Chapter 90: Must Not Get Too Close To Her

Ning Xuan took the storybook, his expression far from friendly.

“I’d like to see if paying extra really can buy Zhen’s naked running pictures.”

Ning Shengsheng stood quietly by his side, her pinky finger hooking onto Xue Chen’s finger, signaling him not to speak. After all, Ning Xuan was currently in a “hair-trigger” state of agitation. Accidentally provoking him further would not bode well for their mission.

Xue Chen understood the hint. His gaze slowly slid down to the finger she had briefly touched. The corner of his mouth curled up in secret.

The three of them continued deeper into Du’e City.

In Du’e City, the gates stood wide open at night. The darkness was profound, and bonfires burned along the roadsides. The air didn’t smell particularly pleasant. They passed through the most crowded and noisy streets, heading straight for the center. At the end of the road stood the City Lord’s Mansion.

“My goodness!” Ning Shengsheng exclaimed.

The entire mansion was built with pitch-black tiles, giving off a heavy, suffocating feeling. Even more eerie was the massive Buddha head situated behind the mansion. It was as large as a mountain. The Buddha was also ink-black. Its eyes were slightly closed, and the areas around the lids—which should have shown compassion for all living beings—were covered in dark red blood scabs. Blood trailed down from the eyes like tears, making the face look horrific. Its bloody mouth was open, revealing sharp, jagged teeth. This was no Buddha; it was a demon!

Ning Xuan frowned and mused, “Rumor has it that after Bone Dust (Gu Chen) betrayed the Buddhist sect, he grew to loathe the Buddhist laws he once practiced. Looking at this now, it seems true. This is more sinister than a demonic cultivator.”

Xue Chen nodded. “Indeed.”

“The guards are everywhere. How do we sneak in?” Ning Shengsheng observed the sentries at the main gate and the patrols along the outer walls; they were thick as grass.

“Why sneak in?” Ning Xuan’s narrow eyes glinted. “Zhen is the Emperor of Great Ning. Naturally, I will demand the man openly. If he doesn’t hand him over, I’ll lead my iron cavalry to flatten Du’e City.”

“Hiss—” Ning Shengsheng reached out and adjusted Ning Xuan’s chin upwards. She pointed. “Yes, yes, this angle gives you much more presence.”

Ning Xuan: “?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to be open and aboveboard? Use this posture to issue the challenge. Go on!”

“…”

Ning Xuan’s eyes rolled as a plan formed in his mind. “Have you ever seen an Emperor issue a challenge personally? An’an, you look like someone with a voice as resonant as a bell. You go!”

As he spoke, Ning Xuan gave Ning Shengsheng a push.

Seeing this, Xue Chen followed her, standing by her side and vigilantly scanning the surroundings. Ning Xuan nodded with satisfaction. This kid was at least good at protecting people.

“Brother! You’re the one who asked me to do this, don’t regret it!” Ning Shengsheng raised an eyebrow at Ning Xuan.

Ning Xuan felt a sudden pang of unease. This little sister of his was quirky and loved to dig holes for people. But before he could stop her, it was already too late.

Over there, Ning Shengsheng flew into mid-air. She cupped her hands around her mouth and infused her spiritual power into her voice, shouting:

“Listen up, City Lord of Du’e! I am the Emperor of Great Ning, Ning Xuan! Hand over Shen Qinghe and Zhen shall spare your wretched life! If you refuse, my Great Ning cavalry will trample Du’e City into the dust!”

Xue Chen turned his head to look at the regret-filled face of Ning Xuan and pressed a fist to his lips to hide a smile. Shengsheng was always clever. If someone dug a hole for her, she would always pay them back threefold.

“Hey! Did you hear me? Why don’t you dare come out? Is the legendary Bone Dust nothing but a shrinking turtle?”

BOOM—

A section of the roof of the City Lord’s Mansion suddenly exploded.

A monk clad in a pitch-black cassock appeared.

“You are Ning Xuan?”

The monk slowly raised his eyes to look at Ning Shengsheng. His grayish-blue face looked even more gloomy.

Ning Shengsheng glanced at his left hand, which was nothing but withered bone. “I’m not, he is!”

She flew down and unceremoniously shoved Ning Xuan up there.

Bone Dust’s expression froze. He clearly hadn’t expected the opposition to play so inconsistently. “You are Ning Xuan?” He stared at him expressionlessly.

“That’s right. I am indeed the ruler of Great Ning, Ning Xuan.”

Ning Xuan had been thoroughly “shafted” by his own sister. He had to bite the bullet now, silently vowing never to brag again.

“I cannot hand over Shen Qinghe,” Bone Dust said. “Let’s just fight.”

The monk looked like a robot devoid of emotion. After saying those words, he raised his Zen staff and attacked.

“Then let’s fight!” Ning Xuan twisted his wrist, and his intrinsic long spear appeared in his hand.

Instantly, black-gold and red spiritual powers clashed in the sky.

Ning Shengsheng asked Xue Chen, “Bone Dust won’t release Shen Qinghe because he needs the Gu technique to keep a corpse from rotting. If we have a way to do the same, then Shen Qinghe becomes useless to Bone Dust. Won’t he hand him over then?”

“That is true in theory,” Xue Chen looked at the sky, ready to assist Ning Xuan at any moment. “But where would we find such a magical treasure?”

“There is one!” Ning Shengsheng remembered from the novel. There was an ice cave on Hua Qingxue’s peak. The cold ice inside could preserve a body forever.

“Where?”

“Broken Cloud Peak, where Hua Qingxue is!”

“How do you know that?”

“Uh, this Princess knows everything!” Ning Shengsheng bluffed randomly.

Xue Chen understood in his heart; it must be that “System” in her mind that told her. “Hua Qingxue is cold and unfeeling. Why would he lend an ice cave to store a corpse?”

Ning Shengsheng thought of Nangong Jinghong, who had some history with Hua Qingxue. “It might not be impossible.”

The two men in mid-air refused to yield to one another. After a burst of spiritual energy, both were pushed back several yards, blood trickling from the corners of their mouths.

Bone Dust narrowed his eyes, his tone becoming ruthless. “I didn’t want to cause trouble, but since the Emperor of Ning is so persistent, I have no choice but to kill you all for peace and quiet. Ghost Corpses, Ghost Generals, hear my command!”

As he spoke, clouds of black smoke billowed from the mansion. The smoke rose into the air and transformed into tens of thousands of ghostly soldiers.

Ning Xuan’s expression was serious as he snorted coldly. “Bone Dust, are you sure you want to go this far for a man like Shen Qinghe?”

“Do you think I want to?” The cassock-clad demon monk rolled his eyes fiercely. He raised his right hand, signaling the Ghost Corpses to attack.

Ning Shengsheng quickly shouted, “Wait! I have a way to keep a corpse from rotting!”

Hearing this, Bone Dust cast a condescending look toward her. “Let’s hear it.”

“Come down, I’ll tell you secretly.” She curled her fingers.

Bone Dust: “…”

Concerning his beloved “Yan-er,” Bone Dust compromised and flew down. He leaned down to bring his ear closer.

However, the young man in the dark green robe blocked the way.

Bone Dust: “?”

“I really will kill people, believe it or not?”

Xue Chen frowned. “Do not get too close to her.”

Ning Shengsheng gave an embarrassed laugh. “It’s fine. I can whisper from here and you’ll hear me.”

Bone Dust’s eye corner twitched violently. “Speak.”

Ning Shengsheng whispered, “I know a way to ensure a corpse won’t rot for thousands of years. Give me three days. In three days, if I do it, you stop caring about Shen Qinghe. If I fail, we resume the war. How about it?”

Bone Dust looked like he suspected he was being conned.

“Why would I lie to you? We only want Shen Qinghe. You rule Du’e City and have so many Ghost Corpses. If we truly fight, the casualties on both sides will be heavy and no one gains. If you insist on fighting, look at my brother—he’s a stubborn ox. If you end up injured or crippled, how will you protect your lover?”

Ning Shengsheng’s tone was sincere.

Bone Dust looked at Ning Xuan in the sky. That guy really had intended to fight him to the death just now.

He pressed his lips together. “I give you only three days.”