Chapter 143: Killing with Kindness?

This is terrifying! This restaurant is definitely not simple.

For a moment, Huaizhu was shaken to her core. She made a silent decision: she must never provoke these experts, or her family would never be able to withstand such a terrifying presence. In fact, not only could her family not withstand it, but no great clan in the Great Wilderness could.

"Miss! These people are truly terrifying. Should we find an excuse to slip away?"

Xiao Huan was so frightened that she was practically traumatized, but Huaizhu remained relatively calm. She explained, "No, for us, this might be a tremendous opportunity! If we can get on good terms with them, it would mean a glorious rise for our clan. Ever since the curse on our ancestral land erupted, our ancient clan has been in decline, constantly suppressed for years. My father is under immense pressure. If we could have the help of an immortal, our clan would surely regain its former glory. And as it happens... my body has recovered. If I could receive even a little guidance from these seniors, perhaps I could even strive to join the ranks of the world's greatest prodigies."

Huaizhu’s fighting spirit was gradually ignited; Ye Qiu had given her hope once again. If even someone like Liu Jianchen, the second-ranked prodigy of this age, was his disciple, one could only imagine what kind of terrifying existence he truly was. Furthermore, Qingcheng had said it himself just now: besides Liu Jianchen, both Cao He and he were also taught by Ye Qiu. Three terrestrial immortals from one master? It was simply monstrous! Which holy land in the Great Wilderness could achieve such a feat? Compared to cultivating in those holy lands, she felt this seemingly ordinary restaurant held much more potential.

Of course, entering the restaurant would not be easy. The only breakthrough was likely Cao He.

Cao He had no idea that he was being targeted by Huaizhu. Of course, for him, this was definitely a good thing. After all, for a man who had been single for over twenty years, what could be better than being noticed by a beautiful woman for the first time? Moreover, this beauty was of noble status and sweet appearance. If he knew, he would probably wake up from his dreams laughing. Unfortunately, with his "straight-man" personality, he was completely oblivious, his mind occupied only with how to posture and show off; he had no idea how to woo a woman. Ye Qiu had only taught him how to act cool and had never displayed any flirting skills himself, so there was nowhere for him to learn. Of course, one couldn't blame Ye Qiu—it was mainly because he had no experience either!

"Hey, are you two done talking yet?"

Seeing them conversing so intensely, the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow grew impatient. Why did it feel like it was being left out? Were they intentionally excluding it from the conversation?

"Is something the matter?" Ye Qiu glanced at it, puzzled. Why was this fellow acting so abnormally today?

"Of course there is! Didn't we agree on going to catch that monkey? When are we leaving? I’ve been waiting impatiently..." the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow hurried to say. It had long since been unable to sit still.

Ye Qiu was confused. Catching the monkey was Qingcheng’s task; why was the bird following along?

"Oh... I remember now! Your dream lover seems to be in the East Sea, too. No wonder..." Ye Qiu suddenly realized, instantly understanding why the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow was acting so strangely. It wasn't going for the monkey; it was going for that little peacock. Good grief, neither of them were up to any good! They were all a bunch of old lechers. Bah, I’m ashamed to be associated with you lot!

"Hehe... Master! You’re the one who understands me." Having its true intentions exposed, the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow didn't blush at all; instead, it chuckled, looking eager to set off. It admitted it—it was indeed going for the little peacock.

"Whoa, Brother Sparrow, since you’re so eager to go to the East Sea, how about this? I’ll leave that monkey to you. You can take care of it on your way, how about that?" Hearing the sparrow volunteer, Qingcheng was delighted. He had finally found a scapegoat! The matter of the monkey had nothing to do with him, yet he had been forced to take the fall for Ye Qiu, and he felt aggrieved but dared not speak up. Now that the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow seemed so keen to go, he would let it handle it. In any case, he dared not provoke that monkey.

"Get lost! Although that monkey’s cultivation is on par with mine, its bloodline is purer. It possesses an indestructible golden body and powerful abilities. Most terrifying of all, it has a pile of magical artifacts in its hands. You want me to go? That’s just throwing my life away! What are your intentions?" The Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow wasn't stupid; it only wanted to see its little peacock, not provoke some monkey.

Qingcheng felt incredibly wronged. "If I go, it’s throwing my life away, but if you go, it isn't? Why am I always the one getting hurt..." Qingcheng was on the verge of tears. He could talk a big game, but when it came to fighting, he truly lacked the confidence. *No, even if I die, I have to drag others down with me.* Qingcheng looked left and right, then squinted at Cao He and said, "Brother, why don't you... come with me..."

"You think—" Cao He was just about to retort, but suddenly remembered that Huaizhu was still standing by. *Sigh... no, no, I can't curse. The shopkeeper said that during the process of acting cool, one must maintain composure; it makes one look more like an expert. I can't let the image I’ve worked so hard to build be ruined by this brat. I haven't even had my fill of playing the part yet...*

With that thought, Cao He retracted his words and said with nonchalant ease, "A mere mischievous monkey is not worth mentioning! I trust Brother Qingcheng is more than capable of handling it..."

Ye Qiu paused, glancing at him in surprise. He had expected him to start cursing, but he hadn't expected him to get into character so quickly and master the basic techniques of "acting cool." He even spoke in such a refined, scholarly tone that one might mistake him for a true intellectual.

Qingcheng was clearly unwilling. Seeing Cao He’s expression, he suddenly revealed a meaningful smile and said, "Brother Cao’s Daoist techniques are unfathomable! How could I ever compare to you..."

"Huh?" Cao He was stunned. Why was this brat suddenly sucking up to him? Wait, that’s not right! Cao He glanced to the side and realized the situation was dire. As soon as Qingcheng finished his sentence, Huaizhu and the others looked at him with eyes full of adoration, clearly believing his strength was exactly as Qingcheng described.

*I’m done for! What is this? Flattery to set me up for a fall? Good grief, you’ve even learned how to use schemes now?*

"The demonic monkey of the East Sea is wreaking havoc on the world. Senior, why not go and eliminate it to restore peace to the world?" Huaizhu pleaded. Cao He was now in an even tighter spot. Little did she know that Cao He lacked the strength entirely; she simply assumed he was being modest and unwilling to act.

"Uh... as for that, ha-ha-ha..." Cao He was at a loss for words. He could only cover his inner panic with loud laughter. *Subdue a demon? Don't joke with me. If I had that kind of ability, would I have been hiding in this restaurant for twenty years? With my meager skills, I’d be lucky if it didn't subdue me.*

*It’s over, it’s over! I’ve acted cool for too long, and now they actually believe it...*

Qingcheng seized the opportunity to dig the hole deeper: "Exactly! With Brother Cao’s level of strength, what is a mere demonic monkey? You could crush it with a single palm. Right, Brother Cao?"

*I'll crush your sister!*