Jianghu Demolition Squad

Moving Like the Stars (Part Three)

Meiren Gu seemed completely unconcerned by her movements. He still held the skeleton tightly in his arms, affectionately nuzzling the skull, and glanced sideways at Qing Jiu, “That’s hardly the attitude of someone seeking help.”

Qing Jiu asked, “Then what does senior require for you to tell me?”

Meiren Gu’s gaze swept down, scrutinizing Qing Jiu from head to toe, reassessing her with increasing satisfaction. “Trade it for your bones,” he proposed.

Qing Jiu drew her Liangyi sword, laughing, “It seems a peaceful exchange is off the table. It seems a peaceful transaction is not possible.”

Qing Jiu moved swiftly, her sword striking with an incredible speed. Meiren Gu, hindered by the skeleton he cradled, found his movements impeded. In a few exchanges, his sleeve was torn, and the bone bracelet on his arm was shattered by Qing Jiu’s sword, falling to the ground.

Meiren Gu’s expression darkened as he glanced at the bracelet on the floor, his eyes growing stormy.

Seeing his change in expression, Qing Jiu paused her assault. She stood beside a wooden shelf filled with bone carvings, her sword raised above one of the sculptures, her face breaking into a smile as she looked towards Meiren Gu.

Meiren Gu stiffened. Qing Jiu asked, “Senior, how did you remove the sect’s Gu poison?”

Meiren Gu stared intensely at the bone carving beneath Qing Jiu’s sword, his smile sly, “Why? You want to break free from the Ghost Sect’s control? Even if you know how, you won’t escape their pursuit.”

Qing Jiu slashed downward with her long sword, and the shelf collapsed with a crash, sending bone carvings clattering to the ground. “Senior only needs to tell me the method. There’s no need for senior to worry about the rest.”

Meiren Gu’s face grew grim: “Have you already left the Ghost Sect?”

Although it was a question, his tone was exceptionally certain.

Meiren Gu was highly perceptive, deducing from a single sentence that Qing Jiu had left the Ghost Sect.

Qing Jiu wasn’t surprised that he had seen through her. With a turn of her foot, she pointed her sword at another shelf and asked, “Senior, how to remove the Gu poison?”

Meiren Gu carefully placed the skeleton from his arms onto a chair and drew his long bone sword. “Once I separate your flesh from your bones, I’ll carve and polish them into the most beautiful bones. Then, I will wear you on my body every day, cherishing and loving you. What do you want to know that I won’t tell you?” He spoke as if he had already envisioned Qing Jiu transformed into a skeleton lying in his arms, his eyes glazing over with a hint of obsession.

As Qing Jiu moved to destroy another of his bone carvings, Meiren Gu attacked with his sword.

Qing Jiu parried the blows, managing not to fall behind, but her own swordplay felt awkward. She thought to herself, “He truly is the former Dao Gui of the Ghost Sect.”

Meiren Gu’s methods were sinister, his martial arts unorthodox.

The battle moved from the center of the room to the window. Qing Jiu knew Meiren Gu was trying to drive her out to avoid damaging the bone sculptures inside.

Qing Jiu let out a cold laugh, unwilling to comply with his intentions. She kicked a tilted wooden chair beside her and threw it at the shelf.

Meiren Gu’s forehead twitched, and he moved to intercept. Qing Jiu’s swordplay was relentless, giving him no respite.

As another shelf of bone carvings crashed to the floor, Meiren Gu’s eyes blazed with an intense crimson, his blade moves sharpened in fury, yet seeming to accept the loss moments later. He sneered, “No matter, trading those for your bones is worth it.”

Meiren Gu’s long sword targeted Qing Jiu’s joints as he said, “Don’t be afraid. Once I cut them off, I’ll piece your bones back together perfectly.”

However, Qing Jiu’s sword dance was impenetrable, leaving no openings. After a prolonged exchange, Meiren Gu failed to gain any advantage.

Initially, Meiren Gu was somewhat composed, but after exchanging a palm strike and probing Qing Jiu’s internal energy, he realized her power was no less than his own.

Meiren Gu remarked, “The student surpasses the master. Your skills are no worse than that madwoman. When did the Ghost Sect produce such a character?”

Qing Jiu smiled, “Is senior interested?”

As their fight intensified, the chairs in the room splintered under the force of their clashing weapons, and the bone carvings couldn’t withstand the onslaught of their sword and blade, shattering beyond repair.

Meiren Gu glanced briefly at the floor, momentarily distracted. Qing Jiu seized the opportunity to attack, executing a powerful technique called ‘Rainbow Piercing the Sun,’ aiming straight for Meiren Gu’s chest.

Caught off guard, Meiren Gu couldn’t parry in time and was forced to leap upwards, breaking through the roof. Despite his escape, Qing Jiu’s relentless attack persisted, her sword thrust closely following him.

Meiren Gu landed on the eaves and quickly retreated backward. He sensed a strange noise behind him and dodged just in time as two darts whizzed past his ear.

This delay allowed a white figure to launch an attack from the side. This time, Meiren Gu couldn’t dodge; a kick landed squarely on his chest, sending shockwaves through his organs and causing him to spit blood as he fell onto the roof ridge.

As he struggled to rise, Qing Jiu was already there, her sword pointed at his throat.

Meiren Gu, still clutching his long sword, glanced at Qing Jiu and then around him.

Tang Linzhi stood on the eaves, her Chini bow drawn and aimed directly at him. Hua Lian, not far behind Qing Jiu, coldly stared at Meiren Gu, brushing his shoe as if the act of kicking Meiren Gu had dirtied it.

Qing Jiu challenged, “Is senior still unwilling to speak?”

Meiren Gu responded, “If I tell you, will you spare my life?”

Qing Jiu replied, “I can make your death quicker.”

Meiren Gu fell silent. Qing Jiu smiled lightly, “I’m sure you’re quite familiar with the Ghost Sect’s interrogation methods. The lady behind me is from the Tang Sect, and I assume you’ve heard of their techniques for interrogating criminals. I also have a friend who is skilled with needles and drugs, and even more knowledgeable about the Gu insects of the Miaojiang. Perhaps you’d like to try them out? We have plenty of time to ask slowly.”

The fire in Meiren Gu’s eyes burned even brighter, completely unfazed. He said, “I’m growing more and more fond of you.”

Meiren Gu leaned closer to Qing Jiu. She quickly extended her sword to his throat, meeting his eyes with a cold stare.

Meiren Gu, licking the blood at the corner of his mouth, his body trembling not from fear but excitement, said, “What harm is there in telling you? The Ghost Sect’s Gu poison has no cure at all!”

Qing Jiu was stunned, and even Hua Lian and Tang Linzhi’s expressions changed. Hua Lian, pointing his fan at Meiren Gu, angrily said, “If there’s no antidote, then how have you survived all these years after betraying the Ghost Sect without the Gu poison killing you? Don’t you dare lie, or I’ll help you scratch that itch!”

Meiren Gu no longer looked at Hua Lian or Tang Linzhi; his focus was entirely on Qing Jiu, watching her face. His lips curled up, “How would the Judge allow someone from the sect to defect? Do you really think I betrayed the sect?”

Qing Jiu’s expression shifted as she looked deeply into Meiren Gu’s eyes. Those dark eyes shimmered with specks of scarlet.

Meiren Gu’s smile widened, his voice lowering to a chilling murmur, “I’m merely a piece the Judge has placed outside the sect. Anyone intending to betray the sect must seek a way to remove the Heart-Splitting Gu and escape control. If they hear that I have betrayed the sect for many years without the Gu poison activating, wouldn’t they think I possess the cure? Then, these traitors would definitely come to find me, just like you!”

“I’m nothing more than a chess piece used to distinguish the loyal from the treacherous within the sect.”

“There is no such thing as a cure for the Gu poison in this world. I haven’t succumbed to it simply because I rely on suppressive pills from the sect. Once you join the Ghost Sect, you are essentially agreeing to become a demon, to surrender your life; the Judge would never permit you to take it back.”

Meiren Gu saw Qing Jiu’s face turn pale, her brows furrowed, her eyes heavy. He became even more delighted, his whole body trembling uncontrollably with joy as he asked Qing Jiu, “How long has it been since you betrayed the sect? One year? Two years? Or even longer? What method have you been using to suppress the Heart-Splitting Gu’s activation? Are you enduring it, or did you steal pills from the sect? How often do you suffer from the outbreaks now? Once a year? Every six months? …”

His eyes were too sharp, peering straight into Qing Jiu, reading her reactions closely, and finally saying, “Three months?”

Seeing a slight flicker in Qing Jiu’s eyes, he threw back his head and laughed, completely unconcerned about the long sword pressing against his vital point. With utter delight and crimson eyes, he displayed a manic expression, “Three months, three months! I only have an outbreak every six months. You’ll die before me! When the time comes, I’ll definitely come find you. Your bones will be mine!”

Hua Lian, his face ashen with rage, barked, “Nonsense!”

Meiren Gu glanced sideways at Hua Lian and asked, “Are you also from the Ghost Sect?”

As the question left his mouth, he scrutinized Hua Lian’s face and said, “You’re not from the Ghost Sect. You’re here for revenge, aren’t you?”

Hua Lian clenched his teeth, gripping his fan tightly, his eyes like cold, sharp swords as he stared at Meiren Gu.

Seeing Hua Lian’s expression, the Meiren Gu’s eyes lit up, “That’s it, you’re here for revenge!”

“Let me think, I only seek beautiful bones. Did I kill your friend? No? Did I kill your lover? Getting closer, right? Did I kill your fiancée?”

Meiren Gu’s voice rose in a manic laugh, “Ah yes! Your fiancée, where was she from? How old was she? Judging by your appearance, she must have been beautiful. Was she elegant and graceful or alluring and enchanting? The bones of such a exquisite person, I must have carried them on my body! Take a look, do you still recognize her?”

Following the Meiren Gu’s gaze, Hua Lian looked at the bone ornaments on his body. He knew that at this moment, he couldn’t let the Meiren Gu’s bewitching words disturb his mind any further. Yet, the thought of his beloved’s incomplete remains was too much to bear. How could he ignore it if Meiren Gu was indeed carrying her bones? How could he not take them back?

Meiren Gu was wearing a series of tooth-shaped pendants across his chest. He recited them one by one, “This piece came from a dancer in Luori City of the Desert, this one from the daughter of the City Lord of Futu City in the Central Plains, and this from a young lady of a wealthy merchant family in Hangzhou…”

As Meiren Gu spoke, Hua Lian’s gaze fell upon that particular pendant, and his eyes turned a fierce red as he surged forward with a heartbreaking cry, “I will take your life!”

Just then, Meiren Gu swung around, kicking Qing Jiu’s long sword away with one foot and swiftly launching three bone darts at Hua Lian. With a quick flick of his fan, Hua Lian managed to deflect them, but the maneuver slowed him down.

Qing Jiu and Hua Lian’s skills were usually impeccable, leaving no openings for their opponents. However, their momentarily distracted minds gave Meiren Gu, skilled as he was, the opportunity to dodge and counterattack with hidden weapons—all in the blink of an eye.

Though they knew he was cunning and unpredictable, excelling in psychological manipulation, being mentally prepared was one thing, but actually facing him was another matter entirely.

After repelling Qing Jiu and Hua Lian, Meiren Gu faced another problem—Tang Linzhi.

If Tang Linzhi released the Chini arrow, relying on its formidable power, it would undoubtedly kill him with a single shot.

However, she wasn’t as perceptive as Qing Jiu and misunderstood Meiren Gu’s character, thinking his words were merely meant to intimidate Qing Jiu and that he still held the method to remove the Gu poison. If they killed him, where would they find a way to cure the Gu poison in Qing Jiu’s body?

In her moment of hesitation, her aim faltered, and her arrow only shattered Meiren Gu’s shoulder, breaking his left arm.

Blood sprayed as Meiren Gu staggered and collapsed under the eaves.

As soon as Hua Lian deflected the hidden weapons shot by Meiren Gu, he immediately pursued the falling figure.

Under the shadowy trees, a dark figure lurked. As Hua Lian approached, he heard the whoosh of the air and instinctively retreated, but still got hit by something on his face. He reached out to touch it, feeling a wet stickiness. It turned out that Meiren Gu had swung his severed arm, splattering blood in his direction.

As Hua Lian retreated, Meiren Gu quickly pressed his acupoints to stop the bleeding. Staggering a few steps, he regained his balance and, using his lightness skills, began to flee.

Hua Lian pursued him relentlessly, with Tang Linzhi and Qing Jiu following close behind. The three of them were exceptional in their agility, and with Meiren Gu wounded, they weren’t concerned about him escaping.

Unexpectedly, as Hua Lian led the chase, Tang Linzhi and Qing Jiu lagged slightly behind. Just as they leaped over the courtyard wall, Qing Jiu’s body swayed, and she fell from the top of the wall.

Tang Linzhi quickly spun around, catching her before she hit the ground.

“Qing Jiu?” Tang Linzhi looked at her as she clutched at her chest, her eyes red with distress.

“Is your Gu acting up?! Isn’t it supposed to be half a month more? Why has it started early again?!” Tang Linzhi’s voice was frantic as she hurriedly pulled out the medicinal pills given by Mo Wen from Qing Jiu’s chest.

Qing Jiu trembled for a moment, grasping Tang Linzhi’s wrist with great effort before managing to say, “Go, go after, Hua Lian! He’s not, a match…”

Tang Linzhi pried open her mouth and fed her a pill, then glanced in the direction Hua Lian had gone.

At that moment, Hua Lian’s eyes were fixed solely on his enemy. Unaware of the commotion behind him, he pursued Meiren Gu into the darkness of the night.

“He has hands, feet, and a brain. If he can’t win, doesn’t he know how to run? Besides, Meiren Gu has already lost an arm. If he still can’t handle him, he’s just a waste!” Tang Linzhi remarked.

“No, he…” Qing Jiu wanted to say something more, but a wave of pain surged through her, leaving her unable to catch her breath, unable to even moan.

Tang Linzhi knew Qing Jiu always had her reasons, but compared to Hua Lian, she couldn’t just leave Qing Jiu suffering from the Gu poison alone. She knew that she was not as skilled as Hua Lian and Qing Jiu in martial arts, but she had her own sense of judgment and made her own decisions when faced with situations.