Besides her, several women were huddled in the corner, including Du Xiaowan and Xiuxiu. Du Xiaowan was still unconscious, while the others trembled at the sight of the Half-Face Ghost leader entering.
Ignoring them, Zhu Yan shifted her gaze to the main hall. An altar was set up there, displaying a painting of a phoenix-like moth reborn from flames. Above it hung a plaque with three characters: “Guangchun Hall.”
Zhu Yan was astonished. “Guangchun Hall? A phoenix moth? Is this… is this place in Yingzhou the headquarters of the Fire Moth Party?”
Murmuring to herself, she suddenly realized, turning to look at the Half-Face Ghost leader standing with his back to her. “You… you’re Wang Buzui, the Vice Leader of Guangchun Hall?”
Though phrased as a question, Zhu Yan was already certain. In Ji Dafu’s account, it was Wang Buzui’s persuasion that led him to join the Fire Moth Party.
However, Ji Dafu had always referred to a “Vice Leader” but never mentioned a “Leader.” Could it be the one in the capital?
Recognizing that his identity had been revealed, the Half-Face Ghost leader paused, then slowly turned around. “As expected of the renowned Zhu Liunniang.”
Brave and perceptive, no wonder she had become valued by the Empress and feared by various factions.
With these words, Wang Buzui confirmed his identity. Being in his territory, he had nothing left to hide.
So, Wang Buzui removed the mask from his face and placed it on the table.
Zhu Yan stared intently, feeling a sense of familiarity. She couldn’t help but look a few more times.
Wang Buzui allowed her to scrutinize him, saying, “Interesting.”
Most women brought here would be screaming and crying upon seeing this eerie place. In contrast, Zhu Yan still had the presence of mind to observe her surroundings, deduce his identity from seeing Guangchun Hall, and even dare to stare at him fearlessly.
This would make the upcoming game much more entertaining.
“That day at the gambling house, the one who held me and forced my hand into the altar – that was you too, wasn’t it?” Zhu Yan asked.
Back then, the three of them had gone undercover to investigate Ji Dafu. After winning money and causing trouble, they were taken to the back room by Ji Dafu and his men. Outnumbered, they pretended to be Ji Dafu’s old acquaintances to escape.
Ji Dafu wasn’t easily fooled, so they had to agree to join the Fire Moth Party to prove their sincerity. Unexpectedly, joining required a ritual. When they resisted, they were forcibly made to participate.
Zhu Yan had to pretend to comply, seizing the opportunity to break the jar. Dark red liquid with a bloody smell poured out, along with some poisonous insects.
Thinking back, she still felt a chill.
Wang Buzui smirked, openly admitting, “That’s right, it was me.” If he hadn’t seen Zhu Yan that time, he wouldn’t have thought to capture her as well.
After all, such intelligent women were rare. With her addition, things would surely progress twice as fast with half the effort.
“I thought the rumors were exaggerated, but Zhu Liunniang truly lives up to her reputation. A woman truly not inferior to any man!” Wang Buzui praised generously, eyeing Zhu Yan with deeper meaning.
Zhu Yan smiled, glancing back at the women in the corner, then at the painting of the phoenix moth and the prepared altar. She guessed, “Vice Leader Wang is straightforward. Let me guess, is this about some secret method of rebirth?”
The Half-Face Ghosts had come out in full force, killing indiscriminately, drawing an Eight Trigrams formation with human blood, using corpses as offerings to appease the spirits, performing rituals and prayers – everything seemed bizarre.
Now it all made sense.
Wang Buzui remained silent, and Zhu Yan knew she had guessed correctly. She continued, “Ji Dafu wanted to revive Li Xiulian, but what about you? Vice Leader Wang, who do you want to bring back to life? You’ve captured so many women – it seems you have quite a few people to revive!”
If it were merely for others, Wang Buzui wouldn’t go to such lengths. He had his desires.
“Those who are too clever for their good don’t live long. However, you’ve impressed me. Your words are like pearls, yet they play right into my hands. I admire that. Bringing you here to participate was indeed the right choice. This revival will surely succeed.”
Soon, he would be able to see the person he longed for.
Suddenly, Wang Buzui’s mood improved, and he looked at Zhu Yan more benevolently.
“Hah!” Zhu Yan scoffed, about to say more, but was interrupted by Xiuxiu crawling out from the corner.
Xiuxiu crawled to Wang Buzui’s feet, clutching his leg and pleading, “Brother Wang, please let me go! Considering how obedient I’ve always been, spare my life and release me! I beg you, I don’t want to die!”
Xiuxiu cried, snot and tears flowing, hoping to evoke Wang Buzui’s sympathy.
However, Wang Buzui was unmoved. He kicked her away, roaring, “This isn’t death! It’s rebirth!”
He abhorred the word “death” the most. Hearing it now filled him with rage.
Xiuxiu kicked away, and was terrified out of her wits. She dared not make another sound, tears welling up in her eyes, looking utterly pitiful.
Seeing Xiuxiu like this, Wang Buzui seemed to recall something. His heart softened, and he crouched down, wiping away Xiuxiu’s tears. He comforted her, “Xiuxiu, you must be obedient. Don’t forget what I told you – the spirits will bless you. Washing away the impurities, gaining rebirth, achieving immortality – many people can only dream of this. You should be grateful.”
His words of enticement flowed endlessly, quickly calming Xiuxiu.
Zhu Yan sat nearby, listening to their conversation and pondering carefully. She soon understood the intricacies of the situation.
They had truly been thoroughly manipulated!
Not just Ji Dafu’s side, but also Xiuxiu’s – everything was intricately connected, leaving no room for error.
No wonder Xiuxiu had been moved by Pan Chi’s poetry. She had said so many irrelevant things, but from beginning to end, she was just following someone else’s orders, deliberately pushing the blame for the headless corpse onto Liu Zongyuan, diverting their attention.
Even the Half-Face Ghost that Pan Chi saw when he returned to Xiuxiang Pavilion for the poems wasn’t Ji Dafu, but Wang Buzui.
Judging by their interaction, their relationship seemed quite close!
From start to finish, they had been trapped in a scheme, pulled wherever others wanted them to go. No wonder they had ended up in this situation!
Having sorted out the sequence of events, Zhu Yan couldn’t help but think of Shen Du. Her emotions surged – she wanted Shen Du to come quickly to rescue her, yet she didn’t want him to be in danger because of her.
She felt somewhat guilty. Shen Du had to split his attention between dealing with the Half-Face Ghosts and Mo Qianzi. Her capture had become a burden for Shen Du. She regretted not heeding Sun Tan’s advice to take shelter.
She wondered if he had discovered her disappearance. Would he come to rescue her? But the Fire Moth Party was setting a trap, intending to pin them both down in Yingzhou. They likely wouldn’t let him live either.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yan sighed, her mood becoming somber.
However, this lasted only a moment. She quickly rallied her spirits. If someone came to rescue her, that would be good. If not, she would have to find a way to escape on her own.
She couldn’t solely rely on Shen Du to save her. She was not a woman who depended on others. She had to find a way to save herself.