Chapter 6: Revenge

Noon.

The winding mountain path stretched ahead—two people and a horse.

Zhang Yuge held the reins, and behind him lay a girl tightly bound, as if she were a sack of rice.

He had stripped the clothes off Zhang Qingyao’s corpse and was wearing them himself, all to better impersonate the young master of the Zhang family.

Although the garments were stained deep red with blood.

The Zhang family’s horse caravan was loaded with boxes upon boxes of gold and silver treasures, but Zhang Yuge couldn’t carry that much, so he only took a small bag and left.

The girl behind him occasionally shouted out, adding a lot of amusement to this dull journey.

“Zhang Yuge, let me go! Or else, I…”

“Or else what?”

“My family will never forgive you!”

“Family?”

Zhang Yuge laughed.

“Your family is in Qingyang, but I’m heading back to Ningzhou now. Your family can’t help you.”

“Shameless bastard! If you have guts, stop pretending to be the young master!”

“I’m not just pretending—I’m doing it right in front of you. Don’t worry, I won’t kill you. I’m taking you back to the Zhang mansion to let them deal with you.”

Zhang Yuge said this while slapping the girl’s butt hard, causing her to cry out in surprise.

“Not bad. This Zhong Bailin still has some meat on her bones. Getting this body, along with its Qi Refining Stage Six cultivation, is a steal no matter how you look at it.”

“You damn Zhang Yuge, who the hell wants this slut’s body? Change me back to my own!”

Zhang Qingyao cursed furiously.

“That won’t happen. I don’t have that ability. Besides, your original body is disfigured beyond recognition now. Going back is useless.”

“Not your fault at all!”

Zhang Qingyao’s hatred flared at the thought.

“You vile, shameless scoundrel! You actually cut up my handsome face—I won’t let you off.”

“Relax, your handsome face is fine for now. I still need it to fool your parents.”

Zhang Yuge stroked the stolen face he now wore.

Zhang Yuge’s constant provocations infuriated the girl, who shouted curses wildly, but Zhang Yuge ignored her and let Zhang Qingyao rant.

He wore the Cloud Ripple Ring on his hand, and as for Cloud Ripple herself, Zhang Yuge was ninety percent sure she had returned inside the ring.

Although Zhang Qingyao was now his spirit, Zhang Yuge still didn’t know how to calm her down.

Once back at the Zhang mansion, he couldn’t let her continue causing trouble like this.

After finishing the mountain path, they entered Ningzhou territory.

At this speed, they would reach the Zhang mansion by evening.

Before that, they had to wake Cloud Ripple and learn how to control Zhang Qingyao so Zhang Yuge could safely return home.

Otherwise, he would have to find a place outside the city to stay overnight until Cloud Ripple appeared again.

Ningzhou City appeared in Zhang Yuge’s sight, but he didn’t rush in.

Instead, he found a quiet, sparsely populated spot to stop and wait for Cloud Ripple to show herself.

To prevent Zhang Qingyao from attracting attention, Zhang Yuge tore a piece of cloth from his clothes and stuffed it into the girl’s mouth.

Time passed, the sun set, and the sky darkened, but the “cheap master” still showed no sign of appearing.

“Looks like I have to spend the night outdoors. Hopefully, Master will come by tomorrow.”

Zhang Yuge didn’t ride the horse.

He led “Tàxuě” upstream along the river outside the city, dragging Zhang Qingyao with him.

When they reached the riverbank’s sandy shore, Zhang Yuge grabbed Zhang Qingyao off the horse and unceremoniously threw her onto the ground, causing her to whimper in pain.

He pulled the cloth from her mouth, and as expected, a barrage of foul language followed.

Zhang Yuge ignored her and went into the woods to gather some branches for a fire.

After lighting a campfire, he caught a few fish from the river and skewered them with sharpened sticks to roast.

By this point, Zhang Qingyao was too tired to curse, lying on her side on the sand, motionless and thirsty.

The autumn wind was harsh, bringing a faint chill.

As time passed, Zhang Yuge felt cold and moved closer to the fire.

The roasted fish had a faint burnt smell.

He bit into one and muttered,

“Too bad there’s no sauce. It’d taste even better.”

At that moment, he heard a faint “glug” and turned to see Zhang Qingyao staring fixedly at the fish in his hand.

“Want some?”

he asked.

No response.

Zhang Yuge observed the girl lying on the sand, dressed in a white long gown that fell all the way to her ankles, revealing only her two delicate, fair feet.

“Where are your shoes?”

he asked again.

“…None of your business.”

The girl turned her body away from him.

Her shoes probably fell off halfway when “Tàxuě” carried her.

“Last time I ask, do you want to eat or not?”

Despite Zhang Qingyao’s rude attitude, Zhang Yuge wasn’t angry.

His voice was lazy and calm.

Still no reply.

Zhang Yuge took a fish and sat down beside her.

The smell of fish was strong—especially tempting to a hungry person.

He deliberately made noises of enjoyment while eating, so anyone passing by might think he was at a tavern.

After a while, he heard the girl next to him turn her back and shout impatiently,

“Trash food for scum, stinks! Get away!”

“Bear with it,”

Zhang Yuge said softly.

He finished one fish and started on the next, sitting right beside Zhang Qingyao all the while.

After a long time, only one fish remained.

“I’m giving you one last chance. This is the last fish. You eat it or I’ll feed it to the horse.”

“Then untie me.”

Perhaps from hunger and exhaustion, her voice was weaker than before.

“Forget it.”

Zhang Yuge flatly refused and held the fish close to her lips.

“I don’t want you feeding me.”

Zhang Qingyao turned her head away.

“Well, should I just throw it on the ground and let you pick it up yourself?”

Silence and stalemate fell once again.

Zhang Yuge half-squatted, grabbing the girl’s shoulder, trying to make her lean against his thigh.

But he misjudged his strength.

The cloth on her shoulder slipped down a bit, revealing snow-white, smooth, fragrant skin that stood out sharply in the dim night.

The girl clenched her teeth, her face full of humiliation.

Feeling awkward, Zhang Yuge carefully pulled her clothes back up, then roughly lifted her and helped her sit.

One hand held her shoulder, the other brought the grilled fish close to her pink lips.

The proud Zhang Qingyao ultimately chose to give in.

Her expression of bitter hatred softened just a little.

Zhang Yuge said nothing.

He was pondering the next move.

Although Zhang Qingyao was temporarily appeased, he still didn’t know how to make her obedient.

Whether it required some spell or tool, Zhang Yuge was clueless.

The only option was to wait for Cloud Ripple to appear.

Speak of the devil—no sooner had Zhang Yuge fed her a fish than a figure emerged from the ring.

“Master!”

Zhang Yuge didn’t bother with formalities.

He pushed Zhang Qingyao aside and stood up to salute Cloud Ripple.

“Disciple, you haven’t returned to the Zhang mansion yet?”

Cloud Ripple looked around and noticed they were still outdoors, then asked.

“Master, I don’t know how to make this spirit obedient, so I didn’t dare rush into the city. I stayed outside overnight first.”

“Oh right, I forgot to tell you. When you fainted, I also used up my true qi and had to fall back into a deep slumber. Spirit Control and Beast Control are similar arts—both immortal techniques only cultivators can use. You’re not a cultivator yet, so it’s normal that this girl doesn’t listen to you.”

Zhang Yuge’s heart trembled.

“Master, you mean I have to become a cultivator before I can command a spirit?”

“Exactly.”

“Who… who are you?”

The girl on the ground asked nervously, a hint of fear in her voice.

Zhang Qingyao didn’t recognize Cloud Ripple, but seeing Zhang Yuge bow and call her master, she immediately became hostile.

Yet she could feel that the semi-transparent figure was immensely powerful—strong enough to crush her easily.

“You must be the young master of the Zhang family, right?”

Cloud Ripple smiled.

“Yes… you say you’re Zhang Yuge’s master?”

“Yes, Zhang Yuge is my newly accepted disciple. Also, I’m the one who transformed you into what you are now.”

Cloud Ripple’s smile grew brighter.

“Why are you helping him?”

Zhang Qingyao bit her lip and asked, unable to curse outright.

“If you want to know why…”

Cloud Ripple touched her chin, pretending to think.

“I can only say it’s because Zhang Yuge isn’t a simp. And definitely not the kind who would get stabbed to death by the woman he loves.”

“Who did you call a simp?”

Zhang Qingyao raged.

“Better than being a wandering ghost sealed in a ring like you!”

At those words—‘wandering ghost’—Cloud Ripple’s smile deepened.

“Disciple, I have a task for you.”

“Yes, Master, please speak.”

“Do you want to step onto the immortal path tonight? If so, do it right here—deal with her.”

“Ah?”

Zhang Yuge was stunned.

“The so-called Dual Cultivation is the union of yin and yang—using the strong to supplement the weak, refining essence into qi, cultivating body and mind together. You’re only at Mid Body Tempering, but this girl has Qi Refining Stage Six cultivation, plus her innate cauldron body. I believe by tomorrow morning, you can reach Qi Refining Stage One. Then I’ll teach you the Cloud Ripple Immortal Art, and you’ll have her completely under your control.”

Zhang Qingyao’s face turned purple and blue as she looked at Zhang Yuge fearfully.

“Zhang Yuge, don’t come near me! Go away!”

Zhang Yuge hesitated, clearly conflicted.

“Doing this out in the open? Isn’t it… a bit too much? Master, I’m really not ready yet.”

“Hmph, she can’t hurt you for now because she hasn’t adapted to the cauldron body. She has cultivation but can’t channel true qi. If you don’t act now, you’ll regret it later.”

“…”

Hearing Cloud Ripple’s warning, Zhang Yuge fixed his gaze on Zhang Qingyao, weighing the pros and cons.

The girl struggled fearfully, backing away while cursing.

“Zhang Yuge, damn you! Go to hell, you dog slave! Don’t come near me! I’d rather kill myself than let you touch a single hair on me!”

Her panicked voice sharpened.

She wouldn’t curse, and he wouldn’t be as angry—but now she’d provoked him.

“Are you done cursing? I never intended to do anything to you.”

At that moment, Cloud Ripple leaned close to Zhang Yuge’s ear and whispered softly,

“Look at this woman—she’s tempting you. She’s just playing hard to get. Go on, satisfy her.”

While whispering, Cloud Ripple secretly cast a spell on Zhang Yuge called the Harmony Spell.

This technique greatly stirs the target’s desire, making them lose control and become overwhelmed by passion.

From that moment on, Zhang Yuge lost control.

Like a beast, he lunged at Zhang Qingyao.

“No! Don’t come near me! Help! Somebody save me…”

The desolate wilderness echoed with the girl’s desperate screams and the sounds of a struggle.

The culprit, Cloud Ripple, silently watched everything unfold, her gaze crazed like never before.

“Hehehe, good, just like that. My good disciple, with this cauldron body, train hard and step onto the immortal path. I’m counting on you. Zhang Yuge, when you achieve some success, I’ll take over your body… hahahaha. Just wait. My great revenge has only just begun.”