135 135.
"Annoying pest." With a cold snort, the girl released her grasp from Yang Ze's neck before flying back to the bed.
"What do you want!?" Compared to before, one could clearly feel her annoyance.
"Well... Just like I said, how about you tell me what actually is going on!?"
The girl didn't reply immediately but thought for a long time before speaking softly.
"There are some truths and some lies.
Her real name is Yao Xiang, there was no lie in it. But... But the incident about losing her family to the Leihui Sect was completely fabricated."
"I see...." Yang Ze nodded his head. He had some of his doubts, but after hearing her, he was finally certain.
"I can not tell you much about the Leihui Sect or the Xuanwu Sect. Because even if I do, you won't be able to hear or understand it. At this moment, I can only tell you matters regarding Yao Xiang."
Listening to her, Yang Ze frowned for a moment speaking out. "What do you mean I won't be able to hear or understand it!?"
"Sigh..." The girl let out a sigh. Sometimes, it was better to just show than to explain. With these thoughts, she started to speak.
"Since you don't seem to understand the meaning behind my word, then let me show you.
Both the Leihui Sect and the Xuanwu Sect follow the LAW OF ██████"
As soon as she finished speaking, Yang Ze felt his ears go buzz and his mind seemed to be in turmoil.
"What was that now!? What LAW OF ???"
The girl just looked at him silently before speaking further. "You don't get it, do you!?"
"You are not worthy enough to even listen about it, much less know what it is. Even if I speak a thousand more times, you will never be able to hear it.
You are simply too weak."
Were it any other person telling Yang Ze about how he was too weak, he would have shown them what Innate flesh and Innate realm means. But after going through such an unexplainable event, he wasn't so sure of himself. Just this girl in front of him was able to strip him of his power. God knows how many more bizarre things are out there in the world.
"Fine... We can not talk about the Leihui Sect or Xuanwu Sect, then how about this girl Yao Xiang!? Who is she? And more importantly, who are you!?"
"Let me begin with my introduction. I am Yao Chen, mother of Yao Xiang."
"Huhhh!????" As soon as she finished speaking, Yang Ze's eyes went wide. Out of all the things, this was the one he expected the least.
"Don't be so surprised, this is normal." Looking at his exaggerated expression, Yao Chen shook her head.
"What is going on!? If she is your daughter, then why is she living here alone!? Also, why does she think her family was killed by the Leihui Sect!? What is even going on!?"
The more Yang Ze thought, the more this didn't make sense. Was there even a need to go through such lengths!?
"This is how we do things in our families.
The moment the direct descendants of our family hit the age of eight, their memories are sealed, and in their places, fake memories are planted. They then have to survive and become strong. Once the firstborn reaches the age of twenty-five, someone from the family will bring all of them back regardless of their age, and then the battle of Inheritance will begin.
And in this way, only the worthy one will be allowed to become the next ruler of the family."
It took a while for Yang Ze to process all this information. For a moment, Yang Ze even believed their heads were kicked by a donkey for them to come up with such a ridiculous idea. Why can't they just train them in their clans and then decide which one will rule!? The more Yang Ze thought, the more ridiculous the situation seemed.
"Aren't you guys afraid that your children will die!?"
Listening to him, Yao Chen went silent for a long time. "If they die, then it simply means they are not worthy enough."
Listening to her reasoning, Yang Ze's heart chilled. At this moment, he once again remembered, that this was not his previous world, but a dog-eat-dog world.
Thinking for a while, he looked at Yao Chen, "Why Yao Xiang!? She has a special gift... Shouldn't you guys keep her safe instead of sending her out like this!?"
Yao Chen's eyes flashed with pain as she slowly caressed her face. "Let's just say we have our own problems. Unlike the small families here, people in our families are different. You will understand if you ever get the chance to meet them."
"And what if the child recovers their memories!? What are you all going to do then!?"
"That is not possible." Yao Chen shook her head, "Unless the child can reach the Innate realm, their memories will be kept sealed. And once they reach Innate, the seal from their mind will be lifted and they would be able to recall everything. At least what remained of them."
"Does every child has someone like you protecting them!?" Yang Ze felt if that was the case then this so-called training was completely worthless. However, Yao Chen's next response answered his question.
"Xian'er is an exception." Yao Chen didn't bother explaining to him but just kept silent.
"Well..." Stretching his arms, Yang Ze spoke to her, "I doubt you would be willing to explain so much to me without any reason. Do tell me... What do you want!?"
Yao Chen looked at Yang Ze for a long time. "Good thing you are not an idiot."
After a short pause, she continued. "One month... Keep her safe for one month. Someone from the family gave out her bounty to the Leihui Sect. That's why they are hell-bent on finding her. A few of their elders have accepted our offer and are not going to make a move personally. But the same couldn't be said for the other members.
To them, capturing Yao Xiang means glory and a bright future. And they are willing to go to any lengths for it. They are not afraid of taking extreme measures and offending us.
This is why I need you to protect her for a month. During that time, we can take care of this matter. And after that, you don't have any more obligations."
Yang Ze listened silently before speaking out.
"I am not interested in babysitting a brat."
"Eh!?" Yao Chen looked at Yang Ze with a weird face. It was only now, that Yang Ze realized he was still a sixteen-year-old boy. For him to be calling someone three years younger than him a brat...
"Ahem!" Clearing his throat, Yang Ze explained further. "What I mean is that I can not do it for free. You need to pay me."
"OH!?" Yao Chen looked at Yang Ze "And what is it that you want!?"
Yang Ze thought for a while before replying with a smile harmless to animals and children alike.
"How about you give me secret techniques for a realm higher than Innate... Would be better, if you can give me your best secret techniques."
The only thing Yang Ze needed the most was Secret techniques to progress further. Even though he received a set of exercises from the previous city lord, they were only till the peak of Innate. And after that, Yang Ze had to find a way to progress further. But now since there was already someone who could pay, he wasn't going to hold back.
Yao Chen raised one finger. "Only one secret technique. You can either ask for the technique to progress further into Innate, or the technique to step beyond Innate. Choose one."
"Beyond Innate." Yang Ze didn't even bother to think about it.
"Then so be it." Yao Chen waved her hand, and in the surprised eyes of Yang Ze, a book manifested in front of him. The book was completely white as if it was made out of Qi.
"I have put a seal on it. You will only be able to open it after a month.
Oh and do remember, if you go far away from Yao Xiang, then the book will disappear. If something happens to her, then the book will disappear. If you won't follow your deal, the book will disappear.
Basically, try anything funny and the book will disappear."
Yao Chen caressed her face one last time before closing her eyes and falling unconscious on the bed. As soon as the figure of Yao Xiang fell down, the aura of heaven and earth returned back, and even the Qi inside his body started to flow normally.
"Gulp." Looking at the book in his hand, Yang Ze was hardly able to contain his excitement. Taking a deep breath, he tried to force it open. But alas! no matter how hard he tried, the book just didn't seem to budge.
Helplessly, Yang Ze could only throw it back into his personal space. After taking a deep breath, he looked at the figure of Yao Xiang sleeping clueless on his bed as he felt a headache incoming.
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Far away from Mehull city, inside a luxurious room, the figure of a woman opened her eyes. Due to the darkness, one could not see her appearance.
"Go and inform the ancestor. I need to talk to him."
As soon as she finished speaking, the figure of a young woman manifested behind her before disappearing completely.
"Another relic holder..." Caressing her forehead, she looked helpless. "Things are getting out of hand."
