Chapter 272: Well-Intentioned Deception

Chu Liangyu suddenly felt torn between anger and amusement. In an instant, the stifling frustration in her heart was dispelled by the snake’s cowardly appearance.

“You really are…”

Chu Liangyu wanted to retort but didn’t know what to say. She just turned and walked outside. As for the people left in the room, she didn’t finish them off.

The fact that the remaining people didn’t rush out spoke volumes. It showed they had little affection for the Female Snake Demon; they only lusted after her body.

As for the black python from before, perhaps there had been some genuine feelings there. But so what? She had already killed it.

“This is called being pragmatic. You don’t have to praise me, I’ll get embarrassed.”

As she spoke, her head rubbed against Chu Liangyu’s wrist. The cool, smooth sensation was surprisingly novel.

Chu Liangyu ignored her and soon rendezvoused with Lou Sang.

“That was fast!”

“This one’s a coward. The moment she sensed she couldn’t win, she gave up.”

Chu Liangyu lifted her wrist, motioning for him to look at the little red snake.

“Alright then. What are you planning to do now?”

“I’ll find Elder Yu after I’ve handled things here.”

After all, she had too much on her plate right now. She really couldn’t get away to take the snake back just yet.

“Looks like you’re making quick progress. For now, she’s the only one we’ve found who came over from the Cultivation World. Since she’s been caught, I’ll go check if we missed any others.”

Lou Sang left. Chu Liangyu lingered for a moment before flying off in another direction.

Jinling was still unaware of the situation here, and she didn’t know where he had fled with the troops. She had to find them now.

Following their tracks, it didn’t take long for Chu Liangyu to find them deep in the mountains, fifty li from her previous location.

They were all ashen-faced, leaning against the trees behind them. It was unclear how long they had been there.

“Who’s there!”

Suddenly, a guard’s shout rang out. The troops, who had just been showing their exhaustion, instantly became alert and looked toward the sound.

“It’s me.”

Chu Liangyu’s figure appeared. Upon seeing her, everyone looked as if they’d seen their savior. Faintly, tears seemed to well up in their eyes.

Chu Liangyu waved her hand, her tone calm and devoid of blame as she comforted them. “Alright, it was just one defeat. It’s no big deal. I’ll lead you to settle the score.”

“The Chief is mighty!”

“The Chief is mighty!”

Chu Liangyu’s arrival was like a calming presence for them. It dispelled their confusion and fear. It was as if with her there, nothing was impossible.

Hearing the commotion, Zhao Zeming came out of a tent. His eyes lit up when he saw Chu Liangyu. “Chief, thank goodness you’re here! Please, come take a look at Team Leader Jin’s injuries. He’s been unconscious ever since he was wounded.”

“Alright.”

Chu Liangyu agreed and strode toward the tent. The moment she entered, the pungent stench of blood assaulted her nostrils.

Her steps faltered for a moment, but then she continued toward Jinling on the bed as if nothing was wrong. He was currently pale as a sheet, his breath so faint it was barely there. At first glance, he didn’t look like a living person at all.

Chu Liangyu popped an elixir into his mouth. When she found the effect was minimal, she gave him four or five more in succession. She only stopped when she saw it was working. She also cast one Rejuvenation Technique after another until some color finally returned to Jinling’s face.

Once his breathing returned to normal, Jinling showed signs of waking. Chu Liangyu sat quietly by the bed, waiting. While she was at it, she cast a Dust Cleaning Skill on him.

“Female Master.”

Jinling’s voice was still weak, but he looked much better than before.

“How are you feeling now?”

“I’m fine now. It’s just, the task you gave me… I…”

Chu Liangyu shook her head, cutting him off. “If we fail, we just try again. You don’t need to blame yourself.”

“I’ve checked your injuries. You’ll be fine after a day of rest. Once you’ve recovered, I’ll join you in subjugating the tribes here in the Southern Barbarian Land.”

“Yes.”

Jinling agreed, his face still pale. After a long moment, he hesitated before speaking. “Female Master, Yu He and Xiong Xianhui… they’re dead.”

As the matter was brought up again, Chu Liangyu also felt her heart grow heavy. Thinking of the main culprit, she subconsciously glanced at the little red snake on her wrist.

Sensing her killing intent, the little snake went silent and still, playing dead.

If not for Elder Yu’s sake, she wouldn’t be letting this Snake Demon off so easily.

There was no helping it. She had to return the snake eventually. If the Snake Demon was in too miserable a state, it would be a slap in the face to Elder Yu. Moreover, the security breach had been on their side this time; the Cultivation World wasn’t the one at fault.

“I already know. I’ve found a place and buried their bodies. When the cubs get back, if they want to see them, have them come find me.”

‘The ones most heartbroken by this will be their cubs. But at least they have the skills to survive. They can live well enough, even without their Beast Fathers.’

“Mm, I understand, Female Master. Did you take care of that Snake Demon?”

Chu Liangyu fell silent for a moment, then chose to hide the truth. “That Snake Demon wasn’t from this world. So, I killed it.”

“That’s good. At least they’ve been avenged.”

Chu Liangyu wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but as they spoke of this, the little snake on her wrist twitched.

“You get some rest. I’m going to go check on the others’ injuries.”

After telling him to rest, Chu Liangyu left the tent. Zhao Zeming was waiting quietly by the entrance.

“Chief.”

“He’s fine now. By the way, I see everyone’s injuries are quite serious. Why aren’t you using medicine? Did you run out?”

Zhao Zeming nodded. “We had no choice. We had already used up half our supply earlier on. At our previous rate, we would have had enough to last. But then a Snake Beastman appeared out of nowhere.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Chu Liangyu walked into the middle of the wounded. She began to form hand seals again, this time for the Spring Rejuvenation Technique, which restored injuries. However, the speed of her seals was extremely slow this time. Correspondingly, a soft green glow began to spread outward from her as the center.

Anyone touched by the light instantly felt their bodies lighten. Even their muddled minds seemed to clear, as if the clouds had parted to reveal a clear sky.

Of course, the benefits didn’t stop there. The gruesome, bone-deep gashes on their bodies were also healing at an extremely rapid rate.

Using these Spells over such a large area was a significant drain on Chu Liangyu, but thankfully, it was still within a range she could handle.

“Chief!”

“Holy crap, the Chief is mighty! To think she has this kind of power!”

“No kidding, my wounds healed in an instant! This is amazing!”

Seeing that they had more or less recovered, Chu Liangyu stopped forming the hand seals.