Chapter 22: I Really Am Marrying Master
Ming Ji opened his eyes, only to be met with a sight that filled him with rage—though unharmed, the women before him were all bound hand and foot.
Their faces were pale, and judging by their appearances, they were extremely weak, likely having been starved in preparation for this so-called sacrifice.
When these women saw the Thousand-Faced Ghost, their pupils contracted in fear.
All except one—an exceptionally beautiful woman.
She sat bound at the very front. Though her face was the palest of them all, her features were exquisite. Originally, she had looked as limp as a drowning fish, but the moment her gaze landed on Shen Yi, who stood beside the Thousand-Faced Ghost, hatred surged in her eyes.
The woman screamed at the top of her lungs, “It was you! You’re the wretch who did this to me!”
“So noisy.” Shen Yi played with the small knife in her hand, which was still stained with blood, her expression unchanging as she issued a silent warning.
She then turned her leisurely gaze toward the woman. Seeing the victim immediately shut her mouth and tremble in fear, Shen Yi’s smile widened with pleasure.
“Rest assured, the sacrifices must remain intact, so I won’t cut out your tongue.”
Shen Yi gently stroked the flat of the blade, her voice sounding like a life-claiming demon. “In any case, your suffering will only increase.”
Her sadistic nature was all too obvious, and she glanced sideways at Ming Ji from time to time.
Noticing that his white-jade face had flushed slightly with anger, Shen Yi unhurriedly drawled, “Immortal Venerable, these ninety-nine women are the sacrifices. Soon, they will be devoured by the Spirit Sacrifice Array together. The sensation of flesh being peeled away bit by bit is even more painful than lingchi (death by a thousand cuts)…”
The Thousand-Faced Ghost chuckled low from the side, finding great satisfaction in seeing Ming Ji’s expression.
He turned to Shen Yi and ordered, “When the Spirit Sacrifice Array is deployed, splash the blood of those women onto the array, then lead them into the eye of the formation. You should know how to do that, correct?”
The Thousand-Faced Ghost had another crucial reason for cooperating with Shen Yi: the Spirit Sacrifice Array was extremely difficult to set up, and to lead the sacrifices into the formation, the guide had to be a human.
Hearing this, Shen Yi nodded happily. The longing in her eyes made it clear she was already looking forward to the beautiful face the Spirit Sacrifice Array would craft from these women’s flesh and blood.
Ming Ji looked away, seemingly in anger. outwardly, he appeared to be doing nothing, but in reality, he was waiting for the right moment.
Fortunately, he had predicted this situation and taken an antidote pill beforehand.
As long as he intervened when the Thousand-Faced Ghost activated the Spirit Sacrifice Array, he could disrupt the formation and protect these innocent people.
He planned silently in his heart while casting a worried glance at Wei Zixi, who had already fallen into the False Dream.
For Ming Ji’s plan to work, someone had to lure the enemy in.
Therefore, Wei Zixi intentionally falling into the illusion was something they had discussed in advance.
Even though Ming Ji appeared calm and light as the clouds and breeze on the surface, his heart was tightly clenched, terrified that Wei Zixi might be harmed by the illusion.
— Inside the Illusion —
Mist drifted all around. At first, Wei Zixi walked aimlessly through it.
It wasn’t until he walked deep into the fog that he realized he was standing before a bridal chamber lit by flickering red candles.
The embroidered silk bedding was scattered with red dates, peanuts, and longans, all symbolizing the joyous news of a wedding.
Hearing Wei Zixi’s slow footsteps, the person sitting on the bed, covered by a red veil, spoke softly. “Zixi.”
By the light of the candles, he faintly made out the peerless face half-concealed beneath.
Wei Zixi froze instantly, his entire body rooted to the spot.
Receiving no response, the person called out again, their voice tinged with doubt. “Zixi?”
Wei Zixi felt his heart pounding wildly, unable to speak for a moment.
This scene was different from the fake wedding earlier. Their positions had been swapped; Wei Zixi was now the groom, about to marry his most beloved Master.
Like a young man experiencing love for the first time, he used the weighing rod to lift the soft shark-silk veil, revealing the beautiful scenery beneath.
Under the dim light, Ming Ji pursed his lips, a smile gracing his face.
His eyes shifted slightly, carrying a look of doting helplessness—unlike the usual look given to a disciple, this was the partiality shown to a lover.
Seeing Wei Zixi’s eyes filled with his own reflection, Ming Ji couldn’t help but chuckle. “Zixi, are you overwhelmed with joy?”
To be honest, Wei Zixi was indeed overwhelmed.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t imagined many scenarios of being with Ming Ji, but those thoughts were far less soul-stirring than the reality before him.
Wei Zixi nodded earnestly. His serious expression made Ming Ji laugh again.
“Let us drink the nuptial wine,” Ming Ji said. His warm hand picked up the small wine cup first, and he slowly intertwined his arm with Wei Zixi’s.
Seeing Wei Zixi remain motionless, he added, “Why is Zixi always so absent-minded?”
In truth, Wei Zixi was blushing to the tips of his ears at Ming Ji’s initiative. When asked, he stammered, “I… I was just wondering if this is real. Am I really marrying Master?”
“Naturally, it is real.” Ming Ji’s gaze was gentle as always. “Let us continue.”
Wei Zixi gave a soft affirmation. Just as he was about to finish the nuptial wine he hadn’t drunk yet, his head spun.
The scene shifted, and the location changed to the cave.
He rubbed his head and looked up, feeling so dizzy that his vision blurred.
Wait… wasn’t he pulled into the illusion by the Thousand-Faced Ghost just now? Why would he suddenly be marrying his Master?
Thinking this, he suddenly snapped back to reality. Realizing his current situation, he became cautious, drawing his sword to find the formation’s core to break it.
Wei Zixi slowly placed his hand behind his back, clutching the various talismans Ming Ji had given him earlier, and stepped carefully into the dim cave.
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, as if seeing something.
There seemed to be several people ahead…
Wei Zixi immediately averted his gaze, even subconsciously closing his eyes, muttering “see no evil” repeatedly.
“Zixi…”
Hearing this voice, Wei Zixi’s body stiffened instantly.
It was Master…! Master’s voice was ringing in his ears.
He immediately recited the Heart-Clearing Mantra before daring to open his eyes. But upon seeing the scene before him, his blood seemed to flow in reverse.
He saw Ming Ji with curved eyes, his face as beautiful as a peach blossom. Unlike his usual cold demeanor, he appeared somewhat coquettish.
Not only was his arm hooked around a man’s neck, but he then kissed another man’s lips.
It was hard to imagine that the usually unattainable Immortal Venerable was now like a soul-hooking demon, softly calling his name.
Ming Ji blinked slightly, his rose-colored lips parting as he spoke seductively, “Zixi, do you want this?”
No, no, Master is absolutely not this kind of person.
Wei Zixi was not troubled by this scene. His eyes remained incredibly firm as he raised his sword and slashed straight at the phantoms before him.
The phantoms shattered upon impact and quickly vanished, but he soon fell into a new dilemma.
Because—when Wei Zixi opened his eyes again, he saw a new scene—his past self had heavily injured Ming Ji.
Ming Ji was so weak he had no strength to speak, blood spilling from the corners of his mouth.
Unlike the charm and seduction from before, his eyes now held a trace of release.
Wei Zixi tried to break this scene, but no matter how much spiritual power he exerted, it was useless.
He could only watch like a helpless child, an unrelated bystander.
Wei Zixi watched the light and shadow before him, watching his past self kill the malice that had occupied his Master, and then drape clothes over the exposed Ming Ji.
“Zixi, you should be happy for me.”
Ming Ji was always so good.
Even at this moment, heavily injured by his most beloved youngest disciple, he still spoke no words of blame.
The Wei Zixi of the past life held Ming Ji, his voice choked beyond recognition, his words full of self-blame: “Master, it is all my fault. I came too late.”
Ming Ji raised his hand, gently wiping the tear stains from Wei Zixi’s cheek, and comforted him softly, “It is not your fault, Zixi.”
“Speaking of which, Master should thank you.”
A spark of hope finally lit up in his expression, followed by a light cough. His ashen face clearly showed that his life force was nearly gone.
“If not for you, I would never have woken up, and I would have continued to be humiliated by them.”
Even though Ming Ji’s body was covered in the marks of others, the Wei Zixi of the past life still felt that his Master remained the high and mighty Immortal Lord.
He felt the body in his arms gradually growing cold and closed his eyes in grief.
Even though the past Wei Zixi knew Ming Ji could no longer hear him, he still held onto an unspoken obsession, his expression solemn.
He said, Master…
No matter what, I still treat you like the bright moon.
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