Chapter 471 Extra: Each Finds Joy 14
At the foot of Wuqi Mountain flowed a broad river.
Within a cave lay an expansive space where over a dozen black-clad figures gathered.
A man glanced at the sky and said calmly, "Boss, it's time."
The full moon hung directly overhead, its reflection shimmering on the water's surface. As a gentle breeze stirred, the moon's image fragmented into countless ripples, creating a glittering spectacle.
At that moment, a group of villagers appeared by the riverbank. Seven young women, bound hand and foot, were placed separately on seven bamboo rafts. Candles flickered on the rafts, casting an eerie glow under the moonlight.
The villagers knelt by the river, kowtowed, and then departed.
Once they were gone, the black-clad figures emerged from the cave and pulled the rafts ashore using ropes.
The sacrificial maidens wept silently, tears streaming down their faces, afraid to make a sound lest they anger the River God and incur even crueler punishment.
"This way."
The black-clad figures led the bound maidens into the cave using ropes.
The cave entrance was pitch black, but after rounding a stone chamber, candles illuminated the path, gradually brightening the way.
As they ventured deeper, the temperature dropped steadily. Upon entering the final chamber, the maidens were struck dumb with terror.
There lay a shallow pit densely packed with black insects.
The insects had been lying still on the ground, but upon the maidens' entry, they grew restless.
Yun Chu narrowed her eyes.
So these were the gu insects.
But she wondered if this was all of them.
She remained calm and continued observing discreetly.
Just then, another black-clad figure appeared. Judging by his attire, he seemed to hold a higher rank than those who had brought them in—perhaps the leader?
In a hoarse voice, he commanded, "Extract their heart's blood."
Two black-clad figures drew sharp knives and approached.
The maiden at the front screamed in terror.
Now's the chance!
Yun Chu crushed a pill hidden in her sleeve.
It was Wu Yun's specially formulated antidote to gu insects.
As the powder dispersed into the air, the juvenile gu insects grew increasingly agitated. Those closest to Yun Chu trembled violently and instantly perished.
"Boss, the gu insects are acting strange!" a black-clad figure exclaimed. "Several have died for no apparent reason."
"Boss, trouble!" another black-clad figure rushed in from outside. "There are many people surrounding the cave entrance!"
The leader narrowed his eyes. "Gather the gu insects and retreat. We'll return when the situation calms down."
With that, he headed toward an adjacent stone chamber.
Yun Chu swiftly changed direction and followed him inside. This chamber was filled with pairs of mature gu insects.
Just as she entered, she was discovered, and the black-clad figures closed in on her.
After years of traveling and receiving personal instruction from Chu Yi, Yun Chu's martial skills had greatly improved.
She swiftly drew a soft sword from her waist, stabbed the foremost black-clad figure, and pressed forward aggressively.
"So the problem lies with one of the sacrificial maidens!"
The leader's expression darkened as he signaled for everyone to surround Yun Chu.
Meanwhile, footsteps from outside the cave grew increasingly louder.
"Boss, we can't afford to linger any longer. We must retreat immediately!"
The leader knew this well and coldly ordered, "You few, cover our retreat! The rest, take the gu insects and escape through the secret passage!"
"No one leaves!"
A blade sliced through the air, landing squarely in front of them.Then, Chu Yi appeared, drawing the large blade from the stone crevice and pressing it against the lead black-clad man's neck.
He coldly shouted, "Everyone, stop!"
The dozen or so black-clad men dared not move.
Soon, the hidden guards outside rushed in and subdued all the black-clad men.
Yun Chu used a short sword to cut the ropes binding the young girls.
The girls wept and clung to each other, unable to believe it as they said, "We don't have to die now, right? But if we offend the River God, our village is doomed..."
"He is not the River God," Chu Yi said calmly. "Look closely—he is just like every one of us, with a nose, eyes, two hands, two feet. He bleeds, he feels fear..."
He directly slashed the lead black-clad man's arm, and blood immediately flowed.
He continued, "He merely used the identity of the River God to deceive the villagers into sacrificing you innocent girls to breed these insects. Go back and tell the village chief and elders, tell your families, that from now on, there is no need to make sacrifices to the River God anymore!"
Yun Chu took out all the pills from her sleeve, mixed them with water, and sprinkled the mixture into the shallow pit. She also dusted the paired gu insects with the medicinal powder, and before long, all the gu insects died.
Chu Yi gathered some dry firewood, threw a fire starter into the insect pit, and led everyone out.
The sinful cave went up in flames, and all the legends about the River God came to an end.
Yun Chu and Chu Yi left the village and set off back to the capital.
The capital was bustling with prosperity.
After the current Emperor returned victorious, he married the Empress.
At the same time, the esteemed Princess Changsheng was getting married, wedded to the fourth son of the Duke of Xingguo. The Princess's residence was located right next to the imperial palace, truly magnificent and splendid.
Chu Changsheng, dressed in wedding attire, sat before the mirror, while Yun Chu stood behind her, combing her long hair.
"Thinking back to when we first met, you were so small, unable to speak, and it just broke my heart to see you..." Yun Chu's tone was filled with nostalgia. "The first word you ever said was 'Mother,' and I will always remember that day... In the blink of an eye, my little girl has grown up. You're seventeen now, getting married today—time has passed so quickly..."
Chu Changsheng looked at her reflection in the mirror. For some reason, she seemed to see another version of herself. In that brief moment, she witnessed the tragic life of that other self.
She couldn't help but say, "If I hadn't met you by chance in this life, Mother, I think I might never have spoken, forever trapping myself in a small corner until death... Meeting you is probably the luckiest thing that has ever happened to me."
"This is also the luckiest thing for me," Yun Chu said as she tied up her hair. "Five years ago, your father began building the Princess's residence for you, right next to the imperial palace on the right side. You can enter the palace as soon as you step out. In the future, no matter what grievances you have, you must go to the palace and tell your brother, or write to your father and me. Never hide or suppress any grievances, understand?"
Chu Changsheng smiled brightly. "I am the pearl cherished in the palms of my parents and brother. I will definitely not let myself suffer any grievances."
Just then, Chu Hongjue walked in from the doorway. "Hmph, if that fellow Murong Bi dares to make my elder sister suffer, my fists will not spare him."
Today, he was dressed in festive red robes, which highlighted the spirited vigor of youth, though he was a bit short in stature.He walked up to Chu Changsheng, turned his back, and knelt down on one knee: "Elder sister, come on up, I'll carry you on my back."
"With your small frame, you'd better forget it." Chu Hongyu arrived belatedly, "Changsheng, let your brother escort you out of the pavilion."
His coronation ceremony as empress was scheduled for noon today, which did not conflict with his sister's departure from the pavilion. This was his sister's lifelong event, and he would never be absent.
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