Chapter 102: Sister, Save Me!
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The irritable young man was cursing passionately when, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Yu Zhao entering the cave. Startled, he nearly bit his tongue and broke into an awkward coughing fit.
“Cough! Cough! Cough!”
Clutching the iron bars of his cell, he coughed desperately, his wide eyes locked onto Yu Zhao. Soon, a faint blush crept up his ears and spread across his face.
The mysterious man glanced at him, bewildered. “How can you be so clumsy? You even managed to choke on nothing!”
He harbored conflicted feelings about this youth who competed for Master Zi Wei’s favor. Sympathy and jealousy warred within him. Seeing the young man’s eyes water from the coughing fit, he couldn’t help but ask, “Are you alright?”
The irritable youth couldn’t reply, but his angry and defiant expression softened into something more complicated.
So, this is what the woman who saved me looks like…
Maybe he could repay her… Hmm, as the saying goes, a life-saving debt can only be repaid by offering oneself.
Yet his mother had always said that men must uphold their dignity and not easily fall for a woman.
Determined to maintain a cool demeanor, he still couldn’t stop his gaze from flitting toward Yu Zhao.
Why hasn’t she spoken to me yet?
Could she be waiting for me to lower my pride?
Would it seem desperate if I spoke first?
His mind was a mess.
Even the most oblivious person would have noticed his odd behavior. The mysterious man turned suddenly and looked behind him, his expression darkening. “Who are you?”
The irritable youth’s face grew tense as well.
“What’s your connection to Master Zi Wei?” Yu Zhao asked, ignoring his question.
At the mention of Master Zi Wei, the mysterious man realized his cover was blown. Without hesitation, he bolted toward another passage.
“Stop right there!”
Yu Zhao didn’t need to use an illusion technique—the gap in their strength was too vast. With a thought, she used her divine sense to immobilize him.
With a heavy thud, the man fell to his knees. “Please spare me, Senior! I’ve never done anything evil. Have mercy!”
“Nonsense! You’re an accomplice! You helped imprison me and others here! Sister, you mustn’t let him off!” The irritable youth, overcome by fury, forgot his earlier embarrassment. He jumped to his feet, his long black hair swaying behind him as he shouted.
“I’m innocent! I was forced into this!” the mysterious man wailed, desperately defending himself.
Yu Zhao raised an eyebrow.
Sister?
Was this boy always this familiar with strangers?
“State your name and relationship with Master Zi Wei. Speak honestly, and I might let you go.”
“I’ll talk! My name is Ma Cheng Cai, a wandering cultivator from Southern Abyss City. Seven years ago, I met Zi Wei, and we developed feelings for each other. We decided to practice dual cultivation together. Since she’s the head of her sect and couldn’t leave freely, I sneaked into the Clear Wind Sect at night to meet her. I swear, I haven’t done anything else wrong!”
Yu Zhao frowned as she listened. The truth aligned with her suspicions, but it left her conflicted. Should she report this to the Clear Wind Sect? Master Zi Wei, their leader, had knowingly broken sect rules and imprisoned an innocent young man—violations of the sect’s core principles.
However, she didn’t know the other members of the sect well enough to predict their reaction. Would they punish Master Zi Wei? Or blame her for interfering?
Setting her doubts aside, she decided to free the irritable youth first.
The boy stepped out of the cage, his dark, glossy eyes fixed on her. His long lashes fluttered as he blinked. “Sister, my name is Ji Han Zhou. Thank you for saving me.”
Yu Zhao was taken aback by his politeness and instinctively softened her tone. “Yu Zhao.”
“Which ‘Yu’? Which ‘Zhao’?” Ji Han Zhou asked seriously.
After she explained, he broke into a bright smile. “Sister, I’ll remember that.”
Before Yu Zhao could ask about his background, a loud rumble echoed through the cave. The ground quaked violently, cracks spread across the walls, and clouds of dust rained down.
Yu Zhao’s pupils narrowed.
This isn’t good. The cave is collapsing!
Grabbing Ji Han Zhou’s arm, she dashed toward the passageway.
Ma Cheng Cai, still kneeling, froze momentarily before realizing he could move. Scrambling to his feet, he chased after them.
Halfway through, Yu Zhao noticed their original exit was blocked by massive boulders. Rocks continued crashing down.
We can’t use this path anymore!
Scanning the area with her divine sense, she found another passage, but it too was sealed.
A cold glint flashed in her eyes.
Someone is trying to bury us alive.
“Sister, stay behind me. I’ll clear the way!” Ji Han Zhou stepped forward, but Yu Zhao held him back.
He looked at her, confused.
Yu Zhao chuckled lightly. “Brother, I don’t need you to protect me. Watch closely. I’ll only show you this once.”
Before his astonished eyes, Yu Zhao formed a spiritual energy shield with one hand and scattered spiritual talismans into the air with the other. The yellow talismans floated down like golden raindrops.
“Explode!”
A series of deafening booms shook the cave. The explosive force turned countless stones into dust.
Amid the chaos, Yu Zhao grabbed Ji Han Zhou, and they shot through the opening created by the blasts.
Emerging into the sunlight, fresh air filled their lungs, bringing a sense of relief and joy.
“Sister, we made it out!” Ji Han Zhou cheered.
Yu Zhao didn’t respond. Her gaze was fixed on a figure standing in the shade of a tree. Coldly, she said, “Master Zi Wei. So, it’s you.”
Master Zi Wei stepped into the light, her expression venomous. “Yu Zhao, I knew you’d ruin my plans.”
“Did you kill Shui Qing Yue?” Yu Zhao demanded.
Master Zi Wei sneered. “You want to know? Find out in your next life.”