Chapter 144

It could be said that in her heart, even Pang Ban, who was like a god or demon, might not compare to her.

"Although Master Pang accepted me as a disciple out of deference to the Emperor, he never taught me any Wu Gong. But it doesn't matter—now that I have Sister Qing... heh heh."

Zhao Min herself was passionately fond of martial arts, and now that she had attached herself to such a big shot as A Qing, she was naturally overjoyed.

At the same time, she resolved to seize this opportunity to learn real skills and make everyone look at her with new eyes.

Including that proud and arrogant Demon Master!

Afterwards, Zhao Min sent Hebi Weng and the Eight Divine Archers back, while she herself went south with A (Alright, alright) Qing and Sister Xi Shi.

……

A day passed uneventfully, and she spent this happy time that belonged only to the two of them quietly with A Bi.

Yet beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were often surging.

At the very least, Jiang Sishui sensed several batches of prying gazes.

Clearly, the fish were about to take the bait.

After easily shaking off the tails of a few scouts, the two returned to Mantuo Shanzhuang.

Seeing A Bi's reluctant look, Jiang Sishui kissed her on the cheek and smiled: "Don't worry, I'll bring you again tomorrow."

A Bi's pretty eyes lit up, and her whole person perked up: "Really, Gong?"

Jiang Sishui smiled and nodded.

Right now they were being watched; if he showed up tomorrow with a different person beside him, it would be a bit inappropriate.

So Jiang Sishui planned to bring A Bi along again.

"Big Brother Jiang is so good." A Bi beamed with joy, spread her arms, and hugged him.

After meeting with the women and having supper, Jiang Sishui began today's diary as usual.

159 Able Luo Wang: Actually I'm a villain, I just undercover-ed my way into becoming the male lead

【Today Shi Hongying gave me something she snatched from her brother—a broken wine goblet body】

【I took one look and thought, holy crap, isn't this one of the "Five Heavenly Swords Goblets"?!】

【The main storyline of "Heavenly Sword Heroes" has interweaved with the plot of "Chivalrous Heart," that's really interesting】

【And the goblet body that should have been in the hands of Gai Gang leader Wu Du in "Heavenly Sword Heroes" was actually obtained by Liuhe Gang leader Shi Baidu】

【Also, since there are "Five Heavenly Swords Goblets," then the "Heavenly Sword" must exist】

【However, according to the story background, the "Heavenly Sword" was specially forged by five peerless swordsmiths under the secret decree of Qin Emperor Ying Zheng after he unified the realm, in order to establish his authority—a sword unrivaled under heaven; the day the sword was completed, the Qin Emperor passed away】

【But in reality Ying Zheng is still alive, so who forged the "Heavenly Sword"?】

In her room, Shi Hongying, seeing Jiang Sishui leave, immediately took out the diary copy and waited.

She had originally planned to hand the goblet body to Jiang Sishui; later, hearing him mention the "Five Heavenly Swords Goblets" in his diary, she knew he was also in on this secret.

So she became even more determined in her original idea.

Seeing the diary say the goblet body should have belonged to Gai Gang's Wu Du, Shi Hongying nodded silently.

A few years ago, Shi Baidu and Gai Gang elder Wu Du had a conflict; the two fought fiercely, and Shi Baidu struck heavily, fully intending to kill the other with one palm.

Unexpectedly, after Wu Du dodged with all his might, that palm struck the wine gourd at his waist.

The wine gourd shattered on the ground, but it also let Wu Du keep his life.

Seeing the situation turn bad, Wu Du couldn't be bothered to pick up his family heirloom wine gourd and took to his heels.

Shi Shi Baidu had wanted to pursue, but a casual glance revealed the goblet body hidden inside the wine gourd.

Shi Baidu was no fool; he had once heard by chance the legend of the "Five Heavenly Swords Goblets," so he quietly pocketed the goblet body.

Over the next several years, Shi Baidu searched everywhere for the remaining four goblets, but never found a lead.

More than half a year ago, he heard that the Xueyueshen Sect was also searching for the "Five Heavenly Swords Goblets."

The Tang Family Escort Bureau in Tongguan, Shanzhou, as one of the holders of the five goblets, refused to comply and was Canzaomie Sect—only one person escaped alive.

Upon hearing the news, Shi Shi Baidu was terrified, afraid that the Xueyueshen Sect would learn he also had a goblet body and come Shashang Sect.

After much deliberation, Shi Baidu decided to hand over the goblet body proactively.

Because he estimated that Able Luo Wang very likely had one of the five goblets, so his hope of gathering them all was virtually impossible.

Rather than chasing that illusory dream, it was better to take this Chenciji Society, proactively reveal himself, and trade the goblet body for Able Luo Wang's friendship.

Shi Hongying learned of this, and what followed came about.

"'Heavenly Sword' was forged by the Qin Emperor?"

Shi Hongying felt slightly surprised, and at the same time grew more curious about its origins in reality.

……

In another room, A Bi played with the goblet-body ornament hanging around her neck, a hint of realization surfacing on her pretty face.

"It seems Big Brother Jiang has set his sights on that 'Heavenly Sword.'"

【But the origin isn't important; what matters is the 'Heavenly Sword' itself】

【In the drama, the moment the 'Heavenly Sword' appeared, it blazed with boundless light, blinding to behold. At that moment Able Luo Wang held it, and no matter who he struck or how many, it was solved with one sword—utterly overwhelming】

【I happen to lack a good sword, and now I've obtained a goblet body; if it works out, I don't mind casually joining in】

【Right, according to the setting, the 'Heavenly Sword' also hides an 'Immortality Pill' inside】

【This setting is utterly baffling】

【Because the drama gives no explanation whatsoever for the origin of the 'Immortality Pill'—who refined it, who put it in, why it was placed inside the sword body—not a single word】

【Such a thing just inexplicably appeared inside the 'Heavenly Sword'; no matter how you look at it, the logic doesn't hold】

"Immortality Pill!"

Seeing this, the women's eyes lit up.

They didn't care whether the logic held, nor how awesome the 'Heavenly Sword' was, but the four words "Immortality Pill" firmly tugged at their heartstrings.

Having previously learned that there were a few Wu Gong in the world capable of preserving youth, they had already been utterly smitten, and now, before "ageless," the word "immortal" had been added—

The temptation instantly skyrocketed!

One had to understand that, strong as a demigod, one's lifespan was still finite and could not escape the day of death.

And right now, this might concern a chance at eternal life.

If Jiang Sishui obtained the "Heavenly Sword," was there any chance he would destroy the sword to take the elixir?

If he took it out, would he eat it himself? Or, confident in his system, would he give it to his women?

Thinking of this, many people's hearts began to pound wildly.

However, before they could get too worked up, Jiang Sishui wrote again—

【Not right, the so-called "Elixir of Immortality" might just be a lie, you never know】

【Because this secret originated from Abbess Pingjing, it's entirely possible it was a contingency she left before her death】

【Once the "Heavenly Sword" falls into the hands of someone with ulterior motives, it can be used as bait to trick them into destroying the "Heavenly Sword" themselves】

【This possibility is very high, and besides, Abbess Pingjing was cunning and far-sighted; it's not as if she never lied and deceived people in the drama】

Fake…

The women were crestfallen, feeling it had all been joy in vain.

But after calming down and thinking it over, even if the "Elixir of Immortality" truly existed, the odds were it had nothing to do with them; they hadn't lost anything.

The reason their emotions fluctuated so violently was, in the final analysis, that the temptation of eternal life was simply too great, blinding their reason.

【To take the "Heavenly Sword," one would inevitably have to face Apiluo Wang】

【As the Dafan Sect of the drama, Apiluo Wang is actually quite interesting】

【He's unlike other Wu Xia villains—he doesn't go for direct confrontation, but plays the mole】

【He uses the identity of "Civil Sword, Martial Scholar" Xiao Ting to mingle among the orthodox faction, helping them fight against his own Xueyueshen Sect, using everyone's hands to gather the "Five Nobles of the Heavenly Sword," and then comes out at the end to pluck the peach】

【For this, he even cast himself as the male lead of the drama】

【Of course, he's still a villain after all, so this male lead counts as a "pseudo male lead" without any protagonist halo—otherwise he wouldn't have been killed by "plot armor" at the end】

【And during his undercover period, his subordinate Hei Hei Qiling had a miserable time of it】

【To sell the act convincingly, Apiluo Wang had Hei Hei Qiling go deal with his own alt account, Xiao Ting】

【And then Hei Hei Qiling got beaten up by Xiao Ting】

【Mission failed, and after Hei Hei Qiling went back, he still got beaten up again by Apiluo Wang on the charge of "incompetence in carrying out duties"】

【For fuck's sake, being toyed with by the boss's main and alt accounts, taking beatings from both sides—who could you even complain to about this?】

【And in the end, Hei Hei Qiling was controlled by Immortal Ji Lümu using the "Soul-Snatching Great Art" to go kill Apiluo Wang】

【And then he got beaten to death by Apiluo Wang】

【Is there any wage-slave more miserably mixed up than this guy?】