Chapter 101: Forcing the Issue?
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Little Red hesitated, her lips trembling as if she wanted to speak, but her mind buzzed so loudly that no words formed. Suddenly, her collar was yanked upward with force.
When she looked up, she saw a kind-looking elderly man smiling down at her.
“You must be Little Red?” His voice was warm, and his demeanor was strikingly similar to that of Grandpa Tea.
Little Red’s guard dropped momentarily, and she nodded dumbly.
“Good child,” the old man coaxed gently. “Tell Grandpa, the woman who accompanied you to the Merfolk Pavilion—where did she go afterward? Whom did she meet? If you tell Grandpa, he’ll give you a medium-grade Spirit Stone. With that, you and your little brothers could live in a warm, spacious house.”
His words were sweet and tempting, and even the three young boys nearby looked at Little Red with hopeful eyes.
However, Little Red was no longer a naive child. She could sense the malice beneath his apparent kindness. Lowering her gaze, she stammered, “I… I don’t know.”
The old man’s smile disappeared instantly, his face growing dark as a murderous aura burst from him. The dilapidated house collapsed under the force of his energy, stirring up dust and debris.
The three little boys fell to the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
Little Red felt like someone was choking her, making it hard to breathe. Her small face turned crimson from the pressure.
“Lying is not a good habit, child,” he said ominously. “You wouldn’t want your brothers to lose their lives because of a stranger, would you?”
“No!” Little Red cried, her voice quivering with desperation. “Sir, please, I beg you! Spare my brothers—they’re innocent!”
“Innocent or not, that’s not for us to decide,” the old man said coldly, stepping forward. His foot landed squarely on Little Mao’s hand.
“Ahhh! Sister! Help me! Save me!” Little Mao screamed in agony, his cries piercing the air.
Tears welled up in Little Red’s eyes as she pleaded, “I’ll talk! Just let my brothers go!”
As soon as the words left her lips, Little Red froze. Was she really going to betray her benefactor?
But she had no time to think. Under the relentless threat to her brothers’ lives, she spilled everything. She even revealed secrets about the Fragrant Tea House and Tea Master.
The old man gestured to his subordinates, who immediately went to verify her claims. Meanwhile, Little Red helped her brothers to their feet, brushing the dust off their clothes.
Little Xi muttered irritably, “You should’ve talked earlier. Dragging it out was so annoying.”
Little Red bit her lip and whispered apologetically, “I’m sorry.”
The boys snorted, ignoring her further.
Soon, the old man’s men returned, confirming Little Red’s information. The elder nodded in satisfaction, tossing a medium-grade Spirit Stone to the ground before leaving.
The three boys dove for the stone, fighting over it until their faces were bruised and bleeding.
Little Red didn’t intervene this time. She stood stiffly, as though her soul had left her body, haunted by the image of a blood-stained hem from the messenger she betrayed.
Had she made a terrible mistake?
…
On the other side, Yu Zhao followed the mysterious man through mountains and rivers, stopping at a waterfall.
The man lightly tapped his toes and leaped into the waterfall, disappearing without a sound.
Yu Zhao waited, then wrapped herself in spiritual energy as a shield and jumped through the waterfall.
She landed in a spacious, damp tunnel and noticed fresh footprints. Following them cautiously, she moved deeper into the tunnel, which gradually narrowed until only one person could pass at a time.
After walking a little further, she heard voices.
“Brother, take my advice and stop being so stubborn. She’s being patient now, but if you keep refusing, her mood will change. She’s no delicate maiden—she has strength and means to deal with you.”
Yu Zhao paused, doubting her ears.
“Let her give up! Even if I starve to death, I won’t submit to her!”
The defiant voice echoed, filled with indignation.
“Brother, why make it hard on yourself? She saved your life when you were injured. Without her, you’d be dead. Your late-Foundation Establishment level can’t resist a Golden Core cultivator. Just agree.”
“Rubbish! I had healing pills before I passed out. She’s just taking advantage! Despicable! Shameless! If she comes near me, I’ll fight to the death!”
Listening carefully, Yu Zhao pieced together the situation. The two men were arguing about a woman, likely a Golden Core cultivator, who wanted the captive man to dual cultivate with her. The young man refused vehemently.
Yu Zhao rubbed her chin, amused. Who would’ve thought the stern Master Zi Wei had such a scandalous side?
Though tempted to leave, ignoring the situation seemed heartless.
Scanning with her divine sense, she confirmed no third presence and stepped forward.
The cave was spacious, with separate chambers carved into its walls. The young man, confined in one chamber, vented angrily at the mysterious man, who stood with his back to Yu Zhao.
The young man’s youthful features were even more striking than she imagined. His defiant phoenix eyes burned with indignation, his unkempt hair adding to his wild charm.
Seeing him, Yu Zhao suddenly understood why Master Zi Wei wanted him so badly.