Chapter 82: The Inside Story

Wang Yuanfeng glanced at Third Aunt Zhang with indifference. Though she had agreed, there was no guarantee she would tell the truth, nor that she wouldn’t be killed—whether she lived or died would depend on circumstances. He said, “You may choose not to speak. If you do, I’ll decide what to do according to the situation.”

Third Aunt Zhang was about to refuse, but seeing Wang Yuanfeng look at her with that impassive face, her heart skipped a beat with dread. If he had shown any expression, she might have gauged his mood, but this utter lack of emotion was the most frightening of all. Either his heart was still as water, or he simply didn’t care if she lived or died.

He watched her calmly as if her answer was of no consequence, whether she spoke or not. Using his art of reading auras, he saw a black, blood-streaked haze swirling around her—a sign of one who often kills without reason. For such a person, death was no more than a return to the earth, dissipating grievances and clearing one’s own mind.

But Huaguzi was different. She bore no trace of bloodshed; her aura was serene, her appearance dignified, her movements light and free of sloth—a clear sign of one who walks the path of virtue. Such people are shielded from misfortune; to harm them would only diminish one’s own good fortune.

Yet fate linked Third Aunt Zhang and Huaguzi together, so he had to seek the truth. If not for Huaguzi’s sake, he would have killed her already.

Third Aunt Zhang felt his cold, lifeless gaze upon her, as though she were already a corpse. Fear gripped her: even the slightest lie, and she’d be finished. No one wishes to die. She hurriedly said, “I’ll tell you everything—everything, I swear.”

Wang Yuanfeng nodded. This was best; it spared him the trouble of coercion. “A wise person adapts to circumstance. You’ve made the right choice.”

Xiao Qing nodded curiously, waiting to hear what Third Aunt Zhang had to say. She didn’t know why only a few words from Wang Yuanfeng had made her speak, but she was eager to listen.

Er Qing watched the two of them closely, observing every subtle change. She guessed why Third Aunt Zhang had changed her mind, and felt some admiration for Wang Yuanfeng—if it were her, she’d have had to struggle much harder.

Wang Yuanfeng was satisfied. Every person wishes to live; those resigned to death have already died. The desire to survive was a weakness, and once grasped, everything else became much easier.

Third Aunt Zhang thought for a moment, then spoke slowly: “We came here following the Roe Deer Spirit of Henglian Mountain, whose name is Zhang Xiangzi—a blessed musk deer from the northern Henglian Mountains, whom I call elder brother.

“There were three of us this time—Zhang Xiangzi, myself, and Huaguzi. Our goal was to seize the spiritual vein in the Yin Mountain Serpent Cave. We intended to merge its energy with that of the Tiger and Leopard Cave, harmonizing yin and yang, and thus achieve the Golden Core.”

The three listeners all thought, “So it’s true.” Both Er Qing and Xiao Qing shuddered inwardly—if not for Wang Yuanfeng’s timely intervention, the consequences would have been disastrous.

“What was your plan?” Wang Yuanfeng asked.

Third Aunt Zhang replied, “If we attacked the cave directly, we might not have been your match. So we sought out An Youyu, who carries the Dragon Pulse of Daofu Mountain.

“Zhang Xiangzi’s plan was to marry Huaguzi to An Youyu, so that, using his latent Dragon Aura, he could suppress you, reduce your demon power to nearly nothing, and then let An Youyu burn and hack you to death.”

Hidden in the shadows, Huaguzi’s cheeks were already wet with tears, a sense of desolation engulfing her. She wanted to cry out, but her voice had been sealed; no matter what she did, she could not utter a sound, nor could she move, bound as she was.

She did not want to believe any of this, yet some inner voice told her it might well be true.

Er Qing and Xiao Qing had already heard Wang Yuanfeng’s analysis, so they were less shocked, though still uneasy.

Wang Yuanfeng laughed softly, having long guessed as much. “If An Youyu goes through with this, I suppose he’ll be of no further use to you?”

Third Aunt Zhang glanced at him, surprised that even this he had figured out—Zhang Xiangzi had spent centuries deducing as much.

“Yes. The demons of the Serpent Cave are all born of the fortune of Daofu Mountain, spirits of heaven and earth. If An Youyu kills them, at best his luck will greatly diminish; at worst, his family will be destroyed, and he’ll die alone and destitute.”

Wang Yuanfeng had already deduced this outcome. In fact, from the moment the Roe Deer Spirit revealed himself, Wang Yuanfeng had guessed most of it, drawing on his understanding of fate and a story he’d read in a previous life.

Stories are just stories; what’s on the surface often differs from reality. Outwardly, it was about the love between Huaguzi and An Youyu, but in the end, An Youyu was left alone for life, never marrying; Huaguzi lost her spiritual cultivation and was never seen again; the green snake in the cave was killed, and only Huaguzi’s father benefited.

“You said the Roe Deer Spirit of Henglian Mountain—he’s not of your kind?” Wang Yuanfeng heard something odd in her words and asked.

At this, Third Aunt Zhang’s face changed drastically, panic and pain contorting her expression. It was as if her heart was being torn apart.

Everyone sensed something hidden beneath the surface.

From her place of concealment, Huaguzi shook her head desperately. She could feel that what she was about to hear was something she didn’t want to know, that after this, she might lose everything. Clever as she was, she realized that attacking Xiao Qing had been a grave mistake.

She knew there might be hidden truths behind her mother’s death, but after a century of her father’s indoctrination, she had come to believe his version. To change now would mean enduring unimaginable pain.

“Speak. You can’t run from the past. Only by facing it can you find peace,” Wang Yuanfeng said gently to Third Aunt Zhang.

After a long while, Third Aunt Zhang managed to compose herself, tears streaming down her face. She spoke haltingly, “We once lived in a valley near Daofu Mountain, a peaceful tribe, free of care.

“One day, we found a wounded highland roe deer at the mouth of the valley. We saved him, intending to let him go once he healed.

“But after he recovered, he stayed on, refusing to leave. When Huaguzi was born, he discovered her special constitution—a rare gift, said to greatly improve one’s chances of forming a Golden Core if absorbed during cultivation.”

At this, all present understood that Huaguzi and Zhang Xiangzi likely shared no blood relation. Sympathy welled up in their hearts—even Xiao Qing could no longer find fault with Huaguzi.

Hearing this, Huaguzi wept silently, biting her lips until they bled.

Third Aunt Zhang continued, “That Roe Deer Spirit came to Yin Mountain, secretly slaughtered most of the serpents, and extracted their venom. Then he poisoned our entire tribe, killing every last one—save for Huaguzi.

“The only reason I survived was because Huaguzi needed someone to care for her. That someone was Zhang Xiangzi.” Finishing, Third Aunt Zhang was sobbing uncontrollably. She knelt before Wang Yuanfeng and the others, pleading, “I have wronged you, I know, but please spare Huaguzi. She knows nothing of what we’ve done.”

“I beg you.” She kowtowed again and again.

Er Qing hurried to help her up, glancing at Wang Yuanfeng. He nodded, and with a wave of her hand, the vines binding Third Aunt Zhang flew back into her sleeve. “Why torment yourself so?” Er Qing said softly.

Now Xiao Qing was also in tears. Wang Yuanfeng was relieved the truth had come to light; otherwise, misunderstanding would have bred further tragedy. He turned his spirit sense toward Huaguzi in the shadows—and his heart clenched.

“Something’s wrong—Huaguzi’s mind is unraveling.” In the darkness, Huaguzi’s eyes were vacant, her face deathly pale, breath barely perceptible. As Wang Yuanfeng spoke, he lifted her gently into his arms.

“What’s wrong with her?” Xiao Qing asked, startled.

“There’s nothing more devastating than the death of the spirit. When the spirit dies, the body soon follows,” Wang Yuanfeng replied, massaging her vital points.

With a wave of her hand, Er Qing released the vines binding Huaguzi.

“Huaguzi, wake up—please wake up!” Third Aunt Zhang rushed to her side, shaking her and calling out.

“Don’t touch her yet. Young Master Wang is saving her,” Er Qing gently pulled Third Aunt Zhang back.

Wang Yuanfeng continued channeling energy through Huaguzi’s crown, carefully examining her meridians and bones. Her body was unharmed, yet a chill of death still emanated from deep within her. It took him some time to dispel this aura; only then did he withdraw his energy.

“How is she? Please, save Huaguzi—I’m willing to give my life in exchange,” Third Aunt Zhang pleaded, not expecting that revealing the truth would hurt Huaguzi so deeply. She had intended to end her own life after speaking, but now Huaguzi was in this state.

“Please, Brother Yuanfeng, save her,” Xiao Qing sobbed.

“What’s her condition?” Er Qing asked, seeing Wang Yuanfeng deep in thought. She too did not want Huaguzi to die, especially knowing how alone she was—she herself was far more fortunate.

Third Aunt Zhang and Xiao Qing watched Wang Yuanfeng anxiously; only he was skilled in the healing arts, and as a cultivator, if he had no solution, there was little hope of finding anyone who did.

Wang Yuanfeng truly had no good solution, but after seeing their hopeful faces, he swallowed his initial words and said instead, “There is a way, but it’s extremely troublesome.”

At this, all three sighed in relief, hope shining in their eyes.