After Marrying the Disabled Demon Lord as a Substitute, I Ran Away with His Child - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Outside the Mustard Seed Space, Bimu was like a wretched, fleeing mad dog, pursued and beaten by Xuan Mo.

The direction of his flight was toward his own cave dwelling.

In truth, he didn’t have to flee so pathetically; he could have gathered his strength to fight Xuan Mo to a standstill. But now was not the time for a duel. He could sense strangers entering his Mustard Seed Space and guessed it was his daughter and Zuo Siqiu.

Actually, the Mustard Seed Space was easy to enter but difficult to leave. Logically, he shouldn’t have been worried; he could deal with the situation outside first and then handle his daughter and Zuo Siqiu inside. Yet, for some reason, an inexplicable panic welled up in his heart. He could only keep rushing toward his dwelling.

By the time he entered the cave, Bimu was already injured. He hadn’t expected Xuan Mo’s strength to be so immense. Logically, that man’s spiritual roots were so overflowing that they should have damaged his physical body and primordial spirit, making it impossible for his power to be this profound.

He had no time for detailed investigation. Upon entering, he immediately closed the cave’s boundary. A defensive barrier sealed the entire dwelling. Xuan Mo and the following members of the Xuanyun Sect struck the barrier with all their might.

Yan Jiaojiao roared furiously, “Break this damn barrier for me! The Sect Leader said this dog actually dared to have someone take away our Madam! We must snatch her back no matter what!”

The Xuanyun Sect members worked even harder. Their Sect Leader had finally married a wife and gained a bit of vitality; the entire sect had become vibrant because of the Madam’s appearance. How could such a wonderful Madam be allowed to be kidnapped!

Furthermore, that dog Bimu kidnapped those cultivators to keep as “cauldrons” in his space! How could their Madam be someone else’s cauldron?

Feeling the vibrations of the defensive barrier above the cave, Bimu gnashed his teeth in secret, hating that the people sent by those clans and sects to aid him were so weak.

While sending messages to the clans, he swallowed a healing pill and entered his Mustard Seed Space. As long as he disposed of all the cauldrons, silenced his daughter, and dealt with Zuo Siqiu, who would ever know he had kept these people?

However, as he stepped into the Mustard Seed Space, all that met his eyes was a desolate wasteland. The ground was riddled with pits; all the spiritual treasures and materials had vanished. Even the spiritual soil he had painstakingly moved from a secret realm didn’t have a single grain left!

What happened here!

Where were his spiritual herbs, flowers, and trees? Where were the other alchemy materials he stored here? And the top-grade spirit stones and various Dharma weapons? Where did they go?

That was his entire fortune! Where were his things!

The blood rushed to Bimu’s face, turning it instantly crimson. Even his eyes, full of fury, turned blood-red. He strode into the depths of the space, every step carrying a murderous aura that suggested he would kill anyone in his way.

…

Before his return, the nearly one hundred women had already stripped his space bare.

Only Bi Zhian, leading the dozen or so “cauldrons” who were unwilling to “join the filth,” stood opposite Zuo Siqiu, pleading earnestly: “Siqiu, wait for Father to come and speak to him face-to-face. Why must you plunder his things like this? This is wrong. You clearly aren’t this kind of person. Why are you acting like a member of the Demonic Cult?”

Zuo Siqiu had three storage bracelets on each hand, one or two storage rings on every finger, and her waist was draped with storage pouches. These treasures contained countless rare materials, and she didn’t even know how many top-grade spirit stones were inside.

Not only could this pay off the debts she had recorded on Xuan Mo’s account, but it could also make her a well-known wealthy woman in the cultivation world!

She looked at the female lead and said righteously, “I told you, Third Senior Sister. From the moment I married into the Xuanyun Sect, I’ve been gradually brainwashed by them. Now, I am a thoroughbred Demonic Cult disciple. Isn’t burning, killing, and looting just something that comes naturally?”

“Isn’t this all Second Senior Brother’s fault? If he hadn’t drugged me and put me on that sedan chair, how could I have become the Madam of the Demonic Cult? I really don’t know why he insisted on grabbing me to be the substitute bride.”

Bi Zhian’s arrogance withered by half; Zuo Siqiu’s words left her speechless. After a moment, she found her thoughts again.

This was indeed all the Second Senior Brother’s doing. If she had been the one to marry in, she certainly wouldn’t have been influenced by those people; perhaps she could have even changed their minds. But how could her junior sister have such ability? She really couldn’t blame her.

Seeing Bi Zhian’s face changing colors, Zuo Siqiu didn’t know what she was thinking and added, “Besides, these things weren’t obtained by Immortal Venerable Bimu through honest alchemy. Many of them were stolen from others. I’m simply doing what he has already done.”

Bi Zhian was even more at a loss for words. Her father’s actions left her with no foundation to speak for him. She also knew that if her father returned and saw his space like this, everyone would suffer, including her.

Before she could think of a perfect solution, a surge of energy rippled through the space. Everyone turned to see Bimu, looking wretched and appearing as if he were on the verge of “qi deviation,” walking toward them.

Zuo Siqiu pulled out a spiritual pill, stood in front of her sister and the other women, and whispered to her sister, “Sister, remember to hide with them later so you don’t get hurt.”

Zuo Mudong looked worried. “What are you doing? Your cultivation is only at Foundation Building—lower than mine! You’re standing in front of me? You’re the one who should hide!”

The people behind her also stepped forward, wanting to protect Zuo Siqiu. The fact that someone had come to rescue them was enough to give these despairing women warmth and hope; what did it matter if they died now? They didn’t want to see Zuo Siqiu die before them.

However, the Foundation Building Zuo Siqiu was exceptionally confident. “Sister, trust me. I cherish my life more than anyone. I wouldn’t make a move without absolute certainty.”

As they spoke, Bimu approached. Seeing the storage treasures draped over Zuo Siqiu, he laughed and raged like a madman. A towering aura of fury swept over them. “Zuo Siqiu, it’s actually you!”

“You did all of this! It wasn’t Fu Gui seeking revenge!”

He finally understood. It wasn’t the Demonic Cult using her from behind, nor was it Fu Gui and the Cult reuniting, it was this disciple of his trying to save her sister!

“I never imagined I, Bimu, would have a disciple like you. If I had discovered this sooner, I wouldn’t have wasted my effort nurturing Long Xiaotian!”

He gave a cruel sneer. “But now, you are merely my medicinal primer. Do you really think you can defeat me just because you’ve made these moves?”

Zuo Siqiu pushed her sister back further and stepped forward with a smile. “Of course I can defeat you. If I didn’t have absolute confidence, why would I have spent so much effort stripping your space bare? I don’t do things that are all work and no gain.”

Bimu’s fingertips trembled, and a ball of black flame condensed in his palm. “In that case, I shall see exactly what ability you have to defeat me!”

Zuo Siqiu didn’t dodge. She stood there calmly, waiting for him to “channel” his ultimate move. While waiting, she even ate a spiritual pill, the one she had been holding.

Neither Bimu nor Bi Zhian understood. Zuo Siqiu was facing death; what was the use of eating a “supplementary pill” now?

However, at that moment, the weather within the Mustard Seed Space changed. Endless dark clouds, carrying thunder and lightning, rolled in, condensing into a black “Tribulation Cloud” above everyone’s heads.

Even the people behind Zuo Siqiu looked at her in shock. At this critical juncture, why would she eat a supplementary pill to instantly break through her cultivation boundary and summon a Tribulation?

Bimu found it laughable. “I thought you were the smartest of my disciples, but it seems you’re just a fool. Even if you reach the Golden Core stage now, so what? Facing me, it’s still a dead end!”

“Or do you think you can avoid the Lightning Tribulation inside my space? You are a fool among fools. Don’t you know that wherever you are, the Lightning Tribulation follows!”

Zuo Siqiu didn’t seem flustered by his words. “I know, but my breakthrough now isn’t to fight you as a Golden Core.”

As she spoke, the first bolt of lightning fell. Zuo Siqiu instantly flickered away. The lightning seemed to have a tracking system; wherever she went, it followed.

At the very instant the lightning was about to touch her, Zuo Siqiu dove into the arms of the “channeling” Bimu with lightning speed.

This was something no one expected, including Bimu. He wouldn’t stop attacking her because of her Tribulation; he intended to use the lightning to his advantage, using only a fraction of his power to destroy her. Then he could take her body and the unformed Golden Core to use as a primer.

Any normal person would dodge him while dodging the lightning. This idiot Zuo Siqiu actually dove into his arms—wasn’t that making it easier for him to slap her to death?

The second she hid in Bimu’s arms, the Lightning Tribulation arrived and slammed heavily into… Bimu.

With a thunderous explosion, everyone froze.

Zuo Mudong realized, “So Siqiu wanted the Tribulation to attack Bimu.”

Many cultivators try to reduce the damage of a Tribulation. One method is to have a person of higher cultivation block it. A Lightning Tribulation is not fixed; if it senses that the person it hits or the defensive treasure is of a higher level than the intended damage, it increases its lethality. It must first destroy the defense or the helper before continuing to strike the one undergoing the Tribulation.

Thus, the moment the lightning touched Bimu, the electrical glow flared up, and the black clouds above doubled in size. Lightning surged wildly through the clouds, bringing wave after wave of thunder.

Bimu, already heavily injured by Xuan Mo, could not withstand a Lightning Tribulation adjusted to his own power level. He fell to one knee, cracking the ground of the Mustard Seed Space. His move was interrupted, his internal spiritual energy turned into a mess, and he spat out black blood, his body shaking like a leaf.

Taking advantage of this time, Zuo Siqiu immediately donned the defensive treasures she had just looted from Bimu’s space.

Bimu regained his senses and immediately tried to retreat from the Tribulation’s range. He wasn’t stupid enough to stay near her; if he were hit a few more times, he couldn’t guarantee his life!

However, his retreat was not up to him.

“Siqiu, put away your defensive treasures!” Xuan Mo’s cold, deep voice, laden with anger, rang out.

Zuo Siqiu looked back at the entrance of the space, her eyes lighting up.

The man sat in his wheelchair, unable to even move his fingertips, yet the aura surrounding him was incredibly powerful, carrying a ferocity like a gathering storm. It made everyone in the space feel a tightening in their chests and take a half-step back. Only Zuo Siqiu felt the heart in her chest settle peacefully.

She immediately tucked away her treasures like a precious hoard and squatted on the spot, looking at Xuan Mo. “I’m undergoing a Tribulation! Save me, Venerable One!”

Xuan Mo’s appearance was outside her plan, but he would become her greatest asset in surviving the Tribulation and defeating Bimu.

The thunderclouds above continued to churn, looking terrifying—completely beyond what a Foundation Building cultivator like Zuo Siqiu could resist. But she had no fear. She sat there motionless, just looking at Xuan Mo. Even she didn’t realize the depth of trust in her eyes.

Another bolt of lightning crashed down. Bimu, severely injured by Xuan Mo and then struck by the lightning, never dreamed he would one day be used as a “defensive treasure” for Zuo Siqiu’s Tribulation.

His body was broken, and even his primordial spirit was damaged; he had no strength to resist Xuan Mo’s control. So, as the lightning struck, Xuan Mo used his aura to wrap around the despairing and terrified Bimu, holding him above Zuo Siqiu’s head.

That bolt hit Bimu, and sensing his extraordinary cultivation, the Tribulation immediately increased its power.

Bimu: “!”

This husband and wife pair from the Demonic Cult are too “dog” (shameless)! When have I ever suffered such humiliation and torture!

Xuan Mo and Zuo Siqiu’s maneuvers left everyone dumbstruck. They never thought the number one alchemist of the cultivation world would be used by them as a human shield.

After blocking one bolt, Bimu broke free and tried to escape, but when the next bolt arrived, Xuan Mo would catch him again and toss him back over Zuo Siqiu. It was a literal scene of: He flees, he pursues, he cannot escape even with wings.

When those “cauldrons” had seen Bimu appear, uncontrollable fear had filled their bodies. Yet at this moment, their fear turned into schadenfreude and an almost indescribable emotion.

“Seeing him being pulled up like a rag to block the lightning, I feel like he isn’t that scary after all.” “Yes, how did a person like this manage to imprison all of us here, making us not even dare to resist?” “Looking at this now is so satisfying. Even if he has a day like this, he can be so wretched!” “What is there to fear from a wretched, dog-like man who is at the mercy of others? Why was I so afraid before!” “I have to say, Mudong’s sister is truly clever!” “The righteous path really wouldn’t be able to do something like this.” “I want to be a Demonic Cult member too; doing bad things openly seems quite nice.”

…

It wasn’t until a long time later that the thunderclouds dispersed. Zuo Siqiu, who should have had a narrow escape from death, didn’t even have a speck of dust on her. She sat cross-legged on the ground in meditation. The Golden Core in her body gradually solidified, and endless surges of spiritual energy flowed into it. Her dantian was wider and sturdier than before; because she wasn’t disturbed by the lightning, she had settled more spiritual energy than an ordinary cultivator.

When she opened her eyes again, her cultivation was actually approaching the middle stage of Golden Core. This was unheard of in the cultivation world, a literal miracle. After all, no one underwent a Tribulation without being harmed in the slightest.

Not far from her, a charred figure was twitching on the ground. His robes were in tatters, and his flesh had been carbonized by the repeated torture of the lightning, with wisps of smoke still rising. The sight was truly pathetic, but everyone around—except Bi Zhian—wanted to spit on him. This dog of a man was truly unworthy of sympathy.

Bi Zhian approached her father’s side as if in a daze. Looking at the charred corpse, she turned to look at Zuo Siqiu and Xuan Mo in disbelief: “How could you do this to my father?”

Zuo Siqiu had successfully entered the Golden Core stage and was in a good mood, but hearing this, her face turned cold. “And by what right did your father treat other cultivators like that? What he is suffering now isn’t even one percent of what those cultivators endured.”

The Xuanyun Sect members behind Xuan Mo finally dared to speak.

Yan Jiaojiao said, “Well done, Madam! Using this dog to block the lightning is the only way he can show even a tiny bit of use.”

Blood Demon bared his fangs. “If you ask me, this is too easy on him. Why not take him back to the Xuanyun Sect? Since he likes using others as cauldrons, let him be a cauldron for others and taste what it’s like.”

Fu Gui stepped forward. “The Right Protector’s suggestion is good, but his ugly appearance makes it hard to start. We could give him some ‘beauty pills’ or just change his physical gender and give him to the sect members to help them increase their cultivation.”

Hearing these words from real Demonic Cult members, Zuo Siqiu momentarily felt that she was truly a kind-hearted, lovely person.

Bi Zhian stepped forward, blocking her father. She didn’t dare look at the hundred-plus people her father had used as cauldrons. She even felt that Yan Jiaojiao’s people were right—what was the difference between her father and a demonic cultivator? If a demonic cultivator did this, the righteous path certainly wouldn’t let them go.

But no matter what, this man was her father. Now, besides her, no one else was willing to step forward to protect him. Her father had no one but her. How could she leave him?