Mei Sha leaned against the doorframe, the wind drifting in from outside stirring her hair. Her delicate form swayed as if boneless, her side pressed against the door. Her pinky finger curled into a delicate orchid shape. Even the hardy winter plum blossoms, usually vibrant, seemed to pale and lose their color beside her. Her bright, captivating eyes were now filled with sharp coldness. Yet, no matter how harsh her words, they retained a captivating allure, a charm that could melt bone and soul.
Hong Gu's expression turned even colder. She and Mei Sha found each other loathsome, and now, being insulted directly, she wished she could peel off the fox-like skin of the other woman. How dare this slut, tasted by a thousand mouths and embraced by a thousand arms, dare to point fingers and scold her?
"If you don't want to die, get out."
"Heh~"
"Do you dare kill me? Can you kill me?"
Mei Sha covered her mouth with a jade-like hand, laughing without restraint. Hong Gu's threats were as trivial as farts to her. Even if the Sect Master trusted Hong Gu the most, the rule within the sect forbidding internal conflict was not a mere decoration. She wished Hong Gu dead, but usually, she'd only resort to venomous remarks. When had she ever dared to lay a hand on her?
She actually hoped Hong Gu would make a move. If Hong Gu struck, her martial arts would be crippled, and she would be thrown into the Serpent Mountain.
"Enough, both of you, say less!"
Among the Ten Sha of the sect, one, Chi Sha, had died. Excluding the Sect Master, Gui Sha, only four were present.
Mei Sha, Xie Sha, Yao Sha, and Luo Sha.
It was Luo Sha who spoke.
The outside world knew the Ghost Sha Sect had Ten Sha, but few had heard of Hong Gu. Yet, it was precisely this inconspicuous Hong Gu who controlled the entire Ghost Sha Sect in the Sect Master's absence.
Hong Gu was an orphan the Sect Master had found years ago.
Though the Sect Master had not formally accepted Hong Gu as a disciple, he always kept her by his side when they were within the sect. Rumor had it that after the Sect Master's demise, Hong Gu was the most likely candidate to inherit the position of Sect Master. However, rumors were just rumors. The nine Sha were not in accord with each other, and their attitude towards Hong Gu was merely one of slight courtesy.
Those present would not truly make a move against Mei Sha based on Hong Gu's words alone.
Xie Sha looked towards Mei Sha. Mei Sha, without hesitation, blew him a seductive glance. Xie Sha's face remained cold, his hand resting on his lap, fiddling with the edge of his clothes.
Hong Gu was already burning with rage. Seeing the reactions of those present now, she nearly vomited blood again.
These people had gathered today only to demand an explanation from her. The disgusting deed committed against Feng Luan was solely her doing, and she had not consulted anyone else. Now, not only had the Ghost Sha Sect been placed under a death warrant by Feng Luan, but they had also been branded as rebels. Naturally, they were furious. But wasn't she also furious and indignant? They were just a few commoners. Who knew that Feng Luan, that madwoman, would adopt a stance of utter hostility towards their Ghost Sha Sect? And Ji Jin Mo, a prince no less, instead of contending with the Emperor, chose to intervene for the sake of treating an illness. It was sheer madness.
But with matters having reached this point, what else could be done?
She looked at them, her gaze sweeping over each of their faces. The blood that had not yet dried on her lips slowly trickled down as her lips curled upwards. Hong Gu ignored the blood oozing from her mouth and merely sneered, "What is it, are you fellows thinking of using my head to appease Feng Luan's wrath?"
They had considered it, but they could not!
The Ghost Sha Sect's reputation was far-reaching. If they truly did this, what difference would it make compared to being annihilated?
"Kill her!"
Yao Sha leaned forward, hooking his finger around the blood on Hong Gu's lip and bringing it to his nose to savor. His nose was hooked like a hook, and his sunken eye sockets were tinged with dark circles. His face was gaunt, his skull structure clearly visible beneath the thin flesh. His complexion was slightly ashen, like a skeleton that lived by night and slept by day. Only upon smelling blood did a fervent expression arise on his face. As he spoke these words, the veins on his neck subtly bulged, his blood throbbing, revealing a sickly excitement.
"No!"
Before Hong Gu could speak, Luo Sha negated the idea.
"Don't you forget the Sect Master's words!"
The Sect Master had said not to antagonize Feng Luan.
"Hahahahahahaha~"
In response to Luo Sha was a series of mocking laughs from Yao Sha, his voice hoarse, like a duck being strangled, extremely unpleasant.
"The Sect Master said not to antagonize Feng Luan, but what about now? Our Ghost Sha Sect has reached a point of no return with her. What do you think the Sect Master would do? Should we still try to maintain friendliness, or should we just go all the way and completely kill her?"
Luo Sha did not answer. Who could ever fathom the Sect Master's thoughts?
Seeing Luo Sha's silence, Yao Sha put his blood-stained finger into his mouth, closing his eyes in contentment. Only after the metallic taste in his mouth had completely dissipated did he look up at Luo Sha and ask mockingly, "Luo Sha, where did Mo Sha go?"