Chapter 10 The Contract with Demons

Lu Qing was not sleeping.

Just now, when she was staring at that crimson tree, she felt herself stand up uncontrollably and slowly walk towards the huge crimson tree.

The once empty mountain path was now filled with rising crimson mist, hazy and indistinct, reaching up to her knees, making her feel as if she were walking through a misty, ethereal river. Within the red mist, various strange shapes would occasionally condense, as if many demons and monsters were hiding inside, following her along her path.

Lu Qing could even hear their whispers.

"...There's another one here..."

"...she looks even more delicious..."

"...Can we eat her too later...?"

Lu Qing felt a sense of fear and subconsciously reached for the white jade bell on her wrist, but it was empty; there was nothing there.

When did she lose Bai Yuling?

Lu Qing looked back and saw that in the recliner where she had been resting, there was another "self" fast asleep, with the white jade bell hanging peacefully on her wrist, motionless.

What, what's going on?

Lu Qing wanted to call Wu Chen's name, but she couldn't utter a sound. Moreover, her legs were beyond her control, walking straight towards the crimson tree that blocked out the sun.

The closer you get, the more you can hear a cacophony of whispers; yet the closer you get, the clearer and more distinct a low chanting becomes.

My affections only bring laughter from the bright moon.

Wasted spring days and fleeting years.

Looking back,

Her dress was soaked with tears.

The soul is cut short by the loss of youth and beauty.

What happened back then,

In the end, the cold wind blew away at his thin bones.

Peach blossoms are in full bloom.

This sorrow remains unknown to anyone...

It was a woman's voice, hoarse and sorrowful, like weeping and lamenting. She sang the line "Peach blossoms bloom everywhere, yet no one knows this sorrow" over and over again. First came endless regret and sorrow, then sighs and self-mockery, heavy sentiments, her words disjointed.

Lu Qing couldn't help but burst into tears.

When she reached the tree, she discovered that this extremely lush scarlet tree had flowers but no leaves, and its entire body was covered with red flowers, as red as cinnabar and as fiery as fire, dazzling and intense.

"You've come!" the woman's hoarse voice rang out.

"Who are you?" Lu Qing looked around blankly, and for some reason, she felt a surge of affection and sadness rather than fear.

The dense flower branches rustled, and crimson petals fell like rain before her. The branches parted to the sides in front of her, revealing their thick trunks.

When Lu Qing saw the situation on the main trunk clearly, her eyes widened in shock, and she covered her mouth tightly with her hand, afraid that she would cry out.

There was a woman on the main trunk, a woman whose human form was almost indistinguishable.

Her lower abdomen and arms had fused with the branches. Her still discernible body was covered with hundreds of crisscrossing scars, even on her face, making it impossible to recognize her original appearance.

Lu Qing trembled with heartache. Although she didn't recognize the woman, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. She slowly walked forward, reaching out to touch the old scars, and asked angrily, "Who did this?"

The woman stretched lazily. "It's my own fault for being stupid. I can't blame anyone else. Besides..." She curled her lips and looked down the mountain, "I've taken back everything that was owed to me. I came into this world clean and honest, and now I can finally leave without any regrets."

Lu Qing suddenly realized, "You killed all those people?"

The woman winked at her. "I would like to do it myself, but look at me, I can't do it myself anymore. So I can only pay a price."

The real culprit who massacred the Tan family was right in front of her, yet Lu Qing remained silent.

The woman sighed, "I've finally met you. I wanted to say something happy, but alas, my time is running out. So I'll tell you my lesson, so that you won't follow in my footsteps and end up like me."

Lu Qing gazed into her still clear eyes, her heart aching, tears streaming down her face.

The woman smiled, but her once gentle smile was now a狰狞 (zhengning, meaning ferocious or hideous) expression. "Tan Ruan was the first man I ever met. He brought me into this world. At first, he treated me extremely well, caring for me in every way, so I married him and became his first wife. But my appearance wasn't outstanding, and after more than ten years, he began to have many other women..."

The entanglements of love between men and women, no matter what grudges or grievances they may have, will eventually fade away in a few decades. What should be separated will be separated, and what should be settled will be settled. They should be buried in the ashes of time as time goes by, and all the joys and sorrows will be turned over.

"...His new lover was poisoned with a rare toxin, and only my blood could save her. Tan Ruan begged me, pleading with me to remember our past relationship and save her life. I had already let go of this heartbreak and was preparing to leave Tan Ruan to travel the world. But he knelt before me, pleading so earnestly, and I couldn't bear it, so I agreed... But who knew that after that woman was saved, she would tell the Tan family elders my secret. The Tan family elders couldn't bear to part with me, their precious living treasure. And his new lover couldn't bear to give up her status. So that woman found a sacred tree and had Tan Ruan poison me. When I woke up again, I had been planted into this tree, becoming the Ruan family's possession. From then on, for many years..."

Lu Qing's eyes gradually turned bloodshot. "They deserve to die."

"Yes." The woman's voice was hoarse and unpleasant, but it was still gentle. "Torture and humiliation have accompanied me for so many years. I have never been able to escape this pain. But until recently, I finally understood that a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. Even if it wasn't Tan Ruan, it would have been someone else. I don't want to suffer like this anymore, so let's end it here."

“No. I can get you out of here…” Lu Qing said quickly.

The woman laughed. "You're not even as good as I was back then. What can you use to save me, and what can you use to protect me?"

"I can ask Wu Chen for help!"

"No need," the woman sighed softly. "Every gain comes at a price. Even if not today, one day you will have to pay it back double. I am utterly disillusioned with this world and don't want to stay here any longer. However, I am glad that I can receive genuine care and concern before I die."

Lu Qing's tears turned into a shimmering mist, mingling with the crimson fog.

"Come here," the woman said. "I've accepted your kindness, so I should return the favor. I'm leaving soon, and at this time, I don't want to owe anyone anything. Come closer."

Lu Qing stood in front of her.

The woman slowly lowered her head, pressing her forehead against hers. "I'm not a particularly capable person, and I wouldn't dare to teach you anything recklessly. Those sad memories will cause you pain, so I won't give them to you. As for the happy memories I have, I'll give them all to you, hoping you can enjoy peace and happiness in this world."

Many things flooded into Lu Qing's mind in an instant.

The woman gently tapped Lu Qing on the forehead as a farewell, "Alright, go ahead."

Uncontrollably, Lu Qing backed away step by step, and couldn't help but shout, "I still don't know your name!"

The woman smiled faintly, "That's not important."

The crimson mist suddenly twisted violently, transforming into countless ferocious beasts that lunged at the woman. The woman smiled radiantly, and with her last strength, summoned a cloud of crimson mist to conceal the gruesome scene of flying blood and gore.

Lu Qing was so terrified that she burst into tears.

Suddenly, a hand reached out to her and caught her tears in its palm. "Don't be sad. This is a pact she made with the demon. The demon helped her wipe out the Tan family bloodline, and she sacrificed her own flesh and blood to the demon. It was a deal, and now it's settled. We demons are more trustworthy than humans."

Through her tears, Lu Qing saw a man in black standing in front of her.

The tears that fell into his palm were like dewdrops on a lotus leaf, crystal clear and bright. The man calmly introduced himself, his large hand outstretched before her, "My name is Xiu Yi, a powerful demon. Would you be willing to form a contract with me?"

"What?" Lu Qing asked incredulously.

"As long as you are willing to give me your flesh and blood after death, I will be your messenger for the rest of your life, at your beck and call," Xiu said.

"Wh...what?"

Xiu looked towards the crimson tree, from which came the clear and cruel sounds of demons tearing and devouring. "You heard me right. When I met her, she didn't have much time left. Her last wish was to wash away her shame and wipe out the Tan family bloodline. Now, we have returned to report to her. In this world, not only in Tan Family Village, but anywhere else, there will be no more Tan family bloodlines. We demons never break our promises."

"But you ate her!" Lu Qing trembled.

Xiu seemed unable to understand, his brows furrowing slightly. "She's already dead. Her flesh and blood, even if not eaten, will return to dust. What harm would it do for us to eat them?"

Lu Qing gritted her teeth, her heart churning with turbulent emotions, but she had no idea how to express them.

Xiu continued to extend his hand, "If you are willing, just place your hand in my palm, and our contract will be complete."

Lu Qing looked down at his palm, speechless for a long time...

Wu Chen and Yu Jitang had already walked to a spot not far from Fei Mu.

Yu Jitang frowned deeply. "Strange, why is there such a strong demonic aura in this place?" He cautiously placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Wu Chen reached into his sleeve and remembered that he had already tied the white jade bell to Lu Qing's wrist. So he drew his sword, ran his finger along the blade, and two bright red marks appeared on his fingertip. He drew the marks in front of his eyes and chanted, "Discard the delusions, reveal the truth."

After a fleeting moment of clear light, endless crimson spread out. Countless demons pounced on the intensely fiery red tree, while before it, a tall, aloof man in black stood with his hand outstretched, looking down at Lu Qing…

A note from the author:

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