My Five Bigshot Seniors: I am The Most Coddled Junior!

Chapter 242 - 110: Scorpions and Vipers (First Update)

"As far as I know, there are many tribes or villages over in the Dark Swamp, and each of them has their own poisonous insects. If someone is really doing these things near the Dark Swamp, they would’ve been discovered long ago, and their end would be quite tragic." Mu Chen looked at Nan Hua and explained slowly."Having poisonous insects is understandable, but if they need the internal organs of so many people, is it really for sacrificial purposes?" Nan Hua asked in confusion.

"Not necessarily. Villages or tribes like these all have their own ancient legends and totems. What they’re doing might not be purely for sacrifices; it could also be to seek God." Yue Zhao looked into the distance, speaking thoughtfully.

"Seek God." Nan Hua was surprised. "What would they seek God for? Does a god really exist in this world?"

"Perhaps, who knows? Maybe that person just believes there’s a god in this world." Yue Zhao’s expression was somewhat ethereal, as if thinking of unpleasant things.

Nan Hua and Mu Chen exchanged a glance and unanimously chose not to speak further.

They circled the street several more times, confirmed that no one was following them, and then returned to the inn.

Gu Qingqing and the others also returned to the inn.

As usual, they gathered in Yue Zhao’s room and set up a barrier.

"We didn’t discover anything in the East District, but we did encounter some Black Feathered Ducks, which we dealt with." Gu Qingqing drank a cup of Spiritual Dew and spoke slowly.

"Everyone in the City Lord’s Mansion, including the City Lord, has been controlled. Currently, we suspect the mastermind is from the Dark Swamp, and those removed internal organs might be in the City Lord’s Mansion." Yue Zhao shared their explorations, results, and speculations.

"When we were at the City Lord’s Mansion, the City Lord even tried to make us drink tea with poisonous insects, but we saw through it." Mu Chen was very dissatisfied, thinking about how the City Lord tried to control them in such a manner.

"On our way back, we killed the Black Feathered Duck used to monitor us. I suppose by now, he knows we’ve possibly uncovered his secret. Maybe he’ll act tonight, so everyone should rest well this afternoon. We might have a tough battle tonight, and it’s best to resolve this issue today." Yue Zhao’s gaze passed over Gu Qingqing and the others, speaking very seriously.

Hearing this, the others straightened their faces and nodded in agreement.

Afterward, they all returned to their rooms to recuperate, just waiting for night to fall.

After dinner in the afternoon, Yue Zhao gave the innkeeper ten high-grade Spirit Stones, instructing him to relocate with his staff to a reliable household.

The innkeeper was perceptive enough not to ask questions. He took the Spirit Stones and left with his staff, leaving the inn completely to Yue Zhao and the others.

When night fell, the entire Canghui City sank into darkness.

Gu Qingqing and the others split into two groups. Yue Zhao, Mu Chen, and Zhuo Tingqiu went to revisit the City Lord’s Mansion, while Gu Qingqing, Jun Wu, Yun Ran, and Nan Hua stayed at the inn.

"Didn’t we all carefully conceal our whereabouts today? Will the person definitely come looking for us?" Yun Ran looked at the brightly lit inn lobby, asking in confusion.

"Mu Chen said the other side can control Black Feather Crows, and possibly other animals. Even though we dealt with the Black Feather Crows, we can’t be certain that we won’t be discovered." Nan Hua shook his fan, patiently explaining.

"Can’t we go to the City Lord’s Mansion too? Do we have to stay here?" Gu Qingqing actually wanted to go to the City Lord’s Mansion more, so she can’t help but ask.

"We’re staying here to create an opportunity for Yue Zhao and the others. If the enemy wants to deal with us, they’ll have to divide some of their attention here, which will make it easier for Yue Zhao and the others to breach the City Lord’s Mansion." Nan Hua relayed Yue Zhao’s earlier reasoning to Gu Qingqing and the others.

"Alright then, let’s hope the mastermind doesn’t disappoint us." Gu Qingqing shrugged, accepting this reasoning and dropping the subject of going to the City Lord’s Mansion.

"Did any of you hear something?" Jun Wu suddenly asked with a serious expression.

"What sound?" Yun Ran turned his head curiously to look around.

"Shh!" Gu Qingqing placed her index finger to her lips, signaling for silence.

The lobby immediately quieted down. In such a setting, the faint sound was infinitely magnified. With the Cultivators’ naturally keen senses, especially with their powerful cultivation, they could hear a rustling noise slowly approaching from not far away, emanating from the direction of the entrance.

The group exchanged glances, drew their respective weapons, and became vigilant.

Under their watchful eyes, hundreds of poisonous scorpions crawled in through the door and window cracks. These scorpions were all fourth or fifth tier demon beasts, small in size but highly venomous. If bitten, even with Gu Qingqing and the others’ cultivation, without an antidote, they wouldn’t last long.

Seeing more and more scorpions coming in, Gu Qingqing thought for a moment, took out a stack of talismans, and handed them to Jun Wu and Yun Ran beside her. Since Rong Ye had given some talismans to Nan Hua, she didn’t give any more.

Taking out a Mystic Fire Talisman, Gu Qingqing channeled Spiritual Power into it, activated it, and threw the talisman towards the approaching scorpion horde. Suddenly, a burst of flames appeared among the scorpions, engulfing them in an instant and turning them into roasted scorpions.

The others followed suit, activating the talismans in their hands and throwing them towards the scorpion group. In no time, flames, lightning, ice, and other effects appeared amidst the scorpions, slowing their advance.

Seeing it was effective, they didn’t hesitate to use their talismans, continuously throwing them into the scorpion group. Despite the large number of scorpions, thanks to Gu Qingqing and the others’ efforts, more than half were killed.

The remaining scorpions were swept away by Nan Hua’s Glazed Frost Flower Fan, killing most of them. Gu Qingqing and the others attacked separately, dealing with the rest of the scorpions.

Within just half an hour, all the scorpions were killed, leaving only a pile of scorpion corpses on the ground.

"I heard these scorpions are good for making wine or medicine, and they’re also edible?" Nan Hua looked at the scorpion corpses on the ground and asked.

"There seems to be such a saying." Gu Qingqing thought for a moment and nodded.

"Then let’s pile them up and give them to the innkeeper when he returns tomorrow." As Nan Hua spoke, he used his fan to sweep the scorpion corpses into a pile.

Just as Gu Qingqing was about to make a joke at Nan Hua, she caught a faint sound and quickly signaled to the other three.

The hall once again quieted down, and everyone heard the sound of something slithering on the ground, standing ready just like before, watching the door.

From the crack in the door emerged black, green, yellow, and red snakes. Their vibrant colors indicated that they were highly venomous. Although not large, most were just two fingers wide and a meter long. These small snakes were all fifth-tier demon beasts, even more toxic than the scorpions.

Seeing these colorful snakes, Gu Qingqing and the others looked uncomfortable. They could barely tolerate the scorpions earlier, but these snakes were intolerable, making their skin crawl.

"The one behind this is really disgusting, so many snakes; I’ve got goosebumps," Yun Ran complained, rubbing her arms in discomfort.

Gu Qingqing’s expression was similarly displeased. Although Jun Wu kept his eyes on the snakes, he was aware of Gu Qingqing’s condition from the corner of his eye, slightly shifting his body forward to shield her.

A silver scimitar appeared in his hand, his expression icy cold. Before more snakes could enter, the scimitar flew out directly.

Silver light flashed among the snakes. Those touched by the light were sliced into two, and after swooping through the air, instead of returning to Jun Wu’s hand, the scimitar circled over the snake group again, cutting another batch in half before returning to Jun Wu’s hand.

Watching from the side, Nan Hua understood Jun Wu’s actions, a comforting smile on his face. The Glazed Frost Flower Fan in his hand enlarged immediately. Stepping forward, he shielded Gu Qingqing and the others, gently fanning. A gust of wind emerged, sweeping the advancing snakes towards the doorway.

Gu Qingqing took out another stack of talismans, distributing them to the others, then activated and tossed several herself.

The flames, lightning, and freezing effects that decimated the scorpions reappeared. Combined with Jun Wu’s previous actions, most of the snakes were killed, leaving only those yet to enter or the lucky ones untouched.

Not wanting the Mixed Immortal Silk to get stained with snake blood, Gu Qingqing decided only to use talismans. Still, realizing this wasn’t a long-term solution, she took a sword from her Storage Bracelet. It was the one she used during sword practice with Si Lin, decent enough to handle these snakes.

With a sword in hand, Gu Qingqing’s aura changed, somewhat resembling Si Lin.

She leaped into the air, sword in hand, slashing downwards. A wave of Sword Qi rushed towards the snakes on the ground, slicing another group in half. She followed with a horizontal sweep, killing more snakes.

Within a quarter of an hour under such attacks, the snake group was also eliminated.

This time, Nan Hua didn’t mention keeping the corpses. Considering how the innkeeper might freak out seeing so many snake corpses, even they felt uneasy. Thus, a dozen True Samādhi Fire Talismans reduced the snakes to ashes, which Nan Hua effortlessly fanned away.

Just as they were about to catch their breath, another sound reached their ears!