Chapter 1007

Yan Boguang and his sister escorted Xue Lingjun to the rear courtyard; the Gu Shan Temple had been abandoned for a long time, with no monks residing inside, and weeds filled the rear courtyard. Yan Boguang saw that although the main gate was ablaze and the fire had already spread to both side walls, the flames had not yet reached the rear courtyard. Even more delightful to him was a small gate in the rear courtyard; he pointed at it and said, "Let's leave through here!"

Translation: Yan Boguang and his sister escorted Xue Lingjun to the rear courtyard. The Lonely Mountain Temple had been abandoned for a long time; no monks resided inside, and weeds filled the rear courtyard. Yan Boguang noticed that although the main gate was ablaze and the fire had already spread to both side walls, the flames had not yet reached the rear courtyard. What delighted him even more was that there was a small gate in the rear courtyard. Yan Boguang pointed at it and said, "Let's leave through here!"

weeds filled the rear courtyard

Yan Nujiao said, "Didn't Sir Hu say to let us wait for him here?"

Translation: Yan Nujiao said, "Sir Hu didn't say to wait for him here?"

Didn't Sir Hu say we should wait for him here?

Yan Boguang said, "If we don't leave now, we might not be able to get away later." He had other plans in mind, taking advantage of Hu Xiaotian holding off the pursuers, they could use this opportunity to flee Gu Shan Temple. Yan Boguang was no fool; even if he managed to escape by luck today, he couldn't guarantee that Hu Xiaotian wouldn't come after him for revenge—Du Tianhuo needed to hide, the Blade Demon needed to hide, and Hu Xiaotian also needed to hide.

Translation: Yan Boguang said, "If we don't leave now, we might not be able to get away later." He had other plans in mind, taking advantage of Hu Xiaotian holding off the pursuers, they could use this chance to leave the Lonely Mountain Temple. Yan Boguang was no fool; even if he managed to escape today, he couldn't guarantee that Hu Xiaotian wouldn't come after him for revenge—Du Tianhuo needed to hide, the Blade Demon needed to hide, and Hu Xiaotian needed to hide as well.

Du Tianhuo needs to hide, the Blade Demon needs to hide, and Hu Xiaotian also needs to hide.

Xue Lingjun asked, "How can you be sure there are no ambushes outside?" As her words fell, she saw a golden arc shoot straight into the heavens from the night sky, then burst into a five-colored firework. Her gaze was drawn to the firework, and she exclaimed delightedly, "Reinforcements have arrived!"

Translation: Xue Lingjun said, "How can you be sure there's no ambush outside?" As soon as she finished speaking, she saw a golden arc shoot straight into the heavens in the night sky, then burst into a five-colored firework. Her gaze was drawn to the firework, and she exclaimed delightedly, "Reinforcements have arrived!"

a five-colored firework

Hearing that reinforcements had arrived, Yan Boguang and his sister secretly rejoiced, lifted their heads to gaze at the night sky, hoping someone would come to their rescue.

Translation: Hearing that reinforcements had arrived, Yan Boguang and his sister also felt secretly delighted, looked up at the night sky, hoping someone would come to their rescue.

Xue Lingjun took a five-colored cloud-piercing arrow from her waist, lit the fuse, and shot it again into the night sky as a response.

Translation: Xue Lingjun took a five-colored cloud-piercing arrow from her waist, lit the fuse, and shot it again into the night sky as a response.

Not long after, a black shadow appeared above them—a magnificent snow vulture. The snow vulture was huge, with a wingspan of about two zhang (roughly four meters), and a white-clad man rode on its back, his sharp eyes constantly scanning the landscape below. The burning Gu Shan Temple stood out starkly in the night.

Translation: Not long after, a black shadow appeared above them—it was a handsome snow eagle. The snow eagle was huge, with a wingspan of about two zhang. A white-clad man rode on its back, his sharp eyes constantly scanning the scenery below. The burning Lonely Mountain Temple stood out starkly in the night.

Fearing they might be missed, Xue Lingjun waved her hands continuously; at this moment her mental state seemed to have recovered considerably.

Translation: Xue Lingjun, fearing they might be missed, waved her arms continuously; her mental state seemed to have recovered considerably.

Yan Boguang and his sister, knowing that reinforcements had arrived, joined in the shouting.

Translation: Yan Boguang and his sister, knowing the reinforcements had arrived, also joined in shouting.

The white-clad man curled his lips in a knowing smile, maneuvering the snow vulture to glide down. The snow vulture swooped low, not choosing to land, but as it skimmed the ground, the man reached out and seized Xue Lingjun's arm, pulling her onto its back; the snow vulture immediately rose. Its vibrating wings flashed like a meteor as it shot into the dark night sky.

Translation: The white-clad man curled his lips in a knowing smile, maneuvered the snow eagle to glide down. The snow eagle swooped down, not choosing to land, but as it skimmed close to the ground, the man reached out and grabbed Xue Lingjun's arm, pulling her onto the eagle's back. The snow eagle immediately rose, its vibrating wings flashing like a meteor into the dark night sky.

Yan Boguang and his sister slowly lowered their waving arms, their faces filled with astonishment that turned to disappointment. Yan Boguang stared at the snow vulture, now just a white dot in the night sky, and gritted his teeth, saying, "No loyalty—you just abandoned us and fled!"

Translation: Yan Boguang and his sister slowly lowered their waving arms, both faces filled with astonishment, which turned into disappointment. Yan Boguang watched the snow eagle shrink to a white dot in the night sky, gritted his teeth, and said, "No loyalty at all—just abandoning us and fleeing!"

Yan Nujiao also felt disappointed, but she was not as agitated as her brother. She whispered, "Sir Hu hasn't left either..."

Translation: Although Yan Nujiao also felt disappointed in her heart, she was not as agitated as her brother. She whispered, "Sir Hu hasn't left either..."

Yan Boguang said, "If we leave, they won't care whether we live or die." He lifted his gaze to the night sky; the snow vulture had vanished completely. Filled with resentment, he declared, "Widow-heartless, ** unrighteous. Today I have witnessed it all."

Translation: Yan Boguang said, "If we leave, they won't care whether we live or die." He looked up at the night sky; the snow eagle had completely vanished. Full of resentment, he said, "Heartless widow, ** unrighteous. Today I've seen it all."

** unrighteous

Yan Nujiao snapped, "Second brother, a single snow vulture can't carry that many people; perhaps she went to fetch reinforcements—why curse her like that?"

Translation: Yan Nujiao snapped, "Second brother, a single snow eagle can't carry that many people; maybe she went to get reinforcements. Why curse her like that?"

Yan Boguang said, "Just you being kind. Now we've been abandoned; let's go. Even now there's still a slim chance."

Translation: Yan Boguang said, "Just you being kind-hearted. We've been abandoned; let's go. There's still a slim chance if we leave now."

Yan Nujiao said, "Since we promised to stand together, we must follow through; a person cannot go back on their word."

Translation: Yan Nujiao said, "Since we promised to share the same boat with them, we must follow through; a person cannot go back on their word."

Seeing his sister's firm resolve, Yan Boguang could only stomp his feet in frustration. After hesitating a moment, he finally made up his mind: "You stay; I'm leaving." He then headed toward the rear gate on his own.

Translation: Seeing his sister so stubborn, Yan Boguang could only stomp his feet in frustration. After hesitating a moment, he finally made up his mind: "You stay; I'm going!" He then turned and walked toward the back gate himself.

Yan Nujiao said, "Second brother, there may still be ambushes outside; staying here might actually be safer."

Translation: Yan Nujiao said, "Second brother, there might still be an ambush outside; staying here might actually be safer."

Yan Boguang ignored her advice, walking faster and faster. As he pulled open the courtyard gate, a flash of light and shadow met him—he was struck in the chest by a single palm from someone lying in ambush. He cried out, flew backward, and landed with a splash in the mire.

Translation: Yan Boguang ignored her advice altogether, walking faster and faster. Just as he pulled open the courtyard gate, a flash of light and shadow met him—he was struck in the chest by a palm from someone lying in ambush there. He cried out, flew backward, and landed with a splat in the mire.

Yan Nujiao exclaimed, "Second brother!"

Translation: Yan Nujiao exclaimed, "Second brother!"

She raised her right hand, and a sleeve-arrow shot swiftly at the attacker; the arrow's gleam flashed and vanished, like a stone sinking into the sea, leaving no trace. A ghostly black shadow drifted in—a woman with a deathly pale face, clad in a black robe and a black veil, her complexion utterly bloodless, extraordinarily pallid. The appearance of such an eerie woman on this night sent chills down one's spine.

Translation: She raised her right hand, and a sleeve arrow shot silently toward the attacker; its light flashed and vanished like a stone sinking into the sea, leaving no trace. A ghostly black shadow drifted in—it was a woman with an ashen face, dressed in a black robe and wearing a black veil, her complexion utterly devoid of color, deathly pale. The appearance of such an eerie woman on such a night sent chills down one's spine.

Yan Boguang noticed that the woman's feet weren't stepping; she seemed to glide along. He shuddered, backing away repeatedly, and trembled, "You… what exactly are you—human or ghost?"

Translation: Yan Boguang noticed that the woman's feet weren't moving; she was gliding toward him. He shuddered, backing away repeatedly, and stammered, "You… what exactly are you—human or ghost?"

Yan Nujiao, showing even more courage than her brother, bit her lip and said, "Stop pretending to be a ghost!" She shook her arm and fired another sleeve-arrow.

Translation: Yan Nujiao, on the contrary, showed even more bravery than her brother. She bit her cherry lips and said, "Stop pretending to be a god or ghost!" She flicked her wrist, and another sleeve arrow shot out.

The black-clad woman twisted and slipped like a spirit snake; the sleeve-arrow flew past her side. Her cold, gloomy eyes fixed on Yan Nujiao as she said, "You wretched girl, return my son's life!" This woman was Miaoying Hong, wife of the ruthless Du Tianhuo. Although not an inner disciple of the Banmen sect, she was a poison expert, and after marriage she learned many poison techniques from her husband. Though not famous in the jianghu, her skill was on par with the top ten disciples of the Northern Swamp Old Monster. Their only son had been killed by Yan Nujiao, plunging both into grief; they vowed to scour the ends of the earth to avenge him.

Translation: The black-clad woman's body twisted like a spirit serpent; the sleeve arrow flew past her side. Her cold gaze fixed on Yan Nujiao as she said, "You wretched girl, return my son's life!" This woman was the wife of Merciless Water and Fire Du Tianhuo, Miao Yinghong. Although she was not a direct disciple of the Variegated Gate, she was also a poison expert; after marriage she learned many poison techniques from her husband. Though she lacked fame in the jianghu, her true skill was on par with the ten chief disciples of the Northern Marsh Old Monster. Their only son had been killed by Yan Nujiao, leaving both grief-stricken; they naturally vowed to scour the ends of the earth to find Yan Nujiao and avenge their son.

Yan Nujiao drew her curved blade and lunged at Miaoying Hong, delivering a slash. Miaoying Hong, light as a swimming fish with agile footwork, easily dodged the strike and struck Yan Nujiao in the back with a palm, sending her stumbling backward. However, Miaoying Hong's internal strength seemed shallow; the blow only pushed her back, not enough to injure her.

Translation: Yan Nujiao drew her curved blade and charged at Miao Yinghong, slashing downward. Miao Yinghong moved like a swimming fish, her steps agile; she easily dodged Yan Nujiao's strike. A palm struck Yan Nujiao's back, sending her stumbling backward. However, Miao Yinghong's internal strength seemed shallow; the blow only pushed her back, not enough to injure her.

At that moment, Yan Boguang also rose from the ground. Taking advantage of Miaoying Hong's attack on his sister, he threw a punch at her back. When his fist contacted her body, it felt as if she were smeared with oil—offering no resistance—and his fist slid off to the side with a hiss.

Translation: At that moment, Yan Boguang also climbed to his feet. Taking advantage of Miao Yinghong attacking his sister, he threw a punch at her back. His fist contacted her body, but it felt as if she were smeared with oil—no force transferred at all, and his fist slipped away with a hiss.

Miaoying Hong turned to grab Yan Boguang's throat, but Yan Nujiao steadied her stance and slashed again. The siblings attacked from left and right, forcing Miaoying Hong to retreat step by step. Yan Boguang realized that her skill lay only in her movement; her martial arts were at best third-rate. He shouted, "Sister, let's kill this phony ghost old demon!"

Translation: Miao Yinghong turned to grab Yan Boguang's throat; at that moment, Yan Nujiao steadied her footing and swung her blade again. The siblings attacked from left and right, forcing Miao Yinghong to retreat step by step. Yan Boguang realized that Miao Yinghong's skill lay only in her movement; her martial arts were at most third-rate. He felt encouraged and shouted, "Sister, let's kill this pretentious old demoness!"

Miaoying Hong fought while retreating, but the siblings grew bolder with each exchange. Although none of their strikes touched her garment, they drove her into a corner of the courtyard wall, where she seemed to have no escape. Yan Boguang signaled his sister, and they decided to launch a simultaneous assault to crush her completely. As they both stepped forward, the ground beneath them suddenly gave way; they realized Miaoying Hong had lured them into a pre‑laid pit while she retreated.

Translation: Miao Yinghong fought while retreating, but the siblings grew braver with each exchange. Although their successive strikes never touched the hem of her robe, they drove her back into a corner of the courtyard wall. Seeing that she had nowhere left to retreat, Yan Boguang gave his sister a look, signaling a simultaneous assault to crush her completely. They both stepped forward—yet the ground beneath them suddenly gave way; they had been lured into a pre-prepared pit by Miao Yinghong's feigned retreat.

Realizing too late that they had been tricked, the siblings cried out in unison and fell into the dry well, which was about five zhang deep (roughly ten meters). Fortunately the bottom was soft, so they did not suffer serious injury.

Translation: The siblings realized too late that they had fallen into a trap; they cried out in unison and tumbled down, landing in a dry well five zhang deep. Fortunately, the bottom was soft, so they did not suffer serious injury.

Miaoying Hong stood at the edge of the dry well, giving a weird, heh‑heh laugh like an owl's screech—piercing and unpleasant.

Translation: Miao Yinghong stood at the edge of the dry well, giving a strange heh-heh laugh, like an owl's screech in the night—piercing and unpleasant.

Yan Boguang roared, "Old hag, your scheming tricks have trapped us—what kind of hero are you?"

Translation: Yan Boguang roared, "Old hag, your scheming plots have trapped us—what kind of hero are you?"

Miaoying Hong sneered, "I was never a hero to begin with, you wretched girl. You killed my son; I will tear your body to ten thousand pieces, crush your bones and scatter your ashes to quell my hatred."

Translation: Miao Yinghong sneered, "I was never a hero to begin with, you wretched girl—you killed my son. I will crush your body into ten thousand pieces, grind your bones to ashes, and scatter them to quell the hatred in my heart."

Yan Nujiao looked upward and said, "Each person bears responsibility for their own actions; you harmed my brother—if you want to kill someone, kill me instead."

Translation: Yan Nujiao looked up and said, "One who does the deed bears the responsibility; you've harmed my brother—what's that to you? If you want to kill someone, kill me!"

Miaoying Hong laughed wildly, "Killing you? That would be far too lenient. Even if I killed you, my son wouldn't come back." Overcome with grief, her intestines felt torn apart; she burst into sobs, choked twice, then managed to stop crying and declared, "You will all die, but I won't let you die so easily."

Translation: Miao Yinghong laughed maniacally, "Killing you? That would be far too lenient! Even if I killed you, my son wouldn't come back..." Overcome with grief, she burst into wailing sobs, choking twice before she could stop, then said, "You're all going to die, but I won't let you die so easily."

A misty rain fell from the air, and Yan Boguang seemed to smell a faint fragrance, not knowing what it was, he inhaled deeply. Yan Nujiao also sensed something off and warned him anxiously, "It seems poisonous—don't breathe it in!" Despite hearing her, Yan Boguang quickly covered his nose with his hand, but the scent still permeated every opening and entered his nostrils.

Translation: A misty rain fell from the sky; Yan Boguang seemed to smell a faint fragrance, not knowing what it was, he inhaled deeply. Yan Nujiao also sensed something off and hurriedly warned him, "It seems poisonous—don't breathe it in!" Despite hearing her, Yan Boguang quickly covered his nose with his hand, but the scent still seeped into his nostrils.

Miaoying Hong said, "This is called the Seven‑Degree Peach Blossom Rain—doesn't the name sound lovely? It is one of the most potent aphrodisiacs in the world; merely smelling it sets one's loins ablaze, and if one happens to be drenched by the Seven‑Degree Peach Blossom Rain, the effect intensifies. All filial bonds—father‑daughter, brother‑sister, mother‑son—are cast aside. Boguang, with such a beautiful sister before you, aren't you moved at all?"

Translation: Miao Yinghong said, "This is called the Seven Degrees Peach Blossom Rain—doesn't the name sound lovely? It's one of the most potent aphrodisiacs in the world; merely smelling it ignites lustful fire, and if one happens to be drenched by the Seven Degrees Peach Blossom Rain, the effect grows even stronger. All filial bonds—father and daughter, brothers and sisters, mother and son—are cast aside. Yan Boguang, with such a beautiful sister before you, how could you not be moved?"

Hearing Miaoying Hong's words, Yan Boguang's face turned pale with fright, and he shouted, "You wretched woman, you shamelessly devised such a vicious plot to revenge us—watch out for heavenly thunder and lightning!"

Translation: Upon hearing Miao Yinghong's words, Yan Boguang turned pale all over and shouted, "You shameless wretch, actually thinking up such a vicious scheme to retaliate against us—watch out for heavenly thunder and earthly fire!"

Miaoying Hong replied coldly, "What does heavenly thunder and lightning matter? As long as I can avenge my son, I will do anything, no matter how crazy. If one is affected by the Seven‑Degree Peach Blossom Rain, the only way to neutralize the poison is to engage in sexual intercourse within three hours; otherwise, death is the only outcome."

Translation: Miao Yinghong coldly replied, "What does heavenly thunder and earthly fire matter? As long as I can avenge my son, I'll do anything, no matter how crazy. If one is affected by the Seven Degrees Peach Blossom Rain, the only cure is to engage in sexual union within three hours; otherwise, there is only a dead end."

Yan Nujiao remained silent, gazing up at the rim of the dry well. Suddenly she raised her curved blade to slash her own throat, but just as she lifted it, a black whip lashed down from above, snatching the blade from her hand and pulling it upward.

Translation: Yan Nujiao remained silent, gazing up at the dry well's rim. Suddenly she raised her curved blade to slash her own neck—but just as she lifted it, a black whip lashed down from above, snatching the blade from her hand and pulling it upward.

Yan Nujiao trembled and said, "You are so vicious…"

Translation: Yan Nujiao trembled as she said, "You are so vicious..."

Miaoying Hong said, "Wanting to die isn't that easy; even if you died, it would be the same. One who has taken the Seven‑Degree Peach Blossom Rain becomes a beast with boiling lust, caring neither whether you are his legitimate sister nor whether you are dead or alive."

Translation: Miao Yinghong said, "Wanting to die isn't that easy; even if you died, it would be the same. One who has taken the Seven Degrees Peach Blossom Rain becomes a beast with boiling bloodlust, caring neither whether you are her legitimate sister nor whether you are dead or alive."

Yan Nujiao clenched her lips, tears silently welling in her beautiful eyes.

Translation: Yan Nujiao clenched her cherry lips, tears silently welling in her beautiful eyes.

Yan Boguang leaned back against the wall, his eyes meeting his sister's; he instantly understood what she was thinking. He shook his head and said, "It's fine… we can endure this… we'll be all right." He was now no different from a living eunuch; even if he had taken the Seven‑Degree Peach Blossom Rain, he could not possibly commit such a mad act. Yet he knew better: once the drug took effect, he would lose all control over his actions.

Translation: Yan Boguang leaned against the wall, his eyes meeting his sister's; he immediately understood what she was thinking. He shook his head and said, "It's fine… we can hold out… we'll be all right." He was now no different from a living eunuch; even if he ingested the Seven Degrees Peach Blossom Rain, he could not possibly do such a crazy thing. Yet he knew better: once the drug took effect, he would lose control of his actions.

Yan Nujiao whispered, "Second brother, before the drug takes effect, let us kill ourselves… she cannot do anything to us…"

Translation: Yan Nujiao whispered, "Second brother, before the drug takes effect, let's kill ourselves… she can't do anything to us…"

Yan Boguang shook his head desperately; he did not want to die, and as long as there was a sliver of hope, he refused to give up.

Translation: Yan Boguang shook his head desperately; he did not want to die, and as long as there was a sliver of hope, he would not give up.

First Update delivered, today I will continue to repay debts, saying a sentence not afraid to offend other authors—there aren't many sincere hearts as kind as Lao Zhangyu's! (To be continued~^~)