Chapter 279: Schemes, the Backlash Comes Early
Nan Xun returned alone to Mo Ran Hall. This time, without Gong Mo Ran by her side, the surrounding gazes no longer bothered to hide as they landed on her—mostly loathing and contempt, with some curiosity and confusion mixed in.
Gong Da walked past her and sneered coldly, “So I thought you were some kind of enchantress, but it turns out you’re just a whore from a brothel, with a few tricks for seducing men.”
Nan Xun’s temper flared. She laughed coldly and shot back, “If it were only a few tricks, do you think I could have seduced my lord?”
Killing intent flashed in Gong Da’s eyes. “Who knows what despicable methods you used! A lowly woman from a brothel dares to covet the National Preceptor—utterly overestimating yourself.”
As if thinking of something, Gong Da curled his lips slightly and lowered his voice. “Gong Nineteen, after tonight, I’ll make you pay double for your blasphemy.”
Nan Xun frowned as she watched him leave.
What did that mean? Was something going to happen tonight?
“Little Eight, I really don’t get it. Is Gong Da truly so unable to tolerate me just because I defiled the god he worships?”
Little Eight explained, “You don’t understand—this is what you call a crazed, brain-dead superfan. They can’t stand anyone saying a single bad word about their idol. You outright defiled his idol—how could he not hate you?”
Nan Xun snorted. “I really don’t get it. Damn idiot.”
“Oh, don’t get so worked up. One day you’ll understand his inner world,” Little Eight said. After that, it suddenly went quiet, as if thinking about something.
Nan Xun spotted Gong Seventeen standing in the distance, looking at her with a hesitant, conflicted expression.
Maybe… he looked down on her too.
Nan Xun suddenly felt grateful that when she became Rose of Zuiyue Pavilion, she’d worn a veil. Aside from showing her real face to madam Zhang, no one else knew what she looked like. Otherwise, if she stepped outside now, she’d definitely be pelted with rotten eggs and spoiled vegetables by the common folk.
Just thinking about it was terrifying.
Nan Xun went to the small kitchen to ask the maids and matrons to prepare some food, but for some reason this time, none of them were there.
Damn it—now even the servants dared to bully her. If no other disciples had instructed them, she absolutely wouldn’t believe it.
It was just a meal anyway. She wasn’t helpless. At worst, she could only make something simple—lavish dishes were out of the question.
After eating half a basin of hand-pulled noodles, Nan Xun returned to the main hall. Once the door closed, all the outside gazes were shut out, and the world instantly grew quiet.
She didn’t wait long. Just after reviewing the spells and formations the big boss had taught her, she heard the door creak open.
Gong Mo Ran’s footsteps were a bit hurried. Only when he saw Nan Xun did he slow down, though his brows knit tightly.
“Duoduo, why did you leave without waiting for me?” he asked.
Nan Xun froze. “Didn’t you say you were staying in the palace for the meal and told me to return first?”
As soon as she asked, she sensed something was wrong. The eunuch who relayed the message wasn’t one who usually served the Emperor. And if her lord had truly stayed for the meal, he wouldn’t have returned so quickly.
But what was the purpose of sending her away? Aside from encountering the Empress on the way, nothing strange had happened today.
Just then, Gong Mo Ran’s expression suddenly changed. He flicked his finger and swiftly extinguished the sandalwood incense in the burner.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
Gong Mo Ran’s face rapidly turned pale, frightening Nan Xun.
“My lord! What’s wrong?”
Gong Mo Ran abruptly grabbed the edge of the table. Veins bulged on the backs of his hands from the force.
“Duoduo, leave at once—quick!” he barked at her, using the last shred of his reason.
But seeing him like this, how could Nan Xun leave? Something was clearly very wrong!
At that moment, Little Eight suddenly shouted, “This is bad—run! The big boss’s witchcraft backlash on the night of the full moon has come early, and this time, because of human interference, it’s worse than ever!”
Hearing that, Nan Xun glanced at Gong Mo Ran and immediately turned to flee.
Damn it—on normal full-moon nights she might dare to sneak a peek, but this time was obviously different. Losing all recognition of kin was no joke!
Just as Nan Xun was about to rush out, the main hall doors suddenly slammed shut on their own with a loud bang, sealed tight.
She kicked at them, only to find the carved wooden doors seemed wrapped in a powerful witchcraft force. Forget kicking—there was a good chance they were impervious to blades and spears.
The next second, a strange force sucked her backward, straight into the grip of a large hand.
Before Nan Xun could say a word, the person behind her clamped a hand around her throat and lifted her up.
“L-let… go… Gong… Mo… Ran!” Nan Xun felt she was about to die. The grip on her neck robbed her of air as she desperately called his name, trying to awaken even a second of his clarity.
Sure enough, Gong Mo Ran froze. Nan Xun immediately broke free from his grasp, slid to the floor, and gulped in air.
Damn Gong Mo Ran—if you choke me to death today, I’ll never let you off even as a ghost!
Gong Mo Ran suddenly clutched his head and let out a painful, hoarse roar.
Catching her breath, Nan Xun looked at him and saw his eyes filled with bloodshot red, veins on his forehead bulging as if about to burst.
He struggled over to the table, trembling as he reached for the silver gu container.
Nan Xun’s expression changed instantly.
The Heart-Devouring Gu!
What was Gong Mo Ran trying to do?
Only at this moment did Nan Xun finally understand the purpose of the Heart-Devouring Gu—he was planning to use it on himself!
No one knew how excruciating it was when the Heart-Devouring Gu gnawed at the heart. Gong Mo Ran had truly gone mad!
To ease the splitting heA-Dache from the witchcraft backlash, he was using heart-devouring pain to numb himself and shift the suffering!
At this point, Nan Xun no longer cared whether he might lose control again and choke her. She rushed forward and hugged him as he curled on the ground, gasping and groaning. “My lord, it’s me—I’m your Duoduo. Please don’t hurt yourself like this anymore! If it hurts, bite me! Bite or grab me however you want—just don’t grab my neck. You can grab anywhere else!”
Gong Mo Ran’s body trembled violently. The next moment, he indeed wrapped her up tightly, holding her like a lifeless object, crushing her into his arms.
Nan Xun’s little face twisted in pain. Suddenly remembering something, she told Little Eight to block the five senses.
In the next instant, she sought out the man’s thin lips and bit down.
The man seemed to find a new way to divert the pain. Almost immediately, he enveloped her lips, biting, sucking, and kissing fiercely.
The force was so great that the taste of blood quickly filled both their mouths, and the scent seemed to stimulate him even more.
His reddened eyes locked onto the prey in his arms used to ease his agony. Suddenly, he reached out and tore off her clothes, then lifted her and flung her onto the bed.
