Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

``` "I don't know what mythical beast, get out, just get out..." ``` Teng Shan's face suddenly lost color, as if the words 'mythical beast' were a taboo in his presence. Making him act crazily, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Xiao Yi and the others, like a wild beast gone mad. His heavy breathing added an eerie touch. It wasn't just Xiao Yi and the others who were startled by Teng Shan's sudden outburst; Teng Qingqing and Teng Qingshan were also fearful, curling up in the arms of Xiao Yi and his companions. Teng Qingqing, with tears streaming down her face, cried softly, "Daddy, please don't be like this, Daddy..." "Dad..." Teng Qingshan called out loudly. Teng Shan shuddered, and the violent look in his eyes regained some clarity. He breathed heavily, the blood fading from his eyes. He exhaled a long breath of foul air and gave a bitter smile, saying, "Sorry, I, I..." Xiao Yi waved his hand to show it was alright and asked in a deep voice, "Brother Teng Shan, we mean no harm. It's just that the mythical beast has been causing havoc on the ice plains, and in the past few months, more than a hundred thousand people have died at its hands. We just want to find it and eradicate the menace for the people!" Huff! Teng Shan let out a long breath and sat back down, his eyes revealing a trace of fear. He pursed his lips and remained silent, seemingly struggling. A moment later. Teng Shan, as if having made a decision, spoke solemnly, "Half a month ago, when I went into the Great Snow Mountain to look for Snow Lotus, I saw a mythical beast driving a group of humans deep into the mountain. We didn't dare to follow too closely, but we vaguely saw that the group was the people of the Luo Family Village who suddenly disappeared half a month ago..." Xiao Yi and the others exchanged glances, "The Great Snow Mountain?" Yang Ling's eyes shone brightly as he said solemnly, "Xiao Yi, if what he says is true, then the mythical beast in the Great Snow Mountain might be the target we are looking for!" Xiao Yi turned to Shen Mo. The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect had a broad study of mythical beasts and was the real expert, so he asked, "Shen Mo, do you know of any mythical beasts that like to live in the Great Snow Mountain and have a preference for eating humans?" Shen Mo hesitated for a moment before asking Teng Shan, "Brother Teng Shan, have you ever seen what that mythical beast looks like? Or does it have any distinctive characteristics?" "Characteristics?" Teng Shan thought for a moment then said gravely, "At that time, I only saw an indistinct figure, the place where it passed was always obscured by wind and snow, and I couldn't make out what kind of mythical beast it was!" "Wind and snow covered wherever it passed?" Shen Mo's brow furrowed, and after thinking for a bit, he suddenly stood up, clapping his thigh, and said sternly, "I got it... If I'm not mistaken, that mythical beast should be an Ice Phoenix. I hadn't expected to encounter such a rare beast here!" "Ice Phoenix?" "Are you talking about the legendary Ice Phoenix that has the bloodline of a phoenix?" "But as far as I know, Ice Phoenixes don't usually eat humans..." Several people looked at Shen Mo. Shen Mo nodded affirmatively, "Indeed, Ice Phoenixes don't eat humans, but they have a habit of collecting other creatures frozen into ice sculptures as their treasures. It's very likely that it has captured the villagers and turned them into ice sculptures for its collection! If that's the case, it could explain why whole villages disappeared all at once..." "There's a mythical beast with such a perverse habit?" "Whether it eats people or turns them into ice sculptures, now that we have a lead, we shall make a trip to the Great Snow Mountain!" Xiao Yi said sternly. No one had objections. Xiao Yi looked at Teng Shan, "Brother Teng Shan, in that case, we won't impose any longer!" "You... You're really going to the Great Snow Mountain? It's very dangerous there, you..." Teng Shan's face showed concern. Yang Ling said sternly, "As long as we can find the beast responsible, no matter the danger, we must go!" Seeing their determination, Teng Shan stopped trying to dissuade them and instead said, "Since you are determined to go, I won't try to stop you. This is Snow Lotus Wine we brewed ourselves; it has the effect of warding off the cold. It should be able to help you on the Great Snow Mountain!" "That's a good item!" "Thank you, Brother Teng Shan!" The group gratefully accepted the Snow Lotus Wine. Just as they were about to get up... Bai Xue suddenly stumbled and collapsed into Yang Ling's arms, taking advantage of his distraction to slip a Jade Pendant from his waist into her sleeve. Yang Ling supported Bai Xue, astonished, "Are you alright?" Bai Xue shook her head with a bitter smile, "Perhaps I've been sitting too long, I need to use the latrine!" "Mhm!" Yang Ling unsuspectingly made way for her. Bai Xue walked toward the back and once in the latrine, hid the Jade Pendant she took in the rafters, leaving behind a secret sign, her eyes showing a hint of malice: "Don't blame me for this, blame yourselves for offending someone you shouldn't have!" She was about to write down the next destination of Xiao Yi and his party when Xiao Yi's voice came from the door: "Bai Xue, are you done yet?" ``` Hiss! Bai Xue shuddered in fear, cold sweat instantly soaking her back, "Xiao Yi? How did he manage to follow us? Could it be, he suspects me?" With this thought, Bai Xue dared not delay any longer. She pushed open the door and said, "It's all set, Xiao, do you need to use the latrine as well?" Xiao Yi squinted at her, speaking indifferently, "No need, we are ready to depart!" "Oh, then let's go!" Bai Xue secretly breathed a sigh of relief, pretending everything was normal as she walked outside. Xiao Yi frowned as he glanced inside the latrine but found no other clues. He then headed towards the entrance of the village. At the Teng Family Village entrance. "Brother Teng Shan, we'll take our leave first!" Xiao Yi said to Teng Shan with a cupped fist salute. Teng Shan nodded, "Be careful on your journey!" Teng Qingqing stood on tiptoe and asked crisply, "Big Brother Xiao Yi, will you come back to see Qingqing?" Xiao Yi ruffled her hair, smiling, "Don't worry, once we finish our tasks, we will come back!" Shen Mo pulled the reins, and the sled surged into the snowstorm. About an hour after Xiao Yi and the others left, Yang Kun, leading Sun Yao and other men, chased after them to the Teng Family Village. Yang Kun, observing the faint blue light radiating from the Jade Pendant in his hand, frowned at the sight of the dilapidated settlement, "Bai Xue's secret signal pointed to this place. Sun Yao, go and question the villagers!" "Yes!" Sun Yao, along with several Blood Saber Guards, moved forward. The villagers had already noticed their approach, each one of them armed and blocking the entrances. Sun Yao frowned and declared, "I am Brave General Sun Yao. Those who don't wish to die, make way…" "Brave General?" "That's the Great General, we can't afford to offend him…" The villagers panicked, hastily dispersing. Teng Shan stepped forward, cupping his fists in salute, "Village Chief Teng Shan of the Teng Family Village at your service, Brave General. May I ask what brings you to our Teng Family Village?" Looking down from his high position, Sun Yao spoke coldly, "Has a group of three men and one woman passed through here before us? Where are they headed now?" Teng Shan's complexion changed slightly, thinking: It seems these people are looking for Xiao Yi and his companions. But with their aggressive approach, it's unclear whether they are friend or foe. Better not to cause trouble for Xiao Yi and the others! With this thought, Teng Shan spoke gravely, "I apologize, but we have not seen the people you are speaking of!" "Not seen them?" A sinister sneer suddenly came from behind Yang Kun, and there he was, his expression cold and malicious, corners of his mouth faintly upturned like a bloodthirsty demon, chuckling menacingly, "Do you know the consequences of lying to me?" Teng Shan felt a chill in his heart; Yang Kun's ferocious look only solidified his decision to keep Xiao Yi and the others' whereabouts a secret. He said firmly, "I do not know what you are talking about, sir, but I indeed have not seen those people you mention…" "Sun Yao!" Yang Kun suddenly called out. Sun Yao stepped forward, "Your Highness!" Yang Kun handed over the Jade Pendant to Sun Yao, "Use the reaction to find the trail left by Bai Xue!" "Yes!" Sun Yao took the Jade Pendant and departed. After a moment, he returned with Yang Ling's Jade Pendant, saying, "Your Highness, this is what Bai Xue left behind!" "Oh? Yang Ling's personal Jade Pendant?" Yang Kun was taken aback, a glint of viciousness in his eyes. Sun Yao asked, "Your Highness, it seems these people are lying. Shall we extract a confession through torture?" "There's no need!" Yang Kun toyed with the Jade Pendant in his hand, his eyes revealing a malicious gleam, and said with deliberate emphasis, "Since they wish to keep Xiao Yi's secrets, let's ensure they forever hold their tongues, keeping the secret rotting in their stomachs!" "Your Highness means to…" Sun Yao made a throat-slitting gesture. Yang Kun nodded, grinning wickedly, "Leave no one alive!"