Translator: CinderTL
In the following days, Song Wen spent his time occasionally refining Blood Demon Pills and frequently visiting Cloudveil City.
Within the Qicang Domain, Chi Pei was the most likely candidate to possess the subsequent cultivation technique of the Corpse King Rebirth Art. Since Chi Pei had invited him to Phoenix Feather City, Song Wen naturally wouldn't miss this golden opportunity.
Every few days, Song Wen would send messages to Shi Man, subtly inquiring about Chi Pei's departure plans.
However, Chi Pei showed no signs of leaving.
Instead, a month later, Song Wen suddenly received a message from Qi Luo.
[Ye Hua, where are you? Come quickly to Courtyard 36 at Soaring Cloud Inn. I need to discuss something with you.]
Song Wen frowned at the message, his mind racing.
Why is Qi Luo summoning me?
Could she have found the Yin-Sinking Water? Or perhaps she's discovered a clue about its whereabouts?
After weighing the potential gains and losses, Song Wen decided to meet with Qi Luo.
[Wait a moment, I'll be there soon.]
Half an hour later, Song Wen arrived at Courtyard 36 of the Soaring Cloud Inn. Noticing that the courtyard's Restriction Formation was inactive, he simply pushed open the gate.
The first thing he saw was an empty courtyard, beyond which stood three small buildings.
The central building's door was wide open.
Qi Luo lay half-reclined on a low couch inside.
Qi Luo had already noticed Song Wen outside the courtyard gate and called out, "Come in."
Song Wen crossed the courtyard and approached Qi Luo.
Immediately, two muffled thuds echoed through the air: thump, thump!
The courtyard gate and the room's door slammed shut simultaneously. At the same moment, Qi Luo activated the courtyard's Restriction Formation.
Song Wen's heart tightened with suspicion, but his face remained fixed in an expression of infatuated adoration.
He lowered his body and lunged toward Qi Luo on the low couch.
"Qi Luo, it's wonderful to see you again. This past month has felt like an eternity. I've been thinking of you every moment."
Before Song Wen could touch her, Qi Luo struck his chest with a palm strike, sending him flying backward to crash against the stone wall.
"Qi Luo, why... why are you doing this?" Song Wen collapsed to the ground, blood gushing from his mouth. His eyes, filled with disbelief and anguish, stared at Qi Luo as if betrayed by someone he held dear.
The palm strike Qi Luo had delivered was not particularly powerful, barely enough to injure a nascent soul cultivator.
The blood gushing from Song Wen's mouth was the result of him secretly manipulating the Gu worms within his body to rupture his internal organs.
With a wave of her hand, Qi Luo unleashed a surge of spiritual power that lifted Song Wen and deposited him beside the low couch.
Qi Luo sat up, her legs dangling naturally over the edge of the couch. Her feet were bare, their skin smooth and jade-like.
Qi Luo stood above Song Wen, her gaze icy as she looked down at him. She lifted one delicate foot and pressed it against his chest.
"Ye Hua, you're bolder than I thought, daring to deceive me!"
Song Wen's heart skipped a beat, a flicker of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
If Qi Luo has truly discovered something, she can't be allowed to live.
However, now wasn't the time to act.
His gaze slid past her slender, beautiful legs and settled on Qi Luo's face. Amidst his pained expression, a hint of confusion lingered.
"When have I ever deceived you?"
Qi Luo glared at him, gritting her teeth as she spat out, "Still pretending! Yesterday, I visited Shi Man and deliberately mentioned the Yin-Sinking Water appearing in the Rotting Ghost Market. To my surprise, she showed no reaction whatsoever. This proves that the mission Young Master Chi Pei gave Shi Man and you at the Moon-Caressing Pavilion wasn't about finding any Yin-Sinking Water at all!"
A sharp glint flashed in Song Wen's eyes as he quickly asked, "Has Yin-Sinking Water truly appeared in the Rotting Ghost Market?"
Qi Luo's eyes widened, and she abruptly increased the pressure of her foot on Song Wen's chest.
"Ah..." Song Wen gasped in pain, fresh blood gushing from his mouth.
"You still care about Yin-Sinking Water? Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Qi Luo demanded.
Song Wen lay sprawled on the ground, feigning helplessness.
He gazed up at Qi Luo with deep affection, his voice soft and mournful.
"To die by the hand of my beloved... even in death, my life would not have been in vain."
Faced with Song Wen's confession, Qi Luo's fury only intensified.
She leaned down, her face inches from his.
"Ye Hua, this Immortal Maiden has no patience for your romantic drivel. Tell me at once what mission Chi Pei assigned you and Shi Man that day. Otherwise, I'll make you wish you were dead!"
Song Wen replied, "Qi Luo, I've already told you everything. If you refuse to believe me, there's nothing more I can do."
A flicker of hesitation crossed Qi Luo's eyes. "Did Chi Pei truly task you with finding the Yin-Sinking Water?"
"Of course," Song Wen said. "I've always vowed to never betray you. Why would I lie now?"
"Then why did Shi Man show no reaction when I deliberately mentioned the Yin-Sinking Water in front of her?" Qi Luo pressed.
"Qi Luo, you're being foolish," Song Wen said. "Shi Man was a rogue cultivator before. Her schemes run deep. She would never let you glimpse her true intentions so easily. By now, she's likely already at the Rotting Ghost Market, searching for the Yin-Sinking Water. This was your chance to curry favor with Young Master Chi Pei, and you've let it slip through your fingers."
Seeing Song Wen's unwavering composure even in the face of death, and noting that he hadn't shown any suspicious behavior since entering, Qi Luo's resolve began to waver.
She channeled her spiritual power to lift Song Wen into the air and gently placed him on the low couch.
"I'm not badly hurt," Song Wen said urgently. "Don't waste time on me. Hurry to the Rotting Ghost Market before Shi Man gets her hands on the Yin-Sinking Water."
Qi Luo said, "Don't worry, the Rotting Ghost Market doesn't have the Yin-Sinking Water. That was just a fabrication to test Shi Man. I did investigate the Yin-Sinking Water, but it's not in the Rotting Ghost Market."
Song Wen thought to himself, Just as I suspected.
Then the charade must continue.
The anxious expression on his face vanished instantly.
"Since you've already investigated the Yin-Sinking Water, retrieve it as soon as possible. Presenting it to Chi Pei will surely earn his favor."
Qi Luo replied, "I'm confident in retrieving the Yin-Sinking Water smoothly. However, if I present it directly to Chi Pei, it might arouse his suspicion and backfire."
No one would tolerate their subordinates secretly investigating them behind their back.
Since Qi Luo was unaware of Chi Pei's mission, presenting the Yin-Sinking Water directly would undoubtedly provoke his wrath.
Song Wen said, "This is simple. I'll report to Chi Pei that there's news of the Yin-Sinking Water in a certain location, but it's already been purchased. After some time, I'll report again, saying that after investigation, I discovered the buyer was none other than you, Qi Luo. By then, Chi Pei will come knocking himself."
"That's a good idea," Qi Luo agreed, nodding in approval.
"Where is the Yin-Sinking Water? Do you need my help to retrieve it?" Song Wen asked.
(End of the Chapter)
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