Chapter 763: Jin Jiao Jiao's Return [Part 2]

Chapter 763: Jin Jiao Jiao's Return [Part 2]



At the Guardian Headquarters.

Dongfang Sansan received Yang Luoyu's message from a distance of ten thousand miles, yet he could still sense Yang's pain, self-blame, guilt, and anger.

On the day Fang Che triumphantly returned, he was ambushed.

Ye Meng lost an arm, and Zhao Ying'er died on the spot!

"Ah..."

Dongfang Sansan's eyes widened in shock, and his hand, which was approving documents, trembled, causing the vermillion brush to leave a long, curved mark on the document.

A surge of rage immediately rose within him.

He took a deep breath and forcefully suppressed his anger.

At a time like this, he must remain as calm as ice!

After a brief moment of contemplation, he immediately issued an order.

"Bring me all the information on the fourth, fifth, and sixth-level clans in the Southeast Seventeen States!"

"Mark which clans have had members dealt with by the Life and Death Patrol, especially the direct descendants."

His target was precise.

The fourth, fifth, and sixth-level clans.

The fourth-level clans were just a precaution, and usually, if a fourth-level clan took action, Ye Meng wouldn't have survived.

Sixth-level clans might not have the guts to do this, especially since killing someone under Yang Luoyu's nose was also a remote possibility.

Dongfang Sansan's target was solely the fifth-level clans.

Moreover, he was interested in fifth-level clans that had the potential to rise to the fourth level or those that had recently fallen from the fourth level.

These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, leading him to a conclusion.

As for the idea of the Only Righteous Sect's Bi Family seeking revenge, Dongfang Sansan didn't even consider it.

"To kill someone under Yang Luoyu's nose, they must have hired experts. Such a clan wouldn't be foolish enough to use their own people for this."

The information was quickly gathered.

Dongfang Sansan flipped through the pages rapidly.

Then, he swiftly ordered all the files to be returned, leaving only three behind: the Mu Rong Clan, the Nan Gong Clan, and the Huang Pu Clan.

"One from Donghu Zhou, one from Bai Xiang Zhou, and one from Bai Ping Zhou."

Dongfang Sansan fixed his gaze on the information of these three clans.

All three had members dealt with by the Life and Death Patrol, with the Nan Gong Clan having the most, eight direct descendants, and over a hundred clan experts.

The Huang Pu Clan had two, and sixty-plus clan experts.

The Mu Rong Clan, located in Donghu, had one direct descendant and twenty clan experts.

During the Life and Death Patrol's actions, these three clans demonstrated a deep understanding of righteousness, neither shirking responsibility nor shielding their own descendants.

They cooperated with the Life and Death Patrol.

After the incident, it was said that they even conducted internal investigations and punished more people.

Among them, the Nan Gong Clan and the Huang Pu Clan's ancestors were still stationed at the Snow Mountain.

As for the Mu Rong Clan, they hadn't produced a Saint-level expert in a long time.

After a brief moment of thought, Dongfang Sansan's gaze lingered on the Mu Rong Clan's file. His eyes flashed with intense killing intent for a moment.

Out of the three clans investigated by the Life and Death Patrol, the Mu Rong Clan had the fewest casualties and the best attitude, and their repentance was swift.

The deceased was the youngest great-grandson of the current head of the Mu Rong Clan.

After compiling all the information, Dongfang Sansan silently sighed.

"First, we must consider Fang Che's feelings. It's best if he takes revenge himself, as it will be better for his state of mind. But if Fang Che can't find the murderer, I'll take action!"

"I'll show no mercy and spare no one!"

Dongfang Sansan's face was filled with uncontrollable anger.

He knew how despicable such an act was.

The warriors fought for the continent's safety, risking their lives in countless battles, and when they returned home with honor, someone killed their wife at their doorstep! And the person who intentionally killed the hero's wife was someone protected by the hero himself!

This act had completely crossed the line.

It was a blatant disregard for all Guardians!

Even if it wasn't Fang Che who encountered this incident, Dongfang Sansan would still investigate to the very end! This was not something a 'person' could do!

"If Fang Che can't find the culprit, this might be the first extermination order I issue!"

Dongfang Sansan muttered.

"A clan like this, even if it produces a hundred Holy Lords in the future, doesn't deserve to exist today!"

He pondered deeply, pacing for a few steps, and a glint flashed in his eyes as if he had remembered something.

He muttered, "Fang Che can find out who the murderer is. If he does... what will Fang Che do? Tch... Sun..."

His eyes narrowed, and he immediately sent a message to Xue Fuxiao: "Where are you?"

"I'm on my way back." Xue Fuxiao was puzzled, "Is there something you need me to do?"

"No, nothing at all."

Dongfang Sansan said, "I have an urgent matter to discuss with you. Return to headquarters at your fastest speed!"

Xue Fuxiao rolled his eyes: I'm already on my way back, and I've never been slow.

Why the rush?

But soon after, he received a message from Yang Luoyu: "Elder Xue, where are you?"

"I have an urgent matter to attend to at headquarters. Brother Nine is looking for me, and it's urgent. Is there something wrong?"

Yang Luoyu sounded dejected, "Alright, then I'll find someone else."

Xue Fuxiao didn't have time to respond to Yang Luoyu, so he tore through space and hurried on his way.

If Sansan is in such a hurry to find me, it must be a big deal!

...

Donghu Zhou.

Yang's Mansion.

Yang Luoyu suddenly tensed up, his gaze fixed on the air.

In the sky above, a space seemed to be torn apart like a curtain, revealing a gray-robed old woman stepping out of the rift.

"Who are you?"

Yang Luoyu, with the Judge of the Netherworld Di in hand, glared fiercely.

"I am Zhao Ying Er's master." The old woman said calmly.

"I've come to take her home."

Yang Luoyu was taken aback.

"The Judge of the Netherworld Di is renowned, but please put away the flute. I cannot withstand an attack from a hero of the Cloud Armament Ranking." The old woman smiled faintly.

Yang Luoyu took a deep breath. "You claim to be Zhao Ying Er's master, but where's your proof?"

"Does a master need to prove her identity to her disciple?" The old woman smiled faintly and floated in.

Yang Luoyu thought for a moment and followed her inside.

The door opened, and the old woman floated in.

Fang Che looked up, his gaze cold and sharp.

The old woman felt an extreme chill and couldn't help but be moved: "Indeed, a calamity star."

"Who are you?" Fang Che asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

The old woman's expression was cold. "You are Fang Che? I am Zhao Ying Er's master."

"Ah..."

Fang Che stood up immediately. "You are..."

"You don't need to know. Just let me take Zhao Ying Er with me."

It was clear that the old woman was wary of Fang Che. She even avoided speaking to him, fearing that the malevolent star's ill fortune would affect her. Zhao Ying Er could die again and again, but she couldn't afford to be involved.

She slowly approached, and a dense cloud of spiritual energy pushed Fang Che away from Zhao Ying Er's bedside.

Looking at Zhao Ying Er's serene face, the old woman sighed. "Foolish child!"

She extended her hand, and a pearl glowing with a faint light appeared in her palm.

Placing the pearl on Zhao Ying Er's chest, the old woman waited for the pearl's light to gradually fade and disappear into Zhao Ying Er's body.

She then leaned down and picked Zhao Ying Er up.

Fang Che stepped forward and asked, "Where are you taking her?"

The old woman took a step back, maintaining a three-foot distance from Fang Che, and said, "If you keep her here, can you save her?"

"Can you save her?" Fang Che's heart trembled.

"If not, what's the point of me being here? To collect her corpse?" The old woman spoke bluntly, "Move aside!"

"I..."

Before Fang Che could say anything, he felt a surge of spiritual energy pushing him out.

The old woman didn't even give him a chance to get close.

She treated him like a dangerous beast.

The old woman, holding Zhao Ying Er, floated out.

Fang Che hurriedly followed, but by the time he reached, the old woman was already halfway up in the air, extending her right hand.

A green light flashed from her hand as she waved it, and the space tore open like a curtain, revealing a black hole leading to another dimension. The old woman, holding Zhao Ying Er, stepped into the rift.

"Senior!" Fang Che called out.

"She'll be back," the old woman said indifferently, though she didn't really want to say those words.

It had only been a few days.

And she had died here again.

If this continued, what would nine deaths matter? Perhaps ninety or nine hundred deaths, and she would still be dragged down by this calamity star!

The old woman wondered how such a calamity star like Fang Che could exist in this world. According to records, the previous Nirvana Divine Body had a thousand chances over a thousand years.

But with him, she died several times a year! She was constantly busy coming and going.

Fang Che wanted to ask more, but the old woman had already disappeared with Zhao Ying Er.

His heart finally relaxed, knowing that Zhao Ying Er probably wouldn't die. Recalling the previous two times when Zhao Ying Er had miraculously survived fatal injuries...

Fang Che's nearly shattered heart regained some vitality.

He calmed down and waited for Jinjiao Jiao to report back.

Yang Luoyu looked at the empty space and turned his head. "What happened?"

Since Fang Che didn't stop her, Yang Luoyu naturally wouldn't either. But he wondered, why did they take the body away?

"She said she has a way to bring Ying Er back to life," Fang Che explained.

He knew Yang Luoyu was going through the hardest time, having been assigned to protect her, yet she was killed right under his watch.

Yang Luoyu was probably like a ticking time bomb now, filled with guilt, self-blame, anger... beyond words.

So, Fang Che shared this news with Yang Luoyu, hoping to ease the pain of the Judge of the Netherworld Di.

"Can she be saved?" Yang Luoyu's eyes widened in disbelief. "Her five viscera shattered, her dantian destroyed, her skull shattered, and blood spouted from her heavenly spirit... How can she be saved?"

"I don't know either..." Fang Che sighed.

He, too, found this strange.

But in this world, there were many things he didn't understand. Why bother understanding everything? As long as Zhao Ying Er could live, he didn't care how she did it. As long as she lived, that was enough!

Yang Luoyu, still in disbelief, asked again, "Can she really be saved?"

"She... should be able to," Fang Che replied, thinking of the last time Zhao Ying Er had miraculously recovered from fatal injuries and returned...

This was the third time!

For the first time, Fang Che felt: Who is this Zhao Ying Er? How... how can she die again and again, and then come back to life again and again?

This...

This was a bit unusual.

The previous two times could be attributed to heavenly materials, as her divine soul hadn't shattered, and her brain hadn't been destroyed.

But this time, it was all too real, as his brain, divine soul, five viscera, six entrails, and dantian were all destroyed simultaneously!

How could he still be alive?

Damn it to heaven...

Fang Che's heart sank, and for a moment, the weight on his mind disappeared, and then his thoughts became more agile.

Yang Luoyu also immediately felt a huge burden lifted from his heart.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he still felt embarrassed, guilty, ashamed, and angry... at least he had become a little stronger.

The most difficult thing now was not guilt or shame, but rather the embarrassment...

I was so embarrassed, I wanted to die. I was supposed to protect her personally, but she was shot by an arrow...

Then, his mind began to ponder, "Who shot that arrow? With such means, there aren't many people on the continent who can do this."

So, he began to search for the culprit in his mind, one by one.

Fang Che sighed and continued to put on a grave expression as he returned to stay with Ye Meng.

"Everyone, please leave. Zhao Ying Er has been taken away by her master for treatment, and Ye Meng needs to rest and recover. I don't think there will be any problems here for the time being."

Fang Che dismissed the guests.

Zhao Shanhe and the others thought for a moment, and Yang Luoyu, without a word, turned into a stream of light and left.

He needed to find a place to think carefully and consult with others to find the person who shot that arrow.

Otherwise, I won't be able to close my eyes for the rest of my life! This time, I was so embarrassed, it was truly humiliating!

As someone ranked in the top hundred of the Cloud Armament Ranking, I had failed to protect a single person.

Yang Luoyu couldn't even bear to face anyone now.

The courtyard returned to peace.

At this moment, Ren Chun and the other nine little guys finally came forward, their faces filled with worry and hesitation, peeking their heads into the doorway, their faces full of concern but not daring to enter.

"You all go and rest. Your big sister is just a little injured, it's nothing serious."

Fang Che stood at the doorway and said gently, "You all work hard on your cultivation. In the future, if there's another situation like this, you'll have the ability to protect her."

"We understand."

"Good. Go and rest, practice your cultivation. Big brother is very tired today, do you understand?"

"We understand."

The nine little guys nodded repeatedly.

Then, they were led away by Ren Chun.

"Cultivate! Hurry up and become stronger!" The nine little guys had faces filled with determination and sorrow.

Big sister Ye Meng was so severely injured, and big sister Zhao Ying Er was killed.

The nine little guys were almost broken.

For the first time, they felt the overwhelming feeling of losing a family member right before their eyes, and all they could do was shed tears, unable to do anything else.

"We don't want to feel this powerless again!"

Ren Chun's face was wet with tears as she said firmly.

Fang Che returned to his room and closed the door.

Looking at Ye Meng's pale face, his heart was filled with raging anger.

Ye Meng was in a deep sleep, first because of her severe injuries, second due to the effects of the pill, and third because Fang Che had just guided her through the Boundless True Sutra once more.

Looking at Ye Meng's empty left arm, Fang Che's face was filled with pity.

This little girl had suffered greatly today. If it weren't for Zhao Ying Er's selfless push...

Fang Che broke out in a cold sweat.

Ye Meng didn't have Zhao Ying Er's ability to die and be reborn, nor did she have such a powerful master...

The Five Spirit Toad moved slightly.

A message came through.

It was from Sun Wutian: "I've arrived in Donghu City."

Fang Che quietly replied, "I'm at home. Still investigating the enemy's information."

"Please inform me immediately if there's any news."

Sun Wutian responded, "Don't worry. As long as we have a rough target, it's fine. Destroying a few cities is nothing. Rather kill the innocent than let the guilty escape."

The old demon seemed even more anxious than Fang Che.

With his family in trouble, Sun Wutian immediately thought of his own family being slaughtered because of him, and his anger and hatred suddenly soared beyond the heavens.

The old demon was now in a state of furious rage.

Fang Che took a deep breath and waited quietly.

Outside Donghu Zhou Cheng, a thousand li away in the dense forest.

A black-robed man emerged from underground like a puff of black smoke, panting heavily, his eyes scanning the surroundings with caution. Finally, he confirmed it was safe and breathed a sigh of relief.

He sat down on the ground, his head and body drenched in sweat, like rain pouring down.

Hurriedly, he began to consume pills and drink spirit liquid, leaning against a big tree to catch his breath.

After a while, he finally stood up. His divine sense expanded, confirming once again that there was no one around.

Then, like a wisp of blue smoke, he flew into the forest, found a tree with dense foliage, and took out the communication jade, beginning to send a message: "Have you all received the news? The mission is complete. Where should I go to receive the remaining payment?"

The other side was clearly very pleased: "Received. Although Ye Meng didn't die, Fang Tu's little wife is thoroughly dead! Very satisfied!"

"Stop wasting time. Where's the payment?"

"Are you in the southern dense forest now?"

"Yes."

"Go south, enter the forest, there's a team of hunters currently hunting monsters."

"Good."

The black-robed man moved without a trace, his figure blending into the surroundings. He carefully concealed his scent, divine sense, soul fluctuations, and spirit fluctuations...

After searching for hundreds of li, he indeed found a group hunting monsters.

The Black-Robed Man went to find the leader, quickly establishing contact, and then, holding a package, he left with an air of nonchalance.

With the mission completed and the reward received, he had no further business with them.

Meanwhile, the group continued their hunt for monster beasts.

It wasn't until late in the evening that they finally returned to Donghu Continent, their mounts laden with a bountiful harvest of prey.

They passed through the city gates with natural ease, even exchanging a few jokes with the gatekeeper, leaving behind two monster beast corpses for everyone to enjoy as a feast.

Jinjiao Jiao circled in the air, following them all the way to the city gates, and then back to a noble family's residence.

Only then did he finally return.

Fang Che was keeping watch by the bed.

Sun Wutian had arrived early, but his hiding place was unknown.

With the Old Devil's methods, as long as he didn't want to reveal himself, Fang Che could search until he was exhausted and still not find him.

Fang Che wasn't in a hurry.

He had been keeping watch by Night Dream's bedside, looking at her pale face and empty left arm, feeling distressed.

His injuries had healed, and the Rejuvenation Pill was taking effect, but he was still missing a complete arm. Currently, the pill's effect was only allowing his shoulder to grow.

It would take some time for the arm to fully regrow.

Furthermore, Night Dream needed to wake up, regularly consume heavenly resources, and continuously absorb spiritual energy from the Rejuvenation Pill to provide the energy for the arm to grow.

Fang Che estimated that it would take at least half a month, as Night Dream was not yet at the Holy Rank and didn't possess the capabilities of that rank.

He could only let the Rejuvenation Pill slowly work its magic, and even when the arm grew back, it would take at least three months for it to regain its original flexibility and functionality.

Night Dream had already woken up.

She had also learned about Zhao Ying'er's situation and, upon hearing that Zhao Ying'er could survive, Night Dream's spirits lifted: "That's wonderful! When Ying'er returns, you must thank her properly."

Hearing that Zhao Ying'er could live, Night Dream's vitality increased significantly.

During this time, the two women spent every day together, forming a deep bond.

Night Dream had almost broken down when she first woke up.

Now, her emotions had somewhat recovered.

After seeing her injuries, instead of feeling particularly sad, she even made a joke: "This time when I return, I won't be able to serve you properly."

Fang Che smiled gently and said, "We have a lifetime together. When you're better, we'll make up for it slowly."

Night Dream rolled her eyes and said, "I have to make up for it?"

She was in great pain. The arrow had directly pierced through her shoulder, and some of its spiritual energy had entered her body through the wound, causing damage to her meridians and internal organs.

It was only after taking the pill that she could be considered healed.

After this incident, both of them had a similar feeling.

It seemed that they didn't need to do anything; just being together, sitting side by side, was already very good and satisfying.

Time passed peacefully, and they sought nothing more.

"Do you want some water?"

"Yes."

After drinking some Starlight Essence, Night Dream smiled and said, "Today, we have Ying'er to thank. When facing a life-and-death crisis, Ying'er truly didn't care about her own life, forgetting about life and death."

Fang Che paused for a moment and smiled, "I estimate... in three months to half a year, she'll be able to return."

"Yes, we must treat her well when she comes back."

Night Dream smiled.

Fang Che didn't speak.

Night Dream tried hard to sit up, "I can't just lie down all the time. I feel like my body is fine, except for this arm issue. Surely I can't just lie here until the arm grows back?"

"That's true."

Fang Che smiled and said, "Then you should try moving around a bit. This sense of balance is something you should remember well."

"I understand."

Night Dream sat up and rolled her eyes, "I'm not an ordinary person who doesn't understand martial arts."

She then asked, "Did you tell Father and Mother about this?"

"No."

Fang Che sighed, "But this matter is a bit big. I estimate that we'll both get scolded and beaten for it."

Night Dream squinted and smiled, "Of course, I'll be the one getting scolded."

Fang Che resignedly sighed, "Yes, I'll get beaten."

Night Dream giggled like a fox that had stolen a chicken. She turned her head and looked at her left shoulder, saying, "It's really itchy."

Fang Che spoke with a hint of schadenfreude, "That's how the Rejuvenation Pill works. I estimate that after today, it'll get itchier day by day. It's a good way to train your endurance."

"Hehe..."

Night Dream rolled her eyes and said, "You haven't told me about your trip to the battle zone yet."

Fang Che casually said, "Before I went, I thought the opponent was very powerful, but when I got there, I realized they were weak... I easily accomplished my mission and returned."

Night Dream didn't believe such boasting and rolled her eyes, "Oh yes, you're so amazing..."

Fang Che proudly said, "That's right."

Their conversation was relaxed, and they didn't seem to be deliberately avoiding the topic of the previous ambush scene, as if they had a tacit understanding.

Time passed slowly.

The night deepened.

Night Dream yawned.

Fang Che said, "You should rest first. I'll go to the study."

He sensed that Jinjiao Jiao had returned.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end