Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1540 - 953: Raising Poison, Reaping Trouble (Part 2)

A city of silver, veiled in ice and snow, exuded an aura of ancient mystery and faraway allure.

As dusk descended, snowflakes swirled in a frenzy, blanketing the vast ice river. Mountains were shrouded in a white mist, their forms obscured.

Migratory birds, their feathers dusted with snow, alighted upon the city walls.

A grand pavilion, its eaves soaring and golden tiles gleaming, radiated a majestic, timeless splendor.

Within the hall, thick curtains muffled the outside world. A roaring fireplace cast a warm glow, while a beast-shaped silver censer released tendrils of blue smoke, creating an inviting ambiance.

It was a stark contrast to the frigid expanse beyond the hall's walls.

Several elders of Shifang City stood assembled, clad in light robes that seemed impervious to the biting cold.

Clutching their staffs, their gazes were fixed intently upon the young woman seated within the hall, her sword resting in her lap.

"Miss, have you given thought to our proposal?"

The young woman, petite and seemingly delicate, sat with remarkable poise upon a magnificent, imposing seat unsuited to her size.

She cradled the Ten Directions Sword, her eyes, as tranquil as a still pond, cast a gentle downward glance.

Her voice, soft and devoid of emotion, declared, "To me, the elders' opinions are utterly nonsensical!"

Di Lianggong, a figure of influence in Shifang City for 176 years and a respected official in Tianquan's main city, found himself taken aback.

Normally, even the City Lord himself would hesitate to address him with such discourtesy, let alone the City Lord's own daughter.

Di Lianggong, usually affable, could no longer mask his irritation, his gaze hardening.

"With the City Lord in seclusion, the seven of us elders are responsible for all significant decisions concerning Shifang City.

While you bear the title of Young City Lord, your youth and inexperience preclude you from making decisions on matters of such gravity.

The City Lord's deep affection for you led him to grant you greater authority and entrust you with administrative duties. However, it is common knowledge that from a young age, your actions have been erratic, guided by personal whims rather than thoughtful consideration of consequences or the broader picture.

Now, Shifang City faces an imminent existential threat, yet you remain obstinate, making it quite challenging for us to concur!"

Inside the hall, Fang Geyu let out a soft chuckle, though her eyes remained cold.

She casually propped the Ten Directions Sword against her chin, resting her hand on its hilt.

"My past actions might seem unconventional, but in retrospect, they were mere trifles. How can they compare to Dean Li Qiuxing, Elder Di's subordinate, who schemed within Shifang City for decades?

He managed to devise the Witch Plague Poison, a contagion specific to Puppet Mecha, rendering even my grandfather, a Golden Immortal, powerless. In terms of creating chaos, I, Fang Geyu, fall far short of your associates."

Fang Geyu's sharp tongue was never one for subtlety. Each statement, though delivered with feigned humility, struck a raw nerve, her ridicule cutting deep.

Di Lianggong, feeling the sting of her words, could not contain his fury. "You insolent child! Is this how you conduct yourself, only knowing how to defy your elders?"

Fang Geyu narrowed her eyes. "What kind of elder are you, Elder Di? You only dare speak such words within the inner chambers of Shifang City.

If my grandfather were present, would you presume to call yourself an elder? As for upbringing, perhaps Elder Di would care to consult my grandfather on the proper methods of educating the younger generation?"

Di Lianggong opened his mouth to retort, but Wang Jingque, standing beside him, interjected, "It is best to speak less. In all these years, has anyone emerged victorious from a verbal spar with the young lady?"

Though both Wang Jingque and Di Lianggong were elders of the Tianquan main city, Wang Jingque possessed a calmer temperament.

He furrowed his brow at Fang Geyu and stated in a low voice, "Although the City Lord is in seclusion and has entrusted all city affairs to you, it clearly signifies his profound trust and high expectations.

We sincerely hope you will honor this trust and exercise great caution in your decisions, especially during this critical juncture."

Fang Geyu narrowed her eyes. "Do you truly believe I rose so early on such a frigid day merely to sit here and engage in pleasantries with you?"

Wang Jingque fell silent for a considerable moment, noting the time was already a quarter past the hour. Midday, the traditional time for the meal, was but half an hour away. Her early rising was indeed unusual.

He felt a prickle of offense.

Suppressing his annoyance, Wang Jingque took a deep breath and remarked:

"Third Miss, Shifang City is known globally for its Mechanical Techniques. Even the Emperor of the Upper Pure Realm speaks highly of our city’s advancements. With the auction hosted by the Golden Immortal Gufang Zhenren drawing near, destroying all the Mechanical Puppets we’ve dedicated years to creating would be a betrayal of Shifang City’s collective efforts."

Another elder chimed in urgently, "Indeed, Shifang City’s reputation isn’t built on brute force, but rather on its mastery of talismans and artifact refining. To self-destruct our Mechanical Puppets would be to openly expose our vulnerabilities. Without their protection, we would be powerless against the external Immortal Sects. We, the talisman masters and artifact refiners, would then become easy prey for various factions lurking in the shadows, facing a truly grim future."

"This is true. Third Miss’s approach is far too rash and impulsive, while Elder Di’s suggestion offers a more prudent path."

"Prudent?" Fang Geyu scoffed. "You are merely drawing a basic enclosure, effectively caging yourselves like livestock awaiting slaughter."

She rose from her seat, her gaze sweeping coldly across the assembly. "Do not assume I am ignorant of your clandestine machinations. Is the Witch Plague Poison truly a recent development? Are you all genuinely unaware of Li Qiuxing’s clandestine experiments, or are you willfully choosing to ignore them? Infusing Mechanical Puppets with sentience and Divine Sense, delving into Forbidden Techniques—is this not utter folly? Since the Witch Plague Poison emerged, how many of our brethren have perished within this city? Are your eyes so blind you cannot see? If not for Grandpa’s remote transmission of the Divine Talisman, do you believe your meager abilities could have truly contained this crisis?"

"Given this containment, it is time to excise the rot. A clean cut is superior to prolonged decay, and it is better to act late than never. Clinging to your Mechanical Puppets is akin to ensuring your skulls are robust enough for when the Witch Plague Poison inevitably resurfaces. Do you truly believe you can prevent your heads from being crushed then?"

Fang Geyu let out a cold laugh. "It appears your prolonged comfort has led you to forget the very essence of Shifang City."

"The cultivators of Shifang City achieve their Dao through talismans and artifacts, commanding puppets to issue orders and control countless mecha. But have any of you considered if it is truly you who controls the puppets now, or if the puppets are, in fact, controlling you?!"

"Absurd! Utter nonsense!" Di Lianggong retorted furiously. "Puppets are devoid of emotion; they merely obey commands. We are human, possessing the seven emotions and six desires, endowed with wisdom and profound thoughts. How could we possibly be controlled by these soulless constructs!"

"Oh, is that so?" Fang Geyu raised her hand, snapped her fingers, and stated impassively, "Bring her forth."

Shortly after, two guards clad in armor escorted a woman into the hall. She was dressed in a moon-white robe, appearing to have endured brutal treatment, her attire soiled and creased, her hair in disarray. Yet, Di Lianggong instantly recognized her, gasping in shock, "Shu Ya!!!"

His eyes blazing with fury, he fixed his gaze on Fang Geyu. "You are utterly outrageous!"

Fang Geyu remained unmoved, her voice calm. "Qin Shuya, wed to Elder Di thirty years ago. Gentle and virtuous, dignified and generous—a paragon among women. Alas, born without a Spirit Root, she could not cultivate. However, it was precisely this that earned her Elder Di's profound affection and love. But tell me, do you not find it peculiar? A woman who was already twenty years old three decades ago, how does she still possess the bloom of youth?"

No one present knew how to respond. Fang Geyu merely cast a knowing glance. The armored guard, understanding the unspoken command, drew a short dagger and ruthlessly slit the throat of the elder’s wife. Yet, no blood gushed forth, nor was there a cry of pain. Qin Shuya remained serene, her expression unchanged, as though unfelt. Only a peculiar, mottled blue liquid trickled from the wound on her neck.