Chapter 145 - 92: This Sweep of My Broom Might Just Reach Your Graves

Chapter 145: Chapter 92: This Sweep of My Broom Might Just Reach Your Graves

The standoff lasted for a moment.

Gu Xiangzhu waved her hand. "You may go. Don’t let anyone within a ten-li radius."

Ten li.

This was the range within which the ruin’s entrance had appeared, and where the giant eye’s light normally flashed.

Zhao Qing’s expression flickered. "Your Highness, you..."

"Am I not allowed to wait here and kill the one who murdered my son?" Gu Xiangzhu’s voice was frigid. "What? Am I to believe only you are permitted to collect my son’s body?"

Zhao Qing fell silent.

’Methods capable of influencing the Black Fog Space are exceedingly rare in this world,’ he thought. ’If Gu Xiangzhu truly just wants to kill the one who harmed her son, then her request is indeed reasonable.’

But he still said, "I have no reason to refuse Your Highness’s request. However, I hope Your Highness will remain rational and not break the rules of the Imperial Clan Court!"

"Of course I won’t!"

Gu Xiangzhu sneered. "Not even His Majesty the Emperor can defy the rules of the Imperial Clan Court. However, this incident is also a major failure on your part, Steward Qing. Whether Ci makes it out safely or not, I will be reporting you. I’m quite curious to see how the Imperial Clan Court will punish you according to its own rules!"

Zhao Qing sighed. "In that case, I will take my leave."

With that, he flapped his feathered cloak and departed, taking Zhang Delv with him.

Not a single person was to be left within a ten-li radius.

Gu Xiangzhu’s delicate brows knitted together. ’If it weren’t for my status as an Imperial Consort, I would have killed Zhao Qing with a single palm strike and seized the Zhangyu capable of breaking open the Black Fog Space.’

’Unfortunately, my title is like a set of shackles, preventing me from acting recklessly.’

’Otherwise, all my years of hard work in Lingge would go up in smoke.’

’After all, the Imperial Clan Court is an organization that can even restrain the Emperor.’

’No one within it dares to harbor ambition, which is why they’ve never provoked me.’

’But if I were to break their rules...’

’I would face dire consequences.’

’Besides, I never intended to force my way in this time.’

’I just wanted to get closer. When Zhao Ci crushes the warm jade, the soul resonance will be stronger. It will still damage the Black Fog Space, but the consequences won’t be nearly as severe as a living person breaking in. I could easily pin the blame on the villain working behind the scenes.’

’And there was another reason...’

’To see if I could solve this problem from the outside.’

She took a deep breath.

"Huangfu Song! Get out here!"

Her voice was a mere whisper, audible only to herself.

But it carried a peculiar ripple through the air.

In a few moments.

A figure strode through the air, drifting to a stop about ten feet in front of Gu Xiangzhu.

This was a middle-aged man with a sinister face. He chuckled, his voice hoarse. "Saintess, it’s been a long time."

Gu Xiangzhu shot him a cold, mocking glare. "Huangfu Song, you have some nerve! Trapping and attempting to kill a Prince right under the Imperial City’s nose. You really aren’t afraid of death, are you!"

Huangfu Song just laughed and waved his hand dismissively. "It’s nothing! For your sake, Saintess, the Emperor will help us clean up this mess. Besides, we’ve already found a scapegoat. You needn’t worry about my safety."

At his words, the atmosphere grew tense.

They had been taught by the same master; they knew each other all too well.

Huangfu Song only needed to see Gu Xiangzhu compete for the position of Chief Dharma Protector and then withdraw to deduce, along with other facts, that she hadn’t obtained the Alchemy of Wine.

Likewise, Gu Xiangzhu could piece together the clues he’d left behind to figure out what he planned to do to Zhao Ci.

Both knew the other’s limits and were well aware of the consequences of taking action.

There was no need for superfluous words.

After a long silence.

"Forcibly altering the location where the entrance appears... aren’t you afraid someone will discover your identity?" Gu Xiangzhu’s voice was frigid.

Huangfu Song chuckled sinisterly. "Let them. My life is worthless, what’s the point in hiding? You, on the other hand... I never thought you’d be so indecisive.

What? Have you really started to think of Zhao Ci as your son?

It was bad enough you couldn’t bring yourself to search his soul.

But now I’m here to do it for you, and you’re trying to stop me?

And if I’m not mistaken, you gave him your Jade Pendant, didn’t you?"

A murderous glint appeared in Gu Xiangzhu’s eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you people not to interfere in my affairs! My methods are far more sophisticated than those of you peasants!"

"I beg to differ!"

Huangfu Song waved his hand, sneering. "It seems to me you’ve been living the high life for too long. You’ve lost your edge."

Gu Xiangzhu’s eyes turned cold. "What? Are you in a position to lecture me now?"

Huangfu Song shook his head. "I wouldn’t dare! I’m not here to harm you; I’m here to help you. Since you can’t bring yourself to move against Zhao Ci, I’ll collect his memories for you. Wouldn’t want our most merciful Saintess to look at the blood on her hands and burst into tears! HAHAHAHA..."

Gu Xiangzhu retorted, "And what makes you so sure Zhao Ci will die?"

Huangfu Song frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"This is what I mean!"

With a clench of her slender hand, something suddenly burst forth from the ground below, held fast in her mid-air grip.

The thing was the size of a human head, a fleshy, writhing worm covered in slime.

This was the Mother Gu of the One-Day Flower-Blooming Gu.

She twirled a slender finger.

Wisps of black energy rose from the Mother Gu’s body as it began to struggle in agony, letting out a viscous gurgle. "Saintess! Saintess, spare me!"

"You..."

Huangfu Song’s expression changed. He was secretly alarmed. ’The Mother Gu’s physical body is weak. Furthermore, precise control of Gu Insects requires proximity, so it often has to be in dangerous locations. That’s why it must possess an extremely strong ability to conceal its aura and physical form.’

’I can’t believe Gu Xiangzhu still managed to yank it out.’

"I’m giving you ten breaths," Gu Xiangzhu said mockingly. "Make the Gu Insect inside stop, or you die!"

The Mother Gu cried out in horror, "Saintess! We’re separated by the Black Fog Space! I can’t do it!"