Chapter 0: 73. Teach by Example, Lu Zhili
Qin Gou gazed at the Charm Bug in front of him, sighing with emotion.
His memories from two lifetimes had completely merged into one. He didn’t know if it was her fortune or misfortune.
Qin Gou didn’t know what kind of person the former Lu Zhili was, but as the Holy Queen of the Demon Race, who ruled the world with maternal grace and benefited all people of the Abyss, she would never, no matter how much she favored something, tear apart her cold, aloof, and proud facade to be as proactive as she was now.
“Holy Qin, please do not give me any response,” the Charm Bug suddenly said with a delicate laugh. “Just now, I was merely answering Holy Qin’s question, not intending to formally express any feelings… After all, as long as I don’t confess, I won’t be rejected, will I?”
The Heartstriker Snake Woman clan were indeed masters of this art.
The corner of Qin Gou’s mouth twitched slightly, as he keenly sensed that since just now, the Charm Bug’s tongue flicking had become increasingly frequent.
He clearly remembered Kong Ling mentioning that if a Heartstriker Snake Woman’s tongue was still a snake’s tongue, it meant she had never been committed to any man and was still a virgin. Although he knew that imagining and assuming such a thing about a woman, and his disciple’s mother no less, was utterly lewd, Qin Gou couldn’t help but suspect she was doing it on purpose!
Perhaps it was because Kong Tou’s tragedy was also caused by Wind and Snow Returnee’s innate ability that he felt a sense of empathy for Lu Zhili. The more she acted like a pure-blooded Heartstriker Snake Woman, the more Qin Gou pitied her.
A moment later, having received Qin Gou’s Spirit Power Transmission, Kong Ling, disguised as an ordinary palace maid, entered the room. The first thing she noticed was that Qin Gou had revealed his true appearance. She exclaimed in shock, “Master, why did you show her your true face? You’re not really going to let the Charm Bug commit to you for Kong Ling’s sake, are you? This…”
“Silly girl, don’t overthink things. How could that be? I just learned that the Charm Bug was also tormented by the Demon Emperor. After my persuasion, she has agreed to stand on the same side as us,” Qin Gou said, waving his hand and smiling faintly.
“Is that true?” Kong Ling looked at her esteemed master with gentle concern, asking with half-belief.
“Of course, I have always been consistent in my words and actions. When have I ever lied to you?” Qin Gou laughed dotingly.
“Mm, I believe you, Master.” As she spoke, Kong Ling affectionately slung her arm around Qin Gou, her fragrant, delicate body pressing tightly against him. She cast a provocative glance at the Charm Bug, not believing that the Charm Bug had absolutely no feelings for Qin Gou.
This was not because Kong Ling looked down on the Charm Bug, but because the Heartstriker Snake Woman clan was too famous in the Abyss. Their fame did not come from their strength, but from their innate nature: once they found a good man, they would, like an experienced hunter spotting plump prey, display exquisite methods and exceptional patience. This was their way of survival. Once she learned of Master’s true identity, the renowned Celestial Master of Arc-Moon Mountain! It would be a miracle if the Charm Bug wasn’t tempted and wasn’t subtly starting to lay all sorts of meticulously planned schemes.
Thinking of this, Kong Ling couldn’t help but smile wryly. She truly believed the Charm Bug was moved by words? Fat chance. What she had her sights set on was definitely Master’s body! Only Master was this naive!
The Charm Bug, seeing Kong Ling’s sharp gaze, couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle.
“Alright, now let’s all three of us make sure our stories are consistent and don’t miss any details, so as to avoid any slip-ups in front of Mo Qingyang,” Qin Gou said, taking charge of the situation.
After the duration of one incense stick burning, the Charm Bug had grasped Qin Gou and Kong Ling’s plan like the back of her hand and frankly stated that she would cooperate fully.
“Master, please excuse yourself for a moment. This disciple wishes to speak with this Charm Bug sister alone,” Kong Ling said, cupping her fists in a respectful salute.
Although Kong Ling appeared much younger, her cultivation was profound, and she had lived two lifetimes. Adding the time spent in seclusion, which was almost in an unconscious state, Kong Ling calling the Charm Bug “sister” was definitely showing her immense respect.
If the Charm Bug didn’t have that other identity.
“Celestial Master, this young lady also wishes to have a good chat with Grand Princess sister,” the Charm Bug said, smiling beautifully.
Qin Gou couldn’t help but shudder, his expression turning utterly strange. “You can chat, but do not argue with each other.”
“We will heed Master’s command,” Kong Ling immediately saluted.
Qin Gou nodded slightly, gave the Charm Bug a meaningful glance, and left alone.
As soon as Qin Gou left, Kong Ling and the Charm Bug fell silent, neither of them in a hurry to speak. They remained in a cold standoff for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, waiting for Qin Gou to walk far away.
Suddenly, Kong Ling drew a sinister, bloodthirsty smile towards the Charm Bug. In the Charm Bug’s vision, the familiar boudoir was completely distorted, transforming into a sea of corpses and blood. All she saw were gleaming white bones, and the dense, rotten aura was enough to make one stagger.
For a moment, the Charm Bug’s expression changed slightly.
Kong Ling, with her slender, jade-like legs crossed, sat majestically on an evil throne made entirely of countless humanoid white bones. She playfully stroked a skull with half its face shattered on the armrest. Around her, numerous skeletons remained in a kneeling, repentant posture, facing her.
At this moment, Kong Ling’s eyes were imbued with demonic power, exuding an icy arrogance, as if she were a bloodthirsty demon queen.
“If you dare to be the slightest bit disrespectful to Master, this will be your fate.” As soon as she spoke, a skeleton kneeling before Kong Ling shattered into pieces. A fragment of bone grazed the Charm Bug’s cheek, destroying a lock of her long hair.
Seeing this, the Charm Bug stood her ground, unmoved, and pursed her lips into a smile. “So that’s how it is. This young lady understands. From now on, I will never dare to be disrespectful or make a move against Celestial Master. The Celestial Master of Arc-Moon Mountain will always only be Grand Princess’s suitable match.”
“How dare you,” Kong Ling’s eyes trembled slightly. “When did I say Master was only mine? I am ordering you, Charm Bug, not to scheme to seduce Master!”
“Does Grand Princess mean… that you yourself don’t like the Celestial Master of Arc-Moon Mountain?” the Charm Bug asked, blinking her enchanting eyes.
“I admire Master, but the relationship between us is not simply that of men and women. My feelings for Master are purer and nobler than romantic love,” Kong Ling said with a cold snort, as if it were natural.
“Is that so? Do you truly have no romantic feelings for the Celestial Master of Arc-Moon Mountain in your heart? Grand Princess, do not be muddle-headed and regret it when it’s too late. If you like something, you must fight for it with all your might. Never let those damn worldly customs become your obstacle!” the Charm Bug said meaningfully. Although her memories were different, Kong Ling and Mo Ning were ultimately the same person, and she was still the girl whom Lu Zhili knew like the back of her hand.
“No!” Kong Ling said decisively. “It’s impossible, and it absolutely cannot be!”
“Is that true?”
“Absolutely true!”
“Then on what grounds are you trying to control me?” the Charm Bug asked, her delicate face contorting with hostility, like a venomous snake locking onto prey. In an instant, she revealed a sharp gaze that was both familiar and strange to Kong Ling. Although Kong Ling had no memories of this aspect, it struck directly at the essence of her soul.
If Little Dot Mo Ning were present at this moment, she would certainly cry tears of joy. The woman who could subdue the ‘Whip of the Demon God,’ Grand Princess, with just a single look, had returned.
Moreover, she had begun to display her most proficient method of teaching her children: hands-on, by example.
