Chapter 37: The Truth Emerges

“Ah!”

The guard cried out as his shoulder was pierced, trembling from the pain.

Blood flowed down the sword and dripped onto the ground.

The guard seemed to regain his senses, casting a complicated look at Yin Buqi before suddenly pointing at Tang Murou and Jiuyou.

“It was you! I remember now, you were the ones who released the Demon Lord!”

Tang Murou, unprepared for such a turn of events, nearly lost her composure and screamed, “You’re lying! Didn’t you say you found her Qiankun Bag near the Demon Tower? I don’t have that thing!”

A familiar male voice echoed from outside—

“Heh, I was wondering why Qinggu Peak was so lively tonight.”

The voice was mocking and filled with disdain.

Everyone turned toward the entrance, and who else could it be, dressed in a blue floral robe with a butterfly knot on the left side of his waist and a white jade flute on the right, but Shen Yu.

“Lord Sage Fuhua!”

Jiang Niannian held her forehead.

Shen Yu’s style was as girlish as ever.

Wen Shili glanced at him.

“Shen Yu? Weren’t you on your way down the mountain?”

“I was, but I realized I left something behind.”

At this, Shen Yu’s gaze shifted to Tang Murou.

He raised an eyebrow.

“Miss Tang, it’s about time you returned my Qiankun Bag, don’t you think?”

“Could it be that Miss Tang released the Demon Lord and stole the Qiankun Bag to frame Miss Jiang?”

“The truth seems clear now, doesn’t it? But isn’t the Enchanting Art supposed to be lost? Could it be…”

Tang Murou’s face went pale.

Knowing the situation was exposed, she wiped away her tears, trembling as she kneeled down and bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry. It was me who released the Demon Lord. I’m sorry for betraying everyone.”

She looked fragile and resolute, a pitiable sight.

She had learned of her heritage as part of the Nine-Tailed Clan through precognative dreams, which also led her to master the Enchanting Art. She knew if she released the Demon Lord tonight, he would be hers.

But the risk was high, so she tried to frame Jiang Niannian.

She hadn’t expected Yin Buqi to see through her plan!

“Murou, how could you… be so foolish?” Tang Xuanye’s usually expressionless face showed shock.

He couldn’t believe his well-behaved sister had done such a thing.

Jiuyou interrupted, “This has nothing to do with Murou. It was all my doing.”

Jiang Niannian stood calmly beside Yin Buqi, who was clad in black.

Yin Buqi’s narrow eyes squinted slightly, cold and impatient.

“Bah!”

Suddenly, a spray of spittle flew from the crowd, landing on Tang Murou’s green lotus dress.

Tang Murou lifted her gaze, locking eyes with a woman filled with hatred.

“What’s the point of apologize?”

Do you have any idea how many people died to defeat the Demon Clan a hundred years ago during the Immortal Demon War, ensuring peace for the human realm? Why would you release the Demon Clan? You’re a traitor!”

The female cultivator gathered a ball of spiritual energy in her hand and hurled it toward Tang Murou.

Tang Xuanye quickly shielded Tang Murou with a wave of his hand, rebounding the energy back at the female cultivator, striking her abdomen, and making her cough up blood.

“True Monarch Qinghe, remember the fallen elders. We can’t let this slide!” The female cultivator cried, her face full of anger.

“Yes, Sect Master, True Monarch Qinghe, this matter must be addressed!”

More cultivators echoed in agreement.

Wen Shili nodded.

His cold voice rang out, “According to sect rules, this crime requires the abolition of her cultivation and the Bone-Tempering Nail punishment.”

A look of despair appeared on Tang Murou’s face.

Tears welled up as she glanced at Jiuyou before lowering her head, sobbing even harder.

“Murou is not a disciple of the sect. She doesn’t need to suffer this punishment,” Tang Xuanye muttered quietly.

But Wen Shili was unmoved.

“Since she is here at Rimuli sect, she must follow our rules.”

Several cultivators approached Tang Murou.

“Miss Tang, apologies in advance.”

“I dare you to touch her!”

Jiuyou’s eyes turned wild with madness.

His red garment slipped off, transforming into countless worms and venomous snakes, creeping and slithering grotesquely on the ground.

“What in the world is that?”

Shrieks filled the hall as the snakes and worms crawled onto the legs of the cultivators, causing intense itching and bursts of pain.

Jiang Niannian screamed, “Ahhhhhhh, there are bugs, so many bugs!”

This is simply the legendary scorpion torture!

Yin Buqi pulled her close, smiling gently.

“Don’t be afraid, Niannian.”

A ball of fire suddenly ignited in his hand, encircling the two of them.

The countless insects were instantly incinerated to ashes.

Jiang Niannian blinked, then slyly wrapped her arm around Yin Buqi’s waist.

His waist was lean, and his butt was firm and well shaped under his black robes.

Jiang Niannian reached out her hand and pinched it as if possessed by a ghost.

Yin Buqi: “…”

Jiang Niannian: “… That wasn’t me. My hand moved on its own.”

Oh no! What did she just do?!

Yin Buqi chuckled softly, leaning in to whisper in her ear, “I didn’t expect you to have such a fetish, Niannian. If you like it, I’ll let you see more in the future. No, that’s not enough—you’ll need to feel it up close, so you can learn what a real butt should feel like. You wouldn’t want to misjudge, right?”

Jiang Niannian’s face turned bright red.

She pressed her hand over his mouth, utterly flustered.

“You, you’re not allowed to say any more!”

Yin Buqi gazed at her, his long eyelashes lowering to conceal the red in his eyes, obediently nodding.

Yet deep down, he was already plotting how to persuade and seduce her into sharing an intimate night together when they got home.