Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 655 - 325: The Achilles Heel of the Asura Queen?_2

Chapter 655: Chapter 325: The Achilles Heel of the Asura Queen?_2

Dugu Luoxue gently shook her head: "I don’t know."

Perhaps feeling that her answer was too indifferent, she rubbed the embroidery needle in her hand, smoothed out the slightly wrinkled cloth, and said:

"I remember my master once told me that when the Demon Qi depletes, there would be no more demons in the world. The demon remnants that are suppressed or sealed would gradually die out over time. Even the Demon Venerable would perish.

However, it wasn’t long before the Demon Qi resurrected, and a multitude of demons emerged or were revived.

Our Wanshou Mountains and Rivers also sent people to investigate. Elder Tie was especially passionate about this and collected a lot of information on Demon Qi, hiding in the Medicine Valley conducting his studies.

Yet even now, there’s no explanation for this phenomenon. Perhaps the Heavenly Dao Laws demand balance, allowing the Demon Clan another chance at survival."

Jiang Shouzhong said: "I’ve looked through many records in the Liushan Division’s Archive Hall and found that in the past, Demon Qi had limited impact on humans. Generally speaking, it hardly caused any significant reactions in people.

But the resurrected Demon Qi, once consumed by an ordinary person, has a high chance of mutating them into a demon. Whereas for cultivators, it has healing properties and can enhance cultivation, much like the current Demon Cultivators.

Master, have you ever considered that what has revived this time... might not actually be Demon Qi?"

Dugu Luoxue furrowed her brows at his words.

This was the first time she’d heard such a hypothesis.

But if it’s not Demon Qi, then what could it be?

Jiang Shouzhong gently caressed Qu Hongling’s tender cheek in his arms and said, "I’m just speculating. Perhaps this substance reacts well with demons, whereas for the Human Clan, it’s a double-edged sword.

It can heal ailments and improve cultivation, but it also has severe side effects. If consumed excessively or carelessly, it may lead to death or mutation into a cruel demon.

I once killed a man named ’Monkey.’ He was working for an organization specifically investigating the truth behind Demon Qi. Perhaps someone has already realized that what we call Demon Qi is actually something else."

Dugu Luoxue thought for a moment and said lightly: "I’m not interested in any of this. If you’re curious, I can take you to Elder Tie—he might have some research findings."

Jiang Shouzhong chuckled: "Let’s talk when we have free time. I’m merely curious. Also, I’m a little worried if this Demon Qi might have adverse effects on Hong’er."

Dugu Luoxue gazed at Qu Hongling’s delicate and charming face, lost in thought.

Perhaps feeling uncomfortable in her sleep, Qu Hongling and Yelü Miaomiao shifted positions multiple times before reluctantly leaving Jiang Shouzhong’s embrace—one lay sideways on the long seat, while the other simply slept on the teak floor of the carriage.

Jiang Shouzhong felt a twinge of regret seeing this. Perhaps he should have bought a larger, more comfortable carriage back then.

He found two thin blankets and covered them over the two women.

"Master, why don’t you rest for a bit too? I’ll step outside for some fresh air." Jiang Shouzhong made room, "Just lie down on this long seat; it’s relatively comfortable."

Dugu Luoxue initially intended to refuse, but the man had already stepped out and sat by the carriage’s exterior.

She pursed her pale lips, not wanting to brush aside her disciple’s goodwill. Besides, these past days of hurrying along had left her with nearly no rest, and she was indeed quite tired.

Dugu Luoxue put away her embroidery work, carefully folded the clothing she had been sewing, and lay down sideways on the long seat. Her hands gently cushioned her head as her eyes gradually closed, seeming to immerse herself in a tranquil state.

A moment later, Jiang Shouzhong suddenly lifted the carriage curtain.

Amid the rustling sound, Dugu Luoxue felt a weight settle over her body. She opened her eyes in astonishment, only to find the man had placed his outer robe over her slender figure.

"Don’t catch a cold."

Jiang Shouzhong flashed a bright smile and lowered the carriage curtain.

Dugu Luoxue couldn’t help but find it amusing.

At her level of cultivation, could she still fear catching a cold?

Even so, she clutched the edge of the robe and lightly pulled it tighter around herself.

An inexplicable emotion began to ripple gently in her heart, warm and tender, yet carrying a sense of both familiarity and strangeness.

This feeling quietly plucked at her heartstrings, making the female master lapse into a faint daze.

Ever since her master passed away, it had been a long time since anyone cared about her like this.

Dugu Luoxue found herself momentarily lost in thought.

As if guided by some unseen force, she brought the man’s still-warm robe close to her nose and lightly inhaled.

A strong masculine scent instantly flooded her nostrils, coursing through her like an undercurrent, engulfing her being. Even the air seemed imbued with a mesmerizing fragrance.

In that moment, Dugu Luoxue’s emotions were an intricate tangle, incomprehensible and profound.

A faint heat surged through her body, inexplicable yet akin to the first thaw of spring waters, enveloping her in a subtle yet complex sensation.

Unconsciously, her breathing grew heavy.

Her jade-like hands clutched tightly at the man’s robe, wanting to push it away, but her instincts compelled her to hold it closer to herself.

Half-aware, she found herself dragging the robe down toward her legs.

Dugu Luoxue parted her crimson lips slightly, biting down on the fabric.

Her gaze remained fixed on the carriage curtain, tense with the fear that it might suddenly be lifted.

Her heartbeat pounded rhythmically in the confined space.

Thump! Thump!

Dugu Luoxue couldn’t even remember the last time she felt this nervous.

Was it when she skipped a lesson and hid in a cabinet, listening to footsteps pacing outside?

Yet compared to those childhood moments of anxiety, this present tension carried a completely novel feeling.

Perhaps... excitement?

She wasn’t young anymore, far past the age of seeking thrills or rebellion.

In just two months, she would be turning thirty-three.

Other women her age often had grown or sensible children by now and had learned to temper themselves, presenting a dignified and composed demeanor.

After her master’s passing, her temperament had grown increasingly composed.

Nothing—no person, no event—could stir her heart even the slightest. That was also how she managed to traverse the path of Abstinence.

But now...

A faint gasp escaped her nose.

She clamped the fabric tightly.

Fine beads of sweat emerged on her forehead, matting strands of her hair.

The carriage swayed gently.

Outside, the man leaned by the carriage door, occasionally making the sound of flipping a book.

The two girls inside the carriage breathed softly and steadily, deeply asleep.

It was unclear how much time passed before Dugu Luoxue exhaled softly, her dazed gaze gradually regaining clarity. The teeth gripping the robe loosened.

Soaked in sweat, she stared blankly at the carriage roof like a fish pulled from water.

She tugged the robe from between her legs, sitting up.

But upon noticing the noticeably darker, damp mark on the robe, her delicate face flushed scarlet, her eyes filled with alarm and helplessness.

Instinctively, she balled up the robe, hugging it tightly to her chest, and pulled another sewn garment over it to hide it.

After a few seconds, she shoved the robe under the long seat.

But that didn’t seem right either. She lifted the curtain, intending to toss the incriminating evidence outside.

Yet just as her arm rose, she hesitated.

Throw it away? What if he asked about it later—how would she explain?

Claim it accidentally fell out?

Ridiculous.

Dugu Luoxue retrieved the robe, holding it back to her chest, trying to use her body’s warmth to dry it.

Just then, the man outside shifted his position.

The woman’s nerves instantly tensed, and in her panic, her eyes caught sight of Qu Hongling’s water pouch nearby. Dugu Luoxue grabbed the pouch, hastily unscrewed the cap, and poured water onto the robe.

But in her rush, some water splashed onto Yelü Miaomiao, who was sleeping on the floor.

"Ah!"

The girl jolted awake, quickly sitting up.

The shout startled Qu Hongling awake as well.

Jiang Shouzhong immediately lifted the curtain, looking at the three women with a puzzled expression: "What’s wrong?"

Dugu Luoxue, with a calm demeanor, apologized to Yelü Miaomiao: "I’m sorry, I was feeling a bit thirsty and tried to drink some water earlier, but the carriage jostled, and I accidentally spilled some."

"Oh, it’s fine."

Yelü Miaomiao wiped the water from her face.

Jostled?

Jiang Shouzhong frowned in confusion.

Did that happen just now?

Dugu Luoxue set the damp robe aside and said to Jiang Shouzhong, "Your robe got wet. Change into another one—I’ll wash this for you."

"No need to wash it. Just let it dry."

Jiang Shouzhong dismissed it nonchalantly.

At that moment, Qu Hongling wrinkled her nose slightly, murmuring: "The carriage has a strange scent lingering in the air."