Chapter 159: After 159, the Nun Will Be Your Third Wife

The eastern sky had already begun to turn a fish-belly white.

The high platform before the palace.

Pusa Hai and Wan Wu'er were in an extremely wretched state, lying on the ground and gasping for breath, with piercing wounds visible all over their bodies.

Having heard from the nun that these two were high-ranking members of the Zhou Kingdom's Demon Sect, the Blood Lotus Sect, An Xiaoxi kept a nervous watch over them, her fair hand gripping her sword hilt tightly, fully prepared to strike and kill them both should they make the slightest move.

When she saw the Stronghold Master Ning Mu and several of the leaders emerge from the main hall, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Where is Xiaoxiu?"

Glancing at Pusa Hai and Wan Wu'er, who lay on the ground like dead dogs, Ning Mu turned his head.

Liu Xiaoya, who had already followed them over, nodded immediately and said, "I will go call her!"

Before long.

A neatly dressed Ning Xiaoxiu followed behind Liu Xiaoya.

When her gaze inadvertently fell upon Wan Wu'er on the ground, her expression turned to one of shock.

Subconsciously, she shrank behind Liu Qingmei.

Liu Qingmei was the strongest person here.

And her Cultivation Points had long since been sealed.

"Who is she?"

Ning Mu turned his head to look at the highly reactive Ning Xiaoxiu and asked.

Ning Xiaoxiu hesitated for a moment, looked at Wan Wu'er again, a flash of resentment crossing her eyes, and then turned to respectfully say to Ning Mu, "Master, she, she is Wan Wu'er, the wife of the Blood Lotus Sect leader, my former... foster mother!"

"This person is Pusa Hai, Pusa Tan'er's father, an Elder of the Punishment Hall!"

Ning Xiaoxiu looked at Pusa Hai, feeling only joy in her heart.

That little snake belonging to Pusa Hai looked as if its teeth had been pulled; it was curled up on his neck, listless, with fine wounds faintly visible on its body.

Those were injuries from a Glazed Weapon, the threads of a Whisk! As for the other pet, the Ice Bone Scorpion, it was nowhere to be seen.

It had long since been trampled to death by Liuli! Not to mention that these two lacked the strength, even if they were both Great Accomplishment Grandmasters, they would be nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs in front of Liuli.

"Pusa Xiaoman!"

And as Ning Xiaoxiu's words fell.

Wan Wu'er suddenly let out a roar, as if summoning her final breath, glaring at Ning Xiaoxiu with a fierce look that masked a cowardly heart.

"Your father and I treated you like our own, how could you betray the sect and your kin like this!"

"Xiaoman, where is Tan'er!"

Wan Wu'er and Pusa Hai spoke one after the other, looking at Ning Xiaoxiu.

Clearly.

Wan Wu'er assumed that Ning Xiaoxiu still did not know that she and her husband had planted the Demon Seed Blood Lotus inside her body, and was attempting to use so-called family affection to trade for a chance at survival.

As for Pusa Hai, he appeared much more wretched; though there was anger in his eyes, there was more concern for his daughter, Pusa Tan'er.

Seeing that these two were now at the end of their rope, Ning Xiaoxiu's courage grew.

She glanced at Ning Mu and saw that her master held no grudges.

Immediately, she flicked her sleeve, looked at the two on the ground, and sneered, "Hmph, Wan Wu'er, you two have hearts of snakes and scorpions; for the sake of progress, you used my body as nourishment to plant the Demon Seed Blood Lotus. Did you really think I was a fool?"

"Also, I am no longer called Pusa Xiaoman. That is a name stained with blood, and I disdain to use it!"

"Remember, my name now is Ning, Xiao, Xiu!"

As Ning Xiaoxiu said this name word by word, a happy glow radiated from her face, and infinite tenderness flickered in her eyes.

After finishing, she looked at Pusa Hai, a trace of mockery appearing at the corner of her mouth, and sneered, "Uncle Hai, as for the Tan'er you speak of, I am sorry, but I fear she has already been reincarnated by now."

"I hope in her next life, she can be born into a normal family and have a normal father!"

Having said this.

Ning Xiaoxiu turned her head to look at Ning Mu, the sharpness she had displayed fading away, replaced by gentleness and devotion.

"Master, these two have eyes and ears everywhere; if they are left alive, they might send word to the Blood Lotus Sect, which would be unsafe for the Mountain Stronghold!"

As she spoke, a look of excitement flowed between her brows.

Clearly, she wanted to take revenge herself! But the prerequisite was to obtain her master's permission.

Ning Mu raised an eyebrow, nodded calmly, and said, "Then kill them. You want to do it yourself?"

Ning Xiaoxiu's expression immediately turned joyful; she knelt on both knees and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Master, for granting this!"

The matter of being nourishment for the Demon Seed was like a poisonous thorn stuck in her heart.

Although she had been serving her master these days.

Every time she was alone in the dead of night, she was often startled awake by nightmares, dreaming that she was being swallowed by a blood-colored lotus, and the whole world seemed to turn the color of blood.

This nightmare had accompanied her for many days! Now, having the opportunity to personally kill one of her enemies, even if she could not completely overturn the entire Blood Lotus Sect, still brought her immense joy.

Under this transformation, her personality had long since become extreme! Toward her master Ning Mu, she viewed him as a god and was endlessly fawning.

Toward those in the Blood Lotus Sect who had once secretly harmed her, she viewed them as mortal enemies and would seek revenge for the slightest grievance!

After standing up.

Ning Xiaoxiu took the sword handed to her by Liu Xiaoya.

Wan Wu'er and Pusa Hai were suddenly anxious.

Hearing that his daughter was already dead, Pusa Hai's eyes suddenly became hollow! He stood there in a daze, lost and forlorn, as if his spirit had been drained in an instant, becoming completely listless; even when Ning Xiaoxiu raised the sword and placed it against his neck, he did not react at all.

"Dead... hehe, dead?"

"Tan'er, don't be afraid, Father is coming to find you now!"

Pusa Hai suddenly gave a miserable laugh, then closed his eyes, willingly offering his neck to be slaughtered! Ning Xiaoxiu's brows knit together.

Heh.

This old thing, he won't let his daughter go in this life, and he still wants to chase after her to wreak havoc in the next?

Ning Xiaoxiu felt an infinite sense of disgust in her heart, and immediately slashed out fiercely.

Sss—fresh blood instantly spurted out from Pusa Hai's throat, splashing all over Ning Xiaoxiu and the Wan Wu'er beside her.

When the hot, fresh blood hit her face, Wan Wu'er immediately panicked.

"Xiaoman, you cannot kill me!"

"I raised you for so long; do you not care about even a shred of gratitude?"

"The Demon Seed Blood Lotus, that was planted in you by your father, it has nothing to do with me, it was your father!"

"Xiaoman, think about it, all these years, has Mother ever done anything to wrong you? I satisfied whatever you wanted because I also knew your fate as a child was too bitter, but that was your father's demand, Mother had no choice!"

"Xiaoman, don't kill me!"

Watching Pusa Hai fall straight down before her eyes, the snake, seeing its master dead, immediately attacked Ning Xiaoxiu frantically, only to be killed by a wave of the Whisk from the nun who had abducted her; she was completely panicked!

Having lived in luxury for so long, she was terrified when facing life and death!

Ning Xiaoxiu looked at Liuli with gratitude.

Then she turned her head, looked at Wan Wu'er, and said coldly: "Take these words and tell them to the King of Hell after you go down!"

As the words fell, Ning Xiaoxiu raised her sword, about to stab into Wan Wu'er's heart.

"Don't you want to know about your true origins?"

Suddenly.

Wan Wu'er shouted.

Swish! The sword that was about to pierce her chest stopped abruptly.

True origins?

Ning Xiaoxiu was startled, staring at Wan Wu'er in disbelief.

Wasn't she a child she had picked up! How could there be any talk of origins?

Just as she was thinking this, Wan Wu'er, seeing the killing intent slow, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, she hurriedly added: "Even if you kill me, one day your father will still find you. Have you never wondered, Xiaoman, you have been in hiding for so long, and in a foreign land at that, why I was able to find you so precisely?"

"Besides, it will spread the reputation of matricide; what benefit is that to you?"

Ning Xiaoxiu was stunned.

She was somewhat at a loss, turning her head to look back at Ning Mu, her eyes filled with difficulty in choosing.

"Master..."

Ning Mu couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, looking at Wan Wu'er, and said: "Tell me then, how did you lock onto her, and what are her origins?"

Wan Wu'er immediately knelt and crawled to the front of Ning Mu.

Although she was unwilling.

She could see that the person in charge of this place was indeed this young man before her.

The nun who had captured her earlier was so powerful, yet she was ranked below him and followed his lead.

Pusa Xiaoman also called him Master.

Clearly, she knew exactly who she should be talking to.

"Sir, I can tell you the secret method for finding Xiaoman, and I can also reveal some of Xiaoman's origins, but I will not tell you everything unless I can live; only then will I tell you all!"

"Additionally, I can also inform you of the method to cure this Demon Seed Blood Lotus!"

Wan Wu'er pondered in her heart, wanting to secure her own survival.

She was not stupid.

If she said all her secrets, the fate awaiting her would be no different from the Pusa Hai before her.

But if she kept some secrets, she might actually be able to live.

Ning Mu raised an eyebrow, did not respond, and just looked at her indifferently.

And at this moment.

Liu Qingmei, on the side, had already begun to open the System Black Market interface to search.

The items sold in the Black Market were extraordinary, mostly things unheard of in this world.

She wanted to see if there were any pills or items inside that could make people reveal secrets.

"The Demon Seed Blood Lotus on Xiaoman has an owner; as long as it is within the range of a prefecture or a city, my husband can sense it. Besides that, we have a tracking method; as long as the Demon Seed Blood Lotus still exists, we can use the tracking secret method to pinpoint its location, and naturally, we can find Xiaoman..."

"As for curing this Demon Seed Blood Lotus, it is extremely difficult, and I fear it will damage Xiaoman's body..."

Speaking of this, Wan Wu'er glanced at Ning Xiaoxiu, her eyes still radiating a few strands of care and heartache.

After living together for so many years, perhaps at certain moments, she really did treat the other as her own daughter.

But Ning Xiaoxiu clearly did not buy it.

How could a little bit of petty kindness and care withstand the fate of being treated as a medicine field?

Ning Xiaoxiu had her own judgment and trade-offs regarding what was light and what was heavy.

Ning Mu waved his hand, directly interrupting Wan Wu'er, and asked: "What about her origins?"

Wan Wu'er's brows twitched slightly upon hearing this, and she immediately said: "Seventeen years ago, her parents held very noble status in Qi, but later, her mother died, and before she passed, she entrusted her to me..."

"I can only tell you this much for now!"

"And if I say too much, it will be disadvantageous to her and to all of you!"

"Her life was exchanged for the life of my own young daughter, so... Xiaoman, can you say I don't care about you?"

"Pusa Xiaoman, this name was supposed to be my own biological daughter's!"

Wan Wu'er said, looking at Ning Xiaoxiu, her eyes full of grief.

It seemed as if she were recalling some sad past.

Ning Xiaoxiu was startled, her heart thumping wildly; hearing about her own background for the first time, she could not help but feel nervous.

But in the end, she still cast her gaze toward Ning Mu.

"Lock her in the dungeon!"

Ning Mu waved his hand.

Someone immediately came over and took Wan Wu'er away.

"Xiaoman, your illness must be treated early; it cannot be dragged on any longer!"

As she was leaving, Wan Wu'er suddenly turned her head, looked at Ning Xiaoxiu, and shouted.

Ning Xiaoxiu did not speak, only staying quietly behind Ning Mu.

"Young Master Ning, who is that person?"

At this moment.

Wei Youqing was seen coming up from below the steps, wiping her forehead, glancing at Wan Wu'er as they passed each other, and looking at Ning Mu with a face full of curiosity.

"A person from the Demon Sect of the Zhou Kingdom." Ning Mu did not hide it and told her directly.

Immediately.

He could not help but be startled.

Wei Youqing was covered in filth, and even her flawless, fair little face was stained with blood.

"What is this, Libationer Wei?"

Wei Youqing was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting that someone from the Demon Sect of the Zhou Kingdom would appear here.

This Xima Mountain was located in the southeastern border of Qi, at the intersection with the Chu Kingdom, a distance of one hundred and eight thousand miles away from the Zhou Kingdom.

How could the Demon Sect of the Zhou Kingdom come here?

It seems this youth, who could receive the protection of the seven-colored Literary Qi from the eyes of the Literary Saint, is not as simple as he appears before one's eyes.

Just as she was thinking this.

Hearing Ning Mu's inquiry, she smiled and waved her hand, saying casually: "Oh, it's nothing."

"I, Wei, often study medicine at the Academy, and my second master is the Dean of the Imperial Academy; I am slightly proficient in medical arts. Seeing so many wounded, I helped to tend to them. I am covered in filth, making a laughingstock of myself before Stronghold Master Ning."

Wei Youqing gave an embarrassed smile.

"Libationer Wei is also proficient in medical arts?" Ning Mu's eyes lit up, he exclaimed in praise, and gave a thumbs up.

And on the side.

Zhu Yaluan, who had been silent all along, was completely losing her mind!

What kind of background does this Ningyang Stronghold Master have? He is young, yet he can gain such favor from the former mistress of Cangjian Villa, not to mention being pampered in every way.

He also formed a feud with the Blood Lotus Sect of the Zhou Kingdom.

Listening to the conversation just now, that woman from the Blood Lotus Sect seemed to be the wife of the Blood Lotus Sect Master!

Plus this person before her...

Libationer.

Academy.

Imperial Academy...

As these terms popped into her ears, she immediately became nervous!

Throughout the world, apart from the Jixia Academy of Qi, no other country has the title of Libationer.

And to be able to take the Dean of the Imperial Academy as a master, and only as a second master...

Summarizing it this way.

This 'Libationer Wei' must be from the Jixia Academy, and to hold the position of Libationer at such a young age... thinking about it carefully, there is only one person!

Disciple of the Master.

Instructor Libation of Jixia Academy, Wei Youqing!

Gosh! Zhu Yaluan was completely numb.

This is a Disciple of the Master!

Even in front of the ruler of Qi, she is someone who can chat and laugh freely; she doesn't even need to kneel when seeing the Emperor.

And such a figure actually appeared in Ningyang Stronghold? And she seems to be extremely respectful toward this little Stronghold Master of Ningyang Stronghold! Could this Ning Mu... be some kind of prince?

Thinking about it carefully, only this status makes sense!

But how could someone with such a status settle down in this remote, barren place, far away from everything, and make a living by establishing a mountain stronghold? He has two True Person powerhouses to rely on and has an extraordinary relationship with the Instructor Libationer of Jixia Academy.

Such connections are enough to establish a significant family business in a large city or the imperial capital!

Even founding a sect would far exceed ordinary sects!

The tiny Yunxiao Stronghold is nothing but a bunch of rabble before him! Yet he came here to establish a stronghold and become a bandit? Zhu Yaluan could not understand it at all.

But what shocked and terrified her even more was.

What kind of monster has Yunxiao Stronghold offended!

No wonder the other party knew everything about her secret contact with Mi Zhao of the Zhenwu Army of the Chu Kingdom!

For such a figure, as long as he wants to know, what secret could be hidden from him?

Zhu Yaluan could not help but smile bitterly.

The trace of discouragement she originally had in her heart also completely vanished.

Losing to such a figure is not shameful! Wei Youqing smiled, her brows relaxing, and she waved her hand modestly: "I cannot be considered proficient; treating some external injuries is more than enough."

This was her being too modest.

With her current medical skills, she is far beyond most physicians in the Imperial Academy.

Even the Dean of the Imperial Academy has said many times that his subordinates are nothing but wine sacks and rice bags, mere mediocre people who eat the state's salary, when compared to her.

"Libationer Wei is kind-hearted; I am afraid I must trouble you," Ning Mu said with a smile.

"You are too polite," Wei Youqing waved his hand. "Even an ordinary person would lend a hand upon seeing this, let alone the fact that Stronghold Master Ning taking in disaster victims is a virtuous act. It is just... I ask that Stronghold Master Ning give it more consideration. My teacher has sent letters several times; if there is still no result, I am afraid I will have a hard time reporting back!"

"Moreover, if Stronghold Master Ning had the status of our Jixia Academy, why would you need to worry about last night's events happening again?"

"Within the borders of our Great Qi, no one dares to make things difficult for the Academy!"

Wei Youqing brought up the old topic again.

He was attempting to persuade Ning Mu to join the Jixia Academy.

While speaking, he even glanced at Zhu Yaluan.

Zhu Yaluan was so frightened that she lowered her head immediately, her expression looking very ugly!

Damn it.

If I had known that this tiny Ningyang Stronghold was friends with you, a Libationer of the Jixia Academy, I would never have dared to attack rashly, no matter what!

Zhu Yaluan felt bitter in her heart.

Yet she dared not look the other party in the eye.

Ning Mu waved his hand and smiled, saying, "No matter, no matter. It was just that Stronghold Master Zhu was young and ignorant. I imagine such things will not happen again in the future. Still, many thanks to Libationer Wei for stepping in to help."

"After a busy night, everyone is tired. Why don't we have breakfast and then return to our rooms to rest!"

Ning Mu smiled and found an excuse to dismiss everyone.

He was afraid that if they kept talking, this Wei Youqing would pester him to join the Academy again.

Since Ning Mu had spoken, everyone naturally agreed.

Having failed to persuade him, Wei Youqing felt somewhat regretful and looked back three times with every step, feeling unwilling to give up.

As for Zhu Yaluan, she had also become much more honest and well-behaved, and under the personal guidance of Liu Qingmei, she went to the backyard to pick a room.

"Ning-lang, this nun wants to live on the second floor!"

At this moment.

Liuli glanced at the back of the departing Liu Qingmei, then stared at Ning Mu with some resentment.

Her tone was resolute.

One could hear how deep her inner jealousy and sourness were.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingmei paused her steps and looked back at Liuli, her eyes containing a hint of playfulness, though she said nothing.

Tong Yuyue was also stunned, her gaze toward Liuli carrying a hint of strangeness.

The once high and unreachable Divine Nun had now transformed into a jealous, petty, infatuated woman... such a change was simply shocking! There were only three rooms on the second floor in total.

Ning Mu, Liu Qingmei, and Tong Yuyue each had one, leaving no space for Liuli.

But since Liuli made such a request, Ning Mu could not ignore it.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "There is no room on the second floor; how about the third floor? Xiaoya, you all tidy up the rooms on the third floor and let the Reverend move in."

"Very well, Young Master." Liu Xiaoya nodded.

Liuli frowned, feeling somewhat unhappy, but since Ning Mu had said so, she had no choice but to agree.

Yet she was holding back a breath of frustration in her heart! Just as Liuli was feeling jealous and secretly annoyed, Ning Mu suddenly reached out, wrapped his arm around her slender, supple waist, and then grinned, looking at everyone and saying loudly:

"From now on, the Reverend is your Three Wives, the Fourth Leader of Ningyang Stronghold!"

(End of this chapter)