Chapter 148

Chu Menglin looked as if she had just woken up from a dream. Her head felt like it was being pulled by a string, inch by inch. She turned her head stiffly and stared at him for a long time. Even the head of the Kong Tong Sect was sweating under her gaze. Chu Menglin seemed to have finally recognized him. She let out a dry, hoarse laugh and said, "What else do you want? Is it the Shadow Sword?" She paused for every word, like a child who had just learned how to speak.

The head of the Kong Tong Sect grunted in acknowledgment, his heart filled with suspicion. Chu Menglin said, "Alright, then I'll give it to you. Follow me." She stood up in a daze and walked forward stiffly. The head of the Kong Tong Sect flipped his fingers and grabbed her wrist. Looking at her dazed state, it was obvious that she couldn't escape, so he grabbed her out of instinct.

Chu Menglin smiled bitterly, "You don't have to be so guarded against me. I'll fulfill my promise to you, a gentleman's word … "The head of the Kong Tong Sect couldn't stand her words anymore, it made his hair stand on end. He cut in first," A promise is a promise, a promise is a promise. Can we go now? "

Chu Menglin didn't mind that her words were suddenly cut off. She continued on her way, muttering, "What are you in such a hurry for? Are you afraid that the [Residual Shadow Sword] will fly away?" The head of the Kong Tong Sect said, "A long night is fraught with dreams. Time and tide wait for no man, we have to be first." Chu Menglin snorted coldly. The head of the Kong Tong Sect was afraid that she would go back on her word, so he didn't dare to say much along the way. Chu Menglin walked very slowly, so he didn't dare to rush her. He took some time to ask, "Where are we going to find the [Residual Shadow Sword]?"

Chu Menglin replied coldly, "Qingyi River." Her tone was flat and cold. Rather than saying that she was responding to his question, it would be more appropriate to say that she was talking to herself. The head of the Kong Tong Sect thought, "Qingyi River … Qingyi River?"

Chu Menglin felt as if her soul had been sucked out of her body during the journey. She didn't sleep, rest, drink, or eat. Although she walked slowly, she saved a lot of time. After a few days, they had covered a large distance. The head of the Kong Tong Sect was afraid that he would lose her, so he could only accompany her and not eat or drink. At first, he was able to bear it, but the more he walked, the more tired he became. His strength was getting weaker day by day.

These days, they were surrounded by barren hills. In the middle of the hills, they saw a clear stream. Chu Menglin's love for beauty was reignited, and she begged the head of the Kong Tong Sect to rest here. The head of the Kong Tong Sect agreed. He walked to the side of a tree and sat down. He closed his eyes and rested for a while. Then, he couldn't help but take out some dry rations and chew on them. His eyes never forgot to stare at Chu Menglin, lest she leave his line of sight.

Chu Menglin bent down in front of the stream. She saw that the face she was most proud of was covered in mud and filth. Her hair was unkempt, and her face was dirty. She couldn't stand it anymore. She cupped the stream water and washed her face. Then, she took out a silk handkerchief and wiped the mud off her face. She was very meticulous, wiping every inch of her face. It was as if she wanted to clean every inch of her skin. Then, she untied her long hair and used her fingers as a comb. She inserted her fingers into her hair and combed it from top to bottom.

A long time had passed since she first met Tang Yuancheng and cut off her hair in anger. She felt very sad when she thought about how she could grow her hair out again, but the scar in her heart would never heal. She silently mourned for a while before tying up her hair again. After she was done, she looked at her haggard but beautiful face in the water. She pursed her lips and smiled bitterly.

After an unknown period of time, she realized that there was another human figure in her reflection. It was standing right behind her. She hadn't noticed anything before and hadn't heard any footsteps. If she hadn't been too focused, she would have thought that the person was extremely skilled in martial arts. In order not to alert him, she secretly poked her head out and tried to identify the person in the water. That person saw through her thoughts and struck out with his palm. The strong force of the palm caused ripples to form on the surface of the water. The reflection of that person was also muddled.

Chu Menglin plucked up her courage and wanted to turn around. However, that person suddenly pulled her hair and pulled her back. Chu Menglin only saw green water and blue sky flash by. Then, a bronze mask suddenly enlarged in front of her eyes. A deep, cold light shot out from the eye sockets. This was the person she had respected the most since she was young. Chu Menglin turned pale with fright. She opened her mouth and wanted to scream, but the Cult Leader shook his arm and pulled her up from the ground. He shouted in a low voice, "Follow me!" He pulled her hair and dragged her forward without any explanation.

Chu Menglin couldn't bear the pain in her hair. She could only run as fast as she could to keep up with his pace. She knew that she was in danger this time, but she still wanted to find a way to escape. She said, "Father … father! You … "The Cult Leader didn't fall for her trick at all. He said coldly," Shut up. You don't have to waste your time and talk back to me. " He used his middle finger and flicked it downwards. Chu Menglin felt her back go numb. A spasm spread to her heart. It was so painful that she couldn't say a word.

A figure rushed forward from behind. It was the Kongtong Sect Leader. Seeing Chu Menglin being taken away in front of him, he remembered that he hadn't obtained the Afterimage Sword yet. How could he let her go? He immediately jumped out and grabbed Chu Menglin's arm, pulling her back. The Cult Leader had always been arrogant. Other than Jiang Mengchen, no one had ever dared to snatch someone from under his nose. This time, he was caught off guard. He didn't have time to defend himself, so he accidentally let his prey be snatched away by the enemy. He couldn't take this lying down. Facing the incoming force, he didn't even look before he struck out with his palm.

The Kongtong Sect Leader saw that his palm strike was steady and heavy. He didn't dare to take it head-on. He pulled Chu Menglin and used her as a living shield in front of him. Chu Menglin's body went limp like cotton. She couldn't move at all. Her back took a solid hit. She didn't have internal energy to protect her body, so her injury was even more serious. She spat out a mouthful of blood. The Kongtong Sect Leader's clothes were dyed red. The Cult Leader didn't show any mercy. He rushed forward and tried to snatch the sword again.

The Kongtong Sect Leader threw Chu Menglin behind him. He cupped his hands and said, "Friend, we're all in the Jianghu to make a living. We should follow the rules of the Jianghu. This little girl was found by me first. Shouldn't you be particular about first come, first served? "The Cult Leader said angrily," You dare talk to me about first come, first served? I'm ten years older than you. "The Kongtong Sect Leader sneered," What are you talking about? This girl is only in her teens. Don't tell me you saw her the moment she was born? Are you the midwife or her wet nurse? "

Chu Menglin knew that her father and the Kongtong Sect Leader were ambitious. They didn't do anything to her because of the Shadow Sword. But no matter who she ended up in, she wouldn't have a good ending. Right now, she could only make use of their greed and make them fight each other. Only then would she have a chance to escape. She wiped away the blood from her mouth and hid behind the Kongtong Sect Leader. She cried out, "Father! Father, save me! This old Taoist caught me and forced me to take him to get the Shadow Sword. I was coerced by my superior and had no choice but to obey. Finally, you came … "

The Cult Leader shouted angrily, "You damned rebellious girl! How dare you lie in front of me! Where did you hide the Residual Image Sword? "

The Kongtong Sect Leader was stunned at first. He thought, "When did this witch have a father?" Then he thought about it carefully. Wasn't her father the 'old devil' that Lu Qian mentioned? Today, he had unexpectedly encountered the number one villain of the underworld. His legs immediately turned to jelly and he only wanted to smile and beg for mercy.

But on second thought, even with Chu Menglin's eloquence, she was still forced to escape by this person. Obviously, flattering him wouldn't make him soften. Instead, it would speed up his death. Thinking about how he had suffered at the hands of the Shadow Sacrifice Cult, he was filled with anger. Even if he died, he had to speak his mind. Who knows, he might be lucky enough to incite internal strife in the cult. He first pretended to be respectful and said, "So you are the Cult Leader of the Shadow Sacrifice Cult. Your reputation has spread far and wide!"

The Cult Leader snorted. He was already tired of hearing flattery from the other disciples. He thought that the person in front of him was a spineless coward, so he looked down on him even more.

However, the Kongtong Sect Leader put on a disdainful expression and sneered, "Hmph, what a good disciple you've nurtured! Young Master Jiang Nanchen, deep in the palace, had an affair with Concubine Yunfei's maid. If they can do that, I'm afraid I'll say something dirty. Hall Master Yun, the Cruel Star, overestimated himself and entered the palace alone to assassinate Concubine Yunfei. He caused a huge commotion at the banquet and was finally captured. He couldn't stand the torture and threats, so he has now submitted to the Manchurian Qing. These two should be your proudest disciples, right? If even they are so disappointing, then don't even mention the others. "Actually, the Kongtong Sect Leader didn't know whether Yun of the Dark Night had surrendered or not, so he was just provoking him with words.

Chu Menglin screamed, "Nonsense! Brother Yun would never betray me, that's impossible! "The Kongtong Sect Leader sneered," What's impossible about it? Why would Yun of the Dark Night want to hang on to you? Did he owe you something in his past life or something? "

The Sect Leader had already received the secret report and knew about the commotion at the banquet. First, he felt that it was a great humiliation, and now, before he could calm down, he was exposed by an outsider. He said angrily, "Yun 'er, you idiot!" The more he thought about it, the more furious he became. He raised his arm and slapped Chu Menglin, saying angrily, "It's all because of you that I've lost a great general!"

Chu Menglin cried in sorrow. The Sect Leader of Kongtong smiled as he watched him vent his anger. He seized the opportunity and said, "Since both of them can't shoulder the responsibility, it's better for them to give up. In the end, your only daughter is closer to you, right? Why don't you and I work together and let your daughter lead the way to obtain the Residual Shadow Sword. Then, we'll slowly find the Seven Evils Treasures and conquer the world. With you sitting on the throne, I'm only willing to assist you from the side. I'm just a strategist. That's enough. "

The Sect Leader could not hold back his anger when he heard him mocking him for not teaching his disciples well. When he heard him spouting such arrogant words, he could not help but say angrily, "Thousands of miles of beautiful mountains and rivers belong to me. What right do you have to talk to me about dividing the world equally?"

The Sect Leader of Kongtong sneered, "Don't be too arrogant. The current situation is chaotic. Heroes are fighting for supremacy. The throne belongs to the capable. Saying that you were born to sit on the throne is nonsense. Other than the descendants of the royal family, who else has the right to say such things? "The Sect Leader said angrily," Nonsense! The people sitting on the throne now are all bastards who borrowed the blessings of their ancestors. I'm the only reasonable successor! "

This was the second time Chu Menglin heard her father say such things. She remembered the question that Duo Duo had once asked her. With tears in her eyes, she said, "Father, I know my sins are grave. I don't ask for your forgiveness. I just want to be a ghost with a clear conscience after I die. Please tell me, what kind of grudge do you have with the royal family? Why is it that every time you mention them, you look like you want to bite through your gums and bleed? Also … what's my real identity? Why do I have the 'royal blood'? "

A cold light flashed in the Sect Leader's eyes. He rushed forward and grabbed both of Chu Menglin's wrists tightly. He shouted, "The royal blood? How did you know? Where did you hear that? Tell me! "Chu Menglin's wrists made cracking sounds, as if they were broken. She turned to look at the Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect. She only treated him as the only person she could ask for help with no other intentions. The Sect Leader misunderstood the look in her eyes. He also looked at the Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect. He said coldly, "Did you tell her?"

The Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect had no idea what the secret of the 'royal blood' was, but he was happy to pretend to be mysterious. He smiled and said, "Of course I was the one who told her. As for who you are, I'll tell you too. You don't have to wear an ugly mask to hide your true identity anymore. "

The Sect Leader roared and shook off Chu Menglin. He grabbed the Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect's collar and shouted, "You said you know my true identity? Does anyone else know? "