Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 770 - 377: The Unfamiliar Sisterly Affection_2

Chapter 770: Chapter 377: The Unfamiliar Sisterly Affection_2

"Missing?"

Ran Qingchen glanced at the melancholy expression of Qu Hongling and sneered coldly, "I wouldn’t be surprised if he was seduced by some vixen again, abandoning you all to enjoy himself somewhere in bliss."

Qu Hongling retorted, "Jiang wouldn’t do such a thing."

Yet, the girl’s words completely ignited Ran Qingchen’s fury. Her cheeks flushed with anger, as if an invisible fire were coursing under her skin:

"Jiang Mo—what kind of man he is, do I not know?! He is nothing but a despicable, shameless liar! And you—yes, you’re just like him, both of you are liars!"

Qu Hongling’s face was covered with tears as she kept shaking her head: "Ran, I never thought that things would turn out this way."

Ran Qingchen, who had intended to continue berating the girl, hesitated as she looked at the tear-filled eyes and sorrowful appearance before her. She opened her mouth but, in the end, swallowed her anger and turned her face away, asking coolly: "You have a way to find him, don’t you?"

Qu Hongling was about to respond when Dugu Luoxue spoke first:

"No, according to Qi’s calculations, Jiang Mo should have been transported to another location. As for where exactly, we are unsure."

Dugu Luoxue dared not say more.

The new Asura Queen standing before them was engulfed in resentment. If she ever found her disciple, even if she didn’t kill him, she’d likely castrate him.

Ran Qingchen frowned deeply, her brows furrowing as if carved by a blade. After a moment of deliberation, she abruptly stared at Dugu Luoxue and asked, "You are Confucianism’s foremost female master, well-read and knowledgeable; have you heard of ’Nichang Tears’?"

Nichang Tears?

Qu Hongling had never heard of such a thing and instinctively glanced at Dugu Luoxue.

The latter nodded without hesitation: "Nichang Tears fall across the Three Thousand Worlds, purify the heart and lead to enlightenment... It is the sacred treasure of the Mahayana Secret Sect."

Ran Qingchen responded, "Nichang Tears have long since disappeared from the Mahayana Secret Sect. Where do you think it might be now?"

Dugu Luoxue pondered for a moment and said, "It is likely with the Great Bodhi Mother."

"Are you sure?"

"...I am sure." Dugu Luoxue nodded lightly.

Swish!

Ran Qingchen’s figure moved, darting into the forest.

"Ran..."

Qu Hongling stared at her departing silhouette, her heart wrenched with sorrow.

She had never imagined that someday the two of them would meet as enemies. Those once beautiful memories seemed like a fleeting dream, torn to shreds.

Dugu Luoxue exhaled softly.

Though she was confident in her ability to protect Qu Hongling, a frenzied clash under such circumstances would inevitably leave both sides gravely injured.

"Luoxue, do you think Ran could ever go back to how she used to be?"

Qu Hongling’s beautiful eyes shimmered with hope.

Dugu Luoxue, unwilling to disappoint the young girl, gently stroked her hair and said softly: "In this world, there is no absolute good or evil, nor absolute love or hatred. She will return to how she was."

Detecting the hollow consolation in her voice, Qu Hongling hung her head, filled with despondence.

"What is Nichang Tears?" the girl asked curiously.

Dugu Luoxue explained: "It is a magic artifact capable of purifying demonic corruption. If someone loses their way and falls into demonic madness, it can restore their normal state. Or, it can be used to expel demonic qi.

Ran Qingchen asked me because the artifact would greatly benefit my practice of the Path of Abstinence, and she assumed that I had sought it before.

She wasn’t wrong, though—years ago, I did search for it desperately. However, due to certain special circumstances, I eventually gave up. So when I told her that Nichang Tears was with the Great Bodhi Mother, it wasn’t a lie."

Qu Hongling’s eyes lit up upon hearing this: "Ran wants it because she doesn’t wish to fall into the Demon Path? She intends to purify herself?"

But Dugu Luoxue shook her head, dousing her hope with cold words:

"If Shura do not fall into the Demon Path, they are no longer Shura. My guess is that she intends to use the cleansing powers of Nichang Tears in reverse, to completely purge the remaining traces of kindness and emotion within her."

"What?"

Qu Hongling widened her eyes in shock and panic, "Then what should we do? Luoxue, should we stop her before it’s too late?"

Dugu Luoxue chuckled: "There’s no need to worry. The Great Bodhi Mother’s cultivation is very high. With Ran Qingchen’s current state, it’s unlikely she can seize the artifact.

Besides, the Mother is reportedly preaching in Nanjin Country—a journey so far away that finding her will cost Ran Qingchen a great deal of time. As long as we make sure she doesn’t encounter Jiang Mo, we’ll have enough time to intervene."

This reassured Qu Hongling.

The girl sighed softly: "I just hope she doesn’t meet Jiang."

Dugu Luoxue teased: "Even if she does, let’s hope Jiang Mo doesn’t have another woman by his side. Otherwise, if Ran Qingchen sees him... well, he might as well prepare himself for castration. The current Ran Qingchen, once enraged, is unstoppable."

Qu Hongling hesitated: "Jiang probably... isn’t that unfaithful, is he?"

——

——

Despite some growing rift due to differing beliefs, Jiang Shouzhong and Xiao Lingqiu’s physical relationship gradually deepened over time.

Though they still slept fully clothed, the inevitable intimacy of their closeness—touches and embraces—made them seem more and more like a couple in love.

Xiao Lingqiu was increasingly enjoying the man’s embrace.

Even sleeping on the floor felt comforting—something she could never have experienced alone in a luxurious bed before.

The Heshan Tribe, too, had begun, under her direction, to have some of their people relocate and move homes.

Jiang had proposed disguising himself as a commoner to blend in and protect them, but Xiao Lingqiu had vehemently rejected the idea.

If an expert were to infiltrate the group of commoners, it would undoubtedly alert Wanyan Tianyou.

Seeing her firm disagreement, Jiang didn’t press the matter further.

Xiao Lingqiu noticed Jiang’s somber mood and tried her best to avoid discussing such matters in front of him.

Instead, she would deliberately bring up other topics, such as gossip and rumors from around the area during their conversations. Or she would pull Jiang for a game of chess or lead him outside to ride horses for amusement.

There was an unmistakable sense of pampering the man.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Fortunately, the Fourth Prince Wanyan Tianyou had yet to attack the relocating commoners.

When Xiao Lingqiu received the report, her mood lightened considerably.

She had once approached the deaths of the common people with sympathy, but her rationality always taught her how to keep her heart hardened. Now, however, she genuinely cared for them.

Or, more precisely, she cared deeply for Jiang’s emotions.

"Jiang Mo, would you consider becoming the Clan Leader of the Heshan Tribe?"

Although the morning light was already streaming through the window, the two continued to lay in the bed, quietly enjoying this fleeting moment of tranquility.

Xiao Lingqiu’s face rested against the man’s chest as she whispered.

Jiang Shouzhong froze momentarily and chuckled: "What’s so great about being a Clan Leader? Even if you offered me the throne of an Emperor, I wouldn’t take it."

If it had been anyone else saying this, Xiao Lingqiu would have scoffed and called them "hypocrite." But after spending these past days with Jiang Shouzhong, she had come to understand that he genuinely wasn’t moved by power.

And, oddly enough, this disappointed her.

In her view, a man should possess ambition and the desire to conquer the world.

Yet, it was precisely Jiang Shouzhong’s tranquil, almost apathetic demeanor that had captured her. She found a peculiar sense of ease—no need for endless strategizing and mind games with him.

Just as Xiao Lingqiu was about to say more, she unconsciously shifted her body, and her thigh brushed against something.

Something akin to a rod-like weapon.

One that could discharge venom.

Though Xiao Lingqiu was not overly familiar with matters between men and women and rarely indulged in erotic books, she certainly understood the basics of intimate relations.

Especially given the man’s reactions over the past few days—this wasn’t the first time.

Xiao Lingqiu’s cheeks flushed, and she subtly moved away.

After a while, the woman bit down lightly on her lip and hesitantly spoke: "Jiang Mo, are you... are you feeling uncomfortable?"

Jiang thought to himself, what do you think?

Holding such a stunning beauty in his arms, not being able to do anything but embrace her—how could he not suffer?

"It’s fine. It won’t kill me; worst case, the side effects will just hurt my health."

Jiang Shouzhong sighed. He didn’t expect this woman to take pity on him or offer any comfort.

"Hurt your health?"

"Yes, it might affect me in the long term."

"Oh."

Xiao Lingqiu fell silent.

After what felt like an eternity, she bit her lip again and said softly: "How about..."

Jiang’s eyes lit up.

Could it be...

Was it finally happening?