Chapter 423: Gradually Becoming Real

Not even a day of ambiguity, nor even ten years of it, could force the Jiangshi King to reveal her true form. This was because Mo Rou was aware of their plan. The next step was for Ye Wenxin and Long Qingyue to develop feelings over time, provoking the Jiangshi King’s killing intent, thereby prompting her to attack Ye Wenxin.

Unfortunately, this strategy seemed to have no effect. The Jiangshi King was even more adept at enduring than they had imagined. Or, because Long Qingyue was not the Mo Niancheng that the Jiangshi King had in mind, and Ye Wenxin was not the so-called Gu Qingcheng, their actions were meaningless to the Jiangshi King.

As the weather grew colder, the two of them, who had just bid farewell to Mo Rou, returned to their respective rooms. The next morning, seeing that their fishing efforts had been futile, the Secret Guards looked grim.

What was more concerning was that Long Qingyue, who was supposed to arrive, still hadn’t appeared, causing everyone to feel a growing sense of suspicion.

Long Qingyue remained composed, clearly wanting to see how the Secret Guards would handle things in her absence. However, she suddenly realized that without her control, the Secret Guards could actually be more effective.

The Secret Guards started setting up an inescapable net around Mo Clan Village, ensuring that if the Jiangshi King appeared, she would have no chance of escape. Ye Wenxin and Long Qingyue continued to maintain their ambiguous pretense, wandering around the city day after day.

Three days quietly passed, and the situation in Yangzhou City grew increasingly dire. The jiangshi presence in the city could no longer be concealed, and the other dynasties were now aware of the unusual changes in Yangzhou City. People of the immortal sects extended a helping hand, jointly resisting the Jiangshi King’s army, but with little effect.

The jiangshi numbers kept increasing, and they even spread to other dynasties, causing widespread panic. On Ye Wenxin’s side, news of the Secret Guards appearing in Mo Clan Village had also spread. Not only at night, but even during the day, everyone kept their doors shut, not daring to go out. The streets were desolate, and the lively atmosphere from a few days ago was long gone.

As Ye Wenxin and Long Qingyue walked down the road, they no longer encountered any jeering crowds. However, the two of them still followed their plan and maintained a façade of propriety, but their eyes were constantly exchanging glances, as if playing out the most clichéd scene.

Feelings developed over time, and these feelings seemed as incurable as a jiangshi’s corpse poison, so much so that even outsiders could notice something unusual.

Xiao Zhang was completely unaware of this plan the two had concocted. Watching Ye Wenxin and Long Qingyue interact made her feel uncomfortable all over, but at this point, she didn’t know what choice to make.

She still had feelings for Ye Wenxin, but Xiao Zhang also found herself inexplicably drawn to something about Long Qingyue, and her feelings had reached an uncontrollable degree.

Meanwhile, the interactions between the two women began to change. Both were well aware that this was merely an act to draw out the Jiangshi King, yet this ambiguous acting was gradually starting to cross the line.

Another typical night fell, and Ye Wenxin and Long Qingyue sneaked out together. This time, they didn’t bring any Secret Guards with them, nor was there any protection around. The two of them were like thieves, leaving only a small tail trailing behind them.

Mo Rou hid herself very carefully, barely noticeable. She curiously followed them, only to see the two who were supposed to be politely distant engaging in a clandestine tryst in some corner.

“Hold me tighter, my darling Mo.”

“Miss Wenxin, you are truly beautiful.”

They exchanged sickening lines, gazing deeply into each other’s eyes.

When Mo Rou realized the situation had changed, her expression twisted into something sinister. In the next second, sharp fangs grew from her mouth, and her eyes turned blood-red. Seeing Ye Wenxin and Long Qingyue growing closer day by day filled her with rage, making her wish she could tear this pair of adulterers to pieces right then and there.

Because their tryst was so mysterious and their interaction so convincing, Mo Rou’s eyes widened as she saw Ye Wenxin’s lips move in for a kiss.

Her mind was in complete disarray, and the hand that had been touching the wall transformed into sharp claws. With just a light squeeze, she crushed the stone entirely.

However, in reality, the two of them didn’t kiss. Long Qingyue had used her finger to stop it at the last moment, yet she still looked exasperated. Naturally, this immoral idea was Ye Wenxin’s suggestion; if it had been up to Long Qingyue, she would never have gone through the trouble of setting up such a boring scenario.

But Long Qingyue didn’t object; she enjoyed watching Ye Wenxin’s clumsy attempts. The two of them moved even closer, their heads swaying in an exaggerated manner. Long Qingyue only felt the intensity of the embrace increasing, an excruciating experience for someone as hypersensitive as she was.

Yet, this was something she couldn’t let Ye Wenxin know. Long Qingyue continued to play along until she heard that piercing noise. When she glanced around, shadows had appeared, each dressed in a black cloak, making them blend seamlessly with the night.

They had no detectable aura, possessed a natural presence, but they hid danger amidst this darkness. Ye Wenxin’s expression turned to one of fear, and she quickly shouted, “Umbrella sword, come forth!”

But just as she called out, Ye Wenxin noticed that her bag of holding had a few more tears in it. In the distance, the corpse worms she hadn’t seen for a long time appeared, baring mouths that seemed disproportionate to their bodies, as if they were greeting Ye Wenxin.

Ye Wenxin pretended to be even more panicked, and immediately scooped Long Qingyue up in a princess carry, then the two of them began to desperately flee down the road. Long Qingyue didn’t resist; she enjoyed the perks of playing the weak damsel. The two of them kept running down the road, but they appeared far too conspicuous in this dark night.

The shadows grew in number, converging into a powerful force, surrounding Ye Wenxin and Long Qingyue from all directions. With no escape route left, Ye Wenxin held Long Qingyue tightly, her eyes showing a look of despair, allowing the Jiangshi King to relish in her victory.

Finally, the Jiangshi King, identical in appearance to the surrounding shadows, emerged. The only difference was that on her shoulder sat a corpse worm that Ye Wenxin was very familiar with, revealing this to be the true Jiangshi King.

The Jiangshi King still couldn’t speak, but Ye Wenxin clearly heard a voice in her mind.

“Mo Niancheng, you have betrayed me again.”

Long Qingyue seemed momentarily stunned, then, with a particularly righteous air, she firmly grasped Ye Wenxin’s hand and continued, “How can there be betrayal without trust?”

“Oh, so there was no betrayal? If you hadn’t abandoned me back then, how could I have ended up like this?” asked the Jiangshi King, her tone filled with resentment.

As a bystander, Ye Wenxin became even more curious. She then noticed Long Qingyue frown slightly, as if she had some reaction to what the Jiangshi King was saying.

Silence gripped the atmosphere for a moment. Just as Ye Wenxin was wondering how the plot would unfold, the Jiangshi King tossed over a dagger.

“If you cut off a few pieces of her flesh, I won’t kill you.”

Her tone was so cruel, and as if that wasn’t enough, she added, “If you don’t do it, I’ll dismember you both and make sure you suffer a fate worse than death.”