After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

She had known for a long time that the emperor had been plotting this day, but she never expected it to come so soon.

Seeing that Yin Huaixi's expression was off, the woman in black immediately pressed, "How many Miao soldiers are blocking the road? And what is the situation with His Majesty's army?"

His Highness sent her here with the first order, which was also the order she had to carry out first: to protect Yin Huaixi.

As for the others, they are secondary.

"We don't know the specifics... My lord... I'm afraid we'll perish here before we even reach the Miao King's palace!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than soldiers in front of him, their armor and weapons scattered, ran back. One soldier hadn't even gripped his spear; he was frantically digging into his collar, his face filled with terror.

"There are bugs...there are bugs!"

"So many...so many, so many bugs!"

"It itches...it's killing me with its itchiness!"

The hurried footsteps of the soldiers gradually faded away, replaced by the dense, swarming sounds of insects crawling all over the mountains and fields.

The sound sent chills down my spine.

I couldn't help but swallow hard, sighing that my days were numbered.

Even the usually composed woman in black changed her expression at this moment.

You should know that before they stepped into the Miao territory, His Highness was worried that something might happen to them, so he gave each of them a sachet to wear, so that the soldiers could be protected from the poisonous insects of the Miao region.

So that they won't die an unexplained death before even reaching the edge, turning into a pool of blood.

Their successful deep penetration into the heart of Miao territory was indeed thanks to His Highness's foresight; otherwise... they would have become food for these insects and nutrients for their eggs the moment they stepped into Miao territory.

"Miss Yin, there is danger ahead. Perhaps we should retreat first."

"We'll go to rescue them once the situation becomes clearer."

After much deliberation, the woman in black still wanted to persuade Yin Huaixi to retreat.

Faced with soldiers who were filled with fear.

Yin Huaixi reached out and took out the Gu King that Sang Che had given her.

This is a Chi You divine Gu that is still in its larval stage and has not yet fully developed.

However, its remaining divine power is enough to terrify countless Gu worms, preventing them from approaching.

The delicate, small, round vessel was taken out just like that, and before the woman in black could even be surprised, the overwhelming rustling sound suddenly stopped.

As if they were afraid of something terrifying, they gradually disappeared, never even showing their faces.

"A-Che, don't be afraid."

"I will come to save you."

"I will take you home."

Silver chains coiled around Yin Huaixi's palms as she held aloft the "Gu King" left to her by Sang Che, becoming the new Holy Maiden of this land.

The Miao people were terrified at the sight of it, and even the Gu worms lost their courage at the sight of it.

"What is that...?"

"It can suppress these terrifying insects..."

The poisonous insects on their bodies stopped frantically embedding themselves in their flesh, and the soldiers, who had lost their armor and weapons, finally came to their senses and regained consciousness.

"If you can sense your master's presence, then show me a path so I can save her."

"I will not let...Ache experience the nightmare of being captured and taken back to the palace again."

The royal family's obsession with Chi You's divine blood was not only due to the Miao region, but also because Chi You's divine blood could bring longevity.

By simply consuming Chi You's blood daily, one can achieve immortality and rejuvenation.

Good health.

This rumor has persisted to this day, attracting countless emperors who initially did not know that the blood of Chi You was of pure purity.

They then indiscriminately killed Miao people.

This has led to a deepening divide between the Miao and Han ethnic groups.

What other purpose could the emperor have in capturing Sang Che? He wanted immortality and for Sang Che to become his blood slave.

The tighter Yin Huaixi gripped the delicate silver chain, the more heartbroken she felt for Sang Che, who had been locked up since childhood.

What they cherished was taken away and they were tortured to death.

Those she trusted abandoned her, sacrificing her freedom and dignity in exchange for a mere existence.

That's why, whenever Sang Che stayed close to her, he would repeatedly ask, "Huai Xi, do you love me?"

Will you always love me?

"You'll never leave me alone, right?"

The chain he held trembled slightly, dancing in the wind.

Yin Huaixi felt a soreness in her nasal cavity.

At first, she only found Sang Che annoying.

Only now do I suddenly understand why she made endless demands.

Because she lacks these things.

She desperately needs these things.

...

Soldiers clad in heavy black iron armor surrounded the Miao king's palace, holding long spears.

His expression was solemn.

"Listen up, you people inside! You're trapped like rats in a barrel. If you know what's good for you, surrender!"

"Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!"

"I have come by order of the Emperor to command you two to cease hostilities and prevent further chaos in the land!"

The general, wearing a helmet with a red tassel fluttering, looked at the Miao soldiers guarding the palace with scimitars in their hands, but completely disregarded them.

It's like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—utterly futile.

If His Majesty hadn't given the order to capture this Miao holy maiden alive, he would have already commanded his soldiers to rush forward.

This tiny Miao region could hardly cause him so much worry.

Upon hearing that the Han people were right outside the palace, the Miao king, who had been so confident of victory, was shocked. He had not expected the Han people to attack so quickly and disregard his defenses.

Sang Che, on the other hand, remained relatively calm.

She had long anticipated that the imperial army would attack, and the reason she had to get involved today was because she wanted to rescue the priest.

"Sang Che..."

"Your Majesty, they want Sang Che!"

Lu Panshan shouted, already able to see through the court's scheme.

He said it on purpose, hoping that the Miao king would push Sang Che out in exchange for the Miao region no longer having to endure the chaos of the iron hooves.

Upon hearing this, the Miao King realized what was happening. He looked intently at Sang Che and began to make plans in his mind.

Yes, emperors throughout history have repeatedly sent people to infiltrate Miao territory, all for the legendary blood of Chi You, who is said to grant immortality, and for the "Gu King," who is said to be able to bewitch all living beings.

These points alone are enough to excite people.

"Men, come with me... and seize the Holy Maiden!"

"The Holy Maiden is dedicating herself to the Miao region today, we..."

The Miao soldiers below were restless and ready to attack. Before the Miao King could even get close to Sang Che, Lü Panshan took advantage of the chaos and used the silver needle in his hand to stab Sang Che's neck hard!

The slender silver needles were bought back by Lü Panshan at a high price; the poison on them is incurable.

It causes unbearable pain, making one wish they were dead, yet one is somehow unable to die.

After being humiliated by Sang Che, Lü Panshan tossed and turned, unable to sleep, so he came up with this idea.

He just wanted to make Sang Che unhappy!

Straining her body to its limit, Sang Che had initially been confident in dealing with Lü Panshan's sudden attack. She believed it was just a small silver needle, and even if it was poisoned, she could cure it...

However, as the burning sensation spread throughout Sang Che's body, he realized that... this poison was no ordinary substance.

It was the work of a ruthless character.

His eyes went from pitch black to misty, and the hotter his body burned by the flames, the clearer Sang Che could see...

Bright red blood flowed from her nose. Sang Che could no longer hold on and collapsed to the ground with a thud. She seemed to faintly hear Yin Huaixi's voice in her ears.

Is this... a hallucination of a dying person?

Unexpectedly, she ultimately let Huaixi down.

They really deserve to die.