My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 662 - 437: Min Ning Wants to Elope?_2

"Why should we trust you?" Min Ning asked.

The grey-clothed Taoist replied, "You can try taking a few more steps."

Min Ning thought for a moment before testing, "Can you guide the way?"

"Naturally." The grey-clothed Taoist gestured toward the thick mist. "To be honest, this mist originally stems from me."

Min Ning raised an eyebrow slightly; Lu Ying looked puzzled, while Yin Weiyin appeared pensive.

"To be precise, this mist is the result of my inner demonic obstacles. Our Quanzhen Taoists mostly eliminate desire and emotion, and thus such demonic obstacles arise." The grey-clothed Taoist continued, "I originally thought these obstacles would dissolve naturally over time, but I never expected that after my passing, they overtook my corpse. The demonic energy spread, turning into this region's ghostly mist."

Min Ning hesitated slightly.

"If you don't believe me, you may ask the two fellow Taoists here."

Hearing that, Min Ning turned to Lu Ying.

Lu Ying thought for a while and said, "After death, the soul separates from the body. It's not impossible for demonic obstacles to invade a corpse. Even without demonic interference, if the body isn't buried in time, it might spontaneously transform into a zombie."

Min Ning nodded. Considering that, the grey-clothed Taoist's words seemed credible.

She replied, "No one goes to the temple without reason. Are you really just being kind-hearted?"

The grey-clothed Taoist smiled, "I do have selfish intentions. My corpse turned into a demon, so my soul has been restless. I wish to ask you all to eliminate the demon and uphold justice."

Min Ning thought for a moment and then smiled:

"Fair enough."

After speaking, she sheathed her blade. The sword slid halfway into the scabbard, but when it touched the loosely wrapped bandages, it stopped further.

It was only then that Lu Ying noticed Min Ning's sword had been drawn halfway the entire time.

This was to be prepared for sudden enemies, giving her no time to fully unsheathe.

Yin Weiyin watched as the grey-clothed Taoist turned and led the way but still approached Min Ning.

"Aren't you afraid he's a vengeful ghost?"

Min Ning replied indifferently:

"I'll get rid of him too, if that's the case."

......

The group followed the grey-clothed Taoist and crossed over a mountain slope. They had gotten significantly closer to the summit, but as night deepened, visibility became almost nonexistent. They could no longer continue traveling and had to stop and rest.

Men and women observed propriety, and the grey-clothed Taoist temporarily excused himself, promising to meet with them again early in the morning before disappearing into the mist. Where he went to rest was uncertain, but as the saying goes: people have their houses, dogs have their kennels, and even ghosts should have their dens.

Min Ning retrieved a tent from Square Land and gathered dry branches and leaves to prepare a campfire. Just as she struck the fire starter, Yin Weiyin raised her hand, igniting the dry wood on its own.

Min Ning silently put away the fire starter.

The three sat around the fire on the ground, none of them sleepy. The two female crowns had already made some progress in their practice; fasting and sleepless nights were routine. As for Min Ning, though a martial artist, her energy was abundant. Amidst the mountain's cold wind, with nothing to do, the group began chatting casually.

"Did you come with him to Shantong City?" Min Ning asked curiously.

After hundreds of days apart, she had occasionally thought of him.

Lu Ying nodded and said, "He came to Shantong City with me as my protector under my master's request. By the way, my master is his aunt."

She didn't know why she felt the need to add that last part. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Min Ning didn't call her out on it, even though she knew this detail could irritate Zhou Yitang. Yet, she disdained petty behavior.

If there was a rivalry, she'd compete honorably.

"It seems he's doing quite well," Min Ning remarked with faint sentiment.

Lu Ying was pondering how to respond.

The female crown chuckled softly, "He's doing very well."

Min Ning glanced sideways at this Princess Jing, her heroic brows furrowed lightly. In truth, Min Ning was less interested in Lu Ying's words and more curious about her pillow partner, but since the two were always at odds,

she nonetheless asked, "In what way?"

While speaking, Min Ning unslung her wine gourd, bent one knee, and started drinking casually.

Yin Weiyin observed Min Ning's demeanor. In the past, Chen Yi being close to Min Ning was certainly fine, but he ultimately married her.

Reflecting on past grudges, now she wanted to see Min Ning begging her not to slay the Scarlet Dragon.

The female crown adjusted her sleeves, saying casually, "A while ago, we wandered Shantong City together, bought frivolous trinkets like jade pendants, tried some Northwestern cuisine, and even went to watch an opera. It was a leisurely, pleasant time."

Min Ning listened patiently, feeling a vague itch in her heart.

Of course—it seemed he always enjoyed the company of women. As long as there were women, he'd live happily.

Min Ning inexplicably felt a hint of irritation and asked, "What else?"

With that, she took another swig of wine.

Yin Weiyin thought briefly before saying, "When he had no business, he barely left the house. Even when I urged him, he refused, preferring to stay in. This, honestly, was a bit tiresome for me. I never enjoyed being around him all the time."

Min Ning took a determined gulp.

At that moment, the female crown suddenly remembered something, chuckling:

"Oh, I nearly forgot. He also put on a pig's mask to amuse me once and brought me a Ziwei Flower from far away."

Min Ning's hand froze.

She remembered—a man who liked a woman would give her flowers.

Min Ning said blandly, "Oh, very nice, quite nice..."

Yin Weiyin glanced sideways at her.

The flickering firelight painted Min Ning's face with wavering shadows, and her sword-like eyes carried a faint sorrow.

After a moment, as if retaliating, she said, "Speaking of which, do you know... I promised him—I would marry him."

?!

Lu Ying's head shot up, half in shock and half in confusion, while Yin Weiyin's reaction was slightly more composed.

Min Ning smiled faintly, "Well, not exactly a promise. It's just something I decided for myself."

Yin Weiyin collected herself, understanding this was the young warrior's rebuttal.

She had already sealed her relationship with Chen Yi, yet Min Ning still dared dream of stealing the wedding?

"I've never meddled in his affairs; I only mind my own business. At this point, all that's left between us is the wedding ceremony." The female crown reflected momentarily before softly laughing, "And I should thank you for that. He's my golden boy now, Min Ning. Thinking back, it's ironic—I used to hate you to the core. Now, I should feel gratitude. Without you, I'd never have become his divine match. Thank you, Min Ning."

"..."

Min Ning took a deep breath.

Her frustration grew thick; the more she listened, the more she felt an unbearable pressure building in her chest, as though her previously flat torso would swell from anger.

This Princess Jing was intentional...

Seeing Min Ning's stifled rage filled Yin Weiyin with secret delight.

Min Ning steadied herself, replaced her wine gourd, and said:

"I'm going to relieve myself."

Her straightforward remark made Lu Ying blush slightly, while Yin Weiyin internally cursed her coarseness.

Min Ning wasn't truly seeking relief but merely wanted a quiet place to calm down. Being near this Princess Jing always made her uncomfortable.

The cold wind howled, and in just a few moments, Min Ning had reached a distant slope; the campfire became a faint point of light amidst the mist. She took deep breaths.

The forest was deathly still.

The overlapping shadows of trees loomed large, swaying in distorted shapes, like jagged teeth. The shadows seemed heavier, and the mist coated the darkness with a sticky substance.

The air grew oppressively dense. Amid the tangled shadows, faint rustling sounds arose, intensifying as the night deepened. Wild grass sprawled unchecked, and the trees stood eerily like grim figures, motionless in their deathly silence.

Min Ning lingered for a while, gradually sensing eyes upon her.

Was it Princess Jing following her?

Could it be...

"Yin Weiyin?"

Amid the murky gloom, something seemed to creep closer from behind her.

Min Ning called out but heard no answer. Turning her head,

within the shadows, a Taoist clad in a vestment robe emerged—mouth agape with fangs bared!

......

The forest stirred with cold winds; the campfire dimmed noticeably, pulling Yin Weiyin's shadow into grotesque shapes.

The two women kept vigil near the fire for what felt like ages, yet Min Ning never returned.

"Why hasn't Min Qianhu come back yet?"

Lu Ying asked hesitantly.

Yin Weiyin shook her head, similarly uncertain why Min Ning hadn't returned.

She pinched her fingers together, attempting to divine an answer,

"Should be... still nothing wrong..."

Yin Weiyin's tone carried a hint of reluctance; she too doubted whether the ghostly mist had interfered with her reading.

If it hadn't, then Min Ning should already be back.

Lu Ying felt the same unease, her breathing quickening.

The two women exchanged glances, shivering involuntarily.

The firelight flickered erratically as though threatening to extinguish, shrinking visibly. The forest grew even more ominous.

Yin Weiyin drew her Peach Wood Sword, holding it defensively in front of her, eyes fixed on the darkness.

Whoosh!

A gust of cold wind swept through, stirring fallen leaves into fluttering spirals. The campfire dimmed sharply, its crackling sound piercingly shrill.

Within the dense blackness, abnormal contours began to emerge. Sweat appeared on the brows of the two women, as if something were stirring, inching closer.

What was it?

The demonic obstacles the grey-clothed Taoist spoke of?

Whoosh!

The wind surged suddenly.

The female crown felt her hair stand on end as a fang-baring head surfaced amidst the darkness!

Droplets of blood scattered...

"Demon..." Yin Weiyin barely uttered "demon," but couldn't finish the sentence.

What entered their sight was Min Ning's face slowly emerging. Her disheveled hair hung over her shoulders; one hand carried the Taoist's severed head, while the other clasped her sword, blood dripping down its groove.

The head faced them directly, swaying lightly in the wind. Yin Weiyin stared wide-eyed, frozen.

Min Ning smirked coldly and asked:

"Shaken with fear, Yin Weiyin?"

The female crown's face stiffened slightly.

Damn it, Infinite Heavenly Venerable,

How had Min Ning gotten this strong?!

She... might actually be capable of stealing the wedding...