The Ten Heroines are Insane! - Chapter 99:

Chapter 99: Qu Qinghan’s Threats, Gu Ling Appears:

Nalan Qing walked out of the room, her face filled with frustration. Despite her efforts, the restrictions Xu Ze had placed on the Nalan Merchant Guild were far more oppressive than she had anticipated.

The Nalan Merchant Guild now had to surrender 40% of its annual revenue in taxes. Additionally, any resources they acquired had to be sold to the Holy Land first. The Holy Land was to be given the utmost priority. However, in return, the Nalan Merchant Guild was allowed to cooperate with the Holy Land. The Holy Land would also favor the guild with certain resources, creating what Xu Ze called a “win-win situation.”

Under Xu Ze’s pressure and persuasion, Nalan Qing had no choice but to ask for “a few days to consider.”

“It’s too much… This isn’t a holy place—it’s a den of thieves,” Nalan Qing muttered bitterly.

Xu Ze’s tactics felt like a direct assault on her wealth. A waste of everything she’d worked for. But Nalan Qing knew better than to defy the Holy Land, so she chose to delay the inevitable, buying herself at least one more day.

As she walked a few steps further, a soft laugh caught her attention. She turned quickly to see a girl in blue robes, leaning against a pillar, watching her with a half-smile.

It was Qu Qinghan.

Seeing her, Nalan Qing felt a jolt of shock.

“I take it you’ve already had your meeting with the Holy Son?” Qu Qinghan approached her.

Nalan Qing lowered her head quickly, rubbing her hands together nervously. “Judging by your grace and presence, you must be a maiden of the Holy Land, right?”

Qu Qinghan smiled slyly, sensing Nalan Qing’s attempt to feign ignorance. She leaned in closer and whispered in her ear, “Nalan Qing, if I’m not mistaken, you’ve regained your memories of your previous nine lives, haven’t you?”

Nalan Qing’s body stiffened, her eyes filled with disbelief. But within moments, she regained her composure and replied, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Holy Maiden. What memories of past lives?”

“Oh?” Qu Qinghan’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of coldness passing through them. She hadn’t expected Nalan Qing to play dumb. However, she decided not to press the matter any further.

She patted Nalan Qing’s shoulder lightly before walking past her. “Very well. That’s probably for the best. Miss Nalan, we’ll have a good talk some other time.”

The sound of a door closing echoed behind her, making Nalan Qing’s heart race.

“Qu Qinghan… she’s regained the memories of her previous nine lives?”

“No, that can’t be right… Could it be that, besides Yun’er and me, other women have also…”

A look of unease spread across Nalan Qing’s face as she considered the possibility.

In her previous nine lives, Nalan Qing had been mostly focused on accumulating wealth, and her relationships with the other heroines were neutral at best. They had all simply worked together for a shared goal.

But with this new life, the dynamic had changed. The heroines, once united in their pursuit of Xu Ze, were now drifting apart. And Xu Ze himself showed no signs of falling into darkness this time around.

That meant the heroines from their past lives could now be quietly, or perhaps openly, competing for Xu Ze’s affection.

From Qu Qinghan’s words, Nalan Qing had sensed a hidden threat. It was as if Qu Qinghan was warning her, “If you’ve chosen to deny the memories of our past lives, don’t try to get involved anymore.”

Taking a few deep breaths, Nalan Qing collected herself and hurriedly left the inn.

Behind her, she heard the door creak open again.

Xu Ze, still inside, didn’t turn around. He already knew Qu Qinghan was coming. Taking a sip of tea, he toyed with the ‘Tong Jasper’ that Nalan Qing had given him, smiling slightly.

“Did you have a conversation with Miss Nalan?” he asked.

A brief flash of panic crossed Qu Qinghan’s face, but she quickly regained her composure. “We just chatted for a bit…”

She had no desire for Xu Ze to learn about the memories of their previous lives. To her, this was a battle between the women, and as long as Xu Ze didn’t revert to his darker tendencies and remained the Holy Son, that was all that mattered.

Noticing the subtle change in her expression, Xu Ze felt a bit helpless. He knew what she was thinking.

Unlike him, who wanted to save everyone, Qu Qinghan wished to have Xu Ze all to herself. She refused to share him with the other heroines.

A soft sigh escaped his lips. Xu Ze’s emotions were conflicted.

“Qinghan…” he began.

Suddenly, a faint wave of demonic energy entered his senses. Startled, he stood up immediately.

“What’s wrong?” Qu Qinghan asked concernedly.

Xu Ze frowned, “Demonic cultivators are nearby. Qinghan, stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

Without another word, Xu Ze disappeared from sight.

“Hey…” Qu Qinghan sighed, feeling a bit helpless.

He always runs off like this… It almost feels like he’s sneaking off to meet another woman…

In the blink of an eye, Xu Ze appeared in the wilderness. The area around him was desolate, with nothing but a single dead tree standing in the distance.

Sensing the ominous presence in the air, Xu Ze cautiously approached the tree.

As he approached it, a carving on the tree caught his attention. It was in the shape of a heart, but the heart was cracked as if it had been slashed by a blade. Black mist seeped from the mark.

Reaching out his hand, Xu Ze touched it lightly.

Suddenly, a pale, slender hand shot out from behind the tree and grabbed his wrist.

Startled, Xu Ze turned around to see a girl wearing a black hooded robe. Her crimson nails dug into his skin.

“…Gu Ling,” Xu Ze muttered, keeping his expression neutral, though a hint of sadness flickered in his eyes.

The girl’s hood slipped back slightly, revealing a face of stunning beauty, but her complexion was deathly pale. Her bloodshot eyes stared at him coldly, void of any emotion.

“Why are you here?” Gu Ling’s voice was thin and lifeless, as if it came from the depths of hell.

“I sensed your presence.” Xu Ze replied, his voice calm.

Gu Ling didn’t speak. Her blood-red eyes locked onto Xu Ze, as if she wanted to keep him in her gaze forever.