Chapter 048
Chapter 48: Shi Zi Chu Couldn’t Smile Anymore
Jiang Wan Sheng silently passed over a new handkerchief, allowing her to clutch it dramatically as she continued her exaggerated act.
Shi Zi Chu reached out two fingers, delicately gripping the handkerchief. Her gaze fell on the trio, looking incredibly lonely and sorrowful as she spoke, “Firstly, Third Junior Brother falling into the lake wasn’t my doing… Forget it, it was my fault. It was I, as his Senior Sister, who failed to prevent Third Junior Brother from falling.”
“Secondly, I…”
Chu Zhi Sheng held Chu Zhi Rou tightly, whose pain made her tremble uncontrollably and unable to stand. He interrupted Shi Zi Chu with an extremely unpleasant tone, “Shi Zi Chu, enough of your nonsense! Can’t you see how much pain Rou Rou is in? Remove the Gu first!”
Shi Zi Chu turned away silently, her expression cold and indifferent.
[This bit of pain is nothing.]
In her previous life, after the story ended, the female villain system simply dusted its hands and left. When Shi Zi Chu regained control of her body, she had already betrayed the sect, lost her spiritual root, and her face had been destroyed.
Those men, wishing to comfort the heroine and win her smile, captured and tormented Shi Zi Chu mercilessly.
Her face had been slashed exactly three hundred and nineteen times, each cut made slowly with a blunt knife. Without proper healing, the wounds eventually became infected, and her entire face decayed horribly.
Shi Zi Chu raised her fingertips, gently tracing the smooth, flawless skin on her face. Deep within her bones, a fierce, murderous desire began to stir.
Chu Zhi Rou’s continuous sobbing distressed Chu Zhi Sheng further. Seeing Shi Zi Chu’s unfeeling expression, he snapped harshly, “Shi Zi Chu, don’t you have any—”
Jiang Wan Sheng shot Chu Zhi Sheng a dark, venomous look, saying coldly, “If you keep barking, I’ll make sure she never recovers.”
Noticing Chu Zhi Sheng had finally shut up and stopped barking annoyingly, Jiang Wan Sheng turned toward Shi Zi Chu, his eyes careful and somewhat cautious.
Something was off about Qing Qing.
Was it because he had acted too harshly?
Had Qing Qing become kinder?
This devastating thought made Jiang Wan Sheng’s gaze darken suddenly.
“Sheng Sheng.”
A voice, gentle as flowing water, softly called.
Jiang Wan Sheng responded, immediately turning toward her.
Shi Zi Chu smiled slightly, eyes curved beautifully, and asked, “Do you have the antidote?”
[Should he have one?]
Looking into her peach-blossom eyes, cold beneath their gentle facade, Jiang Wan Sheng blinked and said uncertainly, “No.”
Though his words were firm, they somehow turned into a questioning tone.
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes brightened slightly with amusement.
Jiang Wan Sheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, firmly stating again, “No. Who prepares an antidote when using Gu?”
As he spoke, Jiang Wan Sheng raised his hand. A dark purple dream butterfly returned, merging into one before landing gracefully on his delicate fingers.
Chu Zhi Sheng naturally knew Shi Zi Chu and Jiang Wan Sheng were deliberately toying with him. However, in the world today, only Jiang Wan Sheng and his mother were left as true Gu masters!
To cure Chu Zhi Rou and restore her face, he had no choice but to beg Jiang Wan Sheng.
Dragging his bloody, mangled right hand, Xu Zhou Ye gritted his teeth threateningly, voice dripping venom, “Master always protects his own. Young Master Jiang should reconsider!”
Chu Zhi Sheng shot a displeased glare at Xu Zhou Ye, this incompetent fool who always made matters worse.
Ye He Qi had already tried to force Shi Zi Chu and Jiang Wan Sheng into negotiations, and Jiang Wan Sheng was about to relent!
Jiang Wan Sheng was a fearless lunatic; once angered, he wouldn’t care whose disciple you were—he’d kill without mercy.
Seemingly frightened by Xu Zhou Ye’s threat, Jiang Wan Sheng quickly clasped Shi Zi Chu’s hand, looking pitifully fearful, “Qing Qing, look at them.”
Though Jiang Wan Sheng hated to admit it, in Xing Lan’s eyes, Qing Qing was infinitely more important than these worthless people.
He only dared act openly because he was sure it wouldn’t trouble Qing Qing; otherwise, he would quietly eliminate anyone in secret.
Shi Zi Chu raised her hand, gently patting Jiang Wan Sheng’s lowered head comfortingly. She calmly reassured, “I’ll explain to Master clearly that Senior Brother is helping him cleanse the sect.”
Xu Zhou Ye deeply valued his identity as the eldest Senior Brother.
Liang Wei Sheng, her chess piece, was already in place. Next, Shi Zi Chu would let Xu Zhou Ye live in constant fear, anxiety, and suspicion until he was driven mad.
“Third Junior Brother, weren’t you curious why I’m here?” Shi Zi Chu’s lips curled slightly, her voice gentle as always. “Master asked me to attend the banquet in his place, to gain some worldly experience.”
Ming Xi Su had a little sister missing for years. Ye He Qi had plenty of spare time, so she’d give him something useful to do!
Xu Zhou Ye and Ming Xi Su’s faces turned even uglier beneath their already pained expressions.
“What pathetic trash,” Jiang Wan Sheng mocked openly. “I refuse to believe Venerable Xing Lan would still shield you.”
He actually wished Xing Lan would act unfairly—then he’d have ample reason to snatch Qing Qing away!
Just the thought of having Qing Qing all to himself made his very soul tremble with anticipation.
“One Heaven-rank wood-based cultivation manual in exchange for Young Master Jiang removing the Gu!” Chu Zhi Sheng finally made a costly offer.
Jiang Wan Sheng sneered contemptuously.
The entire Jiang Clan belonged to him. Did he lack manuals?
Seeing Jiang Wan Sheng’s disdainful expression, Chu Zhi Sheng gritted his teeth angrily.
He cast a dark glance at Shi Zi Chu before bitterly conceding, “The Sea Pearl!”
Jiang Wan Sheng’s eyes instantly lit up.
The Sea Pearl was extremely beneficial to Qing Qing.
Jiang Wan Sheng lightly hooked Shi Zi Chu’s palm with a finger, gently asking, “Do you find it dirty?”
If she didn’t mind, he would agree to the trade immediately.
Shi Zi Chu playfully slapped away his mischievous hand, softly replying, “Am I really that delicate?”
Jiang Wan Sheng didn’t dare argue further. Turning to Chu Zhi Sheng with a cold face, he stated emotionlessly, “A warning first. She’s severely injured, and removing the Gu will damage her meridians. However, if the Gu isn’t removed within half a month, her face will scar permanently.”
Saying this, Jiang Wan Sheng threw a porcelain vial over.
Chu Zhi Sheng caught it swiftly, his eyes murderous. “You did this on purpose!”
Chu Zhi Rou stared at the porcelain vial, tears still streaming down her pretty face, filled with hesitation.
“Sea Pearl,” Jiang Wan Sheng demanded, extending his hand.
When Chu Zhi Sheng hesitated, Jiang Wan Sheng curled his crimson lips maliciously, smiling viciously, “Do you really dare to go back on your word?”
Chu Zhi Sheng reluctantly took out a box and tossed it over.
Jiang Wan Sheng caught the box, opened it, and carefully inspected the Sea Pearl. After confirming it was genuine, he meticulously wiped it clean repeatedly.
Only after it met his standards did he respectfully offer the Sea Pearl to Shi Zi Chu with both hands.
Shi Zi Chu casually took the pearl, weighing it in her palm.
It wasn’t as precious as the one Ye He Qi had given her.
[Let Xue Gu play with it, then.]
Jiang Wan Sheng raised his eyes, meeting Chu Zhi Sheng’s hateful glare. Enjoying his furious expression, Jiang Wan Sheng mocked mercilessly, “If she hadn’t had such a sharp tongue, none of this would’ve happened.”
Xu Zhou Ye, barely controlling his anger, questioned coldly, “Where’s our antidote?”
“Hah!” Jiang Wan Sheng laughed outright, openly ridiculing Xu Zhou Ye’s entitled tone. “Are you a beggar?”
Was there a sign saying ‘kindness’ written on his forehead?
Xu Zhou Ye’s gaze turned darker, fury erupting from his wounded pride.
“You’re still Venerable Xing Lan’s personal disciples, yet you’re all so broke?” Jiang Wan Sheng taunted viciously.
Shi Zi Chu glanced over.
Feeling her gaze, Jiang Wan Sheng immediately softened, looking gentle and obedient once again.
“Shi Zi Chu!” Xu Zhou Ye growled darkly. Seeing her look over, he lifted his chin arrogantly, as if granting charity. “If you fetch two antidotes, I’ll overlook this. I know you admire me, though I can never like you. But for the sake of the antidote, I’ll stop hating you.”
Yao Ruo Ruo stared in disbelief.
Wan Yan Qian was utterly shocked, “Are you blind?”
Meng Xi Yu eyed Xu Zhou Ye coldly, glancing back at Shi Zi Chu with disdain. Her taste really had worsened terribly.
Meeting everyone’s shocked and curious eyes, Shi Zi Chu suddenly couldn’t smile anymore.
[Dying from embarrassment is still death, I wish everyone knew!]