Chapter 49 Well-Matched Coercion

Zhu Zhu stopped bouncing around and looked at Jiang Heng.
The tiny eggshell was covered with large question marks.
Jiang Heng turned a blind eye, silently apologizing in her heart for making it take the fall once again.
Han Jie knew how formidable Zhu Zhu was, so he accepted this explanation quite naturally. "That's good. No wonder you had the confidence to come here alone; I almost forgot you had such a powerful trump card in Zhu Zhu."
No matter how slow-witted Jiang Heng was, she finally caught on at this moment. "Did Senior Brother Han follow me secretly because you were worried about me?"
Han Jie nodded. "Do you think I'm overprotective and somewhat annoying?"
Jiang Heng smiled. "How could I? Having someone care about my safety is more than enough to move me. You don't need to keep it a secret next time. If you want to come along, just say so directly."
For the very first time, Han Jie experienced this wondrous sensation: clearly, the person before him was a much younger and more inexperienced junior, and he was supposed to be the one "bestowing favor," yet he received such a tolerant and understanding invitation.
Instead of feeling that the dynamic had been inverted, he felt as though the frozen lake of early spring in the depths of his heart had been parted by lotus petals, sending ripples of warmth outward.
In all his long years of life, this was the first time he had ever felt this way.

With Han Jie joining her, Jiang Heng grew bold enough to venture into more dangerous waters.
The two cooperated with tacit understanding. On the surface, Han Jie was only responsible for defense and supplemental finishing blows, but behind the scenes, he secretly cast summoning arts and effortlessly beat the prey down to minimal health, making it easy for Jiang Heng to reap the rewards.
With such a powerful and reliable teammate, Jiang Heng slaughtered nearly a hundred aquatic demonic beasts within a mere month, yielding a bountiful harvest.
"Senior Brother Han, should we take these demonic beast carcasses back entirely, or dismantle them on the spot?" Jiang Heng's eyes sparkled brilliantly.
In her past life, she had never had the opportunity to enjoy such an exhilarating hunt, at most collaborating with others to besiege a single demonic beast.
How could it compare to now, having Senior Brother Han as her backing and support without any other worries, letting loose to fight to her heart's content until her very blood burned with excitement?
Han Jie said, "I'll dismantle them. Aside from their inner cores, some demonic beasts might occasionally yield unexpected precious materials. If we sell them whole, we might take a loss, and if we hand them over to a treasure pavilion to be dismantled, they might be pocketed secretly."
Jiang Heng was thoroughly convinced. "Senior Brother Han truly lives up to his background as a rogue cultivator; not only is your practical combat experience rich, but you also know a great deal of useful knowledge."
As Han Jie channeled his magical artifact to dismantle a demonic beast, he smiled. "I thought you were going to say I'm calculating and full of schemes."
Jiang Heng disagreed with that statement. "Scheming is about plotting against others; this is about preserving one's own interests, how can they be mentioned in the same breath? Senior Brother Han is the friendliest and warmest person I have ever met."
When she had just met him and they had no real friendship, he was exceptionally generous in giving her so many valuable treasures, and he lent a helping hand everywhere without genuinely asking for anything in return.
So what if he had many good things in his possession? Even among high-realm and wealthy cultivators, very few would engage in such a losing business; most of them traded through calculation.

Perhaps because she had died so miserably in her past life, she was being compensated in this one by meeting such a good senior brother.
Han Jie paused mid-action at the words "friendly and warm," finding it somewhat amusing.
Sure enough, just as he had predicted, inside the shell of a giant turtle demonic beast, there were actually several glowing pearls.
Han Jie observed them for a moment and said, "These are Light-Condensing Pearls. They can illuminate dark realms created by arcane techniques and also possess certain detoxifying properties. I'll make you a protective bracelet."
Jiang Heng nodded repeatedly.
Han Jie took out several rare pieces of refined gold material, and with a light pinch and twist of his spiritual power, a lightweight and exquisite orchid-shaped bracelet instantly took form, which he personally put on Jiang Heng's wrist.
"It's so pretty," Jiang Heng exclaimed sincerely.
"As long as you like it," Han Jie said with a smile.
Courtesy demanded reciprocity; looking at the turtle shell on the ground, Jiang Heng was suddenly struck by an inspiration. "I'll give Senior Brother Han a gift as well."
With that, she took out an arcane carving knife that could cut through iron like mud from her storage bag, sat down on the ground, and began to earnestly chisel and carve the large shell.
Not knowing what she intended to do, Han Jie quietly watched from the side.
Very soon, the turtle shell transformed into a large, rounded bowl. Aside from its natural grain, it lacked any other ornamentation, looking extremely rustic and honest.
Jiang Heng handed the turtle shell bowl to Han Jie. "Last time, I felt that your courtyard was missing something. Put this by the pond; it can be used to raise aquatic plants and beasts, or to hold other miscellaneous items, and the color matches well enough."
The shells of turtle-type demonic beasts possessed the property of gathering the essence of heaven and earth, and whatever was raised inside them would turn out exceptionally spirited and beautiful.
Han Jie gazed at the object for a moment and chuckled, "You are truly ingenious. I was just lacking a treasure like this."
Jiang Heng was very happy.
The two divided the remaining demonic beast materials and, riding together on Han Jie's flying boat, returned to the Myriad Spirits Sect amid cheerful chatter.
Just as Han Jie dropped Jiang Heng off at the entrance of her immortal cave, he ran into an unexpected person.
Jiang Huaiyu stood under a tree, his appearance breathtakingly gorgeous, akin to an immortal descended to the mortal realm.
He watched calmly as his nominal prospective cultivation partner stood with another man, showing not the slightest trace of displeasure, as if he were looking at total strangers.
This was the first time Jiang Huaiyu had ever come to this immortal cave.
Jiang Heng's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, but she still greeted him, "Third Senior Brother."

Those who adapt to circumstances are wise; this was not an easy person to talk to, and even Huo Shiqing felt more human than he did.
Given the vast disparity in their statuses and the sect's high regard for Jiang Huaiyu, if he were truly to make a move, even if she died at his hand, the sect master would not truly punish him severely. Better not to suffer losses over a momentary fit of pride.
Jiang Huaiyu gave a faint acknowledgment and looked at Han Jie. "I have some words for Junior Sister. Would it be convenient for Junior Brother Han to step aside?"
Han Jie looked at Jiang Heng, who shook her head. "It's fine, Senior Brother Han, you go back first. We can chat another day."
She did not want to drag Han Jie into trouble.
Han Jie agreed.
Before leaving, he glanced at Jiang Huaiyu.
Whether it was an illusion or not, Jiang Huaiyu actually sensed a sort of dangerous aura from that look.
It must have been an illusion.
How could an ordinary Core Formation stage cultivator make him feel a pressure of matched strength?
Jiang Huaiyu withdrew his gaze and looked at Jiang Heng. "Aren't you going to invite me in to sit?"
Jiang Heng originally wanted to tell him to say whatever he had to say right here, but she quickly remembered that Jiang Huaiyu never visited without a reason; he must be coming to discuss something unspeakable, so she had no choice but to lead him inside.
Jiang Huaiyu looked around Jiang Heng's immortal cave with a hint of surprise.
It was not as desolate and barren as those people claimed; on the contrary, it was serene, exquisite, and blooming with many precious spiritual flowers.
It didn't quite look like Jiang Heng's handiwork—was it arranged by that man surnamed Han?
"What business does Third Senior Brother have with me?" Jiang Heng asked coolly.
Without warning, Jiang Huaiyu grabbed her hand, his fingertips resting upon her wrist.
Jiang Heng's heart sank; she wanted to pull back, but found herself unable to move. The disparity in their cultivation realms was simply too great.
Jiang Huaiyu furrowed his brow slightly, and the words he spoke filled her with dread.
"Your meridians do not seem to be broken at all."