The Family Head of This Generation (Girls' Love) - Chapter 12

The long night finally passed, and the sun slowly climbed above the horizon, blushing. As dawn broke, the roaring of the beasts that had been active all night in the dense woods subsided.

Zhao Ziyan yawned and gently pushed away the woman clinging tightly to her. After lying down last night, Zhao Ziyan had thought she would get a good night’s sleep to recover from the aftereffects of the day’s killing. But little did she know she had underestimated her aunt’s lack of principles, who shamelessly claimed to be afraid of the Eldest Princess launching a night attack. Zhao Ziyan didn’t want to criticize her aunt’s subtle motives. She was an old woman, already in her late years, yet she was pretending to be innocent and naive. The Eldest Princess had a flock of male consorts; why would she like women, especially a woman of unknown origin? Zhao Wenxiu really thought all women in the world liked women…

“Aunt, you continue to sleep. I’ll go out and find some wild fruits for breakfast.” Hearing the woman beside her still muttering in her sleep, dissatisfied that she had disturbed her rest, Zhao Ziyan shook her head and smiled bitterly. Her aunt was still relying on her high cultivation, not putting the cultivators who entered the Heaven’s Secret Realm in her eyes, otherwise, how would she dare to sleep so soundly?

After getting dressed, Zhao Ziyan deliberately went to look at the Eldest Princess. She saw that the Eldest Princess’s breathing was long and deep, and her heartbeat was as steady and strong as an ordinary person’s. Apart from a slight paleness on her face, she was fine. It seemed that she wouldn’t delay their travel time today. Zhao Ziyan greatly admired the Eldest Princess. The Eldest Princess appeared to be only a few years older than her, probably only twenty-five, but at such a young age, she was able to reach the Martial General cultivation, which usually took ordinary martial artists forty or fifty years. There might be naturally gifted geniuses in the world, but more often, there were people like Zhong Yong—those who, despite having supreme talent, didn’t cherish it. Relying on their high aptitude, they weren’t dedicated to cultivation, thus wasting their exceptional talent for nothing. The Eldest Princess, who was already a Martial General, showed how strict she was with herself.

The Eldest Princess was different from pampered, inexperienced young people like herself who had never endured hardships. Only after rescuing the Eldest Princess yesterday did she realize this woman was ruthless to others and even more ruthless to herself. Having sustained such a serious injury, she didn’t even frown. If it had been herself, she probably would have passed out from the pain long ago.

After covering up the entrance of the cave where they slept last night, Zhao Ziyan followed the memory of Wuchenzi and set up a small Illusory Maze Formation using spirit crystals. The Illusory Maze Formation was only used to trap people and had no offensive power. Any human or demon beast who broke into the formation would only become lost within it. If Zhao Ziyan didn’t dismantle the formation, they would probably be lost in it forever until they died of exhaustion.

Hearing Zhao Ziyan’s footsteps gradually fade away, a sharp glint flashed in Zhao Wenxiu’s eyes, without a hint of the confusion and deep sleepiness she had shown when Zhao Ziyan was present.

“Eldest Princess, since you’re awake, let’s talk properly. Ziyan is seasoned, but her experience is still a bit shallow. Although she can’t see through the Eldest Princess’s intentions, I can guess a little. The Eldest Princess truly deserves the title of the Empire’s foremost strategist. Since you have already guessed Ziyan and my identities, let’s be straightforward.” The coldness in Zhao Wenxiu’s eyes was undisguised, and her tone carried an aura of coercion, completely unlike the submissive and lazy manner she displayed in front of Zhao Ziyan.

“Why is the Gu Saint so aggressive? Qinyue was severely injured, and was saved by the Gu Saint and the Zhao Family Head. How could Qinyue harbor any ill intentions?” Feng Qinyue’s tone was calm, and she looked directly at Zhao Wenxiu, being open and honest without any sign of guilt.

“I underestimated you, Eldest Princess. My Zhao family has never participated in the struggle for the throne. It seems the Eldest Princess has wasted her efforts,” Zhao Wenxiu’s tone became even colder. She had intended to test the Eldest Princess’s motive for approaching Zhao Ziyan when she was unprepared, but the Eldest Princess had cleverly evaded her. Now that the Eldest Princess was on guard, it would probably be very difficult to figure out her objective.

“This Princess, Feng Qinyue, wants to claim the throne. Why would I need the help of outsiders?” Feng Qinyue was extremely intelligent. How could she not hear the killing intent in Zhao Wenxiu’s words? But she was equally proud and would never show weakness to anyone.

“Hmph!” Zhao Wenxiu only gave a slight snort, then sat cross-legged and began to meditate. Deep inside the Secret Realm, the fighting would likely only increase. The more strength she could gain now, the greater the possibility of obtaining the treasure of the last Divine Venerable from ten thousand years ago. Although her cultivation was high, she wasn’t a martial artist specializing in physical training. Too many powerful individuals had entered the Heaven’s Secret Realm this time, and the current battle situation was such that even she didn’t dare to act rashly.

As Zhao Ziyan stepped into the cave, she immediately sensed the somewhat strained atmosphere between her aunt and the Eldest Princess. Zhao Ziyan lightly coughed, breaking their confrontation. “Aunt, catch. Eldest Princess, please have a few too! We’ll be on the road soon, and I’m afraid you won’t have the stamina to keep up.” She handed the already-washed wild fruits to Zhao Wenxiu. Seeing Zhao Wenxiu frowning and hesitating to take them, she knew that with her picky palate, she wouldn’t willingly eat these. The Eldest Princess, on the other hand, smiled, said thank you, and took the wild fruits.

“Aunt, Eldest Princess, let’s go.” After a simple breakfast, Zhao Ziyan took Zhao Wenxiu and the Eldest Princess and left together. Zhao Wenxiu’s original intention was to let a dangerous person like the Eldest Princess travel alone. However, the Eldest Princess was not to be trifled with. Her single sentence, “I am still being pursued, wouldn’t it be very dangerous if I ran into that group again?” silenced Zhao Wenxiu.

The Heaven’s Secret Realm was full of countless precious herbs. Zhao Ziyan paid no attention to the tense atmosphere between Zhao Wenxiu and Feng Qinyue, concentrating on collecting the herbs needed for alchemy. Both Zhao Wenxiu and the Eldest Princess were prominent figures known for both their wisdom and beauty. Zhao Ziyan knew she couldn’t intervene in the competition between the two women. Rather than being stuck between two sides, it was better to pretend not to see anything.

“Dragon Saliva Grass!”

A hint of excitement surfaced in Zhao Ziyan’s eyes. She was previously troubled that she couldn’t find any trace of the Fountain of Life after running through the Heaven’s Secret Realm. But now, the appearance of a miraculously precious herb like the Dragon Saliva Grass meant that even if she couldn’t find the Fountain of Life this time, the trip was worthwhile.

“Ziyan, wait a moment,” Zhao Wenxiu immediately stopped Zhao Ziyan, who was about to pick the Dragon Saliva Grass. Precious herbs in the world are always guarded by rare and exotic beasts. Even with her complete ignorance of herbs, she knew how precious the herb with its dragon-shaped, aggressive spiritual energy was. How could such a divine object not be protected by a strange beast?

“Aunt, I was rash. I lost my head when I saw the Dragon Saliva Grass and worried you,” Zhao Ziyan awkwardly rubbed her nose and said gratefully.

It wasn’t that she was inexperienced and unaware that precious herbs were guarded by spirit beasts; it was just that the Dragon Saliva Grass was too precious, making her momentarily succumb to greed. How many extraordinary people in the cultivation world had searched the world without finding the Dragon Saliva Grass? Today, she had actually found a stalk. Dragon Saliva Grass was the most crucial ingredient for refining the Heaven-grade elixir, the Tribulation Transcending Divine Pill. If she could refine the Tribulation Transcending Divine Pill, it would be like having an extra life when facing the Ascension Tribulation in the future. How many powerful cultivators in the cultivation world had their souls scattered by lightning during the Ascension Tribulation, without even the chance of reincarnation?

“Ziyan, be careful. The demon beast guarding the Dragon Saliva Grass has probably already developed intelligence, otherwise, it wouldn’t be hidden in the dark. My cultivation is suppressed to the Mortal Transcendence Realm, and I can’t possibly fight the guarding demon beast. Aunt hopes Ziyan can give up on this elixir,”

“Aunt, I understand. I am determined to obtain the Dragon Saliva Grass. The Dragon Saliva Grass might be useless to ordinary alchemists, but to me, it is the most precious treasure in the world. After I refine the Dragon Saliva Grass into an elixir, there is an eighty percent chance that I can successfully pass the lightning tribulation when advancing from Martial God to Martial Venerable. One furnace yields at least nine pills. Aunt, you will probably advance to Martial Venerable in twenty years, right? Aunt, if you help me pick the Dragon Saliva Grass, I will give you one Tribulation Transcending Pill in the future,” Zhao Ziyan said with full confidence.

“Three pills. Aunt only needs three pills,” Zhao Wenxiu’s originally indifferent expression, upon hearing Zhao Ziyan say she could refine the Tribulation Transcending Pill, revealed a hint of fervent desire as she looked at the Dragon Saliva Grass.

“One pill, one at most. The Tribulation Transcending Pill requires more than one herb. Dragon Saliva Grass is the main ingredient, but the remaining auxiliary herbs are also indispensable.”

“You’ve seen all of me. I am already yours, and you won’t even concede to me? I don’t want it,” Zhao Wenxiu pouted and grabbed Zhao Ziyan’s right hand, accusing Zhao Ziyan in a delicate, pampered tone. Seeing the rare excitement in Zhao Ziyan’s voice, she knew how much Zhao Ziyan valued the Tribulation Transcending Pill. For something good, how could she justify her good reputation of taking advantage of everything if she didn’t try to get a little more benefit?

“Cough, cough, Ziyan, I only need one pill. I will help you pick the Dragon Saliva Grass,” the Eldest Princess lightly coughed, looking gently at the helpless Zhao Ziyan. Feng Qinyue had long heard that the Zhao family’s Gu Saint, Zhao Wenxiu, and the Family Head, Zhao Ziyan, were incompatible, but only now did she realize that Zhao Ziyan, who was notorious for being a good-for-nothing, was a profound alchemist, and the cruel and bloodthirsty Zhao Wenxiu was like a kitten, completely submissive to Zhao Ziyan. There was no trace of the rumored incompatibility. This made Feng Qinyue feel a slight discomfort in her heart. She had long considered Zhao Ziyan her possession, so how could she allow others to covet her?

“Alright, as the Eldest Princess says,” Zhao Ziyan looked at the somewhat heroic Eldest Princess, who was only slightly shorter than herself, and nodded, agreeing to the Eldest Princess’s request. Doing the Eldest Princess a favor today would mean she would likely need the Eldest Princess’s help in collecting herbs in the future. Although the Zhao family was powerful, they couldn’t collect all the herbs in the world. With the Eldest Princess’s help, those precious herbs that were difficult to gather would eventually be useful.

“Zhao Ziyan,” Zhao Wenxiu gritted her teeth and fiercely pinched the soft flesh of Zhao Ziyan’s waist. Her charming and enchanting face was filled with displeasure. Feng Qinyue was truly despicable and shameless. She actually cut into her bargaining with Zhao Ziyan. What made her most furious was that Zhao Ziyan was actually so confused that she agreed.

“Hiss…” Zhao Ziyan gasped in pain. What madness was her aunt throwing now? She grabbed the jade hand that was still pinching the soft flesh on her waist, not allowing that hand to continue tormenting her soft waist.

“No letting go! You’ve seen all of me, and you don’t want to take responsibility? I’ll pinch you to death, you heartless man!”

“I… we are both women. There’s no need to take responsibility for seeing me naked. Aunt, fine, I’ll give you one more pill,” Zhao Ziyan said helplessly.

“Mm, that’s my good niece,” Zhao Wenxiu was delighted, and her small hand gently rubbed the bruised soft flesh on Zhao Ziyan’s waist.