57. What Kind of Lord Is This?
Until the man completely dissolved into a pool of blood, he was still begging Wen Qiyin to spare him, but his pleas ended with the melting of his head.
“This is my apology.” Wen Qiyin said calmly, “Are you two satisfied?”
Killing her own subordinate without any hesitation, and this person had clearly been implanted with the Heavenly Silkworm Gu long ago.
Such ruthlessness, you’re the real demonic sect leader, lady. A cappuccino for you.
“Is there no need for you to hide anymore, Miss Wen?” Gong Yiling quickly composed herself and asked, “Killing an academy disciple so casually, aren’t you afraid of being investigated?”
“Just a nobody from his sect.” Wen Qiyin walked to the pool of blood and stomped on it. “Only I care about his life. Using his death to appease you two, he died for a good cause.”
“I have no ill will towards him. It’s you, on the other hand.”
Gong Yiling crossed her arms and scrutinized her. “You said we could cooperate, but you only gave me a bottle of something with unknown effects. Is that your sincerity, Miss Wen?”
“Before I’m certain the Young Palace Master can be an ally, I won’t easily reveal my hand.” Wen Qiyin brought a finger to her lips, a sinister smile on her face. “But now, Young Palace Master and Senior Ouyang, please follow me.”
With that, she turned and confidently walked away, her back exposed, as if a single strike could send her to the underworld.
Of course, Gong Yiling and Yan Chuyue weren’t foolish enough to try.
They exchanged glances and quickly followed.
They continued to wander through the library, through deserted corners, finally arriving at a seemingly abandoned study.
The room appeared to have been recently cleaned, its furnishings arranged neatly, but from the outside, it looked unremarkable.
After Wen Qiyin entered, Yan Chuyue gave Gong Yiling a signal, indicating it was safe, and they followed.
But as soon as they entered, they heard Wen Qiyin say to someone sitting inside, “Lord, I’ve brought them.”
Lord?
Gong Yiling and Yan Chuyue were shocked, not expecting to encounter someone of a higher rank than a Saintess in this ordinary meeting.
But Miss Gong quickly composed herself.
She had already suspected the Saintess had a superior, and this just confirmed her suspicions.
As for this person behind the scenes…
They were wearing a large black robe, their figure completely obscured.
She at least showed half her face, but this person even wore a giant oni mask, their aura completely concealed. It was impossible to tell if they were a living person or just a lump of something.
The three of them stood there for a long time, until Wen Qiyin finally asked, “Lord?”
“Ah, is it my turn to speak now?” A coarse female voice came from behind the mask.
A woman?
And she didn’t sound very old. Her voice even sounded forced.
“I’ve brought them. Please give your instructions, Lord.”
“Mmm, ahem, ahem. Who are you?”
Why did her voice sound so strange? What kind of accent was that?
“Gong Yiling of the Pear Blossom Blood Orchid Palace, and Ouyang Qian.”
“Never heard of them. Kneel!”
Gong Yiling’s lips twitched.
This “Lord” seemed a bit unhinged. Could Wen Qiyin not find a real one and just grabbed a fool to impersonate one?
“Lord,” Wen Qiyin said with some difficulty, “they are our partners. Isn’t this a bit inappropriate?”
The “Lord” became angry and mumbled, “Isn’t this usually handled by Old Yin? Why drag me into this? What am I supposed to say?”
“You can… say anything.”
“Oh, I see.” The Lord clicked her tongue. “You two over there, you’re partners, right? Do you have any food? I’m hungry.”
Gong Yiling: “…?”
Yan Chuyue: “…?”
Wen Qiyin: “…”
The atmosphere became incredibly awkward.
“Don’t just stand there! Give me a reaction! If you have food, we can talk. If not, go get some, then we’ll talk.”
Then, the Lord leaned towards Wen Qiyin and whispered, “Was that alright? I didn’t embarrass myself, did I?”
—Lady, that’s not how you whisper. Even a recording stone could pick that up…
Wen Qiyin: “Uh… no.”
“Good. They probably don’t have any food, so I’ll just—”
Before she could finish, a rich aroma wafted through the room.
Although it was dark, there was a single candle on the table. Her eyes were immediately drawn to a plate of grilled lobster tails.
Gong Yiling placed a small fire underneath, and the aroma intensified several times over.
“Who said…”
Miss Gong casually pulled up a chair and sat down, a smile on her face. “…They were hungry?”
A hurricane suddenly erupted.
Gong Yiling thought she saw a petite figure and a flash of silver hair.
When the hurricane subsided, even the plate was gone. The figure was still shrouded in the large black robe, her actions hidden by the mask.
“Can we start our discussion now?” Gong Yiling asked calmly. “This Palace Master doesn’t have much time. I hope you two won’t waste my efforts.”
“About the cooperation, yes.” The Lord said with satisfaction. “You can tell me what you want.”
“Sister Gong has already told me about the Divine King Gu,”
Yan Chuyue, naturally, spoke on matters of Gu. “Qianqian needs you to provide the original Gu insects. They don’t have to be the mother worms, but they must be healthy. Don’t give us any half-dead things.”
According to their previous discussion, they needed to obtain a sample of this strange Divine King Gu, and this was also a way to test their sincerity.
“And Qianqian also needs you to provide another strange Gu, the Nine-Tailed Min. Don’t tell me you don’t have it. Anyone who has the Divine King Gu must also have the Nine-Tailed Min.”
“If you don’t have the Nine-Tailed Min, then the deal is off.”
