110 - Little Peasant Wife

She held her forehead, feeling uncomfortable despite what she had said. Han Tao, observing this, coldly sneered inwardly; Lady Liu had never truly valued the lives of their servants. While she was pleased her scheme had succeeded, she also felt a profound chill in her heart. Coincidentally, Lady Liu, irritated and anxious, waved her hand dismissively and said, "Enough. I can't bear to do it; the matter is now entirely in your hands." A gleam of delight appeared in Han Tao's eyes as she promptly replied, "Relieving Lady Liu of worries and resolving problems is my duty as a servant." She continued to lavish Lady Liu with flattering words until Lady Liu was in a better mood, then turned and left the courtyard. Facing the robust servants summoned by Lady Liu, Han Tao declared, "Manager Liu should currently be at Zhang Qiao Er's home in Duobao Village. Although Zhang Qiao Er is dead, she's the main culprit. We might as well kill Zhang Qiao Er's entire family and take Manager Liu's head as a gift for General Qin." She had long been displeased with Zhang Qiao Er and decided to seize this opportunity to eliminate Zhang Qiao Er's family, ensuring they wouldn't later come demanding answers about Zhang Qiao Er's disappearance. The servants exchanged looks, but upon seeing Han Tao's furrowed brow and impending anger, they quickly agreed. Thus, that night, the entire Zhang family, including Manager Liu and the Liu family's servants who remained, were killed without leaving a single survivor. Far away, on the vast ocean, Zhang Qiao Er clenched her fists while sitting on a flying sword: she was determined to rise above others, to go back and show her mother that even if she couldn't find a husband due to her tough fate, she could still carve out a good life for herself! Chapter 66: The Enchanted Vine After leaving the Liu residence, Qin Yishu didn't return to the village immediately. She gazed at Jing Liuer in the carriage and paused before asking softly, "Liuer, what are your plans now?" She had helped her before, partly to repay a favor to Jing Aoxue. Although revealing her identity was highly risky, the result was favorable, regardless of the dangers. After all, her body wouldn't last much longer, right? It's a shame—today was filled with too many unexpected events, and both Jing Aoxue and Shen Lüman... She had witnessed Jing Aoxue getting pierced through the heart with her own eyes. Such an injury would be impossible to survive unless the heart was misaligned. Even though that formidable female cultivator said Jing Aoxue hadn't died, she was skeptical and relied more on her own rational judgment. She couldn't help but feel a little pity for the child in front of her. Jing Liuer sat up, her expression carrying an adult-like bitterness. Gu Baiwei noticed and quickly said, "Liuer, don't be afraid. I'm a friend of your mother, and I can take care of you." Jing Liuer nodded, thanked her, and replied, "Thank you, General Qin and Aunt Gu. I want to return to the village." Upon hearing this, Gu Baiwei was taken aback. Qin Yishu cast a complex glance at her and asked, "Are you sure?" Liuer managed a small smile and said, "Yes, my mother surely would want to go home too. I know they're alright. A few days of recovery should do the trick. I hope General Qin might lend this carriage to me for a while; I will personally express my gratitude in a few days." This... Gu Baiwei exchanged a look with Qin Yishu, internally puzzled: Wasn't Liuer a little stutterer? How is she speaking so smoothly now? And she spoke with reason and prudence, like an experienced adult. She couldn't help but recall the first time she met Liuer, sitting obediently next to Shen Lüman, her dark almond eyes full of innocence and naivety. Now, there were traces of bloodshot eyes, filled with experience, pain, and self-blame. It must be due to today's events; could they bring such a drastic change? Qin Yishu tightened her lips and said, "If that's the case, then I'll arrange for Wu Zhiyong to accompany you back to the village." Wu Zhiyong, in the carriage behind them, had finally calmed his weeping, restless nephew. Upon hearing Qin Yishu summon him, he quickly prepared to disembark from the carriage. Wu Mengqiu clung to his arm and said, "Daddy, about Liuer..." Wu Zhiyong sighed, patting his daughter's little head, "Don't worry; Liuer is a friend of Jing Aoxue's. I'll help take care of her." Wu Mengqiu, too wise beyond her years, sighed, nodding worriedly. Wu Zhiyong, seeing his daughter's demeanor, felt equally uneasy. Today had been incredibly long. He approached Qin Yishu with a heavy heart and said, "General, thank you for your assistance today. Otherwise, I dare not imagine..." Qin Yishu's tone was indifferent, "It was nothing. Liuer wants to return to the village. If it's convenient for you, you can accompany her. I have matters to attend to in town for a few days, so I might return later." Wu Zhiyong glanced at Liuer and promptly agreed. The group parted ways there, with Qin Yishu assigning a few more subordinates to accompany them. In the carriage, Liuer turned to Xiao Hui and said, "Thank you." Xiao Hui emerged from Shen Lüman's body, "There's no rush—I haven't done anything yet. Today was a spectacle, show after show, so entertaining." Liuer gritted her teeth at this, speaking stiffly, "You promised to save my mother." Xiao Hui bounced in front of her, "I didn't say I wouldn't. I was just busy watching the show earlier and ran out of time. But don't worry, your mother is a half-demon, her true form is a vine. Even if she died, it takes longer for her to truly die." Liuer clenched her fists, "I'm counting on you." Xiao Hui scrutinized her closely, "You've changed so fast—is it because you peeked into my memory?" Liuer paused, realizing she suddenly understood many things. Things she couldn't comprehend before now made sense. She'd also acquired a wealth of new knowledge, which began surfacing in her mind upon witnessing her mother slain by the sword, her body instinctively absorbing it. And so... she felt more mature. Noticing Liuer couldn't give an answer, Xiao Hui jumped up and pressed against her forehead. After a while, she murmured, "You're quite lucky; only a quarter demon bloodline, yet you inherited the legacy of an ancient vine demon." Liuer tilted her head, "Legacy?" Xiao Hui nodded, "Yes, it's something born with a demon's bloodline. I have it too, but having just reincarnated, my body is too frail to handle it. So it's temporarily stored in my dantian." Locking eyes with Liuer's dark pupils, she added, "Well, let's consider this a blessing in disguise. Your mother likely inherited more of this legacy, though it seems you've only gained parts of memories and knowledge. But your mother's bloodline has awakened. With my help, she can soon become a full-fledged demon." Liuer, in a state of confusion, nodded. Leaning against her mother's embrace, she listened to the gradually strengthening heartbeat, accepting what was likely her legacy. Even without visualizing any memories or knowledge, she felt an understanding. It was like books she had once heard her mother talk about, like "The Doctrine of the Mean" and "The Great Learning." She had looked at them, but she couldn't comprehend. Now, she could articulate their meanings, with related events bubbling up in her mind. This had to be a good thing. She had matured, and her mother would surely be pleased. She would tell her that she wouldn't worry her any longer, that she’d grow strong, and then... avenge Zhang Qiao Er. She clenched her teeth. She might not have understood hatred and vengeance at first, but now she did. Because of Zhang Qiao Er, she nearly lost her mother and her own life; this was an irreconcilable feud! Even if her mother and own life were restored, she would still kill her! Along with Manager Liu! And most importantly, the still-alive Guoshi! She would not forgive them. Snuggled in her mother's soft embrace, she gradually closed her eyes. Xiao Hui perched on her, wanting to say something, but words failed her. Until Liuer spoke, "Thank you, Xiao Hui. As long as you don't harm me, I will repay you well." Xiao Hui chuckled slightly, but seeing she had no reaction after, she lost interest. Peering at the high-hanging moon outside the window, she thought: she must regain her strength quickly. With her current power level, she couldn't breach the barrier between the mortal and immortal realms, let alone cross the vast forest of monsters. She needed to restore part of her power during the next chaos in the monster forest, and return to the demon realm. The group returned to the village. Wu Zhiyong suggested to Liuer, "Why don't you stay at my house for a while?" For now, he didn't know what had become of Jing Aoxue and Shen Lüman. Logically, they should be dead, but this child Liuer insisted otherwise. He feared she might suffer mental distress as a result. Liuer thanked him, "Thank you, Uncle Wu. I want to stay with my mother at home. In these few days, I'll be there, and once they're recovered, we'll visit to express our gratitude." Wu Zhiyong, hearing her words, felt internally uneasy. He waved his hands, scratching his head, "This child… well, if you insist, then return home. But I'll bring food tomorrow and check on your mother." He thought he truly spotted Jing Aoxue's chest moving earlier, but couldn't verify by checking the carriage himself. Jing Aoxue's display of power tonight was still daunting. Fear of the unknown and formidable—he couldn't control it, despite his many years on the battlefield. Liuer nodded, instructing the carriage driver, Qin Yishu's subordinate, to drive back to the courtyard. With the subordinates leaving and leaving behind the carriage, Liuer tiptoed and bolted the door. Approaching the carriage, she asked, "Xiao Hui, can you help now?" Xiao Hui slipped out from her heart, hopping onto Shen Lüman, "Let's start. It will cause quite a stir. Ideally, we'd go to a remote mountain, but you're also..." Liuer lowered her eyes, "Here at home is fine. I'll deal with any abnormalities. Go ahead." Casting a final glance at her, Xiao Hui turned and entered into Shen Lüman's dantian. Liuer observed the empty courtyard, removing the storage bag from her waist. This was left for her by the female cultivator; she didn't know if she could trust her. She seemed good on the outside, but after what happened with Zhang Qiao Er, apart from her mother, she trusted no one. She tried opening the storage bag, which required spiritual sense. Being yet to tread the immortal path, naturally, she lacked that. Pressing her lips tightly, she closed her eyes, pondering, thinking: she had partial demon blood, and innately her spiritual sense was stronger than ordinary people. That's why the number of half-breeds in the immortal realm was few, yet half of the high cultivators were half-breeds. So logically, she should have spiritual sense—the key was in learning how to wield it. She glanced at her mother and her other parent, concentrating hard on the idea of opening it. She wasn't sure if this was the correct approach, but if it wasn't, she would just keep trying.