Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 716

Hu Noma continued his conversation with Xiang Zhili and Old Monster Feng, while the other cultivators were also engaged in their own discussions.

About an hour passed when a scholar in a navy robe, who had been watching Han Li, stood up and clasped his hands towards him.

“Fellow cultivator Han, I heard from Senior Hu that you seem to be involved in the recent events of the Yin Fiend Sect. Is that true?”

“That’s correct. May I ask if you are also related to the Yin Fiend Sect?”

“How could a mere mountain recluse like me be? However, I have met with the Yin Fiend Sect’s Protector Fang a few times. Is Protector Fang’s death also related to you?”

The scholar in the navy robe asked suspiciously, and the other Nascent Soul cultivators immediately stopped talking and watched Han Li.

“If you want to know the truth, I will tell you without hiding anything. It is true that I killed the Yin Fiend Sect’s Master.”

Han Li narrowed his eyes, looked at the scholar for a moment, and calmly admitted it. The cultivators became noisy for a moment at his words.

“I see. Thank you for your answer.”

The scholar in the navy robe also felt a chill and bowed his head, returning to his seat.

Hu Jinglei, seeing this, chuckled and was about to say something when a palace maid in a palace dress walked in from outside the hall and whispered something to him.

The Grand Elder of the Heavenly Devil Sect’s eyes lit up as he stroked his beard.

“Before Brother Xiang and Fellow Cultivator Feng arrived, many cultivators were curious about the concubines, so I called them. They have arrived outside the hall, so let’s have them serve some wine to the cultivators. If you don’t mind, please unpack the gifts you have prepared. I especially look forward to Brother Feng and Brother Xiang’s gifts. You wouldn’t have prepared items inferior to the juniors, would you?”

Hu Jinglei burst into laughter.

“Since I’ve known you cultivators, how many treasures have you offered under the guise of bringing in concubines?”

Old Monster Feng snorted and, looking unconcerned, flipped his hand over, placing a small wooden box on the table. Xiang Zhili also took out a jade box with a smile.

“Haha, I have never monopolized those treasures. They are gifts for the beauties, so why be stingy? After all, compared to the wealth you cultivators possess, they are just a drop in the bucket. If it’s for the smile of a beautiful woman, can’t you do that much?”

At Old Monster Feng’s words, Hu Jinglei did not get angry but laughed heartily.

The other cultivators also took out the items they had prepared in advance, ranging from rare materials to dazzling treasures.

Han Li also had something in mind and took out two medicine bottles.

These were elixirs that greatly helped in enhancing the magic power of Nascent Soul cultivators, so they were by no means humble gifts.

Shortly after, footsteps were heard outside the hall, and palace maids in palace dresses slowly entered, surrounding three beautiful women.

As they entered, the cultivators were filled with admiration.

One was petite with fair skin and a clever-looking face that seemed quite young. Another had a voluptuous figure and moist eyes that looked very seductive.

The last one was slender with black hair, and unlike her beautiful appearance, her expression was extremely cold.

Anyone who saw them would be struck by their beauty.

In particular, the slender woman had striking features, and every move she made exuded an inexplicable charm. Even her cold expression created a strange atmosphere, drawing even more attention.

However, Han Li, who had been maintaining a smile, suddenly changed his expression when he saw the woman in the white palace dress.

“Alright, let’s have them serve a drink to each of the cultivators here! They have come from afar to celebrate with you all. Ziling, you come up here and serve a drink to Brother Xiang and the others.”

Hu Noma, who had been smiling non-stop since seeing the three women, immediately called out to the slender woman.

At his words, the two women, except for the slender one, immediately smiled and followed the maids holding jade trays.

As they split to both sides and filled the wine cups, the cultivators hurriedly stood up and greeted them.

However, the woman called Ziling did not move immediately. She frowned and scanned the area where Xiang Zhili and Old Monster Feng were sitting. Then, she discovered Han Li and was startled, unable to take her eyes off him.

The woman’s expression completely changed, first showing joy and then confusion.

Anyone who saw her expression would know that the woman and Han Li knew each other and that their relationship was not ordinary.

At that sight, Hu Noma’s face darkened, and the hall instantly turned cold as everyone looked at Han Li and the woman.

“Ziling, do you know Fellow Cultivator Han?”

Hu Jinglei’s voice was not loud, but it sounded like thunder in Ziling’s ears.

“Yes, I have known Brother Han for a long time.”

Ziling quickly regained her senses, averted her gaze, and barely managed a smile. However, her chest was still heaving.

“Miss Ziling, I didn’t expect to meet you in a place like this.”

Han Li scratched his nose and finally gave a wry smile after a long pause.

“It’s good that you’ve known each other for a long time. Serve a drink to Fellow Cultivator Han. Once you enter the Demonic Palace, whatever relationship you had before is over.”

Hu Jinglei said calmly after a moment of silence. He didn’t seem to care what kind of relationship Han Li had with the woman who would become his concubine.

At those words, Ziling’s expression, which had barely managed a smile, darkened again.

A palace maid quickly approached with a jade tray, offering a jade-colored wine cup and a wine bottle. Ziling lowered her head and slowly picked up the wine bottle.

The tense atmosphere in the hall changed to a more relaxed one as she obediently followed the order, and Hu Noma’s stern face also softened.

Han Li quietly watched Ziling approach with the wine bottle. Her face had returned to its cold demeanor, and her gaze towards Han Li was very unfamiliar.

Han Li’s lips twitched, but he immediately returned to his original expression.

“Fellow Cultivator Han, please have a drink.”

Han Li looked down at the wine cup, but instead of taking it, he shifted his gaze to her face. The atmosphere in the hall instantly became sharp, and a chill flashed in Hu Noma’s eyes.

Xiang Zhili, sensing something bad was about to happen, glanced at Hu Noma and frowned. Old Monster Feng was chuckling to himself, lost in thought.

The other cultivators were just watching the situation unfold like a fire across the river. Han Li suddenly reached out and took the wine cup from Ziling, drinking it all at once.

At that, Hu Jinglei raised his eyebrows but soon returned to his original state.

Ziling looked at Han Li for a moment with a complex expression, then silently took the empty wine cup and tried to get up.

“Wait! If I’m not mistaken, isn’t there a restriction on Miss Ziling’s body?”

Han Li, who had been silent amidst Hu Jinglei’s imposing presence, spoke calmly. Ziling, who had turned to leave, froze and stopped in her tracks.

The hall was now as quiet as a graveyard, not even a breath could be heard.

“It seems Fellow Cultivator Han is too drunk. You should be drunk on wine, not on people!”

Hu Jinglei muttered expressionlessly, emptying the wine cup in his hand. His tone was very displeased.

“Don’t worry, Brother Hu. How could I get drunk after just a couple of drinks? I’m perfectly fine.”

“Is that so? Ziling, you tell me. It seems Fellow Cultivator Han is drunk without realizing it.”

Hu Jinglei asked without looking up, glancing at the bright red ring he was wearing.

Ziling’s expression changed several times, and her lips moved, but she couldn’t seem to speak. Hu Jinglei, sensing her hesitation, looked up.

Everyone who saw Hu Noma’s face felt a chill and broke out in a cold sweat.

A dark aura was enveloping Hu Noma’s face, and his eyes had turned bright red, making him look less like a human cultivator.

“Fellow Cultivator Hu, this is…”

Xiang Zhili tried to step in, but Hu Noma coldly cut him off.

“Even if he was brought by Brother Xiang, he cannot insult me like this. If that person cannot explain himself properly, he will not leave this place alive.”

Xiang Zhili looked at Han Li as if there was nothing he could do.

“Junior Brother Han, what are you doing? This matter is difficult for me to intervene in. You must explain yourself.”

After speaking, Xiang Zhili closed his eyes as if he would no longer pay attention.

Of course, he said that, but Han Li knew that he was thinking of him. He was probably deliberately reminding him that he was watching, preventing Hu Noma from making the first move.

Han Li smiled and asked Ziling,

“Miss Ziling and I have known each other for a long time, and she is one of my few friends. If you are being forced against your will due to a restriction, I cannot stand by and watch, even if it means opposing Fellow Cultivator Hu. So, please answer honestly here. If you truly wish to become Brother Hu’s concubine, this ominous scene wouldn’t have to happen, would it? Of course, if you don’t want to be here…”

Han Li didn’t finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.

“I…”

Ziling, showing joy, anxiety, and nervousness, tried to answer quickly but then closed her mouth.

“There’s no need to ask her. Once she enters the Demonic Palace, becoming my concubine is not something she can refuse. What if she doesn’t want to? Surely you don’t believe you can take her and escape this place?”

Hu Jinglei sneered, mocking Han Li’s attitude.

“Is that what you say?”

Han Li sighed lightly and still confirmed with Ziling.

“…A few years ago, I accidentally revealed my face and was captured by several Heavenly Devil Sect elders and brought here. I cannot say that I am here willingly.”

Ziling gritted her teeth as she spoke, watching Han Li confront the master of the Demonic Palace, whom she feared. At her words, Hu Jinglei sneered and remained silent, and the other cultivators also fell silent.

If a righteous sect like the Taiyi Sect had forcibly kidnapped a woman, they would be criticized, but it was a common occurrence for demonic cultivators and recluses, so it was not unusual.

“That’s enough from you, Miss. Brother Hu, please calm your anger. How could I possibly be trying to oppose you? There is nothing in this world that cannot be traded. What conditions would you require to release Fellow Cultivator Ziling?”

Han Li nodded and, unexpectedly, proposed a trade to Hu Noma, as if he hadn’t seen the other’s ferocious face.

“A trade? With you?”

“Do you think I am not worthy as a trading partner, Brother Hu?”

“Even if you are a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, you are nothing in my eyes. I treated you well because Brother Xiang brought you, but are you trying to match me? You possess a spirit treasure, but that will become mine when I kill you.”

Hu Jinglei muttered ominously, emitting a black light from his entire body. He was about to kill Han Li at any moment.

“It seems Brother Xiang has already told you about the spirit treasure. Then you must have also heard about the Immortal Slayer Pill? And do you think the spatial node information I provided is all I have? Or are you planning to capture me, who possesses the Soul Devouring Pill, and use soul-searching techniques?”

Han Li’s eyes flashed strangely, and he suddenly moved his lips, sending a telepathic message to Hu Noma’s ear.

At those words, Hu Noma’s ferocious face changed slightly, and he glared coldly at Han Li, shutting his mouth.

“Fellow Cultivator Feng, is it true that that guy possesses the Immortal Slayer Pill?”

Shortly after, a thin voice was heard in Old Monster Feng’s ear. He had used some kind of secret technique to send the telepathic message without moving his lips.

Even Han Li, who possessed a powerful consciousness, did not sense anything suspicious.