“I gained a lot, but what does that have to do with you? Are you anxious? Your anxiety makes me happy. I love seeing you want to deal with me but not daring to,” Qin Chu said to Lei Tianding, his face full of smiles. He felt comfortable; all the good things had been collected by him, and Lei Tianding hadn't even gotten a sip of the soup.
“Brother Qin, you really hit the nail on the head. He wants to deal with you right now but doesn't dare. He looks very conflicted!” Dahu stood beside Qin Chu and stated the truth directly.
“This Lord will definitely kill you!” Lei Tianding’s face flushed red. He had never been so humiliated.
The smile vanished from Qin Chu’s face, replaced by killing intent. “Old dog, I’ve long found you an eyesore. If you don’t kill me today, the day will come when I kill you!”
Lei Tianding snorted coldly, turned, and retreated. He then led the other members of the Yanlei Saint Clan out of the Forbidden Zone. There was no point in staying; the Forbidden Zone was a mess.
Following behind the Yanlei Saint Clan, the Xuanwu Saint Clan and the Loose Cultivators all left the Forbidden Zone.
“The Forbidden Zone’s opening to human Cultivators is over. Those who enter without permission again will do so at their own risk!” Dahu shouted at the departing human Cultivators.
“The mission is over; we can go!” Ziluan said to Qin Chu.
Ziluan then arranged for some demon Cultivators to guard the Forbidden Zone and monitor the departing human Cultivators. She took Qin Chu and a few high-level demon Cultivators from Sword North Forest and left the Forbidden Zone.
Ziluan led Qin Chu for two hours until they reached the base of a tall peak, where pavilions stood in abundance.
“Qin Chu, this is the core area of our Sword North Forest. Come, I’ll take you to meet my Eldest Brother!” Ziluan said to Qin Chu.
Qin Chu nodded and followed Ziluan. They bypassed a large hall and arrived in front of a pavilion.
In the courtyard of the pavilion, a man in a black robe sat cross-legged. His physique was even more robust than Dahu’s, and a black staff was stuck beside him.
“Eldest Brother, your little sister met an old friend, so I brought him to meet you,” Ziluan said after entering the courtyard.
The black-robed man stood up. He was two heads taller than Qin Chu and looked down at him. “Is this the boy? His spirit and vitality are good!”
“Qin Chu greets Senior,” Qin Chu clasped his fists at the black-robed man.
“Since he is my little sister’s friend, he is this King’s friend. I will host a banquet for you tonight!” the black-robed man said.
Ziluan then recounted the events in the Forbidden Zone. After listening, the black-robed man nodded. “They’ve left, so this incident is over. If they enter Sword North Forest again, there’s no need to be polite.”
After conversing with the black-robed man, Ziluan led Qin Chu to her residence pavilion. Along the way, the demon Cultivators showed great respect for Ziluan.
“Sister Ziluan, you’re doing very well here!” Qin Chu said to Ziluan.
“Yes, the two Kings here are my sworn siblings,” Ziluan replied.
“Two Kings?” Qin Chu was surprised. Rumors from the outside said there was only one King in Sword North Forest. What did it mean to be a King? Only those who were invincible in the King Realm and had few rivals could be called Kings.
“Yes, but Second Brother is in seclusion year-round, and only a few in Sword North Forest know of his existence. You just met Eldest Brother; human Cultivators call him the Great Ape King, or the Great Ape King! When I came to Central State and heard about Sword North Forest, I rushed over. The members of Sword North Forest attacked me. After I fought in my true form, Eldest Brother appeared. He said I have the ancient Vermilion Bird Bloodline and shouldn't be out adventuring. He was also worried I wouldn't feel settled in Sword North Forest, so he pulled Second Brother out of seclusion. The three of us became sworn siblings, vowing to live and die together. Sword North Forest is my home,” Ziluan said with a smile.
“That’s great, Sister Ziluan. You have a stable place to settle and people to look after you.” Qin Chu was happy for Ziluan.
In the pavilion behind the main hall, after Ziluan left with Qin Chu, the black-robed man, Great Ape King, called Dahu and asked about Ziluan’s recent outing. Dahu bowed and gave a detailed report!
“Dahu, are you saying that Qin Chu and Ziluan knew each other a long time ago? And he even gave Ziluan a Saber Intent Grass?” Great Ape King asked Dahu.
“Yes, my Lord, there’s no need to worry. Your subordinate overheard Qin Chu and Third Princess chatting. They’ve known each other for a long time and are sworn friends. Qin Chu is the Third Princess’s savior. The Saber Intent Grass Qin Chu took out was also prepared for the Third Princess. Furthermore, Qin Chu doesn't discriminate against us demon Cultivators; he has refined many Medicinal Pills for the brothers,” Dahu said. He knew Great Ape King was worried that Qin Chu might be deceiving Ziluan.
“Very good. If there’s no deception, then he is a respected guest,” Great Ape King nodded.
Qin Chu and Ziluan chatted, talking about their past since they parted. Qin Chu also mentioned that there might be Spirit Stones in the pit and asked Ziluan if she could discuss with Great Ape King for the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan and Sword North Forest to mine them together.
“Don’t say mine together. Just tell my Eldest Brother the situation and let him make the arrangements. He’s generous and won’t scheme against you,” Ziluan said.
In the evening, Great Ape King sent someone to notify Ziluan and Qin Chu to attend the banquet.
Qin Chu and Ziluan arrived at the side hall next to the main hall, where a feast had already been set up.
Great Ape King sat at the head of the table. A seat to his left was empty. Ziluan led Qin Chu to sit in the empty seat to Great Ape King’s right.
“Qin Chu, when I first met you, I was worried you might be deceiving my little sister. It seems I was overthinking. Let’s drink a few more cups tonight as my apology,” Great Ape King raised his wine cup to Qin Chu.
Looking at the wine cup in front of him, Qin Chu felt an urge to collapse. The wine cup was about the size of a human head, but Great Ape King had raised his cup and drunk it all, so Qin Chu could only drink.
Holding the cup with both hands, Qin Chu gulped it down several times before finishing it.
“How’s the wine?” Great Ape King asked Qin Chu.
“The wine is good wine, it’s just that the wine cup is a bit too big,” Qin Chu exhaled and said.
“Haha! I thought you would take one or two sips, but I didn’t expect you to drink it all at once. I’ve hosted many human Cultivators, but you’re the first to drink like this. My little sister’s friend is indeed no ordinary person,” Great Ape King laughed heartily.
“I wanted to take one or two sips, but that would be disrespectful to you, Great Ape King, and to everyone present,” Qin Chu said.
“My Lord, this Brother Qin is not simple. He is the sole Young Lord of the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan, the top of the Azure Cloud List, and a Fifth-Tier Fifth-Star Alchemist. Brother Qin, I, Dahu, toast you,” Dahu said to Great Ape King, then raised his wine cup to Qin Chu and drank it in one gulp.
Someone toasted him; how could he not drink? Qin Chu held the wine cup, which the half-transformed demon Cultivator had just refilled, raised it to Dahu, and then gulped it down.
Afterward, another Elder from Sword North Forest toasted Qin Chu, thanking him for the Medicinal Pills he had refined for the members of Sword North Forest.
Again… Qin Chu was a bit bewildered!
