Shen Xingyue shook her head, "It's unclear for now. We certainly hope this competition won't happen, but any competition inevitably leads to casualties, and casualties breed grudges, which we don't want to see. However, following 201's suggestion, we won't make a statement yet. We'll wait for the Shanhai demons to propose it themselves, as we need to see their sincerity."
Indeed, it was the Shanhai demons who had been making all the noise. Now that they were in a weakened position, it would only be proper for them to humble themselves and admit their mistakes.
"The latest intelligence indicates that Long Yue has left Jinling," Shen Xingyue added.
"Oh? To Qinling?"
"No, she's returned to the Northeast."
I felt a prickle of goosebumps. I still harbored a considerable fear of Long Yue. Her Rulai Divine Palm had left a deep shadow on my young psyche.
"Is this the prelude to the Shanhai demons' disintegration?" Yao Yao chuckled.
"Even if they fall apart, they're still a powerful Mohe group, and still difficult to deal with," I said.
"Deal with them? Why would we deal with them?" Shen Xingyue asked me.
"...Aren't you planning to annihilate the Mohe group?" I asked, frowning.
"Why would we annihilate them?" Shen Xingyue laughed. She glanced around, confirming only the three of us humans were present. She lowered her voice, "What we want is not for one side to be destroyed, but for a balance. If the Shanhai demons are completely wiped out, who can guarantee that your Bai Ze demon clan won't become the new Shanhai?"
Shen Xingyue said this while staring directly into Yao Yao's eyes, the warning clearly implied.
Yao Yao seemed unconcerned, shrugging her shoulders. "That's your concern, not mine. If this storm passes, I'll retire and no longer involve myself in the affairs of the martial world. As for the identity of the Bai Ze reincarnation, let Cheng Feng bear it. So many young female demons admire him, this 'Bai Ze Immortal Venerable'!"
That was veering off-topic...
After Shen Xingyue left, Yao Yao said she was tired. I went to the mountaintop alone. The special reserve cigarettes I had mailed earlier had arrived. This time, I had learned my lesson and stuffed several packs into my pockets, so I wouldn't be without these fine cigarettes whenever I traveled. It was strange, but after smoking these, ordinary cigarettes felt like low-quality ones.
After sitting for a while, the weather grew colder. Just as I was about to head back, my phone rang. It was Chen Lu.
"What's up? Not sleeping in the middle of the night."
"Guess where I am?" Chen Lu asked with a laugh.
"Where else? Shengjing, of course."
"No, hehe. I'm in Fucheng, at Miaomiao's place. We're having hot pot at home and talking about you. Do you want to come join us?"
Immediately, Chen Lu sent a photo via WeChat. The hot pot was steaming, looking very cozy. She and Song Miao were posing together, with a few birthday candles nearby. It seemed Song Miao was celebrating her birthday.
"I'm in Lushima, I don't have time to make it. You two go ahead and eat," I said. I couldn't use the Gale Technique in the mortal realm, and even if I could transfer it to the underworld, I wouldn't know how to do it. I didn't know which Chenghuang Temple to go through for Fucheng.
"That's a shame then," Chen Lu said regretfully.
"Wish Miaomiao a happy birthday for me. I'll give her a big red envelope later," I said.
"Haha, I've already wished her for you and given her the red envelope," Chen Lu laughed. Her voice sounded slightly tipsy.
The lazy voice of the campus belle, unbidden, evoked certain memories. At the graduation dinner, I seemed to have been drawn to her voice like this. I had been drunk then too, but still coherent, and had no improper thoughts.
After hanging up, I found myself wanting to go over there. While the sight of her was appetizing, the hot pot itself was too tempting. I hadn't eaten a normal meal in a long time. Chen Ke was asleep, so I hadn't eaten anything substantial after waking up.
If only Ya Nan were here. Perhaps she could have carried me over. She was still in Shangjing recuperating.
Ah, well. Too many wishes. I'll go back and wash up, then sleep.