Chapter 85: Name And Life

Aji and Ji Ning were brought to the top of the great hall. The Demon Terrace had originally been set up by the court for managing demons in the north. The hall was simple and well lit. A black robed jiaoren sat on the main seat up at the top, his face cold and majestic. Logically speaking, he should instil fear into the people down below, but for some reason, Aji did not feel afraid.

Even though she had just been beaten by him...

She even thought this jiaoren sitting up there looked so lonely, too lonely…

Her heart absurdly ached for him. Aji did not know what was wrong with her, but she knew this jiaoren had to be the reason Lin Haoqing did not want her in the north. Why else would she feel so complicated upon seeing him? This jiaoren must have been in her life before, and he was very significant.

An enemy, or a lover? Aji had no idea since she could not remember anything. She could only make the most preliminary judgment -- her relationship with this jiaoren was most likely not very good.

Because Lin Haoqing was the one who saved her. He treated her well, became her master and taught her survival skills. And most importantly, he wanted nothing from her...

After leaving the plum grove, Aji had thought about her relationship with Lin Haoqing. He kept so much hidden from her, but one thing she could be sure of was that he wanted her to be safe. So anyone that Lin Haoqing did not want her to see must be somewhat detrimental to her.

Was the jiaoren her enemy? She felt such strong emotions with him, but he did not seem to know her…

Then it dawned on her. Aji touched her face. So that was why she had to master the art of transformation. Why she must never show her true face or use her spiritual power. They would give her away to this jiaoren...

Aji was escorted to the top of the hall and made to kneel down. The jiaoren on the main seat closed his eyes. Soon after, footsteps came from behind along with some shouting.

"Stop pushing! I have feet!"

Hearing this familiar voice, Aji turned her head and saw two people being escorted up with their hands tied behind their backs. Lu Jinyan and the snake demon...

Surprisingly, they had also been captured again. So... this jailbreak of theirs immediately ended in failure after they parted ways?

They also saw Aji and Ji Ning. Lu Jinyan stuttered with shock as he was forced to kneel down next to her, "You guys too...?"

Ji Ning weakly replied, "We ran into the jiaoren..."

Lu Jinyan looked at the high and mighty lord sitting up top, then gave a long sigh and shook his head. Aji asked him, "And how did you guys get caught?"

Lu Jinyan gritted his teeth. "This dog fought with me again on the road..."

No need to hear any more, Aji understood. She looked at the snake demon and Lu Jinyan for a while.

"You two are destined to clash, why not go separate ways?"

The snake demon said, "I wanted to..."

"I also fucking wanted to!" Lu Jinyan said angrily.

"You shut up!"

"Why don't you shut up?"

After listening to the four of them bicker for a while, the jiaoren opened his eyes. A sergeant standing next to him immediately ordered, "Quiet!"

The hall fell silent, and the head of the prison walked up along with two guards. They bowed and knelt down, "Your Highness, we have failed you. We subject ourselves to punishment."

The jiaoren looked at him for a while then nodded his head.

"Okay, kill."

As soon as the word "kill" was uttered, the head of the prison was so frightened his legs went weak and he fell to the ground. All the people in the room were shocked.

Aji felt unbelievable. She frowned at the jiaoren and wondered how he could issue that command. The jiaoren turned to Aji.

"If you don't want to stay in jail, you can be executed immediately." The other three turned pale.

The jiaoren stood up and walked away. Aji watched him head for the exit as if everyone in the hall were just a lifeless corpse to him. His indifference stirred up a wave of emotional turbulence inside her. She could not tell whether it was anger or disappointment, or the mysterious ache that had been haunting her since the moment they met.

She stood up. "Stop."

One word, loud and clear. Everyone stared at her. Changyi paused and turned his head slightly.

Aji stepped forward. The guards immediately pressed their hands to the hilt of their swords, and the situation grew tense.