Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family
Chapter 178: Exit

Chapter 178: Chapter 178: Exit

Afterward, the group entered the Space to eat and sleep. When they awoke, they resumed digging.

「Outside」

Xiao Yunjing had already finalized his plans and was prepared to attack the Baiyue Clan the next day.

「That night」

Everyone was assembled and ready. Almost all members of the Secret Sect were present, numbering over 1,300.

Ever since Xiao Yunjing had driven Xi Chenqing out, she’d had no opportunity to enter his tent. Two days had passed without seeing him, meaning no chance to place another curse on him. This left Xi Chenqing deeply uneasy; she was certain they were plotting to attack the Baiyue Clan.

This ungrateful wretch! Xi Chenqing cursed inwardly, thinking he showed no appreciation for her saving his life and was instead repaying kindness with enmity.

She efficiently packed her belongings, preparing to slip away. She had to return and warn the Baiyue Clan; she couldn’t just stand by and watch them be annihilated.

With the Poison Elder missing, the Baiyue Clan stood no chance against Xiao Yunjing and his forces.

Xi Chenqing waited for a patrol to pass before darting through the darkest areas. Night and day were indistinguishable to her.

After exiting the main camp, Xi Chenqing didn’t dare use the city gates. Instead, she circled around to the residential area behind the camp. Security there wasn’t as strict as at the city gates, and she was more likely to find a suitable spot to leave the city.

Sure enough, she found one. After a quick look around confirmed no one was present, she tapped her toes lightly and leaped over the city wall as effortlessly as a swallow, then jumped down on the other side.

She glanced back, casting a provocative look at Yanshan City. I will return someday, she vowed. My heart won’t find peace until I burn this place to the ground.

She gave a dry laugh. However, I must collect some interest.

As she moved, she scattered a considerable amount of poison along her path.

SHLICK!

The sound of something sharp piercing flesh.

"Ugh, that hurts!"

As Xi Chenqing took one last look back at Yanshan City, she landed directly on a row of sharp spikes. Only then did she realize the unguarded area was a deliberate trap.

She gently lifted her foot and slumped against the base of the wall, panting heavily. The pain was intense; her feet were nearly pierced through.

Xi Chenqing sneered at herself. With someone like Xiao Yunjing, how could he possibly be so careless as to leave such an obvious loophole?

She hurriedly took out hemostatic medicine and wound salve.

"Damn it, it’s poisoned!"

Xi Chenqing saw the blood from her wounds had turned black. She quickly retrieved a Detoxification Pill, crushed it, and applied it to the injuries before bandaging them.

Afterward, she felt dizzy. She was shocked. My Detoxification Pill can’t counteract this poison!

Struggling to her feet, she knew she had to leave immediately. If I’m discovered, I won’t be able to escape. But now I can’t return to the Baiyue Clan; I can only head toward Daqian. The Baiyue Clan’s vengeance, my vengeance... as long as I don’t die this time, I will return for revenge one day!

She managed to break off a tree branch and, using it as a crutch, slowly disappeared into the night.

Thanks to the topical and oral medicine Gu Qingli had prepared, the wound on Xiao Yunjing’s leg had mostly healed in just two days. He mounted a captured prized warhorse and led the Secret Sect members toward the Baiyue Clan.

「Meanwhile, in the Baiyue Clan」

The past two days had been chaotic. Not only had Xi Chenqing vanished, but the Poison Elder was also gone.

Only the Clan Patriarch and the elders knew of the Poison Elder’s secret chamber. They went to inspect it, only to find that all valuable items were missing.

The group stood there, stunned, unable to comprehend what had happened. Why would the Poison Elder suddenly leave with all his things?

"Clan Patriarch, could the Poison Elder have taken the young lady to *that* place?" the First Elder asked after a moment of thought.

Deep down, they believed no one could kill the Poison Elder; he must have taken Xi Chenqing to that specific location—a place suitable for raising cursed insects.

The Clan Patriarch remained silent. I understand the Poison Elder’s temperament. He wouldn’t leave at a time like this, much less take my daughter away secretly. Something we don’t know about must have happened. I’m worried my daughter will do something outrageous for that brat.

However, he couldn’t share these thoughts with the four elders. He reassured them, saying, "Don’t spread this around. It’s possible that after these recent events, the Poison Elder took Qing’er into seclusion with him."

I’m not worried the Poison Elder would use my daughter as a vessel, he thought. He knows I wouldn’t let him get away with it, and he’d disdain such a pointless act anyway.

The four elders couldn’t see any issues with this explanation for the time being, so they nodded and departed.

Given enough time, we’ll find out the reason, they thought.

The immediate priority was to console the clan members, treat their injuries, foster unity, and remain vigilant in case their enemies returned for revenge. Without the Poison Elder, they had no advantage.

「The next day」

Xiao Yunjing and his contingent appeared at the village entrance.

"Yun No. 6," Xiao Yunjing called.

"Yes, sir," Yun No. 6 replied, stepping forward.

"Take some men and search carefully. Inform me when you find the Madam," Xiao Yunjing ordered immediately. With each passing day he didn’t see Li’er, his anxiety grew.

The carrier pigeons sent to Wuqing and the others had returned; they couldn’t be found.

Wuqing and the others must have been captured by the Baiyue Clan, he suspected. As for Li’er, she has the Space; I believe she’s waiting for me somewhere. So, no matter if this Baiyue Clan is a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair, I will break in and destroy them.

"Yes," Yun No. 6 acknowledged. He waved his hand, and four men followed him away.

That day, we clearly saw Wuqing and his five companions, along with the tiger, leave alive. Yet, only a few days later, they’ve all vanished, the men thought grimly.

"Yun No. 200," Xiao Yunjing called.

"Here," Yun No. 200 replied, stepping forward from the ranks.

"You will lead men to surround the village. Be wary of their poisons and curses," Xiao Yunjing commanded again in a deep voice.

"Yes, Master," Yun No. 200 acknowledged and departed with his orders.

Only six men remained by Xiao Yunjing’s side, protecting him closely. Having learned their lesson from the last time, this was deemed sufficient.

「At this time」

Deep within the large pit, Gu Qingli’s group had finally cleared all the mud, revealing flat ground. The floor was solid rock, appearing to have been roughly leveled. In a corner, a flat stone slab was indeed sealing an opening.

Yun No. 20 and Yun No. 18 immediately moved forward and pried the slab loose, exposing a passage entrance just large enough for a person to walk through if bent over.

Everyone’s taut nerves finally relaxed, and they all heaved a long sigh of relief. There’s a way out! We won’t be trapped here to die!

As soon as the passage was opened, a foul odor wafted out.

"Heh, Miss, you’re so clever! There really is a way out here. Miss, shall we go now?" Wushuang asked.

"We’ll prepare for a moment, then go," Gu Qingli nodded. No one has used this passage for a long time, and we don’t know where it leads. We must prepare the necessary supplies.

After preparing and each taking a Detoxification Pill, Yun No. 20 took the lead to scout the tunnel, with the others following in single file. Gu Qingli, naturally, walked in the middle.

The moment they stepped inside, a wave of chilling air washed over them, and Gu Qingli instinctively tightened her cloak.

"Miss, are you alright? If not, let this servant carry you," Wushuang asked from behind, gently patting her arm. The passage was truly only wide enough for one person at a time.

"I’m fine. If I can’t hold on, I’ll let you know," Gu Qingli replied, touching her flat abdomen.