But if I don't make a desperate move now, there won't be the slightest chance of survival.

Lord Wuchang suddenly let out a loud cry, raised his sword, and charged forward, his figure darting like a hunting falcon, ferociously aggressive!

Chen Yi, with a slight sidestep, avoided the blow, causing the sword to strike empty air. Lord Wuchang could have turned around for another slash, but fear caused him to falter—and then came the blade that severed the arm holding his sword.

A kick struck Lord Wuchang squarely, sending him flying backward, slamming heavily into the main seat with a loud crash. Who knows how many bones shattered in the process.

Through blood-soaked eyes, he saw that man flash a mocking smile, then turn away.

That smile seemed to say:

The utterly irredeemable should die slowly...

..................

One incense stick later, with the death of the cook, Yin Weiyin noticed the boiling pot of human flesh soup had gradually stilled.

Throughout the process, amidst the splattering of blood and glinting of blade and sword, the female crown didn't dare take a single deep breath.

He seemed to know everyone present as if reading them like an open book.

As though he could even foresee the words each person would utter.

Now, Chen Yi moved step by step toward Lord Wuchang.

Lord Wuchang lay slumped in the main seat, his blood nearly drained away, his face pale beyond description.

But upon closer inspection, the wounds had somehow knitted back together.

It was evident his ability to self-heal was extraordinary.

He tucked his severed arm behind his back.

Seeing Chen Yi approach, he was too weak to rise and merely strained before falling back down.

"Why? Why?"

Blood-covered, Lord Wuchang rasped,

"Just because we kill people?

Your martial arts are so powerful—can you swear there are no innocent souls among those killed by your blade?!"

"I don't eat human flesh."

Lord Wuchang froze in his tracks, then realized death was upon him. He burst into hearty laughter mixed with tears.

"You have principles—kill me well!"

Like a carefree hero, Lord Wuchang gave a thumbs-up forward,

"If you enter Ghost City, I hope you'll survive it now that it's the way it is."

Chen Yi did not respond.

Lord Wuchang lowered his head and, as though a dying man's words carried virtue, began mumbling softly:

"I... I too once had principles, but later changed. King Yan went mad, mad for thousands of years.

The big devouring the small, the small devouring the smaller—such is the way of things. But over the years, I wasn't entirely without merit.

Thinking back on past deeds, I beg the Immortal Master not to desecrate my corpse after I die."

"That is acceptable."

With these words, Lord Wuchang's eyes glimmered suddenly as he shouted:

"Come!"

With a single slash, Lord Wuchang's head was cleaved apart, slumping to the ground in a pool of blood.

The floor was drenched in blood, and the corpses of those demonic entities began to either dissipate into a foul haze or remain hauntingly entrenched.

Chen Yi retrieved the token around Lord Wuchang's waist and turned to step out the door.

Yin Weiyin hurried to follow, still overwhelmed by the shocking events earlier.

"Do you have fire talismans?" Chen Yi suddenly asked.

Yin Weiyin paused in confusion but retrieved a fire talisman from her Square Land.

Chen Yi took the talisman, infused it with Primordial Qi, then tossed it into the hall.

A fierce blaze erupted from the corner of the hall, engulfing the entire building in an instant.

"He wasn't a monk—why did you give him a fire burial?"

Yin Weiyin watched the scene and instinctively asked:

"Didn't you promise not to desecrate his corpse?"

Chen Yi didn't turn back but reached for a water vat to clean his blade.

Yin Weiyin's question went unanswered. She instinctively glanced back at the hall.

Suddenly, amidst the roaring flames, came a horrified scream:

"I'm already dead, and you still burn my corpse!!!"

............

Yin Weiyin finally understood.

It had been a feigned death!

She suddenly remembered that before Horseface defected and was killed, he had mentioned that Lord Wuchang practiced a unique hardening technique in both life and death, with an extraordinary vitality.

But it had only been one passing remark.

Had it not been for the curses and screams right now, Yin Weiyin wouldn't have recalled it.

And yet he had seemed to know in advance...

Was this truly just... Heavenly Vision?

As flames rose high, once again, Yin Weiyin's fingers trembled uncontrollably from her core.

She had once faced such a force in opposition...

Now she was engaged to him, destined to be his... fiancée?

Thinking this, Yin Weiyin's breath became erratic as though something clogged her chest, her gaze toward Chen Yi growing heavier.

When Chen Yi finished washing his blade and drying the water stains at the door, he turned to see the female crown trembling.

Chen Yi chuckled softly and said, "Why so scared?"

The female crown hesitated before stiffly scratching her head:

"Not scared of you..."

"Oh?"

"Not just scared of you..." she quickly added.

Chen Yi sensed there was more to her words and waited patiently for a moment.

After a long silence, Yin Weiyin could hold back no longer and asked softly:

"Husband, are you... really just gifted with Heavenly Vision?"

Chen Yi thought for a moment, then turned back to smile and ask:

"What do you think?"

Yin Weiyin took a while to process, her gaze toward Chen Yi becoming much more complicated.

From the underground palace, she had harbored doubts; later at Joyful Sect, questions lingered, but she had never ventured to dwell on such matters—after all, everything could be explained with Heavenly Vision.

After a lengthy pause, Yin Weiyin asked earnestly:

"This demon-vanquishing down the mountain... which senior master's name does it bear?"

Chen Yi froze briefly, then flipped his fingers to knock her on the head.

"Ah!"

Yin Weiyin rubbed her forehead and stepped back a few paces.

She snuck a glance at him, half-frustrated and half-embarrassed.

Then she was met with Chen Yi's solemn gaze.

That gaze seemed weighted with implication.

The female crown was momentarily stunned and hurriedly rubbed the place he had knocked, pressing and soothing it repeatedly.

But no matter how much she rubbed, she found no clue.

Then she raised her face and asked innocently:

"Are you telling me to ask again at first light?"

Chen Yi finally couldn't contain his laughter, breaking out, "I just wanted to knock on your silly head, foolish woman."

The female crown realized she had been tricked, her teeth grinding in fury. She wanted to retaliate but didn't dare, so she sulked and swallowed her anger.

For how he treated her—without any of the respect one would show a Taoist—she vowed that even if she ascended into immortality one day, she wouldn't spare him; even after his death, she'd dig deep into the earth, to knock in return.

Be it death or reincarnation, she'd drag him back for a reckoning knock.

Yin Weiyin hadn't thought further; a stirring unease trembled within her Heart Lake, swelling her fear as she suppressed her thoughts.

Moments later, recovering her breath, she asked calmly:

"Did Tingxue know?"

Though her query seemed abrupt, Chen Yi caught the meaning, knowing she referred to his identity. He replied, "She knows a bit."

Yin Weiyin frowned slightly, murmuring:

"Why would you tell her, but not me?"

Chen Yi propped his chin, observing her a moment, then sneered, "Have I ever said there are things she may hear but you may not?"

"…Why?"

Her voice softened, tinged with dejection and bitterness.

This time, Chen Yi was direct: "She recognizes me as her husband, and you don't."

"…How do you know I don't?" Yin Weiyin's heart twisted bitterly, and after a moment's thought, she countered: "If I don't acknowledge you as my husband, then what do I consider you?"

"Master."

Yin Weiyin smiled faintly and said, "Alright, obedient one."

Chen Yi froze in hindsight.

Did he just get... played by this overly complex woman?

Finally, having scored a win, Yin Weiyin crinkled her nose proudly.

She lifted her gaze slightly, only to find Chen Yi's not-so-friendly expression.

Yin Weiyin panicked momentarily, instinctively wondering what Little Yin might've done in such a situation.

Little Yin would lean closer...

But that wasn't enough—and it would be copying.

Yin Weiyin's thoughts turned rapidly.

If that's the case, then I'll do better than her, won't I?

At this moment, Chen Yi stared fixedly at the female crown.

His lips moved slightly, about to speak.

"I was wrong." She interrupted first.

The female crown seemed prepared for some teasing. Amid distant waves of heat, she approached Chen Yi with two or three steps.

Her limpid autumn eyes sparkled in the firelight, flickering dimly, while the crackling tongues of flame grew louder closer.

She laughed lightly and playfully: "Good brother."

Chen Yi's expression remained calm.

Though he discreetly swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

For no apparent reason—it was... difficult to endure...

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