If You Don't Come, People Will Die

Earth Rat scrambled to his feet, thoroughly annoyed by now, and said to Jiang Ningshu in the black robe, "Fellow cultivator, didn’t you see I was teaching her a lesson?"

Jiang Ningshu remained silent, playing the role of an aloof expert, standing motionless.

Earth Rat hesitated, not daring to act recklessly just yet.

"Save me! He’s trying to steal my things!" Liu Ruwen cried out, clinging to this lifeline.

Jiang Ningshu was pleased—this was exactly the reaction she wanted.

"She’s under my protection now."

With that, Jiang Ningshu delivered a cool, heroic line.

Earth Rat couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. You’d better have the strength to back that up, he thought.

But what he actually said was, "Then let me test your skills."

Earth Rat didn’t dare provoke her outright—he still had no idea how strong she was.

Then he launched his attack.

Jiang Ningshu engaged him in battle, and for a while, they seemed evenly matched.

As the fight continued, they gradually moved away from Liu Ruwen.

Only when Liu Ruwen was out of sight did Jiang Ningshu finally strike Earth Rat down with a single decisive blow.

Earth Rat’s mind screamed at him to get up, but his body refused to obey.

He was stunned. Just moments ago, they had been fighting on equal footing—how had she suddenly become so overpowering?

It hit him—Jiang Ningshu had been holding back the entire time.

Desperate, he begged for mercy, "Forgive me! I was blind to your greatness! Spare my life, please!"

Even if his body could barely move, he forced himself into a kneeling position. Survival was more important than pride.

Su Luo, who had been watching from the start, asked, "What’s this act of yours now?"

Su Luo had been there the whole time—Jiang Ningshu had deliberately lured Earth Rat away during the fight.

And she could have ended this instantly from the beginning, yet she chose to drag it out.

"You don’t get it, do you? If I saved her too easily, her gratitude wouldn’t be as deep. But if I fight a long, grueling battle, finally slaying the enemy and returning to her, battered and wounded—she’d be moved to tears."

Su Luo shook his head at her explanation.

Of course he understood—it was a classic manipulation tactic.

But seeing Jiang Ningshu of all people pull this off was… unexpected.

Seems she really had been reflecting, learning, and improving.

Too bad she picked the wrong target. Liu Ruwen’s nature wouldn’t change so easily.

Little Yu spoke up, "Are you sure this will work?"

Though she’d never done anything like this herself, her instincts told her it might backfire.

If Liu Ruwen found out the truth later, wouldn’t she turn hostile?

Jiang Ningshu remained confident. "No problem. Just watch—it’ll work perfectly."

The theory was flawless, after all.

Meanwhile, Earth Rat, still ignored, kept begging for mercy. He could vaguely understand their conversation and had pieced together the gist of it.

But now wasn’t the time to speak out of turn.

"So, what do we do with him?" Su Luo asked Jiang Ningshu.

Earth Rat pretended to grovel, but secretly, he was gathering his strength.

If things went south, he’d have to risk everything in a final strike.

Jiang Ningshu thought for a moment. "Bury him."

Earth Rat lunged!

Only to be stomped into the ground by Su Luo. "If you’re not using him, I’ll take him."

Earth Rat struggled, but it was useless.

Another expert?! Just his luck today.

Su Luo didn’t care about his thoughts. He quickly set up a formation on Earth Rat’s body.

The formation’s name: Human Bomb Detonation Array.

"You’re skilled in formations, right? Try breaking this one. If you can’t, go wait for me here."

Su Luo tossed him a map—the destination marked was Ghost Return Valley.

This was the base of Su Luo’s new Demon Sect.

"And if you don’t show up… people die." Su Luo added with a sinister tone.

Earth Rat frantically examined the formation inside him. Just one glance made his head spin.

Incomprehensible. Absolutely incomprehensible!

It was leagues beyond anything he’d ever studied.

Su Luo didn’t wait for his reaction. With a kick, he sent Earth Rat flying into the distance.

Whether he showed up or not was his choice.

But if he didn’t… well, that was his own misfortune.

Then Jiang Ningshu and the others hid nearby, spying on Liu Ruwen.

After a while, Su Luo asked, "Aren’t you going out yet?"

"Not yet. The longer I wait, the more grateful she’ll be." Jiang Ningshu was putting theory into practice.

Just imagining her success made her giddy.

"But she looks like she’s about to leave."

"What?! After I fought so hard for her, she’s just walking away?"

Jiang Ningshu had to act now—she couldn’t let her efforts go to waste.

For effect, she tore her robe slightly and dusted it with dirt, as if she’d been through an intense battle.

Then she staggered into Liu Ruwen’s view, breathing heavily.

Before Jiang Ningshu could speak, Liu Ruwen rushed to say, "Senior, are you alright? I was just about to help you! Where’s Earth Rat? Let’s take him down together!"

Jiang Ningshu took a deep breath. "I’ve already killed him. Not even ashes remain." She coughed weakly for emphasis.

This injury is because of you. Feel guilty.

"Wow, Senior, you’re amazing!"

Liu Ruwen’s eyes sparkled with admiration—or so it seemed.

In truth, she wanted to confirm Earth Rat’s death herself, but for now, she’d play along with this "senior."

Jiang Ningshu didn’t say much else. She maintained her aloof demeanor at first, then gradually softened it.

The contrast would make Liu Ruwen warm up to her faster.

Then Su Luo and Little Yu arrived, also cloaked in black robes.

Su Luo didn’t care, but Jiang Ningshu had insisted he play along.

She didn’t want Su Luo ruining her plans.

Su Luo was too famous—if Liu Ruwen recognized him and switched her focus, Jiang Ningshu’s efforts would be wasted.

"Meddling again. Are you done? We have important matters to attend to," Su Luo said coldly.

"Coming. I thought her strength might be useful, but it seems I was wrong."

Jiang Ningshu sighed and turned away, counting down in her head. Three, two, one—

"Senior! If there’s anything I can do to help, just say the word!"

Liu Ruwen suddenly spoke up.

"You?" Jiang Ningshu sized her up, then after a long pause, said, "You’re serious?"

"Of course! You saved my life. Let me repay you."

Liu Ruwen’s intentions weren’t pure. She had her eyes on Jiang Ningshu, plotting to rob her.

And now the perfect opportunity had fallen into her lap—why not take it?

Besides, this "senior" didn’t seem that strong. If she struggled against Earth Rat, she couldn’t be much stronger than Liu Ruwen herself.

Once she learned more, a well-timed ambush might just work.

"Fine. Follow us." Jiang Ningshu nodded. The plan was working.

If Liu Ruwen hadn’t spoken up, Jiang Ningshu would’ve found another way to bring her along.

First, get her in. Then, slowly win her over.

Su Luo and Little Yu exchanged glances. Smooth so far. This was going to be entertaining.

"Little Yu, what do you think?"

"I think… Jiang Ningshu will fail."

"Agreed. Let’s watch. The prettier the woman, the better the liar."

"Ah, but I wasn’t lying to you."

"Are you complimenting yourself on being pretty?" Su Luo pinched Little Yu’s cheeks with both hands.

"Hehe."