C219 Kindness Is Treated as a Donkey's Liver

"Brother Liu? Brother Liu?"

Hu Yue called out softly, waving her hand to recapture Liu Zaihe's attention.

Hu Xuan, Hu Hang, and the rest of the Hu family members gathered around.

Yu Yuan was unaware that the Stormcrown Empire and the Sunblessed Empire had always enjoyed harmonious relations, with frequent interactions among the prominent families of both nations.

Liu Zaihe, a descendant of the King of Wraiths, had a clandestine pact with the Hu family of the Stormcrown Empire.

The Liu family, along with many others from the Sunblessed Empire, relied on the Hu family for the crafting of their weapons and artifacts.

Liu Zaihe had visited the Hu family on several occasions.

When Hu Yue first laid eyes on Liu Zaihe as a distinguished guest at her family's estate, she was smitten. She had brought him up in conversation many times, both openly and in private.

Liu Zaihe, a master at weapon refinement and endowed with a medically-minded talent, hailed from the Liu family of the Sunblessed Empire, making them an ideal match for marriage.

Hu Yue was wholeheartedly agreeable to the union.

However, the Liu family believed that Liu Zaihe was predestined to be favored by the Order of Healing in the Serpent Spine Mountains due to his exceptional talent. He was expected to be taken into the Order of Healing.

Liu Zaihe had never stated whether he was willing to take Hu Yue as his wife.

Thus, the matter was never officially considered.

Nevertheless, the amicable relationship between the Liu and Hu families remained unaffected.

"Zaihe, are Yu Yuan and Miss Chen in a servant relationship?" Hu Xuan inquired with a furrowed brow after approaching. "Even if they are servants, we mustn't offend them. Miss Chen is dearly cherished by the Songbird Queen of the Songbird Empire and is also that person's disciple. Miss Chen is bound to soar high in the Euwrea Continent."

Hu Hang nodded in agreement, "She is sure to secure her place in the future of the Everlands."

"They are not servants," Liu Zaihe flatly denied, his expression cool. "Our meeting was merely a chance encounter. I have no idea what stroke of luck that young man had to pique her interest."

"His name is Yu Yuan, correct?" a counselor from the Hu family inquired.

"That's correct," Liu Zaihe responded.

"Silvermoon Empire, Asvetaesi, the Yu family, Yu Yuan..."

A counselor affiliated with the Hu family mulled over the information, then cracked a sly grin. "How peculiar. The young master of the Yu family in Asvetaesi is said to be a fool. Lin Zhuyun, of the Silvermoon Empire's five moons, is his betrothed in name only."

At this revelation, some counselors of the Hu family burst into laughter.

These counselors were not originally from the Stormcrown Empire. Some had been citizens of the Silvermoon Empire but had either failed to make a living there or had committed crimes. They had sought refuge in the Stormcrown Empire, serving the Hu family as counselors, drawn by the family's renowned techniques in refining.

Some of them were unfamiliar with Yu Yuan, yet they had heard of Lin Zhuyun's supposed fiancé.

"What's the situation?" Hu Yue inquired with curiosity.

The counselors of the Hu family laid out Yu Yuan's reputation, explaining how he was considered a simpleton in the Silvermoon Empire and was the butt of jokes throughout the land, including taunts directed at the Yu family and Lin Zhuyun.

After listening, Hu Yue pursed her lips dismissively. "To think I had such high expectations of him."

"With someone like that, we can safely disregard his advice," one of the counselors remarked.

The group nodded in agreement.

And so, they quickly resolved to dismiss Yu Yuan's suggestions and proceeded on their way to Gloomhollow.

...

Amidst the lush forest, Yu Yuan came to an abrupt halt.

Sunlight, sharp as blades, pierced through the gaps in the foliage, casting its glow upon the earth and creating a myriad of light spots on the ground.

Yu Yuan furrowed his brow as he observed the white bones scattered before him. "These bones," he noted, "are partly human and partly from spirit animals. They must have been difficult to digest and were thus regurgitated."

Chen Qingyan glanced over from a distance, her brow creased with concern. "Most of these bones are human, with only a few belonging to spirit animals from the forest. What do you think consumed their flesh and then found it too bothersome to keep the bones?"

"You already know the answer," Yu Yuan replied.

Covering his nose, he stepped closer and crouched down for a better look. He reached out and touched a broad, grayish bone, commenting, "This bone is from the hind leg of a type of spirit animal. The flesh has been completely eaten away, leaving not even a trace of sinew behind."

Chen Qingyan remained silent, simply following in step.

Yu Yuan quickly rose to his feet, his gaze fixed in a certain direction. "For some reason, I have a feeling that a fierce battle awaits us in Gloomhollow," he said.

"A fierce battle?" Chen Qingyan expressed her surprise.

"Yes, the Poison Masters who were confined by the Sacred Hands might break free," Yu Yuan said, his eyes narrowing. "The Binders of Shadows' visit to the Serpent Spine Mountains likely involves more than just Zanas. The poisonous insects and alien beasts they cultivate rely heavily on the skills of a Poison Master."

He was more aware than anyone of the foundation upon which the Binders of Shadows had built their power.

After his reincarnation, he was certain that his senior brother would have immediately severed ties with the Binders of Shadows.

The Binders of Shadows would have to depend on alternative methods and other people to advance their poisonous insects.

Once the Poison Masters from the Sacred Hands were liberated from Gloomhollow, they would become a formidable force for the Binders of Shadows, provided they were willing to travel to the Land of Quiescence.

Moreover, Zanas would need the expertise of a Poison Master if he intended to control, restrain, and domesticate what was released.

"If the Binders of Shadows have a significant number of disciples arriving, the Order of Healing won't just stand by," Chen Qingyan remarked.

"Do you intend to join me? Permanently?" Yu Yuan suddenly inquired.

Chen Qingyan's eyes sparkled. "Rest assured, I won't hold you back."

"Good," Yu Yuan nodded, then continued, "As for the Hu family and Liu Zaihe, should they perish in Gloomhollow or fall into peril, I will not concern myself with their fate."

After a brief pause, he added, "Their lives are worth no more than a friendly warning from me. If they choose to ignore it, they have only themselves to blame."

"There's no need for explanations. I have no ties with the Hu family, including Liu Zaihe," Chen Qingyan said with a smile in her eyes. "Their fate is of no concern to me."

"Great!"

Two days later.

As Yu Yuan drew nearer to Gloomhollow, he suddenly spotted a towering figure with the head of a man and the body of a dragon. The figure revealed itself with wild arrogance, weaving through the dense forest canopy toward Gloomhollow.

As the imposing figure with a human head and dragon body was about to soar over their heads, he abruptly came to a halt.

Staring down in astonishment, the man's gaze fell upon Yu Yuan beneath the foliage. His mouth agape, he exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"

Chen Qingyan braced herself as if preparing for a formidable adversary. Inside her, a sword's will of terrifying magnitude was taking shape.

She could tell that this man was even more powerful than Zanas from the Binders of Shadows.

"Why are you heading to Gloomhollow?" Yu Yuan grunted, then advised, "Take my word for it, don't go to Gloomhollow. You're not equipped to handle it!"

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