Chapter Ninety-Four: Saintess Peak and the Cult Master

“Are you the Dog Emperor’s spy?”

The Holy Maiden came to stop before Chu Han and lifted his chin with a light touch, the gesture carrying a faint, alluring intimacy. Now that she was so close, Chu Han could just make out her expression through the veil.

Her brows were arched, her smile unreadable. Still, Chu Han did not dare let down his guard. Who knew what kind of woman this Holy Maiden was? He kept the same frightened look on his face and said nothing, the fear in his eyes obvious enough for even a fool to see.

“You look like one, all right. Since you’re so terrified, I don’t even know how to deal with you. Better take you back to Holy Maiden Peak.”

The Holy Maiden rose to her feet. Seeing that Chu Han’s fear did not seem feigned, she sighed, then clapped her hands lightly. At once, a burly man stepped out and hoisted Chu Han onto his shoulder.

As Chu Han felt the man’s strength, he was struck with surprise, because he could tell at once that this brute was not alive. There was not the slightest trace of vitality in his body; he was clearly a corpse.

But how could a dead man move? And how could he even understand this woman’s commands? Chu Han could not help frowning. It seemed this Holy Maiden Sect held far more secrets than he had imagined, and he intended to keep playing along.

As for Holy Maiden Peak, he guessed it must be the sect’s stronghold. As long as he reached it, that would do. At the very least, he wanted to know what manner of person could run such a sinister sect.

The Holy Maiden led the way, while the burly corpse carried Chu Han behind her. Chu Han suppressed the impulse to probe the woman’s strength, fearing she might be sharp enough to notice and ruin everything.

Soon they left the city and headed toward a mountain not far from Earth City. The mountain was called Cloud Peak, rising so high it seemed to pierce the clouds, and thus it had earned its name. It appeared that the Holy Maiden Sect’s base was on that mountain.

They followed the path up Cloud Peak. Around them came the howls of beasts. Although there were magical creatures on the mountain, their strength was ordinary; the strongest were only second-tier beasts, nothing like the dangers of Mangdang Mountain. Compared with that place, this one was relatively safe.

The three of them reached the mountainside. The Holy Maiden glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then waved a hand. Instantly, the forest before them vanished, replaced by a cave entrance with three large words carved above it: Holy Maiden Sect.

It was an illusion technique, also known as a phantom array, using the surrounding environment to deceive enemies. It was an advanced formation, and Chu Han nodded inwardly. This Holy Maiden Sect indeed had capable people. To think they even had someone who could cast such an illusion array. An illusion array was far harder to master than a killing formation.

Back when he had studied formations with Xue’er, he had naturally learned how difficult illusion arrays were. Even he would find it hard to deploy one so completely.

The three of them entered the cave. As soon as Chu Han stepped inside, a fragrance rushed toward him—not the scent of fine food, but the smell of women’s rouge and powder. Then he looked at what lay before him, and his face instantly turned red.

The entire cavern was vast, like a large house, and it had everything one could ask for—though all of it was made of stone. A great many women had gathered inside the cave, not a single man among them, and every one of those women was breathtakingly beautiful, each as lovely as a fairy from heaven.

When had Chu Han ever seen such a scene? He felt a little awkward, but he had to keep up the act. He could only suppress the embarrassment in his mind and continue pretending to be terrified.

“Sister Zhang, why are you back? Who is this? Why is he tied up?”

A woman stepped forward. She wore no veil, and her fair, delicate face was extremely beautiful. Chu Han lowered his head and did not dare look at her. A normal man simply could not withstand such a sight.

“This is a spy sent by the Dog Emperor. He was caught by our believers as soon as he entered Earth City. I didn’t know how to deal with him, so I brought him back. Is the Sect Leader here?”

The veiled woman addressed as Sister Zhang replied helplessly. The other woman pointed toward a stone door at the back and then left.

The woman ordered the dead burly man to carry Chu Han to the stone door and set him down. Chu Han sat on the ground with a thud, still pretending to be frightened, while he waited to see what the Holy Maiden Sect’s leader looked like.

“Sect Leader, I captured a spy sent by the Dog Emperor and have come to ask for an audience.”

She knelt slowly and spoke in a soft voice. From within the door came a voice telling her to enter, also the voice of a woman.

Chu Han was somewhat puzzled. Could it be that all the higher ranks of this Holy Maiden Sect were women? It seemed likely. The only man around was the burly corpse carrying him.

Then the stone door slowly opened. The woman took Chu Han by the hand and led him inside. Beyond the door was another chamber, where a woman sat within, likewise wearing a veil. After placing Chu Han on the floor, the woman withdrew, and the stone door closed again.

“Are you a spy from Great Chu? Why are you helping the Dog Emperor?”

The woman rose and, once again, lifted Chu Han’s chin. As she removed her veil and revealed her face, Chu Han drew in a sharp breath. She was too beautiful.

Her brows were like willow leaves, her lips like cherries, and her fair skin seemed as though it could yield water at a pinch. She looked to be only in her twenties, yet every glance and every smile was enough to steal one’s soul, leaving Chu Han momentarily dazed.

But then he sensed a faint trace of danger. Suddenly, his mind cleared, and he came back to himself. Looking at the woman in disbelief, he realized he had almost been bewitched. This woman must possess some power that could cloud a person’s mind. Had it not been for his ability to foresee danger, he would have lost his wits just now.

Seeing Chu Han’s steady gaze, the woman also froze. She had not expected him to recover so quickly. That move of hers was specifically meant to ensnare a man’s mind, and it had always worked without fail. Yet it had failed on Chu Han.

“Who are you, exactly?”

The Sect Leader was shocked and hurriedly stood up, eyeing him with hostility.

Capturing spies from Great Chu was nothing new, but Chu Han was the first person ever to withstand her ability. Only then did she realize that things were not as simple as they seemed.

“Who would have thought your Holy Maiden Sect would be hiding in a place like this? Holy Maiden Peak—quite a fitting name. So you are the Holy Maiden Sect’s leader? What should I call you?”

Chu Han smiled faintly. Since he had already achieved his goal, there was no point in continuing the act. He rose from the ground and sat down in a nearby chair, speaking with neither deference nor arrogance.

By then, there was no fear or panic left in his eyes. Only steadiness remained, and his expression was calm, even carrying a faint smile. The Sect Leader was startled for a moment, then quickly resumed her earlier composure and sat down across from Chu Han.

“That’s right. I am the Holy Maiden Sect’s leader. My name is Yang Rong. Who are you, exactly, and what brings you to our Holy Maiden Sect?”

Yang Rong smiled lightly. Although she had not used her mind-bewitching power this time, that radiant smile still caused Chu Han to lose focus for a moment.

What a temptress. Chu Han cursed inwardly. This woman was absolutely a calamity in human form. At last, he understood where the phrase “seductress” came from. It had been made for her alone.

“My purpose is very simple. I am here to wipe out your Holy Maiden Sect.”

Chu Han’s expression turned serious. He stood from the chair. Though he was still tightly bound, the aura he gave off was overwhelming.

“Heh. The Dog Emperor sent you, didn’t he? What did he promise you? Whatever he can give you, I can give you too. Our Holy Maiden Sect is richer than a kingdom, and whatever he cannot give you, I can still give you—including anything you might desire.”

Yang Rong also stood and pressed herself against him. She lightly brushed a hand across his chest, her breath fragrant as orchids, making cold sweat trickle down Chu Han’s back.