TGCFNM -Chapter 276 Bai Zhuoxing Dies

Chu Ling calculated the timing in her mind and reminded in a low voice, “Master Wan, we’re short on time. We can only launch a sneak attack.”

Wan Sanjin gritted his teeth and nodded. “There’s a high chance this man is the murderer who killed Su He’s entire family. We must avenge him.”

Chu Ling thought again of the pitiful little mute girl. She tossed away the porcelain bottle, exchanged a glance with Wan Sanjin, and charged forward once more.

Gold and jewels were knocked aside by the clash of combat, even the bone frame collapsing and scattering across the floor.

The small shrine clearly put the larger group at a disadvantage. Xie Yubai and the old man quickly discussed and decided to join forces, ordering the others to retreat at the same time.

Yuan Luo found himself unable to intervene for the moment and simply instructed his disciples to start moving the gold.

Chu Ling shot him a glance. “Greed always comes at a price.” Without caring whether he listened, she rushed forward again.

Bai Su remained by Chu Ling’s side, gripping her hand tightly. “Kill Bai Zhuoxing first, then kill Gui Wushuang.”

Chu Ling gave a slight nod, seized an opening, and thrust her hairpin straight into Bai Zhuoxing’s arm.

With a cry of pain, Bai Zhuoxing retaliated immediately. Chu Ling twisted nimbly to evade, and Wan Sanjin suddenly leapt out, raising his broadsword and slashing down.

A spray of blood arced through the air. Bai Zhuoxing’s eyes turned crimson as he struck out with a palm attack.

Wan Sanjin spat out a mouthful of blood and retreated swiftly. Chu Ling immediately followed up, her sleeve-hidden arrows firing in rapid succession, giving Bai Zhuoxing no chance to catch his breath.

Seizing the moment, Xie Yubai and the old man attacked from behind. The two joined forces and struck out with a palm together.

Caught off guard, Bai Zhuoxing spewed a large mouthful of blood, his body visibly weakening.

Under the combined assault, Bai Zhuoxing sustained injury after injury. His rage reached its peak. With a sinister grin, he tore off his belt. Nearly ten porcelain bottles fell to the ground and shattered, releasing dozens of grotesque, writhing gu worms.

Bai Su cried out, “Not good! Fall back—don’t let the worms get near you!”

Chu Ling immediately warned, “Don’t let them get close! They can burrow into the human body!”

Everyone scattered and retreated at once.

Just as Bai Zhuoxing was about to sneer in mockery, he suddenly clutched his wounded left arm. His face turned deathly pale. Then he lifted his head, staring at Chu Ling with hatred.

A flash of joy crossed Chu Ling’s heart—the poison had taken effect.

At that moment, the ground trembled again.

Ling Da suddenly grabbed Chu Ling’s arm and shouted, “Snow Ghost, go! The divine statue is about to appear—the shrine is collapsing!”

Before Chu Ling could process what statue he meant, the pale-faced Gui Wushuang appeared like a specter, his hands curved into claws as he lunged straight for Bai Zhuoxing’s throat.

Meanwhile, where the gold and jewels had been piled up, a massive collapse began. A faint yet enormous shadow slowly emerged.

Everyone instinctively held their breath and looked on. A gigantic statue gradually appeared before them—its upper body human, its lower body a beast’s tail. Its dark bluish-green face bore drooping eyes and sharp fangs protruding from its mouth, like a man-eating fiend.

“What is that?” Wan Sanjin could not help asking.

Remembering Ling Da’s earlier instructions, Chu Ling quickly looked up at the statue. One of its hands supported the heavens, while the other pointed downward.

But downward was certainly not the direction of escape.

At that moment, the ground shook even more violently. The statue began to crumble, enormous stones crashing down.

Ling Da shouted, “Snow Ghost, it’s time for you to go!”

Just then, a miserable scream rang out. Bai Zhuoxing knelt halfway to the ground, blood pouring from the hole in his neck, while blackened blood seeped from his injured left arm.

The gu worms on the ground, deprived of Bai Zhuoxing’s life force, gradually grew sluggish, lying motionless across the stone floor.

At that moment, the statue suddenly moved. The finger that had been pointing downward slowly lifted and pointed in a different direction.

Chu Ling instinctively turned her head to look.

“My lord, what’s wrong?” Yuan Luo asked.

Chu Ling’s expression darkened. “Retreat immediately. This place is about to sink.”

Everyone’s faces changed in shock. Someone even shouted, “Grab whatever you can, let’s go—”

“Grab what? The entire place is about to collapse. If it sinks, you’ll end up just like that frozen corpse,” Chu Ling snapped, then turned to look at Gui Wushuang.

Gui Wushuang shoved Bai Zhuoxing to the ground. His silver hair hung loose, matted with blood, sticking together in tangled strands. As he lifted his head, the blood-soaked locks brushed against his face, leaving streaks of red across that beautiful countenance.

“Lord Chu… if this vessel of mine leaves this place, will I become like him?” Gui Wushuang asked in a trembling voice.

Chu Ling pressed her lips together tightly and nodded heavily.

So if he left… to prevent future trouble, she would have to kill him herself.

Gui Wushuang suddenly curved his lips into a faint smile. Even in his utter disarray, his beauty was undiminished. But the laughter that followed was filled with sorrow, and the light gradually faded from his stunning eyes.

“Then let me sink with him,” Gui Wushuang said.

Chu Ling tossed the bloodstained hairpin in her hand toward him. “If you want it to be quick, use this.” With that, she turned and left without looking back.

As she passed Ling Da’s coffin, Chu Ling threw the pouch containing the elixir of immortality inside and gave Ling Da’s ghost one final glance.

Ling Da smiled and waved. “Snow Ghost, I’m going to find my clan now.”

Chu Ling smiled faintly and silently mouthed two words: Goodbye.

“Lord Chu!” Gui Wushuang suddenly shouted. “Thank you!”

When Chu Ling turned back, she saw Xie Yubai restraining Yuan Luo tightly, refusing to let him step forward. Some people were even still picking up gold and jewels, unwilling to leave.

Gui Wushuang cast Chu Ling a pleading look.

Her eyes reddened as she shouted, “Yuan Luo! As a vessel, he would suffer endless torment before dying. And even if he doesn’t die here, once outside, he’ll be taken by other Gu cultivators and used as feed for their worms. His life has already reached its end at this very moment. It’s better to let him leave with dignity.”

Tears streamed down Yuan Luo’s face as he looked at Gui Wushuang in anguish.

Gui Wushuang smiled gently and nodded seriously. “It’s true.”

Yuan Luo shut his eyes, suppressing his pain, then abruptly turned away. “Disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, hear my command! Follow Lord Chu and withdraw immediately. The Sect Master and I will bring up the rear.”

Xie Yubai let out a deep sigh and gave the order, “Follow Lord Chu and leave.”

With a wave of her hand, Chu Ling led the way in the direction indicated by the statue, running desperately toward the exit. Those who had come to their senses hurried after her.

The old man still hesitated, wanting to take some medicinal herbs. But just as he wavered, the statue shattered into pieces. A massive crack split across the ground, violent tremors shook the hall, and the walls began to fracture.

The old man paled in terror. “Quick! Run for your lives!”

Xie Yubai shouted loudly, “Run! Hurry! Follow the people in front!”

As everyone evacuated the temple and fled outside, Ling Da’s form gradually grew fainter and more transparent.

In the center of the collapsing temple, Gui Wushuang lowered his head to look at Bai Zhuoxing, who was still gasping and struggling. Without hesitation, he drove the hairpin down, ending his life completely.

“Father, I wasn’t taken back and raised with loving care. From the very first day I was picked up, I knew what I was… and what I was destined to do.”

“The Palace Master ordered me to kill you at any cost—not to rid the martial world of a scourge, but because she resented why you chose my mother instead of her. She let love turn into hatred, that’s all.”

With that, Gui Wushuang let out a desolate laugh. Helpless, he collapsed to the ground, watching the cracks spread wider across the floor, watching strands of cold air seep upward, watching the entire temple crumble…

Then he slowly closed his eyes.