Chapter 848: Purity (1/2, Request Subscription)

Fang Yue glanced blankly at You Sisi beside him, when she suddenly stepped forward, separating Fang Yue and Ming, standing between them and looking down coldly at the short girl.

"I won't let Ye Se go to places like that!"

Places like that? So, brothels?

Fang Yue frowned slightly.

A girl like Ming wants me to accompany her to a brothel? Why?

But it doesn't matter.

Fang Yue lightly tapped You Sisi, signaling her to step back, then calmly regarded Ming.

"Miss Ming, whether or not I go to Juan Niao Lou is my decision—but today, you must give me an explanation."

Ming smiled faintly, as if she had expected this. "What if I refuse?"

"Then I can only invite Miss Ming to stay as a guest at Qi Huang Fu for a few days."

As if hearing a joke, Ming burst into giggles.

"Gigglegigglegiggle! So Night Lord plans to use force? Go ahead and try—I'm prepared today…"

Before Ming could finish, a black shadow shot forward and clamped around her throat.

Intense pain shot through her neck—"Ugh!"—her vision rose abruptly; she was lifted into the air, her throat crushed in Fang Yue's single hand.

Eyes wide, face flushed crimson with rage, Ming kicked wildly, but it was like kicking steel—Fang Yue remained utterly unmoved.

"Ye Se?!"

"... Let her go!"

Two voices rang out almost simultaneously.

A sword appeared against Fang Yue's neck, pressed tightly against his skin.

The icy touch reminded him just how sharp the blade was.

Yet he merely glanced at the handsome man in Red Clothes who had suddenly appeared, and said slowly: "Move your sword an inch closer, and she dies."

Fang Yue's expression was calm.

His eyes, cold.

He was no longer the novice who had first entered the game. After so many life-or-death crises, he had grown indifferent to life.

Killing Ming would weigh nothing on his conscience.

The handsome man in Red Clothes gripped his sword hilt tightly and said coldly: "My sword will be faster than yours."

Fang Yue smiled.

The moment the smile vanished, he thrust the Ming he held aloft directly into the blade's edge.

The man's face changed—he jerked the blade aside, stumbling backward in panic to create distance, only to be suddenly struck square in the face by a punch.

So fast a punch?!

Thud! The man in Red Clothes collapsed backward, unconscious.

Looking at Ming, she stared at the fallen man in Red Clothes, slowly letting her stiff smile fade, then turned calmly to Fang Yue.

"Indeed, when we first met, I should have stuck to my choice and made you mine."

At that time, Ming had had the chance—she simply hadn't recognized Fang Yue's potential.

Now, their relationship had deteriorated to this point; there was no chance of turning enemies into allies.

But… mutual exploitation was still possible.

Ming's smile returned.

"You've become so strong, Night Captain—no wonder the Holy Emperor of Qing Guo summoned you."

Even with her throat crushed, each word cost her effort, yet her pronunciation was clear, her expression calm—as if she had no fear Fang Yue would kill her on the spot.

"... Tell me the truth of what happened back then, and I might let you go."

"Let me go? Do you know who I am?"

Fang Yue glanced again at the fallen man in Red Clothes.

"Red Division?"

"Correct. I am the lawful wife of Nian Tianjiao of the Red Division 【Dishu】. Kill me, and you become an enemy of Nian Tianjiao—harmful in every way, with no benefit. Even if the You Family protects you, it won't be easy."

【Dishu】 Nian Tianjiao?!

Fang Yue's expression shifted slightly.

He had seen Nian Tianjiao before—at the Wen Wu Da Dian, Nian Tianjiao had been present, standing right at the front!

The Red Division has ranks: Pusu, Document, Wushu, Dishu, Tianshu, and others.

Among them, 【Tianshu】 is the level of You Lao.

Dishu, though not as terrifying as You Lao, is still a Cloud-Level expert—equivalent to the Silver Robe rank of Qing Si!

The lawful wife of a Dishu… this woman…

"Well? Still want to kill me? Calm down yet? If you've calmed down, put me down."

Fang Yue fell silent, then suddenly tightened his grip.

This woman had climbed to such a high position in such a short time—she was no ordinary person. The events back then were definitely suspicious!

Ming's face twisted as his grip suddenly tightened; veins bulged on her forehead, and she could barely breathe.

"You—you! What are you doing?!"

"Ye Se! Don't be reckless! Dishu of the Red Division is not someone you can provoke!"

You Sisi cried out nervously.

She knew little about the Red Division in Jingcheng—or rather, having been imprisoned by You Lao in the You Family, she had never cared to learn about major events in the capital.

So she had no idea whether Ming's claims were true or false.

But if Ming's identity is real, then she absolutely cannot be touched now!

The identity of Di Shu poses no threat to You Sisi, but it is a massive threat to Fang Yue!

The power of authority can sometimes be more terrifying than strength itself!

Fang Yue might not understand, but You Sisi has lived in Jingcheng for so long—how could she not understand?

She gripped Fang Yue's arm tightly, staring into his eyes, and only then did Fang Yue slowly release his hold.

When Fang Yue let go, Ming collapsed onto the ground, clutching her throat and coughing violently, gasping for air—just a moment ago, she had truly teetered on the edge of death.

She looked at Fang Yue with a hint of fear and stepped back several paces.

"You—you've gone mad?"

"Tell me what happened back then."

Ming sneered: "So eager to know the truth? Fine, I'll tell you. After I left Deyun Cun with the dancers, I arrived at Yingzhong Cun. I tried to use the Chief Captain there to my advantage, but I never expected—the Chief Captain of Yingzhong Cun was none other than the Horse Seat of the Phoenix Organization's Twelve Seats!"

I apparently met some experimental criteria of theirs and was taken away as raw material.

When I was shackled and being led away, this woman named Miao Fa also joined the group for some reason, and she seemed to deeply admire the Horse Seat.

I exploited her feelings and her desire to join the Phoenix Organization and grow stronger, became friends with her, and extracted a valuable piece of intelligence—a clue about a gifted girl, something called An Dong'er.

I tried to trade this information with the Horse Seat, but he proved far more difficult than I thought—he discovered the source was Miao Fa, and instead of punishing her, he grew even more fond of her, while I remained a prisoner.

Later, we met again in Qingsi County. Though Miao Fa was foolish, she wasn't dull—she eventually realized something, and her attitude toward me turned cold and hostile.

But who knows what she truly felt inside? Perhaps she always harbored those malicious thoughts, and merely pretended to be manipulated by me?

As for what came after, I had no chance to escape—until the Night Captain gave me a small favor, which allowed me to break free from my torment.

What happened after that, I don't know. But since Miao Fa isn't with you now, she's probably dead, isn't she?"

(End of Chapter)