Chapter 105: The Golden Cicada King

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Where is Zhou Yi now, able to hear that old Miao woman shouting and then sprinting away? Although he was carrying Mu Chen and Baozi, his speed did not diminish. The old Miao woman, seeing the three had fled, did not pursue; instead, she curled her tongue inside her mouth and resolutely spat out a small insect. This insect was golden all over, with cicada wings on its back—the king of the gu insects, the Golden Cicada Gu King.

The old woman spat forcefully, and the golden cicada swelled upon catching the wind, its wings fluttering rapidly as it flew straight toward Zhou Yi. After releasing the golden cicada, the old woman returned directly to the tents surrounding the mass grave, giving up the chase.

The three had run more than ten miles when they looked back and saw the golden cicada fluttering its wings in pursuit. Zhou Yi thought, “What harm can such a tiny insect really do?” Then he grabbed Baozi and Mu Chen.

“Let’s stop running. That old lady didn’t follow,” he said.

Both instinctively glanced back, but when Mu Chen saw the golden cicada, her face grew even more fearful.

“Run faster!” she urged, not waiting for the others as she used her internal energy to move swiftly.

“Pathetic, it’s just a little bug—what’s there to be afraid of?” Baozi scoffed at Mu Chen’s fear, brandishing his short mace and preparing to turn back and smash the cicada.

“Run...” Mu Chen’s warning was cut short when she saw Baozi charging forward. If all three ran, it would be fine, but if he ran alone, he would be a deserter.

At this moment, Baozi swung his mace at the cicada. The insect was incredibly fast; Baozi swung several times but couldn’t hit it. Turning to Zhou Yi, he asked, “Brother Yi, what kind of bug is this?”

Zhou Yi had never seen such a creature and didn’t know. Before he could answer, the golden cicada flew right in front of Baozi’s face, aiming for his nostrils.

“Watch out...” The cicada was huge. Unable to enter immediately, it suddenly fluttered into Zhou Yi’s mouth as he spoke.

Zhou Yi’s eyes widened instantly, as if he had swallowed a fly. He clutched his chest, retching violently; tears streamed from his eyes, yet nothing was expelled.

“Brother Yi, the golden cicada is highly poisonous. Use your internal energy to force it out quickly!” Mu Chen exclaimed in alarm.

“This is nothing serious, right?” Zhou Yi felt no discomfort, only some disgust since the cicada had come from that old woman’s mouth.

“This is the Golden Cicada King, the king among gu insects,” Mu Chen quickly explained.

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Hearing it was a gu insect, Zhou Yi was startled and frowned, scanning inward with his spiritual energy. He felt the cicada crawling upward along his esophagus, heading straight for his brain.

“This is bad. Quickly find a secluded place...” Zhou Yi’s words trailed off as he focused on diverting his spiritual energy to block the cicada’s advance into his brain, leaving no time to speak.

Both companions understood the urgency. One supported Zhou Yi’s arm, and they headed straight for the small town.

This was the town where Baozi often bought food. The three found a quiet inn to rest, with Baozi standing guard outside. Only then did Zhou Yi relax enough to attempt taming the cicada.

“Gu insects come in two types: one kind is poisonous bugs bred by the Miao people, kept at home to serve their masters, helping them avoid misfortune and bring good luck.

“The other kind is nurtured by Miao women using their own essence to raise young gu insects. Once these insects leave their host’s body, they invade others according to the host’s will. Inside, they feed on blood and brain marrow. When the essence is drained, the host dies.

“It is said gu insects fear sunlight, dying instantly when exposed during the day. But this one is no ordinary bug—it is the Golden Cicada Gu King. It can survive outside its host without searching for a new one and is immune to sunlight.”

Zhou Yi sat cross-legged on the bed, trying to tame the cicada, while Mu Chen explained more about it, knowing that greater understanding meant better chances.

“This Golden Cicada is extremely difficult to raise, requiring countless deadly poisons to feed it. Cicadas are fragile; surviving among so many toxins means this one is extraordinary.

“Moreover, the chance of finding a Golden Cicada is one in a thousand; the chance of finding and forging one into a gu insect is likely unique in the world. This golden cicada is now impervious to fire, water, and all poisons, and resistant to blades and axes.”

Mu Chen came from Maoshan, near the Miao people who raised gu insects, and Daoist texts also recorded much about gu, so she was well-informed.

“The books say gu insects fear vicious dogs, but I’ve never seen it in practice, so I don’t know if it’s true,” she said just as Xun Feng leapt through the window.

Zhou Yi had traveled nonstop from Maoshan to Shenyang. Xun Feng was slower and had just arrived. The moment Xun Feng entered, the golden cicada in Zhou Yi’s body became agitated, struggling harder to crawl toward his brain.

Though Zhou Yi’s meridians were strong, the cicada’s thrashing caused waves of sharp pain.

He dared not relax for a moment. The brain was the most vulnerable organ; if the cicada reached it, things would be dire.

Carefully, he manipulated his spiritual energy, trying to force the insect out, but the cicada was stubborn. When pressured by spiritual energy, it counterattacked, striking the meridians, causing Zhou Yi unbearable pain.

“Woo~~! Woo~~!” Xun Feng bared his teeth, threatening the cicada inside Zhou Yi. Xun Feng’s true form was Bei Qiao, with the soul of Di Ting; it was natural the cicada feared him.

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But the cicada hid within the meridians and refused to emerge. Zhou Yi was at a loss. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he exerted himself to block the cicada’s path with spiritual energy.

Growing desperate, the cicada, unable to reach Zhou Yi’s brain, reversed course and headed toward his dantian.

The dantian is the second most vital spot after the brain. It stores all the cultivator’s spiritual energy. Damage here would mean Zhou Yi could no longer store spiritual energy, turning him into a cripple.

“What else does this gu insect fear? Can’t we use poison?” Zhou Yi gritted his teeth. Blocking with spiritual energy was only a stopgap. Everyone must sleep and rest. If this gu insect wasn’t expelled, it would be an endless war of attrition.

“The Yin Yang Concealing Talisman works. It hides the person’s yang energy, making them like the dead. Gu insects do not stay inside a dead body,” Mu Chen said.

“Then hurry and draw it,” Zhou Yi urged.

“I can’t...” Mu Chen spread her hands helplessly. She was anxious too, but once a gu insect enters the body, no one else can help.

“Think of something fast! Ah!” The cicada, unable to break through Zhou Yi’s spiritual energy barrier, began attacking his meridians fiercely. Zhou Yi could not help but cry out in pain.

“Brother Yi, try splitting your spiritual energy to kill the cicada. Its weak spot is at the base of its wings,” Mu Chen said anxiously, sweat pouring down her face.

“Brother Yi, what’s wrong?” Baozi rushed in upon hearing Zhou Yi’s cries.

“Go stand guard outside. If it weren’t for you, Brother Yi wouldn’t be in this state!” Mu Chen scolded Baozi, clearly upset.

Baozi’s eyes reddened, knowing this was no time for arguments. He left the room, only to shout shortly after.

“Brother Yi, Mu Chen is in trouble! The Miao people are coming...”