Chapter 107: Gu Maiden (20)

Xie Xuefeng blinked in confusion. What does he mean by ‘invite her out’? Isn’t the Buddhist disciple being overly courteous to that demoness?

Before Xie Xuefeng could fully comprehend the situation, the courtyard gate swung open. A captivating woman clad in purple stood there, smiling at them with no hint of surprise at their arrival.

“Demoness!” Upon seeing Xiling’s face, Xie Xuefeng gritted his teeth and shouted immediately, “Everyone, beware! Don’t let her get close—she casts curses!”

Despite having seen illustrations of the demoness, the elite cultivators were momentarily stunned when confronted with a living, breathtakingly beautiful woman before them.

In this brief instant, the situation took a sudden turn.

“Watch out, it’s poison!” Realizing something was amiss, Xie Xuefeng leaped backward. Just as he attempted to flee, Buddhist Monk Chengming appeared beside him unnoticed and struck him down with a swift palm strike. Xie Xuefeng’s body went rigid, plummeting straight towards the ground.

Witnessing this, the eyes of the jianghu elites widened in shock, each one exclaiming, “Buddhist disciple? Buddhist disciple, what are you doing?!”

The other elites couldn’t react as swiftly as Xie Xuefeng but still attempted to follow his lead and retreat.

Alas, it was too late. While they were stunned by Buddhist Monk Chengming’s actions, their inner strength had already been sealed, leaving them weakened and helpless, unaware of when they’d even been poisoned.

Those who tried to escape like Xie Xuefeng were promptly apprehended by Chengming, and the entire group found themselves utterly defeated without a chance to fight back.

“Impermanence! This poison is Impermanence!” As someone familiar with this toxic gas, how could Xie Xuefeng not recognize its potency? If “Impermanence” could annihilate the entire demon cult, these unsuspecting victims stood no chance against it!

Lying on the ground, Xie Xuefeng seethed, “Buddhist Monk Chengming, just what connection do you have with this enchantress? Did you deliberately lure us here to kill us?”

“How dare you commit such treachery, Buddhist disciple!”

“Despicable and shameless, devoid of conscience!” The others joined in, hurling insults left and right.

“Who allowed you to speak ill of my monk?” Tong Ling approached the faltering Buddhist Monk Chengming and handed him the antidote for Impermanence. “Quickly, take this, Monk.”

Without hesitation, Buddhist Monk Chengming swallowed the pill and soon recovered his vigor. Before arriving at the monastery, he had sent word via homing pigeon to Luo Qinghe. Though aware that wherever Luo Qinghe went, poison would follow, it was impossible for him to hold his breath throughout their entire journey, so he’d inevitably been affected.

Maha hadn’t anticipated such a potent toxin; his wariness toward Luo Qinghe ratcheted up another notch.

Once assured that Buddhist Monk Chengming was fine, Tong Ling leisurely approached the group still hurling curses nonstop. She scanned each of their faces one by one, then praised the monk’s taste with admiration: “Monk, your choices are truly excellent!”

Uncomfortable under the barrage of insults from those people, Chengming bowed his head low and silently recited scripture.

Maha thought to himself, As expected, this woman Xiling only cares about looks! Then he teased Chengming further, “Look, she’s complimenting you on your good eye!”

Chengming remained silent.

Tong Ling, quite satisfied with Buddhist Monk Chengming, naturally continued flattering him. “Monk, you have the heart of a Bodhisattva! They don’t appreciate how wonderful you are—only I know just how exceptional you are!”

The corner of Chengming’s mouth curved slightly upward, his previously stiff expression softening instantly. “It doesn’t matter. It’s merely some verbal abuse; I do not mind.”

“I do care,” Tong Ling said, holding Buddhist Monk Chengming’s hand tightly. “I absolutely won’t let you endure such injustice.”

“What injustice?” asked Luo Qinghe sourly from where he leaned against the courtyard gate. “So focused on him, you didn’t even notice my efforts?”

Upon hearing movement outside, Luo Qinghe had swiftly activated Impermanence’s toxic fumes with his inner strength. Anyone who stepped into this area would inevitably be poisoned.

As soon as Xie Xuefeng saw the newcomer, his heart jolted again. “The Medicine Sage of Medicine King Valley?!”

Not only was the Buddhist Monk Chengming colluding with this enchantress, but even the Medicine Sage seemed to be one of her paramours? No wonder they encountered the long-lost Impermanence toxin in the jianghu; their mission had truly been sabotaged!

“Is Medicine King Valley also connected to the demon cult?”

“The Medicine Sage and a Buddhist monk… How could you entangle yourselves with a demoness?!”

“Do whatever you wish with us—it matters not!”

These elite cultivators continued their relentless barrage of insults.

“That’s enough, stop the noise.” A group of handsome men and beautiful women was pleasing to the eye, but all the clamor was irksome. Tong Ling wasted no more words on them, releasing both the parent and child Lust Gus from her hands.

A swarm of tiny red bugs nimbly crawled onto everyone’s bodies. Tong Ling deliberately let them see this, smiling as she said, “My bugs are very cute; don’t be afraid—they won’t hurt at all.”

“You demoness! Don’t think we’ll submit to you!” A young hero, trembling, tried to rise with his sword for support. But once the little red bug burrowed into him, his gaze toward Tong Ling went slack. “D-demoness, do whatever you wish…”

“A shameless demoness indeed,” spat a fiery and beautiful female warrior, “to dare lay hands on even a Buddhist monk!”

As soon as the child gu entered her body, the warrior flushed scarlet. “What good is one monk? Why not take a look at me instead?”

“Ugh! Who cares about the Medicine Sage or that Buddhist disciple—I’m the heir apparent of Diancang Sect! And Diancang Sect sorely lacks a young madam!”

“What does Diancang Sect have to boast about? I am the twenty-eighth direct descendant of the Tang Sect, my skills quite respectable. Demoness—no, miss, whatever you desire, I will craft it for you.”

“I am the successor of Hua Jian Sect, which is most suitable for women. As long as you join us, our sisters would welcome you with open arms!”

Xie Xuefeng stared dumbfounded at this crowd vying to please the demoness. “Madness, sheer madness! Wake up! You’ve been bewitched!”

His voice barely registered amidst the clamor of the group.

The people were already intensely focused on the demoness, with each individual’s eyes fixed on her. Who would pay attention to Xie Xuefeng amidst all this?

It wasn’t until Tong Ling approached him, her expression sorrowful as she shed a tear, that others took notice.

“Xie Lang.” Tong Ling bent down, cautiously attempting to help Xie Xuefeng rise, but he instinctively recoiled as soon as she neared. This reaction caused Tong Ling’s expression to deepen in anguish. “I never meant you any harm; how could you treat me like this?”

Xie Xuefeng was taken aback.

Who was it who taunted and ridiculed him during their wedding night? Who cast the slave gu upon him then? And who publicly humiliated him before another man right there?!

What had changed the demoness’ attitude towards him so drastically?

Sensing something amiss, Xie Xuefeng’s unease grew—a feeling that, unfortunately, history proved often turned out true…

“Xie Lang? Miss, you and Xie Xuefeng are…” The afflicted heroes, their brows furrowed, turned to gaze at Xie Xuefeng with suspicion. They knew they had been poisoned, but upon considering his unusual relationship with this demoness, jealousy surged within them uncontrollably.

“Xie Lang, do you truly hate me that much?” Tong Ling’s eyes welled with tears as she stared at Xie Xuefeng, her voice choking up. “Yes, I did ruin your engagement, but have you forgotten what you said to me on the mountains behind the demon cult? Have you forgotten when you promised to marry me…”

A collective gasp echoed through the room.

So there was indeed a past between this demoness and Xie Xuefeng! The young heroes exchanged glances, involuntarily recalling the rumors circulating in the jianghu.

The whispers claimed that Xie Xuefeng infiltrated the demon cult by deceiving a woman, poisoning it from within to ultimately eradicate them. It was also rumored that Xie Xuefeng pursued the so-called “demonic enchantress” out of fear that his deceitful past would be exposed.

Previously, these tales were dismissed as mere jests. After all, the demon cult was a common enemy of the jianghu, making it difficult to discern truth from fiction. Even if Xie Xuefeng had genuinely deceived a demon cult member, it wouldn’t have seemed significant given their status.

However, if he had deceived the very woman standing before them… fury ignited in their hearts, intensifying their resentment towards Xie Xuefeng.

But if Xie Xuefeng had deceived this woman standing before them…

A surge of fury ignited within their hearts, intensifying their resentment towards Xie Xuefeng.

After all, it was only due to Xie Xuefeng’s machinations that they convened this “Demon-Slaying Congress.” In truth, there was no enmity between her and any present; they were afflicted by the curse solely because of him!

Under the hostile gazes, Xie Xuefeng could feel the mounting anger. He raised his voice, shouting, “She is a demoness from the cult—how can you trust her words?! You’re under the control of her venomous spells…”

His voice gradually trailed off as he realized nothing he said would change their current predicament. Once again, he found himself at Xiling’s mercy. This time, not only did the Buddhist disciple and Medicine Sage support her, but even these fellow jianghu heroes, bewitched, became her obedient henchmen. How could he possibly escape now?

With a defeated expression, Xie Xuefeng lowered his head, “What do you plan to do with me this time?”

“Xie Lang, why would I harm you?” Tong Ling whimpered tearfully. “It was you who brought these people here to kill me, you who sought my downfall, oh Xie Lang!”

“Don’t cry, miss; you’re better off without that scum Xie Xuefeng!”

“That’s right, miss, don’t grieve so much over some stinking man! In our Hua Jian Sect, we hold the lowest regard for heartbreakers and bastards alike!”

“I know you aren’t truly bad, it was us who wanted to kill you. You used your gu only as self-defense—I don’t blame you…”

The young heroes couldn’t help but offer words of comfort and concern to this fragile, wounded beauty, their expressions overflowing with sympathy. All traces of earlier hostility had vanished.

Xie Xuefeng watched silently, despairing deeply. He didn’t understand what kind of gu Xiling had employed—this effect could not have been caused by mere slave gu!

“Xiling…” Chengming and Luo Qinghe simultaneously stepped forward. As they realized they were both moving in unison toward her, their expressions shifted.

Maha sneered, “Didn’t Luo Qinghe say he wasn’t interested in Xiling? His words just now made me uncomfortable—it feels like there’s something fishy about him!”

Chengming didn’t bother responding to Maha. With all his emotions focused on Xiling, he had become far more sensitive to such matters.

“Qinghe, while I was away, it’s all thanks to you for taking care of Xiling.” Buddhist Monk Chengming smoothly positioned himself next to Xiling, expressing his gratitude with graceful poise.

Luo Qinghe had no immediate reply.

Having spent so much time alone with Xiling, upon seeing Buddhist Monk Chengming return, Luo Qinghe only belatedly remembered that they were supposed to be a couple. But he didn’t particularly care about this; he knew well enough that Xiling’s feelings toward the monk weren’t as strong as she let on. One glance at her exceptional behavior around Xie Xuefeng made that clear—he was the one more deserving of vigilance. However…why did Chengming’s words sound so distasteful?

“It is my duty to take care of her,” Luo Qinghe said calmly. “No one else could do it better.”

Maha, incensed, nearly burst out from Chengming’s body. “This guy has absolutely no shame!”

Buddhist Monk Chengming sighed softly. “Given that he’s been afflicted by Lust Gu, such reactions aren’t surprising.”

His gaze shifted towards Xiling. Compared to Luo Qinghe, Chengming remained far more concerned about Xie Xuefeng.

Maha understood Chengming’s thoughts perfectly well and scoffed lightly. “Xie Xuefeng is history now. Xiling’s so clever—she wouldn’t fall for the same trap twice.”

She didn’t put a curse on Xie Xuefeng, thought Buddhist Monk Chengming.

Clearly, she could have effortlessly won his affection with a curse, but Xiling had chosen not to do so. What did this mean?

Maha was taken aback, a chill seeping through his heart as well. “Does she care that much…about Xie Xuefeng?”

How deeply must one feel to refrain from using even the slightest trick? It hardly seemed like something Xiling would do.

Chengming clenched his fists, experiencing for the first time in his life the intent to kill someone.

“I’ve already said he should be killed,” Maha said icily. “Let me out to slay him; at worst, I’ll take all the blame. There’d be no way for Xiling to fault you.”

Chengming suppressed this dangerous emotion—he knew that once they broke their vow against killing, given Maha’s nature, there might be no stopping them. No matter how much he despised Xie Xuefeng, he had to endure it.

Seeing the worried expression of the Buddhist disciple beside her, Tong Ling wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes. With pursed lips, she said, “I’m fine.”

“I knew he would treat me this way,” Tong Ling said, her voice tinged with sorrow. “I am a demoness of the cult, while he is the son of the Alliance Chief—the renowned Xuezhu-gongzi of the jianghu. How could I ever be worthy of him?”

Upon hearing these words, not only did Luo Qinghe and Buddhist Monk Chengming’s hearts clench, but even the other captive young heroes and heroines couldn’t help feeling sympathy for this woman.

Xie Xuefeng’s expression turned exceedingly grim. In the past, he had believed that Xiling harbored affection for him, only to receive a harsh reality check on their wedding night.

A woman who truly loved him wouldn’t possibly act intimately with another man before his eyes… Why was Xiling putting on such a display now? Was she still not satisfied with humiliating him?

“If you want revenge, go ahead,” Xie Xuefeng spat bitterly, “but there’s no need for this pretense!”

“Xie Lang!” Tears streamed down Tong Ling’s face. “Have you lost all faith in my feelings for you?”

“After what you’ve done, why should I believe you?” Xie Xuefeng retorted scornfully. The memory of that night weighed heavily on him, causing his insides to twist painfully each time it resurfaced. “Shameless!”

Tong Ling clutched at her heart, eyes hazy with pain. “Would only my death make you happy?”

Xie Xuefeng knew he couldn’t escape, nor did he have any desire to placate Xiling anymore. With nothing left to lose, he snapped, “Yes, I’d be hap—”

“Silence!” Buddhist Monk Chengming glared icily at Xie Xuefeng. If not for Tong Ling’s presence, he likely would have broken his vow against killing right then and there. “I said…silence!”

Luo Qinghe looked Xuefeng up and down, already treating him as good as dead. “These days, some people just want their lives to end sooner…”

The color drained from Xie Xuefeng’s face. Ultimately, he still wanted to live, so he obediently shut his mouth.

Softly, Tong Ling spoke. “Xie Lang, I know what you desire. Rest assured, everything you wish for will be yours.”

Xie Xuefeng felt perplexed; was this demoness, Xiling, taking her act too far?

“You all are heroes of the jianghu, and I won’t harm you,” Tong Ling addressed the elite members of each sect. “My resort to gu poison was out of necessity. I hope everyone can cooperate with me, ensuring that when the time comes for electing the next Alliance Chief, Xie Lang becomes our new leader.”

Tong Ling continued, addressing Luo Qinghe directly. “Medicine Sage, detoxify them and let them leave.”

The young heroes were startled. “You…you’re going to release us?”

Tong Ling nodded. “I never intended harm; I only hope you won’t blame the Buddhist disciple. He detained all of you solely to save my life.”

She disclosed that she would die if she didn’t maintain her control over the gu, telling the crowd, “Once I perish at Xie Lang’s hand, everyone’s gu will be dispelled. You needn’t worry about any further harm from it.”

“What do you mean?!” Buddhist Monk Chengming paled with shock. “Xiling, what are you saying…”

“My apologies, monk.” Tong Ling smiled sadly. “A demoness like me truly isn’t worthy of you.”

“Xie Lang.” Tong Ling redirected her gaze back to Xie Xuefeng. “In a few days, before the eyes of the entire jianghu, this demoness will personally meet her end by your hand. Then there’ll be no doubt about my sincerity toward you.”

Xie Xuefeng was utterly bewildered by Xiling’s words. “You…”

“Was that night truly as you believed it to be, Xie Lang?” Tong Ling sighed. “I know my revenge caused you immense harm, but my feelings for you…have never changed.”

Xie Xuefeng’s gaze flickered momentarily. Could what happened that night…

He had been veiled with a red cloth and hadn’t seen anything directly, but he’d heard their voices and every movement on the bed crystal clear. How could that have been false?

Shaking his head vigorously, Xie Xuefeng resolved not to fall for this enchantress’s deception again. All his injuries were her doing; how could he possibly trust her?!

Tong Ling reached out to touch Xie Xuefeng but ultimately withdrew her hand and took a step back. “Once this demoness dies, you will become the new Alliance Chief of the jianghu. I’ll also ensure that the Meng family’s young lady fulfills your marriage contract; you both shall be the most loving couple.”

Turning away, sounding utterly exhausted, she said, “G-go now.”

Confused by Tong Ling’s actions, Xie Xuefeng quickly accepted the antidote from Luo Qinghe. After confirming that his inner strength had indeed returned, he didn’t dare linger and swiftly left the scene.