Stranger Danger

“Worry not, Miss Huo. If I really wanted to spread this news, I wouldn’t have waited until today. Do I look like someone who is foolish or strong enough to threaten the Earthfire Palace of Demons? I have no desire to be hunted all over the realm by your old monsters.”

As if he could guess Huo Linglong’s thoughts, Yi Pin continued with a calm smile on his face. “I’m just giving my brother a heads-up so he won't overthink things and ruin what could be a safe and profitable partnership.”

Ye Qing narrowed his eyes slightly. It was clear that Yi Pin and Huo Linglong had hidden something regarding the "Demon Planting Art of Mercury"; something crucial. It was that secret that caused Huo Linglong to be nervous and awakened her desire to kill Yi Pin.

He didn’t ask about it though. He simply locked onto Huo Linglong and let his energies do all the talking.

Huo Linglong hesitated for a moment, but she said, “Haha... you’re a senior, Reverend. Why wouldn’t I believe your words?”

In the end, she decided against killing Yi Pin because one, he wasn’t trying to cheat her. The fact that he hadn’t revealed everything there was to know about the "Demon Planting Art of Mercury" was proof of his sincerity. Two, she could feel Ye Qing’s gaze boring into her sides like daggers. She might not succeed even if she tried to kill Yi Pin.

“It is as the Reverend says, Taoist. The secret art I will be using is the "Demon Planting Art of Mercury", and I promise that it is perfect for its intended purpose.”

“Very well. I agree with your plan.” Ye Qing nodded but changed his tune suddenly, “However, I demand that we change our prior conditions.”

Huo Linglong blinked as Ye Qing’s silhouette became reflected in her pitch black pupils. “Oh? And what do you want to change, dearie?”

Ye Qing declared, “I can help you capture Sun Xuanzhen and Yue Juejiang, but in return, every wisp of Profound Yellow Qi will belong to me.”

Huo Linglong’s lips parted slightly. She couldn’t believe how greedy Ye Qing was. The corners of her lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach the eye as she spoke, “You’re quite the greedy one, aren’t you dearie?”

Ye Qing replied calmly, “Those two are far more valuable than a few wisps of Profound Yellow Qi, are they not?”

According to Yi Pin, the "Demon Planting Art of Mercury" could convert Sun Xuanzhen and Yue Juejiang into her undying supporters. In other words, she would be gaining two powerful subordinates who would die to serve her, not to mention that the "Demon Planting Art of Mercury" had other hidden uses.

If Huo Linglong walked away from the negotiation table with just Sun Xuanzhen and Yue Juejiang and nothing else, it would’ve been worth it for her. That was how valuable they were to her. Knowing this, Ye Qing would be a complete idiot to let her get away with half of the Profound Yellow Qi as well.

“How heartless of you. You already have the meat, but you will have the soup as well[1], dearie?” Huo Linglong complained with faux grievance. “Aren’t you worried that I would betray you to my companions as soon as I exit this door?”

“First, this is a fair deal. It is true that I want the meat to myself, but I am throwing you a bone, am I not? To you, a few wisps of Profound Yellow Qi are not worth having Sun Xuanzhen and Yue Juejiang as your incubators.”

Ye Qing continued indifferently, “Second, I’m sure you’ve figured out that I am your best chance to obtain Sun Xuanzhen and Yue Juejiang. Without me, chances are you won’t be walking away with anyone or anything. But if you cooperate with me, then both of us will be happy with the outcome. I hope you’ll make the right choice, Miss Huo.”

The Earthly Sovereign’s Coffin was cut off from the river of fate, so oaths such as the Oath of Burden or the Dao Oath of Heart Demon were useless here. He could only make the best offer he could make, word his argument so it would seem that his way was the only way, and gamble that Huo Linglong would see it that way as well.

It was true that Huo Linglong could betray him and work together with Sun Xuanzhen and Yue Juejiang to kill him as soon as she left this room. However, she should know from their brief clash that killing him would prove to be a much harder task than anticipated than it was for the two of them to work together and ambush Sun Xuanzhen and Yue Juejiang.

Second, Yi Pin’s timely interruption had made Huo Linglong second guessed his strength. Ye Qing knew with every fiber in his body that the old Taoist was a weakling right now, but Huo Linglong didn’t. What if it wasn’t a three versus one, but a three versus two? In any case, she had to admit that betrayal was a far less palatable option than cooperation.

“If you really wish to make an enemy out of me, then I can only say that I welcome it. It won’t be an easy fight, I admit, but I am confident that I will emerge victorious in the end. But what about you? Are you confident that you can defeat me?”

“Are you threatening me, dearie?” Huo Linglong beamed.

“No, I am simply stating facts,” Ye Qing replied calmly. “As you’re aware, there can be no cooperation without some measure of honesty and forthrightness.”

“You know, that is exactly what I want to complain about. You know everything about me, but I know nothing about you. How is that being honest and forthright?” Huo Linglong argued. “If you spread the news about what happened today, then I would be in serious trouble. Worse, I couldn’t even seek you out and demand retribution. That isn’t fair, don’t you think?”

“So tell me who you are. You know exactly who I am on the inside, so allow me to discover the depth and breadth of your character as well. Only by baring ourselves to each other can we trust the other person completely, don’t you think?”

I think you’re just jumping on the opportunity to make advances at me. Ye Qing rolled his eyes internally and said, “I’ll be honest with you, I’m not in a position to reveal my identity to anyone right now. That is why I’m donning a disguise. And even if I did tell you my identity, would you really believe me?”

“Let’s do it this way. This guy here is my non-blood brother. His name is Yi Pin, and he is the head of the Temple of Divination. If today’s matter is somehow exposed to the world, then you have my full permission to pay him a visit and take his life.”

Huo Linglong: “...”

Yi Pin: “...”

At that moment, a million of galaxies exploded in Yi Pin’s head. Holy mother of heavens are you kidding me right now?! I did everything in my power to help you, and you betray me as soon as it costs you something? Is this what people call selling out your teammates, stabbing your brother in the back, destroying the bridge after crossing the river, slaughtering the donkey after the grinding is done, better you die than I die???

“Brother, you’re...”

Yi Pin had no words to describe what just happened or what he was feeling right now. No words.

Ye Qing patted him on the shoulder and consoled, “Brother, you realized that she already saw your face, right? If Miss Huo wants to, it’s only a matter of time before she discovers who you are. In that case, you might as well tell her the truth now and trust in her to protect your identity, and I’m sure she will considering that she has more to lose than you in this matter.”

“Your logic is so impeccable that I’m speechless,” blurted Yi Pin while staring at Ye Qing incredulously. He couldn’t believe that someone so shameless actually existed in this world. The bastard’s almost as shameless as me—ptooey! What am I thinking? He is more shameless than I am!

In fact, Yi Pin had considered and accepted the possibility that he might be exposed the moment he spoke about the "Demon Planting Art of Mercury". However, it was one thing to let it happen naturally, and another for his brother to sell him out for his own fucking convenience!

Noticing that Yi Pin was on the verge of exploding, Ye Qing hurriedly whispered under his breath, “Do me this favor, and your debt—the Qi of Ultimate Purity—to me is canceled, okay?”

Yi Pin’s expression only grew uglier. You’re going to bribe me with my own Qi of Ultimate Purity? Have some shame, you sonuvabitch! Also, I wasn’t going to give you shit in the first place, so screw you!

“Oh! Are you the one they say could see life and death in one glance, and identify past and future in one divination, Reverend Yi Pin?” Huo Linglong suddenly interrupted their argument. “I have heard much of you, Reverend. It is an honor to meet you in person.”

“You know me?” Yi Pin exclaimed in surprise. Then, he recalled something and asked, “Yurong is the one who told you about me, didn’t she?”

Huo Linglong saluted him. “She is my master.”

Yurong was Huo Linglong’s master and the previous Fire Princess, Shangguan Yurong. Right now, she was the Great Elder of the Earthfire Palace of Demons and a Grandmaster.

“It’s been decades since we last saw each other. How is she?” Yi Pin reminisced.

Huo Linglong replied, “She is doing great, Reverend. She is the Great Elder of the Earthfire Palace of Demons right now. She often spoke to me about you, and that you were the one who divined her future and helped her to avoid a tragic fate.”

“Divination may reveal the future, but it is up to the person to decide their own fate.” Yi Pin sighed. “Yurong was the one who had the courage and determination to give up the seat of Sect Master at her highest moment. That is why she and she alone survived that tragedy. If I was in her position, I couldn’t have made the same choice as her!”

Huo Linglong said sincerely, “You are being humble, Reverend. Without your guidance, my master would never have known about the grave threat looming over her shoulders; that she had a life-changing decision to make before it was too late. It’s why my master always said that you are her greatest benefactor.”

She was telling the truth. Back then, Shangguan Yurong was competing against Luo Nanfeng, the current head of the Earthfire Palace of Demons, for the position of Sect Master. In fact, her master was the one who held the upper hand against her competitor the entire time with great power and numerous supporters. She had been one step away from becoming the Sect Master.

Shangguan Yurong and Yi Pin were good friends, and one day she decided to pay her old friend a visit. When the old Taoist saw Shanguan Yurong, he shook his head and said with a sigh, “The brightest radiance may end in a single moment, a small compromise may secure a boundless future.”

“Take care, Yurong.”

1. A Chinese idiom meaning to take everything, though depending on the wording it could also mean, “You already have the main portion of the pie, it’s okay to give up the crumbs. ☜

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