Chapter 287: You Regret, I Am the Shadow

Leaving Song Family Mountain City, Gu Qing turned around to look at the women following him.

Zhu Yuyan despised everything equally; Shan Wanjing openly defied her grandmother; Weng Weng tiptoed through life; Shi Feixuan and Du Gu Feng began to clash; as for Li Xiuning, she had become a ghost at Gu Qing's side—perhaps intimidated by the Yin Hou's reputation, she always behaved with rigid propriety, never daring to meet Gu Qing's gaze.

Song Yuhua remained temporarily at Song Family Mountain City.

Gu Qing's cooperation with Song Que had been settled; he had told Song Que everything about shattering the void, and their alliance was firmly grounded.

"Grand Master Gu, just ahead, our Dongming Sect's ship awaits."

Shan Wanjing called out as she saw Gu Qing stop.

Gu Qing followed Shan Wanjing's gesture to the riverbank, where a towering tower-ship stood; aboard it, a woman with a balanced figure and a veiled face descended, bowing gracefully before Gu Qing, her long neck exposed before his eyes.

This gesture was nearly identical to the way Weng Weng had once seduced Gu Qing.

"Mei Xian greets Grand Master Gu."

Dongming Lady Shan Meixian's voice was soft and supple, laced with submission.

Zhu Yuyan's expression turned icy.

Gu Qing extended his hand, using his strength to lift Dongming Lady to her feet; Shan Meixian's gaze swept over Zhu Yuyan, then said, "The Yin Hou has been barren for years—suddenly irrigated, she's sprouted new shoots."

Even if Shan Meixian disliked Zhu Yuyan, she could not deny that Zhu Yuyan now looked radiant and youthful.

"Must you all speak to me like this?"

Zhu Yuyan asked coldly; her daughter's and granddaughter's attitudes were unbearable.

Shan Meixian ignored her, greeting Shi Feixuan, Weng Weng, and the others under Shan Wanjing's lead; when she saw Li Xiuning, she smiled in return, then guided everyone aboard the tower-ship, watching as Shan Wanjing displayed the severed head of Bian Bu Fu.

"It is indeed him."

Shan Meixian closed her eyes slightly, revealing the sweet satisfaction of long-awaited vengeance.

Inside the tower-ship, Gu Qing sat at the head; Shan Meixian thanked him again, then asked whether the Dongming Sect had any role to play in the current state of the world.

"Though the Dongming Sect has long dwelled beyond the seas, our weapons are among the finest in the world; every major sect and clan in the Central Plains is secretly preparing. Grand Master Gu, though invincible, must beware the treachery of men's hearts."

Shan Meixian stepped before Gu Qing and offered tea, saying, "Grand Master Gu, you are upright and beloved for your chivalry; all under heaven call you a hero. But the Demon Cult is no good thing—your close ties with the Yin Hou will tarnish your reputation for righteousness."

These words were clear and sharp; Shi Feixuan's heart stirred, and she glanced covertly at the Yin Hou—only to see her face flushed with fury.

"Grand Master Gu, have you ever heard of the Eight Guilds and Ten Schools?"

Shan Meixian stood gracefully before Gu Qing, leaning slightly forward, her full bosom hanging low, drawing the eye and commanding attention, forcing Gu Qing to listen.

"Of course I have."

Gu Qing replied coolly; these were basic forces in the Jianghu—the Great Whale Guild belonged to the Du Gu Clan, the Water Dragon Guild and Sea Sand Guild to the Song and Yuwen Clans, and so on.

"The Demon Cult controls the Balin Guild."

Shan Meixian said: "The Balin Guild traffics women and children—it is the most despised in the Jianghu."

Shan Meixian stepped before Gu Qing and began exposing Zhu Yuyan's past sins; Gu Qing's expression darkened, and he turned a sharp gaze toward Zhu Yuyan.

"I understand."

Zhu Yuyan lowered her head slightly and said: "The Demon Cult appears unified, but it is divided into two factions and six sects. I can control the Yin Gui Sect, but not the others. The Yin Gui Sect can cut off such activities—henceforth, if such things occur, they will not concern us."

Zhu Yuyan's attitude was unexpectedly compliant. Shan Meixian and Shan Wanjing both stared at her, astonished by her bowed, meek demeanor.

"Merely restraining the Balin Guild is not enough."

Gu Qing looked at Zhu Yuyan and said: "Can you eradicate the entire Balin Guild?"

Eradicate the Balin Guild?

Gu Qing merely had to speak, and Zhu Yuyan's mind raced ahead; now that he had said "eradicate the Balin Guild," she began weighing the consequences and the future position of the Demon Cult.

"If Master wishes to destroy the Balin Guild, we can lend our strength."

Du Gu Feng immediately raised her hand.

The Du Gu Clan held great power in the Jianghu, and Du Gu Feng, feeling secure behind Gu Qing's back, felt fearless—Koryo had been crushed; eradicating the Balin Guild would be even easier.

"Be silent!"

Shi Feixuan cut her off instantly.

This was an opportunity to humiliate the Yin Hou; Shi Feixuan did not want Du Gu Feng to interfere.

!

Du Gu Feng glanced at Shi Feixuan, then sat upright with Shi Feixuan's own composed demeanor—this only made Shi Feixuan feel increasingly uneasy.

"The Balin Guild can certainly be destroyed."

Zhu Yuyan said: "But if we lose this source of silver and gold…" She looked toward the Dongming Sect: "The Holy Sect must cooperate with the Dongming Sect."

That lost nourishment must be recovered.

"Impossible!"

Shan Meixian refused outright.

Zhu Yuyan frowned, watching Gu Qing sit there coldly indifferent; as she scanned the room, she realized with shock that she had alienated everyone—no one spoke for her; all watched in cold silence, awaiting the next move.

Zhu Yuyan did not look at Gu Qing; she knew him too well—he had clear boundaries, and the existence of the Balin Guild had crossed them.

"I understand."

Zhu Yuyan lowered her eyes and said: "I will lead the Yin Gui Sect to destroy the Balin Guild."

At these words, the women's expressions eased; after days of being dominated by the Yin Hou, Shan Meixian's move had forced her to retreat.

"But Meixian, our two houses can still cooperate."

Zhu Yuyan turned to Shan Meixian; the Dongming Sect was a major Jianghu force, its weapons coveted by all four clans, and now, as the world teetered on the brink of chaos, it was the most sought-after.

"Deal with the Balin Guild first."

Shan Meixian replied coldly.

Hearing this, Zhu Yuyan walked to the door; seeing every woman in the room eager for her to leave, she snorted and said: "Meixian, you will regret this!" Then she slammed the door and departed. She had to act quickly on the Balin Guild's affairs and return before long—otherwise, while she was gone, Gu Qing's circle might descend into chaos.

Shan Meixian smiled faintly at this.

"Zhu Yuyan, I am the mistress here!"

(End of Chapter)