Chapter 842: Lady Miao

Fortunately, Uncle Gu has low emotional intelligence, his heart sealed like wood and stone, and he didn't take a fancy to Hua Ruyu—otherwise, he'd be wearing a big green hat.

Dating is truly treacherous.

Mo Hua sighed inwardly.

But come to think of it, the way those two called each other made Mo Hua's mind prick with unease.

Water Yama called Hua Ruyu "Miao'er."

Miao'er…

Back at the ferry, Water Yama had also said the carriage belonged to "Miao'er."

Is this Hua Ruyu's private name?

Mo Hua shook his head slightly.

"It's probably not that simple—and somehow, this nickname feels familiar…"

He frowned, thinking, then suddenly his heart leapt—he remembered.

When he killed Jiang Laoda, the list he seized from him bore many criminal cultivators' nicknames:

"Poison Rakshasa, Fireworks Foreman, Golden Arhat, Flower Gentleman, Human Butcher, Blood Woodcutter, Yin Leizi, Lady Miao, Ghost Mask Fiend, River Dragon…"

These criminals had either been captured or killed—Mo Hua had already "cleaned" them all off the list while collecting bounties for merit.

Now, only a handful of fugitives remained on the list.

Among the few still at large was one: "Lady Miao."

Lady Miao… Miao'er…

Mo Hua's mind cleared.

No wonder he'd hunted criminals for so long without ever encountering "Lady Miao"—she'd been hiding inside a sect, posing as an instructor…

And Hua Ruyu called Water Yama "Xie Lang…"

Could this "Xie" be the "Xie" of the Gui Shui Sect's Xie family?

Mo Hua recalled that Uncle Gu had once defeated an opponent from the Gui Shui Sect—a Jin Dan sword cultivator surnamed Xie.

So does that mean Water Yama is actually from the Gui Shui Sect's Xie family, but has never revealed his identity?

As Mo Hua pondered, the two inside the room had already lost control, their heads pressed close in intimacy.

After a while of fondling, Water Yama said to Hua Ruyu:

"You say you miss me, but I suspect you don't really—word has it you've taken another lover. Are you tired of me and no longer want to see me?"

Hua Ruyu cast him a sultry, reproachful glance. "It was just a passing fling—a fool, handsome but clueless, as cold and dull as a rock. He can't compare to you, Xie Lang, who understands my warmth and cold, who makes me miss you so deeply…"

Water Yama's heart stirred, and he pulled Hua Ruyu close again, tenderly embracing her—but still, he couldn't let go of his question.

"Who is this man? What's his background?"

Hua Ruyu replied: "He's a Gu Diansi of the Dao Ting Si, with Jin Dan cultivation."

Water Yama's expression shifted. "A Gu Diansi? Jin Dan? What's his name?"

Hua Ruyu, unaware of his thoughts, teased: "Are you jealous?"

Water Yama shook his head. "Tell me."

Hua Ruyu said: "His surname is Gu. Gu Changhuai."

The moment "Gu Changhuai" was spoken, Water Yama's eyes flew wide open. He gritted his teeth, enunciating each syllable: "Gu Changhuai…"

Hua Ruyu, startled by his expression, asked: "What's wrong?"

Water Yama's face twitched. "He cut off my arm!"

Hua Ruyu's expression changed. "How could that be…"

"Did he approach you with ulterior motives?" Water Yama's gaze sharpened.

Hua Ruyu frowned, thought for a moment, then shook her head:

"I suspected it at first, but then I reconsidered—it's unlikely. He was introduced to me long ago by an aunt from my clan. But he kept delaying, saying Dao Ting Si duties kept him too busy to meet."

"Later, perhaps pressured by elders, he finally agreed to meet me a few times."

"If he'd planned to set a trap or deliberately court me, he wouldn't have started so early and dragged it out for so long."

"Besides, Gu Changhuai doesn't seem clever at all. He's rigid, awkward, cold as ice—clearly a dull, ordinary man. If not for his looks and decent family and cultivation, I wouldn't have bothered with him."

Water Yama's unease eased, but hearing Hua Ruyu repeatedly praise Gu Changhuai's appearance, he couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy.

"If he's so dull, why have you met him so many times?"

Hua Ruyu sighed softly. "What can I do? Our relationship can't be made public. Everyone in the clan and sect thinks I'm alone—there's been gossip. They pushed me to go on dates; I couldn't refuse. But I only humored them—I still only have you in my heart…"

Hua Ruyu pressed her body tightly against Water Yama. "…My body and my heart are yours."

Soft warmth in his arms, Water Yama's spirit swayed—he no longer cared, only smiled gently:

"When I become Jin Dan one day, I'll kill Gu Changhuai. Don't you dare feel sorry for him."

Hua Ruyu pouted. "If he dies, I'll be rid of an annoying nuisance."

Then she looked at his empty sleeve, her gaze tender. "Can your arm ever grow back?"

Water Yama's eyes burned with hatred. "That Gu bastard may be a fool, but his cultivation is real. When I reached third grade, he slashed off my arm with his Jin Dan power. Wind-elemental energy lingered in the wound, like a blade scraping bone and flesh. I tried everything—but still, no progress."

Hua Ruyu lamented: "So you'll be stuck with only one arm for life?"

Water Yama's hatred for Gu Changhuai deepened. Seeing Hua Ruyu's worried face, he pulled her waist close and teased:

"Even with only one hand, I'll hold you tight—never let go, not for a lifetime."

Hua Ruyu pinched him lightly. "Smooth talker."

"Don't you like it?"

"You tell me."

Their eyes met, and without another word, their lips met again, lost in another bout of intimacy.

Mo Hua found it painful to look at.

He thought: these two dogs, truly nauseatingly affectionate—ignoring real business, dawdling here like this.

"Before leaving the Rouge Boat, why not bury these two dogs together…"

This Water Yama has committed countless evils—he's long deserved death.

As for Hua Ruyu, on the surface a tutor, in secret a shameless "madam"—equally no good.

She nearly even put a horn on Uncle Gu.

Let these two be locked "dead" on this Rouge Boat—never let them go out to harm others again.

Mo Hua endured and watched a while longer, wondering if they'd say anything important.

But after waiting a while, these two seemed about to do their "real business."

Water Yama undid his belt, his single hand wandering over Hua Ruyu's body, stripping her clothes.

Mo Hua couldn't bear to look.

If he kept watching, he'd get a stye.

This filthy scene would defile his pure Dao heart.

Mo Hua sneered softly and turned to leave.

Just then, a voice rang out from inside the room:

"No…"

Her clothes half-stripped, Hua Ruyu seized Water Yama's restless hand, her face flushed, saying:

"Xie Lang, no."

Water Yama urged urgently, "It's been so long—I've endured enough…"

Hua Ruyu said, "The Rouge Boat is a major matter—no room for carelessness."

Water Yama refused to give up.

Hua Ruyu then whispered softly, "After it's done…"

Water Yama stared at Hua Ruyu's beautiful face, voice hoarse, asking, "Really?"

Hua Ruyu blushed, murmuring, "After it's done, I'm yours entirely."

Water Yama finally relented, ceasing his entanglement.

Then the two lowered their voices and continued discussing the Rouge Boat.

Mo Hua, hearing them speak of real business, nodded slightly, somewhat satisfied, and kept listening.

"Are all the people here…?"

"All are here."

"Following Young Master's orders, we invited the scions of those sects who require special attention."

"Exclude Grand Void Gate—Young Master said Grand Void Gate has issues; avoid provoking them for now, lest we draw misfortune…"

"Besides Grand Void Gate, all Eight Major Sects and Twelve Schools have core disciples aboard. Especially Tai'o Sect and Chongxu Sect—give them special treatment."

"Young Master said…" Hua Ruyu whispered, "Have them ingest the pills, indulge in ecstasy—so they'll crave it forever, never forget, never leave the Rouge Boat…"

Hearing this, Mo Hua's gaze grew solemn.

Afterward, the two inside spoke more, then Hua Ruyu pushed Water Yama gently, saying:

"Go back quickly—tonight is critical, don't be careless, and you're still severely wounded; you must rest well, don't waste your body on lust."

Water Yama didn't move, only sighed:

"It's been so long—do you really want me to leave?"

Hua Ruyu blushed, "I'm afraid if you don't leave… I won't be able to hold back either."

Water Yama froze, then kissed her cheek again, "Fine. After I finish my duties, I'll return to serve you."

The two doted on each other a while longer.

Water Yama rose to leave, but lust still burned—he paused at the door, suddenly remembered something, eyes flickering, and asked:

"By the way, did you bring aboard a 'virgin' this time?"

Mo Hua outside the window froze.

A "virgin" brought by force?

Inside, Hua Ruyu also paused, her tender affection fading, her expression growing colder, wary: "How do you know?"

"I heard."

Hua Ruyu frowned, "Your ears are sharp… so what?"

Water Yama only smiled.

Hua Ruyu sneered, "Don't blame me for not warning you—this girl is reserved for the 'Young Master' above; you must not touch her."

Water Yama soothed her, "Miao'er, where do you get such ideas?"

"Don't play dumb," Hua Ruyu said sternly. "I won't hide it—this girl is a direct bloodline of her sect, her status isn't ordinary; she was absolutely forbidden to be touched. But it's her own fault—she kept secretly investigating us, unluckily stumbled upon our secrets, learned things she shouldn't have."

Hua Ruyu sneered, "If that's the case, don't blame me for being cruel. I'll just find a way to drag her into the mire, make her wet her body, teach her a lesson—let her learn how cruel this world is…"

Direct bloodline, extraordinary status, still a virgin, and stunningly beautiful.

Water Yama's heart burned with desire, but seeing Hua Ruyu's icy gaze, he only smiled outwardly:

"Where do you get such thoughts? I told you—I have only you in my heart; even if other women were celestial beauties, I wouldn't even glance at them."

Then he swore oaths, poured sweet words upon her, and Hua Ruyu's expression softened slightly.

The two doted again for a while, then Water Yama left.

After seeing Water Yama off, Hua Ruyu turned back into the room, sat down, then frowned—something still felt off.

"All the bastards in this world are the same damn breed."

"You say one thing, but your heart holds only one person—yet in reality, you fall for every new face you see."

"There are rats that deserve to die, but no cat that doesn't steal fish."

Hua Ruyu grew more and more uneasy as she thought.

"No, this dead man must not think of stealing fish and ruin my plans, offend the Young Master..."

Hua Ruyu frowned, then immediately rose and left the room.

Mo Hua's gaze shifted slightly, and he too moved, climbing back into the boat through the ventilation windows along its exterior.

But because he had delayed, by the time he entered the flower boat, Hua Ruyu was already gone.

Fortunately, Hua Ruyu applied heavy makeup and perfume, whose scent lingered in the air, long-lasting and unyielding.

Mo Hua followed the scent, turned several corners, and finally saw the graceful figure of Hua Ruyu ahead.

Hua Ruyu walked ahead, lost in her own thoughts, while Mo Hua trailed behind silently.

But as he followed, Mo Hua realized Hua Ruyu was circling—initially he thought she had spotted him, but after a moment's thought, he understood: she was checking for Water Yama.

She was ensuring Water Yama wasn't following her to the place where she stole fish.

Mo Hua shook his head.

These people's hearts are so filthy.

After circling several times and confirming Water Yama wasn't trailing her, Hua Ruyu finally relaxed, changed her route, and arrived at a secret chamber. She pulled out a token, dismantled the formation, opened the door, glanced left and right, then slipped inside and sealed the door behind her.

Mo Hua raised an eyebrow, memorized the chamber's location, then followed the same method: found a nearby ventilation window, climbed out onto the boat's exterior, located the window facing the water beside the secret chamber, broke the formation, drilled a small hole, inserted a silver needle, and peered inside.

Inside was a beautifully furnished boudoir.

Its decor and layout resembled Hua Ruyu's room, but with more lotus leaf and Ji Furong carvings, and a more understated style.

The only difference was a woman bound to the bed with Spirit-Binding Chains.

The woman, in the prime of youth, wore a brocade gown, her face as lovely as moon and flowers. Now bound to the bed, her complexion was pale, her eyes filled with defiance—beautiful, yet tinged with tragic grace.

Mo Hua sighed softly.

He was surprised, but after thinking, it didn't seem entirely unexpected.

"It's Qian Qian..."

A direct disciple of the sect, of no ordinary status, familiar with Hua Ruyu, secretly investigating the Rouge Boat...

After considering all possibilities, only Hua Qian Qian, who could never let go of Ye Jin's death, fit the profile.

She must have been investigating Ye Jin's case, accidentally traced it to Hua Ruyu, uncovered some secret, and been discovered.

Inside, Hua Qian Qian was bound, her mouth sealed with cloth, unable to speak—only her eyes glared with hatred at Hua Ruyu.

Seeing her pitiful beauty, Hua Ruyu sighed, stepped forward gracefully, touched Hua Qian Qian's Bai Xi face, and said tenderly:

"Child, why must you suffer so?"

Hua Qian Qian's eyes burned with hatred; she had words to say, but could not speak.

Hua Ruyu thought for a moment, then removed the cloth from her mouth.

Hua Qian Qian spat directly at Hua Ruyu.

Hua Ruyu did not flinch, only whispered:

"I know you're furious, think I've deceived you—but consider this: if you hadn't meddled, kept digging until you reached me, and I could no longer hide it, would I have treated you this way?"

Hua Qian Qian's face flushed with anger, "You lie! It's you who acts wickedly! I always treated you like an elder sister, respected and admired you—and yet you do such base things, pushing fellow disciples into the fire pit—do you have any conscience?!"

Hua Ruyu shook her head, "You don't understand—how is this a 'fire pit'?"

Seeing Hua Qian Qian's innocent, naive expression, she felt both envy and a quiet pang of jealousy.

"You're a direct descendant of the Hua family, gifted and beautiful, cherished since childhood. Sect elders, clan patriarchs—all adore you. Fellow disciples defer to you. You have no idea what kind of exclusion and suffering a girl without noble birth endures in the Shijia Sect..."

Hua Ruyu sighed, "Take Jin'er, for instance..."

"She had an excellent spiritual root—a pure, top-grade Water Root—and her beauty was exquisite, gentle yet radiant. In a great clan, she would have been a heavenly darling, adored by all."

"But the problem was, she was merely a minor direct daughter of a third-grade family."

"Though her talent and appearance were exceptional, her low birth was an insurmountable barrier—she could never cross into the gates of a higher clan."

"Clans rank by grade—one grade, one world. A single grade apart is as vast as heaven and earth."

"Her whole life, she could either marry a lowly collateral scion of a fourth-grade family, a useless waste of flesh, to bear his heirs—or marry a direct son of a third-grade family."

"How could such ordinary men possibly be worthy of her?"

"That's why I helped her—connected her to true clan prodigies. If she won their favor in bed, perhaps she might truly rise like a phoenix from the ashes."

"Even if she had no name or status, merely fleeting pleasures with these heavenly prodigies, it was better than becoming the lawful wife of some common mortal..."

Hua Ruyu spoke with deep emotion.

Hua Qian Qian grew furious, but being gentle by nature, she could not utter harsh words—only said, "You have no shame!"

Hua Ruyu was unfazed, smiling lightly, "You still don't understand what I'm saying."

She stroked Hua Qian Qian's cheek again.

Hua Qian Qian struggled to pull away, but her body was bound—she could not move, forced to let this woman she once saw as a "sister," now a "poisonous harpy," caress her face.

"What a tender, supple face..."

Hua Ruyu sighed, musing, "But you're still too young, ignorant of everything, never experienced it. Once you feel that pleasure, once you understand the ways of man and woman, you'll realize I never lied. Everything I've done is for your own good—everyone must grow up."

Hua Qian Qian was both ashamed and furious, her expression laced with panic and dread.

Seeing this, Hua Ruyu's pity deepened, "The first time is always frightening. So I've chosen for you a handsome, steady groom—someone you know. Rest easy."

"I'm acting as your matchmaker. When your union is consummated, when you know the ecstasy of it, when you become a true woman, you'll understand my intentions."

Hua Ruyu finished speaking and resealed Hua Qian Qian's mouth.

"Tonight is your 'wedding night.' Stay here. I'll go fetch your handsome groom."

Hua Ruyu smiled softly, then rose and left.

Inside the room, only Hua Qianqian was present.

She was bound to the bed, unable to move. A deathly, oppressive silence pressed in on all sides, and the panic in her heart gradually spread. Her face was deathly pale, and tears silently slid down from the corners of her eyes.

Mo Hua watched, unable to stop himself from sighing, and confirmed once more in his heart:

"This Hua Ruyu — I have to find a way to kill her…"

Mo Hua thought it over for a moment, then climbed back into the boat, intending to keep following Hua Ruyu. But the moment he entered the boat, he suddenly heard voices talking.

Hua Ruyu had not gone far, and was currently speaking with a man.

"Is everything prepared?"

"Mm, it's prepared."

"Good, there's no time to lose…"

……

Who was Hua Ruyu speaking with?

Mo Hua frowned, edged a little closer, and stole a glance. The moment he looked, his heart gave a sudden jolt.

He knew this man who was talking with Hua Ruyu as well.

Tall and thin, with a long face — it was none other than the one from Tai'a Gate, the one he had once noticed carried the aura of an evil god on him…

Senior Brother Ma.

yifan

xsguan

23zw