Chapter 0: 151. An Eye for an Eye
Xiao Chong was usually absent from everyone’s sight, having the least presence among the group. However, she was never one to be idle.
The Soul Locking Crystal Coffin confined her physical body, but it could never conceal her restless heart.
Although the dignified Saint Ancestor Empress, Mo Qingxin, was once outmaneuvered by Qin Gou, causing her considerable embarrassment during their first meeting, ever since she started traveling with Old Qin, their experiences had led to a recovery rate of her strength far exceeding her expectations. It was significantly faster than when she was simply in seclusion in the Hidden Female Country. Now, she could even condense a physical form in short bursts, break free from the Soul Locking Crystal Coffin, and move freely.
Adhering to her principle of never being a free rider, Mo Qingxin, residing within Qin Gou’s embrace in the Rouge Space, would immediately retaliate at the slightest hint of killing intent or anomalous spiritual energy fluctuations directed at Qin Gou. Her fierce counterattacks were often faster than Qin Gou’s own protective spiritual power.
In her own words, “Finally, I have something to do!”
However, this time, it was Qin Gou who actively informed her not to strike Jia Er to death immediately. This was mainly for the sake of the Debt Girl, giving her a chance.
If, during Qiu Qianyue’s persuasion just now, Jia Er had even a shred of thought to stop, Qin Gou might have genuinely been willing to let her go. Unfortunately, it seemed the Debt Girl no longer viewed her as an irreconcilable enemy, which instead enraged Jia Er.
As a Secret Realm Clone born with the intent to take the opponent’s life, being met not with hatred from the Debt Girl, but with an outpouring of affection and possessiveness, must have made her question her very existence.
However, after repeated failed attempts at persuasion, and with Jia Er’s target being her esteemed master, Qin Gou, the Debt Girl could say no more.
“Stand down, everyone.”
Suddenly, the long-silent Spirit of the Secret Realm spoke again.
The soul body of a middle-aged male cultivator appeared before everyone, his dull gray eyes filled with exhaustion.
Qin Gou, unsure of this person’s motives, immediately restrained Jia Er and the Nightmare Ghost before calmly asking, “Your Excellency, are you finally willing to show yourself?”
The Spirit of the Secret Realm let out a helpless sigh. “I will no longer engage in empty talk with all of you. You have all proven that your strength and methods far surpass any obstacles I can muster. Therefore, according to the established rules of the Cultivation World, I will no longer obstruct any of your exploratory activities within this Secret Realm. Anything you deem a valuable treasure can be taken.”
“Correspondingly, as this place is a ‘Legacy Secret Realm’ of our Spirit God Cult, I ask that you show mercy and do not destroy its foundation, completely cutting off our sect’s continuation. At the very least, please spare these two guardian envoys, the Nightmare Ghost and Jia Er, for now.”
“How have I never heard of such a rule?” Qin Gou retorted without hesitation.
At this moment, the Spirit of the Secret Realm’s intention was clear: it felt it had exhausted all its options and was now forced to bow its head in submission, hoping Qin Gou and the others would let bygones be bygones.
Absurd. Qin Gou found it truly absurd. This was because it meant that the opportunity for a truce was entirely in the hands of the Spirit of the Secret Realm. When it was powerful, it cared nothing for the lives of Qin Gou and the others, but once the situation turned unfavorable, it could easily turn the page, shamelessly sacrificing others.
“Furthermore, Fellow Daoist, do not try to pressure us with talk of destroying your Spirit God Cult’s legacy. Wiping out an entire sect is indeed an act against the Heavenly Dao, but did you ever show us any mercy before?”
“I shall offer my sincere apologies for this matter!” As he spoke, the Spirit of the Secret Realm meticulously cupped his fists in a salute to everyone.
Qin Gou’s eyes widened in disbelief. And then? That was it? An apology was all it took?
This was clearly the act of a scoundrel playing games. It must have guessed that Qin Gou and the others weren’t just here for material treasures, but ultimately needed its help as the Spirit of the Secret Realm, which was why it acted so self-righteously.
“Very well! I finally understand your intentions, Fellow Daoist!”
Qin Gou nodded with a contemplative gaze, then suddenly waved his hand, releasing the Nightmare Ghost from its restraint. He then retrieved the treasured blade that the Nightmare Ghost had used earlier. As if truly suppressed by the Spirit of the Secret Realm’s overt scheme, he raised the blade with both hands, filled with unwillingness.
The Nightmare Ghost immediately straightened up, took its sword, and said with a smile, “It seems my delay just now wasn’t entirely in vain? Why aren’t you smiling like before, Fellow Daoist? Hahaha, just kidding. As they say, great fortune follows great peril. With this Dao Body and those profound techniques, I believe we might meet again! Don’t be too surprised then!”
Finished speaking, seemingly in good spirits, he even nonchalantly performed a flourish with his sword, about to elegantly sheathe it, when a cold glint suddenly shot from Qin Gou’s fingertip.
“Pfft!”
A blinding white rainbow of spiritual light pierced the Nightmare Ghost’s chest. The Bud of Taihuang hidden within raged within his body. In an instant, the Nightmare Ghost’s eyes widened in panic and shock, and he fell to the ground. His lips trembled, but he could no longer utter a sound, eventually transforming into a peculiar, broken stone sculpture-like death, similar to other Secret Realm Clones.
“You!” The Spirit of the Secret Realm roared in shock and anger.
Qin Gou shouted back even louder, his voice filled with righteous fury, “What an ungrateful scoundrel! This Seat, in my magnanimity, spared your life, yet you still tried to snatch the sword and attack!”
The Spirit of the Secret Realm found it inconceivable, its entire soul body trembling with rage. “You are twist facts! You willingly returned that treasured blade to the Nightmare Ghost!”
“Oh? When did I say I was giving it to him?” Qin Gou argued righteously. “Since he is a defeated opponent, his Emperor Weapon should remain as spoils of war, belonging to me. This is also a natural rule of cultivators’ duels! I was admiring and playing with my own sword, but this thief tried to snatch it and attack me. How could I tolerate that?”
“You deliberately misled the Nightmare Ghost, causing him to misunderstand your intentions!”
“Is that truly so?” Old Qin looked genuinely surprised and sarcastically remarked, “In that case, it seems both I and Fellow Daoist Nightmare Ghost have unintentionally misunderstood each other! Qin has a reputation in the Cultivation World; do you think I would resort to such a base tactic?”
“Enough talk is useless!” The Spirit of the Secret Realm’s face turned ashen, and it said coldly, “The matter has come to this, what else can be said?! You must give me an explanation!”
“Precisely!”
As soon as this was said, Qin Gou’s eyes twinkled with a smile. He had finally waited for the other party to say this!
“Or, how about I offer my sincere apologies to the Spirit of the Secret Realm and Fellow Daoist Nightmare Ghost as well?” Qin Gou casually cupped his fists. Under the Spirit of the Secret Realm’s incredulous gaze, mirroring its disgusting performance earlier, his true focus had long shifted to urging his old pal to disburse his merit points.
At the same time, White Tiger Primordial Lord Jing Liyu raised an eyebrow and looked at Ao Banwei. “Decisive kills, veiled threats, meting out violence with violence… Is this what this Master taught you?”
Little White Dragon immediately replied, “Primordial Lord will understand slowly. Banwei has truly learned from Master’s teachings: to remain calm in the face of adversity, be resourceful, treat others with respect, have no prejudice towards any living beings, and treat them equally, and also…”
“Stop fooling around. Why are you only learning these useless things?!”
“What…?”
Jing Liyu looked at Banwei with utter incomprehension and, with a smile, clasped her arms and said sternly, “I just like this kind of meting out violence with violence!”
