Chapter 47

Being humiliated like this in front of his master, having his head patted by a human, Huali flushed red. He used the last of his strength to turn his face away, wishing he could rake his claws across that smiling human face.

The Livid Ghost couldn't help but laugh. 'That does sound like I'm getting the worse end of the deal.'

You finally noticed.

Jiang Luo nearly laughed out loud. 'Then it's up to you to choose.'

Chi You slowly tightened his grip.

Teng Bi groaned in pain. Chi You's peripheral gaze remained fixed on Jiang Luo's face. Hearing the groan, the dark-haired youth's expression didn't flicker. Teng Bi seemed like a stranger to him, his posture even a little impatient. As if even if Teng Bi really died, he wouldn't be sad, only vengefully kill Huali too.

Like a venomous snake. Cold-blooded and vindictive. Whoever displeased him, he'd bite back even if his fangs broke.

For some reason, the Livid Ghost felt an even stronger urge to laugh. His hand suddenly released. Teng Bi fell to the ground, kneeling beside his feet. Chi You's tone still held a trace of amusement. 'Fine. I agree.'

Huali, moved, struggled to lift his head and look at Chi You. 'Master!'

Jiang Luo stomped the excited, nearly tearful Huali back onto the ground, crossed his arms, and looked at Chi You, the golden rope still coiled around his fingers. He curled his lips in a smile, his crimson mouth urging impatiently. 'Then why aren't you healing his injuries?'

Chi You extended his hand. A mass of Black Mist left his palm, enveloping Teng Bi completely.

Inside the Black Mist, Teng Bi writhed in pain on the ground. He tried desperately to suppress it, but couldn't stop low, agonized roars from escaping.

With every surge of the Black Mist, Teng Bi cried out in pain. Chi You's gaze rested on the mist. 'Huali's claws carry a toxin. To heal his wounds, the toxin must be extracted.'

Jiang Luo was also watching Teng Bi. 'How do you extract it?'

Chi You said casually, 'Just cut away all the flesh that touched the toxin. Isn't that simple?'

But if it were that simple, Teng Bi wouldn't be screaming so miserably.

The moment Chi You's Black Mist touched Teng Bi's wounds, Teng Bi felt a pain that pierced to the bone. He had a high tolerance for pain, and the living dead's perception of pain was dulled, but this agony was unbearable even for him. He curled on the ground, muscles spasming uncontrollably, letting the Black Mist slice away his rotting flesh bit by bit.

The pain wasn't from the cut flesh, but from the sensation of the Black Mist invading the wound. Teng Bi felt as if the mist were slowly pulling out his tendons and bones, shattering them and sucking out the marrow. This torment seemed to operate on a soul-deep level, even blurring his mind for a moment. A thought abruptly surfaced.

When the master was once eroded by the Black Mist, did he endure this same pain?

But the moment this thought appeared, Teng Bi wondered strangely, who is the master?

The fleeting notion flashed through his mind, and Teng Bi sank into semi-consciousness from the next wave of pain.

Chi You looked down at Teng Bi, his expressionless face appearing cold and cruel. Soon, the Black Mist released Teng Bi. With the toxin extracted, the wounds on Teng Bi's body began to heal visibly.

The look of agony on Teng Bi's face eased considerably. He forced himself to rally, but his limbs were weak; he could only lie on the ground recovering his strength.

Jiang Luo studied his expression carefully. Confirming Teng Bi was better, he honorably released the half-dead Huali.

Chi You raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.

He thought Jiang Luo would seize this chance to continue using Huali to threaten him into letting him go this time. He hadn't expected Jiang Luo to be so straightforward. His interest was piqued again. He said with a smile, 'I thought you'd use his life to bargain for me to let you go this time.'

Jiang Luo smiled. 'Where's the fun in that?'

Chi You also thought it wouldn't be fun. If Jiang Luo had really done that, his patience would have long run out. He chuckled lowly and walked toward Jiang Luo. His little prey stood his ground, waiting for him to approach, watching coldly, as if he'd forgotten what Chi You had said earlier.

The Livid Ghost kindly reminded him, 'Aren't you going to run?'

Jiang Luo scoffed. 'Mr. Livid Ghost, aren't you underestimating me?'

Chi You felt like laughing again. 'Oh?'

Jiang Luo raised two fingers in front of Chi You, his lips curving as he seized the initiative. 'Right now, I'm giving you two choices.'

Chi You looked at his two fingers with novelty, saying half-seriously, 'I'm all ears.'

Jiang Luo's lips lifted slightly. 'First, you come hunt me. We either both end up wounded, or it's you or me who dies.'

That mad nerve of Chi You's was instantly ignited by Jiang Luo. A shuddering pleasure made him unable to suppress a low laugh, but he restrained his stirring excitement and asked with a gentlemanly, enigmatic smile, 'And the second?'

The dark-haired youth wiggled his second finger. 'Second, go find your Divine Statue, which is about to be devoured by other Livid Ghosts.'

'That statue must be very important to you,' Jiang Luo lowered his voice, a hint of laughter in it. 'If you don't go soon, it'll be too late.'

Chi You's smile faded slightly. He glanced back at Huali.

Huali closed his eyes in shame, his voice as faint as a mosquito's hum. 'Master, I'm sorry.'

Chi You said, 'Useless.'

Jiang Luo asked, 'What's your choice?'

The Livid Ghost pretended to ponder, then said, 'Why not choose both?'

Jiang Luo's expression didn't change. This was also one of the outcomes he'd anticipated.

The Livid Ghost stepped forward, bent down, and spoke intimately beside the dark-haired youth's ear. 'Don't worry. I'll go find the statue first, give you some time to run.' He couldn't resist fondly picking up a strand of Jiang Luo's hair, that faintly visible white lock by his ear. 'I'm rarely this lenient with anyone. Cherish this last bit of time.'

Jiang Luo gave two dry laughs. 'Heh heh.'

Chi You paused, then smiled. 'But don't worry. I'll be quick. After I find the statue, I'll come find you.'

With that, he walked slowly past Jiang Luo and out.

Jiang Luo didn't hesitate for a second. He turned to leave. Huali lacked the strength to stop him and could only watch his retreating back with hatred. Teng Bi, however, forced his weak body up to look at him, confused. 'Friend, are you abandoning me?'

Jiang Luo's steps faltered. He remembered the stone at the back of Teng Bi's head that had caused his amnesia, then continued striding out.

In the end, they and Teng Bi belonged to two different worlds.

When Teng Bi remembered everything, he wouldn't say such things again.

*

To prevent Chi You from catching up and endangering the companions waiting outside the Cave, Jiang Luo deliberately left via the secret passage from the Ancestral Hall.

He moved fast, running up the stone steps in one breath to the secret passage entrance. He pushed open the cover, heaved himself up with both hands, and sat gracefully at the edge of the Cave.

When he put on the divine official's robe earlier, Jiang Luo had gone to trick those Livid Ghosts who wanted to become Chi You's subordinates, telling them to guard the stone statue and kill anyone who approached as an enemy.

When Chi You went over, he would inevitably face wave after wave of attacks from those Ghosts.

Jiang Luo felt immensely pleased just imagining the scene. He drew up his legs, ready to get up and leave the Cave entrance, but as he pulled out his last leg, an icy-cold hand suddenly gripped his ankle.

Jiang Luo's brow twitched. He looked down.

Chi You, covered in countless Livid Ghosts, looked up and smiled at him.

Chi You's body was crawling with dozens, hundreds of horrifying Ghosts—all the Livid Ghosts Jiang Luo had tricked into ambushing him. Countless Ghosts clung desperately to Chi You, hundreds of ghostly hands reaching up chaotically, layer upon layer clawing at his clothes, refusing to let go. Their wails were sharp and sinister, blood flowing from their blue-purple faces. The entire scene was as terrifying as a living hell.

The Livid Ghost surrounded and attacked by these Ghosts, that handsome face, also took on a bizarre, wicked cast in this setting.

'Leaving so soon?' Chi You, covered in Livid Ghosts, smiled as if unaware. His hand gripping Jiang Luo's ankle slowly pulled downward. 'The game has only just begun.'

Jiang Luo was pulled off-balance. Impatiently, he bent down to pry off the Livid Ghost's hand.

The moment his hand reached into the Cave, several ghostly hands eagerly grabbed at it, the force dragging him downward growing heavier.

Jiang Luo knocked away pair after pair of ghostly hands, finally reaching Chi You's hand gripping his ankle.

The Livid Ghost below watched his efforts with a smile.

One finger, then another. The human's pale fingers and the ghost's pallid hand touched. The moment Jiang Luo's fingers accidentally slipped between Chi You's, he suddenly heard a violent heartbeat.

But this heartbeat wasn't his own; it was the Divine Statue Heart he carried hidden on his person.

The Divine Statue Heart beat rapidly, its violent throbbing making Jiang Luo feel his own soul vibrating in resonance. His hand stilled. He looked down, meeting the Livid Ghost's gaze.

The moment their eyes met, he abruptly saw an image.

In the image, Chi You stood before a great fire. At the time, he looked no more than sixteen or seventeen, his cold and ruthless features already beginning to take shape.

He watched the fire expressionlessly, then suddenly smiled—a smile that chilled the blood.

The Ghost Pattern on his back grew wildly, instantly crawling up to Chi You's neck, lending this still-youthful face a terrifying, destructive quality.

'What do you want?' someone seemed to ask.

The smiling Chi You said elegantly, slowly, 'I want the curse gone. I want the Chi Clan destroyed.'

His voice grew lower, but little mirth reached his eyes. The firelight cast flickering shadows on his face. 'And I want to drag the entire Xuanxue World down with me.'

The image ended.

Jiang Luo came back to himself. The next instant, he swayed, nearly tumbling headfirst into the Cave.

The Livid Ghost still held his ankle firmly, a false smile reflecting the gloom in his eyes. 'What were you thinking?'

He said with a mocking smile, 'You dare let your mind wander while facing me?'

Jiang Luo stared at him for a few moments, then suddenly revealed a meaningful smile. 'Chi You, I think I understand you a little better now.'

Seizing the moment of the Livid Ghost's confusion, the Snake of Si shot violently into the Cave. Jiang Luo kicked out hard with his leg, pulling free and running outward.

With a ripping sound, his cargo pants were torn in two by the Livid Ghost.

The dark-haired youth's long leg flashed before the Livid Ghost's eyes, then vanished.

The Snake of Si disappeared without a trace after him. Chi You clutched the half-torn pants, looking up at the square Cave entrance.

Above the entrance was the ceiling of the above-ground Ancestral Hall, spiderwebs covering the beams. He watched quietly for a few seconds, when a surge of blazing fire suddenly rushed from the entrance. The flames forced the Ghosts into shrill screams and nearly singed Chi You's hair.

Jiang Luo had left two Fire Talismans at the Cave entrance.

Chi You retreated, avoiding the firelight. When he reached the shadows, the ghostly cries gradually subsided. One Ghost beside him even dared to reach out toward the torn piece of fabric in Chi You's hand.

Chi You glanced coldly at this Ghost.

The Livid Ghost under his gaze trembled violently and timidly withdrew its hand.

'He is my prey,' Chi You said. 'Understand?'

The moment his aura was released, the Ghosts covering him instantly retreated, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

In mere moments, only Chi You remained. He leisurely straightened his clothes, disheveled by the Ghosts' clawing, and sighed softly.

Letting Jiang Luo go like this left him with a sense of abrupt, unsatisfied displeasure.

But this displeasure also fueled his anticipation for their next encounter.

In the end, Chi You didn't go after Jiang Luo.

Perhaps letting Jiang Luo die now would only rob him of much future amusement.

He thought to himself.

Chi You wandered back underground and brought the Divine Statue to his temporary residence.

Huali had recovered somewhat. He took the statue and placed it on a stone bed. 'Master, shall we begin now?'

Chi You snapped back to attention and began leisurely removing his clothes. 'Now. Where's Teng Bi?'

Huali's expression twisted. 'While I was immobilized, he snuck off to find his 'friend'.'

'Loyal and righteous,' Chi You said, as if praising, but it sounded cold. 'No wonder even Jiang Luo was willing to trade your life for a chance to save his.'

Huali's breath hitched. Remembering that detestable human, his claws itched again immediately.

Chi You removed his clothes and merged with the Divine Statue.

Huali watched nervously. After an unknowable length of time, the statue's appearance slowly transformed into Chi You's likeness. Its frame lengthened, its features became handsome and extraordinary. A while later, the statue slowly opened its eyes.

The stone eyes had become the eyes of a living person, pitch-black like an abyss. As the gaze shifted, there remained a hint of incongruous stiffness.

Huali whispered, 'Master, how is the new body?'

'Not bad,' Chi You said, controlling the body to sit up, then stand. He put on the clothes prepared earlier. 'A Divine Statue Body with an evil nature suits me better than a human body with outstanding Spirit Essence.'

Huali couldn't help but smile.

But Chi You suddenly frowned and placed a hand on his chest.

Huali's smile froze. 'Master, what's wrong?'

Chi You's expression darkened. As if thinking of something, he suddenly laughed again, murmuring to himself, 'Ah. Someone has stolen my heart.'