Chapter 153: Chapter 153
Though only Beiyou, Boreuo, and the Blood Minister were speaking, a crowd of Demon-Path Messengers had already gathered around the clearing. Yet when the three Great Protectors spoke, even their breathing became cautious, afraid of attracting any unwanted attention. These ruffians who feared nothing outside had learned their first lesson upon arriving at Shu Mountain: to humble themselves before overwhelming force.
But no matter how careful they were, when they heard the Bunny Heroine actually demanding compensation from the Blood Minister, someone still couldn’t help but speak.
“She’s asking for death!” someone whispered. “The Blood Attendant’s body isn’t even cold yet, and she dares ask for compensation?”
“Lord Blood Minister will surely kill her.”
“Didn’t you hear that Lord Beiyou and Lord Boreuo are trying to protect her? No matter how powerful the Blood Minister is, would he dare offend two Great Protectors?”
“The Thunderstorm Messenger sure is precious. If only I could be…”
“Then you’d be dead. Shu Mountain has produced several Thunderstorm Messengers, but only Lord Boreuo has ever mastered that power.”
“Why would the Blood Minister compensate her? That little girl is insane. Does she really think he won’t strike?”
“Wait… the two Great Protectors only said they’d protect the Thunderstorm Messenger—not that Third-Stage beside her…”
Neither Beiyou nor Boreuo responded. They merely glanced at the Bunny Heroine—silence was their answer.
“If I’m not mistaken, you lot came to me with a request.” The Bunny Heroine drawled, “Whatever you want my help with, if I’m unwilling, what can you possibly do?”
“You will agree.” Beiyou said calmly. There was no threat in his tone, but with his identity alone, those words evoked every sin imaginable.
The Bunny Heroine: “Let me ask you a question. You do keep up with outside news, don’t you? Surely you’re not so shut in that major events happen without you knowing?”
“Chang’an City has trade caravans from three kingdoms passing through. We receive news faster than even the emperor,” said Beiyou.
“Then you must know what happened recently in the Mansu Woodland?”
“Of course. A mysterious young woman named Jiang Ten uncovered the secrets of the woodland, likely obtained a Legendary Long Blade from within, killed two Third-Stage Messengers, and escaped a full-powered assault from a Foundation Messenger.” Boreuo looked at them with a knowing gaze, beginning to realize something. “The tool Jiang Ten used to escape, was it—?”
The Bunny Heroine flipped her right hand, and a token appeared out of thin air, engraved with the word “Return.”
“Return Token,” she said leisurely. “I was about to leave, really. I’d killed who I needed to, had my fun… but then I heard you had a request. So out of great compassion, I stayed to hear it.”
A sharp intake of breath echoed from the mountaintop. Not just the other Demon-Path Messengers—even the three Great Protectors couldn’t hide their greed as they looked at the token.
Medicine Master Wen could well understand their feelings. Who wouldn’t want a life-saving treasure like the Return Token? It meant a guaranteed life in a crisis.
No one doubted its authenticity. Even the Blood Minister fell silent.
Because this explained what no one could fathom before: how these two girls dared storm the mountain, killing the Blood Minister’s brother in front of him without a shred of hesitation.
But with a Return Token, everything made sense. They could leave anytime, so there was no need to fear consequences or threats!
Storming Shu Mountain was nothing more than entertainment, a challenge. Even in failure, they had nothing to fear. That was the power the Return Token gave them!
More importantly, Boreuo and Beiyou dared not gamble on the token being fake—nor did they dare offend them recklessly. If it were real, they’d lose a Thunderstorm Messenger as powerful as Boreuo himself.
Trying to threaten the Bunny Heroine through Medicine Master Wen was laughable. If the little one had a Return Token, could the elder not have one too?
“Ladies,” Beiyou’s tone turned gentle, “to be honest, we do have a certain opportunity that requires your assistance.”
“Then show me your sincerity first.” The Bunny Heroine tapped the Return Token against her palm. “The Blood Minister’s brother gathered a mob to rob me. If I hadn’t bravely intervened to stop Zhong Ji from surviving, imagine what damage that would’ve done to Shu Mountain’s reputation.” Fınd the newest release on NoveI[F]ire.net
“The young master speaks reason,” Boreuo agreed politely. “May I ask, what sort of compensation does the young master desire? Spirit Jade?”
“Do I look like someone who needs Spirit Jade? Tokens, Secret Technique Books, Manuals—I’ll take those. Bring a list. If the compensation doesn’t satisfy me, I’m leaving.” The Bunny Heroine added, “And the Blood Minister attacked me just now. I was so frightened I almost left. That deserves compensation too, right?”
“Fine, everything can be compensated.” Boreuo turned to the Blood Minister. “This was your mess. Take responsibility.”
The Blood Minister’s hands trembled with rage. “It’s already a favor to you that I didn’t strike them down. Now I must compensate? My third brother—”
“We know your brother died,” Beiyou said coldly. “That’s why we’re not pursuing it further. Plotting robbery in Chang’an, attacking in the wild—what was your brother, some lawless wild lantern? He was a Protector under your command and still broke the rules deliberately. We merely let it slide, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t deserve death!”
“Exactly! He deserved it!” The Bunny Heroine nodded fervently. “But if the Blood Minister still insists on attacking us…”
“Impossible!” Beiyou cut in immediately.
“No need to panic, I never said he can’t avenge his brother.” The Bunny Heroine placed her hands on her hips. “But surely he can’t just come and go as he pleases, right? If no apology, at least he should swear an oath? When I cause trouble, I still promise not to repeat it.”
Beiyou and Boreuo immediately looked at the Blood Minister, whose face flushed from pale to livid. After a brief silence, he said through gritted teeth, “I swear—”
“Swear on your brother’s corpse,” Medicine Master Wen suddenly said. “The more important the vow, the harder future Foundation Building becomes if broken.”
The Blood Minister abruptly calmed down. He looked deeply at the two girls, then pointed at Zhong Ji’s corpse and said, “I swear on my third brother’s honor that during the period you assist us, I shall not lay a hand on you. If I break this vow, may I die without burial!” With that, he turned and left, carrying Zhong Ji’s corpse.
“Hey! You still owe us a Spirit Jade and a Bitter Melon!” the Bunny Heroine shouted after him.
Soon after, Boreuo and Beiyou sent over two Tokens and 50,001 Spirit Jade. Yan Qing was surprised to find that though the Tokens were merely of Rare grade, they significantly boosted attack speed—perfectly suited for the Thunderstorm Messenger.
A thought crossed his mind—these two items were likely prepared specifically for a Thunderstorm Messenger. If not for his intentional threat, the three Great Protectors wouldn’t have handed them over so readily, let alone the extra Spirit Jade.
This was why Yan Qing had deliberately exposed the Return Token. Some trump cards were best kept secret for a surprise advantage; others, like the Return Token, were most effective when known.
The Bunny Heroine’s main goal had been to show off the Return Token—but it had been immensely satisfying. Slaughtering her way through Shu Mountain, killing the Blood Attendant, intimidating the Blood Minister, cowing the Great Protectors… just thinking about how awesome her alternate character was made Yan Qing puff out his chest with pride.
Even entering the mountain stronghold now, Yan Qing was certain they wouldn’t dare act recklessly. But there was no need to risk others, so the Bunny Heroine said to Medicine Master Wen, “Make a trip back to Chang’an City.”
Medicine Master Wen understood instantly—she was to go back and settle Wu Qiu and Shi Dong before returning. In truth, Yan Qing hoped she wouldn’t return, but he knew she had her own strong will and wouldn’t be persuaded.
Just then, Boreuo suddenly said, “You want to bring the two ladies from the foot of the mountain up, right? No need. This monk has already sent someone to fetch them. Look—they’re almost here.”
The Bunny Heroine and Medicine Master Wen turned to see Wu Qiu and Shi Dong appear along the mountain path, surrounded by a group of Demon-Path Messengers. As the four reunited, Medicine Master Wen stepped forward, checking them over. “Are you both alright?”
Wu Qiu shook her head. “They said, since Miss has taken a seat of power up the mountain, they’re escorting us up. They brought us straight from the room—we couldn’t even try to escape… Miss, did you really take a seat?”
“Of course!” Boreuo suddenly declared. “From this moment on, you are Shu Mountain’s Fourth Seat, the Fourth Great Protector! You will jointly preside over the Secret Realm with us and share its profits!”
“You may recruit followers or simply reap the benefits. Chang’an City will automatically send you ten percent dividends,” Beiyou added. “As a Third-Stage, you fully qualify to become the Fourth Great Protector. What do you say?”
A commotion broke out among the Demon-Path Messengers, but none dared question it before two Great Protectors. All gazes turned toward Medicine Master Wen—jealous, envious, admiring. Some were already planning to pledge themselves to the new Great Protector; doing so now was like offering help in a snowstorm—sure to earn favor.
Bringing Wu Qiu and Shi Dong up by force was pressure; granting the title of Fourth Great Protector was grace.
Yan Qing watched in amazement, not expecting them to change tactics so quickly. They had even realized that Medicine Master Wen was the key. The Bunny Heroine was too young, too strange. In contrast, Medicine Master Wen was far easier to win over.
When the Blood Minister had tried to target her earlier, the Bunny Heroine immediately used the Return Token to threaten them—clearly showing her importance. Beiyou and Boreuo were not indecisive men. Once they made up their minds to recruit, they went all-in.
After all, the cost came out of the Blood Minister’s share.
Medicine Master Wen exchanged a glance with the Bunny Heroine, who gave her a slight nod. She took a deep breath. She knew the mountain stronghold was full of danger, but she had come for Si Wuxie’s legacy. Taking the title of Great Protector would be a huge help in her mission.
“How should I address you both?” Beiyou asked.
“Heroine.” The Bunny Heroine declared her name proudly, “Bunny Heroine!”
Medicine Master Wen instinctively wanted to say her real name. She had always been proud of her family name. But now, she wasn’t inheriting the title of Duke of Jin—she was becoming Shu Mountain’s Great Protector.
“Wolf,” she said slowly. “Wolf Demoness.”
Watching Medicine Master Wen and the others follow Beiyou and Boreuo into the stronghold, the Demon-Path Messengers felt like they were in a dream. No one had ever joined Shu Mountain and immediately become a Great Protector. No one had ever been personally guided in by two existing Protectors.
Shu Mountain… had welcomed its Fourth Great Protector—Wolf Demoness!