Chapter 109: Gu Maiden (22)

Sanar couldn’t comprehend why the priestess would take such actions. Weren’t they seeking revenge for the Holy Order’s fallen? Why elevate Xie Xuefeng to a position of power and then “die” at his hand?

“Sanar, it seems you have something to say?” Tong Ling sat before a bronze mirror, meticulously applying her makeup.

Despite being in the Central Plains for quite some time, Tong Ling had yet to make her formal debut in the jianghu. On this auspicious day, she was determined to leave with a breathtakingly tragic finale that would stun everyone!

“Xiling, I know you have your own plans, but…” Sanar knelt partially before the priestess, his eyes filled with pleading, “Please assure me, will you definitely be safe?”

Tong Ling reached out, and instinctively, Sanar leaned closer. She gently stroked his hair, softly asking, “Do you think simply killing someone is enough for vengeance?”

Sanar remained silent; all he wanted was to kill Xie Xuefeng.

“When does a person experience their greatest anguish? It’s when they believe they’ve achieved everything they desired, only to discover it was merely an illusion, like flowers in a mirror or reflections on water - the beginning of a nightmare. They will suffer, they will regret…” Tong Ling lifted Sanar’s chin and kissed him lightly on his handsome face. “Do you trust me?”

Sanar closed his eyes, silver-white lashes quivering slightly. “I do,” he replied.

“Then do as I’ve instructed,” Tong Ling commanded. “Once outside, you must join those ‘pursuing’ me. Act just like them, showing hostility and unity against me.” She paused before adding sternly, “Understood?”

Sanar nodded vigorously but whispered softly, “I’m afraid I might not be able to pull it off.”

How could he ever turn against the priestess?

Tong Ling’s expectations for Sanar were modest; after all, his acting skills were limited. All she needed was for him to maintain appearances. “It’s alright, everyone is just going through the motions. Just follow what the others do.”

”…Yes!” Sanar responded resolutely.

Tong Ling picked up her veil and placed it over her head. As soon as she stepped out, intense gazes converged on her figure.

Following the planned route, akin to a storyline set by some divine author, Tong Ling passed each person supposedly “chasing” her until her professional scene partner arrived.

Meng Lianzhou, far more experienced than the rest, fully immersed himself in his role.

“Ahh, how boring! Is that all you’ve got?” Meng Lianzhou scanned the purple-clad woman with a weary expression. As she approached, he swiftly struck at her back.

The moment Meng Lianzhou’s forceful palm connected with Tong Ling, she felt unreasonably violated. Despite his convincing act, his hand…

Glancing sidelong at the posturing second young master of the Meng family, Tong Ling murmured quietly, “Had enough yet?”

As Meng Lianzhou approached Xiling, his face—more beautiful than hers—broke into a captivating smile. “Not enough, not nearly enough. I was hoping to consummate our marriage with my husband.”

“You—” Tong Ling feigned shock and anger, pushing away the youth who tried to pull her into his embrace.

“Once you ‘marry’ Xie Xuefeng again, then we’ll consummate,” Tong Ling said as she brushed past Meng Lianzhou.

Meng Lianzhou’s eyes sparkled brightly. “You heard me!”

Tong Ling smiled and continued on her way.

At that moment, Meng Lianzhou wished fervently for Xie Xuefeng to hold weddings every day, so he could be the groom night after night!

Wasting no time, Meng Lianzhou followed Xiling’s script—he needed to guide Xie Xuefeng next. With a glance, he saw representatives from various sects had already brought Xie Xuefeng to this location.

Standing at the forefront, Xie Xuefeng bore little resemblance to his disheveled state just days ago. Surrounded by admirers, he exuded confidence, fully restored to his former self-assured demeanor. Whether it was Buddhist Monk Chengming, the young gongzi of Wan Jian Manor, or elite members of other major sects, they all respectfully trailed behind Xie Xuefeng. The countless spectators lining the scene chimed in with their discussions:

“Xuezhu-gongzi is majestic like a dragon, unmatched in grace! With him here, the demon cult’s enchantress pales in comparison!”

“He single-handedly annihilated the entire demon cult; none in the jianghu can rival his prowess!”

“The title of Alliance Chief belongs to none other than him!”

Meng Lianzhou hastily schooled his expression to avoid arousing suspicion from Xie Xuefeng at this critical moment. He bowed respectfully towards Xie Xuefeng and pointed in the direction Xiling had fled, saying, “Xuezhu-gongzi, that demoness ran that way!”

Xie Xuefeng returned the bow with graceful poise. “Many thanks,” he replied courteously.

Meng Lianzhou held his breath… It was too much; he desperately needed to suppress his urge to laugh!

As soon as Xie Xuefeng left, Meng Lianzhou’s demeanor shifted instantly. Turning to the little gongzi behind him, he asked, “These onlookers…”

The little gongzi raised an eyebrow. “Impressive, aren’t they?”

“Xie Xuefeng is practically dizzy from all the flattery. How did you manage to find such diverse praise-makers?” Meng Lianzhou curiously inquired.

“The inn storytellers, I gathered every eloquent speaker available. With some extra silver thrown around, there were plenty willing to join,” the little gongzi responded matter-of-factly, as if it were no big deal. “Any problem that can be solved with money isn’t truly a problem.”

Meng Lianzhou sighed in admiration, “Wan Jian Manor indeed has immense wealth and influence!”

After this brief exchange, their expressions turned serious once more. As key members executing the plan, they knew that Medicine King Valley’s Medicine Sage would stage Xiling’s death, while elites from other sects were unaware of this detail. Their objective was to fuel the crowd’s loathing and hatred towards Xie Xuefeng.

“It’s just utterly revolting,” the little gongzi fumed. “How could Xiling wish to die at the hands of such scum? What is so appealing about Xie Xuefeng? Look, he even genuinely wanted her dead for his reputation! Disgusting!”

“Ah, who can blame Xiling for being hopelessly devoted? We must fulfill her wishes,” Meng Lianzhou sighed dramatically, feigning sympathy.

This remark only intensified the little gongzi’s anger and resentment: “Once we accomplish Xiling’s wish, I’ll never spare Xie Xuefeng!”

Meng Lianzhou pondered with downcast eyes. This was precisely what Xiling desired; now, the entire world of martial arts lay under her control. Her “husband” truly wasn’t ordinary. At this thought, Meng Lianzhou chuckled softly. Who else but Xiling could orchestrate such a grand performance involving the whole jianghu?

Tong Ling arrived at the location where the female supporting character meets her demise in the original story, quietly awaiting the male lead’s arrival.

Unexpectedly, someone suddenly grabbed her arm, attempting to pull her away. “Don’t stay here! Xie Xuefeng has brought people from various sects to capture you!” The newcomer spoke with grave urgency. “Don’t worry, I’ll take you to safety right now!”

Tong Ling hastily stopped him and scrutinized the anxious yet handsome young man before her, finally recalling his identity. “Tanyu Shu?”

He was the one who had promised to draw her portrait but never followed up, causing Tong Ling to forget all about him.

How could Tanyu Shu not have sought out Xiling? Ever since she left the four-sided courtyard house, he had tirelessly searched for her everywhere. In the past, finding traces of his beloved beauty was effortless, but this time, inexplicably, he couldn’t obtain any news of Xiling…

When posters labeling Xiling as a demoness spread throughout the jianghu, Tanyu Shu became deeply conflicted. It wasn’t due to her alleged affiliation; rather, he feared that once Xiling disappeared, he would never see her again.

Disheartened, Tanyu Shu returned to his painting studio and poured all his emotions onto canvas.

He had vowed to create the most beautiful portrait of Miss Xiling, hoping that perhaps once it was finished, she would return as well. Dissatisfied with one painting, he started a second; if the second wasn’t right, then a third followed. He sketched Xiling’s features vividly in his mind, consumed by his artistry. When he finally emerged, having created the portrait he deemed perfect, the news awaiting him was…that Xie Xuefeng had rallied various jianghu factions to hunt down Xiling!

With no time to waste, Tanyu Shu gathered information from multiple sources and managed just barely to find Xiling before Xie Xuefeng could reach her. At that moment, only one thought remained in Tanyu Shu’s mind—to take her away.

Whether it meant opposing Xie Xuefeng or defying the entire jianghu, he would protect her at any cost!

However, Xiling…

“I willingly accept death at Xie Xuefeng’s hand; do not interfere!” Tong Ling spoke firmly. “Don’t make me despise you—leave now!”

Tanyu Shu realized he couldn’t defy Xiling’s wishes, and the pain of her rejection was nearly unbearable.

“Why?” Tanyu Shu tightened his grip on the folding fan, utterly bewildered by Xiling’s actions. “That man wants to kill you! How can you think like this?”

The woman’s face was obscured behind her veil, but her voice carried such gentle softness, filled with tender affection. “Why else? I love him; even death would be willingly borne!”

Upon arriving at the scene, Xie Xuefeng heard these words immediately, his emotions indescribably complex.

The crowd following Xuefeng, their eyes reddening, struggled to suppress the hatred flickering within as they glanced back at him.

Tanyu Shu shuddered slightly. What kind of deep affection could lead someone to make such a choice? He turned around, glaring fiercely at the renowned Xuezhu-gongzi of the jianghu. “Xie Xuefeng, do you truly intend to kill her?!”

The little gongzi cast a glance around, and without needing further prompting, the spectators’ fervor intensified.

“She’s a demon enchantress—why shouldn’t Xuezhu-gongzi kill her?”

“Members of the demon cult deserve execution by anyone!”

“Yes, kill her!”

The thunderous uproar reverberated through every person present, stirring even Xie Xuefeng’s heart. Memories of past humiliations and his lingering injuries surged forth, his gaze hardening as murderous intent radiated from him.

However, when Tong Ling lifted her veil, the clamor against the demon cult abruptly ceased.

Whether they were hired hands going through the motions or jianghu heroes drawn to the spectacle, upon glimpsing that ravishing woman with her delicate coiffure and eyes shimmering like spring waters, everyone’s breaths involuntarily slowed.

Undeniably, the woman was breathtakingly beautiful. Yet what captivated them most wasn’t her exquisite face but rather the way she looked at Xie Xuefeng.

Her gaze seemed intent on etching him deep within her bones, filled with reluctance and longing. In that moment, nearly everyone thought, If only she were looking at me instead!

Who could remain steadfast enough to kill someone gazing at them with such tender affection from such a peerless beauty? At least none of those present felt capable.

Xie Xuefeng faltered slightly, much of his killing intent dissipating. He had never seen this expression in Xiling’s eyes before. Even during their time together behind the demon cult’s mountain retreat, Xiling had always been reserved, rarely showing her emotions openly. She might blush around him or steal furtive glances, but having experienced adoration from numerous women, Xiling’s demeanor hadn’t left a lasting impression on him.

Yet now, with just one glance from the woman before him, Xie Xuefeng knew he would forever struggle to forget her.