I didn't understand why Zhang Dabiao's expression turned so grim, so I also leaned forward, wanting to see what was going on and why he was so surprised by what Fifth Princess held in her hand.
As soon as I clearly saw what Fifth Princess held, my first reaction was disgust, followed by my scalp tingling. If I had hair, I guessed it would have stood on end. Goosebumps rose all over my body, making me rub my shoulders involuntarily until I retreated to the bedside and sat down with a plop.
"What is this thing?"
The black wooden block that Fifth Princess had held earlier had now transformed into tiny worms, as thin as a strand of hair, wriggling everywhere as if searching for an escape route.
After confirming that we had all seen what it was, Fifth Princess moved her delicate hand, and a blue flame ignited in her palm, instantly incinerating the black worms into dust. At the same time, a foul odor permeated the room.
I quickly opened the window, and Fifth Princess used this opportunity to create a breeze that blew the smell away completely.
"Do you have anything else to say?" Fifth Princess looked at Zhang Dabiao with a seemingly displeased gaze.
Zhang Dabiao, who had been confident and resolute moments ago, was instantly rendered speechless. After a moment of silence, he said, "I have nothing to say. You can do whatever you want; I admit defeat."
He then adopted an indifferent expression, making it hard for me to believe this was the fearless Zhang Dabiao I knew.
He could back down or admit defeat, but I couldn't just stand by and watch Fifth Princess do whatever she pleased to Zhang Dabiao.
Seeing this, I quickly stepped in front of Zhang Dabiao. "Fifth Princess, my elder brother just spoke out of impulse and misspoke. If he offended you, I apologize on his behalf. Please don't blame him."
As soon as I finished speaking, Zhang Dabiao pushed me aside. His expression was somewhat dejected, and his voice trembled slightly. "I want to know, how did you find out? Did Bai Ling'er..."
His words reminded me, and I looked at Fifth Princess nervously, afraid she would deliver some bad news. I already felt guilty about the contract with Bai Ling'er, and if it died because of this millennium lightning-struck wood, I would likely never forgive myself.
"Ling'er is fine. This is what she spat out after returning. If you hadn't found the Yin Ironwood and allowed her to borrow the Yin冥之气 from it, Ling'er might not be here now."
Hearing this, my face turned pale. I hadn't expected Bai Ling'er's suggestion to bring the Yin Ironwood back to have saved its life. While feeling a sense of dread, I also felt proud of myself for insisting on going to the antique street. If I hadn't gone to the antique street to retrieve the Yin Ironwood, I would probably be looking at Bai Ling'er's corpse now.
Hearing that Bai Ling'er was fine and seeing that Fifth Princess wasn't here to demand an explanation, I couldn't help but ask curiously, "Then what is the reason for your visit?"
Fifth Princess rolled her eyes at me. "What, I can't come to see you?"
Hearing her somewhat teasing words, I coughed violently. Zhang Dabiao glanced at me, then at Fifth Princess. "I'm tired. I'm going back to sleep."
Seeing him about to leave, I quickly grabbed him. "Brother Zhang, don't go! Fifth Princess's sudden visit must be for something important. If you leave, I'll have to repeat everything to you again, which would be too troublesome, wouldn't it?" I said this with a pleading expression. I really didn't want to be alone with Fifth Princess.
Not only was her personality unpredictable, but she also had violent tendencies. If I were to be 'dealt with,' it would be terrible. If Zhang Dabiao were present, she might at least consider maintaining her ladylike demeanor and wouldn't act rashly. So, how could I possibly let this lifeline slip away?
Zhang Dabiao struggled a couple of times, but finding my grip very tight, he could only stop. His gaze fell on Fifth Princess, implying that if she spoke, he would definitely stay.
Fifth Princess shook her head, seemingly displeased that he was staying. Zhang Dabiao, already embarrassed in front of her, gave me a look of helplessness, ignored my pleading gaze, and returned to his room.
After he left, Fifth Princess smiled slightly. "Why do I feel like you're afraid of me? What are you afraid of?"
I gave an awkward smile. "I'm not afraid of you. I just feel it's not appropriate for a man and a woman to be alone in a room."
"It's not like we haven't been alone in a room before. What you're saying now is a bit disingenuous."
I chuckled, not wanting to continue on this topic, as I would always be at a disadvantage no matter what. So, I got straight to the point.
"Fifth Princess, stop teasing me. I believe you wouldn't come here just to scold me without a reason, would you?"
Fifth Princess dropped her smile and looked at me seriously. "I heard from Ling'er that you've agreed to go treasure hunting with Li Zuoquan?"
"Yes!"
I didn't hide this. Even if Bai Ling'er hadn't said anything, Fifth Princess might have found out through other channels, so I readily admitted it.
After I admitted it, Fifth Princess looked at me with an incredibly resentful gaze. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
"Didn't you promise me you wouldn't steal from my father's tomb? Why did you agree to Li Zuoquan? Do you assume I won't kill you?"
Hearing this, I was startled. I didn't understand why she had become so angry. I looked at her in confusion. "Li Zuoquan said we were searching for a zombie tomb that committed evil deeds more than ten years ago, not the tomb of the Fifth Prince. Are you mistaken?"
I had to clarify this matter. If it were indeed the Fifth Prince's tomb we were digging up, then I had acted rather unethically. Who would dig up the grave of their enemy? If I truly did that, would I still be worthy of the character '人' (person)?
As soon as I finished speaking, I heard Fifth Princess grinding her teeth, and her gaze towards me was as if she wanted to devour me alive.
This made me resent Zhang Dabiao somewhat. Why did you have to leave? Now I'm going to be dismembered.
Just as I was preparing to flee from Fifth Princess, she spoke, "The evil zombie you mentioned is my father."
Hearing these words, I was somewhat stunned. Li Zuoquan had vaguely mentioned when he spoke that the zombie was cunning and, to survive, abandoned its physical body and used a treasure to transform into a Yin spirit.
At the time, I hadn't ruled out the possibility that Li Zuoquan was referring to the Fifth Prince, but then I thought it was unlikely. Although their appearances were almost simultaneous, a zombie transforming into a Yin spirit would need decades to regain sentience. To reach the current level of the Fifth Prince would require at least a century. In just over ten years, even by consuming human souls, it wouldn't be this fast.
"Fifth Princess, I don't think this joke you're telling is funny at all."
"Who is joking with you? Have I ever joked with you?"