My Lady Always Lacks Ambition

Chapter 701 - 685: Are You Encouraging Me to Seek Death?

After seeing off Zhang Zhe, Qin Liuxi obtained a sum of incense money from Mrs. Zhang to hold a ritual for Zhang Zhe and to light a long-burning lamp.

Qin Liuxi didn’t delay; as for Zhang Hua, since she said she wouldn’t treat him, she didn’t bother with the poisoned sore on his back. Without the resentful energy of a ghost face affecting it, it was merely a sore but festering somewhat absurdly, something any ordinary doctor could treat.

Of course, whether it could be cured or not was another matter, and whether Mrs. Zhang would let him be treated was even more uncertain, but none of these were within Qin Liuxi’s consideration.

As for the remaining issues, such as how the relationship between Zhang Hua and the Wen Family would evolve, it was even more outside of her concern. She said she came only for Zhang Zhe. When he left, she stopped minding anything else, took the incense money from Mrs. Zhang, and left without taking Yan Qishan and the others with her, assuming that since the matter was concluded, they would find their way back by land.

Wen Fulin watched her disappear and turned to Yan Qishan, sighing, "This Junior Temple Master does act on principles."

Yan Qishan simply said, "That’s because no one has crossed her bottom line yet."

"You know her well."

"After all, I knew her before you did." Yan Qishan proudly said, "You should thank me later."

"Thank me? My whole family is in turmoil, I feel like beating you!" Wen Fulin looked at the Zhang family’s mansion with some headache.

Yan Qishan became serious, "You should think carefully, I don’t think Zhang Hongqing would like losing an in-law like you."

People of high status often have their grand perspectives; being a family of scholars, Wen Fulin himself widely respected. Such an in-law, nobody would want to discard.

Moreover, they would think that since the person was no longer there, it might be best to maximize the benefits of the situation.

This is the reality in the noble families involved in officialdom.

"It’s not about what he thinks." Wen Fulin darkened his face, "With things developed to this state, how can everything return to as if nothing happened? The Zhang family might, but not me, and neither can Miss Jin."

Yan Qishan sighed, "It all depends on what Miss Jin decides. Sorry for putting your family at unrest; it truly was my fault. If I hadn’t meddled too much, perhaps this could have been kept hidden forever."

"Since you feel guilty, don’t even think about my aged Puerh tea." Wen Fulin sneered.

Yan Qishan’s tone changed, "But a jackal will eventually show its true colors, like Zhang Hua. Even if the Junior Temple Master hadn’t come, other Heavenly Masters would eventually notice something was wrong; after all, a face growing on a poisoned sore is too bizarre. So, my meddling inadvertently helped your Wen Family avoid further losses, you still owe me."

"Scram!"

...

Qin Liuxi did not head straight back to Li City but took a detour to the Black Desert because Lao Hei sent a message saying small ghosts had spotted the Golden Scorpion.

The Black Desert was not actually filled with black sand; instead, its sand was fine and, if sunlight spilled down, would shine golden yellow, as dazzling and beautiful as golden sand.

But sometimes, the more beautiful a place, the more danger it conceals.

Thus is the nature of the Black Desert. Such beautiful golden sand harbored many quicksand traps and housed numerous poisonous creatures. The deeper one traveled into the desert, the greater the peril and the easier to lose one’s way.

Therefore, this beautiful desert was also referred to by neighboring tribes as the Desert of Death.

Don’t think that such a place is scarcely populated; some not afraid of death still come here to adventure, mostly tribal Alien Race members, thus there are quite a few Wandering Ghosts here as well.

Moreover, Qin Liuxi discovered that there seemed to be a Barrier here preventing the lingering ghosts from leaving or reincarnating.

This place was like a no-man’s land, even the Underworld couldn’t reach here.

Black Impermanence said to Qin Liuxi, "This desert is a bit peculiar, you should be careful. Even we from the other side can’t penetrate here, let alone manage it. If you get that Golden Scorpion and are willing, please help those few vindictive souls leave, I promised them."

"Even you can’t manage here? Can you still command ghosts in this place?" Qin Liuxi curiously asked.

Black Impermanence touched his nose, "Passing by or sneaking in is manageable. I heard this place is controlled by the Black Sand Demon. For thousands of years, this place and the Underworld have not interfered with each other."

"Who? The Black Mountain Demon?"

That name sounded familiar. Where had it been heard before?

It seemed there was also something about Ning Sha.

"It’s Hei Sha, sand, not mountain." Black Impermanence pointed at the sand and thought for a moment before adding, "If you encounter it,better to avoid it. There’s no need to fight with that barbaric demon and risk a clash."

Qin Liuxi squinted at him, "That sounds a bit flippant to me, what you’re really saying is, if I encounter that old demon, I shouldn’t be cowardly, fight it!"

In other words: You’re encouraging me to court death!

Black Impermanence’s eyes dodged as he looked afar, "You’re overthinking, I’m not that kind of ghost."

Oh.

Seeing several ghosts he had summoned arriving, Black Impermanence disappeared without a trace.

Qin Liuxi looked at the few ghosts in front of her, both men and women, dressed in ancient tribal attire, with braids tied up. They greeted her awkwardly when they saw her.

"No need for formalities, where is the nest of that Golden Scorpion, lead the way."

A thin old ghost placed his hands on his chest and bowed slightly, advising, "Lord Heavenly Master, we did find the nest, but it’s very dangerous there. If it’s not necessary, please don’t risk it."

"Yes, it’s close to the territory of Lord Hei Sha. If he notices you intruding, he will be very angry," a woman added in a frightened tone.

Qin Liuxi responded, "I need this Golden Scorpion to save a person, so I must go."

"Who is worth the risk for you?"

Qin Liuxi grinned, "Saving him could save thousands of lives, what do you think?"

The ghosts looked at each other, realizing he must be a very important person.

"If you’re determined to go, then follow me," the thin old ghost took the lead and floated forward.

Qin Liuxi followed, meanwhile asking the other two ghosts to tell her about the dangers of the Black Desert and any precious herbs or Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures present. Since it was a rare visit, it would be good to take advantage if possible.

"If you’re talking about the abundance of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, most belong to the demon’s domain. All the good stuff ends up there," the female ghost licked her lips covetously, "But it’s not easy to get good things from him, losing one’s life is a constant risk. Lord, you..."

She glanced at Qin Liuxi’s petite stature, thinking she probably wasn’t enough to withstand even a single slap from the old demon.

"If strength doesn’t work, I can always use my wits, dummy. Tell me, what does that old demon like?" Qin Liuxi asked with interest.

Since there really were Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, it was worth taking a chance.

The Black Sand Demon rolled around in oasis, suddenly grunted and looked in a certain direction. Someone was coming, and they smelled quite nice.