Jianghu Demolition Squad

The Child Returns Home (Part Five)

As their minds cleared, the horrifying reality of their actions, the sight of their fallen comrades, sent a wave of shock and despair through the survivors.

Some were grievously wounded, clinging to life. “Are there any Xuhuai Valley disciples here?” someone cried out, his voice choked with fear and urgency. “We need help! There are injured!”

The desperate plea echoed from all directions, amplifying the chaos that gripped the forest. Their defenses were shattered, their ranks decimated. If Lingyun had chosen that moment to launch a full-scale attack, they would have been wiped out.

But the melody emanating from the zither not only restored their senses but also seemed to subdue the walking corpses. Their movements slowed, losing the terrifying agility they possessed moments before.

“Make way! Make way!” a voice called out from the depths of the forest. “Xuhuai disciples here to offer aid!”

Yan Li’s heart leaped at the familiar voice. She scrambled to her feet, but Wu Yu’s hand, clutching her sleeve, sent her stumbling. She steadied herself, bending over to avoid falling.

The speaker, nimble and swift, weaved through the walking corpses with impressive speed. A group of disciples followed, stopping to check the pulses of those still clinging to life.

Yan Li called out in a rush, her voice tinged with urgency, “Mo Wen!”

Mo Wen paused and turned towards her, quickly closing the distance.

“Yan Li.”

“Quickly, take a look at her,” Yan Li said, pointing at Wu Yu.

Mo Wen set down his bag and asked, “Are you injured?”

“I’m fine,” Yan Li replied, watching Mo Wen’s movements as she unpacked his bag, revealing bottles, a pack of silver needles, and a bundle of herbs.

No longer dressed in her Miao attire, she carried her medical supplies separately. “What happened to her?” Mo Wen asked.

“Xin Chou struck her in the back with his hammer.”

Even the slightest movement sent waves of pain through Wu Yu’s body. Her breaths were shallow and ragged. If not for her profound internal energy, she would have already lost consciousness. But even so, her condition was precarious.

Her eyes were glazed over, her awareness fading in and out.

Mo Wen checked her pulse. Yan Li, her breathing tight with anxiety, asked, “How is she?”

“She’ll live,” Mo Wen replied, reaching for Wu Yu’s clothes.

Wu Yu’s eyes snapped open, a flash of icy fury in their depths. She grabbed Mo Wen’s wrist with a vice-like grip, the sudden movement sending a trickle of blood down her chin.

Mo Wen stared at Wu Yu, her expression blank, her eyes filled with confusion. She turned to Yan Li. “She was going to live,” she said, her voice flat. “Now, I’m not so sure.”

Yan Li quickly grasped Wu Yu’s hand. Mo Wen instructed, “Hold her down, don’t let her move.”

“Okay,” Yan Li said, setting down her whisk and sword, holding Wu Yu’s wrists firmly.

Mo Wen loosened Wu Yu’s sash, pulling her inner robe open, exposing her chest and abdomen. She gently probed Wu Yu’s ribs, her fingers tracing the contours of her bones.

Wu Yu gritted her teeth, glaring daggers at Mo Wen.

“Yan Li, it looks like she wants to swallow me alive.”

“Wu Yu, she’s just examining your injuries. Her methods may be unconventional, and there are some things healers do not shy away from, you…”

Yan Li trailed off, struck by the wounded look in Wu Yu’s eyes. Wu Yu was a dominant figure, rarely showing vulnerability.

Yan Li had witnessed it a few times before, but back then, Wu Yu had been hiding her true identity, her vulnerability a deceptive tactic.

But now, her distress seemed genuine.

Yan Li’s shoulders sagged, and she offered Wu Yu a gentle smile, as tender as the melting ice in early spring turning into gentle waters. Her voice soft, she reassured, “It will be over soon.” Wu Yu watched her intently.

Mo Wen worked quickly, expertly inserting silver needles into the injured areas. She placed a medicinal pill into Wu Yu’s mouth, then used wooden splints and bandages to stabilize her chest and back.

The snow continued to fall, flakes settling on Wu Yu’s eyelashes. She blinked, her gaze drifting towards Yan Li. “Yan Li,” she whispered, her voice weak, “I remember the day we first met.”

“I encountered some ruffians,” she continued, her voice gaining strength. “You mistook me for a spoiled, arrogant young mistress, thinking I couldn’t defend myself, so you stepped in to help.”

“I didn’t know your true identity then. I had no intention of deceiving you. But it amused me, so I let you continue believing it.”

“Why bring this up now?” Yan Li seemed reluctant to discuss these matters, her gaze drifting away.

She never told Wu Yu.

In the moment she shielded Wu Yu from Xin Chou’s attack, memories of their first encounter had also flooded her mind. She thought perhaps these were the fleeting images that flashed before one’s eyes at the brink of death.

“I just suddenly remembered it. If you don’t want to hear it, I won’t say any more,” Wu Yu said softly, touching Yan Li’s hand, her voice lowering, “Yan Li, I’m sorry.”

Yan Li was stunned and looked at her, unable to speak for a long time.

She knew Wu Yu’s apology wasn’t just about what had been said; she knew what it was truly for.

But she had never expected Wu Yu to apologize because she had never seen Wu Yu admit to being wrong. She also knew that with Wu Yu’s domineering personality, even if she felt she was wrong, she wouldn’t be willing to admit it in front of others.

So, hearing it so suddenly, Yan Li wasn’t sure how to feel.

Mo Wen’s voice broke through her stunned silence. “The bandaging is done,” she said. “Try not to move her too much.”

Wu Yu’s robe was still loose, exposing her chest. Yan Li couldn’t adjust it now that Mo Wen had finished bandaging her. She removed her own Daoist robe and draped it over Wu Yu.

Mo Wen packed up her bag, and Yan Li asked, “Mo Wen, did Qing Jiu come too?”

Mo Wen secured her pack, replying, “Yes. When we arrived, the people guarding Suolong City said you were preparing to attack Xuhuai Valley. We split into two groups, and she took the valley front route.”

“The front valley?” Yan Li was surprised.

She remembered correctly; crossing the mountain front required crossing the lake by boat.

Mo Wen saw her confusion and explained, “Her master insisted on taking her that way.”

“Her master? You mean Qin Gui?”

Before she could ask more, she suddenly heard Yi Song’s furious roar, “Lingyun!!!” The hatred in his voice was unmistakable.

Yan Li understood that as everyone regained their senses under the zither’s music, they realized what they had done.

The weight of killing one’s friends was unbearable. Their remorse and terror transformed into rage, directed at the one responsible for their manipulation.

Yan Li thought of Bai Sang. While Mo Wen feared her, she also cared for her. Knowing Bai Sang was in a difficult position, Mo Wen wouldn’t abandon her. But Wu Chang, who now controlled Bai Sang, could easily exploit that loyalty.

Yu’er had mentioned that Wu Chang intended to capture Mo Wen. If Yan Li revealed this information, Mo Wen would rush to Bai Sang’s aid, walking straight into Wu Chang’s trap. But keeping it from her felt like making a decision on her behalf, shielding her from danger against her will.

Yan Li hesitated, torn between revealing the truth and protecting Mo Wen.

“Mo Wen.”

Mo Wen was about to check on others who were injured but stopped and turned back at Yan Li’s call. “What is it?”

Yan Li hesitated, then spoke. “Valley Master Bai is with Wu Chang. She’s injured, I think.”

The wind howled, the sky a gloomy gray, but the snow-covered ground reflected a cold, ethereal light.

“Where is she?” Mo Wen asked calmly. For someone like her, devoid of facial expressions, emotions are conveyed only through her voice and eyes.

Yan Li and the others, having spent considerable time with her, had learned to interpret her moods. They had witnessed a range of emotions in her voice, but this flat, emotionless tone was a first.

It was a chilling calm.

Yan Li paused, then said, “She was with Lingyun earlier, but I don’t know where he is now. Someone must have seen him. Go ask around.”

Mo Wen left, moving past the sluggish walking corpses to find Lingyun.

The person playing the zither emerged from the forest and approached Lingyun. Holding the zither in one hand, he continued to leisurely pluck its strings, producing a sound like a gentle stream.

Lingyun’s expression darkened as he said sternly, “Gong Shang!”

He had received news early on that the master of the Qixian Palace was in seclusion. He hadn’t expected him to appear here.

Gong Shang responded with a warm smile, “I’ve been pondering the mysteries of the divine weapon, and recently I’ve grasped a hint of its essence. It just so happened to coincide with an opportunity to test it.”

Whether it was the effect of the zither’s music or not, a sense of unease crept into Lingyun’s heart. Listening closely, he could detect the faint sounds of flutes and pipes, suggesting the presence of other Qixian Palace disciples.

He suddenly realized who had invited Gong Shang.

He had sent some men to capture Lin Zigui, and there had been no word until now. Now that Gong Shang was here, she must be here too!

Mo Wen asked coldly, “Lingyun, where is Wu Chang?”

Lingyun’s remaining men and the still-capable walking corpses formed a barrier, preventing anyone from getting close to Lingyun.

Lingyun was not focused on the crowd; he turned his head, looking beyond the endless fields of flowers toward a massive fire burning on the other side, painting the sky in shades of purple and red.

Though Lingyun ignored her and didn’t respond, someone else shouted, “Oh no! Wu Chang took Valley Master Bai and fled west!” When Yi Song heard someone ask about Wu Chang, an image suddenly flashed through his mind, and he blurted it out.

Before Lingyun had activated the Aihong Sword, Wu Chang had already left with a group of men.

Yi Song had seen it, but his focus was entirely on Lingyun’s Aihong Sword; he hadn’t had time to order a pursuit before the sword’s melody had consumed their minds.

Hearing this, Mo Wen immediately turned and headed west.

Seeing this, Yi Song quickly instructed a few disciples to follow her.

Tang Linzhi glanced at Lingyun and then at Mo Wen; with a sigh of frustration, she gave up the idea of killing Lingyun to follow Mo Wen.

There were enough people here to deal with Lingyun. She was more concerned about Mo Wen. The girl was too reckless to face Wu Chang alone.

Mo Wen knew the paths of Xuhuai Valley like the back of her hand. They passed a small pond, and beyond the trees, the path split into three.

One path led to a sheer cliff, another would eventually loop back to the front valley. There was no reason for Wu Chang to choose a dead end, and returning to the front valley seemed unnecessarily convoluted.

Mo Wen chose the middle path, the same one she and Qing Jiu had taken when they escaped the valley years ago.

Plum trees lined the path, and at this time of year, the plum blossoms were in full bloom, their vibrant colors enhanced by the contrasting white snow.

Wu Chang and his group were walking ahead, not in a panicked rush, so they were not in a hurry, taking one step at a time.

Thus, Mo Wen caught up with them in the middle of the plum forest.

“Wu Chang!”

The group halted at the sound. Wu Chang turned around, his eyes lighting up strangely upon seeing Mo Wen.

He hadn’t expected the very thing he sought to fall right into his lap.

“It’s you!” Wu Chang’s voice trembled with pleasure as he recognized her, even with her head covered and without seeing the distinctive red pattern, he knew her.

He had caught wind of her existence and infiltrated the Xuhuai Valley to investigate, even clashing with Xuan Shen. But he hadn’t found the Living Gu. Unwilling to give up, he returned after Xuan Shen’s death, searching again, but to no avail.

He had no idea how close he had been to her at Mingjian Manor, just missing a chance encounter.

Otherwise, he would have lamented missing two opportunities to capture this creature, wasting all this time.

Wu Chang turned around. Mo Wen saw him holding Bai Sang, noticing the red bloodstain on her chest.

Mo Wen’s pupils contracted, narrowing into slits, a reaction beyond the capability of ordinary eyes.

“Shishu…” The wind caused the silver earrings on her ears to sway. She stared at Bai Sang with her eerie eyes, her expression cold and emotionless against the night sky.

She began walking straight towards Wu Chang, her movements stiff and unnatural. Tang Linzhi and a group of Beggar’s Sect disciples had just caught up, not understanding what she intended to do.

Tang Linzhi shouted, “Mo Wen!” trying to make her stop. Any further and she would be right in front of Wu Chang.

Wu Chang lifted his chin, signaling two of his subordinates. They bypassed Mo Wen and charged toward Tang Linzi.

The rest, about a dozen walking corpses, attacked the Beggar’s Sect disciples. They knew well enough that Tang Linzhi’s Chini bow-sword could not be touched.

Mo Wen seemed not to hear Tang Linzhi’s call and was oblivious to Wu Chang and his men. She walked right up to Wu Chang and reached out to touch Bai Sang.

Suddenly, one of Wu Chang’s men darted out, slashing a knife at Mo Wen’s legs with a swift and fierce strike that drew blood immediately.

Mo Wen fell to her knees.

“Just cripple her enough to prevent resistance,” Wu Chang instructed, a hint of concern in his voice. “Don’t cause any permanent damage.”

“This subordinate knows the right measure,” the subordinate responded.

Wu Chang gently placed Bai Sang aside and crouched down before Mo Wen. He ripped the scarf from her head, gripping her chin and scrutinizing the red markings on her arms.

He laughed, “I’ve finally found you!!”

He was ecstatic, practically giddy with joy. “You are the most perfect Living Gu,” he declared. “Do you have any idea how much effort I invested in your development?”

“That old fool, the Gu Emperor, out of fear and jealousy, not only forbade me from working with you but also banished me from Miaojiang! That fool thought hiding you in Xuhuay Valley would keep you safe from me! Hah! But his actions led me to create the animated corpses, and now, I’ve finally recovered you!”

He examined Mo Wen from head to toe, like a prized possession. Her beauty and vitality delighted him, momentarily eclipsing his resentment towards the Gu Emperor and Xuan Shen. He almost felt grateful to them.

He had nurtured other Living Gu who survived to the age of four or five, but they never reached adulthood. Mo Wen, however, was strong and healthy, her vital energy potent, her body honed by martial arts training. She was an unprecedented specimen, more valuable than any other Gu.

“With your blood, I can create the most powerful animated corpses,” Wu Chang gloated, his imagination running wild. “I can awaken their intelligence, perhaps even achieve immortality one day! Hahaha …”

Mo Wen’s gaze fell upon the wound on Bai Sang’s chest, directly over her heart. Afraid to check her pulse, she gently touched Bai Sang’s cheek. Her skin was icy cold.

The nearby walking corpses, drawn by the sight of fresh blood from the cut on Mo Wen’s leg, drooled as they stared intently at her.

When Mo Wen crawled in front of Bai Sang, they couldn’t hold back any longer and roared as they lunged to bite her. Wu Chang’s men couldn’t stop them.

Mo Wen’s blood held a fatal attraction for all Gu, activating their primal instincts. For the walking corpses, it was the ultimate temptation and their deepest fear.

The walking corpses’ sharp teeth punctured Mo Wen’s skin, and as her blood spilled, they swallowed it and became even more frenzied, desperately trying to tear off her flesh.

Wu Chang shouted, “Stop!”

He had finally obtained this prized Living Gu and wouldn’t allow her to be destroyed.

Despite his command, the walking corpses, having tasted her blood, refused to stop.

Wu Chang whipped out a bone flute, its sharp, piercing notes echoing through the forest.

At once, all the walking corpses halted their attacks and eerily turned their faces toward Wu Chang.

Wu Chang watched Mo Wen, who turned to face him. The red markings on her forehead intensified, and her eyes were tinged with a deep red.

The walking corpses had not stopped due to Wu Chang’s control but were responding to Mo Wen’s silent command.

Mo Wen pointed at him, her mouth moving silently, emitting a faint, strange sound.

Following her command, the walking corpses, ignoring the sound of the flute, lunged in unison toward Wu Chang.

Wu Chang’s subordinates tried to intervene, but they were outnumbered. Unlike before, these corpses were ferocious, driven by a ravenous hunger for flesh and blood. They were fearless, unfazed by swords piercing their bodies, tackling their victims and tearing into them with savage abandon.

Screams of agony filled the air.

Wu Chang watched, a mix of fear and admiration etching lines across his face.

He witnessed the terrifying power Mo Wen had developed, a power that filled him with both elation and dread. It was a force as deep and unpredictable as an abyss, far exceeding his control.

He raised his bone flute, changing the melody, directing it towards Mo Wen. Seeing her clutch her head, he intensified the sound, determined to regain control.

The prospect of possessing this unique treasure, this unparalleled Living Gu, consumed him. He no longer cared about anything else. His entire being was fixated on this prize.

Suddenly, Mo Wen’s eyes snapped open, her gaze fierce and unwavering as she locked eyes with him. “Rip him apart!” she roared.

The walking corpses howled, their cries echoing the ferocity of wild beasts. They tore into Wu Chang’s subordinates, their bodies becoming drenched in blood, their frenzy growing with each kill. They advanced on Wu Chang, their movements relentless.

Wu Chang frantically blew on his flute, but Mo Wen remained unaffected, her mind resisting his control.

Even as the walking corpses swarmed him, he refused to give up, his desperate melody blending with his screams of pain as sharp teeth tore into his flesh.

They dragged him down, their weight crushing him. The agony brought a fleeting moment of clarity, a realization that Mo Wen was beyond his control.

Gu were highly susceptible to sound, especially the shrill notes of a flute. The weaker their willpower, the easier they were to manipulate.

This Living Gu, however, was unique. While she could effortlessly control external Gu, mastering the Gu within her own body required immense mental effort. In her current weakened state, any external influence should have overwhelmed her mind, rendering her susceptible to his control.

Lingyun had assured him she hadn’t yet mastered her abilities. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have collapsed after expelling the Gu from her friend’s body. That incident proved she was vulnerable, prone to losing control and falling unconscious.

It had only been a short time. How could she possibly be immune to his influence now?

As he breathed his last, the question tormented Wu Chang.

How could this be…?