Su Qiang threw the teacup in her hand to a fox and sat down disdainfully, slinging an arm over the chair's armrest and lounging askew, "Ha, you've been so devoted to Su Wan for so long, and now you suddenly see the light? Is it really because you're scared of the Thousand Corpses Formation?"
"Lady Fox Immortal, it's a good thing I abandoned the darkness for light early on. I pledged allegiance to Lord Xuanjing two years ago. How could the small Lin Family Sect compete with the grand Fox Clan?" Lin Yan walked over quickly, bending at the waist beside Su Qiang while fawning over her.
"Lin Huan has probably truly surrendered. Facing your String Killing Formation and Thousand Corpses Formation, he was so scared he shut down the Longevity Formation. Right now, he's just a frail old man, not to be feared, let alone likely to play tricks."
"Me too, me too, Lady Fox Immortal, I also defected to you and Lord Xuanjing early on. Please don't forget to credit me with a little merit and give me some support."
"I pledged my loyalty to Lord Xuanjing half a year ago, with unwavering sincerity, as clear as day and night."
As Lin Yan went up to suck up and offer his allegiance proactively, two other people sidled up to Su Qiang, buttering her up.
Su Qiang's vanity was greatly satisfied, and her eyes shone with pride, "You three are very loyal, not only do you not have to be stripped of your roots, but you will also be heavily relied upon by Lord Xuanjing."
The three of them kowtowed repeatedly, overflowing with gratitude.
The dozen or so who had rebelled with those three were in turmoil, never having anticipated this early betrayal by the trio.
Although they were spared death, they had to have their roots removed.
Once stripped of their roots, they could no longer cultivate the Mysterious Art for the rest of their lives.
"If anyone among you now wishes to abandon the dark and seek the light, your treatment will be the same as these three," Su Qiang said with a sly smile, extending an olive branch.
The Pill Room was already empty; I had emerged from behind the Pill Furnace long ago.
At this moment, I hid by the large door of the Pill Room, watching Su Qiang's every move.
Lord Xuanjing had sent her here, probably to completely dismantle the Lin Family.
Moreover, more than two years ago, Xuanjing had already turned Lin Yan to his side.
What strategic foresight, what meticulous planning.
"Me! Me! And me, I want to abandon the dark and come into the light." Following this, a disciple with faltering resolve stepped forward.
Half of the dozen or so who had followed the rebellion went over to Su Qiang's side.
Su Qiang wore a look of regret and said with a sigh, "Lin Huan, it seems you really are useless. Such a large sect as the Lin Family can't keep people's hearts."
As she spoke, a few more went over to her, one by one.
"Whether the Lin Family can keep people's hearts is our business, and it has nothing to do with you."
Contrary to everyone's expectations, Lin Huan remained unmoved.
Su Qiang's eyes turned cold, and she cursed under her breath, an old fool, before tossing a mobile phone at Lin Huan, "Call Su Wan right now, this very instant. If Su Wan dares not to come, I'll skin your daughter first, then cut the flesh off this old carcass of yours, piece by piece, to feed to the dogs."
Lin Huan ignored Su Qiang completely, expertly dialing my number on that mobile phone, and then my phone rang.
Feeling the vibration in my pocket, my eyes moistened without reason.
Grandpa knew my number by heart; he's never used it before.
Yet, he could dial it without a second thought in such a moment.
He must be extremely familiar with it...
I lead a very simple and monotonous life, with no favorite songs or music; my phone ringtone is just a standard alarm.
The crisp sound of the alarm echoed in the Pill Room, and all eyes turned to look.
I pulled out the "ding-ding" sounding phone and slowly walked out from the Pill Room.
Su Qiang, with her pregnant belly, stood up abruptly.
But she stood up too suddenly and seemed to have sprained her back, her face pale with pain as she slumped back down.
She rubbed her eyes incredulously several times and burst into flames with rage, swearing, "Su Wan! Su Wan, you bitch... why... why are you in the Pill Room? Heh, did you know you were going to die, so you came to throw yourself into the net, huh?"