Contending for supremacy in the Central Plains, he marched upon Jizhou, only for Liu Hua to mock his hollow ambitions; in the end, he became a mere cur, his grand efforts washing away like water into the void.

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On the official road leading to Jizhou, a woman in tattered clothes staggered forward.

“Damn Ji Shi, forcing me into this... I’ll make you pay with your life!”

The ragged woman was none other than You Kongfei, who had escaped from Jiangcheng. Thanks to her cultivation, she had narrowly avoided execution by Ji Shi. You Kongfei seethed with hatred as she thought this over. Now she needed to reach her family in Jizhou to seek help, recover her strength, and then avenge the loss of her city by confronting Ji Shi.

After making her plan, You Kongfei quickened her pace, but as expected… she stumbled and fell several times.

...

“Aiya… I really can’t believe this...” Xiao Liuhua, under Ji Shi’s orders, had been pursuing You Kongfei relentlessly for dozens of miles but found no trace of her. “How can this woman run so fast… it’s impossible!” panting heavily, Xiao Liuhua cursed, feeling as if this body was no longer his own.

“Hey, is that... Jizhou? Forget it, I’ll go rest and relax in the city.” Seeing the large city ahead, Xiao Liuhua decided to take a break.

Jizhou City was majestic and imposing, its walls tall and thick, built from bluestone, weathered by time yet exuding an ancient solemnity. The gates stood wide open, flanked by heavily armed guards clad in iron armor, holding long spears, exuding a formidable aura. Inside, the streets were broad and tidy, lined with countless shops, their colorful signs gleaming under the sunlight. Pedestrians thronged the thoroughfare, carriages and horses bustling through, the noisy bustle tinged with prosperity. The cries of street vendors mixed with children's laughter, composing a vivid and harmonious urban tableau. Occasionally, large horse-drawn carts lumbered by, leaving deep tracks on the bluestone pavement.

“This Jizhou tea truly lives up to its reputation; this trip isn’t in vain,” Xiao Liuhua said with a satisfied expression, savoring fine red tea in a private room of a tavern. “If only I could... sigh,” he mused, recalling his status as a eunuch—a great sorrow for a man.

Silently, Xiao Liuhua recalled how he had arranged various men to entertain You Kongfei while he was left to stand guard. “Once I find You Kongfei, I’ll make sure to crush her!” His anger mounting, he ordered more fine wine and dishes.

Meanwhile, on the bustling street, a woman in rags was searching for food. Who else could it be but You Kongfei?

“I never imagined that a peak master of the Rain Divining art would fall to such a state...” You Kongfei rubbed her belly, feeling utterly drained. Suddenly, she spotted a tavern and, still clinging to a sliver of hope, decided to try her luck there.

“Shoo, shoosh, no beggars allowed here! Go away!” The tavern staff, seeing her disheveled appearance, dismissed her with disdain.

“I...” You Kongfei was heartbroken, gazing longingly into the tavern, wishing she could enter. At that moment, Xiao Liuhua emerged, having finished his meal.

“Wocao! You are...” Xiao Liuhua’s eyes widened. You Kongfei seemed frozen in place. The two locked eyes in stunned silence.

Finally, Xiao Liuhua snapped back, “You’re You Kongfei of the Cat Moon! I’ve finally found you. Hand you over!” With that, he lunged forward with a brazen grin.

Sensing danger, You Kongfei turned and fled. Thus began a chase through Jizhou’s bustling streets, their figures weaving in and out of the throng. Her long hair streamed behind her, her tattered clothes fluttering like a lone swallow on the run. Xiao Liuhua pursued relentlessly, his face twisted like a starving wolf zeroing in on its prey.

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The street vendors watched in shock, pedestrians hurriedly made way, as if the entire street had paused for this chase—only the pounding footsteps and heavy breaths echoed amid the clamor.

You Kongfei dared not think too much, weaving through alleys with the knowledge that capture by Xiao Liuhua meant a descent into an endless abyss.

Yet, when all seems lost, there remains a glimmer of hope.

Accidentally, You Kongfei ran into a dead end. Panicked, she stepped back, only to be cornered by Xiao Liuhua.

“Finally caught you… heh heh heh,” Xiao Liuhua’s expression darkened, as if he intended to strip her dry. You Kongfei trembled in terror, “P-please spare me… for the sake of once being your master…”

Xiao Liuhua laughed wildly, “You must recall what you once told me—that those who fall into despair are worthless to save. Now, prepare to meet your end! Heh heh heh!” He drew his sword, determined to finish her.

At this moment, all hope faded for You Kongfei. She knew she couldn’t defeat Xiao Liuhua; death was her only path. Resigned, she closed her eyes, awaiting the final blow.

“Wocao! And who are you?!” came another startled shout. You Kongfei opened her eyes to see a man in white robes standing before her, his golden eyes hidden from her view.

“I am You Kong Chishi,” the man said calmly.

“I don’t care who you are, hand her over!!!” Xiao Liuhua gathered his energy, launching a sword strike that bore the aura of a grandmaster.

You Kong Chishi merely extended his right hand, and at the moment the blade touched it, the attack vanished silently like a stone sinking into the sea. The sword tip trembled and dimmed, drained by some invisible force. Xiao Liuhua’s face paled in disbelief. The air around You Kong Chishi’s palm twisted into subtle red vortices.

Unfazed, You Kong Chishi pointed his right hand at Xiao Liuhua and softly uttered, “Tiansha.” Xiao Liuhua was thrown back, barely alive, lying on the ground.

“Thank you, Senior Chishi, for saving me!” You Kongfei rose and bowed. “Also, thank you for sparing him so I could vent my anger.”

You Kong Chishi replied, “I was just eating at a stall when that bastard recklessly knocked over my noodles. I had no idea you fled here.”

You Kongfei was speechless.

He looked You Kongfei in the eye. “Set things in order and come back with me. Your family seems quite worried.”

“All right, Senior!” You Kongfei nodded and hurried to inject Gu insects into Xiao Liuhua’s body. This secret technique of the You family made the victim a slave to the caster.

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“You won’t be so arrogant now…” Xiao Liuhua heard this as he slowly regained consciousness.

Still alive? He was shocked to see You Kongfei smugly declaring, “Xiao Liuhua, you’re my dog now! I advise you to behave, or else...”

He tried to curse her, but she chanted softly, and soon he felt worms gnawing inside him, the pain reaching to his bones. He writhed on the ground, screaming, “Ah… I can’t take it! Please spare me...”

You Kongfei intended to torment him a while longer, but You Kong Chishi interjected, “Enough for now. There’s plenty of time later. Let’s go back.”

“Consider yourself lucky. But now that you’re my dog, maybe I can help you become a man again,” You Kongfei said, and Xiao Liuhua obediently quieted down. The two, along with their “dog,” soon disappeared from sight.

...

At the You family mansion.

“Chishi! Long time no see. What brings you here... Feifei?! What happened to you? Come, let your father see.” The family head embraced his daughter with concern. After hearing the full story, his anger flared. “That Ji Shi! How dare he!”

You Kongfei said, “Xiao Liuhua, take my fake self back to report and infiltrate Ji Shi’s camp. Provide me with intelligence... Don’t even think about betraying me—you know the consequences.”

Everyone then noticed the “dog” present. “Yes! I’m on it,” Xiao Liuhua replied begrudgingly.

“Chishi, stay a few days this time. My younger daughter You Kongyu has gone missing again...” the family head asked expectantly.

“I’m busy. This time was just a chance encounter with Feifei... As for You Kongyu, she has her own fate... I must go.” With that, You Kong Chishi vanished in a flash.

Sigh... The family head sighed deeply, powerless against this mysterious figure who was the head of the You family and could even effortlessly defeat the entire Liangshang sect.

He sighed again, while You Kongfei stood silently, gazing outside, lost in thought.