Chapter 51: Blood and Rain, Light and Poison
Zhu Jiunian was a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse—
the strongest of the Zhu family.
It was precisely because of this strength that he had inherited the role of family head.
That was why Zhu Zhuqing had promised her uncle…
That she would plunge a poisoned dagger into Zhu Jiunian's heart.
This act would mark the beginning of their plan.
Fortunately, she succeeded.
Now, the courtyard was soaked in blood.
Every servant who had witnessed the shocking scene was dead—no one was spared.
Zhu Zhuqing stood in silence, her expression heavy and conflicted.
She finally spoke.
"Uncle, what are your plans next?"
Zhu Jiuxie smiled faintly, casting his gaze over the corpses strewn across the courtyard.
Rain poured relentlessly from the sky, turning the blood into rivulets that streamed across the stone tiles and gathered in the pond.
In mere moments, even the pond turned a dark crimson.
Zhu Jiuxie finally replied,
"Whether I flee to the ends of the earth or surrender to the royal family… it will never involve you, Zhuqing."
Zhu Zhuqing stared silently at the blood-soaked ground.
By now, the strong men Zhu Jiuxie had brought with him had gathered in the courtyard.
They stood tall in the rain, letting the downpour wash over them.
Blood was rinsed away, revealing nothing but their determined faces.
"Uncle… run," Zhu Zhuqing whispered.
"Escape. Go to the Heaven Dou Empire. Maybe you'll survive there."
Zhu Jiuxie remained quiet.
He turned to his comrades, the ones who had followed him here.
Regret and guilt flashed across his eyes.
"My brothers," he murmured, "I, Zhu Jiuxie, have failed you."
"I will not see you off."
With that, he bowed deeply to them.
"General Zhu! We'll wait for you—on the other side!"
More than a dozen warriors laughed heartily.
Without hesitation, they raised their blades—and slit their own throats.
In a flash, blood once again spattered across the courtyard, mingling with the rain.
The storm raged on, as if mourning their deaths.
Zhu Zhuqing could no longer hold back her tears.
"…Little niece, the path ahead is yours alone to walk,"
Zhu Jiuxie said, forcing a bitter smile.
He stepped into the rain, staring at the corpses of his brothers.
Tears ran down his face.
"…Uncle…" Zhu Zhuqing called out.
Zhu Jiuxie turned to see her kneel down slowly before him, tears pouring from her eyes.
"Remember," he said, voice steady despite the pain.
"Our clan's so-called ancestral rules… are complete nonsense."
"If the Zhu family is to survive, we must depend on our own strength—"
"—not by selling off our women—our daughters."
"Zhuqing, you must end this…"
He raised his blade and placed it gently at his neck.
"Don't let anyone else… end up like your cousin…"
Puff—!
Warm blood sprayed into the rain.
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head into the mud, trembling violently.
"I…"
"I will try my best to live…"
Bang—!
She collapsed sideways, unconscious in the downpour.
Sunset Forest
A silver sword flashed like lightning in the dark woods.
With a clean sweep, Qin Chuan decapitated a ten-thousand-year soul beast.
The head rolled, blood pooling at his feet.
As the black soul ring slowly rose, Qin Chuan frowned and shook his head.
"Come on," he said, turning to the girl behind him.
"Seems we'll have to go to that place."
They had seen many soul beasts along the way, yet none matched what they were searching for.
"Your Majesty, where are we going?"
Ye Lingling asked softly.
"To a very mysterious place," Qin Chuan replied, eyes sharp with resolve.
His gaze locked on the deepest region of the Sunset Forest, where a massive mountain loomed.
Truthfully, he didn't want to go there.
The opportunity that once existed there was long gone.
There shouldn't be anything worthwhile left.
But after searching so long without results,
he had no other option.
Perhaps, just perhaps, a rare plant-type soul beast could still be found there.
Without further hesitation, he took Ye Lingling and flew toward the mountain at high speed.
Unleashing his Holy Spirit Martial Soul, a glowing barrier of divine light enveloped both of them.
It purified the poisonous mist and smoke that blanketed the forest.
Before long, the two arrived at the mountain's base.
"Your Majesty, are we climbing it?"
Ye Lingling asked with confusion.
"Just follow me."
Qin Chuan extended his spiritual sense into the mountain.
He knew this was Dugu Bo's retreat, heavily protected by layers of poison arrays.
Even a Soul Douluo could suffer greatly if they stumbled into one unprepared.
He wasn't worried about himself.
But Ye Lingling—even with his protection—could still get hurt.
Soon, his spirit found one of the weaker poison arrays.
"Stick close."
He instinctively reached out and grabbed Ye Lingling's hand.
The contact made Ye Lingling jolt like she'd been shocked.
She instantly pulled back, cheeks flushed red.
Qin Chuan blinked in surprise, staring at his open palm awkwardly.
"Ahem… then just follow me closely. Don't step the wrong way."
He wrapped them both in the divine barrier again, the light casting a soft glow over their bodies.
Two silhouettes—one tall, one petite—moved quietly forward through the mist.
Suddenly, Qin Chuan paused.
He looked down.
A small, cold hand slid into his.
It was Ye Lingling.
He turned, puzzled.
Her face was beet red, her ears burning.
"I…"
Ye Lingling murmured, eyes lowered.
"I'm… a little scared…"
Qin Chuan gazed at her for a moment.
Then nodded gently.
He held her hand firmly and led her through the poison formation.
Behind him, Ye Lingling lifted her eyes slightly.
Qin Chuan's figure stood tall in front of her.
His build wasn't overly muscular or tall.
Yet just walking behind him…
…gave her an overwhelming sense of safety.
She smiled faintly.
Then quickly looked down again, as if hiding her joy.
—
After navigating through the formation, they entered a cave.
It showed signs of prior occupation—traces of daily life still lingered.
Qin Chuan didn't pause.
"Let's go."
They passed through the cave and reached the back side of the mountain.
There, an entirely different landscape unfolded.
Jagged cliffs jutted into the sky, and strange rock formations lined the slopes.
Ye Lingling gasped.
She hadn't imagined that one mountain could hold such contrasting faces.
"Can you climb it?"
Qin Chuan asked softly.
"To the top?"
Ye Lingling blinked.
"No way."
The cliffs were too steep and dangerous.
As a support-type spirit master, she had neither the tools nor the skills to ascend.
"Then I'll carry you."
Without waiting for a response, Qin Chuan pulled her gently into his arms, spread his Holy Spirit Wings, and flew toward the summit.
—
At that moment—
Back at the cave entrance,
A green-haired old man silently stepped into view.
He stared at the fresh footprints left in the poison formation.
His eyes gleamed like polished emeralds, cold and menacing.
"…Someone's been here."