Heart Protection

HEART PROTECTION: CHAPTER 36

Every disciple in the courtyard bowed to Zhenren Su Ying. Another person hurried into the courtyard from another direction.

He wore bright purple clothing with a tiger embroidered in gold thread. The thread glittered in the torchlight, making him seem very rich.

"What trickery is going on?" The moment he stepped in, the man started to question. His voice was like thunder, "Why is there such a racket in the middle of the night?"

When the disciples heard the man's voice, they all neatly greeted him: "Master Feng."

Turns out, this was the owner of Heavenly Fragrance and true power behind Qi Jue Group, Vice-Deputy Feng Ming. "Zhenren Su Ying?" When he saw the woman calmly standing in the middle of the courtyard, Feng Ming was slightly shocked. "Why are you here?"

Su Ying turned and dipped her head: "Master Feng." Her voice carried her distinctive chilliness. "I was resting inside when I felt the aura was different, so I secretly came. I hope you don't take offense." The words were an apology, but they didn't seem apologetic at all.

What status did Su Ying have? Even the one who sat upon the imperial throne would have to politely receive her words. Feng Ming immediately forced a smile: "Zhenren, what words are those? Zhenren, you paying attention to what's happening within is a huge assistance for me. How could I blame you?" Feng Ming's gaze swept over the surroundings to assess the situation.

When his gaze looked over Yan Hui and Tian Yao, Yan Hui almost subconsciously blocked Tian Yao even more.

She feared these people would be too sharp. What if Xian Ge's anosmia sachet didn't truly completely conceal auras......

Luckily, Feng Ming's gaze just skimmed over, and Su Ying hadn't looked over in their direction. People with high status wouldn't pay close attention to their underlings' situation.

"Have any fox demons escaped or any damage incurred?"

Feng Ming asked the people near him. They replied negative. However, Zhenren Su Ying cut in: "There was simply a lot of slaughter here. The demons who unwillingly died are causing mischief, that's all."

But when they heard it really was ghosts, some disciples' expression changed. A lot of them had at best captured a few minor demons within their clan's territory in Central Plains. They still held some respect and fear toward this kind of mysterious talk. It was the same as their blind worship of Zhenren Su Ying, whose ascension cemented her qualifications and seniority.

After all, a majority of cultivators would have no achievements to show for in their lifetime.

When Su Ying sensed their fear, she lightly said: "When these demons lived, they couldn't make any disturbances or tricks. Now that they are dead, there's even less to fear. I have already laid an exorcism spell. Any evil demons, ghosts, or spirits will find it hard to get near. Disciples, you just have to monitor the fox demons in the cages."

Feng Ming immediately said: "Since Zhenren Su Ying has spoken, you all can settle down. Do your work. It's just a few wild ghosts. They can't disturb us."

The xian disciples all cried out in agreement.

Feng Ming walked two steps over to Su Ying: "Zhenren, I coincidentally just wanted to look for you."

"For what?"

Feng Ming's voice lowered: "About the fragrance......"

Su Ying's look slightly twitched. In that moment, she seemed human.

"Let's talk over there." Feng Ming deferentially guided the way. Su Ying followed him.

The two walked far. Their voices graduated faded from hearing. When they turned the corner and left the courtyard, not even their shadows could be seen.

Yan Hui mulled over why Zhenren Su Ying was here. Just then, her words revealed she had stayed here a few days. And then Feng Ming approached Su Ying to talk about the fox demon fragrance. In other words, she might be deeply connected with the fragrance. Yan Hui wanted to find out who was the mastermind behind this operation. Of course, she couldn't let the clues that were right it front of her just walk away.

She internally recited the heart technique Tian Yao taught her before. For a moment, the breeze blowing through vegetation filtered into her ears. It was chaotic, but then she focused her mind and found where Su Ying was. She just happened to catch Feng Ming say: "......That fox demon's blood is too hard to refine. We might need to wait for 81 days......."

Feng Ming finished talking. Su Ying, who had been walking, suddenly stopped: "Who is using demon techniques?"

That light remark scared Yan Hui into frantically freezing her magic and rapidly withdrawing it. Yan Hui's heart was beating loudly. She never thought that Zhenren Su Ying would be that sharp. sensing the heart technique Tiao Yao taught Yan Hui from that far a distance......

It was no wonder why Su Ying was worthy of being seen as the pinnacle of all Zhenren.

Yan Hui's heart was beating like a drum. Su Ying returned to the courtyard. She stood in the doorway and swept a narrow gaze over the fox demons in the cages. She turned her head and asked Feng Ming: "Have all of their neidan been removed?"

Feng Ming was slightly startled: "Each one was sent from xian sects. Naturally, they have been removed."

Su Ying nodded. However, Yan Hui saw the light in Su Ying's eyes sweep over in their direction. Terrible luck. Su Ying was checking everyone's aura. Yan Hui had cultivated xian techniques, so she had nothing to fear. But as for Tian Yao.......

If the anosmia sachet made even the highest xian cultivator unable to determine his aura, then he would seem like an ordinary person.  An ordinary person wearing xian disciple clothes would raise suspicion!

Yan Hui's heart continued to anxiously beat. Zhenren Su Ying was already capable of hurting Tian Yao all those years ago. She was no gentle nor lenient soul......

In the middle of her frantic state, Yan Hui felt an itch on her palm. Tian Yao rapidly wrote on her palm: "Transfer your aura to me."

He wrote so quickly that if it were another person, Yan Hui might not be able to understand what he was writing. However, she had a tacit understanding with Tian Yao.

Sending her xian aura to Tian Yao might be able to fix this situation. Using this method before Tian Yao retrieved his dragon bones may not have caused any repercussions. After all, it would've been an ordinary body at that point. But now he retrieved his dragon bones; his body was slowly transforming into a dragon demon and aura. If Yan Hui forcefully poured in xian aura, then his inner breath would become chaotic. Forcing magic in through channels that normally flowed outward wasn't a good method.

But it was better than dying.

Yan Hui gritted her teeth and held Tian Yao's hand. She started to circulate xian magic into her palm.

Tian Yao's entire body started to tremble. It seemed like the process was extremely uncomfortable.

But he merely pinched his lips together and dropped his head. His eyes revealed no pain. After all, he was used to pain. This discomfort didn't count as anything. He had already experienced greater pain.

Yan Hui released his hand. The xian magic was circulated around his entire body. The anosmia sachet didn't have enough time to absorb the aura when Su Ying's eyes swept over the two.

They passed this obstacle. For now, they were safe.

Su Ying took a step forward. Her gaze was contemplative.

Yan Hui knew this trick was weak. The aura around Tian Yao wouldn't pass even the slightest of second glances. But their surrounding were bright. How would they get away......

"Sect Master."

Yet at this moment, a voice suddenly called out. A female wearing the cotton clothes of Guang Han Sect flew over. Her face anxious. She flusterly went to Su Ying's side and whispered something. Su Ying's cold face looked like shattered ice.

Su Ying was stunned for several long moments. No a single word was spoken. The aura around her quivered, and she immediately disappeared from the spot. No one knew where she went,

The disciple who brought the message also frantically left.

For a moment, everyone left in the area whispered amongst themselves. Yan Hui raptly listened to the gossip about Zhenren Su Ying. Everyone mentioned one word, "scholar".

Was it the reincarnation of Zhenren Su Ying's love?

Yan Hui was still pondering over this. However, off to the side, it seemed like Tian Yao's legs were giving out. He stumbled backwards a step. Yan Hui looked back and saw Tian Yao had grown pale. His inner breath was chaotic.

Yan Hui turned her head back and looked at the courtyard full of disciples. Feng Ming, who was still at the entrance, waved his hands: "Alright, alright, quiet down. Just now Zhenren Su Ying said someone used demon techniques. Everyone, check the area. See if there's a monster hidden in any nook or cranny. I trust in everyone's abilities to stop this evil monster from committing foul acts."

Following Feng Ming's words, everyone started to search the courtyard.

"We can't save anyone tonight. Let's go."

Tian Yao nodded.

Yan Hui supported Tian Yao from behind and went along with everyone to search hidden spots. They searched out an overlooked, hidden spot. Yan Hui wrapped her arm around Tian Yao's waist. With the Escape Earth Technique, they escaped the courtyard in a blink of an eye. They searched out a road, and Yan Hui started leading Tian Yao back to Wang Yu Lou.

Yan Hui just entered their room when Tian Yao spit out a mouthful of blood.

Yan Hui was taken back: "You're not about to die because of counter-flow in your channels, right?"

Tian Yao didn't respond. He sat crossed-legged by the bed. A long time passed before his complexion slowly started to get better.

Yan Hui watched the entire time. The longer she looked, the more she thought it really wasn't easy for this dragon demon to live up to today. She waited until Tian Yao opened his eyes. Four eyes met. Yan Hui subconsciously asked: "Are you okay?"

Tian Yao shook his head: "My aura is just a little chaotic. It's no matter."

Actually, Yan Hui wanted to ask if his heart was okay after meeting that person. However, seeing Tian Yao's closed-off expression, she considerately didn't ask, which was rare of her. Yan Hui was silent for a brief moment before sighing. She raised her hand and unexpectedly patted Tian Yao's head: "I'm sorry."

Saying those words, Tian Yao was stunned by them. Yan Hui was also stunned.

The lights in the room flickered. Yan Hui could see herself reflected in Tian Yao's black eyes. She saw her face slowly growing red.

Then, Yan Hui used her hand to cup Tian Yao's cheek. She turned his head to off to the side, so he couldn't look at her with those ridiculously pretty eyes: "You have to understand. I'm someone who's under the influence of drugs right now."

 In normal situations, even if Yan Hui was beaten to death, she still wouldn't touch another person's head and say "I'm sorry" to them!

Tian Yao just let Yan Hui push his head to the side. Yan Hui's palm was hot. He was cold because of the chaotic aura.  Letting her hand feel his face made Tian Yao feel warmth. In those dizzy moments, his heartbeat could unexpectedly be felt through her palm.

Knowing someone felt distressed for you, knowing someone was consoling you. Even if it was the drug's effect.......it truly could let Tian Yao, who had been curled up in the icy darkness for so long, feel an indescribable warmth.

Actually, the contact was Yan Hui wasn't that long, but to Tian Yao, it seemed like he felt the warmth from that pair of hands and that person many times.

 He slightly dipped his eyes down: "Thank you."

"What?"

Tian Yao was silent. Truthfully, he want to say a lot of thanks to Yan Hui, but in the end, he only said one thing: "Thank you for stopping me today."

"What's there to thank about that?" Yan Hui removed her hand because she felt like if she left it on his cheek any longer, her hand would've caught on fire. "Don't tell me I could've just let you charge out, throw your life away, and implicate me in the process?"

Yan Hui wiped her hand on her clothes like she could wipe away the fire in her palm.

"But now that you mentioned it, Zhenren Su Ying was really fooled by us." Yan Hui really couldn't understand it. "If it were me who did what she did to other people, not mentioning I would sleep in fear every night, my conscience would never be easy after that. If even a whisper of that person came, I would be so scared. But she stood there calmly."

Tian Yao was silent. It was true. Su Ying really is calm.

Twenty years passed since they parted. She already didn't recognize him.

Of course, if it were Su Ying who had changed bodies, concealed her aura, changed her identity, Tian Yao wouldn't mistake her eyes even if one hundred years past.

"After all, I'm no longer the same." Tian Yao' expression was three parts cold, seven parts ridicule. "For Su Ying, I'm a demon, a launch pad, a tool to be used. Who would remember a pair of chopsticks they used twenty years ago?"

He hated a person. Perhaps the most powerless thing in the world was hating someone with every fiber in your body, but that person had already decided to forget you.

It made one feel so powerless, helpless, and utterly useless.

"Then make her remember." Yan Hui said, "Let her know you aren't a pair of chopsticks, that you are someone who can laugh and hurt and feel broken-hearted pain."

Tian Yao looked at Yan Hui. He looked for a long time, for so long it seemed like the moon had moved. Moonlight shined down on Yan Hui's face. In that moment, he suddenly understood what Yan Hui meant when she said he was shining.

It indeed was dazzling.

Tian Yao stared at Yan Hui. He saw her face slowly turning red again. The corner of his mouth twitched without him knowing: "By those words, do you mean to help me find the rest of my body parts?"

Yan Hui was stunned. Then she became solemn: "What did I just say?" She rolled her eyes. "We didn't succeed today. We have to plan another scheme for tomorrow. It's getting late. You should just sleep here tonight. I'm hungry. I'm going to find something to eat. Goodbye."

Yan Hui backed out of the room while talking.

Tian Yao listened to Yan Hui's hurried steps going downstairs. He unexpectedly started to laugh.

When he stopped laughing, Tian Yao raised his head and looked at the empty room. He didn't feel cold back then. However when Yan Hui left, he felt like the surroundings were just empty silence.

A slight chill penetrated his bones. It was hard to suppress.