AZI Volume 3 Chapter 10

"…"

With Yao Ying casting her eyes downwards, it's clear to anyone in the vicinity that she is depressed.

Walking over to Zhen Huai's side, Zhen Rong taps his shoulder, and whispers—

"Brother."

"…I wasn't expecting the mood to be this heavy. Now, I'm finding it awkward to speak up."

Nevertheless, the conversation must go on.

Clearing his throat, Zhen Huai says—

"Lady Yao Ying, I recommend keeping that paper with you for the time being. Once your mind is in a calmer state, you should give it another read-through. Of course, if you still wish to return, we-"

"…What are the odds of these theories being true?"

Asking this, Yao Ying slowly raises her head.

Despite being what many might consider to be a sheltered princess, she is by no means a fool.

With how detailed the paper's contents had been, along with her own assessment of the oddities around her, Yao Ying is partially convinced—that if she returns to the Chen Shi family under these circumstances, she would only be made to suffer another assassination attempt, and this time, she may not be fortunate enough to survive.

"If I said, there's an 80 percent chance that it's true, would you believe me?"

"…"

Towards Bai Wen's claim, Yao Ying's head lowers again.

"If returning to the Chen Shi family is impossible. Why not go over to your maternal grandfather's side instead?"

Hearing Long Hua's suggestion, Yao Ying's face darkens, as she replies—

"…Whenever I asked grandfather if I could visit his place, he'd make a sad look. When I asked father if I could… He was vehemently against it."

"…"

Narrowing his eyes, Long Hua gradually begins to form a clearer image of the situation in his mind.

(When asking to visit her maternal family, the father is against it, while the grandfather would have a difficult look on his face? Clearly, there's some dark history behind all this.)

(Perhaps, her father was also involved in the death of her birth mother?)

Observing the situation thus far, this thought appears in Tian Cheng's mind—in response to what Yao Ying had just said.

"Upper rank households tend to have some means to keep track of a clansman's vital status. Since she's alive, they might have asked someone to keep an eye on the Leng Bing Realm's exit."

With Bai Wen having said this, Yao Ying realizes that she may be assassinated the moment she walks out of this world.

"...…"

Silence looms over the air—with Yao Ying not having a clue, as to what she should do.

"…Home… I can't return home anymore…"

Muttering this, Yao Ying's eyes clouded over with a hint of tears.

(Zang Luo Realm, my home…)

Recalling the name of the realm that he and his shizun had traveled around in, Long Hua closes his eyes with a subtle sigh.

(Well, at least, her home is closer, and easier to reach than mine.)

Compared to Yao Ying and Long Hua, who still have a place that they can call home, Tian Cheng—

(Earthborn Elementals' Realm… Can I still call that place home?)

Is uncertain of whether or not—the place she had come from, could still be considered home.

"…C'mon, quit it."

Aching from Nuo'er—drilling the knuckle of her index finger against his lower rib, Bai Wen breaks the silence.

"…Bai Wen, keep the conversation flowing."

"Easier said than done, you know?"

Being the center of attention all of a sudden, Bai Wen scratches his cheek in an awkward manner, while thinking—

(Lao Zhen, you money-grubbing ass, you're the one who started this, so why don't you finish it yourself?)

"Hm? Is there something on my face?"

Towards Bai Wen's one-eyed glare, Zhen Huai tilts his head with a puzzled look on his face.

"Tch."

Clicking his tongue, Bai Wen ignores Zhen Huai's question, and says—

"Lao Long, there's a saying that goes, heaven never grants a hopeless path, so… You know."

Hearing this, Long Hua let's out a chuckle, as he opens his eyes, and replies—

"Heaven never grants a hopeless path? Sure, maybe, however, not everyone is able to open the locked gates—that are presented to them, as an obstacle."

Raising a sigh, Long Hua turns to Yao Ying, and adds—

"Little girl, problems—that can be resolved with money, and brute strength, cannot be called problems. In your case, you lack strength, so your only alternative in this situation is money. That being said, you got anything of value—that this money-grubbing ass, might want?"

Narrowing his eyes, Zhen Huai asks—

"Long-xiong, is that all you see in me?"

"If you're not a money-grubbing ass, then what are you? Not an ATM that can be cracked open for cash—that much is for certain. Besides, you're a businessman, not the director of a charity organization."

"Stings a bit when you're so blunt with your words."

As he laughs lightly, there is not a hint of regret on Zhen Huai's face—for his part, in pushing the situation to its current state.

"I…-!"

Raising her voice, Yao Ying takes out a storage ring from her pocket. If there is anything of value on her, then it can only be in here. However, due to her cultivation base being sealed, she hasn't been able to open it.