Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family
Chapter 166: Heart-Devouring Cursed Insect

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Heart-Devouring Cursed Insect

"There, of course my medicine worked!" Xi Chenqing said, shooting him a look. Honestly, a grown man crying like a sissy. If he weren’t looking after my future husband, I’d have fed him a mouthful of poison.

The pill she had given Xiao Yunjing was an antidote. He had been injured and poisoned, and also afflicted by a Heart-Devouring cursed insect—a common type of such an affliction. The people of her tribe knew that the Poison Elder could concoct poisons, but they didn’t know his true expertise lay in raising cursed insects. The arrows the tribe used against outsiders were tipped with the eggs of the Heart-Devouring cursed insect. Once these entered a human body, the eggs would quickly hatch, and the insects would begin to devour the vital blood from the person’s heart. If the Heart-Devouring cursed insect wasn’t killed and removed, the victim would die within three days. The Poison Elder’s raising of cursed insects was a secret; even she, the Clan Patriarch’s daughter, dared not speak of it carelessly. She certainly wouldn’t tell a crybaby like Xi Chenyu. In any case, the man was saved.

"Brother Yu, do you have anything to eat? I’m starving," Xi Chenqing asked.

"Sister Qing, aren’t you going back?" Xi Chenyu asked, his eyes wide. He didn’t have any food at his place; he’d been home for two days straight watching over Xiao Yunjing, with no time to hunt.

"Why go back so early?" Xi Chenqing pouted. If I go back now, I’ll run into that pest, Brother Xiao. I’ll go back later when everyone’s asleep.

"But, I... I don’t have—" Xi Chenyu stammered, then suddenly remembered the dried meat in Xiao Yunjing’s bag. He walked to the bedside, retrieved Xiao Yunjing’s bag, and took out a few pieces of jerky. "Here, Sister Qing, eat this."

Xi Chenqing accepted the jerky, her gaze fixed on the unusual bag. "Brother Yu, is this yours?"

Xi Chenyu shook his head. "No, it’s Xiao Yunjing’s."

Xi Chenqing’s eyes brightened. She took the bag and examined it thoroughly, inside and out.

"Huh? So many medicines?" Xi Chenqing exclaimed, pulling out a vial. She uncorked it and sniffed. "Good medicine," she praised, glancing at Xiao Yunjing. So this man is a master at concocting medicine, she realized. No wonder he could neutralize the arrow poison. The more Xi Chenqing looked at Xiao Yunjing, the more she liked him. She loved concocting medicines and poisons, but unfortunately, her master wasn’t skilled in medicine. With him making medicine and her making poison, they’d be a perfect match in the future. Heh heh... Xi Chenqing mused, her eyes curving into crescents at the thought of such a blissful future.

Xi Chenyu found himself mesmerized by Xi Chenqing’s sweet smile. He knew Xi Chenqing was sweet and lovely, but never had she seemed *this* sweet. That smile was like a spring breeze, brushing past his heart and sending ripples across its surface. He quickly averted his gaze, nearly bewitched by this little ancestor. Everyone knew she had the face of an angel but the heart of a demon. Can’t covet her, can’t covet her. She’s not someone I should be thinking about.

After inspecting the contents of Xiao Yunjing’s bag, Xi Chenqing carefully put everything back. What if Xiao Yunjing doesn’t like others touching his things? she thought. She ate two pieces of jerky, then propped herself by the bedside, watching Xiao Yunjing, occasionally checking his forehead and his pulse. Seeing his breathing gradually strengthen, she finally departed, though reluctantly.

"Ah, the little ancestor is finally gone," Xi Chenyu muttered, patting his chest. He quickly bolted the door and went to sleep.

「Outside」

Gu Qingli’s group seemed to have been walking in circles all night, leaving everyone dizzy.

"I can’t take it anymore, Wuqing. Let’s rest for a bit," Gu Qingli said, sliding off Da Bai’s back. Her backside ached from riding all night. They had been going around in circles the entire night and still hadn’t found a way out. So the legendary formations really are here.

With a thought, a row of chairs materialized before her, and she plopped down onto one without a shred of elegance.

"Miss, have some water," Wuqing offered, handing her a cup of warm water they had boiled in Gu Qingli’s Space.

"Alright, everyone rest and have something to eat," Gu Qingli said after taking a sip. She then retrieved a large basin of Spiritual spring water from her Space for Da Bai. Da Bai, who had been resting in the snow, immediately perked up at the smell and began to drink. Wuqing and the other three also sat down to eat and drink.

The night sky was filled with the moon and stars, and the snow-covered ground reflected the light, making it seem like twilight. As Gu Qingli ate, she gazed at the sky. They had tried going left, right, and straight ahead, but it felt as if they were constantly beneath the same cluster of stars, never making any progress. She knew nothing about those formations and escape techniques; how were they supposed to get out? They’d been wandering this forest all night and hadn’t encountered a single beast, let alone Xiao Yunjing. Was it because of Da Bai, or these blasted formations? It was truly bizarre.

After resting for half an hour, with the sky beginning to lighten, Gu Qingli decided they should press on. This time, instead of riding Da Bai, she would close her eyes and walk by instinct. She wanted to test if her idea was correct. Don’t modern novels often say that such arrays are just illusions? What you see isn’t necessarily real, which is why you end up walking in circles. She shared her thoughts with Wuqing and the others.

"Miss, if we do that, won’t we get separated?" Wuxin asked worriedly. If they got separated, how would they find their mistress?

"That’s easily solved." With a thought, a bundle of rope appeared in Gu Qingli’s hand. "Here, we’ll all hold onto this rope. Don’t let go unless it’s absolutely necessary. We’ll untie it once we’re out."

The four women nodded. Wuqing took the lead, with Gu Qingli second, and Wuyou and the others following her. Da Bai walked beside Gu Qingli. Everyone gripped the rope tightly, closed their eyes, and began to walk.

「An hour later.」

Suddenly, several sounds of objects slicing through the air reached them. This time, Gu Qingli heard them distinctly.

"Miss, let go of the rope and get down!" Wuqing yelled.

Gu Qingli instantly released the rope and dropped to the ground, pulling Da Bai down with her. Once prone, she looked up at Wuqing and the others. She saw the four women snap the rope and wield the lengths as weapons, rushing towards the incoming arrows.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

The ropes whistled through the air as they coiled around the arrows. In an instant, the projectiles were deflected.

RUSTLE... RUSTLE...

The sounds echoed as the deflected arrows thudded into trees and leaves. Once the volley was repelled, the four women immediately formed a protective circle around Gu Qingli, vigilantly scanning their surroundings. Gu Qingli also got to her feet, brushing snow off herself.

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Suddenly, more than a dozen burly men leaped out from the trees. They saw that this time, the intruders were five women. They were five stunning women, especially the one being protected in the center. At the sight, some of the men’s eyes lit up with desire, and they couldn’t help swallowing.

"Who are you? Why have you trespassed here?" one of the men, who looked to be about thirty, demanded, staring intently at them.

Gu Qingli stepped forward, observing the group clad in animal hides. These must be the reclusive tribe Yun No. 6 mentioned. Which means we’ve made it out of that strange forest!