Chapter Six: Seeking a Herb, Crushing a Person

Hell
The First Heaven

Yan Yi had only just stood firm when the sounds of clashing blades and magical artillery erupted behind him. Everywhere, spells and array-based attacks were flying in a chaotic display of combat.

He acted as if he heard nothing, his expression cold and detached as he prepared to step into the palace. However, a young, soft voice ringing out from the horizon caught him completely off guard.

"Father!!"

"Father, look at me!!"

"I learned how to fly on a sword!!"

For some unknown reason, the ghost servants who had been immersed in the fray suddenly froze upon hearing this familiar voice. In perfect, synchronized silence, they ceased their attacks and deactivated their spells, vanishing from the spot as if they had used a shadow-teleportation technique.

Left behind, the Great High Priest of the Demon Realm, Mo Han, stood in complete bewilderment, staring at the spot where the demons had suddenly disappeared.

"Oh, snap!" The little dumpling, seeing the Cangqiong Hao Sword spiraling out of control, turned pale with fright. "Ahhh! Why... why won't this thing stop?"

Hearing the commotion, Mo Han spun around just in time to see a tiny, adorable dumpling flying through the sky on a sword, hurtling toward him at breakneck speed. His expression shifted into one of pure terror. "You—you—you—"

What on earth was this?!

"Ahhhhh! Father, save me!!" The little dumpling lost all control over the Cangqiong Hao Sword and plummeted from a hundred meters in the air—a descent far more terrifying than a simple freefall.

Yan Yi raised two fingers, focused his energy, and leaped forward. Stomping onto the empty air, he caught the falling white bundle and descended gracefully to the ground.

Feeling her father’s steady arms, the little dumpling dared to open her eyes, looking up at him with cautious trepidation. "Fa—Father..."

"Ahhhhhhh!" A pig-slaughtering wail erupted from nearby.

The group looked over to see the Great High Priest Mo Han—who had been so imposing just moments ago, declaring he would break into the palace—now lying dazed and confused, having been flattened by the plummeting sword. He knelt on the ground, wailing in pain.

Everyone: "..."

They silently lit a candle for him in their hearts, thinking, *Talk about bad timing!*

Of all the luck, he had to cross paths with the most mischievous, playful, and troublesome little princess in all of Hell.

Yan Yi set the little dumpling down, his face dark and stern. He turned and walked away in a huff, leaving only one command behind: "Send for the ghost physician to treat him."

"Yes, we understand," Mao Ding replied immediately, bowing before dragging the half-dead Great High Priest away.

"Father—!!"

"Father, I was wrong! I won't do it again! Please forgive me—!!"

Seeing the situation worsening, the little dumpling burst into tears, chasing after him into the hall, desperate for his forgiveness.

But before she could enter, a barrier suddenly materialized, blocking her path.

"Oof! Ouch..." The little dumpling clutched her forehead, crouching down as she sobbed loudly.

"Father..."

***

"Little Princess?!" Bai Chang, who had come running upon hearing the news, rushed over and helped her up. She examined her anxiously. "What happened? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Wuwuwu, Father is angry, Father is angry, Sister Bai Chang, what do I do?" The little dumpling cried pitifully. Her purple eyes, unique and pure as a spring, made anyone want to comfort her.

"It’s alright, Lord Yan will not be angry with you for long." Bai Chang gently patted the little one’s back, soothing her. Seeing her tear-choked state, she pulled a clean handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe away her tears.

"There, there, it’s alright, it’s alright..."

"It’s not alright!" The little dumpling widened her eyes, contradicting her. Tears clung to her lashes like pearls, looking truly pitiful. "I think I hit someone just now, and that person was hurt by the Cangqiong Hao Sword."

"What?!" Bai Chang was horrified. Her heart sank to the bottom of her chest. The Cangqiong Hao Sword was an ancient divine artifact; if it struck someone, at best it would shatter their bones and internal organs, and at worst, it would leave them dead without a corpse.

She had only dared to teach the Little Princess how to fly on the sword because she was always nearby; after all, the Princess had enough cultivation and magical power to handle the blade.

But when the collision occurred, she hadn't been there to supervise. And looking at Lord Yan’s angry expression, she feared the victim was someone of high status who would not be easily placated.

The little dumpling wiped her tears, looking at her pitifully. "What do I do, Sister Bai Chang? Will Father punish me?"

"No, he won't," Bai Chang said firmly, though she was terrified for the little one. "How could the Lord punish you? You are the Little Princess!"

Though she said this, Bai Chang had no confidence in her words. She knew this incident would not be resolved with a mere verbal scolding like previous times.

Bai Chang pondered for a moment, handed the small handkerchief to her, and said, "I will go inside to check. Little Princess, stay here and wait for me."

"No!" The little dumpling grabbed her skirt, not even caring that the handkerchief fell to the ground. "If you go in, Father will definitely punish you."

She knew that if her father found out Bai Chang had been the one leading the training, he would surely punish her. If even she, the princess, was going to be punished, what chance did Bai Chang have?

Bai Chang stood up. "It’s fine. Someone needs to explain this clearly to Lord Yan."

And who else could it be but her?

She could only blame herself for not watching the Little Princess closely enough, letting her cause trouble again. She hoped Lord Yan would be lenient; after all, she had elderly parents, a brother, and a beloved pet to care for.

Bai Chang took a deep breath, raised her hand to shatter the barrier, gritted her teeth, and resolutely stepped inside.

*So be it. Death comes to us all eventually.*

The little dumpling picked up the handkerchief, clutching it tightly as she watched Sister Bai Chang walk away, praying silently in her heart.

*Please... Father, don't punish Sister Bai Chang.*

***

The Rear Hall of the First Layer
Haolan Palace

"Ouch, ouch, it hurts..." On the bed, the Great High Priest Mo Han was wailing incessantly. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought he’d lost an arm or a leg.

The ghost physician pulled his hands back with a grave expression and bowed to the figure behind him. "My Lord, his condition is quite severe."

He had been wounded in the back and internal organs by a sharp weapon and would need a long period of recuperation.

Upon hearing this, Mo Han showed no sign of anger. Instead, he clutched his wound, sat up straight, and perked up.

"How is it to be treated?"

"This..." The ghost physician hesitated for a moment and glanced back at Mo Han.

Mo Han immediately lay back down and started "ouching" again, as if he were on the verge of death.

The ghost physician retracted his gaze and turned back to his duty. "This injury will require a few days of rest. Once the wound from the sharp weapon heals and the essence within his body can circulate again, there should be no major issues."

Yan Yi’s face darkened. He turned the zircon ring on his right hand and said in a low voice, "How many days of rest? Is medicine required?"

"About three to five days. As for medicine... if we had the Ningzhi Flower, it would help the Great High Priest with the pain and healing."

"The Ningzhi Flower can be found within Hell. Send someone to gather a few stalks for him to consume. As for this matter of recovery—" He paused, truly wanting to tell him to get out of Hell right now.

Mo Han seemed to sense his impatience and immediately sat halfway up, exclaiming, "I’m not going anywhere! I will stay here and lie down for three days, and as soon as my injuries improve, I will crawl away immediately, how about that?!"

Yan Yi gave a cold, mocking laugh, seemingly guessing the purpose of his visit. He spoke with icy, oppressive coldness: "This place only accepts vengeful ghosts, not half-dead demons."

"But my injuries—" *Aren't they caused by the ghost from your palace?* Though the little ghost looked quite young, she was actually rather cute.

"Either you get out of Hell right now, and in consideration of the severity of your injuries, I will grant you a few stalks of Ningzhi Flower and have someone escort you back to the Demon Realm."

*No, no, no!* He couldn't go back. He hadn't yet completed his mission in Hell. How could he return now?

"Or..."

Mo Han looked at him nervously, his knuckles white as he gripped the bedding into a ball.

"You tell me now, why have you come here?"

"I..." Mo Han paused, looking at the physicians and ghost servants in the hall. The words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat.

Yan Yi nodded, not pressing further. He turned to leave, his expression frigid. "In that case, Mao Ding, cast him out of the prison."

Mao Ding bowed. "Yes, I understand."

"No, no, no!!" Mo Han jumped up, shouting at his retreating back. "I'll tell you! I'll tell you, alright?!"

"My Crown Prince was severely punished by an immortal from the heavens, damaging his soul. He has yet to wake up. The Emperor sent me specifically to ask Lord Yan if my Prince's fate has reached its end!"

"If not, I wish to beg for the Chimera Flower from Hell to save my Prince."

"I implore Lord Yan to show mercy and grant this one a stalk of the Chimera Flower to save a life."