Night had fallen.

In the mortal world, within the Yang Wood Forest.

Xie Xiaofeng and Tang Jing had already gone to an inn in the eastern town to rest, while Ye Yuqiao stayed behind to keep Chen Hao company.

After the day's harrowing dangers, both had many things to say to each other.

However, as pure silver moonlight streamed through the gaps between leaves and fell upon their faces, the two sat opposite each other in silence, intimately leaning together, quietly kissing, basking in the serenity of the forest under the moonlight, intoxicated by the bliss of having each other.

Suddenly, a strong surge of Yin Qi approached.

They immediately separated, both knowing Zhao Chong had arrived.

When Zhao Chong appeared before them, Ye Yuqiao's face darkened, a strange light flashing in her eyes. She had some doubts about Zhao Chong's actions earlier that day.

"Zhao Chong!" Ye Yuqiao stood up and walked behind Zhao Chong, "Did you go to save Chen Hao today?"

Zhao Chong shook his head, answering honestly, "No, I couldn't go."

"Why couldn't you go?" Ye Yuqiao pressed, her tone slightly displeased.

Zhao Chong frowned, pausing before explaining, "Firstly, the Dark Law King and King Shuanglin rushed to kill Chen Hao immediately; secondly, Qian Feng and Li Zuole led people from the two great clans out of Netherworld City and into Wind Shelter Valley. I couldn't leave to save him at that time."

In truth, he hadn't gone because he knew that the woman in the Purgatory Fire Pool had already rushed to save Chen Hao, which was why he hadn't personally set out.

"What!" Ye Yuqiao was shocked, "Are you saying Qian Feng and Li Zuole have already started a rebellion?"

Zhao Chong softly confirmed with a "hm": "Indeed, the thirty thousand troops of the Ghost King army stationed at the Red River region's fortress have been wiped out by their people, and now there are at least sixty thousand troops combined from both families stationed in Wind Shelter Valley. Based on the current situation, the Dark Law King probably won't recklessly send troops to attack Wind Shelter Valley, and since the Qian Li families have chosen to enter Wind Shelter Valley, they likely don't have plans to march out just yet. Everything can only wait until the day the Ghost King emerges more than twenty days later."

Ye Yuqiao's brows furrowed in concern, sinking into deep thought. Qian Feng's actions today, although somewhat unexpected, seemed inevitable upon reflection. If they were to await the Ghost King's emergence, by then Qian Feng and the Eight Great Clans would have no chance to rebel. However, there was something she couldn't understand.

"The timing of Qian Feng's departure from Netherworld City is too coincidental, just when Chen Hao was captured by King Nanlin and rushed to kill by the Dark Law King and King Shuanglin. It seems he must have known beforehand that King Nanlin was going to capture Chen Hao, so he had prepared in advance."

Zhao Chong nodded, agreeing with everything Ye Yuqiao said.

"So, what are your plans now?" Ye Yuqiao abruptly changed the subject and asked.

Suddenly, Zhao Chong's pupils shrank several times over, and his expression became somber.

After a long while, he finally answered, "Let's wait and see, we can make decisions based on the situation after the Ghost King emerges. For now, the Zhao Residence is being closely watched, I'm here in the mortal world only because the Dark Law King's people are busy cleaning the city. I estimate I won't be able to come up for the next twenty days or so, Your Majesty must be very careful."

After speaking, Zhao Chong looked at Chen Hao and added, "I'm glad you're still alive. You'll need to be even more careful in the future. You should know that you are the key to defeating the Ghost King. If something were to happen to you, it would lead to the despair of many."

Among the many people Zhao Chong referred to, besides Ye Yuqiao, naturally included the woman currently healing in the Purgatory Fire Pool.

Chen Hao looked at Zhao Chong, nodded blankly.

..

The night was deep.

After Zhao Chong left, Ye Yuqiao remained deep in thought.

The situation in the Netherworld was becoming more and more complicated, unpredictable. At any moment, a war could break out due to another family fleeing from Netherworld City.

She was wondering, what should she and Chen Hao do next?

Seeing Ye Yuqiao sitting silently to one side, looking gloomily preoccupied, Chen Hao opened his arms and drew her into his embrace, whispering in Ye Yuqiao's ear, "Yuqiao, are you worried about the affairs of the Netherworld?"

Ye Yuqiao shook her head, then looked up into Chen Hao's eyes and said with a sad tone, "No, I'm actually worried about us. The Ghost King is about to finish his retreat, and the real, biggest threat is about to emerge. I'm afraid we..."

"Look at you, getting all sensitive and pessimistic again?"

"Yeah!" Ye Yuqiao suddenly burrowed into Chen Hao's arms and acted coquettishly, "I'm just afraid of losing you! You have no idea how much I like you now, I'm so scared of losing you, and even more afraid that I won't be able to stay by your side forever,"

"Actually, I'm scared too!" Chen Hao gave a wry smile, his eyes suddenly filled with a touch of sadness, "And because I'm afraid of losing you, I always tell myself that I have to become better and stronger."

Ye Yuqiao gave a slight smile, then closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of leaning in Chen Hao's arms.

After a brief silence.

"Yuqiao, have you thought about what we should do after the Ghost King comes out of his seclusion?"

"Yes!" Ye Yuqiao nodded her head, "After the Ghost King comes out of seclusion, he might stabilize the situation in the Netherworld first or he might launch an attack on Wind Shelter Valley, or come to the mortal world to kill you to avenge the three Dharma Kings who died by your hand before. So during this time, you still need to stay in Yang Wood Forest to cultivate in retreat, absorb Yang Energy, and try your best to improve your Yin Qi Spiritual Power. Once the Ghost King comes out, we'll play it by ear."

Chen Hao gave a hum of acknowledgment, "I also think I need to cultivate in retreat. Not to mention the Ghost King, with my current state, I can't even defeat the Dark Law King."

"Though it is so, I have full confidence in you, I believe that you will definitely make great improvements through your cultivation over the next twenty or so days. Don't forget, you're a once-in-three-hundred-years prodigy, and you're also going to be the man who will become a king." Ye Yuqiao encouraged Chen Hao.

"Boyfriend, you focus on your retreat now, and I'll keep exterminating demons with Xiao Feng and Tang Jing to strengthen ourselves. Oh, boyfriend, after the Ghost King comes out of seclusion, do you plan on having Xiao Feng and Tang Jing continue to follow us, or separate from them to ensure their safety?"

"This..." Chen Hao hesitated, "Let's leave the decision to the two of them."

"Okay, then. But truth be told, the four of us have been through so much together, it would really be hard to part ways suddenly." Ye Yuqiao said with a look of sadness.

After another short silence.

"Yuqiao, where do you plan to go next?"

"Xiufeng Town. There's an ancient tomb there, and nobody from the archaeological teams or the Onmyoji who went there, has ever come back alive. Lu Yuan, the president of the Onmyoji Association in J City, has entrusted us to check it out."

"No way!" Chen Hao panicked, "That's too dangerous, you can't go there, I don't agree."

At this moment, Ye Yuqiao suddenly looped her arms around Chen Hao's neck and asked, "Boyfriend, do you want to help us?"

..

..

(Dear readers, I apologize for only being able to update one chapter today as I got home almost at eleven o'clock after working overtime. I'll make up for it over the weekend. Once again, I'm sorry.)

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.