88 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

Chapter 88: Night Raid (Deep Dive Extra) The night had grown deep, with the moon high in the sky. All around, the only sound was that of waves gently lapping against the shore. A group of men appeared at the doorway of a small thatched hut. Instead of barging in, they lingered outside, peering through the windows into the dim interior. By the faint moonlight, they could make out the figures of three women sprawled across a dining table. The women seemed to have been unconscious for a long time, their bodies in unnatural positions, eyes open and tongues out—a rather unseemly sight. Yet, even like this, their slender figures and snow-white skin were evident. Indeed, such women were a rare sight in this little fishing village, exuding an exotic allure never before seen here. A fat man suddenly kicked the door open, exclaiming, “Look at that, all three of these women are so drunk they’re out cold!” In an instant, the group behind him surged forward. The fat man hurried over to the woman in the white dress, rudely grabbing her by the shoulders and beginning to undress her. “This little missy has skin as smooth as an egg,” he leered. "Just wait, even if she's drunk, she'll be seeing stars soon enough!" As he eagerly loosened her collar, revealing the whiteness beneath, his hand suddenly paused. Just then, the girl in his grasp began to crumble, her skin tearing away like fabric. In shock, the man realized he held nothing more than a pile of mangy monkey hair. These mountain-bred men, unaccustomed to such sorcery, were stricken with fear, unsure how to proceed. From the window came an eerie voice: “Interesting how you didn’t have any wine for dinner last night, yet suddenly you have some tonight. Seems you had ulterior motives.” The fat man glanced up in alarm, spotting three women on the roof beams. Weren’t these the same three staying as lodgers with them? Yan Jue’s voice rang out clearly, “You take someone’s money, you do the job. I’ve paid you for our stay, yet you’re plotting against us—isn’t that a bit disloyal?” At dinner, Qi Xian Qing had only sipped the wine, detecting something amiss. Jiang Meng Chu, despite having drunk several gulps, was swiftly helped by Qi Xian Qing to expel it. The woman in the white dress stood silently behind the girl in the red skirt, while another girl in yellow robes put her hands on her hips and huffed, “Yan Jue is right! How can you be such unreasonable bad guys!” “Yan Jue, get 'em!” Yan Jue couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed hearing Jiang Meng Chu’s innocent rallying. Knowing she couldn’t boss Qi Xian Qing around, Jiang Meng Chu had turned to her. The four men below swiftly regained their senses, grabbing sticks and brooms from the walls. One even fished out a hunting bow from under the table, ready to shoot. Yan Jue let out a cold laugh, leaping gracefully to the ground, her left foot deftly hooking around and tripping one of the burly men, sending him stumbling. Four more men charged at her together, but Yan Jue chuckled, pulling something from her bag. In an instant, a blue sword glint flashed by. Holding the hilt of her flowing ice sword, Yan Jue’s wrist flicked, and the sword flew out like a nimble serpent. The flowing ice sword, a flexible weapon, bent gracefully in mid-air, its sheen reminiscent of pure snow, leaving frost in its wake wherever it passed. Yan Jue moved easily among the men, leaping and landing, her ice-blue blade slicing through the air like a dragon, leaving a trail of frost in its wake. In no time, the men were unconscious on the ground. Qi Xian Qing observed the four men sprawled senseless on the ground, frowning slightly. This incident highlighted the difference between her and Yan Jue when handling situations. Often preferring convenience, Qi Xian Qing wouldn’t hesitate to severely injure or even kill offenders. But even when attacking, Yan Jue’s eyes still showed a certain gentleness. A rare, controllable gentleness—extraordinarily valuable among cultivators, and something Qi Xian Qing felt she could learn from. Yan Jue nimbly leapt back up onto the roof, looking at Qi Xian Qing. Qi Xian Qing said, “There’s something strange about this village. Let's head to the mountains first.” Behind the small fishing village lay verdant green mountains. Earlier, Yan Jue had noticed several natural caves in these mountains, perfect for temporary refuge. They passed a few caves in the forest without speaking, only hearing Jiang Meng Chu’s continuous sounds of awe. Jiang Meng Chu said, “Yan Jue, how about we choose this cave to stay in tonight?” Yan Jue shot her a sidelong glance. Jiang Meng Chu was surprisingly carefree, as they were merely seeking a temporary hideout, not purchasing a home. Qi Xian Qing cast the light of her spirit pearl around, the bright glow illuminating the entire cave. Yan Jue inspected the layout; the cave was spacious, with a naturally formed stone bed not far in—quite suitable for their needs. Yan Jue said, “Alright, we’ll stay here.” Jiang Meng Chu skipped into the cave, sitting cross-legged. In the quiet air, suddenly a rumbling sound was heard. Yan Jue chuckled, “Hungry?” Jiang Meng Chu replied, “Starving!” Originally standing at the back, Qi Xian Qing was surveying the area, noticing Yan Jue and Jiang Meng Chu chatting and laughing. She unconsciously clenched her hands at her sides. So, they decided on this cave. Though the spirit pearl’s light was bright, it provided no warmth. Near the seashore, the days were hot, but the nights were quite cold. Qi Xian Qing collected firewood from outside, entering the cave just as Jiang Meng Chu grinned, holding a bright red spirit fruit. Yan Jue handed her a handkerchief, and Jiang Meng Chu obediently wiped her mouth. Qi Xian Qing pursed her lips and sat down before them, setting the firewood down. She released a paper charm which dissolved into a flame, quickly igniting a campfire. Yan Jue was well-prepared for this outing. Seeing Qi Xian Qing arrive, she pulled some spirit fruit pastries from her sleeve, wrapped in paper, and offered them. Jiang Meng Chu, who had been jittery ever since Qi Xian Qing’s fiery arrival, said, “Thanks, Yan Jue, but I’m afraid to eat.” Yan Jue asked, “Why?” Jiang Meng Chu looked timidly at her, “Is the great elder sister upset?” Qi Xian Qing’s cool gaze fell upon Jiang Meng Chu, a chill in her aura that seemed to freeze the air. Smiling slightly, she said, “No, I’m not upset.” Usually serious, Qi Xian Qing’s forced smiles always turned into stiff, cold expressions. Frightened, Jiang Meng Chu hiccupped, Then seeing Yan Jue’s spirit fruit preserves, her eyes lit up, banishing her worries. Sour and sweet, the preserves had a layer of spices and sugar, exploding with flavor. As she ate them, tears suddenly rolled down Jiang Meng Chu’s cheeks. Yan Jue asked, “...Why are you crying?” Jiang Meng Chu sobbed, “My master said this trip would be hard, but tagging along with you, Yan Jue, I haven’t faced any hardship. For my next task, I want to follow you again.” Yan Jue mused on how easily Jiang Meng Chu was satisfied—this uncomfortable cave couldn’t possibly feel pleasant. She wondered if they even shared the same task. Jiang Meng Chu whispered, “Yan Jue?” Yan Jue replied, “Hmm?” Jiang Meng Chu leaned close, whispering loudly, “Next time, can it just be us two, without the great elder sister?” Yan Jue thought, ... you’re whispering too loudly. A sudden pop echoed in the cave. Unbeknownst to them, Qi Xian Qing had crushed the spirit fruit in her hand, causing Yan Jue’s heart to skip a beat as she awkwardly looked up, only to see Qi Xian Qing walking away expressionless. Night had fallen deeply; it was time to rest. After standing outside for a while, Qi Xian Qing returned and said, “Let’s take turns keeping watch.” The village was strange, and the mountain uncharted, so they needed someone on guard. She deliberately didn’t include Jiang Meng Chu in the rotation. Jiang Meng Chu asked, “What does keeping watch mean? Guarding the night so it doesn’t turn to day?” Yan Jue thought for a moment, then smiled as she explained, “It means watching at the cave entrance, in case any bad people come.” Jiang Meng Chu replied, “I want to keep watch too.” Qi Xian Qing’s tone was gentle, “No need, Junior Sister Jiang, you just need to focus on sleeping.” Then turning to Yan Jue, “I’ll take first watch, you go rest.” “Wake you up when it’s time.” That was exactly what Yan Jue needed, given her fox spirit nature was causing a prolonged physical issue, making her lose blood and feel especially sleepy. Having Qi Xian Qing take the first watch was perfect for Yan Jue, allowing her to replenish her energy before taking over. Yan Jue leaned against the rock wall, closing her eyes to rest, while Jiang Meng Chu unreservedly lay flat on the ground, falling asleep. Qi Xian Qing sat alone outside the cave. The mountain air was refreshing and tranquil. If one listened closely, the soft rustle of the wind brushing through the grass could be heard. Perched on a rock, Qi Xian Qing gazed at the dim moonlight above, her thoughts lingering on Yan Jue. It was puzzling. Qi Xian Qing prided herself on her restraint, yet she was feeling this way about someone for the first time. Like yesterday, hearing voices from the room while walking the corridor—even knowing some things about Jiang Meng Chu—she couldn't stop her mind from wandering. This trip, too, had her emotions reeling more than once. She had read extensively about dual cultivation, aware that such a bond could exist between two women. Was her affection for Yan Jue akin to seeking a Dao companion? Qi Xian Qing frowned, feeling a pang of irritation. She had long suspected something about Yan Jue’s true identity. Previously, she had avoided pursuing it, deceiving herself. If Yan Jue truly was... Could she still have feelings for her? Qi Xian Qing was lost in these thoughts but soon brushed them aside. Her mind wandered to Yan Jue’s sword, “Flowing Ice.” Since Flowing Ice was new and their departure was rushed, she hadn't had time to prepare a sheath for Yan Jue. A sword is crucial for a cultivator, and a sheath even more so. Suddenly, a noise came from behind, and something thudded against her back. Qi Xian Qing’s demeanor shifted instantly; instinctively, she reached back to find a small arrow lodged there. Its tip glowed faintly green, obviously poisoned, yet she hadn't noticed it strike quietly. She felt around her left chest below, touching something hard. It had deflected the arrow for her just now. This was the heart mirror she and Yan Jue found in a cave previously. The heart mirror could form a small defensive array around the body, reflecting most spells and even deflecting physical attacks that couldn’t be reflected. Luckily, she had it with her; otherwise, the outcome might have been unfortunate. Instantly, another faint noise emerged. Qi Xian Qing’s eyes darted around, spotting over a dozen small arrows fired from a nearby tree. She leapt elegantly, her lithe form twisting through the air, avoiding the hidden projectiles. Her hand shot up, summoning a translucent cyan shield before her. Yan Jue, a light sleeper, emerged from the cave immediately upon hearing the sounds: “What’s going on?” Qi Xian Qing replied, “Someone’s trying to assassinate me.” Or us. But Qi Xian Qing wasn’t certain. Following Qi Xian Qing’s gaze, Yan Jue peered into the darkness. Her sharp vision, typical of a fox demon, soon spotted a faint glimmer on a towering tree not far away. Yan Jue instantly activated “Thousand-Mile Flash,” scaling the tree in the blink of an eye. A rustling noise followed; someone was attempting a getaway under the cover of night! Yan Jue swiftly unleashed her Northern Sea Mystic Iron, chanting an incantation. The mystic iron splintered into countless tiny flying swords, which darted through the sky like dragons, cutting off the person's escape. Suddenly, a commanding dragon roar echoed, shadows cast by candlelight mixed with crackling lightning, and an intense cyan electricity spread wildly. The long sword brushed past the attacker. A scream pierced the silent night as the figure collapsed unconscious. Yan Jue blinked in surprise, slightly taken aback. Qi Xian Qing often resorted to violent methods as a principle. How rare it was for her not to opt for a lethal blow this time. ... The surroundings fell back into silence. Yan Jue crouched to examine the man who had been launching hidden weapons from the tree, finding his body now alarmingly altered after losing consciousness. Where once there had been a semblance of humanity, he had shrunk considerably, his spine slightly hunched, and his skin had turned an eerie purplish hue. A word flashed through Yan Jue’s mind. Demon. Yan Jue was stunned—it was a chameleon spirit. Staring at the chameleon spirit on the ground, Yan Jue was filled with questions. Why would a demon attempt an assassination on Qi Xian Qing in this remote wilderness? Qi Xian Qing regarded the chameleon without much surprise. As a Celestial Spirit Body, her flesh and blood were potent nourishment for supernatural entities. Demons would always find her, no matter where she went; such incidents had occurred during previous missions. Qi Xian Qing squatted to search the chameleon, pulling out a small, dimly glowing bronze token from its waist. Looking at the token, she saw the characters “Perilous Cliff” inscribed on it. Yan Jue frowned slightly, asking, “What is Perilous Cliff?” Staring at the token, Qi Xian Qing’s expression darkened: “Perilous Cliff is a secret organization composed of demons.” “Specializing in assassinations.”