Urban Martial Saint

Taking out the Twin Life Gu, Shen Tianjun immediately retrieved a small wooden box from the cabinet in the pill room.

This small box resembled a miniature cauldron, with a rather archaic design. It emitted a peculiar fragrance, the substance used by the Miao Borderlands to seal Gu insects in their Sealing Gu Pots. This fragrance, specifically, was a potent drug used to hypnotize Gu insects.

Without hesitation, Shen Tianjun flicked the tip of his sword, piercing the piece of flesh directly. From inside, a winged Gu insect emerged—none other than the Twin Life Gu insect.

The Twin Gu insect spread its wings and immediately attempted to fly away. But just then, Shen Tianjun swung his sword down, striking directly at the insect’s back.

Shen Tianjun was wielding the Seven-Star Ancient Sword, a blade sharp enough to cut through iron as if it were mud. Even the hardest steel could be cleaved in two by this weapon. However, striking the back of the Twin Gu, the insect seemed merely to have been swatted aside, falling to the ground without suffering any injury.

Fortunately, at that exact moment, Shen Tianjun had placed the Sealing Gu Pot beneath it, so the Twin Life Gu fell directly into the pot. Shen Tianjun swiftly closed the lid of the pot and let out a deep breath, saying, ”Done!”

Old Madame Shen and the other two individuals withdrew their hands, astonished. The Inner Strength radiating from Ye Qing earlier was so strange and overwhelmingly powerful—it was nearly unparalleled.

”Is it done?” asked Old Madame Shen, looking at the Sealing Gu Pot. ”That tiny thing—is it really so powerful?”

”Miaojiang Gu insects,” Shen Tianjun answered, ”The smaller they are, the more dangerous. Truly toxic creatures are not the ultimate threat; the most lethal are the ones without poison. For venomous Gu insects, their toxicity can be counteracted through antidotes. However, non-toxic Gu insects tend to devour human organs—those are the ones hardest to deal with!”

Old Madame Shen realized, exclaiming, ”It’s said that the Gu techniques of the Miao Borderlands are extraordinarily sinister—I never imagined they could be this terrifying. Fortunately, the people of Miaojiang rarely venture out of their region. If they did, who knows how chaotic the world would become!”

Shen Tianjun did not respond but glanced toward the Sealing Gu Pot, concern still lingering in his heart. The Gu Master who had given him the pot once said that the device could seal nearly all Gu insects from Miaojiang—though ”nearly all” was not the same as ”all” without exception. The Twin Life Gu, ranked second among Miaojiang’s most dangerous Gu insects, might potentially elude the seal. Shen Tianjun couldn’t be certain whether the pot could contain it for long.

Meanwhile, over in the Western Province, at Wang Tian’an’s residence, he lay leisurely on his sofa, secure in the knowledge that Ye Qing had already fallen victim to the Twin Life Gu. Relaxed, he drifted toward sleep, but suddenly, the small box resting on his table began to tremble.

Eyes snapping open, Wang Tian’an quickly checked the box. Inside was another Twin Life Gu, which was now gradually slipping into a slumber.

The Twin Life Gu—a pair of insects nurtured through twin fetuses with an uncanny connection. Whatever one Gu does, the other follows. Since the first Twin Gu had been sealed within the Sealing Gu Pot and fallen into dormancy, this second Gu mirrored its state.

Studying the slumbering Twin Gu, Wang Tian’an’s lips curled into a cold smile. ”So that’s all? A mere Sealing Gu Pot. Hah! Such an insignificant trick—do you really think it can contain the invincible Twin Life Gu? Ridiculous!”

As he spoke, Wang Tian’an retrieved a black pill from his pocket, chewed it into pulp, and spat it onto the Gu insect inside the box. He also expelled black liquid from his mouth, pouring it over the Gu’s body.

The Twin Life Gu reacted to the stimulation of the black liquid, beginning to tremble. Moments later, it stirred awake, spreading its wings to soar.

”Hahaha...” Wang Tian’an laughed maniacally. With a cold voice, he declared, ”Ye Qing, today, I’ll show you the power of the Twin Life Gu! Hmph, nowadays, nobody in Miaojiang can break this Twin Gu’s curse. Either you kneel at my feet, or perish beneath the terror of this insect!”

While Wang Tian’an’s Twin Gu rose into flight, back at Shen Family Manor’s pill room, Shen Tianjun had just administered a Ziyu Chenxiang Pill to Ye Qing when he suddenly heard a sound behind him. Turning quickly, he saw the Sealing Gu Pot crack open of its own accord. The Twin Life Gu that should have been comatose within now shot out.

”What’s going on? What’s happening?” Old Madame Shen cried out in shock. ”Wasn’t the Twin Gu already sealed?”

Shen Tianjun’s expression changed dramatically. His worst fears were realized—the Sealing Gu Pot was unable to contain the Twin Life Gu. He sighed, ”It seems this second-ranked Miaojiang Gu insect truly isn’t ordinary. No wonder no one has successfully cultivated this terrifying creature in over a century—it would never be so simple to manage.”

”Get back!” Shen Tianjun shouted as he pushed Old Madame Shen aside. Grabbing the Seven-Star Ancient Sword from nearby, he struck toward the Twin Life Gu insect with a raised hand.

The insect’s speed was astounding, dodging Shen Tianjun’s swing before darting straight toward Ye Qing’s bedridden frame.

”Fly away!” Shen Da roared furiously, slamming his palm toward the Twin Life Gu insect.

”No!” Shen Tianjun cried out desperately, but it was too late to intercept Shen Da. His palm crashed down on the Twin Gu. Yet instead of being repelled, the insect retaliated, locking its jaws onto Shen Da’s hand, causing him to scream in anguish. Blood surged from the wound as this tiny insect tore into him.

Shen Tianjun clenched his teeth and lunged forward, flicking the insect’s outer shell with his finger. The Twin Gu was dislodged from Shen Da but left a chunk of flesh ripped from his hand. Who would have expected such a tiny creature to possess such fearsome biting power?

Shen Da retreated, clutching his mangled hand while Shen Tianjun pursued the insect relentlessly. Though he struck the Twin Life Gu several times with the Seven-Star Ancient Sword, none of the blows managed to injure it. Seizing an opportunity, the insect bypassed Shen Tianjun and darted toward Ye Qing.

Still unconscious, Ye Qing was unable to defend himself. Shen Tianjun hastened after the insect, but its speed made intervention nearly impossible.

Just as the Twin Life Gu was about to strike Ye Qing, Huangfu Ziyu—standing vigil by Ye Qing’s side—suddenly raised her hand and struck it with her palm.

Huangfu Ziyu had witnessed Shen Da’s horrifying ordeal earlier, yet she still acted without hesitation. She could not bear to watch Ye Qing be killed by the Gu.

”Watch out!” Shen Tianjun exclaimed, though he knew there was little other choice.

When Huangfu Ziyu’s hand landed on the insect, pain shot through her palm, eliciting a muffled cry. Even so, she reacted swiftly, using her other hand to try to pin down the Twin Gu. But the insect’s strength proved overwhelming—it struggled fiercely, eluding her grasp.

The insect nearly broke free, with Ye Qing lying vulnerably beside it. Huangfu Ziyu grew increasingly panicked. Not even Shen Tianjun could subdue this creature, so what use would his help be?

In this dire moment, Huangfu Ziyu gritted her teeth, grabbed the insect, and forced it into her mouth, swallowing it whole.

When Shen Tianjun arrived, he was stunned. Alarmed, he shouted, ”What are you doing?”

With the Gu writhing inside her, Huangfu Ziyu clenched her jaw without answering. She had no other option—she could not let Ye Qing die. Even if she couldn’t save him, she was willing to buy him more time, a selflessness reminiscent of their shared leap off the cliff last time. If she couldn’t save him, she would die with him.

”Spit it out! Spit it out now!” Old Madame Shen rushed over frantically, but it was too late.

”Stay back!” Shen Tianjun blocked Old Madame Shen and fixed his gaze firmly on Huangfu Ziyu, asking, ”How do you feel?”

Huangfu Ziyu opened her mouth but could not speak—her lips were already stained with blood. She collapsed to the ground, her strength fading.

”What’s happening?” Old Madame Shen grabbed Shen Tianjun’s arm anxiously. ”Think of something—save her!”

Shen Tianjun wasted no time, gripping Huangfu Ziyu’s wrist and checking her pulse. His expression shifted again as he said, ”She… she’s okay! She only has a stomach perforation.”

”What kind of nonsense is that?” Old Madame Shen retorted. ”The Twin Gu is already inside her, and you say stomach perforation? Of course she has a perforation—won’t the Twin Gu eat her alive? The real issue is: can it be removed?”

”It’s not necessary,” Shen Tianjun replied, waving her off. ”The Twin Gu appears to have settled. It’s not struggling or moving—it seems to have fallen asleep inside her.”

”Why?” asked Old Madame Shen, confused. Shen Da, still clutching his hand, stared wide-eyed. Was the Twin Gu suddenly turning docile? Moments ago, it had been ferociously trying to enter Ye Qing.

”I’m not entirely sure,” Shen Tianjun muttered after a pause, ”But I did hear something in Miaojiang. Supposedly, a virgin’s body is the ideal vessel for nurturing Gu insects. Many Gu types fall dormant upon entering a virgin host, growing quietly. Perhaps… the Twin Gu has entered a similar state.”

”Dormant?” Old Madame Shen blinked at the unconscious Huangfu Ziyu on the ground, unsure how to respond.

Who would have thought such a horrifying entity could so abruptly fall into dormancy? She did not know whether to feel relieved or saddened.

”And afterward?” Shen Da asked. ”The Twin Gu won’t stay dormant forever, will it? What happens when it wakes again?”