Chapter 489: The Long-Awaited Truth

Madam Yu’s face flushed instantly, before she regained the composure befitting her status as a manor lady. She nodded politely, saying, “I wonder if the esteemed Demon Lord can see any peculiar beings around us.”

She was subtly expressing her shock at seeing the ghost floating in the air. As Madam Yu thought it over calmly, her first assumption was not that “Gu Qingcheng” had saved her, but rather, her sister, Liu Churan, had done something in the room earlier to summon this beautiful female ghost.

“I can’t see anything.”

“Gu Qingcheng” played dumb and, with an affected look of confusion, asked, “What strange things did you see to be so frightened, Madam?”

Seeing that “Gu Qingcheng” was genuinely clueless about the hocus-pocus involved, Madam Yu revealed a bit more. “Perhaps it was something my sister did just now that brought me back from the brink of death.”

Actually, Liu Churan’s actions had only accelerated Madam Yu’s decline; if it hadn’t been for Ghost Mother’s countermeasure, Madam Yu’s death would have already been a certainty.

Although Sword Ghost’s possession had delayed Madam Yu’s death, if Sword Ghost were to leave Madam Yu’s side, Madam Yu would start dying again . The urgency of the situation weighed heavily on “Gu Qingcheng”, reminding her that she was too slow.

She could only push herself so far; if she truly wanted to become all-knowing and omnipotent, she needed to learn much more.

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Ye Wenxin felt more and more reluctant to stay put. If there were a place where she could uncover all this knowledge, it would surely be Cosmos Academy, the largest institution in the realm. Furthermore, she still had the letter she found in the sea near Yangzhou City, addressed from the dean to Teacher Asuka, which meant a visit to the academy was essential.

However, “Gu Qingcheng” couldn’t just leave the current situation, as she was still bound to Qiao Ni.

Wait, how far did she just move away from Qiao Ni? Why hadn’t she felt any reaction? When “Gu Qingcheng” finally recalled this fact, she sensed how quiet it was around her, unsettlingly so. She stepped out of the room and entered another one. At this point, the distance between the two rooms had exceeded ten meters, yet Qiao Ni was still lying on the bed without any reaction.

One thing was certain, though. Qiao Ni was still unaware of the perilous situation her mother had just faced. “Gu Qingcheng” let out a sigh of relief, and soon saw Madam Yu hurrying over.

Madam Yu’s complexion was starting to look normal, but the air around her remained chilly. It was likely Sword Ghost’s possession that lent her a half-human, half-ghost vibe. She gazed at Qiao Ni, who was sleeping soundly on the bed, and her face softened with a maternal tenderness.

Her eyes brimming with affection, she leaned closer to Qiao Ni, wanting to take in her daughter’s features for a few more moments. Feeling the coldness around her, Qiao Ni couldn’t help but open her eyes, and as soon as she did, she spotted Madam Yu. Qiao Ni groggily rubbed her eyes and asked, “Mother, why are you up? Did something happen again?”

Madam Yu felt a lump in her throat but concealed the bitterness within her heart.

“No, I just couldn’t sleep, so I took a walk with the Demon Lord.”

Qiao Ni, feeling both surprised and puzzled, looked toward “Gu Qingcheng” for an explanation. “Gu Qingcheng” nodded slightly, and Qiao Ni’s expression lit up with joy, as she realized that the curse binding her to “Gu Qingcheng” had finally been lifted. She jumped up with a smile.

“Free at last!”

“What? Ni Ni, are you hiding something from me?”

Madam Yu had sensed the two were being odd, and after hearing Qiao Ni’s sudden outburst, she could no longer restrain her curiosity.

Qiao Ni turned to “Gu Qingcheng”, seeking her opinion. “Gu Qingcheng” nodded and spoke first.

“Madam, please let me explain…”

“Gu Qingcheng” recounted the unexplainable circumstances that had bound the two of them together. Madam Yu’s expression grew strange as she listened. It seemed like she wanted to ask something, but couldn’t get it out.

“Mother, why did this happen?”

Qiao Ni looked more confused, but she could see a lot reflected in Madam Yu’s eyes. This emotional display made her certain that her mother was hiding many things from her. Even if it was done with good intentions, Qiao Ni thought she was old enough, and needed to know certain truths.

Madam Yu pressed her lips together, sighed, and asked, “Demon Lord, have you heard of the Yin-Yang Pearls?” The topic shifted back to the Yin-Yang Pearl.

Once Madam Yu received a nod from “Gu Qingcheng”, she went on, “Many years ago, I obtained these Yin-Yang Pearls through dubious means. The Yin Pearl can grant the ability to bear children and even reshape oneself, while the Yang Pearl can drain a person’s lifespan and even fulfill their wishes.”

“Gu Qingcheng” felt forlorn; she had underestimated the allure of the Yin-Yang Pearls. It was clear to her, after hearing Madam Yu’s words, that Liu Churan’s desperate desire to obtain Ghost Mother was driven not just by a longing for motherhood, but by a grand ambition.

“Mother, the more I hear, the less I understand.”

To Qiao Ni, however, Madam Yu’s story was very confusing.

Madam Yu’s expression grew more complicated. She sighed.

“Ni Ni, do you have any strong wishes lately?”

Qiao Ni paused to think, then glanced at “Gu Qingcheng”, seemingly reluctant to reveal any skeletons in the closet.

“Don’t hesitate to speak. The Demon Lord is also a victim in this matter,” Madam Yu said dismissively, but deep down, she was eager to hear Qiao Ni’s answer.

Qiao Ni still appeared hesitant, especially after learning about “Gu Qingcheng’s” true identity. She worried that if she spoke her mind, it might provoke “Gu Qingcheng’s” wrath and result in dire consequences for both her and her mother.

“Fear not. I’m a good person.”

“Gu Qingcheng” also realized that her villainous reputation was casting too large of a shadow, so she made an effort to prove she wasn’t as terrifying as they imagined.

Qiao Ni laughed, feeling as if she was looking at the most enhanced version of Ye Wenxin, which allowed her to relax a bit.

“Lately, since Mother has been unwell, I’ve been cursing that scoundrel every day. He’s supposed to be my father, yet from the day I was born, he’s never once visited my mother.”

Qiao Ni hesitated a little, feeling awkward about sharing her inner thoughts, while “Gu Qingcheng” listened with a peculiar expression. She had a feeling both Madam Yu and Qiao Ni had misunderstood that it was Qiao Ni’s wish that had caused the Yang Pearl to bind the girl to “Gu Qingcheng”.

However, “Gu Qingcheng” couldn’t reveal that she currently had the Yin Pearl, so she remained silent, hoping Madam Yu would reveal more information that would help her piece the truth together.

Madam Yu looked a little helpless, and she hurriedly began to clarify.

“Ni Ni, this matter truly isn’t her fault. Back then, I…”

However, when Madam Yu recalled the ‘scoundrel’ was still by her side, the words got stuck in her throat.

With the truth so close but just out of reach, “Qu Qingcheng” desperately encouraged Madam Yu to keep going.

“Madam, could you please be more clear!?”

“Gu Qingcheng” was at her limit. No matter what she might have to sacrifice afterward, she was determined to know the truth Madam Yu was hiding tonight.