I, who was turned into a woman by the Jade Maiden Master, want to rebel against the Heavenly Gang.

Qin Rufeng nodded. "This place is below the Upper Three Realms, but above the Middle Plain Realm. The spiritual energy isn't too thin. Even if it's not a family of cultivators, it wouldn't be surprising to find a few cultivators here. In that case, it's very likely that they'll leave behind some rare and precious treasures to pass down through generations."

Xia Jinghong bowed deeply again and said, "Fairy Liu is indeed highly skilled. I humbly beg you to help me slay this demon."

"From now on, I am willing to follow the fairy and serve her like a beast of burden. All the treasures obtained from killing the pig demon will belong to the fairy."

This development was unexpected, but also somewhat reasonable.

Qin Rufeng actually wanted to increase the number of his servants.

Shangguan Qingxue possessed four kinds of plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, while she herself only had one, Li Qingshi.

Moreover, Qingxue was a low-key and frugal woman; she herself did not want too many servants. There were even women of slightly lower rank in the Immortal Workshop who had seven or eight servants with them.

This Xia Jinghong, in order to keep his promise and avenge his master, knowingly took a dangerous risk... his character is quite admirable.

While this alone is not enough to convince you, if you want to test and observe a person, or even restrain and adjust their focus, there is no better place than Qingyuefang.

Moreover, if one cannot return to Cangyun City immediately, having someone knowledgeable about the lower realm as a guide is better than wandering around aimlessly alone.

And then there's that pig demon queen...

The Silver Dragon Spear that Xia Jinghong just used was a magic weapon with a water elemental root. Meanwhile, Liu Zhengshi emanated earth elemental energy.

Water can be contained by earth, and the Silver Dragon Spear naturally couldn't harm Liu Zhengshi. But Xia Jinghong probably also has the strength of the late Qi Refining stage. Then her deceased master might have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, Liu Zhengshi was a person without any cultivation. Just because she was infected by the Blood Cloud, her strength increased to the point that she could kill rogue cultivators in the late Qi Refining stage or even the Foundation Establishment stage in a short period of time... Even if it was due to the restraint of spiritual root attributes, it was still a bit exaggerated.

This indicates that the rare and precious materials obtained by Liu Zhengshi were extraordinary. Moreover, they possessed the earth elemental attribute, which was exactly what she needed.

Thinking of this, Qin Rufeng deliberately feigned reluctance and asked Xia Jinghong, "Are you really willing to follow me?"

Xia Jinghong immediately kowtowed, "I'm willing! I'm willing to be your ox or horse..."

"Wait a minute," Qin Rufeng interrupted her. "Do you even know what I do for a living? Aren't you afraid of following the wrong person?"

Xia Jinghong glanced at Qin Rufeng, then lowered her head and said, "It doesn't matter. Even if my benefactor is a fairy from the Immortal Sect, I am willing to follow her."

These words made Qin Rufeng feel a little uncomfortable. She frowned, looking somewhat aggrieved, and asked, "Am I... do I really look like a fairy maiden?"

“No, not at all.” Xia Jinghong replied, but her expression seemed to say, “You look exactly like him, it’s like he has the words written on his face.”

Qin Rufeng blushed, biting her little tiger teeth, and finally sighed helplessly... Oh well, at least she's smart. A little low emotional intelligence doesn't matter.

However, Qin Rufeng still wanted to salvage her dignity, so she said with a serious expression, "I am indeed from Qingyue Workshop in Cangyun City. But I am not a woman from the Immortal Workshop; I am a musician hired by the workshop owner at great expense. A musician, understand?"

Xia Jinghong: "I understand, please forgive me, fairy."

Qin Rufeng continued, "Now that you know my identity, are you still willing to follow me?"

“Of course I am willing,” Xia Jinghong said. “I am willing to serve the fairy as a slave.”

Qin Rufeng said coldly, "I'm not a good person to serve. I beat and scold my servants. Most people can't stand me, so I only have one servant so far."

"Don't be fooled by my current politeness; it's only because the difference between us is our cultivation level. Naturally, we can address each other as fellow Daoists. But if you become my slave, you will be my private property. Your life will be entirely in my hands, and your life or death will be decided by my whim."

"Moreover, Qingyue Workshop has many rules and strict regulations, and you can easily get into trouble. You might lose your life or be sold as a furnace vessel. Have you thought this through?"

Qin Rufeng stared intently at Xia Jinghong as she spoke. She noticed a momentary hesitation in Xia Jinghong's eyes, but she quickly made up her mind, "I am willing to follow the fairy. Life and death are predestined, and I will never go back on my word."

Chapter 137 is truly a talent.

She hesitated. Hesitation... was the right thing to do.

Qin Rufeng deliberately threatened Xia Jinghong. If she agreed without hesitation, it might be because she was willing to pay any price to keep her promise and avenge her master.

That would be good. But it's also possible that they simply don't want to keep their promises, so they'll agree to any request. Since they won't keep their word anyway, of course they won't hesitate.

Xia Jinghong's hesitation and difficulty actually indicate that she really would... or at least seriously consider the option of keeping her word and willingly becoming a slave.

Judging from Xia Jinghong's words and actions, although she doesn't seem to fully agree with her master's frequent admonition that "a demon hunter must keep his word," she still chooses to abide by it.

Qin Rufeng also noticed a detail: Xia Jinghong didn't initially ask for help. It was only after he deduced that Liu Zhengshi might possess rare and precious materials that he went along with it and asked for assistance.

This person is astute and intelligent, yet principled. Their words and actions are consistent, suggesting they are trustworthy.

Qin Rufeng knew that Xia Jinghong had actually made a deal. She had sold everything to him. The price was to fulfill the bounty and avenge her master.

This was indeed the maid with the cleanest background and the purest motives.

What's more... she has an amazing figure. A wasp waist and a pert bottom, swaying with every movement. Her large, rounded breasts could practically touch the ground even when she's kneeling or lying down.

While not the most beautiful, her looks were certainly above average, easily surpassing those of plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. Though lacking an ethereal quality, she possessed a chivalrous spirit reminiscent of those of ordinary people in the martial world. She had a unique charm.

Xia Jinghong could tell that Qin Rufeng was thinking, so she kowtowed repeatedly to show her determination.

Finally, Qin Rufeng nodded and said, "Alright! From now on, you'll follow me, and your life is in my hands. What do you say? Are you willing?"

“I am willing!” Xia Jinghong said. “This servant Xia Jinghong swears to follow Miss to the death. If I go back on my word, may I be struck down by heaven and earth.”

Miss? Qin Rufeng was surprised by this title, which sounded very much like that of an ordinary person from a wealthy family.

Previously, Li Qingshi addressed him as "master," placing herself in a very low position. Qin Rufeng's request for her to call him "fairy" wasn't presumptuous.

Now that Xia Jinghong calls Rufeng "Miss," she is placing herself in the position of a close maidservant to a lady from a prominent family.

After all, the two were in different situations and had different self-perceptions. Li Qingshi clung to a powerful figure when she was facing certain death, while Xia Jinghong sold herself out after weighing the options.

Qin Rufeng threatened Xia Jinghong by saying that he was difficult to please, which was both a test and a way to lower her expectations.

In fact, Qin Rufeng was not harsh on his maids and servants, and this contrast made Xia Jinghong feel grateful.

Therefore, it seems we should give them a warning first, and then relax the restrictions once we arrive at Qingyuefang...

Qin Rufeng's expression darkened, and she said, "Don't call me Miss!"

Xia Jinghong quickly said, "Master! This servant knows her mistake and begs for punishment."

Qin Rufeng added, "There's no need to belittle yourself."

Xia Jinghong pondered for a moment and said again, "This servant knows her mistake, please punish me, Fairy."

Qin Rufeng nodded. "You don't know the rules yet, but it's no big deal if you don't. You should be careful in the future, there are many rules in Qingyuefang."

Xia Jinghong quickly replied, "Yes, this servant will follow your teachings, Fairy."

Qin Rufeng now understands the Pig Demon Queen's background and is quite confident.

So she summoned her giant sword and flew back to the Liu family mansion with Xia Jinghong.

You can see that mountain of flesh from afar...

Although Liu Zhengshi had gained cultivation through a fortuitous opportunity, she had never learned magic from anyone. Therefore, she could only watch helplessly as Qin Rufeng soared in the sky.

Qin Rufeng now understood that the Thousand Mountains Flying Snow attack hadn't failed to injure her; it was simply because she had "high HP." But what did it matter if a sandbag had high HP? Controlling this monster should be a piece of cake.

Qin Rufeng even entertained a wicked idea. She had never considered it before, but now that she was in this predicament, she couldn't care less about morality. Besides, there was no need to talk about morality with a monster who had devoured the entire village.

However... safety comes first, so testing the waters is necessary.

So Qin Rufeng said to Xia Jinghong, "You go down and deal with her. I will seize the opportunity to kill her. Be careful, safety first."

"Yes, fairy." Xia Jinghong then went down to fight Liu Zhengshi.

No longer needing to sacrifice herself for attacks, Xia Jinghong's movements were still quite agile. She used a weak ice spike technique to attack Liu Zhengshi, proving she indeed possessed a water elemental root.

The ice spikes struck Liu Zhengshi without causing a ripple. Qin Rufeng observed repeatedly and confirmed that Liu Zhengshi possessed only a single earth elemental root.

It could even be said that she originally didn't have a spiritual root, and that she must have developed one through the infection of the blood cloud, that treasure, a large amount of primordial yang, and by consuming a lot of talent.

That being the case...

Qin Rufeng then unleashed his magical weapon, the Azure Moon Hidden Dragon Sword, and slashed wildly at Liu's twisted left arm, severing it. He then repeated the process, severing her right arm.

Liu Zhengshi let out a heart-wrenching roar. Then, filled with resentment, she screamed, "Why?! Why won't you let me go?!"

"That's right, I did have a prior engagement with the Zhao family. But it was just a coincidence that I met the young master of the Liu family too late. Otherwise, why would I have gotten engaged to a poor wretch from the Zhao family?"

"Is this my fault? I just want to live a better life and pursue my own happiness. Is that wrong?"

These outrageous remarks left Qin Rufeng and Xia Jinghong speechless.

Xia Jinghong said, "Since you married into the Liu family, why didn't you return the betrothal gifts from the Zhao family? Since you married into the Liu family, why are you still restless and doing those shameful things?"

“What a joke! A betrothal gift is a gift; there’s no reason to return it!” Liu Zhengshi said matter-of-factly.

"Wouldn't returning the betrothal gifts be a disgrace to the Zhao family and an act of disrespect? If the betrothal gifts are returned, how will the Zhao family ever hold their heads high again?"

"Although I didn't marry into the Zhao family, I can't be so ungrateful. Besides, didn't I later share a bed with the Zhao family's son? So I haven't treated him badly!"

Xia Jinghong said, "What did the Liu family do to deserve this? You didn't tell them about your engagement with the Zhao family."

Liu Zhengshi said aggrievedly, "If I tell them, how can they accept it? My father-in-law is in poor health. If he gets upset and something bad happens to him, wouldn't I be a sinner?"

“I always put the Liu family first, but who would have thought that they would be so ungrateful and repay kindness with enmity! They beat me unconscious and threw me into the pigsty.”

"So cold-blooded and heartless, I'd rather be cared for by the pigs in the sty." (This is a fragment of a sentence and doesn't translate directly.)

Xia Jinghong: "Isn't that because you stole the Liu family's treasure?"

“What constitutes theft?” Liu Zhengshi said. “I know a wandering cultivator. That night in the woodshed, he told me that the [Xi Chen] is a priceless treasure, and that the Liu family’s possession of it is a crime of possessing a treasure. Sooner or later, it will cause trouble.”

"I took out that thing in order to help my master's family get rid of their troubles."

"Xi Chen! That treasure is called Xi Chen?" Qin Rufeng finally spoke. "You gave that thing to the wandering cultivator?"

"How could that be?" Liu Zhengshi said. "That man is trying to get something for nothing. He's already cheated me out of my body, and now he wants to make money out of thin air? How could I let him have his way?"

Qin Rufeng thought to himself, "This guy is really something else..."

Chapter 138 The culprit

Xia Jinghong retorted angrily, "Then you have harmed the entire village, my master, and many innocent people who passed through this place. Your sins are heinous!"

"What crime have I committed?" Liu Zhengshi asked, tears of grievance streaming down her face. "I'm just hungry... Am I supposed to starve to death if I don't eat?"

"You..." Xia Jinghong was clearly losing her composure.

At this moment, Qin Rufeng said, "Jinghong, what are you talking about with her? Step back." Then she used the Azure Moon Hidden Dragon Sword to cut off Liu's Yi Qiba's legs.

This guy is really tough. Even a magical weapon like the Azure Moon Hidden Dragon Sword takes him half a day to chop down, like felling a giant tree.

Having lost her hands and feet, Liu was unable to move.

At this moment, Qin Rufeng took out something she had always kept but never thought of using... the products of "The Art of Living Weapon Refining: Chapter of Wood", namely the [Living Herb Pill] and the [Soul-Devouring Silkworm] produced by the Ginseng Mother.

The Soul-Scattering Pill can transform a person's soul into a spiritual liquid that flows out and is then absorbed by the Soul-Devouring Silkworm. Feeding the Soul-Devouring Silkworm to the Ginseng Mother allows you to obtain something like opening a blind box.

Such a thing would be far too cruel even to an enemy, and Qin Rufeng had never intended to use it. But facing such a monster who had devoured an entire village, using it would be too lenient.

Liu Zhengshi, whose limbs had been severed, had now reverted to human form. She lay on her back on the ground, unable to move, panting heavily as her chest heaved violently.

Qin Rufeng ordered Xia Jinghong to pry open Liu Zhengshi's mouth and then forcibly stuffed the Soul-Scattering Pill into her mouth.

A moment later, Liu Zhengshi began to tremble and convulse as if she were being shaken.

With a scream, milky white nectar flowed from Liu Zhengshi's seven orifices. It gushed out in spurts as her body convulsed.

Liu Zhengshi rolled her eyes, stuck out her tongue, and made indistinct sounds.

The sprayed soul liquid quickly gathered together. Originally a viscous liquid, it became even denser and more viscous after gathering, and it was also wriggling.

Finally, it turned into a lump that looked like a slime... and it still seemed to be alive.

Upon closer inspection, one can still discern Liu Zhengshi's facial features and physical characteristics. It's as if a person has melted into a puddle of soft mud, a slightly eerie sight.

Qin Rufeng then released the Soul-Devouring Silkworm. Upon seeing the lump of soul liquid "mud monster," the little thing excitedly pounced on it and swallowed it whole... The silkworm's entire body immediately expanded, becoming plump.

Seeing this bizarre scene, Xia Jinghong was utterly shocked. Even Qin Rufeng himself was using the Soul-Devouring Silkworm to collect soul liquid for the first time.

However, at that moment, she suddenly sensed three powerful spiritual energies quietly approaching.

Qin Rufeng quickly looked up. A tall figure emerged from the darkness, carrying a sedan chair slowly towards them…

The man carrying the sedan chair was tall and muscular, with muscles as strong as bluestone and black iron, and he clearly had a huge horse's head.

It's Horse-Faced Demon... the Crimson Moon Demonic Cult?!

The sedan chair bearers behind were also horse-faced demons. And seated gracefully inside the sedan chair was the Crimson Moon Saintess.

This Crimson Moon Saintess is dressed differently from the one I saw in the Heavenly Prison before.

She was clad in golden armor and wore a golden helmet. Two golden beast-head breastplates covered her chest, their imposing figures swaying up and down with the movement of the sedan chair. A larger, round shield-shaped plate covered her rounded abdomen.

The golden helmet, shaped like a burning flame, was worn on the head to cover the eyes. Long, jet-black hair cascaded down the shoulders.

She wore a long red and black skirt with a side slit that went up to her waist, revealing her snow-white thighs. She wasn't wearing shoes either, her bare feet resting on the footrest of the sedan chair.

She held a long-stemmed pipe in her hand and also held an umbrella. The umbrella had only ribs, all of which were gleaming, sharp blades.