Refining the Mountains and Rivers

After being delayed for a long time, the sumptuous lunch finally opened up. Because of the aftermath of the previous battle, the entire camp had been destroyed. Even the great river not too far away had become cracked and broken, causing water to rapidly spread all over.

So lunch continued somewhere else. Looking up, one could see a waterfall. Besides the rumbling of the waterfall being a bit annoying, it was a very good location.

Blue Wave’s guard retinue had fled in all directions. Only the severely wounded and still unconscious Black Armor was dragged over. He was casually tossed to the side by Black Astral.

Feature fed him an unknown demon medicine. It was gray all over and not even Qin Yu had seen it before.

During this period, she had mysteriously started to refine demon medicines several times. No one had any idea what she was doing.

But this demon medicine’s effects appeared very good. After taking it, Black Armor’s breathing quickly stabilized. While he wouldn’t wake up yet, his injuries had stabilized and he wasn’t in a life-threatening condition.

This caused Old Fox, Black Astral, and Shadowless Demon to all be secretly jealous. Just how precious was one of Miss Feature’s demon medicines? Even if the three of them worked together and managed to slay the red-eye demon leader themselves, they wouldn’t necessarily receive such a reward.

Of course, perhaps the strength of the red-eye demon leader didn’t seem like much in the eyes of the miss, but no matter what the reason was, how could this Black Armor boy have the good fortune to receive the miss’ demon medicine?

Thinking about it, there had to be a reason for this. So when Black Astral tossed him away, he inadvertently used a bit more strength than usual…mm, the pit around Black Armor was deeper than normal.

The Fox Clan’s chicken cooking skills were heaven-defying. They were so good that Feature ate it to her heart’s content and praised Old Fox wildly.

Qin Yu also couldn’t help but nod his head. Out of all the things he had ever eaten in his life, the taste of this chicken was in the top three.

The majority of the two chickens entered the bellies of two people. Because of this, there was even a dispute over a chicken wing that was roasted gold.

Finally, Qin Yu lost and retreated.

Feature smugly smiled. She loudly chewed in great gulps, her face still beaming with satisfaction.

Shadowless Demon had jars of precious demon wine with him. According to him, this was something he had collected when he went out ‘hunting’ in the past.

After opening the first jar, Black Astral sniffed it. He immediately raised a thumb and said, “This really is a rare good wine. When you stole it, the owner must have cursed you out for a long time.”

Shadowless Demon laughed out loud, “He can curse all he wants, it’s not like I ever heard him. Besides, for this fine wine to enter the mouths of the young miss and sir, as well as three Demon Commanders, it is worth drinking it!”

The wine was great wine. Even Qin Yu’s eyes started to shine after drinking a few cups.

Feature was even louder and more boisterous. She held a jar of wine by herself as she tried to outdrink everyone. Her eyes grew increasingly red and bright.

She tilted her head and looked at Qin Yu. From time to time, her lips twitched and she laughed out loud.

Qin Yu was startled by her gaze. He frowned, “What are you looking at?”

“Looking at you.” Feature directly responded.

Qin Yu’s lips twitched. “Is there something on my face?”

Feature paused for a moment. What she said next gave Qin Yu such a fright he almost dropped the jar in his hands. “Qin Yu, when you saw me before, did you ever have thoughts you shouldn’t have?

Cough cough cough cough…

A violent fit of coughing followed soon after, so bad that Qin Yu felt tears flowing down his face. Feature’s near-naked appearance kept replaying itself in his mind.

…Uh, he didn’t want to acknowledge it, but after so much time had passed it was still a vivid memory, as if it all just happened here.

There was a trace of embarrassment on his face, followed by anger. If it weren’t for the fact that you acted like such a hooligan, I wouldn’t have seen what I shouldn’t have. Moreover, after that I had to buy clothes and exchange them for you!

What? You drank some wine and now you want to settle old debts? Hum hum, I’m not afraid of you at all. I don’t feel weak of heart at all!

That’s right, not one bit at all!

Feature coldly sneered, “I just raised the topic, did you have to have such an excessive response? If you really were innocent, why would it be like this?”

Qin Yu: …

Seeing his aggrieved silence as well as grief, indignation, and even embarrassment, Feature cried out loud, “You really have!”

But she wasn’t angry. Rather, she winked her eyes with a bit of smugness.

Qin Yu lifted a hand and rubbed his forehead. This woman was really abnormal. Was this something to be happy about?

Old Fox and Black Astral hid off in the distance. But even if they were eight or ten times further away, with their Demon Commander level strength they would still be able to hear it clearly.

The two old demons glanced at each other and could perceive the smirks in each other’s heart. As they thought, the relationship between Qin Yu and Miss Feature wasn’t that pure.

But this was certainly good news to them. Since they were one family, working for either one was the same.

Because Old Fox was an outstanding cook and Shadowless Demon also had plenty of great abyss wines, the lunch turned into dinner, and dinner turned into a midnight snack.

After the last cup of wine, even Qin Yu felt faint. Feature could no longer stand it. She fell into his arms and dozed off.

Qin Yu’s lips curved up in a smile, “Ho, you woman!”

I can at least outdrink you!

He raised his spirits and looked around. He saw that Old Fox and Black Astral were still sober, while Shadowless Demon had already vanished. Qin Yu slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep.

After an unknown length of time, Qin Yu was awakened by the sounds of a rumbling waterfall in his ears. He let out a breath and slowly stood up.

Feature, who had originally been sleeping in his arms, had already gotten up. She was squatting down in front of the waterfall, looking at a puddle of water that had formed as it splashed down from up high.

Qin Yu walked over. Feature didn’t turn her head, but she knew it was him. She said, “Qin Yu, look at these small insects in the water. They are called hydats, a sort of small insect born in the waters of the abyss. They can barely be considered a demon beast…uh, of course they are the weakest kind that stand at the lowest point of the food chain. Even a little fish can turn them into food.

“And what is most pitiful is that their life cycle is only seven days. At the moment they open their eyes at birth, this timer begins. When the seventh day comes, they turn into a corpse, soon decomposing and becoming a part of the abyss.”

Qin Yu squatted down beside her and looked at the hydats that Feature spoke about. They were the size of a little grain of rice. They had transparent wings and swam in groups. They occasionally gathered and dispersed as if they were fighting. They also seemed to like playing around.

Why was she suddenly so interested in these little things? And there was clearly something off with her tone.

Qin Yu couldn’t help but become suspicious. Was it because she had read too many nonsensical books, causing her to come under the affliction of a ‘young woman who loved literature and art too much’?

Where could all these thoughts come from?

Qin Yu turned and looked at her, “Do you feel sad?”

“It’s not sadness.” Feature faintly smiled, a rare look of calm and gentleness on her face. She seemed like an entirely different person…like another her?

Feature continued to say, “I just couldn’t figure it out. Why could something so small and weak, that has such a short lifespan, live with such vigor and gusto? It is just seven days. No one will remember them, and once death comes for them, they will thoroughly vanish from the abyss.”

Qin Yu furrowed his eyebrows. Feature’s condition really did seem off, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

His thoughts turned and he said, “These insects only live for seven days, and maybe like you said, no one in the abyss will remember their existence. But they did exist. They opened their eyes and saw the abyss, branding everything into their memories. This is a truth that will never change.

“Even if they die, even if no one remembers them, they saw what they saw, and they existed as they existed. They themselves are the greatest affirmation and recognition of their lives.”

Feature paused for a moment. She seemed to mull this over as she softly said, “They themselves are the greatest affirmation and recognition of their lives…this sounds a bit strange, but it does seem meaningful.”

Seeing her mood improve, at least less despondent than before, Qin Yu laughed and said, “Of course. I’m a very insightful person. You just never noticed it before.”

“You really are smelly!” Feature stood up and stretched her waist, “But, thank you.”

She turned and walked towards the camp. As she did she shouted, “Old Fox, Old Fox, hurry and prepare breakfast! I’m hungry again!”

Qin Yu’s lips twitched and he couldn’t help but doubt his own feelings just now. This woman feeling sad?

An illusion. It had to be an illusion!

But what could they have for breakfast? The fish soup from yesterday was good, but wouldn’t it be too greasy to have in the morning?

As this thought subconsciously appeared, Qin Yu’s face darkened. He discovered that he had been infected by Feature’s foodie tendencies!

No, he seemed to have forgotten something important. Thinking about it…this was the tenth day!

“Hey! Feature, you promised me you would tell me everything in ten days. It’s about time you fulfilled your promise!”

Feature turned, her smile gone. “I did say that, but this is only the tenth day. Moreover, I haven’t eaten anything yet so I don’t have the strength to talk to you!”

Qin Yu was so angered that his vision flashed black. His first thought was that this woman wanted to go back on her word.

How hateful!

With Feature’s personality, I should have known that she wouldn’t tell me everything so easily.

No, I can’t just leave things like this. Even if I must coerce her, I have to dig out the information I want from her lips.

Qin Yu was tired of being kept in the dark and not knowing anything at all!

“Stop right there! Stop! We didn’t say this before. If you dare to play with me, I’ll never let this go!” Qin Yu shouted as he ran after her.

Feature laughed and ran ahead, “Come, come, even if you catch up to me…I won’t tell you. The tenth day hasn’t passed yet!”

Facts proved that when women played roguish games, especially a woman like Feature, they could drive people crazy.

Qin Yu threatened her again and again. But when he approached she thrust out her chest, causing him to stare in fear. In the end, he didn’t dare to do anything to her.

Breakfast was spent in an atmosphere where the confrontation was already over. Old Fox and Black Astral were deeply moved. They thought that the relationship between Miss Feature and Qin Yu was really good!

But this feeling didn’t last much longer. Because just after breakfast ended, an unexpected guest arrived at the camp.

Although he was already doing his best to restrain his aura and majesty, just by walking he gave off the aura of a great beast of destruction.

Like a flaming great sun, any casual wisp of fire could wrap around them and burn them to ashes.

The two fox children shivered in fear. They hid behind Mian Ya, only daring to reveal half an eye to the person who came walking over.

Old Fox and Black Astral respectfully bowed. Shadowless Demon also revealed his form and lowered his head as an expression of awe. This was because the one who arrived now was an Elder of the Abyssal Demon Dragon Clan, a formidable existence who was near the true peak of the abyss – Elder Ao Fa.

Ao Fa lightly bowed and said, “Miss Feature, ten days have passed. I have come here as we agreed.”