Chapter 50

It was at this moment that Gu Tingshuang’s lips curved into a smile.

Mockingly, Gu Tingshuang said, “I didn’t expect you to be this fragile, Su Yue.”(1)

His voice was calm, not intending to intimidate but simply stating a fact: “A person with backbone can hold out for two days and nights while pursued by wolves, dying from exhaustion without ever giving up hope of escape. I used to think you were someone of note, but now I see you’re nothing more than this.”

Su Yue started to experience tinnitus, his eardrums throbbing painfully as he tried to identify the voice of the person speaking.

It was a young voice; he should know who it belonged to, but he couldn’t recall.

Someone in a wheelchair, with such a deep and indifferent voice... He must have heard this voice before, but who could it be?

He struggled to get up to see.

Gu Tingshuang lowered his eyes. “Have you heard how mortals catch fish? They weave a bamboo fish trap with a funnel-like entrance that narrows inward, with bamboo spikes lining the inner walls. At the bottom of the trap, they place bait. The fish swim in and can’t retreat. If they do, it’s like being skinned alive, enduring the pain of losing their scales.”

“The God Hunters learnt this trick and used it to capture dragons. Dragons are foolish and fall for it easily, so the hunters turned their attention to the white wolves.”

“Wolves, on the other hand, are the smartest of all ancient spirit beasts, instantly able to see through such traps. But a year ago, a mother wolf still walked into one of these traps. Do you know why?”

His tone remained flat, not expecting Su Yue to respond. He was merely recounting a fact.

“Because the God Hunters took her cub, soaked a piece of black cloth in its blood, and placed it in the trap as bait. She couldn’t see what was inside, but she could smell her pup’s scent. Even knowing there was danger, she didn’t give up hope of finding her child and was willing to try.”

“As expected, she got trapped inside. But a wolf is still a wolf. She refused to die in human captivity and forced her way out against the dragon bones and poisoned hooks, shedding her skin and flesh in the process until she finally bled to death in the snow.”

His voice remained calm, but to others, it sounded increasingly chilling, so cold it made people want to scream, their skin crawling.

Su Yue’s whole body had gone cold and limp, but now he began to shiver with fear, sensing the horror that awaited him and the implications in Gu Tingshuang’s words.

He remembered now. He remembered who this person was—

The youth in the wheelchair before him was the Shizi of the Qing Wang’s mansion, who had been in seclusion for four years!

Why was he here?

How had he emerged from the ancient white wolf clan, unscathed?

Countless questions swirled in Su Yue’s mind, pushing his already breaking body to the brink of collapse, and igniting an overwhelming terror.

Blood pounded in his head, making it impossible to tell if the sound was from buzzing or the wind until it was all interrupted by Gu Tingshuang’s voice: “Look at what your people have created.”

A giant iron cage strung with steel spikes was dragged across the snow, making a harsh, grating noise, looking like some horrific beast.

This was the very trap Gu Tingshuang had just described, its barbs forming a dense web, reeking of blood and rust.

“There’s Soul Returning Incense inside,” Gu Tingshuang said, “which will not only heal all your current injuries but also enhance your cultivation. I’ve had warriors of my own kind enter this trap for their children, only to shed their skin and blood to get out. Show me if you have the courage. If you do, my wolves and I will respect your bravery and grant you a way out, never to trouble you again.”

…Soul Returning Incense?

Su Yue clung to this lifeline. He knew precisely how much hope that incense represented to him now.

Even if he had to tear off his skin to escape, the incense would still restore him!

Gu Tingshuang’s words, “give you a way out, never to trouble you again,” were as precious as rain after a long drought.

Desperation can drive people to madness, and he almost writhed like a worm, desperately crawling into the cage.

The further he went, the narrower it became the hooks aligned to guide him inward. The barbs barely hindered his progress but scraped agonizingly against his skin. He held his breath, not daring to hesitate for a second.

Finally, he saw the bait at the end of the cage: a pill box. His heart leapt with joy, and he frantically reached out to grab it.

It was at this moment that Gu Tingshuang’s lips curved into a smile.

He released his spiritual sense, coldly, delighting in the other’s suffering and will to survive, savouring that moth-to-a-flame despair and hope.

Moments later, Su Yue let out a scream, writhing in agony.

Gu Tingshuang said, “A genuine piece of Soul Returning Incense, made from the Autumn Hair Gu by your own household. If Ning Shiting weren’t a poisonous Jiaoren, he’d have been ruined by just one taste. All the harm your immortal estate has done, I’m repaying in full.”

Su Yue thrashed, rolled, screamed—countless Gu worms were burrowing into his orifices, and he writhed in pain, trying to escape it all. But every movement drove the barbs deeper into his flesh and bones.

Blood spread out, staining the snow red. The figure inside the cage no longer looked human, a vision straight from hell.

“You’re avenging the Qing Wang’s residence…”

Su Yue spat out these words with his last bit of strength, trying to justify the disaster he faced today.

But the Shizi of the Qing Wang… wasn’t he a recluse, a cripple?

“I have no time for such trivialities. The Qing Wang’s estate is my father’s, not mine.”

“I came to you today for two reasons. First, to avenge the God Hunters’ grudge at Spirit Mountain. Over two years, you’ve cost me fourteen wolves, with countless others wounded. I remember every white wolf lost.”

“Second, to avenge you taming wolves into dogs. Though the Ancient White Wolves of Spirit Mountain were exiled from their pack, they still bear the blood of the ancient White Wolf God. You have trampled the bloodline of the White Wolf God, making them bear new white wolves after such indignities, mating them with dogs. Henceforth, all the descendants of the Su family will mate with the lowest pigs and bears. Their offspring will crawl and beg on their bellies for life. In the name of the White Wolf God, I deliver this command to the sky and mountains.”

Golden flames flared in Gu Tingshuang’s eyes, nearly devouring all in their radiance.

For an instant, all things resonated lowly with a deep hum. He didn’t notice, but every wolf present did.

In a flash, they saw in him the long-lost shadow of their alpha, inspiring them to kneel, expressing their submission and reverence.

“Third, Ning Shiting is mine, my prey. Anyone who dares touch him, I will hunt them through life and death—no body will be left intact and their souls will be scattered to the winds.”

.𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟.

“Wolves?” Ning Shiting asked.

The water elementalist who had just arrived regained consciousness as well. Trembling with fear and anxiety, he confirmed the situation, gesturing frantically with his hands, “They were really wolves, so many of them, such huge ancient white wolves! Our houses, warehouses, tents—they were all destroyed! We couldn’t find anyone else, and we were worried about you, Gongzi, so we rushed over here. Luckily, you’re alright.”

Ning Shiting noticed their eyes darting nervously, and he knew that the silver-backed wolf that had leapt out with him earlier had definitely been seen. Even though he had signalled the wolf to leave, he wasn’t sure if this would stir up more trouble.

Why did the pack of white wolves suddenly descend from the mountains?

Ning Shiting knew that these white wolves took direct orders from Gu Tingshuang. Given Gu Tingshuang’s temperament, this time he was likely targeting the Immortal Chief’s Manor, though Ning Shiting wasn’t aware of the specifics.

The water elementalist continued to stand beside him, trembling with fear, awaiting his response.

Ning Shiting paused, then said, “There’s no need to ask further. Tonight’s situation is complex, and we can’t know exactly what’s happening outside. One thing only—what did you see here today?”

“W-white wolves…” The water elementalist stammered, nearly tripping over his own tongue.

Ning Shiting smiled and shook his head, “What white wolves? You must have been scared out of your mind. If ancient white wolves had found their way here, how could I have escaped unscathed? When you arrived earlier, you collapsed from exhaustion, and I lit some Soul Returning Incense for you. You probably confused reality with whatever shocked you in your dream.”

He spoke with such sincerity and calmness that, for a moment, the water elementalist to doubt his own memory. As he hesitated, still wanting to ask more, Ning Shiting shook his head again.

“Don’t speak of anything from tonight. I should head back and train with Yinbing’s cultivation technique. Once everyone has gathered, come back to the residence with me.”

Foot Notes

1. This quote is a bit hard to translate. He says, “我没想到你这么不禁操,” which uses the term “操” (cāo) which sounds the same as “to have sex” or “fuck”. So, it might be more literal to say, “I didn’t expect you to get fucked like this,” but it’s a bit confusing this way.