031: Yellow Grass Hills

031: Yellow Grass Hills

Zemirah noticed Roch's actions but did not interfere.

She deeply understood that only the strong are respected in this world. Showing power would make anyone who has malicious thoughts think twice, maybe even extinguish any evil ideas they have.

"Do you still want to look around?" Roch curbed his divine consciousness and turned his attention to Zemirah.

Zemirah shook her head, "No need, I already bought what I wanted."

Roch nodded, "Let's go, they are already waiting."

Zemirah nodded and they went to the exit of the cultivator's small settlement. There they saw Martin who was standing casually with the Teal Jade Town Lord who was looking uneasy. 

Zemira noticed the man's wandering eyes and the constant probing look he threw in their direction. He must've known about the ambush by the two demonic cultivators.

When she saw Roch pretending like he did not notice anything suspicious about the man, she kept her mouth shut and followed him in acting.

Since it was already clear that this person was a spy, Zemirah understood that Roch was just making full use of this person's value.

A Foundation Building Realm cultivator as a spy, she did not know what force was so extravagant. In Zemirah's eyes, the man is already doomed.

Similar to the Demonic Cultivator imprisoned in her bracelet artifact, they are just left alive as they still have some value.

"Let's set off, we have to pass the Yellow Grass Hills before arriving at the nearest village," Roch said after everyone met.

Martin nodded without another word while the Teal Jade Town Lord was silent as always. Zemirah also doesn't mind so everyone unanimously followed Roch's plan.

They rented a Mortal-Grade horse that had the blood of a demonic beast. Its speed is comparable to Grade 1 beasts making it popular as a transportation.

Zemirah doesn't know how to ride a horse. Roch noticed her hesitant look before she told him her dilemma. 

"No problem, you'll ride with me." He said without hesitation and Zemirah agreed in a daze.

Now, she was sitting behind Roch, holding his waist as she feared accidentally falling, wouldn't that be embarrassing?

As for why not sit in front of Roch like the ones in fairy tales, of course, because they were in a rush. They planned to reach the other side of the Yellow Grass Hills before the night came.

Yellow Grass Hills is dangerous for cultivators below Foundation Building Realm as the wild beasts inside are all ferocious and actively hunt humans.

There is also the famous demonic plant called Yellow Snake Grass. It is a poisonous plant and hard to find as the environment of Yellow Grass Hills is its turf.

The body of Yellow Snake Grass is also a precious material for making alchemy, arrays, and talismans. The village near it is called Yellow Village composed of hunter and forager families.

"Hold tight," It was Roch himself who offered to let Zemirah hold him. 

Zemirah was awkward at first as she was not used to being near a man. She just pinched the corner of his clothes at first but quickly held his waist when the horse started galloping.

The speed was not comparable to a Flying Ship but Zemirah could clearly feel the rushing wind that let her clearly feel the fast pace of the demonic horse unlike in the Flying Ship where there are cabins to hide. 

Zemirah always thought that Roch was wearing a white robe but on a closer look, it was actually Ice Blue. She could feel the embroidery in her hands as she tried to distract herself from thinking of the body beneath the robe.

Yet it was in vain as she could clearly feel his warmth and his strong body. She did not dare satisfy her curiosity on how many abs he had. 

Zemirah tried to think of so many things that she almost started counting sheep. It was not until she felt another person's hands on hers that she snapped out of her daze.

"Hmm?" She mumbled shyly. 

"What are you thinking?" Zemirah heard his voice clearly against the wind and knew he had done something. Maybe another seal or an artifact.

"Why are you asking?" She evaded the question.

The man was silent for a while and Zemirah couldn't see his face so she waited quietly. Roch was smiling as he let go of Zemirah's hands on his waist. He touched her hands to get her attention and now that he did it, he should let go, though reluctantly.

"I was calling you but you did not answer."

"Oh," Zemirah was a bit embarrassed because she was so busy thinking of many things but him. She quickly thought of an answer, "I was thinking about the Teal Jade Town Lord."

Roch raised a brow, "Don't worry, we'll settle him today."

Zemirah's eyes widened at his answer before she smiled. She is not the kind of person who likes having hidden danger around her. Although it was necessary to achieve the intended goal, Zemirah would rather not do it.

She doesn't like deceit and schemes. 

She would rather live in a small world with all the people she cherished.

Yet everyone knew it was impossible. To grow and gain power, one would have to embark on a bloody journey in the world of cultivation. In order to gain opportunities for immortality.

Zemirah herself was not too obsessed with eternal life, she just desired the effect of being a powerful immortal when one can do whatever they wanted without fear as they have the strength.

Right now, with her System, Zemirah's chance to be one surpassed the majority of cultivators. Though she had no background in this world, her resources were not behind.

She bet that the amount of Celestial-Quality items she has is incomparable. From her artifacts to her medicinal pills. The talismans and array formations. The spiritual plants and spiritual stones.

She has the best that anyone would die for.

Zemirah's eyes deepened as she came to the realization that she has a privilege those second-generation cultivators can only envy.

Yet the disadvantage is that if ever she encountered any powerful cultivator, she would have no power to resist. Yes, she can escape from a Mind Activation Realm cultivator but what about the higher ones?

Mind Activation Realm is just the third realm while there are a total of 10 realms to achieve immortality.

And right now, Zemirah is at the bottom realm, an Energy Refinement Realm cultivator. In other words, an ant to the giants.

Sighing in her heart, Zemirah pressed down the arrogance that was slowly budding that came from the high-quality items she got from the system.

She put her attention to Roch and asked, "What to do with him? Do I help?" 

"Inside the Yellow Grass Hills, I'll do the first move with Martin. You watch at the side and see any opportunity to sneak attack on him." It seemed that Roch finally decided to finish this spy.

In fact, Roch didn't intend to do it at first because he did not want to alert his hidden enemies. However, he has a premonition in his heart that keeping this spy by his side would bring unexpected danger.

He did not dare underestimate his enemies and believed his intuition thus his decision. Besides, he has the responsibility of keeping Zemirah safe and does not want her to be implicated again.

The accident in the Flying Ship and the one in the rose garden was already enough. With Roch's character, he can't tolerate any sand in his eyes.

His gentle facade hid his ruthless ways.

Though Zemirah already got glimpsed of his ruthless and scheming heart. 

But he did not notice, even if he did, he would not mind it. Zemirah herself doesn't mind and even helped her understand the cruel world of cultivation, why would he?

The ride was quiet and they did not meet any other person on the way besides the occasional wild beasts that were ignored or killed with one sword slash, the journey was smooth. 

When they arrived at the bottom of Yellow Grass Hills, Roch signaled to stop.

With a neigh, the demonic horse did not dare ignore the order and obediently stopped. Martin and the Teal Jade Town Lord whose name Zemirah did not bother asking, also stopped their horses and trotted towards Roch and Zemirah.

"Let's stop here to spend the night, we can continue the next day early morning. Entering the Yellow Grass Hills at night is not advisable." Roch said as he jumped down the horse.

He held out his hand to Zemirah who did not know how to go down. Zemirah accepted the offered hand with a smile.

"But my Lord, it's not dark yet. We can rush to the Yellow Village in time." The Teal Jade Town Lord who was quiet the whole time suddenly spoke to contradict Roch's decision.

Everyone paused their actions and stared at the man. The Teal Jade Town Lord also seemed to know that he acted out of character as he quickly added, "My lord, we have to arrive at the Border City in time. I think our time was already delayed enough."

Roch's lips curled slightly as he answered with patience, "No worries, we can arrive just in time. Zemirah wants to collect some materials in Yellow Grass Hills which means we will slow our pace inside."

Roch said the words smoothly and Zemirah almost thought that she really said what he said. Her lips twitched as she smiled in agreement, "Yes, there are parts of Yellow Snake Grass for talisman making."

Martin asked like he did not notice something wrong with the Teal Jade Town Lord, "Don't worry, Lady Zemirah. We will help you hunt a lot of Yellow Snake Grass tomorrow."

"Yes, thank you very much, Martin. I'll give you some talisman I made after." 

Martin laughed, "Then I won't be polite."

The Teal Jade Town Lord saw that they did not look at him with suspicion and acted like normal. He sighed in relief and did not speak anymore.

He did not notice the passing glance Roch sent his way. 

They manage to set up their camp before the night set. Zemirah's tent was just an Uncommon-Quality Grade 1 artifact she bought in a shop. 

Her tent was set in the middle of Roch and Martin that is across the Teal Jade Town Lord's. In the middle is a campfire that Martin made.

She saw Martin busy himself in preparing to cook. She wanted to help but Martin rejected her help as he did not dare let Zemirah do any chores feeling Roch's eyes.

The Teal Jade Town Lord was tasked to watch the periphery while Zemirah and Roch sat on a log in front of the campfire.

"Is it not dangerous to light a fire? Wild beasts may be attracted to us." Zemirah asked curiously as she held out her hand near the fire.

The wind was quite cold so the campfire was just enough to keep her warm.

"For an Energy Refinement Realm cultivator like you, it is indeed dangerous." He answered her with a small smile on his lips.

Zemirah wanted to roll her eyes as she understood the meaning behind his words. 

He is here so it's not dangerous.

Though it was the truth, they both also knew that Zemirah was not the common Energy Refinement Realm cultivator and had the means to save her life. Maybe the predators who took her as their prey would be the ones in danger.

"When will it start?" She suddenly asked without saying clearly.

But Roch understood, "Later, you'll notice it quickly." He was also cryptic.

They knew that the spy may be listening to their words but anyone who doesn't know won't understand their conversation. Like a simple talk between couples, no one would doubt.

Just as they intended, the Teal Jade Town Lord who was squatting on a tree branch was indeed listening to them through a special technique. 

The eyes that were supposed to be black have specks of evil red on them.