Chapter 168: Can Only Drown to Death

Mu Yuanzhi didn't know where she was; upon waking, she found herself in a pitch‑black place with no light.

She didn't even know how she had fainted.

The memories in between felt missing.

Just thinking about it made her head feel like it would split.

She felt as if she were in water; even a slight movement let her sense the water's resistance.

Mu Yuanzhi's muddled mind gradually cleared, and she realized she was indeed in water, bound by chains and placed in the center.

It wasn't summer; being immersed in water for a long time was bitterly cold, making her shiver from the cold.

The water hadn't reached her waist yet—not deep—but she wasn't sure whether the water level would keep rising over time.

"Is anyone there?!"

Once her throat was moistened by her own saliva enough to speak, she shouted at the top of her lungs.

No one answered.

Did Pei Yunxi leave her here and just walk away?

Was he trying to freeze her to death or drown her?

"Pei Yunxi!"

Still no one responded.

Mu Yuanzhi forced herself to focus, looking around; this seemed like some kind of basement? secret passage?

She listened carefully, but heard nothing.

It felt as if the whole world had only her left.

Mu Yuanzhi had a premonition that this time Pei Yunxi had captured her, just like at the last flower lantern festival, intending to put her to death.

Is there any way to get out?

Mu Yuanzhi struggled in vain; the iron chains were impossible to break free from.

Never mind being soaked in water; even on land, starving for a few days would kill her.

Would anyone know she was here?

Mu Yuanzhi began to feel drowsy again, her vitality gradually fading.

"Mu Yuanzhi."

Pei Yunxi's voice suddenly rang out, and Mu Yuanzhi's spirit snapped back at once!

She focused her gaze and saw a lovely young woman appear before her—it was Pei Yunxi.

She walked over slowly, looking down from above, gazing at Mu Yuanzhi with interest, and curled a victorious smile: "In the end, I still won, Mu Yuanzhi."

"\"Just celebrating halftime. \" Mu Yuanzhi was unconvinced.

Pei Yunxi instantly flared with anger: "Mu Yuanzhi, you're at death's door—why are you still so leisurely? Maybe if you beg me like a lapdog, I'll take pity and let you go."

In fact, Mu Yuanzhi wasn't as calm as she seemed; she was also afraid, but she couldn't afford to pretend composure, and losing her wits wouldn't bring a way out, so she forced herself to stay steady and wait for an opportunity.

"\"Pei Yunxi, you're seriously underestimating Gu Rongjin—your every move is under his surveillance. \" Mu Yuanzhi gave a mysterious smile.

Pei Yunxi burst out laughing, tears streaming, and in good humor she played with the water in the pool, saying: "How come your reliable husband hasn't come to rescue you—is it because he doesn't want to?"

Mu Yuanzhi still put on an air of strategizing and countered: "You guess."

Her composure made Pei Yunxi retract his smug smile.

Could it be that all this was actually Gu Rongjin's intention? What does he want? Does he want to put on an act like those ruthless brothers? Who is he waiting for? The Father Emperor?

No, we must not let the Father Emperor know!

Pei Yunxi's eyes darkened; she rose, went to the side, turned the mechanism, and curled a malicious smile: "Then I'll send you to death right now, just to see what tricks he can still pull!"

As the mechanism moved, Mu Yuanzhi could hear the gurgling water, and the water level began to rise visibly.

Pei Yunxi gleefully watched Mu Yuanzhi's changing expression in the pool and jeered: "Just a moment ago you were still so calm—why the change in complexion now? Are you starting to fear?"

Mu Yuanzhi felt that within an hour the water would reach her mouth and nose; then she would have nowhere to escape, only able to drown.

Pei Yunxi crossed his arms, admiring this beautiful scene.

"You should feel honored to have me send you off on your final journey."

Although she wanted to give Mu Yuanzhi a grand death, there wasn't time to prepare, so this will have to do.

"Goodbye, Mu Yuanzhi—may your next life be better reborn." Pei Yunxi laughed with a sarcastic tone.

The water kept rising, already past Mu Yuanzhi's shoulders; Pei Yunxi stared unblinking, wanting to watch her die in agony—that would be satisfying!

At the same time, in an inn.

Everyone was looking at the monk, including Xiao Chuchu.

The monk remained unhurried, saying: "I really don't know; if even Patron Xiao doesn't know, how could I?"

"Don't bother asking him—asking is pointless, it's just wasting time here. Better hurry up and look! Time waits for no one." said the Qilin.

Pei Shangling could only place her hope in the National Teacher: "National Teacher, can you divine where my sister is?"

"Is there really such an easy method?" The National Teacher also had no way.

"Then what? Look for a needle in the ocean?!" Pei Shangling put her hands on her hips: "The only option now is to notify the county magistrate here and search the whole city!"

"By the time we find anything, the yellow flowers will be cold!" The Qilin, excited, started coughing; the toxin had already spread to his face.

Besides the monk, the others now noticed the Qilin's abnormality; the National Teacher frowned and asked: "Qilin, have you been poisoned?"

"Never mind me, Master—finding my senior sister is urgent!" The Qilin waved it off, unconcerned.

On the surface he seemed fine, but in fact he was desperately suppressing the poison to barely maintain any spirit.

At that moment the monk said: "Patron Qilin, you could have used your poison to clear the way earlier—why aren't you using it now?"

"What do you mean?" Pei Shangling didn't understand.

But no one gave him an explanation.

Qilin glared at the monk: "If I could, I would have used it already—would I still need your reminder?"

The monk chuckled, sighed, and said: "I'm not talented; I only know a little."

"What?! You can?!" Qilin's hope flared instantly.

The National Teacher, however, furrowed their brow.

Gu Rongjin asked rationally: "How would you do it? Would it cause any harm to Qilin's body?"

"Whether it causes harm or not doesn't matter!" Qilin waved his hand indifferently; he just wanted to find his senior sister!

Pei Shangling said: "I'll do it; I and Qilin both contracted the Symbiotic Gu, so it's the same for me!"

Hearing that, the monk turned his gaze to Pei Shangling, narrowed his eyes interestedly: "Symbiotic Gu? So the two donors are in a close bond of life and death. Amitabha, sorry my eyes are poor."

"Who shared life and death with him? That was accidental; never mind that. Since Pei Shangling says so, let's do it. Monk, tell me how to do it!" Qilin heard.

"Not going to call me a demon monk?" The monk smirked.

Qilin had no choice but to resign: "Great Master, you're magnanimous; don't hold it against me."

For his senior sister, he can bend or stretch.

The monk said: "Then please, donor Qilin, come with me; this method not only does not harm the body, it's also beneficial."

Gu Rongjin wasn't very convinced, but Qilin believed anyway.

"Alright!"