Chapter 74

When Nangong Yao appeared, most of the guests in the courtyard had already been absorbed into the power of Shentu Xiang.

Zhongli He, an elder from the Zhongli clan, stepped forward from the crowd, her gaze fixed on the massive puppet soldier charging toward Liuyu, her voice sharp as she demanded:

“Zhong Wuyong, what are you doing!”

This massive puppet soldier was the most powerful one ever created by the Zhongli clan in the past century.

The process of crafting this puppet was still the clan’s top secret. This time, they had decided to take it out for real combat, and the person chosen to control it was the best of the best. Yet, to everyone’s surprise, the moment Nangong Yao made his move, Zhong Wuyong lost control.

— The puppet that was supposed to fight against Nangong Yao ended up protecting an insignificant bystander!

At this moment, Zhong Wuyong was buried in a massive pit, and even though dozens of puppet soldiers blocked the most lethal flow of Qi from Nangong Yao’s attack, they could not counter the devastating blow that nearly shattered his organs.

Zhong Wuyong coughed up large amounts of blood and clots, muttering in a muddled voice:

“Damn it, this is really strange…”

He had been in charge of the puppet soldiers for many years, and this was the first time he encountered such a situation.

When a puppet is made, the craftsman engraves Qi seals into its head and limbs.

The puppets are Yin, while the controller is Yang. The Yin and Yang seals should correspond with each other. Puppets sharing the same Yang seal may malfunction, but this gigantic puppet, which had a special single Yang seal, should never make such a mistake.

Nangong Yao glanced at the massive puppet soldier heading toward Liuyu.

If that puppet had not harbored any intent to kill Liuyu, Nangong Yao would have almost revealed his intentions when he saw it charging at her.

Because in that instant, he sensed the Qi within the puppet rapidly expanding, only to quickly contract again.

The speed and fierceness of the Qi flow made Nangong Yao’s battlefield instincts alert him: among all the enemies present, this puppet was the one to be most cautious of.

But where did this puppet come from?

Nangong Yao turned his gaze away from it and addressed the crowd below:

“I came here today only to rid my Yinshan clan of traitors. Those with no part in this, step aside. Those who try to obstruct, shall be removed. Zhongli clan, will you retreat, or will you obstruct me?”

Golden Qi turned into an army of thousands, galloping across the sky, the sounds of war horses’ neighs and drums reverberating like they were real.

Fang Fuzang, also from a military background, could not help but admire the scene, feeling both awe and respect. He had heard that Nangong Yao had only opened his Qi sea after Nangong Jing married into the Yinshan clan. To achieve this level of strength under such circumstances—if he had been carefully nurtured from a young age, who knows what kind of power he would possess?

The people from the Zhongli clan, however, were more fearful than impressed.

When Nangong Jing moved Nangong Yao away from the royal capital, it was like releasing a fierce tiger back into the wild.

Zhongli He stepped forward:

“Lord Guanglu Xun, perhaps you’ve made a mistake. Today is the wedding between Miss Yin and Master Shentu. Though the Yin family is a vassal of the Yinshan clan, marriage between a man and a woman is about mutual affection, and the union of two families. How could this be considered betrayal? Could it be that the Yinshan clan intends to interfere with the marriage of a vassal’s daughter?”

She was eloquent and persuasive, but Nangong Yao had no time to entertain such discussions.

He laughed loudly, his thick beard shifting with both mirth and murderous intent.

“You are weak and I am strong, that is interference. But what can you do about it?”

Zhongli He’s expression darkened.

A vulgar man from a humble background—indeed, reckless and disrespectful!

She shouted loudly: “Zhong Wuyong! What are you waiting for!”

Zhong Wuyong, who was climbing out of the pit, gritted his teeth and tore open the sleeve of his left arm, revealing full-arm tattoos of Qi seals. He shouted:

“Tian Jia Thirty-One, protect!”

The puppet soldiers of the Zhongli clan were ranked according to the heavenly stems and earthly branches.

The highest-tier puppets began with Tian (Heaven), with ranks from Jia to Gui, and were ordered by the sequence of their creation. According to the intelligence Yinshan had gathered, there should only be thirty Tian Jia-level puppets in existence.

But this one was called Tian Jia Thirty-One.

The mechanical contraptions crafted by the Qi Refining Division had been steadily declining in quality over the years. Even at their peak, they could not produce such a puppet. How had one suddenly appeared?

Before Nangong Yao could think it through, a massive square seal on Zhong Wuyong’s arm surged with a violent flow of Qi.

The massive puppet soldier above Liuyu slowly began to move.

To say it “moved” might be an understatement.

Liuyu, who was closest to it, clearly heard the sound of metal clashing, as if every joint of the puppet’s body was grinding against itself. The sharp, discordant screeches that followed each awkward movement made Liuyu shiver in disgust.

It didn’t seem like it was responding to the command.

It seemed… like it was resisting Zhong Wuyong’s command.

A puppet with no life—how could it resist? What could it possibly be resisting?

Liuyu wasn’t sure if her feelings were accurate, but she seized the opportunity to kick the puppet away, finally breaking free from its looming presence.

Fang Fucang immediately stepped forward and asked:

“Miss, are you alright?”

“What could possibly be wrong with me?”

Liuyu dusted off the dirt on her clothes.

Regardless of whether there are unexpected variables today, she must make Nan Gongyao fake his death at Mo Lin’s hands, and the Yinshan Clan’s market must be openly lost and secretly reclaimed, returning it to her control.

No matter how difficult the battle is, she must win.

“Today is the confrontation between the Yinshan Clan and the Zhongli Clan. We don’t need you here. Go find Yin Lanruo.”

Fang Fucang froze for a moment.

How could it be that while the master is risking her life, the subordinates hide in the back to save themselves?

Liuyu turned back to look at him:

“I’ve heard that the accounts of the Yinshan Clan’s market in Dongji Yanggu mostly go through your wife. After you rescue her, there will still be days when you and your wife will have to go through fire for me.”

His gaze shifted several times in hesitation, but eventually, it calmed down.

Even if it was to win over people’s hearts, to better control him in the future.

Fang Fucang sighed inwardly.

He had worked diligently for over twenty years, thinking he had seen through the tricks of the high-ranking officials to control their subordinates, but it turned out he wasn’t avoiding the trap—he just hadn’t met someone with enough skill before.

Now, encountering a superior with extraordinary methods, he actually felt a sense of gratitude as if she regarded him as her own.

“…Thank you, Miss.”

Fang Fucang cupped his hands solemnly:

“After I settle Lanruo, I will rush back immediately.”

Yue Niang also said: “I’ll go save my Master’s wife too…”

“You really should save your Master’s wife.”

Liuyu grabbed Yue Niang’s collar and said meaningfully:

“But it should be here that you save her.”

Boom—!!

Liuyu and the others looked toward the sound.

It was the sound of Nan Gongyao’s fist shattering ten puppets.

The entire courtyard of nobles stared in shock as those puppets, each with the power of six realms, were as fragile as wooden carvings under Nan Gongyao’s hands. With just one punch, they crumbled into pieces, unable to withstand his strength.

The giant puppet had still not been activated by Zhong Wuyong.

Zhongli He’s face became serious.

What on earth is going on? What went wrong?

Shentu Shiying, however, showed a faint smile.

She tilted her head and whispered to her father:

“The mighty Zhongli Clan is nothing special. Father, is this the strong force you swore loyalty to? I think it’s better for our family to surrender early.”

Shentu Xiang was not angered.

Ignorant child.

The Zhongli Clan and the Jiufang Clan had joined forces. It was more than just this bit of strength. If they truly surrendered, with the cruelty of these two families, their fate would likely be tragic.

But Shentu Xiang’s gaze turned to Nan Gongyao, and he couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope in his heart.

He actually hoped the Yinshan Clan would win.

Zhong Wuyong was chased all over the courtyard by Nan Gongyao’s troops. In a hurry, he released a thunder arrow to narrowly avoid a deadly strike but ended up falling right at Liuyu’s feet.

Liuyu smiled softly:

“Your Excellency prides himself on being noble, far above the common people. Be careful and take care of yourself, or else if you end up dying, what good will your nobility do you?”

“You—”

Zhong Wuyong’s arm crackled with thunder as he was about to release the arrow, but was suddenly kicked several meters away by Nan Gongyao from afar.

Liuyu looked at the dust and smoke and appeared somewhat surprised.

Yue Niang, with her expressionless face, had a smile that was all sincerity and emotion.

Kick him a few more times!

Kick him until his head is swollen and make him stop looking down on others!

Zhongli He cast a cold glance at Liuyu and Yue Niang before turning his attention back to the nobles in the courtyard, who were now uneasy and wavering.

“No wonder they are the Guardians of the Royal Capital’s Court of State. Their strength is truly formidable…”

“Yin Zishi will probably die for sure today.”

“If he really dies, wouldn’t that be a slap in the face to the Zhongli Clan?”

Zhongli He sneered inwardly.

The Yinshan Clan had already been cornered by the two great clans.

What does it matter how strong Nan Gongyao is?

There are many other strong people in the world.

A thousand soldiers, a giant mountain.

In mid-air, Nan Gongyao was steadily moving toward Zhong Wuyong and the puppets in the courtyard.

Some of the nobles who had been hiding under the eaves couldn’t bear to watch, while others regretted their loyalty to the Zhongli Clan.

At this moment—

The sky suddenly turned a golden hue, and a dark, obscure aura spread through the air, like a coming storm, bringing a humid and heavy energy that instantly enveloped everyone’s vision in a deep, dark green.

“Look up!” someone screamed.

Everyone looked up at once.

The energy materialized into thousands of soldiers, who burned and twisted in the sky like ghostly flames—

Nan Gongyao turned his gaze, his eyes bright, looking toward the bamboo forest outside the wall, where the overwhelming ghostly flames were rushing toward them.

It had finally arrived.

“It’s the demon ghost Mo Lin!”

Beigong Ying shouted.

She would never mistake that ghostly flame. It was the demon ghost who had ruined Miss Liuyu’s reputation!

The courtyard of the Shentu Clan erupted. The nobles who had been hiding under the eaves quickly retreated behind Shentu Xiang.

What kind of wedding is this!

It’s better called a funeral wedding! They might end up accompanying the bride and groom in death!

At this moment, countless nobles cursed the Zhongli Clan in their hearts, as well as Zhongli Lingzhou, who had arranged this marriage.

If it weren’t for them, would they be in this danger today?

Zhongli He and Zhong Wuyong’s serious faces finally relaxed somewhat.

Although the giant puppet had some malfunctions, fortunately, as the Jiufang Clan had said, if Nan Gongyao really came to kill Yin Zishi today, the demon ghost Mo Lin would appear on their side.

Under the gaze of thousands of eyes.

The ghostly youth, with his striking appearance, like a spirit from the depths of the underworld, held a blazing ghostly flame in his hand, which stirred up a storm, blowing his dark hair wildly. His red-tassel ear pendants, just visible through his hair, glowed like blood.

The numerous aristocratic families present were greatly astonished.

He is the demon ghost Mo Lin?

How could someone who is considered a monster among monsters look so fair-skinned, with red lips and white teeth, and be so handsome?

But before they could relax or lose their fear at the appearance of Mo Lin, they saw sixteen tendrils slithering out from under his flowing robe, suddenly shattering the seemingly indestructible defense of Nangong Yao, which was like a copper wall or an iron shield!

Just one strike!

The shockwaves from the strike caused roof tiles to fly and the flowers and plants in the courtyard to break. Dust and stones flew, startling many of the aristocrats, who had to cover themselves with their sleeves.

Zhong Wuyong, amidst the windstorm, smiled in amusement.

What nonsense Nangong Yao, what so-called head of the aristocratic Yinshan family.

How can they compete with the combined forces of the Zhongli family and Jiufang family?

The decline of the Yinshan family began today, and in the future, when history books are written, his name, Zhong Wuyong, would be mentioned!

He cast a sidelong glance at Liuyu in the crowd, eager to see the look of shock on her face.

But to his surprise—

Among the aristocrats, who were being blown to and fro by the wind, the young girl’s calm, delicate face showed no panic whatsoever. In fact, she was calmer than anyone else.

Her skirt fluttered in the turbulent air.

She slightly raised her head, like a swan ready to take flight.

A strange feeling crept into Zhong Wuyong’s heart, but he couldn’t make sense of it.

The demon ghost Mo Lin had the upper hand over Nangong Yao. Once Nangong Yao died, it would be easy to kill Ji Mo Gui and take revenge for Miss Lingzhou.

Why is she so calm?

Just as Liuyu lowered her gaze and whispered to the girl holding her leg, a bolt wrapped in lightning flew toward her.

Shentu Xiang shouted, “Zhong Langjun, don’t be reckless!”

If a family patriarch were to die at the Shentu family banquet, how could they hold another one with any face?

Zhong Wuyong looked on with disdain and shot the thunder arrow, aiming directly at Liuyu’s face.

Shentu Xiang wanted to protect the guests, but he couldn’t move in time. The arrow flew too fast, and before anyone with insufficient cultivation could react, the Ji Mo family patriarch was shot and sent flying several yards, disappearing from their sight.

Zhong Wuyong immediately gave chase.

The qi flowing through his arm’s crossbow grew fiercer, matching the wild ambitions swelling in his heart.

If I can return to Xiandu Yujing with Ji Mo Gui’s head, I will surely gain the favor of Miss Lingzhou. Add to that the merit of killing Nangong Yao, a surname of Zhongli will be granted to me—it will come soon enough…

He leaned forward, pressing his knee against Liuyu’s abdomen, preparing to shoot her point-blank.

But just as he was about to strike, the girl, feigning unconsciousness, suddenly opened her eyes.

---

Zhongli He, who had been watching the giant puppet, suddenly furrowed his brow.

The puppet, as large as a rockery, with limbs twisted like branches, suddenly broke free from its chaotic state. It no longer emitted the ominous screeching sounds but stood with its head lowered, staring blankly ahead.

Zhongli He breathed a sigh of relief and slowly withdrew the puppet-control rod that he had been holding tightly.

The puppet-control rod could forcibly shut down a puppet’s Qi Sea and turn it back into an ordinary string-controlled puppet, losing all its combat abilities.

This tool was only used when a puppet was out of control.

Looking at it now, the puppet seemed to have inexplicably returned to normal.

However, Mo Lin was clearly gaining the upper hand over Nangong Yao, and with no need for the puppets to intervene, he should be able to eliminate Nangong Yao—

“Do you need help?”

Before Zhongli He could think further, the young girl from the Ji Mo family had squeezed to his side.

The little girl, dressed in a pale yellow dress, smiled like a spring flower. She held a bunch of tools commonly used by alchemists, like screwdrivers and files, and eagerly spoke to him.

“If you let me borrow the puppet-control rod, I can raise the power of these puppets by one realm.”

Zhongli He almost thought he had misheard.

He studied the ten-year-old girl with a deep gaze, considering her words as just childish play.

Refining puppets was full of uncertainties. Once a puppet was refined, its cultivation realm and power were set, and even the alchemists of the Zhongli family couldn’t change that. How could a small child possibly do so?

If she could really do that, it would be shocking.

But Zhongli He had no time for the child’s idle chatter. He patted the girl’s head.

“The victory is assured. No need.”

The girl, Yue Niang, rolled her eyes, recalling what Liuyu had just said to her.

It’s too early to speak.

Suddenly, the sky darkened, and hidden thunder rumbled behind the clouds.

The crowd watched as a fist imbued with rapid, hard-hitting lightning shot forward. The demon ghost Mo Lin only slightly dodged the blow, and his tendrils brushed against the descending punch, causing the faint sound of bones breaking.

But the most earth-shattering sound came from the heavy fist crashing into the ground.

The turbulence sent waves of water mist, and Shentu family’s lotus pond pavilion was instantly flattened.

The soldiers’ move—Style Eight—Thunder and Wind Strike.

The aristocrats too close to the action were caught off guard and almost drowned in the water, being pulled to safety by others.

Heavens.

Nangong Yao is a monster.

Bei Gong Ying, feeling a lingering fear, quickly stepped aside.

Above, the demon ghost Mo Lin merely avoided the worst of the attack, and in the next instant, he charged at Nangong Yao, his hands burning with immeasurable ghost fire, which collided directly with Nangong Yao.

“What’s going on with that puppet? The strange fire it’s carrying looks a lot like your boundless ghost fire?”

“I don’t know.”

Mo Lin’s tone was indifferent, his gaze dark.

“Earlier, Liuyu was shot by a lackey. Did you see where he went? I’ll kill him when I get near.”

Nangong Yao could feel the endless ghost fire eating away at his inner energy. Had Mo Lin not held back, that ghost fire might have even burned through his Qi Sea.

What was it about talent and great men? How did the saying go?

Nangong Yao, from a humble background, couldn’t quite recall it at the moment.

“You still have time to focus on Liuyu? What could she possibly not be able to handle?”

Just then, Nangong Yao glanced behind Mo Lin.

“Maybe you should worry about yourself first.”

It felt like a cold gust of wind and snow swept from behind.

The people below saw it more clearly than Mo Lin. Zhongli He, in particular, showed an expression of shock as soon as he saw the visitor.

The figure dressed in golden robes with jade hairpins—

The jade sword in their hand, shimmering with a translucent glow—

Bei Gongying’s eyes suddenly widened, gripping the hand of Shangguan Zhou so tightly that she almost pulled a piece of flesh from him.

Bei Gongying: “Am I seeing things? I must be seeing things! That person… how does she look like…”

“Yinshan Liuyu.”

Shangguan Zhou murmured in a daze.

It wasn’t just the two of them. When Liuyu’s figure appeared, the same shock appeared on everyone’s face.

But then, after a moment’s reflection, they thought: Even the Demon Lord is here. It makes sense that Yinshan Liuyu, being in the Nine Netherworld, would rush here to stop him from harming her uncle.

In fact, it would be strange if Yinshan Liuyu didn’t know about it.

Countless gazes focused on the sky.

At the moment the tip of the jade sword touched the “force” Mo Lin had set up outside, everyone saw a scene that shocked them to the core—

The “force,” which had been covering the sky like a dome, suddenly rippled, swirling around the jade sword’s tip. It resembled a storm, ultimately rushing back toward the sword!

The many aristocratic families present, even if they had never witnessed it firsthand, had heard of this move from rumors.

The Yinshan family’s inherited move—Attack Jade.

But Shangguan Xiang, staring intently, realized that this move was slightly different from the “Attack Jade” he knew.

The usual “Attack Jade” should involve resonating the practitioner’s Qi Sea to release a stronger “force,” but Liuyu’s version was not simply a move that grew stronger against a more powerful opponent.

While resonating her Qi Sea… she actually absorbed the opponent’s “force” into her own power.

“One’s strength can be used to attack the jade.”

Shangguan Xiang repeated the phrase in his mind, his eyes wide with shock as he watched the jade sword, now charged with Mo Lin’s demon force, explode with immense energy at the breaking point!

It fell like a meteor.

It poured like a waterfall.

It sent the demon Mo Lin, who had previously overwhelmed Nangong Yao, crashing heavily to the ground!

The entire Shentu family estate fell into silence. Zhongli He, barely believing what he saw, stepped forward, almost thinking he was seeing things!

Dust filled the air, stones flying.

Mo Lin, lying in the pit, gazed up at the sky, his eyes reflecting the figure above, fixedly watching.

He had known Liuyu would appear halfway through.

But even though he anticipated it, he never expected that facing her as an enemy in a direct confrontation would feel this way.

She wasn’t the same kind of enemy he fought alongside the Jade-Faced Spider.

When their gazes met earlier, the clear and bright eyes in her face sparkled like stars, with flickers of pure killing intent brewing in them as she faced a powerful enemy.

At that moment, Mo Lin forgot that this was all part of a play.

It was a play to let Yue Niang showcase her talents in front of Zhongli’s people today, in order to infiltrate the Zhongli family and touch the core scroll of “Xian Gong Kai Wu”…

His mind was completely occupied by Liuyu’s expression just now.

The veins beneath her pale skin slightly spasmed, and the blood hidden inside her body surged quickly, bringing a scorching heat, making him breathless and filled with a strange excitement, which made him feel an uncontrollable thirst deep in his throat.

His long fingers, stained with dirt, twitched slightly.

So beautiful, so much love.

I want to crush her bones and swallow them whole.

His muscles tensed at the frightening thought, but Mo Lin couldn’t suppress the mix of pleasure and excitement in his chest.

He covered his lips, but a low laugh still slipped through his fingers.

In the courtyard, the giant puppet, which had been looking up at the sky, slowly lowered its head and silently faced the black-clad demon.

“… He’s angry.”

Bei Gongying murmured:

“Isn’t he going to start a massacre and kill Miss Liuyu?”

Shangguan Zhou looked at her fingers twisting his arm, took a deep breath, and said:

“Before that, I feel like you’ll kill me first.”

Liuyu, hovering in mid-air, was also slightly winded.

The jade sword in her hand had already shattered under the overwhelming demonic energy, and this was her first time confronting him directly. When she absorbed his force earlier, she realized the true extent of her demon husband’s power.

Not to mention the jade sword couldn’t handle it, even her Qi Sea almost reached its limit at that moment.

“… You’ve broken through.”

Nangong Yao looked in surprise at the swirling energy around Liuyu. She wasn’t using any technique; it was pure energy released by an Eight Realm practitioner, and there could be no mistake.

But more than being surprised by her breakthrough, what surprised him was another question:

“Your father’s Attack Jade isn’t like this. Did you come up with this on your own?”

“Mm.”

This move was an advanced variation of the original “Attack Jade,” but she had never tested it in real combat in her past life. One reason was that using it would reveal her identity, and the other was that later her Qi Sea was damaged, preventing her from absorbing the force.

Liuyu adjusted her breathing, looking at Mo Lin below.

This move had exhausted quite a bit of her energy. Since it was only for show, she didn’t plan to exert herself further. Her eyes began scanning the estate below, searching for Yin Zishi’s location.

Her mission was to kill Yin Zishi, then lose to Mo Lin and the puppet’s combined attack, which would complete the act.

But before she could find him, she suddenly felt a surge of murderous intent, with demon energy rushing toward her…

Liuyu immediately pulled the jade hairpin from her hair, transforming it into a sword. The moment the sword’s intent collided with the ghostly energy, the jade sword shattered into pieces!

That was a sword made from divine jade!

Liuyu’s almond-shaped eyes froze for a moment, slightly surprised.

She had feared that Mo Lin might not take it seriously, but it seemed he was putting in more effort than she had expected.

…In that case, let’s go!

Nangong Yao spoke from the side:

“Liuyu, you’ve just broken through; be careful…”

Liuyu: “Don’t worry about me.”

Mo Lin: “I know.”

Before Nangong Yao could say more, he was suddenly sent flying dozens of feet by the energy flow generated when their techniques clashed.

It wasn’t unusual for a couple to quarrel, but for their fight to cause such a drastic change in the surroundings… that was certainly rare.

“These two… truly are a pair of ill-fated lovers,” someone from the noble families murmured, voicing the thoughts of everyone present.

Seeing the sudden appearance of Yinshan Liuyu joining forces with Nangong Yao, which would undoubtedly outshine the demonic puppet Mo Lin, Zhong Li He, who had originally thought victory was assured, began to feel a cold sweat on his palms.

“Where’s Zhong Wuyong? Go find him! Useless fool, overreaching and reckless! If he delays the important matters of the Zhong Li clan, I’ll have him cut into a thousand pieces…”

“He’s useless even if he comes.”

Yue Niang blinked and raised her hands full of tools.

“The puppets have already been damaged, and they’re only at the Sixth Realm. In actual combat, they’ll be even weaker. Liuyu—no, Yinshan Liuyu—has already reached the Eighth Realm and knows many powerful techniques. These puppets need to be at least at the Seventh Realm to have any hope of restraining her.”

Zhong Li He lowered his head and squinted at her.

This didn’t sound like something a child would say.

…Did Ji Mo Gui teach her this?

Zhong Li He quickly turned her thoughts around.

No wonder the child had been circling around Zhong Wuyong, watching his crossbows, and boasting. She had thought it was just a child’s overconfidence, but now it seemed like it was Ji Mo Gui’s arrangement.

Was he trying to help this child gain favor with the Zhong Li clan and alleviate the suppression from Miss Lingzhou?

If that was the case, Ji Mo Gui was really making a bold move…

But Zhong Li He soon realized that even if she had figured this out, she couldn’t refuse it.

How could Ji Mo Gui’s people be so lucky to encounter the deadly struggle between the Yinshan clan and the Zhong Li clan today?

The people beside Zhong Li He were about to drive Yue Niang away, but she stopped them.

Zhong Li He took out a puppet control staff from her sleeve and said in a low voice:

“If you really can bring these puppets back to life and even improve their strength, I’ll protect you…”

Before she could finish, Yue Niang snatched the control staff from her hand.

“Give it to me!”

“There’s no time to lose!”

According to the plan Liuyu had discussed with her earlier, it would be best to demonstrate the puppet modification skill before the fight started, showing it to the people of the Zhong Li clan.

The worst-case scenario was that after the fight started, when Liuyu and the others pushed the Zhong Li clan to a dead end, she would have the opportunity to work on the puppets.

Now, with the situation urgent, she could finish modifying a puppet in the time it took for a stick of incense to burn… she would modify as many as she could!

The people of the Zhong Li clan stared in stunned silence as the young girl, like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, rushed toward their puppets, tore open their chests in a few quick moves, and revealed their intricate internal mechanisms.

Then, she poured out many materials from her bag—pieces commonly used by weapon smiths—many of which were rare and valuable.

It seemed she had been prepared for this.

Zhong Li He vaguely felt something was off, but after thinking carefully, the techniques she had heard about from Miss Lingzhou and Ji Mo Gui were indeed very different.

Yinshan Liuyu’s jade refining technique consumed divine jade without a second thought.

But Ji Mo Gui used stone as a weapon.

Under normal circumstances, it was impossible for a person to possess two completely different sets of techniques.

The fact that these two were appearing in the same place today made her previous assumptions seem unlikely.

Zhong Li He watched Yue Niang work, her gaze deepening.

The Zhong Li clan hadn’t produced a true genius in weapon forging for a long time.

The current head, Zhong Li Kun, was in charge of the Ministry of Weaponry but couldn’t even learn “Xian Gong Kai Wu” properly. The younger generation could fight, but either they lacked interest in forging or didn’t have the talent for it.

The pillar of the Zhong Li clan was still Miss Lingzhou’s grandmother, Zhong Li Xuan Su.

Once Zhong Li Xuan Su passed away, “Xian Gong Kai Wu” would have no one to inherit, and this had been a problem for years, leading to thoughts of finding an heir outside the clan.

It seemed Yue Niang had the same idea. If she truly had the skill, they could grant her the Zhong Li surname, and the men of the Zhong Li clan could easily marry her.

Yue Niang didn’t know these thoughts. She was still focused on modifying the puppets.

She had to hurry.

Faster.

Liuyu had said that even if it was a performance, it still had to follow a timeline. If it went beyond that, it would look fake, and people would see through it.

Half an hour—she had at most half an hour.

Yue Niang watched as the time passed, sweat pouring down her forehead.

She was young and lacked the composure of an adult. By the time she was finished, her eyes were teary with anxiety, afraid she wouldn’t do it well and disappoint Liuyu. Looking around, she finally fixed her gaze on the largest puppet.

She had noticed this one earlier.

There was something wrong with it.

Its behavior was completely different from what a normal puppet would show, almost like a thinking, living human.

Yin Lan Ruo hadn’t mentioned this in the fragments she had given her, but now, with time running out, Yue Niang decided to give it a try.

With that, she threw the control staff back to Zhong Li He, letting her control the modified puppet to attack Liuyu and Nangong Yao, while Yue Niang slowly moved toward the giant puppet, which was facing the sky.

She just wanted to test it a little, to see what was going on with the puppet soldier. If there was any danger, she would—

Beneath the cotton wrappings, a swirl of black mist coiled.

In the depths of the black mist, something was watching the battlefield in mid-air.

The puppet soldier, modified by Yue Niang, separated Liuyu from Mo Lin and focused entirely on Liuyu, while Mo Lin hesitated for a moment before he had no choice but to face Nangong Yao’s onslaught.

After such a long deadlock, Nangong Yao finally showed signs of fatigue. He was caught by Mo Lin’s limbs and violently thrown to the ground.

The demon ghost wrapped in ghostly flames lunged toward the girl with the golden robe and jade sword.

Endless ghost fire.

And those puppet soldiers.

She would lose, she would be injured, she would… die.

Yinshan Liuyu would die.

Just as Yue Niang, who had climbed onto the giant puppet, was about to strip off its golden armor, she suddenly felt a tremor. Then, a sense of weightlessness enveloped her—

She was thrown off!

This puppet really had its own consciousness!

Yue Niang, who had fallen hard on her backside, watched helplessly as the massive puppet moved toward Liuyu and Mo Lin.

—To be more precise, it was heading toward Mo Lin.

Boom!!!

A deafening explosion of flames echoed through the air. The two in the sky watched as the puppet, surrounded by black fire, shot a pure black arrow, forcing Mo Lin to retract his feigned attack and gather all his ghostly Qi to block the strike.

But to his shock, even with that, he could only barely counter it, and was even slightly weaker—

Nangong Yao, who had gotten back up from the ground, raised an eyebrow as he watched Mo Lin fall to his side.

With no one around, he glanced up at Liuyu in the sky, then looked over at Mo Lin, whose face was grim as the dust settled.

“Well, looks like an iron shell just took your spot?”

Mo Lin’s eyes darkened as he stared at the massive puppet, which was positioned in front of Liuyu, taking a protective stance.

It took him a moment to process.

The desire to crush Liuyu earlier was just an illusion born from how much he liked her.

At this moment.

This was the true destructive urge to smash the opponent to pieces.