Chapter Fifteen: The Forbidden Land

Listening to Zhao Yuan’s rather sarcastic words, the woman’s face showed no anger at all; instead, there was a hint of bitterness.

“They aren’t really listening to me. They’re just trying to use me to keep Zhao Ling’er here,” she said.

Zhao Yuan was puzzled—how had the conversation suddenly shifted to Zhao Ling’er? He didn’t ask, but the woman seemed to sense his confusion, yet she deliberately withheld the explanation, as if indulging in suspense.

“I know you can take me away from here. I beg you, please take me with you!” Once more, the woman knelt on the ground, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked up at him.

Knowing Zhao Ling’er was in the room next door, the woman kept her sobs quiet, and even in her agitation, she suppressed her voice, afraid to disturb the person nearby.

Zhao Yuan gazed at the kneeling figure, sighed helplessly, and rose to help her up, comforting her, “I don’t even know where the Demonic Forbidden Grounds are, let alone your father—I just happened to enter…”

“I’ll go with you.”

Before Zhao Yuan could finish, the woman spoke firmly, her tone brooking no refusal.

He didn’t try to reject her further; Zhao Yuan knew it would be futile. She would continue to plead, refusing to give up until he agreed to take her. To save time, it was easier to acquiesce. He had no idea what lay ahead, but instinct told him this woman was not evil, and so he granted her request, prepared to adapt as needed.

Following her steps, they arrived at a desolate corner. It was deserted, though the buildings remained grand.

“Watch out!”

Suddenly, the woman cried out in alarm. Zhao Yuan sensed something behind him, spun around, and saw a shadowy beast lunging at the ground.

It must be one of the ferocious guardians of the forbidden grounds.

Zhao Yuan frowned, feeling a chill at his back, and sidestepped another attack from the beast.

Its determination was relentless. Though it missed its target several times, it did not retreat, instead launching even fiercer assaults, making it difficult for Zhao Yuan to defend himself.

“Look out behind you!” the woman shouted.

Without hesitation, Zhao Yuan drew his weapon from his waist and slew the beast with a single stroke. He thought that would be the end, but the remaining creature, mad with rage, charged at them.

“Turns out they’re a pair of doomed lovers,” Zhao Yuan muttered, and swiftly dispatched the second beast as well.

The woman, still shaken, approached as Zhao Yuan finished off the beasts, watching their bodies dissolve into ash. Even in the moonlight, her face was pale.

She clasped Zhao Yuan’s hand, worry etched across her features, and studied him anxiously. “Are you alright? I forgot to warn you—there are many ferocious beasts here.”

Seeing her remorseful expression, Zhao Yuan’s face softened, a gentle smile curling at his lips. He surveyed the ominously quiet surroundings in silence.

“Ah…”

Before she could react, she saw Zhao Yuan thrust his blade toward himself. The woman shrieked, covering her eyes, but the expected pain did not come. Slowly, she opened her eyes.

Zhao Yuan was smiling faintly. She turned and met a pair of eyes, round and shining like copper bells, and startled, she stumbled back, landing in Zhao Yuan’s arms.

She watched as the beast pierced by his blade turned to ash, still struggling to process what had happened. She had actually thought he meant to kill her, only to realize he had spotted the beast behind her and saved her from its attack. Shame flushed her cheeks as she lowered her head.

“Could you let go of me now?” came a deep, gentle voice at her ear. Only then did she realize her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck, their bodies pressed close, the atmosphere charged with something unspoken.

Though her face was tinged with blush, Zhao Yuan looked thoroughly annoyed. It wasn’t that he lacked romantic sense; the perfume she wore was unbearably pungent and overwhelming. He felt he’d shown her enough respect by not sneezing.

They pressed onward, encountering more beasts along the way, nerves taut and unrelenting.

The woman need only protect herself, but Zhao Yuan was responsible for both their safety, which left him weary.

“Why are there fewer beasts behind us?” she wondered aloud.

Based on her calculations, this should have been the time for beasts to attack, yet none appeared. She found it strange.

Zhao Yuan raised an eyebrow at her confusion. He wasn’t surprised—the beasts were all slain by him. He could sense the creatures in these grounds were far fiercer than those outside.

Though beastly, they too required cultivation; the outside ones were mere underlings, while those inside were far tougher.

Fearing the woman might panic, Zhao Yuan didn’t tell her that the deeper they went, the more formidable the beasts became. Since he could protect them, there was no point in alarming her.

“How much further?” he asked, ignoring her question. They had been traveling for some time, slaying numerous beasts, yet the forbidden grounds remained elusive.

Leading the way, the woman gently parted the grass ahead. “It’s here,” she said.

Zhao Yuan looked through the thicket and saw a grand gate, its surface draped in cobwebs—a sign no one had passed through in ages. Yet for a forbidden place, it was built like a palace.

Outside, a few beasts lounged about, larger than any they had encountered thus far. The aura they exuded was regal—were these the kings of the forbidden grounds?

Reflecting on the escalating difficulty of the beasts, Zhao Yuan frowned, sat down on the ground nearby, and closed his eyes.

The woman grew anxious at his sudden behavior, but she knew he would never break a promise. However worried she was, she watched in silence.

Crouched in the grass, she eyed the beasts guarding the gate, their glances sweeping the area. Her heart raced with fear, dreading discovery.

Suddenly, she felt their gaze upon her. Hastily, she lowered the grass and bowed her head, frightened.

Heavy footsteps sounded—she knew she had been found. Hopelessness filled her, as if she had already surrendered her life.

A chill touched her head, followed by a gust of wind and the sound of a blade striking. She slowly opened her eyes, parted the grass, and saw Zhao Yuan, who had been resting, locked in combat with the beast.

Though its frame was immense, the beast ultimately fell beneath Zhao Yuan’s blade.