Chapter 1026: The Hidden Dragon's Forbearance; Ransom Secured (8k)

Each day, he would pace the courtyard hundreds of times, occasionally lifting his head to look toward Lisong Valley, fearing that the unpredictable Grand Peak Master Chen would go back on his word and even more afraid that the proud Nephew Gu would choose to perish rather than submit under the torment of the Yan Cultivator.

If anything were to happen to Gu Tangyin in Lisong Valley, even if she were missing a finger, he couldn’t imagine the earth-shattering terror if True Man Dongshan got angry.

“Gu Qianlong, oh Gu Qianlong, sometimes you must bow under a low roof… Please don’t harm your martial uncle.”

Qian Jin murmured in his heart.

He didn’t care what Gu Tangyin had experienced, he only cared if he could complete his task.

Even if Gu Tangyin had to die, she must die back in Ruins Country!

“Junior Martial Uncle Qian, if you’re really worried, maybe… we should send someone to the valley to glean some information?”

A disciple from Huayue Mansion, seeing his anxiety, cautiously suggested.

“Get information for what!”

Qian Jin waved his hand irritably,

“Chen Ye is watertight, he hardly cares about us at all, and if we displease him, there could be troubles. Wait! We can only wait for him to come out on his own!”

Just as Qian Jin was fretting like an ant on a hot pan, his divine sense suddenly stirred slightly, and he was overjoyed:

“It’s here!”

Qian Jin’s spirits lifted, and he hurriedly tidied his attire and swiftly led several disciples out of the courtyard.

On the flying boat.

Chen Ye stood at the bow in a blue robe, hands clasped behind his back, his clothes billowing, exuding an impressive presence.

Beside him, half a step behind, stood an unignorable beautiful figure.

The young woman wore a black skirt, its hem whipping in the wind.

Her dark hair was coiled high, and she was as cold as frost, carrying an aloof aura that seemed to reject people from thousands of miles away.

“Nephew Gu!”

Upon seeing the newcomer clearly, the heart Qian Jin had been holding on to for days finally settled heavily back into his belly, so excited that even his voice changed its tone.

Not only was she still alive, but from the look of it, she was exactly like when she was at Huayue Mansion!

“It seems this Chen Ye is a spineless coward. Even if Gu Qianlong wanted to kill her, he wouldn’t dare humiliate her, just kept her locked up.”

Qian Jin breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, inadvertently looking down on Chen Ye a bit.

He had thought Chen Ye was some esteemed character.

Turns out he’s just greedy and cowardly, afraid to truly offend Huayue Mansion.

As the flying boat landed.

Chen Ye stepped down, a gentle smile on his lips:

“Taoist Qian, Chen is a man of his word. I’ve brought the person to you, unscathed.”

Qian Jin hurried to greet him, bowing deeply: “Thank you, Peak Master Chen, for keeping your promise!”

Immediately afterward, he impatiently looked at the slowly descending Gu Tangyin from the flying boat, carefully examining her.

Although the young girl’s aura seemed somewhat weak, there was indeed no trace of any severe punishment on her body.

Her gaze swept over Qian Jin, acknowledging with a faint nod:

“Junior Martial Uncle Qian.”

Qian Jin felt a chill in his heart under the icy gaze of the girl.

He knew, had he not fled back then, perhaps Gu Tangyin might have had a sliver of chance to escape… Fortunately, she hadn’t suffered any torment, otherwise Nephew Gu likely would have killed him a thousand times over in her heart.

Thinking of this,

Qian Jin forced a smile: “Nephew Gu, long time no see… that… Nephew looks quite well, seems Peak Master Chen didn’t treat you poorly.”

But what he did not know, was that beneath Gu Tangyin’s seemingly aloof and untouchable appearance, her body was already covered in wounds, from inside out.

“Quite well?”

Gu Tangyin’s hands clenched tightly under her sleeves, biting her lips,

“Junior Martial Uncle Qian… you indeed grow more humorous with age. Peak Master Chen’s hospitality, I’ve learned well this time. Please, Martial Uncle, quickly send word back to the mansion, inform my master, and ensure he prepares the ransom Peak Master Chen desires… I don’t wish to linger in the foul air of Yan Kingdom for even a moment longer!”

Qian Jin’s face turned crimson, not daring to refute a single word, he could only wipe the phantom sweat from his forehead and nod repeatedly with a forced smile:

“Yes, yes! Nephew Gu, your suffering ends here! Don’t worry, as long as you’re safe and sound, we’ll surely do our utmost to ensure the ransom is fully delivered within a year… no, half a year, bringing you back to the mansion!”

After speaking, Qian Jin turned to look at Chen Ye, showing respect, and bowed deeply:

“Peak Master Chen, I’ve verified the person. Thank you for honoring your promise, I’ll immediately report back to True Man Dongshan and begin gathering Treasures of Heaven and Earth! However, during this time, I hope Peak Master Chen can spare some time to let us meet Nephew Gu occasionally, so the True Man can rest assured.”

Chen Ye’s smile was warm and gracious:

“It’s not a big ask, once a month, on this day each month, I will bring her to the mouth of the valley to show her face. That’s it. If Huayue Mansion attempts any private communications or secretive actions… then this deal won’t continue.”

Hearing this, Qian Jin dared not dissent, repeatedly bowing in agreement:

“Rest assured, Peak Master Chen! A glimpse from afar to confirm Nephew’s wellbeing will suffice for me to report to the True Man. We absolutely dare not overstep!”

“Let’s hope so,”

Chen Ye restrained his imposing aura, with a sweep of his sleeve, his gaze returned to the black-skirted young girl beside him,

“Gu Qianlong, the wind has blown enough, it’s time for us to return. In the upcoming days, Chen and True Inheritor Bai will surely continue treating Qianlong well, ensuring you don’t feel lonely in the Yan Kingdom.”

“You…”

Gu Tangyin felt a tremor in her heart, her nose tingled slightly.

Wasn’t it supposed to be the last time… Obviously, before, she had endured humiliation cooperating with Chen Ye.

But on reflection, only she had said it was the last time, Chen Ye never once promised.