Chapter 76: To Charge or Not? Charged!

"Long ago, the gods each had a youthful maiden; that year, she was still a courtesan of the Wanhua Pavilion..."

"By chance, this woman met a penniless scholar, grew to know and love each other, and they promised that after the scholar passed the imperial exams, he would redeem the woman; the two would stay together for life..."

"That year, when the scholar passed the exams, he ended up marrying the daughter of a current third‑rank official..."

"When the scholar said he would take the woman as a concubine, she agreed..."

"But the woman died less than a year after moving into his household..."

"Countless years later, a hidden evil consciousness awakened her..."

Liu Jingshu's tone was hushed, as if recounting a story sealed for many years.

"Tell me, should all ungrateful men in this world be damned?"

Lu Zhangsheng listened and fell silent.

He knew that what she said was his own story.

After this woman died full of grievance, she turned into a natural disaster that fell upon the world.

Lu Zhangsheng was also quite curious about this; could all disasters in the world be born this way? Though the woman had been human long ago, her current state could no longer be called human.

Even her soul was a strange fusion, merely carrying some human memories.

Moreover, he found a hint of crucial information in her words.

"You mentioned the Divine Capital?"

Lu Zhangsheng's eyes flickered uncertainly.

He has always liked reading, especially ancient texts.

He once came across this place name in a rare manuscript.

As the capital of the Great Yu Dynasty a thousand years ago, the Divine Capital was also passed down through later generations.

Legend says the Great Yu Dynasty's territory was several times larger than that of Great Zhou.

"Indeed, the Divine Capital is bustling."

Liu Jingshu's gaze drifted, as if she had returned to those bygone years.

"What year is this evening?"

"The Great Zhou calendar, year 641."

Lu Zhangsheng slowly uttered a few words.

"In that battle, did the Divine Emperor still lose?"

Liu Jingshu let out a slight sigh.

"What does that mean?"

Lu Zhangsheng hurriedly asked for clarification.

Liu Jingshu gave a gentle smile: "I was only guessing; the year I died, the dynasty was still flourishing, but the surrounding demonic forces were not to be underestimated."

Lu Zhangsheng's complexion hardened at her words.

Though based on just a few words, he could still conjecture a possibility.

The collapse of the Great Yu Dynasty might be linked to the legendary demons.

As for that battle, even if humanity didn't win, it didn't lose outright; otherwise the world would already have become a hunting ground for demons, with humanity reduced to blood food.

The Great Zhou Dynasty would not have existed at all.

The most likely scenario is that both sides suffered mutual defeat, each licking their wounds while awaiting the next great war to crush the other.

Thinking this, Lu Zhangsheng felt a surge of urgency; he must quickly strengthen himself to face any forthcoming cataclysm.

"A few years ago, a masked man asked me to join some Tianyao Gate; have you, husband, heard of this organization?"

Liu Jingshu gave a bright smile.

"I have heard of it; it's a faction formed by human traitors. Did you agree?"

Lu Zhangsheng nodded lightly.

"No, I dislike those who conceal their motives and reveal their ends."

Liu Jingshu's gaze was rather domineering.

"Since you, husband, also dislike them, I won't join."

Then she switched to a coquettish voice, causing Lu Zhangsheng to break out in gooseflesh.

Lu Zhangsheng looked at her oddly; the strange woman was truly getting into character.

Was she addicted to role‑playing? Afterwards the two chatted for a while longer.

When night fell, the bright moonlight poured over the village, casting lingering shadows through the surrounding trees, as if demonic silhouettes swirled, giving an eerie atmosphere.

"Husband, I am going to rest; if you are willing, I would also be glad to serve..."

Liu Jingshu smiled sweetly, her eyes burning as she looked at Lu Zhangsheng.

Lu Zhangsheng ignored her and walked straight toward the outside.

The woman was clearly craving her own body; he was someone she could never have.

Soon, Lu Zhangsheng went to the courtyard, sat cross‑legged, and began cultivating.

Though the outside temperature was low, he felt no discomfort.

At a certain level of martial cultivation, being unaffected by cold or heat is a basic technique.

…………

The next morning, at dawn.

Early in the morning, Chen Qiushi opened his eyes.

He had spent the entire previous night in the courtyard, without contacting the bride.

He planned to observe for a few more days before acting.

According to the disaster rule, they only need to share a bed within fifteen days; then the curse will naturally disappear, and the few will be able to leave this place.

As for Lu Zhangsheng, he has long been forgotten by the few; his death is certain.

After the few go out, they have no intention of seeking rescue, as if nothing had happened.

Moreover, the few's lingering‑image stones remain perpetually activated.

Creak…

While Chen Qiushi was pondering, a woman in white gracefully stepped out, holding a robe in her hand.

The woman had a pretty face, bright eyes, a slender figure, and exuded an air of intellect.

Husband, you must be cold.

Qing He hurried over and draped the robe over Chen Qiushi's shoulders.

Never mind, thank you.

Chen Qiushi sensed the warmth on his shoulder and continued to contemplate.

The other's body temperature, heartbeat, and mannerisms were all exactly like a normal person's.

In his view, there is a ninety‑percent chance the other is a human woman.

Only waiting for the final days, then immediately begin cohabitation verification.

He acts thus also with the idea of letting Zhu Zhiquan and the others scout ahead.

If the few are unharmed, he can act right away.

However, Chen Qiushi's wishful thinking was completely wrong.

Zhu Zhiquan and the others were also pursuing the same idea.

Seeing that their teammate had not made a move, they were not the slightest bit flustered.

In the blink of an eye, five days had passed.

This day, at noon.

The warm sun shone brightly.

Chen Qiushi sat on a stone chair in the courtyard, quietly watching Qing He's figure laboring in the vegetable plot, and grew increasingly certain in his heart.

These past days, he has been carefully investigating, and no abnormality has been reported from the other side.

In the vegetable plot.

Qing He wiped the sweat from her forehead, put away the hoe, and strode toward Chen Qiushi. "This vegetable plot is now fully reclaimed; in the future we can plant together, raise children together…"

Qing He's eyes were full of yearning.

Hearing that, Chen Qiushi felt a stir of emotion rise within him.

He even entertained the thought of taking her out of this place.

After leaving, making her a concubine would also be a good plan.

…………

In Zhu Zhiquan's courtyard.

Three figures sat upright on a stone bench, their faces rather anxious.

It was Zhu Zhiquan, Zhao Qinhong, and the others.

"If this continues, the day will come soon; all wanting the other to test first isn't a solution…"

Zhu Zhiquan couldn't help but voice a complaint.

Beside him, Zhao Qinhong sneered coldly in his heart.

"If you are magnanimous, why not test yourself first."

The three discussed for a long while, yet reached no protocol.

"Since that's the case, let's verify everything on the final day."

Zhao Qinhong said lightly.

If they wish to escape this place, they must break this curse.

"The bride you two chose, I have also seen; the probability of her being a normal person is extremely high."

Zhu Zhiquan smiled and offered a comforting remark.

The women the three selected had all been examined by each other, with no abnormalities.

This also eased a slight guard in their hearts.

Over here, Lu Zhangsheng was not anxious; instead, he began strolling around the village each day.

And he constantly monitored the energy fluctuations on the panel.

Only a few days later, he had gathered many clues.

He discovered that walking westward from the village, the energy indicator on the panel kept rising.

Presumably, a crucial object lies there.

However, he was not in a hurry, intending to wait until Chen Qiushi and the others verify first before acting.

…………

Time passed.

The final day arrived quickly.

This day, deep night.

The moon vanished, the whole village fell into darkness, and not a single sound came from the surroundings—extremely eerie.

Inside a thatched hut.

Chen Qiushi and Qing He lay quietly on a wooden plank bed, sensing each other's heartbeats.

The air gradually filled with a hint of romantic ambience.

After these days of being together, Chen Qiushi gradually developed a hint of feeling for the other party.

Moreover, the fact that the other party showed no abnormalities these days also put his mind at ease.

Tonight, he is ready to begin his move.

Chen Qiushi reached toward Qing He's waist, fumbled a couple of times, and pulled out a pink cloth strap.

"Husband~"

Qing He's face flushed slightly, and she gently uttered two elongated sounds, her voice somewhat seductive.

Chen Qiushi felt a heat in his chest and lunged forward quickly.

In no time, he stepped directly into the final move.

When he made full contact with the other, a joy rose in his heart.

"Human."

Then, a violent commotion echoed inside the room.

Until after more than half a shi‑chen.

"Husband, do you love me?"

A strange gleam appeared at the corner of Qing He's eye.

"Love, love very much…"

Chen Qiushi was in the heat of the moment and paid no mind to any of that.

His head rested on the other's shoulder, unable to see even the other's face.

At that moment, an anomaly suddenly erupted.

Chen Qiushi suddenly felt immobilized as a pair of claws hard as iron thrust violently from behind him.

A wave of excruciating pain swept his entire body.

"You are…"

His eyes widened, his face full of terror, and he could not believe it.

His hands began to struggle fiercely, but to no avail.

Chen Qiushi's whole body was held firmly; a pair of jet‑black claws pierced from his back into his front chest, gouging out his heart, which hung bloodily in midair—a scene terrifyingly gruesome.

"Since you love me so much, then merge with me forever…"

Qing He gave a strange smile, swallowed the blood‑soaked heart in one bite, then caused Chen Qiushi's entire body to melt into her own.

In no time, Chen Qiushi completely vanished.

Only a pile of tattered clothes lay scattered at the foot of the bed.

The same scene unfolded in Zhu Zhiquan's group's room.

After a few cries of horror, the three were directly devoured by the strange bride.

At this point, the five‑person squad was reduced to only Lu Zhangsheng.

At that moment, Liu Jingshu gracefully stepped forward.

"Husband, all your teammates have been sacrificed; won't you remind them?"

"No problem; kind words cannot persuade the damned ghost."

Lu Zhangsheng gave a faint smile, unconcerned.

He had never gotten along with those people, and they would not listen to him.

"Humans are truly strange, their internal strife never ceases…"

Liu Jingshu smiled.

"From now on, husband, do you intend to stay here forever with me?"

"This body's refined essence wasted is truly a pity; it would be better to fulfill me…"

"Get out of my way."

Lu Zhangsheng's eyes flashed with cold light.

He ignored the other, rose, and headed toward the room where Chen Qiushi and the others were.

"Husband, you truly are cold and ruthless…"

As Lu Zhangsheng walked farther away, he could still hear the other's muttering at his ear.

He strongly suspected that the other's mind had already gone awry; centuries of isolated confinement, combined with constant resentment, made trouble inevitable.

Soon, Lu Zhangsheng reached the main street.

Now he intends to retrieve the group's portrait stone and then make further plans.

(End of chapter)