Chapter 20

At Jiang Ce's command, a group of people entered through the doorway.

They were Duke's Mansion's subordinates.

By now, Yan Lingji's innate divine ability, "Heavenly Illusion," had completely taken control of them.

Their consciousnesses were trapped in a woven illusion, and their memories had been altered.

Now they were a group of obedient puppets.

The puppets walked forward expressionlessly and picked up the stinking socks the nobles had taken off.

One puppet pried open Xue Lingshan's mouth and viciously stuffed a sock inside.

Xue Lingshan wanted to shout, but no sound came out.

Only a muffled whimper escaped his throat.

The other puppets followed suit.

Marquises, Earls, Viscounts, Barons—not a single one was spared.

All ten-odd mouths were plugged shut.

They were nailed to the wall, their limbs pierced through, unable to move.

Blood trickled down the wall, drop by drop, landing on the floor.

Their body heat was draining away.

Their bodies were growing cold.

Their terror was mounting.

"Compared to the suffering those commoners endured, what you're going through is still far too lenient."

Yan Lingji coldly swept her gaze across the terrified eyes on the wall.

"Then flay them alive, and burn them at the stake one by one."

Jiang Ce gave the order.

Yan Lingji's eyes lit up. "My king, what a splendid idea. This isn't the abuse of private punishment; it's acting on Heaven's behalf."

The puppets began carrying out the order.

One Marquis watched helplessly as a puppet picked up a red-hot iron rod and walked toward him.

He tried to struggle, but the spear pinning him down left him unable to move even an inch.

He tried to shout, but his mouth was plugged shut.

The instant the iron touched his skin, the stench of burning flesh filled the air.

The Marquis's body convulsed violently, and a beastlike groan forced its way from his throat.

Another Earl had the first strip of flesh carved from him with a dagger.

Beads of blood slid down his skin.

His eyes bulged as if they were about to split open.

Terror, pain, and despair were all stuffed into that stinking sock.

Yan Lingji watched it all, her expression calm and even the corners of her mouth faintly lifted in a smile.

"Take your time. There's no rush."

The group left the meeting hall and came to the main hall of Duke's Mansion.

Controlling Na'er's body, Jiang Ce sat in the seat of honor.

He tapped the armrest—it was made of pure gold and carved with intricate patterns.

"These nobles really eat until they're fat and complacent."

"Even their seats are made of gold. It's downright uncomfortable to sit on."

Yan Lingji searched Xue Lingshan and found a High-Rank Soul Storage Ring.

She probed inside with her spiritual power. It was piled high with Gold Soul Coins, jewelry, land deeds, secret correspondence with the Dark Blood Alliance, and Black Cloud Chamber of Commerce dividend ledgers.

"My king, this is enough for us to buy half a district in Heaven Dou City."

"Put it away."

Controlling Na'er's hand, Jiang Ce flipped through the ledgers.

"The Black Cloud Chamber of Commerce is on West Street in Heaven Dou City. Its president is Black Cloud Crane, and he has three Soul Emperor guards."

"Tomorrow, we'll wipe them out."

Yan Lingji licked her lips. "There'll be more killing to do."

"We'll deal with it tomorrow. Get some good rest tonight."

"Yes, my king. I'll serve you."

At that, Yan Lingji and her two clones' eyes lit up.

Fox ears sprouted from their hair, and nine snowy-white tails emerged from behind their waists.

Xiaomeng looked at the three women, who had instantly turned into enchantresses, and furrowed her brow.

She turned to leave.

As she turned her head, she met a pair of deep-blue eyes.

Yan Lingji had appeared before her at some point, her eyes gleaming.

Xiaomeng felt her head grow hazy.

Yan Lingji caught hold of her.

"You—"

Xiaomeng was about to say something, but the moment she opened her mouth, a bowl of gelatinous liquid was thrust to her lips.

"Yan Lingji..."

Xiaomeng choked several times.

The moment it reached her stomach, a surge of heat exploded from her dantian and rapidly spread through her limbs and bones.

Her skin began to flush—

Looking around, she saw the other two Yan Lingjis being lifted into the air by pitch-black tentacles.

The medicinal power inside Xiaomeng surged wildly.

"Make sure you temper your body properly."

Xiaomeng endured the scorching sensation throughout her body and began circulating her Daoist cultivation technique.

The cultivation method coursed through her meridians again and again, refining the medicinal power bit by bit.

Yan Lingji watched her struggle to hold on and smiled seductively.

Her nine tails swayed gently.

The next morning.

Sunlight filtered through gauzy curtains into the luxurious palace.

Na'er slowly opened her eyes.

An unfamiliar ceiling.

It was decorated with gold filigree, and a crystal chandelier hung from it.

"Where... am I?"

She rubbed her woozy head and slowly sat up.

The silk bedding slipped down, revealing the black bodysuit she was wearing.

She looked down, and her face instantly turned red.

Why was she wearing something like this?

What... had happened last night?

She only remembered fainting in a small copse.

Then... it seemed someone had touched her face.

Someone had dressed her.

Someone had spoken into her ear.

She instinctively hugged herself, her cheeks burning.

Just then, her body suddenly moved without her control.

She hadn't moved it.

It was—the clothes moving.

Pitch-black Venom symbiote tissue extended from the clothing and gently wriggled over her arm.

"Awake?"

An unfamiliar voice sounded in her mind.

It was low, with a hint of languor.

Na'er jumped and shrank backward.

"Y-you... who are you?"

"You can call me Jiang Ce. From now on, I'm your master."

"Mas... master?"

Na'er was bewildered.

"What you're wearing is my body. From now on, your body is under my control."

The Venom symbiote tissue tightened slightly, and the black bodysuit clung to her skin, tracing every curve.

Na'er felt herself being "enclosed," and her whole body stiffened.

"D-don't..."

She tried to pull at it with her hands, but stopped halfway—she didn't dare.

"Afraid?"

Jiang Ce's voice carried a hint of amusement.

"N-no..."

Na'er lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

"Look up. Look at me."

Na'er hesitated, then slowly raised her head.

There was a bronze mirror across from her.

It reflected her appearance—silver-white hair spilling loose, blue eyes moist, cheeks flushed red.

The black bodysuit hugged her graceful figure, covered by an ornate dress.

"Call me big brother."

Jiang Ce's voice carried a hint of teasing.

"B-big brother..."

Na'er called out softly, then immediately lowered her head. Even the tips of her ears were red.

"Good girl. Say it again."

"...Big brother."

Her voice was a little louder this time, but still soft and sweet.

"Very good. Good little sister."

The Venom symbiote tissue formed a hand above her head and gently ruffled her silver hair.

Na'er shivered, but didn't pull away.

The sensation was strange—as if someone were stroking her, and yet as if something were wrapping around her.

"From now on, you'll stay by my side," Jiang Ce said.

"Okay..."

Na'er obediently nodded.

She didn't know who this person was or why he had turned her into this.

But she could feel that he meant her no harm.

Besides... he was the first person to treat her so gently.

"Are you hungry?"

"Mm..."

"Come on. I'll take you to get something to eat."