Chapter 364: The Toad Demon Wang Daoling

Deep night, Shuangcha Alley.

Gu Qing came here and gently knocked on the door; soon, light footsteps approached, and Xiao Qing opened the door. Seeing Gu Qing, her eyes brightened, and she stepped forward, saying, "Why are you here?"

Gu Qing lightly wrapped his arm around her slender waist, noticing her disheveled hair and slanted hairpin, her gaze glistening; he tightened his hold and said, "I missed you."

At his words, Xiao Qing's body softened, her gaze gentle, her breath brushing against Gu Qing's cheek.

She was a woman consumed by passion; she and Gu Qing had long been mutually devoted, but lately, whenever she went to see him, Bai Suzhen was always nearby, and the matter of her venom weighed heavily on her heart, making her dare not take another step forward. Now, hearing just one phrase—"I missed you"—she forgot everything else, surrendering willingly as Gu Qing kissed her.

Her tongue was naturally agile; as Gu Qing tasted it, he felt the difference of her non-human nature.

They kissed for a long time until Xiao Qing grew dizzy and breathless, at which point Gu Qing released her. He looked at her limp, melting form in his arms and murmured, "You're so fragrant—everywhere you are."

Gu Qing's body had become a Dao body, pure and flawless, enhanced by the Great Method of Sowing the Demon in the Dao Heart, and saturated with yang energy from the Ninefold Sunlight Scripture—his presence stirred an irresistible longing in Xiao Qing's demon core and spirit. Her gaze grew hazy, and she clung entirely to him.

"Do you want it?"

Xiao Qing whispered teasingly into Gu Qing's ear, sensing his arousal.

"Not yet."

Gu Qing suppressed his desire and whispered, "Before we face Fahai in battle, he'll be watching us constantly—perhaps even using his golden bowl to spy on our meetings now."

At this, Xiao Qing snorted, clearly displeased.

Fahai, staying at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, also snorted. How could such carnal desires stir his spirit?

He didn't even want to look!

"I came tonight partly to see your sister."

Gu Qing whispered, "I need to ask her about something."

Bai Suzhen was a formidable figure—she knew the origins and whereabouts of every treasure in the land. Gu Qing wanted to consult her about the locations of high-quality jade and rare artifacts, so he could precisely seek alms.

"You're always thinking of her."

Xiao Qing felt a pang of jealousy.

"Helping your sister is helping you too."

Gu Qing soothed her: "You two are close sisters, and she's destined to become an immortal…" His flattery satisfied her; she nodded lightly and led him inside.

"Master Gu, great news, great news…"

A voice came from the void.

Gu Qing looked around, then suddenly realized, clasped his fists, and said, "Greetings, Lord of the Night Patrol."

The Day and Night Patrols belonged to the City God Temple's Office of Inspection. Gu Qing had always been respectful at the temple, cultivating relationships with all the deities—he called the City God and the Twenty-Four Office Masters brothers, and the lesser yin spirits were his friends. Now, after his bow, he asked, "What's the great news that brings the Lord of the Night Patrol here?"

"A Daoist named Wang Daoling is poisoning your chidixiang. If it's sold tomorrow, you'll be dragged into court."

The Night Patrol hurriedly said.

Wang Daoling?

How did this toad demon come to Hangzhou?

In the original story, Xu Xian was exiled to Suzhou over a silver case, and the toad demon Wang Daoling was there, poisoning Suzhou's wells while selling antidotes to extort money. After Bai Suzhen thwarted his plot, he deceived the Martial God Zhao Xuantan into granting him three talismans to kill her.

"Thank you, Lord of the Night Patrol."

Gu Qing thanked him, then asked for Wang Daoling's location.

Wang Daoling was a toad demon, yet also a Mao Shan Daoist who wielded true Daoist methods—he had nearly purified himself, and only Bai Suzhen had repeatedly defeated him.

"Wang Daoling is at Zhenjue Temple."

The Night Patrol fully reported, then his voice faded.

Inside Zhenjue Temple.

Wang Daoling was fast asleep on his bed when suddenly he heard a rustling outside the courtyard. He jolted awake, reached for the bag of prepared chidixiang beside him—and found it gone. Alarmed and furious, he heard the crackling sound outside—the unmistakable noise of chidixiang burning. He threw on his Daoist robe, flung open the door, and saw a young man standing in the courtyard.

It was late spring; the crescent moon half-hidden.

In the dim night, Wang Daoling saw one man and two women dumping his chidixiang. The young man was reciting poetry, claiming Zhenjue Temple had once been visited by Su Dongpo, who wrote "Appreciating the Fragrant Flower at Zhenjue"—a poem Wang Daoling had never heard. The two women laughed merrily.

"What are you doing?"

Wang Daoling shouted angrily.

If these were thieves, they would have fled in terror—but the man and two women remained calm, lifting their heads to look at Wang Daoling.

"We were going to swap them out."

The man looked up and said, "Didn't expect you to wake up."

Swap them out?

Wang Daoling narrowed his eyes, activated his power, and saw the man radiating brilliant light—clear, mirror-like, radiant as the sun. Beside him stood two women, one in white—the very Bai Suzhen who had once humiliated him.

In his youth, Wang Daoling had been a toad demon, cultivating in the mountains and harassing snake spirits—until Bai Suzhen appeared and gave him a brutal lesson.

Now seeing her again, along with his chidixiang, old grudges and new anger surged in his heart. He cried, "Fate brings enemies together—we'll settle all our scores now!"

As he spoke, he opened his mouth wide, preparing to transform into a toad.

"Wait!"

The man raised his hand, stopping Wang Daoling.

"What now?"

Wang Daoling's gaze turned cold. The man's face was strikingly handsome—even Wang Daoling felt a pang of desire. If he were still cultivating in Jincheng, he would have devoured this man. But now, having left Jincheng, outgrown his childishness, and obtained Daoist talismans, this Gu Qing posed a real threat.

"You poisoned my chidixiang—and now you ask me what?"

The man looked at Wang Daoling and said, "I'm about to strike."

"So you're Gu Qing."

Wang Daoling finally learned his name. He chuckled and shook his head. "You're merely a novice with a mortal body—you're no match for me. But if you're willing to make chidixiang for me, I'll spare your life."

Wang Daoling greatly admired Gu Qing's talent.

"Very well."

Gu Qing raised both hands to his forehead, fixed his gaze on Wang Daoling, and said, "I'll use only one strike. If you can withstand it, from now on, I'll make chidixiang for you… but watch closely!"

Wang Daoling studied Gu Qing.

Far away, Fahai, watching through his golden bowl, now regarded Gu Qing with greater seriousness.

"Strike!"

Wang Daoling drew a deep breath, his belly swelling as he braced himself, watching as Gu Qing opened his hands wide.

"Sun Fist!"

Gu Qing's Golden Core blazed with light, flooding the surroundings in brilliance. Even with Wang Daoling's formidable power, his vision blurred completely, direction lost.

Truly—blinding.

Fahai, watching through the golden bowl, shielded his eyes with his hand.

"Crack!"

Gu Qing struck with brutal force!

(End of Chapter)