Chapter 128: Secret Code

What on earth is that? That glaring, golden thing is so gaudy! It’s not elegant at all! Nangong Yao roared silently to himself.

Meanwhile, Murong Yi’s internal monologue was running along these lines: Isn’t this the little yellow robot from that strange dream earlier? How did it get here? Wait, am I still dreaming? Sleep, I must sleep!

With that thought, Murong Yi immediately lay back down, leaving Nangong Yao and Ouyang Jue staring at each other in bewilderment.

Ouyang Jue, seeing Murong Yi lie back down, rushed to her side and asked, "Xiao Yi, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Hearing Ouyang Jue’s voice, Murong Yi slowly opened her eyes. Seeing the sheer concern on his face, she forced a weak smile and began to speak, but then gasped, "Holy crap!" She had been startled by the little yellow robot suddenly bobbing right in front of her eyes.

She sat up abruptly, glared at the robot floating before her, and demanded viciously, "Where did you pop out from?"

The little yellow robot wobbled, drifted slowly onto Murong Yi’s shoulder, and pulled out a metal fish to gnaw on with a serious expression.

Veins bulged on Murong Yi’s forehead. She plucked it off her shoulder and was just about to teach it a lesson when she suddenly sensed danger!

With a flash of movement, she didn't care about anything else and threw herself directly in front of Ouyang Jue. At the same time, her pupils shifted from their original ink-black to a deep, dark green. Her fingernails elongated in an instant, and every muscle in her body tensed.

Turning her head toward the door, Nangong Yao and Ouyang Jue were stunned by this sudden transformation, but they quickly readied themselves for combat. Only the heartless little yellow robot continued to bob along, pulling out a yellow chicken leg to munch on.

The sound of "tap-tap" footsteps grew closer, and the group’s breathing became shallow and strained.

"What are you all doing?" Qin Yu asked the moment she stepped through the door, seeing their defensive stance.

Before she could finish her sentence, she felt a powerful gust of wind. Instinctively, she blocked the attack with her dagger. Just as she was about to speak, Qing Li, who had been standing right beside her, waved his hand, and the attacker fell to the ground with a thud.

"Spare her!" Nangong Yao stopped Qing Li’s next move, then hurried to Murong Yi’s side. "Are you alright?" He quickly fed her an unknown pill.

Murong Yi looked up and glared fiercely at Qin Yu, then turned to Nangong Yao and said, "Kill her!"

Nangong Yao froze. Then, seemingly realizing something, he said with a mournful expression, "My dear lady, she is your savior! How could you possibly kill the person who saved you the moment you wake up?"

Murong Yi wore an expression that screamed, "No way! Don't lie to me!" Seeing this, Ouyang Jue quickly added, "Xiao Yi, she really is the one who saved you."

Murong Yi’s face darkened. She stood up, moved to the side, and said sternly, "Jue, I want an explanation!"

Ouyang Jue sat down beside her and, holding her hand, began to recount everything that had happened during her absence.

Qin Yu and the others quietly retreated; they figured that once things were explained, it would be fine.

Nangong Yao watched Qing Li, feeling a chill at the power behind that earlier strike. This man was likely far stronger than he had imagined! But why did he keep feeling like he was overlooking something important?

Qing Li had carried Qin Yu back yesterday; thanks to Nangong Yao’s pill, Qin Yu was fine after a good night's sleep. Fearing the impending danger, they had intended to check on the situation here, only to walk into such a scene.

He figured it was best to leave for now; once those two settled things, everything else would be easier to manage.

Ignoring Nangong Yao’s scrutinizing gaze, Qing Li led Qin Yu away. However, just as he moved out of Nangong Yao’s line of sight, Qing Li turned back abruptly. He gave Nangong Yao a ghostly smile, mouthed a few words, and vanished.

Recalling those words, Nangong Yao felt his limbs turn ice-cold, and a trace of fear flashed in his eyes. That man... how could he know? Or could it be that he...

Nangong Yao clenched his fists, bowing his head slightly as his unkempt hair veiled his eyes. When he looked up again, his eyes had turned a haunting shade of red.

A cruel smile curled his lips as he whispered, "Since you know, then let it be destroyed... Qing Li, heh."

Ignoring Nangong Yao’s state, Qing Li thought about the man's reaction. He understood something now; what had been a mere suspicion was clearly the truth.

It seemed he needed to be on his guard. Nangong Yao must have been corrupted by demonic energy—or rather, he had returned to that state. Heh, he was genuinely looking forward to it. He wondered who would prevail in a clash against a so-called immortal.

Qing Li looked down at Qin Yu, who wore a faint smile, and a trace of worry crossed his eyes. He wondered if his Yu'er would be able to accept that version of Nangong Yao. What a nuisance!

"What's wrong?" Qin Yu asked, noticing Qing Li staring at her intently.

"Nothing. I just think you're getting more beautiful by the day, Yu'er! I can barely restrain myself," Qing Li said earnestly.

Qin Yu blushed, rolled her eyes at him, pulled her hand away, and walked off quickly.

Qing Li remained standing there, watching her retreating figure with eyes full of doting affection.

At the same time, the moment Nangong Yao’s eyes changed, a man named Zi at the City Base suddenly vomited blood, startling Yin, who stood beside him.

"What happened?" Yin asked, staring at him intently.

"He... he’s in trouble," Zi thought, dazed. He then grabbed Yin’s hand, his voice frantic and desperate. "Tell me! Tell me how to get out of this hellhole! I have to go to him! Something must have happened to him!"

Tears streamed down Zi’s face. Yin froze, then shook her head helplessly. "I..."

"I know you have a way! I beg you! Even if I have to plead with you—I have to save him! He must be waiting for me!" Zi’s tears dripped onto Yin’s cold hands.

The scalding heat of his tears burned her hands, and burned her heart just as deeply. She seemed to recall someone else begging her just like this years ago, but...

She closed her eyes and said hoarsely, "Fine, I will help you." As she spoke, a single tear of blood slid from the corner of her eye, tracing a new path down her pale face.

Zi saw the blood-tear and bit his lip. "Thank you."

Yin shook her head. "Consider it my atonement," though she was already beyond redemption.

Zi looked toward the direction of the City Base, his gaze deep and inscrutable. A faint smile touched his lips as he murmured, "Wait for me. Very soon, very soon."