The Demon Lord Is Carrying My Child - Chapter 9

Chen Li waited in the inn for three full days, but neither Ji Shutao nor Zhuang Yi returned.

“When they left, did they say when they would be back?”

Having no other choice, Chen Li returned to the counter to ask the shopkeeper once more.

The shopkeeper was leaning over his ledger, busy with his accounts. Hearing the question, he shook his head, his gaze remaining fixed on the abacus. “I thought they were just going out for a stroll, but I don’t know why they haven’t returned after three days.”

Recalling that Chen Li was the elder brother and that the two girls had supposedly run away from home, the shopkeeper’s expression turned solemn. He looked up at Chen Li. “Could something have happened to them?”

Chen Li’s eyes darkened slightly. If Ji Shutao were alone, the possibility of an accident would be very high. However, with Zhuang Yi the Demon Lord by her side, logically speaking, nothing should have gone wrong.

As if remembering something, the shopkeeper lowered his voice and whispered to Chen Li, “Young Master, you may not know this, but lately, a very strange white mist has appeared in our town. It specifically preys on women. I wonder if those two young ladies crossed paths with it.”

Chen Li frowned. “There is such a thing as this white mist?”

“Yes,” the shopkeeper replied, looking worried. “Our town is remote and has no one to rely on. Since this mist appeared, everyone has been living in fear, and no one knows what to do.” This was the first time such an occurrence had plagued them.

In the past, they had heard that the world was unstable and overrun by monsters, but their town had always been like a paradise. They never expected it would eventually be their turn.

Since the white mist was committing such evil, regardless of whether it was targeting Ji Shutao, Chen Li felt that in accordance with reason and his status as a disciple of Northern Chen Mountain he should eliminate the mist.

He gripped his sword firmly, his gaze resolute. “Does this white mist have a specific location where it appears?”

“It usually appears at night when no one is around. Now, our town forbids women from going out after dark.”

“Thank you for the information.”

Chen Li turned and went upstairs to his room.

Jiang Xue had mentioned that his Junior Sister had used the hairpin he gave her, which meant she must have encountered something dangerous. Currently, as he traveled west, the only thing he had heard of was this white mist.

However, with Zhuang Yi present, why did his Junior Sister still need to use the hairpin?

Had she been separated from Zhuang Yi, or was Zhuang Yi injured?

Zhuang Yi had gone to great lengths to take Ji Shutao away; it was unlikely she would easily choose to separate from her.

That meant Zhuang Yi was injured and likely severely which was why his Junior Sister had used the tenth brother’s hairpin in a moment of crisis.

To be able to injure Zhuang Yi, the opponent must be extraordinary.

If Zhuang Yi was seriously wounded, would she change her mind and return to the Demon Realm?

After thinking it through and clarifying his thoughts, Chen Li immediately sent a message to Tu Jing, instructing him and Gan Yang to keep a close watch, as Zhuang Yi might be heading back to the Demon Realm.

After arranging everything, all Chen Li had to do was wait for nightfall.

The further west one went, the more remote it became. Ji Shutao and Zhuang Yi had arrived at what appeared to be the last town in the west.

Since it was a town, it was naturally livelier than a village. Although it wasn’t as prosperous as the first town they visited, it was still bustling with people and the constant hum of noise.

Based on the attire of the guards who had taken Ye Yiran away, it was clear the Ye family was no ordinary household. After a little bit of inquiry, Ji Shutao found out where the Ye residence was.

“While I was asking around, I discovered some quite extraordinary news,” Ji Shutao said with a faint smile.

“What news?”

Zhuang Yi’s complexion was still very poor. Fearing she might collapse in the middle of the street, Ji Shutao held her hand firmly. Zhuang Yi said nothing; she welcomed any chance to be close to Ji Shutao.

“The Ye family has three sons and three daughters. Yiran is the second miss. I heard the eldest young master of the Ye family has been exceptionally gifted since childhood. A few days ago, he reportedly became a disciple of Northern Chen Mountain.”

Zhuang Yi was puzzled. “It isn’t even time for Northern Chen Mountain’s disciple selection. Where did he go to become a disciple?”

Regardless of the sect, there were always fixed times for recruitment. Northern Chen Mountain usually held selections in the autumn, while Cangyou Pavilion held theirs in the spring.

“Furthermore,” Ji Shutao blinked, “they say that Chen Li of Northern Chen Mountain visited in person and hand-picked the eldest young master. The Ye family’s reputation is at an all-time high right now.”

Northern Chen Mountain never recruited disciples externally, and her eldest brother had no desire to take on students. To become a disciple, one had to travel to the mountain during the autumn selection and pass through layers of trials.

Of course, the inner disciples themselves had all been brought back by Yu Chu personally. Now, except for Ji Shutao, the ten senior brothers were all capable of standing on their own and had begun teaching.

In any case, there was no way the Ye family’s eldest son could have become a Northern Chen Mountain disciple at this time.

Either the Ye family was full of lies, or someone was impersonating Northern Chen Mountain to swindle others.

“Regardless, we’ll just scout the situation and leave. You are not allowed to use your powers,” Ji Shutao warned.

If Zhuang Yi fought in her current condition, it would be no different from burning away her own life.

Once they clarified the situation, Ji Shutao would send word to her other senior brothers to let them handle it. The reputation of Northern Chen Mountain could not be tarnished.

“Alright,” Zhuang Yi nodded obediently.

Following the information she had gathered, Ji Shutao led Zhuang Yi to the main gate of the Ye residence.

The Ye family wasn’t a massive clan, but in this small town, owning such a large estate with numerous guards and servants made them a wealthy household.

The two vermillion gates stood open, with a plaque reading “Ye Manor” hanging above.

Two servants stood on either side of the entrance. Ji Shutao supported Zhuang Yi as she stepped forward, offering an innocent-looking smile. “Excuse me, brother, we are old acquaintances of your second miss. I wonder if we might see her?”

“The second miss?” The servant frowned, exchanging a glance with the man on his left. Then, he announced loudly, “The second miss’s wedding date is approaching; she is seeing no one.”

Ye Yiran was getting married?

Ji Shutao scanned the entrance and the courtyard. There were no decorations whatsoever. How did this look like a household preparing for a daughter’s wedding?

“Brother, how could that be…”

“How could it not be? Our lady didn’t even tell you about something as important as her marriage. You two are clearly swindlers. Get out of here, now!”

The servant spoke harshly. Ji Shutao had no choice but to lead Zhuang Yi away dejectedly to avoid a conflict that might alert the household.

Zhuang Yi glanced back at the servant, her eyes filled with such murderous intent that the man’s legs went weak with fear.

“That made me so angry!” Ji Shutao sat in their room, puffing out her cheeks like a steamed bun.

Zhuang Yi, as if by magic, reached out and handed her a pastry.

“When did you buy this?” Ji Shutao took the pastry.

“While you were so angry you lost your head.”

Ji Shutao rolled onto the bed indignantly. “There is definitely something fishy going on.”

Zhuang Yi glanced at her and poured two cups of tea. “I’ll go take a look tonight.”

Ji Shutao flipped over instantly and jumped to the table, downing the tea in one gulp. “I’ll go.”

After saying that, she gave a mischievous grin. “My cultivation might not be high, but I’m quite good at hopping over walls and sneaking into courtyards.”

Zhuang Yi was still uneasy. Ji Shutao reached out and grabbed her hand, her eyes shining like stars.

Zhuang Yi’s heart stirred slightly. “I’ll go with you.”

If Ji Shutao stayed at the inn, she wouldn’t feel right leaving her; if she stayed at the inn, she would worry about Ji Shutao.

It was better to go together. It was just the Ye Manor, after all it wasn’t as if it could swallow them whole.

“Alright.”

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