Mi Xingzhe stood in front of him with no expression. The strange red light in his eyes and the stiff movements of his body made everything feel eerie.
Yun Qingyi was gripping the short dagger that had been stabbed into his body. His pupils trembled as he stared at Mi Xingzhe with wide eyes, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Mi Xingzhe's face was cold. His scarlet eyes were completely calm, without the slightest ripple. Yun Qingyi's warm blood stained his cheek. When the blood splashed onto his face, Mi Xingzhe's body suddenly froze in midair, his expression blank.
"Ding ling ling—"
The sound of a bell drifted in from outside the window.
The moment he heard the bell, Mi Xingzhe reacted. He suddenly raised his head. His expression remained dull, and his pupils flashed with a strange red glow.
He struck Yun Qingyi's injured shoulder with a fierce palm and at the same time pulled the dagger out of his body.
Warm blood sprayed out again. Mi Xingzhe's clothes were quickly stained crimson. The eerie red light in his eyes flickered strangely.
Yun Qingyi was thrown backward and slammed heavily into the wall beside the door. He slid down to the floor and coughed out a mouthful of blood, still staring at his junior brother in disbelief.
"Nian'nian, wake up! Look at me! Do you know who I am?"
Yun Qingyi seemed to notice the strange red light in Mi Xingzhe's eyes. He realized that something must be controlling him, making him attack.
Even so, Yun Qingyi did not strike back. He only kept blocking Mi Xingzhe's attacks while calling out to him, hoping to wake him up.
Whenever the red light in Mi Xingzhe's eyes began to flicker slightly, the bell outside would ring again.
The red glow that had almost faded suddenly flared up once more. Mi Xingzhe raised the dagger, leaped into the air, and thrust the blade fiercely downward toward Yun Qingyi.
"Yun Wannian, stop!"
Yun Qingyi raised his arm to block the strike. He could clearly hear the sound of the blade striking against the bones of his arm.
But Mi Xingzhe continued pressing the dagger downward mercilessly.
If Mi Xingzhe struck again with another palm, Yun Qingyi would likely not survive.
One of Yun Qingyi's arms held up the falling dagger, while the other struggled to support the pressure of Mi Xingzhe's body.
He suddenly forced the spiritual power inside his body to surge, trying to push Mi Xingzhe away. At that moment, he coughed out a mouthful of blood that sprayed onto Mi Xingzhe's face. Unable to endure any longer, he fainted and slid down the wall to the ground.
When Mi Xingzhe was struck by Yun Qingyi's blood, his movements suddenly stopped. The red glow in his eyes flickered faintly. At the same time, a golden mark on the back of his neck began to shine with a weak light.
At that critical moment, Li Luoning burst through the door. With a powerful palm strike, he sent Mi Xingzhe flying into the corner of the wall. Then he raised two fingers and shot a spell directly into Mi Xingzhe's forehead. Mi Xingzhe immediately lost consciousness.
"Qingyi! Qingyi!"
Li Luoning hurried over to check Yun Qingyi. After calling his name several times without any response, he quickly sealed Yun Qingyi's meridians with a spell to stop the bleeding.
He took out a pill from his robe and placed it into Yun Qingyi's mouth. After letting out a long sigh, he turned his head and looked toward Mi Xingzhe.
Meanwhile, at Quanxia Pavilion, Hua Ruoying walked out wearing the new clothes.
"Wow, Ruoying sister, you look so beautiful!"
Qingping shouted in admiration.
Hua Ruoying shot him a warning look, telling him to be quiet. Although she was very satisfied with the clothes herself, the thought that Nan Zhe had given them to her still made her feel awkward.
"You have seen it now. Are you satisfied?"
Hua Ruoying walked up to Nan Zhe, waved her sleeves slightly, and prepared to go back and change the clothes.
"Wait. The toad venom we collected earlier has already been refined. Why not come with me and take a look?"
Nan Zhe suddenly stopped her. Holding her wrist, he led her out of Quanxia Pavilion. Before leaving, he closed the barrier again, leaving Qingping inside.
Inside another room were many bottles of different shapes. Delicate boxes filled with various poisons were arranged on shelves, and the walls were covered with different medicinal herbs.
"I did not expect Lord Nan Zhe to enjoy studying poisonous plants as well."
Hua Ruoying walked around the room casually, playing with the herbs placed nearby. When her eyes fell on a small tree growing in a flower pot, she suddenly cried out,
"Poison lacquer tree!"
As if she had opened a treasure vault, Hua Ruoying's voice kept sounding throughout the room.
"Golden boar herb!"
"Wow, bat vine!"
"My heavens, these are all things I have been searching for for a long time. You actually have so many here!"
Hua Ruoying stared in amazement. The poisonous plants she usually struggled to find were everywhere in Nan Zhe's room.
Nan Zhe leaned against the side and watched quietly while Hua Ruoying jumped around the room examining everything. A satisfied expression appeared in his eyes. One of his hands behind his back seemed to be holding something.
Realizing that she had lost her manners, Hua Ruoying finally stopped and walked up to him.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"If you like it, you can come here often in the future. Everything in this room is free for you to use."
Nan Zhe's voice carried an unusual hint of gentleness.
"You keep me locked in that Quanxia Pavilion every day. When would I ever have the chance to come out?"
Hua Ruoying complained while casually playing with something she picked up.
"In the future you and that little demon do not need to stay in Quanxia Pavilion all the time. You may go anywhere in this residence."
As he spoke, Nan Zhe took a box from his robe and handed it to her.
Hua Ruoying opened the box curiously. Inside was a beautifully crafted dagger.
"What a beautiful dagger. Is it for me?"
She held it and examined it with delight.
"This dagger was forged from the lava of Kunlun Hill. It is extremely strong. You prefer using short blades, so this weapon suits you well. There is a hidden compartment in the handle containing high quality toad venom. A slight twist will release it."
Nan Zhe demonstrated.
Hua Ruoying truly liked the dagger very much. This time she accepted it without saying anything.
"Thank you. But Nan Zhe, why did the Demon Lord ask me to stay here?"
She asked again.
"The Demon Lord wishes you to remain here partly to pass along information. Also, perhaps it is not convenient for you to return to Wuming Demon Mountain for now. When this matter ends, you may be able to return."
Nan Zhe thought for a moment before answering.
"Oh, I see. So the reason you can act so freely in Pingyan Land is because our Demon Lord supports you."
Hua Ruoying suddenly understood.
"But since I am staying here, many things I usually use are still at Wuming Demon Mountain. Can you let me go back and retrieve them?"
Seeing that Nan Zhe seemed to be in a good mood today, she tried to make a request.
"Of course."
Nan Zhe agreed without hesitation, even though he clearly knew what she was thinking.
"Then I will go tell Qingping now and have him return with me."
Hua Ruoying jumped up happily and ran toward the door.
"You will go alone."
"What? Alone? I cannot carry so many things myself. Let Qingping come with me to help."
"If I do not keep Qingping here, would you still return?"
Nan Zhe exposed her plan directly.
"I am allowing you to go back only so you can inform your shadow guard brother."
As he spoke, Nan Zhe lightly touched Hua Ruoying's cheek with his finger.
Hua Ruoying instinctively tried to avoid the touch, and Nan Zhe's hand stopped in midair.
Her eyes suddenly noticed the lotus colored jade bracelet on Nan Zhe's wrist. She grabbed his hand.
"Did you not say this thing was worthless? Why are you still wearing it?"
"Mind your own business."
Nan Zhe pulled his hand back abruptly and brushed his sleeve with annoyance.
At that moment the pouch hanging from Hua Ruoying's waist suddenly shook. Nan Zhe also noticed it.
Hua Ruoying opened the pouch and took out a small wooden puppet. The puppet glowed faintly and then turned into a pile of powder in her hand.
"What happened?" Nan Zhe asked.
"Someone has broken the control of the Qianmo inside Mi Xingzhe."
Hua Ruoying's expression became serious.
Although the Demon Lord knew how to use Qianmo, Hua Ruoying had never told him that every Qianmo had a corresponding puppet. When the puppet dies, the puppet loses its glow. But this was the first time she had seen it turn completely into powder.
"She always carried his puppet with her."
Seeing the puppet in Hua Ruoying's hand, Nan Zhe's eyes twitched slightly.
"I heard that the Qianmo created by Miss Ruoying can control others after they swallow it. It is somewhat similar to the ancient puppet control technique. How could it be broken so easily?"
Nan Zhe asked with great interest.
"Qianmo is powerful, but it cannot compare to even a fraction of the ancient puppet control technique. Although it can be controlled by a magical tool, if the controlled person comes into contact with the blood of their close blood relative, the Qianmo will break immediately."
Hua Ruoying explained.
But she also felt puzzled.
Mi Xingzhe had said he was an orphan, so who had broken the Qianmo?
"No wonder the Demon Lord's puppet army mostly comes from the human world. Only human puppets will not encounter blood relatives in other realms."
Nan Zhe rubbed his fingers thoughtfully.
Back at Pingyan Inn, Mi Xingzhe had been tied up on one side of the room and remained unconscious.
Yun Qingyi's wound was shocking to see. A deep slash ran from his waist all the way up to his shoulder. Even though the wound had been treated and bandaged, bright red blood still soaked through the cloth.
Li Luoning was doing everything he could to send spiritual power into his body.
Yun Qingyi's face was pale, his lips completely colorless. His eyes were tightly shut. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he murmured faintly.
Not long after, Mi Xingzhe slowly woke up. He coughed lightly and opened his eyes, only to find that he was tied up and unable to move.
Turning his head, he saw Li Luoning sending spiritual power into Yun Qingyi. When he looked again at the severely injured Yun Qingyi on the bed, he immediately exploded with anger.
"Who are you? Let go of Brother Qingyi! If you want something, come at me!"
Mi Xingzhe shouted desperately while struggling on the ground, trying to move closer.
Hearing the voice, Li Luoning frowned deeply and turned to look at Mi Xingzhe with a warning expression. He did not answer him. Instead he slowly withdrew his spiritual power and walked toward him with confusion.
"You! What did you do to Brother Qingyi just now?"
Mi Xingzhe struggled to sit up and demanded angrily.
Li Luoning stared at him carefully, wondering whether the boy had lost his memory and only remembered Yun Qingyi but not himself.
"What... did you call me?"
Li Luoning asked slowly.
"I do not care what your name is. First you tried to deceive me before, and now you are harming my senior brother again. What deep hatred do you have against me?"
Mi Xingzhe shouted hoarsely.
"Nian, what are you talking about?"
Li Luoning looked confused.
"Stop pretending. Do not think that just because you used my Master's face I will believe you again."
Mi Xingzhe struggled with all his strength, sweat appearing on his forehead.
Li Luoning raised his hand and removed the bindings on Mi Xingzhe.
When Li Luoning called him Nian'er just now, Mi Xingzhe had clearly been stunned.
"Could this really be Master?"
Now that the restraints were gone, Mi Xingzhe sat upright and rubbed his wrists while thinking.
"Who... who exactly are you?"
Mi Xingzhe asked uncertainly.
"You want your master to prove it?"
Li Luoning asked with faint amusement.
"Then I will ask you a few questions. You must answer honestly."
"Alright."
"What does Brother Qingyi usually call me?"
"Nian'nian."
"What food do I like the most?"
"Meat."
"What color is the mark on Bingguo's forehead?"
"Light blue."
"What must I do every night before sleeping?"
"Light the dragon bone calming incense."
After hearing Li Luoning answer every question correctly, Mi Xingzhe finally believed him.
"Master?"
"So now Nian believes me?"
Li Luoning said helplessly.
"I believe you now. Master, it is not my fault. Someone disguised himself as you earlier and tricked me for several days. That is why I had to confirm again and again."
Mi Xingzhe pouted and explained.
Li Luoning simply acknowledged it briefly and did not pay much attention to Mi Xingzhe. He turned and returned to Yun Qingyi's bedside, continuing to send spiritual power to stabilize his heart meridian.
Mi Xingzhe also stepped forward to look. Seeing Yun Qingyi lying on the bed severely injured, he rushed forward in panic.
"Brother Qingyi... what happened to him? Who injured him? How could he be hurt so badly? Who could have done this to him?"
Li Luoning looked at Mi Xingzhe nervously asking questions and hesitated whether he should tell him.
He himself did not understand why Mi Xingzhe had attacked Yun Qingyi earlier. But now Mi Xingzhe seemed normal and clearly did not remember anything that had happened.
"Master, please say something. Who injured my senior brother like this? How is Brother Qingyi now?"
Mi Xingzhe grabbed Li Luoning's leg anxiously and begged.
Li Luoning thought for a moment. In the end he could not bring himself to tell the truth. If Mi Xingzhe learned that he himself had caused Yun Qingyi's injuries, he would certainly feel terrible guilt.
Right now the most urgent matter was to return to Mirror Cloud Residence. The medicinal herbs needed to treat Yun Qingyi were there.
"Nian get up first. Qingyi is severely injured. We must return to Mirror Cloud Residence immediately. The Xiahe Flower that the Medicine King gave us can protect his heart meridian and save his life."
Although Li Luoning appeared calm, he was deeply worried inside.
Earlier both Mi Xingzhe and Yun Qingyi had been unconscious, so he could not take them both on the road. Now that Mi Xingzhe had awakened, they needed to leave immediately.
"Alright. Then we will leave right away."
As soon as Mi Xingzhe heard there was a way to save Yun Qingyi, he agreed without hesitation.
Li Luoning nodded. Then he glanced at Yun Qingyi and at the letter Mu Han had left beside him.