ATAVID CH30

The steward acted as if he didn’t see Cen He’s corpse on the ground. The unchanging smile still hung on the corners of his mouth, yet at this moment, it inexplicably appeared somewhat bizarre: “Everyone, the City Lord is holding a banquet today, please move your steps.”

Upon hearing this, a disciple of the Profound Sword Sect couldn’t help but angrily say: “Did you not see? Someone died! You actually still have the leisurely mood to hold a banquet?”

Hearing these words, Chen Lin cast a gloomy and cold glance over, a smile hooking the corners of his mouth: “It’s merely a person dying, that’s all. Besides, those capable of stepping onto the immortal path are already few and far between. With one person dead, the rest of you have a greater chance of stepping onto the immortal path, so why must you have such a huge reaction?”

That Profound Sword Sect disciple trembled with anger, the long sword at his waist humming and nearly unsheathing itself.

The senior brother beside him hurriedly pressed down on his wrist, looking toward Chen Lin with a solemn expression, yet unable to conceal the resentment and indignation in his tone.

“Young Master Chen’s words are misguided! The immortal path is long and boundless; what one relies on is temperament and cultivation, not advancing by stepping on the corpses of others!”

“Cen He came together with us, and now he has died tragically here without rhyme or reason. Not only do you not feel the slightest guilt, you even speak such cold and unfeeling words!”

“Could it be that this City Lord’s Mansion’s promise of the immortal path is originally just a scam that treats human life like grass?”

The smile on Chen Lin’s face faded a few fractions, but the gloomy coldness at the bottom of his eyes deepened. He spoke absentmindedly.

“A scam? The young master must be joking. The City Lord’s Mansion has always meant what it says. If you don’t believe it, you may just leave.”

After saying that, he raised his eyes and swept a glance over the crowd, his gaze pausing briefly on Cen He’s cold corpse.

Then he shifted his line of sight away, as if it was merely an inconsequential piece of discarded trash.

“Furthermore, the City Lord holding a banquet is not for you to come and argue about the matters of dead people. Whether you go or not is entirely up to you, but if you miss today, there won’t be another chance to step onto the immortal path.”

The crowd instantly fell silent.

After quite a while, Shen Peiqiu finally used his divine sense to speak to them.

“Do not be impulsive. This place is the City Lord’s Mansion, and we are still not completely certain of the other party’s true background. If we act rashly, I’m afraid it will alert the snake in the grass.”

That voice rang directly in the minds of the Profound Sword Sect disciples, aloof yet steady.

Like a basin of cold water poured down, it suppressed their emotions that were on the verge of losing control.

The steward still maintained that bizarre smile.

He took a step forward at the right time and made a “please” gesture.

His voice was calm yet carried a trace of imperceptible urging.

“The City Lord is still waiting in the mansion. It is getting late, please move your steps. As for this young master’s corpse, I will have someone handle it properly; it won’t delay everyone’s important business.”

His words were gentle, but completely lacked any intention of asking for everyone’s opinion, casually disposing of Cen He’s corpse.

Although Shen Peiqiu wanted to refuse, he was worried the steward might suspect their identities.

He pursed his lips and had no choice but to drop it for the time being, planning to wait until the matters here were concluded before retrieving Cen He’s corpse along with the corpses of the Profound Sword Sect disciples in the dense forest.

The expression of the disciple who had spoken earlier became increasingly ugly, but he also knew his Master’s words made sense, so he didn’t say anything else.

He merely glared at Chen Lin resentfully and forcefully pressed down the long sword that was about to be unsheathed.

The humming of the sword blade gradually subsided, yet still permeated with unwillingness.

Chen Lin took all of this in, a mocking smile hooking the corners of his mouth again: “Everyone, let’s go.”

The other disciples looked toward Shen Peiqiu.

Shen Peiqiu nodded.

The crowd quickly followed.

Wei Xun wasn’t interested in any of the people from the Profound Sword Sect.

Lacking interest, he walked at the very back, his pace unhurried.

Jiang Qunyu walked by his side, hesitating to speak several times.

He cast a glance at Wei Xun.

And cast another glance at Wei Xun.

Until he kicked the small stone beneath his feet.

That small stone rolled out with a clatter, bumping against the bluestone slab and emitting a crisp sound.

Just as he wanted to turn sideways to look at Wei Xun again, Wei Xun suddenly spoke up.

“Jiang Qunyu.”

That voice was faint, unable to discern any emotion.

Jiang Qunyu was stunned, subconsciously responding: “Ah?”

Wei Xun halted his footsteps, his long eyelashes lifting lightly.

That profound and gloomy line of sight then landed on Jiang Qunyu.

“This is the ninth time you’ve looked at me.” He said, “What do you want to ask me?”

Jiang Qunyu choked.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed it back down.

The group ahead had already walked far away, the figures of the Profound Sword Sect disciples disappearing at the end of the winding corridor.

The surroundings quieted down, leaving only the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the trees.

And the seemingly non-existent chirping of insects coming from an unknown location.

Jiang Qunyu thought for a moment, then still said directly: “You fed me blood last night.”

When he said this, he actually had no confidence in his heart.

Perhaps Wei Xun would deny it and say that he secretly bit him while he was asleep.

After all, he had done this kind of thing before; he had a prior record.

Jiang Qunyu was actually also somewhat unsure now.

He was even wondering if it was appropriate for him to ask this out loud.

What if he really was the one who bit him?

Jiang Qunyu’s heart was a tangled mess.

“Mm, I fed you.”

His tone was calm, as if the person who threw the bomb wasn’t him.

Jiang Qunyu’s footsteps halted.

He blinked his eyes: “Cough—”

Wei Xun didn’t say anything, merely standing in place: “What are you panicking for?”

What was he panicking for?

Of course, he was panicking because this psychopath Wei Xun’s brain seemed to have become even more abnormal.

He couldn’t even figure out since when Wei Xun’s brain went bad!

Jiang Qunyu’s eyes darted around, attempting to change the subject: “What do you think those footprints under the bed in the room just now belonged to?”

So clumsy.

A trace of laughter flashed through Wei Xun’s eyes; he felt Jiang Qunyu was truly interesting.

Sure enough, being friends with him wouldn’t be impossible either.

Wei Xun didn’t reply to his question regarding the room.

He said on his own: “Don’t you want to get on my body? I fed you blood, so you can get on.”

Jiang Qunyu’s brain, which had stopped thinking, finally started spinning again.

It was indeed like this.

He could stay on Wei Xun’s body for at most five days a month, and that was also based on the condition that he hadn’t drunk Wei Xun’s blood.

So as long as Wei Xun gave him enough blood to drink, it could be extended to ten days.

“So you wanted me to get on your body, that’s why you fed me blood?” Jiang Qunyu inexplicably let out a sigh of relief.

Right now, he and Wei Xun could at most be considered cooperative partners. Beyond that, to say how much emotional attachment they had.

Actually, there was none.

Therefore, Jiang Qunyu could block swords for Wei Xun without the slightest psychological burden, could be his inner demon, and could stay far, far away from Wei Xun after dying for the seventh time, preferably without any further entanglement.

Yet he was unable to accept things beyond a cooperative relationship.

Or rather, he was unable to bear it another time, like the last time, when he invested a certain amount of emotion due to keeping him company for two years.

And in the end, was tricked by Wei Xun into getting on his body, completely unable to see anything; that kind of panic and despair.

So it might as well just be like this; he could be Wei Xun’s inner demon heartlessly and carefreely, and Wei Xun could also trick him like before.

Wei Xun heard the relief underlying Jiang Qunyu’s words, and he stared at Jiang Qunyu for a while.

Those eyes were deep and heavy, like a pool of bottomless water.

Jiang Qunyu felt somewhat uncomfortable being looked at. Just as he was about to shift his gaze away, Wei Xun suddenly retracted his line of sight.

“Right,” he said coldly, “Back in the dense forest, in order to save Wen Xingyao, you promised me one condition.”

As Wei Xun spoke, his tone was even wrapped in a seemingly non-existent trace of mockery, and he specifically emphasized Wen Xingyao’s name.

Jiang Qunyu: “…”

What was with the passive-aggressive tone?

“Oh, I didn’t forget.” Jiang Qunyu poked Wei Xun’s arm, “You want to use that condition in exchange for me getting on your body?”

Wei Xun was expressionless: “Mm.”

Jiang Qunyu: “Why?”

“I don’t like talking to those people.” Wei Xun gave a reason.

Jiang Qunyu understood; the feeling was that he didn’t like socializing, huh.

Letting him go up to be the mouthpiece, to deal with those people.

He thought about it and felt this deal wasn’t a loss.

He originally owed Wei Xun one condition anyway. Now that Wei Xun took the initiative to use it, it would save him from being manipulated by Wei Xun in the future.

“Then let’s swap now,” Jiang Qunyu grabbed Wei Xun’s wrist, his tone becoming brisk, “To save you from having to talk to those people when you go over later.”

Wei Xun’s face was somewhat dark.

He lowered his eyes, stared at the hand gripping his wrist for a moment: “If you dare to touch Wen Xingyao again—”

He paused, his tone chilly: “Wherever he touches you, I will chop off wherever he has.”

Jiang Qunyu: “?”

This madman.

He was just about to retort, but saw Wei Xun slightly turn his wrist, taking the opportunity to clasp his wrist bone, his fingertips gently closing in.

Jiang Qunyu only felt a circle of coldness envelop his wrist.

The next instant, the world spun.

Jiang Qunyu opened his eyes.

The group hadn’t gone far. The Profound Sword Sect disciples were advancing along the winding corridor, their figures stretched very long in the morning light.

“B-Brother Wei,” Wen Xingyao, who was walking slightly ahead, stopped; he was still somewhat afraid, “What do you think that thing last night actually was?”

He gulped down a mouthful of saliva, looking at Jiang Qunyu eagerly: “Cen He was the one who died last night, could it be me who dies tonight?”

Jiang Qunyu hadn’t seen this sucker for a long time and actually missed him quite a bit. Deliberately scaring him, he said sinisterly: “It’s highly possible.”

“Ah?” Wen Xingyao was dumbfounded. He originally wanted to find some sense of security from Wei Xun here; now that was great, it was completely gone.

With a trembling voice, he said: “T-t-t-then what should I do?”

Jiang Qunyu smiled and said fiercely: “Didn’t Jiang Qunyu teach you how to draw Qi into your body? If you learn it, you probably still have a few fractions of possibility to survive.”

As he spoke, he also sighed: “Otherwise… who knows…”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but the meaning was already very clear.

Wen Xingyao had already mentally pictured the scene of himself being skinned.

His face turned three fractions paler again, and his legs went soft, almost falling over.

Right at this moment, he saw Wei Xun’s wrist.

That hand hanging by his side had distinct wrist bones and fair skin.

And on that section of the wrist, there was a tiny black mole, almost unnoticeable if one didn’t look carefully.

He blinked his eyes.

In an instant, he felt his legs weren’t soft anymore, and his little life was preserved.

His eyes turning red, he wailed: “Jiang Qunyu!”

That voice carried grievance and pleasant surprise.

Jiang Qunyu was somewhat shocked: “How did you know it was me?”

“Your wrist has one more black mole than Wei Xun’s.” Wen Xingyao said sorrowfully and mournfully while sticking close to Jiang Qunyu’s side.

Jiang Qunyu tugged the corners of his mouth, just about to say something.

Yet he heard Wei Xun walking behind him suddenly say gloomily: “Jiang Qunyu.”

Jiang Qunyu: “…”

Only then did he recall Wei Xun’s threatening words to him. He had no choice but to take a step back to avoid Wen Xingyao, kindly reminding him: “Forget it, you’d better not come over.”

Wen Xingyao wiped his tears: “Oh right, this young master forgot, Wei Xun doesn’t allow you to cheat.”

Jiang Qunyu: “?”

He smiled without his eyes, suddenly feeling that Wen Xingyao looked somewhat punchable: “Wen Xingyao, you…”

Wen Xingyao said pitifully: “Ah?”

“Tonight you’d better sleep with your eyes open.” Jiang Qunyu sighed and said through gritted teeth.

“S-s-s-so, what exactly is that thing? Will it kill me?” Wen Xingyao said with a trembling voice.

It wasn’t that.

It was Jiang Qunyu being afraid he wouldn’t be able to resist going over and beating him up.

He shook his head, his tone becoming a few fractions more serious: “I also don’t know.”

According to what Su Fuyao said, Shen Peiqiu set up an array formation outside the courtyard last night, making it impossible for demonic entities, evil ghosts, and such evil beings to enter.

Then what else could exist that could bypass the active array formation, kill a Golden Core stage disciple, and completely peel off his skin?

Jiang Qunyu’s line of sight uncontrollably fell on Chen Lin’s legs ahead.

Those legs were perfectly intact, stepping on the bluestone slabs step by step, completely steady.

That bizarre feeling in his heart rose again.

And those maidservants, did they truly die?

Right at this moment, the steward walking at the very front stopped in front of a room in the main courtyard and smiled: “Everyone, we have arrived, please come in.”