After My Death, the Female Lead Breaks the Heartless Path - Chapter 59

Chen Yulan’s past being framed by the former Holy Maiden and forced to flee the sect had become a taboo within the Blissful Union Sect. Not to mention the attendants, even the elders dared not bring it up in front of Chen Yulan.

Where did this person find the courage to mention it?

“Fellow Daoist Qu,” Chen Yulan spoke expressionlessly, her voice tinged with a chill. “There’s no need to dwell on the past.”

Qu Tao, being thick-skinned, failed to detect the resistance and displeasure in Chen Yulan’s tone. Instead, he assumed she was merely upset by the memories and continued, “I understand, but precisely because of that, shouldn’t we reflect on the past?”

Chen Yulan: …? Reflect on what? Why should she reflect on that part of her past? Reflect on having acted too late?

The maids behind Chen Yulan exchanged bewildered glances, utterly confused by his nonsensical remarks.

Qu Tao, mistaking their silence for astonishment at his words, prided himself on his eloquence as a former leader: “The darkness in the cultivation world has always existed. It is precisely because of this pervasive darkness that Fellow Daoist Chen suffered such a tragic experience in the past.”

As he spoke, Qu Tao reached out to take Chen Yulan’s hand, but she deftly avoided it by pretending to sip her tea. Unfazed, he continued, “What we must do now is not avoid it, but overthrow this darkness. Only then can we truly leave the past behind.”

“And how does Fellow Daoist Qu plan to overthrow it?” Chen Yulan asked with a faint smile.

Qu Tao was stumped by the question. He had never actually thought about how to achieve this. “Well, of course, by gathering like-minded cultivators to strike back against Penglai.”

Chen Yulan thought to herself, Just as I expected, and continued leisurely, “So, Fellow Daoist Qu wishes for me to join your second organization, much like your rebellion army?”

Qu Tao sensed that Chen Yulan’s tone wasn’t entirely approving, but he nodded nonetheless. “Exactly. I wonder—”

Chen Yulan raised a hand to stop him. “Fellow Daoist Qu, do you know the difference between you and me?”

Qu Tao, caught off guard, found himself following her lead. “Wh-what is it?”

Chen Yulan rose to her feet, a mocking glint in her eyes. “No matter how many weaklings gather together, they remain weaklings nothing more than a disorganized mob. I have reached my current position because I am stronger.”

“Indeed,” a voice chimed in agreement, drawing everyone’s attention to the doorway. A woman holding a cat strolled in leisurely and smiled at the bewildered Qu Tao. “After all, a group of people who only hide in the shadows to scavenge and claim credit hardly seems capable of achieving great things.”

With that, Xu Jingqiu gave Qu Tao a meaningful look. “We meet again. The last time we met… you were just as pitiful. Though, your face was intact back then.” Without another word, she turned and left briskly with her cat, paying no mind to how infuriated Qu Tao had become.

Why is she still here? Qu Tao thought. I can’t let her ruin my plans again. Resolved, he suddenly turned to face the smiling Chen Yulan and said gravely, “Fellow Daoist Chen, that person should not remain here for long.”

Chen Yulan’s smile vanished as she glanced at him. “And why is that?”

Qu Tao said in a deep voice, “Fellow Daoist, you must be aware of the former Divine Maiden of Penglai, who is now the Demon Lord, correct?”

Chen Yulan nodded, her patience wearing thin.

“She is the Demon Lord’s partner, colluding with him to invade and attack our cultivation world. She is the common enemy of all cultivators. We absolutely cannot allow such a person to remain in the Joyous Union Sect, especially now, during the war between the two realms.”

Seeing that neither Chen Yulan nor the maids behind her showed any reaction, Qu Tao gritted his teeth and continued, “This person also directly sabotaged the operations of the former resistance army, causing the only force in the mortal realm capable of opposing Penglai to be completely wiped out. Not to mention, she has overly close ties with the demon race, and demons are not of our kind, they are all outsiders.”

Chen Yulan remained silent for a moment before coldly asking, “So, what do you want?”

Qu Tao declared righteously, “Expel this person. If Fellow Daoist Chen trusts me, you can hand her over to me for disposal.”

To his surprise, after all he had said, Chen Yulan’s favorability toward him had actually dropped significantly, even turning negative.

Even the maids couldn’t bear to listen to his words. Who was Miss Xu? When Chen Yulan was betrayed, she was the only one willing to lend a helping hand. Moreover, even the sect leader couldn’t do anything to Xu Jingqiu. How dare this person, an ordinary cultivator who was once completely unknown speak like this?

The entire sect knew how Chen Yulan felt about Xu Jingqiu it was clear she had feelings for her. To slander the saintess’s beloved right in front of her, it was truly offensive and ungrateful.

Chen Yulan said coldly, “Miss Xu is my close friend. When I was down and out, she was the only one who helped me, while you were probably sweeping floors somewhere. I’ve known her for over ten years, do you think I understand her less than an outsider like you?”

“As for you…” Chen Yulan gave him a once-over and sneered, “Fellow Daoist, do you know the penalty for trespassing into the Joyous Union Sect? I haven’t even asked about your origins yet. I originally thought you were a guest of the sect leader, since you were able to come directly to me… You’re the first.”

“But now, it seems more like you’re a stowaway.”

“Reporting to the Saintess, no one in the entire sect has ever seen this person,” Jing Li stepped forward, bowing to Chen Yulan as she spoke. The moment she finished, the maids pinned Qu Tao to the ground, rendering him immobile.

Only then did Xu Jingqiu leisurely emerge from behind Jing Li, holding a cat in her arms. The moment Qu Tao saw Xu Jingqiu, he understood what was happening.

It was her again! She had ruined his plans once more!

Seeing Xu Jingqiu arrive, Chen Yulan finally smiled genuinely. “You’re here?”

Xu Jingqiu nodded to her before turning her gaze to Jing Li. Taking the hint, Jing Li said seriously, “I’ve inquired with key personnel, including the sect leader, and no one has seen this person. It’s confirmed that he sneaked in illegally. According to Miss Xu, he is also a key fugitive, the former leader of the so-called resistance army, which was actually a bandit organization.”

Qu Tao couldn’t stand hearing his organization slandered like this. He lifted his head, eyes red, and roared, “What bandit organization! We were the great vanguard resisting unjust rule!”

“Oh ho? The great army that plunders wealth and seizes territories?” Xu Jingqiu raised an eyebrow, soothing the kitten that was baring its teeth at Qu Tao. “According to records, since its establishment, the rebel army has forcibly taken thirty-four towns, fifty-seven villages, and occupied a… ah, I forgot the name of the sect, and executed its sect leader, using it as a storage place for stolen goods.”

At this point, Xu Jingqiu paused, then said with a smile, “Speaking of which, I haven’t even settled the score with you for ambushing our Tianzhi members, let alone the countless glorious titles you’ve appropriated for yourselves, all stolen from Tianzhi. I haven’t even come for you, and here you are, delivering yourself to my doorstep.”

“How do you want to handle this?” Chen Yulan asked, not even sparing Qu Tao a glance.

Xu Jingqiu stroked her chin thoughtfully. “Do you have anything here that can prevent him from entering the Joyous Union Sect, or at least trigger an alarm if he steps inside?”

Jingli whispered a few words into Chen Yulan’s ear, and Chen Yulan nodded. “Yes, there’s a curse mark. Once branded, it will serve that purpose.”

“Oh~ That’s perfect.” Xu Jingqiu cast a sly glance at Qu Tao. “Brand him with it. Then I need to study a few things. After that, just toss him back.”

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