Chapter 86: The Ancestor’s Belated Rebellion (13)

Luo Xingluo meant to go by himself.

Jiang He wholeheartedly agreed.

But Ling Qiong was not of the same mind.

The inevitable result, of course, was—they all went together.

Jiang He was beside herself with exasperation.

Could this little ancestor please not be so willful, and act a bit more maturely for once?!

Did they even realize what kind of situation they were in now?!

She was furious.

Fortunately, the elders weren’t present; otherwise, they’d be so angry they’d probably jump up and ascend to immortality on the spot.

...

By the edge of the pool, Luo Xingluo was tidying up, and the ink serpent had half its tail trailing in the water.

The ink serpent raised its head and sneered coldly, “You were poisoned in the Demon Suppression Tower. Aren’t you worried they’ll notice?”

“If you hadn’t interfered, would I have been poisoned?” Luo Xingluo replied.

The ink serpent fell silent.

You were trying to catch me, and I wasn’t allowed to resist?

Luo Xingluo could guess its thoughts. “If not for me, you’d still be sealed below.”

Another silence from the ink serpent.

For the sake of seeing the light of day again, the ink serpent let the matter drop.

It flicked its tail, sending droplets rippling across the water’s surface.

“I am curious—how did you get into the Demon Suppression Tower?” It had suddenly appeared there, and the old spirits inside, long deprived of human company, had been so excited they wanted to play with him.

But...

He had come with a clear purpose, heading straight for the ink serpent, intending to forge a contract.

As the current little tyrant of the Demon Suppression Tower, how could it possibly submit to a mere human? Of course, it had fought back with all its might.

The result... Well, best left unspoken.

Luo Xingluo scooped it up and slipped it into his sleeve. “That’s not something you need to know.”

“What are you afraid of? Even if you tell me, I can’t tell anyone else,” the ink serpent pressed.

He did not answer, merely turned to leave.

But as soon as he turned around, he saw Jiang He standing not far away, arms crossed, watching him.

A chill swept through Luo Xingluo.

His strength was greatly diminished from the poison, and he hadn’t even noticed this person’s arrival.

At least he hadn’t just said anything too critical...

Jiang He had only just arrived and caught his last words—“that’s not something you need to know.” It was unclear whom he’d been speaking to...

“Young City Lord, I don’t care what your intentions are. Once we get you to Seeking-Butterfly Mountain, we’ll go our separate ways.”

Jiang He was here to warn Luo Xingluo.

After all, with the little ancestor’s whims, there was little else they could do.

Their only choice was to go through him.

Luo Xingluo nodded slightly. “Sorry for troubling you all.”

Jiang He was taken aback.

The tone and demeanor he had now were so different from that earlier coldness—now there was a touch of gentle humility.

It was... unexpected.

Jiang He pressed on, “I hope that whatever you hear once you’re outside, you won’t act rashly. Otherwise, dealing with you would not be difficult for us.”

Luo Xingluo didn’t quite understand her meaning.

Were people from Mount Yuelu always this forceful?

In his impression, the people of Mount Yuelu were supposed to be easygoing, uncompetitive, yet powerful and kindhearted.

But now, encountering them, it seemed not quite so.

...

When the rest of the disciples caught up, they took a short rest and set out.

Ling Qiong walked in the middle, the path ahead cleared for her, not a blade of grass or branch so much as brushed her sleeve.

The young lady fanned herself lazily as she strolled forward.

“Jiang He.”

“Little Ancestor?”

“What did you just say to him?”

Jiang He’s heart skipped a beat. “You saw?”

Hadn’t the little ancestor been resting with her eyes closed at that moment?

“It was nothing, just informing the Young City Lord of our next steps.”

Ling Qiong made a noncommittal sound and didn’t press further. “What do you think of Luo Xingluo as a person?”

Jiang He glanced at her.

The girl’s face was expressionless, her fan swaying gently, revealing no emotion.

“There’s not much gossip about him—he keeps a low profile, spends most of his time as good as invisible.”

Whenever people mentioned the City of Brahman Void, the city lord came to mind first, then his beloved youngest son.

Though Luo Xingluo bore the title of Young City Lord, few recalled him.

He had no notable achievements, and his strength didn’t seem remarkable either.

In short, he was utterly ordinary.

But... seeing him today, Jiang He had to admit that his face was anything but ordinary.

“Oh, right. There was one incident that caused a bit of a stir.”

It was that matter of seizing a treasure for himself during a trial.

Word of it had spread across the continent.

“And now, what do you think of him?” Ling Qiong asked.

Jiang He considered for a few seconds. “Little Ancestor, it’s hard to say. But I think the Young City Lord is quite deep. We should keep our distance.”

Ling Qiong sighed softly. “That might be a bit difficult.”

After all, she was the one who had to raise this little cub.

Jiang He was left puzzled.

“Is the City of Brahman Void wealthy?”

Ling Qiong’s sudden question caught Jiang He off guard, as she was still mulling over rumors about Luo Xingluo.

“They have mineral veins and are quite rich,” Jiang He answered.

Ling Qiong nodded in satisfaction. “That’s good.”

Jiang He was left even more confused.

What’s good about that? We’re wealthy too!

Ling Qiong left Jiang He behind, sped up, and caught up with Luo Xingluo.

“Where’s your snake?”

Luo Xingluo turned his head to look at her.

Her face, delicate and beautiful as a blossom caressed by the spring breeze, wore a faint smile that quietly bloomed, captivating the heart with its trembling allure.

In those clear eyes, his reflection shone—pure and bright.

Luo Xingluo averted his gaze from her overly clear eyes, feeling a sudden pang of guilt.

He drew the ink serpent out from his sleeve.

The ink serpent lay limp and lifeless in his palm, looking just like a dead snake.

“Can’t it grow bigger?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“I don’t want to walk anymore. Can I ride it?” The girl’s voice was soft and sweet, impossible to refuse.

“...Yes.”

Luo Xingluo dropped the ink serpent to the ground, and it suddenly expanded, startling Jiang He and the others into full alert.

“Little Ancestor!!” Jiang He rushed forward, shielding Ling Qiong behind her.

The ink serpent lifted its head to glance at them, then flopped back down, exuding an air of “I don’t care to deal with you humans.”

Ling Qiong poked his shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“There’s a snake!” Wasn’t she afraid of snakes?

“It’s Luo Xingluo’s contract beast. Don’t be nervous.”

Jiang He was speechless.

...

Ling Qiong climbed onto the ink serpent’s back. It was cool and comfortable—she didn’t even have to walk.

She didn’t look the least bit afraid of snakes.

Jiang He hesitated, then mustered the courage to ask, “Ancestor, if you’re not afraid of snakes, why did you run before?”

Ling Qiong replied, “Isn’t it normal to run when you suddenly see such a huge snake? I was scared!”

Jiang He was left speechless.

But why could she now sit there, calm as anything, using it as a mount?

Wasn’t she scared anymore?

“Luo Xingluo, do you want to come up?” Ling Qiong invited.

He shook his head. “No, I can walk.”

“You’re injured. You should come up,” Ling Qiong said sincerely, propping her chin on her hand.

She acted as if the snake belonged to her.

Although his injury didn’t leave him unable to walk, the wound did throb uncomfortably.

So, after a moment’s thought, Luo Xingluo accepted her invitation.

The ink serpent was enormous; you could roll over on its back without falling off, and there was room enough for two to sit with ease.