Song Xiaojun's eyebrows curved up, her eyes forming crescent moons.

Xian'er stood next to her, with her eyes wide open in disbelief.

In her memory, this was the first time ever since sister Xiaojun had controlled the Unmoving City of Darkness, that she had shown such a happy expression. Even when she sat on the throne of darkness of the Unmoving City of Darkness, there would be no emotions on her face at all. Her expression would remain calm and icy.

Kacha! Kacha!

The sounds of the ice cracking could be heard.

As piece after piece of ice fell to the floor, Ye Qingyu's body finally pierced through the layer of ice. He stood there gasping for breath.

If not for the fact that his body had the [Supreme Ice flame] that countered the ice power of Little Silver, then Marquis Ye really would be frozen alive like Wen Wan within the ice. At that time, he could only patiently wait for Little Silver to save him.

"Where's Little Silver?" Ye Qingyu grinded his teeth.

Xian'er grinned as she pointed. "In the bowl."

Ye Qingyu instantly realized that Little Silver was seriously pretending to be dead. He had even used his ice power to freeze himself stiff, sinking to the bottom of the bowl, not moving in the slightest. Originally, Ye Qingyu was not that angry, and after seeing this scene, he could only shake his head ruefully.

He extended his hand to pincer this fellow up, and after rubbing away the alcohol on his body, he then placed Little Silver in his hair like a hairpin.

Little Silver did not move, obediently becoming Ye Qingyu's ornament.

"Wa, this little snake can be used like this. It’s such a beautiful silver dragon hairpin. How can I not have this idea earlier?" Xian'er shouted in an exaggerated fashion, her eyes brightening up as she stared at the little silver dragon eagerly.

Ye Qingyu pretended as if he did not see this.

Opposite, Song Xiaojun's face became much more expressive.

It was the first time she did not have a chilling expression that rejected all those who got near. There was even a faint shadow of the Song Xiaojun from when she was at the White Deer Academy. Such a small change could not be detected by other people, but Ye Qingyu was easily able to discern this.

He was overjoyed in his heart.

This already was a very good sign.

There was countless topics of conversation flitting through Ye Qingyu's mind, but when he opened his mouth, for some reason the words he said were, "It's about lunch, have you… eaten?"

Instantly, Xian'er glared at him with disdain.

To want to flirt with my sister, please could you not use such useless words.

Who would have guessed that Song Xiaojun would give a serious reply, although it was only a single simple reply, "We haven't."

Ye Qingyu was about to ask whether he could invite them for lunch, when Song Xiaojun directly stood up. Without saying anything, she brought her toy bear outside, evidently wanting to depart. Xian'er happily made a face at Ye Qingyu, sticking her tongue out, then quickly followed behind Song Xiaojun, the pair of girls leaving just like that.

They've left?

Ye Qingyu was slightly disappointed.

"At least I… said hello." Ye Qingyu shook his head, but his mood was still good.

After this simple meeting, all the negative emotions in Ye Qingyu's heart were swept away, becoming excited once again.

He lifted his hand, grabbing the silly dog Little Nine from the jar of wine and threw him on the table. "Hey, stop pretending to be dead. You just said I was treacherous and sinister, then I'll be treacherous and sinister like you said."

The dog whose limbs were frozen instantly leapt up, an expression of trying to please Ye Qingyu on his face. "Woof, woof, I just said that casually to con those two girls…" As he said this, he instantly smiled like a thief, his eyebrows moving up and down. Suppressing his voice, "Master, why do I feel like that little girl wearing the golden mask seems like someone." "Eh?" Ye Qingyu casually said. "Who are they like?" "Woof!" Little Nine let out a bark, saying, "Master could you be a little more serious, I am being serious here. That little girl is really like the Song Xiaojun of the White Deer Academy, that little girl who liked to follow behind you all the time. Could you have forgotten about her already?" "It's none of your business." Ye Qingyu naturally would not admit it.

This stupid dog was not only a glutton, but he was also famous for his big mouth. He would spread and talk about everything. If he knew the truth, it was hard to say whether he would spread it about. At that time, the safety of Song Xiaojun, would be placed under threat.

The silly dog Little Nine barked in dissatisfaction. "Hmph, for you master, I sacrificed my body, and was pinched at by that ponytailed girl. For me to only get so little information, hmph. Since Master doesn't want to know about that matter, then I'll keep my mouth shut."

Bastard!

Hearing these words, Ye Qingyu's eyes brightened, instantly his attitude turning soft. "Speak."

The silly dog Little Nine wagged his tail, licking his lips and began laughing.

"I'll tell Mother Wu to make you roast dog[1] for you to eat." Ye Qingyu threw out his bribe.

Little Nine originally wanted to say, I don't want to eat dog meat. But he instantly recalled the bowl of dog stew that Mother Wu made that day, the flavour really was… good, and was really enticing. Whatever, let’s not care whether it was dog or not, after all, he wasn't really a true dog.

Without any integrity at all, he nodded his head. "It's a deal."

Then he mysteriously flicked his head looking at the surroundings, jumping like a thief to Ye Qingyu's shoulders. Coming close to Ye Qingyu's ears, he said, "Master, the background of these two girls is really suspicious. I suspect they are the spies of the Demon Race, they have always been targeting the Pass Lord’s residence. I hear they are searching for something called the [Lotus Fire of the Black Moon]. Just now, I sneakily accompanied that ponytailed girl to the Pass Lord's residence…" [Lotus Fire of the Black Moon]?

What was that?

Ye Qingyu rubbed his temples. In truth, when Little Silver had frozen him solid, he was still able to hear sounds from the outside. Xian'er had mentioned the [Lotus Fire of the Black Moon] but at that time, Ye Qingyu did not pay too much attention.

Right now, he finally understood somewhat.

The reason that Song Xiaojun was still risking it by staying in Youyan Pass for so long, was because she was searching for the so called [Lotus Fire of the Black Moon]. For this she was willing to be in such great danger, this meant that this must be something very important to her.

Wait a moment, the silly dog brought her inside the Pass Lord's residence?

Ye Qingyu turned his head to regard him, suddenly realizing something. "What did you just say? You accompanied Xian'er to sneakily enter the Pass Lord's residence? Are you very familiar with the Pass Lord's residence? Why is it that she needed you to accompany her?" "Woof…" Little Nine's words instantly stuttered, then wagged his tail and barked. "Don't concern yourself over the unimportant little details. The important thing is these two girls are suspicious. Should we notify madman Wen of the Vanguard, and to capture these two and interrogate them?" “I think the person who should be interrogated is you." Ye Qingyu stared at Little Nine with a sinister smile. Grabbing his neck, he brought him up to his eyes, and said in a dark voice, "Speak truthfully, what have you done? Did you enter the Pass Lord's residence?”

Little Nine, seeing he could not conceal any longer, instantly his body becoming listless. Four of his paws fell down powerlessly. "I went, I went many times… since it was so tightly guarded, I thought there would be many delicious things to eat. Who would have thought that I completely searched every corner of the Pass Lord's residence, but I couldn't even find any treasure. This really makes woof too disappointed." "You trespassed on the Pass Lord's residence?" Ye Qingyu was extremely shaken. "You searched every corner? You must be exaggerating?"

If there was a place in Youyan pass where the security was comparable to the Imperial Palace, then it was absolutely the Pass Lord's residence. Even with Ye Qingyu's current strength, he did not have the confidence to sneakily enter into the residence and take a walk around. But this silly dog said he had completely searched every corner of the Pass Lord's residence.

Seeing Ye Qingyu's expression, Little Nine bared his little teeth, saying in disdain, "What's so great about that. In this Youyan Pass, there is nowhere I cannot enter."

Seeing the expression of the silly dog, he did not seem to be lying.

Could it really have such an ability?

He could enter any place undetected?

Even the Pass Lord's residence, where the [War God of Youyan Pass] could not detect him at all?

Did that mean… this silly dog was finally showing some value?

Ye Qingyu felt, that in these days, he really had been far too focused on his cultivation, and had neglected to interact with his two battle pets. In such a long period of time, it was completely unknown just what kind of ability they had or what they did…

En…

Ye Qingyu thoughtfully nodded his head.

It seems like he had to find a time to develop the abilities of the two.

"Then did you know the two girls before?" Ye Qingyu lightly placed Little Nine on the table and began scratching his belly as a reward while asking questions.

Little Nine saw his master’s expression and knew the storm had already past. The dog instantly became much more relaxed.

Moaning comfortably, he lay on his back, exposing his furry belly for Ye Qingyu to scratch. Panting excitedly, "One day, me and Little Silver came to gander… I mean, patrol around. Then we saw these two girls acting suspiciously, so we came to have a look. Hehe, master, you should know that I am so beautiful and cute, and am completely a killer weapon against any female species. As expected, when the ponytailed girl saw me, her eyes brightened and said I was a cute little dog demon. Using a little plan, I made her spit out her objective in being here, woof, woof, hehe…"

Ye Qingyu had black lines running across his head.

The ditzy Xian'er and this unreliable white dog…

One could not help but admit, such personalities could easily fit together well.

As they were speaking, there was a ruckus coming from outside the liquor house. What followed after was a swathe of hurried footsteps, as if someone was madly rushing to escape, but was caught up by the people behind. They were directly struck down to the floor, then captured with steel shackles and brought far away, with sounds of curses and cries floating over…

On the counter.

The female owner who was eating pumpkin seeds in boredom, the colour of her face changed.

She quickly ran to close the doors of the store. But before she could run to it, the wooden door was kicked open with a crash. Several soldiers wearing armour from the supply department, rushed in like wolves or tigers.

"You want to close the doors? Could it be that you are guilty of something?" The soldier in the lead armour was in disarray, and his face was ferocious. There was a sword scar on his face like that of a centipede. He sneered coldly at the female owner.

"I don't dare, I don't dare. Sir, I only operate a small business here. In these days, you have come tens of times. Our little liquor house nearly cannot withstand it any longer, please stop, show some mercy…" The female owner was about to cry—

“Show some mercy?" The military officer with a sword scar kicked away the nearby table. "For a commoner such as you, do you deserve my mercy? Why don't you tell me, just how many spies of the Demon Race have been captured in your liquor house in these days? Why is it that there are so many demons hiding here, could it be that this is the next gathering spot of the Demon Race?" "This is a mistake; how would I dare." The female owner bent her back with a placating smile. "Please have a seat military officers. Order what you want to eat and drink, I'll immediately have them prepared." "Peh, just what kind of good food would you have in this dog's den?" Another military officer sat with his legs wide apart on a table, his gaze sweeping around at the timidly cowering customers. With a sneer. "Don't think you can placate me with such things. Speak, are there any more suspicious people today?"

The female owner forced a smile, quickly replying, "Officer, there is not a single suspicious person today. All those who came are regulars who have been here tens of years, they are definitely innocent…" "Hehe, whether they are innocent or not is not something such a lowly mouth should determine.” The military officer with the sword scar swiped his hand across. "Soldiers, give this place a detailed search to see whether this is a den of the Demon Race. If you encounter anyone suspicious people, do not let them go."

The soldiers behind him rushed in like wolves or tigers, kicking away tables and chairs. With a crash and clatter, everything was broken or flipped away. Everywhere in one's sight, there was completely a mess.

There was a placating smile on the female proprietor’s face, but her heart was dripping blood.

These soldiers came every day to cause chaos, causing this little liquor house's business to fall. There were some regulars that did not dare come anymore. The depression of the business made her wonder as if she had offended anyone. It seems like she should copy the stores nearby and close earlier, at least this would prevent some losses.

If this chaos continued, she would become a target at any moment.

For the [Youyan army] to turn into such a state.

In the blink of an eye, the [Common Liquor House] had turned into a scene of breakage and disarray. Tables and chairs lay slanted on the floor as they were kicked, and shattered dishes and bowls were everywhere on the floor. The customers were grabbed and searched, then kicked out. Because the waiter had hidden too late, he was beaten ‘til his mouth was bleeding. He was pretending to be dead by one side… "Senior brot—… No, Superior, I did not discover any suspicious people.” "There is also no one in the kitchen behind…" "Everyone in this store is poor, it seems like there is nothing valuable."

The soldiers gathered, but their actions were not like a typical Youyan soldier. They seemed more like a group of bandits or shameless rogues, their statures slanted and awry, their armours loose. The words they said as well as their laughing expressions were not like soldiers at all.

But they were evidently wearing military uniforms.

The military officer with the sword scar nodded his head, sweeping his gaze across the hall. His pupils suddenly constricted, as he saw the white-robed figure next to the window far off. He imperceptibly nodded his head, then turned his head to regard the female owner with a figure like a water bucket. "What is the background of that white-robed person?"

The female owner had a painful face. She originally wanted to say that was Marquis Ye, but suddenly a flash of light flickered throughout her mind. Thinking of the signal Ye Qingyu gave her when he came in, she said without knowing why, "A regular, he comes here to drink often. He should be a neighbour nearby, I really am not too clear…" "Bitch!" The sword scarred military officer was enraged, kicking away the chair in front of him and striking on the sales counter. The counter made out of rough wood instantly turned into wood scraps. With a roar, the officer said, "You are not too clear? Did you not say these are all old regulars with innocent backgrounds? You dare fool me?" "Officer, please calm down…" The female owner was trembling, kneeling on the floor for mercy.

With a wave of his hand, the sword scarred military officer ordered the soldiers around to surround the window direction.

During the search of the soldiers, they had not even noticed there was a person sitting there. This really was too bizarre. The officer faintly felt that there was something wrong, but he did not consider too carefully before he went over step by step and unsheathed the blade at his waist.

"Friend, turn around. What are you doing here?" The sword scarred officer lifted his hand, patting it on the shoulder of the white-robed figure.

But at this time, the white-robed figure quivered, his outline becoming blurry.

The hand of the officer swiped empty air, as if he was slapping nothing.

Everyone could only feel a blur across their eyes. The white-robed figure was gone.

The person sitting there had disappeared inexplicably.

On the table, there was only a little white dog[1] around four inches long. It was currently baring its fang at them, emitting a low growl from his throat.

"What has happened?" The sword scarred military officer was taken aback.

"Ahaha, for you bunch of idiotic humans to disturb me, you are dead for sure. I will bite you to death…" There was suddenly human speech coming out from the mouth of the white little dog.

The soldier was suddenly shaken.

"White dog demon… for it to speak, it must be a dog demon!" There was someone screaming.

"Woof, woof, you are the demon…" The white little dog jumped, his body like lightning, before anyone could react, he used his little white tail to slap the soldier fiercely like a whip. The face of that soldier swelled up like a pig's head instantly, then he fainted.

"Capture it…" "It really is a dog demon!“ "It really is someone of the Demon Race!"

The soldiers were slightly in disarray, their weapons unsheathed. They surrounded the white dog demon.

Everyone had reason to believe that this white-robed youth must be the white dog spirit who had transformed into a human. After being surrounded, it revealed its original form. No matter what, they must capture that arrogant white dog spirit. Apart from using its tail to slap someone, it did not seem to possess any ability whatsoever so it was not that dangerous.

After a panic, the white dog spirit was finally captured and stuffed into a steel cage.

"Superior, what should we do with it?" A soldier asked.

The sword scarred military officer considered. "Bring it to the [Beheading Demon Platforms] and just take the reward then kill it.

"Woof?" The white dog demon in the cage pupil's constricted, then it began barking madly. "You bunch of retards, to dare capture me? Do you know who my master is? He is in the city right now, when he finds me, you are all dead…" "En? You have a master?" After a shock, the sword scarred military officer was delighted. "This is too great, who would have thought capturing such a small demon would lead us to get the melon by following the vine[1]. First let’s not bring this white dog demon to the [Beheading Demon Platforms], but bring him back to base, and interrogate him. Find out who his master is!"

All the soldiers said yes.

The bunch brought the steel cage away from the [Common Liquor House], heading out.

Seeing the hall of the liquor house in such a sorry state, the female owner was about to cry.

Why had Youyan Pass turned out like this?

She could not understand.

How could her originally good lifestyle completely collapse in less than a month’s time. It was so quick that even she had not understood what exactly had happened within Youyan Pass.

If she closed the liquor house, she would not have to live her life in fear every day.

But what should she do in the future?

Tears finally flowed down from the face of the female owner.

She went over to assist the injured waiter, her heart feeling desolate and sorrowful.

At this time, there was someone who patted her on the shoulder.

She turned around.

A smiling face, white clothes.

"Marquis, I…" The female owner rushed to pay her respects. After all, she knew Ye Qingyu's real identity. Facing such an important character, she did not show the slightest of disrespect.

Ye Qingyu halted her.

"I'm sorry, I did not act just now." Ye Qingyu had guilt on his face. "For a certain reason, I have to slightly suppress my actions just now. This gold piece will act as compensation for this store." Saying this, he handed a gold tael to the female owner.

"This… how can this do." The female owner was stunned, not daring to accept and quickly refusing. "This is too much, too much. This is enough to purchase three or four liquor houses like mine, Marquis, I…" "Take it." Ye Qingyu patted her on the shoulder. "Everyone's days are not going well. as someone of the Empire, I did not do my duty, I feel very remorseful about this. But I can guarantee that these days will quickly pass. Youyan Pass will very quickly return to its original state… Take this gold piece and shelter yourself somewhere along with the server and the cook. After I've taken care of some of the black sheep of the Pass, I will return here to drink your alcohol."

As he finished, Ye Qingyu stuffed the gold tael into the female owner’s hands. With a smile, he turned to leave.

As he left the door broken by the kick, the sunshine outside shone on his body.

His white robe was as if it was glowing with light, his figure causing a very long and powerful shadow to fall across the ground.

The female owner stood staring dumbly at the golden tael in her hands, her blurry vision gradually clearing up.

She rubbed away the tears on her face, exposing a smile.

She was fat and somewhat ugly.

Her liquor house had been destroyed.

But her mood suddenly turned for the better.

"Everything will be better, everyone will come here to drink again… Marquis Ye promised me." …… ……

After departing from the [Common Liquor House], Ye Qingyu returned to the White Horse tower.

There was no need to further observation. He already knew what was currently occurring within Youyan Pass.

The sword scarred military officer and the others were evidently not true soldiers. They were a bunch of fakes, but they held the uniform of the [Youyan army] as well as the badge of the military. This meant only one thing— something that Ye Qingyu had suspected, but had not turned into truth.

There was someone within the army that was in collusion with the people from the Jianghu.

Ye Qingyu had discovered this the moment these people stepped into the [Common Liquor House].

Therefore, he had not acted.

He had intentionally allowed the silly dog Little Nine to be captured. He wanted to follow the trail and find out about the truth hidden in darkness.

This time, Ye Qingyu was really enraged.

If he discovered who it was, no matter whom… they would die! [1] Get something great by following something small