"Yao He and Yao Xi are dead, you know?" After a long silence, Chi Xue finally spoke. Her eyes narrowed slightly, flashing a dangerous light, as if warning Zi Mo that her answer would determine her fate.
Zi Mo felt a chill spread through her body. She frowned and said, "I killed them!"
Chi Xue's narrowed eyes snapped open. "You killed them?" she demanded in a low voice.
"Yes!" Zi Mo replied, fearless.
"Give me a reason!" Chi Xue snorted coldly, her face devoid of emotion.
Zi Mo trembled slightly. "They killed my demon beast, took my soul-controlling worm, and destroyed a thread of my divine sense!"
Chi Xue frowned, looking at Zi Mo suspiciously. "Why would they do that?"
Zi Mo gave a cold laugh. "Senior Brother, you must have the answer in your heart. Why ask me?"
Chi Xue closed her eyes. After a good while, she nodded slightly. "Hmm, they deserved it for daring to attack you!"
Hearing this, Zi Mo couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. If Chi Xue truly intended to stand up for Yao He and Yao Xi, things would have gotten very ugly. Fortunately, Chi Xue still had some semblance of a senior brother's duty and didn't punish Zi Mo indiscriminately.
"However..." Chi Xue said calmly. "You couldn't have killed them alone. Who helped you?"
Zi Mo bit her red lip and remained silent.
Chi Xue glanced briefly at Yang Kai, his expression cold and detached. "I don't care about the conflict between you and Yao He and Yao Xi. When we return, Master will deal with it fairly. But... if an outsider attacked them, you know what must be done!"
"I know," Zi Mo said softly.
"Then... kill him." Chi Xue pointed a finger at Yang Kai, his expression severe and his tone brooking no argument.
Yang Kai's heart skipped a beat, and he grew secretly vigilant. He hadn't expected Zi Mo's senior brother to be so decisive and ruthless.
Zi Mo raised her head, a flash of struggle in her eyes.
She absolutely could not lay a hand on Yang Kai. If she even had the thought, before she could make a move, Yang Kai could kill her. But Chi Xue was right here, pressing her with his overwhelming aura. No matter how clever and resourceful Zi Mo was, in this instant, she didn't know how to solve the difficult problem before her.
No matter how she chose, she couldn't satisfy both parties at once.
"You're coming with me. You no longer need him to guard you. Why don't you act?" Chi Xue urged coldly.
Zi Mo's chest heaved, her expression filled with struggle. She hesitated, unable to make a decision.
After a long while, Zi Mo suddenly looked up and said with a bitter smile, "I can't kill him!"
Chi Xue's eyes narrowed, his voice turning icy. "Why?"
Yang Kai waited coldly in his heart for Zi Mo's answer. Once she tried to reveal his secret, she would suffer the soul-devouring, bone-piercing punishment!
"Because... I like him!" Zi Mo's gaze was firm, and a slight blush colored her cheeks. After speaking, she added, "I'm already his woman, so I can't lay a hand on him!"
Yang Kai was dumbfounded, staring at Zi Mo in utter astonishment. He hadn't expected this woman to come up with such a clumsy excuse.
Chi Xue also looked shocked, gazing at Zi Mo with deep heartache. He gritted his teeth and spoke each word deliberately, "What did you say?"
"I said, I like him, and I'm already his woman!" Zi Mo decided to go all in. The second time she said these words, her expression was undoubtedly much more natural.
Chi Xue was furious to the point of laughter. "You've fallen for a warrior of the Han Dynasty?"
"Yes!" Zi Mo secretly glanced at Yang Kai, only to see his face flushed with a self-satisfied look. She felt a surge of bitterness and anger in her heart, wishing she could go up and slap him a few times to vent her frustration.
Even though she knew this reason was far too clumsy, things had reached this point. She couldn't think of any other better excuse. Yet here this man was, looking smug and completely unaware of her inner turmoil.
Chi Xue kept his cold expression, his gaze shifting over Yang Kai. He took a deep breath. "Indeed, no soul-controlling worm has been planted. It seems you're not lying!"
Yang Kai's heart tightened. Chi Xue's words had unintentionally revealed important information—he seemed able to sense the presence of the soul-controlling worm.
"I have no reason to lie to you!" Zi Mo forced a smile.
"Good, good!" True Yuan surged within Chi Xue, and killing intent spread. "Since you care so little for yourself that a piece of trash from the Han Dynasty could so easily have you, there's no need for this Senior Brother to favor you any further. When we return this time, I will report everything to Master. You can wait to receive your punishment!"
Zi Mo's delicate body trembled, and she fell silent.
"As for him..." Chi Xue looked coldly at Yang Kai. "Since you won't kill him, then let your Senior Brother do it for you!"
As his words fell, the dozen or so demon beasts controlled by Zi Mo suddenly all stood up at once, baring their fangs and snarling viciously at Yang Kai.
Yang Kai's expression shifted slightly, his icy gaze turning towards Zi Mo.