Chapter 70 - A Girl Dies Every Day in Her Dream Life

Three months ago, Nangong Mengxiang suddenly appeared at the inn's doorstep, grievously injured and on the verge of death. Driven perhaps by a sense of unwarranted benevolence, the twin sisters saved her by bringing her back to the inn, giving her a basic wash, and then leaving her in a room to fend for herself. They lacked Luo Xue's extensive experience and medicinal skills, unable to tend to Nangong Mengxiang's severe injuries. Yet, after sleeping for a few days, Nangong Mengxiang's wounds fully healed. In gratitude, she gave the twin sisters some money and decided to stay at the inn. Occasionally, she would leave the inn, returning each time with some injuries. The twins never inquired about her activities. They knew the hefty room rent Nangong Mengxiang paid far exceeded that of regular guests, and they understood there were things best left unknown. One thing was certain, though—Nangong Mengxiang was powerful. At least, overpowering them would be no challenge for her. "This is less than I expected... No wonder she gave me five Yellow-tier Qi Condensing Pills," the elder sister wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, pausing her actions. "No, even five isn't enough! Sure, she might just be at the Nascent stage... but who knew she had a Foundation Establishment cultivator backing her!" And not just an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. Initially thought to be a fleeing slave ready to be crushed like a soft persimmon, it turns out this persimmon is in the hands of an unparalleled ferocious beast... "Elder sister, should we act?" Her younger sister whispered. "Act, my foot!" The elder sister retorted in a low voice, "Nangong Mengxiang is here!" "Hm?" At that moment, Luo Xue silently reached for her short sword. She remained vigilant, not letting her guard down even with the twins' antics. The Black Robe Aunt had warned her that although theoretically, the Enforcer Elder of Jue Xiao Sect couldn't extend his reach to the Ghost Demon Gate of Youzhou, it was best to be cautious. Just moments ago, Luo Xue clearly heard the sisters' whispering, catching the phrase "take action." Were they undercover agents of the Disciplinary Hall? "What are you talking about?" Nangong Mengxiang asked curiously, "Taking action? Are you talking about cleaning the room? Am I in the way here?" In the way, indeed, but not the way she thinks. "Apologies, dear guest, but you are a bit of an inconvenience here," the elder sister replied with a professional smile, then turned to Luo Xue, "We'll have to trouble your friend too—could you both step outside? We sincerely apologize." "Yes, yes, please step outside," the younger sister nodded along. "Oh, alright." Nangong Mengxiang didn't dwell on it, taking Luo Xue by the hand and leaving the room. Though Luo Xue was filled with suspicion, her instinct told her the sisters weren't simply talking about housekeeping. Unable to discern any deeper meaning, she allowed Nangong Mengxiang to lead her out of the room. The door shut with a "click," and the elder sister's voice followed suit, "By the way, dear guest, your breakfast is at table three downstairs, but there’s only one portion, so you two will have to make do by sharing." "Oh, got it, no problem." Nangong Mengxiang replied, heading downstairs while musing, "The sisters' cooking is truly delicious. Unfortunately, most cultivators in the Ghost Demon Gate have already started fasting, not even eating meals, which is why their business isn't thriving. "Luo Xue, you better savor it; once you start fasting, you won't get to enjoy such delicacies anymore." Typically, cultivators begin fasting after achieving the Soul Nurturing stage, and by the Foundation Establishment stage, they no longer require food. But body cultivators are an exception, as they follow a different cultivation path. Luo Xue cast a deep gaze back at the room, a thoughtful look in her eyes. Soon, though, she followed Nangong Mengxiang downstairs. ... Inside the room. The elder twin, Sha Yiyi, cast a silencing spell, and after ensuring there was no noise outside, turned to tug at her sister's ear, "Whew... you really are careless, how could you speak out loud!" "Elder sister... we've already found her," Sha Keke replied with a frown, "She’s only at the Nascent stage. We could easily seize an opportunity to take her away, right?" "The main issue is Nangong Mengxiang... We don’t even know the extent of their relationship, and we can't afford to offend her," Sha Yiyi sighed. "She pays a hefty room fee; we earn fifty Basic Qi Condensing Pills a day from her!" Fifty Basic Qi Condensing Pills are equivalent to half a Yellow-tier Qi Condensing Pill, and this deal was only for two Yellow-tier Pills, unable to justify the risk. Moreover, it wasn't certain they could extract the target from Nangong Mengxiang's presence... "Elder sister, maybe we should abandon this job." Sha Keke sat down, resting her chin on her hand, playing with her hair. "The target seems quite pitiable too..." Hearing this, Sha Yiyi hesitated but soon regained her resolve, "We can't abandon it! This is our first job as the Dark Gang. If we breach the contract like this, how will we continue taking more jobs in the future!" She paused slightly, appearing a bit deflated, "If we can't even manage this simple task, our inn is doomed to close..." Without the inn, the sisters would have no place to call home. It’s worth noting that the only reason Sha Yiyi and Sha Keke, with their weak cultivation, could survive in the Ghost Demon Gate was because of the inn. Despite its dilapidation and poor business, the inn was an asset of the Medicine Gang, always under their protection. As long as the sisters didn't cross the Medicine Gang’s limits, no one dared touch them. But without the inn... it would be a different story. To save the inn, Sha Yiyi and Sha Keke decided to start new, becoming the ghostly strategists in the Ghost Demon Gate! Yet, on their very first mission, they hit a wall. "If only there were a way to make Nangong Mengxiang not oppose us taking the target away..." Sha Yiyi frowned deeply. "The deadline is this afternoon, three to four hours away..." "Wait, elder sister, wasn't the order just to capture the target?" Sha Keke suddenly recalled. "Yes, capture the target and bring her to Youxiang Restaurant by afternoon," Sha Yiyi added, her eyes gradually brightening. "We could simply invite Nangong Mengxiang for lunch there, right?" "But elder sister," Sha Keke meekly pointed out, "A meal at Youxiang Restaurant costs at least half a Mystic-tier Qi Condensing Pill..." "Silly, we're not really treating them. We just need to get them there!" Inside an elegantly ancient-style pavilion, an old man with a long beard held an invitation in hand, his expression solemn. "Youxiang Restaurant..." This old man was none other than Rao Weiyi, the current leader of the Medicine Gang and one of its three Core Formation cultivators. Within the Ghost Demon Gate, which comprised three major forces, it was said that they were commanded by a Nascent Soul old monster, though these elders rarely made appearances. Most of the time, they simply took half of the corresponding force's resources to focus on cultivation and rarely intervened. Despite this, these forces couldn't do without a Nascent Soul elder’s presence. Naturally, this situation made Core Formation cultivators more valuable in actual combat within the three gangs. The Ghost Demon Gang had five Core Formation cultivators, whereas the Medicine Gang and the Tianhai Gang each had three. At this moment, the two Core Formation elders of the Medicine Gang, having been notified, had already hurried over. There were numerous Foundation Establishment protectors around as well, essentially all key members of the Medicine Gang were present. It was all because of Elder Wu from the Tianhai Gang’s provocation the day before, a sign that the Tianhai Gang was showing signs of preparing for war. "Is the Tianhai Gang really that impatient? The lifespans of the Ghost Demon Gang’s Core Formation veterans are nearing their end, leaving maybe a bit over a hundred years." Rao Weiyi frowned, stroking his white beard, "Once we divide the Ghost Demon Gate among ourselves, it won't be too late to settle the score..." "Haha, Chief, haven’t you noticed? The Tianhai Gang is afraid of us." Another Core Formation cultivator, Elder Li, coldly laughed, "Our Medicine Gang boasts numerous alchemical geniuses and is the most resourceful among the three gangs. "If this unsteadiness continues for a hundred years, our gang is likely to produce a few more Core Formation cultivators. How could their strength ever rival ours then? "They must absorb us swiftly to stand a chance. Otherwise, the longer they delay, the worse their situation becomes." Rao Weiyi nodded slightly, agreeing with the statement of the Core Formation elder. "I think Elder Li makes a point. Yesterday, Wu Hai claimed to have chased an avatar to within our Medicine Gang’s borders, demanding an explanation. Let's not forget how we and the Tianhai Gang took our current territory from the Ghost Demon Gang seven hundred years ago." The last Core Formation cultivator, Elder Wang, stated solemnly, "An invitation to Youxiang Restaurant is no gesture of goodwill." "Such tactics... Hah, and to even spread rumors claiming it was a thief robbing a small alchemy workshop—what a joke. Which petty thief could escape from the hands of a Core Formation cultivator? Someone capable of such a feat wouldn't bother with a no-name alchemy workshop," Elder Li scoffed with disdain. "Clearly, their real target is our Medicine Gang!" "Our disciples already scoured the area yesterday and found no anomalies. The Tianhai Gang... their work is immaculate," Elder Wang sighed, "Given their excuse, we have no choice but to attend this banquet." It's a blatant, strategic ploy! If only they could unearth this so-called thief, it would be a relief. Now, the Medicine Gang has no option but to face the challenge posed by the Tianhai Gang. "To the banquet then," Rao Weiyi said quietly, lowering his gaze, "The Tianhai Gang means no good. Instruct our disciples... to prepare for war." Both Core Formation elders nodded in agreement. The Foundation Establishment protectors listening below showed mostly worried expressions. Most of the cultivators joining the Medicine Gang did so to focus on their cultivation. Engaging in conflicts with the Tianhai Gang was the last thing they wished for unless absolutely necessary. ... Beside a fiery forge, the clangor of metalwork resonated. A robust man, half bare-chested, hammered relentlessly at a glowing-hot metal block, sending sparks flying with each strike. Though the block showed no signs of change despite countless blows, the man's expression remained unwaveringly focused, each strike infused with complete dedication, endlessly repeating. Adjacent to the forge, Wu Hai, who failed to capture Nangong Mengxiang the previous day, knelt motionless with his head slightly lowered. "Wu Hai, do you realize your mistake?" The powerful figure spoke gruffly, but his rhythmic hammering never ceased. "I... acknowledge my mistakes. Please, chief, do with me as you will." Wu Hai spoke apprehensively, the relentless sound of hammering seeming to echo within his heart. No one expected that Yu Haogang, the rarely-seen leader of the Tianhai Gang, tirelessly forged weapons like a common blacksmith. "What was your mistake?" Yu Haogang cast a glance at Wu Hai while continuing his work. "I failed to capture the thief who dared offend the Tianhai Gang." "Hah," Yu Haogang sneered, "Anything else?" "I shouldn't have let this matter entangle with the Medicine Gang... I should not have fallen for the Medicine Gang’s schemes..." The once-dominant Elder Wu, notorious for his fierce tactics, was now frightened and on edge. For he knew, though the chief was of the same Core Formation realm, his death could come in an instant. Yu Haogang... was a body cultivator, the most extreme kind, focusing solely on physical fortification without cultivating mystical arts. His body itself was his divine ability. "Wrong, utterly wrong," Yu Haogang put down his hammer, fixing a menacing gaze on Wu Hai, "Your mistake lies in not directly storming the Medicine Gang! What held you back? "Do you think the Tianhai Gang can't handle the Medicine Gang?" He looked down imperiously at Wu Hai, "Or is it that you believe... I fear Rao Weiyi?" "I wouldn't dare!" Wu Hai buried his head deeper. "The Medicine Gang only still exists because I deem taking it over now unprofitable. They think Core Formation cultivator strength can be measured by numbers... Hah, with those three old men, I alone am enough."