Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return

Chapter 1286: Chapter 1286: Encountering the Unlucky Xia Youchen Again

These past few days of fleeing for his life, he has once again experienced the persistence of the Fierce Stone Demon. He knew that if it weren’t for Mu Hanyan taking him away from Hanshan Town in time, even if those hundreds of Imperial Army soldiers put their lives on the line, they would not be able to protect him. While being full of gratitude towards Mu Hanyan, he also felt a deep sense of awe, fearing that if Mu Hanyan was in a bad mood, she might just toss him aside to die.

”Have you eaten your fill? If so, continue on the road.” Watching Zhu Xiuqing acting like a docile human sword pet, Mu Hanyan felt a wave of sorrow for the Shangyue Royal Family. Having such shameless treasures as descendants, the current emperor must have a headache.

”I’m full; I’m full. Here’s the IOU.” Zhu Xiuqing quickly stood up and handed over an IOU.

Mu Hanyan shook her head and took the IOU. Even if she didn’t want to take advantage of someone in distress, she couldn’t do it. If she didn’t take the IOU, Zhu Xiuqing would look pitiful, like a jilted lover, so she reluctantly accepted it.

Calculating the expenses of a few Elixirs and some dry rations each day, this guy had already incurred a debt of 40 million taels, making Mu Hanyan feel even more sorrow for the Shangyue Royal Family.

Seeing Mu Hanyan accept the IOU, Zhu Xiuqing became visibly delighted and stretched out his neck.

To such a cooperative gesture, Mu Hanyan was thoroughly speechless.

As she continued to circle around the Longyan Mountain, she used her Divine Sense to monitor any movements behind her. Suddenly, she heard the sounds of combat ahead.

Mu Hanyan hesitated, unsure whether to dodge to avoid getting others involved. Just then, she saw a person and a beast rushing towards her, with a fearsome Exotic Beast in pursuit behind them.

”Xia Youchen!” Mu Hanyan froze for a moment, surprised to encounter him here.

As for the Exotic Beast closely following him, it was that fake fierce beast, Qiongqi, which ate only vegetation and not meat. It hadn’t been long since their last meeting, and Little Qiongqi had grown a bit larger, but it looked as panicked as a dog that lost its home, showing none of a Divine Beast’s dignity.

”Get out of the way, quickly!” Xia Youchen hadn’t recognized Mu Hanyan, who had reverted to her female attire, and was waving as he ran for his life, shouting.

Mu Hanyan noticed Xia Youchen’s unsteady step and irregular breathing, indicating he had suffered an internal injury.

Behind them, as the Exotic Beast pursued closer, it spewed blue flames from its mouth.

Burning Sky Blue Flame Bull! Mu Hanyan was slightly taken aback. Despite its formidable name, this Exotic Beast wasn’t particularly strong, its maximum strength not exceeding that of a Fifth Rank Sword Master. It couldn’t compare with top-level beasts like the Fierce Stone Demon.

Xia Youchen, originally at the Sword Saint Realm, shouldn’t have been threatened by a beast like this. Why was he so battered? Could it be his strength hadn’t recovered yet?

As she pondered this, the Burning Sky Blue Flame Bull spewed another fiery breath. Xia Youchen couldn’t dodge in time, and a strand of white hair was set aflame, emitting a burnt smell.

Mu Hanyan almost laughed out loud; how is this old man so unlucky? Each time he encountered her, he got into trouble. Previously, at the Exotic Beast Valley, not even mentioning being chased around by not yet hatched Little Auspicious Beasts rolling around, then being forced into an embarrassing situation by Zhao Lingxian at Flying Peak — and now, he was being seared by a Fifth Rank level Exotic Beast.

Seeing that the Burning Sky Blue Flame Bull was getting closer, Mu Hanyan didn’t hesitate and leaped forward, slashing with her sword.

With her current Sixth-level Sword Master power, even without relying on Nine Heavens Star Fall and Star Falling in Eight Desolates, she completely suppressed the Burning Sky Blue Flame Bull.

”Mooo...” The Burning Sky Blue Flame Bull was sent flying by Mu Hanyan’s slash, rolling several times before standing up, casting fearful glances at her before suddenly turning and fleeing, unlike the vengeful Fierce Stone Demon.

”Phew...” Xia Youchen slumped to the ground, exhaling a long breath.

Mu Hanyan took out an Elixir and handed it over.

”Thank you, young lady, for saving me.” Xia Youchen said gratefully but hesitated to take the Elixir from her hand.

As the once-famous Beast Taming Sword Saint, well-known across the Holy Court Continent, he felt somewhat embarrassed to appear so bedraggled in front of a younger generation.

”Senior Xia, don’t you recognize me?” Mu Hanyan smiled and said.

”Who are you?” Listening to her somewhat familiar voice, Xia Youchen was slightly startled, examining Mu Hanyan closely and then remarked in surprise, ”You, you are Mu Hanyan?”

”Yes, indeed, I am Mu Hanyan.” Mu Hanyan chuckled.

”I didn’t expect you to save me again.” Xia Youchen gave a wry smile. Since it wasn’t the first time he embarrassed himself in front of Mu Hanyan, he abandoned all pretense and took the Elixir readily.

”By the way, Senior Xia, has your strength not recovered yet? How come you look so beleaguered again?” Mu Hanyan asked.

Fleeing all the way here, she was a tad weary herself and seized this chance to rest a bit.

”Ah, it’s a long story. My strength had already recovered to the Great Sword Master Realm, so I thought I’d come to Longyan Mountain to look for some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to break through the Sword Saint bottleneck. But, in the mountain’s depths, I encountered a strange Exotic Beast, several spans tall, its whole body aflame, completely different from any beasts I’ve ever known. My Beast Taming Technique didn’t work on it at all. With just one encounter, I was seriously injured and quickly fled.” Xia Youchen said, still feeling a lingering fear.

Upon hearing Xia Youchen’s words, Mu Hanyan’s heart stirred. Could it be, he ran into a Netherworld Beast?

Thinking about the irrational behavior of the Exotic Beasts, like moths rushing to a flame outside of Hanshan Town, and the two beasts having their Spiritual Marks forcibly erased, ignoring the Divine Beast Heavenly Might of the Taowu Divine Beast, Mu Hanyan felt an overwhelming unease.

Could it be that a Netherworld Beast had already broken out of the Netherworld Prison and arrived on the Holy Court Continent?

”Woo woo...” Little Qiongqi approached Mu Hanyan at this moment, rubbing its small head against her very affectionately.

”Wow, what an adorable little Dragon Cat. Is it your sword pet?” Zhu Xiuqing patted Little Qiongqi’s head with an interested expression.

Dragon Cat... Mu Hanyan was speechless regarding the foolish prince’s eye power. Dragon Cats are a type of Exotic Beast, extremely cute in appearance, yet almost devoid of offensive power compared to other beasts, typically being kept as pets by some noblewomen.

”Roar...” Little Qiongqi bared its teeth, its eyes revealing a fierce light, letting out an angry growl, apparently outraged at being compared with the meek Dragon Cat.

”Haha, quite a temper.” Zhu Xiuqing continued to tug at Little Qiongqi’s mouth and pinched its nose. He had seen many Dragon Cats, but this was the first time he saw one with such a temper.

Little Qiongqi was utterly bewildered by his actions, standing there stunned.

”Cute, truly adorable.” Zhu Xiuqing continued to tug at Little Qiongqi’s mouth and squeezed its neck, even slapping its head heavily to express his affection.

Mu Hanyan’s mouth twitched, hoping that once this fool realized whose head he slapped, he could remain so composed.