Chapter 105
Chapter 105: Chu Zhi Rou’s Gu Curse
As Shi Zi Chu entered, her light cyan disciple robe flowing softly, two dark, unfriendly gazes fell upon her.
Xing Lan’s suppressive aura surged, and even Old Ancestor Ji Mo and Chu Zhi Sheng were forced to avert their eyes.
Xing Lan calmly walked to the seat on the left and sat down, while Shi Zi Chu stood behind her, raising her hand in a respectful bow to Sect Master Meng.
“Zi Chu has already reached Early Nascent Soul?” Sect Master Meng’s voice was soft, tinged with a hint of affection. “Have you decided on your Dao name yet?”
As she spoke, Sect Master Meng took out a storage ring and used her spiritual power to send it toward Shi Zi Chu.
After expressing her gratitude, Shi Zi Chu accepted the ring and stored it away, her voice warm. “The breakthrough came suddenly, and I haven’t yet discussed my Dao name with Master.”
Sect Master Meng nodded, her gaze full of understanding.
“Sect Master Meng, shouldn’t we discuss the real matter now?” Old Ancestor Ji Mo spoke up, his expression stern.
Shi Zi Chu lifted her gaze for a moment before lowering it again, her fingers absently playing with the fine silver ring on her finger.
She had killed many in that world—her parents, her two older brothers, Hua Ting Li, Chu Zhi Sheng, Ji Mo Li, Jiang Wan Sheng, Ye He Qi… These were just the ones she could recall. As for the countless others, they were too numerous to count.
Old Ancestor Ji Mo was likely here to demand an explanation for Ji Mo Li.
Sect Master Meng’s lips curled into a faint smile, but her eyes remained cold. “Naturally.”
Old Ancestor Ji Mo tried to exert pressure, but upon seeing Xing Lan’s cold, emotionless face, he found himself hesitating. “Venerable Xing Lan, how shall we account for Li’er’s decline in cultivation? How should we resolve this matter?”
Xing Lan’s gaze shifted toward him.
Shi Zi Chu met his questioning look.
“Master, please see clearly.” Shi Zi Chu immediately deflected the blame. “Disciple formed an alliance with Clan Chief Ye. He has a mission to unify the world, and disciple could only assist him in waging war.”
Having said this, Shi Zi Chu turned her gaze to Old Ancestor Ji Mo, her voice gentle and melodious. “Venerable, Ji Mo Li’s failure was simply a result of his own lack of skill. How…”
Before she could finish, Old Ancestor Ji Mo made a sudden move.
Xing Lan didn’t even turn his head. A sword Qi shot out, striking back.
“Do you think I am dead?” His voice was low, cold.
Xing Lan turned back, his eyes filled with a murderous, icy glare as he locked eyes with Old Ancestor Ji Mo.
Old Ancestor Ji Mo swallowed the blood that surged up his throat, his face paling instantly.
Sect Master Meng, holding an image recording stone, observed the situation in silence.
Perfect. Another opportunity to blackmail Limitless Sect.
Xing Lan spoke coldly, “Do you want to leave on your own, or should I show you the way?”
Old Ancestor Ji Mo, looking utterly defeated, fled in disgrace.
Xing Lan’s indifferent gaze then turned to Chu Zhi Sheng.
“Clan Chief Chu isn’t suggesting that I’ve injured a fellow disciple, is he?” His voice was soft and pleasant, but there was an undeniable edge to it.
Chu Zhi Sheng opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Shi Zi Chu spoke up, her voice calm and clear. “Junior Sister Zhi Rou was struck by Young Master Jiang’s arrow, sealing her throat.”
To the heavens, she had only spared Chu Zhi Rou’s life because of Ye He Qi’s favor, but when Jiang Wan Sheng arrived unexpectedly, he had killed her on the spot.
“Sharp-tongued!” Chu Zhi Sheng sneered.
This time, his anger was subdued. Instead, an air of smug confidence overtook him, as if he had gathered undeniable evidence.
He glanced at the golden hook phoenix butterfly in Shi Zi Chu’s hair, its intricate design resembling a butterfly pin, and coldly asked, “Shi Zi Chu, that golden hook phoenix butterfly on your head… it’s a gu worm, isn’t it?”
Shi Zi Chu nodded slightly.
Having received the answer he wanted, Chu Zhi Sheng immediately threw out his accusation. “Zhi Rou was poisoned by gu venom! The only cultivators who can use gu in the Ten Thousand Visions Realm, besides you, are Young Master Jiang. The Hall of Justice has already questioned him!”
Seeing the confused look in Shi Zi Chu’s eyes, the Hall Master of the Hall of Justice spoke up. “Young Master Jiang denied using gu.”
Shi Zi Chu gave a respectful nod toward the Hall Master.
Chu Zhi Sheng’s gaze was filled with disgust as he stared at Shi Zi Chu. “What do you have to say for yourself? Over the years, how many times have you harmed Zhi Rou? You…”
Looking at Chu Zhi Sheng, who was eager to accuse her, Shi Zi Chu’s face remained calm, her expression gentle and composed.
Had Xing Lan not been present, it was likely that Chu Zhi Sheng would have used harsher words, or perhaps even physically lashed out at her, venting his anger at his precious Zhi Rou.
Chu Zhi Sheng turned to Xing Lan, his voice dripping with false righteousness. “Venerable Xing Lan has always been fair and just…”
“Enough,” came the increasingly indifferent response, clearly filled with irritation.
Sect Master Meng glanced at Xing Lan, concern flickering in her eyes.
She hoped he wouldn’t simply throw this person out. That would be one thing; if he didn’t do that, he might end up severely injured!
“Master,” Shi Zi Chu spoke, drawing Xing Lan’s attention.
“It wasn’t me,” she said simply.
Xing Lan gave a small nod, acknowledging her words.
“The matter of Rising Succession Peak will be handled by me and the Hall of Justice,” he continued, his tone carrying an unmistakable air of authority and finality.
Chu Zhi Sheng clenched his teeth, his eyes burning with reluctant fury as he glared at Xing Lan.
“If Clan Chief Chu has no further matters to discuss, I’ll have my disciple escort you out,” Sect Master Meng interjected, attempting to mediate. “As for the matter of Chu Zhi Rou being poisoned by gu venom, the Hall of Justice will handle it.”
With that, Chu Zhi Sheng had no choice but to leave.
Shi Zi Chu’s lips curved into a slight smile.
Is this all?
How utterly boring.
Though they had left, the issue of Chu Zhi Rou’s gu venom still needed to be addressed.
“Young Master Jiang is unwilling to remove the gu curse from Chu Zhi Rou,” the Hall Master of the Hall of Justice spoke again. “Old Madam Ye has sought Madam Jiang’s help, and now, Chu Zhi Rou is in the Jiang Clan’s care.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded, signaling she had understood.
The Hall Master of the Hall of Justice spoke dispassionately, “In this situation, Shi Zi Chu indeed has considerable suspicion.”
After all, there was enmity and conflict between Shi Zi Chu and Chu Zhi Rou. It was natural for her to be suspected of involvement in the gu poisoning.
Shi Zi Chu thought for a moment, considering whether to swear an oath to clear her name.
However, although an oath would be swift, it would also be too humiliating. Plus, there was no proof against her, and Chu Zhi Rou had no evidence either.
“The matter with Chu Zhi Rou hasn’t caused trouble at the Hall of Justice,” the Hall Master continued. “Clan Chief Chu’s actions are indeed overstepping.”
Chu Zhi Sheng and Chu Zhi Rou had no real ties to the Jade Void Sect, yet they had come here with such a high-handed attitude. Words couldn’t express how off-putting it had been.
The peak masters standing to the side were silent, as if under a spell of silence, simply watching without speaking.
“Perhaps there has been a misunderstanding between me and Junior Sister Zhi Rou,” Shi Zi Chu said with a helpless smile, glancing at Xing Lan.
Seeing her look, Xing Lan immediately understood what she was about to do.
Shi Zi Chu’s voice was soft and concerned as she spoke, “Master, I will go to the Jiang Clan to check on Junior Sister Zhi Rou.”
“We’ll discuss it later,” Xing Lan replied.
Jiu Jiu had just broken through the Heavenly Tribulation, and his cultivation was not yet stable. At present, he wasn’t keen on letting Jiu Jiu wander about.
Shi Zi Chu nodded.
And so, the matter of Chu Zhi Rou’s gu venom was put on hold for the time being.
Back at the back mountain, Shi Zi Chu went to meditate and consolidate her cultivation.
…
Half a month later.
Having consolidated her cultivation, Shi Zi Chu stepped out of her dwelling and immediately saw Xing Lan in the pavilion brewing tea.
“Come,” Xing Lan called.
Shi Zi Chu walked over and sat beside him. “Master, give me your hand.”
Xing Lan poured a cup of tea and placed it before her, then extended his hand.
Shi Zi Chu tapped lightly. “Your left hand.”
Confused, Xing Lan switched hands.
Shi Zi Chu removed the fine silver ring from her left ring finger and placed it on Xing Lan’s hand.
The ring fit perfectly, neither too tight nor too loose.
Xing Lan glanced at the simple, unadorned ring, then fixed his gaze on Shi Zi Chu.
Some things he didn’t ask, but that didn’t mean he didn’t know.
Though the fine silver ring appeared ordinary, he could sense something unusual about it.
Seeing the deep, knowing look in Xing Lan’s eyes, Shi Zi Chu smiled innocently.