Shuang Xi: “?”
The cultivators: “!!!”
She was finally willing to talk, yet Song Yao didn't want to listen?!
A flash of habitual despair flickered in the Twelfth Elder's eyes. Sighing with deep worry, she retreated to the side.
It's fine.
It's fine.
It's not a big deal.
Song Yao toyed with a Qi-Replenishing Pill in her hand. She casually grabbed one of the children, forced the pill down their throat, and tossed them back into the cell. Turning to Shuang Xi, she offered, “How about this? Let's make a bet.”
Shuang Xi tried to save the child but was a step too late. Gritting her teeth, she asked, “...Bet on what?”
Song Yao found the idea highly amusing. “Let's bet on who wins when they go crazy. If you win the bet, I'll let them go. If you lose... I'll throw a few more in. It'll be more fun to watch them fight once there are more of them, don't you think?”
Shuang Xi: “...”
Was this even something a human being would say?
She looked toward the Twelfth Elder and the other Nine Saints Hall cultivators, practically begging for help.
Wasn't the Nine Saints Hall the number one sect?
Weren't they supposed to be the paragons of the righteous path?
Why was no one stopping her?
Unfortunately, everyone averted their eyes, making it clear they had no intention of intervening.
Trembling uncontrollably, she hissed through gritted teeth, “Aren't you afraid that if you push me too far, I won't tell you anything at all?”
Song Yao paused, looking at her as if she had asked the most absurd question. “Is there really anything left that I need you to tell me?”
Shuang Xi: “W-what do you mean?”
Song Yao chuckled. “You are either colluding with Feng Qing or being threatened by her. Since your younger siblings are crying for their parents, Feng Qing is likely holding their lives over your heads. Is that really so hard to guess?”
“Feng Qing's life is hanging by a thread right now, and so are your parents' lives. If you speak up sooner, our sect elders might actually be able to save them. If you keep quiet, well, your parents will just have to fend for themselves.”
Shuang Xi: “...”
This girl had already figured everything out. Then why was she doing all this now...
Was it purely to torture them?!
Song Yao thought for a moment, then turned to the weeping children and congratulated them. “Congratulations, you're all about to become orphans just like me!”
The children: “...”
An ear-splitting chorus of wails instantly erupted.
The Twelfth Elder met the shocked gazes of the surrounding cultivators, opening her mouth but finding herself at a loss for words.
Inside the cell, two of the children were still thrashing around wildly. Seeing Song Yao grab another child like Yama marking a soul for death, Shuang Xi finally snapped. “I know more than just that! I'll tell you everything! Just... just let them go!”
Song Yao said reluctantly, “Fine, let's hear it then.”
Letting out a massive sigh of relief, Shuang Xi quickly spoke up, terrified that Song Yao might change her mind. “The demons in Frost City were brought there by Feng Qing! She can control them! That is how our parents ended up trapped in Frost City!”
Song Yao paused. “Feng Qing can control demons?”
According to what they had heard earlier, the demon realm in Frost City had appeared incredibly suddenly and on a massive scale. It was definitely not something ordinary demons could achieve.
Controlling minor demons required specialized secret arts and an exceptionally powerful divine sense, let alone controlling higher-grade demons of that caliber.
If Feng Qing truly possessed such ability, she wouldn't have been defeated so easily by Ye Chongguang just a few days ago.
“I-I'm not sure if she can fully control them, but...”
Shuang Xi's tone grew hurried, as if she were desperately trying to prove she wasn't lying. “But back then, we were outside the demon realm and saw Sect Master Feng entering and leaving it as she pleased. She even brought my mother out of it.”
“She said that as long as we obeyed her, she would guarantee our parents' safety. Otherwise, she would let them all die in Frost City!”
“We... we had no other choice but to do as she said. She ordered us to seek refuge with the Nine Saints Hall and send her information when needed. She also promised that once she took control of the Nine Saints Hall, she would make the demons leave Frost City and let us go home.”
The girl didn't seem to be lying.
To be absolutely safe, Song Yao reached out, pinched Shuang Xi's chin, and shoved a Qi-Replenishing Pill into her mouth before throwing her into the cell. She then dragged her older brother, Shuang Ming, back out.
Before long, the side effects of the pill wore off for Shuang Ming. He looked ahead with a dazed expression, only to see Shuang Xi and several other children thrashing around frantically inside the cell.
He possessed far less resolve than his sister. Terrified by the sight and easily intimidated by a few threatening words from Song Yao, he immediately confessed everything.
The accounts of the two siblings were practically identical, conveying the exact same information.
Having had her fun, Song Yao had the cultivators lock them all back up. She turned to the Twelfth Elder and asked, “Am I amazing or what?”
The Twelfth Elder's expression was slightly strained. “Amazing indeed. You certainly have a knack for interrogation.”
A playful, teasing smile curled on Song Yao's lips. “It's not like this is the first time you've seen me interrogate someone, Twelfth Elder.”
The Twelfth Elder nearly choked. Forcing herself to play along, she replied, “What are you talking about? Of course this is the first time I've seen you do this...”
Not daring to say more, she hurriedly changed the subject. “In any case, I still don't believe Feng Qing has the power to control those demons. It is far more likely that she is simply colluding with them.”
“The Fifth Elder is still trapped in Frost City, and the Ninth Elder went to investigate a few days ago but has yet to send any word back. The situation there might be far more complex than we imagine. I need to go take a look to make sure the Beiyao Sect hasn't left any hidden cards there.”
She made to leave as she spoke.
Song Yao trailed behind her, offering thoughtfully, “It's too dangerous for you to go alone. Why don't I go with you?”
The Twelfth Elder: “!!”
Going with this child? That would be a disaster!
Just as she was about to refuse, her gaze swept past the cells holding the disciples of the Beiyao Sect and the Taiqing Pavilion, catching sight of a figure standing not far away. She raised her voice, “Xie Zhou!”
Song Yao looked over, her eyes meeting the cool, indifferent gaze of her Fourth Junior Brother.
The Twelfth Elder felt as if she had just grasped a lifesaving straw. “Your Fourth Junior Brother—ah, no, your Fourth Senior Brother—needs to escort the cultivators of the Beiyao Sect and the Taiqing Pavilion back to their respective sects. He's short-handed right now. Why don't you go with him?”
“Frost City is too dangerous, and you're still injured. I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you if anything happens.”
“Besides, going to their sects is mostly to demand justice, which should be far more entertaining than visiting Frost City, don't you think?”
Without giving Song Yao any chance to object, she shot Xie Zhou a knowing look and hurriedly made her escape.
Having been teased and outmaneuvered by him several times already, Song Yao felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of trepidation upon seeing Xie Zhou.
Just as she hesitated, contemplating a retreat, Xie Zhou stepped forward and stopped a short distance away. The usual coldness in his eyes had completely vanished, replaced by a soft look. Lowering his long eyelashes, he asked, “Is Senior Sister unwilling to go with me?”
His voice was soft and gentle, carrying a faint, indescribable trace of vulnerability. “It is fine. I can go on my own.”
“...”
Why did he sound so pitiful?
Noticing his slightly pale face and the faint red scratch peeking out from his collar, Song Yao frowned slightly. “Are you hurt?”
Xie Zhou pursed his lips, pulling his collar slightly to cover the wound. “I was accidentally scratched when I went to look for Wen Tang. It is nothing major.”
Song Yao's attention shifted. “Tangtang hasn't returned to normal yet?”
Rate on N.U.
