Chapter 42
Mu Yunqing.
The moment the name surfaced, the entire hall seemed to freeze.
It wasn’t just recognition—it was shock.
She had risen alongside Nangong Ying, the two of them dominating their generation like twin pillars.
One born with a heavenly spiritual root, the other gifted with seven orifices and dual spiritual roots—each extraordinary in her own right.
They had traded first place again and again, their rivalry the stuff of quiet legend.
And beyond talent—they were both stunning.
Different in temperament, different in presence, yet equally captivating.
Together, they had earned a title that echoed through the Wendao Sect:
As their cultivation advanced and their reputations grew, that title only became brighter—until it reached the point where no one in the sect didn’t know their names.
Nangong Wen, of course, knew Mu Yunqing well.
More than that—she had trusted her.
After Nangong Ying lost her cultivation, Mu Yunqing had been the only one who still came to visit regularly. At the time, Nangong Wen had believed she was kind. Worth befriending.
But now—what had she just heard?
Mu Yunqing… was the one who had ruined her sister?
Then those visits—weren’t kindness at all.
They were mockery.
The thought struck like a spark to dry tinder. Rage ignited instantly, roaring through Nangong Wen’s chest so fiercely that even Chen Mujian’s voice couldn’t reach her.
Around them, the other disciples stared in disbelief.
Mu Yunqing?
The one who poisoned Nangong Ying?
The same Mu Yunqing who had once stood beside her as one of the Twin Stars?
Yet after the initial shock, a colder realization crept in.
It made sense.
Since Nangong Ying’s fall, Mu Yunqing had stood alone at the top—winning every competition, basking in attention, her prestige growing day by day.
She had become second only to Captain Wei among the younger generation, already stepping into late Foundation Establishment, with the Golden Core stage within reach.
They had admired her.
Respected her.
Some had even looked up to her.
And now—that admiration curdled into something bitter.
Their expressions shifted, unease settling over the crowd like a shadow.
Gu Buqi frowned, his gaze turning sharp.
Parasites like this… inside the sect.
If left unchecked, they would only spread harm. Today, she had targeted Nangong Ying out of jealousy—tomorrow, if she rose higher, who else would she eliminate in silence?
The thought alone was enough to chill him.
At that moment, Lou Yuqing’s inner voice echoed again, calm and merciless as it peeled back the past.
[At the time, the sect implemented a cultivation plan for promising seedlings. Mu Yunqing’s talent drew the attention of the higher-ups, and resources were poured into her.]
[She’s ambitious. Given time, she would have broken through without issue.]
[Then—an outer sect elder returned with a girl from outside. A girl with a Heavenly Spirit Root.]
[That girl was Nangong Ying.]
A ripple passed through the crowd.
[The sect isn’t short on resources—but some things can’t be split. Dragon Marrow Liquid. Spirit Tempering Pills. Certain treasures only come once.]
[When Nangong Ying arrived, Mu Yunqing’s share… was taken.]
Silence thickened.
[Her cultivation slowed. Dissatisfaction grew.]
[And when it reached its limit—she needed an outlet.]
[She couldn’t stand seeing Nangong Ying shine. How could two flowers bloom… when one could stand alone?]
The implication landed heavily.
So early.
So calculated.
Even then, she had already harbored such thoughts.
The disciples exchanged glances, unease deepening into something closer to fear.
If someone like that could hide so perfectly within the sect—if she could scheme against Nangong Ying without anyone noticing—just how far could she go?
Nangong Wen, meanwhile, felt something inside her snap.
Tear her apart.
That was the only thought left.
If she couldn’t match someone, she should work harder—what kind of skill was this? Plotting in the shadows against her own fellow disciple?
Against her sister?
Lou Yuqing’s thoughts continued, steady, relentless.
[Driven by jealousy, Mu Yunqing went to the black market in Ping’an City.]
A murmur stirred.
[Where there is light, there is darkness. The black market is exactly that—a place where stolen goods change hands and betrayal is commonplace.]
[Despite repeated crackdowns… it still exists.]
[There, Mu Yunqing made a deal. She obtained two Gu worms. The Spirit-Absorbing Gu… and the Beauty Gu.]
Si Nidie’s brows drew together sharply.
The black market…
She had heard about it countless times from her brother—a place crawling with hidden dangers. She had never dared go herself.
Was the seller ignorant of Mu Yunqing’s identity?
Or had it been intentional?
Beside her, Nangong Wen gently brushed a strand of tangled hair away from her sister’s face. Her fingers trembled slightly—but her eyes burned.
Half-finished or not—the damage was already done.
Whether Nangong Ying could recover… no one knew.
Sect rules forbade disciples from killing one another.
Mu Yunqing had crossed a line that could not be forgiven.
Publicly or privately—she would not escape punishment.
But before the Enforcement Hall took her—Nangong Wen would make her pay.
Lou Yuqing’s voice pressed on.
[Mu Yunqing hesitated for a few days. She was afraid the sect might see through her.]
[Then she received news—Nangong Wen was heading to Yongding City to deal with the beast tide.]
[She intervened in secret… transferring Nangong Wen to the weakest team.]
Chen Mujian’s head snapped up.
So she had even targeted Wen’er?
His mind flashed back to that day—fifty teams assembled, chaos in their composition.
The leader had adjusted placements, rebalancing strength across more than a dozen members… including Nangong Wen.
Relief surged through him, belated but intense.
If not for that decision—Mu Yunqing’s scheme would have succeeded.
Nangong Wen clenched her jaw.
Outmaneuvered.
Even then, she had been a step behind.
The hatred in her chest deepened, turning sharper, colder—until it began to resemble something lethal.
[Her thinking was simple. Once news of Nangong Wen’s death arrived, she would tell Nangong Ying immediately.]
[Break her mentally. Then use the Gu.]
[Twice the result, half the effort.]
Si Nidie’s lips parted slightly.
“…That’s vicious.”
[She waited for days. No news came. So she acted.]
[She planted the Gu in a spiritual fruit, invited Nangong Ying under the pretense of a meal… and fed it to her.]
[From that day on, Nangong Ying’s spiritual power began to disappear.]
The hall fell completely silent.
[By the time Nangong Wen returned… Nangong Ying was already crippled. Affected by the Red Beauty Gu, she became withdrawn, timid, self-conscious.]
[Others assumed she couldn’t accept the blow.]
[Only Nangong Wen might have noticed—but she returned too late.]
[By then… everything had already happened. And Mu Yunqing’s plan—was complete.]
Lou Yuqing nearly exploded internally.
[I seriously can’t take this anymore—how can someone be this twisted?!]
Nangong Wen bit down hard enough that the metallic taste of blood spread across her tongue.
Not human.
Mu Yunqing wasn’t human.
But neither… had she fulfilled her duty as an older sister.
She hadn’t investigated.
Hadn’t questioned.
Hadn’t seen.
Instead, she had argued—again and again—while her sister had endured in silence.
The realization hurt more than anything.
Slowly, she pulled Nangong Ying into her arms again, then turned to Chen Mujian.
“Mujian,” she said quietly, “I’m entrusting her to you for now. Don’t let anything happen to her.”
Her voice was calm.
Steady.
Final.
Chen Mujian understood immediately—and frowned.
“Should I go with you?”
Mu Yunqing was a realm higher. This wasn’t a trivial matter.
Nangong Wen shook her head. “No need.”
Her gaze hardened. “I’ll invite her to my cave. With the array active… she won’t be able to do anything.”
She glanced once more at her dazed sister.
Then turned—and left.
Her figure moved down the corridor like a blooming red spider lily—beautiful, deadly, carrying a chilling intent that made the air itself seem to thin.
—
Her cave dwelling sat halfway up the mountain.
Not long after, Mu Yunqing arrived.
When she had received the message, she had been cultivating. Whether it was guilt or something else, she couldn’t say—but she had stopped and come anyway.
On the way, her thoughts wandered.
Had Nangong Wen finally given up?
Was she planning to discard her sister altogether?
Mu Yunqing scoffed inwardly.
If that were true—then their so-called sisterly bond was nothing more than a joke.
Still… as long as Nangong Wen lived, Nangong Ying’s matter wasn’t truly settled.
Why hadn’t she died in the beast tide?
Why force her to take such risks?
Mu Yunqing had considered eliminating Nangong Wen as well—but the sect’s higher-ups had begun paying attention to the sisters. Acting now would be dangerous.
So she endured.
Visited regularly.
Maintained appearances.
After all, Nangong Ying had truly been crippled.
And being known as someone who remembered old ties… wasn’t a bad reputation to have.
“Come in.”
Nangong Wen’s voice drifted from within the cave—cold and flat.
Mu Yunqing smiled faintly and stepped inside.
She wasn’t surprised by the coldness. After all, Nangong Wen’s constant arguments with her sister had long since hardened her expression.
On the table, several plates of spiritual fruits were arranged—bright red, glistening.
Mu Yunqing raised a brow. “What kind of fruit is this?”
“Nothing special,” Nangong Wen replied. “I heard your cultivation improved. Just a small congratulation.”
Her tone was casual.
Almost careless.
Mu Yunqing pouted slightly.
So cheap?
Still, she smiled sweetly.
“Thank you for thinking of me. Has Ying’er tried it? I remember she likes sweet fruits after she stopped fasting.”
Nangong Wen watched her closely.
That fleeting flicker of disdain—if she hadn’t been paying attention, she would have missed it.
“She does,” Nangong Wen said with a faint smile. “Try it for me. If you like it, I’ll send some to her later.”
“Alright.”
Mu Yunqing picked one up and bit into it. Sweet juice spread across her tongue.
It tasted good.
But being used as a tester… was irritating.
“I heard Ying’er’s condition has worsened recently,” she added lightly. “You should take care of yourself too. If you collapse… who will look after her?”
The familiar jab.
Using Nangong Ying to provoke her.
As always.
“Shut up.”
The words cut through the air.
Mu Yunqing blinked, startled.
She hadn’t expected that.
“You—”
“What ‘you’?” Nangong Wen interrupted, a mocking smile curling her lips. “I’m not the fool you used to play with. Do you really think you can still deceive me?”
Mu Yunqing’s heart skipped.
Something was wrong.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying,” she said quickly. “If I’m not welcome, I’ll leave.”
“Don’t go.” Nangong Wen’s voice dropped, cold as ice. “There are debts to settle.”
Her eyes lifted—dark, unreadable. “You harmed my sister to this extent. She’s dead now.”
A beat.
“You should pay with your life.”
Mu Yunqing froze.
“…She’s dead?”
She had always wanted that outcome.
But hearing it now—it didn’t feel real.
Nangong Ying… dead?
“Yes.” Nangong Wen’s expression didn’t change. “She’s dead.”
Then, quietly, “You can die too.”
The words snapped Mu Yunqing back to herself.
Suspicion.
So that was it.
“I was saddened by Ying’er’s death as well,” she said, forcing her voice steady. “But you can’t just accuse me. What does this have to do with me?”
Nangong Wen let out a soft laugh, low and almost gentle—but there was nothing warm in it.
“How could it not?”
Her gaze locked onto Mu Yunqing, sharp and burning, as she took a slow step forward.
“I’ve already investigated everything,” she continued, each word measured at first, controlled. “You were jealous of her. So you went to the black market… bought the Spirit-Absorbing Gu and the Beauty Gu… and used them on my sister.”
She paused—just for a breath—then her voice tightened, the restraint snapping thread by thread.
“Did you really think you hid it well?”
She had meant it as a bluff.
She really had.
But somewhere between the first accusation and the last, the fury she’d been holding back surged up like a flood, swallowing reason whole.
It bled into her tone, into her expression—into the way she looked at Mu Yunqing, as if she could tear her apart with her eyes alone.
Mu Yunqing couldn’t meet that gaze.
Almost instinctively, she turned her head away, but it didn’t help. Her thoughts were already unraveling, tangling into a chaotic mess.
She knew.
She actually knew.
But… was it only her?
If it was just Nangong Wen, there was still room to maneuver—still a chance to talk her way out.
If it wasn’t, then she was finished—no escape, no room left to turn.
But if it was…
A quiet, chilling intent to kill slipped into Mu Yunqing’s heart, cold and decisive, rising just beneath the surface—
—and before she could act on it, her breath hitched violently.
Her hand flew to her chest as a crushing tightness seized her lungs. The world lurched sideways. She staggered, vision blurring—then slammed hard onto the ground.
Her pupils contracted sharply, panic tearing through the last of her composure.
“You… poisoned the fruit?!”
Nangong Wen stood over her, unmoving, her expression cold as ice. Then, slowly, she smiled.
“That’s right,” she said softly. “Back then, you poisoned my sister’s fruit.”
Her gaze darkened, murderous intent no longer hidden. “So today… I’ll return the favor. You can experience it for yourself.”
Madwoman!
Mu Yunqing cursed under her breath as her strength drained away by the second, her body turning sluggish, unresponsive.
Her thoughts spiraled wildly, scrambling for a way out—but every path she chased down collapsed into a dead end.
Instinctively, she reached for her usual leverage—Nangong Ying.
But the moment the thought surfaced, it shattered.
Nangong Ying was already dead.
The realization hit like a plunge into icy water, and something in her chest tightened violently. A suffocating fear surged up, raw and undeniable.
Now she could see it—clearly, unmistakably.
Nangong Wen truly meant to kill her.
Her voice cracked as she forced the words out, sharp with desperation. “If you kill me… you’ll die too!”
Nangong Wen tilted her head slightly, as if the idea genuinely deserved consideration.
Then, slowly, her expression softened—but the gentleness was wrong, hollow, like a mask stretched over something broken.
“I don’t care.”
Her eyes were empty.
“My sister is already dead.”
A faint smile touched her lips, light and distant.
“I’ll send you down first… then I’ll join her.”
The calm in her voice was far more terrifying than any rage.
Mu Yunqing lay sprawled on the ground, feeling her strength slip away bit by bit, like sand running through her fingers.
Cold fear crept in, tightening around her heart with every passing breath.
How…?
She had been so careful. So cautious. So meticulous.
So how had Nangong Wen found out?
Had she… tracked down that cultivator from the black market?
Her thoughts spiraled—but Nangong Wen’s voice cut through them, cold and precise.
“I also know,” she said, “that after I accepted the beast tide mission, you tried to have me killed.”
Mu Yunqing’s breath hitched.
“You transferred me to the weakest team.”
A pause.
“Unfortunately…” Nangong Wen’s lips curved faintly, “man proposes, God disposes. Our team leader wasn’t a fool. He saw something was wrong—and reassigned me.”
What nonsense!
Mu Yunqing clenched her teeth, fury flaring even as fear coiled tighter in her chest.
She hadn’t lost.
She had just… underestimated this lunatic—someone who would rather drag them both into the abyss than let her walk away alive.
If she had acted sooner… if she had been more decisive… if she had killed Nangong Wen back then—
Would things have turned out differently?
Her vision began to blur, the edges of the world dissolving into shadow as darkness crept in, swallowing everything piece by piece.
And with that final, fading thought—everything went black.
—
Enforcement Hall.
The doors burst open.
Nangong Wen strode in without pause, each step steady, each movement carrying an oppressive weight.
Her sky-blue robes swept behind her in a sharp arc—but there was nothing gentle left in her presence now. She looked like a blade freshly drawn, all edge and cold light.
With a sharp motion, she flung the person in her grasp forward.
Bang—!
The body hit the ground hard, the sound cracking through the hall like a strike of thunder.
A collective flinch rippled through the crowd, followed by a sharp intake of breath as every gaze snapped toward the figure sprawled at her feet.
Mu Yunqing.
One of the Twin Stars.
And yet, the woman lying there now bore no resemblance to the untouchable genius they once admired. Her hair was in disarray, robes wrinkled and stained, her usual poise completely shattered.
At the corner of her lips, a trace of pale foam clung faintly—an unsettling detail no one could ignore.
Silence fell.
Heavy. Stifling.
Then, unbidden, the same terrible thought surfaced in every mind.
Had she… died from poison?
“Not dead.”
Nangong Wen’s voice cut cleanly through the stillness—flat, certain, and cold enough to freeze the air itself.
She had no intention of letting Mu Yunqing die so easily.
According to sect law, a disciple who harmed another would face a punishment beyond imagination—one hundred years in the Ice Prison, followed by one hundred years in the Fire Prison.
And if she somehow survived that… another hundred years mining, another planting spiritual herbs, another raising spiritual beasts…
Cycle after cycle. Century after century.
Until her lifespan was exhausted.
Until she died.
And if Mu Yunqing was fortunate enough to endure the Ice and Fire Prison—then what awaited her was not mercy, but countless more years of suffering stretching endlessly ahead.
[This is Mu Yunqing?]
[Nangong Wen actually found the culprit… looks like I didn’t need to remind her.]
[In the original timeline, she never discovered the truth until her death. And later… certain events pushed her into a desperate situation.]
Nangong Wen’s body stiffened.
The brief calm she had forced upon herself shattered instantly.
If not for that voice—she would have remained blind.
Letting Mu Yunqing walk free.
The thought alone made her chest tighten, breath catching painfully in her throat.
Beside her, Chen Mujian’s expression darkened as well.
A desperate situation? What had happened to Wen’er… in that future?
Lou Yuqing flipped through her system panel, brows knitting slightly.
Then she sighed.
[This family of three… truly tragic.]
[The younger sister was poisoned and lost her cultivation. The older sister was forcibly taken away.]
[And the man… had his identity stolen, dying a miserable death in a foul ditch.]
Nangong Wen’s eyes snapped wide.
Forcibly taken away?!
Chen Mujian froze.
Died… in a ditch?!
Their gazes met—shock flashing between them, sharp and wordless.
[Chen Mujian appears to be an orphan… but his true identity is far from ordinary.]
[He is the grandson of the head of the Chen cultivation family.]
[At birth, he was hunted down. His mother died from exhaustion after giving birth… his father was killed instantly—stabbed through the heart.]
[Only he survived—protected by a loyal servant.]
[But even that didn’t last. When the pursuers caught up, the servant hid him in the mountains to draw them away… and never returned.]
[Later, a hunter found him as an infant and brought him to a town orphanage.]
[Because of the jade pendant he carried—engraved with his name—he was given the name… Chen Mujian.]
Silence fell.
Slowly, almost unconsciously, Chen Mujian reached up.
His fingers hooked the thin cord at his neck.
He pulled the jade pendant out from beneath his clothes.
It rested in his palm—cool, familiar.
Three characters, carved in neat, regular script: Chen Mujian.