The Aloof and Pure-hearted Killer: She Was Discovered
Fang Xun’gui stayed in the desolate courtyard for another half month.
During this time, the Netherworld Hall remained inactive.
Half a month later, Fang Xun’gui risked returning to Moon-Cutting Mountain, hoping to ask Zhan Yan to keep an eye on the movements of the Netherworld Hall for him.
Before leaving, he reminded Yuyi Yue to carry his dagger with her at all times, repeating the warning several times to ensure her safety.
Finally, Yuyi Yue, unable to hold back her laughter, pushed him out of the desolate courtyard:
“I can protect myself. If you have something to do, go do it. Don’t worry about me. I am the top disciple of Misty River. No one in this world can take my life.”
Fang Xun’gui finally made up his mind to leave and returned to Moon-Cutting Mountain as quickly as possible.
The moment he stepped through the redwood gate, he was once again just “Zhan Kong.”
On the tenth floor of the Severing Blood Pagoda, Zhan Yan looked at Zhan Kong in surprise, clicking her tongue in amazement:
“Haven’t seen you for a few days. You look well? What’s the matter?”
Zhan Kong raised the wine jug in his hand toward her.
Half an hour later, at the back cliff of Moon-Cutting Mountain.
Yan Zuoxiu deliberately teased:
“Finally come to your senses? Decided to drown yourself in the gentle embrace? Oh my, why are you still wearing such a stern face? Don’t know how to charm a girl? Ask me!”
Fang Xun’gui cut straight to the point:
“I have something to ask you.”
His originally cold expression grew even sharper, his tense face carrying a sense of impending storm. Yan Zuoxiu couldn’t help but suppress her smile and asked:
“What happened?”
Fang Xun’gui asked:
“Are you certain there is no more Corpse-Dissolving Powder in the world?”
Yan Zuoxiu questioned in confusion:
“Corpse-Dissolving Powder? Why are you suddenly asking about this?”
Fang Xun’gui shook his head:
“Just tell me the conclusion. Please.”
Yan Zuoxiu didn’t understand why Fang Xun’gui was asking about this, but she answered without hesitation:
“No. I only ever made one batch of Corpse-Dissolving Powder in my life, and I gave it to Yun Mo. Later, he… died in the imperial city, and the Corpse-Dissolving Powder disappeared along with him.”
“Could it have been stolen?”
“Impossible. It’s hard to explain in a few words. Just know that once Yun Mo died, the Corpse-Dissolving Powder would inevitably activate and consume his body. Then, the powder would lose its effect and vanish forever. That was our agreement back then. There’s no mistake.”
“Is it possible that my brother divided the Corpse-Dissolving Powder into many portions before going to the imperial city?”
“The Corpse-Dissolving Powder was stored in a special container. Once removed from that container, if not returned within a short time, it would lose its effect.”
“What kind of container?”
“A white jade bottle, about the size of a finger.”
It didn’t match.
Yuyi Yue’s Corpse-Dissolving Insect was kept in a wooden box.
Fang Xun’gui furrowed his brows again.
“Is it possible for someone else to recreate your Corpse-Dissolving Powder?”
“Absolutely impossible. The Corpse-Dissolving Powder was my original creation, and it’s actually… not a poison.”
“What is it?”
Faced with Fang Xun’gui’s pressing question, Yan Zuoxiu didn’t answer.
Fang Xun’gui continued:
“Is it a type of insect?”
Yan Zuoxiu asked in astonishment:
“How did you know?”
Her mind raced, combining Fang Xun’gui’s questions, and she thought of a possibility that should never exist:
“Where did you see the Corpse-Dissolving Powder?”
Fang Xun’gui’s heart sank.
He couldn’t tell Yan Zuoxiu about the “Corpse-Dissolving Insect” yet. If the Corpse-Dissolving Insect in Yuyi Yue’s possession truly was the one Fang Yunmo had once kept, things would become even more complicated.Ever since Fang Yunmo passed away nine years ago, Yan Zuoxiu had been teetering on the edge of lucidity and confusion. Unless he could fully clarify the matter, Fang Xun’gui dared not share his speculations with her.
He shifted the topic:
“Let’s set that aside for now. There’s something more urgent.”
Fang Xun’gui spoke briefly and quickly:
“She helped me dispose of You Ye’s body earlier and was discovered by You Huo. I learned some things from You Huo. For the past half month, the Netherworld Hall hasn’t sent anyone. Has anyone in the Pavilion recently developed red rashes on their hands?”
Yan Zuoxiu couldn’t help but raise a hand to interrupt him:
“Hold on, hold on. That’s too much information at once, and I didn’t follow. What are you talking about without any context? Start from the beginning, from when she helped you with the body.”
Fang Xun’gui hesitated for a moment before finally selecting the key points of what had happened during this time and recounting them to Yan Zuoxiu.
Yan Zuoxiu listened with a furrowed brow, realizing that now was truly not the time to tease Fang Xun’gui.
Fang Xun’gui summarized:
“Right now, the Netherworld Hall shows no movement at all, and that’s what worries me the most. You Ye’s nameplate likely isn’t with the Netherworld Hall at all.”
Hearing this, Yan Zuoxiu’s expression turned exceptionally grim.
She forced herself to calm down and said to Fang Xun’gui:
“You Ye’s nameplate is indeed not with the Netherworld Hall.”
Fang Xun’gui tensed up instantly, his eyes filled with anxiety. “Do you know where it is?”
In his mind, he ran through the worst possible scenarios.
Because Yan Zuoxiu’s expression at this moment was far too grave.
The last time she had worn such an expression was eight years ago, when she joined the Blood-Severing Pavilion and saw Fang Xun’gui, who had already become “Zhan Kong.”
Yan Zuoxiu slowly said:
“You Ye’s nameplate is with me. Over half a month ago, the Pavilion Master personally gave it to me.”
Her eyes were shadowed, carrying a mix of scorn and desolation.
Xun’gui, Xue Ningshuo’s terrifying nature far exceeds what you and I can comprehend.
He has anticipated everything.
Hearing Yan Zuoxiu’s words, Fang Xun’gui felt as if he had plunged into an icy abyss.
If it was Xue Ningshuo…
Yuyi Yue was still alone in the desolate courtyard!
Fang Xun’gui tensed his nerves and turned to rush down the mountain.
Yan Zuoxiu immediately called out to stop him:
“She is safe for now, at least. The Pavilion Master won’t do anything to her at this moment. If you go back now, you’ll only alert him.”
Fang Xun’gui froze in his tracks, his movements wooden. When he turned around, his eyes were filled with a nearly numb despair.
He had once again witnessed the terrifying extent of Xue Ningshuo’s cunning.
Yan Zuoxiu whispered:
“Calm down. As long as you don’t move against the Pavilion Master, he won’t harm her. You are still useful to the Blood-Severing Pavilion and the Pavilion Master. Xue Ningshuo has spent all these years trying to find your weakness. Now that he has finally found this girl, he won’t act against her lightly. Xun’gui, calm down first and listen to me.”
She stood up, meeting Fang Xun’gui’s gaze with cold, rational eyes:
“Since she has already been dragged into this by you, there are only two paths. Either you withdraw completely from the Blood-Severing Pavilion and protect her from further involvement. Or, you and she both die at Xue Ningshuo’s hands.”
Yan Zuoxiu pressed on step by step, speaking the cruelest truths:
“That old fox Xue Ningshuo is not someone you or I can see through. Xun’gui, what’s done is done. Don’t regret it now. Is an elusive truth really that important? Do you truly want this girl to lose her life for your sake?”
Fang Xun’gui’s lips trembled, his face pale and lifeless.
To let go of the truth was something he could not do.
To disregard Yuyi Yue’s life and death was equally impossible for him.Better to ensure Yuyi Yue is completely safe first, then let him die once and for all. After all, no matter which path he takes, it’s wrong.
But he can’t die—his life doesn’t belong to him alone.
Yan Zuoxiu softened her tone, comforting Fang Xun’gui:
“Before things get any worse, make a decision soon. At least have another proper talk with the Pavilion Master.”
Yan Zuoxiu knew very well that Xue Ningshuo was the kind of person who prioritized profit above all else, heartless and unfeeling. As long as Fang Xun’gui stopped obsessing over Fang Yunmo’s matter, Xue Ningshuo would have no reason to keep troubling Fang Xun’gui and that girl.
The problem was whether Fang Xun’gui was willing.
“I’ll think about it a bit more.”
Sure enough, Fang Xun’gui replied hoarsely.
Yan Zuoxiu nodded slightly, knowing she couldn’t persuade him any further for now.
Finally, she couldn’t help but remind Fang Xun’gui:
“That girl truly cares for you in her heart. Since that’s the case, cherish your life a little more from now on. Don’t let her end up like me… torturing herself into this half-dead, half-alive state.”
“…She won’t.”
“Don’t gamble with fate, Xun’gui.”
Fang Xun’gui looked at Yan Zuoxiu, whose expression was unreadable, and really wanted to ask the question that had puzzled him for a long time.
Was it worth it? After Fang Yunmo died, Yan Zuoxiu desperately fought to join the Blood-Severing Pavilion—what was the point?
Yet he couldn’t bring himself to ask, because he was no different himself.
They were all people toyed with by fate, unwilling to yield yet forced to bend.
“Alright, I’ll go see the Pavilion Master.”