34. That’s It?
This incident eventually turned into a farce in the book.
Because neither side could find the hiding Yan Wuying, the conflict between the Dongyang Sect and the Hehuan Sect escalated, culminating in the Hehuan Sect’s Vice Sect Master… well, let’s just say he had his way with Yan Wanqiu.
Yes, the Hehuan Sect’s Vice Sect Master was a man, Yan Wanqiu was also a man, and the plot unfolded exactly as you might imagine.
After that, the two sects rallied their allies, unleashing a storm of bloodshed in the martial world.
Finally, the Hehuan Sect’s indiscriminate attacks dragged the Blood Orchid Palace and the Four Heavenly Kingdoms into the conflict, leading to their own demise.
As for Yan Wuying himself…
He died early on in the fighting. However, amidst the chaos, no one noticed his death. His body was only discovered after things calmed down.
Judging by the timeline, this should be the beginning of the conflict between the Hehuan Sect and the Dongyang Sect, before the all-out war.
And the book mentioned Yan Wuying’s hiding place, not far from here, about a day’s journey.
With his early Core Transformation cultivation, he had only managed to sneak into the Hehuan Sect and steal their treasure due to sheer luck. He would be no match for the three of them.
“Alright.”
After a brief consideration, Gong Yiling decided on this target.
“You two rest well today and get yourselves in top condition. We’ll move tomorrow.”
“Okay!”
…
…
Early the next morning, Gong Yiling hired a carriage and took the two girls to a dense forest in the west.
This forest connected several cities and was the fourth largest in the Heartflame Empire. Shaped like a crescent moon, it was named Crescent Forest.
Yan Wuying was hiding in a cave within Crescent Forest. Relying on her memory of the book’s geography, Gong Yiling quickly found their destination.
It was a cave in a low-lying area, with signs of someone trying to conceal its entrance, only noticeable up close.
A large tree stood in front of the cave, blocking it from view.
After arriving, Gong Yiling instructed Chun Lian to set up restriction talismans around the area and placed several explosive talismans at the cave entrance.
Everything was ready.
Then, Miss Gong yelled at the top of her lungs, “Help! Robbery! Help!”
Her cries were ear-piercing.
Soon, sounds of commotion came from inside the cave.
“Don’t drag me into the cave! I’ll give you money! I can give you money!”
After adding this line, a series of footsteps echoed from within the cave.
As Yan Wuying cautiously peeked out, he stepped right onto an explosive talisman.
“Boom!”
The explosion sent Yan Wuying reeling, but he wasn’t seriously injured.
The next moment, Qiu Shui made a few hand gestures, and spiritual vines sprouted from the ground, binding him tightly.
As Qiu Shui channeled more true essence, a green mist emanated from the vines, seeping into Yan Wuying’s body, turning him into a motionless puppet.
Everything went smoothly until the jade pendant on Yan Wuying’s body suddenly emitted a bright blue light.
This power absorbed the green mist, and he almost broke free from the vines.
“Damn it!”
Yan Wuying roared furiously. “Who is it!?”
“Everyone’s looking for you.”
Gong Yiling walked up to him, drew her sword, and pressed the flat side of the blade against his chin. “Tell me, which side should I hand you over to?”
Yan Wuying panicked. “You… you can’t take me to the Hehuan Sect!”
“Why not? The demonic sects have offered a million taels of silver for your head, while the Dongyang Sect hasn’t even offered a reward. Which would you choose?”
“Let me choose…”
Yan Wuying’s initial fear was replaced by a sinister grin.
Suddenly, a surge of true essence erupted from his body. He had been waiting for this moment.
But Miss Gong didn’t flinch.
Qiu Shui cried out, “Heavenly Wind Rise, Cloud Blossom Confusion!”
Yan Wuying’s fist struck only air.
An illusion technique!?
In that moment of confusion, a cold sword was pressed against his neck from behind.
“I don’t have time for your tricks.”
Gong Yiling gestured coolly to Qiu Shui. “Surrender now, and you’ll receive the Righteous Sect Gift Pack. If you refuse… you know the consequences.”
“Damn it!”
As a villain, Yan Wuying had to maintain his composure.
He spat on the ground and knelt down dramatically, shouting, “Spare me, heroines!!!”
Gong Yiling: “…”
Yin Qiushui: “…”
Chun Lian: “…”
This… wasn’t he surrendering a bit too quickly?
Weren’t you a notorious villain, a ruthless criminal who dared to steal from the Hehuan Sect?
Where was your villainous pride?
That’s it?
That’s all?
“Let me confirm, you are Yan Wuying, right?”
“Yes.”
“The one on the villain bounty list?”
“Yes!”
“The Yan Wuying who murdered a family of sixteen and committed countless atrocities?”
“It’s like this,” Yan Wuying said righteously, “I admit to what I’ve done, but not to what I haven’t. I’ve never even stepped on an ant, let alone kill anyone!”
Oh, Gong Yiling understood this tactic.
Pretend to surrender, play the victim, gain sympathy, then strike when the heroines hesitate—followed by a scene only available to VIP level 10 viewers.
She wouldn’t fall for such a clumsy trick.
“Actually, all those things were done by my second brother—”
As he continued his rambling, Gong Yiling chopped him on the neck, knocking him unconscious.
“That was easier than expected.”
Gong Yiling rubbed her chin, looking at the unconscious man, wondering how to claim her reward.
She could take the stolen goods and decide whether to return them to the Hehuan Sect, then hand him over to the Dongyang Sect.
Hmm… that should work.
That’s what she would do!