It was clear that today's events had shaken him deeply. He had only come to confront Yang Kai over his Dharma Body practicing the Heaven Devouring Battle Law — who could have imagined that Yang Kai would fall completely into the Demonic Path, transforming a hero of the Star Boundary into a pariah hunted by all.
Were it not for that, with the might of a Great Emperor, how could Fu Ling have gotten close to him? And after today, Yang Kai would have no place to stand in the Star Boundary.
After venting her fury for a good while, Fu Ling finally withdrew her hand, wiped her reddened eyes, and cast her gaze around at her surroundings. A bleak smile crossed her face. "The outside world isn't fun at all." With that, her figure shot straight up toward the heavens.
Li Jiao called out in alarm, "Miss Ling, where are you going?!"
Fu Ling had no intention of responding to him. Moments later, a mournful dragon cry echoed from above the clouds, and a streak of purple light briefly split the sky before vanishing without a trace. Yang Kai's fall into the Demonic Path seemed to have sapped Fu Ling of all her spirit as well. She was heading home, and she couldn't even be bothered to spare a thought for the hundred-odd thousand people still trapped in Half-Dragon City.
A desolate atmosphere settled over all of Tiger Roar City. Every heart was choked with nameless emotions that could find no outlet.
Zhan Wuhen stood motionless in midair, as though waiting for something. Li Jiao, Gao Xueting, and the others neither dared nor wished to approach and disturb him.
…
The Laws of Space rippled and surged, and Yang Kai's figure flickered uncertainly as he fled headlong, like a desperate fugitive.
Only when he reached the Southern Swamp did he find a spot to stop.
After setting Lin Yun'er down, Yang Kai waved his hand. "Go."
Lin Yun'er rubbed her eyes, then suddenly clasped her hands behind her back, circled around Yang Kai once, and broke into a bright smile. "Uncle Yang, how was my performance?"
Demonic energy churned across Yang Kai's face. His voice was low and harsh. "What do you mean, 'how was your performance'? Stop talking nonsense. If you don't leave right now, I might really kill you!"
Lin Yun'er pouted. "Master already told me everything. Are you still going to lie to me?"
Yang Kai's eyes widened. "Lord Iron Blood told you? What did he tell you?"
Lin Yun'er giggled. "Master said I should go to Tiger Roar City at roughly the right time, let you take me hostage, and that would make it easier for you to get away."
Yang Kai's mouth twitched endlessly. "How come I didn't know about this?!"
Lin Yun'er shrugged. "That, I wouldn't know."
"Weren't you the one Senior Sister Gao brought here?" Yang Kai eyed her with suspicion.
Lin Yun'er nodded. "I was. I suppose it was just a coincidence — I happened to be on my way to Tiger Roar City when that Miss Gao came to find me. She said Master was giving you a hard time in Tiger Roar City and wanted me to come along and persuade him. Then, while I was there with her, you grabbed me… Wasn't it Master who told you to grab me?"
Yang Kai couldn't help but roll his eyes. "I simply felt that taking you hostage would be the most convincing way to escape, so I… Hm. It seems Lord Iron Blood had the same idea, only he never spelled it out for me."
Lin Yun'er bobbed her head up and down. "Exactly, exactly. Uncle Yang, what exactly is going on? I just can't make heads or tails of it."
Yang Kai smiled bitterly. "If you can't understand it, then don't try. And whatever you do, don't repeat a single word of our conversation just now to anyone — pretend it never happened. If anyone asks what happened after I took you hostage, tell them I was corrupted by demonic thoughts, my mind fell into chaos, and you seized the chance to escape."
"Mm-hmm, I've got it." Lin Yun'er nodded so vigorously she looked like a little chick pecking at rice. Then, without warning, she extended one slender finger and poked at the demonic energy swirling across Yang Kai's face. "But Uncle Yang, this Qi Deviation of yours is really convincing! Is this actual demonic energy?"
"Don't touch that!" Yang Kai leapt backward, glanced around, and said, "Go on back. I should be leaving too. Tell Lord Iron Blood that I will do my best with the task they've entrusted to me."
With that, Yang Kai flickered and vanished from where he stood.
Lin Yun'er remained in place for a while, watching, but she had no idea where he had gone. All she could do was sulk and retrace her steps.
…
The following day. Tiger Roar City. A streak of light came hurtling from the distance.
Zhan Wuhen, who had been hovering motionless in midair the entire time, straightened with a start and looked up.
The streak of light descended right in front of him, revealing Lin Yun'er's figure. Her eyes were red and swollen — it was obvious she had been crying — and even now she kept hiccupping through her sobs, unable to stop.
Zhan Wuhen asked quickly, "Are you hurt?"
Lin Yun'er shook her head, choking back tears. "No. It's just… Uncle Yang…"
Zhan Wuhen said, "Where did he go?"
Lin Yun'er answered, "I don't know. Midway, his mind suddenly fell into chaos. I seized the chance to run back, but I have no idea where he ended up."
Zhan Wuhen patted her on the head. "As long as you're safe. Go back and rest."
Lin Yun'er gave a small response and trudged toward the spatial formation, looking as though she had lost her soul.
Below, Gao Xueting, Li Jiao, and the others all gazed up at Zhan Wuhen, waiting for an explanation.