At eighteen, Jiang Chenbi had not yet been afflicted by the Love Gu. She was the Southern Frontier’s most celebrated genius Gu master. Ma Gu Po intended for her to take over the Poison Gu Sect and, at such a young age, she had already begun handling the region’s largest Gu worm trade deals.
Ma Gu Po’s real name was Li Yao, and her Han surname was Ma. She was the head of the Southern Frontier’s most prominent wealthy family. After taking control of the family, she founded the Poison Gu Sect. The poisonous Gu she produced were bizarre and ever-changing, earning widespread fame at one point.
Every year, the Southern Frontier held the Poison Gu Grand Tournament. Various sects sent their most outstanding disciples to compete, from martial trials to Gu worm crafting. The sect of the champion who claimed first place gained the right to set the trading rules.
Since the Poison Gu Sect’s founding, it had consistently topped the rankings. That year’s Poison Gu Grand Tournament was one where Ma Gu Po deliberately wanted Jiang Chenbi to establish her authority within the Poison Gu Sect, so she sent her to participate.
A bright smile shimmered in Jiang Chenbi’s eyes. Her face still held a youthful innocence when she smiled. Standing on the martial arena, she gazed at Yu Qing Niang with a gentle, smiling expression, confidence radiating from her brows.
Yu Qing Niang had grown up in the Southern Frontier and was the young valley master of Phantom Woman Valley. She was accustomed to being fawned over and flattered by everyone. Having achieved fame at a young age, she naturally couldn’t stand this outsider before her.
“Hey, if you admit defeat now, you might still save some face,” Yu Qing Niang said, raising her brows arrogantly toward Jiang Chenbi.
Jiang Chenbi arched a brow. “We haven’t even started fighting yet. How do you know I’ll lose?”
Yu Qing Niang glanced at her as if the mere sight was distasteful. With contempt, she sneered, “An outsider like you must have used some dirty tricks to win Ma Gu Po’s favor.”
Jiang Chenbi stared at her, the smile fading from her eyes. She had been in a good mood that day because Lai Niang’s mission had exceeded expectations, firmly rooting Yellow Path Palace’s foundation in Luzhou City.
But this woman had to ruin it right when she was happy. Jiang Chenbi’s slightly cool expression suddenly shifted, and she smiled sweetly. “Is that so?”
Jiang Chenbi wasted no more words with her. As the match began, she wielded the Nine Dragons Profound Iron Chain with a whistling “whoosh,” striking with lethal force straight for Yu Qing Niang’s vital points.
Yu Qing Niang barely dodged the attacks, steadied herself, and mocked, “Wielding a treasure in your hand—does that count as real skill?”
A meaningful smile tugged at Jiang Chenbi’s lips. She tossed the Nine Dragons Profound Iron Chain aside, flashed forward in an instant, and appeared right in front of Yu Qing Niang. Startled, Yu Qing Niang failed to dodge in time and was slammed onto the stage.
It felt as if her five viscera and six bowels had been shattered. Yu Qing Niang lay on the ground seeing stars. She watched as Jiang Chenbi slowly approached, crouched beside her, and gazed down coolly. “No one in Phantom Woman Valley ever taught you how to speak properly? No matter—I’ll teach you today.”
In Phantom Woman Valley, Yu Qing Niang had always been the center of attention, with others intentionally yielding to her in spars. But Jiang Chenbi showed no mercy. Naturally, Yu Qing Niang was no match for her. In just a few exchanges, she was pinned firmly to the ground.
When had Yu Qing Niang ever suffered such humiliation? Especially with Phantom Woman Valley disciples watching from below, she felt she had lost tremendous face. Tears welled up in her eyes uncontrollably as she cursed, “Jiang, you’d better not let me find your weakness.”
Jiang Chenbi let out a light laugh and swept a lingering gaze over Yu Qing Niang’s face. “Hasn’t the young valley master grasped the situation yet?”
Immediately after, Yu Qing Niang felt countless bugs crawling over her skin. Jiang Chenbi flipped her over, one hand pinching her neck while the other pulled out the Stiff Insect Gu from her bosom. With a hooked smile, she said, “If you can’t learn to act human, then don’t bother.”
Yu Qing Niang’s pupils shrank as she struggled. Of course she recognized the Stiff Insect Gu in Jiang Chenbi’s hand, but the person before her was immensely strong, pinning her down unyieldingly.
The Phantom Woman Valley people below looked anxious but, bound by the rules, couldn’t intervene. They could only shout loudly, “Young valley master, forfeit quickly!”
As Yu Qing Niang stared at Jiang Chenbi’s approaching face amid the chorus urging her to surrender, her anger burned even fiercer. Why should she forfeit?!
Seeing her refuse to yield, Jiang Chenbi playfully appraised her decent-looking face and leaned close to her ear. “I wonder what it would be like if Phantom Woman Valley’s young valley master were turned into a sex slave.”
Surely many would pay a high price for that…
A suffocating pressure came from her neck, while the itching pain of Gu worms gnawing her body tormented her. The woman’s alluring fragrance enveloped her as she whispered such outrageous words in her ear. It should have been utterly humiliating, yet Yu Qing Niang felt a strange change in her body.
The initial suffocation gradually numbed, replaced by excitement flooding her mind. Her struggles slowed to a stop. When she looked up at Jiang Chenbi, the woman loomed over her, her eyes filled with undisguised scorn and mockery.
For some inexplicable reason, Yu Qing Niang felt an urge to submit at her feet. Her consciousness began to slip away.
Jiang Chenbi coldly glanced at Yu Qing Niang, who was on the verge of suffocating to death. With a cold laugh, she released her hand and kicked her off the arena.
The martial arena fell deathly silent. Jiang Chenbi stood up and casually swept her gaze over everyone present. That look was both proud and icy.
Everyone knew that from this day on, she ruled the Southern Frontier’s younger generation.
She rose to fame in a single battle, establishing her prestige and momentum. From then on, Jiang Chenbi commanded respect in the Poison Gu Sect and throughout the Southern Frontier.
Recalling her past days in the Southern Frontier naturally brought back memories of how she had “humiliated” Yu Qing Niang in her youthful ignorance.
If she had known Yu Qing Niang would cling to her afterward, she absolutely wouldn’t have won that match in such a showy manner.
But what use was saying that now? Jiang Chenbi sighed.
She was older now and still had no interest in dealing with others’ emotional entanglements—especially with the net closing in on the Capital City. She had no time. “Have our people keep watch. Don’t let Phantom Woman Valley’s hands reach into the Capital City again.”
After a pause, Jiang Chenbi looked pained. “As for Yu Qing Niang, I’ll handle her when I have time to return to the Southern Frontier.”
How could Li Qian object? She nodded. “Rest assured, I’ll keep a tight eye on Phantom Woman Valley.”
Jiang Chenbi hummed in acknowledgment.
Li Qian had completed her task within the stipulated time. Jiang Chenbi had considered gradually delegating authority to her to learn managing the Poison Gu Sect, but Li Qian always resisted strongly whenever it came up.
Li Qian and Ying Lan were about the same age—both just sixteen. Young people always preferred play over rules and restraints. Jiang Chenbi didn’t want to force her; she merely assigned occasional tasks to temper her character.
If something unforeseen happened to her in the future, at least the Poison Gu Sect would have someone to take charge, and she wouldn’t let down her master’s years of nurturing and affection.
Time flew when one was busy. By the time Cui Wangshu finished handling the day’s affairs, it was already evening. She let out a long breath, relaxed her body, and soaked into the bath barrel.
As she lifted her arm to pour water over herself, her gaze fell on the bite mark on her arm. Cui Wangshu paused.
Last night, Jiang Chenbi hadn’t begged for mercy. When Cui Wangshu had tormented her to the brink of madness, she had yanked her arm over and left a deep bite mark on the inner side of her forearm.
Cui Wangshu touched the bite mark. The scalp-tingling sensation from being bitten felt as if it had just happened. A smile tugged at her lips as she lowered her hand.
The next day at noon.
The Emperor’s grand procession came to a majestic halt outside Luzhou City. Cui Wangshu, dressed in her official robes, stood tall and noble at the city gate to receive them.
Li Cong lifted the carriage curtain, revealing his effeminate face. In three months, he had grown much thinner, his cheeks sunken. Inside the carriage sat a woman—Li Ji.
No, now she should be called Consort Jin.
Cui Wangshu bowed respectfully. “This official pays respects to Your Majesty and Consort Jin.”
Li Cong covered his mouth with his sleeve and coughed lightly a few times. “Let’s proceed.”
Cui Wangshu lowered her gaze and curved her lips slightly. “Yes.”
The curtain fell, blocking Li Cong’s view. Cui Wangshu lifted her eyes darkly, locking gazes with Li Ji through the gap.
That night, in the temporary palace.
Li Cong held Li Ji’s waist and took the immortal pill she fed him. Li Ji curved her lips. “Your Majesty, Daoist Fang went to great lengths to find this Longevity Pill for you.”
Li Cong hummed, narrowing his eyes. “Lately, I’ve often felt the immortal’s summons. My body feels much lighter.”
Li Ji lowered her head with a soft smile. “Isn’t this the Heavenly Dao guiding Your Majesty toward immortality?”
Li Cong laughed heartily, greatly pleased. “My beloved consort speaks wisely. I shall reward Fang Qiutan handsomely.”
Li Ji lowered her gaze and nestled softly into his embrace.
In the residence.
A bamboo leaf drifted down. Cui Wangshu caught it in her hand, her fingertip lightly tracing its edge. The dry leaf was still sharp enough to prick.
Standing beneath the bamboo grove, the woman’s figure was elongated by the moonlight. Cui Wangshu stood with hands behind her back, her ear twitching slightly. She whipped around abruptly, a flash of cold light crossing her face. The sword blade grazed past her side neck.
A lock of hair silently fell to the ground. Cui Wangshu raised her hand, her fingertips clamping the intruder’s sword blade. She turned to stare at the person, a cold smile tugging at her lips. “Your skills have improved.”
The intruder wore a conical hat shadowing her face, clad in sleek combat attire with her ponytail tied high—heroic and dashing.
Seeing Cui Wangshu release her sword, she simply sheathed it and said flatly, “You’ve gotten weaker.”
She removed the hat, revealing a cold, icy face that regarded Cui Wangshu calmly.
Cui Wangshu narrowed her eyes at her and tugged her lips. “Have I?”
Suddenly, Cui Wangshu struck a palm toward the woman’s face. The woman hurriedly blocked, but in the next instant, a sword pressed against her neck. Cui Wangshu arched a brow at her. “Still so forgetful, Xun An?”
Xun An commented coolly, “Old and cunning.”
Cui Wangshu chuckled lightly. With a “whoosh,” she flung the sword back into Xun An’s scabbard and asked, “What do you want from me?”
Xun An was terse: “Money.”
Cui Wangshu: “…”
She gave Xun An a speechless glance. “You and Jiang Ci treat me like a bank?”
“How much?”
Xun An pursed her lips: “Thir…”
“None.” Cui Wangshu ruthlessly cut her off before she finished.
Xun An frowned slightly. “Urgent.”
Cui Wangshu laughed in exasperation, sizing her up and down for a few seconds before stepping closer. After a long moment, she said, “The eldest miss of the Xun Family, Jiangnan’s richest merchants—short on cash?”
A rare flicker of difficulty crossed Xun An’s icy face. She hesitated. “My mother kicked me out.”
Cui Wangshu truly laughed this time. “Your father showed mercy—didn’t break your legs, just threw you out.”
Xun An: “…”
Cui Wangshu had changed, her tongue even sharper than before.
“I’ll give it to you, but you have to do something for me.” Cui Wangshu curved her lips meaningfully.
Xun An eyed that familiar scheming expression and hesitated. “…What?”
Cui Wangshu arched a brow. “Be my personal bodyguard for a year. Thirty thousand taels—yours.”
Xun An’s skills matched hers. After returning to the Capital City, Cui Wangshu needed her.
Thirty thousand taels was no small sum. Xun An knew asking Cui Wangshu for so much on short notice was improper. After weighing it, she agreed. “Fine, but I need to return to Jiangnan first. In half a month, I’ll come find you.”
Since she didn’t want to say what the matter was, Cui Wangshu wouldn’t pry. “Alright. In half a month, meet me in the Capital City.”
Xun An hummed, her expression slightly uneasy. She asked, “How is she…?”
