Chapter 20: The Enchantress of the Dark Path

Chapter 20: The Enchantress of the Demonic Path

After appearing, Yao Jing did not linger in the air; she gracefully descended and approached Qin Zhe and Liu Qingzhi.

“You must be Qin Zhe, the rising star of the Martial Arts Department. There have been quite a few rumors about you circulating in the academy recently,” Yao Jing said with a tilted head, eyeing Qin Zhe with a smile playing at her lips.

“Let me introduce myself—I’m Yao Jing, head of the News Department.”

So she was the so-called vixen the department head had mentioned?

Qin Zhe raised an eyebrow and sneaked a glance at the displeased Liu Qingzhi before greeting politely, “Minister Yao, pleased to meet you.”

Yao Jing responded with a slightly stunned “pleased to meet you,” but didn’t dwell on it, instead teasing with a laugh.

“Not bad, young man! Our Qingzhi is famously difficult to deal with in the academy, and you’ve already gotten involved with her. Reaching the peak of life is just a matter of time for you!”

Qin Zhe’s mouth twitched involuntarily, but he dared not reply.

This girl looked decent enough, but did she really speak like this? And in front of the department head no less—was she courting trouble?

To Qin Zhe’s surprise, Liu Qingzhi seemed accustomed to Yao Jing’s bluntness and calmly asked, “Yao Jing, how long have you been aware of this area?”

“Just a little earlier than you. I didn’t have time to investigate before seeing you two hand in hand, like a divine couple, arriving here,” Yao Jing said, teasing as she answered. Then she continued, “About half an hour ago, I received news from my team that a patch of scorched earth had appeared in the secret realm. Before coming here, I had my team inform the other student council members. I expect more people will be arriving to regroup soon.”

“Hm.”

Liu Qingzhi nodded and glanced at the scorched area. “What’s your take on this scorched earth?”

“What could I possibly think? I’m just a journalist, not a researcher,” Yao Jing replied with a pout, her expression growing serious as she added, “But I did hear some reckless students from our academy ventured into the scorched area. Their current whereabouts are unknown.”

“Someone’s already gone in?” Liu Qingzhi asked, suspicion in her voice.

“Qin Zhe, let’s go in. This scorched land isn’t safe—let’s find those people before anything happens.”

Qin Zhe had been unable to join the conversation between the two women, but upon hearing this, he followed Liu Qingzhi without hesitation.

They had already decided to investigate the scorched earth; the purpose was secondary.

Seeing them walk off, Yao Jing called out, half laughing, half exasperated, “Hey! Don’t leave me behind!”

Matching their pace, Yao Jing positioned herself beside Qin Zhe, placing a space between herself and Liu Qingzhi, playfully glancing at her.

“Qingzhi, why be in such a hurry? Why not wait for the others from the student council and go in together?”

“Delay breeds change,” Liu Qingzhi replied coldly, not minding Yao Jing’s presence but clearly unwilling to engage with her.

Caught between the two women, Qin Zhe noticed Liu Qingzhi’s glare that seemed to say Yao Jing owed her money, and he felt his situation was precarious.

Knowing the department head’s nature, this woman would act rather than complain if provoked.

Seeing Yao Jing persistently trying to provoke Liu Qingzhi, Qin Zhe thought it prudent to mediate and prevent a clash.

After some thought, he decided to initiate conversation with Yao Jing.

“Minister Yao, will Yu Shuangshuang from your News Department be coming here?”

“Yu Shuangshuang?” Yao Jing looked over, then suddenly remembered. “Oh! I recall now! Shuangshuang interviewed you yesterday, and her article was the headline of the academy paper this morning! Are you looking for her?”

“No, just asking,” Qin Zhe shook his head, outwardly calm but secretly grinding his teeth.

They had been in the secret realm for some time, and if Yao Jing hadn’t mentioned it, he might have forgotten much of it.

But now that she brought it up, he was once again tempted to ‘teach’ Yu Shuangshuang a lesson.

Noticing Qin Zhe’s silence, Yao Jing fluttered her bright eyes and covered her mouth mischievously.

“Hey! You’re not falling for Shuangshuang, are you?”

She then clicked her tongue, speaking earnestly, “You’re wrong! How can you have your cake and eat it too? You’re with Qingzhi—what’s left to complain about?”

Qin Zhe remained silent, utterly exasperated, tempted to pry open Yao Jing’s head to see what was inside.

At that moment, Liu Qingzhi, walking beside them, spoke up.

“Don’t take her seriously. She cultivates the demonic path; her mind’s gone wrong. If you take her seriously, you lose.”

So she was a demonic path cultivator who’d damaged her mind?

Qin Zhe’s expression showed understanding as he looked at Yao Jing with a hint of regret.

It was a pity this girl was so beautiful—if only she were more normal, she’d likely be a goddess-level figure in the academy.

Yao Jing, noticing his pitying gaze, clicked her tongue and huffed unhappily.

“I ask you, are you a complete idiot? You believe whatever Liu Qingzhi says? Do I look like someone with a broken mind?”

Qin Zhe still didn’t respond, just nodded earnestly.

He certainly didn’t truly believe Liu Qingzhi’s words—after all, Yao Jing was the News Department head. How could someone with a broken mind hold that position?

But he had to admit, Yao Jing’s personality was truly problematic.

She seemed intent on stirring up trouble wherever she went!

Perhaps it was due to her demonic path cultivation.

With Qin Zhe silent, Yao Jing’s chance to continue was lost.

The trio soon reached the edge of the scorched earth.

Yao Jing said, “Forget it. You two are both from the Discipline Inspection Department—like wearing the same pants. I can’t argue with you, so I’ll just assume I’m the crazy one.”

She stopped and bent down to scoop some soil, gently rubbing it in her palm.

“Hm, besides the overly active fire-element spiritual energy, there seems to be another kind of energy here that doesn’t belong to the Five Elements—a very unsettling feeling.”

Seeing Yao Jing become serious, Qin Zhe imitated her and grabbed a handful of soil, feeling nothing but warmth.

Liu Qingzhi remained silent, pausing to gaze into the distance before retracting her sight with a hesitant expression.

As if sensing her thoughts, Yao Jing tossed the soil aside and warned, “Liu, I’m warning you! We just got in here and don’t yet know if it’s dangerous. Don’t think about splitting up to search for people!”

She then pointed at Qin Zhe. “Besides, we have this weakling with us. If anything happens to him without us around, can you take responsibility?”

Qin Zhe opened his mouth silently, feeling both amused and helpless.

How was he a weakling? Did they really know him?

For one thing, his body was far sturdier than hers!

Liu Qingzhi shot Yao Jing a glare and denied, “Did I say we’d split up?”

“Oh, come on! We’ve known each other since middle school—I know you well. A little move of your hips and I know what you’re up to. Why pretend?” Yao Jing scoffed.

She was about to say more when suddenly the ground beneath them trembled.

Her expression shifted as she turned to look far into the distance.

(End of chapter)