Refining the Mountains and Rivers

“Stop!” Someone issued a decree. The troop came to a halt. “I think this place is quiet enough. Since it isn’t safe to hurry along at night, let’s stop here for now.”

The voice of a youth sounded out. The tone of a superior naturally flowed out from him. It was clear that this person had a considerable status.

Among the troop, the demon guards responsible for safety swept around the lake and saw the carriage that was obviously stopped there. The guard leader frowned and said, “Sir, it seems that someone is already here. It may be a bit too crowded. How about we make camp somewhere further up?”

“If there are people here then make them leave. Can it be that I need to order you for something so trivial?” The youth’s voice sounded out once again.

The guard leader revealed a helpless expression, “Yes, I understand.” He turned and was about to order his subordinates to disperse the people around the lake, but he suddenly stopped when a figure quietly walked towards him.

Black Astral arrived in front of the troop without expression and said, “My master is resting here and does not wish to be disturbed by anyone. I ask that you immediately leave.”

“Look for your…” A demon guard couldn’t even finish roaring out a reply before a kick sent him sprawling backwards. The guard leader turned pale and said with an apologetic smile, “Sorry, these people don’t understand the customs and have offended you. We were just about to leave!”

Black Astral nodded, “Thank you.”

He turned and left.

After recovering the demon who had been kicked away and left unconscious, the troop quickly left. Once they were a certain distance away, the young man’s voice rang out from inside the carriage again. Although he was calm, one could hear the suppressed anger beneath it.

“Leader Black Armor, I think you should give me an explanation.”

The guard leader turned around. He only relaxed when he no longer saw the lake. But, he still kept his voice down as he said, “Sir, the one who negotiated with us was extremely formidable, at least at the peak of the Demon General realm…if someone can order him around as a servant, they must have an absolutely great background. It is best if we don’t come into conflict with them.”

The youth was silent for a moment. His tone lightened as he said, “Do not stop tonight. Hurry along the way.”

“Yes.” Seeing that he wasn’t going to argue, Black Armor’s complexion lit up with joy. Although they would likely encounter some demon beasts at night, it was far better than coming into conflict with those people behind them.

A breeze had already dissipated before it could take shape. Qin Yu and Feature didn’t even know this had happened.

The next day, they enjoyed a clear breezy breakfast by the lakeside. Feature pulled Qin Yu back into the carriage and loudly proclaimed that because the victor of yesterday’s battle had yet to be decided, she would slaughter him on the battlefield today.

Qin Yu face-palmed, feeling like he wanted to die. The chess style of the abyssal demons was quite interesting, but when the opponent was a completely unreasonable woman it became like torture.

He braced himself and played three games with her. In the end he lost two and won one. Only after a great deal of arguing did he free himself from this entanglement and toss this assignment towards the pale-faced Mian Ya.

He drank several cups of tea in one breath before he felt the blockage in his chest be relieved a little. He found a comfortable position to lie down and fell asleep for some time.

Despite Qin Yu’s cultivation, even he felt tired and weary. It could be imagined how mentally exhausting it was to play chess against Feature.

When he woke up, the skies had darkened. Qin Yu narrowed his eyes and saw a pale Mian Ya staring at him with a sad and plaintive look.

He secretly thought that this was tragic. But for this kind of thing, it was better for others to sacrifice themselves rather than him. He could only apologize and ignore her plight.

Feature had already left the carriage. She pointed at a small demon town in the distance and said, “We’re staying there tonight!”

She turned towards Qin Yu and revealed a look of disgust. “Huh…you fell asleep and slept all day. Qin Yu, are you a pig?”

Towards her provocation, Qin Yu only replied with a laugh. People were self-knowledgeable. As for when her level of chess was concerned, even pigs could be considered honest and righteous creatures.

“Qin Yu!” Feature seemed to see through his thoughts. She shouted and tossed herself at him, “If you dare say it then you’re dead!”

Mian Ya had a relieved expression. She finally thought that Qin Yu was going to suffer everything she did…however, Miss Feature’s chess skills were just far, far too horrible!

After a bit of noisiness, the carriage drove into the town and chose the largest inn to stay at.

When Black Astral came to a stop, he looked around and saw several other carriages. He furrowed his eyebrows for a moment.

The inn owner was an old man of the Demon Fox Clan. With their naturally witty minds and their ability for open and underhanded tactics, they were suited to doing business.

The Demon Fox Clan was known as a tribe that occupied nearly a third of all industries in the abyss.

Of course, the Demon Fox Clan wasn’t strong in itself. Although it was said they occupied nearly a third of all industries, this was mostly related to helping take care of them and not actual ownership.

Even so, this was enough to show how excellent the Demon Fox Clan’s skills were in management.

The two old foxes happily conversed. Old Fox introduced himself as an accountant who was out travelling with his master. The inn owner raised his eyebrows, saying that when it came to handling finances and other similar jobs, there was no one in the entire abyss that could compare with the Demon Fox Clan.

Regarding this, Old Fox nodded deeply and agreed.

If it weren’t for the fact that there was another group of people waiting behind, the two old foxes might have gone to the backhouse to talk throughout the night over a meal of chicken and wine.

Thanks to Old Fox, the inn owner said that although a distinguished guest just came in recently and took over the best rooms, there were still some remaining. Normally, these rooms weren’t open to the outside and were only used to entertain relatives and friends.

After Old Fox expressed his thanks, the inn owner called over a young worker and had him lead the group to the rooms. The rooms were in a good spot. And, there was a little river at the back of the inn. Pushing open a window, one could see the lights that lit up the river and the demonic willow trees that fluttered on both sides of the bank.

Feature was satisfied. Then with gratitude, she chose the best room, one that had two suites inside.

Next she turned and pointed at Qin Yu, who was about to choose a different room. She raised an eyebrow and said, “You are staying in my room tonight. There’s no arguing. After sleeping all day, it’s time for you to work at night. This time, I will destroy you until you toss away your helmet and armor and are entirely routed!”

One could see the inn owner’s smile freeze on the spot. He looked at Feature and then at Qin Yu. Were the youths of the demon race so open and brazen already?

Moreover, this miss was born so beautifully and yet had no sense of constraint or reserve. In full view of everyone, she challenged a man to a ‘fight’. It really was undignified.

Before this, in order to avoid unnecessary troubles, Feature and Qin Yu put on a light disguise. In the eyes of others, they looked like ordinary higher level demons.

The appearance of the royal families was simply far too eye-catching.

Old Fox’s lips twitched. He naturally knew that his fellow clansman was mistaken, but he didn’t dare to say anything embarrassing, otherwise the owner of this inn might have to be switched after today.

He lightly coughed and grabbed the shoulders of the inn owner, “Come, come, bring us to our rooms. Sir, miss, you must be tired so please rest early.” He glanced at Mian Ya and said, “What are you waiting for? Enter the room with the sir and miss to help take care of them.”

The inn owner’s lips twitched again. He was leaving but couldn’t help but glance back at the young and sweet-looking maid.

This was unexpectedly a play of one dragon and two phoenixes…

Gulp –

It was unknown which young worker gulped out loud, but the inn owner really thought they had no prospects.

But thinking about it, if he trades spots with that person…stop, hurry and stop it. My head feels dizzy and I’m about to have a nosebleed!

Black lines appeared down Qin Yu’s forehead. He entered the room and said in a loud whisper, “Feature, when you speak can’t you pay a little attention to how you phrase your sentences?”

Mian Ya blushed. She stood to the side, her heart pounding. She thought that even if this was the case, it wouldn’t be bad either.

Of course she wanted to climb onto Qin Yu’s bed. Whether it was because of his strength or the existence of the Thousand Mirage Demon Mirror, this was the best choice.

But to say that Mian Ya felt any sincerity towards Qin Yu, that would be a joke.

However, powerhouses ruled all in the abyss. To have the chance to attach herself to a powerhouse was already her greatest good fortune.

To talk about sincerity, true emotions, or anything like that? That was just a moron talking nonsense!

Feature snorted out loud. “If your heart is pure, then naturally everything else is pure. If your thoughts are impure, then you’ll find the reason for why you’re crooked within yourself.” As she spoke she glanced to the side and said, “And you, you little harlot, just what is going on in that brain of yours? Although I’m not opposed to you crawling up onto Qin Yu’s bed using your own ability, if you’re in my presence at least restrain yourself a little.”

Mian Ya blushed red and left, saying that she needed to make the bed. But before she left she glanced at Qin Yu, her eyes like two little hooks that wanted to pull out his soul.

Feature scolded her for being such a showy fox. She pointed at Qin Yu and said, “You should be careful. Don’t become so besotted with others that you forget who you are.”

Qin Yu replied that she didn’t need to bother and was about to run away before he was caught by Feature. She said that until he accompanied her for eight to ten games of chess, there was no way he was leaving.

Thus, for the entire evening, Qin Yu didn’t get any sleep. Only when dawn came did he manage to rid himself of Feature. Countless chess pieces circulated in his mind. They collided and clashed, the sounds drilling into his brain.

This was true despair!

As for Feature, while she hadn’t slept a single wink, she was beaming and full of spirits. She pulled Qin Yu out and said that she wanted to personally make breakfast as a way to thank him for his hard work last night.

When the two left for the inn’s kitchen, they came across the owner. When the owner saw their differences in appearance, he subconsciously grinned. Although the young had vigor, this young man clearly wasn’t able to fight one against two.

Tsk tsk, as expected, in the abyss, only old and exhausted bulls and fields that hadn’t been plowed poorly…no, I have to talk to the old lady today! My energy is too high!