Their gazes met.
The Landlady's heart softened in the end, and she sighed. "Why must it come to this?"
Yue He bit her lip, tears streaming down her cheeks like rain.
The Landlady reached out and placed her hand on Yue He's head. "You were picked up and raised by me. Your life is mine. Without my permission, no one can kill you—including yourself!"
Yue He lowered her head, her voice trembling. "Yes."
The Landlady gently channeled a thread of power, and Yue He suddenly let out a soft cry, crumpling to the ground and falling into a deep sleep. Yang Kai watched with his eyelids twitching, his heart cold with lingering fear.
If the Landlady hadn't struck just then, Yue He might truly have perished before his eyes. He had spent over a decade with Yue He in the Taixu Realm—at times he'd been annoyed by her, had wanted to be rid of her, but in the end they had supported each other through thick and thin. Yet even after over a decade of contact, Yang Kai had never realized just how resolute Yue He's nature truly was.
But even though the Landlady had knocked her unconscious and temporarily stabilized her emotions, there was still one pressing matter to deal with.
And that was the Heart Demon Great Oath!
As long as Yue He lived, the Landlady's Heart Demon Great Oath could not be lifted—she would truly never have a chance at Seventh-Grade Open Heaven in this lifetime. And who knew whether Yue He would still be suicidal once she woke.
With another sigh, the Landlady lifted Yue He in her arms and carried her to the inner chamber, laying her gently on a bed. Yang Kai and Lao Bai followed a step behind, neither saying a word.
Gazing quietly at the sleeping figure on the bed, the Landlady's expression gradually softened. She even hummed a lullaby, as if coaxing a small child to sleep, one hand resting on Yue He and patting gently in rhythm.
Yang Kai and Lao Bai exchanged a glance, both at a loss for words.
After a moment, the Landlady suddenly waved them off. The two understood and withdrew together.
The moment they were outside the inner chamber, Lao Bai threw his arm around Yang Kai's neck, pulling him into a shoulder-to-shoulder embrace with a mischievous grin. "Let's go drinking!"
Yang Kai burst out laughing, not about to refuse. "Sure!"
Of everyone in the Three Thousand Worlds, Lao Bai was the first real friend Yang Kai had ever made—not even Lao Fang could compare. After all, when he'd first met Lao Fang at Seven Wonders Ground, they'd both still had their own ulterior motives; the connection hadn't been entirely pure.
Back in the Star City and at the First Waystation, Yang Kai and Lao Bai had often spent nights drinking together. The two of them were old hands at it.
They didn't go far, just sat down on the floor in the outer hall. Yang Kai had no wine, but Lao Bai did—and it was good wine!
Yang Kai pulled out a huge pile of spirit fruits from his space ring, all specialties of the Taixu Realm that left Lao Bai wide-eyed with amazement.
They had wine. They drank wildly. They got dead drunk!
When the Landlady emerged from the inner chamber with Yue He two days later, the sight that greeted them was utter disaster. Wine jars and fruit pits were scattered everywhere, and the thick smell of alcohol was overpowering.
Yang Kai and Lao Bai lay sprawled in every direction on the floor, snoring thunderously.
The Landlady's nose was practically twisted with fury. She glared at the two, gritting her teeth. "Wake them up!"
Yue He hurried forward, formed hand seals, channeled her power, and blew a gentle cool breeze at the pair. As the cool air washed over their faces, the two on the floor shuddered and slowly came to.
Yang Kai's head was splitting. He sat up slowly, rubbing his forehead with a rueful smile. He'd overindulged this time—but it was mainly because ever since the Land Without Elders had closed, he'd been in a state of constant high tension. The Landlady's arrival had given him an immense sense of security, so his mind had finally let go completely.
He channeled his power to dispel the lingering effects of the alcohol, then looked up to find Yue He gazing at him with worry on her face.
Delighted, he rose to his feet. "Yue He, you're awake?"
Yue He gave an almost imperceptible nod, then gestured toward the Landlady standing before her.
Yang Kai looked and saw the Landlady's face was cold as frost, glaring fiercely at him. He couldn't help but shrink his neck. He and Lao Bai stood side by side, both wearing sycophantic grins.
"You two are really something." The Landlady's face was full of exasperation.
The two quickly chimed in unison. "We know we were wrong. It won't happen again."
The Landlady blinked, feeling rather like she'd punched cotton. She couldn't help but grit her teeth. "If there's a next time, I'll throw you both into a wine vat and drown you!"
Both of them nodded vigorously in agreement.
Yue He stood behind the Landlady, covering her mouth to stifle a giggle.