"Xiao Yue, aren't you going back to see them?" Ao Haiping came to the riverbank and saw Ao Jiangyue sitting on a bench at a glance.
She stared blankly at the river surface, completely oblivious to the boys secretly taking photos not far away.
Hearing his words, Ao Jiangyue turned her head and looked at him calmly.
"Alright, your sister-in-law said she hasn't seen you in a long time and misses you dearly. She also asked me to bring you many gifts," Ao Haiping said, sitting down beside her.
At the same time, he glanced at the people taking photos. Under his intense gaze, they immediately felt their minds go hazy. First, they deleted the photos they had just taken, and then they stumbled away dazedly.
Upon hearing Ao Haiping mention his sister-in-law, Ao Jiangyue finally showed a flicker of reaction.
"Is she doing well?"
"How could she not be? Life just goes on like that," Ao Haiping said casually.
In reality, an extended life wasn't as good as one might imagine. Once one experienced everything in the mortal world, weariness and emptiness would arise.
Therefore, many "people" would choose to slumber or enter secluded cultivation to pass the long hours.
"These are all from your sister-in-law," Ao Haiping handed Ao Jiangyue the bag in his hand.
Ao Jiangyue took it without ceremony. She glanced inside and saw only delicate little trinkets.
Although Ao Jiangyue was being punished to guard the Yangtze River, she was, after all, a dragon princess, and her life was quite good. Thus, she wouldn't normally care for these trinkets. However, they were from her sister-in-law, so they held a different significance. She carefully put them away.
Then her gaze fell on the bright yellow brocade in Ao Haiping's other hand.
"This is the Heavenly Star Disk," Ao Haiping answered proactively.
Seeing a hint of curiosity in Ao Jiangyue's eyes, Ao Haiping smiled and shook his head, "This thing is quite dangerous. It's better if you don't look at it."
He then stood up and said, "Let's go. Complete the transaction as soon as possible and retrieve the Dragon Gate. Then you can end your punishment."
Ao Jiangyue, carrying the bag, stood up as well.
Then the two of them transformed into wisps of smoke and vanished from the spot.
The young men who had been in a daze moments ago instantly woke up. They looked back but couldn't recall anything.
The two entered the river from Shen City and followed the current. Their speed was incredibly fast, and they returned to Jiang City in less than half an hour.
Ao Haiping came ashore from the river, and Ao Jiangyue followed.
"You're coming too?" Ao Haiping asked with some surprise.
Ao Jiangyue nodded.
Seeing this, Ao Haiping didn't ask further. Instead, he headed towards the meeting place with Bai Xinghe.
The agreed-upon spot was by the river, not far away. When they arrived, Bai Xinghe was already waiting for them.
However, he was rather unkempt, sitting with his arms crossed on the curb, looking at the passersby with an odd expression. Coupled with his unappealing appearance, people kept their distance from him.
Upon seeing Ao Haiping and Ao Jiangyue arrive together, Bai Xinghe rubbed his hands and stood up with a look of delight.
"Second Young Master, Third Princess," Bai Xinghe greeted them.
His gaze, however, was already fixed on the bright yellow brocade in Ao Haiping's hand.
"I apologize for making you wait, sir," Ao Haiping said.
Ao Jiangyue, however, remained silent, staring intently at Bai Xinghe.
"It's quite alright, I am also idle," Bai Xinghe said very humbly.
"Let's find a quiet place to talk," Ao Haiping said, glancing at the passersby.
"Of course, please follow me," Bai Xinghe led the two to a nearby park.
There were hardly any people in the park at this time. The three found a stone table and chairs under the shade of a tree and sat down.
"That..." Bai Xinghe was somewhat impatient as soon as they sat down.
"First, let's establish a blood oath."
Ao Haiping took out the blood oath contract he had prepared.
"My apologies, I was too excited by the prospect," Bai Xinghe said.
He then picked up the blood oath contract and examined it carefully. The terms were clear, and there were no hidden traps. At the bottom, there was a rough, prominent pattern resembling a Taijitu.
Seeing that there were no issues, Bai Xinghe no longer hesitated. He lightly drew his thumbnail across the pad of his index finger, creating a deep wound. A drop of scarlet blood then fell onto the Taijitu pattern on the contract scroll.
Ao Haiping took it and, without hesitation, also dripped a drop of blood onto the Taijitu.
The Taijitu, which had been drawn, seemed to come to life, guiding the two drops of blood to intertwine. They eventually transformed into a fierce, fanged, serpentine monster. An identical pattern appeared on the back of both their hands, then quickly vanished, as if it had never been there.
Looking at the pattern again, it was no longer a Taijitu, but an egg of a monster.
If either party violated the contract, the monster would hatch and, guided by the bloodline, burrow into the other's body, delivering the stipulated punishment.
"Now..." Bai Xinghe said impatiently again.
Ao Haiping didn't hesitate and directly pushed the Heavenly Star Disk wrapped in bright yellow brocade forward.
Bai Xinghe eagerly opened it to take a look, then quickly rewrapped it.
He then stood up and said, "Wait for my news. Within three days, I will give you a definite answer."
"Alright," Ao Haiping nodded.
He believed Bai Xinghe wouldn't dare to deceive him, especially after signing the blood oath. Unless he no longer valued his life.
Bai Xinghe, holding the Heavenly Star Disk, left in a hurry. Ao Jiangyue, who had been silent beside him, watched his retreating back. She reached out and took the blood oath contract, examining it closely, but found nothing unusual.
"What's wrong?" Ao Haiping asked curiously.
"He's a bit off," Ao Jiangyue said, frowning.
"Off? What do you mean?"
"Compared to when I saw him a few days ago, his skin has become even fairer, and there's a smell about him," Ao Jiangyue returned the contract to Ao Haiping.
Ao Haiping also fell into thought. He trusted Ao Jiangyue. Since she said something was wrong, then there must be something amiss. However, Ao Haiping did not immediately pursue him to retrieve the Heavenly Star Disk.
"We'll know in three days," Ao Haiping said calmly after a moment of thought.
Ao Jiangyue nodded. The Heavenly Star Disk had been in the possession of the dragon clan for hundreds of years. During this time, they had sought out many experts proficient in astrology and divination, and they had also lent it to others, but no one had ever managed to seize it from the dragon clan.
Hearing Ao Haiping say this, Ao Jiangyue said no more.
Ao Haiping put away the blood oath contract and stood up. Ao Jiangyue then finally asked, "Are you going back now?"
Ao Haiping shook his head, "No, I'll go back after I get the results."
Ao Jiangyue stared at him blankly without speaking.
"Alright, alright, you don't have to be like this. I still want to go and see Feng Zhirun," Ao Haiping spread his hands with a hint of helplessness.
Upon hearing this, Ao Jiangyue turned around directly and left without looking back.
Seeing Ao Jiangyue leave, Ao Haiping took out his phone and made a call.
"Dad, it's done."
"Good. The rest will be handled by your elder brother."
Ao Haiping hung up the phone and then chased after Ao Jiangyue.