Chapter 116 - The Harem Rescue Project

Lin Qianshuang turned her head, facing the woman in red painted on the wall, who appeared to be floating before her as if separated by a veil. The coffin in the hall was already open. Could it be...? Had Chen Luoyun returned from the dead? With a look of horror as if she had seen a ghost, Lin Qianshuang spoke without thinking, waving her hand and taking a few steps back from the uncertain spectral presence. "You, you have the wrong person. I... I'm just a passerby." "If you're not, why does your entire body carry her scent?" A chilling coldness accompanied the red-clad woman as she approached Lin Qianshuang. Seeing her flustered and bewildered, the woman let out a ghastly laugh, unsettling in its eerie clarity. She conjured a mist blade and thrust it toward Lin Qianshuang's neck. When Lin Qianshuang dodged, she relentlessly followed, carving crimson streaks into the walls of the hall. Lin Qianshuang stared in bewilderment at the sudden frenzy of the woman in red. She dodged the attack by skirting along the wall and, seeing no end to the aggression, didn't dare to strike back. While avoiding each thrust, she suggested, "Senior Chen, perhaps we should stop and talk it through. This is all a misunderstanding." The woman in red moved forward, but before she could proceed, a copper coin sword, used to quell demons, embedded itself into the wall beside her. The strong spiritual energy forced her ghostly form to withdraw a bit. It was Mu Weiyin who intervened. Breathing heavily, Lin Qianshuang leaned against the wall, feeling drained now that the danger had passed. Fortunately, the city lord hadn’t just stood by observing, or she might have had to fight tooth and nail even if her mother had been harmed. The woman's demeanor shifted dramatically with Mu Weiyin's arrival. She approached Lin Qianshuang with unexpected warmth, "Girl, are you still trying to deceive me? My daughter protects you so fiercely. If you didn't mean something special to her, I wouldn't believe it." Lin Qianshuang found herself at a loss for words. This senior's antics seemed especially trivial. So, in reality, she attacked simply to gauge Mu Weiyin's reaction—though such a method was far too extreme. Mu Weiyin signaled Lin Qianshuang to step back. She regarded the ghostly woman with composure and said calmly, "It's been ages. I wondered where you vanished these hundreds of years, only to find out you perished here in this underground tomb, buried alongside Lady Xiao." The mention of Xiao Linsha caused the ghost to tremble slightly. Forcing a smile, she said, "Ah Yin, leaving you and Xiao Chi behind, I've regretted it for centuries. The issues between Linsha and me shouldn't have involved you. It's my fault you suffered so much. After abandoning you that day, I searched for you both—aimlessly, in a chaotic place frequented by wanderers, always in vain. I sought out Linsha, but she was imprisoned in a cave by the Sect of Penglai's sect leader..." Mu Weiyin looked at the forlorn specter and remarked, "These are tales of old, best left unspoken." The ghostly woman murmured softly, dabbing her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief, her voice slender and ethereal, "One impulsive decision and I lost you both, Ah Yin. Can you find it in yourself to forgive your mother? It’s my fault. All mine. You've grown up never meeting Linsha. It’s my error for carelessly exposing our whereabouts, leading those Chen family beasts here. They annihilated us in this underground palace, and with her dying breath, Linsha dreamt of seeing you..." "Ah Yin, please forgive me and Linsha..." Her expression shifted abruptly; her face twisted with malice resembling a ferocious specter, as she sneered, "But I avenged her. Did you notice the scattered skeletons? They belong to those beasts who ended her. With me here, none shall leave..." As Lin Qianshuang watched Chen Luoyun monologuing, she began to suspect whether the woman's mental state had deteriorated in life. Mu Weiyin's voice echoed in Lin Qianshuang's mind, "This is a manifestation of the deceased's obsession, a ghostly imprint born of Chen Luoyun's lingering resentment and spirit fragment before her death, not the true Chen Luoyun." No wonder Mu Weiyin had forewarned her about the heavy aura of grievance within this estate. It seemed the remnants of Chen Luoyun's life and spirit lingered within the coffin, still unappeased. As Lin Qianshuang pondered, she was startled by the sudden appearance of a pale ghostly face. It loomed inches from hers, observing her with macabre delight. "Ah Yin, this girl you've chosen is quite suitable. Remember to cherish her." The ghostly woman in red addressed Mu Weiyin, then took Lin Qianshuang's hand, spreading a coldness that reached her head and set her teeth chattering. The ghost's smile was simultaneously icy and piercing as she said, "Girl, after you marry my daughter, should she ever mistreat or betray you, fear not." "I'm merely the City Lord Mu's subordinate, senior, you..." Lin Qianshuang paused, attempting to explain, only to have her mouth covered by the spectral woman's hand. The ghost spoke with a sincere earnestness, "I've lived through it, and I can see my daughter has feelings for you. She's just too stubborn to admit it. And you, your feelings for her aren't ordinary either. So why should two lovers hesitate and wait until loss teaches regret? Linsha and I missed each others too much; I don't want you young ones to repeat our mistakes. Girl, I owe Ah Yin greatly, and more than anyone, I wish her happiness." Lin Qianshuang's eyes met the ghostly woman’s gaze. That ghastly pale face didn’t seem as terrifying as it initially did. She discerned a myriad of complex human emotions—regret, loss, hope, and even a thread of maternal warmth. However, the words that followed drained the color from her face, and she swiftly glanced towards Mu Weiyin, standing nearby. The spectral woman whispered softly into her ear, "I once desired to bind myself to Linsha, so I constructed a life-and-death oath array sanctioned by the Heavenly Dao right here, sacrificing over a hundred malevolent cultivators for it. Now, this array serves its purpose. Fear not. Once the bond is formed, you and she shall be eternally united. If she loves you, she can never betray you. Should betrayal occur, heavenly lightning will obliterate her, and you as well cannot abandon her. I entrust Ah Yin to you; treat her well. As long as the Heavenly Dao remains, you shall be the only true bonded couple in life and death." Caught off guard, Lin Qianshuang found herself shoved abruptly towards Mu Weiyin. Mu Weiyin did not step aside but instead reached out to steady Lin Qianshuang, preventing her from falling. Once stabilized, Lin Qianshuang, with a sword forged of demonic energy in hand, revealed her cultivation prowess, anxiously grasped Mu Weiyin's hand, and exclaimed, "City Lord, we must leave. There's an array here. If we don't escape, we will both be in danger!" Mu Weiyin regarded her with curiosity; besides Chen Luoyun's resentment, she sensed nothing amiss. "With the star Chen in transit across the heavens, under the witnessing of the Heavenly Palace, solemn vows are made. Hundred souls are offered to form this life-death marriage pact!" Before Lin Qianshuang could leave the ruin, a golden glow drew her back into Mu Weiyin, colliding them back-to-back. A colossal burst of light shattered the coffin, as a crimson magic sword ascended, arranging the formation. Hundreds of vengeful souls within the sword howled and disintegrated into ashes. Soul runes rose from the ground, cascading over the floating inscription walls of the circle. Two red threads extended and intertwined from their lines of fate, slowly binding together. Mu Weiyin gazed at the golden rule of the Heavenly Dao illuminating beneath their feet, and the red string linking her and Lin Qianshuang’s little fingers, finally comprehending the situation, she appeared momentarily stupefied. If they were to form this life-death bond, how could Mu Weiyin ever pursue a romance with Junior Sister Xiao? Furthermore, the contract imposed constraints solely on Mu Weiyin. If she genuinely fell in love with Lin Qianshuang... it would be disastrous. Would she have to betray her own feelings and become someone heartless? Realizing the severity of their predicament, Lin Qianshuang attempted to approach the red sword with her blade, but was hurled to the ground by demonic light. Without the protective demonic aura enveloping her, her chest would have been pierced through. As she staggered to her feet, Mu Weiyin grabbed her and stopped her. With a stern expression, Mu Weiyin pressed her lips together and addressed Lin Qianshuang's frantic demeanor, "Stay calm. There's no need to panic." Seeing Mu Weiyin's composed demeanor, Lin Qianshuang brightened, and with a hint of hope, inquired, "City Lord, do you perhaps have a way to break this array?" Mu Weiyin replied softly, "The Heavenly Dao bears witness; this matter cannot be reversed. It's best to submit to fate. The result is predetermined, and all the fretting would be to no avail." Her mouth twitched at the corners. She had hoped Mu Weiyin had found a way to break the array, forgetting that Mu Weiyin's impassive facade was innate. Within the red sword, a residual soul faintly appeared amidst the golden light. Chen Luoyun's remaining spirit was gradually being transformed and ascended with the completion of the array. Mu Weiyin hadn't taken this life-death contract to heart. Such agreements, although unbreakable, possessed numerous loopholes. As long as she kept her subordinate tightly secured, this contract would become a useless agreement. She watched as Chen Luoyun's soul began to vanish, a slight emotion flickering in her eyes as she said, "May you find peace in your next life." Sitting within the formation, incapacitated as the contract formed, Lin Qianshuang silently fell into deep contemplation, her expression somber. She had formed a life-death bond with Mu Weiyin, yet Mu Weiyin had feelings for Xiao Lanle. Her plan to bring tears to Mu Weiyin's eyes and obtain the Tianshu Mirror involved encouraging Xiao Lanle and Mu Weiyin to passionately entangle themselves. But now another condition was added. After a moment of conflict, Lin Qianshuang decided to take one step at a time. Despite her indifferent demeanor regarding the contract, the City Lord might have already devised a strategy. If she intended to keep Lin Qianshuang as if she were a rare stock, preventing her from experiencing any harm, and using substances to prolong her life, then she would undoubtedly find herself in dire straits. These thoughts unsettling her, Lin Qianshuang pondered on testing the City Lord's stance, proposing, "City Lord, you and Junior Sister Xiao are the true pair of partners. Who am I to have such a life-death bond with you? I am but steadfastly loyal to the City Lord, holding no ulterior motives. Although the Heavenly Dao cannot be defied, there must be a way in this world—even if it means altering the very principles of heaven." Mu Weiyin responded, contemplating, "This is not your fault. Should Chen Luoyun’s dying wish remain unfulfilled, her grievances would gradually coalesce within the coffin, eventually manifesting as a vengeful specter to terrorize the world. I trust she, being a proud woman from a noble family, would not allow such a thing to transpire." "My hope is for her to find peace beneath the earth and reincarnate afresh. Sadly, it has implicated you." Hearing this, Lin Qianshuang feared that next, Mu Weiyin might just imprison her, so she hastily bowed her head and pledged, "I willingly serve the City Lord." Mu Weiyin responded, gazing at her with genuine sincerity, "No worries, Ling Shuang. You've done well." Mu Weiyin gazed at Lin Qianshuang for some time, her eyes reflecting a deeper meaning. "Jieyu, understand that the Heavenly Dao is the ruler of this world. To speak or act recklessly against it may shorten your lifespan. It is possible to change the Heavenly Dao, but not within the power of mere mortals. The Heavenly Dao is intricately connected to the myriad beings of this realm. To alter it, one must awaken the four supreme treasures of the realms to open the true eye of the upper realm, shattering the eye that watches over all living souls. Once Tianmu is broken, the Heavenly Dao will change, and the fated individuals of this destiny will be erased. Consequently, this realm's karmic lines will be re-formed from the ground up." Lin Qianshuang was taken aback, astonished that Mu Weiyin, a staunch protector of the Heavenly Dao, had even considered such a possibility of replacing it and had a detailed plan in mind. She almost felt that Mu Weiyin was like a crucial hidden quest character sent by the system. Lin Qianshuang’s eyes widened slightly in revelation. If the Heavenly Dao were to persist, then Liang Jingxuan would remain eternally unbroken, but if it were to be destroyed, Liang Jingxuan would also be erased due to the erasure of the Child of Destiny's mandate by the world’s karmic reset. The four realms' supreme treasures were indeed the key to everything. “Jieyu, from now on, you are not allowed to leave my side, not even within a fraction of my sight.” As Mu Weiyin spoke, she pricked her fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall into Lin Qianshuang’s palm, forming a red mole. "If you are in danger, I will come to your side. If the situation is dire, do not act rashly." The words seemed almost intimate, like those exchanged between lovers. Lin Qianshuang felt awkward and uncomfortable, and just as their hands touched, a loud, conspicuous cough interrupted them. Turning her head, she saw Du Shuang observing them with her eyes nearly popping out in exaggerated disbelief. Standing at a distance, a group of cultivators from Tianshu City had gathered around the ruins. Du Shuang, his face full of astonishment, cast an incredulous glance at Lin Qianshuang, then knelt before Mu Weiyin with respect and said, "City Lord, the cultivators outside the Penglai Sect have been driven back. Acting Sect Leader Xiao Lanle has safely emerged from the Sect Leader’s trial. You may return to the city." Mu Weiyin nodded slightly, acknowledging the report, and responded, "Very well, prepare to return to the city. Ensure everything is in order."