Chapter 293: The Domineering Sovereign Who Doesn’t Understand Love
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The Bear Demon held the bamboo slip in its massive paws, sniffing it repeatedly to memorize the scent before beginning its search through the forest.
Yu Zhao followed closely, her expression solemn.
Finding Han Xin Lan purely through human effort seemed nearly impossible, so she had turned to a demonic beast for help.
If even the Bear Demon, known for its exceptional sense of smell, failed to locate Han Xin Lan, Yu Zhao would have no other options.
Thankfully, the Bear Demon lived up to its reputation as a tracker. After two days of searching through the mountains, it detected Han Xin Lan’s scent on the road connecting the Hundred Flowers Valley to Southern Wind City.
Following the trail, the scent led all the way to the gates of Southern Wind City.
Standing upright, the Bear Demon pointed its large paw at the city gate. “The person you’re looking for has entered the city.”
Yu Zhao raised an eyebrow. “Are you certain?”
The Bear Demon let out a low growl from its throat. “Of course. My nose has never been wrong.”
Yu Zhao studied the bustling streets of Southern Wind City, her expression contemplative.
She, Mo Ci, and Jing Nan had all assumed Han Xin Lan had encountered trouble on the journey. But now, the Bear Demon claimed her scent was within the city.
If Han Xin Lan had successfully arrived in Southern Wind City, why hadn’t she immediately sought out the Tu family? And who would be audacious enough to target a disciple of the Hundred Flowers Valley in a thriving city?
“Can you come with me into the city to continue the search?”
The Bear Demon shook its massive head like a drum. “No way, no way! I’m not stepping into human territory!”
The Bear Demon had agreed to help only because Yu Zhao had saved its cub. But dealing with cultivators? That was out of the question.
“I can’t help you anymore, but I know someone who can.”
“Who?”
The Bear Demon chuckled and stomped its paw on the ground. “Boss Hua—”
A deep growl echoed and faded into the distance. Just as it seemed to vanish, another growl responded from afar.
Moments later, a sleek, muscular Three-Eyed Leopard came bounding toward them.
Its glossy coat and the crack-like mark on its brow were unmistakable. Yu Zhao recognized it immediately.
“Hua Tu, what are you doing here?”
The Three-Eyed Leopard slowed its pace as it approached Yu Zhao, its padded paws landing soundlessly on the soft forest floor.
“I heard you were in trouble,” it said, baring its sharp teeth in an unreadable expression.
“So?”
“So I’m here to help.”
Hua Tu’s confident tone carried a hint of grievance, as though his good intentions were being questioned.
Yu Zhao regarded him skeptically.
Little You had never mentioned Hua Tu being particularly altruistic. In fact, all she ever heard were complaints about him.
“Don’t let those little fox cubs mislead you. I was just playing with them—I didn’t bully them,” Hua Tu explained, dismissing the accusations with a wave of his paw.
Yu Zhao remained doubtful.
“The Bear Demon refuses to enter Southern Wind City, so I’m your best option. My nose might not be as sharp as his, but it’s good enough.”
Hua Tu had waited two days for this opportunity, ready to prove his worth. To convince Yu Zhao, he fully showcased his abilities and even transformed into human form, striking exaggerated poses.
“Well? Do I look human enough? Absolutely no one will suspect me!”
Yu Zhao’s forehead throbbed as the Bear Demon enthusiastically applauded. “Boss Hua! Incredible! You look even more human than a real human!”
“Hahaha, right?” Hua Tu laughed heartily, hands on his hips, flashing a set of gleaming white teeth.
Unable to bear it, Yu Zhao retrieved a daoist robe from her storage space and threw it at Hua Tu’s face. “Have you ever seen a respectable cultivator parading around in leopard-print clothing? Take it off immediately!”
“Oh…” Hua Tu mumbled, dejected. In seconds, he stripped the garment off completely.
Yu Zhao: …
Admittedly, Hua Tu’s human form was striking.
His chiseled features and sharp canine tooth exuded charm, while his broad shoulders and narrow waist made his appearance particularly eye-catching.
But Hua Tu was clearly uncomfortable in his human guise. He kept tugging at his clothes and fidgeting with his ears.
Yu Zhao scrutinized him carefully.
While his outfit seemed flawless, she couldn’t shake the strange feeling it gave her. Unable to pinpoint the issue, she decided to set it aside for now and began discussing their next steps.
“You’re aware of the situation. The priority is determining Han Xin Lan’s location.”
They knew she had entered the city, but her current whereabouts were uncertain.
“Give me the jade slip.”
Hua Tu sniffed the jade slip again to solidify the scent in his memory. Then, alongside Yu Zhao, he entered Southern Wind City.
Though not the most prosperous city in the cultivation world, Southern Wind City still saw a steady flow of cultivators and residents daily.
The sheer number of scents mingling in the city made tracking a daunting task.
Initially enthusiastic, Hua Tu’s spirits waned after just a few days. Even with Yu Zhao’s consideration in booking him a luxurious room for rest, he struggled to regain his energy.
As the two continued their search, an unexpected rumor began to circulate in Southern Wind City.
The tale spoke of a domineering female Sovereign Lord and her dashing young husband.
Within days, this “romantic” tale of the Sovereign Lord and her charming partner spread across the city’s tea houses and taverns.
Yu Zhao and Hua Tu were too preoccupied with their search to notice. By the time they realized the city’s latest sensation was based on them, the story had evolved into a dramatic saga where the young husband fled while pregnant, leaving the regretful Sovereign behind.
Yu Zhao: …
“Whoever wrote this, step forward. Let me show you what true regret feels like.”
Hua Tu, on the other hand, was delighted, his spirits instantly lifted. “Yu Zhao, humans are fascinating! We could never come up with such entertaining tales.”
Yu Zhao: Haha.
“I’m writing this down to share with my tribe back home,” Hua Tu declared.
Yu Zhao: “…Please don’t.”
“Oh, but I must! It’s so amusing.”
Hua Tu’s fascination with the evolving story delayed their mission, prompting Yu Zhao to use force to drag him back on track.
As soon as they left, a serialized version of their tale was released. The latest chapter was titled, “The Domineering Sovereign Who Doesn’t Understand Love: The Pitiful Husband’s Tears.”