As they talked, they approached the cave entrance, where they could vaguely see the cold moonlight, which sparsely and sparingly spilled into the cave.
Looking back down, all that could be seen was a dark, endless spiral.
As we rushed out of the cave, our view suddenly opened up, accompanied by a firelight bright enough to illuminate the night.
There were quite a few people who came to greet them.
The disciples of the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion were on high alert, with dense arrays of runes suspended in mid-air, blocking all paths in all directions.
Gu Zhong had no choice but to stop.
She transformed back into human form, her imposing phoenix eyes coldly sweeping over the surrounding crowd, carrying an inexplicable chilling aura that made people involuntarily take a half-step back.
"I didn't expect you to actually come?"
Surrounded by the crowd, one person stepped forward—it was Senior Brother Lu.
Upon hearing this, Lingyan's heart skipped a beat.
They knew Gu Zhong would definitely come to save her.
But why would Gu Zhong definitely come to save her? Only now did Ling Yan begin to ponder this question.
Knowing full well that this was a dangerous place, a place where there was no way to return, she still came without hesitation.
She turned her head to look at Gu Zhong, hoping to find some answers on her face.
Ling Ying stood behind Senior Brother Lu, his gaze fixed on Gu Zhong and Ling Yan, revealing a strange emotion, seemingly carrying some incomprehensible shock.
"That person is truly a genius."
Senior Brother Lu did not rush to make a move. With a sense of certainty of victory, he sighed.
—Someone?
Even though he took good care of Lingyan along the way, in other people's eyes they were just guest and young master who had only known each other for a short time.
Who could have foreseen their relationship and used Lingyan as bait to lure her into making a move?
—No one in this world could do that, except for Xuanhu.
—The Xuanhu who did not suffer from amnesia.
"Judging from this situation, we're not going to be able to leave today?"
Gu Zhong stroked the scabbard at his waist, his tone calm, showing no sign of panic.
"Now that you're here, you should stay. How can we let demons escape from the Imperial Preceptor's residence? Form ranks!"
Hundreds of spells and fine sword light were released almost simultaneously, colliding in mid-air and bursting into brilliant silver flames.
Only then did Lingyan truly experience the power of Gu Zhong's swordsmanship.
In the past, regardless of strength or weakness, Gu Zhong only used one sword when facing demons. Everyone knew of her power, but they had never truly felt it.
No matter how many enemies were in front of them, or how many attacks came at them, the small area centered on the two of them formed a vacuum, and not a single attack landed on Ling Yan.
Seeing his side suffering defeat after defeat, Senior Brother Lu couldn't help but feel anxious. He turned around and said something to Ling Ying.
Ling Ying looked up at the crescent moon hanging in the night sky, then calmly walked forward.
Gu Zhong paused in her sword-wielding motion, then reached out with her left hand and pressed firmly against the Xuanjing wrist guard on her right wrist.
Because of that momentary lapse, a barrage of attacks burst through the protective net she had woven and slammed into the two people in the center.
At this critical moment, Lingyan suddenly released the incantation she had been holding since earlier, and a cylindrical light barrier blocked the two of them.
Gu Zhong also swung his sword again heavily and slowly, temporarily repelling the attack.
"Gu Zhong, what's wrong?"
Sensing something was wrong, Lingyan quickly helped Gu Zhong up.
Where her hand met Gu Zhong's body, a wisp of black mist emanated, trembling as it wrapped around Ling Yan's fingertips, before abruptly retracting as if reprimanded.
This situation is exactly the same as that day at the Taoist temple!
"fragrant···"
Gu Zhong raised her head and stared intently at Ling Ying, who was approaching.
Black blossoms and withers in her eyes, white vanishes and is reborn.
Two forces are constantly tearing at her body and soul.
—Gu Zhong's demonization was deliberately triggered.
Lingyan suddenly realized what was happening.
Gu Zhong as a human being and Gu Zhong as a demon are both powerful beings that ordinary people cannot resist.
However, when the two forces begin to vie for control, Gu Zhong becomes like a fragile infant, easily destroyed.
"You can't resist it, just give up..."
A sigh escaped Ling Ying's lips. His gaze toward Gu Zhong was filled with smug satisfaction, a haughty and arrogant look. It seemed that seeing Gu Zhong in such a miserable state brought him immense pleasure.
As he approached, all the attacks were halted, but it was at this moment that Gu Zhong truly suffered a severe blow.
"I can't kill him—"
Gu Zhong pressed his wrist even harder in pain, squeezing out a few words through gritted teeth.
She struggled to hand the sword to Lingyan, a simple action that almost exhausted her willpower. Large beads of sweat dripped from her forehead and onto the black soil in front of her.
—The key lies with Ling Ying.
Lingyan understood and took the sword. The blade trembled slightly, as if expressing the joy of a long-awaited reunion.
Ling Ying followed her usual pattern and made a sarcastic remark.
"What? Lingyan, you don't think that just because you've taken the sword, you're Gu—ah—"
However, before he could finish speaking, a sharp sword aura sliced off his arm.
Its momentum is like the wind, and its speed is like lightning.
Gu Zhong is right, Ling Yan has an exceptional talent for swordsmanship.
"Don't talk to me like that. You're not worthy, you thing that came from who-knows-where!"
The power that had imprisoned Gu Zhong froze for a moment, and the human form dissipated back into black mist, as gentle as a breeze, lifting Ling Yan.
Before anyone could react, it soared upwards and disappeared into the night sky in the blink of an eye.
——
The black mist swept over the girl, swiftly weaving through the quiet streets and alleys of the night, heading straight for the city gates of the capital.
The imposing, thick city walls were right before their eyes; all they needed to do was pass through that vermilion gate to escape the royal city.
From then on, birds could fly freely in the sky, and fish could leap freely in the sea.
However, this seemingly insurmountable distance could not be bridged even by a fraction.
The black mist crashed hard against an invisible barrier, unable to advance any further.
Gu Zhong, who had transformed back into human form, slumped to the ground, reaching out his hand in despair, only to find an unseen obstacle blocking their way.
"The city has been sealed off."
The black mist spread out from her body again, and Gu Zhong lowered her head and wailed, trying her best to stop the trend of demonization.
"If it's really too painful, then don't endure it."
Lingyan hugged her and whispered something.
"I might lose control of myself, I'm afraid—"
Even if I were to become a complete demon, you wouldn't hurt me, would you?
Lingyan gently stroked Gu Zhong's back, as if she were soothing a crying baby to sleep.
Her hand fell gently, one stroke after another.
It possesses a strange rhythm and cadence, as well as a reassuring power.
With each gentle tap, the spreading black mist receded slightly until it completely dissipated and was once again bound back into the body.
Upon discovering this astonishing change, Lingyan raised her hand in surprise, examining it closely as if she were looking at something extraordinary.
The demonic power stirring within his body was sealed away once again. This time, he overcame the agonizing torment so easily, which greatly shocked Gu Zhong.
As soon as she looked up, she saw Ling Yan looking at her hands. She seemed to have thought of something and coughed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed and annoyed.
"Ayan, what are you doing?"
"I never expected that I would have such an ability? It seems that you no longer need to worry about being triggered into demonic possession."
Ling Yan breathed a long sigh of relief and exclaimed with a sense of relief.
"Ah Yan is truly my lucky star—"
Seeing that Ling Yan was genuinely worried about him, Gu Zhong softened his expression and spoke with a relaxed smile.
Why did you say "as expected"?
Ling Yan lowered her hand and looked at Gu Zhong with some surprise.
"You're always the one who wakes me up—"
Halfway through the conversation, they heard the sound of hurried, rapid footsteps coming from the corner of the wall, as if someone was running.
"Walk!"
Gu Zhong's expression changed, and he immediately turned into mist again, enveloping Ling Yan, and continued his exile in the darkness.
——
When talking about the entire royal city, apart from the brothels and pleasure quarters, there was nothing else that was brightly lit and bustling with guests even late at night.
Shedding their black and white clothes, which were clearly out of place in this brothel, Gu Zhong and Ling Yan changed into colorful and gaudy dresses.
She removed her meticulously styled hair ornament, letting her cascading black hair fall loose, and then applied a charming and exquisite makeup look, concealing her murderous aura.
At this moment, the two women had become veritable prostitutes.
They walked past the lobby on the first floor of a brothel, where explicit vocal and dance performances were still taking place, drawing cheers from the lewd crowd below.