Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy a bulk ~10 chaps for the end of the year! Thank you for supporting us~!
The large hall was bustling, with Martial Arts Alliance Leader Chen Tanghe standing in the center, Luo Qingcheng on his right, and Xiao Qiyu on his left.
Shi Cuiyan, upon hearing the call, respectfully replied to the leader, while Xue Baihua smiled gracefully.
Xi Fuhong felt a chill run down her spine, especially when she stepped into the hall and met Luo Qingcheng’s sharp gaze, which seemed to want to cut her in half.
“Who is this…?” Chen Tanghe asked, feeling a bit awkward as he couldn’t recall the name of the impressive figure before him.
“This is the renowned Miao Shou Yan Luo, Xue Baihua,” Shi Cuiyan quickly introduced Xue Baihua to ease the leader’s embarrassment, then turned to her with a playful smile, “Did I say anything wrong, little Hua’er?”
“…Little Cui’er is right.
Remember to claim your reward from me later,” Xue Baihua’s seductive smile made the atmosphere tense.
Shi Cuiyan wasn’t offended, just raised an eyebrow at her, and their eyes met, almost sparking in the air.
Chen Tanghe was hesitating whether to intervene when Luo Qingcheng suddenly spoke coldly, “Hand over the Black Dragon Tail Ring.” The focus shifted back to Xi Fuhong, who was standing at the door.
She hesitated before stepping forward and presenting the Black Dragon Tail Ring in the center of the hall.
The intricately carved black stone half-ring was said to be a key to unlocking the treasures of the Tiger Dragon Cave, a coveted item in the Jianghu.
“You can have the ring, but I have conditions,” Xi Fuhong mustered her courage and looked directly at Chen Tanghe, “If you take this ring, you must not pursue any grudges against my grandmother and the Ouyang Family.
If you agree, you can have both the treasure and the ring.”
“So that’s the issue,” Chen Tanghe laughed, “I’ve heard a bit about Miss Xi’s relationship with Gui Po.
Since you are like family, the Righteous Path of the martial world won’t force you.
As long as you give us the ring, we won’t pursue Gui Po anymore.”
“Really?” Xi Fuhong looked at Chen Tanghe hesitantly.
He appeared righteous and heroic, “I guarantee it as the alliance leader.” Xi Fuhong nodded in trust and handed the Black Dragon Tail Ring to Chen Tanghe.
She then took out a porcelain bottle from her sleeve, bit her finger, and let her blood drip into the bottle before handing it to Shi Cuiyan.
This antidote, given to her by her grandmother, could neutralize the poison of the life-controlling gu with a mixture of blood and medicine.
With the matter settled, Xi Fuhong felt a weight lifted from her shoulders.
As she turned to leave, Xue Baihua suddenly grabbed her.
She looked back in confusion at the stunning face, wondering if she was angry.
Xi Fuhong tried to shake off her hand, but those fingers gripped her arm tightly.
“…Where are you going?” Xue Baihua asked coldly.
“I’m going back.
I promised my grandmother,” Xi Fuhong replied with a frown.
“…Ah Fu, have you forgotten you’re my medicine person?” Xue Baihua’s smile turned enchanting.
Xi Fuhong nodded honestly.
She hadn’t forgotten she was a medicine person and was poisoned by the Frost Flower, but…
“It doesn’t matter.” Her words left Xue Baihua momentarily stunned, and Xi Fuhong took the opportunity to break free and head out.
Just as she was about to step over the threshold, she heard a sharp crack.
Looking down, she saw something wrapped around her waist.
Turning her head, she saw it was Luo Qingcheng’s red leather whip, which had once tortured her.
“Sister, what are you doing?” Chen Tanghe showed a hint of anger, but Luo Qingcheng remained expressionless.
“You’re not allowed to leave,” her voice was as cold as her heart.
“I’ve already given you the ring, let me go!” Xi Fuhong anxiously tried to remove the whip, but it wouldn’t budge.
Luo Qingcheng flicked her arm, dragging her back to the center.
“The ring’s authenticity is yet to be determined,” was her reason for not letting Xi Fuhong leave.
“It’s real! It’s real!” Xi Fuhong retreated in fear, nervously watching Chen Tanghe.
“Gui Po is cunning.
How can you be sure she gave you the real thing? If you want to leave, you must wait until the treasure is opened,” Luo Qingcheng refused to let go.
Chen Tanghe, seeing the confrontation was unpleasant, stepped forward to ask Luo Qingcheng to retract the whip.
She glanced at him a few times before reluctantly pulling back the whip.
“Miss Xi, I’ve promised not to pursue Gui Po’s matter, but now you’re not an outsider.
The ring will be temporarily kept by you.
Here, you’re considered one of us, and we’ll treat you with equal respect.
Please stay for now,” Chen Tanghe said, then turned to Luo Qingcheng, “Is this arrangement agreeable, sister?”
Luo Qingcheng glared at Xi Fuhong for a while, then said coldly, “If you dare to escape, I’ll punish you and Gui Po no matter where you go.” Xi Fuhong lowered her eyes at these words.
Chen Tanghe handed the Black Dragon Tail Ring to her, and seeing no refusal, he took it as consent.
Shi Cuiyan watched the drama unfold, feeling much lighter after taking the medicine.
As the commotion ended, she approached the alliance leader with a bow.
“I’d like to be part of this treasure hunt too.
May I stay?” Shi Cuiyan asked with a smile.
“Miss Shi, you’re too kind.
If you don’t mind, I’ll have a servant prepare a guest room,” Chen Tanghe replied.
Xue Baihua, hearing this, walked gracefully towards the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, giggling, “I’ll be imposing as well.”
“Not at all,” Chen Tanghe said, feeling a bit dizzy from Xue Baihua’s charming demeanor.
With so many beautiful and skilled women staying, even the experienced Chen Tanghe felt a bit flustered.
With Luo Family Head Luo Qingcheng, Bi Xuan Palace’s Xiao Qiyu, Cui Ling Long’s Shi Cuiyan, and Divine Doctor Xue Xue Baihua, each renowned in the Jianghu, his small branch suddenly felt illustrious.
Xi Fuhong wasn’t as optimistic as Chen Tanghe.
Living with four women who had tormented her life? It was a nightmare.
But with the Black Dragon Tail Ring in her possession and her grandmother’s mission of redemption, she had to stay until the treasure was opened, ensuring Luo Qingcheng wouldn’t falsely accuse her grandmother.
Coveting the treasure, fulfilling her master’s wishes, and family vengeance, that night, fate intertwined, with the Black Dragon Tail Ring connecting everyone involved.
Each harbored their own motives, deep and complex, yet they coexisted under the same roof.
The silence was only broken when a servant announced the rooms were ready.
As the group followed the servant out, only Chen Tanghe and Luo Qingcheng remained in the hall.
Chen Tanghe exhaled, sat in the grand chair, and sipped his tea, while Luo Qingcheng stood with her hands behind her back, gazing outside, lost in thought.
Chen Tanghe glanced at her, feeling his sister was too domineering, hoping she wouldn’t cause trouble.
“I don’t think keeping Xi Fuhong here is wise,” Chen Tanghe voiced his concern, “Even though I promised not to pursue Gui Po’s matter, she’s still an accomplice.
If she sabotages us when the Tiger Dragon Cave opens, it could be detrimental.”
“Are you afraid, brother?” Luo Qingcheng didn’t turn around, her voice remained cold.
“I’m only worried about implicating you and other righteous friends,” Chen Tanghe replied with a frown.
Hearing this, Luo Qingcheng turned to stare at him for a while, “She’s a villain.
I won’t let it go.”
Watching Luo Qingcheng’s departing figure, Chen Tanghe raised his eyebrows.
What was his sister thinking? Her obsession with a simple girl wasn’t good.
The Black Dragon Tail Ring could have been taken directly, yet she let Xi Fuhong stay.
Even if Gui Po dared, she couldn’t tamper with the Black Dragon Tail Ring.
So why didn’t his clever sister see this? Perhaps even Luo Qingcheng didn’t understand her own obsession.
In the elegant bedroom, Shi Cuiyan sat on a chair, showing her pale wrist for Xue Baihua to check her pulse.
After a while, Xue Baihua glanced at Shi Cuiyan, took out a porcelain bottle from her sleeve, and handed it to her to drink.
Shi Cuiyan, without suspicion, drank it all.
