Chapter 23: Mr. Qin

The moment they met, Hu Jiuyan’s eyes flickered with complicated emotions.

There was a hint of speechlessness: What are you doing here? Are you foolish? Did you think I’d come unprepared and let myself be caught?

There was also joy: My little brother is a true man! Of all the people I've known over the years, only my parents would choose to return under such circumstances.

Qin Yue didn’t look at her, his face plastered with a cautious smile as he carefully took the Amethyst Treasure Tree from his bag.

A great medicine possesses spirit, containing astonishing vital energy; not just for half a day, even after decades it would not wither. It’s much like cultivation itself—removing all those battle techniques and supernatural arts, the realm is merely a manifestation of stages; at its core, it is the leap of life’s level. From a frail, short-lived “worm,” through internal cultivation and external supplementation, seeking traces of the great Dao, one ultimately grows into a powerful, long-lived dragon, or even a higher form of life.

Sweat dripping from his hair fell onto the Amethyst Treasure Tree, making it shine even brighter, radiating with light.

The woman formed from Windcry’s essence, with her peach-blossom eyes, watched Qin Yue closely, “Do you realize your wrongdoing?”

“I do, I do! We were new to the world, ignorant and reckless. We inadvertently offended you, elder sister, but now I see my mistake. I beg your forgiveness!” Qin Yue’s attitude was exemplary in admitting fault.

Windcry narrowed her eyes, sizing up the Amethyst Treasure Tree in the youth’s hands. She had been its caretaker for a long time; for demons, time is not counted, but by human reckoning, it had been more than a millennium, and she knew it well.

The treasure tree had become even more radiant!

This was definitely not an illusion!

She remained expressionless, watching Qin Yue. “You humans have a saying, ‘Ignorance is not a crime,’ but among us demons, there is no such rule. If you err, you must be punished.”

“Wind…” Hu Jiuyan grew anxious.

“Don’t speak!” Windcry shot her a glare. “He may not have known, but surely you understood whose domain the Burning Heaven Marsh belongs to?”

With that, she ignored Hu Jiuyan and turned to Qin Yue. “You are courageous, daring to face life and death for your beloved. But that has nothing to do with me. If I don’t punish you, no one in the Burning Heaven Marsh will accept it. Do you understand?”

This was the first time Qin Yue had faced such a high-level demon at such close range—he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t afraid. Such a gigantic bird, a single sweep of its wings could stir the clouds, raising monstrous waves across hundreds of miles of marshland!

What kind of supernatural power is that?

Turning into a captivating, delicate woman, the more beautiful she appeared, the more terror she inspired.

“I understand. After all, the fault is ours. Whatever punishment you mete out, I accept.” Qin Yue spoke sincerely, “But I instigated her in this matter. Please, elder sister, consider that I recognize my mistake and am returning the treasure willingly—let her go, and I’ll bear all consequences.”

Hu Jiuyan pressed her crimson lips together tightly, her gaze fixed on Qin Yue.

“Since that’s your decision, no one can say I’m bullying you. You will fight him,” Windcry pointed to the giant demon beside her, whose body was human but head that of a flood dragon. “If you win, you and the little girl may leave at any time, and I’ll gift you a few magical treasures. If you lose… she may go, but you must stay.”

“That won’t do!” Hu Jiuyan protested immediately. This was no longer just what her uncle had instructed; Qin Yue had come back for her. How could she simply walk away?

Windcry glanced at her. “I don’t kill you because you haven’t caused serious harm. But do you think demons don’t eat people, or that I have a gentle disposition? Am I a pushover to you?”

Hu Jiuyan wanted to say more, but Qin Yue smiled at her. “Be good, senior sister—don’t worry. Elder sister Windcry is clearly a reasonable demon. If it were any other demon king, would they even give me a chance to speak?”

In fact, his coming was carefully planned.

Since Hu Jiuyan had been captured, keeping the Amethyst Treasure Tree would be nearly impossible.

He’d already gained a great advantage—there was no need to butt heads with a terrifying demon king.

After advancing to the Void-Gazing realm, he could finally take people underground with him; he’d practiced this repeatedly on the way.

So, if reason could be spoken, he’d return the treasure and leave with Hu Jiuyan; if not, he’d toss them the treasure and escape with her underground.

As it turned out, when this demoness revealed her true form, she was as wild and violent as an untamed horse, but when she assumed a human shape, she immediately became preoccupied with her image.

Windcry asked, “So, you accept?”

Qin Yue replied, “Elder sister, giving me the opportunity to learn from a master shows your care and concern for me. How could I refuse?”

---

Such flattery— even the Black Flood Dragon couldn’t help but glance at Qin Yue, feeling a strong sense of crisis: Should I deliberately lose to him? If this rascal stays, my status is at risk!

Windcry covered her mouth, smiling. “You’re quite likable, but don’t blame me for not warning you. Little Black has cultivated for centuries; his strength is close to your human ‘Micro-Insight’ realm. He is naturally violent; if he accidentally beats you to death, I won’t intervene.”

Qin Yue cupped his hands to the Flood Dragon, speaking earnestly, “Elder sister jokes. I’ve met Lord Black Flood Dragon twice before. He’s not that kind of demon; I think he’s kind-hearted and wouldn’t bear to hit me hard!”

Windcry: “…”

Black Flood Dragon: “…”

Even Hu Jiuyan was exasperated—little brother, we've spent so many days together, and I’ve never seen you so articulate!

Windcry put away the Amethyst Treasure Tree, saying lightly, “This treasure only grows well in that soil. Move it elsewhere, and it will slowly wither…”

Qin Yue bowed again. “Ashamed.”

He understood—next time, he’d dig up the soil too!

“Since it’s settled, you two may spar here.” Windcry said calmly, glancing at the Black Flood Dragon.

The Flood Dragon was uneasy; it could see the truth—its king had taken a liking to this boy, and had lost all murderous intent!

Though the cave was spacious, it couldn’t withstand a battle between Void-Gazing cultivators; not sending them outside was a clear signal for the Flood Dragon to hold back.

Humans are so good at flattery, unlike straightforward demons like itself, who could never learn such skills.

But he called me ‘Lord Black Flood Dragon’ and said I’m kind!

Thinking it over, the Flood Dragon awkwardly cupped its hands to Qin Yue as humans do, “How about we simply test our martial skills?”

Hu Jiuyan couldn’t help but warn, “Flood dragons possess immense strength—be careful.”

Windcry folded her arms, smiling as she watched the show.

Qin Yue nodded, “Don’t worry.”

As he spoke, he activated the Netherworld Escape technique, unleashing about sixty percent of its power; even so, it was comparable to before he’d advanced to the Void-Gazing realm.

He moved like a bolt of lightning, his speed reaching its utmost!

Windcry’s peach-blossom eyes narrowed instantly; no wonder he could escape right under her nose—he truly had skill.

The Black Flood Dragon, originally intending to hold back, realized there was no need—it genuinely couldn’t dodge.

But it didn’t intend to dodge anyway; flood dragons are not only immensely strong but also tough-skinned, resistant to blows.

Knowing it couldn’t evade, it bellowed, and a layer of black light enveloped its body like a wild bull, charging at Qin Yue.

Its idea was simple: let him punch as he wished, it could take it. But if he touched it, Qin Yue would be sent flying!

The moment they collided, the bead in Qin Yue’s dantian spun rapidly, unleashing unparalleled power. His meridians roared like a raging river, his blood energy exploded.

In that instant, Qin Yue was nothing like before.

Windcry, watching from the side, suddenly shot two beams of light from her eyes. Known for her speed, she found herself unable to clearly track the youth’s movements.

Hu Jiuyan’s eyes widened—her little brother was this powerful? He seems to grow stronger when challenged, his true strength unknown…

Boom!

A loud explosion reverberated through the air.

The surging blast formed a terrifying shockwave, spreading violently in all directions.

Even though Windcry intervened in time, countless fragile—and not-so-fragile—objects were shattered in an instant.

Looking at the honest demon, the Black Flood Dragon, it was forced back more than ten steps by Qin Yue’s punch, its giant eyes wide with shock.

---

A thin trickle of blood seeped from the corner of its mouth.

“That punch packs a punch!”

It wasn’t angry; instead, its eyes burned with battle spirit.

“All right, stop now. Any more and my cave will be ruined,” Windcry said.

Qin Yue immediately looked at the somewhat dissatisfied Black Flood Dragon, “Lord Black Flood Dragon was too generous. I used all my strength and even a bit of surprise attack, only barely pushed him back a few steps. If we fought head-on, I would surely lose.”

Ah, here we go again—humans are so cunning, speaking gently but hitting hardest!

The Black Flood Dragon was frustrated but couldn’t show it, only muttering, “Your strength exceeds my expectations. You are a true warrior!”

Hu Jiuyan’s gaze was soft like water, her cheeks flushed pink—her little brother was amazing!

Qin Yue looked at Windcry, meeting her peach-blossom eyes, cautiously saying, “It was a lucky win, so let’s call it a draw.”

“A win is a win; don’t be so false,” Windcry replied coldly.

“So now…” Qin Yue grew even more careful.

The woman before him was seductive and enchanting in every gesture, but at heart she was still a capricious, formidable demon.

“You may leave whenever you wish…” Windcry said, waving her hand, the binding ropes around Hu Jiuyan vanishing, “But I have a suggestion you might want to consider?”

Hu Jiuyan immediately became wary; her little brother’s performance was too outstanding—could Windcry have her eye on him?

Qin Yue’s heart skipped a beat, but he still respectfully asked, “Please, elder sister, speak.”

Windcry said, “Since you can’t leave for the next few months anyway, why not stay here? You need not worry about safety; I will protect you. All you need to do is help me care for some great medicines. When the time comes, I’ll reward you.”

She looked at Qin Yue, “What do you say?”

Qin Yue stammered, “Ah?”

Windcry smiled, “Great medicines have spirit, and some people are naturally compatible—just by being near, they promote growth. You may not realize it, but you are such a person!”

Qin Yue asked, “Is that really so?”

Windcry was certain, “You wouldn’t understand; only advanced beings possess such senses.”

Qin Yue felt awkward, hesitating for a long time, “I’m afraid I might not do well and affect your cultivation.”

Windcry replied, “Show the same boldness you did just now. Don’t think I don’t know—you held back, both in speed and strength. If it were a fight to the death, that punch would have left the Black Flood Dragon mortally wounded, if not dead.”

Black Flood Dragon: “…”

Windcry went on, “It’s settled. Little Black, arrange the best accommodations for them, same as mine! From now on, address him as ‘Sir.’”

Then she suddenly remembered, “By the way, I don’t know your name…”

“Qin Yue.”

“Then from now on, you’ll be called Sir Qin.”

Forced into this unexpected role, Qin Yue could only accept this sudden… surprise.

He had become Windcry’s temporary garden technician.

Never had he imagined happiness would arrive so abruptly—like a fox being made the manager of a henhouse…

At the same time, he felt deep concern.

One day, when this demoness learns the truth, will she go mad?