Chapter 150: Taking Medicine

Chapter 150 The Elixir

Chou Qianling stepped into the burial chamber once more, met by a chilling, decaying air.

"Qianling, you're here. Come closer." The white-horned demon, seated atop the redwood coffin, lifted her head, her gaze settling on Chou Qianling as if she had been awaiting her arrival for a long time.

Chou Qianling approached, dropping to one knee before her, her eyes fixed on her with concern. "Master, you look so worn... You must have expended a great deal of effort to save me, didn't you? It's all my fault for being so useless; I couldn't even kill those wretches for you."

By the end, her voice trembled, heavy with guilt.

Chi Jing instinctively reached up to touch her cheek, her fingers brushing against the cold mask. She was baffled—had this child developed clairvoyance? How could she possibly tell she looked exhausted?

Though it was true that she had spent a significant amount of (system) points, which pained her deeply.

But there was no need to explain this to Chou Qianling.

"Let her believe I did all this to save her. Breaking through her emotional defenses will make her more useful to me, won't it?" Chi Jing thought coldly to herself.

After all, her sole purpose in doing all this was to complete her mission more effectively. She had altered the Principle for the demon clan, but not without exacting a price.

She looked up at Chou Qianling and said softly, "Don’t worry about me. I am now but a wisp of a soul—I cannot die, but neither can I truly live."

Chou Qianling felt a slight ease at her calm tone, but remembering her earlier doubts, she couldn’t help asking, "But... if you can alter the Principle, Master, why not simply eliminate Fen Tian directly?"

Chi Jing’s eyes shifted subtly, her tone grave. "Well, of course, because strengthening the demon clan’s power is more important than killing him. Qianling, my cultivation is depleted. From now on, you must forge your own path. You are my only disciple, so you must shoulder the great responsibility of restoring the demon clan. Do you understand?"

Chou Qianling was stunned.

Her master’s earlier request for her to kill Fen Tian had already shocked her, but now being tasked with the monumental responsibility of restoring the demon clan left her even more panicked and overwhelmed.

How could someone like her, a mere Golden Core Realm cultivator, possibly achieve such a feat?

All she had ever sought in life was to kill Xie Yuqing to avenge her mother.

Chou Qianling opened her mouth, about to refuse, when memories of her time with her master suddenly flooded her mind.

She recalled their first meeting—how she had been trapped in dire straits, and how Chi Jing had given her a blood-stained blade, enabling her to escape.

Afterward, her master taught her the Heaven-Slashing Saber Art. Despite the hardships during her training, she progressed rapidly, surpassing over a decade of previous accumulation in just a short time.

And when she recklessly stood up for those oppressed women of the human race, despite her own limited strength, it was her master who ultimately came to her aid.

Even when her master exhausted her cultivation because of this, she didn't blame her in the slightest. This was a stark contrast to the ruthless and cruel Demon Lord Mu Rongci of legend.

In her entire life, who else had ever shown her such kindness?

Swamped with emotion, Chou Qianling could no longer bring herself to utter a refusal.

She took a deep breath and steeled her resolve, replying firmly, "Yes, I understand, Master. I will definitely kill Fen Tian for you and restore the demon clan."

Seeing her resolute expression, a flicker of approval passed through Chi Jing’s eyes. As expected of the female lead—ambitious and worthy of all the effort she had invested in nurturing her.

She reached out, took Chou Qianling’s hand, and pulled her to sit beside the coffin. Softly, she said, "Qianling, you are incredibly gifted. I believe that with your determination, you will one day lead the demon clan to victory over the Immortal Clan. However, your current strength is still insufficient to deal with Fen Tian. So, I have specially created an illusion known as 'Dream of Nanke' for you to train in. This time, you can only leave the dream once you have mastered the Heaven-Slashing Saber Art."

Chou Qianling recalled the demonic spiders and poisonous snakes she had slain with her blade before, and a thrill shot through her. Clenching her fists, she replied, "Yes, I’m ready."

Chi Jing turned slightly and pointed to the coffin behind her. "The entrance to the illusion is here. Lie down inside."

Chou Qianling turned to look at the coffin. Inside, it was pitch-black, impossible to discern anything—like a bottomless abyss exuding a sinister and terrifying aura.

She shuddered, but trusting Chi Jing, she decided to enter.

Just as she was about to move, she suddenly remembered something. "Wait, Master, there’s one more thing I forgot to tell you. A Demon Lord named Ying Huang wants to meet you."

She then recounted Ying Huang’s visit and asked, "Should I tell her your identity?"

Chi Jing possessed the World-Viewing Mirror and had Liu Shenai monitoring this world for her. In other words, everything was under her control.

Even if Chou Qianling hadn’t mentioned it, she already knew about this matter—in fact, she understood Ying Huang’s character even better than Chou Qianling did.

She wasn’t worried about her identity being exposed; it was simply not yet time for her to reveal herself.

Chi Jing replied, "No need. Remember, do not reveal my identity to anyone."

Chou Qianling did not doubt her identity. Instead, she assumed that her master had too many enemies within the demon clan and thus did not want her to speak of it.

After all, not everyone would be pleased to learn that the soul of the deceased former Demon Lord still existed in this world. What if it attracted ill-intentioned individuals? Wouldn’t that put her master in danger?

Without hesitation, she nodded in agreement, then asked further, "Demon Lord Shadow Phoenix seems like a good person. She wants to join me in stopping Fen Tian from sacrificing cultivators to the Demon God. Master, do you think I should trust her?"

Chi Jing sighed softly. "Qianling, you shouldn’t be thinking about whether she is trustworthy, but rather whether she can be of use to you."

Chou Qianling’s eyes widened in surprise. Was that really how she should think?

Chi Jing continued, "You must understand, the vast majority of people in this world are short-sighted mediocrities—blind and foolishly obedient. They would even betray themselves for the sake of false fame and petty gains. Take those hundred cultivators, for example. Despite the Immortal Clan’s constant disdain and oppression, they remain utterly loyal to them. And despite the demon clan never having harmed them, they hold deep hatred toward us. Tell me, are they trustworthy?"

Chou Qianling shook her head. Of course, they were not trustworthy. Yet, she was one of them—she couldn’t simply stand by and watch them be killed by Fen Tian without feeling anything.

"So, for you right now, whether they are good or bad is not important. What matters is how to use incentives to guide them toward achieving your own goals."

Chou Qianling fell into deep thought.

But Chi Jing did not allow her to ponder for long. With a gentle push on her shoulder, Chou Qianling fell backward into the coffin.

"Ah—" A brief cry of shock was instantly swallowed by the dark illusion.

Chi Jing stood up, and the coffin lid slowly closed behind her.

She reached up and removed the white mask, revealing a blank face, her eyes devoid of all emotion.

She hoped this child hadn’t thought too highly of her.

After all, she was merely using her to achieve her own goals.

————

Meanwhile, in Zhongzhou City.

"Madam, the medicinal concoction you requested has been prepared." A maid placed a bowl of thick, viscous medicine in front of Li Jingui.

Li Jingui motioned for her to set it on the table, then waved her hand. "You may leave."

The maid closed the door and exited the room.

Li Jingui leaned closer to the bowl. A powerfully pungent, foul stench hit her nostrils, shooting straight to her head.

Was this really the elixir concocted from the hearts of ten young boys? A sudden dread seized her—could drinking this actually kill her?

But the thought of regaining her youth made the risk worth taking. Pinching her nose, she lifted the bowl and drained the liquid into her mouth.

It was bitter, metallic, and pungently woody, like having swallowed vomit that clung to her throat—impossible to spit out or gulp down.

Li Jingui's face twisted in disgust, and she immediately grabbed the prepared sweet water nearby, gulping it down.

After downing three bowls in a row, she finally felt the foul taste in her mouth ease up a bit.

She sat before the vanity mirror, anxiously and eagerly awaiting the transformation in her appearance.

Before long, she felt a layer of oily residue seep from the surface of her skin, and her body began to feel light and refreshed.

Thrilled, she quickly called for a maid to bring hot water, took a bath, and scrubbed off all the oily grime from her body.

After bathing, Li Jingui stood before the bronze mirror once more and saw reflected a young woman with fair skin, her smooth, round face without a single wrinkle.

"Oh my god..." Li Jingui raised a hand to touch her newly rejuvenated cheek, an uncontrollable surge of ecstasy welling up in her heart, her pulse racing wildly.

She had truly become young again.

If Liu Xiaozhi saw her like this, he would surely leap at her, and those flighty temptresses outside wouldn't be able to seduce him anymore.

Li Jingui gazed contentedly at the woman in the mirror, looking again and again, her heart bursting with joy.

Just then, heavy, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. She froze—could it be that Liu Xiaozhi had returned?

Li Jingui quickly dressed and covered her face with a veil, planning to give him a surprise.

Before the footsteps drew near, she joyfully opened the door, only to be met by two menacing men who demanded sharply, "Where is the Lord's Wife?"

Startled, Li Jingui took a closer look by the lantern light and realized these two were actually among the Golden Core Nine. They often visited Liu Xiaozhi's study, so she recognized them.

Their names were easy to remember: one was Li Er, the other Qian San.

"Brother Li Er, Brother Qian San, what's wrong? Didn't my Lord return with you?"

Li Er let out a cold laugh. "Hah, that worthless wretch Liu Xiaozhi is dead—killed by his own daughter."

Li Jingui felt as if lightning had struck her. Dead? And killed by Muchen? Impossible!

Then it struck her: if Liu Xiaozhi was dead, who would see the young, beautiful face she had worked so hard to achieve? And all those spirit stones she’d invested—wouldn’t they all be wasted?

Seeing her strong reaction, the two immediately understood. "So you’re the Lord’s Wife? Hand over all the spirit stones and treasures Liu Xiaozhi extorted over the years, or I’ll kill you!"

As he spoke, he grabbed Li Jingui’s wrist and tore off her veil.

Seeing the panicked face beneath the veil, both men were stunned. Were their memories playing tricks? The Lord’s Wife didn’t seem this young...

Never mind that. Getting those spirit stones was what mattered!