Chapter 65: Soul-Shattering Jade Banquet (Part 3): Sour Gurgling Bubbles Bursting with a Pfft

A cold voice rang out like shattering jade, crisp and actually quite pleasant, but the young man’s face grew worse and worse. That handsome face of his was now threaded with wisps of black qi.

He did not. Of course he did not.

A mind-reading skill that was so bizarre and of unknown origin could not be used as evidence to convince others. But he did not want to admit it, nor could he show weakness, so he merely said, “Since you know my identity, you should also know that the Feng Clan is not to be trifled with.”

Mu Qian Tan listened and found it somewhat amusing.

The Source Mist Fu Clan had told her they were not to be trifled with, but she trifled with them anyway. The Taihang Feng Clan said the same, and she trifled with them too. And now? Nothing really happened.

“Give it a rest. You’ve been running away from home for so long and been so stubborn, haven’t you? Yet in the end, you’re still borrowing your family’s prestige.”

The contempt in her eyes was unconcealed as she looked him up and down, as if dismantling him piece by piece. “If you really had the ability, would you still not have found your sister by now? What’s the use of empty threats like that? You’re just venting with words and dead set on saving face, aren’t you?”

It was rare to hear this aloof woman say so much. Her lips curved in a faint arc, one sentence following another, her face still carrying that breezy, indifferent expression. But Jiang Yuanqi felt like a fishbone was stuck in his throat.

He subconsciously wanted to retort, but the words on the tip of his tongue could not even convince himself, so he held them back. New Year’s Money tucked its airplane ears tight against its master’s calf, not daring to meow.

Why does this woman always curse at people? Her temper is too bad, meow!

Seeing that he could not respond, Mu Qian Tan grew too lazy to press further. Talking too much made her thirsty, and there was no need. She no longer spared him a glance and brushed past him, leaving only one sentence: “Do your thing and don’t bother me.”

When she returned to the courtyard, Ji Ce had already led out the black horse. The horse was tall and broad-chested, with glossy fur and an exceptionally spirited look—clearly a top-grade mount.

Jiang Yuanqi also emerged from the shade of the trees, pushing branches aside with his black iron bracer, his face calm as if he had not just been scolded.

He nodded first to Ji Ce, then walked to the Silver Snake. He pressed two fingers to the back of her neck and pushed down with slight force. With a click, her neck bone separated. The woman who had been struggling faintly within the formation went limp, completely still.

It was as if her own heart had been abruptly snapped. Wen Yu’s eyes widened slightly as she murmured, “Silver Snake!”

She wanted to rush over, but Cong Rong held her tightly. “Don’t go, Mistress. We can’t handle that thing. We have to leave it to them.”

That morning, they had waited bitterly for their mistress to come out, but when she did not, they went in to check. Upon seeing the situation on the bed, they nearly fainted.

Though their hearts ached for Wen Yu’s broken legs and they wanted revenge, they were utterly helpless against that evil thing.

The woman had some martial skill in life, but her severe injuries had suppressed it somewhat. Now, transformed into this state, she was nearly impervious to blades and spears, possessed immense strength, and craved blood with savage brutality. If not for Wen Yu’s constant humming to suppress her, she would have long gone mad, broken free, and started a massacre in the city.

They trembled in fear before this thing that could lose control at any moment, gritting their teeth to keep her contained. At first, they could still control her; she could even say a few words, which gave some reassurance.

Wen Yu was extremely optimistic, believing she would recover sooner or later. Even with her legs crippled, she personally cared for her, dressed her in her mother’s old opera costume, and sang operas to her every day until her throat swelled and she could no longer make a sound.

But later, this method did not work so well.

Months passed, and the Silver Snake grew increasingly violent. The suppressive effect of the operas weakened more and more, as if her personal consciousness was gradually being worn away. She often swung the sword spike wildly, leaving gashes in tables, chairs, and walls. Her eyes burned blood-red, and even bringing live chickens for her to vent her killing urge proved useless.

In the end, she used her exquisite, agile movements to escape the Wen Family, killed her first innocent victim, and returned on her own. Seeing her covered in blood, the two knew it was over.

Afraid that if immortals came to deal with her, Wen Yu—who had killed first—would be punished, they only dared to buy expensive magic tools and talismans at high prices, but none worked. The Silver Snake roamed free, her killing methods growing ever more brutal. Only after venting would she obediently follow behind Wen Yu’s wheelchair, but things had long spiraled beyond their control.

It was truly over.

Just when they thought everything would collapse, these people who suddenly appeared before them were undoubtedly saviors.

Holding Wen Yu tightly, Cong Rong soothed her. “That’s no longer the Silver Snake. Mistress, don’t look at her.”

Wen Yu’s eyes grew wet. She clutched Cong Rong’s collar as if her beloved had been stolen away. Tears rolled down her face, and she gasped for breath.

To keep her from dwelling on the pain, Cong Rong picked her up, covered her eyes, and carried her inside to settle her.

Even the toughest fierce corpse could not move after its spine was snapped. Jiang Yuanqi dispelled the formation, and the little paper figures fluttered back to his waist. He lifted the Silver Snake, slung her arm over his shoulder, and hoisted her onto his back.

“Yao’e Immortal, Miss Shang, I have other matters and must take my leave first.” He nodded in greeting, secured the Silver Snake, walked to the black horse, and mounted it in one fluid motion.

Shang Shan gaped and took two steps forward. “Wait! You’re leaving just like that?”

Tightening the reins, Jiang Yuanqi said, “Yeah, Miss Shang. Sorry about this—my brother here has urgent business, so I have to go. Let’s play next time.”

Shang Shan said, “But…” She sensed something off but could not pinpoint it. She stammered for a while before squeezing out, “Is it really over just like that?”

New Year’s Money jumped onto his shoulder. Jiang Yuanqi leaned down and said, “We’ve found the murderer. How is that not an ending? Miss Shang, I feel like our fates aren’t done yet. So, until we meet again.”

He leaned in and whispered something to Ji Ce, gave Mu Qian Tan one last look, clamped his legs on the horse’s belly, flicked the reins, and turned the horse to gallop away. Ji Ce followed close behind, probably to clear the way for him at the Wen Mansion.

The hoofbeats faded, and the figures vanished around the bend. A few family servants drawn by the commotion came to look, only to be shooed away by Cong Rong. They slunk off dejectedly.

“But…” Shang Shan looked toward the aloof woman beside her. “It was too sudden. It feels like I didn’t do anything, and it just ended… And how did she suddenly turn into a fierce corpse? The explanation doesn’t make sense. And also, I promised to bring the murderer to that Old Granny, but Brother Wen took her away. How am I supposed to explain to the Old Granny?”

Mu Qian Tan said, “Who cares about your little promise?”

Shang Shan said, “I do!”

Mu Qian Tan said, “No one cares that you care.”

“I do!” Shang Shan choked.

She waved her hand and huffed, “If I care, that’s enough.”

Mu Qian Tan said, “Whatever.”

The sun shone brightly overhead, but there was no joy in basking in it. Shang Shan looked around, fiddling with the red satin, her brows furrowing. “But I still feel like this ending is too offhand. There are so many issues.”

Mu Qian Tan glanced at the ground nearby, where traces of the formation lingered. She said, “How much more offhand can it be than her death?”

A mere assassin who struggled desperately to escape, holding on with her last breath, only to be poisoned to death by a girl without the strength to truss a chicken. To be precise, she had not been fully poisoned—she was smothered with a pillow. Who wouldn’t find that laughable?

Shang Shan looked over too, her heart growing heavier. “Miss Wen was confused. Her thinking was all wrong. But I can’t figure it out. Even if she doesn’t understand herself, how could others not see it clearly?”

Mu Qian Tan said, “Others can see it clearly, of course, but others are just others. No matter how clear they see, they can’t sway the person’s own decisions.”

Shang Shan looked around and saw no one in the nearly empty courtyard. Her heart felt hollow and windswept.

She squatted down and picked up a tattered little paper figure from the ground. “The Silver Snake survived so many pursuits, yet she lost her life here…”

Mu Qian Tan adjusted her sleeves. “She had several lives on her conscience. Isn’t that death by her own deserts?”

Shang Shan said, “That was after she became a fierce corpse. Before that, she was just an ordinary person who was wronged and killed for no reason.”

Mu Qian Tan asked, “You’re sad for her?”

Shang Shan nodded. “Yeah.”

Mu Qian Tan sneered. “Then avenge her. Go kill Miss Wen.”

Shang Shan’s back stiffened. After a moment, she said slowly, “But Miss Wen was a victim too. She was obsessed with delivering that coffin… She’s a good person, right?”

Even she sounded uncertain, but since the transformed Silver Snake had not killed Wen Yu, it at least meant she harbored no hatred toward her in her heart.

Looking down at her huddled back, Mu Qian Tan said, “No revenge? Fine. You say you’re sad for her, but do you even know her real name?”

“Her real name?” Shang Shan fiddled with the little paper figure and turned her head. “Wasn’t it Silver Snake?”

Mu Qian Tan scoffed. “Of course not. Who would name themselves that? It was just her assassin codename.”

The Silver Snake had fled a life she could no longer endure. She originally belonged to an assassin organization called Blood Five Poisons under the Taihang Feng Clan. The members were divided into five ranks by strength: Flying Insect, Poison Child, Silver Snake, Wandering Eagle, Golden Eagle. Arranged by the food chain.

She called herself Silver Snake simply because that was her rank’s title.

Shang Shan asked, “Then do you know her real name?”

Mu Qian Tan said, “How would I know? She’s just a cannon fodder character to push the plot. Not worthy of a name.”

“…What?” Shang Shan shook her head. “I don’t get it.”

She had said that out of spite. The irritation blew through her like a gust of wind, all because the current incident was wrapping up. Mu Qian Tan remembered the reason she came: to open the Female Protagonist’s leg qi apertures. She said, “If you don’t get it, you never will. Go run it off.”

Unsure why she suddenly brought this up, Shang Shan felt her head spin. “Run? Why?”

Speaking of running, it sounded absurd, but it was indeed related to the leg qi apertures.

In the original story, this arc also ended with Jiang Yuanqi hastily taking the corpse away. Faced with this abrupt conclusion, Shang Shan could neither understand Wen Yu’s killing nor bring herself to vent on an ordinary person. Unable to let the Old Granny see the murderer caught with her own eyes, she was depressed on multiple fronts and chose to run to vent her feelings.

Others ran casually around their doorstep to clear their minds, but she bolted around the entire East City at full speed!

In that vast town, she ran lap after lap, her steps growing smoother, more addictive, more exhilarating. Her qi and blood flowed smoothly, spiritual power circulated, and just like that, she broke through her leg qi apertures.

So this time, it was not the demon core or herbs—just pure running!

When Mu Qian Tan first read this, she rolled her eyes several times and sneered inwardly.

Even for the Female Protagonist, this favoritism was too much.

Back in Rice Wine Town, just those earlier exploits could shock a crowd in a restaurant. Hearing this part? They’d probably spit blood in rage and abandon their swords altogether.

Cultivate, cultivate a damn immortal. Heaven doesn’t play fair! A lifetime of cultivation couldn’t catch up to her casual jog!

Li Biyuan was quite calm about it. ‘Normal. Think who she is—the world’s last Big Dragon. She should have had all her qi apertures unlocked from the start. Running is just going in circles and wasting effort.’

No words for such a diehard protagonist fan. Mu Qian Tan said bluntly, “People like you, if you lived in ancient times as a maid serving meals, and saw the mistress using a silver spoon, would you pity her with, ‘Why not a gold one? How low-class’?”

Li Biyuan said, ‘That… that’s a bit harsh.’

“That’s already a compliment. Be grateful.” Mu Qian Tan said coldly, “At least maids have better taste than you and wouldn’t eat instant noodles every day.”

Li Biyuan said, ‘…Thanks for the lesson, Sister Tan. I’ll change it up today—spicy hot pot noodles, two packs.’

Even after venting, it did not help. Looking at the bewildered girl staring at her, Mu Qian Tan snapped irritably, “What are you looking at? Do whatever you want. Don’t ask me.”

The Female Protagonist gained benefits from a run that mediocres could not match in a lifetime, while a plot-pushing cannon fodder died nameless. She knew the comparison was unfair, but sour gurgling bubbles still bubbled up from the cracks in her heart.

Mystified by yet another scolding, Shang Shan did not know what to do and reached for her sleeve. “Why are you cursing me?”

Mu Qian Tan sidestepped. “Scram.”

Her head could not process the jumble of information. Shang Shan stomped her feet. “Why? Why is everything suddenly like this?”

Perhaps after days of bustling about, or maybe due to her bad mood, her wound ached faintly again. Mu Qian Tan furrowed her brows, planning to head back to the inn for some shut-eye. As she took a step, she heard Shang Shan’s shout, tinged with the verge of collapse, and her mind stirred slightly.

If she did not go run, would the leg qi apertures still open?

If the paths hadn’t diverged, could she still have been this lucky?

Sour gurgly bubbles burst with a pffft.

Mu Qian Tan stopped in her tracks and said gently for once, “Are you feeling uncomfortable inside?”

Finally getting her to turn back, Shang Shan clutched her chest and nodded vigorously. “Yes, very uncomfortable. I can’t figure out a lot of things. Can Master tell me?”

Mu Qian Tan said, “I’ll tell you, but before that, it’s not good to bottle up your emotions. You need to vent them out.”

This woman had never paid attention to her emotions before, and bringing it up like this clearly wasn’t with good intentions, but Shang Shan couldn’t care less. She really felt uncomfortable inside and just wanted to talk more with the woman, so she nodded. “Okay, how do I vent?”

Mu Qian Tan thought for a moment and said, “I have a way. Let’s go find the last murderer.”

Shang Shan tilted her head. “The last murderer?”

Mu Qian Tan said, “Also, since you care about your little promise and want to show the murderer to Old Granny, we need a corpse now to disguise as a glamour corpse to show her, right?”

Only now did she remember that nothing good ever came from this woman smiling. Shang Shan said uneasily, “A corpse…”

“You don’t think it should end like this, do you? I think so too. The one who killed Silver Snake was Wen Yu, but the real culprit who drove Wen Yu mad is still alive, so,”

Mu Qian Tan chuckled lightly. “Let’s go kill Wen Wu.”