Young Noble Be Monster Slaying

Chapter 642: Zhuo Yuxiang

"Wifey."

Lei Ren soon pushed open the door to his second wife Zhuo Yuxiang's chamber.

A beautiful woman in a purple gauze dress emerged from behind the screen. Upon seeing Lei Ren, she rolled her eyes slightly, let out a soft huff, and turned away.

It seemed like she didn't want to see Lei Ren at all.

"Wifey..." Lei Ren forced a smile as he approached her. "Why the cold shoulder? It's been so long since I've seen you."

"So you do know it's been a long time?" Zhuo Yuxiang retorted sharply. "Do you even remember how many days it's been since you last came here?"

"Haven't I just been busy lately?" Lei Ren replied. "Come now, wifey, there's no need to act so distant. I know what you've been doing in the study every day."

"Huh?" Zhuo Yuxiang's eyebrows arched sharply. "Know what?"

"The servants have told me," Lei Ren said with a knowing smile. "Whenever they go to clean the study, they see you arranging my desk, straightening the chairs, wiping down the pillars, and even dusting the windowsills..." He paused, his tone softening. "It's obvious you've been thinking of me."

With every spot he mentioned, Zhuo Yuxiang's expression flickered. Only when he finished speaking did her gaze finally soften. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

After a brief silence, she extended a finger and poked his chest. "You heartless man! How often have you visited me over the past few years? When I miss you, where else can I go but the study?"

"These past few years, I've been so focused on strengthening the Lei Family's foundation that I've truly neglected you," Lei Ren admitted with a sigh. "That's entirely my fault."

"Strengthening the foundation?" Zhuo Yuxiang shot back. Her expression turned pointedly emotional as she added, "In these past few years, you've taken thirteen concubines for the sake of the Lei Family. You must be absolutely exhausted."

"..." Lei Ren fell silent for a moment.

When Zhuo Yuxiang, a disciple of the Greater-Yin Cult, had agreed to marry him—a noble son from a border family in the Western Regions. Lei Ren had been deeply moved by that. In their early years together, she had indeed been a great help to him.

However, as time went on, Zhuo Yuxiang grew increasingly arrogant from his favor. She showed no respect to the First Madam and often disregarded him as well, frequently losing her temper regardless of the situation. This strained their relationship, and Lei Ren began to avoid her whenever possible.

While Zhuo Yuxiang felt wronged, Lei Ren harbored his grievances as well.

Even if you're a disciple of the Greater-Yin Cult, what's so special about that? he thought. When you came of age, you were expected to leave the sect and experience the world—there was no place for you to stay there forever. As for the Lei Family, though we are not an ancient clan, we're still a powerful household, and I was the heir. By any measure, we were more than a good match. Why do you act like you're above it all? Who would want to tolerate that attitude?

Of course, he couldn't say that aloud. Instead, he cautiously softened his tone and coaxed her, "Wifey, don't say such things. No matter how many women are in this household, you will always be the one I hold dearest in my heart."

"Alright, alright," Zhuo Yuxiang said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Just get to the point—what do you want this time?"

"Years ago, you used the secret arts of the Greater-Yin Cult to help my father imprint a map onto Guan'er's back, protecting it from prying eyes," Lei Ren began, speaking slowly and deliberately. "Now, the time has come to retrieve that map."

"Oh?" Zhuo Yuxiang raised an eyebrow, though she already knew what he was referring to. Feigning surprise, she asked, "And why now?"

"Someone is offering an astronomical price for it," Lei Ren explained. "And they aren't just wealthy—they're powerful. After much deliberation, I've realized that since they've approached us, they must already have reliable information. If we refuse to sell, we'd have no choice but to move the entire family to a place where they can't find us, and that would be no easy feat."

He paused, then added, "Besides, the map is only a fragment. It's been useless to us all these years. Why not sell it and secure a fortune for the family?"

"That is indeed a good idea," Zhuo Yuxiang nodded in agreement. "We haven't been able to find the other parts of the map. What's the point of keeping it?"

"It's just a pity," Lei Ren sighed. "The map is said to lead to the Immortals' Storehouse, which holds secrets to transcendence. Its value cannot be measured in spirit stones."

"Such things aren't meant for us to hold onto," Zhuo Yuxiang said with a faint smile.

"Exactly," Lei Ren agreed with a nod.

Even a powerful sect like the Thunderbolt Stronghold wouldn't dare speak of the Immortals' Storehouse openly, conducting negotiations only in the utmost secrecy.

Not even the powerful sects of the Terrestrial Ten could endure the calamity that the mere mention of the legendary Immortals' Storehouse would bring—let alone a small family like the Lei Family.

...

"Father, Second Mother..."

Lei Guan looked at the two people who had suddenly come to her room in the middle of the night. She was a bit puzzled, not knowing what had happened.

"Don't worry, Guan'er. We're here to remove the thing on your back," Lei Ren said gently.

Lei Guan's eyes lit up. Since childhood, she had known there was something unusual on her back, though she never fully understood its significance. Hearing that it could finally be removed, she felt an immediate sense of relief.

Lei Ren gently pressed his hand on her shoulder, and Lei Guan immediately lost consciousness.

"Master, please step back," Zhuo Yuxiang said.11

Stepping forward, Zhuo Yuxiang carefully pulled back Lei Guan's clothing, revealing her fair, smooth back. A distinct red line, resembling a scar, ran down the center.

Swish—

Zhuo Yuxiang formed several hand seals, her fingers shifting in intricate movements. Finally, she pressed two fingers onto the red line with a soft hiss.

The red line split open, revealing a radiant glow. From within, a white light emerged, unfolding like a scroll to expose a piece of the golden map. Then, Zhuo Yuxiang pinched the golden scroll between her fingers.

Whoosh—

In an instant, the glow faded, and the red line disappeared entirely, leaving Lei Guan's back smooth and unblemished as though nothing had ever been there.

Zhuo Yuxiang carefully covered Lei Guan with a blanket before turning to face Lei Ren. She handed him the fragment of the map and said softly, "When I helped your father seal this map, we had only just married. And now, more than ten years have passed in the blink of an eye."

"These years must have been hard on you, my dear," Lei Ren said, taking her hand in his.

That night, he naturally stayed in Second Madam's room and left at dawn. After he left, Zhuo Yuxiang quickly got dressed and went straight to Fang Zizai.

"Second Madam?" Fang Zizai greeted her with a mix of surprise and caution, hastily closing the door after glancing around to ensure no one was nearby.

"I just want to ask you one question," Zhuo Yuxiang said. "If I asked you to elope with me, would you say yes?"

"Ah..." Fang Zizai was taken aback. "Elope? Leave the Lei Family?" He hesitated, then added, "If it meant being with you, of course, I would. But we—"

"That's all I needed to know," Zhuo Yuxiang said immediately. "Do you know who came to trade last night?"

"Yes," Fang Zizai said with a nod. "It was Du Wuhen from Thunderbolt Stronghold."

"So it's him... no wonder this happened as soon as he arrived," Zhuo Yuxiang murmured thoughtfully. She lifted her gaze to Fang Zizai and continued, "I've already prepared a fake map and given it to Lei Ren. The real map is still with me. If Lei Ren asks you to arrange the time for tonight's transaction, suggest it be during the third night watch period[1]. Meanwhile, I'll meet with Du Wuhen during the second night watch period[2] to close the deal."

She then added, "Once I get the money, we'll leave this place behind and start fresh. Who knows? We might even build another Lei Family from scratch—one that's truly ours."

"The real map to the Immortals' Storehouse is with you?"

Fang Zizai was shocked by her words. However, as he mulled over her words, he realized it was doable.

For years, he had served the Lei Family, driven only by the promise of money and resources. If this was his chance to become the master of his own family, why wouldn't he take it?

After a brief moment of thought, he said, "Okay! I'll go with you!"

"Then, during the second night watch period, wait for me at the start of the road leading up the Western-Facing Mountain," Zhuo Yuxiang instructed. "Once the transaction is done, I'll come to you immediately."

After finalizing the plan with Fang Zizai, Zhuo Yuxiang didn't return to her room. Instead, she made her way to another honored ally's courtyard.

"Yuxiang, why are you here?" Chen Huang was surprised to see her.

She wouldn't normally come so openly.

Zhuo Yuxiang, wasting no time, asked directly, "I just want to know—are you willing to run away with me?"

"Ah?" Chen Huang froze in place, his reaction almost mirroring Fang Zizai's earlier.

"I already have the real map to the Immortals' Storehouse. Tonight, I'll make the trade with the representative from Thunderbolt Stronghold before Lei Ren," Zhuo Yuxiang said bluntly. "After I get the money, would you be willing to leave with me?"

"This... this..." Chen Huang stammered, nervously rubbing his hands. "Of course, I'd be willing!"

"Good," Zhuo Yuxiang said with a nod. "During the second night watch period tonight, release all the demonic beasts in the garden to create chaos in the residence. Then wait for me at the entrance of the East Mountain. After the transaction is completed, I'll meet you there, and we'll leave together."

"Okay!" Chen Huang agreed eagerly.

After meeting with these two, Zhuo Yuxiang made her way to the guest room where Du Wuhen was staying.

At this moment, Du Wuhen was still touring the Residence of the Lei Family with Lei Ren and the other family members, so she couldn't meet him directly. Instead, she left a letter in his room.

The thing you want is with me. Tonight, during the second night watch period, meet me at the same place as last night. Bring the money, and we'll make the trade. Everyone else is deceiving you, except for me.

1. 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. ☜

2. 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ☜