Chapter 31: You’re Not Pregnant, Are You?

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: You’re Not Pregnant, Are You?

However, Dongfang Ruoyu didn’t notice the look in Ye Yunyi’s eyes.

"City Lord Ye, I am Dongfang Ruoyu. Welcome. Over here are the City Lords from the other barriers."

Dongfang Ruoyu made the introductions and stepped aside, revealing the other City Lords behind her.

The City Lords looked at Ye Yunyi, their faces plastered with smiles.

All their previous impatience was gone!

They immediately began to introduce themselves and shake Ye Yunyi’s hand.

When the middle-aged man who had spoken earlier shook Ye Yunyi’s hand, his own was trembling slightly, and he looked completely unnerved!

The others watched him, feeling just as unnerved.

After all, they had also made some insolent remarks while waiting earlier!

"Everyone, please come in!"

Dongfang Ruoyu led the group into the room.

"Eastern City Lord, why have you gathered us here today?"

Ye Yunyi got straight to the point.

Seeing how direct Ye Yunyi was, Dongfang Ruoyu didn’t beat around the bush either.

"Have you heard of the Cyan Flower Barrier?"

’The Cyan Flower Barrier?’

At her words, many of the City Lords shook their heads.

One City Lord thought for a moment, then said, "I’ve heard of it. It’s supposed to be a relatively powerful barrier in our region!

I hear they have many experts, but it seems they all fight for themselves!

They don’t even have a City Lord!"

"What’s going on?"

Hearing this City Lord’s words, Dongfang Ruoyu nodded. "What you’re describing is old news. Things are different now. A powerful expert has formed an organization within the Cyan Flower Barrier!

It’s called the Demon Exorcism Association!

Now, it seems the Demon Exorcism Association has issued a command, demanding that we smaller barriers hand over large quantities of Crystal Cores!

Of course, they claim they will protect us in return!"

Her words caused everyone’s expression to darken.

’What does that mean?’

’Hand over large quantities of Crystal Cores?’

’Protect us?’

In an instant, her words raised a flurry of questions in their minds.

After all, none of them were children.

In this post-apocalyptic world, no one was a fool.

’Some protection. As the saying goes, the mountains are high and the emperor is far away. How could they possibly offer any real protection!’

This was just blatant robbery!

They just dressed it up with different words!

"How can this be!" a City Lord exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table as he shot to his feet!

"We risk our lives to kill Exotic Beasts for those Crystal Cores, and they think they can just take them?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"If we just hand them over, who knows if they’ll become even more demanding later on!"

...

One comment after another, the room filled with righteous indignation.

Dongfang Ruoyu listened and sighed. "You’re right. Everyone knows what’s really going on.

But!

The Demon Exorcism Association has many experts. At the Golden Tier alone, there are more than ten!

I’ve heard that the president of their Demon Exorcism Association has even reached the Early-Diamond Stage!"

BOOM!

Her words were like a silencer, muting the entire room.

The room was suddenly plunged into a deathly silence!

’An Early-Diamond Stage expert?!’

In that instant, the very air seemed to freeze.

Everyone’s eyes glazed over in shock!

’That’s way too strong!’

Most of them were only at the Late-Silver Stage!

The gap in power was enormous!

’Resist? How could they possibly resist?’

The crowd, which had been filled with righteous indignation just moments ago, was now completely silent.

They all looked at Dongfang Ruoyu.

If what Dongfang Ruoyu said was true, then they had no choice but to pay this "protection fee."

There was no room for negotiation!

SIGH!

"The reason I gathered everyone today was to tell you all about this,"

Dongfang Ruoyu looked at the crowd. "I wanted to give you all this information in advance so you can prepare!"

Hearing this, they all nodded.

Although they didn’t know how many Crystal Cores would be demanded.

It was sure to be a massive amount.

There was no doubt about that!

Ye Yunyi listened.

’Looks like I’ll have to work harder from now on.’

’I need to ’cultivate’ diligently.’

’Otherwise, in this post-apocalyptic world where might makes right, it isn’t just Exotic Beasts that kill humans.’

’The strong among humanity will also turn their blades on the weak.’

’As for Crystal Cores, he didn’t even have enough for himself. Pay them? My ass! If they were giving them to *him*, now that he could accept!’

’Asking him to pay a protection fee? Not a chance!’

「Meanwhile, at the Han Family residence.」

A man sat on a chair in the courtyard.

His face was a mask of dejection.

His beard was unkempt.

It was clear he had no heart to groom himself.

The man looked up at the sky, his fists clenched tight.

CRACK!

He was filled with such hatred!

He never imagined that Zhang Qiang and his group would not only rob the Han Family, but also abduct his two daughters!

Despicable!

Despicable!

’My poor daughters... now... they might already be...’

The man reached that point in his thoughts and didn’t dare to continue.

Nearby, several Han Family disciples looked at Han Tiansheng.

They sighed silently to themselves.

After all, the last incident had dealt the entire Han Family a devastating blow.

Not only were the Han Family’s possessions stolen, but some of their Mutants were also killed.

On top of that, their Patriarch was despondent.

The Han Family of today was a far cry from its former self!

Now, many other Mutant families had begun to encroach on the Han Family’s territory and power.

There was nothing to be done.

Just as they were sighing, from the gate not far away,

two calls came.

"Father!"

"Father!"

The two calls made everyone freeze in an instant!

Han Tiansheng looked up, and then—

His eyes shot wide open, unable to believe what he was seeing!

’This!’

He looked at Han Bingxue and Han Bingyu before him, and in an instant, tears streamed down his aged face!

’My daughters!’

’They’re still alive!’

’They actually came back!’

’This!’

With a push of his feet, Han Tiansheng rushed toward the two of them!

Then, the three of them embraced!

The other Han Family disciples watched, stunned!

’They... they’re actually still alive!’

Then, smiles broke out on their faces!

After hugging for a while,

Han Tiansheng looked at the two of them and pulled them closer.

"Are you... are you two alright?"

"After Zhang Qiang and his men took you... they... they didn’t do anything to you, did they?"

As he asked this, Han Tiansheng’s voice was already trembling.

"He took us out of the barrier, and we traveled a long way. Honestly, we had already lost all hope!

But then, we met a powerful expert!

He saved us!"

Han Bingxue said, then added, "Zhang Qiang and all his men were killed!"

"Hahaha!" Han Tiansheng listened, then threw his head back and laughed. "Good riddance!"

"Good riddance!"

Han Tiansheng was about to pull the two aside to talk more.

Then, he called someone over to prepare some food, as it was almost time for dinner.

「A short while later.」

"Bingxue, Bingyu, your favorite braised pork belly." A Han Family disciple brought over the dish.

Han Bingxue’s mouth started to water at the sight.

It was her and her sister’s favorite dish.

She was just about to pick up her chopsticks.

But Han Bingyu looked at the braised pork belly.

As the greasy smell wafted over,

she suddenly shot to her feet!

She quickly ran to the side!

Under everyone’s confused stares,

she leaned against a tree!

Then, she began to dry-heave!

Han Bingxue quickly rushed over to her!

"What’s wrong, sister?"

Han Bingxue asked with concern. Then, watching her sister’s reaction, she seemed to realize something.

"Bingyu, you don’t think... you’re pregnant, do you?!"