Chapter 5: Chen Mo's

Gu Manzhi sat there blankly, as if she were a sculpture.

Every point of confusion now had an answer.

So Chen Mo had come over today because he wanted to reveal his feelings to her?

Even though he knew everything, he still chose to break off the engagement, just to be with her?

Their positions were as incompatible as fire and water; this act was no different from a moth flying into a flame, disregarding even his own life and safety!

Yet she hadn't even given him a chance to confess...

"Why?"

Gu Manzhi’s eyes were dazed.

Deceit and treachery, schemes and intrigues.

She had grown up in such an environment since childhood and had long since become accustomed to it.

Trust no one, never give your heart away—this was the rule of survival her Master had taught her, and she had always held it as a golden rule.

But recalling Chen Mo’s cold gaze and that final "our grievances are settled," her heart felt a sudden tightness.

The grey-robed person did not notice her strangeness and continued talking to themselves, "Your identity has been exposed; leave Tiandu City as soon as possible. I will take over the follow-up."

"I have to clean up your mess; it really isn't easy for me..."

Gu Manzhi came back to her senses, looked up at the grey-robed person, and asked, "Why did you really come?"

"I told you, to watch you make a fool of yourself..."

The grey-robed person’s tone paused.

They saw Gu Manzhi clutching a jade talisman in her hand, her eyes filled with killing intent.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't get excited."

"It’s fine to tell you; Master sent me."

The grey-robed person took a wooden box out from their robes.

Opening the lid, a fishy, sweet, and sticky scent wafted out.

Inside lay a thumb-sized red flesh-worm, eyeless and noseless, its sharp teeth opening and closing like flower petals, making one’s hair stand on end.

"This is... the Heart-Devouring Gu?!"

Gu Manzhi’s heart skipped a beat, and she remembered what Chen Mo had said.

The grey-robed person nodded and said, "Master got this from the Southern Wilderness, specifically prepared for your little lover."

This item was cultivated by the Gu God Sect; it was extremely sinister, parasitizing the heart of a living creature and feeding on the blood of the heart pulse.

Once it grew to a certain degree, it would devour the heart and take its place.

At that point, the host would become a puppet to be manipulated, their life and death resting solely on the whim of the caster!

Gu Manzhi was silent for a moment, her voice dry, "Didn't Master say that just seducing him with beauty would be enough? Why use this kind of thing?"

"Human hearts change; who can guarantee he will always be devoted to you?"

"To deal with Yu Youhan, the Chen family is a crucial link that cannot be lost."

"Only by completely controlling Chen Mo can the next step of the plan be carried out. Master was worried you wouldn't be able to bring yourself to do it, so they arranged for me to come and plant the Gu worm..."

Gu Manzhi could no longer hear the rest of what was said.

She felt as if all her strength had been drained; she slumped down, her eyes dazed and hollow.

"Our grievances are settled?"

"Looking at it this way, it is I who owe him too much..."

Chengdong.

Mansions stood in orderly rows, with layered terraces and deep courtyards.

High officials and wealthy families were mostly concentrated here; compared to the bustle and prosperity of the outer city, this place appeared quiet and leisurely.

A three-courtyard residence sat among them, with a plaque bearing the character "Chen" hanging in front of the gate.

Inside the simply decorated and elegant hall, several grand master chairs were arranged.

Sitting in the main seat was a man in purple robes with a thin, sharp face, a goatee, and a sharp, profound gaze, possessing an air of natural authority.

One of the three chairs of the Censorate, a third-rank official of the imperial court, Chen Zhuo.

Beside him was a middle-aged beautiful woman, plump and alluring, with a graceful temperament; from the charm in her brows and eyes, it was not hard to see that she had been a top-tier beauty in her youth.

A direct disciple of the Yanyu Pavilion and a martial arts master, He Yuzhi.

"Has this rebellious son gone off to fool around at the Jiaofangsi again?"

"He even dared to tear up the marriage contract. When he returns, see if I don't break his dog legs!"

Chen Zhuo said in a deep voice.

"Matters of the heart cannot be forced. Since Mo'er doesn't like it, it's just a scrap of paper; tearing it up is fine."

He Yuzhi said calmly, her voice gentle and pleasant.

"This is a marriage contract set by our ancestors; how can it be treated so like child's play?"

"My Chen family and the Shen family have been on good terms for generations. Now that this rebellious son has pulled such a stunt, how am I to face Brother Shen in the future?"

The more Chen Zhuo spoke, the angrier he became, slamming the table, "It’s all because you spoiled him! Don't you understand the principle that spoiling a child is like killing them? A doting mother truly ruins her son..."

"Hmm?"

He Yuzhi raised her eyebrows and glanced at him sideways.

Chen Zhuo shuddered and changed his tune, "Cough, cough, of course, I also have an inescapable responsibility."

He Yuzhi said softly, "Speaking of which, didn't your father oppose us being together back then? He insisted you marry the daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue, saying I was vulgar and only knew how to wield spears and sticks... forcing the two of us to kneel before his door for a day and a night before he finally relented."

"Do you want to walk the same path as your father?"

Speaking of the painful past, her eyes turned slightly red, and she looked as if she were about to cry.

"Oh, how many years have passed, why bring this up again?"

Chen Zhuo was flustered, his aura instantly collapsing.

"You know, your husband likes it best when you wield spears and sticks; I wish you would do it every day..."

"Pah, talking nonsense again."

He Yuzhi shot him a look, her coquettish charm making Chen Zhuo’s heart race.

If it weren't broad daylight, he would really want to have a moment of "the old man indulging in youthful madness"...

Chen Zhuo steadied himself and returned to the main topic, saying, "Your He family is at least a prestigious clan in Qingzhou, but what about that Gu Manzhi? No matter how famous she is, she is just a woman from a pleasure house."

"Because of a prostitute, you broke off the engagement; where does that leave the Shen family's face?"

"Besides, that Miss Shen is a disciple of 'Martial Saint Mountain'; if this gets out, I'm afraid there will be some trouble..."

Hearing this, He Yuzhi’s expression also became serious.

As someone in the martial arts world, she knew very well what "Martial Saint Mountain" meant.

One of the Three Saints, the place of inheritance for the Martial Saint, an transcendent existence that stood above secular powers!

With deep roots and wide branches, it had intricate connections with many forces.

There was a common saying: to offend Martial Saint Mountain is to offend half the martial arts world!

Although there was some exaggeration, it showed how illustrious its reputation was!

This was under the feet of the Son of Heaven, so there was no need to worry about safety, but they couldn't stay in Tiandu City forever, could they?

"Martial Saint Mountain hasn't concerned itself with worldly affairs for many years; such a small matter shouldn't..."

Before He Yuzhi could finish, the butler walked in quickly and bowed, saying, "Master, Madam, Miss Shen is here to visit."

Chen Zhuo and He Yuzhi exchanged a look.

They feared exactly what was happening.

"Quick, invite her in."

Chen Zhuo said, "By the way, where is that rebellious son? Find him and bring him back immediately!"

The butler shook his head and said, "No need to look; the Young Master is already in Miss Shen's hands."

Chen Zhuo asked in confusion, "What does that mean?"

The butler had a strange expression and said, "This old servant means it literally; the Young Master is being carried by Miss Shen, and it looks like he has passed out..."

Chen Zhuo: "..."

He Yuzhi: "..."