Betting with my life

Early morning.

Chu Xingchen cradled a bowl of hot porridge in his hands. Before him lay several saucers of side dishes that could be considered reasonably exquisite—four plates containing four delicacies, arranged with a fair degree of meticulousness.

In the Central Plains, these dishes would hardly be considered refined, but here in West Aparagodaniya, for side dishes to be presented in such a manner, it was practically the kitchen's way of offering the highest form of flattery.

One glance at the other tables revealed a stark contrast—the side dishes for the other diners looked as if they had been scooped up by foot and carelessly tossed onto the plates.

The philosophy was clear: never mind the aesthetics, just ask yourself if it's edible.

Chu Xingchen extended his chopsticks to pick up some vegetables, speaking as he did so:

"This is the health regimen combo highly recommended by the sect's two top disciples: hot porridge with pickled mustard tubers. You've really hit the jackpot this time."

The Bright Buddha nodded with a satisfied expression, gently stirring the hot porridge with his chopsticks:

"One taste is enough to tell that this is indeed nourishing."

Wukong, also holding a bowl of hot porridge, listened to this founding Buddha of Mahayana Buddhism sucking up.

They were all cultivators who had achieved inedia; what was the point of drinking health porridge?

However, he wasn't feeling quite as nervous at this moment. Given the current situation, if something really went wrong, he could only rely on the "tall ones" to hold up the sky.

Being anxious would do him no good.

Pondering this, Wukong spooned the hot porridge into his mouth, lightly sampling the flavor of the premium side dishes.

Doing business in West Aparagodaniya didn't involve many tricks; there were no VIP dining areas, so the rich and the poor alike had to eat in the main hall.

Consequently, Chu Xingchen's table, with its exceptionally exquisite pickled vegetables, drew some attention.

However, this scrutiny was harmless. Acting openly and confidently was far less likely to arouse suspicion than acting cautious and furtive.

The top-tier guest rooms were on the third floor.

Donggua had sat in meditation all night, only to find that no one had come looking for her.

With the response from the Demon Lord, her future—previously devoid of hope and filled with darkness—finally held a single ray of light to look forward to.

Thus, her previous plan of taking things one step at a time needed to change.

At the very least, she had to hold out until the Demon Lord descended, and incidentally take Cui Hao and Wukong with her.

Therefore, regarding the matter of dying, she could afford to compromise and endure humiliation for now.

Donggua sat until dawn, her mind made up.

As a Spirit Transformation cultivator, even without projecting her divine sense, she could perceive the situation through her basic senses.

At the very least, hearing what Chu Xingchen was saying from the third floor was a simple task.

So, Donggua walked down from the third floor.

Wukong, holding his plain porridge, looked on with a strange expression as Donggua approached from the staircase, wearing a slightly fawning smile.

Donggua used to show such expressions before she was hunted, but ever since the pursuit began, she had worn a look of utter apathy towards life and death.

And after meeting Chu Xingchen disguised as Cui Hao, her expression had practically screamed, "Let's all die together."

Wukong was absolutely certain of the pure malice and killing intent Donggua held toward Cui Hao. With that level of murderous intent, it would be a miracle if they didn't tear the sky apart fighting—how could there possibly be a reconciliation?

Could it be that during the night yesterday...?

Chu Xingchen was truly terrifying; his ability to manipulate the human heart was frightening.

Donggua took her seat with a gentle expression. Seeing everyone holding hot porridge, she glanced at the empty space in front of her and spoke in a soft tone:

"You all ordered a portion; why didn't you prepare one for me?"

Chu Xingchen set his plain porridge back on the table and said without a hint of politeness:

"Feeding it to a pig would at least grow meat; feeding it to you is a sheer waste."

Wukong pursed his lips and lowered his head, the bowl in his hands trembling slightly.

Donggua felt a flicker of embarrassment, but she quickly retracted the expression, turning instead to ask:

"Cui Hao, with these arrangements of yours, how long do we need to stay here?"

Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow slightly: "I thought you didn't care?"

"I thought about it carefully all night, and I feel that what you said actually makes sense." Donggua sighed softly, her tone sounding quite sincere. "I was acting out of spite before, but upon reflection, throwing my life away for the sake of anger is unnecessary. If there is anywhere you need my help, I will certainly do my utmost."

The corners of Chu Xingchen's mouth curled into a smile: "To the death?"

"To the death!" Donggua replied with extreme certainty, her sincere gaze betraying not a shred of killing intent.

Chu Xingchen nodded with a smile: "Then would you say I have saved your life?"

"Naturally!" Donggua said earnestly. "In this situation, I can only rely on you."

Witnessing this, Wukong gently shook his head, feeling a distinct chill as he picked up some salted vegetables from the table.

The Bright Buddha chewed on his salted vegetables, his gaze filled with uncertainty as he looked at Donggua, who seemed to have had her soul swapped.

Indeed, there were more strange occurrences these days than ever before.

Chu Xingchen nodded in satisfaction as well, then placed his empty bowl back on the table:

"Since you have forsaken darkness for light, I shall give you an opportunity. Didn't you just ask how long we would be staying?"

Donggua froze upon hearing this. Chu Xingchen's words instantly brought back many unpleasant memories.

When Cui Hao spoke like this, there was usually nothing good waiting for her.

But seeing Chu Xingchen's relaxed, assessing expression.

Donggua gritted her teeth and replied:

"Yes, I did just ask."

"Then you have at least some perceptiveness," Chu Xingchen said with a gentle smile. "If you had been any later, you would have had to remain here alone."

"With so many Tribulation Transcender cultivators from the Buddhist sects shrinking the encirclement, staying longer is naturally waiting for death."

"Therefore, my answer is: very soon."

"The reason we stayed here for one extra day was that there was preparatory work to be done."

No sooner had Chu Xingchen's voice faded.

Wukong raised his eyes to look at the heavenly phenomena outside the door.

Just a moment ago, two auras of the Tribulation Transcender stage had swept across the area. Mortals could not detect them, but cultivators of their caliber could.

The Bright Buddha's expression remained calm.

"Waiter, bring another bowl of porridge," Chu Xingchen raised his hand to call the server.

"Coming right up, my lord!" the waiter quickly responded.

Chu Xingchen took a token from his spatial ring and slid it over to Donggua:

"At the coffin shop at the end of the west street, there is someone to draw fire for us. Remember to listen to what the person on the street says, then immediately run toward the east; that is our evacuation route."

"Oh, and the porridge just now was ordered for you. Eat your fill before you go; there's no such rush."

The waiter quickly brought the porridge up and, at Chu Xingchen's signal, placed it in front of Donggua.

Donggua silently looked at the porridge before her and the token Chu Xingchen had put down.

A moment passed.

Donggua reached out to grasp the token, then picked up the bowl. She downed the steaming, scalding porridge in one gulp, then turned and walked away.

She didn't mention that she was merely a Spirit Transformation cultivator, or that if a Tribulation Transcender's divine sense swept over her, she would absolutely die here.

Nor did she ask if Cui Hao had any magical treasures to ensure her safety.

Cui Hao would not be that kindhearted.

And clearly, she had no choice in this matter.

As for whether Cui Hao would truly kill her...

Donggua knew that she herself would never leave alive an enemy who harbored absolute killing intent toward her.

Cui Hao was no fool, either.

If she judged him by her own standards... Cui Hao deserved to be hacked into eight pieces.

Moreover, since a token was required for the meeting, there might be some means of turning things around.

In this round, she was gambling with her life!