Chapter 129
Chapter 129: But She’s Already Dead
Shi Zi Chu seemed oblivious to the wary and probing gazes of those around her, her finely sculpted brows and delicate features still radiating a gentle, serene calm.
Shen Zhi Zhi looked at Shi Zi Chu, whose softness seemed like flowing water, her gaze filled with complexity. “Daoist Shi, do you know that your mother has been locked away?” she asked.
Since entering the village, everything Shen Zhi Zhi had witnessed in this short time had shattered her understanding of Water Road Village. She had imagined this place, which birthed both Shi Zi Chu and Pei Luo Xiu, to be a paradise, like a hidden realm untouched by the outside world.
But the truth was…
Shen Zhi Zhi couldn’t find the right words to describe her feelings. All she knew was that a cold, unsettling sensation lingered within her.
“I know.” Shi Zi Chu’s voice was soft and soothing.
Shen Zhi Zhi lowered her gaze, unable to meet that calm and tranquil look.
The courtyard fell silent.
Xing Lan, standing behind Shi Zi Chu, lowered her gaze to study Shen Zhi Zhi. Would Jiu Jiu really be this docile? No, certainly not. Was Qin Da truly full and resting now?
Even though she knew that Shi Zi Chu harbored hidden motives, Xing Lan’s gaze was filled with deep concern.
After a long pause, Shen Zhi Zhi lifted her head and said, “Let’s rescue her.”
The bright, clear eyes of Shen Zhi Zhi were like a beam of sunlight, sharp against Shi Zi Chu’s gaze.
Seeing Shen Zhi Zhi’s earnest expression, Shi Zi Chu smiled faintly, her lips curving slightly. Her voice was soft as she replied, “But… she’s already dead.”
Shen Zhi Zhi’s eyes dimmed instantly.
Shi Zi Chu seemed apologetic, her posture stiff in a way that revealed unease.
“Aah!!!”
A piercing scream echoed from the distance.
Everyone turned, realizing that the night had fallen completely.
The sound of bones crunching in the darkness echoed ominously, the noise amplified tenfold, sending chills down their spines.
“Who killed me?” a voice asked from the doorway.
The voice repeated mechanically, over and over.
When Qin Da returned, he hadn’t closed the courtyard door. From the open door, the group saw several grayish figures gathering outside, their red eyes gleaming with hunger, staring greedily at the group within.
The sight made it seem as though the spirits would charge in at any moment to feast.
But the ghosts remained motionless, only blocking the entrance, their eyes fixated on the group, repeatedly asking the same question.
Shi Zi Chu stepped forward and shut the door, blocking their gaze with the wooden planks.
“These vicious ghosts are no match for us.” Chu Zhi Sheng’s voice was filled with pride. “We’ll handle them easily.”
Guan Zhuang murmured a Buddhist chant, his calm voice rising. “The difficulty of this secret realm is close to that of a Heaven Rank Secret Realm. We should proceed with caution.”
At present, their cultivation only reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining. If they could solve the issue using their wits, that would be the best option.
“This is only the first day. I think we should observe and wait for now,” Clan Chief Nan Rong spoke slowly.
The others did not voice their opinions, but their expressions made their stance clear.
Chu Zhi Sheng, frustrated by the lack of action, fell silent.
Shi Zi Chu glanced around, then spoke apologetically, “I’m afraid we must trouble the venerables to stay in the courtyard for the night.”
“Not at all,” Clan Chief Yu Wen waved his hand dismissively.
Jun Yue Hua glanced toward the room next to the main hall, then turned his gaze back to Shi Zi Chu. “Daoist Shi, do you have a younger brother?”
Shi Zi Chu nodded.
Seeing that she wasn’t inclined to elaborate, Jun Yue Hua didn’t press further.
The brother living in the house and the older sister residing in the shed— their sibling relationship would hardly be harmonious.
“Qing Qing.”
At the sound of the voice, Shi Zi Chu turned her head. Jiang Wan Sheng sat atop the wall, holding a lantern.
The group looked up, admiring his handsome, youthful face lit by the candlelight, radiating the vigor of youth.
“The house is ready,” Jiang Wan Sheng said to Shi Zi Chu.
Before she could respond, Jiang Wan Sheng’s eyes glinted with challenge as he turned to Xing Lan. “Venerable Xing Lan, I’m sure you can’t bear to have Qing Qing sleep in the shed, can you?”
The cold, sharp gaze from Xing Lan fixed on Jiang Wan Sheng.
In the next instant, a murderous sword qi surged toward him.
Jiang Wan Sheng swiftly leaned back, evading the strike, and with a flick of his hand, countless fine, purple-tinged vine needles shot toward Xing Lan.
Shi Zi Chu closed her eyes briefly.
Ye He Qi had somehow appeared beside her, noticing the somewhat defeated expression on her face. His peach blossom eyes gleamed with malicious glee.
“If Daoist Shi doesn’t intervene, the two houses will be reduced to rubble,” his voice was gentle, but the delight in his eyes stood in stark contrast to his words.
Shi Zi Chu raised her eyes to look at him and then suddenly smiled, her expression carrying a hint of mischief and calculation. The dead Daoist won’t harm the poor priest, but she will direct the disaster elsewhere.
Ye He Qi swiftly covered her mouth, preventing her from calling out the word “husband.”
He wouldn’t let her get him into trouble!
Shi Zi Chu smiled slyly, her gaze flicking between Xing Lan and Jiang Wan Sheng.
The two who had been locked in battle had, at some point, come to a halt. Their cold eyes now focused on Ye He Qi.
Had the trials of the Ten Thousand Visions Realm deepened their bond?
Ye He Qi smiled apologetically. “I do apologize for my actions, Daoist Shi. But given the current situation, a confrontation between us would only make matters worse. I could only take this course of action.”
With that, he removed his hand and offered an apology to Shi Zi Chu, “Please, Daoist Shi, bear with me.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled faintly.
The next moment, she grabbed Ye He Qi’s arm, using his strength to rise to her feet.
Two cold, sharp gazes pierced them as they moved too intimately.
Ye He Qi struggled slightly, but her grip on his arm was like iron.
Shi Zi Chu gazed at him with deep focus, her eyes softening for a moment. “Then I’ll choose to go with Clan Chief Ye. That way, they won’t fight anymore.”
Ye He Qi smiled faintly, silently reminding her, If I die, you die too.
Shi Zi Chu raised an eyebrow, her expression saying, If I die for love, at least you’ll die with purpose.
Jiang Wan Sheng might be mad, but with the iron chain keeping the mad dog in check, he still held some restraint and didn’t kill Ye He Qi.
As for Xing Lan, he didn’t believe there was any real affection between Shi Zi Chu and Ye He Qi. The seemingly affectionate gestures were just a scheme to destroy the other.
“I truly can’t bear for you to sleep in the shed.”
With that, Xing Lan stepped forward and grasped Shi Zi Chu’s wrist, pulling her gently toward him.
Shi Zi Chu took two obedient steps forward.
His voice was low and cold as he advised, “A sudden change of environment might make you uncomfortable. If I’m not by your side and you can’t sleep at night, just hang the bell by your bed.”
His words, though spoken with the care of a master for his disciple, were a declaration of ownership.
And at that moment, Jiang Wan Sheng’s face darkened significantly.
Shi Zi Chu nodded obediently, her mind already plotting how to handle these two.
Both were difficult to appease.
Jiang Wan Sheng strode forward, wrapping his arms around Shi Zi Chu’s waist. “It’s late now. Qing Qing and I won’t stay.”
Xing Lan appeared to reluctantly release his hold.
Jiang Wan Sheng scooped Shi Zi Chu into his arms and turned to leave.
The others in the courtyard watched, some in awe. To dare provoke Venerable Xing Lan, Jiang Wan Sheng truly lived up to his reputation as a madman!
They crossed the dirt wall, arriving at the neighboring courtyard.
The furnishings inside were exactly as remembered.
Jiang Wan Sheng tossed the black serpent that had been tied to Shi Zi Chu’s wrist carelessly. “Qing Qing, look at that old…”
Shi Zi Chu raised her hand to cover his mouth.
Just a wall separated them!
If he said another word, that wall would no longer stand!