Chapter 35

In the past few days, Yu Zhengzheng’s emotions had been like a roller coaster. Just moments ago, she had been relieved that this level of the illusion was simple, only to wake up in a large pot being stewed like livestock.

If it weren’t for the fact that she didn’t have poop-shaped curls on her head, she might have thought that Xi Yangyang would come to rescue her.

Aside from the naked, beast-skin-wearing savages and the mysteriously absent Hengwu Xianjun, Immortal Lord, the other teammates she could have counted on were all being cooked in the pot.

She had to admit that the cannibal tribe here was quite considerate. Knowing the difference between men and women, they kindly split them into two separate pots.

Thinking this, she couldn’t help but glance at the next pot, where the Ghost King was tied up like a crab. “Are you okay?”

Rong Shang looked at her blankly. “Are we that close?”

Yu Zhengzheng didn’t expect him to ask such a strange question. She was momentarily stunned. “We’re close, I’m about to get cooked here, what about you?”

Rong Shang: “…”

He paused for a moment, slowly narrowing his eyes and looking towards the wild men who, after adding firewood, were heading back to the wooden houses.

Originally, the cannibal tribe was just a bunch of wild people who ate human flesh. With Xiang Feng and Xiao Yuqing around, they could have been wiped out.

But who would have thought that Hengwu Xianjun, this idiot, said they were gradually turning into mortals, yet the second layer of the illusion directly sealed everyone’s spiritual power.

Even he was affected, and his divine power was nearly depleted. Plus, there was some unknown toxin in the air here. At this moment, he was without the strength to resist.

He needed time to recover, to absorb the toxins he had inhaled, and when they disappeared, he would be able to kill these wild men.

Rong Shang lightly opened his lips. “You guys, push towards one direction and make this pot lose its balance.”

He was speaking to Yu Zhengzheng and the others. If they could make the pot tip over, it would give him more time.

Yu Zhengzheng was confused. “But the three of you together are heavier. Why do you want us to do it?”

Rong Shang explained casually, “The ground is muddy. It would dirty my white clothes.”

Yu Zhengzheng: “…”

Damn, this sounds so familiar.

She thought back for a while and finally remembered where she had heard it before.

That damn senior brother had said this kind of nonsense!

Her senior brother had been pursued by Xiang Feng, and she had blocked a sword for him, nearly falling off a cliff. She had hoped he would pull her up from the edge.

But her senior brother had smiled faintly and said, “Your hands are covered in blood. It will dirty my white clothes. You said you love me, so climb up yourself.”

Yu Zhengzheng gritted her teeth, recalling it, her head stiffening as she stubbornly refused to follow his words.

Why should he have the final say in everything?

What if they accidentally broke the pot? The cannibal tribe would have no new pots, and they would roast them on sticks instead.

As she was struggling with the Ghost King, a head peeked out from the grass. She accidentally caught a glimpse of the white silk covering the person’s eyes, and her teeth clenched harder.

Pah! This damn immortal, how dare he come back?

Hengwu Xianjun, seeing that the wild men found it too hot and went back to the wooden houses, slowly walked out from the grass.

He smiled at Rong Shang, showing his teeth. “It’s been a while. The Ghost King’s face, which was once plain, has now become so flushed with life.”

Hengwu Xianjun had seen Rong Shang a few times, but Rong Shang was always wearing a human skin mask, so he had never seen his real face. He had always assumed that Rong Shang’s true appearance was unattractive since he always disguised himself.

Before Rong Shang could speak, Yu Zhengzheng couldn’t help but curse, “You ungrateful, treacherous wolf! You had me make a staff for you with Shanshui, and now you’re scheming against us—fine, but you won’t even spare Shanshui?!”

Hengwu Xianjun smiled, “Good insult. Want to add a few more?”

When he was still a guardian of the heavens, Hengwu Xianjun had a bit of benevolence and righteousness. But after falling into the demonic path, he completely turned into a cunning and ruthless villain.

He had burned many bridges in the past. The people who reached out to help him only did so because they pitied him—after all, he had a disability and near blindness.

In their eyes, what was the difference between him and a stray cat or dog by the side of the road?

But they didn’t know that he was neither a stray cat nor a dog. He was an ungrateful white-eyed wolf.

Since they liked to give him charity, he naturally accepted it. Did they expect a white-eyed wolf to have a heart of gratitude?

Yu Zhengzheng, fuming with anger, rolled her eyes at Hengwu Xianjun. She spat at him and couldn’t be bothered to argue with him further.

Hengwu Xianjun had thought that Shanshui would also curse him, but she seemed completely unaware of him. She raised her head and gazed at the horizon, lost in thought.

For some reason, he felt a sense of reluctance. “Little girl, is there anything else you wish to do?”

“If it’s within my power, I’ll help you accomplish it,” he added.

Shanshui’s thoughts were pulled back to the present. She blinked and slowly lowered her head, replying after a while, “Could you pick a flower for me?”

Hengwu Xianjun was taken aback. He hadn’t expected such a simple request. He had thought she would beg him to help her escape.

For a moment, he even wondered if she would ask for something like that. In that case, he would have taken her out.

But she didn’t. She only wanted a flower.

Hengwu Xianjun seriously searched the ground, his eyes covered by a white cloth, feeling a bit uncomfortable, but he didn’t stop looking. Eventually, his gaze landed on a pure white daisy.

She resembled that daisy, pure and flawless.

He picked the daisy and was about to hand it to her, but then he realized her hands were tied.

He untied her restraints and placed the flower gently in her palm. “Here.”

Shanshui smiled softly. “Thank you.”

He was stunned.

It was his fault that she had been captured by the cannibal tribe. She didn’t even hate him, and now she was thanking him?

Shanshui was weak. Since entering the illusion, she felt her condition deteriorating daily.

She had a sense that even if she didn’t die here, she wouldn’t be able to leave alive.

She didn’t want to make her master worry or upset Zhengzheng. If she really died, it wouldn’t matter.

Even a fairy couldn’t escape the day her soul fades away. Her master already had someone by his side, and she had long lost the value of her own existence.

Shanshui pulled a strand of her hair, trembling as she wrapped it around the daisy’s stem. “If the Xianjun breaks the formation, please plant this flower on the Sacred Spring Heaven Stairs of Guixu Mountain.”

The Sacred Spring Heaven Stairs was where she met her master. She hoped that one day she could return there, to the place where her life began and end.

Hengwu Xianjun stared at the daisy wrapped with her hair and inexplicably felt a sense of irritation.

Rong Shang observed his reaction and slowly raised a smile.

It seemed even the mighty ruler of the demon world had his weakness.

After a moment of recovery, Rong Shang had regained some of his strength.

He gathered all his divine power in his right hand, clenched his fist slightly, and struck the edge of the large cauldron with a heavy blow. A clear crack appeared in the cauldron.

The sound of the strike rang out like a deep bell, reverberating for miles.

Upon hearing the sound, the cannibal tribesmen rushed out of the wooden huts. They crouched low and moved with swift, monkey-like agility.

Though Hengwu Xianjun had adjusted his steps to be as fast as possible, his legs were still slow compared to the wild tribesmen.

He was soon bound to a large tree trunk like a roasted pig.

Yu Zhengzheng grinned widely. “The heavens do indeed have a way of balancing things out!”

Hengwu Xianjun resumed his deadpan attitude, “Little girl, don’t celebrate too early. You’ll definitely roast faster than me.”

Yu Zhengzheng rolled her eyes.

Perhaps because of what had just happened, the wild tribesmen didn’t dare leave. They stood by, watching over their meal, making sure no one would escape.

Hengwu Xianjun’s clothes caught fire. He was about to oppose Rong Shang, but all those thoughts disappeared in an instant.

It wasn’t worth it to destroy the enemy at the cost of damaging himself.

He shouted at the tribesmen, “Quick, take me down! I need to see your queen!”

The tribesmen didn’t understand his words, but they understood the two words “queen.”

They muttered incomprehensibly among themselves, gesturing back and forth until one of the wild men finally summoned the tribe’s priestess.

The priestess was a woman, and unlike the barely covered animal hides the tribespeople wore, her attire was much more conventional, though it was men’s clothing.

When the priestess laid eyes on Hengwu Xianjun, her gaze froze. “You’re quite good-looking.”

Hengwu Xianjun smiled politely. “Thank you…”

Before he could finish, she interrupted, asking bluntly, “What’s your size? How many times a night? And how long each time?”

Hengwu Xianjun: “…”

He could feel the burning gazes behind him, the curious eyes of everyone else who was still in the boiling cauldron.

It wasn’t just the priestess who wanted to know; apparently, the others were also intrigued.

His smile froze as he chose his words carefully. “A night… two or three times?”

In truth, he had no idea. But admitting that would expose him as inexperienced—a humiliation he couldn’t afford.

The priestess seemed disappointed. “Not much stamina, it seems. No matter. With the right herbs, you’ll do.”

She was about to have him taken away when he pointed at Rong Shang and said, “Look at him! He’s even better—ten times a night!”

Rong Shang: “…”

The priestess scrutinized Rong Shang, nodding after a moment. “Average looks, but decent kidney function. It’s all the same in the dark.”

Turning her gaze to Xiao Yuqing and Xiang Feng, she added, “You two are quite attractive. Even if you’re just decorative vases, you’ll serve nicely.”

With a wave of her hand, the priestess had all the men lifted out of the cauldron.

The tribespeople carried them away, but Xiang Feng growled urgently, “Release the women too.”

The priestess raised an eyebrow. “They’re dinner. Why should I let them go?”

With that, she gestured to the tribesmen, signaling for the fire to be stoked to cook them faster.

Rong Shang glanced at the blushing Yu Zhengzheng and said nonchalantly, “The one in the apricot-colored dress has tender skin. Boiling her like this will ruin the flavor. Better to cut off her head and limbs, remove the innards, and roast her.”

The apricot-colored dress referred to Shanshui.

The priestess’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Quick, do as he says!”

Hengwu Xianjun froze, a cold smile forming on his lips. “The Ghost King is truly ruthless. You don’t even spare young girls.”

Rong Shang replied calmly, “You’re mistaken, Xianjun. Her fate is in your hands, not mine.”

Hengwu Xianjun fell silent.

Lowering his gaze to the daisy in his palm, his lashes trembled slightly. A bitter smile tugged at his lips. He couldn’t fathom why he found it so hard to steel his heart against this girl.

“Hold on, my fair lady.” Hengwu Xianjun sighed, stopping the priestess. “These women are heavenly virgins. Eating them will bring divine retribution.”

The priestess blinked. “Virgins?”

Without missing a beat, he continued, “The Queen has longed for offspring but remains unfulfilled. These women were sent by Guanyin, the deity of fertility, to grant her wish.”

The priestess, stunned that he knew of the Queen’s desire, immediately believed his fabricated story. She nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes! I’ll release them at once.”

Just like that, they were inexplicably saved. The priestess reverently led them to a palace.

Standing before the stone castle, Yu Zhengzheng couldn’t help but suspect Hengwu Xianjun had drawn inspiration from Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf. The castle’s exterior bore an uncanny resemblance to the wolf’s lair from the show.

Though the exterior was drab and gray, the interior was lavishly decorated, resembling the grand halls of an imperial palace from television dramas.

They were escorted to a large second-floor room. The priestess informed them that the Queen was still asleep and would summon them once she awoke.

The room was spacious. Yu Zhengzheng began inspecting the surroundings, searching for an escape route.

Hengwu Xianjun remarked coolly, “Don’t bother. The key to leaving this illusion lies with the Queen. Even if you run, you won’t get out.”

Unconvinced, Yu Zhengzheng retorted, “You’ve never told the truth. Who would believe you?”

He smiled indifferently. “You don’t have to believe me. But if you want to leave alive, you’d better listen.”

Annoying as his words were, they all knew he was right.

This formation was mysterious and unpredictable. A single misstep could be fatal. Without Hengwu Xianjun, they had no chance of escaping.

Yu Zhengzheng said no more. Just looking at Hengwu Xianjun made her want to throw hands.

After being boiled in the cauldron for so long, her white robes, though waterproof, hadn’t protected her undergarments, which were soaked through. Now the wet, clingy fabric felt unbearably uncomfortable.

She suddenly froze.

If she was miserable, Xiao Yuqing must be even worse off. He was likely also thinking about changing clothes.

Pondering for a moment, she feigned casualness. “It’s too hot to stay in wet clothes. Let’s change before anyone catches a cold.”

Most of them had spare clothes stored in their magical storage items and agreed readily.

However, the room was interconnected with no private corners, separated only by a few screens. With men and women present, it wasn’t ideal.

Yu Zhengzheng brushed it off, secretly scheming. This was her chance to sneak a peek at Xiao Yuqing.

“You men change first,” she said, pointing to the screens. “We’ll wait in the corner and take our turn after.”

The women had no objections and moved obediently to the corner. Yu Zhengzheng followed them, pretending to leave.

As she walked, she turned slightly to the side, sneaking glances at their positions.

There were four men in total. Naturally, they wouldn’t all crowd behind the same screen to change, especially not the fastidious Ghost King and Hengwu Xianjun.

The screens were quite large, about four or five in total. Each man occupied one, much like the individual stalls in a school shower room, ensuring they didn’t disturb one another.

Yu Zhengzheng noticed that Xiao Yuqing entered the screen on the far left. After confirming he had gone in, she turned her head back and continued toward the corner.

Even with the screens as barriers, Yu Jiangjiang and An Ning were blushing slightly. Only Shanshui seemed unaffected, viewing their bodies as no different from pork.

Once they reached the corner, the women obediently faced the wall like they were being punished, afraid to turn around lest they see something they shouldn’t.

Seeing them with their eyes shut tight, Yu Zhengzheng tiptoed quietly back toward the screens.

She moved toward the first screen on the left, and as she expected, each man had taken his own screen, not crowded together.

With the screen blocking her view, she couldn’t peek directly. Instead, she crouched down, lying flat on the ground, and silently stuck her head under the side of the screen.

As she lifted her gaze, her eyes were met with two smooth, rounded peaches.

The cold white skin emitted a faint glow, the curve slightly arched, presenting a scene of beauty.

She couldn’t help but salivate.

Who would’ve thought Xiao Yuqing, who appeared flat and unassuming, actually had such a pert and rounded derrière like a corgi’s?

Forgetting her intention to check his arms, her eyes were glued to the sight. In her heart, she silently chanted, Turn around, turn around…

After a while, he still didn’t turn. Reluctantly, she shifted her gaze upward.

Then, she saw a back covered with menacing scars and twisted black runes that snaked across his spine.

This was… the Ghost King?

Yu Zhengzheng froze, her eyes trailing up to the back of his head.

He seemed to sense something amiss and slightly turned his head, glancing toward the screen’s edge.

She froze again.

It was her senior brother’s face.