Chapter Sixty-Three: Two Against One

The two of them discussed their plan once more. Following Qiqi’s advice, Zhou Qi cleansed himself thoroughly; the room was equipped with a bath tub and all necessary toiletries. After washing, Zhou Qi’s skin was fair, his face handsome as jade, his eyes luminous like stars. His tall and athletic figure, paired with a flowing white robe, made even Huángfǔ Xiù, who always prided himself on his own looks, turn his head in admiration.

Zhou Qi pondered for a moment. Since Huángfǔ Xiù was meant to be the bait, he couldn’t overshadow him. So he stripped off Huángfǔ Xiù’s upper garment, allowing him to better display his physique. With everything prepared, the two seated themselves, waiting for Qiqi to arrive and indulge them.

It felt like waiting for the emperor to favor his concubines. A whole day passed; Huángfǔ Xiù held his handsome pose so long he nearly went numb before Qiqi finally arrived.

Upon seeing them, Qiqi’s eyes lit up, saliva gathering at the corners of her mouth as if she’d encountered an irresistible delicacy.

“Qiqi, you’re here. We’ve been waiting for you,” Zhou Qi spoke gently, his face full of affectionate longing.

“Qiqi, don’t pity me. Do as you wish,” Huángfǔ Xiù added softly, making Zhou Qi shiver with goosebumps.

Their abnormal behavior made Qiqi pause. Such a sudden change must hide some scheme. Was there a plot afoot? But Huángfǔ Xiù, a cultivator of the Golden Core stage, was already subdued by her; only a first-level Foundation Establishment remained. To be safe, she placed a restriction on Zhou Qi too, preventing him from using his spiritual power.

“Xiù’er, Qiqi, a night of spring is worth a thousand gold; the hour grows late. You two should retire first. I lack experience but can serve as an assistant for now.” Seeing Huángfǔ Xiù unmoving, Zhou Qi grew anxious—he had to show some skill, posing alone was pointless.

Qiqi glanced outside in confusion. It was broad daylight; how could it be late? Suspicion grew in her heart—something was clearly off.

Prompted by Zhou Qi, Huángfǔ Xiù finally realized it was his turn to act. With a suave turn, he pulled Qiqi into his arms, pinning her against the wall in a dramatic gesture. Qiqi was momentarily stunned; she’d never experienced this before. She’d sought out many men, but none played so artfully. Previously, she always had to rely on charm or force. Today, it was a novel experience.

With her successfully pinned, and Qiqi a little dazed, Huángfǔ Xiù led her to the bed, gently laying her down and beginning his advance. Seeing Qiqi fully immersed, Zhou Qi prepared to step forward.

“What are you doing?” Qiqi suddenly asked.

Zhou Qi halted, masking his murderous intent, and spoke as gently as possible, “Qiqi, I’m here to give you a massage. In my homeland, there is a profession called massage therapist—I have some expertise. You can enjoy my massage while Xiù’er attends to you; wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

“I think it’s better if you come one at a time,” Qiqi replied coldly.

On hearing this, Huángfǔ Xiù panicked. By the time Zhou Qi’s turn came, he’d be little more than a dried husk. He stopped what he was doing, tears welling in his eyes. “Qiqi, the two of us seek only to please you, hoping you’ll remember our devotion and not drain us dry in one go. You are so beautiful; we just hope such joy isn’t limited to a single encounter.”

Zhou Qi nodded hurriedly, “Indeed, Qiqi, to win your favor is a blessing earned over many lifetimes. We wish to remain by your side, serving you always!”

Flooded by their flattery, Qiqi felt a surge of pride. So this was their intention. Her tone softened, “Rest assured, I won’t kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. As long as you satisfy me, I’ll keep you. The others were simply too useless.”

“So…” Huángfǔ Xiù ventured.

“You may join in. Let me see your skills,” Qiqi said.

Zhou Qi rejoiced, repeatedly consulting with Master Tianxuan in his mind, then leaped onto the bed to begin his supposed craft.

The claim to massage expertise was pure fabrication; Zhou Qi had no real knowledge. He randomly pressed on her head, nearly earning a kick from Qiqi that would have sent him flying. Luckily, Huángfǔ Xiù’s skill was exceptional, his hands and mouth working in tandem, allowing Qiqi to focus below and ignore Zhou Qi’s clumsy efforts.

Huángfǔ Xiù’s mouth grew numb, and seeing Zhou Qi still inactive, he signaled with his eyes for Zhou Qi to act. Zhou Qi, in turn, signaled back to wait—the time was not yet right.

Left with no alternative, Huángfǔ Xiù unleashed every trick he knew, until Qiqi’s cries grew louder, completely lost in pleasure.

Now was the moment. Master Tianxuan’s soul force condensed into a hair-thin needle, and in an instant, it pierced into Qiqi’s soul sea, erasing her spirit. Huángfǔ Xiù was still working diligently.

With Qiqi slain, the illusion collapsed, and the succubus revealed her true form. Lying on the bed, Qiqi had transformed into a monster: two goat horns sprouted from her head, her alluring red lips split open to reveal sharp teeth, her body convulsed, feet once like jade now became hooves, and a pair of black fleshy wings emerged from her back.

Zhou Qi was prepared; at the instant Master Tianxuan acted, he leapt from the bed. Huángfǔ Xiù, still unaware, looked up at the commotion and his eyes nearly popped from his head. A wave of nausea struck him, and he jumped off the bed, vomiting so violently it felt as if his organs would spill out.

Zhou Qi, deeply sympathetic, carefully collected the succubus—an excellent material for crafting the Grand Illusion Array.

Seeing Huángfǔ Xiù still retching, Zhou Qi went over to pat his back in comfort. “Xiù’er, forget what happened today. I never expected Qiqi to be such a monster. At least we survived—think of happier things.”

“Did you know Qiqi was a monster all along? Is that why you kept urging me to be the bait?” Huángfǔ Xiù accused bitterly.

“How could I? Do I look like that sort of person? Your words wound me deeply—we’re just fleeting acquaintances. Xiù’er, I saved you twice already!” Zhou Qi protested, refusing to admit anything, for otherwise Huángfǔ Xiù might turn on him.

“Qi Qi, I don’t think I can recover from this. I have a shadow in my heart now. Me, the famed beauty assassin, left with no place to use my skills. Heaven is so unfair,” Huángfǔ Xiù cried in grief.

“Ah, it will be fine. Time heals all wounds,” Zhou Qi replied, stroking an imaginary beard in a sage-like manner.

Once Huángfǔ Xiù finished vomiting, the two finally exited the room. Outside, a heap of shriveled men lay scattered, most dead, only a few barely clinging to life. Seeing the two emerge unharmed, they crawled forward, knocking their heads on the ground, begging for help.

Alas, fellow sufferers under heaven—why bother knowing each other’s names? Zhou Qi pulled out a handful of blood and stamina pills for them to consume. Gradually, color returned to their faces, though full recovery was uncertain and might take years.

The succubus was dead, the illusion lifted. Only now did the survivors realize they were in a dilapidated courtyard, long abandoned. Careful investigation yielded nothing of value; it seemed to be but a temporary lair for the succubus.

The dead men were burned along with the courtyard, and the survivors departed one by one, feeling as if the whole ordeal had been but a dream. If they ever learned Qiqi’s true form, they’d likely spend their lives haunted by nightmares.