After My Faked Death Failed, My Ex-Wife Came Chasing After Me - Chapter 25

Lu Ting’an: A bystander caught in the crossfire~

A few days later, Lin Zheng led the group back into the depths of Mount Hanqiao to continue tracking Liyin.

Although the disciples of Shiya Yeyue (Stone Cliff Moon Night Pool) had agreed to join forces with them, the two groups were mutually antagonistic. Neither side was willing to get close to the other, maintaining a deliberate physical gap as they trekked in tense, heavy silence.

As they reached the heart of Mount Hanqiao, the ancient trees towered overhead and a chilling wind whistled through the branches. The mountain mist grew thick, and the fallen leaves beneath their feet were damp and dark. From time to time, the cries of birds and beasts echoed through the woods, tightening everyone’s nerves. Finally, Cui Daorong couldn’t take it anymore and shouted at Lin Zheng, who was leading the way at the front: “How much further?”

Lin Zheng glanced back at him and replied coldly, “According to the map, there is a natural depression ahead—a perfect habitat for snakes. Liyin is highly likely to be lurking there. Endure a little longer.”

Cui Daorong cursed under his breath. However, at the thought of what his father would do to him—he’d likely skin him alive if he let that snake demon escape—he didn’t dare say another word and could only follow along sullenly.

Lu Ting’an, possessing the shallowest cultivation, had been trekking through the forest for a long time and was already exhausted. The humid, sweltering mountain breeze, thick with miasma, blew against her face. Her breathing grew increasingly ragged, and her footsteps became unsteady.

Lin Zheng turned back and noticed. She lightly pinched a bit of spiritual energy between her fingertips and tapped Lu Ting’an’s forehead, casting a Heart-Clearing Incantation. The spiritual light dissipated instantly, sending a cool sensation through her bones. Lu Ting’an’s chest felt lighter and her breathing stabilized. She clutched her heart and gasped, “Oh my goodness, I felt like I was suffocating. Thanks.”

Lin Zheng nodded noncommittally and turned back to continue leading the way.

Before long, the group passed through the valley floor and a lush marshland appeared before them. In the center of the swamp, several giant boulders stood abruptly, varying in height and arranged in a circular formation. From a distance, they looked like some ancient array.

Chen Yunxiao narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the boulders. The stone surfaces were mottled and coarse, faintly engraved with complex and ancient patterns. As the mist drifted by, the carvings seemed to flow slowly.

His brow furrowed deeper, his expression grave. “What exactly is this?”

Lin Zheng pondered for a moment before speaking calmly. “I have some idea. Legend has it that hundreds of years ago, four masters of the Mystic Sect descended from their mountains to enter the secular world. They fought demons and exorcised ghosts together, sharing life and death. In their final battle, they joined forces to slay the legendary beast Qingqiu, which was terrorizing the world at the time, making their names famous throughout the land.”

As soon as she said this, the realization dawned on everyone. This piece of history was familiar to almost every disciple of the Mystic Sect. It was the origin of the brotherhood of the ancestors of the four great immortal sects—the Luying Gate of Baiyun, the Juxian Bridge of Danhe, the Shudao Difficulties of the Heavenly Ladder, and the Wu Family Fortress of Hexi.

Ye Yunlan smiled and said, “That’s right, I remember now. On their way back, they happened upon a valley in Yuancheng with a circle of unique rocks and breathtaking scenery. The four of them carved their life stories onto the stones and drank together in brotherhood in the valley. After that, they went their separate ways to establish their own sects, creating a legend that has been passed down for generations.”

Hearing this, Cui Daorong let out a disdainful cold snort and mocked, “What is there to show off? Among the four great sects, the Ning clan of Shu has long since declined, and the Wu family of Hexi lost its sect leader a few years ago—now they rely on a green girl to hold up the front. Only the Luying Gate and Juxian Bridge are barely worth looking at. When it comes to strength, it’s still our Shiya Yeyue.”

Lu Ting’an rolled her eyes at his shameless self-praise and said, “Young Master Cui, you really aren’t modest at all, are you?”

Guo Jingchen had looked down on him from the start and immediately shot back, “No matter how much they’ve declined, they are still orthodox immortal sects with hundreds of years of heritage. You’re just from a merchant background who relies on having a bit of stinking money—what right do you have to look down on others?”

“You!” Cui Daorong was fuming with rage. He immediately drew his sword and glared at him. “You named Guo, how dare you be so insolent! I must teach you a lesson today!”

“Bring it on! I’m not afraid of you!”

Seeing the two of them clashing again, Lin Zheng gave them a cold sideways glance and said, “With the enemy right before us, you dare to engage in internal strife? Do you not want to live?”

“Hahaha—”

Before her voice could fade, a burst of sinister and terrifying laughter suddenly exploded in the woods. In the next instant, the water in the depths of the marsh suddenly churned as if a massive object was moving. The disciples’ expressions changed drastically, and they drew their swords to protect themselves, as if facing a great enemy.

“What monster is this? Come out and meet your death!”

Bang!

A huge black shadow burst out from the depths of the swamp. A demonic wind swept through, forcing everyone back like a crashing wave. Only Lin Zheng stood her ground, as steady as a mountain amidst the wind and rain. Her robes fluttered as she looked up into those golden vertical pupils and said, “Liyin, you’ve hidden for so long. You’ve finally shown yourself.”

Liyin stared fixedly at her. Lu Ting’an watched closely from a safe spot and felt that the creature seemed to have something to say, but in the end, it only spat out viciously: “I didn’t go looking for you, yet you delivered yourselves to my door. Fine, then don’t blame this seat for starting a massacre!”

With that, Liyin let out a shrill shriek that shook the leaves from the trees and pounced toward Lin Zheng with its bloody maw wide open.

Lin Zheng’s expression turned stern as she shouted, “Form the array!”

Chen Yunxiao and the others had been waiting for this. They quickly took their positions, and spiritual light rose from the runes on their fingertips, connecting with each other to form a net.

Lin Zheng’s figure blurred as her sword shadows danced, skillfully drawing the pouncing Liyin into the heart of the array. In a flash, dozens of sword beams lit up, forming a sharp and peerless spiritual sword barrier that locked the two of them firmly inside.

Only then did Liyin realize it had fallen into a trap. It let out a roar as its demonic aura surged, transforming into countless plumes of black smoke that slammed violently against the barrier.

After several loud thuds, the spiritual light vibrated, but the barrier remained unshaken. Liyin slammed into it several times, but it was like a trapped beast. Blood vessels spread frantically through its eyes as it turned to Lin Zheng and questioned her harshly: “Why are you helping them? Why are you standing up for these heartless and ungrateful mortals?!”

Lin Zheng held her sword, Sui yue, and looked at it expressionlessly. “I told you before, you and I are different.”

Liyin gazed at her face and suddenly burst into three loud laughs. “Lin Zheng, dying by your hand today, I can consider my life without regrets. However, I really want to see if you will regret this once you understand what these sanctimonious hypocrites are actually plotting.”

Lin Zheng’s brow furrowed slightly. “Stop talking nonsense! What exactly is your relationship with my mother? Why do you know about Lin Qingyao?”

At those words, Liyin’s massive snake body froze. A hint of confusion appeared on its face. It seemed to recall something, and a flash of undeniable pain crossed its eyes.

It slowly shook its head, its voice low and hoarse: “Forget it… for your sake, it’s best if you never know.”

Lin Zheng’s heart tightened. Before she could ask further, a wind-chasing arrow whistled through the air, grazing her ear and sinking straight into Liyin’s scales!

Liyin let out a long cry of agony. Killing intent overflowed as its gaze locked onto Cui Daorong, who was standing not far away, holding the Flame-Sun Bow with trembling arms.

“Brat, you’re looking for death!”

Lin Zheng realized something was wrong and immediately turned to shout at Cui Daorong, “Get out of the way!”

Unfortunately, it was too late. Liyin, fighting like a cornered beast, let its demonic energy soar frantically. It actually shattered the restraints and lunged forward, slamming hard into Cui Daorong’s chest. He was sent flying like a broken kite, crashing heavily against the cliff wall. Cui Daorong let out a scream, spat out a large mouthful of blood, and slumped to the ground.

Liyin was also covered in wounds and bleeding profusely. It turned its head to look at Lin Zheng, and in those golden pupils, there was no hatred—instead, a smile of relief emerged.

The next moment—

Bang!

Liyin’s demonic body suddenly exploded. Pitch-black, foul-smelling poisonous liquid splashed in all directions. The disciples were caught off guard, and agonizing screams rose one after another as the poison seared their flesh.

Lin Zheng stood in a daze, watching Liyin’s form gradually dissipate, turning into dust and merging with the earth.

At that moment, a crimson, translucent demon core emerged from the ground and slowly floated toward her.

Lin Zheng instinctively reached out and caught it, holding it in her palm. The demon core was stained with blood and still held a lingering warmth, as if a heart were still faintly beating.

She looked at the demon core in her hand blankly, feeling an inexplicable pang of sorrow.

“Lin Zheng, Lin Zheng! Don’t just stand there, come and help!”

A shout from Lu Ting’an snapped Lin Zheng back to reality.

Lu Ting’an pointed to the motionless, barely breathing Cui Daorong nearby and said anxiously, “He’s not going to make it, we have to find a way to save him!”

Lin Zheng hurried over and propped Cui Daorong up. She first sealed several of his acupoints and then transferred some spiritual energy to him. Meanwhile, the disciples lying on the ground around them continued to wail. Their flesh was being corroded by the poisonous liquid, creating bloody holes that even revealed glimpses of white bone—a shocking sight.

Lin Zheng had experienced that poison before and knew how potent it was. If they weren’t treated in time, these people would likely die soon.

Lu Ting’an paced around anxiously and grabbed Lin Zheng’s sleeve. “Lin Zheng, I don’t have enough Rejuvenation Pills to suppress the poison. We need to go to the nearest sect for help immediately.”

Lin Zheng nodded and said seriously, “I will use a Bright-Beacon Talisman to send a message to Master immediately, asking him to notify Shiya Yeyue to send reinforcements as soon as possible.”

“That would be best! Tell Master to tell Old Man Cui that he must bring enough detoxification pills, otherwise…” Lu Ting’an was speaking when she suddenly felt a bout of dizziness and collapsed forward.

Lin Zheng caught her quickly. Her eyes fell on Lu Ting’an’s neck, where large patches of dark purple poison spots were spreading across her snow-white skin. Lin Zheng’s heart jolted. “Lu Ting’an, you’ve been poisoned too!”

Lu Ting’an only felt a swelling ache in her neck and was having trouble breathing. She murmured dizzily, “Oh, really? I didn’t notice just now…”

Lin Zheng quickly picked her up in a bridal carry and shouted to the crowd on the ground, “Do not panic! Immediately circulate your energy to protect your heart vessels! Reinforcements will arrive soon!”

Hearing this, the disciples could only grit their teeth against the intense pain and begin to regulate their breath.

After settling them, Lin Zheng looked down and was startled to find that Lu Ting’an had already fainted. Her cultivation was too low to circulate energy herself, and since the poison was in her neck, she feared it would soon reach her heart.

Lin Zheng took out the dagger from her waist and lightly sliced Lu Ting’an’s skin. Black blood immediately surged out, winding down her neck. After a while, seeing that it wouldn’t drain completely, she had no choice but to use her hands to squeeze out the stagnant poisonous blood little by little. Lu Ting’an sobbed in her unconsciousness from the pain, two trails of tears falling from the corners of her eyes as she mumbled unconsciously, “No, it hurts…”

Lin Zheng’s movements paused. She gently pulled Lu Ting’an into her arms, letting her lean against her chest. After a moment of hesitation, she lowered her head to Lu Ting’an’s neck and began to suck the poisonous blood out for her.

Lu Ting’an’s whole body was trembling. She gripped Lin Zheng’s clothes tightly, letting out unconscious whimpers.

After a long while, Lin Zheng spat out the last mouthful of black blood and let out a long sigh. Finally, she saw the skin around the wound gradually returning to its normal color. She hurriedly took out a pill and placed it in Lu Ting’an’s mouth, then pressed two fingers to her forehead, slowly infusing her with spiritual energy.