Chapter Seventy-Five: Confrontation
This was simply too strange.
Chi Yushu silently recited the Breath-Concealing Incantation and slipped soundlessly into Qu Yiqiu’s cave residence.
Inside, it was utterly empty, devoid of the slightest trace of human presence.
“Junior Sister Qu isn’t in seclusion at all!”
The thought flashed through his mind, and he instantly connected it with Mu Yunjin’s odd cultivation and behavior.
Without hesitation, he broke through the protective wards and rushed to Mu Yunjin’s quarters.
Caught completely off guard, Mu Yunjin was subdued and pinned to the ground in an instant.
“Senior Brother Chi? What are you doing?”
Her cheek pressed against the floor, the skin beneath her collar blazed with iridescent scales, but Chi Yushu took no notice.
“Who are you? Why did you come to the Heavenly Evolution Sect? What have you done to Junior Sister Qu?” All trace of Chi Yushu’s usual warmth was gone, leaving only a severe interrogation.
Mu Yunjin’s hands were locked behind her, the spiritual energy in her core sealed so she couldn’t resist. Red light flickered swiftly through her eyes as she struggled to keep her voice steady. “Senior Brother Chi, what are you talking about? What’s happened to Senior Sister Qu? Is she hurt outside?”
Chi Yushu frowned slightly. “Junior Sister Qu went outside?”
“Yes, Senior Sister Qu went to look for her parents. And Master is outside as well; I don’t know when they’ll be back.” Mu Yunjin pouted in aggrieved protest, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Chi Yushu wasn’t convinced and silently sent a thread of spiritual energy probing through her body.
Mu Yunjin’s gaze darkened, the scales on her chest growing hotter and more restless.
But Chi Yushu withdrew his spiritual energy, finding nothing amiss, and cast his eyes around the room.
The sandalwood pear bed inlaid with dragon motifs and the set of tea utensils had long since been packed away by Mu Yunjin, leaving only a wooden bucket of spiritual springwater at the side.
Chi Yushu swept it with his consciousness, instantly discerning the quality of the springwater.
“That spiritual spring in the bucket—where did you get it?”
Mu Yunjin’s lashes were damp, but she stubbornly refused to let tears fall. “Senior Sister gave it to me. I drank the blood of the Nine-Colored Deer and was forcibly advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage. Senior Sister gave me this springwater to save me.”
Some of the tension eased from Chi Yushu’s brow, his tone softening a little. “Why did you drink the Nine-Colored Deer’s blood?”
Mu Yunjin’s gaze flickered; she bit her lip. “Master told me to before he left. He wanted me to break through as soon as possible so I could win first place in the sect tournament.”
Chi Yushu gave her a cursory glance, then suddenly released his grip.
“Junior Brother Mu, it seems I wronged you. Did Uncle Mo tell you where he was going before he left?”
Mu Yunjin moved her hands pitifully, wide innocent eyes fixed on him. “I don’t know. Master didn’t tell me—only Senior Sister Qu knows!”
They held each other’s gaze, Chi Yushu’s tone regaining its gentleness. “I see. Junior Brother, your meridians are in chaos, and this spiritual springwater likely isn’t enough. I happen to have a ten-thousand-year-old spiritual herb with gentle properties. Take it, and you’ll feel much better.”
Chi Yushu handed over the spiritual herb he’d prepared in advance, giving Mu Yunjin a meaningful look before turning and leaving the cave.
Mu Yunjin cradled the spiritual herb in his palms, staring at the direction Chi Yushu had gone, eyes burning with a dazzling red light.
Behind the cliffs of Nine Swords Peak.
Chi Yushu stood tall and elegant, every inch the image of refined poise.
He gently tapped his slender, well-defined fingers against the middle finger of his left hand, where a brilliant jeweled ring shimmered faintly.
“Junior Sister Qu shouldn’t have gone outside. It’s far too dangerous for her out there.” His voice was low, a murmur to himself. “She helped me in Qunan City and didn’t hold my junior sister’s actions against her. Nine Swords Peak owes them both.”
He lowered his head, fingers caressing the gemmed ring.
A flash of iridescence—and a purple-crested immortal crane appeared above the ring.
“Tell Father I wish to track these four people.” His voice was rich and intoxicating, like the finest wine.
The immortal crane soared away at his command, a gentle breeze stirring Chi Yushu’s robes.
...
“Master Tang.” Outside the refined private room, Bai Shulan and Jin Yiqiu offered a respectful greeting in unison.
Qu Yiqiu lounged in a carved wooden chair, waiting languidly for him to enter.
“Yiqiu Fairy, apologies for keeping you waiting.” Huo Tangsheng’s phoenix eyes were long and narrow, a rakish smile playing at his lips.
Qu Yiqiu made no move to rise, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Please, have a seat, Master Tang. Do you like the tea served here at Spring Rain House?”
Huo Tangsheng glanced at the incense burner on the sandalwood table, smiling slyly. “Ordinary tea isn’t to my taste. But if Yiqiu Fairy were to feed it to me herself, I’d be most delighted.”
Feed you personally? If I got anywhere near you, I’d probably be subdued in an instant!
Qu Yiqiu suppressed the retort, maintaining her dazzling smile. “Master Tang, you flatter me. But tonight is my first night here—shouldn’t such things wait a little longer?”
Huo Tangsheng’s hand slipped to his waist, and he tossed a storage pouch onto the table, lips curving. “Would this be enough to buy a cup of nuptial wine?”
Qu Yiqiu shot a sidelong glance at the pouch, careful not to reach for it.
She swallowed, feigning cheer. “How can nuptial wine be drunk standing? Please, Master Tang, take a seat first!”
Huo Tangsheng quirked an eyebrow and stepped toward her.
Catching the movement out of the corner of her eye, Qu Yiqiu leapt to her feet and moved away, laughing coquettishly. “Why so eager, Master Tang? A night bought for three million mid-grade spirit stones should be savored slowly for full enjoyment!”
Huo Tangsheng narrowed his eyes, murmuring, “All I know is that a night of pleasure is worth a fortune. Doesn’t Yiqiu Fairy wish to dual cultivate with me sooner rather than later?”
Dual cultivate, my foot!
This guy was as slippery as ever.
He’d been here this long, and hadn’t even touched a drink or sat down!
Out of the corner of her eye, Qu Yiqiu glanced at the poison powder sprinkled on the carved chair, regretting the wasted effort.
“Hehe... Dual cultivation is indeed tempting, but the preliminaries are not to be skipped!” Qu Yiqiu grinned, tossing her handkerchief straight at his chest.
In a flash, Huo Tangsheng’s figure blurred, and the handkerchief hovered in midair.
Qu Yiqiu’s expression shifted, her voice soft and sweet. “Does Master Tang know what it means when a mortal woman gives away her personal handkerchief?”
Huo Tangsheng’s smile deepened, his voice low. “Naturally. It means the fairy wishes for me to wipe away her fragrant sweat.”
With that, his eyes turned sharp. The handkerchief abruptly expanded, flying straight at Qu Yiqiu’s face.
She never expected him to change demeanor so swiftly. Caught off guard, she was instantly ensnared by the handkerchief.
A flick of Huo Tangsheng’s fingers, and the handkerchief tightened, stifling all sound from within.
“Tell me—who is the true master of Spring Rain House?” Huo Tangsheng’s voice was ghostly as he gripped the handkerchief.
Inside, Qu Yiqiu struggled in agony, muffled cries escaping her, but she refused to answer.
Huo Tangsheng’s phoenix eyes narrowed, tightening his grip.
The sound of breaking bones echoed, but Qu Yiqiu only wailed more, still holding her silence.
“Master, this man’s ruthless.” Xiao Yan and the real Qu Yiqiu hid in the spatial pocket, secretly observing Huo Tangsheng’s actions.
Qu Yiqiu severed her connection to the puppet, clicking her tongue in admiration. “So fast, so ruthless—thank goodness I didn’t confront him myself!”
After much deliberation, she had decided to send in a puppet to deal with Huo Tangsheng.
This puppet had originally been intercepted from Qu Youyou by Yao Zhimei.
In a short time, Qu Yiqiu had altered its features to resemble Jin Yiqiu and infused it with a sliver of her consciousness.
If Huo Tangsheng had recognized the puppet at a glance, she and Xiao Yan would have fled at once.
But since he hadn’t, they continued their scheme, preparing to make the puppet self-destruct.
“Tell me where the dungeon entrance is, and I’ll spare your life,” Huo Tangsheng offered, easing the pressure slightly.
At that moment, the puppet exploded from within the handkerchief, blasting Huo Tangsheng out the door.
Bai Shulan and Jin Yiqiu stared at him in shock.