After Luoluo's persuasion, Yun Ling'er's mood calmed.
The three of them began discussing how to deal with Lin Ming and his master. The basic plan was straightforward: pinpoint their position, outnumber them, and crush them with superior strength.
With both strength and intelligence on their side, the only concern was sealing off all escape routes to prevent any chance of Lin Ming slipping away.
Although it was called a "discussion," it was mostly Wang Haoran explaining while Luoluo and Yun Ling'er listened.
When he finished, Yun Ling'er spoke up.
"Hold on, you came too early this time. There are still some unresolved matters in the village."
"This time, my Love Gu was completed earlier than expected, but the village doesn't know it yet. We could use this as an opportunity for our plan. Here's the idea..."
Wang Haoran listened intently as Yun Ling'er explained from beginning to end, and they re-evaluated their approach.
Once the plan was finalized, Wang Haoran burst out laughing and couldn't resist patting Yun Ling'er on the head.
"Ling'er, thanks to you! Lin Ming and his master don't stand a chance now!"
"If they manage to escape, I'll stand on my head to wash my hair!"
Yun Ling'er smiled slightly when he touched her head, even rubbing against his hand instinctively, but quickly came to her senses and pushed his hand away.
"I'm not doing this for you!"
"I just find that creepy peeping-tom Lin Ming insufferable, so I'm willing to cooperate with you to kill him!"
"As for us—" She hesitated, "We'll discuss that after Lin Ming is taken care of."
"Alright, let's add each other on Fetion. Just search for my number," Wang Haoran replied.
"...Fine," Yun Ling'er said, noticing his somewhat guilty expression. She narrowed her eyes.
"…You haven't forgotten my phone number, have you?"
It wasn't that Wang Haoran forgot; he simply never remembered it in the first place. But, knowing better than to admit it, he stayed silent.
Yun Ling'er glared at him, then expertly typed in two digits to find him as a friend. Almost instantly, "The beautiful girl who beat Haoran's head" popped up as a friend request on Wang Haoran's and Ning Xueluo's phones.
"...Ling'er, why not change it back to your old name? 'Haoran♡Upright Beauty.' It was cute—"
"Shut it! I know exactly why you wanted that name!" Yun Ling'er said, her temper flaring. "I'll write the word 'upright' on you ten times a day if you keep it up!"
After exchanging numbers, Yun Ling'er left, her irritation still simmering.
Only when she returned to Yunlaizhai did her anger settle.
She greeted the villagers she passed along the way.
"Hi, Alan!"
"Hey, Uncle Artai!"
Each one responded warmly.
"It's Ling'er! You're back!"
"Yes! Brother Aqi, is Grandma home? I need to tell her something important!"
"Yes, go on in!"
With a quick thank you, Yun Ling'er made her way to her grandmother's house.
---
Yunfeng Village, near Yunlai Village, shared the same ancestral roots, though a longstanding rivalry kept them apart.
Atop a hill by Yunfeng Village stood a bamboo house.
Inside, Lin Ming had woken but could only make out blurred light.
Yun Fengchuan looked at him apologetically, "I'm sorry, Brother Yang. My voodoo skills have been declining since I was bitten by a Gu insect years ago…"
Yang Dongfang felt a pang of sympathy.
"It's alright, Chuan Mei. I know you did your best; it's just my disciple's misfortune..."
Though he offered words of comfort, Yang Dongfang's own regret was heavier. Years ago, he'd saved Yun Fengchuan on a mission, and the two had quickly grown close. However, a voodoo mishap had left Yun Fengchuan's face scarred—a change that dampened Yang Dongfang's affections.
Eventually, he left her, under the guise of a mission, disappearing from her life. Now, eighteen years later, he hadn't expected her loyalty would remain unshaken.
As Yang Dongfang's mind wandered, Yun Fengchuan quietly suggested a possible cure.
"Brother Yang, there may be a way to restore Xiao Ming's sight…"
"What way?" Yang Dongfang asked eagerly.
"Legend speaks of a 'King of Hundred Gus,' the Love Gu," Yun Fengchuan explained. "This Gu can command all Gu insects. With it, I could not only regain my strength but even surpass my former self!"
Hearing this, Lin Ming, still groggy, broke in. "Where can we find this Love Gu?"
Yun Fengchuan hesitated. "It's an ancient and rare Gu... But I heard that the Saint of Yunlai Village has a half-completed Love Gu. However, the Love Gu is sacred in every village, and they would never give it up willingly."
Yang Dongfang looked puzzled. "Half-completed?"
"Because that Saint hasn't yet found her chosen one."
Yun Fengchuan's face flushed as she added, "If the Love Gu were transferred to me… Brother Yang, you could complete it whenever you wished."
Yang Dongfang nodded thoughtfully, "I see..."
"Moreover, the power of two who complete the Love Gu together can be vastly enhanced!" Yun Fengchuan added, "Though, once completed, it cannot be separated..."
Without hesitating, Lin Ming spoke up. "Master, we should help Aunt Chuan obtain the Love Gu. She's done so much for us!"
Yang Dongfang nodded in agreement, thinking of the benefits Love Gu would bring for his own future revenge.
Yun Fengchuan, touched, whispered, "Thank you, Brother Yang..."
It was meant to cure Lin Ming, yet it was Yun Fengchuan thanking him. None of them found it odd.