Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 64 : The Demonic Worm

Chapter 64: Chapter 64 : The Demonic Worm

Xie Jianshen shook his head. There was a slight furrow on his forehead when he spoke, "Imperial Father, you know that I like to eliminate adversaries as soon as possible, but maybe Zhang Fengxi can be an ally instead."

"Hmph. All of them covet the Dragon Throne. He is going to backstab you as soon as the opportunity presents itself."

Xie Jianshen smiled.

"Longjing Palace is different. Since time immemorial, the tiger clan sticks to its righteous path. Our ancestors went as far as commemorating their loyalty in the Odes Of Power."

"Their loyalty persists because they do not know that the current Crown Prince is not an alpha," the Emperor said in a low voice. "Jianshen, you married Jiang Rufeng. Do you think that he will not stage a riot when he knows that Jianyu is not fit to rule?"

Xie Jianshen lowered his gaze.

His husband, Jiang Rufeng, never showed any inclination toward the Dragon Throne, but inside everyone’s heart lurked a beast. The beast was thirsty for recognition, for an achievement.

"It is best to kill Zhang Fengxi secretly and quickly," the Emperor decided. "But how to make sure that he doesn’t sing before he dies?"

The Emperor was filled with dark thoughts. Thankfully, Xie Jianshen came prepared.

"Imperial Father, I have an idea."

"Speak."

"Why not ask him to swallow a Heart Devouring Gu Worm?"

A Heart Devouring Gu Worm was a parasitic worm that hailed from the demonic realm. A Demon King once used the Gu Worms to spread terror in the human realm.

He told his subordinates to approach greedy human beings and made them an offer that they could not refuse. It usually gave them a certain advantage, such as peerless beauty, endless power, and inexhaustible riches.

In return, these human beings became the demons’ hands and feet. They committed atrocious crimes that could not be traced back to the Demon King. At the moment when the human beings attempted to reveal the Demon King’s involvement, they would be bitten to death by the Gu Worms that resided in their bodies.

After the Gu Worms finished devouring their victims’ hearts, they slipped out of their victims’ mouths and returned to the demonic realm.

It took the Heavenly Empire ten human years to fully eliminate the Gu Worms from the face of the human realm.

Employing the Heart Devouring Gu Worms remained a fool-proof method to ensure that secrets remained intact.

The Emperor cleared his throat.

"Do you know where to get it?"

Xie Jianshen nodded.

He reached into his qiankun bag and pulled out a small wooden box that was sealed with a spell.

"I keep some with me just in case."

The Emperor chuckled.

"My reliable son, what will I do without you?"

"After I feed Zhang Fengxi this Gu Worm, we can release Liu Wenyuan, can’t we?"

The Emperor was busy worrying about Xie Jianyu that he ended up forgetting all about Liu Wenyuan.

"By all means, do what you want. Make sure that Zhang Fengxi swallows the Gu Worm."

Xie Jianshen bowed his head.

"Yes, Imperial Father."

Zhang Fengxi was not surprised when a couple of guards came to drag him to his feet and lead him into the Golden Dragon Palace.

He had expected to come face-to-face with the Heavenly Emperor for the first time in his life, but the one who sat on the throne and looked down on him was none other than Xie Jianshen.

"Shuiran Palace Mistress."

A cold smile hushed over Xie Jianshen’s attractive features.

"Prince Zhang Fengxi, His Majesty has agreed to release your betrothed, Liu Wenyuan."

Zhang Fengxi heaved a sigh of relief. Before he uttered his thanks, Xie Jianshen continued speaking, "Under one condition."

Xie Jianshen stepped down from the throne. He snapped his fingers once, and the guards left the room wordlessly.

The relief in Zhang Fengxi’s heart disappeared, replaced with an ominous feeling.

"What condition?"

Xie Jianshen showed Zhang Fengxi the same wooden box he showed his father. One hand seal sufficed to break the seal on the box.

Once he opened the box, a fat, dark brown worm the size of a shelled peanut came into sight. The head and the tail were hardly distinguishable, until two rows of small, sharp, saw-like teeth became visible.

Zhang Fengxi’s heart turned cold at the sight.

The Heart Devouring Gu Worm!

Xie Jianshen observed the change on Zhang Fengxi’s face full of satisfaction.

"Do you know what this is?"

"No," Zhang Fengxi said.

At nineteen years old, Zhang Fengxi was not that knowledgeable. He only found out about this terrible kind of parasite much later in his adulthood.

"This, is a Heart Devouring Gu Worm. It is a very useful little animal."

"..."

Animal? It was a horrible parasite!

"I want you to swear on your life that you will never reveal Little Yu’s secret," Xie Jianshen said.

"Naturally, you must also speak to no one about this agreement."

"And then, you will open your mouth and take this Gu Worm into your body. Should you break your oath and betray Little Yu, this little worm will tear your insides into shreds and you will die miserably."

Xie Jianshen then leaned closer and whispered to Zhang Fengxi.

"If you refuse to do so, both you and Liu Wenyuan will die today, in this place."

It was not an empty threat.

Zhang Fengxi knew from his past life that Xie Jianshen was the kind of person who was ruthless enough to do anything.

"Make a choice, Prince Zhang Fengxi."

Zhang Fengxi took a deep breath. Glaring at Xie Jianshen, he spoke his oath out loud.

"I swear on my life that I will keep Xie Jianyu’s secret. Should I fail to act according to my oath, I shall be torn apart and die a miserable death."

Xie Jianshen smiled.

"Very good."

He handed the open box to Zhang Fengxi.

Wrinkling his face in disgust, Zhang Fengxi took the wriggling worm and put it into his mouth. He almost choked when the worm rapidly slipped into his throat and entered his body.

"Ugh!"

Zhang Fengxi fell to his knees. His head felt dizzy and he was panting heavily. Blood came up his throat and slowly dripped down the corner of his lips.

And yet, it was not comparable to the pain in his chest. The Gu Worm knew what to do. As soon as it entered Zhang Fengxi’s body, it wormed its way into his heart.

From now on until forever, the worm was going to live inside his body and feed from his blood.

Zhang Fengxi wiped the blood off his lips.

"Can I take Wenyuan with me and go back home now?"

Xie Jianshen shot Zhang Fengxi a pleasant smile that bordered on wickedness.

"Let me send you back with my carriage."