### Chapter 137: Confronting Nangong Liuli - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

### Chapter 137: Confronting Nangong Liuli **The cranes faced off against a swarm of venomous creatures.** **The scene was like nothing you had ever witnessed before, compelling you to halt in your tracks and watch.** A black snake, roughly a meter long and at the forefront of the venomous swarm, launched the initial attack on the celestial crane. Though the snake was as a minor pest in comparison to the crane, it showed no fear, morphing into a streak of black light that bit into the crane. Despite the snake's fierce assault, the crane's feathers proved as sturdy as iron, and the snake only managed to break a fang against them. In that moment, the other venomous creatures, seemingly under some command, surged furiously towards the crane like a tidal wave. With a gentle peck, the crane picked up a giant, arm-length iron-backed centipede, flung it skyward, and with a singular swipe of its iron talon, sliced it into six pieces before devouring it. Having savored such delicacies, the crane continued its eager pecking at the swarm. The variety of venomous creatures numbered too many to count; each offered its own unique flavor. Enthralled by its meal, the crane even shattered parts of the surrounding rocky terrain along with the creatures. Before long, the swarm dwindled to nearly half its size. The remaining creatures, realizing their efforts were futile, retreated like an ebbing tide, led by the black snake. The crane did not pursue them; instead, it let out a call and soared skyward. Having consumed numerous venomous creatures, their potent toxins also served as powerful medicine that needed to be quickly digested. Flying was the best way to facilitate this. Watching the crane leave, you quickly approached the rocky outcrop it had occupied. You recalled from Meng Hongshang's tales that potent celestial beasts were often surrounded by rare medicinal plants. Given the crane's strength, there surely had to be miraculous herbs nearby. With the crane gone, you were determined not to miss this chance. When you reached the mountaintop, you noticed how smooth and polished the rock felt, like a piece of jade. It seemed that the crane, after years of absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, had transformed the rock beneath its feet. Your keen observation detected a medicinal fragrance wafting from below the stone. Without further hesitation, you pried the rock open. There, you were greeted by the sight of a plump, white baby adorned in a red waistcoat, staring at you with terrified eyes. A surge of joy filled your heart. You recognized this extraordinary sight: a ginseng spirit transformed into a human-like ginseng doll. Who knew how many millennia it had lived. Luck was on your side beyond belief, having chanced upon such a find! You immediately removed the red sash from your robe and deftly tied it around the ginseng doll's hair bun. “Villain!” “Villain!” “Let me go!” “Sister Crane, where did you go? Come save me!” The ginseng doll cried out, unable to move, as it was bound by the red sash in your hand. With each cry, you inhaled a surge of vigorous life essence, feeling the energy within you swell. Just one breath was enough to equate to three months of arduous cultivation. Looking at the struggling ginseng doll, you spoke to calm it. "Little one, I'm not a villain." "Rest assured, once I take you back, you’ll be fed well daily. I just need a bit of your essence to concoct medicine to save my wife." No longer thinking about the Qingxia herb, you realized the ginseng doll was more valuable than any medicinal herb. Sensing your sincerity, the ginseng doll ceased its crying, peering at you with its large, blinking eyes. With a determined look, you tucked the adorable ginseng doll into your robe, ready to head to Peach Mountain to restore Meng Hongshang's strength. Just then, from a distance, several commanding shouts rang out. "Stop right there!" "Leave the ginseng doll!" Your heart raced at the sound; without a moment's hesitation, you summoned your bamboo brush to fly away. Yet, before you could depart, a flying sword streaked toward you, its point hovering menacingly at eye level, barring your way. The sharp blade left no doubt in your mind that any attempt to flee would end with it piercing you. Four figures descended behind you. Turning back, you drew a sharp breath. *Nangong Liuli!* A venerable old Taoist, with white hair and beard, stood with Nangong Liuli and two other male and female cultivators unknown to you. It was the old Taoist who had sent the intercepting sword. Surprise colored Nangong Liuli's face upon seeing you. "You again!" The old Taoist turned to Nangong Liuli for clarification. "You know him?" Nangong Liuli hesitated slightly, then nodded. "Yes, Master." "He’s the one I brought from the Song Dynasty.” “I hadn’t expected he’d become a cultivator now.” The old Taoist nodded at her words. “I see.” “This boy has been quite fortunate.” “His cultivation seems to have reached its mark, and he even has the tool of an itinerant celestial.” "However, it seems the ginseng doll wasn't meant for him, yet here he is first to find it." “But it’s not too late now. Liuli, go and retrieve it from him.” Nangong Liuli looked hesitant, but the female cultivator beside her interjected. "Why the politeness with a lone wanderer?" "The ginseng doll is crucial to Emei's millennial plans; it must be acquired!" The male cultivator beside her intervened to calm her down. “Let Senior Sister Nangong handle this.” The female cultivator seemed dissatisfied, her sword hovering ominously overhead, emitting a resonant hum, arms crossed as she glared at you. Should you refuse, it was clear that within moments, her blade would seek your life. Nangong Liuli approached you, a frozen yet sanctified expression now tinged with doubt. “Su… Su Mo.” “Could you hand over the ginseng doll?” In the past, wanting to please Nangong Liuli, you would have happily complied. But now, after Meng Hongshang’s sacrifice for your sake, you were resolute in your refusal. “What if I say no?” Your voice was cold, and within Nangong Liuli, an unexpected fury surged. You weren’t supposed to react this way, she thought. A voice echoed in her mind. How dare you speak against me? Weren’t you always insignificant before me? You have no right to refuse! Though boiling within, Nangong Liuli maintained her glacial demeanor. “Why?” Nangong Liuli was baffled by your sudden change. Her inquiry only fueled your resentment. “Why are you asking why?” “Why should there be so many questions!” “I simply don’t want to give it!” Inwardly, you raged silently. Why does everything have to be your way? Must I be a sycophant for life? At this moment, priority in your heart (Nangong Liuli 40%, Meng Hongshang 60%). Behind Nangong Liuli, the female cultivator could no longer hold back. “Senior Sister.” “If you ask me, enough with the words.” "Just cut down this ungrateful wanderer.” You couldn't help but laugh derisively, turning your scorn on the female cultivator. “A spirit like the ginseng doll belongs to nature; every living thing has an owner. Having acquired it, it is my fate, and destiny has granted it to me.” “Opportunity embraces the path of nature.” “Are you now intending to defy the heavens?” Your words left her speechless, uncertain how to counter. You surveyed everyone around you. “And another thing!” “Aren't you from Emei, flaunting righteousness?” “What right do you have to demand I surrender my treasure?” “Is your idea of righteousness intimidating the weak and seizing what isn't yours?” “If you can do this to me today, who knows what you've done to other weaker cultivators in secret!” “Is this what you call justice?!” “Laughable! Utterly absurd!” “In my view, Emei is unworthy of its righteous name!” These words incensed the female cultivator. “You impertinent wretch!” “How dare you speak so brazenly against us?” “Just wait until I shut your mouth!” With that, she prepared to strike with her flying sword. But the old Taoist prevented her move. ### Chapter 137: Confrontation with Nangong Liuli "Ping'er, mind your manners!" Following this rebuke, the old Taoist turned his attention to you. "My young friend, while it's true that the ginseng doll is a natural-born treasure for those with fortune to possess, it will only reach its full potential through us at Emei, for the benefit of the entire celestial world." "You are but a solitary cultivator, unable to harness its true power, leading only to waste." "Hand it over to us, and we shall nurture powerful practitioners who can safeguard the existing order of the celestial world." "Young friend, such short-sightedness is unwise." Suppressing your inner rage, you continued to argue. "I must respectfully disagree with your assessment, Venerable Taoist." "Why is it that only your sect can maintain order in the celestial realm?" "Someday, should I cultivate successfully with the ginseng doll's aid, I too can contribute to the world's prosperity!" "For now, please grant me the courtesy of departure!" You cast a disappointed glance at Nangong Liuli. The intensity of your gaze struck a chord with her, causing her to avert her eyes in discomfort. Despite this, she attempted to reason with you. "Su Mo, we don't mean to make things difficult, but the ginseng doll is too valuable. If word gets out to rogue cultivators, you might never find peace." You responded with a bitter smile, your disappointment in Nangong Liuli deepening (Nangong Liuli 20%, Meng Hongshang 80%). "Fairy Liuli, is this a threat?" "As a righteous sect, shouldn’t your priority be dealing with those rogue threats first?" "If you indeed eliminate those evildoers, why would I need to worry about them coming for me?" "Or does it mean if I leave with the ginseng doll, you’ll spread the word of my possession, inviting even rogue cultivators to chase me down?" "I would never..." Nangong Liuli's heart ached, rendered speechless, unable to refute your concerns. For reasons unknown, witnessing your icy demeanor pricked her heart, as if awakening it from a century-long frost. Suddenly, a crane's cry pierced the skies—the giant celestial crane had returned. In a flash of light, the ginseng doll darted from your grasp to the crane's back. "Sister Crane!" The doll's once tied-up hair now gone, it resembled a bald-headed child. Having retrieved the ginseng doll, the crane immediately took flight towards the horizon. "Let’s pursue it!" The three Emei cultivators disregarded you, mounting their swords in chase of the crane. Nangong Liuli, too, gave you a conflicted glance before following them, her sword carrying her away. Watching Nangong Liuli's departure, a rare sense of relief filled you. Perhaps, she truly wasn’t meant for you. This thought settled within you. As you lowered your gaze, you noticed the ginseng doll's hair locks still tied to your red sash. Over time, they began to morph into a cluster of ginseng roots. You could sense astonishing vitality within this clump though it wasn’t as unrivaled as the ginseng doll. It would suffice to replenish Meng Hongshang’s lost vitality. With a blend of feelings, you returned to Peach Mountain. Upon seeing the ginseng roots, Meng Hongshang was utterly incredulous, for the bundle contained at least ten thousand strands, their combined energy equivalent to a millennium-old ginseng. When she inquired about your acquisition, you fibbed, claiming Emei pursued the ginseng doll, and the locks were sliced off by a flying sword, which you picked up before hurrying home. After hearing your tale, Meng Hongshang drew you close in a warm embrace. "My husband truly is blessed with remarkable fortune." "What most cultivators might never witness in a lifetime, you encounter after a mere outing. Luck, indeed." "The ginseng roots' vitality is so pure; eating them directly would be a waste. I shall refine them into Ginseng Nine Aperture Pills." "In doing so, consuming just three will restore my vitality." "The remainder shall be ours to savor in the future." With these words, she headed to the alchemy chamber. Since your return, Meng Hongshang sensed more love from you, although a shadow of melancholy lingered. Given your encounter with Emei, she surmised it related to Nangong Liuli. Yet, since you returned, expressing greater affection towards her, Meng Hongshang felt there was no need to dwell on it further. Eighty-one days later, the Ginseng Nine Aperture Pills were complete. The pills were crystal white, emanating a fresh medicinal aroma. Perhaps due to Meng Hongshang's joyous mood, not a single waste pill came from the batch. In total, she produced 130 pills. Each pill was equivalent to the vitality you absorbed from the ginseng doll initially. In essence, one Ginseng Nine Aperture Pill equated to three months of arduous cultivation. After consuming three pills, Meng Hongshang swiftly regained full vitality. Her skin now radiated with a translucent brilliance. Ensuring a pleasant experience for you both. After a period of intimacy, you both decided to journey outside, to stave off the monotony of Peach Mountain. However, during your travels, you came across a piece of news that left you astounded. Nangong Liuli of Emei had succumbed to her inner demons, violently assaulting dozens of Emei disciples. The current headmaster of Emei personally intervened, imprisoning her at the Reflection Cliff on the back mountain of Emei, a confinement that had lasted since two months prior... (Chapter End)