Chapter Thirty: No Retreat

It turned out that Han Jie was not merely assisting her with her grooming; he had employed a minor illusion technique to subtly alter her appearance.

Originally, she had been nothing more than the slightly pretty sister of a traveling merchant. Under Han Jie’s skillful touch, she was instantly transformed into a spirited, charming, and delicate beauty.

At this, Jiang Heng guessed Han Jie’s intent: "Are you planning to use a beauty trap? It is certainly direct and effective, but I lack worldly experience in such matters..."

She was fine with fighting and killing, but seduction and entrapment were things she feared she might execute with clumsy results.

Han Jie laughed. "No need to force it; just act as you normally would. Keep your head bowed and speak little."

Jiang Heng nodded.

Governor Cao of Changfeng County was a thin, kindly old man, dressed modestly and carrying himself with a gentle demeanor. Upon learning the purpose of the siblings' visit, he shook his head like a rattling drum.

"It cannot be done, it simply cannot. I am an old man with one foot in the grave; how could I possibly take such a young concubine? It would be a sin."

"If you two are truly in dire straits, I can provide some silver to help you settle down. Changfeng County enjoys favorable weather and peaceful living; as long as one is diligent and honest, there is no lack of food or clothing. Do not harbor such crooked thoughts."

Han Jie would not give up. "If you yourself are not interested, Governor, might you allow your sons to have a look? It need not be as a concubine; even a lowly maidservant would do, provided she is given a meal."

"You do not understand, sir. My sister has attracted the attention of many local ruffians and bullies, and as a traveling merchant from afar, I have no way to protect her. If you do not take her in and provide sanctuary, I fear she will be abducted and ruined one of these days."

Governor Cao refused to relent and was frowning, about to chase them away, when a voice drifted from behind him, carrying a note of playful irreverence.

"Father, you are usually so compassionate toward the poor; why are you being so stubborn and rigid today, trying to drive them away?"

The speaker was a handsome young man with red lips and white teeth, dressed in opulent, flashy attire that stood in stark contrast to the Governor.

Seeing him, Governor Cao’s expression shifted, and his brow furrowed deeper. "This is no business of yours! Do not be insolent in front of outsiders!"

The young man smiled. "Father, I happen to be in need of a maidservant. Why not buy her for me?"

"Her brother is right; for a beauty to be born into a poor family is a crime in itself. I shall take her in; consider it an act of charity."

Governor Cao looked at Han Jie and Jiang Heng, then back at the young man, before closing his eyes and sighing.

"Very well, very well. It is all a debt of fate."

Just like that, Jiang Heng was sold to the Governor’s manor for twenty taels of silver, becoming a maidservant to the Sixth Young Master. Because the siblings had depended on each other since childhood, Jiang Heng wept and clung to her brother, begging the Sixth Young Master to allow him to stay for a few days, to which the Sixth Young Master magnanimously agreed.

That night, in a back-courtyard bedroom.

The Sixth Young Master used his fan to lift Jiang Heng’s chin, his smile laced with a seductive charm. "Little beauty, you have been in our Changfeng County for these past few days—have you heard any rumors?"

Jiang Heng felt a shiver of alarm, though her expression remained ignorant and innocent. "Rumors?"

The edge of the fan slid from her chin to her neck, then slowly drifted to her shoulder.

"Yes. Does it not strike you as strange that while other regions suffer from drought and water shortages, only Changfeng County remains untouched by natural disasters?"

Jiang Heng looked at him blankly, her tone drifting. "I... I heard it is because of the River God’s protection. Every month, after a sacrifice is made, it rains heavily..."

The Sixth Young Master’s smile grew more seductive. "And do you know how we sacrifice to the River God?"

Jiang Heng shook her head, her confusion and unease perfectly feigned.

The Sixth Young Master narrowed his eyes. "In truth, there is no River God in the city-traversing river, only a gargantuan water-absorbing beast. It sucks the groundwater from all directions, which is why the surrounding areas suffer from drought, while Changfeng County lacks for nothing."

Jiang Heng’s heart skipped a beat. "A beast?"

"Correct," the Sixth Young Master said. "This beast enjoys the offerings and has gained the ability to take human form. Most of the demon race are lascivious; it demands that the Governor’s manor send a pair of humans every month for it to drain their essence and consume them. If it is satisfied, it performs magic to bring rain; otherwise, it drains the water supply entirely."

"The people of the county were initially fearful and resistant, but once they realized that only the young and beautiful suffer, and that they themselves receive benefits without having to pay anything, they gradually became the beast’s loyal servants..."

As he spoke, the smile on the Sixth Young Master’s face grew eerie.

Just as Jiang Heng was about to probe further, she suddenly realized something was wrong; her expression shifted abruptly.

Vines, appearing from nowhere, coiled around her limbs. As a Gold Core stage cultivator, she found, to her horror, that she could not break free!

The "Sixth Young Master" watched her with a mocking smile, his words making her feel as though she had fallen into an ice cellar. "A mere Gold Core cultivator daring to play tricks in front of me—who gave you the courage?"

Jiang Heng’s pupils dilated as a terrifying realization dawned on her.

Neither she nor Han Jie had detected this person’s true cultivation level.

According to the rules of hiding one’s aura in the cultivation world, could this be a Nascent Soul stage demon cultivator?!

The "Sixth Young Master" flicked his long sleeve, and the elegant bedroom instantly transformed into a grim, opulent palace.

In a corner not far away, Han Jie was also bound by vines, unable to move.

Jiang Heng intended to detonate a magic tool to create chaos, but Han Jie acted first.

He unleashed some unknown technique, and suddenly, a fragrant wind raged as spiritual waves surged violently. Even the inscrutable "Sixth Young Master" lost his footing, stumbling back several paces!

Amidst a flash of brilliant light, after the blinding void faded, Jiang Heng felt her body lighten as she was teleported beside Han Jie, the vines on her body withered and dissipated.

Jiang Heng had no time to offer thanks; she stood firm and drew her sword in one motion.

With cold light flashing, she gripped the hilt with both hands, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Han Jie to confront the demon cultivator.

The "Sixth Young Master" wore a gloomy expression, staring at Han Jie with unexpected shock. "You actually possess a replica of a Dharma Treasure?"

A replica of a Dharma Treasure is a reproduction of a high-level artifact, possessing similar power and capable of being used across cultivation boundaries.

However, it could only be used once before being consumed. Even so, it was an exquisite treasure that was impossible to find. In a critical moment, it was a life-saving weapon.

Jiang Heng recalled Uncle Ji’s words once more. It was true—Senior Brother Han had a terrifying amount of high-quality items; he was essentially a walking treasure vault.

No wonder he hadn't felt a shred of pain when giving her items; he was like a child scattering wealth.

Han Jie asked, "Is the beast in the city-traversing river your spirit pet?"

The "Sixth Young Master" did not answer, instead launching a fierce attack upon them with a savage grin!

A single blow from a Nascent Soul stage cultivator was like a cataclysmic disaster for cultivators of their Gold Core level.

Han Jie was sent flying several yards, all his protective artifacts shattered instantly.

Jiang Heng’s defensive gear disintegrated even faster, fragile as eggshells, crumbling into a fine powder that filled the air.

The defensive barrier she instinctively raised was even more pathetic, like a screen made of paper.

The massive shockwave, carrying murderous intent, surged directly toward her face. In that moment, time seemed to slow a hundredfold.

She clearly saw herself vomit a mouthful of blood, which slowly bloomed into a mist of crimson before her eyes.

The "Sixth Young Master," seeing that Han Jie was the more difficult opponent, launched a violent assault upon him.

With his defenses stripped, Han Jie could not withstand a blow from a Nascent Soul cultivator; he was certain to die.

If he perished, she, Jiang Heng, would be next.

Just as Jiang Heng’s breath all but halted, a voice suddenly echoed in her mind—her own voice.

The first level of the Asura Path.

Do not retreat.