Bai Suche brought Bi Lianyi back to the Drifting Brow Garden.

Yu Konghou had changed into a white robe and stood with his hands behind his back in the courtyard. When dressed as a woman, he wore powder skirts and ornate hairpins; when dressed as a man, he wore plain clothes with loose hair. From behind, he vaguely resembled Tang Lici. Bai Suche was momentarily dazed, then remembered that Young Master Tang had always been fastidious and would never wear his hair loose.

Wang Lingqiu walked behind Bai Suche and Bi Lianyi. Bi Lianyi had been poisoned with “Northern Cold Drink” and his limbs were weak. Bai Suche pressed the broken precept blade against his neck, pushing him forward with large steps. By now the blade had already carved four or five wounds on his neck, blood flowing down half his body, creating quite a pitiful sight.

Yu Konghou glanced at Bi Lianyi several times and smiled slightly. “I give you three days.” He didn’t even look at Wang Lingqiu, yet was speaking to him. “Within three days, I want to see that ‘Human Pill’.”

Bi Lianyi’s expression remained cold as he asked back, “Human Pill?”

Yu Konghou actually had the patience to speak with him, his tone even quite peaceful. “I’ve heard there exists in this world the art of ‘Human Pills’, where living people can be refined into a single medicinal pill.” He suddenly showed his teeth in a smile, using that man’s face to carry some of Xue Tao’s smile, looking eerily terrifying. “Don’t worry, I’m just trying it out. What I… what everyone wants to refine—is Young Master Tang—not you.”

Bi Lianyi’s color changed. Had this demon’s sanity gone completely mad? What did he mean by “refining living people into a single medicinal pill”? Had the poison arts of the Romantic Shop evolved again? His sword was already lost. Although Dong Hubi had explained that being poisoned with “Northern Cold Drink” was incurable for life, Bi Lianyi was not discouraged. The world was unpredictable—the Palace Master could manage Biluo Palace for many years despite being blind, so what was a bit of strange poison to him? Suddenly hearing that Yu Konghou had conceived the idea of “refining Tang Lici into a single medicinal pill,” Bi Lianyi’s thoughts stirred—why would this demon come up with the idea of “refining into a single medicinal pill”? Could it be he was truly severely injured and desperately needed some divine medicine?

Bi Lianyi had an extremely resolute nature. Thinking that Yu Konghou might be gravely injured, he did not hesitate. He reached back to grab Bai Suche’s broken precept blade, his fingertips lightly touching Bai Suche’s wrist. Caught off guard, Bai Suche lost her grip and the broken precept blade fell into Bi Lianyi’s hands. She was greatly shocked—this wasn’t her deliberately going easy on him, but rather that both she and Wang Lingqiu had focused all their attention on Yu Konghou. How could they have expected that the severely poisoned Bi Lianyi could still snatch the blade? Though Bi Lianyi’s hands lacked strength, his movements were swift. How could he not know that the opportunity to test would only come once? As the broken precept blade entered his hand, he drove his elbow toward the now-panicked Bai Suche’s ribs. Bai Suche, being after all a young maiden, instinctively dodged to the side. Wang Lingqiu carried no weapon and could only raise his hands to block. But his martial arts could not compare to Bi Lianyi’s, so as Bi Lianyi suddenly struck to seize the blade, Bai Suche dodged, Wang Lingqiu failed to intercept in time, and Bi Lianyi’s blade headed straight for Yu Konghou’s chest.

Bi Lianyi had been famous for many years. Even with his true power disrupted, this strike was far from ordinary. Though no blade wind was visible, the strike was both light and swift, like a dark shadow directly targeting the Divine Storage acupoint on Yu Konghou’s chest. Divine Storage was located beside the heart, between the ribs—if the blade struck true, it would certainly be a fatal wound.

Yu Konghou’s eyes narrowed slightly. An object in his right sleeve flashed, light swirling and flickering as it passed around Bi Lianyi’s neck with a series of soft chimes. That light circled his neck and coiled back toward Bi Lianyi’s blade-wielding right hand, binding his entire right arm together with the broken precept blade tightly.

Bi Lianyi grabbed the silver chain around his neck with his left hand, but his heart rejoiced—this was “Ten Thousand Li Peach Blossoms.”

To block his single strike, Yu Konghou had actually used “Ten Thousand Li Peach Blossoms”!

This proved that on that day when Ren Qingchou fought to the death, he had indeed severely wounded this demon.

Bai Suche turned back around. Seeing Yu Konghou’s silver chain had bound Bi Lianyi tightly, she struck out to reclaim the broken precept blade, her face showing slight terror. “Forgive this subordinate, Master.” She gripped the blade in reverse, initially intending to strike herself, but halfway through the blade turned and her face showed fierce anger as she chopped toward Bi Lianyi’s right shoulder.

Yu Konghou smiled slightly. “Ten Thousand Li Peach Blossoms” released Bi Lianyi with a chime. As it swung away, the small silver sword struck against the broken precept blade. Bai Suche’s wrist went numb and the broken precept blade clattered to the ground. Yu Konghou was heard saying with a smile, “I want Wang Lingqiu to refine this person into a medicinal pill. If he lacks an arm, then the ‘Human Pill’ refined would only have the efficacy of two legs and one hand—wouldn’t that greatly spoil the scenery? Susu is so understanding, surely she wouldn’t deliberately go against me?”

Bai Suche had an injury on her hand. When Yu Konghou shook her, the wound split open and blood flowed continuously. She said in a low voice, “This subordinate did not expect this person still had the strength to launch a surprise attack.”

Yu Konghou spoke softly and gently, “Bi Lianyi of Biluo Palace—if he didn’t have this much spirit, how could he serve as Wanyu Yuedan’s dog and horse?” He glanced at the wound on Bai Suche’s hand. “What kind of injury is this?”

Bai Suche trembled slightly. “This is…”

The gentle expression on Yu Konghou’s face suddenly vanished, as if he had instantly changed faces, saying coldly, “What are you holding in your hand?”

Bai Suche lowered her head. As her sleeve dropped, an object slid into her palm—a slightly twisted silver-plated throwing knife.

Yu Konghou’s face showed surprise. He reached out to lift Bai Suche’s chin, carefully examining her face. “One Ring Crossing the Moon?”

Bai Suche’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she turned her head away. Her pale white face was completely bloodless, and beneath her long lashes seemed to contain traces of tears.

“Susu, don’t tell me… that you had deep feelings for Chi Yun, and only after his death did you discover his worth, and now seeing this object makes you think of him, leaving you heartbroken with love…” Yu Konghou couldn’t help but laugh as he spoke. “Tell me, when did this knife come into your hands?” He raised his finger, nearly breaking Bai Suche’s neck. “Did Tang Lici give it to you? Are you two… secretly involved?”

“I…” Bai Suche bit her lower lip so hard that blood immediately appeared on those red lips.

Wang Lingqiu saw her like this and looked completely surprised.

Bi Lianyi stood to the side, slowly backing away step by step.

“You what?” Yu Konghou looked at her as if seeing the strangest and most amusing thing in the world. “Susu, ah Susu, I’ve never suspected you, because I’ve always known that apart from passionate love, you’re different from other girls—you have ambition in your eyes.” He touched Bai Suche’s eyes, those soft and tender eyelids, the slender lashes trembling under his fingers like a soft and fragile rabbit. He continued, “You want to prove you’re different from others. I can see that, so I give you opportunities. Now think carefully and tell me—where did you get One Ring Crossing the Moon, and what… did you intend to do by keeping it?”

“I…” Bai Suche said in a low voice, “I have feelings for Young Master Tang.”

Yu Konghou raised his eyebrows. “Oh?”

Bai Suche slowly opened her eyes. Unlike what Yu Konghou expected, there were no tears in them, only complete indifference, as if in an instant, she too had stripped away some kind of mask. “Susu has feelings for Young Master Tang, but cannot have him. Unless Master achieves great victory and this subordinate accomplishes unparalleled merit, otherwise I lack the ability to petition Master to bestow this person upon me.”

Yu Konghou stared at her. “Is that so?”

“Yes.” Bai Suche said indifferently, “Young Master Tang’s thoughts are unfathomable. Susu knows she cannot connect with his heart. Since I cannot get his heart, getting his person would also be good.” Her eyes suddenly widened as she looked at Yu Konghou. “Is that not allowed? How many women in the Romantic Shop go mad for Master Liu’s unparalleled musical skills and incomparable appearance—I just happen to fancy another! Is that not allowed?” She glared back at Yu Konghou. “Even ants have foolish desires, let alone humans!”

Yu Konghou smiled, surprisingly not angry. He touched Bai Suche’s hair bun. “You’ve certainly opened my eyes… Tell me—your feelings for Tang Lici, what connection does that have with you keeping One Ring Crossing the Moon? What have you hidden from me?”

Bai Suche slowly closed her eyes. “If Master doesn’t kill me, then I can speak.”

“Mm, I won’t kill you today.” Yu Konghou smiled. “Speak then, what are you keeping One Ring Crossing the Moon for?”

Bai Suche said, “I stole Chi Yun’s corpse.”

Yu Konghou was stunned. “What?”

Bai Suche looked at him expressionlessly. “This One Ring Crossing the Moon came from Chi Yun’s corpse.”

Yu Konghou was truly surprised. “You stole Chi Yun’s corpse? Don’t tell me you also want to use this to threaten Tang Lici? Where is that corpse? Susu, ah Susu, you truly make people look at you with new eyes. I won’t kill you—” He was suddenly in excellent spirits, as if the gloom from being repeatedly outmaneuvered by Tang Lici and having his divine skills broken had suddenly dissipated. “This absolutely wonderful plan, I had never even thought of it.”

“Chi Yun’s corpse neither rots nor decays, which is very strange.” Bai Suche remained expressionless. “I sank it into the cold pool at Cold Jade Peak.”

Yu Konghou had already thought of seventeen or eighteen wonderful schemes for how to use this to control Tang Lici. In excellent mood, he pinched Bai Suche’s face. “Does he know about your feelings for Tang Lici?”

Bai Suche shook her head, saying flatly, “This subordinate carries One Ring Crossing the Moon, intending to use the opportunity to tell him that Chi Yun’s corpse neither rots nor decays, to show favor to him. This blade is my proof. But Tang Lici’s whereabouts are unpredictable, and I haven’t found the opportunity yet.”

“You’re truly clever, vicious, and willing to risk your life…” Yu Konghou released her. “So you brought out this blade to fight with the Central Plains Sword Association, trying to draw out Tang Lici to tell him Chi Yun was in your hands? But unfortunately Young Master Tang simply wouldn’t come, wasting all your schemes.”

“Yes.” Bai Suche’s pale chin bore several finger-shaped black bruises from Yu Konghou’s grip. She paid them no mind, lowering her head.

“You bring Chi Yun’s corpse up from that cold pool for me, then find someone to tell Tang Lici that in ten days, he should come see me at Drifting Brow Garden, or I’ll burn Chi Yun’s corpse to ash.” Yu Konghou laughed. “That person is also clever, vicious, and willing to risk his life… but he’s extremely nostalgic, full of vulnerabilities everywhere, yet pretends not to have any.”