Chapter 58: Sister-in-Law, Please Show Some Self-Respect!

"Eighth Brother, you are truly extraordinary."

Princess Iron Fan looked deeply at Yu Qiye, her eyes a complex mix of emotions.

She had long heard the Old Ox mention that this Eighth Brother was unfathomably deep.

Seeing him today, she found it to be entirely true.

"Elder Sister, I must ask you to change your attire. If Brother Bull Demon were to see this, it might not be entirely appropriate."

Yu Qiye suddenly offered a reminder.

"Ah..."

As if snapping back to reality, a flush of crimson spread across Princess Iron Fan's face before she hurriedly whipped up a gust of demonic wind and hastened toward her cave dwelling.

"Wait for me here, Little Brother; I shall return presently."

Yu Qiye paid little mind to Princess Iron Fan's departure.

Instead, he directed his gaze toward his trait panel.

[Ding! You have successfully defeated Princess Iron Fan. Randomly plundered trait: Wind God (Gold). Would you like to merge?]

[Wind God (Gold) – A righteous fruition of the wind element, granting mastery over the winds of a region. The potency of wind-based arts is vastly enhanced, possessing an indescribable divine might.]

Gazing at this, an expression of profound astonishment appeared on Yu Qiye's face.

This golden trait, Wind God, was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

Capable of controlling the winds of an entire region?

Wait...

Does that mean—

"Did she truly hold back a great deal?"

Yu Qiye felt a flicker of surprise.

Judging by the trait's description, he probably lacked even the qualifications to spar with Princess Iron Fan in wind-based techniques.

After all, any wind Yu Qiye might summon could potentially be interfered with, or even outright controlled, by Princess Iron Fan.

This...

Lost in thought for a moment, Yu Qiye did not dwell on it overly much.

To Princess Iron Fan, perhaps this had genuinely been nothing more than a friendly spar, and holding back some of her strength was entirely natural.

...

A moment later, a fragrant breeze swept past. Princess Iron Fan, having changed into a fresh set of robes, reappeared before Yu Qiye.

"Let us go,"

Princess Iron Fan invited.

Following closely behind, Yu Qiye walked with Princess Iron Fan deep into the recesses of the cave dwelling.

Within the cavern lay a world of its own, boasting delightful scenery.

Clear springs flowed gently,

While spiritual grasses and mystic flowers bloomed in abundance.

Yu Qiye accompanied Princess Iron Fan to a spacious hall.

Here, a single table was surrounded by four chairs.

Yu Qiye took his seat.

As for Princess Iron Fan, she personally went to prepare tea.

"I wonder where Elder Brother Bull Demon has gone?"

Yu Qiye asked, gazing at Princess Iron Fan's retreating back.

"That damned ghost, wandering off to god knows where for his wicked amusements again."

At these words, Princess Iron Fan's voice grew considerably mournful.

"Out day and night, refusing to return home, leaving me all alone..."

"I even heard that he keeps a mistress outside..."

Listening quietly, Yu Qiye's expression froze.

Good grief, had a single casual remark of his struck directly at Princess Iron Fan's most tender wound?

Yet, when he thought about it, it made sense.

In the days to come, Princess Iron Fan would indeed endure a "widow-style marriage."

The Bull Demon King would all but abandon her, bestowing all his affection upon his lover, Princess Jade Face.

Not only was she left to endure empty rooms night after night,

She also had to raise the Red Boy all by herself.

"Elder Sister, this..."

Yu Qiye rose to his feet, retrieving a handkerchief from the depths of his inner spatial domain and handing it to Princess Iron Fan.

His internal domain contained a separate space capable of storing items.

The vast majority of the Black Crow Cave's finest treasures resided within that domain of his.

Alongside them were various daily necessities.

The handkerchief happened to be one of them.

"Ah, I am quite well. I have merely let my Eighth Brother see me at my worst."

Taking the handkerchief, she wiped the corners of her eyes, and Princess Iron Fan's demeanor visibly steadied.

...

Yu Qiye and Princess Iron Fan chatted idly for a while.

During this time, Princess Iron Fan's charming, melodious laughter rang out from time to time.

Armed with the experiences of his past life and a countless array of witty anecdotes, coupled with Yu Qiye's deliberate intention to comfort her,

Princess Iron Fan found herself repeatedly unable to suppress her amusement.

Clutching her handkerchief to her mouth, she giggled continuously.

"Eighth Brother is so handsome, and so adept at pleasing women; I wonder how many female spirits you will ruin in the days to come?"

Princess Iron Fan teased playfully.

"Then I must ask Elder Sister to introduce a few more to me."

Yu Qiye stood and bowed with cupped hands.

Mindful that Princess Iron Fan was a married woman, Yu Qiye had no intention of overstaying his welcome.

"Elder Sister, since Brother Bull Demon is not here, I shall take my leave for now. When Brother Bull Demon returns, please convey my regards to him."

With these words, Yu Qiye flicked his right hand.

As ripples blossomed in the air, a collection of thoughtfully prepared gifts surged forth from his spatial domain.

"Eighth Brother is truly too courteous,"

Princess Iron Fan sighed appreciatively, before hastily adding:

"If Eighth Brother has the time, you must often come to Mount翠云 (Cuiyun) to sit and chat with me."

"Should I have the leisure, I certainly shall."

As his words faded, Yu Qiye summoned a gust of demonic wind and vanished from within the cave dwelling.

Leaving Princess Iron Fan standing quietly alone.

"This Eighth Brother is truly a fascinating person."

Recalling some of the tales Yu Qiye had shared, the corners of Princess Iron Fan's lips curved upward into a subtle, delicate arc.

For a homebody who rarely ventured out like her, the impact of those novel stories was admittedly rather profound.

So much so that it took her a long while to fully digest them.

Yet, as soon as Princess Iron Fan thought of that stubborn ghost of an ox she called a husband, her expression darkened once more.

"When will you ever learn to please me the way your Eighth Brother does?"

Filled with lingering resentment, Princess Iron Fan gazed toward a solitary oil lamp flickering within the cave.

The heavens show no pity, leaving mortals to pity themselves; of all the lights in the world, whose lamp is the hardest to read by?

...

Failing to encounter the Bull Demon King posed no great issue for Yu Qiye.

He had already reaped his rewards.

Although the Bull Demon King possessed numerous traits he desired,

The Bull Demon King's strength spoke for itself.

If Yu Qiye excelled at combat, could it be said that the Bull Demon King did not?

Coupled with the Bull Demon King's superior realm of cultivation,

Yu Qiye genuinely lacked the absolute certainty of victory.

"At best, I can guarantee my own self-preservation."

Confidence shone in Yu Qiye's eyes.

He possessed boundless methods; formidable though the Bull Demon King might be, there was truly nothing he could do to threaten Yu Qiye's life.

As for where he should head next—

Yu Qiye's gaze flickered.

Presently, more than seven or eight centuries remained before the Journey to the West.

The vast majority of the demons along the pilgrimage route had not yet descended to the mortal realm.

As for other demons, he was seemingly unacquainted with them.

Aside, of course, from the infamous Seven Great Sages.

Yet by now, he had already sworn brotherhood with the Seven Great Sages, and plundered all of their traits as well.

"Then I shall simply let fate guide me."

With that thought, Yu Qiye folded his wings and descended upon a solitary mountain peak.

This mountain lay not far from Mount Cuiyun.

Swathed in drifting clouds and mists, it radiated a rich, spiritual aura.

It certainly seemed a fine location for cultivation.

...

Late into the night, resembling a magnificent black gemstone that had swallowed the clamor of the day.

Only distant crickets whispered deep within the forest.

Having folded his wings, Yu Qiye sat cross-legged atop a massive boulder like a scholarly gentleman.

Opening his mouth, he inhaled and exhaled the luminous essence of the moon.

Hazy moonlight continuously converged, eventually draping over his form entirely.

Viewed from afar, he appeared akin to an immortal deity, too resplendent for mortals to look upon directly.

Time slipped away silently.

In the blink of an eye, the latter half of the night was already approaching.

At that very moment, however, a crystalline, piercing chime of a sword rang out from the distance.

"Vile creature, where else do you think you can flee?"

Slowly opening his eyes, Yu Qiye beheld—

He beheld a snow-white rabbit bounding toward him in a series of leaps.

Even more remarkably, as it drew near him, it transformed into human form.

This was unmistakably a stunning beauty exuding an alluring fragrance from every inch of her skin.

With disheveled garments and a panicked expression, she cast frequent glances behind her.

"Senior, Senior, I beg you to save me!"

Crying out repeatedly, she ducked straight behind Yu Qiye, poking out half her head to survey the path ahead.

From that direction,

A streak of sword light came hurtling through the air.

It belonged to a human Daoist priest.

Appearing to be in his forties or fifties, he stood upon a flying sword with a ferocious expression on his face.

"Young friend, have you seen a rabbit spirit pass by? That rabbit spirit feeds on human blood and has injured countless people..."

Before the Daoist could finish speaking, Yu Qiye reached out behind him with a single grasp.

"Ah—"

Accompanied by a cry of surprise, the lovely maiden reverted to her original form once more, landing squarely in Yu Qiye's right hand.