Gong Liang knelt and begged, "We are truly innocent. They were sent by the construction site to silence us all." Lin Chaoying said, "Arrest him and let them deal with him here. With one less obstacle, it will be easier to escape." She then coldly observed his expression and continued, "Hmph, assassins are chasing from behind, clearly we are heading in the opposite direction of the deep valley. You are using me to get rid of them. You know the plan, Shangrao is to the south, yet you are leading me northeast." Gong Liang was somewhat agitated, "Are you leading them to chase us to our doorstep, endangering the entire village? Fine, I will substitute for him! Release Gong Shun... wherever you place him will suffice." Unbeknownst to them, Lin Chaoying had produced a jar. Opening it, she revealed half a jar filled with black worms, their heads narrow and conical, their bodies flat. She approached Gong Shun with it. Gong Liang quickly kowtowed and pleaded, "I know I was wrong! Holy Mother, have mercy!" Seeing Lin Chaoying unmoved, he desperately shouted, "It's a terrible injustice!..." He was silenced as his acupoints were sealed by Gou'er, rendering him stiff. He could only watch with wide eyes as Lin Chaoying poured the worms onto Gong Shun's neck. The previously dazed Gong Shun suddenly wailed and struggled, until his voice grew hoarse and he fainted again.
Lin Chaoying loosened the ropes, and Gong Shun slumped to the ground. Gou'er, having fed until the black worms became ball-shaped, scraped them into another jar. He then massaged Gong Shun's chest and fed him bee jelly. Gong Liang felt kicked by Lin Chaoying and his acupoints were released. Gou'er said, "He is old. He can only drink blood every three days. Use the two jars alternately and do not mix up the order, otherwise, the replete worms will regurgitate toxic blood into his body, and he will be beyond saving. After five feedings, these worms will die, and his illness will require no further treatment. His sanity will not be restored; it's fortunate he isn't in a frenzy."
Lin Chaoying continued, "My bee jelly is precious, find wild bee jelly to use. You truly intended to use me, causing me to travel a wasted path. This punishment is not undeserved." She walked a few steps forward and added, "Your bones are tough, that's why the Heavenly General favored you." Gong Liang asked, "May I ask for the lady's name, so that I may erect a memorial tablet and offer tribute for generations." Lin Chaoying replied, "Jade Mountain Holy Mother, isn't it?" Gong Liang sincerely said, "You are the Jade Maiden under Guanyin Bodhisattva, here to alleviate suffering." Lin Chaoying's heart trembled. Where was that Golden Boy? Gong Liang still feared disaster, saying, "Those people will not let us off." Lin Chaoying stated, "Nor will I let them off."
The four assassins awoke to find themselves alone and quickly returned to report. On their way, they encountered another team of four. Their captain, Peng Jingji, asked about their situation. The captain of the first team, Lu Xingchen, intended to tell the truth, but Xiao Ziru beside him spoke first, "The opponent understands sorcery and we are outnumbered and skilled in ambushes. We only managed to escape after great difficulty and have come to inform the brothers." Peng Jingji was secretly startled and decided to return to report to his superiors. On the road, the eight met another team. After Peng relayed Xiao's words, the opposing captain also agreed to await orders from above.
"...Misty smoke rose from all directions, revealing shadowy figures within. Here one moment, there the next, we could only back-to-back, wielding our weapons and shouting loudly. After much effort of wits and strength, we repelled the demonic horde and returned to await Captain Peng's decision." Leader Peng Yangwang, hearing Xiao Ziru's vivid description, felt a chill of fear, slapped his thigh, and stammered, "We must report to Prefect Peng immediately." Another leader present, Yu Ganyong, advised, "What Ziru says are all vague and unsubstantiated claims. It is not too late to report after verification." How could Peng Yangwang tolerate dissent? He said, "Protector Peng has ordered that the escaped criminal from Yushi Valley must be causing trouble with outside hostile forces. Our sect must unite and cooperate, not allowing anyone to exploit any openings! If you delay this matter and something goes wrong, can you bear full responsibility?" Lu Xingchen was fortunate to have Xiao Ziru's planning, otherwise, he would be the one dealing with Peng Yangwang's arrogance and illogical reasoning.
Yu Ganyong glanced at his disciples and subordinates who wished to speak up in his defense, and quickly signaled them to stop. He turned and said, "Why don't Prefect Peng report to Prefect Peng, and Yu will lead a team to investigate?" Peng Yangwang snorted, "You always have to come up with your own ideas."
A cold laugh echoed from outside the house, "If you capture the criminal and claim merit, how will you account to your uncles and relatives who promoted you? A junior is coming out, this old lady will pick up a ready-made achievement for you."
Peng Yangwang, both ashamed and fearful, glared at Yu Ganyong's group and shouted, "Still not getting out? Let's see which crazy woman comes to her death." Lu Xingchen followed Yu Ganyong outside and saw a person in black sitting on a distant tree branch. He was surprised that the voice seemed to be coming from outside the door, yet the person was so far away. Looking closer at the mask on their face, he felt even more alarmed. Yu Ganyong said loudly, "Who are you, and why do you seek to provoke trouble?"
The person in black said, "Clowns of Jingtian Sect, making a spectacle of yourselves here. I cannot stand it and have come to teach you a lesson."
Peng Yangwang shouted from behind, "Still babbling? Quickly apprehend this madwoman." Yu Ganyong led his men to form a formation to capture her. The person in black floated lightly, and with a few twists, incapacitated over twenty people by sealing their acupoints. They went straight for Peng Yangwang, intending to grab him. Just as they reached for the stunned Peng Yangwang's collar, they heard a sizzling sound from both sides. Rockets attacked. The person quickly retreated, but unexpectedly, a fishing net was cast down. Lin Chaoying blamed herself for underestimating her opponent. Seeing Lin Chaoying captured, Xiao Ziru was about to order more rockets to be fired when he felt a tightening at his back and fainted. Peng Yangwang, horrified at everyone falling, saw Lin Chaoying hacking through the fishing net with her sword and quickly prostrated himself, feigning unconsciousness.
Lin Chaoying quickened her pace and vaguely saw a man's back disappearing into the forest. She wanted to pursue but had no way, feeling anxious amidst the chaos. Gou'er, who had been hiding nearby, ready to track Jingtian Sect's movements, couldn't help but come forward to check. Lin Chaoying grabbed his arm and heard her exclaim repeatedly, "It's him! It's him! It's him!"
In a small town between Mount Huangshan and Huaiyu Mountain – Majin Town, in the dungeon of a small inn on the outskirts, Wu Nanyong was listening to the report from An Rongxun, the sect leader of Jingtian Sect, who was relaying his wife's brother, Peng Jiazheng, the Right Protector of Jingtian Sect. Most of the plot was insignificant and unbelievable, but who had secretly helped her avoid assassination was worth serious consideration.
Pei Ji, the steward of Lu Enshu, said, "Besides that young man surnamed Sun acting as support, who else would help her?" Chong and Wu thought differently, "The old troops from Chuzhou couldn't cross Jiangnan, perhaps it's the General of Xiangyang Pass... the two have been colluding for a long time." Pei Ji glanced at Lu, then at An Rongxun, "How could Jingtian Sect allow someone to come and go so freely?" Wu Nanyong thought, Mao Yazheng, under the command of the financier, was reorganizing troops and equipment at the front line. Guan was too preoccupied to care... Elder brother wouldn't disregard military duties and discipline... right? Lu Enshu stood up abruptly and slapped Pei Ji on the back of the head, scolding, "Do you take Sect Leader An as a wine jug or a rice bowl, a clay figurine or a land deity?" An Rongxun suppressed his anger, turned his head elsewhere, and then saw Chong and Wu suppressing laughter, feeling extremely indignant, "If not for my wife's dowry and shopping, where all expenses were needed, why would I have to condescend to mix with these savages!"
Wu Nanyong calmly asked, "What are your plans, Cave Master Lu?" Lu Enshu replied, "This woman is determined to die, so let's fulfill her wish." Wu Nanyong turned to Chong and Wu, saying, "Find a place and lure that Sun fellow over. Take this opportunity to eliminate this obstacle. The remnants of Li Yuqiang are still around, it shouldn't be difficult."
The person before him was like a lyric on paper – delicate yet thought-provoking. That night in the canyon, being captured and losing control, her words were a revelation and inspired him to reach realms he had never imagined. Chong and Wu nodded in compliance as they contemplated.
Wu Nanyong further instructed An Rongxun, "Since your disciples have been targeted, send her to Yushi Valley properly. Also, reinforce the personnel monitoring the person surnamed Guan, and report any movement immediately." He hoped that Guan could restrain his elder brother, making it difficult for him to be distracted. An Rongxun, to avoid being underestimated, said casually, "I'm afraid that Lin won't be easily fooled." Wu Nanyong stated confidently, "She will." If it were me, I would too.