Chapter 87: Nangong Yao

Qin Yu surveyed the situation before her, rubbed her tired eyes, and asked, “Tao, do you know what it is they’re after?”

Tao raised her head and replied, “I don’t know where they heard there was something valuable here, but whatever it is that person treasured, I think those people will likely be disappointed.”

Glancing at the two corpses whose eyes refused to close, Tao massaged her brow and said, “Take us to see it.”

Tao nodded, then walked off in a certain direction, with Qin Yu and the others following close behind.

Behind them, the bodies of Chen Yang and Xiao Wu gradually vanished, and figures emerged from the darkness, their eyes fixed unwaveringly on the direction Qin Yu and her companions had departed.

After about five minutes, they reached a clearing. Tao walked to the center, fiddled with something unseen, and then, from the front of the clearing, a box slowly rose up.

Having completed this, Tao turned to look at Qin Yu. Qin Yu arched an eyebrow and asked coolly, “Do you know what this is?”

Tao nodded, her voice full of longing. “It’s my portrait.”

A flicker of surprise passed through Qin Yu’s eyes. She said, “If that’s so, you should keep it.”

Tao nodded, walked over and opened the box, retrieving the painting inside.

On the canvas, a young Tao was depicted in blue garments, her face radiant with a wide smile. She held up her hand, as if asking someone for a hug. Behind her stretched a field of lush green grass, setting off her attire and blending Tao into the landscape.

Qin Yu watched Tao, who gently stroked the painting with her head bowed, uncertain whether she ought to tell her that the man was still clinging to life in her own secret space.

But she quickly put the thought aside. The unique nature of her space was her deepest secret—no one could know.

Qin Yu sighed softly, stepped forward to pat Tao’s head, and said, “You’ve got what you need. Let’s go.”

Tao nodded, carefully stored the painting close to her heart, and took Qin Yu’s hand, ready to leave.

Just as they reached the stone chamber where they’d begun, a ghostly voice echoed from behind: “Wait!”

Qin Yu felt her body tense, cold sweat prickling her skin. She turned, gripping her dagger tightly, every muscle poised for defense.

From the darkness, a man emerged, clad in a long robe that made him seem a relic of ancient times. His hair hung down to his waist; brows painted like ink, cheeks like peach blossoms, and eyes deep as autumn pools—the very embodiment of those poetic descriptions. His gaze shimmered with a thousand glints, like polished glass.

Though he looked every bit the immortals of legend, Qin Yu could sense the pressure emanating from him. She was certain this man was stronger than anyone she’d ever met—not in power, but in sheer presence.

Qin Yu secretly wondered whether she could recruit him, but before she could speak, the man addressed her with an indescribable elegance, “Young lady, you forgot something.”

Qin Yu looked puzzled, pointing to herself, “Me?”

The man—Nangong Yao—said, “No, the one you’re holding.”

Tao lifted her head, her expression blank. “I don’t know you.”

Nangong Yao smiled ambiguously. “Of course you don’t, but I know you. Your man told me long ago to wait here for you. He said if you ever came here without him, I should give you those ordinary things he left behind.”

The words “your man” flashed through Tao’s mind, stirring memories. She recalled him saying some expert would help, and that he’d left her many good things. Did he foresee this moment all along?

In the end, she nodded. “Take us there.”

Nangong Yao nodded, then strode forward with graceful steps.

Qin Yu and the others exchanged glances and hurried after him. In just over ten minutes, they arrived before a completely sealed wall.

Nangong Yao muttered something under his breath, and the wall split open from the middle!

Qin Yu and her companions watched as the wall parted, their eyes growing wide at what lay inside.

Piled within were all manner of military weapons—even torpedoes—along with countless supplies and an abundance of medicines.

But what truly astonished them was the corner stacked high with sanitary napkins of every possible brand.

Their expressions could only be described as stunned.

Tao saw the items too, her face flushing scarlet. She tugged at Qin Yu and asked, “Can your space hold all this?”

Qin Yu’s lips twitched. She nodded, “Yes, it can.”

Nangong Yao, overhearing them, touched the ring on his finger and asked, “Space?”

“Of course, space! Our Xiao Yu is a spatial ability user!” Zhao Meng finally had the chance to chime in, her voice full of pride.

Nangong Yao glanced at Qin Yu, said nothing, and lowered his hand, no longer fiddling with his ring.

Qin Yu quickly stored everything in her space and smiled at Tao. “All packed. We can leave now.”

She then looked at Nangong Yao and asked, “Sir, will you stay here or come with us?”

Nangong Yao replied as if it were the most natural thing, “I’ll come with you, of course!” Then, recalling something, he added, “The person I’m searching for can only be found with your help. So I must go with you!”

Qin Yu gave him a meaningful look. “Someone you’re searching for?”

Nangong Yao’s cheeks reddened, and he murmured, “Young lady, you ask too many questions.” He even shifted shyly.

Their expressions could only be described as baffled.

What was with this bashful look? Where was the dignified immortal?

Of course, no matter how Qin Yu’s heart raged, her face remained calm.

She smiled, “Very well, let’s go together.”

Nangong Yao immediately regained his initial elegant demeanor—illusion upon illusion! Straightening his clothes, he said, “Let’s go.” With that, he strode out ahead.

Qin Yu and the others followed, helpless but resigned.

Soon, they left the compound. Along the way, everyone introduced themselves briefly, and Nangong Yao acquired a new name: Little Yaozi.

Such a cute name could only have come from that shameless Zhao Meng, who declared she’d instantly seen through Little Yaozi’s elegant exterior to the playful heart beneath—a trait that would become ever more apparent in days to come.

Nangong Yao was delighted with his new name. Little Yaozi—it sounded so adorable! Truly fitting! Yes, our elegant immortal harbored a charmingly narcissistic soul.

Xia Cheng and Qin Yu watched the two chattering away, exchanged a glance, and their mutual helplessness was plain to see.