Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 665 - 330: If You Don’t Enter Hell, How Can There Be Light in the World

Chapter 665: Chapter 330: If You Don’t Enter Hell, How Can There Be Light in the World

The fire crackled, sporadic sparks illuminating the man’s long and short shadows, as if a wandering ghost, mysterious and unfathomable.

Ran Qingchen dared not exhale even a single breath.

She never would have imagined that Zhao Wuxiu would appear here.

Though his appearance was unremarkable, void of any overwhelming aura, Ran Qingchen couldn’t shake an indescribable feeling of suffocation.

Ran Qingchen prided herself as a Sword Cultivator of considerable skill, yet in this moment, she lacked even the courage to draw her blade.

How could one person be so powerful?

Ran Qingchen pondered in silent astonishment.

Zhao Wuxiu picked up a tree branch from the ground and tossed it into the fire, speaking mildly: "I have never crossed swords with your mother, but I know her cultivation might be no less than Yan Changqing’s."

Ran Qingchen listened quietly, unsure of his intentions in seeking her out.

Was he planning to capture her?

After all, as a court-appointed officer responsible for purging the Demon Clan, she had colluded with the Demon Clan Sect Master and pledged an oath of alliance—crimes deserving of imprisonment long ago.

Yet for the court to send Zhao Wuxiu to apprehend her—surely that was overestimating her importance.

At this thought, a self-mocking smile pulled at her pale lips.

The flickering firelight played upon her delicate, emaciated beauty, rendering her in the ink-washed night a poignant image, like a stroke of dark paint on canvas.

"Do you know? Yan Changqing’s cultivation surpasses Li Guanshi’s."

Zhao Wuxiu remarked.

Ran Qingchen’s almond-shaped eyes widened in astonishment.

As a Sword Cultivator, her idol was naturally the infamous Sword Demon.

To have personally served him tea at her wedding had been a source of boundless joy.

Though typically dismissive of the so-called "masters’ rankings" and believing Yan Changqing’s placement to be too low, she had never considered him capable of ascending to the second rank in the world.

Had it been anyone else, Ran Qingchen might not have believed it.

But hearing it from Zhao Wuxiu himself left her with no choice but to accept this fact.

Yet Ran Qingchen couldn’t help but notice something peculiar—an inexplicable strangeness in his gaze as he spoke those words.

Unable to pinpoint its exact nature, the feeling unsettled her.

Zhao Wuxiu withdrew his gaze, staring into the firelight as he continued:

"Most people think I fear Jiang Wan’s ’Sword of the Masses’ and the Asura Queen’s ’Infinite Blood Arrow.’ After all, I once claimed only those two things could kill me."

"But they misunderstood. Being capable of killing me does not mean I fear them. What I truly fear is Yan Changqing’s ’Life and Death Sword,’ or as he calls it, ’One Breath Remaining.’"

One Breath Remaining?

Ran Qingchen was shocked; she had never heard of it before.

She only knew Yan Changqing had two iconic sword techniques—one named "Greed for Life," and the other "Fear of Death," both frequently mocked by others.

"Why are you telling me all this?"

Ran Qingchen asked curiously.

Zhao Wuxiu did not answer, merely staring blankly at the wavering flames stirred by the nightwind, lost in thought.

"Because he’s afraid."

Suddenly, a teasing female voice floated over.

Ran Qingchen turned her head to see a breathtakingly elegant woman appear like a ghost not far away, staring at them with a faint smile.

Li Guanshi!

Gazing at her flawless and peerless beauty, Ran Qingchen was momentarily dazed, her heart overcome by a torrent of jealousy.

Why was heaven so partial to this woman?

Granting her unparalleled beauty while also bestowing unmatched root bone talent.

Jealousy sprouted in her heart and, under an invisible force’s urging, swiftly grew into a towering tree with lush branches and leaves.

Deep-rooted and sprawling, the overwhelming jealousy engulfed Ran Qingchen’s soul entirely, casting a heavy shadow.

Ran Qingchen’s eyes grew dark, a black mist obscuring them, her surroundings wrapped in chilling cold.

"Crack!"

Zhao Wuxiu tossed another branch into the fire.

The sudden snapping sound jolted Ran Qingchen awake, the looming shadow within her dissipating instantly, leaving only cold sweat on her skin.

Li Guanshi twirled a strand of hair around her fingers, stepping closer to Ran Qingchen with a smile: "Do you know why he’s delayed opening the Heavenly Gate to ascend? It’s because he’s afraid—afraid of being struck down by Yan Changqing in a single stroke."

Ran Qingchen looked bewildered.

Li Guanshi caressed her face with a tender touch and spoke softly: "Honestly, I’m scared too, which is why I’m conflicted about whether to abandon this tasty morsel—meaning you."

"You won’t abandon her," Zhao Wuxiu interjected.

Li Guanshi raised a delicate brow, smiling: "Not necessarily. I’m more sentimental than you. Besides, she’s nominally my disciple, and I do value bonds of master and apprentice."

Master and apprentice?

Ran Qingchen grew even more perplexed.

She and Li Guanshi were worlds apart—how was there any possibility of a master-disciple relationship?

Yet she managed to glean one thing.

At present, she was a prized commodity, desired by both Zhao Wuxiu and Li Guanshi for their own benefits.

But they were also wary of retribution from Senior Yan.

"And yet, I don’t see you making efforts to save Ye Zhuchan. Isn’t she your disciple?"

Zhao Wuxiu countered.

Li Guanshi smiled radiantly, then sighed with feigned melancholy: "When a disciple spends all her thoughts on scheming against her master, why bother saving her? That girl dreams daily of sharing a husband with her teacher—rescuing her would only bring trouble upon myself."

Li Guanshi stroked Ran Qingchen’s hair and murmured softly: "My dear little disciple, you’re better. No vile fantasies of sharing a husband with your master."

Faced with such flippant self-deprecation, Zhao Wuxiu remained impassive.

He stood up and said: "You can’t save her—nor can Yan Changqing."

With that, Zhao Wuxiu turned and left.

Li Guanshi watched his retreating figure, then turned to the still-confused Ran Qingchen, smiling as she said: "Girl, I saved you. So in the future, even if I use you, you mustn’t hate me. Understand?"