Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 714 - 354: The Sword Demon’s Strike

Chapter 714: Chapter 354: The Sword Demon’s Strike

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In this boundless Maple Forest, over a two-hour trek had passed, but Jiang Shouzhong and his companion still failed to catch sight of anything beyond the trees.

All around were endless maple trees, their branches and leaves intertwining.

If it weren’t for the clear marks left periodically on some ancient trees along the way, Jiang Shouzhong almost suspected they’d been walking in circles.

"Are you even capable? Can you actually get us out of here?"

Xiao Lingqiu questioned impatiently.

Already in a foul mood, Jiang Shouzhong immediately bristled upon hearing her complaint.

He propped Xiao Lingqiu against a tree before plopping onto the ground himself, snapping: "If you’re so capable, go find the way out on your own. If it weren’t for Miaomiao’s sake, I wouldn’t bother dealing with this deadweight."

Xiao Lingqiu’s fine brows arched sharply, her gaze turning icy as it fixed on the man.

She was used to being revered, accustomed to people kneeling before her in submission. Never had she been met with such scornful retorts.

If someone in Yanrong dared speak to her like this, they’d have already been dragged out and executed.

Yet knowing she wasn’t entirely in the right, Xiao Lingqiu ultimately refrained from rebutting.

After all, she was currently at a distinct disadvantage, utterly reliant on this man despite being more of a burden than help.

Thinking this over, a sense of guilt bubbled in Xiao Lingqiu’s chest.

No matter what, the man had continuously aided her. While his "taking advantage" was unintentional, she’d unfairly judged him through biased assumptions from the start, finding fault with him at every turn.

She realized now that if she set aside her preconceived notions, this man had done more than enough.

But despite recognizing her errors, the idea of an Empress Dowager apologizing was unimaginable.

When her former husband, the Emperor, passed, her father had offered words to fortify her grasp on power:

"When you sit in a position of high authority, you must reflect on yourself daily—listen to your subjects’ advice, and scrutinize each decision you make. If you’ve made a mistake, determine precisely its nature and how to correct it.

However, you must never bow your head in remorse before them, nor admit any wrongs. Underlings may bow, but an Emperor cannot. You must conceal your errors to preserve your respect. This is ultimate wisdom; this is Imperial Power."

Xiao Lingqiu had always held her father’s teachings close to heart.

Over the years, she had increasingly grasped the constraints inherent in being a ruler.

But the deeper she understood these shackles, the more nostalgic she grew for the carefree days of her girlhood. This was the very reason she had consistently indulged Yelü Miaomiao.

She didn’t want to extinguish the fleeting light of youth prematurely.

After all, Yelü Miaomiao would eventually have to take on responsibilities, to grow mature and learn to lock herself in a cage.

While lamentable, this unyielding reality could not be escaped.

Thus, Xiao Lingqiu sought to allow Miaomiao to savor the blissful freedom of her youthful days for as long as possible, hoping to save her from a lifetime of regrets like her own.

Yet Xiao Lingqiu hadn’t foreseen her indulgence leading the girl into foolish love, deceived by a scoundrel who stole her innocence.

This made Xiao Lingqiu furious, filled with regret.

Adding to her simmering rage and helpless exasperation was the fact that the scoundrel stood right in front of her—she could do nothing but endure, even after being touched, after being seen... it was outright absurd.

It was a credit to Xiao Lingqiu’s composure that she hadn’t coughed up blood.

Jiang Shouzhong, of course, was oblivious to the woman’s stormy thoughts. He stretched his somewhat numb shoulders before guessing aloud: "Do you think... it’s possible we’ve fallen into an illusion here? That what we’re seeing isn’t real?"

An illusion?

Xiao Lingqiu snapped out of her thoughts, her brows knitting slightly.

She scrutinized the surrounding Maple Forest carefully, then shook her head lightly: "Seems unlikely."

Turning her head toward the man, Xiao Lingqiu asked: "Why don’t you try... killing yourself to check?"

"What, do you think I’m stupid? How about I kill you and find out instead?"

Jiang Shouzhong countered irritably.

He winced slightly, massaging the area near his heart.

"Are you injured?"

Xiao Lingqiu’s expression showed a hint of surprise.

"Not sure if it’s an injury. It just hurts a little, like..." Jiang Shouzhong struggled for the words but ultimately said nothing, feeling as if his heart had been stabbed with a blade.

Xiao Lingqiu was about to speak when the sound of rustling broke out between the trees.

A gust of wind stirred the leaves, rustling them in waves before the vibrant foliage rained down from the branches.

But the next moment, the two paled.

The leaves, now scattered on the ground, began to move as if alive, creeping toward Jiang Shouzhong and Xiao Lingqiu with tiny claw-like extensions.

What kind of Demons were these?

Leaf monsters?

Watching the layers upon layers of advancing leaf creatures, a chill gripped Jiang Shouzhong’s heart.

Without hesitation, he scooped Xiao Lingqiu into his arms, carrying her in a princess hold. Quickly scanning his surroundings, he sprinted toward a more open area.

Behind them, the densely packed masses of leaf monsters gave chase, their unnerving rustling growing louder and louder.

At this moment, Xiao Lingqiu didn’t have the luxury of worrying about propriety between men and women. Regaining some strength, she instinctively clenched Jiang Shouzhong’s collar, her slender fingers visibly tensed and pale.

Her phoenix-shaped eyes stared nervously at the surging tide of leaf monsters, sending shivers down her spine.

What kind of place was this?

Why did it harbor such bizarre, terrifying Demons?

Pressed close to Jiang Shouzhong, Xiao Lingqiu’s attire shifted with the rhythm of his dash, seemingly ready to reveal two round Pan Peaches at any moment.

"I have some Mystic Fire Talismans in my pocket—throw them all!"

Seeing the swarm of leaf monsters growing thicker and thicker, the sprinting Jiang Shouzhong shouted urgently.

Back at Famous Sword Villa, Jiang Shouzhong had grabbed plenty of treasures, including some talismans not particularly powerful but still useful to carry around.

Xiao Lingqiu quickly reached into his pocket, pulling out a mess of items.

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