Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess

The companion also shook his head repeatedly, sighing:

"This guy named Jiang Mo, with just over twenty thousand men, continuously recaptured several lost territories such as Jiangdong, Qubo, and Daizhou, killing more than thirty thousand of our Yanrong people. Even General Nie Ligun suffered a great loss.

Moreover, he wrote to the court, vigorously settling refugees and exempting them from harsh taxes... His reputation among the people is resoundingly loud. There's even a rumor that he is the Emperor Star descending to earth!"

Another companion continued:

"His cultivation is also unfathomable. It's said he is among the top ten, not only a disciple of Sword Demon Yan Changqing but also the Sect Leader of Huoyun Mountain and the new Mountain Master of the Wanshou Mountains and Rivers. Quite formidable."

Yelv Sarenzhu took the drink offered by his subordinate and drank it all in one gulp, feeling dejected.

Nie Ligun was his father, highly esteemed in the Yanrong army, known famously as the "General of Hundred Victories." Who would have expected him to be defeated by the abruptly emerging Jiang Family Army?

This was undoubtedly a supreme humiliation for the Yanrong.

Who on earth is this Jiang Mo?

The most baffling thing is the Empress Dowager's attitude.

Originally, when the Empress Dowager heard that the hard-won strategic lands had been retaken, she was so furious that she almost dispatched the elite Blood Wolf Army. But upon hearing the name Jiang Mo, she unusually chose silence.

A man with a stubbled beard sitting at the nearby table was quietly listening to their conversation, his expression calm, only occasionally raising his glass to take a sip.

The woman smiled slightly, a hint of mockery in her eyes, gently nudging the man with her elbow, and quietly laughed:

"Look, your Sister Yeying truly plans everything wholeheartedly for you, almost delivering the throne to you on a platter."

The man could only smile bitterly.

Indeed, this pair was Jiang Shouzhong and Ran Qingchen.

After resting for two days in the cabin, they set off to the Ten Thousand Mountains in search of Qu Hongling.

Along the way, rumors abounded.

The conquest of Nanjin Country by Yanrong did not surprise Jiang Shouzhong. But the sudden emergence of the Jiang Family Army and the rise of a reputed new star general in Dazhou did catch him off guard.

This left Jiang Shouzhong quite helpless.

He understood all this was manipulated behind the scenes by Sister Yeying, but being forcibly driven to compete for the throne was something he resisted.

After all, he genuinely did not want to be Emperor.

However, at the moment, he couldn't afford to think too much about it; finding Hong'er promptly was the priority.

Especially upon learning that the Sky Demon Sect had changed its Sect Master, he became more worried about Qu Hongling's situation.

"Bang!"

A loud bang, the inn door was abruptly thrust open.

A chilling wind swept in with yellow sand, howling as it blew inside.

A middle-aged Taoist wearing a tattered Taoist robe walked in slowly.

The Taoist was scrawny, with a pointy chin and monkey-like cheekbones, holding a blood-red bell in his hand.

Every step he took, the bell emitted a crisp chime.

Most horrifically, trailing behind him were three stiff women; upon closer inspection, they turned out to be three female corpses!

These female corpses were dressed in thin undergarments, revealing large patches of pale skin and yet having beautiful faces. Even in deathly silence, they exuded an odd and captivating beauty.

With the shaking of the bell in the Taoist's hand, the three female corpses hopped stiffly into the inn.

Each hop made other parts of them bounce, drawing significant attention.

Causing everyone in the inn to turn their heads.

"The Ghost Taoist?"

Ran Qingchen frowned slightly, whispering to herself.

Jiang Shouzhong asked curiously, "You know him?"

Ran Qingchen nodded gently: "I've seen this person's file in the Liushan Division Archive Hall, a very formidable expert from the Miaojiang area, disappeared for over a decade, didn't expect him to reappear."

Jiang Shouzhong chuckled, unconcerned: "In chaotic times, hidden experts reemerge from seclusion, not surprising at all."

A few Yanrong people at the nearby table mumbled in the Yanrong language. Yelv Sarenzhu seemed interested in the Ghost Taoist, rising to approach, but was pulled back by companions.

The companion urged softly, and Yelv Sarenzhu reluctantly returned to his seat, muttering discontentedly.

The Ghost Taoist seated himself at a table, ordered some drinks and dishes.

Then, he unabashedly embraced one of the female corpses, drinking and caressing freely, disregarding the strange looks from those around.

"So disgusting!"

A clear young girl's voice emerged from the corner of the inn, filled with disdain.

In the corner by the door, sat another pair of a man and a woman.

The man wore a white robe, with a handsome and elegant appearance. The girl was charming and lovely, her round face adorned with a pair of bright eyes, exuding pure vibes.

"Junior Sister!"

The white-robed man's face changed, hastily signaling the girl with his eyes to stop.

The Ghost Taoist turned around with a grin, his triangular eyes narrowed to slits, sliding over the girl's slightly plump figure, then licking his lips, revealing a meaningful smile.

The girl felt creepy under his gaze, shivering inexplicably.

Yet she, accustomed to haughtiness, refused to show weakness, glaring back fiercely, loudly retorting: "What are you looking at! Careful or grandaunt will gouge your eyes out!"

"Junior Sister, shut up!"

The white-robed man's face grew uglier, urgently scolding lowly.

He barely forced a smile, cupping his hands respectfully toward the Ghost Taoist, "Elder, my junior sister is young and ignorant, and I apologize for her offensive words. Please forgive us."

The Ghost Taoist merely smiled, saying nothing more, and retracted his gaze.

The white-robed man breathed a sigh of relief, quickly pulling the girl upstairs, despite her struggles.

"That girl might be in trouble."

Jiang Shouzhong said softly, glancing at the stairs.

Ran Qingchen arched an eyebrow, half-smiling, "What, you want to play the hero saving beauty?"

Jiang Shouzhong picked up a wine cup, downed the wine in it, then stood up, naturally taking Ran Qingchen's jade-like hand, smiling: "The beauty is by my side, pity there's no chance to save her."

Ran Qingchen snorted lightly, rolling her eyes at him, yet not pulling away from his hand, letting him lead her upstairs.

The two stayed in one room under the guise of husband and wife, but ever since the unresolved intimacy last time, Ran Qingchen never gave him another chance, sleeping in separate beds every night.

Jiang Shouzhong felt a tinge of regret, but the purpose of this trip was to find Qu Hongling, so the guilty conscience made him unable to bother about anything else.

After all, he truly did not want to be an Emperor.,

But at present, he couldn't afford to worry too much, finding Hong'er quickly was the most important thing.

Especially after learning that the Sky Demon Sect had changed its Sect Master, which made him more concerned about Qu Hongling's situation.

"Bang!"

A loud bang, as the tavern door was suddenly forced open.

A gust of bone-chilling wind swept in with yellow sand, howling as it blew inside.

A middle-aged Taoist in a tattered robe slowly walked in.

The Taoist had a gaunt face with sharp features, holding a blood-red bell in his hand.

Every step he took made the bell emit a clear sound.

The most horrifying sight was the three stiff women following him; upon closer inspection, they were actually three female corpses!

These corpses wore thin undergarments, revealing large swathes of pale skin. Their faces were fair and beautiful, although lifeless, exuding an eerie allure.

As the Taoist shook the bell in his hand, the three female corpses hopped stiffly into the tavern.

Each little jump of theirs caused other parts to bounce with them, drawing quite a bit of attention.