Zhou Xian exclaimed in shock, "Shangguan, you’re really planning to poison someone!"
Jia Yi stepped in front, blocking his path. "Zhou Xian, there must be some misunderstanding here!"
"What other misunderstanding could there be? Jia Yi, my men searched her right in front of you—how could it be false?"
Once again, the Patrol Spirit Guards and the Demon-Slaying Guards stood at odds, one misstep away from an internal clash.
"Junior Sister, what should we do?"
Murong Meixin hid in the alley, peeking out with half her head exposed, unsure whether to intervene in the conflict within Canghai Province.
Murong Meifei glanced at the woman at the center of the storm, then touched the hilt of her sword. "Would the once-greatest swordsman in the world really fall to such a state?"
As she spoke, Murong Meifei lifted her gaze toward the distant darkness.
"So you noticed me after all. As expected of the most talented disciple of the Murong Manor."
Sang Duo sat perched on the rooftop, a purple spider resting in her palm. Behind her stood the puppet Cang Yan, blade in hand.
She pursed her lips and scoffed. "If I hadn’t promised you before your death to help fulfill your wish, I wouldn’t have gotten involved in this mess. Since Shangguan Huanxi once showed kindness to your Cang family, if she’s in trouble, I have no choice but to help her this once."
Cang Yan remained silent and motionless. As a puppet, he acted only on his master’s will. Since Sang Duo gave no command, he was nothing more than an unmoving corpse.
At the peak of the standoff, Shangguan Huanxi stepped out from behind Jia Yi. "If I truly conspired with evil spirits, then execute me right here."
The black-armored guard holding the medicine bottle opened the stopper, and his expression shifted. "This is calming powder, not poison."
Zhou Xian froze. "Calming powder?"
"I’ve had trouble sleeping lately, so I prepared some to help. Surely that’s no crime?" Shangguan Huanxi arched a brow, a faint smile playing on her lips. "As for why I came here at night—I dreamed of my grandfather and father, so I came to the tower to pay my respects. Who knew I’d be mistaken for a malevolent spirit?"
Zhou Xian’s face cycled through several emotions.
Jia Yi immediately grew bold. "You heard her, didn’t you? The lady isn’t a spirit. Zhou Xian, weren’t you going to kneel and apologize?"
Zhou Xian’s expression darkened. Though many doubts remained unresolved, he was a man of his word. Just as he was about to kneel, Shangguan Huanxi turned and walked away.
"Save your strength for hunting evil spirits. I have no interest in your apology."
Her posture was as straight as a pine tree, and even her retreating figure carried an unshakable pride.
Amid the shadows, Xinzhong Yi’s grip on his fan loosened slightly. But as he watched the woman leave, recalling the black-clad figure from their earlier encounter, confusion still lingered in his heart.
Atop the tower, Wenren Buxiao withdrew his arms from the child and gently handed the infant back to its mother.
"See? You should be grateful to Huanxi. She didn’t make a mistake, so you don’t need to suffer in her place, and your child won’t have to bear the consequences either."
Luo Qiaoqiao clutched her child tightly, trembling with fear, her head bowed low.
Back at the estate, Shangguan Huanxi entered her room. The door shut behind her, and a single candle flickered to life.
"You told me to follow the plan, yet the medicine you gave me was fake. Admit it—you still don’t trust me!"
The Young Master sat bathed in candlelight, folding a paper frog. He chuckled. "No need for such anger. If I hadn’t given you calming powder, wouldn’t you have been caught tonight?"
His words sounded reasonable, but the truth was simple—he trusted no one.
Not Master Jin, who had served him for over a decade, nor Shangguan Huanxi, twisted by vengeance. The only person he trusted was himself.
Shangguan Huanxi seethed. "First, you promised to kill Luo Qiaoqiao and Wenren Yan for me—you failed. Then, you said you’d kill Wenren Buxiao—you failed again. If you don’t trust me, why should I trust you?"
"My apologies for displeasing you, my lady."
He stood, offering the paper frog as a peace offering, but she slapped it away. His eyes gleamed as he produced a small vial. "This time, I won’t deceive you. This medicine is real."
Shangguan Huanxi scoffed. "What good is that now? They’re already suspicious of me!"
"It will be useful. I’ll tell you where to place it." The Young Master stepped closer, his fingers brushing against hers as he traced a slow path upward. "With the map you provided, once everyone is immobilized tomorrow night, I’ll lead my men into Canghai Province."
Shangguan Huanxi pulled her hand back. "What exactly is your plan?"
He smiled, leaning against the desk. "I only share my plans with those closest to me. My lady, I wonder—how far will your hatred drive you?"
Their eyes locked, and she understood his meaning. Her clenched fist relaxed, resolve hardening as she stepped forward. "Far enough to sacrifice everything."
She seized his collar, shoving him onto the desk before pressing herself against him.
The Young Master arched a brow, surprised by her boldness. His testing could have ended there, but as his robes parted and skin met skin, the unfamiliar sensation left him momentarily dazed.
Indulging once wouldn’t hurt. After all, it was just another act.
Amidst hushed breaths, the woman’s voice cut through, startlingly clear. "What about that Miao tribesman? No poison will work on him."
"Don’t worry. Tomorrow night, he won’t make it back in time." His voice hitched as he let out a muffled groan. "My lady, don’t stop now."
Drip. Drip.
The sound of water echoed steadily.
Chu'he dragged herself onto the riverbank, drenched and shivering. Ignoring the cold, she scanned her surroundings—a desolate wilderness swallowed by darkness. Slowly, luminous insects gathered around her, pushing back the shadows.
"Ninth, where are you?"
She still remembered the sensation in the water—something slimy and soft enveloping her, as if countless figures had emerged, all carrying a familiar presence.
But once she reached the shore, the clinging tendrils retreated into the unseen dark.
Little Qing, the small green snake, remained coiled on her shoulder, equally soaked.
Chu'he whispered, "Little Qing, take me to Ninth."
The snake shook its head.
"Little Qing!"
It tucked its head in stubbornly, refusing to help.
From the darkness, pairs of crimson eyes watched from behind bushes and trees, swirling with the same eerie mist and fear. They dared not approach, content to observe from afar.
Fine. If Little Qing wouldn’t help, she’d search alone.
Wringing the water from her clothes, Chu'he trudged forward, her steps heavy. She ducked behind a tree. "Ninth?"
No one.
She crouched, crawling through the underbrush. "Ninth?"
Still nothing.
She flipped over a small rock. "Ninth!"
Only a tiny crab scuttled out.
Little Qing lifted its head and hissed softly.
Chu'he glared at it, "Ninth is so capable—what if he knows how to shrink himself with bone-contraction skills? It's not impossible!"
—But surely not to the size of a pebble!
"Hehe."
Soft giggles drifted faintly from all around, rising and falling like a layered chorus.
Chu'he shivered. "N-Ninth?"
