novelapdf Chapter 265 Two Women: Since you're shameless, then let's fight!
Chapter 265 Two Women: Since you're shameless, then let's fight!
Upon hearing this, Ling Ye's grip on the sword hilt tightened slightly.
I never realized before that this woman, who is as gentle as a spring breeze, could be so sharp-tongued when she lashes out at people.
You underestimated them.
She tapped her fingernail lightly on the scabbard, subtly changing the subject:
"Speaking of which, when I first met Xiao Jiang in Huzhou City, he was just a greenhorn who had just entered the second realm and didn't even have a proper star position."
At that time, I felt that he was a rare talent and secretly took good care of him, hoping that he could grow up as soon as possible. Fortunately, he did not disappoint me and became the number one prodigy in Daqing.
"But now the child is a bit dependent on me, and can't seem to leave me alone; he wants me to go everywhere with him."
Ling Ye's meaning was quite clear.
I am the one who has been with him since he was humble beginnings, supporting his growth as the "official wife".
We share a deep friendship and bond.
This is something that a "senior" like you who suddenly appears out of nowhere can never compare to.
Shui Miaozheng pursed her pink lips slightly and sighed softly:
"Yes, this child is indeed a rare talent, and a man of great loyalty and righteousness."
Back in Yancheng, the demon army was pressing in, and the city was in imminent danger.
I only did my bit of help and did a tiny little favor for him.
As a result, this foolish child, in order to repay the debt of gratitude, disregarded his own safety and risked his life to kill those powerful enemies for me.
Sigh... This deep affection and kindness makes me feel both heartbroken and ashamed.
Ling Ye's gaze shifted slightly, and he said calmly:
"Since the Water Master feels sorry for him, I naturally feel sorry for him too."
Because of that absurd misjudgment, the Chief suddenly announced that he was giving up on Xiao Jiang and would kick him out.
Xiao Jiang was heartbroken upon hearing the news.
I couldn't bear to see such a peerless genius like him fall into ruin.
Therefore, I secretly approached the Valley Master of Wuhui Valley and used all the [Bi Yue Wu] Star Pills I had collected as a bargaining chip to exchange for his opportunity to enter the secret realm trial.
Fortunately, he didn't let me down and successfully made the breakthrough.
"As long as he's alright, even if all my cultivation over the past half-life is ruined, it'll be worth it."
Shui Miaozheng was truly stunned by these words.
Using Xingdan as a bargaining chip?
This is tantamount to cutting off one's own path to the future.
Is it really that crazy?
She originally thought she had done enough for Xiao Jiang.
But to everyone's surprise, Ling Ye, who usually treats men like dirt, actually gave up her only chance to regain her status as a Ninth Realm Venerable without hesitation for Jiang Mu's sake.
For a moment, Shui Miaozheng felt a mix of emotions.
Having gone this far, it would be unbelievable to say that the two are just "sister and brother" friends. But as touching as it may be, they can't afford to lose in terms of momentum.
Shui Miaozheng's eyes were slightly red, and she lowered her head sadly, murmuring:
"Yes, when Ran Chun'er told me that Xiao Jiang had been abandoned, I was afraid that the child might do something foolish in a moment of despair."
Therefore, I also gave up the opportunity to go to the capital to complete the last Star Pill and gave up the chance to prove my star status.
I even agreed to Ran Chun'er's conditions, not only giving Huzhou City more than 30% of its resources, but also sacrificing a highly talented young man, all in order to get Xiao Jiang's transfer order to my Fazhou City.
At that moment, I thought, even if he's a cripple for the rest of his life, I'll keep him by my side and protect him for the rest of my life..."
Now it was Ling Ye's turn to be stunned.
On the one hand, she did not expect that the Demon Slayer Division of Huzhou City would be so cold-blooded.
When Xiao Jiang was going through his most difficult time, she chose to sell him off like merchandise. On the other hand, she was also deeply moved by Shui Miaozheng's selfless dedication.
They don't even want resources, they just want him?
If you two still dare to claim innocence after going to this extent, then I, Ling Ye, will go and have his baby right now.
For a moment, both stunningly beautiful women fell silent.
In the quiet backyard, only the chirping of night insects rose and fell among the grass.
A long time passed.
As if by telepathy, the two looked up at the same time, their eyes meeting.
"You're not right for him."
Their voices overlapped, escaping from their red lips almost simultaneously.
Both women were taken aback.
Immediately, the two of them simultaneously let out a disdainful snort:
"Are you even suitable?"
It was another unanimous, synchronized response.
The scene instantly fell into dead silence.
In the end, the two glared at each other, neither willing to back down, then turned around and angrily went back to their rooms.
Shui Miaozheng returned to her room.
I felt as if my heart was stuffed with a wad of cotton soaked in vinegar, both sour and suffocating.
Before this, she had indeed imagined that if Xiao Jiang had a beautiful woman of similar talent to him, she, as an "elder," would be genuinely happy for him.
Just silently protect him from behind.
But when he actually saw another woman standing next to him...
Shui Miaozheng only realized that she wasn't as magnanimous as she thought when she realized that they might even have an unspeakable intimacy.
Just like the cabbages you've painstakingly nurtured, just as harvest season is approaching, someone secretly pried open a hole in the fence.
Wait until you get your hoe and rush over.
But then you see a wild cat with glossy fur squatting on your cabbage, licking its paws with an air of self-righteousness.
And he even gave you a sideways look that said, "This cabbage was originally mine."
Are you angry or not?
Of course I'm angry.
But Shui Miaozheng's charm goes far beyond this.
On her way back, a thought kept running through her mind.
What makes Ling Ye so special?
They're all middle-aged, so who's really that much younger than the other?
If even that old iceberg can shamelessly become Xiao Jiang's woman, then what was I hesitating about before?
In terms of figure, in terms of being considerate, in terms of caring, in what way am I not better than her?
I can do it too!
Shui Miaozheng felt increasingly resentful as she thought about it. She bit her lower lip, leaving a faint white mark on her soft lips from her pearly teeth.
Looking back on my emotional journey these past few days, I feel like a fool.
Looking ahead and behind.
What generation, what age, what last time, what innocent elder...
In the end, it's all about creating a prison for oneself.
While she was being cautious and anxious, others had already openly and boldly approached her.
Sister Ling.
ho.
Shui Miaozheng mentally went over this name several times, and the more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt.
Xiao Jiang calls her "Aunt Shui," but calls Ling Ye "Sister Ling."
The word "aunt" makes someone appear as an elder, which, while maintaining a close relationship, distances any romantic feelings between the man and woman.
She used to think that this form of address sounded nice, showing both respect and intimacy.
Looking back now, wasn't this just putting myself in the shoes of my elders, making it impossible for me to get off?
We suffered a huge loss.
Upon realizing this, a fighting spirit appeared on Shui Miaozheng's dignified face.
"Since we're going to fight anyway..."
Shui Miaozheng slowly stood up, walked to the bronze mirror, and examined herself in the dim candlelight.
The woman in the mirror still had delicate features. Although she no longer had the youthful innocence of a young girl, she possessed a unique, mellow charm that came with the passage of time.
She raised her hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of determination flashing in them.
"Then I'll fight for it!"
She decisively concealed her presence, gently pushed open the door, and prepared to sneak into Jiang Mu's room.
Waiting passively for someone to get ahead of you will only lead to them getting there first.
We should take the initiative.
Regardless of who arrived first or last, Shui Miaozheng has never been afraid of anyone!
Meanwhile, in the guest rooms at the other end of the inn.
Ling Ye leaned against the window, holding his long sword.
Moonlight streamed through the windowpane, illuminating her cool profile and making her already fair skin appear as beautiful as jade.
A thin layer of frost settled between her brows and eyes.
At that moment, the woman was also feeling the same kind of annoyance.
On one hand, there's the anger towards Jiang Mu.
That bastard who's full of lies, he swore back in the Fallen Soul Swamp that he and Shui Miaozheng were completely innocent.
She actually believed it.
As a result, the person in charge traveled a long distance to catch up with him, and the heartache and urgency in his eyes were almost overflowing with tears.
On the other hand, she was even angrier at herself for being pretentious before.
Shui Miaozheng was a year or two older than him.
She can shamelessly get close to Xiao Jiang, so what was I hesitating about before?
Row!
Since things have come to this point, I'm not going to dwell on it anymore.
I'm determined to snatch this man away.
Without hesitation, the woman's eyes narrowed. She suppressed her own aura, pushed open the door, and prepared to sneak into Jiang Mu's room. The corridor was narrow and dimly lit.
Two nocturnal cats, one on the left and one on the right, each pressed against the base of the wall.
My footsteps were as light as if I were walking on cotton wool.
then.
They bumped into each other unexpectedly right outside Jiang Mu's door.
Eyes facing each other.
At first, they were a little awkward with each other, but soon they turned into a confrontation.
No one spoke.
No one pushed the door open to enter the house, nor did anyone leave.
The two stood guard on either side of Jiang Mu's door, like two silent door gods.
After an incense stick has burned.
Jiang Mu, having finished showering, pushed open the door.
As soon as he stepped out the door, he caught sight of two figures standing on his left and right sides, which startled him.
"What are you two doing standing here? Your guardians?"
Jiang Mu was completely confused.
Shui Miaozheng smiled gently, reached out to straighten his collar, which was damp from the water droplets, and said softly:
"This inn is a mixed bag, so Aunt Shui has to keep an eye on things to prevent any bad people from harming Xiao Jiang."
Ling Ye said calmly, "The same."
As she spoke, she stepped forward and smoothed out the wrinkles on the man's clothes.
Jiang Mu glanced left at the alluring and voluptuous Shui Miaozheng, then right at the aloof and frosty Ling Ye, and felt a chill run down her spine.
In this situation, if he gets close to one of them, he will offend the other.
The master of balance is facing a severe test in his career.
He chuckled dryly twice. "Well, why don't you come in and have a seat?"
No one answered him.
Jiang Mu scratched the back of his head and said, "My clothes are torn in a few places, I want to go to town to buy some new ones. Why don't you guys go back and rest first?" "No rush, I'll go with you."
Ling Ye spoke first.
Shui Miaozheng, naturally not wanting to be outdone, smiled and said:
"Xiao Jiang, you're young and don't know how to pick fabrics. Let your auntie choose for you. My taste is always better."
"Well... okay then."
Jiang Mu swallowed hard and had no choice but to agree.
Half an hour later, inside a clothing shop in Xiyun Town.
"Xiao Jiang, come and take a look at this robe."
Shui Miaozheng held up a finely crafted dark brocade robe and walked up to Jiang Mu, gesturing to it with admiration in her beautiful eyes. "You have broad shoulders, so this kind of robe best brings out your masculine spirit. The fabric is also soft, and the tailor has slightly altered the waistline on both sides so it will be comfortable to wear."
Jiang Muqian smiled and said, "Aunt Shui has good taste."
"Showy but impractical."
Ling Ye coldly commented from the side.
She then handed a fitted long robe to Jiang Mu: "Little Jiang, you're a cultivator, always on the edge of a knife, this is perfect for you." Jiang Mu nodded: "Sister Ling made a good choice."
Shui Miaozheng smiled and said:
"Inspector Ling is right. Fighting and killing are certainly important. But our young Jiang is a man of status now; he can't always dress like a roughneck, can he?"
"It's better than dressing up as a slick-haired playboy."
Ling Ye did not back down, his cold gaze fixed on the other party.
Caught in the middle, Jiang Mu was sweating profusely, feeling her smile about to freeze into a mask.
The clothing store owner watched from the sidelines with a sigh.
She'd been in business her whole life and had never seen anything like it.
These two beauties, either one of them alone, would be considered a femme fatale capable of causing the downfall of a nation.
At this moment, however, they were all vying to pick out clothes for this young master.
Just who is this young master?
In the end, Jiang Mu got too lazy to choose and waved his hand, "I'll buy them all!"
When getting dressed, try to wear as many of the clothes that both of you have chosen as possible.
The clothes were chosen by Aunt Shui, the boots by Ling Ye, the inner shirt by Ling Ye, and finally, a hairpin chosen by Shui Miaozheng.
The main principle is to treat everyone equally.
Since it was still early and there was still some time before the birthday banquet that evening, the three of them returned to the inn first.
Jiang Mu specially ordered some fine wine and dishes, and asked the waiter to bring them directly to her room.
Since neither of them is willing to go back inside, let's sit down and have a meal together openly.
It's better than having them guarding the door from both sides.
Jiang Mu made up her mind.
As long as I remain impartial, they can't possibly swallow me whole in front of each other, can they?
The three of them sat down around the round table.
Shui Miaozheng told Jiang Mu about what had happened in Huzhou City.
Upon learning that she had been betrayed by Ran Chun'er, Jiang Mu was stunned: "That can't be, no one told me that."
Seeing Jiang Mu's shocked expression, Shui Miaozheng felt a pang of sorrow and tenderness in her heart, and softly said:
"Little Jiang, now that the General Commander's transfer order has been stamped, you can officially come to my Fazhou City."
However, it's up to you to decide what to do next.
If you don't want to leave Huzhou, or feel that you'll be mistreated in Fazhou, then your aunt will never force you.
Ling Ye said angrily:
"Don't go to Tanzhou. Come with me as the patrol envoy, I'll handle things with the commander-in-chief."
They were blind to your talent and caused you so much suffering; they didn't deserve to keep you. The imperial court's personnel system is rigid, but I, as the imperial inspector, have the power to transfer people. Why should someone as promising as you be treated like a commodity to be bought and sold?
Shui Miaozheng's expression turned sour.
You're going to try and take this from me?
She held Jiang Mu's hand and said softly:
"Being an inspector is too tiring, with all the wind and rain, and the commander-in-chief won't give you good resources. Although Fazhou isn't exactly prosperous, it's at least peaceful, and no one will give Xiao Jiang a hard time."
"Peace and quiet?"
Ling Ye coldly replied, "There are three major demon lairs outside Fazhou City. This year alone, there have been four demon attacks on the city. The Water Master's own Demon Slaying Division is already stretched thin. Is this what you call peace and quiet?"
Shui Miaozheng chuckled softly:
"It is precisely because of the threat of demons that we need talents like Xiao Jiang even more."
He's here, and I'm giving him real power. Isn't that better than him being a powerless leader in Huzhou? As for not having enough manpower, that was before.
I can give him complete control of the Demon Slayer Division.
However, Inspector Ling has always been a loner and doesn't even have a decent team under his command. So what is Xiao Jiang doing following you?
"Is he an attendant of the imperial inspector?"
Ling Ye gritted his teeth and glared coldly at the other party.
The candlelight on the table was dimmed by the presence of the two people, its flame flickering as if it might go out at any moment.
Jiang Mu was at a loss when he heard the two women's suggestions.
To be fair, he first transmigrated to Huzhou City, which could be considered his starting village, so he had some attachment to it.
But now it has been sold off by Ran Chun'er.
It's really unnecessary and beneath me to keep trying to win someone over.
But what he was really struggling with was his own little cook.
After all, I spent my first year in this world with that woman.
Watering vegetables, cooking, reading under the eaves every day...
I've gotten used to it.
Although he knew from previous conversations that Bai Xiang's hometown was Yancheng.
But Jiang Mu knew in his heart that this woman's visit to Huzhou City was not simply for seeking refuge.
There must be a reason why she had to stay in Huzhou City.
If he were to leave for Fazhou City now, Bai Xiang would definitely not go with him.
That woman was very stubborn.
Jiang Mu did not want to force her.
But if they really had to part ways like this, he would be very reluctant to do so.
Seeing the man lower his eyes and fall silent, Shui Miaozheng and Ling Ye seemed to sense his predicament and stopped speaking.
"Come on, Xiao Jiang, let's not talk about these worries for now, eat more."
Shui Miaozheng broke the silence, placing a piece of roasted pork in Jiang Mu's bowl, her eyes filled with doting affection.
"Look at you, you've lost weight from all the stress you've been going through these past few days."
Ling Ye raised a slight brow.
She immediately reached for her chopsticks, picked up a piece of the tenderest steamed fish belly, placed it in Jiang Mu's bowl, and said calmly:
"Eat this; fish replenishes qi and blood."
"Uh... thank you Aunt Shui, thank you Sister Ling."
Sensing the renewed smell of gunpowder in the air, Jiang Mu didn't hesitate and started eating voraciously.
However, the two wives were clearly at odds.
If you pick up a piece of green vegetable, I'll definitely pick up a spoonful of tofu. If you serve a bowl of soup, I'll never leave out half a chicken leg.
Jiang Mu watched helplessly as the rice bowl in front of her was piled up into a precarious mountain of meat and vegetables.
I was so moved I almost cried.
But under the gaze of two beautiful eyes filled with expectation and scrutiny, he had no choice but to become a heartless, docile machine.
They even ate with a heroic and tragic air of sacrificing themselves.
After finishing the meal, Jiang Mu was so full that she leaned back in her chair, too exhausted to even move a finger.
I almost died on the spot from this heavy wave of love.
After finishing their meal, Shui Miaozheng took advantage of Ling Ye's inattention and whispered in Jiang Mu's ear:
"Xiao Jiang, come to Aunt Shui's after you finish your business tonight."
Jiang Mu's spirits lifted.
Good, good, we can finally start digging.
Before he could decide on a position, Ling Ye transmitted his voice:
"Xiao Jiang, come to my room tonight."
Jiang Mu: ………
What?
Whose room should we go to?
After thinking for a fraction of a second, Jiang Mu made a decision: let those two women come to my room!
As darkness fell, the clouds on the horizon were burned by the setting sun into a magnificent deep purple and dark gold, layer upon layer.
The title, with its silhouette against the distant mountains, resembles a splashed-ink silk painting.
Lanterns have been lit up in a continuous stretch at the Shen family mansion at the eastern end of Xiyun Town.
The sounds of string and wind instruments could be faintly heard several alleys away, mixed with the noise and laughter of the guests.
To make things easier, Jiang Mu disguised himself.
He pasted two wisps of mustache on his face, slightly modified his features, and suppressed his cultivation level to around the third realm.
He infiltrated the banquet under the guise of an ordinary wandering swordsman.
Ling Ye and Shui Miaozheng concealed their presence and guarded the outer perimeter of the courtyard from the shadows.
If Jiang Mu wants to directly attain the Star Realm, other cultivators must not directly intervene when he fights his target.
Otherwise, the Heavenly Law would deem the deprivation invalid.
The star position will return directly to the starry sea.
However, if a fight really breaks out, they can be responsible for clearing out any troublesome gang members outside, or preventing any other unforeseen events. This would allow Jiang Mu to focus wholeheartedly on dealing with Shen Hufei.
The banquet had over a hundred tables, stretching from the inner hall all the way to the outer courtyard.
Jiang Mu found a corner seat and sat down, right next to a table of seemingly friendly-looking wandering martial arts practitioners.
Several people were already seated at the table.
There were old and young people, and judging from their clothes and appearance, they were not disciples of any major sects, but more like independent martial artists.
The burly man with a thick beard, sitting at the head of the table, had two gleaming battle axes at his waist. He was loudly boasting to the person next to him about how he had single-handedly killed a second-tier demon wolf last year in some place.
He spoke with such fervor that spittle flew everywhere, drawing cheers from onlookers.
Suddenly noticing the aura of the third realm emanating from Jiang Mu, the bearded man, who was in the middle of boasting, unconsciously lowered his voice.
The others also changed their expressions, adopting a respectful demeanor.
Although Jiang Mu deliberately suppressed his cultivation level.
However, in this low-level martial arts circle, which is mainly composed of ordinary people and first and second-level martial arts practitioners, third-realm cultivators are still considered big shots that people dare not easily provoke.
The bearded man cupped his hands politely and asked:
"My name is Wang Tie, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of Yang'an镖局 (escort agency). May I ask your esteemed name and which school of martial arts you belong to?"
Jiang Mu also chuckled and cupped his hands in a respectful greeting:
"My name is Mu Jiang, and I am a disciple of the Fenglingyueying Sect."
Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sect?
The people around looked at each other in bewilderment.
That name sounds impressive, but I've never heard of it before. But we're all in the same boat, so we have to be polite on the surface.
"So you are Fellow Daoist Mu from the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sect. My apologies for my rudeness."
The bearded man had a broad smile on his face.
"I have long admired your esteemed sect. Meeting you today, Fellow Daoist Mu, I am truly impressed by your extraordinary bearing. Here, I offer you a bowl of wine."
The others followed suit, raising their glasses in agreement.
Jiang Mu returned the greetings in turn.
After exchanging a few polite words, Jiang Mu began to extract information.
After some conversation, it was discovered that Shen Hufei had an unexpectedly good reputation among these martial arts practitioners.
He was known as a benevolent and righteous hero.
They vanquished demons and monsters for the people, set up shelters and distributed porridge to relieve refugees, and donated money for disaster relief...
Moreover, if any fellow martial arts practitioners encounter difficulties, they can always find the Black Shark Gang and will never refuse to help if they can.
He was a hero who was generous and righteous.
Listening to the endless praise from those around her, Jiang Mu frowned.
The top-secret dossier issued to him by the Imperial Court made no mention of the good deeds Shen Hufei had done.
In addition to detailing Shen Hufei's weaknesses in cultivation, it also explicitly mentioned that the other party had secretly cultivated demonic arts.
The accuracy of this news should be over 70%.
The commander may be vague about his motives, but he is never careless about the details related to the stars.
Since it's a demonic art, it could potentially harm people.
After all, people can fake it.
A person who is a great philanthropist who can do good deeds may secretly be a heretic who treats living people as food.
Of course, Jiang Mu wouldn't jump to conclusions easily.
He didn't trust the imperial court, nor did he entirely trust these江湖客 (jianghu ke, meaning wandering martial arts practitioners).
He only trusts his own judgment.
If Shen Hufei's benevolent face truly hides something shady, then killing him wouldn't be a problem. It just goes to show that not everyone can become a demonic cultivator.
"Brother Mu, does your sect still accept disciples?"
Just as I was pondering this, a slightly nervous voice came from beside me.
Jiang Mu turned her head to look and saw that the speaker was an ordinary-looking young man, who looked to be in his early twenties, with a slightly embarrassed expression on his face.
Jiang Mu recognized this person.
During the pleasantries exchanged at the table, the young man introduced himself.
His name is Yang Zheng, and he is a martial arts cultivator at the first level.
There was no master or sect.
He had taken the initiative to chat with many people at the table, but most of them were indifferent and perfunctory towards him.
Some people would simply nod politely to get by, while others would pretend they didn't hear and turn away to continue drinking with others.
A rogue cultivator at the first level is indeed inconspicuous in this situation.
"You want to join our sect?"
Jiang Mu picked up the wine bowl, took a sip, and looked at him with a half-smile.
Yang Zheng nodded shyly:
"If possible, I would like to ask Brother Mu for some recommendations."
Although my cultivation level is low, I am willing to do any hard or tiring work, such as chopping wood, carrying water, and patrolling the mountains at night.
Jiang Mu looked into his yearning eyes and shook her head helplessly:
"I don't mean to discourage you, Brother Yang. At your age, if you're still stuck at the first realm, your physical constitution is basically set."
Cultivation, though said to be defying fate and changing destiny, is actually largely predetermined by God when you are seven or eight years old.
If someone hasn't even reached the threshold of the second realm by the age of sixteen, no reputable sect will accept them.
Yang Zheng's eyes darkened, but he forced a smile:
"Brother Mu is right. I understand these principles. But I really don't want to give up."
To be honest, I used to belong to a sect, but unfortunately, I later fell into the hands of enemies and the sect was destroyed.
I was originally disheartened and planned to give up my cultivation in this life, go back to my hometown to become a bodyguard, get married and live out my remaining years.
But... I'm really not willing to accept this.
Moreover, I heard a rumor recently, which made me even less willing to give up.
"Oh? What rumor?" Jiang Mu became interested.
Yang Zheng leaned closer mysteriously and said:
"Brother Mu may not have heard of him. I have a fellow villager who works as a errand boy in the Demon Slayer Division of Yuancheng. He told me that there is a guy named Jiang Mu in the Demon Slayer Division of Huzhou City who used to be a notorious playboy."
He spends all his time frequenting brothels and neglects his duties.
His physical aptitude was said to be quite ordinary, and he only suddenly began cultivating at the age of twenty.
And guess what happened?
"What's wrong?" Jiang Mu asked curiously.
Yang Zheng held up one finger and said excitedly, "In less than a year, I went from a mere mortal to the fifth realm!"
Brother Mu, of the Five Realms!
That's a threshold that most people can't reach even after a lifetime of practice.
He only started cultivating at the age of twenty, several years later than me. So I thought, if Jiang Mu can do it, why can't I, Yang Zheng?" Jiang Mu didn't know what to say either.
The gossip has backfired, and I've ended up getting caught up in it myself.
Jiang Mu, you cheater, you've really ruined people's lives, you've swindled honest people out of their prime years.
He put down his bowl and patted Yang Zheng on the shoulder:
"Brother Yang, the opportunities between people cannot be generalized."
The road ahead is long and winding; some ride in sedan chairs, some walk, and some... simply grow wings.
You only saw Jiang Mu reach the fifth realm in a year, but you didn't see the hard work he put in behind the scenes.
Sometimes, being an ordinary person, living a peaceful life with a wife, children, and a warm bed, isn't necessarily a better ending. Yang Zheng lowered his head and remained silent.
But the hands that were tightly gripping his clothes were full of stubbornness.
"Sis, it's him!"
Just then, a childish yet sharp voice suddenly broke the silence.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.
A boy of about seven or eight years old was seen leading a pretty woman in a yellow dress as they strode towards them.
The little boy pointed at Yang Zheng and shouted:
"He was the one who peeped at Sister Chun while she was taking a bath in Ye Liu Lane!"
Upon hearing this, the previously noisy banquet suddenly fell silent.
All eyes of the surrounding martial arts practitioners turned to Yang Zheng, their eyes filled with disdain and schadenfreude.
Yang Zheng was stunned by this sudden accusation, his face turning a deep shade of liver color. He stood up and stammered:
"What nonsense are you spouting, you little brat!"
"It's you! I remember your clothes!" The little boy was not intimidated at all, his eyes wide open.
The woman in yellow stared coldly at Yang Zheng, her voice clear and icy:
"Fellow Daoist, let me ask you this: just now, at three-quarters past Xu hour, did you go to Ye Liu Lane in the back street?"
Yang Zheng's eyes darted away for a moment, then he remained silent.
"explain!!"
The woman in the yellow dress suddenly took a step forward, her lips slightly parted.
A sharp shout rose from the ground like a thunderclap.
In an instant, a golden sound wave reverberated from her mouth.
The wine glasses on the surrounding tables shattered instantly.
The surrounding guests felt as if countless strings were being plucked at the same time, making their eardrums throb.
"It's the 'Guanyin Questioning the Mind' from the Lapis Lazuli Zen School!"
Someone in the crowd exclaimed in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, the others' expressions changed, and their gazes towards the woman in yellow became filled with awe.
The Lapis Lazuli Zen School is one of the four major Buddhist schools.
This temple enjoys an excellent reputation among the people, with flourishing incense offerings, and is regarded by the people as a sacred place of great compassion.
His inner disciples, when traveling the martial arts world, are often respectfully referred to as bodhisattvas.
The sect leader of the Liuli Chanxin Sect, known as the "Buddha Mother," once competed with Shangguan Luoxue, the garrison commander of Huzhou Town, for the position of [Taiyin Star], and ultimately prevailed. She thus rose to the ranks of the top powerhouses of the Thirteen Realms.
Shangguan Luoxue, who failed, nearly perished because she forced herself to break through the barrier.
Upon hearing this thunderous shout, Yang Zheng felt as if his brain had been struck by a heavy hammer, and blood trickled from his mouth and nose.
His mind then went into a brief daze.
It felt as if a hundred bronze bells were striking inside his skull at the same time.
But he still gritted his teeth and said, "No...I didn't go!"
The woman in the yellow dress twitched her eyebrows slightly, whether out of impatience or disdain, it was hard to tell.
She stopped asking questions and gently waved her right hand.
A streak of green light flew out from the cuff.
A magical thread emitting a bluish light wrapped around Yang Zheng's neck.
"receive."
The woman coldly uttered a single word.
Her black hair slowly tightened.
There were no marks of blood or cuts.
But Yang Zheng's face turned bluish-purple in an instant.
He tried to pull the black hair off his neck with both hands, but to no avail; instead, it tightened even more, squeezing the air in his throat with every breath.
This near-death experience caused him great pain and fear.
Jiang Mu, who was sitting to the side, did not make a move.
If Yang Zheng really did peep on women bathing, then he certainly deserves to be taught a lesson.
After all, judging from Yang Zheng's evasive gaze just now, this guy was clearly feeling guilty.
"Tell me, was it you or not?"
The woman in the yellow dress tightened her grip on the magic seal.
Yang Zheng's heels were pulled off the ground, like a fish with a hook caught in its throat, kicking its legs in vain.
"No...no...I didn't."
Yang Zheng struggled to squeeze out the words.
His eyes were bloodshot from suffocation, and the whites of his eyes were covered with spiderweb-like red veins.
The woman in yellow's expression grew increasingly grim. Just as she was about to kill the man, a lazy voice suddenly drifted over:
"Girl, this kid really didn't peek while I was taking a bath."