Chapter 206: You’re Doing How

Zuan: "???"

Seeing this, his eyes nearly popped out. What the hell?

They had just pledged their loyalty to you, and in a flash, you killed them?

What about our agreement to summon some impressive terracotta warriors later to show off!

As if sensing his confusion, Mi Li calmly glanced at Chu Chuyan and Qiao Xueying, the two women beside them. "It's only out of consideration for you that I spared them; otherwise, they would have met the same fate."

"Why kill them? They were all loyal to you," Zuan protested, agitated. He found it incredibly difficult to accept that the once vibrant terracotta warriors were now just broken pieces of clay.

"Loyalty?" Mi Li scoffed. "Words are cheap. To ensure your subordinates don't betray you, sufficient self-interest is key."

"Unfortunately, in my current soul state, I can't guarantee that. Plus, I can't take them with me. It's better to kill them all now and avoid them ever revealing my secrets in the future."

"You killed them all just for that?" Zuan's mind was reeling. "They can't even speak; how could they possibly reveal your secrets?"

"They just witnessed everything that happened here. Even if they can't speak, I won't let them live," Mi Li said coldly. "I'd rather betray others than be betrayed by them."

Zuan: "..."

"Who are you, lady? You're even quoting Cao Cao's motto!"

Only now did he finally understand that Mi Li was fundamentally different from him. He had transmigrated from a civilized society of a later era. Although he was a bit greedy, a bit lecherous, and quite handsome...

Overall, he still considered himself a good person, one who respected human life and believed in treating people as equals from the bottom of his heart.

This cultivation world, however, was far more brutal. People were not born equal; those from noble families or with exceptional cultivation talents were inherently superior to others.

Especially those in high positions, who regarded life as expendable. Someone like Mi Li, who had once been an empress, would treat it even less seriously.

Noticing his grim expression, Mi Li snorted coldly. "You're so wishy-washy, not at all like a man. When I saw you fight before, you weren't indecisive. Why are you suddenly being so sentimental now?"

Zuan gave a wry smile. "It's clearly different. When fighting enemies, you do whatever it takes, and that's expected. But when they're not enemies, I can't be that ruthless."

"Naive!" Mi Li retorted. "Throughout history, countless famous generals shared your mindset. They were invincible on the battlefield, yet ultimately died by the hands of their own people in court. If it were any other time, I wouldn't stop you, but now my life is bound to yours. I absolutely forbid you from making such a mistake."

Zuan remained silent. Although he knew there was some truth to her words, emotionally, he still couldn't accept her ruthless way of doing things.

Mi Li clearly had no interest in lecturing him further. "The two of them will wake up soon. You should know what to say and what not to say. My soul sustained significant damage today, and I've also noticed that the 'Xiang Fei Red Tears' poison seems to affect the soul. I'll need a long period of slumber to recover, so don't disturb me unless it's important."

After saying this, she flashed and returned to the Tai'a Sword. A moment later, her voice, still tinged with worry, echoed again: "Brat, don't you dare die carelessly during this time. Remember, if you die now, it'll be two lives for one body!"

Zuan: "..."

Why does that phrase sound so strange?

"Don't worry," Zuan said. "Though I have many flaws, I have at least one virtue: I'm afraid of death." He was probably the only person in the world who could state his fear of death with such conviction and righteousness.

After a long silence, with no word from Mi Li, Zuan couldn't help but grumble, "At least say something back! That's so rude."

Despite his grumbling, he didn't actually go and tap the Tai'a Sword, insisting Mi Li give him a heartfelt farewell. Instead, he hurried to check on Chu Chuyan and Qiao Xueying.

With soft moans, both women slowly regained consciousness.

"How are you two feeling?" Zuan asked, watching them anxiously. Although Mi Li had repeatedly assured him that everything was fine, after witnessing her ruthless methods, he had no idea if she was just bluffing.

Chu Chuyan woke up to find herself in a man's arms. Startled, she pushed him away and darted to the side, her long hair flowing and her skirt fluttering, her figure graceful and captivating.

Zuan thought to himself, *Indeed, she's my wife. Even turning around is beautiful.*

*But no matter how beautiful you are, you can't just turn your back on me like that, can you?*

Then Chu Chuyan recognized him and felt her strong reaction had been excessive. Her face slightly flushed, she said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you."

Zuan felt a little better. "Right, do you remember what just happened?"

Chu Chuyan's face instantly reddened. She quickly turned her head away and said, "I don't remember!"

Zuan: "???"

*That Mi Li actually lied to me!*

Just then, Qiao Xueying's faint voice drifted over: "You two are showing off your affection. Can you spare a thought for the severely injured person over here?"

Hearing the resentment in her tone, Zuan felt a bit guilty, as her injuries were, after all, due to him. "My apologies. I'll take you out now and see if we can find some healing medicine."

"Huh, I remember you were also severely injured earlier. Why don't you feel anything now?" Qiao Xueying suddenly asked curiously.

Zuan figured she must have forgotten about the *Primordial Chaos Scripture*, so he cautiously asked, "Do you remember how I got injured?"

"Of course, I remember. You were injured trying to save me by... huh?" Qiao Xueying suddenly paused. "Who injured you? Why can't I remember?"

Beside them, Chu Chuyan instinctively pressed her temples, clearly feeling that she too had forgotten something.

Zuan chuckled. "Of course, it was those specters and these terracotta warriors that injured me."

"You destroyed those specter legions and terracotta warriors?" Chu Chuyan asked, surprised. After all, that was two hundred thousand specters, and the terracotta warriors were no easy opponents. "How did you do it?"

"Want to know? Call me 'dear husband,' and I'll tell you." Mi Li had left him with a mess, and Zuan couldn't think of a suitable excuse, so he resorted to joking.

Chu Chuyan spat and immediately turned away, no longer paying attention to him.

"Let's get out of here first. Healing Xue'er is the priority," Zuan said, picking up Qiao Xueying, who was leaning against the stone wall.

"Put me down," Qiao Xueying said, her usually pale, bloodless face flushing instantly as he lifted her in his arms.

"Don't get agitated, or your wounds might reopen," Zuan warned. "You already gave me the most precious thing in your life; it's only right that I carry you to get treatment."

"You have a conscience, I suppose," Qiao Xueying thought. Considering she had given him half of her life's destiny, it was only fitting that he carry her. Besides, they had shared plenty of embraces within the seal before.

Zuan had intentionally said that to test if she had forgotten. Hearing her answer, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Only Chu Chuyan remained by herself, looking stunned. *The most precious thing?*

*Is there even a question about what a woman's most precious possession in life is?!*

*What's going on with these two?*

*He was just with me... and then he turns around and it's Xue'er?*

Even though she had previously agreed to let Xue'er be his concubine, she felt inexplicably strange about it now.

Zuan, carrying Qiao Xueying, walked ahead. "You're so light! You should eat more meat. Cracking sunflower seeds all day won't help you grow."

"I don't like meat, and besides, sunflower seeds are delicious," Qiao Xueying grumbled, clearly displeased.

"Oh, I almost forgot, you're a tree spirit," Zuan teased.

"You're a tree spirit! Your whole family are tree spirits!" Qiao Xueying instantly exploded.

...

Seeing them bicker as before, the only difference being the less intense tension, Chu Chuyan first smiled faintly. But then she quickly froze, realizing she couldn't get a word in.

Looking at the backs of the two figures in front of her, what was with that strong, awkward feeling?

"How exactly did you get rid of those specters?" Qiao Xueying whispered.

Zuan chuckled. "I presented them with facts and reasoned with them. They agreed that living in such a state was undesirable, so they willingly dispersed into the world, seeking rebirth."

Qiao Xueying snorted. "Fine, don't tell me if you don't want to."

Zuan shrugged. He wasn't exactly lying; those specters really were convinced by Mi Li's "reasoning"...

Suddenly, a white blur flashed past, and Chu Chuyan was already running ahead.

Noticing their confused gazes, she replied coldly, "There are still quite a few zombie warriors on the upper levels. I'll clear the way for you."

"Actually, you don't need to," Zuan said, putting the Tai'a Sword behind his back. "I'm the kind of man with an inherent domineering aura; those zombies will automatically get out of my way." Mi Li had mentioned earlier that the Tai'a Sword had a suppressive effect on the terracotta warriors here, let alone the lower-level zombies on the upper floors.

Chu Chuyan: "..."

Qiao Xueying: "..."

*Could this guy die if he didn't brag for a day?*

As the group reached the next level, the zombie warriors, who had been aimlessly wandering, turned their heads in unison and swarmed towards them, like sharks sensing blood.

As Chu Chuyan drew her long sword, a wave of frost energy spread out, and before the zombies could even get close, they were all frozen solid into ice sculptures.

Zuan clicked his tongue in amazement. "Wife, your cultivation is getting higher and higher! What grade are you now?"

"Peak sixth-grade, I suppose. It's largely thanks to the Vanishing Illusion Lotus you gave me earlier..." At this point, she suddenly paused, turned to look at him with a curious expression, and her red lips parted as if to speak. But then she seemed to recall something else, her face flushed, and she ultimately didn't ask the question.

Qiao Xueying, however, had fewer inhibitions and directly asked, "Oh, right, you clearly had issues in that regard before, so why are you suddenly fine now?"