The Demon Lord Is Carrying My Child - Chapter 32

“Wait, what is this supposed to be?” Cun Ming asked, crossing his arms as he looked at Chen Li and… Mei Wuhen.

“What about it?” Mei Wuhen arched an eyebrow. Today, she wore a simple set of black clothes, yet the corners of her eyes and brows were filled with an inescapable charm. The plain attire only served to make her appear even more extraordinary.

She walked over to Cun Ming’s side, resting one hand directly on his shoulder while the other twirled a stray lock of hair. “The information came from my side; shouldn’t I get a little compensation?”

“Eww,” Cun Ming let out a deliberate sound of disgust, pushing Mei Wuhen away. He patted his shoulder where she had touched it. “This trick of yours? It doesn’t work on me.”

Mei Wuhen wasn’t annoyed. She simply said nonchalantly, “Usually, those for whom it doesn’t work are practitioners of the Path of Emotionless Enlightenment.”

“Even if I were the most sentimental person alive, I’d be emotionless in front of you.” Cun Ming took three large strides away, then turned back to pull a face at her.

Mei Wuhen called him childish and followed him down. Only Chen Li remained behind, shaking his head before catching up with the two of them.

Although tracking down Zhi Ming’s whereabouts was easier than finding a suitable place for a Heaven-Sacrifice, they still had no idea where to start.

“It’s simple,” Cun Ming said, hanging from a tree branch. “We just grab someone from the Cangyou Pavilion and interrogate them.”

“Kidnapping someone is hardly proper.” Before Chen Li could finish his sentence, Cun Ming had already vanished.

He scanned the surroundings but found no trace of Cun Ming. Finally, Mei Wuhen spoke up, “He’s probably gone to snatch someone.”

“Always so impulsive.” Chen Li had no way to handle his second junior brother, so he could only wait for him to return.

He closed his eyes, intending to meditate for a moment, but felt a faint, lingering breath in front of him. He opened his eyes to find Mei Wuhen resting her chin on her hand, watching him from inches away.

He stood up helplessly. “Miss Mei… I have already said, I will not fall in love with anyone.”

Mei Wuhen stood up with him, acting as if she had just had a realization. “Not liking humans? That’s easy! My illusion techniques are superb. If you like flowers, I’ll be a flower in your eyes. If you like cats, I’ll be a cat.”

“Miss Mei, it’s not like that. I will not like you.” Chen Li didn’t want to be so blunt, but if he didn’t speak clearly now, he didn’t know how much longer he would lead her on.

“Hero Chen, don’t speak so fast. The likes and dislikes of this world aren’t decided in a mere moment,” Mei Wuhen said, blinking her eyes.

“I am just a dull, unromantic block of wood. What is there to like?” Chen Li asked, confused.

“Exactly. You’re just a dull, unromantic block of wood. What is there to like?” Mei Wuhen murmured.

Yet, when the heart is moved in this world, there is never a clear explanation for it.

Perhaps he simply happened to crash into a young girl’s heart when she was first longing for love carrying a sword, looking so high-spirited.

Or perhaps, he encountered her when she was at her most wretched, appearing like a world-class hero to save her from fire and water.

There are too many possibilities for falling in love. How could this “block of wood” understand? Mei Wuhen flicked her sleeves and found a place to sit. She picked up a handful of wild grass from somewhere and rubbed them vigorously between her hands as if they were Chen Li.

Since she couldn’t do anything to Chen Li, she could only take it out on the grass.

Chen Li had nothing to say. He simply sat back down and closed his eyes again, following the principle of “out of sight, out of mind.”

Cun Ming returned quickly. “Those disciples don’t know where Zhi Ming went. No one has seen him for months. However,” his tone shifted, “I made an unexpected discovery.”

A disciple had told him secretively that the Sect Leader intended to groom Zhi Ming as the next successor. Usually, such a disciple would be sent to the Shamo Mountain near the Demon Realm to gain experience.

The Demon Realm had a natural barrier and was generally difficult to enter. Not far from it was Shamo Mountain aptly named, as even members of the Demon Race would be swallowed by it. Shamo Mountain possessed great power; only those who emerged alive were qualified to inherit the leadership of the Cangyou Pavilion.

“Tsk, tsk. Shamo Mountain. Even if you don’t die, you’ll end up a cripple. It seems Sect Leader Liu Shuo might have some hidden illness,” Mei Wuhen remarked with mock pity, as if her words were already proven facts.

“I was thinking the same thing,” Cun Ming gave her an appreciative look.

“You two, stop talking nonsense,” Chen Li said, gripping his sword. “In that case, we shall go to Shamo Mountain and take a look.”

“Perfect. I’ve wanted to see it for a long time,” Cun Ming said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

The three of them set off toward Shamo Mountain.

Ji Shutao was leisurely driving the carriage while holding a book.

Qian Feng poked her head out from inside the carriage and asked in a low voice, “What are you reading?”

Inside the carriage, Zhuang Yi had already fallen asleep. She had been sleeping a lot lately; it was just as well, as she had passed the dangerous first three months of pregnancy.

“The Encyclopedia of Formations that Sister Juan Lan gave me.” Ji Shutao didn’t look up, flipping to another page.

“You’re quite bold. The lives of the Sovereign and myself are in your hands, yet you aren’t even looking at the road,” Qian Feng scolded.

“I am looking. I’m multitasking.”

Just then, they reached a curve. Without even glancing up, Ji Shutao steered the carriage perfectly through the turn. She raised her eyebrows triumphantly at Qian Feng.

“Impressive,” Qian Feng said, her face full of admiration.

“Uncle Liu said he added some herbs to boost cultivation, but cultivation cannot be rushed; it requires steady practice. Sister Juan Lan told me I could memorize formations first. That way, I can hold my own when facing strong opponents. I can’t let Zhuang Yi protect me forever.” Ji Shutao’s goal had always been to protect Zhuang Yi and the child in the future.

Therefore, over the past month, besides taking her medicine and medicinal baths daily, she also practiced hard to improve her cultivation. She was naturally perceptive; while cultivation was hard to fast-track, applying formations wasn’t difficult for her.

“You’ve got ambition,” Qian Feng gave her a thumbs-up. “I knew the Sovereign’s wife was the most extraordinary.”

“Oh, get lost. I’d be happy as long as you stop teasing me.”

As they were talking, a person suddenly rushed out and collapsed in front of them.

Ji Shutao had to slam on the brakes. The jolt was so great it woke the sleeping Zhuang Yi.

Zhuang Yi steadied herself and lifted the curtain, looking at Ji Shutao and Qian Feng. Still a bit groggy from sleep, she asked, “What happened?”

“There’s someone.” Qian Feng pointed ahead and leaped nimbly off the carriage to check the situation.

Ji Shutao jumped down as well and helped Zhuang Yi out. The two of them walked over together.

It was a woman, dressed in fine silks likely a lady from a wealthy family. It was unclear what she was doing in this wilderness. She was unconscious.

Her body was covered in injuries. Aside from several knife wounds, the rest were scratches from thorns.

Qian Feng stood up and surveyed the surroundings. Sure enough, she saw a large thicket of thorns not far away. “I remember there is a thorn forest on this path,” Qian Feng pointed. “So it’s right here. There’s a small trail on the other side of that forest; if one wants to reach this main road, they have to pass through those thorns.” Qian Feng checked the girl’s arm. “She probably crawled through the thorns to get here.”

“Are the injuries serious?” Ji Shutao asked.

“Mostly flesh wounds, but they cover a large area, so it’s still quite severe.”

She and Ji Shutao both looked at Zhuang Yi, waiting for her to make the decision.

Zhuang Yi nodded. “Save her.”

When Wenren Ruyi woke up, the first thing she saw was the roof of a carriage. Enduring the pain in her arms, she forced herself to sit up. She lifted the curtain and saw it was already night. A fire was burning not far from the carriage.

Wenren Ruyi limped over. As she drew closer, she saw three young women.

Ji Shutao saw her wake up and ran over to support her. Although Wenren Ruyi’s mind was in a haze, she could guess that these three had saved her.

She bowed to them and said in a weak voice, “Thank you, ladies, for saving my life.”

“It was nothing,” Ji Shutao waved her hand dismissively.

“What is your name?” Qian Feng asked.

Wenren Ruyi instinctively gripped the small knife hidden in her robes. She didn’t know their identities yet, and her own identity couldn’t be easily revealed. The surname “Wenren” was far too rare. After thinking for a moment, she replied, “Cui Ruyi.”

Qian Feng caught a glimpse of the knife in her robes but continued, “Why were you crossing through the thorn forest?”

“I got separated from my companions and lost my way, which is why I blundered into the thorns,” Wenren Ruyi said with her head lowered.

She still didn’t know if that person would find her, or if they were even still alive to find her.

“Princess, we must split up,” Cui Tian had told her, clutching a wound on her arm.

Wenren Ruyi had looked at the bleeding arm and gripped her tightly, crying and shaking her head. “No, I want to go with you. I’m afraid we’ll never see each other again.”

“Princess,” Cui Tian had smiled tiredly. “I promise you, as long as I am alive, I will definitely find you.”

“Cui Tian…” Wenren Ruyi still didn’t want to let go. She was truly terrified that today’s parting would become an eternal farewell.

“Princess, Cui Tian never breaks a promise.” Cui Tian patted Wenren Ruyi’s hand.

In the end, Wenren Ruyi had hidden in the woods, watching as Cui Tian gritted her teeth, bandaged her wound, and led the pursuers away.

She gripped the small knife Cui Tian had left her, wiped the tears from her face, and ran in the opposite direction.

She ran and ran. Only by living would Cui Tian be able to find her. Only by living could she honor Cui Tian’s sacrifice.

It was this conviction that sustained Wenren Ruyi as she pushed through the thorns that threatened to tear her skin away.

Cui Tian, you must come and find me.

“Miss Cui, you clearly don’t come from an ordinary family. Why have you come to this wilderness?”

Wenren Ruyi glanced at Qian Feng. “My family was heading to the capital to visit relatives, but we encountered bandits.”

No one spoke this time. Even Ji Shutao knew that these mountains were deserted; there were no bandits here. Furthermore, this road didn’t lead to the capital at all it was the road heading south.

If she were just visiting relatives, why be so secretive?

“Miss Cui, I suggest you tell us the truth.”

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