After nine lifetimes of reincarnation, the yandere villainous heroine descends.

Sure enough, a sickening "crunching" sound soon rang out from within the blood mist, as if bones and blood were being forcibly torn and reassembled, each sound carrying a physiological chill.

With a strange sound, the blood mist suddenly contracted and dissipated, and an aura several times more terrifying than before suddenly appeared behind Gu Jian!

A blood-red wind, accompanied by a low growl, lashed out as a sharp, veiny claw, tearing through the air, slammed into Gu Jian's back.

He spun around hastily, his longsword blocking the attack. With a crisp clang, his claws struck the spine of the sword, causing the shimmering light on the blade to vibrate violently.

Gu Jian's hand went numb, and he was thrown away by the force of the blow. Not a drop of blood was on the blade, which still gleamed coldly.

When they looked up again, the old man had transformed into a terrifying monster, his body several times larger than before, his entire body covered in naked flesh, with scarlet veins twisting and turning across his flesh.

Even more terrifying, countless pairs of scarlet eyes were opening one after another from the flesh and blood, and with each pair that opened, the oppressive feeling around them intensified.

Gu Jian's brows furrowed deeply. This thing was no easy opponent, especially since he wasn't at his peak right now.

But there was no fear in his eyes; he simply turned around instinctively and looked at Gu Qingran not far away.

This glance startled him slightly; despite being attacked by the man and woman, Gu Qingran was not at all at a disadvantage.

The invisible sword intent surrounding her grew even stronger, as if it had transformed into an invisible long blade, blocking all of their attacks.

The swordplay appears gentle, yet it carries a deadly edge that strikes with deadly precision.

Her sword never gleamed, but it was precisely this invisible sword, hidden in the shadows and impossible to find, that carried the most deadly killing intent.

Seeing that she was safe and sound, Gu Jian calmed down completely. When his gaze returned to the flesh and blood monster, his eyes were filled with coldness.

The longsword in his hand seemed to be in sync with his thoughts, its cold light suddenly bursting forth, as if the starlight of an ancient, cold night had been condensed onto its blade.

He spun around and leaped out, his sword wind tearing through the air, and once again charged towards the monster.

Although the fighting here did not spread too far, the sword light that pierced the sky just now was like a thunderclap, which made Shen Shuchou, who was in the small house, struggle to support his weak body and slowly walk out while holding onto the door frame.

He gazed at the lingering sword light in the sky; its sharpness was far too fierce and domineering, something Qingran could never possess.

Moreover, the sword techniques he taught her were always about concealing one's sharpness within one's bones and keeping one's edge hidden in one's actions, never displaying such dazzling flamboyance.

Even though he wanted to rush to help, his body was so weak that he could barely take a step, and he felt utterly powerless.

But how can we keep him cooped up in the hut waiting?

Having spent four years together, he had long regarded Gu Qingran as his personal disciple, so how could he stand by and watch her fall into danger?

Shen Shuchou gritted his teeth and moved forward. Just as he stepped into the shadows of the courtyard, he suddenly heard soft footsteps coming from the darkness ahead.

Unhurried yet seemingly treading on the tip of one's heart, a figure then slowly entered his line of sight, stepping on the shards of light scattered from the sky.

Upon seeing the person's appearance, Shen Shuchou suppressed all his emotions, turned around without a word, and slowly lay back down on the rocking chair in the courtyard, his eyelids lightly closed, as if waiting for something.

The figure remained silent, stepping through the shards of light on the ground, and walked step by step to the rocking chair, where it stood quietly.

The moonlight outlined her exquisite features, and the coldness around her seemed to freeze into frost. Only the gaze that fell on Shen Shuchou's aged face and white hair at his temples flashed with a hint of complexity, as quick as snowflakes falling from the eaves, and was instantly covered by a deeper chill.

"have not seen you for a long time."

She spoke, her voice clear and crisp like a cold spring gurgling over stones, exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

He slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips, but his tone was as cold as frost: "It has been a long time, but you should know that I never wanted to see you."

Standing before him was Su Jue Luo from four years ago.

Four years have passed without leaving a trace on her face; only her aura is colder than before.

Su Jue Luo didn't take Shen Shu Chou's aloofness to heart at all. Since she had come with a clear purpose, there was no need to waste time on empty words.

She looked down at the person in the rocking chair, her beautiful eyes devoid of any emotion, and went straight to the point: "Cha Cha... she's dying."

Upon hearing the name "Cha Cha," Shen Shuchou's face remained expressionless, though a complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

Seeing his expression, Su Jueluo didn't get angry like she had four years ago. Her tone was as calm as if she were talking about something unrelated to herself: "Do you still remember the marriage proposal I made to you on behalf of Chacha four years ago?"

Shen Shuchou's eyelids twitched slightly, his Adam's apple bobbed, but he remained silent.

"It's been four years."

Su Jue Luo's voice grew even colder, each word clear and distinct: "You should accept this marriage contract."

"You called me here just for this?"

Shen Shuchou finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse.

Su Jue Luo met his gaze and said calmly, "That's only one reason. The most important thing is for someone else."

"Who? That girl, Gu Qingran?"

Shen Shuchou guessed it instantly.

Su Jue Luo was able to find this remote place, so the problem must lie with Qing Ran. Since Qing Ran saw her that day, there's no reason she couldn't see Qing Ran.

It seems they had already placed tracking methods on Qingran, and only now have they found her by following the clues.

Upon hearing this, Su Jueluo's lips curled into a faint, sarcastic smile, as cold as shattered ice: "The swordsmanship you taught her is indeed excellent, but it's not her. So why pretend to be deaf and dumb?"

She leaned forward slightly, her chill almost tangible, and every word she spoke was ruthless: "Four years ago, she killed my father. By all accounts, I must avenge this blood feud. I'm here not only to have you fulfill the marriage agreement from four years ago, but also for her sake."

For the past four years, she has been tracking down Shen Shuchou and searching for Tantai Chigu, but she has never been able to find even the slightest clue.

It wasn't until he caught a glimpse of Gu Qingran that day that he secretly left a trace of his aura on her, and only by following this faint trace did he find this desolate place.

Upon arriving here, she did not detect any trace of Tantai Chigu's presence, but instead saw Shen Shuchou, who looked much older than he had four years ago and no longer possessed his former handsome appearance.

After listening, Shen Shuchou's tone remained calm and indifferent: "I can't even find her whereabouts, so what use would it be for you to arrest me?"

"It's alright."

Su Jue Luo's gaze fell on his neck, as cold as if she were looking at an inanimate object.

"I've heard that the blood flowing in your veins is deeply connected to her. If I detain you and use some tricks on you, do you think she won't come knocking on my door?"

These words made Shen Shuchou see through her scheme completely.

He abruptly sat up in the rocking chair, his withered fingers gripping the armrests tightly, his gaze fixed on Su Jue Luo.

Su Jue Luo did not back down; his cold eyes were filled with a stern confrontation, refusing to yield an inch.

Shen Shuchou felt a surge of murderous intent, but his emaciated body made it difficult even to lift his hand, so he could only suppress this powerless rage.

He suddenly twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a malicious smile, determined to say something to stab her: "Compared to Cha Cha, the person who truly moved me back then was you."

A rare moment of surprise flashed across Su Jueluo's exquisite face, and the coldness in his eyes suddenly faltered, as if he hadn't expected him to say such a thing.

Before she could react, Shen Shuchou's voice rang out again, carrying a deliberately slowed, flirtatious tone, like a fine needle slowly piercing her sensitive spot: "After all, you're more open-minded than Chacha. That time, your hands were so soft... I really liked them."

These words struck like a thunderbolt, instantly shattering Su Jue Luo's composure.

She suddenly realized which night he was referring to, and a chill ran through her body. Her hand moved so fast it was almost a blur, and she gripped Shen Shuchou's throat tightly.

The immense force tightened instantly, and Shen Shuchou's face visibly turned from pale to bluish-purple. His breathing became rapid, and his chest heaved violently.

"You scoundrel! You were pretending to be asleep that night after all!"

Su Jue Luo's gaze was like a cold blade pressed against Shen Shu Chou's face.

"Heh...so what if it is?"

Shen Shuchou forced a smile and deliberately used a flirtatious tone to seduce her.

"I am right in front of you right now, and if you want to do it again... I will not refuse."

He had said this to disgust her, but as soon as he finished speaking, he froze.

Just as a feeling of regret arose in his heart, he saw that Su Jue Luo in front of him had actually reached out that hand.

With a slight pressure from my fingertips, a subtle pain mixed with an unfamiliar numbness instantly spread throughout my limbs.

Su Jue Luo leaned closer, her cool lips brushing against his reddened earlobe, her warm breath carrying her sticky words.

She spoke slowly and deliberately, each word reaching his ears: "You're right, what harm is there in doing it again..."

"It's just a pity that it's smaller than it was four years ago, and it doesn't suit my taste as well as it used to, so I don't like it very much."

Shen Shuchou: "..."