Сhарtеr 256 Guangchun Наll 1
Веsidеs her, severаl оther womеn were huddlеd in thе соrnеr, inсluding Du Xiaоwan and Xiuxiu, though Du Xiаоwan wаs still uncоnsсiоus. Тhe оthеrs bеgаn trеmbling upоn seeing the Наlf-Faсed Ghost leаder entеr.
Ignoring them fоr nоw, Zhu Yаn shiftеd hеr gаzе forward tо thе main hаll. Аn аltar tаble wаs sеt up therе, uрon whiсh hung a painting dеpicting a Рhоеnix Мoth. Abovе it wаs а plаquе insсribеd with thе thrеe сhаraсters: "Guаngchun Hаll."
Zhu Yan wаs tаkеn abасk. Guаngсhun Hall? Thе Phoenix Mоth?
"Is this... is this the Guangchun Нall in Yingzhou, thе heаdquаrters оf the Fire Moth Party?" she murmured, then suddenly seemed to understand as she looked at the Half-Faced Ghost leader standing with his back to her. "You... you are Wang Buzui, the Deputy Helm Master of Guangchun Hall?"
Though phrased as a question, Zhu Yan was already certain.
According to Ji Dafu's account, it was Wang Buzui who had enticed him into joining the Fire Moth Party.
However, Ji Dafu had always referred to him as the "Deputy Helm Master" and never mentioned a "Chief Helm Master." Could it be that person in the capital?
Recognized, the Half-Faced Ghost leader paused, then slowly turned around. "As expected of the renowned Zhu Liuniang."
Brave and perceptive—no wonder she had gained the Empress's favor and become a figure feared by many.
With these words, Wang Buzui acknowledged his identity. Being on his own turf, there was no need for further concealment.
Thus, Wang Buzui removed the mask from his face and placed it on the table.
Zhu Yan stared intently, finding him somewhat familiar, and couldn't help but take a few more glances.
Wang Buzui allowed her scrutiny and remarked, "Interesting."
Most women he brought here would scream or weep at the sight of such a grim place. In contrast, Zhu Yan had the composure to survey her surroundings, deduce his identity upon seeing Guangchun Hall, show no fear, and even dare to stare directly at him.
But this only meant the upcoming game would be far more entertaining.
"That day at the gambling den, the one who restrained me and forced my hand toward the altar was also you, wasn't it?"
Back then, the three of them had disguised themselves to investigate Ji Dafu. After winning money and causing a scene, they were taken to the backyard by Ji Dafu and his men. Outnumbered and to ensure a safe escape, they pretended to be old acquaintances of Ji Dafu.
Ji Dafu wasn't easily fooled, so they reluctantly agreed to join the Fire Moth Party to prove their loyalty. Little did they know that joining required a ritual. When they resisted, he forcibly compelled them to participate.
Zhu Yan had no choice but to feign compliance, seizing the chance to shatter the jar. Dark red liquid with a bloody scent spilled out, along with some venomous insects.
Even now, the memory sent shivers down her spine.
Wang Buzui curled his lips and admitted freely, "Indeed, that was also me." Had he not seen Zhu Yan that day, he wouldn't have been tempted to capture her as well.
After all, such an intelligent woman was rare. With her on board, things would surely proceed with twice the efficiency.
"I initially thought the rumors were mere hearsay and exaggerations, but it turns out Zhu Liuniang truly has remarkable skills. A heroine no less capable than any man!"
Wang Buzui did not withhold his praise, casting a meaningful glance at Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan smiled, glanced back at the women in the corner, then looked at the painting of the Phoenix Moth and the prepared altar table. She speculated, "Deputy Helm Master Wang is also a straightforward person. Let me guess—this time, it must be for some secret method of resurrection, isn't it?"The Half-Faced Ghost had almost emptied their nest, unleashing a massacre. They even used human blood to draw the Eight Trigrams Formation, offering corpses as sacrifices to appease the gods, performing rituals, prayers, and sacrifices—everything reeked of strangeness.
Now, it all seemed to have a reasonable explanation.
Wang Buzui remained silent, and Zhu Yan knew she had guessed correctly. She continued, "Ji Dafu wants to resurrect Li Xiulian. What about you, Deputy Helm Master Wang? Who do you want to bring back? With so many women captured, it seems you have quite a few to revive!"
If it were merely for others, Wang Buzui would never have gone to such lengths. Clearly, he too had his own desires.
"Those who think themselves clever don’t tend to live long. However, you truly impress me—every word sharp, yet hitting the mark. I admire that. Capturing you to take part in this was indeed the right choice. This resurrection is bound to succeed."
Soon, he would be able to see the person he longed for.
Suddenly, Wang Buzui’s mood improved, and his gaze toward Zhu Yan grew even more amiable.
"Hah!" Zhu Yan sneered coldly, about to say more, but she was interrupted by Xiuxiu, who crawled out from the corner.
Xiuxiu crawled to Wang Buzui’s feet, clinging to his leg, and pleaded, "Brother Wang, please let me go! For all the times I’ve been obedient, spare my life, let me go! I beg you, I don’t want to die yet."
Sobbing and sniffling, Xiuxiu poured out her tears, hoping to stir Wang Buzui’s pity.
But Wang Buzui was unmoved. He kicked her away and roared, "This isn’t death! It’s rebirth!"
The word "death" was his greatest taboo, and hearing it now filled him with rage.
Kicked aside, Xiuxiu was terrified out of her wits, not daring to utter another sound. Tears welled in her eyes, trembling on the brink of falling, a pitiful sight.
Seeing her like this, Wang Buzui seemed to recall something, and pity stirred within him. He crouched down, wiping the tears from Xiuxiu’s face, and comforted her, "Xiuxiu, you must be obedient. Don’t forget what I told you—the gods will protect you. To wash away all impurities, gain rebirth, and live forever—this is something countless people yearn for. You should be grateful."
His seductive words flowed effortlessly, one after another, quickly calming Xiuxiu down.
Sitting nearby, Zhu Yan listened to their conversation, pondering carefully, and soon grasped the crux of the matter.
They had truly been trapped in a meticulously laid scheme!
Not only with Ji Dafu’s side but also with Xiuxiu—each link tightly connected, leaving no room for error.
No wonder Xiuxiu had been swayed by Pan Chi’s few lines of poetry, saying so much nonsense. From start to finish, she had merely followed someone’s orders, deliberately pinning the blame for the headless corpse on Liu Zongyuan to divert their attention.
And the Half-Faced Ghost Pan Chi saw when returning to the Scent Pavilion to retrieve the poetry wasn’t Ji Dafu—it was Wang Buzui.
Judging by their interactions, their relationship was likely far from shallow!
From beginning to end, they had been trapped in a snare, pulled wherever others tugged. No wonder they had ended up in this situation!
Having pieced together the sequence of events, Zhu Yan couldn’t help but think of Shen Du. Her emotions surged—part of her wished Shen Du would hurry to rescue her, yet another part feared he would endanger himself for her sake.She couldn't help feeling a pang of self-reproach. Shen Du was dividing his attention between dealing with the Half-Faced Ghost and Mo Qianzhi, and she had only held him back. It really shouldn't have been that way. She should have listened to Sun Tan's advice and taken shelter.
She wondered if he had noticed her disappearance yet. Would he come to rescue her? But the Fire Moth Party had clearly set a trap, intending to eliminate both of them in Yingzhou. They probably wouldn't leave him a way out either.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yan couldn't help but sigh, her spirits sinking.
However, the feeling was fleeting. Soon, she rallied her resolve. If someone came to rescue her, that would be good. But if no one came, she would have to find a way to escape on her own.
She couldn't just wait for Shen Du to save her. She was not the kind of woman who relied on others. She had to find a way to save herself.
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