Chapter 42 (Part 1) – Fear of Pain

As Yu Zhengzheng’s words fell, the others raised their gazes, their puzzled eyes landing on her.

What kind of relationship could Xiao Yuqing have with An Ning?

The question seemed utterly random and nonsensical.

Only Rong Shang appeared indifferent, narrowing his long eyes lazily as he cast a fleeting glance at Yu Zhengzheng.

She wasn’t entirely foolish—she had at least thought to suspect Xiao Yuqing.

But if she already knew something was off about Xiao Yuqing, why did she seek his help last night?

Truly, a woman’s heart is as unfathomable as the ocean. Rong Shang could see through the greed and malice of the world, yet he could not understand her thoughts in the slightest.

He shifted his gaze away from her, letting it slowly settle on Xiao Yuqing.

His detestable, sickly younger brother, who was only a few tens of millennia younger than him, had a cultivation level that barely reached the Nascent Soul stage. A cultivator at that stage could, at most, live for a thousand or so years.

From this, it seemed highly unlikely that Xiao Yuqing was his brother.

However, it was certain that An Ning had some connection to the Xiao family.

Time wasn’t on his side. His brother was cunning and treacherous, capable of vanishing without a trace at the slightest disturbance.

He wasn’t in a rush, though. Since that sickly one had already made a move, more would inevitably follow.

Nothing could ever be completely flawless. As long as that sickly one acted, there would always be a moment when he slipped up.

Yu Zhengzheng blinked, her lips curving into an innocent smile. “Brother Xiao, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Xiao Yuqing slowly raised his head, a puzzled look on his face. “Why is Miss Yu asking such an odd question? What kind of connection could I possibly have with Miss An Ning?”

This was clearly Xiao Yuqing deflecting.

Yu Zhengzheng arched an eyebrow. “Brother Xiao, shouldn’t you answer my question first? Don’t forget what Hengwu Xianjun just said—only sincerity can awaken the Queen.”

She added with a bright smile, “Didn’t Hengwu Xianjun say to ask the simplest questions? I just had a random thought that this question couldn’t be simpler. Brother Xiao wouldn’t mind, right?”

Xiao Yuqing maintained a gentle smile. “Of course not. Miss Yu is also eager to leave this place quickly.”

His expression unchanged, his tone steady, he said, “Having come this far, we’ve endured countless hardships together. At the very least, we’ve gotten to know each other. Just like how I’ve come to know Miss Yu, I suppose we can be considered companions.”

The term “companion” was so broad in meaning that it was almost equivalent to not answering at all.

Yu Zhengzheng felt a twinge of regret. She should have directly asked him whether An Ning was a puppet.

If he had answered affirmatively, it would have been enough to confirm his relationship with An Ning, sparing her from this roundabout exchange.

Seeing no changes in the room, Xiao Yuqing was about to stand up when Hengwu Xianjun pressed him back down. “What’s wrong with you all? Acting without understanding the rules?”

“It’s not just anyone who can ask a question at will; the respondent must choose who will pose the question,” he explained, pointing to Shan Shui. “Just like how I had Shan Shui ask me earlier, you must do the same.”

Xiao Yuqing nodded slightly and said with a warm smile, “In that case, let Miss Yu ask.”

Yu Zhengzheng was momentarily stunned, thinking he meant her, until she saw Yu Jiangjiang step forward excitedly. Only then did she realize that “Miss Yu” referred to Yu Jiangjiang.

She pursed her lips, watching as Yu Jiangjiang shyly asked, “Does Young Master Xiao have a woman he admires?”

Last night, Yu Jiangjiang had planned to take matters into her own hands with Xiao Yuqing. She had hoped that once they left the formation, she could send word to her father, forcing Xiao Yuqing to marry her even if he was unwilling.

However, the poison flared up in the middle of the night, leaving her in excruciating pain. By the time she endured the agony, Xiao Yuqing had already resolved everything himself.

Having missed such an excellent opportunity, she was beside herself with frustration. Yet she couldn’t force him, so she had no choice but to quietly handle her “needs” alone.

She felt that Xiao Yuqing had some feelings for her, so she seized this chance to ask him subtly.

Xiao Yuqing didn’t seem surprised by her question. He didn’t take long to respond, casually saying, “I’ve been focused on cultivation and haven’t given much thought to matters of the heart. Thus, I currently have no woman I admire.”

His response was straightforward and crisp, unlike the roundabout evasion he displayed earlier, which had been akin to dealing with a difficult customer service inquiry.

Yu Zhengzheng had no interest in anything else. The moment Xiao Yuqing stood up, she pressed her hand down.

“Yu Jiangjiang, you ask.” She didn’t even bother calling her “sister,” directly using her full name.

Originally, she wanted Shan Shui to ask the question, but she feared Shan Shui might say something shocking, so she opted for the brainless Yu Jiangjiang instead.

Yu Jiangjiang, indeed lacking in wit, hesitated for a moment before seemingly asking unintentionally, “In my sister’s heart, what kind of person do you think I am?”

Her intention was to force Yu Zhengzheng to reveal her true nature in front of Xiao Yuqing, so he would no longer be deceived by Yu Zhengzheng’s pretense of purity.

Considering how Yu Zhengzheng and her mother had treated her, Yu Jiangjiang was sure Yu Zhengzheng hated her. If Yu Zhengzheng spoke the truth, it would undoubtedly change Xiao Yuqing’s opinion.

Yu Zhengzheng glanced at her like she was an idiot. “You’re a person with all four limbs intact.”

Yu Jiangjiang: “…”

She couldn’t help but clarify, “No, I mean—”

Yu Zhengzheng interrupted her, “You’ve already asked your question. It’s someone else’s turn now.”

Yu Jiangjiang’s face darkened, but she couldn’t argue, so she sulked in silence.

The others then proceeded to ask trivial questions, and the round quickly ended, leaving only one person who hadn’t answered yet.

All eyes turned to Rong Shang. Hengwu Xianjun smiled mischievously and asked, “Who does the Ghost King wish to answer his question?”

In truth, no matter who asked, Rong Shang was in a perilous situation.

Everyone here had unclear motives, especially Hengwu Xianjun, who coveted Rong Shang’s primordial spirit. This was a rare opportunity.

While the others had no particular interest conflicts, Rong Shang was different. There were too many things on him worth coveting.

Rong Shang was well aware of his predicament but remained unconcerned. The question would likely be about where his primordial spirit was hidden or how to kill him.

Being of divine descent, even without his divine power, ordinary weapons couldn’t harm him.

Aside from taking his primordial spirit, only he himself knew how to kill him.

Rong Shang lazily lifted his eyes. “Must I touch her brow?”

This question was directed at Hengwu Xianjun.

Hengwu Xianjun froze for a moment before suddenly recalling something. “Your hands can’t touch living beings. Through fabric is fine.”

As soon as his words fell, Yu Zhengzheng’s legs nearly gave out beneath her. She stammered, “W-what do you mean by ‘can’t touch living things’?”

Hengwu Xianjun shrugged. “The gods possess divine power, which gathers in their hands. If a god’s hand touches a living being, they’ll instantly be reduced to ashes. You’ve been intimate multiple times—don’t you know this?”

Of course, Yu Zhengzheng didn’t know. If she had, she would have bolted from the mortal realm the moment she arrived.

Her thoughts turned to the bald patch on her head and the time he’d asked her to pass him medicine. Could it be that he had actually been trying to kill her?

Rong Shang narrowed his long eyes lazily, his voice cool: “What ridiculous ideas are you entertaining now?”

Though his tone was dismissive, her suspicions were spot-on—he really had considered killing her a few times before.

But it wasn’t entirely his fault. She lacked common sense and bungled even simple tasks like applying medicine, wasting one of his precious dragon spine marrow pills.

Those pills were life-saving elixirs, requiring the extraction of three dragon tendons to make just one. Since Xue Xi, the alchemist who could craft them, had died, getting more was no longer possible.

Feigning indifference, Rong Shang said, “If I wanted to kill you, would you still be alive now?”

Yu Zhengzheng thought about it and had to admit he made a valid point.

All he’d need to do was touch her lightly, and she’d turn to a pile of ash. If he really intended to kill her, she wouldn’t have made it this far.

Seeing her expression ease, Rong Shang casually raised his hand and adjusted the queen’s blanket, covering her face.

He pinpointed the queen’s brow with precision, then lazily looked at Yu Zhengzheng. “You ask.”

Hengwu Xianjun, having anticipated this, handed Yu Zhengzheng a property deed. “Ask where his divine essence is hidden, and I’ll give you one of the thirteen cities of the Demon Realm to govern.”

Rong Shang remained unfazed and utterly indifferent.

It didn’t matter whom he chose; everyone present wanted his life. Even Yu Zhengzheng wouldn’t be an exception.

A city in the Demon Realm was equivalent to a kingdom in the mortal realm. How could she not be tempted?

But they were naive. Even if they knew where his divine essence was, what could they do?

As long as he was alive, no one could wrest it from him.

Seeing her hesitation and apparent difficulty, Rong Shang spoke coldly, his tone devoid of emotion. “Ask whatever you want.”

Yu Zhengzheng hesitated for a moment. “Well… since you can’t touch living things with your hands… how do you, uh, handle things when you pee?”

Rong Shang: “…”

A miscalculation.

He should’ve known better. Her mind had never been normal.

Faced with this awkward question, he almost wished Hengwu Xianjun had simply asked about his divine essence.

The fingers resting on the blanket trembled slightly before his thin lips finally parted, forcing out a single word: “With.”

Hengwu Xianjun clutched the property deed, laughing so hard his chest shook. “How unsanitary—imagine someone actually using their hand for that…”