The Journey of Immortal Cultivation-Chapter 612 - 349 Swallowing the Bait

Such an antidote costs only sixty taels of Silver. Although it’s not cheap for ordinary people, equivalent to nearly ten thousand RMB, how could anyone be unwilling to spend this life-saving money in comparison with the sky-high prices of Immortal Elixirs that use millennia-old herbs, prices that people dare not even look up to?

She also copied the formulation several times and had it sent to Fatty Qi, Ning Yu, and Deng Hao by the Earth Yin Child, instructing them to start making preparations to save lives. Now that Changtian and Qiongqi belong to her, the merit for developing this antidote should be attributed to her. What follows is saving as many lives as possible.

This night, some people sleep peacefully, others are excited. Some intricately set their traps, while some remain utterly oblivious.

At the break of dawn (5 a.m.), Situ Qing was already neatly dressed and went out to meet Luo’s invitation, leaving others in his office to handle his work. This timing was also premeditated. Chiming City, located in the Northwest, sees early daylight. By the time everyone starts to act, it should be close to noon, and the sunlight is the nemesis of all evil beings. The Plague Demon, even if not afraid of direct sunlight, should have its power diminished somewhat at noon, right?

It’s now late September, and although the weather has turned cooler, the occasional autumn heat waves still occur, with only the early morning and night being particularly cool. The Plague Demon thrives in the shade, making this an opportune time for it to move. It should not be able to resist.

Indeed, less than fifteen minutes after Situ Qing left, Luo’s place received messages like running water:

"Report, Huo Mingzhu had a Maid call for a carriage at the back door of the courtyard."

"Report, she didn’t bring the Maid with her but instead set off alone with a bundle. The bundle is not small, but its shape doesn’t seem capable of holding a person. The direction the carriage took was indeed towards her parental Manor in the western suburbs."

Luo sneered and said, "Continue following her, and send another group to the west wing of the Situ Mansion."

Immediately someone was dispatched, and before long they reported back: "All the servants in the Situ Mansion are asleep, and there’s no one in the west wing room."

Huo Mingzhu indeed took the bait hurriedly, eager to take Ru Ji to the suburbs to inflict harm. Generally, one wouldn’t harm those close to them, but Ru Ji’s beauty was enough to make Huo Mingzhu break this rule. Ning Xiaoxian’s mind relaxed a bit, yet she also felt a tinge of sorrow for Ru Ji.

At the same time, Tu Jin and Qi Zai were sitting in Luo’s luxury carriage, proceeding leisurely toward the western outskirts of the city. This carriage looked like any other wealthy family’s carriage from the outside, but inside it was incredibly comfortable, with thick wool carpets, hand warmers, incense, a chessboard, wine cabinets, and the like, making it no less luxurious than the Jishi Building carriage from which Ning Xiaoxian had cut off half a door by the Ruishui River. It’s just that everyone was preoccupied with heavy thoughts at the moment, who would be in the mood for pleasure?

"Report, Huo Mingzhu has passed the West City checkpoint..."

"Report, Huo Mingzhu has arrived at the rural Manor west of the city, and is now serving meals to her parents..."

Ning Xiaoxian was slightly surprised in her heart. Those with profound cultivation can sense others’ surveillance, but she wondered how Luo’s men managed to evade Huo Mingzhu’s spiritual sense and keep track of her whereabouts so clearly. Unknown to her, Luo had Divine Artifacts like the echo worm for eavesdropping, and at this moment, some little insects were lying motionless in many secluded corners of the Huo Manor.

An hour later.

"Report, Huo Mingzhu has returned to her boudoir, claiming that she wants to rest for a while, even the personal maid who grew up with her has been sent out."

After this, there was a long silence again.

Time slowly flowed by, and now it was past 7 a.m. Everyone was a bit puzzled: could this demon actually be so patient? Today, the sky was overcast, the sun was nowhere to be seen, and the cool air was just right for the Plague Demon to be active. Although there were fortune-tellers in Fengtian Prefecture who predicted that the sun would break through the clouds in the afternoon.

Without lifting his head, Luo only said one word: "Wait."

After a long while, finally, another message came through: "Report, the mortals in the Huo Manor began yawning one after another, and within dozens of seconds, they all fell asleep."

"Report, Bright Pearl has left through the back door of the Huo Manor, heading into the woods, still carrying that bundle with her. Her speed... too fast, we dare not follow too closely."

The back door of the Huo Manor backed onto a lush forest. Everyone in the manor was asleep, so naturally, there was no one to stop Bright Pearl from leaving through the back gate. If Miluo and his people were present, they would have seen her expression impassive, her gait carrying her forward and yet her toes never touching the ground, floating faster and faster, swift as a galloping horse in the end.

The woods were filled with ancient trees, their crowns blotting out the sun and the sky, making the temperature at least six or seven degrees cooler than outside, providing plenty of shade. There were no paths through the woods, yet Bright Pearl seemed to know the direction; after making seven or eight turns, she suddenly found a small clearing.

In this clearing stood a solitary, run-down hunting lodge with a door battered by the wind, but the holes in the windows were meticulously patched with cowhide felt. She opened the door and walked in.

The inside of the house was surprisingly clean, equipped with everything one could need, even a big bed that looked both soft and comfortable. Methodically, she threw the bundle onto the bed, it unfolded revealing a finely woven wool blanket with the body of Ru Ji curled up inside. The Butterfly Demon’s eyes were tightly shut, long since unconscious.

The body of Ru Ji was as soft as if it were boneless; Bright Pearl had somehow twisted her into a ball and packed her into the bundle; no wonder Miluo’s spy couldn’t believe a person could fit inside it.

Bright Pearl took out two specially made leather cords, tying Ru Ji’s hands to the bedstead, then lit medicinal incense she had obtained from Situ Qing, and gently tapped the Butterfly Demon’s face.

Ru Ji grunted, slowly coming to, realizing she was brought to an unfamiliar place, doubt and fear appeared in her eyes, and she curled up even more tightly.

Ning Xiaoxian and the others had long since abandoned their carriage, each using their Divine Skills to enter the forest. The forest was vast, and after prior reconnaissance, they knew of two or three small houses within, but only one was well-maintained, so they headed straight for it and stealthily took cover not far from the lodge.

Fearing the Plague Demon would sense them, no one dared to extend their Divine Thought, only sharpening their hearing to steal the sounds inside.

Ning Xiaoxian had just laid down when she heard the terrified screams of Ru Ji coming from the lodge.

Had the Plague Demon started tormenting its prey? She cast Miluo a frantic glance and saw him giving her a teasing smile, shaking his head and transmitting, "No rush. The Plague Demon will take a while longer before making its move to kill her."

She could not help but glare at him furiously. Such information was clearly mentioned in the secret scrolls, and yet he hadn’t informed her beforehand!

Luckily, eavesdropping like this was something she had plenty of practice with on the journey, so her heartbeats and breathing were tightly controlled, revealing not a trace.

Grinding her teeth, she asked Changtian, "They’re not making their move yet, what are they waiting for? Are they determined not to stop until Ru Ji is tormented to their satisfaction?"

Her tone sounded as if she wanted to bite a chunk of flesh off him. Changtian chuckled wryly, "Silly girl, don’t let your compassion cloud your spiritual intelligence. They’re waiting for an opportunity."

Was Miluo’s plan so meticulous that it took even this into consideration? It was terrifying! She pondered and suddenly realized a key question: "Changtian, is the Plague Demon male or female?"

"...How would I know? Is that important?" The girl was becoming less innocent.

She laughed it off casually and fell silent.

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, I welcome you to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and Monthly Tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)