Chapter 5: The Mark of the Blood Lotus

Page (1/3)

Knock, knock, knock—

Three steady knocks echoed.

Sitting upright on the stool, Hua Qianyu slightly twitched her fingers. The armed guard in front of her shuddered sharply and then returned to normal.

With a sharp slap,

the frowning guard struck the desk lamp, and the dazzling light once again shone on Hua Qianyu’s face.

“Behave yourself. No tricks!”

Then, the guard stared blankly at the stagnant interrogation notes. He felt drowsy, as if he had just awoken from a dream.

Knock, knock, knock—

Three more knocks sounded.

The guard was momentarily stunned, then set down the clipboard and stood to open the door.

A pure beam of light, accompanied by the rich aroma of coffee, flooded the room.

Recognizing the visitor, the guard immediately stepped aside and snapped to attention.

“K-ge, you came?”

Yu Kongcheng smiled faintly. He entered, switched on the lights, and simultaneously turned off the surveillance equipment.

“It’s pitch dark in here. Are you filming a movie?”

The guard laughed awkwardly.

Dressed in a pristine white coat, Yu Kongcheng plopped down on the stool without turning his head.

“Go wash your face. A full day on duty must be exhausting.”

“Yes, sir!”

With a crisp reply, the guard quietly closed the door behind him as he left.

Yu Kongcheng then switched off the desk lamp and gently pushed the coffee and dessert toward Hua Qianyu.

The seemingly serene madwoman accepted without hesitation and gracefully began to eat and drink.

With nothing pressing to do, Yu Kongcheng picked up the clipboard and began scribbling, the content unknown.

Time passed, and the small interrogation room grew unusually quiet...

After a long while, Hua Qianyu took the last sip of coffee and lifted her eyes to meet the gaze of the handsome man opposite her.

Within her sight, countless pollen particles drifted invisibly in the air, yet this man remained unaffected.

It was as if Hua Qianyu’s plant-based powers were tugging at an unyielding steel beam.

The undefeated Hua Qianyu suddenly felt a deep intrigue toward the man before her.

Of course, the story of Hua Qianyu’s imprisonment and torture by the White Lotus Sect was tied to a staggering secret, which shall remain untold for now.

...

Suddenly, Hua Qianyu raised her eyes to scrutinize Yu Kongcheng and asked,

“Your name is Yu Kongcheng?”

Yu Kongcheng, legs casually crossed, nodded calmly without looking up, focused on his writing.

“Your codename is K?”

Again, he nodded.

The slight neglect sparked Hua Qianyu’s competitive spirit instantly. ‘If I don’t make you fall at my feet, these thirty years will have truly been wasted!’

With this thought, the wild girl quietly raised a finger, activating her plant powers.

Before the slightest pollen could take effect, Yu Kongcheng smiled faintly and said,

“Crazy girl, save it. I’m no rotten fish or shrimp. Your plant powers won’t affect me.”

Page (2/3)

Hearing this, a blush spread across Hua Qianyu’s delicate face.

“You… you…”

Before she could gather her words, Yu Kongcheng extended the clipboard toward her.

On the paper recording the interrogation, a ballpoint pen sketch leapt to life: a profile of Hua Qianyu’s short hair.

Examining it closely, the brushstrokes were masterful—slashes like knives, dots like peaches. Every line was precise and delicate, even the tiniest strands of hair were distinct, as if carved by divine hands. It looked like a Polaroid print!

Seeing this sketch, Hua Qianyu’s blush deepened, her heart racing wildly, lost in a dreamlike daze.

After a few seconds, she cleared her throat, deliberately suppressing the fluttering in her chest. The maidenly blush and pounding heartbeat vanished without a trace.

Then, like an unshakable iceberg, she stared coldly at Yu Kongcheng.

“Speak. What information do you want?”

But Yu Kongcheng only smiled faintly like warm sunshine and replied,

“That depends on what you want to say!”

With this question, Hua Qianyu smiled mysteriously and leaned forward. The handsome youth opposite her did the same, undaunted.

The two peers stretched their necks, staring deeply into each other’s eyes. So close, they could feel each other’s heartbeat and breath.

The atmosphere instantly turned charged with unspoken tension...

Suddenly, Hua Qianyu parted her crimson lips, revealing a blood-red tongue.

On it was a vivid, tattoo-like 'lotus mark' burning bright.

Seeing this eerie sight, Yu Kongcheng suddenly understood.

This was the White Lotus Sect’s blood lotus mark.

According to intelligence held by the 749 Food Company: this ‘blood lotus mark’ was less a symbol and more a cruel punishment!

Any sect member who dared to rebel or stray was branded with this mark by arcane means. Those afflicted faced near-certain death and unbearable suffering; survival was almost impossible.

Those who did survive were condemned to live out their days bearing the mark.

Depending on its placement, the mark’s effects varied.

Clearly, this wild girl held the White Lotus Sect’s earth-shattering secret. With this mark on her tongue, she would be unable to reveal anything about the sect for the rest of her life.

What exactly did she know?

...

Then, Hua Qianyu shifted heavily back into her chair, looking proudly at Yu Kongcheng.

“What else do you want to know now?”

At these words, Yu Kongcheng’s eyes flickered, his thoughts stirring like a turbulent sea.

“I don’t understand why you are targeting Mr. Gu.”

Hearing such a roundabout question, Hua Qianyu secretly admired Yu Kongcheng. She hadn’t expected this young man to be so perfect.

She broke into a clear, tinkling laugh.

“Hahaha—

Need a reason?”

“Don’t need one?”

For a moment, the air was thick with awkward silence.

After a while, the wild girl fixed her gaze on Yu Kongcheng’s starry eyes and said softly,

“I’m targeting Gu Mo because he’s reliable.”

At this, Yu Kongcheng suddenly burst out laughing.

Page (3/3)

“Reliable?” With a questioning tone, Yu Kongcheng paused, then leisurely said, “You understand the saying: the tall tree catches the wind, right?”

Unexpectedly, Hua Qianyu shook her head slightly.

“He already possesses four of the eight Yin Si artifacts. The situation is set; the way of the Dao is clear. I see nothing wrong.”

Suddenly, Yu Kongcheng’s heart jolted.

‘So, this wild girl is after the Yin Si artifacts. And that unremarkable rag really is one of them!

But why would an artifact be hidden in the Well of Gods and Demons?

If the Yin Si artifacts grant immortality by breaking through the underworld, why would the White Lotus Sect go out of their way?’

As Yu Kongcheng pondered, Hua Qianyu smiled mysteriously and said,

“Brother... you don’t seriously believe that anyone can wield all eight Yin Si artifacts, do you?”

When two armies face off, strategy and cunning are paramount. One cannot fully reveal their intentions.

Hearing this, Yu Kongcheng’s expression grew inscrutable while his mind raced.

‘Now the White Lotus Sect has fractured into two opposing factions. This wild girl is likely hunted by both. She turned to Gu Mo to find shelter under the big tree.

Joining the 749 Food Company directly would be harder than ascending to heaven.

Besides, the entire martial world covets immortality and the Yin Si artifacts — not just the White Lotus and Blood Lotus Sects!

So, joining Gu Mo was undoubtedly her best choice.’

Thinking this, Yu Kongcheng sighed inwardly:

‘This wild girl is not only cunning but also gifted. She considers every possibility. Her depth of mind is astonishing!

Mom was right: the more beautiful the woman, the more complicated. The saying "a woman’s virtue is in her lack of talent" holds true!’

After these thoughts, Yu Kongcheng slowly stood, ready to leave.

He had devised a deeper solution: Li Hetang, Yu Kongcheng’s own “Tom Cruise”!

Li Hetang could probe memories. Even if the wild girl refused or could not speak, Yu Kongcheng had a way to pry open her mind!

Click-click—

Reaching the door, Yu Kongcheng was about to grasp the handle when Hua Qianyu suddenly smiled slyly behind him.

“Brother, I advise you to save yourself the trouble! Memory probing powers are rare but not unheard of. I’ve been on the run for ten years and imprisoned for another ten. I’m still alive because of this!”

Hearing this, Yu Kongcheng shuddered, cold sweat bursting out like spring bamboo shoots after rain.

Suddenly, Hua Qianyu spoke in a teasing tone.

“I fancy you, brother. Not only handsome, clever, and gifted, but also polite... and a talented artist to boot. If it weren’t for your height being only 1.7 meters, I’d definitely have you!”

At this, Yu Kongcheng tilted his head and smiled devilishly.

“To be honest, my height and weight vary with the blood stock inside me.”

After saying this, he turned the door handle and strode out.

Just as the door was about to close, Hua Qianyu’s sweet voice called out.

“Hey~ Brother! Older women are like golden bricks—don’t miss out! I’m very gentle, you know!”

...

(The chapter ends)