At this mont, Zhou Xuan finally saw clearly—Mu Hua’s arm was marked with deep bite wounds.
Now in his bloodthirsty state, Little Fuzi lying beside him looked as tempting as a piping hot at bun to a starving beggar.
Relying on the excruciating pain coursing through him, Zhou Xuan managed to cling to a final shred of clarity, resisting the urge to devour Little Fuzi.
anwhile, Mu Hua struggled to co to terms with his past, and found himself unwilling to leave the dark confines of the cave.
"Mu Hua, let tell you again—you didn’t eat your companions. It was just a dream," Zhou Xuan tried to persuade him once more.
"It wasn’t a dream. It wasn’t a dream!"
Mu Hua slamd his hands onto the altar.
The bloodstains on the altar suddenly brightened, and the Blood Map of the Evil Ghost emitted a sinister laugh.
On the cave’s do ceiling, the scene from years ago—when the "Hundred Infants Raised Mu Hua into the Legend of the Hundred Spirits"—began to unfold.
In an instant, the wailing screams echoed incessantly in Zhou Xuan’s ears.
He did not lift his head to witness the scene, for he already knew what had transpired.
anwhile,
Sister Cui, Huang Xi, and Yun Ziliang had just arrived.
Yun Ziliang glanced at the horrifying images displayed on the cave ceiling, and among the battling infants, he imdiately recognized one—its features bore the distinct deanor of Mu Hua.
At that mont, he understood everything.
"Ah... Back in the day, when the Gu Clan cultivated Gu, they’d place a hundred insects into a vessel to fight to the death. The last surviving insect would beco the Poisonous Insect.
The Yun High Priest of the Ancient Tattoo Clan dared to use such a thod to cultivate the Legend of the Hundred Spirits—truly a cri against the heavens!"
He couldn’t bear to watch any longer.
Sister Cui, overco with grief, gazed at the images with tear-filled eyes. She now understood the horrors her adopted younger brother had endured, and the pain in her heart deepened.
"Hua Zi, this happened when you were a child—it has no bearing on you now. It was forced upon you by wicked people."
"Sister, I want to stay alone in this cave. I don’t want to leave."
As Mu Hua spoke to Sister Cui, his back faintly emitted a red glow.
"What’s that?"
Through the connection with his Divine Soul, Zhou Xuan pointed at the glow on Mu Hua’s back and asked Sister Cui.
"I don’t know either. But over the years, Mu Hua’s back has often shown a red rune, and whenever it appears, his body experiences agonizing pain. Then iron whips erge from the family’s coffin to lash his back."
Sister Cui explained.
"If the coffin lashes Mu Hua, why not just get rid of it?"
"I tried to. But every ti I moved it out, it would return on its own within days. And when it ca back, the whipping was even harsher. After trying a few tis, I beca too frightened to throw it away again."
As Sister Cui spoke, she let out a deep sigh.
Hearing this, Zhou Xuan grabbed the fabric of Mu Hua’s shirt at his back and tore it violently, revealing an illustration on Mu Hua’s skin—it was a "gate."
"This isn’t an ordinary rune—it’s a tattoo. Fortunately, I happen to know an expert in tattoos at my shop. I’ll bring him here."
"Tattoo expert? Who’s that?" Yun Ziliang asked Zhou Xuan.
"Your old friend. When you et him later, don’t start bawling—I can’t handle that kind of sentintality."
Zhou Xuan shot Yun Ziliang a glance and instructed Sister Cui and Yun Ziliang to look after Mu Hua and Little Fuzi. Then, his Divine Soul returned to his physical body.
"Brother Peng, a friend of mine has a tattoo on his back in the shape of a ’gate.’ Can you take a look for ?"
"That’s no problem at all."
Peng Sheng set down the lantern his sister had left behind and prepared himself.
"Wait for a mont."
First, Zhou Xuan used the Ancestor Tree’s connection to summon Zhou Lingyi, calling out several tis without receiving a response. Resigned, he went downstairs and made a call to the Zhou Family’s Troupe.
...
The Zhou Family’s Troupe was bustling with activity,
Lord Jiu had called upon a group of You Shen from Ping Shui Prefecture, who joined the celebration as the troupe hosted a grand feast to mark the successful resolution of the Mingjiang Prefecture catastrophe.
Amid the festivities, Zhou Lingyi was overseeing everything, and Yu Zhengyuan ran over to whisper in her ear, "Class Leader, your younger brother is calling for you."
"Alright."
Nodding, Zhou Lingyi headed toward Luoying Hall.
...
"Brother, couldn’t spare a mont to join the joyous occasion today?"
"I’ve got sothing to discuss with you. I tried calling you several tis, but you didn’t answer."
"The connection isn’t ant for constant surveillance—it’s to keep you safe," Zhou Lingyi replied with a wry smile.
"Sister, do you know any witchcraft that can erase mories?" Zhou Xuan asked.
"Not erase—only suppress. It’s called Banishing Sorrow Words, used by witches."
"Can you teach ? I need it."
"I can’t teach you—it’s a bit complex," Zhou Lingyi replied with a laugh.
"Then I..." Zhou Xuan contemplated using Banishing Sorrow Words to "adjust" Mu Hua’s mories slightly.
"I can use the Tree Gate to teleport to Mingjiang Prefecture. Whoever needs the Banishing Sorrow Words—let handle it."
"But who will guard the Ancestor Tree?" Zhou Xuan asked.
"Today, the Zhou Family’s Troupe is essentially the God Traveling Departnt. With Lord Jiu and Landlord Fu around, no one would dare to stir trouble with the Ancestor Tree."
"That’s good then. I’ll notify you once I’m there."
"Alright."
After getting Zhou Lingyi’s agreent, Zhou Xuan hung up the phone, grabbed the Wind Lamp, and was about to leave when Zhao Wuya called out to him.
"Landlord, found the East Mountain Fox Lady yet?"
"No. Your landlord’s insight isn’t that sharp. But I did find Little Fuzi and Mu Hua."
"What should I do then? The Tangkou just sent another urgent letter—it’s even harsher this ti... They’re scolding as the ’useless waste of Dragon Seeking Hall.’"
"Tell your Tangkou to try cursing a few more tis!"
"Are you standing up for ?"
"I an, get used to it after a few rounds of insults—it’ll sting less over ti."
"..." Zhao Wuya.
anwhile, Zhou Xuan picked up his Wind Lamp and leisurely headed toward Nanshan Tomb...
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