What in the world? Wu Hu's social commentary not only rendered the listeners dumbfounded but even left him standing there stunned, as if he couldn't comprehend why such words had burst from his mouth.

"You..." The maidservant's brows furrowed slightly as she asked with a hint of suspicion, "Are you alright?"

Everyone, including Scholar Xiao and Ruan Tian and Ruan Di from the Renzi Sect, subtly shifted their footing, distancing themselves from Wu Hu.

"I'm fine! I'm fine." Wu Hu shook his head like a rattle-drum. "This subordinate was merely interrogated for too long by that Taoist and was feeling a bit muddleheaded, that's all. The words I just spoke were purely out of an unwavering loyalty to the Saint Heir, a willingness to sacrifice everything for his cause."

The two maidservants didn't believe a word Wu Hu said. According to his record, he was wanted by the martial enforcers for practicing demonic secret arts and had no choice but to take shelter within the White Lotus Sect. He utterly lacked any real loyalty to the Holy White Lotus or the Saint Heir.

However, they didn't need him to be completely loyal.

"Very well." The maidservant nodded, saying indifferently, "As long as you are willing to faithfully carry out your duties, the Saint Heir will naturally reward you afterward. Power, status, Magic Artifacts, spiritual treasures... Even bestowing a Supplementing Spirit Bloody Killing Pill is not out of the question."

Supplementing Spirit Bloody Killing Pill!

Upon hearing this term, the eyes of the several Renzi Sect members present instantly lit up, their gazes shimmering with covetousness.

Heh. Seeing their reaction, the maidservants internally scorned them even more. These people only care for immediate gains and have no faith or convictions to speak of. No wonder the Lvzhou branch had 'exiled' them.

"This subordinate is willing to perform the labor of a dog or a horse for the Saint Heir," Scholar Xiao said humbly, cupping his fists.

The others also chimed in, expressing their willingness to go through fire and water for the Saint Heir.

The maidservant smiled faintly and reached for the brocade pouch at her waist. From it, she took out a few shriveled, yellowed insect corpses, curled up into balls. Softly, she said to everyone, "The theft of the Annam Diplomatic Corps' exotic beast is the Saint Heir's arrangement. It's of great importance. To prevent any information from leaking, please ingest these."

"What is this?!" Scholar Xiao's complexion suddenly changed. The others saw the expression on his face and instantly understood that these withered insect corpses were no good.

Her hand, holding the insect corpses, remained suspended in midair, yet no one stepped forward to take them. The maidservant glanced at everyone's dark expressions, then suddenly laughed. "What's the matter?" she asked. "Are you all afraid? Or do you not trust the Saint Heir?"

CLANG—

The other maidservant's expression was as cold as frost. She slowly reached for the Longsword at her waist, the threat clearly unspoken.

Scholar Xiao clenched his teeth. He knew the maidservants resided deep within the White Lotus Cult and practiced its uncirculated secret techniques. Half-baked wanderers like them were no match for these women, especially considering the Spirit Pills they had consumed and the advanced weapons they possessed. If a real fight broke out, they likely wouldn't gain any advantage. Even if they won, they would then face persistent pursuit from the main Holy White Lotus Cult, truly leaving them with nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.

Sigh... Scholar Xiao glanced at his fellow sect members from the corner of his eye and sighed inwardly. Just as he was about to step forward and take an insect corpse, Wu Hu beat him to it, pushing him aside and shouting, "I'll do it!"

Taking long strides, he quickly approached the maidservant, took an insect corpse from her hand, and asked, "Honorable Maidservant, what is this for?"

The maidservant replied with a beaming smile, "It's to increase your cultivation power."

"'This is the legendary Three Corpse Torture Extermination Talisman...'" Scholar Xiao said softly from the side. "'Although it's called a talisman, it's actually a kind of incredibly bizarre Gu Poison. This insect corpse may seem shriveled and withered, but it actually still retains vitality. Once ingested, the Gu insect will nestle within the spleen and revive, granting the user an additional ten years of cultivation power.'"

Wu Hu nodded. "Sounds impressive."

"Heh heh." Scholar Xiao shook his head. "Since it's a Gu insect, there are naturally side effects. If the antidote isn't consumed regularly to suppress the Gu insect, it will become agitated and frenzied. It will start to gnaw on the host's flesh and blood, laying eggs and multiplying inside them. In mild cases, the host will suffer from confused thoughts and go mad. In severe cases, all their internal organs will be devoured by the Gu insect until they die an agonizing death. Upon death, hundreds or even thousands of young Gu insects will tear through their muscles, burrow out of their skin, and fly into the air, soaring towards the sky to seek the next host. The Three Corpse Torture Extermination Talisman is difficult to produce. Furthermore, it is excessively brutal, ferocious, and hard to control. Even our White Lotus Sect rarely uses it. I never expected the Honorable Maidservant to 'bestow' such a thing upon us country bumpkins..."

Scholar Xiao, well-versed in classics and texts, recognized the Gu insect's origin at a glance. He had once been a destitute scholar from a poor family. After repeatedly failing the imperial examinations, he became the laughingstock of the villagers, leaving him depressed and unfulfilled. After burying his parents, who had died from illness and starvation, he finally unleashed his true nature. He murdered the entire family of his 'beloved' and became an outlaw. What he hated most was having his personal freedom restricted. If the circumstances hadn't been stronger than his will, he wouldn't have even considered taking the insect corpse just now.

A Gu insect... Wu Hu furrowed his brow. He looked at the maidservant and asked, "Honorable Maidservant, if I consume this Three Corpse Torture Extermination Talisman, you will give us the antidote after the task is completed, right?"

"Naturally," the maidservant said indifferently. "I still have that much credibility."

"Good." Wu Hu nodded, reaching for his waistband.

The maidservant was startled and took half a step back. "Wait, what are you doing?"

Wu Hu looked puzzled. "Isn't it for external application?"

The maidservant pursed her lips. "Internal use, internal use!"

"Oh, oh." Wu Hu nodded, took the Gu insect from the maidservant's palm, closed his eyes, and muttered, "Whether it's rank or foul, once it's in my mouth, it's food! Down the hatch!"

Then he tossed the strangely scented, dried insect into his mouth.

The others watched Wu Hu swallow the insect corpse with a look of admiration.

With Wu Hu taking the lead, the others also took a Three Corpse Torture Extermination Talisman from the maidservant's hand and ingested it.

"Alright." The maidservant regained her composure and nodded to the group with a smile. "Prepare yourselves. We set off for Lvzhou immediately."

"Wait." Wu Hu raised his hand. "Honorable Maidservant," he said, "I've just escaped from prison and didn't bring any Magic Artifacts with me. Shouldn't you provide me with some equipment first?"

He gazed intently at the maidservant's pristine white long dress and said seriously, "I find the white dress you're wearing to be elegant and grand, airy and comfortable. How about you lend it to me for a few days? And that Longsword at your waist, could you lend me that as well?"

Hearing this, the maidservant's eyes widened. She stared at Wu Hu's expression for a long moment, becoming convinced that his brain had likely been damaged during the earlier interrogation in prison.

"Upon arrival in Lvzhou, someone will make contact with you all," the maidservant said coldly. "You will receive your Magic Artifacts and Spirit Pills from that person."

"Understood." Wu Hu stepped back, his expression still seeming somewhat dazed and muddled.

The maidservant secretly shook her head. Just as she was about to give further instructions, the rustling sound of snapping branches and grass came from outside the dilapidated temple.

Something was approaching the dilapidated temple.

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