What's Done in the Dark (Part 4)

“The ones I'm tasked with finding are sinners, after all.” Qing Xue added, his expression not changing one bit. “So what better way of finding them, than to use sinner herself?”

The cultivator struggled even more, after hearing those words, and somehow managed to free the cloth from her mouth that was used as a gag to ensure that she'd keep quiet.

“You vile, treacherous scum of a man!” the woman shouted, her voice hot with poisonous hatred.

“Using sours words. How very unbecoming of a fair maiden.” Qing Xue laughed coldly, as he stared back at the woman.

“Shut her up.” Xue Song ordered, waving his hand to the two attendees, to avoid any suspicion.

“Why? I say we hear her out. She's barking like a wild bitch anyway. I can't understand anything she's saying.”

Jingshi Xuanwu admired, as he reached down and gently rested his hand against the woman's face.

"Young Master Qing, why must you treat delicate flowers with such harsh care~?”

This man... the woman gasped, her eyes widening in horrifying recognition. ...Why does he look so familiar? Have I seen him from somewhere before?

“Why must you look at me with such a demoralizing expression~? Under these circumstances, you truly are one of the most desirable flowers I've ever seen. And to see such a flower wilt... I, too, feel regret and the utmost pain for you.”

“Do you really think I'm that ignorant?” the woman asked, regaining her dignity as she glared heated daggers at the aristocrat. “Was stirring up trouble in the cultivation world enough for you to seek out your own desires?”

Jingshi Xuanwu smiled, saying nothing.

So she's recognized me, after all. How convenient.

“The entire cultivation world will see your true face and your wrongdoings!”

Jingshi Xuanwu softened his smile, hearing the woman's words. It was an unusually kind gesture. And it was this gesture that made the woman's heart sink.

Standing up, the wealthy aristocrat flipped through the pages of the black book he'd given Qing Xue, finding a blue talisman that hadn't been discovered before.

Qing Xue grinned with what could only be described as madness.

“Your disobedience has led to the extinction of your entire clan. Yet here you are, desperate to save yourself without any hesitation.”

The woman struggled against Xue Song, before suddenly collapsing to the floor. A hidden acupuncture needle was used, rendering her body paralyzed from the neck down. She was shocked, her face as white as pyrus paper.

“My wonderous flower.” Jingshi Xuanwu cooed, walking closer, still grinning. “If I recall correctly, weren’t you the one who asked if I used you, and you alone, would I finally get eternal peace?”

The woman felt like an oversized ghost had been pressed against her chest. There was nothing she could manage to do. To lose her entire clan, all in the name of defiance and manipulation had all seemed to have been brought about just for a sick game.

This man...! This man is...!

And that's when, all of a sudden, the unfortunate woman went into shock. Her mind was now broken.

Qing Xue noticed the petrified look on the woman's face and giggled like a teenage girl who was experiencing the feeling of having a crush for the first time. So, to be just a complete liability to this entire operation, he casually took out his bloodied knife and flashed the blade threateningly.

Standing in front of the collapsed woman's body, Jingshi Xuanwu kneeled down and pressed his fingers pressed against her forehead, conducting a sealing contract.

"Well, I'm off." Qing Xue hummed, as he twirled the knife between his fingers. "Have fun with your new toy."

"Gladly so." Jingshi Xuanwu declared, a sinister smile cracking his lips in half.