Chapter 144: Setting Sail for the Eastern Sea

Cao He clenched his teeth, suppressing the curse rising in his heart, and shot Qingcheng a resentful glare. That damn brat—he had to drag someone down with him on the way out, and now he’d pulled Cao He into this mess too? Damn it, was my first time trying to act tough destined to end in disaster?

No, no, the shopkeeper never failed—how could I be the first to fall?

A wave of panic swept through Cao He’s mind as he desperately searched for a solution, but it seemed he only had two options: either lay all his cards on the table or accompany them to the East Sea.

Neither choice was appealing; both were too difficult.

“Senior, are you... afraid of that demon monkey?” Xiaohuan asked cautiously, sensing the hesitation from Cao He. Was he just imagining it, or did Cao He seem a bit guilty?

Afraid?

Cao He glanced at her, tempted to admit his fear, but the words that escaped were different.

“Impossible. Who am I? The second-in-command of the Heavenly Realm Tavern! Me, afraid of that monkey? No way...”

Ye Qiu blinked in confusion. Was this guy off his rocker today? Or had he always been this fearless? If only Cao He had shown a bit of weakness, I could have saved him! But with that stubborn mouth of his, I’m powerless now. It’s like he’s eager to die.

I’ve seen people betray their families, but never themselves! Are you practicing the Seven Injuries Fist? Hurting others by first wounding yourself?

“Such a character! To save face, he’s willing to risk his life, preferring to die honorably rather than stain his name. You’re more ruthless than I am...” Ye Qiu sighed in admiration.

Is this still the same Cao He I know? The one who always cowered at danger, playing the coward?

With Cao He speaking so nobly, Qingcheng immediately grasped the situation and pressed on, “Exactly! Who is my Brother Cao? The second-in-command of Heavenly Realm! A mere demon monkey—child’s play!”

That backhanded compliment was like a death sentence for Cao He.

Too harsh! Ye Qiu was impressed and slightly alarmed. Qingcheng seemed so obedient and sensible, but his mind was dark as night.

“Well... looks like I need to watch him carefully from now on, lest I get praised to death one day, and the axe falls on me instead.”

Muttering this to himself, Ye Qiu continued, “Are you sure about this? Once you go to the East Sea, I won’t be able to help you...”

To be honest, Ye Qiu really didn’t want Cao He to go. Over the years, he treated Cao He like a younger brother. Though he occasionally played tricks on him, when danger came, Ye Qiu was always the first to shield him.

But now, heading to the East Sea, Ye Qiu might no longer protect him fully.

Cao He hesitated, glancing at Ye Qiu and then the troublesome Qingcheng. Fear gripped his heart.

Yet, he understood that Ye Qiu’s status was rising. If he never changed his situation, he might lose the chance to follow Ye Qiu.

Though Ye Qiu didn’t mind, Cao He cared deeply, especially when Ye Qiu needed help and Cao He’s lack of ability prevented him from assisting.

Those moments always left him sorrowful.

Perhaps this was his chance to grow, even if it was partly for show.

“Alright, let’s do it.”

After a moment’s thought, Ye Qiu pulled out a treasure chest, selecting a few paintings and books.

Handing them to Cao He, he instructed, “Take these paintings; they might be useful in a pinch. And these books—one contains sheet music of several compositions I’ve created over the years. Practice them on the way.”

“Wow, shopkeeper, what about me? What treasure will you give me?” Qingcheng’s eyes lit up when he saw the priceless items in Cao He’s hands.

Ye Qiu shot him a glance. “What treasure do you want? Isn’t your triple-pointed, double-edged blade enough? And how is your practice of the Eight-Nine Profound Skills and the Seventy-Two Transformations going?”

Qingcheng admitted sheepishly, “I’ve learned them, but I’m not sure if they work.”

“Heh, don’t worry. They’ll definitely work!”

Ye Qiu was confident. The skills he taught Qingcheng were designed specifically to counter the monkey.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent so much time on it. Qingcheng’s strength should already surpass the monkey’s; it was just a matter of confidence.

Ye Qiu was genuinely eager to see how the little sage would defeat the Great Sage—a drama years in the making.

Hearing Ye Qiu’s confidence, Qingcheng’s spirit soared, but he remained uncertain and asked again, “Shopkeeper, can I trust you?”

“Silly kid, if you can’t trust me, who else can you trust?”

“Alright, let’s do this!”

Clenching his teeth, Qingcheng looked determined and ready to depart.

“Enough talk, hurry up! Get on board, we’re leaving!”

The Devouring Heaven Sparrow had been holding back no longer. With a powerful beat of its wings, the colossal bird reappeared in all its glory.

Qingcheng jumped up without hesitation. Cao He kept glancing back, as if feeling the chill of impending parting.

“Let’s go, let’s go! Everyone, move out!”

Ye Qiu waved his hand, urging them on.

Xiaohuan hid behind Huaizhu, whispering, “Miss, should we follow them to see what’s happening? The master is also at the East Sea—it’s on the way.”

Huaizhu thought carefully and nodded. “Yes, let’s go too. Father’s purpose for sending us to the wasteland has been fulfilled. Staying here makes no sense. It’s better to follow and see what’s really going on in the East Sea.”

With that, the group boarded the Devouring Heaven Sparrow and flew toward the East Sea.

Within minutes, the wasteland was left behind, and Ye Qiu stood alone, feeling a pang of loneliness.

“Huh... why does it feel colder all of a sudden? Sigh... I really am not used to days without that scoundrel Cao around.”

He sighed, shook his head, and continued, “Well! That coward has finally started pretending to be brave. I hope his road won’t be as difficult as mine.”

Under a sky full of stars, the night was enchanting. Instead of returning to the tavern, Ye Qiu sat quietly on the wasteland, staring at a mirror lying on the ground, lost in thought.

At some unknown moment, a white figure silently appeared behind him, watching him for a long time without approaching.

After lingering for a while, the figure silently vanished once more.

Meanwhile, near the cliffs of East Sea’s Mount Ya, within the mystical Mount Penglai, mist swirled and lights shimmered enchantingly. Occasionally, a magnificent multicolored giant bird flew by; at other times, a towering beast hundreds of meters tall roamed the land.

Though the night was quiet, it couldn’t conceal the liveliness atop the immortal mountain.

Beyond the mountain’s protective light barrier, a group silently observed the great mountain, too afraid to come closer, forced to watch from afar.

“Daoist Ciyun! We’ve been trapped here for days with no reinforcements. Is this how we’re going to just wait it out forever?”