Chapter 20

As Jiang Ce gave the order, a group of people entered from the doorway.

These were the Duke's Mansion's subordinates.

At this moment, they were completely controlled by Yan Lingji's innate divine ability, Heavenly Illusion.

Their consciousness was trapped in a fabricated illusion, their memories altered.

Now, they were a group of obedient puppets.

The puppets walked forward expressionlessly and picked up the smelly socks the nobles had taken off from the ground.

One puppet pried open Xue Lingshan's mouth and stuffed the sock in forcefully.

Xue Lingshan wanted to shout but couldn't make a sound.

Only a muffled whimper escaped his throat.

The other puppets followed suit.

Marquis, Earl, Viscount, Baron, not a single one was spared.

More than a dozen mouths were all gagged.

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

Blood flowed down the wall, drop by drop, onto the floor.

Body heat was draining.

The body was growing cold.

Terror was amplifying.

"Compared to those suffering civilians, the torment you are enduring is too lenient."

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

"Then flay them alive, one by one, and brand them with hot irons."

Jiang Ce commanded.

Yan Lingji's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty has a good idea. This is not an act of illegal punishment, but an act of justice on behalf of heaven."

The puppets began to carry out the orders.

A Marquis watched helplessly as a puppet picked up a red-hot iron bar and approached him.

He wanted to struggle, but the spear pinning him prevented any movement.

He wanted to shout, but his mouth was gagged.

The moment the iron bar touched his skin, a burnt, foul smell filled the air.

The Marquis's body convulsed violently, a beast-like groan escaping his throat.

Another Earl had his first piece of flesh gouged out by a puppet's dagger.

Blood beads slid down his skin.

His eyes were wide, almost splitting open.

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

Yan Lingji watched all this, her expression calm, a slight smile even on her lips.

"Take your time, no rush."

The group left the conference hall and entered the Duke's Mansion's main hall.

Jiang Ce, controlling Na'er's body, sat on the main seat.

He tapped the armrest—pure gold, carved with intricate patterns.

"These nobles really are fat and bloated from their indulgence."

"The seats are made of gold; sitting on them is truly disgusting."

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

Her spiritual power probed inside, revealing piles of Gold Soul Coins, jewels, land deeds, as well as secret correspondence from the Dark Blood Alliance, and profit-sharing ledgers from the Black Cloud Chamber of Commerce.

"Your Majesty, this is enough for us to buy half the city district in Heaven Dou City."

"Keep it safe."

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

"The Black Cloud Chamber of Commerce is on the west street of Heaven Dou City. Its president is Black Cloud Crane, with three Soul Emperor guards under him."

"Tomorrow, we'll take them down."

Yan Lingji licked her lips: "More killing to be done."

"We'll deal with it tomorrow. Rest well tonight."

"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will attend to you."

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

Fox ears sprouted from her hair, and nine snow-white tails emerged from behind her waist.

Xiaomeng frowned as she watched these three women instantly transform into their fox-spirit forms.

She turned to leave.

As she pivoted, she locked eyes with a pair of azure-blue pupils.

Yan Lingji had appeared before her at some point, her eyes flashing with a bright light.

Xiaomeng felt her head grow heavy and dizzy.

Yan Lingji reached out to steady her.

"You—"

Xiaomeng tried to speak, but the moment her mouth opened, a bowl of gelatinous liquid was shoved against her lips.

"Yan Lingji..."

Xiaomeng choked as she swallowed several mouthfuls.

Once it reached her stomach, a surge of heat exploded from her dantian, rapidly spreading to her limbs and bones.

Her skin began to flush.

Looking around, she saw the other two Yan Lingjis had already been hoisted into the air by pitch-black tentacles.

The medicinal power surged wildly within Xiaomeng's body.

"Refine your body well."

Xiaomeng gritted her teeth against the burning sensation throughout her body and began to circulate her Daoist cultivation technique.

Her mental cultivation method washed over her meridians again and again, refining the medicinal power bit by bit.

Yan Lingji watched her struggle to hold on, a charming smile playing on her lips.

Her nine tails swayed gently.

The next morning.

Inside a luxurious palace, sunlight filtered through the gauze curtains.

Na'er slowly opened her eyes.

An unfamiliar ceiling.

It was carved with golden flowers and hung with crystal chandeliers.

"Where... am I?"

She touched her dizzy head and slowly sat up.

The silk quilt slid down, revealing the black silk bodysuit she was wearing.

She looked down at herself, and her face turned bright red.

Why was she wearing something like this?

Last night... what happened?

She only remembered fainting in the small thicket.

Then... it felt like someone touched her face.

Someone had dressed her.

Someone had whispered in her ear.

She instinctively hugged her arms, her cheeks burning.

Just then, her body suddenly moved against her will.

It wasn't her moving.

It was—the clothing moving.

Pitch-black Venom tissue extended from the garment, gently writhing along her arm.

"Awake?"

A strange voice echoed in her mind.

It was deep, with a hint of laziness.

Na'er was startled and shrank back.

"Who... who are you?"

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

"Mas... master?"

Na'er was bewildered.

"What you are wearing is my body. Your body now belongs to me."

The Venom tissue tightened slightly, the black silk bodysuit clinging to her skin and outlining every inch of her curves.

Na'er felt that sensation of being "wrapped," her entire body stiffening.

"Don't, don't..."

She wanted to reach out and pull at it, but her hand stopped halfway—she didn't dare.

"Scared?"

Jiang Ce's voice carried a hint of a smile.

"No... it's not that..."

Na'er kept her head lowered, her voice as small as a mosquito's.

"Look up. Look at me."

Na'er hesitated for a moment before slowly raising her head.

There was a bronze mirror opposite them.

The mirror reflected her appearance—her silver-white hair draped loose, her blue eyes moist, and her cheeks flushed crimson.

The black silk bodysuit encased her graceful figure, with a magnificent dress draped over the top.

"Call me Brother."

Jiang Ce's voice held a playful tone.

"Br... Brother..."

Na'er whispered the word, immediately lowering her head again, the tips of her ears turning red.

"Good girl. Call me again."

"...Brother."

The voice was a little louder than before, but still soft and sweet.

"Wonderful. Good little sister."

The Venom tissue formed a hand above her head, gently stroking her silver hair.

Na'er shuddered, but she did not pull away.

The feeling was strange—it was like being caressed, yet also like being enveloped by something.

"From now on, you will follow me."

Jiang Ce said.

"Okay..."

Na'er nodded obediently.

She did not know who this person was, nor did she know why he had turned her into this.

But she could feel it—he held no malice.

And... he was the first person to ever be this gentle with her.

"Are you hungry?"

"Mm..."

"Let's go. I'll take you to get something to eat."