Chapter 1 The Beginning
Xiao Man and her group left the Eastern Peak Forest, intending to head straight for the Heavenly Sword Sect to capture Yue Tianxia and find a way back to the Yong'an Continent.
"I heard that the Four Great Sects have gathered cultivators from all over the world to attack Wuji City."
Xiao Man stopped abruptly. What did the Four Great Sects attacking Wuji City mean?
"Two fellow cultivators, please wait." Xiao Man called out to the two people. "I just heard you mention that the Four Great Sects have summoned cultivators from all over the world to attack Wuji City. What's going on?"
"You don't know?"
"I've been in closed-door cultivation recently and only came out today, so I'm not aware of outside affairs."
"So that's how it is." The two suddenly understood. "We heard that Wuji City surrendered to the Demon Lord and even released him. The Demon Lord is such a dangerous figure. Once released, the world will drown in blood. Therefore, the Four Great Sects have summoned cultivators from all over to crusade against the Demon Lord, and incidentally, against the traitorous Wuji City and the rogue cultivator Xiao Man who released the Demon Lord!"
"Are you two planning to join the crusade army?" Xiao Man inquired.
"Yes, why don't you join us, fellow cultivator? The Demon Lord is a menace to all, and Xiao Man, who released him, is unforgivable." The two invited Xiao Man to sign up for the crusade against Wuji City.
"Alright, I'll go with you two." Xiao Man agreed without hesitation. She had originally planned to go to the Heavenly Sword Sect to find Yue Tianxia, but Yue Tianxia was now leading people to attack her stronghold. This was perfect, saving her trouble!
"My name is Zuo Feng, and this is Yang Di. May I ask for your name, fellow cultivator?"
"My name is Qin Xiao." Xiao Man said with a smile. The name Qin Xiao was probably well-known, so she simply reversed her name. Fortunately, she had changed her appearance beforehand, otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy to fool them.
"Fellow cultivator Qin Xiao, the crusade army is assembling in Xinyang City. The Seven Sects will also participate. Let's go to Xinyang City together."
"Good."
Xiao Man concealed her cultivation and altered her appearance, blending into the crusade army with the two. Every day, she heard others curse her as a harbinger of endless disaster. When she was in a good mood, she would even join in the curses.
Inside the Tongtian Tower, Taotie listened to everyone curse Xiao Man, while Xiao Man happily chimed in. He couldn't help but laugh, "I find Xiao Man much more interesting than Xuan Xin. Both are betrayed and surrounded, yet Xiao Man can still laugh?"
"When one has experienced such scenes many times, one naturally learns to laugh." Nangong Yu said calmly. Xiao Man had experienced despair far beyond their imagination; what they saw now was nothing.
"I can't believe that after so many years, she's still so hated."
"Not being hated is for mediocrity!" Taotie was amused. "I'm starting to like Xiao Man more and more. What is she planning by infiltrating the army that's crusading against her?"
"To gather intelligence and then stab them in the back." Elder Qin had become familiar with the group and understood Xiao Man well, so he naturally knew what Xiao Man intended to do.
"Isn't that a bit too shameless?" Jun Ruo spoke, drawing everyone's attention to him. He felt a little guilty. "What, did I say something wrong?"
"Shameless is exactly right! To deal with a shameless person, you must use shameless methods!" Taotie slapped Jun Ruo on the shoulder. "The enemy is rallying the world to kill you. Do you expect to foolishly run to the enemy and say, 'I'm here, come kill me if you dare'?"
"But stabbing them in the back..."
"Why are these people attacking Wuji City at this time? Isn't it because they know Xiao Man isn't there, and the Demon Lord isn't there, leaving Wuji City vulnerable?" Nangong Yu said softly. "They just don't know that even if we're not here, it won't be easy for them to break through Wuji City."
"Why?"
"Wuji City has Mo Mo, and Man'er has a contingency plan."
"What, Mo'er is in Wuji City!" Jun Ruo became anxious. "Those scoundrels, ganging up on them with numbers, it's simply despicable and shameless!"
Nangong Yu looked at Jun Ruo, who had suddenly become indignant, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. It was true that one's own wife was not as important as another's. As soon as he heard his wife was also in Wuji City, he became worried!
"It's alright, Wuji City can hold out!"
"Hold out my foot!" Jun Ruo, uncharacteristically, swore. "How many cultivators does Wuji City have? Yet the Four Great Sects have summoned cultivators from all over the world to crusade against them. No, I must find a way to help."
"How about we go out tonight after dark and assassinate a few high-level cultivators?" Nangong Yu suggested. He had actually made this suggestion before, but Jun Ruo had rejected it, feeling that attacking from behind was too base.
"Good!" Jun Ruo agreed immediately. "My cultivation hasn't fully recovered yet. In a direct confrontation, I might not be their match. A sneak attack is better."
Nangong Yu and Taotie looked at Jun Ruo with unashamed eyes, but Jun Ruo seemed oblivious. "I'll poison their food and water, and take down as many as I can."
"Isn't that a bit too shameless?"
"They've already attacked our doorstep, and you're still quibbling about methods? Has your brain gone soft!" Jun Ruo said bitterly. "It just so happens that there's everything here. I'll go refine some poisons first."
"Women are terrifying creatures, capable of turning a gentleman into a shameless rogue."
"Women won't take the blame for that!" Nangong Yu retorted. "He's clearly a hypocrite who insists on appearing respectable. Now that he can't maintain the facade, he's throwing the blame onto women."
Taotie looked at Nangong Yu. "Is Xiao Man shameless?"
"Not shameless."
"You're quite shameless!" Taotie immediately said. "Pick anyone and ask them if Xiao Man is shameless, and they'll definitely list a whole string of her flaws."
"My Man'er doesn't have many flaws. Besides liking to play the pig to eat the tiger, liking sneak attacks, acting unpredictably, and being protective of her own, she doesn't seem to have any other flaws."
"She's also greedy."
"Who doesn't love money?" Nangong Yu countered. "Do you like it?"
"I don't like it."
"The Spirit Replenishing Pills you eat require spirit stones to exchange for medicinal ingredients. A bottle of Spirit Replenishing Pills is worth a thousand spirit stones. You are practically a gold-swallowing beast. Can my Man'er, who doesn't love money, afford you?"
"That seems plausible."
"Or do you not want to eat the pills anymore?"
"I do."
"Or do you not want delicious food anymore?"
"I do."
"Then who is greedy?"
"Me." Taotie immediately lost his temper. These two scoundrels, doing such underhanded things, and yet they could say it so righteously. They were truly scoundrels!
"Tonight we'll attack. You go and capture Yue Tianxia." Nangong Yu seized the opportunity. "Once captured, you'll have endless pills, delicacies, and rare treasures in the future."
Taotie immediately swallowed. "He's just a mere human. Don't worry, I'll definitely bring him back!"