"Shi Xue, why have you returned? Let the past fade away with the wind."
"I am here on behalf of someone else, for another matter. I will leave once it is done."
"I wish to inquire about something. Where is the human woman abducted by An Ye being held?"
Upon hearing this, Kong Liang looked at Shi Xue with deep eyes and shook his head.
"It seems you still cannot let go!"
"And have you ever let go?"
Shi Xue recalled Kong Liang's words in the tavern, realizing he too had not let go of his inner turmoil.
"Whether you can let go or not, you must! However, I advise you not to go. The place is heavily guarded. If you are discovered, they will surely not let you off."
Shi Xue remained noncommittal and pressed further, "Can you tell me where it is? I will decide for myself."
"Very well, good advice is wasted on the stubborn. Here!"
Kong Liang produced a jade slip, inputted information into it, and tossed it to Shi Xue before turning to leave.
Shi Xue picked up the jade slip and examined it. It contained a complete map of Demon God Mountain. More importantly, Kong Liang had marked all the changes that had occurred over the past million years. It also indicated key locations and the approximate number of experts residing in each.
Shi Xue's brow furrowed. There were quite a few experts on Demon God Mountain. Although the Demon-Human Alliance was currently engaged in battle with the human race, Demon God Mountain still housed eight Demon Kings and dozens of Demon Lords.
...
In the secret chamber of the abandoned courtyard, Xiao Fei and Ji Wudi had been waiting for over ten days.
"Brother Xiao! This woman has been gone for so long and hasn't returned. Do you think she might betray us?"
Xiao Fei shook his head with conviction.
"No!"
"The restriction I placed on her soul has not been triggered. If she intended to betray us, she wouldn't need so many days. It would be better to do it sooner rather than later."
To be honest, Xiao Fei had been a bit nervous the day Shi Xue left, fearing betrayal. However, as time passed, he gradually became at ease, no longer worried.
"But I feel this woman isn't on our side. It's better to be cautious."
Ji Wudi still lacked trust in Shi Xue. Just then, another spurt of blood shot out from his body.
"I thought you were a man of integrity, but you're so petty, always gossiping behind people's backs!"
As Shi Xue's voice echoed, a crimson figure strode in from the entrance.
"Who's gossiping behind your back? I'll gossip to your face if I want to, what can you do about it?"
Ji Wudi clutched his bleeding wound, stood up, and glared at Shi Xue.
"I've disliked you for a long time. Who are you putting on that cold, sullen face for? I have no intention of being your lapdog. What's the point of just having a pretty face? I don't care!"
As Ji Wudi spoke, Zhu Yu's handsome face inexplicably flashed in his mind. Truly, one smile could topple cities, another could topple nations! No! No! This thought is dangerous. Ji Wudi shook his head vigorously, trying to banish this perilous notion. Compared to Zhu Yu, the cold, icy vampire demoness before him was far more endearing. The demoness must be more endearing! Ji Wudi forcibly instilled in his mind the normal values that women were more lovable. Seeing Zhu Yu once years ago had caused endless trouble; even though he could restrain himself, he always remembered that face, which outshone all others. Ji Wudi turned his gaze back to Shi Xue, finding her quite attractive. It would be even better if she didn't wear that cold expression.
Shi Xue ignored Ji Wudi and took out the jade slip given to her by Kong Liang.
"This is the detailed intelligence. Take a look. It's not easy to make a move!"
Xiao Fei took the jade slip and read it. It was indeed difficult. Demon God Mountain currently had eight Golden Immortal-level powerhouses and dozens of Immortal Lord realm experts. A direct assault was clearly not feasible. Huang Feifei was imprisoned in An Ye's cave dwelling. An Ye was already a renowned Demon King-level expert among the entire demon race, making him formidable. Three other Demon Kings resided near An Ye's cave dwelling, their proximity a concern. If any commotion were made, the adjacent three Demon Kings would surely sense it. Furthermore, according to the intelligence, these three Demon Kings had a good relationship with An Ye, making their intervention highly probable.
"The demons on Demon God Mountain surely haven't realized we would risk coming to rescue her. This gives us an opportunity we can exploit."
Xiao Fei tapped his fingers on the jade tabletop, having already mentally simulated countless scenarios of how events might unfold and how each person should react.
"I will find a way to lure away the experts on Demon God Mountain, and then we can quietly enter An Ye's cave dwelling to rescue her."
"How do you plan to lure them away? Are you going to use your Creation Jade Plate again? That might attract all the experts from both the demon and human races, making it even more dangerous."
Ji Wudi asked with some confusion. Xiao Fei's previous appearance on the battlefield had caused severe consequences, resulting in heavy casualties for the human race. He couldn't believe Xiao Fei wouldn't consider this. At the same time, Shi Xue looked at Xiao Fei curiously, wondering what method he could possibly use to draw away the experts on Demon God Mountain.
Xiao Fei glanced at Shi Xue, deciding not to let her know about this matter for now, as she was also from the Demon God race. What he was about to do was akin to digging up the graves of her own people, and Shi Xue might not approve.
"Don't worry, I won't expose the Creation Jade Plate here easily. There will surely be great chaos on Demon God Mountain soon, and that's when we'll go rescue her."
He wouldn't expose the Creation Jade Plate here, but he might expose it elsewhere if forced. Moreover, for a swift escape after success, the Creation Jade Plate would be essential.
"Ji Wudi, you are the main combat force. If any Demon King-level experts remain, they will be your responsibility to deal with."
"The secret passage we used to arrive might not be passable then."
"Shi Xue, you and I will be responsible for the rescue. Once we have the person, we will immediately escape into my Creation Jade Plate. I will handle the aftermath."
While Xiao Fei was planning the rescue with the two in the secret chamber, by the underground river, a clone of Xiao Fei appeared with a flash of light on the white bones he had left behind. This clone first dug a pit and buried the pile of white bones. Then, it summoned an immortal sword and vigorously chopped at the surrounding thorns. These thorns, though appearing fragile, were quite sturdy, often requiring several blows from the immortal sword to be severed. The severed thorns were immediately sealed. By the time this clone also turned into a pile of white bones, it had already cut down over a dozen thorny branches and packed them away.