"Xiao Honghong, it's time to work." I didn't even bother to acknowledge the person from the Ten Thousand Poison Hall shouting challenges, and I snapped my fingers.
Xiao Honghong "whooshed" out from strands of my hair.
Its transparent wings vibrated, keeping it suspended above my head, "You ignorants, Master Hong will send you off to the Western Heaven."
"You want to use gu on us? One Centipede Gu, we don't even take it seriously," the person from the Ten Thousand Poison Hall jeered, their face full of scorn in the torchlight.
Yan Bashui's eyes started blazing with urgency, "Wanwan, step back! If their Gu Insects target you all at once, your Centipede Gu won't stand a chance."
"Maternal Granduncle, I'm not fighting them with gu." I had just finished my sentence.
Cackling erupted from the Ten Thousand Poison Hall's ranks.
As the laughter began, a bizarre scene unfolded.
Half of the individuals in black robes suddenly pulled out their Miao Knives.
They swiftly used the sharp knives to slice off their comrades' heads and promptly stuffed them into oiled cloth bags.
Then they doused them with gasoline, gathered the dozen or so heads in one spot, and set them on fire... burning them!!
To avoid any mishaps, those who drew their knives drenched their bloodied blades in gasoline as well, burning the blood alongside them.
Suddenly, the flames flared brightly.
This area was illuminated by a fiery brilliance.
Watching such an eerie scene unfold, Yan Bashui's mouth gaped open, his jaw almost hitting the ground.
"What's going on, Stronghold Master...?"
"They are slaughtering each other!"
"Strange things happen every year, but tonight is particularly rife."
Yan Bashui turned his gaze toward me, "Did you... plant a spy inside the Ten Thousand Poison Hall?"
"Sort of like a spy. Some of their people were infected with my gu." I slightly tightened my hand into a fist, the cruel scene unfolding was actually executed by Xiao Honghong under my orders, "I then instructed those under my control to spread the Gu Poison as much as possible, so when they attacked the village, all we had to do was to kill those who weren't infected with Gu Insects."
Today I fully understood the saying, if you're not ruthless, you won't stand firm.
If we didn't act this way, the only ones to be wiped out would be Tianying Village and me.
If we didn't want to die, our only choice was to fight back.
Those in the forest who were infected with Xiao Honghong's offspring gu had their consciousnesses completely controlled by the offspring gu.
However, the offspring gu's ability to spread was limited, and its effect was greatly reduced on those with strong abilities. Read full story at novel[f]ire.net
To have infected half of the Ten Thousand Poison Hall's forces that came to attack was already incredibly fortunate.
They were fully prepared when they came to attack.
Each of them had their Life-bound Gu on them; if it came to a gu fight,
Not to mention the strength of their Life-bound Gu, the mere numerical advantage would be overwhelming.
Xiao Honghong wouldn't survive the approach without being beaten to death.
Our only option was to have them... kill each other...
We also had to prevent the spread of horseshoe crabs, immediately burning the severed heads to ashes.
The air was filled with the foul smell of horseshoe crabs incubating in the oiled cloth bags, being incinerated by the fire, thankfully a north wind blew tonight.
As the cool breeze blew in gusts, the odor quickly dispersed a great deal.
"How is this possible? The Ten Thousand Poison Hall is adept at Gu Art; how could they not detect being under the influence of gu?" A large retainer next to Yan Bashui exclaimed in shock after a long silence.
Yan Bashui stroked his chin, "The Centipede Gu is best at controlling the mind, and once possessed, one is immediately controlled. Otherwise, the Red Gate wouldn't be so powerful. This is like being blinded by the very eagle one has long played with."
I suppose this counts as my luck, Xiao Honghong isn't some famed Emperor Gu.
Yet, its ability to control the human heart is unmatched.
"Maternal Granduncle, the brains of those experts from the Ten Thousand Poison Hall were all infected with horseshoe crabs. Even if they're burned to ashes by the flames, it's best to dispose of them properly," I reminded Yan Bashui.
Yan Bashui's eyes narrowed, and he instantly ordered, "Bring gloves, gather these burned remains into the Stone Box for storage."
Following Yan Bashui's command, the stronghold bustled into action.
"Xiao Honghong, let them go." I spread out my palm, allowing Xiao Honghong to land on it.
After Xiao Honghong settled, it nodded, "No problem."