Chapter 114: Let’s Make a Deal
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation.
Long One, Long Two, and Long Three were brothers, all born from the same mother. They shared the same spiritual roots, practiced the same cultivation technique, and even wielded identical magic weapons. Their bond was undeniable, but so was their shared ruthlessness. As they advanced toward Yu Zhao, their cruel smiles mirrored each other, and with a synchronized motion, they unleashed three black-and-red crescent-shaped blades that sliced through the air toward her.
The salty sea breeze now mingled with the sharp, metallic scent of blood. Yu Zhao’s face twisted into a frown as she swiftly retreated, her right hand brushing over the storage pouch at her waist. In one smooth motion, she pulled out a thick stack of spirit talismans.
Yu Zhao had always been confident, never relying on just one method of attack. With both hands moving rapidly, she scattered the talismans into the air like petals caught in the wind. Hidden among them were nearly invisible particles of incense ash, drifting along with the talismans.
“Explode!” Yu Zhao commanded.
In an instant, all the talismans ignited simultaneously. A blinding golden light erupted, sending powerful shockwaves rippling outward. The force was so immense that jagged rocks crumbled into dust, and the debris was swept up into a massive cloud that darkened the sky.
The three brothers were startled and momentarily paralyzed by fear. Panic gripped them, and they fled. Even those battling nearby, like Lady Hua and the others, were drawn to the chaos. Long One gritted his teeth, seething with frustration.
“Who is this woman, throwing around hundreds of talismans like they’re worthless?” Long One muttered angrily.
Though he was a Golden Core cultivator, Long One had no sect or family to support him. His resources were limited, and seeing Yu Zhao so casually use such a vast number of talismans made his jealousy flare up like an uncontrollable fire.
He struggled to suppress the dark thoughts rising within him, but his younger brothers, who had always relied on him for protection, lacked the same restraint. Long Three, already fuming over Lady Hua’s earlier behavior, now found himself further tempted by the illusions Yu Zhao had cast. His desires began to overpower his judgment.
As he stared at the backs of his elder brothers, a dangerous glint appeared in Long Three’s eyes. Without warning, he made a shocking move.
Thud.
The sound of a blade piercing flesh was barely audible, but Long One’s attention snapped back when he heard his second brother’s pained groan. He turned around, eyes widening in horror.
“Two!”
Long Two looked down in disbelief at the blade embedded in his chest. He tried to speak, but only blood bubbled from his lips. His gaze dimmed, and his body went slack.
Long Three yanked the blade from Long Two’s chest, shoving his brother’s lifeless body aside with a cold, detached expression. Long One was devastated.
“Three, what are you doing? He’s your brother!” Long One’s voice was thick with grief and disbelief.
Long Three’s face remained impassive. “Brother, I’m tired of splitting everything between the three of us. Two was never as talented as we are. He should have stepped aside long ago. I’m doing this for our future.”
Long One’s blood ran cold. Long Three’s words were disturbing, but they resonated with a dark part of him that he had long suppressed. He had harbored resentment toward Two for some time, but had never dared to act on those feelings.
Yu Zhao had drawn out the darkness within him, overwhelming his reason and pushing him to the brink of madness.
“Yu Zhao!”
Long One’s face contorted with rage, his hatred for Yu Zhao boiling over. He refused to accept that Long Three had killed their brother of his own volition. To him, Yu Zhao was the puppet master behind it all.
His eyes became bloodshot, his breathing heavy, and his vision blurred as the scene before him twisted. In his mind, Yu Zhao stood before him, holding his brother’s crescent blade, slowly advancing toward him.
“Yu Zhao, you’ll pay with your life!”
With a primal roar, Long One charged forward, swinging his crescent blade wildly. The sharp arcs of energy slashed through the air, each strike fueled by his fury. He was like a man possessed, throwing all his strength into every blow.
Yu Zhao appeared flustered, retreating repeatedly, seemingly unable to counterattack.
Now! Finish him while he’s weak!
Long One pressed his advantage, his blade creating even more deadly arcs of energy. Blood splattered across his face, but he didn’t care. He licked it off, laughing maniacally as he fought on, oblivious to his own injuries.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xian, his wife, and Boss Wu were frozen in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief at the sight of Long Three’s betrayal and Long One’s descent into madness. As they watched Long One relentlessly hack at Long Three, who cried out in pain and begged for mercy, they realized something terrifying.
The island must be cursed, they thought. It’s driving everyone who steps foot here to madness and death.
What about us? Could we be next?
It wasn’t long before Long Three collapsed, his life draining away. Long One, barely able to stand, used his blade to prop himself up. He muttered under his breath, “Two, I’ve avenged you…”
“Good. Now you can join them.”
Long One slowly looked up, and the last thing he saw was the flash of a cold, white blade.
Thud!
With a flick of her finger, Yu Zhao sent Long One’s storage pouch into her palm. She calmly tucked all three pouches into her sleeve and turned her gaze toward Lady Hua and the others, a faint smile playing on her lips.
“So, how about we make a deal? I’m quite interested in the treasure hidden here.”
The phrase “killing the chicken to warn the monkeys” flashed through Boss Wu’s mind, and it was clear that Lady Hua and the others were thinking the same. Their fear of Yu Zhao was now deeply ingrained.
If there was ever a saying about someone hiding their true strength, it must be about Yu Zhao!
A cultivator at the early Golden Core stage had just taken out two mid-Golden Core cultivators without even breaking a sweat—and without a single scratch on her. How terrifying is that?
Boss Wu and the others exchanged uneasy glances. They quickly looked to Lady Hua, who had abandoned her usual flirtatious demeanor. The earlier resentment in her eyes had vanished, replaced by a serious and cautious expression. She had clearly broken free from Yu Zhao’s illusion.
Zhao Xian and his wife let out a sigh of relief. They wanted nothing more to do with Lady Hua’s group.
“You were allied with the Long brothers before,” Yu Zhao continued, her voice steady and composed. “Now you’re simply switching allies. It doesn’t change the outcome.”
The group remained silent, their thoughts racing. It’s not the same at all! Yu Zhao is even more dangerous than the three of them combined!
Even though they had arrived on the island as a group of seven, they realized they’d be lucky if three of them made it out alive. The Long brothers, despite their strength, were always the most vulnerable.
But with Yu Zhao now in the mix, everything had changed. No one knew when or where she might cast her illusions again. They might not even realize how they died.
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation.
Refuse Yu Zhao? Are you kidding? The Long brothers are lying dead—do we really want to follow in their footsteps?
“I agree,” Lady Hua was the first to speak up.
After experiencing Yu Zhao’s illusions firsthand, she had no desire to oppose her. In fact, she felt an overwhelming urge to avoid her entirely. She didn’t dare meet Yu Zhao’s gaze, afraid she might fall under another spell.
Zhao Xian and his wife exchanged a glance and nodded. “We have no objections.”
Boss Wu, realizing he was outnumbered and outmaneuvered, had no choice but to agree as well.
“Good,” Yu Zhao said, satisfied. “Now, tell me everything you know about this place.”