Chapter 0.44: It’s Different Now
“So, looking at it now, the Eternal Night Marquis clan might be able to develop some ability that even Demon Gods fear, compelling them to go to any lengths to eradicate the Eternal Night Marquis.”
Inside the cave, Qin Gou explained the intelligence he had gathered so far to Gong Wumeng and the others.
“On one hand, this ‘Ninh Gu’ has restricted the Eternal Night Marquis from producing true powerhouses again. On the other hand, the ultimate reason they were completely wiped out was likely due to other means. However, under this person’s influence for many years, dealing with them now is obviously much easier than dealing with the Eternal Night Marquis back then.”
“Hate them! Wumeng was only eight years old when her Talent Enlightenment began, and Fellow Daoist Beisi had not fully awakened yet. Otherwise, how could this have happened…” Gong Yu said beside them, her eyes bitter.
“Then, Fellow Daoist Qin, was your talent awakening this time truly successful?” Gong Wumeng asked, her expression unwilling, but she quickly suppressed her emotions and asked Qin Gou with a hint of hope.
“I have temporarily halted this talent enlightenment.”
Qin Gou pointed to the Soul Capturing Bottle in his hand and the ‘Ninh Gu’ within. “Regarding the true process of the Eternal Night Marquis’s decline and their grievances with the Abyss and Demon Gods, he still hasn’t revealed many things. Also, since he could accurately evade and mislead batches of Eternal Night Marquis clansmen, he must know best what the most correct choice is. However, for now, I cannot directly use the most reliable soul-searching technique to obtain this information. This person is still useful while alive.”
Qin Gou then added: “Don’t worry, he can’t hear our conversation in this Soul Capturing Bottle.”
Upon hearing this, Gong Wumeng nodded and asked, “You mean this person still has something of value to Fellow Daoist Qin?”
“Exactly. I happen to need to go to the Abyss for something, and this person was, after all, a Generation Demon Lord. Even though his Dao Body is gone, he still possesses considerable soul power…” Qin Gou explained seriously. “But don’t worry, no matter what, I will definitely make this person receive the punishment they deserve.”
“I understand. Thank you, Fellow Daoist Qin, for exposing such a vicious individual for my clan. Otherwise, I don’t know how long we would have been harmed by him.” Gong Wumeng clasped her fists in gratitude and bowed. Looking at the demonic marks clearly displayed in Ninh Gu’s eyes, she thought of not just herself, but how many clan members’ fates had been secretly manipulated by this scoundrel. She felt deeply the extreme malice and that even death would not be enough to atone for his sins.
“By the way, I actually had a question at first, about the Prayer Lantern Fire outside…”
“For this matter, wouldn’t it be more appropriate for Fellow Daoist Yu to explain it to you?”
“Yes.”
Seeing this, Gong Yu lightly nodded her head and explained Gong Kang’s matter to Gong Wumeng in detail.
A moment later, Gong Wumeng felt as if she had lived through a lifetime. She said with disbelief and heartache, “There was such a thing? Gong Kang! What kind of madman is this person? The revival of the Eternal Night Marquis was meant to bring a better life to the clan, to bring them peace and a stable home. But he completely inverted the means and the end. If the lives of the clan members are gone, what is the meaning of achieving this goal?”
After speaking, Gong Wumeng tightly held Gong Yu’s hands, filled with shame and self-reproach. “Aunt, I never knew that you had been suffering from such a malicious spirit charm, facing such great risk at all times! Wumeng is ashamed to even show her face.”
“Silly Meng’er, don’t talk about you, I myself have been confused all along, haven’t I?”
Gong Yu smiled gently, embraced Gong Wumeng, and patted her back. “But it’s good now. Aunt and the clansmen have all been freed from the spirit charm and are truly safe.”
Gong Wumeng nodded forcefully and suddenly looked towards Qin Gou again. “Brother Qin, please accept Wumeng’s bow!”
“No need!”
Qin Gou reacted quickly and used a string of spiritual power to support Gong Wumeng, who was about to bow emotionally. He waved his hand. “We don’t do such grand gestures here. Just like Banwei, I often educate her that there’s no need for this… Besides, Wumeng, why are you also calling me ‘Brother Qin’ now?”
“The title ‘Fellow Daoist’ can no longer reflect Wumeng’s respect for Brother Qin!”
“Cough…” Qin Gou didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The key was that Gong Yu also called him Brother Qin, wasn’t that completely messed up?
Just as Qin Gou was about to correct her, Gong Wumeng quickly said with a firm voice, “Wumeng must repay Brother Qin well. These kindnesses must never be forgotten! Otherwise, Wumeng would be no different from a traitor.”
Qin Gou calmly replied, “It’s enough that Wumeng has this intention.”
“Of course, I also know that Wumeng currently has nothing that Brother Qin truly cares about or finds joy in.”
“I don’t mean that!” Qin Gou chuckled. He truly felt that he had gained a lot from this trip. Not only could he use Ninh Gu’s soul power to awaken the Abyssal Divine Bridge, but the entire Reverse Halberds organization also planned to obey him from now on.
“No, Wumeng actually wants to say that although I cannot provide assistance to Brother Qin now, Wumeng has decided that when the Saint Monarch revives, as long as Wumeng’s consciousness remains, even if it’s not as the leader but as a serving monarch, when necessary, I will definitely stand on Brother Qin’s side and await your command. Regardless of anyone else, this is a demonstration of the kindness between Brother Qin and Wumeng!” Gong Wumeng solemnly promised, using sound transmission specifically.
“This is acceptable!” Qin Gou immediately nodded. This girl was indeed considerate!
“However, there is still one prerequisite: Wumeng’s principles must be excluded!” Gong Wumeng suddenly smiled mischievously and added a crucial point.
“What point?”
“Naturally, it’s what Brother Qin previously promised: as long as the Saint Monarch agrees, you will definitely be willing to help my Eternal Night Marquis continue their bloodline!” Gong Wumeng’s voice was soft and pleasant.
At the same time, it instantly triggered Qin Gou’s memory.
Wait… what was he discussing with Gong Yu at first? Right, Gong Yu wanted to get married quickly, and he was asking her if she was forced. They talked a lot, about her being moved by the legends in plays, learning that she was facing imminent death, then Qin Gou keenly noticed Gong Yu’s abnormality and immediately rushed with her to the Main Vein of the Reverse Halberds…
“Cough, Wumeng, I did make a promise regarding one matter, but there’s another matter I’m afraid I need to discuss with you…”
“Brother Qin, are you referring to the matter with Aunt earlier?” Gong Wumeng understood tacitly and apologized. “That was indeed my fault! The reason Aunt and I chose that path before was actually due to too many worries about variables, fearing that Brother Qin might change his mind at the last minute. But at this moment, Wumeng has absolute faith in Brother Qin!”
“It’s good that Wumeng can see it that way.” Qin Gou immediately nodded.
Then, Gong Wumeng looked at Gong Yu again and asked with concern, “Was Aunt’s decision to do that before also related to being affected by the spirit charm?” The previous proposal was indeed first proposed by Gong Yu herself. But when she thought that it might have been due to the spirit charm’s influence and not Gong Yu’s true feelings, Gong Wumeng was filled with trepidation, almost making a grave mistake.
“Yes, before, Aunt’s mind was filled with the impulse of facing imminent death. But now, it’s completely different. Aunt also fully trusts Brother Qin.”
As she spoke, Gong Yu seemed to recall past scenes, her cheeks flushing, her face becoming even more shy and charming.
“Brother Qin, you are already far superior to the heroic tales Aunt always tells you; you are… the undisputed hero of my clan!”
