Chapter 68: The Flower Spider King

Lu Tangjun had emphasized the ancient village in the Miao region three times. Master knew all too well that if he failed to present any evidence, this matter would only grow more troublesome with time. Fixing his gaze on Lu Tangjun, Master said, “Since you demand an explanation, I shall give you one.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Master’s eyes suddenly blazed with golden light. Lu Tangjun started, stepping back and bracing himself for a fight. But Master made no move to attack. With a sweep of his hand, the surrounding scene changed instantly into something altogether different. Lu Tangjun was startled but concealed his surprise well.

The scene was just as we had witnessed the previous day: a younger sister and her brother chasing each other playfully in the forest. But before long, the sister collided with a person—none other than Ge Fang, who now stood before us all. Lu Tangjun’s face changed drastically; he whipped his head around to glare at Ge Fang.

Ge Fang, too, showed a flicker of fear. Four foxes soon appeared, carrying the brother and sister away. At that, Master wiped his hand, and the scene melted back into the ancient village in Miaojiang. He looked coldly at Lu Tangjun and all the stunned villagers present.

Lu Tangjun’s brow was furrowed tightly. He stared at Ge Fang in silence, while Ge Fang grew increasingly anxious, inching backward. But the moment she moved her foot, Master acted. With a flash, he struck, sending Ge Fang flying.

Before Lu Tangjun could react, he glanced at Ge Fang, who now lay some distance away, then walked up to Master and said, “Tan Boqing, I admit this was my oversight. But she is, after all, one of our own from Miaojiang. By rights, her punishment should be decided by the ancient village. For you to act so directly—what is your intention?”

“My intention? What, now your words mean nothing? Or do you intend to turn a blind eye and let this all blow over?” Master shot back, questioning him repeatedly.

Lu Tangjun’s expression darkened. Standing before Master, he recalled the words he’d just spoken to Ge Fang. If he’d lied, he couldn’t protect her. At last, he said to Master, “If that’s the way of it, then I’ll step aside. Ge Fang is yours now.”

Master gave a cold laugh and said no more. The truth was already clear to everyone present. Ge Fang lay on the ground, unable to defend herself, her eyes following Lu Tangjun as he walked away. None of the villagers dared intervene.

Ge Fang looked up at Master, her face drained of hope. Master strode toward her and said coldly, “The antidote.”

But Ge Fang did not answer. She slowly rose, glaring at the onlookers with resentment. Perhaps something had snapped inside her, or perhaps it was the hypocrisy of the crowd that provoked her. Suddenly, she shouted, “You hypocrites! Pretending to be righteous, but in truth, you’re just a pack of cowardly, miserable wretches! Now that outsiders have come into our village, you fall for rumors and turn your backs on your own people—especially you, Lu Tangjun!”

Still desperate to clear her own name, Ge Fang railed at the crowd, finally turning her fury on Lu Tangjun. He halted, head slightly turned, as Ge Fang continued, “As the chief of the village, you judge blindly and listen to outsiders. What right do you have to remain in your position? Since you show no mercy, don’t expect any from me!”

When she finished, Lu Tangjun’s face turned ashen. In a flash, he was standing before her, gripping her throat with a vicious sneer. “Ge Fang, I warned you, didn’t I? Have you ever listened? Do you still consider yourself one of us? Do you still want to justify yourself? The truth is plain for all to see. I now declare: from this day forth, Ge Fang is no longer of the ancient village in Miaojiang. You will bear the consequences of your actions alone—don’t drag the rest of us down with you.”

With that, Lu Tangjun shot Master a glance. Master paid him no mind, still staring coldly at Ge Fang. Lu Tangjun released his grip and walked away, leaving Ge Fang alone, laughing madly in the vast emptiness of the ancient village. The other villagers slipped back into their houses, peeking furtively from their windows.

Master looked at Ge Fang and spoke again: “The antidote!”

Ge Fang’s laughter ceased. Her lips curled into a manic smile. She shouted at Master, “The antidote? If you want it, come and take it yourself if you have the skill!”

With that, she resumed her mad laughter, her voice echoing all around. Watching her, I found myself at a loss for words. It was as if we’d driven a perfectly sane person to madness—but then, remembering her deeds, I realized she deserved little pity.

Master shook his head and sighed. “There are ways to resolve this. Surrender the antidote, and I’ll strip you of your powers and spare your life.”

“Spare my life?” Ge Fang cackled. “I don’t need your pity! As I said, if you want the antidote, come and get it yourself!”

She kept laughing. Master only nodded, saying no more. Ge Fang, knowing all hope was lost, gradually fell silent, preparing to strike first. She pointed her arm at us, and suddenly a creaking, chittering sound filled the air. I frowned, looking ahead, and nearly retched at what I saw.

From Ge Fang’s sleeve spilled a swarm of black spiders, leaping to the ground. My face turned ashen. It wasn’t just the spiders—it was seeing them crawl out from her very body that made my skin crawl. I fought the urge to vomit. Master glanced at me and chuckled, “I told you not to come. How does it feel? Comfortable?”

I shot Master a glare, my face twisted as I swallowed hard. But I couldn’t hold back; I rushed to the side and retched, goosebumps prickling my skin. The sound of the spiders was even worse, as if metal plates were strapped to their feet.

Master wasted no more words. He drew a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and chanted, “Hehe yangyang, the sun rises in the east, the true fire of Samadhi, gather and emerge as one.”

As the lighter clicked, not only was the cigarette lit, but golden talismans appeared in the air all around. I touched my chest, feeling the urge to vomit ease a little. The sight of the talismans seemed oddly familiar, but I did not dwell on it. Master exhaled a wisp of blue smoke; the talismans, as if sentient, drifted forward and ignited, dropping flames to the ground. The spiders scattered, fleeing in terror from their nemesis.

Master smiled coldly. Ge Fang’s face paled. She snatched a black box from her sleeve and flung it open. Master glanced at it and chuckled, “Oh? The King Flower Spider—and quite a large one at that. Interesting!”

Ge Fang said nothing. She placed the palm-sized King Flower Spider in her hand and murmured an incantation. The spider leapt down, and the fleeing swarm instantly gathered around it. I saw the King Flower Spider rear up and emit a piercing screech; a huge web shot out, smothering the flames.

Master’s smile deepened. “Impressive—you can withstand the true fire of Samadhi. It seems I can’t hold back.”

With a beckoning gesture, a golden sword appeared in Master’s hand. The King Flower Spider led the swarm in an assault, but Master swung his sword, slicing down spider after spider. Yet their numbers only grew, and Master’s heart sank. After dispatching several of the spiders before him, he wiped his blade and slashed forward. A golden arc flew out, striking the ground with a thunderous crash, blasting a massive pit and taking hundreds of spiders with it.

Ge Fang blanched, forming seals with her hands and muttering indistinct incantations. After a moment, the King Flower Spider began to grow, swelling to human size. I shuddered, my heart pounding; I had never seen such a monstrous spider.

Master addressed the spider, “Still coming? Will this never end?”

This time, Master meant business. As the spider charged, he vanished. Ge Fang looked around in panic but saw no trace of him. Suddenly, she felt a chill at her back and heard Master’s voice behind her: “To catch the thief, seize the king. Ge Fang, it’s time you paid for your crimes.”

She spun around, only for Master to strike her shoulder, sending her flying. She crashed to the ground and spat up blood. Lu Tangjun, watching from behind, was lost for words, a torrent of conflicting feelings churning in his heart.

With Ge Fang down, the King Flower Spider went berserk, its two forelegs scraping the dirt as it glanced around. Its eyes locked onto me—Master and Ge Fang were both behind it, and I was the only one in its line of sight.

I edged left; the King Flower Spider tracked me. I shifted right; it followed. I froze, forcing a wry smile—of all things, the one I feared most had chosen me as its target.

Soon, the King Flower Spider grew impatient, shrieking as it reared and lunged at me. I screamed and ran for my life.

From afar, Master watched me, shaking his head in exasperation as I fled before the spider, my screams echoing through the ancient village. Lu Tangjun, witnessing this, looked awkward and muttered, “To think someone could be this scared of spiders. How embarrassing.”