novelapdf Chapter 162 Xiaoqian hanged herself.
Chapter 162 Xiaoqian hanged herself.
The news of Jiang Mu's resurrection quickly spread throughout Yancheng.
Those who heard this were all astonished.
What's going on?
Just a few days ago, it was confirmed that the other person was decapitated and died without a complete body. Even their belongings have been collected and preparations are underway for the funeral.
How come in the blink of an eye, not only did the person return, but they even managed to kill hundreds of demons?
Is this some kind of resurrection or a zombie coming back to life?
Shock as it may be, for most people unfamiliar with Jiang Mu, it was merely a topic of conversation with a touch of mystery. But for the members of the Demon Slayer Division, who were mired in a bitter battle and whose morale was low, the return of a fierce warrior known as the "God of Slaughter," who could take on five hundred demon soldiers with ease, was undoubtedly a shot in the arm.
It's incredibly exciting.
However, their hero is my enemy.
For the demon army outside the city, this news was extremely disgusting and not pleasant at all.
The demon alliance was located in a core camp deep in the mountains.
The firelight inside the tent was dim, and the atmosphere was oppressive.
Tiger Vanguard, with a physique as fierce as an iron tower, paced irritably in front of a huge animal hide map.
His brow was furrowed, and his thick knuckles would occasionally strike the locations on the map that represented the Demon Slayer Division's defense zones, producing dull thuds.
There were two other people inside the tent.
One of them is Nan Zhi, a witch from the Red Umbrella Cult who had previously infiltrated brothels in the city.
The other is Wenhe, the third leader who has just been accused of "murdering a colleague" and has no other way out but to be forced to defect.
At that moment, Wenhe was clutching a newly delivered urgent report tightly in his hand, his eyelids twitching.
His already gloomy face turned even more ashen.
"Giggle giggle..."
Nan Zhi leaned back lazily in the large chair, one of her long legs crossed, and chuckled softly, covering her mouth.
"I never expected that kid would still be alive."
This little guy is always surprising; he's as tough as a rock in a latrine. I was initially feeling sorry for him and was even planning to burn extra paper money for him every Qingming Festival.
"snort!"
Tiger Vanguard turned around, his fierce eyes, like copper bells, revealing a glint of malice:
"He's going to die sooner or later anyway, so what's wrong with letting him live a few more days? Once we break through Yan City, I'll personally twist his head off and use it as a chamber pot!" Nan Zhi smiled slightly but didn't reply.
To be honest, she was actually quite happy to learn that Jiang Mu had been resurrected.
Putting aside the fact that this kid's appearance was very much to her liking, his terrifying combat power alone made his value self-evident.
If we could find an opportunity to turn him against us, he would definitely be a peerless weapon for the Red Umbrella Sect.
At least... he's much more useful than Wenhe in front of me.
Nan Zhi's eyes darted around, landing lightly on Wen He. Her red lips parted slightly, a hint of mockery in them:
"What? Has our Master Wen regretted it?"
That's true. If you had known Jiang Mu wasn't dead, why did you run away back then? Or... should I send someone to take you back now?
"If you kneel down and kowtow a few times, maybe your kind-hearted old man Tian will forgive you out of consideration for our past relationship."
Wenhe gripped the intelligence tightly, his knuckles cracking, his eyes dark and unfathomable.
go back?
Now that things have come to this, he has long been nailed to the pillar of shame.
Even if he had a hundred mouths right now, he still couldn't explain it clearly, so how could he go back?!
To be honest, if Jiang Mu really died, even if he was wrongly blamed and forced to join the Red Umbrella Cult, he would at least feel a little bit of satisfaction.
After all, he truly hated that arrogant bastard!
But now?
The other person is alive and well, and has even become a hero who turned the tide.
Wenhe, on the other hand, was infamous and lost everything, becoming a rat that could only hide in the shadows.
This immense psychological gap and sense of frustration nearly made him vomit blood.
Tiger Vanguard glanced at Wen He, his eyes revealing a hint of contempt.
It has always held such spineless traitors who betray their masters for personal gain in utmost contempt.
However, since the other party is a member of the Red Umbrella Cult, it's not appropriate for it to show too much hostility.
It strode over, slammed its large hand heavily on Wenhe's shoulder, opened its blood-red maw, and said in a gruff voice:
"Master Wen, relax. Now that you're with us, you're one of us. I'll help you get revenge!"
When we attack the city, I will personally bring you Jiang Mu's head as a congratulatory gift.
Of course, if you're still not satisfied, I can capture him alive, break his arms and legs, and throw him in front of you for you to do as you please. I guarantee you'll get your revenge just as you like. How about that?
Despite the pain in his shoulder, Wenhe analyzed the situation expressionlessly:
"King Tiger, do not underestimate your enemy."
Now that Jiang Mu has become a variable, the two Demon Slayer Divisions' defense zones in Fazhou and Huzhou will probably be much harder to deal with.
That kid's abilities are extremely strange. Unless you, Tiger King, personally intervene and crush him with absolute power.
Otherwise, no matter how many low-level demons are sent up, it won't create an effective war of attrition; they'll just be wasting their lives.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Tiger Vanguard seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world and burst into laughter.
It looked down at Wenhe from its high perch and sneered:
"Master Wen, I think you've been completely terrified by that kid, haven't you? A mere fourth-level demon slayer has scared you into this state?" Wen He's face stiffened, and a hint of annoyance flashed in his eyes.
He met Tiger Vanguard's gaze coldly, neither humble nor arrogant, and even retorted with a hint of sarcasm:
Whether I'm timid or not is another matter.
However... Tiger King, the vanguard of demon soldiers you sent out to attack those two defense zones must have returned in triumph by now, having completely breached their defenses, right?
"What were the results? How many hall masters did you take the heads of?"
Tiger Vanguard's maniacal laughter froze.
Its expression froze, and the "king" character pattern on its forehead twisted together in anger.
The surrounding temperature subsequently dropped to freezing point.
In this all-out offensive, it took the lead and sent out nearly two thousand elite demon soldiers in high spirits, dividing them into three routes to launch fierce attacks on the defense zones of the three major Demon Slaying Divisions in Fazhou, Huzhou and Yuancheng.
The results of it?
Currently, only the defense zone near Yuancheng is progressing smoothly.
Meanwhile, the demon soldiers sent out to the other two defense zones on which it had placed high hopes were completely wiped out, leaving not a trace.
It didn't really care about those low-level cannon fodder demon soldiers of the first and second tiers, since these things reproduced extremely quickly, and if one batch died, another batch would be recruited.
But what hurts it is...
It lost three fifth-tier leaders and several fourth-tier minor leaders.
Monsters of this caliber are not like cabbages growing on the roadside.
Every one that dies is one less to lose!
Moreover, it turns out that it's all related to that strange kid named Jiang Mu.
Tiger Vanguard forcibly suppressed the violent killing intent in his heart, coldly turned around, and said with his hands behind his back:
"Let me personally take to the field? Absolutely not! It's not time for the commander-in-chief to fight a decisive battle yet."
Besides, I am no match for Shui Miaozheng and Tian Wenjing.
They are all renowned eighth-realm experts, while I am only at the seventh-level Great Perfection. If we really face them, how am I supposed to fight? Am I just going to be sent to my death?
But don't rush.
I have already sent a message to the Great Golden Roc King, asking him to send another thousand elite demon soldiers.
Once the reinforcements arrive, we won't attack other places. Instead, we'll concentrate our forces and focus on attacking the Yunzhou defense zone and that brat Jiang Mu!
"I refuse to believe this nonsense! A thousand demon soldiers, even if each one spat at him, could drown him alive!"
Upon hearing this plan, Nan Zhi gently swung her legs and softly tried to dissuade her:
"Tiger King, why bother with this?"
As the art of war says, avoid the enemy's sharpest attack. Since those two defense zones are tough nuts to crack, should we put them aside for now?
Let's concentrate our efforts and break up all the other weak points in our defenses.
When the time comes, Tian Wenjing and Shui Miaozheng will naturally retreat on their own when they see that the situation is hopeless and they are isolated and helpless.
After all, if they hold out and refuse to retreat, we will surround them from all sides and trap them like dumplings.
"Hmph! That's just a woman's view!"
Tiger Vanguard's eyes were fierce and resolute. "There's no need to be such a coward. I've made up my mind today, I'm going to beat up Jiang Mu!"
Despite his seemingly calm demeanor, Tiger Vanguard harbors an intense and unbridled hatred for Jiang Mu.
Back outside Huzhou City, his most elite force of five hundred men was wiped out by this kid and Yan Fenghuo working together. Now, so many of his capable lieutenants have been lost.
Jiang Mu is practically its destined nemesis.
If this thorn isn't removed by his own hand, Tiger Vanguard's mind won't be at peace, and he'll never have a good time in this life!
Seeing that it was so stubborn, Nan Zhi gave up trying to persuade it.
She rolled her eyes inwardly and pouted.
What a reckless fool.
No wonder he had such brute strength, yet he could only be thrown here by the Mist Demon Lord as cannon fodder to scout ahead.
at the same time.
Tanzhou garrison, inside a room.
Jiang Mu and Shui Miaozheng's discussion was still ongoing.
Although the process was quite strenuous, Jiang Mu kept her mind clear throughout.
Even during the breaks in their discussion, he didn't give up, trying once again to persuade the gentle leader with his radical plan of "taking the initiative and striking at the heart of the enemy."
Unsurprisingly, Shui Miaozheng's attitude remained very firm from the beginning.
I absolutely disagree with him going to risk his life at the demon army's stronghold.
But after Jiang Mu's powerful and intense argument and in-depth discussion, the woman's tense defenses finally began to crumble in the face of that almost unreasonable offensive.
She finally relented and gave a vague agreement.
By the time the discussion finally came to an end, it was already late at night, a full two hours had passed.
Jiang Mu walked to the window and pushed it open.
Let the cool night breeze dispel the stuffy atmosphere in the room.
He turned his head and chuckled softly:
"Aunt Shui, why don't you get some more rest tonight? We'll set off for the demon army's headquarters first thing tomorrow morning to cause trouble, okay?"
Shui Miaozheng gently shook her head.
Those once dignified eyes were now brimming with tears, and her voice, hoarse and soft from exhaustion, said, "No..."
Jiang Mu panicked upon hearing this, quickly walked back to the bedside, and said speechlessly:
"Hey, Aunt Shui, isn't that a bit unfair of you?"
"How can you go back on your word? You clearly nodded in agreement just now."
Shui Miaozheng blushed.
But when it came to serious matters, her tone remained resolute:
"That was just now... Anyway, it just won't work."
"Headquarters is too dangerous; it's a death trap with no chance of survival. I absolutely cannot let you go there to your death."
She propped herself up on her arms, trying to regain some of the dignity and authority she should have as an elder and leader.
As a result, she lost her strength and fell back down limply.
Shui Miaozheng bit her lip hard. To cover her embarrassment, she coughed and quickly changed the subject, her tone becoming serious and earnest: "Xiao Jiang, sit down. Aunt Shui has some things she needs to make clear to you."
She looked into Jiang Mu's eyes and said softly:
"Our matter is entirely for the purpose of curing the dragon poison; it is a last resort and expedient measure."
This has nothing to do with romantic love, do you understand?
In Aunt Shui's eyes, you have always been my nephew and an outstanding junior.
Aunt Shui hopes that because of these few accidents, you won't develop any unnecessary misunderstandings about me, or become too obsessed with me.
Shui Miaozheng paused, seemingly considering her words, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes:
"You are still young, exceptionally talented, and have a limitless future."
In the future, you will be surrounded by many young, beautiful girls from respectable families; only they are worthy of you.
As for Aunt Shui... I'm already old, much older than you, and my status isn't appropriate.
There can be no future for us.
You should go find your true and wonderful marriage, and don't waste your precious youth with Aunt Shui...
She went on and on and on.
Every word and phrase was an admonition, an attempt to distance oneself from the situation.
After hearing this, Jiang Mu grinned nonchalantly, leaned forward, and asked in a half-joking, half-serious tone:
"If I really do become too picky about women because of this and can't find one in the future, could I reluctantly marry you?"
Upon hearing this, the blush that had finally faded from Shui Miaozheng's cheeks returned.
She rolled her eyes coquettishly, and softly spat:
"Glib-tongued!"
"If even a brilliant young man like you can't find a wife, then all the men in the world will probably be bachelors for life." After saying this, he stood up with some difficulty.
She straightened her slightly disheveled dress and slowly walked up to Jiang Mu.
She stretched out her soft, boneless hand and gently stroked the man's angular face, her eyes filled with tenderness and complexity:
"Little Jiang, remember what Aunt Shui said. This time... this really is the last time."
Once we step out this door, let's pretend nothing happened tonight. Aunt Shui will always be your Aunt Shui…
She hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly, and said:
"You should rest first."
After saying that, she withdrew her hand, turned around, and walked out of the house.
Back in her room next door, Shui Miaozheng's legs trembled as she closed the door.
She quickly reached out and grabbed the edge of the table, using the force to slowly slump into the chair, her chest heaving violently as she breathed heavily.
Recalling what had just happened, a blush of both amusement and exasperation appeared on the woman's face.
"That little bastard..."
She murmured to herself, "They don't treat Auntie like a human being at all..."
"Ha, women. They really do change their minds faster than turning the pages of a book."
Inside the room, Jiang Mu muttered to herself, somewhat annoyed.
Some people say that the best way to persuade a woman is to shut her up.
Jiang Mu thoroughly implemented this theory.
They even performed beyond expectations.
But who would have thought that this woman would deny everything in the end?
It seems that next time something like this happens, I'll have to make her sign and put her fingerprint on it in writing; verbal promises are completely unreliable.
However, despite her frustration, Jiang Mu's plan still needed to be pushed forward.
Taking the beating passively is never Jiang's style!
Of course, Shui Miaozheng's concerns are not without merit.
With a powerful demon king guarding the demon clan's stronghold, it's certainly not a dangerous place to just wander into.
However, not going to the main camp doesn't mean we can't launch a sneak attack on other command posts of the demon army.
As long as the rear of the demon army can be thrown into chaos, the pressure on the front lines will naturally be greatly reduced.
Jiang Mu quickly calculated in his mind.
Having made up his mind, he changed his clothes.
Then, she ripped off the bed sheet, hugged it to her arms, and walked out of the room.
As soon as I stepped out of the house, I sensed a faint fluctuation of energy coming from a shadowy corner in the courtyard.
It is Shui Miaozheng.
She was clearly still worried, fearing that Jiang Muyang would disobey orders and take risks, so she personally acted as a monitor.
If Jiang Mu dares to try to slip away, she will definitely rush out and capture him immediately.
Jiang Mu walked to the well next to the courtyard gate.
He started wringing out the bed sheet vigorously.
"Splash!"
Water droplets fell onto the bluestone slab, splashing up sprays of water.
Hidden in the shadows, Shui Miaozheng subconsciously clenched her fists.
Watching Jiang Mu casually hang the bedsheets on the clothesline, then yawn and turn to go back into the house, the woman finally breathed a long sigh of relief. After hesitating for a moment, Shui Miaozheng stepped out of the shadows and came to the clothesline.
She waved to take the sheet back to her room, intending to wash it carefully with soapberry soap.
However, Shui Miaozheng did not notice.
Just after Jiang Mu pushed open the door and entered the house, his figure suddenly disappeared into thin air.
The next second, they appeared outside the courtyard.
It turns out that while he was wringing out the bedsheets in the yard, he had already quietly thrown the first demonic shadow, which carried the [Teleport] skill, over the yard wall as a fixed anchor point.
Successfully misled Shui Miaozheng's vision and pulled off a perfect escape.
After leaving the courtyard, Jiang Mu headed straight for Chaomu Temple.
Calculating the time, several days had passed since his death. Without the incense and prayers of the bronze Buddha lamp to sustain him, the incense-burning bodies of Yu Xiaoqian and her group of female ghosts were probably nearing their limit.
If we don't go back and take another look, that silly girl might really be scared out of her wits.
Arriving at the wilderness where Meiruo Temple was originally located, Jiang Mu waved his hand and tore open the void.
A crack appeared immediately.
Jiang Mu stepped into the small world.
The scene before me was largely the same as when I left last time: ancient trees reaching for the sky, quiet and profound.
However, when Jiang Mu's gaze inadvertently swept across the lintel of the main hall, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
The last time he came, the signboard above the entrance had just been changed to "Chaomu Temple," taking the character "Mu" from his name.
But now, the plaque has been taken down again.
A brand new gold-lacquered wooden plaque was installed, bearing four large characters: 一
【Temple of Siru】.
Jiang Mu's lips twitched: "This woman changes pretty quickly."
Upon entering the temple, the main hall was completely empty.
However, on the ground next to the incense table, there were dozens of white candles.
These candles were not placed randomly, but rather connected end to end, piecing together a lifelike human figure.
Jiang Mu squinted and sized her up.
He discovered that the figure's outline was seven or eight parts similar to his own.
Looking up, I saw a palm-sized wooden carving placed in the center of the incense table.
His face and figure were exactly the same as his, only the workmanship was slightly rough.
There was also a booklet spread out next to it, its pages yellowed and covered with tiny handwriting.
Jiang Mu picked up the booklet, flipped through it casually, and her eyebrows gradually rose.
This was actually a book containing forbidden spells that recorded how to resolve the side effects of incense-burning bodies, how to sever the connection with the power of the Buddha's lamp, and even how to cause backlash against the master. The edges of the pages also had notes personally written by Si Rumeng.
The research has clearly been going on for some time.
It's likely that before hearing the news of Jiang Mu's death, Si Rumeng had already been secretly researching how to break free from the control of the Buddha Lamp.
Now that they hear he's dead, they're like wild horses, openly and brazenly starting their research into usurping the throne.
They even couldn't wait to change the temple's plaques to their own divine titles.
"Hmm, this woman..."
Jiang Mu casually tossed the forbidden book back onto the ground. "As expected, they're not so easy to subdue. You have to give them a good beating to make them behave." He turned and walked towards the backyard.
Upon entering the courtyard, I noticed a light blue barrier set up inside.
It's just that its level is not high; it can only block second or third-tier demons.
Most importantly, the barrier's aura is converging inwards, indicating its purpose isn't to defend against external enemies, but rather to imprison those inside. "Si Rumeng is usually quite protective of her female ghost subordinates, why has she suddenly imprisoned them?"
Jiang Mu was puzzled, but he didn't know the reason behind it.
Of course, he had no idea that after news of his death spread a few days ago, Yu Xiaoqian had broken down on the spot, crying and shouting that she wanted to break out of the small world and go to Yancheng to find him.
Si Rumeng knew that this silly girl would be throwing her life away if she went out, so she gritted her teeth and set up a barrier.
They confined her and several other ghost sisters who might have helped them in the backyard.
Jiang Mu raised his hand, and a wisp of Blood River True Swallow spilled from his fingertips, which he gently poked.
With a soft hissing sound.
The thin barrier immediately shattered.
He stepped inside and faintly heard whispers coming from a side room directly in front of him.
Interspersed with a few sighs and words of comfort.
Jiang Mu walked to the door and pushed it open.
"Squeak"
As the door swung open, the scene inside immediately came into his view.
Even someone like Jiang Mu, who had seen it all, was stunned when he saw what was inside the room.
Inside the not-so-spacious room, strips of white silk hung from the rafters.
And those once beautiful female ghosts are now all wearing white silk ribbons around their necks.
Yes, that's right.
The room was full of female ghosts, all of them hanging themselves!
Their bodies were suspended in mid-air, feet off the ground, swaying from side to side in the eerie wind. They even formed a circle, chattering away. In the middle was Yu Xiaoqian, also in a hanging posture.
Jiang Mu stared at this absurd scene, his lips twitching, and asked with a dark expression:
"...What are you guys doing?"