Chapter 167: Facing the Opponent

Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Facing the Opponent

Gu Qingli looked at them and asked, “Who are you? And why did you attack us in this forest?”

The man was momentarily at a loss for words. The question had caught him off guard.

Technically speaking, this entire mountain range belonged to the Xichen Kingdom. It couldn’t be considered the exclusive territory of the Baiyue Clan.

But what did it matter? Once they occupied it, it was their territory,

he thought. He then said coldly, “This is our ancestral land. We’ve lived here for generations and don’t allow outsiders to disturb us. Trespassers will be killed without mercy.”

“What arrogance! You’re nothing but mountain bandits, yet you act as if this is some sacred land and speak of killing without mercy,” Gu Qingli said scornfully.

“You sharp-tongued little woman! Once I get my hands on you, I’ll show you whether I’m a bandit or a saint,” another man, likely in his twenties, said viciously.

“Really?” Gu Qingli asked. As she spoke, she was counting down in her heart.

Ten, nine, eight…

When she reached one, the dozen or so men collapsed to the ground with a THUD.

“Clean up,” Gu Qingli ordered with a wave of her hand.

“Yes, Miss.”

Wuqing and her three companions happily searched the men, then strung them together with the bandits’ own ropes.

After they finished, Wuyou approached with a bundle of bows and arrows. “Miss, look at this.” She held out an arrow for Gu Qingli to inspect.

Gu Qingli took the arrow, examined its head, and then sniffed it.

“What potent poison.”

“Indeed, Miss. What kind of people live here?” Wuyou asked.

“We’ll find out when we go inside.” Gu Qingli’s delicate brows furrowed.

There’s more to this arrowhead than just poison,

she thought.

There’s an indescribable scent to it, something beyond my current understanding.

Gu Qingli felt a surge of worry.

If Xiao Yunjing were accidentally hit by such an arrow and poisoned, my Detoxification Pills could counteract the venom. But this hidden element… it’s unsettling.

「Outside the forest」

The Clan Patriarch had led his kinsmen to guard the edge of the woods. He wondered why the Third Elder and his party hadn’t returned. With a wave of his hand, he signaled for his kinsmen to follow him into the forest to investigate.

One escaped a few days ago, and now several more have appeared. Could they be looking for that fellow?

the Clan Patriarch mused.

Once hit by our poisoned arrows, only the Baiyue Clan’s antidote can cure the poison and the Gu. No doctor from the outside world could possibly deal with it.

「Meanwhile, in the village」

Xi Chenqing had already snuck into Xi Chenyu’s house. She gazed at Xiao Yunjing, who was now free of fever, completely entranced.

With the pain gone, his features had relaxed, making him look even more handsome. Though his skin was somewhat dark, it only enhanced his masculine aura.

Xiao Yunjing finally regained consciousness. The first thing he saw was a sweet-looking young woman watching him intently.

His expression hardened, and he sat up abruptly. “HISS!” The sudden movement reminded him of the injury on his leg, and his mouth twitched in pain.

“Who are you?” Xiao Yunjing asked, his voice deep.

Xi Chenqing smiled sweetly. Looking at the disheveled yet guarded man before her, she found his peerless elegance still shone through. She said softly, “Young Master, my name is Xi Chenqing. I’m your savior, you know. Your initial poison was cured, but then you were afflicted by another.”

I won’t tell him the second affliction was a Gu,

she thought.

If he knew, he’d be wary of me, and implanting another Gu wouldn’t be so easy.

She smiled sweetly again and continued, “This is Brother Yu’s house. Don’t worry, Young Master. I’m the Village Chief’s daughter; I can protect you.”

Xiao Yunjing pondered for a moment and recalled how he had lost consciousness. So, I was poisoned again. But what kind of poison was it? Even Li’er’s Detoxification Pills couldn’t cure it?

Xiao Yunjing was puzzled.

Li’er once said there’s no poison in this world her pills can’t cure. This Baiyue Clan is certainly not simple. I should observe quietly for now. If I encounter another strange poison, I might never be able to leave this place.

So, he cupped his fist in his palm and said, “Thank you!”

Xi Chenqing waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t mention it. Besides, we’ll be family soon enough.”

“What do you mean?” Xiao Yunjing was startled.

Family?

As he processed her words, the gratitude he’d felt moments ago vanished, and his heart sank.

When I first woke up, I saw her looking at me with that infatuated gaze. Having experienced such things, how could I not recognize that look?

“Tee hee… Look how tense you are,” Xi Chenqing giggled. “Of course, I saved you because I like you. You don’t really think you can leave this place alive, do you? The only way to survive here is to marry me.”

Xi Chenqing offered this “kind” explanation, hoping he wouldn’t ruin things when he eventually met her father.

Xiao Yunjing furrowed his brows.

Just as I thought.

Looking at her seemingly innocent face now, he felt utterly disgusted.

His life wasn’t in immediate danger for now. He glanced around and spotted his bag on the bed, so he reached for it. Finding some water inside, he took a few sips before starting on the dried meat.

“Hey, are you going to eat all that yourself?” Xi Chenqing blinked her large eyes, her expression like that of a neighborhood little sister asking for a treat. She looked utterly adorable.

But Xiao Yunjing didn’t even spare her a glance.

This is what Li’er prepared for me. How could I share it with a woman who has ulterior motives?

He was famished and couldn’t be bothered with her right now.

I’ll eat first and assess the situation later. There’s no way I’m staying here.

Xi Chenqing pouted, looking pitiful as Xiao Yunjing ignored her and ate by himself. However, anyone who knew her well would recognize she was about to cause trouble.

Xi Chenqing was a very clever woman; she knew this man wouldn’t be easy to control and that she’d have to resort to certain methods.

Her hand moved, as if accidentally, to her pocket. She then took something out and, with a flick of her fingernail, sent a thread-like, nearly invisible object flying toward Xiao Yunjing’s mouth. It entered as he chewed and was swallowed with his food.

Hee hee…

Xi Chenqing rejoiced inwardly.

Now, why would I need to worry about him disobeying me?

After filling his stomach, a wave of drowsiness washed over Xiao Yunjing. He yawned, glanced at the smiling Xi Chenqing, then lay down on the bed and quickly fell asleep.

Xi Chenqing watched the sleeping Xiao Yunjing, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled. She planted a gentle kiss on his forehead, then skipped away; she had important matters to attend to.

「Back in the forest」

Gu Qingli’s party happened to encounter the Clan Patriarch and his group.

Clan Patriarch Xi Chentian raised his hand, signaling everyone to halt. He initially thought it was their returning kinsmen, but instead, he saw five women and a large White Tiger.

It was the first time anyone in the Baiyue Clan had seen such beautiful women enter their territory. All his kinsmen stared, wide-eyed.

Only Xi Chentian stared unwaveringly at the five women and the large White Tiger.

Seeing these newcomers but none of his own kinsmen, Xi Chentian realized something was terribly wrong.

Could our people have been… entirely wiped out?

A horrifying thought struck him.

Gu Qingli, her four companions, and the tiger also stopped.

The two groups faced each other, sizing one another up.

After their initial shock at the women’s beauty, the Baiyue Clan members calmed down and began to observe the newcomers more carefully.

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