Chapter 252: Subduing Situ Fengwu

Chapter 252: Subduing Situ Fengwu

Ghost Manor, with its towering walls and vast courtyards, resembled an ancient small town.

Inside the manor, dense clusters of Seasonal Begonias were planted—white and red—filling the air with their fragrance. Bees and butterflies swarmed around, creating a mesmerizing scene that seemed more like a paradise or a sacred land beyond the mortal world rather than the infamous den of wickedness it was rumored to be.

Ning Xiaochuan returned to Ghost Manor at sunset.

Soon after, the Martial Artists of Ghost Manor transported coffins back through underground passages, bringing them into the manor. These coffins contained Forging Masters, forging copper furnaces, and treasures of Green Gold, all transported to a pre-built vault guarded by specialized Martial Artists.

Ning Xiaochuan entered the Purple Qi Garden and stood beneath the Blood Toad Wood, taking a deep breath. A wisp of Blood Qi flowed into his nostrils, merging with his bloodstream and invigorating the Dragon-Tiger Profound Qi within him.

A single Mystic Wood could transform an area into a Spiritual Land or Sacred Land. The Blood Toad Wood had been planted in the Purple Qi Garden for two years, long since merging with the earth beneath it. The soil had even turned a deep crimson.

"Congratulations, Manor Lord. My felicitations to you." A curvaceous Black-robed Woman entered the Purple Qi Hall, standing behind Ning Xiaochuan.

Her legs were slender, her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her face was veiled by a faint black gauze, revealing only a pair of enchanting star-like eyes. She was undeniably beautiful.

Ning Xiaochuan remained fixated on the Blood Toad Wood, not turning around. "What is there to congratulate?"

The Black-robed Woman smiled faintly, her voice soft and melodious. "The Situ Family is a major power in Yunhu Gathering, with deep foundations and countless experts. Yet, Manor Lord crushed them within two days, fully demonstrating your wisdom and might. That is the first reason."

"Second, with the Situ Family's defeat, the Seven Border Markets—including Yunhu Gathering—will naturally fall into Ghost Manor's grasp."

"Third, Ghost Manor has humiliated both Fire God Child and the Crown Prince, ensuring our prestige will soar and intimidate the major markets around the Imperial City. Who would dare challenge Ghost Manor then? Many will surely submit at the mere mention of our name."

"Fourth, this great victory has netted us over a hundred skilled Forging Masters, thirty-seven forging copper furnaces, over 5,000 kg of Black Iron Steel, 400 kg of Exotic Iron from Beyond the Domain, countless Green Gold, and numerous Mystic Stones. With these resources, Ghost Manor can swiftly establish a massive forging base to craft Mystic Artifacts and amass weapons. Our strength will more than double in no time."

Ning Xiaochuan finally turned around, shaking his head lightly. "Though the Situ Family has been crushed, their foundation remains. It won’t be easy for Ghost Manor to fully control the Seven Border Markets. Moreover, even with many skilled Forging Masters and forging equipment, we still lack sufficient ore resources."

The Black-robed Woman frowned. "But the mines aren’t owned by the Situ Family—they’re controlled by several nobles, including the Qilin King. Given Ghost Manor’s current strength, we likely can’t contend with these nobles."

"There’s no need to argue. The people of Ghost Manor only need to harass the miners in the mines every day, seize the ores, and make it seem like we intend to take over the mines. Leave the rest to me." Ning Xiaochuan’s eyes gleamed with wisdom, exuding an air of strategic confidence.

Ning Xiaochuan glanced slightly at the Black-robed Woman and smiled. "By the way, weren’t you cultivating at the Emperor’s Martial Palace? Why did you leave early?"

The Black-robed Woman removed her veil, revealing a bewitching and alluring face—long, delicate eyebrows, thick lashes, bright eyes, and glistening red lips. Every smile and frown carried an irresistible charm, captivating the soul.

She was truly a peerless enchantress crafted by the heavens.

Xie Mengyao was a spy sent by Tianchenzi to infiltrate Dark Emperor City and had entered the Emperor’s Martial Palace alongside Ning Xiaochuan.

Xie Mengyao loosened her black robe, revealing a pristine white dress draped with a cyan gossamer shawl over her shoulders. Her slender waist was cinched by a jade-white belt, her eyes bright, teeth pearly, and lips as red as cinnabar. Softly, she said, "Shortly after the Manor Lord left the Emperor’s Martial Palace, my identity was exposed. Ming Yang himself came to take my life, forcing me to flee. I can no longer return to Dark Emperor City or the Emperor’s Martial Palace. Now, I can only hope the Manor Lord will take me in."

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "How could I possibly refuse a subordinate as beautiful and enchanting as you?"

"Situ Fengwu is also stunningly beautiful. Does the Manor Lord find it hard to refuse her as well?" Xie Mengyao’s gaze was tender as water, her cheeks rosy like peach blossoms, exuding irresistible allure.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "Bring her along. If she’s willing to submit, she’ll be of great help in subduing the Situ Family."

Xie Mengyao covered her face with the black veil again and ordered Situ Fengwu to be brought forward.

"Young Master Chuan, you deceitful villain! With your despicable character, you’ll never become the Martial Arts Supreme!"

Situ Fengwu’s Martial Arts Heart Palace was sealed by Annihilation Qi, her wrists bound in iron shackles. Yet, she bore no resemblance to a prisoner, her demeanor still haughty as she lifted her snow-white chin, her cold, star-like eyes fixed on Ning Xiaochuan.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "Oh? So I can’t become the Martial Arts Supreme? Does that mean only the Crown Prince is worthy?"

"The Crown Prince is a dragon among men, his martial prowess unrivaled among his peers. He will undoubtedly become a mighty emperor who shakes the world. You are nothing compared to him," Situ Fengwu retorted.

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "If that’s the case, why hasn’t the omnipotent Crown Prince come to save you?"

Situ Fengwu fell silent.

Ning Xiaochuan continued, "In truth, if you were smart enough, you’d choose to submit to me first."

"Impossible! Even if you kill me, I will never yield. Young Master Chuan, you underestimate the will of a martial cultivator," Situ Fengwu sneered.

"That’s why I say beautiful women are rarely intelligent."

Ning Xiaochuan slowly approached Situ Fengwu, lightly inhaling the scent of her hair before whispering in her ear, "Miss Situ is destined to become the Crown Princess. But if I were to accidentally take your chastity, I’m afraid you’d no longer qualify for that position."

"You shameless scoundrel!"

Situ Fengwu's expression changed slightly as she immediately activated her Martial Arts Profound Qi, attempting to break through the restraining seal. However, the moment she circulated her Qi, she was met with a backlash of Annihilation Qi, causing her face to twist in pain.

Ning Xiaochuan laughed. "If I were truly shameless, I would send Miss Situ to the Jade Viewing Tower, to be shared by thousands and ridden by tens of thousands. If that happened, the Crown Prince would surely be heartbroken."

Situ Fengwu clenched her Jade Fingers so tightly that her nails nearly pierced her flesh. "You devil!"

Ning Xiaochuan said, "In truth, if you submit to me, you might even have a chance to uncover my true identity and the location of Ghost Manor. Then, you could secretly inform the Crown Prince and have Ghost Manor wiped out in one fell swoop. Wouldn’t that be the perfect revenge while also preserving yourself?"

Situ Fengwu bit her delicate lips lightly, her beautiful appearance even more striking as her fair brow furrowed slightly. "Are you giving me advice? Aren’t you afraid that one day you’ll truly be cornered?"

"If I can’t even control someone like you, then I don’t deserve to be the Manor Lord of Ghost Manor," Ning Xiaochuan replied bluntly.

Proud and arrogant, Situ Fengwu couldn’t stand Ning Xiaochuan’s haughty and domineering demeanor. "Young Master Chuan, I can submit to you, but I have conditions."

"You’re in no position to negotiate. From now on, both you and Xie Mengyao will be my sword attendants, obeying my orders directly. Take this." Ning Xiaochuan took out a white jade pearl, about the size of a glass marble, glowing with a soft jade light.

Situ Fengwu held the pearl near her red lips, hesitating slightly. "What is this?"

"The Heart Palace Jade Gu Worm," Ning Xiaochuan said.

The Heart Palace Jade Gu Worm was sealed inside the pearl—a vicious poison crafted by the Divine Master of the Southern Barbarian Tribe, specifically designed to control high-level martial artists as slaves.

Situ Fengwu had heard of this poison and knew its horrors. Once consumed, the victim would suffer excruciating pain as the worm devoured their heart, with only the caster’s Martial Arts Profound Qi able to alleviate the torment.

Did she have a choice now?

No.

Situ Fengwu swallowed the Heart Palace Jade Gu Worm. The worm, encased in the pearl, burrowed into her Martial Arts Heart Palace.

Immediately, she felt an unbearable pain in her chest, as if thousands of ants were gnawing at her heart. She writhed on the ground, crying out for mercy, her earlier arrogance completely shattered.

She crawled to Ning Xiaochuan’s feet, clutching his legs, begging him to save her.

"Manor Lord, please save me! Please!"

"Master, if you save me, I will be your most loyal servant from this day forward! Please, I’m dying!"

Ning Xiaochuan helped her up, placing his hand on her shoulder. He withdrew the Annihilation Qi from her body and channeled a surge of Dragon-Tiger Aura into her, merging it with her Martial Arts Heart Palace.

Gradually, the pain in Situ Fengwu’s chest subsided. Her fair skin flushed slightly pink, covered in a fine sheen of sweat that soaked through her long dress, outlining her slender and graceful curves—a sight so mesmerizing it could stir desire and set one’s blood aflame.

"Thank you, Manor Lord!"

Situ Fengwu trembled all over, panting heavily.

Being devoured by the Gu Worm was indeed a fate worse than death. Even the strongest will would crumble under such torment. In that state, if Ning Xiaochuan had ordered her to strip naked and lie on the bed for him to ravage, she would likely have obeyed without hesitation.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "From now on, every ten days, I will channel a strand of Martial Arts Profound Qi into your body to nourish the Gu Worm. If, after ten days, you are not by my side, you will suffer the same agony as today—and each time, the pain will grow worse. This will continue until three months later, when the Gu Worm will devour your heart, leaving your intestines ruptured and your belly torn apart. Are you afraid?"

Situ Fengwu clenched her pearly teeth tightly, nodding incessantly, her heart filled with unbearable humiliation.

The conflict between Ghost Manor and the Situ Family would now be handled entirely by Tianchenzi, Murong Hua, and Lin Sanzhi. With the cunning of these three old foxes, suppressing the Seven Border Markets would no longer be a difficult task.

Ning Xiaochuan swallowed a Transcendent Pill and sat cross-legged beneath the Blood Toad Wood, beginning his cultivation. His body nearly merged with the tree, and his Martial Arts Profound Qi surged rapidly.

Xie Mengyao and Situ Fengwu stood guard on either side of him. One was enchantingly seductive, like a peerless temptress capable of bewitching all; the other was haughty and elegant, like a celestial maiden descended to the mortal world, making every man yearn for her favor.