Can't a girl be a traitor like Cao Cao?

That's to target us, to prevent us from uncovering the true truth of the matter.

Upon hearing Feng Lingqiu's assessment, Chi Junlin nodded slightly, agreeing that there was some truth to what she said.

However, she still had some questions.

That is, the existence of Qiaonu herself was too innocent.

Chi Junlin simply couldn't reconcile her with the ruthless act of someone who, in order to conceal the truth, didn't hesitate to kill a large number of her close associates.

This almost fragmented mental state is fused together in one person.

It was impossible for Chi Junlin not to notice.

Thinking of this, Chi Junlin also expressed his doubts to Feng Lingqiu.

Feng Lingqiu also showed a hesitant expression at this moment.

She continued, "Actually... I also suspect that the Qiaonu who attacked me back then was not the same person as the original Qiaonu."

"What do you mean?"

Chi Junlin was somewhat puzzled.

Feng Lingqiu then showed a thoughtful expression and said, "Actually... when I first arrived in the Xiangnan area, I heard a local legend about a strange creature called the Falling Flower Cave Girl."

Chi Junlin narrowed his eyes but remained silent.

Feng Lingqiu continued, “The Miao people of Hunan have a simple and honest folk culture, and the belief in gods and monsters is almost integrated into their entire living environment. Here, you can say that there are gods everywhere: tree gods, cave gods, flower gods, Gu gods... foxes, weasels, white foxes, willows, lions, tigers, leopards, wolves... the belief in gods is everywhere.”

The so-called "Falling Flower Cave Maidens" are young, beautiful, unmarried women who, when they happen to pass by strange places like the Wind Cave, will have their souls stolen, their faces turning as beautiful as peach blossoms, their eyes shining brightly, and their bodies emitting a peculiar fragrance. They become unable to hear or see anything.

His heart was filled with thoughts of being loved by the gods.

This is what the locals say: she was chosen by the cave god and became the Fallen Flower Cave Maiden.

If a family produces such a woman, then the woman must be sent to the cave within seven days for marriage.

If this is not done, this family will surely suffer disaster and die a miserable death seven days later.

Qiao Nu was actually a former woman from Luohua Cave.

I had previously inquired with other people in the Miao village, and Qiaonu said that she became the Grass Demon Woman after the Fallen Flower Cave Girl!

Hearing Feng Lingqiu say this, Chi Junlin was somewhat puzzled.

So he asked, "Didn't you say that the Flower Cave Maiden was to be sent to the cave to marry the cave god? How come she was able to come back after being sent there?"

"That's the weird part of the whole thing."

Feng Lingqiu nodded and said, "I've heard that many cave girls have disappeared after being sent to the cave. But Qiaonu, after being sent there, returned safely."

Since her return, no woman in the surrounding area has been bewitched by the cave deity.

When asked, Qiaonu did not know either.

However, every now and then, she would experience periods of memory loss.

She might have been in a Miao village just moments before, but in the next second, several days could have passed and she would be in the wilderness again.

The Miao people say that this is because the cave god is extremely pleased with the cave girl, Qiaonu, and has allowed her to return to visit her family.

The period during which she lost her memory was when the cave god summoned her back to serve him in bed.

So I think that Qiaonu may not really know when she had committed evil deeds.

The things she did might have been done by some other person inside her.

Upon hearing Feng Lingqiu's words, Chi Junlin immediately frowned.

As she listened to Feng Lingqiu's description, she felt that the whole thing seemed absurd.

But upon closer reflection, it's not impossible.

After all, the Ghost Scholar and Ghost Painting Master, two of the Eight Eccentrics, were in such a state of being one and the same.

That leaves only one question.

Who exactly is the "person" hidden inside Qiaonu's body, and what role does it play?

Thinking of this, Chi Junlin almost blurted out a name.

"The Ghost Fortune Teller".

Feng Lingqiu had never heard of this person before, so he paused for a moment and asked, "Who is the Ghost Fortune Teller?"

"The Ghost Fortune Teller... was the master of the Eight Eccentrics of Hunan. I heard the Ghost Doctor mention this person when I was on my way to the Ghost Doctor's residence in the Ghost Tower..."

After saying that, Chi Junlin recounted everything he knew about the Ghost Diviner to Feng Lingqiu.

This includes the numerous inhumane experiments and atrocities committed by the fortune teller in his pursuit of immortality against his apprentice.

"...I'm afraid that the missing cave women you mentioned are just stories fabricated by the ghost fortune teller to deceive and abduct experimental subjects."

As for why no more cave girls appeared after Qiaonu...

Because his experiment was a success...

He doesn't need any more victims.

Chi Junlin fell silent after speaking.

Feng Lingqiu also showed a surprised expression, muttering to himself, "Is...it really possible? To transfer one's soul into another person's body..."

Chi Junlin frowned and said, "Although I don't want to think this way either, considering all the clues, this is actually the most reasonable conclusion..."

Otherwise, how can we explain why Qiaonu, a Miao girl, is so interested in Han culture for no apparent reason?

"And how could she, with so many schemes and plots lurking in her mind, simultaneously and without hesitation ruthlessly poison those around her, yet remain innocent and carefree, like a young girl?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Lingqiu's face showed a look of sudden realization.

He murmured, "So that's how it is?"

Chi Junlin sighed again, though many questions remained unanswered.

How exactly did the ghost fortune teller transfer his spirit into the body of Qiaonu, a Miao girl?

But is there a deeper reason behind his going to such lengths...?

But before meeting "Qiaonu," no one could answer these questions for him.

But before that, what's more important is Chi Junlin, and we don't know where Qiao Nu is now.

Having said all that, Feng Lingqiu coughed lightly and asked Chi Junlin, "So, what should we do next...?"

Before she could finish speaking, Chi Junlin suddenly pulled her to his side and made a "shh" gesture.

Feng Lingqiu focused his attention and looked outwards.

Then they saw several figures suddenly appear outside the alley where the two of them were standing.

They look like disciples of the Demonic Sect.

Meanwhile, these guys were furtively searching towards the location of Chi Junlin and Feng Lingqiu.

Chapter 342 Concealing Clues

Upon seeing several disciples of the Demonic Sect, Chi Junlin became extremely cautious.

Because these guys were obviously there to track them down.

It's just unclear whose orders these guys were following—was it Chi Yingluo, Gui Wuji, or someone else?

At this moment, Chi Junlin and Feng Lingqiu exchanged a glance, both able to discern what the other was thinking.

We must not allow any of them to find their trail.

Furthermore, no survivors should be allowed to return and report the incident.

So Chi Junlin gestured to Feng Lingqiu, telling her to hide in the shadow of the wooden box behind her.

He then took a few steps back and stood at the corner.

After a short while, they waited for a group of demonic disciples to arrive and search.

Chi Junlin leaned against the wall and suddenly made a sound.

"Hey."

The group of people were startled and immediately turned to look at her.

At that moment, Feng Lingqiu made his move, pulling out a thick wooden stick and knocking one of the men in front of him unconscious.

He then struck another person horizontally with the stick, knocking him unconscious.

The group immediately turned around.

Chi Junlin immediately stepped forward and snapped one of the men's necks.

He then raised his hand and slammed another person's head against the wall.

With a crack, half of the man's head collapsed.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the remaining three immediately tried to escape.

Chi Jun stepped forward, grabbed one of the men by the throat, and captured him.

Feng Lingqiu knocked another one unconscious with a single blow.

But just as she was about to make her move on the last one, she stumbled.

It looks like an injury flaring up.

They were unable to catch up with the fleeing figure of the demonic sect disciple.

Fortunately, Chi Junlin reacted extremely quickly, picking up a broken wooden board with his foot and then kicking it hard with his back leg.

He then kicked the wooden board out, instantly piercing the man's chest.

The remaining disciple's legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.

Although it was only one step away from the exit of the alley, it was the distance between life and death.

Chi Junlin held the last remaining survivor in his hand, pressed him against the wall, and whispered, "I'll ask you questions, you answer. If you can't answer, your head will be gone."

The demonic sect disciple broke out in a cold sweat and immediately nodded vigorously to Chi Junlin.

"Who sent you here?"

Chi Junlin asked first.

"Lady Chi Yingluo, she has instructed us to track you down and find out who you really are."

"Did you see it?"

"No."

"What is your identity?"

"A disciple of the Joyful...Joyful Sect..."

"Are you knowledgeable enough about what's happening within the sect?"

"It's...it's alright..."

"A group of children from outside recently arrived in Yindu. Where were they sent?"

"What child?"

Chi Junlin applied slight pressure to his palm.

The disciple immediately showed a panicked expression, "I...I really don't know anything about children! If adults are looking for someone, they should go to the reception area! The elders there might know!"

"Really? Then you're useless."

"Wait...wait a minute!"

The disciple quickly added, "I remember now! A couple of days ago I heard an elder mention that there have been more child corpses to deal with lately, which must be related to what you're talking about!"

Where did the body come from?

"The palace of Lord Zizaitian! That elder is in charge of matters there! I really don't know anything else!"

Chi Junlin could tell that he had a strong will to survive, so he probably really didn't know.

So she nodded and asked, "There's one more question, where is the Ghost Abyss Dungeon?"

"Answer this question, and I'll spare your life."