Chapter 450: Chapter 449: The Petty Man, Zhang Asheng
Three days later, they were less than two days’ journey from Central State.
Having rested for a night in Yu Zhou City yesterday, the group continued on their journey early this morning after eating.
Once settled in the carriage, Immortal Yan still appeared in that frail state, meditating with her eyes closed.
A moment later, the sensation of being scanned inside the carriage happened again.
When the feeling of being surveilled disappeared, a flash of anger crossed Immortal Yan’s eyes.
It had been three days and they were still watching her. Did they intend to escort her all the way to Central State City before they’d be satisfied?
Damnable!
All those old fools from the Duanmu Family deserved to die.
In the past three days, Immortal Yan had wanted to create some disturbances for Yang Fei, but since he was outside the carriage, even if she were to light hypnotic fragrance inside, it wouldn’t affect Yang Fei outside.
Moreover, she dared not communicate with Yang Fei.
The senses of a Divine Travel Realm expert were incredibly sharp; they couldn’t be deceived by any action.
She didn’t even dare to use the Secret Transmission to interfere with Yang Fei, for should she do so, the vibrations of the sound waves would still be detected by the Divine Travel Realm expert.
Although the other party wouldn’t be able to hear the content of her Secret Transmission, they could still notice something amiss, leading to suspicion.
Yang Fei’s identity was too sensitive; he was too important to the Hidden Sect Eight Great Forces, so even the slightest chance of exposing Yang Fei, Immortal Yan wouldn’t take the risk.
Fortunately, it had only been three days.
Even if the Duanmu Family insisted on ’escorting’ her to Central State City, it would only be four to five days at most. During that time, no matter how hard Yang Fei tried, he couldn’t recover his Primordial Spirit.
An injury to the Primordial Spirit was more problematic than an internal injury; the recovery speed was extremely slow. Since Yang Fei hadn’t been able to flee from under her watch with his Primordial Spirit before, it meant his Primordial Spirit was very weak now, and it couldn’t recover in just a few days.
But Immortal Yan was still frustrated.
Because she truly didn’t want to go to Central State City.
Just as she was feeling annoyed, a loud voice came from outside, "Is this the convoy escorting Miss Helian? I am Helian Cheng, having learned of the young lady’s return, I’ve specially brought experts from our family to meet you."
In the carriage, hearing this voice enter her ears, Immortal Yan’s heart completely sank.
Now, going to Central State City was an inevitability.
Helian Cheng was a member of the family born of a concubine, but his personal ability was outstanding, and he was greatly favored by the grandfather, which gave him considerable status and ability within the Helian Family.
According to their relationships, she had to call him her uncle, and she hadn’t expected him to come to receive her personally.
"Mr. Cheng, it’s us."
One of the two guards at the front of the convoy showed a smile and replied loudly, then turned back to the carriage and said, "Miss, the family has sent someone for you."
Immortal Yan responded, and her maid Xiao Huan quickly lifted the curtain.
Yang Fei quickly collected his thoughts and, understanding the situation, tugged the reins firmly, slowing the two horses to a halt.
Maid Xiao Huan hopped down from the carriage and helped Immortal Yan descend.
At that moment, from the opposite side, a cloud of dust rose, and a handsome black horse galloped forward. On its back was a man with a curly beard, large and towering in stature, with piercing eyes and a torrential aura that commanded respect at just a glance, exerting an invisible pressure on those around him.
As soon as he saw Immortal Yan getting off the carriage, his body soared into the air and landed in front of the carriage, bowing respectfully to her and saying, "Miss, there’s no need for you to get down in your weakened state."
Immortal Yan insisted on walking down from the carriage and approached Helian Cheng, saying, "What merits or abilities do I possess to trouble my uncle to make this trip? It is truly embarrassing."
Helian Cheng laughed heartily, "You are the treasure of our Helian family, the old master adores you greatly. As soon as he heard of your return, with just a single command from him, how could I not come to meet you?"
Upon hearing the words ’old master,’ a hint of guilt flashed across Immortal Yan’s eyes.
Though he harbored resentment towards his father, setting aside that matter, both he and the entire Helian Family’s affection for him was sincere and genuine.
Especially his grandfather, who, among many grandchildren, doted on him alone, and this affection and favoritism had nothing to do with his father being Helian Zhan, which was indeed very precious.
As the two conversed, a cloud of dust rolled in from the opposite direction—Helian Cheng, accompanied by the Helian Family’s experts, had arrived.
Once the dust settled, Helian Cheng invited Helian Rong into the carriage, and the procession then resumed its journey.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Helian Cheng, who was riding escort beside the carriage, suddenly looked up at the sky and said aloud, "I do not know which senior is meditating here; I am Helian Cheng, escorting my young lady home. If we have disturbed you, I apologize and hope for your understanding."
No response came.
Helian Cheng’s expression grew solemn, his brow furrowed tightly.
A moment later, he waved his hand and commanded, "Continue the journey."
The caravan moved on.
Two hours passed, and Immortal Yan did not feel the sensation of being watched again.
Presumably, the old codger from the Duanmu Family had been covertly monitoring for several days without any results and, having been discovered by Helian Cheng, found it tasteless and departed.
With no one watching, Immortal Yan’s mood greatly improved.
Yet, the thought of reaching Central State City in just one day’s time prevented her from feeling happy.
Though she would be a highly esteemed young miss within the Helian Family, with her own independent courtyard and loyal subordinates at her side, the thought of relatives visiting her home gave her a headache.
Moreover, knowing that person the way she did, he would surely drop all matters to keep her company.
This would waste a lot of her time, how annoying!
Moments later, Immortal Yan calmed down.
Since her return to Central State City was inevitable, there was no point in dwelling on it.
While it was not as tranquil as being at the Poison Sect, it was, relatively speaking, safer within the Helian Family.
Besides, it wasn’t as if the Poison Sect might not have noticed something amiss and grown suspicious of her.
With this in mind, Immortal Yan completely relaxed.
One must adapt to circumstances; she would take it one step at a time.
Another hour passed, and she never felt that sensation of being watched again; Immortal Yan couldn’t help but use Secret Transmission to say to Yang Fei outside, "Hey, don’t think about nurturing your Primordial Spirit and then attempting to escape. Let me tell you, if you cooperate obediently, I won’t mistreat you, but if you try to run, once you fall into someone else’s hands in Central State City, it won’t be so pleasant."
This Secret Transmission sound was incredibly crafty, so even if Yang Fei blocked his Sea of Consciousness, this voice still penetrated his mind, forcing him to accept the stark threat from Immortal Yan, which disrupted his nurturing of the Primordial Spirit.
"Cough cough..."
Yang Fei adjusted the reins and coughed to signal a response.
No choice; with his True Yuan sealed, he couldn’t respond with Secret Transmission.
And if he spoke out loud, he would expose himself in front of Helian Cheng.
Just a cough, and Helian Cheng’s sharp gaze swept over him, chilling to the bone.
"Boy, what’s your name, and since when have you been following the young lady? Why do you seem unfamiliar?" Helian Cheng’s eyes scanned Yang Fei’s face a few times before he suddenly asked.
Yang Fei instantly became vigilant, realizing he hadn’t displayed the necessary reverence and nervousness of a servant when he faced Helian Cheng and added to that indeed being a new face, had aroused the latter’s suspicion.
He immediately shrank his neck, showing a fearful expression, and said softly, "To... to your honor, this humble one is Zhang Asheng. I owe my life to the young lady’s rescue three months ago. The young lady, with a heart of a bodhisattva, took pity on me as I had no home and kept me by her side. To repay the young lady’s kindness, I am willing to serve as a willing ox or horse for the rest of my life."
Helian Cheng stared coldly at Yang Fei, trying to discern whether Yang Fei’s words were true or false.