Five Venoms, Heartless

Having become a Wuzhi-hui, San Yu finally managed to manifest a body and step by step approached the bridal sedan chair waiting at the end of the vine-covered path. The vibrant crimson of the sedan stood in stark contrast to the eerie desolation of the Five Venoms Forest, fueling the hatred burning in his heart.

It was here, five years ago, that he had been betrayed by his betrothed. The female disciple from the celestial sect had deceived him with false affection, only to deliver him to his death. Even after his demise, their malice did not cease—they trapped his soul with their formations, forcing him to become a Wuzhi-hui, condemned to haunt the Five Venoms Forest for all eternity, never to be free.

What crime had he committed to deserve such a fate?

Very well then. Since the Jade Capital Sect had turned him into this abomination and imprisoned him here, he would devour every trial disciple they sent into the forest.

This time, the little girl who entered was especially detestable. She must have been spoiled at home to have grown such an infuriating pair of eyes—eyes that reminded him painfully of the fiancée who had betrayed him, making his heart ache with shame and anger.

Fine. This time, he would devour this girl—carving flesh from bone and swallowing her piece by piece—so that this naive yet ill-tempered child would learn that, once beyond the threshold of home, there would be no one left to cherish her.

Inside the sedan, Jiang Xuehe waited. He sensed that as the great demon drew closer, the resentment in the air thickened. He remained calm. As he waited, he noticed the hair ribbon tied on his left wrist had become entangled with the wooden wall of the sedan. Patiently, he untangled the knot and smoothed the ribbon on his wrist.

Gazing at the ribbon, he was momentarily lost in thought: his little junior sister was up to mischief again.

He knew full well she had tricked him into confronting this great demon, undoubtedly with some ulterior motive, some other plan in mind. But she was not close to him and would not confide in him about her schemes.

Jiang Xuehe did not know whether Ti Ying had truly gone to set up a formation or if she had already slipped away, retracing her steps to imitate Chen Da’s escape and flee from the Five Venoms Forest.

When strangers travel together and face danger, it is not uncommon for one to abandon the other and run. After several days together, Jiang Xuehe had already discerned that his little junior sister had quite a difficult temperament. He did not expect her to be noble or loyal enough to advance and retreat alongside an unfamiliar senior brother.

But regardless of whether she ran, Jiang Xuehe was determined to stay and slay this Wuzhi-hui. He had his own reasons, and he also thought that if he eliminated the Wuzhi-hui, perhaps his junior sister would have a better chance of being accepted as a disciple by the Jade Capital Sect.

He did not understand why his junior sister hopped from one sect to another, but since their master was unconcerned and wished for her to find her own path, Jiang Xuehe reasoned—he had never been anyone’s senior brother before. For the first time, he would give her whatever she wanted.

The wind lifted the sedan’s curtain, and Jiang Xuehe saw an adult man’s hand reach inside. A voice, poorly disguised and thick with venomous resentment, called out, “My bride, come out of the sedan.”

San Yu could not wait to release his foul aura, causing the entire forest’s foliage to wither. The wedding veil covering the bride’s face was blown aside by the wind.

As Jiang Xuehe was about to step out, San Yu suddenly erupted in fury: “You’ve conspired with the celestial sect disciples to kill me, haven’t you?”

Jiang Xuehe paused, bent in mid-motion.

The lifted veil revealed a changed scene. A brocade pavilion appeared suddenly; red silk became white, the blazing ceremonial candles were snuffed out by ghostly flames, and the wailing of a thousand spirits filled the air.

The groom before him grew increasingly stiff, the crimson sleeves dripping blood, his eyes oozing red.

The groom’s mouth twisted in a grotesque cry, his empty, pupil-less eyes fixed on him with chilling malice.

But Jiang Xuehe remained unruffled.

When the creeping vines at his feet tried to entangle him, a single gesture dispelled the demonic energy, keeping it at bay.

Jiang Xuehe realized that the scene before him must have been what transpired on the day San Yu died.

San Yu, still mired in resentment, reached for the bride. “I loved you deeply, yet you deceived me completely… You—who are you?!”

His voice changed. If before he was acting, trying to trick the girl forced into the bridal sedan into reenacting his final moments, now the figure emerging from the sedan was clearly not that little girl. The person was tall and slender, still veiled, exuding an aura of calm elegance.

San Yu’s expression changed sharply. Amid the scent of a young maiden, he detected the presence of a young man. In an instant, he understood.

San Yu shrieked, his demonic aura surging uncontrollably, swelling around him as he lunged at the bride: “Good! You affectionate senior brother and sister pair, you think you can fool me just because I cannot see? I won’t let you off! No one escapes my Five Venoms Forest!”

The monster, gathering its power, tried to devour the bride before him.

The bride’s sleeves flared, and an icy chill erupted forth, breaking San Yu’s restraints in an instant. Jiang Xuehe spun gracefully, exchanging a blow with San Yu.

Though not especially powerful in sorcery, Jiang Xuehe’s unexpected move forced San Yu back.

Within his own lair, San Yu could still see. He watched as the wedding veil spun into the air, tossed by the wind. Leaves scattered, and in a flash, the wedding robes on the youth’s body were torn apart.

Beneath a frosty moon, Jiang Xuehe stood atop a tree branch, his cloak billowing, the ribbon on his wrist and his dark robes fluttering in the wind.

San Yu demanded, “Who are you?”

The bright moon hung high. The black-robed youth, battered by the fierce wind, lifted his eyes slightly. “The one who will kill you.”

San Yu sneered. “Such arrogance from a mere boy. Even the Jade Capital Sect could not kill me—what makes you think you can?”

Man and monster clashed fiercely.

—

Meanwhile, Ti Ying dashed through the forest, crying “Help!” as she ran.

After three days trapped in the Five Venoms Forest, she had at least figured out the lay of the land—where the trees were, where the paths lay, which spots made good ambushes, and where the little monsters lurked.

Thus, the ten or so fellow disciples who pursued her found themselves lured ever deeper into the woods, sometimes beset by cackling imps leaping out to attack.

They cut down the little demons, growing increasingly agitated.

The senior brother called for calm: “Ti Ying may lack skill and talent, but she’s cunning. Don’t chase the little monsters—keep your eyes on her. Don’t let the little witch escape again.”

A cheeky girl’s voice called from above, “Looking for me?”

Immediately, they unleashed their magical weapons at the source of the sound.

The girl, hiding in a tree, barely dodged in time, tumbling to the ground with a thud.

Her misty eyes flashed in defiance.

“It’s Ti Ying!” they gasped.

She looked both unwilling and desperate, dragging her injured body deeper into the forest. Her delicate figure, hair ribbon streaming behind her, was marred by dirt and the limp in her step.

Seeing her in such a state, her pursuers gained confidence. “She’s wounded.”

Indeed, as Chen Da had told them, the great demon of the Five Venoms Forest would never let Ti Ying go. Her sorry state must be the result of being chased by the demon.

They pressed on, Ti Ying’s silhouette flickering ahead through the mist, never quite vanishing from sight.

The leading senior brother called out, “Ti Ying! There’s no need to run! Are we more frightening than the demon here? The demon wants you dead—we only want your secret. Tell us, and we’ll help you defeat the demon and get you out of this forest.”

He continued persuasively, “You’re just a country girl with mediocre talent—do you really think the Jade Capital Sect would choose you? Their disciples are all geniuses. Do you really think you’re worthy?”

Perhaps his words struck a chord; he noticed the girl had hidden behind a tree, panting, and glanced at him with confusion.

He signaled his companions to stay quiet and not startle her.

Smiling, he said, “We have no grudge against you. All we want is your master’s secret. Think about it—your master isn’t as skilled as ours, hasn’t taught you anything powerful, and yet you’re forced to flee for your life.”

“Isn’t it unfair?”

“Just tell us the secret, and I’ll see to it that you’re accepted into our sect.”

Ti Ying peeked from behind the tree.

Exhausted from running and tormented by the monsters, she looked at her pursuers with wide, pale cheeks.

Hesitantly, she asked, “You won’t kill me? You’ll let me join your sect?”

Moonlight bathed her, and for a moment, the group felt a twinge of pity for the little witch.

The senior brother offered his kindest smile. “Of course.”

Ti Ying replied, “Then, come closer, and I’ll tell you the secret.”

Their breaths grew heavy with anticipation.

Yet the senior brother raised a hand, cautioning the others to hold back.

Seeing their hesitation, Ti Ying sneered, “Afraid to take a risk for the secret of resurrection and eternal life?”

Her words made their hearts pound faster. Who among those seeking immortality would not covet endless life? Who would not wish for such a secret?

They had stumbled upon the rumor that the Thousand Mountains Sect possessed a resurrection technique. With their own master growing old and near death, they coveted that secret desperately.

Thus, they hunted down the Thousand Mountains Sect—a tiny, unremarkable sect with only one elderly master and a mediocre disciple. They aimed to kill the old man and capture the girl—immortality was within reach!

Remembering their purpose, their excitement became palpable. Though the senior brother remained cautious, the others stepped eagerly toward Ti Ying. “What’s there to fear? If she had any means to defeat us, she wouldn’t have run this far. Ti Ying, we’re coming—tell us your secret.”

Ti Ying insisted, “Swear on your Dao hearts that once you know the secret, you won’t kill me, and you’ll let me join your sect.”

Her words reassured even the senior brother.

They swore haphazardly, making sure to leave loopholes, never intending to keep their promises.

Ti Ying saw through their ruse but kept her expression blank.

Men and women alike pressed in on her. “We’re here—speak.”

Ti Ying hesitated. “You’ll really let me join your sect?”

They grew impatient. “Really, really…”

Under the moonlight, Ti Ying’s expression suddenly chilled. Her wide eyes, once pitiful and innocent, now gleamed with sly malice and defiance.

She smiled.

Standing tall, hands behind her back, she lifted her chin arrogantly. “But I have no interest in your petty little sect.”

“I want to join the greatest Daoist sect under heaven, the Jade Capital Sect, and learn the most powerful magic. I want to cultivate and become the most formidable person in the world!”

At her words, the array inscribed on the ground suddenly flared to life. Demonic energy surged forth, sweeping toward those startled men and women who had triggered the trap.