Tang Yubo never expected that Ni Manxin, after reincarnation, wasn’t actually Ni Yuan’s biological daughter. How then did she descend to the mortal realm? Whether celestial deities from the heavens or low-ranking earth immortals, all who drank the Soup of Oblivion would invariably forget their past lives and find a maternal host to be born into the mortal world.
Shouldn’t that Mortal Soul girl have followed the same process? Why did she lose her maternal host? Could she be an abandoned infant? If so, that would make sense.
Regardless of her past or future, I only need to obtain what I want.
As he pondered, Fang Yi silently appeared behind him.
“You seem quite at ease these days. Have you managed to subdue Ni Manxin?” Fang Yi said.
Tang Yubo sneered in response: “Aren’t you the same? How are things progressing with Dong Yue?”
Though she could do nothing about the mistreatment from Dong Yue, she never expected this mortal man to also disregard her so blatantly. Irritation stirred within her.
“I asked you a question! How dare you ignore me? Do you have a death wish?” As Fang Yi spoke, a God Whip materialized in her hand, lashing toward Tang Yubo’s position.
Without even glancing, Tang Yubo effortlessly caught the other end of the whip, startling Fang Yi.
This God Whip was a gift from her father, the Jade Emperor. Legend held that a single crack could disperse nearby evil spirits into dust.
Any immortal struck by this whip would lose all magical power, becoming a helpless cripple for life.
Yet today, this mortal man had caught her whip with bare hands—completely unharmed. She found it utterly unbelievable.
“Who exactly are you?”
Tang Yubo tossed the whip aside: “Truly worthy of being a Nine Heavens magical artifact. Pity your cultivation is too shallow to unleash its full power. What a waste of this Soul Detachment Whip!”
His words made Fang Yi realize he wasn’t human either. But why couldn’t she sense his aura?
Every being—whether immortal or demon—possessed a distinct aura. Why was his undetectable? Unless his power far surpassed hers…
“Who are you? Speak!” Suppressing her fear, she repeated the question.
Tang Yubo looked at her and shook his head with a smile: “No need for haste. We’re allies—you’ve nothing to fear. Just obey me, and I’ll ensure your safety.”
“How dare you! Who do you think you are?” Fang Yi spat angrily. “I merely misjudged you initially, taking you for a mere mortal. Even if you’re some demonic creature, I’m not afraid! Do you know who I am?”
Throughout the Four Seas and Eight Desolations, only High Gods commanded her respect. To be repeatedly scorned like this today—she lashed out with the whip again.
“What? Truly angered? So this is the renowned Dragon Princess Long Chuyao, Daughter of the Jade Emperor.”
Long Chuyao froze in panic. She had assumed she held him in the palm of her hand like soft clay—never imagining she was the vulnerable one, completely exposed before him.
As she raised her whip for another strike, Tang Yubo grew impatient. In a blur, he materialized beside her, his hand clamping tightly around her jaw. Tears welled in Long Chuyao’s eyes from the pain, rendering her speechless.”I’ve lost patience to deal with you any longer. If you obey me, you might survive; if you resist in the slightest, I’ll make sure not a trace of you remains. Don’t think being the Daughter of the Jade Emperor can protect you. The choice between life and death is yours.”
Having said this, Tang Yubo retracted his menacing expression, returning to his usual demeanor. Releasing his grip, he sat on the sofa watching Long Chuyao slumped on the floor, a sinister smile playing on his lips.
“Have you handled Dong Yue?”
Long Chuyao hung her head low, shaking it desperately as if trying to shake off ten thousand years of longing.
Tang Yubo had long known this princess was utterly useless. Still, his own progress was proceeding smoothly enough.
“Very well, we’ll continue cooperating – but not with me following your orders. You’ll be the one obeying me, understand?”
Long Chuyao sneered contemptuously. “You? Do you really think you can match Dong Yue? You overestimate yourself too much!”
A sharp slap echoed through the room. Instantly, half of Long Chuyao’s delicate face swelled red – a humiliation she had never endured before.
Even in the Netherworld, though Dong Yue had many grievances against her, he would still show some deference considering her status as the Daughter of the Jade Emperor. Yet this man showed such arrogance, not even regarding the Jade Emperor with respect. Who was he to dare act so recklessly?
“I’m not the type to spare women out of chivalry. Who are you putting on this pitiful act for? Dong Yue wouldn’t even glance your way if he saw you like this. For me? Save your energy!”
Tang Yubo walked over to her, gently lifting her chin with his right hand, his fingers brushing across her swollen cheek.
“Alright, I’ve healed your injury. Return quickly. I’ll contact you when needed.”
Before leaving, Long Chuyao shot him a fierce glare before returning to Ni Manxin’s home.
Ni Manxin, fresh from her shower, noticed Fang Yi sitting alone on the sofa, lost in thought.
“Fang Yi, what’s wrong? Has something happened at home? It’s been quite some time since you last visited. Perhaps you should go check on them?”
Long Chuyao clenched her skirt tightly. Home? Could that place Fang Yi called home even qualify? Everyone crammed into that tiny space where even a fart could be heard next door – how could she possibly live there?
Though she disliked Ni Manxin intensely, the living conditions here were excellent. When Ni Manxin had asked her to move in together, she’d agreed almost without hesitation. Several months had passed since she moved in, and she hadn’t returned home even once.
Now that Ni Manxin suddenly brought it up, was she growing tired of her presence? Or did she want to deepen her relationship with Dong Yue? Whatever the reason, she wouldn’t agree to leave.
“Fang Yi, what are you thinking about?”
“Nothing. Probably just haven’t been sleeping well lately.”
Ni Manxin hummed in acknowledgment, watching Fang Yi with growing suspicion.
Not wanting to arouse further doubt, Long Chuyao reluctantly stood up and picked up her discarded bag. “I’ll go check on them then. See how they’re doing.”
Ni Manxin nodded, handing Fang Yi a spare key to the house. “If you return and I’m not here, you can let yourself in.”
Returning home, Fang Yi saw her father limping around the kitchen preparing dinner, her younger brother obediently assisting him.
Her father looked both pleased and sorrowful to see her. The old Fang Yi used to return home punctually every day, even after working late shifts.
But now, forget daily visits – they’d be lucky to see her once a month.
“Fang Yi, your father is asking you, what have you been busy with outside? Why do you never come home?”
Fang Yi made a disgusted expression, pointed at her paralyzed mother lying on the bed and shouted angrily:
“Home? What home do I have? Are you talking about this shabby house? The four of us still have to squeeze together just to sleep. Mom has been paralyzed in bed for so long, and if we’re not careful she defecates on the bed. Tell me, how can anyone live here? I’d rather sleep on the streets every day than stay in this place.”
Fang’s Father shook his head helplessly. He could understand Fang Yi – indeed, their daughter was grown up now, and there were many inconveniences with them all sleeping together. But he truly didn’t have the ability to provide better conditions for them.
He took an envelope from the drawer and handed it to Fang Yi: “Take this money first, go find a place to live! You can’t keep staying at your friend’s place for free forever. Your father is useless, can’t afford to buy a house, and has burdened you and your brother.”
Long Chuyao looked at the worn, crumpled bills in her hand, felt a pang of heartache, and cried: “Dad, I will definitely make sure you all live a good life, and I’ll make sure Mother recovers from her illness.”
Fang’s Father hugged his daughter, patting her back to comfort her: “Yi’er, you live the life you want to live, don’t worry about family matters. You’ll eventually get married someday, and I hope we won’t be a burden to you.”
Fang Yi looked at the money in her hand while thinking about her father’s words, and before she knew it, tears were streaming down her face.