Chapter 102: “Sister, Help!”
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation.
The defiant young man was mid-rant when he spotted Yu Zhao entering the cave. Panic swept over him, and he nearly bit his tongue as he coughed uncontrollably.
“C-Co-Cough!”
Clutching the iron bars of his cell, he struggled to catch his breath, his eyes fixed on Yu Zhao. A blush crept up from his ears, spreading across his face.
The mysterious man beside him looked puzzled. “How careless can you be? Did you choke yourself?”
He had mixed feelings about the youth, who also once vied for Master Ziwei’s attention—feeling both pity and jealousy. Seeing the boy’s teary eyes, he couldn’t help but express concern.
The young man remained silent, his initial anger and resentment replaced by a more complicated emotion. The woman who saved him looked… different. He thought, maybe repaying such kindness with his life wouldn’t be so bad. But his mother always said that boys should keep their dignity and not be too easily swayed by women.
Trying to maintain a stoic expression, he forced himself to keep a straight face. But his eyes kept darting toward Yu Zhao.
Why isn’t she talking to me? Is she waiting for me to soften up first? Will it seem desperate if I speak now?
He wrestled with his thoughts, feeling deeply conflicted.
Even the mysterious man, usually slow on the uptake, noticed the young man’s odd behavior. He turned around, eyes wide with shock. “Who are you?”
The young man’s expression changed too.
Yu Zhao didn’t answer but instead asked, “What’s your relationship with Master Ziwei?”
The mention of Master Ziwei’s name startled the mysterious man. Realizing that their connection had been exposed, he bolted toward another passage without hesitation.
“Get back here!”
The gap in their abilities was too wide. Yu Zhao didn’t even need to use any illusions; with just a thought, she immobilized the man where he stood.
He fell to his knees with a thud. “Spare me, elder! I’ve never done anything heinous! Please, show mercy!”
“Liar! You helped her imprison me! Sister, don’t let him go!” The young man couldn’t contain his rage and shame. His long black hair swayed as he shouted, jumping up and down.
“It’s not true! I was forced into this!” the man cried out in defense.
Yu Zhao raised an eyebrow. Sister? This boy sure is quick to get familiar.
“Tell me your name and your relationship with Master Ziwei. Be honest, and I might let you go.”
“I’ll talk! My name is Ma Chengtai, a rogue cultivator from South Sea City. Seven years ago, I met Ziwei by chance, and we fell for each other. We decided to cultivate together. Since Ziwei is a sect leader, it’s inconvenient for her to leave the sect, so I sneak into the Breeze Sect to see her at night. I swear, I’ve done nothing else wrong!”
Ma Chengtai, known for his timid nature and easily being intimidated, confessed everything without much prodding from Yu Zhao.
The truth aligned with Yu Zhao’s suspicions. Now that she had incriminating information against Master Ziwei, she hesitated. Should she expose this to the rest of the Breeze Sect? As a sect leader, Master Ziwei knew better than to imprison innocent men in a cave, which violated several of the sect’s core rules. But Yu Zhao had only met the sect members once and couldn’t predict their reaction. Would they punish Master Ziwei or blame her for meddling?
Unable to decide, Yu Zhao focused on freeing the young man from his cage first.
Once freed, the youth, with his dark, glossy eyes, looked up at Yu Zhao. His long lashes fluttered as he spoke, “Sister, my name is Ji Han Zhou. Thank you for saving me.”
Surprised by his sudden politeness, Yu Zhao softened her tone. “Yu Zhao.”
“Sister, I’ll remember that and never forget this event,” Ji Han Zhou stated firmly.
Just as Yu Zhao was about to inquire about Ji Han Zhou’s background, a rumbling noise filled the cave. The ground shook violently, cracks spreading along the rock walls as dust fell from above.
Yu Zhao’s eyes widened. This cave is about to collapse!
She grabbed Ji Han Zhou’s arm without a word and rushed towards a passage.
Ma Chengtai, still on the ground, was stunned but quickly realized he could move again. He scrambled to his feet and followed them.
Halfway through their escape, Yu Zhao noticed the entrance they came from was completely blocked by debris, with more boulders continuing to fall.
We can’t go this way!
She quickly extended her spiritual senses and found another passage. However, it was also blocked by boulders, leaving no clear path.
Her eyes gleamed coldly. Someone wanted to bury them alive here.
“Sister, stay behind me! I’ll clear the way!” Ji Han Zhou sensed the danger and tried to take the lead, but Yu Zhao stopped him.
He looked at her, confused and anxious.
Yu Zhao chuckled. “Little brother, I don’t need you to pave the way for me. Watch closely; I’ll only show you this once.”
In Ji Han Zhou’s astonished gaze, Yu Zhao raised one hand, creating a spiritual shield. With the other, she threw dozens of talismans into the air. The yellow talismans floated like a rain of paper.
“Explode!”
A series of explosions erupted simultaneously, unleashing a devastating force within the cave. The violent shockwave pulverized the boulders blocking their path.
As the dust settled, a shadow darted through the newly formed gap, soaring upwards and out into the open.
Breathing in the fresh air and feeling the warm sunlight, both Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
“Sister, we made it out!” Ji Han Zhou shouted in excitement.
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation.
Yu Zhao remained silent, her gaze fixed on a figure standing under the shade of a tree. Her voice was cold and steady, “Master Ziwei, it really is you.”
Master Ziwei stepped into the light, her expression dark. “Yu Zhao, I knew you’d ruin my plans.”
“Was Qing Yue’s death your doing?” Yu Zhao demanded.
“You want to know? Hmph, in your next life, perhaps!” Master Ziwei had set nearly a hundred formations around the cave and its passages, detecting any intruders. Ma Chengtai and Ji Han Zhou’s existence had to remain secret. Determined to silence them, she had decided to destroy the entire cave.
However, what she didn’t expect was Yu Zhao being able to escape with Ji Han Zhou. Now, she’d have to deal with them personally.