Chapter 22: Yuan Ling’s Confession

“Alright, alright, see? I’m fine, so stop crying.” Du Xiner, though unaware of what had happened, still spoke softly to comfort the Holy Maiden Jingxin.

But her words felt like a knife stabbing into Jingxin’s heart, making her ache unbearably. Forcing herself to regain composure, she introduced, “This is the current Human Sovereign, Jiang Li.”

Du Xiner covered her mouth in surprise. “So this is the person that Senior Sister always talks about…”

She suddenly recalled something and gave Jingxin a knowing wink, flashing a mischievous smile. Jingxin, however, only managed a weak smile in return.

“Human Sovereign, Human Sovereign! I’ve heard you’re the strongest in the Nine Provinces, unmatched in both heaven and earth, practically on par with an Immortal! Is that true?” Du Xiner asked curiously.

Jiang Li shook his head. “I once thought I was omnipotent, but now I realize—I can neither ascend to immortality nor reverse life and death. In the end, I’m just a mere mortal.”

The atmosphere grew somewhat heavy. Jiang Li helped Jingxin up and changed the topic. “The Pure Land of the Mortal World is planning to send its Golden Core Stage cultivators down the mountain for a few years of worldly experience. What are your thoughts on this?”

Du Xiner’s eyes lit up—this meant she could return to her sect! But her excitement quickly faded. With no further progress in her cultivation, returning to the sect would only be a waste of resources. She might as well stay here.

“I… I’m fine staying here.”

Jingxin nodded. “Diligently fulfilling your duties, staying dedicated to your work, and continuing your cultivation after descending the mountain. I will report this truthfully to Daoist Nun Qingyu.”

“Eh? Why would you say it like that?” Du Xiner pouted angrily, staring at Jiang Li. “And why is the Human Sovereign meddling in our sect’s affairs?”

If the Sect Leader knew about her attitude, she’d surely commend her. This way, the talented senior sisters wouldn’t have to waste their time taking her place.

Jiang Li replied nonchalantly, “Your sect’s management is lacking. I’m just giving Daoist Nun Qingyu some advice.” Seeing that Du Xiner had more to say, he smoothly changed the subject. “Enough of that. We didn’t see Yuan Ling in Shanghe Town. Where did she go?”

“Hmm… not sure. Lately, Senior Sister Yuan Ling often leaves town for months at a time. But she always returns for the autumn harvest, which should be in the next few days.”

Since they couldn’t find Yuan Ling for now, Jiang Li and Jingxin decided to stay in Xiahe Town, keeping Du Xiner company.

Jiang Li took out his Remote Communication Talisman and called Zhang Konghu. “Konghu, head to the Southern Borders and find the Gu Clan. Investigate what level of cultivation is required to refine a Corpse Gu—one that allows the dead to move freely and remain unaware that they’re already dead.”

Hearing this, Zhang Konghu immediately grabbed his bowl of food and rushed off to the Southern Borders, ignoring the Mengjiang Emperor and Wei Emperor, who were urging him to finish his meal first.

Several days passed quickly. Du Xiner felt truly happy—having her Senior Sister Jingxin and the Human Sovereign by her side, guiding her cultivation, sharing insights, and telling stories about the Nine Provinces.

She even confided in Jiang Li about her stagnant cultivation. He simply patted her head and reassured her, “That’s normal. Cultivation takes time—there’s no need to rush. Even I had moments like this.”

But Du Xiner failed to notice the dim look in Jiang Li’s eyes.

How could a corpse continue cultivating?

“Junior Sister Xiner, we still need to check on the other towns. It’s time for us to leave.”

Jingxin’s Divine Sense had detected that Yuan Ling had finally returned. A rare flash of fury crossed her eyes—so fleeting that Du Xiner didn’t notice.

With perfect synchronization, Jingxin and Jiang Li flew to Shanghe Town, pinning the drunken Yuan Ling to the ground.

“Who dares lay a hand on me in Pure Land of the Mortal World—wait… Senior Sister Jingxin?”

At first, Yuan Ling, still emboldened by her drunkenness, was aggressive. But the moment she recognized Jingxin, she immediately cowered.

Jingxin said nothing. She grabbed Yuan Ling, dragged her into an empty room, and threw her into a corner. Her actions were completely ruthless, utterly disregarding the graceful and composed image of a Holy Maiden.

As a disciple of Pure Land of the Mortal World, Yuan Ling was naturally quite beautiful. Even after leaving the Gu Clan, she still enjoyed adorning herself with silver earrings and headpieces. Her attire was quite revealing, easily drawing the attention of men.

Now, after being manhandled by Jingxin, her silver ornaments were in disarray, her exposed clothing was torn, and she was in pain. Yet, she didn’t dare utter a single complaint.

Yuan Ling had never seen Jingxin this furious.

Jiang Li silently followed behind, letting Jingxin vent her anger.

After all, what happened here made him furious, but Jingxin was even angrier.

Two entire towns of the Pure Land of the Mortal World had become graveyards.

She saw this as her failure.

A massive failure.

“Speak! Where have you been? Why have you been gone for months?!”

“This place has nothing but a bunch of farming mortals. I went to Mengjiang Dynasty for some fun.” Yuan Ling answered honestly, then quickly tried to justify herself. “But I always return for the autumn harvest! Look, I’ve never delayed handing over the Spirit Grains!”

Jingxin felt like she was choking on fire—burning with rage, yet unable to explode.

Yes, precisely because there was never an issue with the Spirit Grains, no one ever came to check.

If there had been a problem, someone would’ve come.

Then the truth of these two towns would have been discovered sooner!

“Then why is it that not a single living person remains in Shanghe Town and Xiahe Town?!” Jingxin’s voice trembled with rage—it wasn’t just a question, it was a roar.

Yuan Ling froze. Sweat immediately beaded on her forehead.

At first, she thought Jingxin was just mad about her leaving without permission. She had assumed the matter of using corpse puppets had been covered up.

“Se-Senior Sister, what… what are you talking about…?”

“ANSWER ME!”

Jingxin’s shout was so piercing that Yuan Ling’s heart skipped a beat.

She stammered, struggling to explain, “I… I didn’t mean for it to happen! I needed Spirit Stones to enjoy myself in the Mengjiang Dynasty, so I took a little from the Spirit Grain funds… just a little… But those troublesome peasants refused to work for less, and I was so angry that I killed a few of the ringleaders…”

“Then someone started yelling about reporting me to the sect. My mind went blank, and… I killed them all. To prevent the sect from finding out, I used Corpse Gu to control their Dantians, so they could keep farming. See, Senior Sister? This way, we don’t even need to pay them Spirit Stones anymore—isn’t that great?”

What she didn’t mention was that the sect still provided Spirit Stones for buying Spirit Grains—but since the farmers were already dead, she had kept the money for herself, spending it all on luxuries in the Mengjiang Dynasty.

“What about Xiahe Town?! Du Xiner is your Junior Sister—how could you do this to her?!”

Yuan Ling, sobbing, wailed, “I had no choice! Xiahe Town was too close. I was afraid Junior Sister Xiner would figure it out, so I killed her too. And while I was at it… I killed everyone else in Xiahe Town!”

“Senior Sister, please, I beg you! Just forgive me this one time! I didn’t mean for any of this to happen!”

Jingxin coldly stated, “Do you even realize that you are already dead?”

In her and Jiang Li’s eyes, Yuan Ling was also just a corpse puppet, completely unaware of her own death.