Chapter 87: Do You Know My Origins?

The voice belonged to a middle-aged Taoist, whose cheekbones were deeply sunken, giving him an emaciated appearance akin to a malicious spirit. His gray Daoist robe was embroidered with an enormous blood-red lotus and countless poisonous insects, making anyone's scalp tingle at the sight.

Although both wielded magical power, they adhered to the principle of conserving their strength, unwilling to waste it on capturing someone with sorcery. Only when Jin Yu fled toward the vicinity of Chisong Mountain did the beautiful woman reluctantly intervene, casting an enchantment to ensnare Jin Yu's soul.

Upon hearing the gaunt Taoist's praise, the beautiful woman sneered inwardly. Last night, he had been utterly captivated by her, yet now he was clearly sober and composed. If not for his remarkable background—rumored to be the servant of a great figure—she would never have shared this opportunity with him.

Despite her disdain, she offered him a charming smile and said, "My little tricks are hardly worth mentioning compared to yours, elder brother. When we obtain the spiritual treasure and trade it with Master Hu for the elixir, your share will certainly not be overlooked."

The gaunt Taoist laughed heartily, taking the opportunity to grope the beautiful woman, his face brimming with smug satisfaction. Within the Gu Division, he was but a minor role at others' beck and call. Yet, following the Gu Master here to the Alliance of the Unusual, he had received considerable favor and indulged himself.

Not only did he enjoy the beautiful woman's advances, but he was also poised to reap yet another opportunity. Pride swelled in his heart.

As Jin Yu drew closer, both their faces broke into smiles. Just as they were preparing to seize their prize, a sudden rush of wind sounded in their ears. Looking up, they saw a burly figure descend abruptly from the sky, clad in blue-black armor, blocking their path.

The sudden appearance caught them completely off guard.

"Who are you?" The gaunt Taoist's face darkened, stepping back warily.

"Whoever does not retreat—dies!" The only reply from the armored warrior was a cold, curt declaration.

Hearing this, both faces paled in unison. Was someone else eyeing the grandfather and granddaughter, hoping to snatch them away?

The beautiful woman sneered inwardly. Where did this rogue cultivator come from, daring to compete for the Unusual Alliance's prey?

This man's magical fluctuations were minor; he must be no great cultivator, likely just a wandering practitioner with scant power. The gaunt Taoist sized him up, thinking he was just another fool seeking a share, and decided to show off his own skills.

He stepped forward, smiling and clasping his hands at the armored warrior. "Since you wish to protect the girl, we could be persuaded to show mercy. However—"

He deliberately dragged out his words, drawing the warrior's attention. In that instant, his eyes flashed, and a cloud of multicolored poisonous mist surged toward the warrior's face.

Simultaneously, the previously calm ground suddenly collapsed, and a speckled centipede with densely jointed claws shot out, biting fiercely at the warrior's lower leg with lightning speed.

The sequence was executed flawlessly, the distraction giving no time to react.

Yet, the move that had always worked failed utterly this time.

The speckled centipede was his life-linked Gu insect, immune to all poisons and herbs; even a martial arts master would be in mortal danger from its bite. But now, it felt as though it had bitten iron, its venomous fangs nearly breaking.

Before he could be shocked, a flash of blue sword-light sliced the centipede in two, then turned toward his own face.

"Not good!" the gaunt Taoist cried out in terror, reacting swiftly by grabbing the beautiful woman to use as a shield.

A single sword hum resounded through the scene.

The beautiful woman, caught off guard, was instantly split in two by the sword-light. Her face still bore an expression of disbelief, as if unable to comprehend how the Taoist who courted her last night could be so ruthless today.

With the woman absorbing the blow, the gaunt Taoist gained a brief respite. Watching the burly armored warrior approach, he cried out, "Do you know who I am? How dare you strike at me? Have you not recognized my Lifeless Gu Robe?"

The armored warrior paid him no heed, raising his sword, ready to strike.

As the gaunt Taoist prepared to accept death, the sword did not fall, but instead hovered in place.

In a sudden change of heart, the armored warrior stabbed through the Taoist's dantian, destroying his energy sea without taking his life.

Immediately afterward, he grabbed both the unconscious girl and the gaunt Taoist, one in each hand, and strode off into the wind.

...

The moon hung high in the sky.

Within Jinhua Prefecture City, at an inn.

An energetic old man sat cross-legged on the bed, eyes closed in meditation. After a long time, he exhaled deeply, feeling his own life-force flickering like a candle in the wind, his face clouded with worry.

He had lived to a ripe age, and by rights, his time should be up. But his granddaughter was still young; if he were to leave now, how could she survive alone?

Gazing at the spirit fish swimming in the wooden bucket, he made up his mind. The elixirs and medicines obtained this time would be better spent awakening his granddaughter's power, helping her become an Unusual herself. This way, even after his passing, he would have fewer worries for her future.

With this thought, he glanced instinctively at the adjacent room.

In that instant, his expression changed drastically. He suddenly realized he could sense nothing of his granddaughter's presence.

Rushing into the next room, he found it empty, with the window open and starlight faintly spilling in.

He frowned deeply, surveying the surroundings. Nothing was in disarray; she must have left by the window herself, not been abducted.

But at such a late hour, where could she go without telling him? Jinhua Prefecture was her first visit—she shouldn't wander off.

In his distress, a sudden inspiration struck.

Chisong Mountain! She had only heard of it earlier that day. Could she have gone there secretly, hoping to find a remedy for him?

He slapped his thigh, growing ever more anxious. His granddaughter was inexperienced; what if she was tricked?

Unable to sit still, he smiled wryly, packed the spirit fish into the bamboo basket, and transformed into a shadow, rushing toward Chisong Mountain under the cover of night.