Yu Konghou activated the mechanism, sinking Piaoling Mei Yuan underground—not as a backup plan as the Central Plains Sword Association had speculated.
He had transmitted his inner energy to Raging Orchid No Trace, relying on Zhu Yan’s formidable "Essence of Demon's Pearl Spit" to escape the flames and save himself. But suddenly, he felt his own vital essence continuously flowing into Zhu Yan’s body without end, startling him greatly. However, Yu Konghou was no ordinary man. After the initial shock, he raised his left hand and struck his own right shoulder, shattering it to sever the energy transfer of "Regret That This Body Is Not My Own." Though his right shoulder was severely injured and his true power greatly diminished, he did not lose all his martial arts as Tang Lici had schemed.
By now, Yu Konghou finally understood Tang Lici’s entire plan—from Hong Guniang luring him away from the Central Plains Sword Association, to Ren Qingchou delaying him for a full day and night, to Raging Orchid No Trace leaving them both gravely wounded, and finally the man in green setting that great fire—forcing him to join hands with Zhu Yan in mutual survival, using the tenth level of "Regret That This Body Is Not My Own" and discarding his last trump card.
Tang Lici had remained unseen from start to finish, yet he had nearly trapped Yu Konghou in the flames, almost rendering him powerless.
By this time, Gui Mudan and Chai Xijin had already left Piaoling Mei Yuan, taking Zhong Chunji to the capital. The struggle between the true and false princesses was tied to the Central Plains Sword Association’s "reinforcements" and "supplies." If Zhong Chunji succeeded, not only would the siege on the Sword Association be lifted immediately, but Chai Xijin could also use the false princess to grasp an entire network of connections—Zhao Zongjing, Zhao Zongying, and others.
Thus, Piaoling Mei Yuan was now a hollow shell. Fearing Tang Lici’s sudden intrusion, Yu Konghou had no choice but to activate the mechanism and sink the manor underground.
If he did not repay such a "favor," he would not be Yu Konghou.
Raging Orchid No Trace had already been on the brink of death from severe injuries, then bitten by Yu Konghou’s venomous snake—he should have died long ago. Yet, at the moment of death, Yu Konghou’s energy transmission had revived him. Yu Konghou loathed this man just as much, but Zhu Yan’s martial prowess was astonishing, and this time, he had suffered a great loss at his hands. Wouldn’t killing him outright be letting him off too easily? However, the man was already deeply afflicted by Tang Lici and Xiao Hong’s "String Plucking Soul Snatching," seemingly beyond recovery. After confining Zhu Yan for several days, Yu Konghou summoned someone.
This man had long eyebrows and a dignified, solemn bearing—none other than Miaoxing Chanshi.
"Wang Lingqiu." Yu Konghou stood in purple robes, a far cry from the delicate and charming "Peach Girl" of the past. Now, the "One Peach Three Colors" stood tall and straight, exuding no trace of femininity—a handsome man with faint scars from his past injuries. He towered nearly a head above Miaoxing, and though his martial power was greatly diminished, he remained steady, slightly tilting his head to look down at the white-browed monk. "Is it truly impossible to implant 'Queen Bee Congealed Frost' into Zhu Yan again?"
Wang Lingqiu pressed his palms together. Still clad in monk’s robes, his expression was benevolent, his tone gentle. "'Queen Bee Congealed Frost' is a technique to train the mind, while 'String Plucking Soul Snatching' controls the body. The two are incompatible. Even if 'Queen Bee Congealed Frost' were implanted, once Tang Lici activates 'String Plucking Soul Snatching,' Zhu Yan would likely suffer a fatal mental collapse.'"Yu Konghou blinked his eyes. "In that case, he's already useless, but his martial arts skills..." He smirked faintly. "'Essence of Demon's Pearl Spit' has quite the reputation. Do you think it's possible—to have him transfer this unique skill to me?" He chuckled lightly. "Since he took most of my internal force, isn't it only fair that I take a bit more back?"
"That wouldn't be difficult," Wang Lingqiu said. "Once I skin and debone him, refining him into a Flesh Pill, Young Master Yu can swallow it with blood to inherit his martial power."
Yu Konghou paused, unable to discern whether this fake monk truly possessed such an ability or was merely feigning madness. After a brief hesitation, he narrowed his eyes. "Is this method real?"
"Absolutely true," Wang Lingqiu replied.
"Then tomorrow..." Yu Konghou said airily, "go capture Bi Lianyi of the Central Plains Sword Association and refine him into a Flesh Pill."
Wang Lingqiu hesitated. "Bi Lianyi of Azure Fall Palace is no weak opponent. I fear—"
Yu Konghou smiled faintly. "With the vast reputation of the 'Summoning Lamp Decree' and your profound family knowledge, can you not even capture a mere attendant of Wan Yu Yuedan?" He tilted his head slightly, watching Wang Lingqiu with a mocking gaze. "Where is Da Shi?"
Wang Lingqiu shook his head. "When the Ghost Lord struck to kill, I left the meditation room beforehand and never saw Da Shi before or after. His disappearance amidst this is quite peculiar." The old monk spoke with a benevolent expression, his tone sincere, but Yu Konghou didn't believe a word. He merely smiled. "Is that so? Perhaps the monk was simply lucky enough not to be in the meditation room at the time."
Wang Lingqiu shook his head again. "That, I do not know."
"Tomorrow, you and Su Su will take twenty female attendants to capture Bi Lianyi," Yu Konghou said, narrowing his eyes. "I want to see for myself what this Flesh Pill looks like. If it truly has miraculous effects, wouldn't the many experts of the Central Plains Sword Association become a series of martial power-transferring pills?" He looked at Wang Lingqiu and chuckled lightly. "And wouldn't the most exquisite Flesh Pill be Tang Lici? Whoever consumes the Flesh Pill refined from Young Master Tang—could they not achieve immortality?"
Wang Lingqiu smiled faintly, appearing almost kindly. "Young Master Tang is formidable in battle and resourceful. If you can capture him alive, I shall refine him for you."
Yu Konghou burst into laughter. "You speak well. Rest assured, even if it’s discovered someday that you hid Da Shi, I shall spare your life!"
Wang Lingqiu shook his head repeatedly. "I wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare."
Yu Konghou dismissed him, his smile vanishing—this fake monk was too cunning to keep around for long. But this man owed Chai Xijin a debt of gratitude, and the Dissolute Shop was deeply entangled with his "Summoning Lamp Decree" poison arts. For now, he couldn’t be touched. The man claimed to possess the "Flesh Pill" technique, yet Yu Konghou, having trained in martial arts for years, had never heard of such a horrifying method. Nine times out of ten, Wang Lingqiu had fabricated it as a bargaining chip to save his own life.
But... what if it were true?
The mere thought of swallowing a Flesh Pill refined from Tang Lici with blood was exhilarating beyond words.
Piaoling Mei Yuan had sunk into Soul Prayer Mountain, which took Hong Guniang completely by surprise. All previously devised plans were now useless. Meanwhile, the entire martial world knew Tang Lici was the master of the Dissolute Shop, that Liu Yan possessed the antidote to the Nine Hearts Pill, and that Tang Lici had stormed Shaolin to abduct Pu Zhu and kill several of its eminent monks. Such a vile and treacherous villain—how could they simply let things rest just because Piaoling Mei Yuan had vanished into the mountain?Hong Guniang found herself in a dilemma and had to devise a way to break the deadlock.
The anomaly at Piaoling Mei Yuan was undoubtedly connected to the death of "Peach Girl." Yu Konghou had failed to seize control of the Central Plains Sword Association and was ultimately expelled by Tang Lici. When he returned to Piaoling Mei Yuan, the estate immediately sank into the mountains—what did that signify?
It meant Yu Konghou was afraid. He must have been severely injured.
But she couldn’t gauge the condition of Raging Orchid No Trace.
If it were only Yu Konghou, she would dare to lead a direct assault. But if Raging Orchid No Trace was also present, then the Sword Association had no one who could match him. Though the Association was full of talent, morale was waning. If no antidote for the Nine Hearts Pill was found, fewer and fewer would dare to stand against Raging Orchid No Trace.
And Piaoling Mei Yuan, now sunken underground, was clearly a fortress—easy to defend, hard to attack.
Yet she had no choice but to attack.
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