In a secret chamber, a purple-robed figure said resentfully:
“Damn it! If it weren’t for that Shui Ao showing up to mess things up, the plan would have succeeded by now!”
Long Shengtian sat opposite Wan Gu.
“There’s no point in saying anything now. We should consider what to do next. After Chu Jiujiu comes out this time, we won’t have any opportunities left. With our current strength, a head-on clash would only lead to mutual destruction.”
What Long Shengtian said made sense. Their previous plan had only been to force Chu Jiujiu to compromise. Chu Jiujiu’s unexpected entry into the Demon World this time was genuinely a stroke of good fortune.
Unfortunately, there was only one chance, and they hadn’t seized it. When opportunity is given but one fails to make use of it, there’s no one else to blame.
“Boy, I hope the intelligence you provided is accurate. Otherwise, the Demon Clan’s many years of effort won’t be wasted over just a few of your words.”
Wan Gu stared at Long Shengtian as he spoke. Actually, the Demon Clan’s plan was to slowly boil the frog in warm water. After all, once the Demon Clan’s traces were exposed, they would be discovered, and then Great Powers would definitely come.
If it weren’t for Long Shengtian’s plan being too enticing, the Demon Clan wouldn’t have accelerated their pace. Even if someone discovered them, as long as the plan succeeded and they obtained a page of the Heavenly Book, everything would be worth it!
***
After the three women were fully satisfied, Qin Mengyu didn’t forget to give Mu’er a pill to replenish his qi and blood.
At this moment, Qin Mu was lying face up with an expression of absolute desirelessness. He seemed as if he were about to see through all the worldly affairs of the Mortal World.
Struggling to lift his hand, Qin Mu thought he would never see the sun outside again. Just moments ago, everything before his eyes had been pitch black. If not for something warm and soft, he would have thought he’d gone blind.
After swallowing the pill given by Miss Mengyu, a warm current flowed through his entire body.
Qin Mu got off the bed. His legs went weak and he nearly fell. At this rate, he’d be in a state of complete emptiness for at least the rest of the day.
Pushing open the door, he saw a figure in white practicing swordplay in the courtyard. Her movements were as smooth as silk, her sword technique vigorous and elegant, carrying both the heroic bearing of a valiant warrior and the grace of subtle beauty.
Finishing a stroke, Qin Ruoshuang turned her head, her beautiful eyes landing on Mu’er as the corners of her mouth curved up slightly.
“Want to learn?”
Qin Mu shook his head. On any normal day, he would have been begging Miss Ruoshuang to teach him with sparkling eyes.
But today, he truly lacked the will and the strength. He probably couldn’t even hold a sword steady right now.
“Not today. By the way, where are Miss Mengyu and Aunt Lu?”
“They went out.”
“Since Mu’er has no interest in learning…”
Qin Ruoshuang sheathed her sword and walked over to Mu’er.
Looking at Mu’er’s weakened state, a faint blush gradually surfaced on her cold cheeks. After all, she had contributed plenty this morning as well. However, what she hadn’t expected was that her usually gentle younger sister would actually be that… gulping it all down in one go.
Her delicate hand clasped Mu’er’s palm, and Qin Ruoshuang mobilized the true qi within her body, slowly channeling it into Mu’er.
With Miss Ruoshuang’s true qi replenishing him, Qin Mu’s originally pale complexion gradually regained its healthy flush.
After a moment, Qin Ruoshuang withdrew her hand. Mu’er’s cultivation was far too low. With her Nascent Soul Realm cultivation, she only needed to send a tiny amount.
With nothing to do, Qin Mu sat down on a stone chair in the courtyard, and Miss Ruoshuang sat quietly beside him.
Since Qin Ruoshuang didn’t care for conversation, Qin Mu idly flipped through a miscellaneous book he’d taken from the room. Its contents introduced the customs and culture of the Wildlands and the Gu Tribe, somewhat like a travel guide.
Time quietly flowed by. knock, knock—
The sound of knocking came. This time, Qin Mu wasn’t staying in a pavilion but a standalone courtyard. Given Lu Qian’s status as a dignified Sect Master, such accommodations were only proper.
Hearing the knocking, Qin Mu felt a bit puzzled. If Aunt Lu and Miss Mengyu were returning, they wouldn’t knock. As for Lu Shuanger, that one was even less likely. Who could it be?
“Come in.”
Qin Mu put away his book.
Creak. The door was pushed open, and a young man walked in. He had a handsome face and the refined air of a scholar.
The visitor was none other than the Young Master of Ghost Elephant Mountain, Wan Minghai.
After learning that the Head of the Seven Stars Sect had come to the Gu Tribe, Wan Minghai recalled the conflict he’d had with the Seven Stars Sect’s Holy Maiden. Just to be safe, it was better to pay a visit and show goodwill.
“It’s you!”
Qin Mu was somewhat taken aback. He’d wondered who it could be—turned out it was this guy. However, compared to his younger brother, this Wan Minghai did have a better temperament. At least on the surface. As for what lay in his heart, well, only he himself would know.
When Wan Minghai saw Qin Ruoshuang, even though he’d already met her a few times, he was still stunned by her beauty. However, he quickly withdrew his gaze.
“Hehe, I apologize for disturbing you two. I’ve come this time to offer my apologies for my previous rashness.”
With a wave of his hand, precious spirit medicines materialized one by one in midair. Even Qin Mu, who didn’t understand herbs, had gained some understanding of medicinal potency after spending so much time by Miss Mengyu’s side.
These spirit medicines before him were all fine goods—and top-grade ones at that!
“I can’t accept rewards I haven’t earned. Besides, these are precious herbs. Using them merely as an apology is far too generous.”
Such extravagance genuinely shocked Qin Mu. What mainly astounded him was the other party’s inhuman display of wealth.
‘Is Ghost Elephant Mountain really that rich?’
Having grown up in poverty, Qin Mu had never experienced a life of wasteful spending.
When going out, all his expenses were covered by his Elder Sisters, so Qin Mu had never truly experienced what it felt like to have “Young Master Zhou picking up the tab tonight.”
Besides, sudden kindness always hides ulterior motives—if not treachery, then thievery. And with spirit medicine this fine, no matter how Qin Mu thought about it, something felt wrong.
Hearing Qin Mu’s words, which were within his expectations, Wan Minghai continued:
“Young Master, please rest assured. There is absolutely nothing tampered with in these spirit medicines.”
The more Wan Minghai said that, the less Qin Mu wanted to accept them.
Seeing that Qin Mu had no intention of taking them, Wan Minghai looked at Qin Ruoshuang and said,
“Holy Maiden…”
Before Wan Minghai could say anything further, Qin Mu interrupted:
“Please take your leave, sir. As for the previous matter, what’s past is past. Don’t worry about it.”
Qin Mu wasn’t a petty person. Besides, this place was still close to Ghost Elephant Mountain’s sphere of influence, so face still needed to be given.
Seeing this, Wan Minghai had no choice but to drop the matter.
“If that’s the case, I’ll take my leave.”
After watching Wan Minghai close the door, Qin Mu muttered:
“How strange. Why would this guy suddenly come calling?”
‘Either he has a guilty conscience, or his brain is full of water.’
Qin Mu leaned toward the former. He had personally seen Ghost Elephant Mountain’s connection with that black-robed man. No matter what, it was best to stay vigilant.
After leaving, Wan Minghai returned to Ghost Elephant Mountain’s place.
“Cousin, how did it go?”
Wan Xiangtian leaned in and asked.
Wan Minghai shook his head.
“They didn’t accept.”
“Ah, this…”
Wan Xiangtian revealed a surprised expression. They weren’t even tempted by that many top-grade spirit medicines!
Wan Xiangtian said worriedly,
“Could this affect our plan…”
Wan Minghai waved his hand.
“Although they didn’t accept, they also didn’t express any dissatisfaction toward us. In short, as long as we don’t become enemies, it will be fine. The plan is about to reach its critical juncture. Nothing can go wrong!”
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