Zhao Li Xin approached Lory and gently took her hand, "This is my wife."

Lory bowed her head courteously, "My name Is Luo…Yi Ri."

​​

She was actually a little embarrassed by her uncreative names. Zhao Li Xin's face was unperturbed as he looked at her with indulgence but Lory could feel Zhao Li Xin call her stupid in his mind.

Nan Yu Qi remained expressionless. She felt better when she saw Lory's ordinary face. She was one of those women who hated seeing women prettier than her. She warned, "She can come as long she will not interfere with your progress and duty."

"I will not dare. Thank you, young miss," Lory humbly bowed at Nan Yu Qi. Unbeknown to anyone, there was a vicious glint in Zhao Li Xin's eyes. He made a note to make Nan Yu Qi pay for making his princess bow. Lory herself didn't know what Zhao Li Xin thought as for her the mission was more important than her self-pride.

Lory politeness fed her ego. She smiled proudly as she flicked her sleeves and walked away. The other Sacred Mountain Peak members followed her closely. Zhao Li Xin and Lory exchanged a glance and followed them but they paused their steps when someone shouted at them.

"Mas…young master, young madam!" The little girl who looked black and blue from Gong Fang Yan's beating tottered towards them. She kneeled on the ground and she repeatedly hit her forehead loudly as she got close to them. "Thank you… thank you for saving me. Thank you for avenging my brother and his friend. Thank you… thank you!"

Lory felt dizzy as she watched the pitiful girl. She held the little girl's shoulder to stop her from injuring her head further. "Okay, okay, don't hurt your head. Calm down… are you okay?"

Lory ached. The little girl's face was covered with bruises but she was adding more wounds as she banged her head to the ground.

The little girl felt she had been given a new lifeline. Tears fell down her cheeks as she sobbed with relief. Unsure what to do, Lory wiped the little girl's face with a handkerchief as she coaxed her softly, "I cannot stay with you but I have a friend who will help you. Do you have a family?"

The little girl nodded weakly, "Yes…"

"Listen to me… You don't have to worry as my friend will help you. He will help you bury your brother and friend. He will also take you home. Do you understand? Sorry, I have to rush but you will be okay, trust me!" Lory had no choice but to leave the little girl alone. She gestured at Mong brothers to take care of the little girl since they couldn't follow Zhao Li Xin and Lory to Cloud city.

The little girl was scared when she saw Lory said she had to leave but she trusted the woman when she told her she would be okay. Although she had only met the woman, the little girl believed Lory's words wholeheartedly. It was a weird feeling she could not describe. Lory smiled gently to comfort the little girl and patted the little girl's head. She sighed deeply and walked away with Zhao Li Xin.

The little girl bit her lip as she watched Lory leave. She was scared and felt lost without her brother. She was alone and the only person to show her kindness also left. She helplessly looked down but a big shadow came from behind and covered her small shadow. She lifted her head in surprise.

"I'm Mong Yi, my madam asked me to help you," Mong Yi introduced himself with a flat tone.

"Are you Madam Luo's subordinates?" The little girl's eyes brimmed with hope.

"Yes, let's go!" Mong Yi answered with indifferently.

________________________________

Lory and Zhao Li Xin followed Nan Yu Qi and her people as they climbed the mountain. Zhao Li Xin had to carry Lory as everyone used their Gin Qong to ascend the mountain. The terrain they went through was very difficult and steep only people with high cultivation could reach the Cloud city. Lory held Zhao Li Xin's neck tightly as he bounced between the stone walls.

Nan Yu Qi threw Lory a look of ridicule as she felt someone as weak as Lory would drag her spouse down. She wondered when Lu Xin would come to his senses and kick the wasted woman away. It was not a new thing for people to do so once they entered Sacred Mountain Peak.

They entertained a lover, fiancé, or a spouse before they joined Sacred Mountain Peak, but would be quick to dump old feelings and embrace new lovers as they climbed the ranks. At the end of the day, humans were selfish and greedy. They would never stop wanting more once they tasted power. Nan Yu Qi believed Lu Xin was in the same league.

Lory could guess the meaning behind Nan Yu Qi's gaze but she did not care. On the other hand, Zhao Li Xin didn't know Nan Yu Qi's thoughts as he enjoyed the feeling of carrying his princess. No one could understand the level of his possessiveness. He would even glue Lory to his waist and take her everywhere if even the chance. Sadly, it was only a dream he could have.

They arrived at the top of the mountain in no time. The door to the city was a giant white gate with a curving of a phoenix bird flying in the clouds. Zhao Li Xin carefully put Lory down as the long journey could numb her feet. Nan Yu Qi and the other members ignored Lory as they showed their jade identification to the gatekeeper. Nan Yu Qi then said something to the gatekeeper as she stared at Zhao Li Xin. The gatekeeper nodded as Nan Yu Qi entered the gates without waiting for Lory or Zhao Li Xin.

"Do your feet still hurt?" Zhao Li Xin also didn't bother with Nan Yu Qi and the others. He was about to kneel on the ground to check Lory's feet but Lory stopped him by grabbing his shoulder. Her eyes widened as she quietly warned him, "Don't! They will belittle you if you do this!"

Zhao Li Xin frowned, "So?"

"Not now, Li Xi. Hurry up and straighten your back. Be…arrogant!" Lory quickly pulled up Zhao Li Xin and hit his back to make him stand up straight. Zhao Li Xin didn't understand what Lory meant but he followed her instruction easily and walked to the gate with Lory beside him. Lory acted as a demure and timid lady while Zhao Li Xin… acted like himself.

"You are Lu Xin, the new disciple?" The gatekeeper asked as he sized him up.

"Yes!" Zhao Li Xin answered briefly.

"And who is this?" The gatekeepers stared at Lory with disdained when he realized she was a waste. A wasted woman was considered to be lower than a dog in Sacred Mountain Peak Society.

"My wife," Zhao Li Xin answered without hesitation.

"We'll see about that" The gatekeeper scoffed as he stared at Zhao Li Xin with disbelief. The gatekeeper was also certain Zhao Li Xin would discard his wife before the week ended. His wife was not only a waste but she was also not beautiful yet Sacred Mountain Peak was full of beautiful and talented women. He didn't believe Zhao Li Xin would not be tempted to wander away.

Lory raised her eyebrows as she was curious about the Sacred Mountain Peak members' behavior. She could only imagine how the inner disciples and elders behaved if the simple gatekeeper was overbearing. Lory smiled politely at the gatekeeper without offense as she wanted to look like a woman who knew her place.

Zhao Li Xin glared at the gatekeeper like a hunter eyeing his prey as a chill went down the gatekeeper's spine. The gatekeeper froze as he felt a heavy pressure on his chest.

Zhao Li Xin had added another person to his kill list. He couldn't wait for the day he would unleash his wrath and devour the whole mountain. They would soon see how hell looked like.

"Husband, let's go," Lory linked her hand to Zhao Li Xin.

When her softness touched his hand, the rage in his heart slowly dissipated. He clenched Lory's hand to calm his anger as Lory pulled him away from the frightened gatekeeper. She was afraid Zhao Li Xin would chop the stupid man's head off. The gatekeeper could only breathe with relief when Zhao Li Xin's figure disappeared. He tapped his chest with his fist and wondered the type of man Lady Nan invited as he seemed very dangerous.

"Don't take it to heart what other people say," Zhao Li Xin wrapped Lory in his embrace in comfort.

Lory giggled as her heart was engulfed with warmth. Lory placed her head on his arms as they walk side by side, "I know. Don't worry about it. I'm fine...I trust you."

"It is good if you're fine..." Zhao Li Xin said gently but his eyes turned extremely cold.

'Because they will not...'