CHAPTER 15: CHAPTER 15: AFTERMATH AND TOKENS OF GRATITUDE

EDITOR: DRAGON BOAT TRANSLATION

Apart from those gathered around Zhuo Tingqiu, several others also approached Rong Ye.

"Greetings, Lord Rong." These people clearly recognized Rong Ye, expressing both surprise and excitement upon seeing him.

"No need for formalities," Rong Ye waved his hand slightly coldly.

"Lord Rong, what happened here?" a man dressed in a dark purple brocade robe, with a goatee, cautiously asked upon seeing the commotion not far away.

"Previously, many people disappeared in Qingfeng City. I was ordered to investigate and discovered that a Demon Cultivator was responsible. The disturbance just now was to eliminate that Demon Cultivator, as was the situation here." Rong Ye casually explained, pointing to the Demon Cultivator’s corpse on the ground.

"What? It was actually a Demon Cultivator?" one person exclaimed in shock.

"Fortunately, you have keen insight, my lord. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable." The man with the goatee stroked his beard, looked at the corpse on the ground, and spoke with admiration, his gaze toward Rong Ye full of awe.

"The Demon Cultivator is already executed. The rest is up to you to handle. It’s getting late; I shall return to rest first." Rong Ye had no interest in talking much with these people. He was still thinking about Gu Qingqing. With a few casual words, he turned and left without caring about their reactions.

His speed was swift. By the time they reacted, he had disappeared without a trace.

"This matter is of great importance. Although the Demon Cultivator has been executed, many of the missing were sect disciples. We need to report to the City Lord promptly, and this place needs cleaning to avoid causing panic." The man with the goatee clearly held a high status among them and, seeing Rong Ye already gone, turned to the others and spoke.

"Indeed, Lord He’s words are true." The others, with ranks not as high as the man with the goatee, naturally did not dare to refute, and they began handling the abandoned house under his instructions.

Zhuo Tingqiu, having just freed himself from his guards, wanted to speak with Rong Ye, only to find Rong Ye gone too. He was immediately vexed, recalling that Rong Ye had been speaking with the man with the goatee. He approached the man directly.

"Who was the person speaking with you just now?" As the young master of the Zhuo Family, although Zhuo Tingqiu was not particularly arrogant, his presence was significant, and despite his young age, he had some authority. He spoke without politeness.

The man with the goatee was momentarily stunned, but remembering the City Lord’s instructions to find the Zhuo Family’s young master, and having seen how a few Zhuo Family members gathered around Zhuo Tingqiu, he guessed Zhuo Tingqiu’s identity and became more cautious.

"Young Master Zhuo, that was Lord Rong Ye," he said respectfully with a slight bow to Zhuo Tingqiu.

"Lord Rong?" Zhuo Tingqiu was surprised by the man’s address.

"Lord Rong is merely a title. I, too, am not clear on Lord Rong’s background, only knowing that his senior brothers are quite formidable. They usually assist with handling difficult issues in Qingfeng City." This information, though somewhat classified, was no secret to important figures, so the man with the goatee explained without concern.

Upon hearing this, Zhuo Tingqiu frowned. He initially wanted to ask which sect Rong Ye belonged to, but guessing the man with the goatee might not know, he gave up. Thinking that Rong Ye and his companions were likely staying at the inn, he planned to wait at the inn entrance the next day, hoping to meet them, which lightened his mood slightly.

He turned, summoned his guards, and left the deserted house.

...

After experiencing so much in one night, Gu Qingqing found it hard to sleep when brought back to the inn. Unusually, she insisted on Si Lin keeping her company. By the time Rong Ye returned, both Rong Ye and Si Lin were accompanying her. Concerned she might develop a trauma from what she saw in the basement, they kept comforting her.

Perhaps due to living alone for so long and being naturally courageous, Gu Qingqing was only frightened initially by the scene but didn’t feel much afterwards, making Rong Ye and Si Lin’s worries unnecessary.

Accompanied by the two for about half an hour, she finally succumbed to her biological clock and fell asleep.

After settling Gu Qingqing in bed, Rong Ye and Si Lin did not leave immediately. At their level, whether or not to sleep had little impact, so they meditated in Gu Qingqing’s room until dawn.

Upon waking, Gu Qingqing immediately saw Rong Ye and Si Lin, was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized the two had stayed out of concern for her, prompting a smile from her.

After freshening up, the three shared breakfast, intending to stroll through Qingfeng City, pick up some items, and then return to Spirit Hidden Mountain.

Just as they exited the courtyard, they saw Zhuo Tingqiu standing at the courtyard entrance.

Having returned, Zhuo Tingqiu freshened up slightly and, without forgetting to find Si Lin and the others, had his guards wake him early in the morning. After tidying up, he waited at their courtyard entrance.

Seeing the three, his expression was very excited.

"I am Zhuo Tingqiu of the Zhuo Family. I thank you three for rescuing me last night. Please accept these tokens of gratitude." Zhuo Tingqiu stood before the three, respectfully extending a Storage Bag.

Si Lin and Rong Ye exchanged a glance, surprised by Zhuo Tingqiu’s identity.

The Zhuo Family, being one of the five Great Families of the Xuantian Continent, was highly influential. They hadn’t expected Zhuo Tingqiu to come to Qingfeng City, and unfortunately be captured by a Demon Cultivator.

Gu Qingqing, unfamiliar with the Zhuo Family and unaware of the Five Great Families, curiously observed Zhuo Tingqiu. Apart from her senior brothers, Zhuo Tingqiu was the most handsome young boy she had ever seen, and Gu Qingqing was a hardcore appearance enthusiast!

"It was a mere trifle; Young Master Zhuo needn’t worry." With Si Lin silent, Rong Ye spoke up. They hadn’t deliberately aimed to save Zhuo Tingqiu, and truly weren’t concerned about any tokens of gratitude.

"I am aware that with your identities, you lack none of what I offer here. However, there are many things in here intended for this young lady, including jewelry and clothing from Tian Gong Pavilion. I hope you two will accept them." Though young, Zhuo Tingqiu, having been brought up by his father, had become mature in handling affairs. Having noticed how much Si Lin and Rong Ye valued Gu Qingqing the previous day, he tailored the tokens to suit a young girl’s tastes.

Indeed, upon hearing Zhuo Tingqiu’s words, Si Lin and Rong Ye hesitated slightly.

Though they had prepared many things for Gu Qingqing, they always felt it wasn’t good enough. Tian Gong Pavilion, renowned across Xuantian Continent for its jewelry and clothing, always sold fashionable items beloved by many female cultivators, likely appealing to Gu Qingqing as well.

"We accept your tokens of gratitude, and appreciate your thoughtfulness. Let’s consider the matter settled. We have other matters to attend to, so we shall take our leave." Not wishing to entangle further with Zhuo Tingqiu, Rong Ye took the Storage Bag and spoke calmly.

"The debt of saving my life cannot be repaid by mere tokens of gratitude. Should you ever need anything from me, please don’t hesitate to ask." Wanting to establish a rapport with Si Lin and the others but also noticing their aloofness, Zhuo Tingqiu, unwilling to be a nuisance, left after speaking.

"This Zhuo Tingqiu is quite the talent," Rong Ye couldn’t help but remark, looking at the Storage Bag in his hand and Zhuo Tingqiu’s departing figure.

Si Lin cast a glance at Rong Ye without speaking, then carried Gu Qingqing and walked out.

The three wandered around Qingfeng City for half a day, acquiring numerous items before returning to Spirit Hidden Mountain by dusk.

After spending a day on the first peak, Gu Qingqing went to the second peak where Yue Zhao resided.