husband to suppress Ji Qiu!"

The servant trembled as he spoke, "Young Master Ji said the sect leader's bones are not yet cold, and you are busy at the moment, not wanting these matters to disturb you, but I am the one you assigned to look after him, and I truly cannot bear it, Young Master!"

"What?!"

Yue Zongyang slammed his teacup down hard, his handsome face overcast with gloom.

He strode out of the study, and as he passed Xuan Mo he only said, "You're weary from travel; rest first, we'll discuss the rest later."

"Yes."

Xuan Mo watched him leave the door, silently shaking his head.

It's the same again; whenever emotional matters arise, this person completely loses his former composure.

In the end, it's just useless.

One who aims to achieve great things, and moreover is the protagonist—how can they be swayed by emotion?

Yue Zongyang had the servant lead the way; just as they approached the rear garden, they heard Ji Qiu's familiar sobbing, and their heart tightened suddenly.

At that very moment, the familiar fragrance again faintly appeared at the tip of the nose.

Because his father's posthumous affairs were numerous and he also needed to observe mourning for half a month, he hadn't seen Ji Qiu for many days.

"Zongyang? How did you come over?"

Chen Ning eyed the approaching man warily; as soon as he opened his mouth, the man shoved him hard.

"If I don't come again, will Qiu'er be kicked out of the Slay Demon Sect by you?"

"What?"

Chen Ning stumbled from the shove, his eyes full of doubt.

Just now I received a message from Ji Qiu's servant saying there was something to discuss in the rear garden, but when I came over I ran into Yue Zongyang.

What is he doing?

He was still puzzled—what could Ji Qiu possibly have to discuss with me!

"Young master..."

Seeing Yue Zongyang, Ji Qiu seemed startled, quickly covering her face with her sleeve: "Qiu'er looks ugly when she cries; young master, you'd better not look."

"Nonsense; if it weren't for the servant coming to tattle, you'd probably just let others bully you."

Yue Zongyang's heartstrings were tugged again by Xinxiang; the feeling of longing unfulfilled from half a month ago returned to his chest.

He pulled Ji Qiu into his arms, forcibly lifting her chin.

"Qiu'er's crying makes my heart feel like it's breaking."

"Young master... *sniffle sniffle sniffle*"

Ji Qiu seemed to have finally found a backer, burying her face in his shoulder as she cried out, then tried to cover up: "It's not... it's not related to Young Master Chen Ning; I'm just inept, a mere farmhand, unable to help you relieve your worries."

Hearing this, Yue Zongyang's reproachful gaze instantly fell on Chen Ning.

Chen Ning: "..."

He said, it turns out he was looking for me to take the fall.

After years of playing the hypocrite, Chen Ning had never seen such a shameless lowlife; he clenched his sleeves in anger.

"Zongyang, you don't trust me?"

His tone was full of disappointment.

"Qiu'er is like this, how can I still trust you?"

Yue Zongyang felt heartbroken: "I know you're grieving over losing your parents, but you can't take out your emotions on Qiu'er! It's me who likes him! He hasn't done anything wrong."

Chen Ning's finger twitched.

"What did you say... you like him?"