Chapter 104 - 80: I Am the Demon Sect Saintess, and I Stop at Nothing

Chapter 104: Chapter 80: I Am the Demon Sect Saintess, and I Stop at Nothing

The Chu Clan originated in the Jing Chu region before moving their entire clan to Lingge. They have deep ties to the Jing Chu Xiang Clan.

When Gu Xiangzhu was consolidating the smaller Pill Workshops, the Chu Family was not very willing. It was only after a Chief Steward from the Xiang Family intervened that the matter was settled.

Zhao Ci was certain that of the three families—Li, Bai, and Chu—Gu Xiangzhu’s control over the Chu Family was undoubtedly the weakest. The Chu Family would also be the hardest for her to take with her.

Likewise, because of their connection to the Xiang Clan, the Chu Family was the most suitable to become his own power base.

Zhao Ci didn’t know if he could find a way out of his predicament in the future, but he had to be fully prepared. If the day ever came when he had a complete falling out with Old Deng, he absolutely couldn’t rely on his cultivation level alone. He needed a strategic resource like a Pill Workshop.

Even if he were unfortunately offed by Zhao Huan, having the Xingyu Pill Association in his hands would allow him to live a more comfortable life.

A mocking smile touched the corners of Gu Xiangzhu’s lips. "If I recall correctly, you’re the one who owes me a favor, aren’t you? But now, after just making me a few meals, you want me to hand over the Alchemists I’ve worked so hard to cultivate?"

"I just want to live!"

Zhao Ci’s gaze shifted away as he spoke through gritted teeth, "Besides, I won’t let you lose out. As long as you help me, I will give you the Alchemy of Wine when you leave Lingge. The market for Qi Cultivation Pills is huge. We can each make our own money and both get rich."

The moment he spoke, the atmosphere fell into a long silence.

After what felt like an eternity, Gu Xiangzhu suddenly let out a light chuckle. "I never said I disagreed. Why are you being so serious?"

Zhao Ci looked up. "You agree?"

"Of course I agree!"

Gu Xiangzhu looked into Zhao Ci’s eyes and smiled faintly. "In your situation, you do indeed need to look out for yourself. As I’ve said, we are not enemies. We can even be friends.

You can call upon the people from the Chu Family as you wish, but you must be discreet. Don’t let your father discover any clues.

It’s just... you’d rather sit here in Lingge and wait for death than accept my help?"

Zhao Ci: "..."

Silence was its own answer.

[Gu Xiangzhu’s Current Wish]: Use psychological manipulation to turn Zhao Ci into an obedient little puppy. Wish Completion Reward: Comprehension Value +1000, Dog Taming Chain x1.

Hah!

’Just as I thought!’

’This woman isn’t just after my Alchemy of Wine, she’s after me too!’

Zhao Ci felt a headache coming on. Gu Xiangzhu clearly wanted to snatch up both him and his Alchemy of Wine.

’If I let you lure me away, wouldn’t I just be a toy for you to play with?’

’Women!’

’Your name is Greed!’

But it was precisely for this reason that he dared to negotiate with her so directly.

On the surface, it seemed like an open and honest discussion.

But in reality, he was still just tantalizing bait she would willingly offer benefits to obtain.

Acting more rational would, paradoxically, do more to dispel her suspicions.

Seeing him remain silent for so long, Gu Xiangzhu smiled and waved her hand. "You don’t have to give me an answer right away. It’s not too late to decide once you’ve thought it through. By the way, when can you get the two hundred thousand taels’ worth of pills ready?"

"In about half a month."

"Oh..."

Gu Xiangzhu seemed lost in thought. She reached both hands to the nape of her snowy-white neck and untied a red cord.

Then, she pulled a warm jade pendant from her bosom and pressed it into Zhao Ci’s hand. "Here, this is for you!"

"This..."

Zhao Ci felt the warmth of the Jade Pendant in his palm, and a rush of heat surged through him.

’What the hell kind of "valley-warmed" jade was this?’

For a moment, his gaze couldn’t help but drift toward said valley.

Gu Xiangzhu coughed lightly twice.

Zhao Ci quickly averted his eyes, nonchalantly looking elsewhere.

Gu Xiangzhu shot him a glare. "This jade is similar to a Peace Jade. If you crush it, no matter how far away you are, I will be able to sense it and rush to your side. The Northern Three Prefectures are quite chaotic, and there will likely be people with nefarious intentions. If you encounter a danger you can’t handle and don’t want to risk using the Peace Jade, just crush this one."

"Thank you!"

Whether intentionally or not, Zhao Ci’s right hand began to ceaselessly caress the warm jade.

Gu Xiangzhu watched this, feeling her vision start to go dark. She waved her hand dismissively. "If there’s nothing else, you should hurry back! Prepare well these next few days, so there are no accidents when you go to the Northern Three Prefectures."

"Oh, oh!"

As if waking from a dream, Zhao Ci quickly tucked the Jade Pendant into his robes. He was about to leave but stopped and asked, "What... what do you want to eat tomorrow?"

Gu Xiangzhu sounded a little helpless. "Just make whatever you want. If you ask every time, where’s the surprise?"

"Oh..."

After acknowledging her, he practically fled.

"What a fool."

Gu Xiangzhu watched his retreating back and couldn’t help but laugh.

But when she thought of him caressing the warm jade, a strange feeling stirred within her, almost like the tingling after a foot massage.

It was as if he wasn’t caressing the warm jade, but her own...

"Sigh!"

Gu Xiangzhu let out a soft sigh. In the end, she felt she had been a bit despicable. She’d never imagined she would resort to such methods, especially on a young man so much younger than herself.

But there was no other way. This was the most effective method.

After all, she was the Demon Sect Saintess.

She believed in getting things done by any means necessary.

"Saintess!"

Suddenly, a voice echoed in the depths of her mind.

Gu Xiangzhu’s expression changed, and she immediately pulled a mirror from her robes.

This was a fragment of Lady Yue’s true form. Lady Yue would only use it to contact her in an emergency.

In the mirror was the image of Lady Yue.

Gu Xiangzhu’s elegant brows knitted together. "What is it?"

Lady Yue’s expression was grave. "Saintess, Guardian Song’s actions are indeed strange. After I told him you were withdrawing from the competition for the position of First Dharma Protector, Guardian Song had no reaction, and neither did his subordinates."