Chapter 42

Meng Jiaqi found herself in a dilemma.

If she followed the original plan and led this group of people into a dead end, she would also face a dead end herself at the forefront.

However, if she chose to prioritize her own survival and led them out of the ten-direction killing formation through a safe exit, she would miss the best opportunity to get rid of this group of ruthless criminals.

After weighing the options, she finally gritted her teeth and said, “I just cast another divination, and it turns out that there are hidden mysteries in this formation, with a layer of illusion blocking our vision. The previous path was not a temporary solution. Please follow me.”

Cursing in her heart, she reluctantly walked into another elegant and ancient street.

It was said that the person who designed this formation deliberately took advantage of the cognitive bias that the most dangerous place is also the safest, and the most inconspicuous passage is the exit. Therefore, they set up the deadlock in the most dilapidated alley.

Anyone who believed in the above statement had already stepped half a foot into the gates of hell.

And this beautifully decorated long street was the real exit.

As the group gradually entered the street, the surrounding mist silently dissipated, leaving a layer of indistinct water mist hanging lightly in the corners of the eaves.

Bright lamps burned on both sides of the street. When Ning Ning looked around, her pupils were filled with tiny stars connected in a line.

Different from the buildings seen earlier, the buildings here were tall and majestic, with carved beams and painted rafters. The wooden walls exuded a fragrant ancient charm, faintly reminiscent of the fragrance of a forest after rain. At first glance, they looked like a row of silent giants, emitting a subtle and intangible pressure.

“Is this the former commercial district?”

The shops displayed a dazzling array of clothing and jewelry, still retaining the appearance of a hundred years ago. Ning Ning, being a young girl, was momentarily dazzled. “The Jialan City must have been very prosperous in the past.”

Meng Jiaqi instinctively boasted, “Of course.”

After a pause, she felt that this statement too clearly revealed her bias, so she awkwardly added with a forced laugh, “I heard from my father that this place was once extremely prosperous, a famous city among the demon clans.”

“Hey, look! Isn’t that—”

He Zhizhou’s voice suddenly rang out, excitedly bordering on breaking, “Your Senior Sister Zheng Weiqi!”

At the mention of it, Ningning’s fingertip moved, following his gaze.

At a glance, she was immediately stunned.

At the end of the street, there was a figure in blood-red standing in front of a shop, leaning against the pillar, bowing her head and jotting something down in a small book.

Taking a closer look at her face, smeared with blood as if she had just come down from a Peking opera stage, she almost looked like she was about to sing “Red-faced Guan Gong Battles Changsha.” After carefully identifying her, it was indeed Zheng Weiqi.

As for her male attire, it was also stained with blood, some from others, and some from herself. Several bloody wounds were scattered on her arms and legs, almost solidifying.

Ning Ning’s heart trembled as she anxiously called out, “Senior Sister!”

Peking opera master Zheng Weiqi looked up at the sound, revealing a simple and hearty smile. While smiling, she coughed up a mouthful of blood, “Ning Ning, you’re here! Come and see, this jewelry store has many beautiful creations. Thanks to them, I suddenly came up with many new inspirations. Making money by selling goods seems promising now!”

Shocking! A student from a certain Immortal cultivation sect, with a resilient spirit, actually did such a thing covered in blood!

—So, when you’re clearly coughing up blood, your first reaction is not to heal, but to develop your product promotion business, Senior Sister! It’s really not necessary!

Ning Ning, feeling uneasy, walked over and asked, “Senior Sister, how did you get such serious injuries?”

“Oh! Are you talking about this?”

Only at this moment did Zheng Weiqi finally realize the injuries on her body. She casually glanced, chuckled nonchalantly, and said, “There are many formations in the city. I accidentally stepped on a few and had a few fights with various residual souls inside. It’s nothing.”

After saying this, her eyes lit up, and she eagerly called Ning Ning over, “Forget about that, come and see the silver hairpin I designed! Combining ancient and modern, there’s a subtle mechanism at the end that is absolutely—”

Before she could finish her words, she sprayed out a mouthful of blood, accompanied by the unfinished sound. Those unaware might think it was a music fountain dyed red.

Zheng Weiqi was shocked, “Oops, my manuscript got dirty!”

Ning Ning:…

How should I put it, the brain circuit of you cultivators is really unique.

While the two were talking, the other three also walked over along the long street.

After introducing themselves, Meng Jiaqi looked at Zheng Weiqi, whose face was as red as a watermelon, and came up with a plan.

She was a genuine and innocent fox spirit, adept at teasing others. Hearing Ning Ning calling her “Senior Sister,” she must have a high status. If she could win her favor, she wouldn’t be bullied by the other three.

At the moment, Zheng Weiqi was seriously injured, the most vulnerable time. She only needed to create an irresistible gentle atmosphere to make the other party willingly indulge in it, wholeheartedly favoring her. This move was none other than the beauty trap.

“Miss Zheng.”

Meng Jiaqi exclaimed in surprise, went forward to support Zheng Weiqi’s arm, intentionally or unintentionally leaning towards her, “How did you get such a serious injury? I think, let’s take a good rest first. Let me apply some medicine to Miss Zheng’s injuries?”

Zheng Weiqi, who was originally fascinated by this street, immediately nodded with a smile when she heard the suggestion, “I was just thinking about it! Let’s listen to Miss Meng and stay here first—”

Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly froze.

Meng Jiaqi pursed her lips and smiled lightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

She secretly released a charming fragrance that could make anyone who smelled it infatuated, doubling the goodwill of the person. The reason she didn’t use it against the other three was that her cultivation level was not high, and it was useless against them.

But Zheng Weiqi, who was seriously injured, would definitely be unable to resist.

“Miss Meng’s fragrance is so nice!”

The pleasing tone in Zheng Weiqi’s voice became more obvious, making Meng Jiaqi coldly sneer in her heart.

Stupid sword cultivator, in the end, you still fall into her hands.

Unexpectedly, the woman beside her suddenly paused, mysteriously lowered her voice, “Miss Meng, based on my experience, you must have been marinated by inferior cosmetics. Why not take a look at my exclusive facial cream and cinnabar? Absolutely no strange smells like these.”

Meng Jiaqi:…?

Marinated by inferior cosmetics.

Wait a minute.

So, the so-called “pleasing smile” she had earlier wasn’t under the influence, but rather a—

The tone of a salesperson when persuading someone to buy?!

Are you kidding me!!!

Meng Jiaqi is so annoyed.

But when it’s her own act, she’ll finish it even if she has to cry.

So, with a forced smile, she listened to Zheng Weiqi talk about buying and selling for a full stick of incense time, and when she finally couldn’t stand it, she found that the other party had completely forgotten the passing of time, continuing to ramble on and on.

One plan failed, and Meng Jiaqi came up with another.

She let the words of the Senior Sister of Xuanxu Sword Sect go in one ear and out the other, nodding like a waving cat’s paw. Finally, seizing the opportunity, she shifted her feet and pounced forward.

Perfectly pouncing onto Zheng Weiqi’s chest.

Bloodstains on her clothes smeared all over Meng Jiaqi’s hands and face. Although Meng Jiaqi felt disgusted, she coquettishly said, “Sorry, it seems I twisted my foot. I’ll get up right away—ouch!”

She stood up halfway, suddenly pretending to be in great pain, and once again threw herself into Zheng Weiqi’s arms.

This move could make men excited and women soft-hearted, irresistible to anyone.

Sure enough, Zheng Weiqi was slightly stunned, and finally, a hint of nervousness appeared in her tone, “Are you okay, Miss Meng?”

“I’m fine.”

Meng Jiaqi, teary-eyed, pretended to wipe away tears, “It’s just that my legs hurt, and I may not be able to move for a while… Sorry, I’ve caused trouble for everyone. I’m really useless.”

“Miss Meng, don’t say that!”

Zheng Weiqi’s tone was urgent, hearing it, Meng Jiaqi subconsciously raised the corners of her mouth. However, in the next moment, the smile was strangled in the cradle.

Zheng Weiqi said seriously, “Although Miss Meng’s unique scent may not be useful, you can’t say you’re useless! You—”

The scene fell into an awkward silence.

He Zhizhou, who was watching the show on the side, couldn’t help laughing out loud.

Zheng Weiqi felt a bit embarrassed, “I’m sorry, why did I blurt out my inner thoughts.”

Meng Jiaqi:…

She was so tired.

She was just an ordinary and cute little fox, why was she destined to endure such earthly suffering?

Her body was still here, but her heart had already left with the deceased Qin Chuan.

“Miss Meng, rest assured! With me here, I will definitely not let you drag everyone down.”

Seeing her showing a sad expression, Zheng Weiqi hurriedly tried to remedy the situation, “I’ve created a means of transportation, you don’t have to walk, and you can keep up with us.”

The senior sister under Tian Xianzi was a money-making maniac. In addition to buying and selling goods on the mountain, she also created her own sword techniques, wrote books, and invented some novel gadgets.

Meng Jiaqi struggled to force out a smile uglier than crying, “Go on.”

“It’s this!”

Zheng Weiqi got excited after getting her consent. A golden light flashed in her storage bag, and a huge apparatus resembling a waterwheel appeared on the ground.

In the middle, there was a horizontally placed wooden board, resembling an execution frame.

“My manufacturing principle borrows from water wheels and windmills. Specifically, it works like this.”

She spoke fluently, her eyes shining, “Just tie yourself in the middle of the wheel, then let another person push it forward continuously. It will turn and carry you forward at the same time—Isn’t it labor-saving and worry-free!”

Meng Jiaqi: Hehe.

This is not a means of transportation, but an automatic execution tool.

Normal people tied to it would die after a few turns, okay? In their demon realm, there’s an instrument used for torture that’s exactly the same as this thing!

She was tired of saying those four words. But—

Are you crazy!!!