Chapter Forty-Nine: Li Kai

Li Yu held Yan Lingji’s delicate hand as he observed Wei Zhuang, who was at that moment feeling around for a hidden mechanism. As a disciple of Ghost Valley, Wei Zhuang naturally understood the art of mechanisms, even if he wasn’t as skilled as the Mohist or Gongsun clans. Still, the basics were well within his grasp. Talent, temperament, learning, appearance, physique—he excelled in every aspect, and his training was comprehensive. Although, it seemed this generation of Ghost Valley disciples had encountered some difficulties.

“I found it,” Wei Zhuang said abruptly, pressing down on a mechanism with calm indifference. As he spoke, the sound of gears turning echoed around them.

With a grinding roar, the floor slowly opened, revealing a staircase descending into darkness. Without torches, the depths below were pitch-black, lending the place a sinister atmosphere.

Li Yu squinted, about to examine what lay beneath, but before he could, Wei Zhuang—reckless as ever—grabbed a torch from the wall and marched down the stairs first. His courage was astounding; he didn’t seem concerned about any possible ambushes below.

Li Yu’s lips twitched, retracting his previous assessment. He despised Wei Zhuang’s brash behavior—wasn’t this just sabotaging his own team? Even if everyone here had already been slaughtered, who could say what was lurking underneath? If there was a trap, this would be courting disaster.

Li Yu instructed Wushuang Ghost to stay outside as a precaution. He himself led his little kitten into the secret chamber.

Wushuang Ghost, with its unique growl, voiced its dissatisfaction.

“It’s too narrow inside, you’re too big and strong to move freely—be good, I’ll roast a lamb leg for you when we get home!” Li Yu coaxed Wushuang Ghost like a child.

With a grunt, Wushuang Ghost nodded, clutching its wooden stick and settling nearby.

Compared to the bloody horror outside, the tunnel felt lifeless, save for the occasional sound of dripping water.

With a click, Wei Zhuang drew his blade ahead, revealing a shadow on the dark wall.

Li Yu stepped forward and recognized the figure—it was the Scorpion, leader of the Poison Scorpion Sect, who had vanished moments before.

The Scorpion had hidden in a recess of the tunnel, blending into the darkness. If not for Wei Zhuang, he might truly have slipped past unnoticed.

“Do you intend to exterminate us all?” the Scorpion shouted as he parried Wei Zhuang’s Shark Tooth blade.

With a thud and a hiss, a dazzling, bewitching figure, slender jade fingers, a burst of seductive flames, and a mysterious voice appeared.

“Old ghost, do you still remember who I am?” Yan Lingji, like a mischievous sprite, stepped closer to the Scorpion, wanting him to see her clearly.

“You? The abducted witch from Baiyue…” Recognizing the signature flames and her enchanting face, the Scorpion realized who she was—no wonder she had seemed so familiar in the inner courtyard.

“Mind your words. I rescued her, not abducted. If you say that again, my wife will misunderstand,” Li Yu stepped forward to correct him.

“Bah! Who’s your wife? And what’s a wife?” Yan Lingji shot Li Yu a glare.

“A wife is your closest companion—the one you share everything with,” Li Yu explained with a smile.

Wei Zhuang and the Scorpion were both left speechless.

In a flash, Wei Zhuang unleashed a violent attack, sending the Scorpion tumbling away.

“Wife, let me help you avenge this!” Li Yu lifted his sword to join the fray.

But Yan Lingji was faster—she pulled out her hairpin and aimed it at the fallen Scorpion.

The hairpin flew like a fiery serpent toward him. The Scorpion dodged, but Wei Zhuang was even quicker, slicing him across the waist and sending him flying.

Li Yu arrived just in time to lament—his novice journey had ended here.

Clutching his wound, the Scorpion glared fiercely at Wei Zhuang before his head fell to the side, ending his wicked life.

“People ought to leave themselves a way out. Those who do too much evil rarely meet a good end,” Li Yu sighed.

“Master, in this world, even good people rarely live long,” Yan Lingji offered her view.

Li Yu smiled, “That’s why I’m here. I wish to use my meager strength to restore peace to the world.”

Wei Zhuang, rarely speaking, sneered, “Don’t you think you’re childish?”

“Not at all. Everything depends on human effort—someone has to take the first step,” Li Yu replied, unwilling to dwell further. “This chamber isn’t finished; let’s go down and see.”

He took the lead descending. The tunnel wasn’t deep; soon they reached the bottom.

As Li Yu had expected, there were many captives here, quieter than those above. Perhaps the perpetual darkness had extinguished their hope.

One wooden cell caught Li Yu’s attention.

“You handle the killing, I’ll handle the saving. Wait outside for me; I want to speak with someone inside,” Li Yu said to Wei Zhuang and Yan Lingji.

Yan Lingji curiously looked at the cell Li Yu’s gaze had lingered on.

Inside was a man, but his appearance was pitiful—clothes in tatters, bandages covering his head, face dull and lifeless, eyes empty, like an old man near death.

As each cell was opened, Li Yu watched the rescued captives, moving like the living dead out of the underground prison.

Li Yu came to the last cell.

He stood before it, paused, and spoke slowly:

“Liu Yi is dead—I killed him.”

At this, the prisoner’s body trembled slightly.

Li Yu continued, “The Three Wolves have also been slain.”

The man’s eyes finally showed a glimmer of light.

“Hu Ningyue has a daughter—she is Li Kai’s.”

This time, the man no longer seemed lifeless. He sprang up like a leopard, gripping the prison bars with all his strength, staring at Li Yu.

“Where is she?” came a hoarse voice.

Li Yu ignored him and went on, “Before marrying Li Kai, Hu Ningyue was already pregnant. She waited for her lover to come for her, but received only bad news. Forced to survive, she married someone she didn’t love and couldn’t even raise her own daughter.”

Looking at the wretched man, Li Yu asked, “Do you think such a man deserves to be her husband? Useless, dragging down wife and child. I know Hu Ningyue’s character—she would never become pregnant before marriage unless coerced. So, for his own desires, this man brought disgrace upon her. Do you think he has any sense of responsibility?”

“As a superior, he was manipulated by his subordinates, nearly died, and instead of seeking revenge, he only thought to survive. Tell me, isn’t this man useless?”

Li Yu’s barrage left the previously excited man overwhelmed with shame.

“You’re right. I am useless. I only want to know if my daughter is still alive,” the man admitted, revealing himself as Li Kai.

“She’s at Zilan Pavilion, named Nongyu. I should call you father-in-law, but you’re unworthy—especially unworthy of Hu Ningyue. She’s suffered too much. Did you know, after marrying Liu Yi, she was abused every day because of her pregnancy? I don’t want you in their lives. I can give you a large sum of money so you can live out your days in peace, but if you dare to appear before them…”

Li Yu’s gaze turned cold, “I’ll make you wish you were dead.”

He knew Li Kai was a coward—if he frightened him enough, he would disappear.

Li Kai was intimidated, but then he gripped the wooden door tightly, “I want to see Nongyu.”

Li Yu shook his head, staring at Li Kai, “You may watch, but not reveal yourself.”

Li Kai fell silent, thinking for a long time.

Li Yu waited patiently.

“Fine,” Li Kai finally said softly.

With the sound of metal striking wood, the prison was slowly opened.

...

In front of Zilan Pavilion.

“Husband, why did you call me out?” Nongyu asked gently.

“I missed you,” Li Yu caressed her beautiful face tenderly.

“In public, husband…” Nongyu blushed and lowered her head.

“Yu’er, let’s have a child,” Li Yu whispered, holding her close.

“Mm,” Nongyu nestled in his arms, her cheeks crimson as she nodded.

Around the corner, Li Kai watched the girl in Li Yu’s embrace.

Though he had never seen her before, he knew instantly she was his daughter.

Seeing Nongyu’s happiness in Li Yu’s arms, Li Kai did not disturb them. He trudged away, turning and leaving silently.

After Li Yu had comforted his little wife and prepared to return home, a figure dressed in black appeared before him, bowed, and reported, “Master, that man has left Xinzheng.”

Li Yu nodded, gazing at the sky with a sigh: “Your wife and daughter—I will care for them. Go in peace.”

With that, he began to miss his sister-in-law again.

...

In the late Liu Yi’s mansion.

Beauty Hu held her sister’s hand, scolding, “Sister, you’re so stubborn! We women need reliable men. What’s wrong with Li Yu? He’s young, talented, and most importantly, capable. Sister, you’ve already gone so far with him—why are you still holding back?”

Widow Hu Ningyue glared at her, “It’s all your fault!”

Beauty Hu Shuangxue frowned, exasperated, “I did it for you! I gave my lover to you—do you think it was easy? Watching you being abused every day, I let Li Yu help you open up.”

She emphasized “open up.”

Widow Hu Ningyue could not stand it.

“Sister, it’s for your own good. Now you’re alone—I envy you so much,” the little fox blurted out.

“Enough! You’re becoming outrageous,” Lady Hu could barely tolerate her.

“Sister, rest early. I’ll visit you tomorrow.” With that, Beauty Hu swayed her hips as she left.

Lady Hu sighed, sat by the bed, lost in thought, stroking the Fire Rain agate in her hand.

...

“Sister-in-law, still awake?” A familiar voice pulled Lady Hu from her reverie.

“Why are you here?” She was startled, quickly checking outside before dragging Li Yu inside, as if sneaking around.

“So impatient, sister-in-law?” Li Yu teased, wrapping his arms around her slender waist.

“Let go! I’m just afraid of being seen,” Lady Hu was uneasy, twisting to escape.

“Forgive me, lady. I only admire you, care for you, and wish to protect you.” Li Yu did not release her, instead gently blowing into her shy, reddened ear.

“Don’t be like this… There’s too much between us. And… I have a daughter…” Lady Hu rambled.

“As long as I have you, and you have me, who cares about convention or prejudice? Life is short—why waste it on unhappiness and regret?” Li Yu whispered seductively.

“And we’ve already been intimate. As the saying goes, a day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of grace. We’re already married, aren’t we?”

“Besides, your body isn’t nearly as resistant as your words,” Li Yu teased, picking her up.

Li Yu knew Lady Hu would never take the initiative—unless reincarnated, it was impossible in this life.

He had just come from Nongyu that afternoon, now he was here with Lady Hu.

The thrill made his dopamine surge more than ever.

Lady Hu’s personality was like a blue pill to him, especially with her identity—widow and future mother-in-law.

Li Yu felt he was about to take off.

If not for Lady Hu’s constant eye-rolls, he’d have fought till dawn.

Looking at the dazed Hu Ningyue, Li Yu gently pulled her into his arms, brushing aside the enticing locks on her forehead.

“Lady, I will treat you well for life,” Li Yu said tenderly.

“I’m much older than you,” Lady Hu’s insecurity showed.

“Great—older women are more caring,” Li Yu replied, stroking her gentle shoulders.

“Mm.”

...