Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 697 - 345: A Fall From Which There is No Return_2

Chapter 697: Chapter 345: A Fall From Which There is No Return_2

This was indeed consistent with what Yun Wuqing had analyzed.

The reason Jiang Mo was able to complete the trial so quickly was likely due to possessing some kind of extraordinarily powerful secret technique.

But is there truly such an incredible secret technique under the heavens?

What exactly has Yan Changqing taught him?

Could it be...

Qi Tianjun’s heart suddenly jumped.

Yan Changqing had two main sword techniques, "Greed for Life" and "Fear of Death."

But he also kept an exceedingly powerful move hidden, with a famously vulgar name called "Leave Only One Breath."

Though in the Jianghu, it was named the Life and Death Sword.

Zhao Wuxiu had always dreaded it.

Could it be that Yan Changqing taught Jiang Mo the "Life and Death Sword?" This swordsmanship was simply too terrifying.

Thinking of this, Qi Tianjun became even more amicable, grabbing Jiang Shouzhong’s arm and saying, "Nephew, since you’re one of us, I won’t bother with formalities anymore. From now on, Zhenxuan Mountain is your home. If you have any difficulties, feel free to come to me."

"Uncle, since we’re family, can you hand over the Taoist River Map directly to me?"

Jiang Shouzhong said.

Qi Tianjun waved his hand grandly, his tone larger than life: "How could that be possible?"

Qi Tianjun chuckled, "The rules of the Taoist Ancestor cannot be changed, but I trust you, Nephew, will surely pass the Taoist Ancestor’s test. Even if you don’t, it’s alright; I’ll still treat you as family."

Family my foot!

Jiang Shouzhong cursed the old fox under his breath.

"Nephew, you’ll have to wait two more days. When my disciple Feng Yichen returns, the two of you can begin the Taoist Ancestor’s test. No matter who obtains the Taoist River Map, you’ll both be disciples of Zhenxuan Mountain."

Qi Tianjun stroked his beard and smiled, "Since you’ve already acquired the Taoist Ancestor Sword Manual, go practice diligently. I hope that one day you’ll bring glory to Zhenxuan Mountain."

With that, the old man left in a carefree manner.

Jiang Shouzhong began counting on his fingers.

If he didn’t count his role in the Imperial Six Gates or his position as son-in-law of the Ran Mansion, then his current roles in Jianghu included being a disciple of the Wanshou Mountains and Rivers, Huoyun Mountain, and now Zhenxuan Mountain...

Goodness, I’m practically a servant for three sects!

——

Descending from the Sword Storage Tower, Jiang Shouzhong was met with glances of awe, reverence, and envy.

The Nine-layered Trial—complete!

Other than the Sect Leader, no one had ever accomplished such a feat.

The Ninth Layer had practically become a legend.

No one expected to witness this miracle today. It was so sudden that most people still felt like they were in a dream.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Jiang."

"Senior Brother Jiang, you’re amazing!"

"Senior Brother Jiang is indeed powerful! I just knew he could pass the Nine-layered Trial."

"..."

Several disciples began gathering around, trying to curry favor.

They had just learned that Senior Brother Jiang was the Sect Leader’s nephew, meaning he was one of their own.

This transformed the disciples’ initial hostility into pride.

Look, only someone from the sect could pass the Nine-layered Trial; outsiders had no chance.

Senior Brother Zhong, Senior Brother Feng... sorry, don’t know you. In our hearts, only Senior Brother Jiang exists. He is Zhenxuan Mountain’s First Senior Brother, the face of our sect.

Faced with the flattering disciples, Jiang Shouzhong didn’t mock their fickle attitudes. He responded with a polite smile.

From a distance at the entrance, Zhong Yan tightened his fist as he watched this scene.

He muttered a curse under his breath and turned away.

Yun Wuqing gazed at his disheartened disciple’s retreating figure and shook his head helplessly, murmuring, "Yan is becoming increasingly impetuous, a far cry from his peaceful demeanor as a child. This doesn’t bode well."

After finally breaking free from the crowd, Jiang Shouzhong grabbed Qu Hongling’s hand and fled.

Midway, he suddenly uttered, "Huh? Where’s Miaomiao?"

Qu Hongling shook her delicate head, "I didn’t see her when I came down; she might have gone back to her quarters or out to play somewhere else."

"Let’s go back for now."

Jiang Shouzhong didn’t worry too much.

But upon returning to their small courtyard, Yelü Miaomiao’s lovely figure was still absent. Instead, on the table inside, there was a letter.

A terrible feeling rose in Jiang Shouzhong’s heart as he opened the envelope.

The letter was left by Miaomiao.

It contained only a few brief lines, summarizing one point: "A spy told me the Empress Dowager is gravely ill, so I’m heading back to Yanrong first."

Qu Hongling, reading the letter, grumbled in dissatisfaction, "Couldn’t that girl at least say goodbye before leaving?"

However, moments later her heart filled with doubt. She furrowed her brows and asked softly, "Little Jiang Brother, is this Miaomiao’s handwriting? Could something have happened to her?"

Jiang Shouzhong flipped the letter over and examined it thoroughly word by word before reluctantly nodding, "It’s definitely Miaomiao’s handwriting. If someone imitated it, they must be intimately familiar with her, though that’s unlikely."

Qu Hongling sighed in relief, "As long as she’s safe."

Seeing the man wearing a worried expression, the young woman comforted him, "Don’t worry, Little Jiang Brother. With Sister Miaomiao’s cultivation, even if she couldn’t traverse the skies, she’d still be safe on the road."

Jiang Shouzhong said, "I’m worried the Empress Dowager might be feigning illness, tricking Miaomiao into going back, only to imprison her there."

"Huh?"

Qu Hongling’s wide, glimmering eyes grew even larger, hesitating before tentatively asking, "Then should we go after her?"

Jiang Shouzhong picked up the letter again and studied it for a while, then shook his head lightly, "Let’s wait until we’re done with things here, and we’ll head to Yanrong. I hope we can meet the Empress Dowager in person."

"Aren’t you afraid the Empress Dowager might rip you apart?"

Qu Hongling teased.

Jiang Shouzhong rubbed his temple and sighed, "Maybe. That’s why I have to get the Taoist River Map this time; only then can my cultivation truly rise."

"I believe Little Jiang Brother can do it."

Qu Hongling hugged him tightly, inhaling deeply, an elated smile blooming on her exquisite face.

Finally, she could have Little Jiang Brother all to herself.

The young woman was delighted beyond measure.

...

By afternoon, as predicted by Dugu Luoxue, Zhenxuan Mountain delivered a roast suckling pig.

Jiang Shouzhong again pulled along Qu Hongling to partake.

This time, Dugu Luoxue wasn’t as reluctant about consuming the meaty dish—biting into the tender pieces with a refined touch, clearly enjoying the delicacy.

Even when eating such greasy and richly flavored fare, the woman maintained an air of extreme elegance.

Each bite accompanied a delicate hand lightly covering her crimson lips, while the occasional strand of hair slipping onto her shoulder was naturally tucked away—creating a poetic scene in motion.

They say beauty enhances appetite, and Jiang Shouzhong found the feast even more delectable with Master Luoxue present.

"How was it, Master? I told you it’d become addictive."

Jiang Shouzhong teased.

Dugu Luoxue asked coolly, "How did you pass the trial?"

"Yes, Little Jiang Brother, did you secretly have a special technique?" Qu Hongling joined in curiously, her rosy lips glistening with oil.

Jiang Shouzhong said mysteriously, "That’s a secret."

"Pfft, fine, don’t tell us then."

Qu Hongling didn’t press further.

Dugu Luoxue’s expression turned slightly forlorn, muttering, "Compared to Yan Changqing, I am indeed unworthy as a master."

Clearly, even Dugu Luoxue assumed Jiang Shouzhong passed the Nine-layered Trial thanks to Yan Changqing’s secret techniques.

While nominally his master, she had only taught him literature, failing to impart true practical skills—it was undeniably stingy and selfish of her.

Jiang Shouzhong didn’t pick up on her feelings, laughing as he said, "To me, you’ll always be my master—the only one who makes my clothes."

Dugu Luoxue softened, her clear eyes lingering on Jiang Shouzhong’s handsome face for a moment before she spoke gently, "When we go to the Wanshou Mountains and Rivers, I’ll prepare some martial arts techniques for you."

"No need—I already know plenty now."

Jiang Shouzhong replied nonchalantly.

"Alright then."

Dugu Luoxue casually wiped off a bit of oil from his face with the cloth on the table and said seriously, "As your master, I must give you something for your cultivation as a token."

Qu Hongling unintentionally caught this intimate scene, freezing for a moment.

The young woman suddenly felt peculiar.

She glanced at the serene, unworldly Dugu Luoxue, then at her ravenous lover before quickly shaking her head, muttering to herself, "What am I thinking? They’re just a normal master-disciple pair."

Embarrassed by her inappropriate suspicions, she blushed.

After all, Dugu Luoxue was a dust-free fairy entirely untouched by the world’s lustful entanglements.

Neither Jiang Shouzhong nor Qu Hongling noticed when, after retrieving the cloth, Dugu Luoxue appeared to casually wipe her own cherry lips—her tongue briefly and delicately brushing over what remained.

Desire... once it takes hold, the path of return is forever lost.