Just as Xu Ke and Xu Zhentai were leaving the Ye Family estate, a figure suddenly emerged from a cave halfway up the mountain.
"They're all gone. Alright, I'll go back, grab my things, and then leave." The man looked at the surveillance footage on his phone, the corners of his mouth curling into a smirk.
This person was none other than Yin Ping.
In fact, the moment Yin Ping saw Wong Qifu appear, he realized things had taken a grim turn. He recognized the Demonic Qi on her.
Why does that woman have Purebred Demonic Essence?! Yin Ping swallowed hard, still filled with fear at the memory.
As Xu Ke and Xu Zhentai had surmised, all of Ye Yunfeng's research on Demonic Qi had actually been fed to him by Yin Ping. Yin Ping knew that the Demonic Qi possessed by Ye Yunfeng was a type known as Secondary Demonic Essence. Its abilities were flawed—for example, it couldn't directly drain True Qi from a living person, and it wasn't particularly powerful. However, since Secondary Demonic Essence could be cultivated by humans, Yin Ping had given Ye Yunfeng the method.
Purebred Demonic Essence, however, was different.
It was impossible for Purebred Demonic Essence to appear in a human. It originated from the true Demon Race and was considered the nobility among Demonic Qi. This was precisely why Ye Yunfeng had been so utterly suppressed in his fight against Wong Qifu.
There was nothing to be done about it. It was a fear branded into the very bloodline.
What Yin Ping didn't understand was that only a purebred member of the Demon Race could possess Purebred Demonic Essence. But aside from their master, all other purebred demons had been sealed deep underground. How could one now appear in a human?
And that man... he possesses Dragon Essence? And he can fight with it? H-how is that possible?
Yin Ping clenched his teeth. No, I have to contact the master and ask for instructions!
He then dialed a number.
"Lord Yin Li!" he said respectfully. "Yin Ping reporting!
"Ye Yunfeng is dead. The experiments at the Ye Family have shown that martial artists can be assimilated by us en masse. If we use this properly, we will acquire an excellent Demon Guard Army.
"However, there are two key individuals in Tianhai that we must pay close attention to!"
「...」
When Xu Ke returned to the Wang Family residence, Qin Feng's antiques were neatly arranged in the first-floor living room.
"Son-in-law, what should we do with these?" Lin Qinghua asked instinctively upon seeing him.
"Uh… sell them if you can. Just turn them into money," Xu Ke said after a moment's thought. "If you really can't find a buyer, just sell them directly to the Qin Family. They should want them."
Hearing this, Lin Qinghua was momentarily startled. After a moment's thought, she suddenly felt a pang of pity for the Qin family.
"Alright!" Lin Qinghua nodded. Then, noticing the blood all over Xu Ke, she couldn't help but ask, "Your injuries..."
"It's nothing," Xu Ke laughed. "It's just blood, not injuries. I healed long ago."
After advancing to the Innate realm, his healing abilities had become freakishly powerful. Xu Ke felt that aside from his exhaustion and depleted True Qi, which made him unable to fight, he was no different from an ordinary person. This realization brought him a secret thrill.
If this is really the case, I could use those secret techniques that boost my strength a few more times in the future! he thought. However, the idea merely flickered through his mind before he dismissed it. He didn't dare take it too seriously. What if this time was just a stroke of luck? If I use a secret technique again and it genuinely damages my foundation, the loss would far outweigh the gain!
"Good, that's a relief!" Hearing Xu Ke's explanation, Lin Qinghua relaxed. He's a disciple of the Medical Saint, after all. He must know more than I do, so there's no need for me to worry unnecessarily.
Afterward, Xu Ke went up to the second floor. Wong Qifu was in her room. He knocked, then entered, closing the door behind him.
"How are you feeling?" Xu Ke asked.
At this moment, Wong Qifu had completely recovered her usual radiant and dignified appearance. She had changed into a comfortable nightgown and was lying in bed, propped up against the headboard. Her graceful curves were enticing, and her two straight, jade-like legs were so dazzlingly white that they almost outshone the light itself.
"I'm alright," Wong Qifu said with a smile, her pretty face slightly pale. "I just feel weak and want to rest for a bit."
Xu Ke frowned and took her wrist to check her pulse, then let out a sigh of relief. The rampant Demonic Qi from before had vanished without a trace. Her meridians were now empty, no different from those of an ordinary person who couldn't cultivate. At least for now, she wasn't showing any signs of being controlled by the Demonic Qi, unlike his second uncle.
But Xu Ke's heart still couldn't find peace.
"It seems the energy has truly disappeared. As for your symptoms..." Xu Ke pondered for a moment. "You've likely never handled such overwhelming power before, which is why you feel so drained now that it's gone. You should recover after some rest. Just stay put for the next few days and don't go anywhere.
"Also, try to forget about the Demonic Qi. When we go to Haojing, we'll ask Mister Mu what he knows, and then we'll decide what to do."
It had been Mister Mu who told Wong Qifu to go up the mountain. Perhaps he knows something...
Wong Qifu gazed at Xu Ke's serious, frowning face. Seeing him so earnest during one of their rare private moments caught her off guard, and a hint of warmth swelled in her eyes. After hearing his words, she obediently responded, "Okay, I'll listen to you."
Hearing such a soft tone from her for once, Xu Ke looked up. He saw the obedient sparkle in her exquisite eyes, and something inexplicable began to stir in his heart despite his worries.
He smiled, shifted into a more comfortable sitting position, and took her hand. "So, do you need me to check anywhere else?"
At his words, Wong Qifu blinked, her expression slightly dazed as she asked instinctively, "Where else needs to be checked?"
"To see if your heart is still beating normally..."
SMACK!
This time, Wong Qifu understood what he was getting at. She quickly swatted his hand away and said with exasperation, "No need, thank you, Dr. Xu."
He can't be serious for more than three seconds. Is this what all men are like?
"Just a joke," Xu Ke said. Undeterred by the rejection, he just rubbed his nose and slipped his hand under her quilt.
"What are you doing?" Wong Qifu yelped, her face flushing red like a startled rabbit.
It's no wonder she was so frightened. He was, after all, sliding his hand in by her waist and hips.
"Don't misunderstand, I'm checking your Dantian!" Xu Ke said earnestly, his hand quickly and deftly landing on her lower abdomen.
Wong Qifu said slowly, enunciating each word, "You could have just placed your hand there. Why did you have to lift my clothes?"
"How else can I check properly?" Xu Ke replied seriously. Wong Qifu really doesn't have an ounce of fat on her.
"I can't be bothered with you!" Wong Qifu pushed his hand away. "Hurry back to Junyue Residence and change. You stink."
"Let me stay a little longer. I'm exhausted after today. Have a heart," Xu Ke glanced down at his bloodstained clothes, hesitated, then persisted cheekily.
"Absolutely not. You really stink. And don't get my quilt dirty!" Wong Qifu refused, insisting that he go change.
Seeing her determination, Xu Ke's face fell into a pained expression. Just then, his eyes lit up. "How about I borrow something of yours to change into?"
"My clothes? Which one do you want to wear?" Wong Qifu was taken aback.
"The box from last time!" Xu Ke stood up, about to start searching.
At that, Wong Qifu panicked. Her eyes flew wide, and she hastily sprang out of bed, pushing him toward the door. "No, no, no! Just go back!"
"You're not allowed to even think about that box again!!"
