Chapter 363: The Sovereign and the Subject (Second update, seeking monthly votes)

Qingteng deliberately lagged half a step behind Ren Yidao, leaning her body in at this moment, pressing her whole person against his back, and whispered in his ear:

"It is Luzhi, but this time he is here representing True Person He. He didn't say what the matter was, but I guess it should be that thing."

That thing naturally refers to going to True Person He's Cave Abode to retrieve the Soul Returning Grass.

"Mm."

Ren Yidao just nodded, without saying anything else.

It was not because of anything else, but because he was currently concentrating his spirit highly to think about a serious matter.

What exactly is the substance of these two cool, soft sensations on his back?

Hmm, this question, just thinking about it, makes one... have a headache.

"Your Highness." Luzhi bowed respectfully after seeing Ren Yidao.

However, what was interesting was that he did not perform the Demon Clan Ritual, but a somewhat non-standard Daoist Ritual.

"Oh?"

It had been half a month since Ren Yidao last punished him, and Luzhi had long since recovered.

Since waking up, Luzhi had been spending this time at True Person He's place, seemingly asking him for some knowledge about the Dao.

It seemed that after being punished by Ren Yidao with a Daoist Art, he had developed a keen interest in Daoist Arts.

Ren Yidao did not deliberately disguise himself; he naturally returned a Daoist Ritual to him, and even deliberately slowed down his movements so that he could carefully see the essentials clearly.

"Does True Person He have any words he wants you to bring to me?"

"Yes, the True Person said the timing is ripe, and Your Highness can set off whenever you are ready." After Luzhi finished relaying the message, he took out a Brocade Pouch and said:

"The True Person said this Brocade Pouch is sealed by Daoist means, and currently in the entire Demon Emperor City, only Your Highness can open it without destroying the contents inside."

Ren Yidao raised an eyebrow, observed the seal on it after taking it, nodded, put it away, and asked: "Did the True Person say anything else?"

Luzhi thought for a moment and added: "The True Person also said that Demon Emperor City will linger in this vicinity for half a month. If Your Highness and the others have not returned by then, I am afraid you will have to use the Transmission Stone."

Only half a month?

Ren Yidao nodded lightly, turned his head to instruct Qingteng: "Go notify Canglan, tell her to stop pretending to polish that broken spear of hers, pack up, we are leaving immediately."

Qingteng excitedly flicked her slender snake tongue, but did not obey the order; instead, she pointed at herself and asked urgently:

"Your Highness, how many people are you taking this time?"

She was no longer hinting; it was a blatant, naked request.

Me!

Am I included?

Ren Yidao did have the heart to tease her, but seeing how excited she was, he was uncharacteristically kind for once and didn't keep her in suspense, nodding:

"Canglan, you, me..."

Ren Yidao stopped halfway, turned his head to look at the silent burly man, raised his chin and asked: "Do you want to come along?"

"I am willing to follow Your Highness and gallop!"

Luzhi did not hesitate and bowed immediately. This time, he performed a proper Demon Clan Ritual, and it was the ritual of a subordinate.

"Good, then it will be the four of us. Do you need to go back and prepare?"

"No need, I have everything on me."

Luzhi's reaction did not surprise Ren Yidao. Since He Shou let him deliver the message, it was basically implied that he would be brought along.

Then, what is his identity?

A supervisor for the journey?

Or a backup plan of He Shou?

Well, it doesn't matter.

"No time to lose, once ready, we will set off directly." Ren Yidao waved his hand and said casually: "I hope everything goes smoothly, and we can return early."

Hmm?

Did I just plant a huge flag?

"Well, whatever, who cares~"

Ren Yidao knew that there would be retribution after planting a flag; he was very clear about this point.

However, he did not expect it to be so fast.

Before they could even leave Demon Emperor City, trouble had already come knocking.

Ren Yidao was blocked by dogs.

Mo Qi and his squad of dog-headed men blocked Ren Yidao at the city gate.

However, strictly speaking, the other party was not intentionally looking for trouble.

It was rather...

"Your Highness! This matter is dangerous! Please, you must let us go with you!!!"

"That's right! Your Highness! Look at how unreliable they look, you should let us go instead!"

"Exactly, exactly! Especially that one from the Silver Moon Wolf Clan, she looks unreliable at first glance!"

The three dog-headed men surrounded Ren Yidao, eagerly promoting themselves while slandering Canglan.

Well, that was some authentic dog barking.

The three dogs were making so much noise that Ren Yidao had a headache, and he couldn't help but want to give each of them a slap they would enjoy.

However, before Ren Yidao could explode, someone else couldn't hold back.

"Shut up."

A low shout from the cold-faced Canglan made the three dog-headed men instantly emit whimpers like puppies.

It was not an intentional fear, but an instinctive one, as if encountering a superior.

"Hmph, let's go."

Seeing this scene, Cang Lan sneered, ignored the three kobolds scattering in all directions, and strode forward.

"Your Highness, please stay your step."

Just as Ren Yidao was about to follow, Mo Qi, in his kobold form, walked out from behind. He first looked at Cang Lan's back with a complex expression in his eyes, then bowed to him and said:

"This subordinate is worried about Your Highness's safety, so please allow me to accompany you."

Ren Yidao noticed the complex emotions in Mo Qi's eyes—there was jealousy, envy, and a faint trace of dejection... but the only thing missing was despair.

Oh?

Little brother, it seems you are quite unconvinced by the progress of your "arch-rival."

This discovery piqued the interest of Ren Yidao, who had originally not intended to bring anyone else along, and he asked: "You want to come? What about your mission? Is it alright?"

Mo Qi looked straight into Ren Yidao's eyes without wavering and said in a deep voice: "Before coming here, this subordinate already handed over the city defense duties to my clansmen, so Your Highness need not worry."

"Then, why do you want to come?" Ren Yidao smiled lightly, his eyes filled with arrogance as he squinted at Mo Qi, "Don't give me that meaningless nonsense about wanting to protect me; I don't need your protection. I want the truth."

Mo Qi was silent for a moment, took a deep breath, lowered his head, and spoke with difficulty:

"... I don't want to be left behind."

He raised his head, stared at Ren Yidao, and seemingly seeing Cang Lan waiting ahead, he said firmly: "Although I am not as good as her now, for the glory of the tribe, I do not want to lose to her forever."

This reason was somewhat beyond Ren Yidao's expectations; he had originally thought Mo Qi had some special feelings for Cang Lan.

Just as is customary in many works, something or other is bound to happen between male and female arch-rivals in the end.

As it turned out, it was Ren Yidao's own thoughts that were corrupted.

This emotion of Mo Qi's was indeed special, but it was not a private romance between a man and a woman; it didn't even have half a cent of that involved.

This had nothing to do with personal will, contained no private feelings, and was purely to prevent the tribe from being shamed.

For this, he had to become stronger, stronger than he was now!

As for this sense of racial glory, Ren Yidao could understand it, but he could not empathize with it.

But precisely because it was rare, it filled him with interest.

Ren Yidao looked at Mo Qi, whose gaze was as firm as if he were about to join a party, and asked with a smile:

"Then do you think following me will make you stronger?"

"Yes."

Honestly, this kid is a bit... interesting.

And the mere fact that he made Ren Yidao feel interested was enough for Mo Qi to stand out among the crowd.

Thus, Ren Yidao patted him on the shoulder cheerfully and immediately approved his application to join the team:

"Hehe, that reason is acceptable, so I'll add you, but the other three can forget it."

"Yes, thank you, Your Highness."

Mo Qi nodded, gestured to the small team, and silently followed behind Ren Yidao.

As he walked, Ren Yidao asked casually: "Also, why did you turn into this form again?"

"..."

Playing the silent game, are we?

Ren Yidao smiled and said gently:

"Change back."

"Be a good boy, don't make me do it myself."

If I have to do it, it won't be so simple.

Damn it, I shouldn't have come!!!

But for the sake of becoming stronger, for the glory of the tribe...

Mo Qi took a deep breath, gripped the Steel Fork in his hand, and spoke with grievance:

"... Yes."

Cang Lan saw Ren Yidao bringing Mo Qi along and frowned, but in the end, she didn't ask anything.

She wouldn't ask, but some people really wanted to.

Ren Yidao leaned in close to her with a smile and whispered:

"I let him join, don't you have anything to say?"

Hey!

Say something~

If you have any grievances, just say them!

Though I probably won't comfort you~

"Hmph!"

Cang Lan felt annoyed and wanted to push away this Crown Prince who had no sense of boundaries, but because others were present, she just snorted coldly without taking action, and said indifferently: "... There was nothing to say to begin with."

"Hmm?" Ren Yidao was puzzled; this time he was genuinely confused, "Why?"

Although Cang Lan's expression was angry, it didn't look like she was sulking; she really seemed to have nothing to say.

"Are you really not angry?"

Cang Lan frowned and asked in confusion: "Why should I be angry? You are the sovereign, and I am the subject."

This time it was Ren Yidao's turn to be dumbfounded, and he scratched his head.

Strange.

How did she really start treating me as her sovereign...

Where did this script go wrong?

……

With a specialized Talisman as a guide, the Cave Abode of True Person He was not difficult to find; the group of five encountered no trouble along the way and arrived at the coordinates in the guide on the afternoon of the second day.

"Huh? There's nothing here."

Qingteng looked at the empty sea surface, glanced around, and asked curiously, "Did we find the wrong location?"

This was not Qingteng intentionally playing dumb or acting cute; she had just used the Secret Technique of the Green Snake Clan to scout the area and had not found any traces.

"No, it is right here."

Ren Yidao shook his head, staring at a spot on the sea surface, his brows slightly raised: "However, this Cave Abode has a problem."

"It has an owner..."

???

Qingteng blinked and said in confusion: "It has an owner? Yes, isn't this True Person He's Cave Abode?"

"No, not him, I mean..." Ren Yidao's expression became increasingly strange, as if he were about to burst out laughing.

He said:

"It has a new owner."

The four of Canglan:???

True Person He, Huhu can only regretfully inform you now...

Your home has been stolen!