Chinese animation: Starting with Bad Guys

The moment the communication gu was crushed, the gu worm let out a shrill scream:

"The 'Qin Chuan' in Luoyang was an impersonation of the Empress; her true form has been buried in the underground palace..."

A mad light flashed in Chi Li's single eye as he turned and hissed at the leaders of the Raojiang tribes kneeling in the shadows:

"To avenge the humiliation suffered by Maple Leaf, it's time for those Central Plains people to pay the price!"

Inside the Imperial Preceptor's residence, Chi Meng was crushing the Gu worms to dust, and even stomped on them a few more times as if to vent her anger.

"I'm so angry! That old turtle is definitely laughing to himself!"

Anger flickered in her purple eyes, and her silver ornaments jingled with her movements.

"His smile won't last long."

A familiar voice came from under the corridor.

The real Qin Chuan leaned against the door frame, sunlight filtering through the Imperial Seal of the State between his fingers, casting dappled shadows on his face.

He had changed into a moon-white long robe today, but the Well Moon sword still hung at his waist, though there were a few fresh cracks on the scabbard.

"You should be the most smug one, shouldn't you? These past three months..."

The Empress's voice came from behind, carrying three parts reproach and seven parts concern.

Her crimson lips parted slightly, revealing the worries and complaints that had been building up for three months.

Qin Chuan looked at the three women in front of him—the Empress was elegant and noble but could not hide her fatigue, Lu Linxuan was heroic but her eyes were slightly red, and Chi Meng was lively and agile but her brows were furrowed.

They acted for three whole months for his plan.

"You've all worked hard."

Qin Chuan smiled slightly:

"I'm just trying to heal my wounds."

He shook his left arm, and his sleeve slipped down to reveal a silken gauze wrapped in gold thread, beneath which the gruesome, healed wound was faintly visible. "And while I'm at it... I'll catch a few big fish."

Chi Meng pounced on him like a nimble deer to check his injuries: "Big brother came back covered in blood, it scared me to death!"

She tugged at Qin Chuan's sleeve like a spoiled kitten:

"Now, can you tell me what exactly happened inside the Longquan Underground Palace?"

"That old bastard Yuan Tiangang..."

Qin Chuan was about to brush it off lightly when he noticed the three women staring intently at him.

He sighed, gazing at the drifting clouds outside the window: "He wanted to take me through the void..."

The voice gradually faded.

Memories flooded back like a tide.

As the underground palace collapsed, the void rift that pierced through heaven and earth, and the last look in Yuan Tiangang's eyes beneath his bronze mask...

And how his own slash towards the passage was so powerful that his meridians were shattered by the recoil.

The most ridiculous thing is that he later discovered that the so-called "suction" was no match for him at all—that mysterious being had already anchored him in this world, and he could not leave until he completed his mission.

This discovery made him cough up blood, whether from his injuries or from his own stupidity, he didn't know.

"Because of you, I have the strength to resist being broken."

Qin Chuan suddenly laughed and reached out to pull the three women into his arms.

This flawed lie brought tears to their eyes.

The Empress's crown pressed painfully against his chin, Chi Meng's silver ornaments clung coldly to his cheek, and Lu Linxuan's hair still carried a faint smell of blood—the reality of this moment was far more important than any shattered void.

In the afternoon, the residence of Gu King Chi Li was filled with the aroma of tea.

Qin Chuan gently tapped the celadon teacup on the table, making a crisp sound: "Senior, it's time to return to Raojiang."

He turned the teacup, watching the tea leaves floating inside. "There are some pests... they need to be removed."

Chi Li rubbed the old scars on his arm, the ones left by Chi Li.

He recalled how, when he was betrayed by his own brother, the dagger coated with poison had pierced his flesh.

After a long silence, he picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp. As he swallowed, it seemed not so much tea as the grievances he felt towards Chi Li: "I only hope there is less bloodshed."

"Only when enough blood has been lost can new flesh grow."

Qin Chuan looked south, his gaze seemingly piercing through mountains and rivers, seeing the rebel army gathered in the Ten Thousand Poison Cave.

He deliberately gave Chi Li three months, enough time for all those restless Raojiang forces to surface.

Outside the window, a red-tailed kite soared across the sky, clutching a struggling small snake in its claws.

As the sun set, the three riders sped away, their hooves shattering the sunset clouds on the ground.

The empress stood on the city wall, watching the departing figure gradually disappear into the twilight.

She turned to Lu Linxuan and said, "Send a message to the northern desert, telling them to be extra vigilant."

As night deepened, a carrier pigeon fluttered and flew towards the northern desert.

Chapter 106 Because I Came!

The morning mist, like a veil, shrouded the layers of peaks of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

The mornings in Raojiang are always damp and chilly, and the miasma drifting through the mountains gleams with an eerie purple light under the rising sun.

Deep in the dense forest, dark green vines climbed all over the branches of ancient trees, and occasionally a venomous snake would peek out from among the leaves, flicking its scarlet tongue.

Chi Meng walked on the mountain path covered with decaying leaves, her silver bells ringing crisply with each step.

She suddenly stopped, a sly glint in her purple eyes. With a flick of her finger, a seven-colored butterfly flew out from her sleeve and danced around the three of them.

"Young man, isn't the scenery in Raojiang very different from that in the Central Plains?"

Her laughter echoed through the valley, startling a flock of birds perched in the treetops.

Qin Chuan looked up and saw distant mountains as dark as ink, with clouds and mist lingering around their waists.

On the cliff, several stilted houses are faintly visible, and a bamboo covered bridge spans between the two peaks, like a natural chasm.

A mountain breeze swept by, carrying a unique fragrance—the Gu flowers, a specialty of Raojiang, were blooming.

Chi Li's brows remained furrowed. His rough fingers traced the bronze Gu bell hanging at his waist, the ancient runes on the bell gleaming faintly in the sunlight.

"Raojiang is beautiful, but people's hearts have changed." His voice was low as he glanced at the several dark figures hurrying away on the mountain path in the distance. "Chi Li has been cultivating his power for many years; I'm afraid many villages have already sided with him."

The stream babbles, its crystal-clear waters concealing a deadly danger. Several jet-black water snakes slither among the rocks, their scales covered in eerie red patterns.

Chi Meng took out a set of indigo Miao clothing from her bundle. The clothes were embroidered with intricate silver thread patterns that shimmered in the sunlight.

"Hey bro, your Central Plains outfit is too eye-catching! Change into this!" She winked playfully and handed the clothes to Qin Chuan.

When Qin Chuan emerged from behind the tree in his Miao attire, Chi Meng's eyes widened in surprise. His indigo robe accentuated his tall and straight figure, and the silver-adorned dagger at his waist added a touch of wildness to his appearance.

"Oh my, young man, you look like our Raojiang's son-in-law in this outfit!" Chi Meng clapped her hands and laughed, the silver bells jingling with her movements.

Chi Li rarely showed a smile: "Young Marshal, this outfit really suits you."

As evening fell, the three arrived at Jiuli Village.

Chief Li Jiu was Chi Li's close friend.

The three men came here for two reasons: first, to rest temporarily, and second, to help Chi Li gather his old troops.

The gate was made of a single piece of black ironwood, and it was covered with runes for warding off evil spirits.

The Miao soldiers on both sides were dressed in leather armor and had poison sachets hanging from their waists. When they saw Chi Li return, some of them showed joy, some had glints in their eyes, and a few quietly retreated into the shadows.

Chi Li's gaze darkened slightly, and he said softly, "It seems there are already disloyal thoughts within the stronghold."

Chi Meng snorted: "Dad, you've been gone for too long. Some people have probably forgotten who the real master of the Ten Thousand Poison Cave is!"

When the chieftain Li Jiu heard that Chi Li had returned, he came to greet him personally, but the smile on his face did not reach his eyes: "Lord Gu King, it's been many years, but you are still as dashing as ever!"

Chi Li smiled faintly: "Chief Li, you are too kind. I am just passing through and will be resting for the night."

Li Jiu's gaze swept over Qin Chuan, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it and said warmly, "With such an honored guest, we should naturally treat you well!"

A banquet was set up in the village, and Li Jiu repeatedly urged people to drink, but his words were full of probing.

After several rounds of drinks, Li Jiu suddenly sighed:

"It's a pity, the Witch King is now very powerful. If the Gu King wants to confront him head-on, I'm afraid..."

Chi Meng slammed her hand on the table and roared, "Li Jiu! What do you mean? Are you planning to betray my father?"

"Hmph, do you still think the Ten Thousand Poison Cave is your domain? The Ten Thousand Mountains have changed! You are nothing!"

Li Jiu sneered, then suddenly stepped back and shouted sharply, "Attack!"

In an instant, Miao soldiers suddenly rose up all around, the sand and soil on the ground churned up, and countless poisonous insects burst out of the ground, densely packed, surging towards the three like a tide!

Chi Meng was shocked. With a flick of her finger, dozens of colorful poisonous butterflies flew out from her sleeve. As the butterflies flapped their wings, they scattered phosphorus powder, and the poisonous insects that touched them instantly stiffened.

However, the swarm of insects was too large, and a large number of poisonous insects still broke through the butterfly formation and rushed towards her!

"So annoying!"

With a sharp cry, she lightly touched the ground with her toes and leaped into the air like a swallow. At the same time, the silver bell at her waist rang sharply, and the sound waves vibrated, causing the poisonous insects that were close to her to burst open!

Chi Li clasped his hands together, and several crimson centipedes sprang out from his sleeves. The centipedes swelled upon landing, transforming into giant creatures over ten feet long, spewing poisonous mist that corroded the attacking swarm of insects into black liquid.

However, the swarms of insects continued unabated, and some even climbed onto Chi Li's boots.

He snorted coldly, stomped his feet, and unleashed his Gu power, turning all the poisonous insects within three zhang of him into dust!

Just then, several Miao soldiers in the shadows suddenly threw out poisoned darts, aiming straight for Chi Li's back!

"Dad, be careful!" Chi Meng cried out, but they were too far away to help in time!

At the critical moment, Qin Chuan remained motionless, merely flicking his finger—

An invisible burst of energy shot out, and before the dart could even get close, it was shattered into iron dust!

He slowly raised his eyes, his gaze icy: "Chi Meng, in your Rao Jiang, what level is this insect array?"

"It's very rare; it can at least protect the safety of an entire village."