50 Command

When XuanRong turned her head towards the table. She saw twenty different kinds of poisonous herbs.

Violet wolfsbane, colored nightshade, Chinese lantern, foxgloves and other equally poisonous plants and herbs were all lined up neatly on the table. On the center of the table lies different colored powders. XuanRong knew that those powders where the poisonous herbs that were already pulverized for consumption.

Ever since Wang Min Jue's small farm and other business were given to XuanRong as a reimbursement for the money Housekeeper Wang stole, she decided to use the small farm to grow poisonous and medicinal plants and herbs when she started learning the art of Gu.

For the span of two years, XuanRong started planting those poisonous plants and medicinal herbs one by one. She started from buying a small quantity of common poisonous plants and herbs to a large batch of rare and unusual ones. Those poisonous plants and medicinal herbs that were common and could be brought in the market were first raised in the farm. Those that were rare and difficult to find, XuanRong asked her maternal grandfather's help. Her maternal grandfather had his own network of spies and had a large manpower, using them was faster and more convenient.

When her maternal grandfather asked the reason, she did not tell the truth about learning the art of Gu but instead, she made it sound like she became addicted in raising unusual and poisonous plants. She also made sure that An Wei would swear secrecy and would not tell her maternal grandfather about the lost art. Other than being remined to be careful in handling the poisonous ones, her maternal grandfather let her do what she wanted to do and helped her in locating the rare and uncommon plants. XuanRong knew her grandfather did not raise any objection because he believed in her.

XuanRong did not want to lie and deceive her maternal grandfather, but she had no choice. The art of Gu was coveted by many and some of those people harbors ill intentions. Once people learn that there was a living survivor from the Yue clan in Qian Zou, and the members of the clan did not die but only decided to hide and protect themselves, those malicious people would certainly think of any ideas on how to abduct and steal the lost art of Gu.

"Rong'er, come and sit."

Yue Xiao Xiao smiled and pat the side next to her.

After two years of having an apprentice and master relationship, both women hold each other dear inside their heart. Although XuanRong had been vocal in saying that the main reason why she helped Yue Xiao Xiao because of her desire to learn the art of Gu for her own sake, Yue Xiao Xiao did not harbor any hatred towards XuanRong, instead, she commended the young child for being truthful.

When XuanRong sat beside Yue Xiao Xiao, Yue Xiao Xiao grabbed her hands and patted it a couple of times.

"Are you nervous?"

XuanRong nodded.

"This disciple would be lying if this disciple would say 'No'."

Yue Xiao Xiao nodded and smiled at XuanRong.

"Do not fret. I, your master, is here to guide you."

XuanRong nodded.

Aside from her maternal grandfather and An Wei, only Yue Xiao Xiao was able to gain XuanRong's trust and dependence. XuanRong was a strong woman and did not rely on other people but she whole heartedly think that Yue Xiao Xiao was a good person to depend on.

XuanRong helped Yue Xiao Xiao sat on a customized wooden wheelchair. Yue Xiao Xiao maneuvered the wheelchair and ordered XuanRong to undress and lie on the bed. She then took a small portion of each powdered poisonous plants and placed all of it in a small bottle and added a tablespoon of water. After mixing a tiny amount of water, she carefully closed the lid and shook it, trying to mix the contents evenly. Yue Xiao Xiao grabbed a small container and poured a few drops of the mixture inside of it. Looking at the delicate back of her disciple who was only wearing her doudou[1] and inner pants, she sighed in regret. This young child who should be pampered with love was forced to mature early and could only rely to herself in order to survive. She was even forced to grab the knife's edge and had to experience this torturous process in order to avenge herself.

"Before drinking the poison, I will use needles for a week to speed up the poison integration. I will directly stick needles coated with poison in your veins. I will prick your back a million times and you will feel the torturous pain for twelve shichen[2]. I have already told YuYing and the rest to avoid disturb us during that time."

Yue Xiao Xiao grabbed a small silver needle used for acupuncture and dipped it in the container.

"If you are afraid to feel pain and experience hell, we can still stop. You don't have to bear the responsibility of a Gu practitioner in order to exact revenge. Rong'er, this is the last chance. You can still change your mind."

Lying on the bed while facing her back on the ceiling, XuanRong shook her head.

"Master, you once asked me the reason why this disciple wanted to learn the lost art of Gu. This disciple told you it was because this disciple was weak and could not even defend myself. Now, this disciple will still answer your question with the same one two years ago. I, XuanRong, am not a coward. I would rather choose to die together with my enemies than let them live a blissful life. I already visited hell and met King Yama[3] once, I do not mind meeting him once again."

"Hao. It is master's blessing for having a disciple like you. Master hopes that even if master is not around anymore, you can take good care of yourself and will be able to live a life that does not solely focus on revenge."

XuanRong hummed, "Mmm." before closing her eyes.

Yue Xiao Xiao inserted the needle on XuanRong's back with great accuracy.

XuanRong bit her lips in order to stop herself from screaming. When the needle what was coated with poison mixture slowly pierced her skin, she felt like her body was being grilled with fire.

Yue Xiao Xiao continued sticking the needles one by one on XuanRong's back, neck, shoulder and other part of her body. On the thirteenth needle, XuanRong was not able to hold herself and moaned painfully.

"Uuuh.."

Beads of sweat were starting to form around her face but XuanRong did not notice it. Her mind was starting to get fuzzy due to pain and she could not help but gasp a couple of times, trying to regulate her breathing to ease the pain she was feeling.

"Ha…. Ha…"

XuanRong was now breathing heavily. Her palms were already bleeding due to being pierced by her own nails.

'HAHAHAH… Xu Ji An ah… can't you see? I, XuanRong, am willing to undergo this torturous process in order to avenge my previous self. Wait for me… I will make sure that in this lifetime, you will kneel on front of me, begging for mercy while licking the sole of my feet.'

If one could see the expression XuanRong was making under the sheets, one would definitely freak out. She looked like a mad woman who only knew how to kill. She was like an Asura[4] of death.

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"U-uh..gh…"

XuanRong opened her yes and found out that she was still lying on her master's bed. She subconsciously rubbed her head and found out that her arms were very difficult to raise due to being sore.

Slowly, XuanRong managed to place her hand around her head and started massaging it.

"You're awake?"

When XuanRong heard Yue Xiao Xiao's voice, she could not help but turn her head towards the direction of the source.

"M-master."

XuanRong opened her mouth to speak and found out that her voice turned raspy and hoarse.

"Do not move yet. Your body is still weak."

"En."

Even if she wanted to sit, she decided to follow Yue Xiao Xiao's order and obediently lay on the bed.

Yue Xiao Xiao maneuvered her wheelchair and moved towards the bed.

"During this one week, I will now slowly teach you the Sacred art of Gu."

XuanRong's confused stare made Yue Xiao Xiao laugh.

"What I taught you in this past few years were indeed included in the sacred art but those were the basics. Mostly, it was only medicinal and poison practice which all of us in Yue clan are well versed of. But the core of the art includes the 'command'."

Looking at XuanRong who was attentively listening to her, Yue Xiao Xiao nodded in satisfaction.

"The 'command' is where the host give orders to the Gu pair. Do you still carry the necklace I gave you two years ago?"

"En. The necklace is on my neck."

Yue Xiao Xiao saw the silver chain around XuanRong;s neck together with the strings of her doudou.

"Listen well, master will now teach you how to use 'command'."

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[1]. A small cloth covering the chest part of the females [ancient bra]

[2]. One shichen is equal to two hours [modern time]

[3]. King of Hell

[4]. A demigod who has three heads with three faces each and has four or six arms.

Bonus Chapters on Queue: 4