FRGNM -Chapter 170 Stern and Deadly

Without the dampness of the ocean, without the heavy, murky atmosphere, even people felt clearer. Ling Ruoxi, sitting lazily on horseback, leaned back against Luo Mingyu’s chest.

The June heat, however, was unbearable.

Rainchou’s true form was a snake. Even under the scorching sun, his entire body remained cold as ice, lacking any warmth, almost like a corpse. His pale complexion made one break into a cold sweat just looking at him.

That chilling expression seemed as if he could devour all the humans around, revealing the dangerous nature of a snake. Handsome as he was, his presence now scared away anyone nearby.

“This is for you—to cover your face, so even those asking directions won’t recognize you.” The Silver Wolf handed a mask to Rainchou. To make things easier, it also pinned up his long silver hair, giving him the appearance of a wandering immortal cultivator. But as soon as he spoke, his playful nature betrayed the serene image.

Rainchou didn’t say much as he accepted the mask. Dressed entirely in black, with the mask on, he emanated an aura of cold menace.

“The border of Duanyun Kingdom is ahead. Are you sure Xiao Wu is inside, and hasn’t gone elsewhere?” Ling Ruoxi asked as she tugged on the reins.

Rainchou nodded. He could sense the boy within, and the malignant energy in his body had intensified compared to before. Time was running out—every moment lost made it harder for Xiao Wu. They had to act quickly.

“Alright. Let’s go in.” Ling Ruoxi dismounted and looked at the soldiers by the city gate. Would they recognize her?

The thought passed quickly; likely very few remembered her or Nangong Mo.

“This way!” Sensing Xiao Wu’s aura, Rainchou moved swiftly toward the city, his anxiety growing as he drew closer to the source.

The other three followed, rushing toward the houses.

“Be careful.” Luo Mingyu grasped Ling Ruoxi’s small hand, frowning at the foreboding aura nearby. It rivaled even the Nine Nether Fiend energy. Could the boy have grown this much in just a few days?

The runner shivered and suddenly stopped, pressing Luo Mingyu’s wrist, staring ahead in horror. The entire house was engulfed in black energy, constantly twisting as if writhing in pain.

It seemed to sense their presence. In an instant, the house’s energy vanished as if it had never existed. Simultaneously, another black figure shot out like lightning in a different direction.

“He ran!” Rainchou’s face darkened. Xiao Wu had detected his aura and slipped away right under his nose.

“Chase him!”

Inside the inn, the boy sitting at the table frowned but smirked, picking up chopsticks to eat the entire spread in one go, leaving everyone staring in disbelief.

“Trying to catch me isn’t that easy. I know I’m no match for you now, but in ten days, I’ll fully evolve. Rainchou, thanks for imprisoning me for over ten thousand years; now I have enough strength to fight you.”

“Master, that comes to 153 taels. This…”

“Are you blind? Do I need to pay for food? You’re lucky I didn’t take your life. Pathetic humans!” The boy kicked the table aside, clenched his fists, and the killing intent in his eyes flared as he turned to leave.

The waiter, desperate, reached for him—but before he could touch the boy, a strong force flung him against a pillar with a clang.

“Hmph, weaklings!” The boy clenched his fists. How could such weak humans rule the world, dominate them all?

Xiao Wu shouted in fury as he retreated. “Why come out? I don’t need your pity! Humans aren’t fit to rule this world!”

“Xiao Wu, listen! The malignant energy in your body is consuming you. You need to wake up and accept my treatment. Rainchou wants this too—you’ve misunderstood him all these years…”

“Misunderstand? Ha! You’re on that stinking creature’s side too. I will never go back, not with you! Come try and catch me—I want to see if you can!” With a howl, he released his golden Dou Qi and transformed into a massive bird, flying off.

Bang! The door was kicked aside as the Silver Wolf dashed in, only to see Xiao Wu vanish as a giant bird.

“Damn! He ran again!” Silver Wolf shook his head, touching his nose and laughing. “Ling Ruoxi, you’re useless! Capturing him should’ve been easy… Hey, are you alright?”

Seeing Ling Ruoxi’s wounds, Silver Wolf panicked. Human women are soft-hearted, true enough—her body was no match for her actions.

Ling Ruoxi pressed her hand to the wound. Dou Qi circulated through her, slowly healing it. She forced a smile. “I’m fine. But he’s gone. He didn’t even give me a chance to explain. Finding him again will be difficult.”

She had only followed her intuition, taking a shortcut to arrive before the others. Xiao Wu had flown off as a giant bird, and now even she couldn’t sense his aura.

Rainchou frowned, surveying the inn’s interior. “He escaped and even concealed his aura. Death Island’s malignant energy has its own consciousness. Aside from absorbing the Death Qi, it can hide along with the formation. I…”

His body trembled, and his face turned even paler.

Ling Ruoxi understood he had been holding himself together and reassured him. “Don’t worry. Even if he escapes to the ends of the earth, I’ll find him. Rainchou, you rest. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Yes, Master. But… we must find him within ten days. After that, it’s the Day of the Dog Eating the Moon. He’ll use that day to break through to the next stage. I trapped him for over ten thousand years; his age is over ten thousand. The law will punish him doubly. I’m worried he won’t survive the tribulation,” Rainchou said softly. His anxiety was clear to anyone.

Ten days, in a sea of people, to find a runaway—how difficult that would be!

Ling Ruoxi smiled lightly. “I understand. Rest well. Silver Wolf, take Rainchou to rest. I need to speak privately with Mingyu.”

“Alright, but if you go out later, take me along!” Silver Wolf said, frowning at the damp atmosphere. Injured as Rainchou was, there was no choice—they followed the master’s instructions.

Once Silver Wolf left with Rainchou, Luo Mingyu finally wrapped his arms around Ling Ruoxi, chin resting on her head. His hand pressed lightly on her wound.

“Does it hurt?”

“No.” Ling Ruoxi was momentarily stunned but answered.

The mischievous man pressed down hard, making her scream in pain. She swatted his hand away. Her healing was effective but slow; the wound wasn’t fully recovered, and pressing it made blood gush again.

“What the hell are you doing?!” She wanted to kick him away, clutching her wound.

Without warning, Luo Mingyu scooped her up, tossing a silver ingot aside, and “stomp-stomp-stomp,” headed to an upstairs room.

Though it felt like he threw her, Dou Qi ensured she landed gently on the bed. He was merely scaring her.

“What are you doing?” Ling Ruoxi pouted, shivering at him.

He glared, yanked at her clothes, and with a “snap,” tore her garment.

Her face turned pale. She tried to escape but he held her in place.

“You know it hurts—why resist?” His deep voice was smooth like wine, tinged with care. He pressed on her wound and bent down to kiss it.

Ling Ruoxi had no words. If she dodged, would Xiao Wu be angrier with her?