Chapter 39: with translation of chapter title

Finally, the long-robed person stopped before a heavy stone door and shoved it open forcefully.

What assailed them was not the expected stench of blood but a faint, delicate fragrance mixed with the scent of powder and cosmetics.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted—the room's furnishings were unmistakably those of a lady's boudoir!

The long-robed person clasped his hands respectfully before the screen at the room's center:

"Leader, I've brought the person."

"You may withdraw."

The long-robed person bowed and retreated, and the heavy stone door closed once more.

Behind the screen, a figure slowly emerged—a woman dressed in a light purple gown.

Jiang Xiaomu never imagined that the leader of the Ghost Face Army, who killed like cutting grass and was ruthless, would actually be a woman!

The woman ignored Jiang Xiaomu's surprise, instead walking straight to the table, sitting down, and pouring herself a cup of tea:

"I said we would meet again."

"How is that possible?" Jiang Xiaomu became even more bewildered.

The woman seemed to see Jiang Xiaomu's doubt, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly:

"You want to know why I am a woman, don't you?"

Jiang Xiaomu struggled to keep himself calm:

"Exactly. Also, why do you have Shapozi's jade pendant? What is your relationship with her? Or are you seeking to avenge her?"

The woman set down her teacup and spoke slowly:

"Shapozi? It seems you don't know much about her."

"Who exactly are you?" Jiang Xiaomu felt as if he had fallen into a vast labyrinth.

The woman gave a light laugh, rose, walked to Jiang Xiaomu, and gently lifted his chin:

"Guess?"

Her fingertips were icy cold; the moment they touched Jiang Xiaomu's skin, a tingling sensation like an electric current spread through his whole body.

"What exactly do you intend to do?"

Jiang Xiaomu's voice began to tremble; he felt like a prey being watched.

The woman did not answer his question but turned around.

A gauze robe as thin as a cicada's wing fluttered down to the floor, revealing her smooth back.

"You've always wanted to know my relationship with Shapozi, haven't you?"

The woman did not turn back,

"I'll tell you—she is my birth mother."

"Holy shit!!"

Jiang Xiaomu felt as if struck by lightning and almost cried out,

The woman seemed to have anticipated Jiang Xiaomu's reaction, the corner of her mouth twitching into a self‑mocking bitter smile:

"Twenty years ago, she owed a huge gambling debt; to pay it off, she ruthlessly sold me to human traffickers."

"I was the first 'deal' she made."

The woman's voice trembled slightly, carrying an irrepressible anger.

"That woman wouldn't even spare her own biological daughter!"

"I was sold to a poor family to be a child bride, beaten, scolded, and abused."

"Later I was sold to a brothel, enduring endless humiliation just to stay alive."

"All of this is thanks to her!"

Jiang Xiaomu remained silent, unable to imagine what hell on earth the seemingly frail woman before him had endured.

The woman drew a deep breath and said:

"Later, I was rescued by my adoptive father. He was the previous leader of the Ghost Face Army."

She turned her body, her gaze burning as she looked at Jiang Xiaomu,

"For these twenty years I have been searching for Shapozi's whereabouts, but to no avail; I have sworn that whoever can avenge me may have my hand in marriage!"

Jiang Xiaomu gazed at the woman before him, his heart a tangle of mixed emotions.

"Only a few days ago, the ghost servant learned that Shapozi had appeared at the burial ground outside the city."

"But when he arrived, he saw that Shapozi had already been slain by a youth, leaving only that jade pendant."

"I sent people to inquire everywhere before finally finding you."

On the couch, the woman had already dressed herself.

"If you nod, the Ghost Face Army will be yours—and so will I, along with these mysterious esoteric arts."

Jiang Xiaomu's eyes flickered—the Ghost Face Army, a force not to be underestimated in these chaotic times.

A few months ago he was merely a beggar struggling on the line between life and death; now he had the chance to become this army's leader—a change that could not be more significant.

Power, strength, and this beautiful woman—everything seemed within reach.

"Why would you do this?"

Jiang Xiaomu set down the wine jug, his gaze sharp as he fixed it on the woman,

"I'm just a nobody; what makes you think I would agree?"

The woman gave a light laugh, stepped up to Jiang Xiaomu, reached out to stroke his cheek, her eyes glinting with slyness: "You're certainly no nobody, Jiang Xiaomu—I've seen your abilities myself."

"What do you know?"

Jiang Xiaomu seized the woman's hand, his tone carrying a barely perceptible tremor.

The woman did not answer; she merely gazed at him with even deeper affection.

"If you promise me, I'll tell you."

Jiang Xiaomu fell silent, weighing the pros and cons.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but it is also fraught with risk.

"Why should I trust you?"

Jiang Xiaomu retorted,

"We have no ties; why would you hand over such a boon to me?"

The woman laughed, her laughter shaking like blossoms, as if she'd heard some huge joke.

"You think being the leader of the Ghost Face Army is some cushy post?"

"In this chaotic age, who doesn't want to be king and hegemon, but who can actually laugh last?"

"The leader of the Ghost Face Army is nothing but a pawn in someone else's hand!"

Her tone carried a hint of bitterness, yet it also made Jiang Xiaomu more wary.

"What exactly do you want to say?"

Jiang Xiaomu stared into the woman's eyes, trying to discern something from her gaze.

"What I want to say is, we're both pitiful souls, pawns toyed with by fate in the palm of hand."

"Rather than wait for death, let's join forces and carve a bloody path!"

Ambition and resolve flickered in the woman's eyes; the woman before Jiang Xiaomu seemed like another version of himself.

At dawn, Jiang Xiaomu sat alone inside the tent, clutching a black token carved with a ferocious ghostly face.

"Power…… authority……"

He whispered softly, the mysterious woman's voice echoing in his mind like an enchanting spell.

Taking command of the Ghost Face Army would let him order all outlaws, with none daring to bully him in the slightest.

He had originally wanted to bring his sister Jiang Xiaoyu to live a peaceful life, but now her youthful face had become the deepest sting in his heart.

"Brother, what are you thinking?"

Jiang Xiaoyu lifted the tent flap, her face bearing an innocent, cheerful smile.

Seeing his sister, he squeezed out a smile and said:

"Nothing, brother is just thinking how to get you something tasty."

Jiang Xiaoyu leaned close to Jiang Xiaomu and asked curiously:

"Brother, what are you holding? It looks powerful."

Jiang Xiaomu hastily hid the token behind his back, affecting nonchalance as he said:

"Nothing, just a little trinket."

Jiang Xiaoyu coquettishly said:

"Brother, please let me see it, I beg you!"

Jiang Xiaomu had no choice but to produce the token.

Jiang Xiaoyu took the token, examined it closely, and suddenly exclaimed:

"Wow! This ghost face is terrifying!"

Jiang Xiaomu rubbed her head:

"Xiao Yu needn't fear; with brother here, there's nothing to fear."

Jiang Xiaoyu returned the token to Jiang Xiaomu, saying seriously:

"Brother, I think you should take over the Ghost Face Army."

Jiang Xiaomu stared, never expecting his sister to say such a thing.

He asked: "Why?"

Jiang Xiaoyu clenched her small fists and said:

"Because then no one would dare bully us! We could live a good life!"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted; his sister's words were simple yet struck straight at the heart.

Perhaps, taking over the Ghost Face Army is the only way out.

"All right, brother will listen to you."

Jiang Xiaomu gripped the token tightly, as if grasping his own fate.