"Haha, you understand me so well, Liuying! Why don't you guess what I want to say?" Xue Qing teased Liuying.
“Yesterday you didn’t find the poison that Miss Nangong was poisoned in the Emei Sect’s book, but the old doctor said he did. I trust you more than him. The Dongqi Pavilion is in a very dangerous situation now and cannot do without Pavilion Master Xiao’s leadership. I suspect that the old doctor deceived Pavilion Master Xiao for this reason, and you are an accomplice.”
“I didn’t want to lie to Pavilion Master Xiao either. That old doctor threatened me with a hundred lives. What could I do? I can’t gossip anymore. Look at this.” Xue Qing made up her mind and showed Liu Ying the note she received last night. Without martial arts skills, she always needed someone to rely on. In this unfamiliar world, who was more trustworthy than Liu Ying?
"You've been working for the Underworld all this time?" Firefly's tone was unreadable.
"Past connections can't be severed so easily, but there's absolutely no place for him in my future," Xue Qing said earnestly.
“Don’t explain to me, you never explained to me before,” Liu Ying grabbed the sword on the table. “Wherever you want to go, I’ll go with you.”
What was going on? Xue Qing was puzzled and followed Liu Ying, who was walking briskly, with a confused expression. She asked a maid she met along the way to lead the way to Xiao Guiying. Xiao Guiying was sitting at the door of Nangong Luoluo's house, leaning wearily against the door, taking a nap. He had waited there all night without leaving. Seeing this, Xue Qing was quite moved. If she were Nangong Luoluo, she would definitely choose Xiao Guiying. At least he was a gentleman and wouldn't resort to rape. Xue Qing squatted down and closed Xiao Guiying's half-closed eyes. She then stood up and said to the guards watching over Xiao Guiying, "Let's not disturb Pavilion Master Xiao any longer. Please inform him when he wakes up. My nephew and I will go to Xilin Pavilion to pay our respects first."
The journey from the mountain directly to Xilin Pavilion was quite arduous, though the scenery along the way wasn't pleasant, with fallen trees everywhere, suggesting that this was no peaceful place. After passing through the barren main peak of Qilin Mountain, which had been weakened by fighting, they arrived at the West Peak where Xilin Pavilion was located. After the guards announced their arrival, they led Xue Qing and Liu Ying up the mountain. The architecture of Xilin Pavilion was almost identical to that of Dongqi Pavilion; the two pavilions were originally one entity, but unfortunately, they were now irreconcilable enemies.
There were two people waiting for Xue Qing and Liu Ying in the hall. One was a middle-aged man in his forties with a qilin embroidered on his clothes. He must be the Master Cheng of Xilin Pavilion. The other was a young woman with a face like a lotus flower. She must be Master Cheng's daughter, Cheng Ling, who had become infamous in the martial arts world because of the annulment of her engagement.
The four people exchanged polite greetings and then took their seats as host and guest.
"Miss Xue and Young Master Liuying, is it because Lingyu Sect has some guidance for Xilin Pavilion this time?" The burly master of Xilin Pavilion asked tentatively from the main seat.
"This was my own idea to come; it has nothing to do with the Lingyu Sect," Xue Qing clarified.
"Oh? There's nothing particularly scenic about Xilin Pavilion. What brought Miss Xue here?"
"I'd like to discuss this with Pavilion Master Cheng privately," Xue Qing said, glancing at Cheng Ling.
Master Cheng understood and said, "Ling'er, show Young Master Liuying the scenery of our Xilin Pavilion."
"Yes, Father."
Cheng Ling and Liu Ying left the room together and closed the door tightly, leaving only Xue Qing and Pavilion Master Cheng inside. Xue Qing showed Pavilion Master Cheng the note that An Luo had given her: "Pavilion Master Cheng, you should remember the handwriting of this little messenger from the Underworld."
Master Cheng's eyes, as big as copper bells, widened even more: "You...aren't Xue Qing from the Lingyu Sect?"
Xue Qing tugged at the skin between her cheek and neck to show him that she wasn't disguised: "Of course I'm Xue Qing from the Lingyu Sect. Does that mean that the dignified Master of the Xilin Pavilion can be a pen pal with someone from the Desert, but I can't?"
“I did indeed administer the poison. Only the Netherworld envoy who gave me the poison knows about this. Why do you need the antidote? Could that girl also be from the Netherworld?” Pavilion Master Cheng asked.
"No need to ask any more questions, just give it to me, hurry up. If that girl dies, I guarantee that not only will your Xilin Pavilion be massacred, but the entire Central Plains will suffer as a result," Xue Qing urged. The male lead's anger is terrifying.
Pavilion Master Cheng dared not delay and hurriedly took out the antidote from his bosom and handed it to Xue Qing: "The envoy told me that the Domain Lord sent a highly respected person in the Central Plains to help me. Could it be you?"
Xue Qing carefully put the antidote away and tossed her long, black hair: "I'm in a hurry to send the antidote back now. Pavilion Master Cheng, you'd better not make any more rash moves to avoid causing any unforeseen complications."
Xilin Pavilion was at a disadvantage in its confrontation with Dongqi Pavilion and pinned its hopes on the help of the Underworld. Of course, it dared not disobey Xue Qing, who symbolized the power of the Underworld, and readily agreed. It instructed Xue Qing to contact it as soon as possible after Nangong Luoluo was cured to discuss the plan to annex Dongqi Pavilion. Xue Qing also readily agreed. However, only the two of them knew what they were thinking.
Xue Qing brought the antidote back to Dongqi Pavilion and secretly added it to the medicine prepared for Nangong Luoluo. The flush on Nangong Luoluo's face instantly subsided, and Xue Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief. News finally came from Dong Chou that Fang Yun indeed disagreed with his interference in the internal affairs of other sects. Dong Chou refused to give up and wanted to join forces with the Emei and Wudang sects to put pressure on Fang Yun.
"Second Senior Brother is so mighty!" Xue Qing exclaimed in amazement. Fang Yun was not someone to be trifled with.
"Master is serious." Liu Ying couldn't believe that his master, who hated trouble the most, had not only taken on the heavy responsibility of the Martial Alliance, but was actually contributing to the Martial Alliance.
"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Dongchou, but Dongqi Pavilion cannot accept this offer. The conflict between Dongqi Pavilion and Xilin Pavilion will not be aided by any external forces," Xiao Guiying said.
"Why? It's common knowledge that there are Kunlun Palace disciples among those who impersonated Xilin Pavilion and fought Dongqi Pavilion. Whether the Kunlun Palace Master admits it or not, everyone has already reached a conclusion. Dongqi Pavilion wouldn't be in the wrong for receiving help from outside." Liu Ying asked, puzzled.
“If we use the power of other sects to swallow up Xilin Pavilion, even if we reorganize Qilin Pavilion, the people of Xilin Pavilion will definitely not be satisfied. I don’t want a Qilin Pavilion that is only superficially united,” Xiao Gui replied.
Damn it! How arrogant! Xue Qing's calculating mind is utterly filthy in front of Xiao Guiying! But Xiao Guiying, there's something you don't know: Xilin Pavilion not only has the support of Kunlun Palace, but also the big boss of the Underworld. If it's just one person, it will lose, really.
"Hehehe, Pavilion Master Xiao, you'll regret this one day." Liu Ying said, tapping Xiao Guiying's nose with her index finger, accompanied by a strange laugh, her slightly pink cheeks giving off an odd look.
Xue Qing felt that the tea in her hand was also strange, and asked, "Master Xiao, don't you think the tea tastes a bit odd today?"
"The doctor said that Luo Luo's cold is contagious, so I had the kitchen add Shaoxing wine to the tea to prevent everyone from catching a cold," Xiao Gui replied.
"You mixed alcohol into your tea?!" Xue Qing stood up abruptly. No wonder Liu Ying seemed off; he was drunk!
Just then, Liu Ying swiftly drew her Qingyun Sword from her waist and thrust it at Xiao Guiying with incredible speed. Xiao Guiying, also quick to react, used his internal force to push off the table and dodge Liu Ying's sword strike.
"Kid, stay away from my martial aunt, she won't marry you," Liu Ying said drunkenly, pointing her sword at Xiao Guiying.
Xiao Guiying exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that Young Master Liuying is...?"
"Yes, I was drunk." Xue Qing nodded shyly.
Liu Ying had no time for idle chatter. She swiftly thrust her sword at Xiao Guiying, forcing him to concentrate fully to dodge. Xue Qing was actually quite familiar with Liu Ying's sword strikes. This was the Lingyu School's Remnant Flower Sword Technique, characterized by its versatility and extreme speed. It was Xue Qing's signature sword technique. In her mind, it was as if someone had unfurled a huge scroll, showing her the origins and development of the sword, its strength and flexibility. Xue Qing knew everything. Her body's deep affinity for martial arts allowed her to retain memories of sword techniques.
"Master Xiao! Be careful! He's going to attack your lower body next!" Xue Qing shouted.
As expected, Liu Ying's sword attacked Xiao Guiying's legs like a phantom. Just as Xiao Guiying was struggling to parry, Liu Ying suddenly flicked his sword upwards, unleashing a fierce sword aura. Xiao Guiying drew his knife from his waist in time and retreated a few steps to block the aura. Liu Ying did not launch another attack. He stood there swaying a few times, then slowly walked to the chair where Xiao Guiying had been sitting. He sat down facing the back of the chair, placed his hands on the back to support his head, and peacefully fell asleep.
Xue Qing slammed it down! Here we go again! You've had your drunken rampage, now you're just going to sleep and pretending to be innocent! Xiao Guiying's table is missing a corner, and the head of the Qilin inkstone is gone—you did it all!
"Is the drinking etiquette of Young Master Liuying..." Xiao Guiying said tactfully.
"No, that's not good," Xue Qing replied bluntly.
Xue Qing suddenly thought of a problem: Liu Ying, your drinking manners are so bad, what will you do when you drink the nuptial wine in the bridal chamber?
roll
Deep within the Netherworld lies a windowless room, a place of death best avoided by anyone who has ever traversed the Netherworld. At this moment, the door to that room is tightly shut, and two beautiful twin maids stand in the doorway, their faces expressionless, standing silently like dolls. They are Yan Ming's most beloved maids. The room is utterly empty, save for a chair in the center. The walls on all four sides are completely sealed, plunging the room into darkness. Yan Ming sits in that chair, his gaze fixed intently on the opposite wall.
Two paintings hung on the opposite wall. The painting on the left depicted a graceful woman, while the painting on the right depicted a tall and robust middle-aged man. The woman was naturally Nangong Luoluo, and the man was the former lord of the Underworld, who was also Yanming's master.
Nangong Luoluo had always wanted to investigate her background, and Yan Ming knew this. He went to great lengths to bring her back to the Desert Wasteland precisely because he feared she would actually find out. He could use a thousand favors to win a smile from her, and he could use coaxing and deception to gain a sliver of her tenderness, but if she knew she was the last descendant of the Nangong family, if she knew she was one of the murderers who slaughtered the entire Nangong family, she would never smile at him again. Yan Ming's clenched fists made his bones crack. Damn it, how could he have let her escape? He had already beheaded those incompetent maids and guards, and even a thousand of their heads couldn't make up for their mistakes. What angered him most was that Nangong Luoluo had accidentally gone to the Eastern Qi Pavilion. As a man, he knew exactly what Xiao Gui was thinking about Nangong Luoluo.