Chapter Ninety-Five: The Secret of the Peach

"Boss Qin, where are we heading next?" Wang Bing asked.

Qin Yu pondered for a moment before replying, "How are the tasks on your side coming along?"

Wang Bing thought for a bit and said, "There are still five tasks left."

"Alright, let's go finish those tasks. By the time we're done, the half month will be just about up, and then we'll return to the base," Qin Yu said, glancing around at the others, her eyes silently seeking their opinions.

Catching her gaze, everyone nodded in agreement.

Thus, Qin Yu and her companions cheerfully set out to complete their remaining tasks.

A week later, they had finished everything. Now, they were resting in a small village more than twenty kilometers from the base.

It was deep into the night, with only faint moonlight illuminating the land. In the village where Qin Yu's group was staying, Tao sat cross-legged on the ground in front of a small house, her gaze deep and contemplative as she watched the moon in the sky.

The others had already fallen asleep, protected by a barrier Nangong Yao had set up, allowing them to relax without fear of sudden danger.

Because of this, the remote little village lay in complete darkness, save for the faint, rhythmic sounds of their breathing, weaving a subtle, beautiful symphony.

Tao sat there in silence for a long time before sighing softly and speaking, "Come out."

A shadow emerged from the darkness, making Tao curve her lips into a faint smile. In her usual cold voice, she said, "Immortal Nangong, what advice do you have for me?"

Nangong Yao slowly walked over, sat down cross-legged beside her just as she was, and, pushing his long hair back with a smile, replied, "What advice could I possibly have? I couldn't sleep, so I came out to enjoy the moon."

"Is that so? Then take a good look. I'm going to rest," Tao said as she rose to head back inside.

"Wait." Nangong Yao stopped her and then added, "Don’t you want to know where he is?"

Tao rushed over, fixing him with a piercing gaze. "What do you know?"

Nangong Yao gently pushed her back. "Everything you want to know, I know."

Tao’s dark eyes searched his face. "Your price?"

Nangong Yao leaned back, hands cradling his head as he stared up at the moon, noticing, to his surprise, a streak of red across its surface. He gave it little thought, instead saying, "Qin Yu."

"I know nothing of her," Tao said, sitting down again.

"Of course I know you don’t. You know less than I do. I’m just curious—why do you follow her?" Nangong Yao asked with a careless smile.

"Aren’t you the same? Why do you follow her?" Tao retorted.

"I’m not the same as you! The reason I stay by her side is because only with her help can I find the one I’m seeking. But you—you know nothing, do you?" Nangong Yao looked at Tao, his tone challenging.

Tao gave a cold snort. "Isn’t Immortal Nangong a bit too full of himself?" As she spoke, a wisp of black energy suddenly shot toward Nangong Yao.

He waved his hand, instantly dispersing the black mist. His pupils contracted in disbelief. "You’re a demon cultivator!"

"Surprised?" Tao lowered her head slightly, rubbing her hand.

"You lied to us! You never refused that man in black robes!" Nangong Yao accused.

"Heh, of course I didn’t refuse. I fell into the demonic path long ago, only I never had a proper method to cultivate. When such an opportunity came along, how could I possibly refuse?" Tao sneered.

"Then you—"

"Me? Heh, I’m a true, orthodox demon cultivator now."

She cut him off.

"So you’re lurking by Qin Yu’s side to kill her?" Nangong Yao sucked in a deep breath.

"Kill her? Heh, I never thought of that. She’s the one I’ve chosen to follow," Tao replied, lifting her head to meet his eyes.

"Most demon cultivators are solitary, rarely loyal to anyone in their lifetime. You—" Nangong Yao hesitated.

"You said it yourself—most, not all. I just happen to be one of the few exceptions," Tao replied.

"Then why do you follow her?"

"Why? Maybe because there’s a warmth about her," Tao said softly, a trace of nostalgia in her voice.

Nangong Yao gave her a curious look. So, the rumors were true—demon cultivators really were an odd bunch! That person was, and now this Tao as well. When would he see him again?

A thought struck Nangong Yao, and his ears flushed red, even his face took on a rosy tinge, but he quickly pulled himself together. After waiting so many years, what were a few more days?

"Tao, what do you know about him?" she interrupted his thoughts.

"Honestly, not much. But I do know that Qin Yu is the only one who can let you see him, or rather, the only one who can keep him alive. After all, Qin Yu..." Nangong Yao trailed off, as if recalling something he could not share.

Tao glanced at him, her eyes dark and fathomless, but she did not press further. Knowing he could appear before her was enough; whatever she owed him in the past, she would repay in the days to come.

But when would she finally see him again?

Tao sighed. Nangong Yao, lost in his own thoughts, sighed as well. Their eyes met, and they both sighed together, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.

So engrossed were they in their conversation that neither noticed Xiao Honghong and Xiao Heihei lurking behind them, listening to every word.

Meanwhile, far away in the city, a man with violet eyes irritably tugged at his waist-length hair.

Damn it, why had he been dreaming about a man these past few days? Worse, the man was always beneath him in the dream.

Argh! It was driving him insane! At this rate, he’d lose his mind. That damned woman still wouldn’t let him leave this blasted place. When would he finally achieve his dream of dominating the world? As if he’d ever admit he wanted to find that man from his dreams and punish him as mercilessly as in those dreams!

Suddenly recalling something, the violet-eyed man flickered away to a small attic where a silver-haired woman was sitting. He kicked the silent woman impatiently and grumbled, "Woman, when can we get out of here?"

The woman looked up at him. "Zi, I’ve told you—my name is Yin. Call me by my name!"

"Fine, fine, Yin—when can we leave this damned place?" Zi pressed.

"The end is the beginning. Wait patiently," Yin replied, lowering her head and merging back into the shadows of the attic.

Zi saw this and knew he’d get nothing more out of her. Cursing under his breath, he flew off in search of some high-level zombies to vent his frustration.

For a while, the only sound in the city was the howling of the zombies.

Solo grinding is really tough. Is no one reading this? It feels like all the clicks are from me. Please bookmark, please comment—much love in the end!