Nuit éternelle

Chapitre 23

Inside, a mixture of wild and somewhat helpless laughter filled the room.

Feng Xinglie's guess was certainly correct. In less than a quarter of an hour, a doctor dressed in plain clothes with his hands crooked and his hat covering half his face sauntered into the room, knocked on the door, examined Feng Xinglie's condition, slowly rummaged through a large pile of medicines, then closed his medicine box and left. He didn't say a word from beginning to end, which made Xiao Huan jump up and down in frustration.

"What best doctor! I think he's more like a quack!"

Picking up the medicine bottle and sniffing it, Feng Xinglie's eyes darkened slightly for a moment before he laughed loudly, "This is the best doctor, prescribing the right medicine for the illness, and giving the best remedy." She herself understood that most of her injuries were superficial; they were painful, but they didn't affect her internal organs at all. Without good medicine, the healing of severe injuries would naturally be slow, and good ointment would be of utmost help at this time.

The doctor in plain clothes outside the window stumbled, then straightened up and slowly walked away.

Yunfei couldn't help but look at Feng Xinglie with amusement: "Even if that doctor is the best in the city, he'd be a little overwhelmed by your praise."

With a deep smile in his eyes, Feng Xinglie struggled to tear off the bandage wrapped around his shoulder, and said with a pained expression, "Sister, please change my bandage quickly. If you keep making fun of me, I'll die from the pain and I won't have this unparalleled little sister anymore."

"You little brat! How dare you praise yourself like that!" Yunfei couldn't help but spit, but her hands were still working without hesitation, and she and Xiaohuan were taking apart the Chang'e sash that was wrapped around Feng Xinglie's body like a rice dumpling.

Even the well-informed Feng Xinglie called it a miraculous medicine, so it couldn't be too bad. After applying it, the pain all over his body was reduced by more than half, and the redness and swelling in some places subsided in less than a quarter of an hour, right before Xiao Huan and Yun Fei's astonished eyes. The comfort and relaxation all over his body finally made Feng Xinglie breathe a sigh of relief. His mind calmed down, and he slowly analyzed the current situation, but due to his limited knowledge, he couldn't figure it out. Soon, he was so exhausted that he fell into a deep sleep.

She slept soundly. During these days of confusion, she was still in a state of anxiety. Even when she was unconscious, she was still filled with fear. Now she felt like she had come back to life, and a huge weight had been lifted from her chest. As long as you are alive, there is always a way.

In a hazy state, Feng Xinglie felt herself soaking in the cool water beneath a waterfall, her whole body feeling refreshingly comfortable. But soon, the water around her began to slowly heat up, and mosquitoes swarmed around her, biting her so much she wanted to scratch them away. Quickly, the entire pool seemed to catch fire. Startled, she looked up to find that the waterfall had transformed into scorching, red-hot lava, crashing down upon her!

"Relax, I won't hurt you." A gentle, ethereal voice came from nowhere, echoing throughout the sky.

In a daze, the world seemed to expand into a vast expanse, as if I had returned to the feeling of jumping off an airplane long ago. All around me were blurry shadows chuckling, and I couldn't hear what they were saying. They were like demons from hell, drifting around slowly, fading away until they disappeared from sight.

My heart tightened, and my mind returned to normal, only to hear a gentle voice beside me, cool yet breathing warm air.

"Don't worry, I'm just using my internal energy to spread the medicinal properties throughout your body, and I guarantee that you won't have any scars left on your body."

The voice was somewhat smug, even arrogant. Feng Xinglie frowned in a daze, but deep down she knew he wouldn't hurt her. This gentle warmth reminded her of a scene that was extremely familiar to her.

"Hmm... Yu Xiang?"

He clearly felt the tremor pressing against his back suddenly pull away, and Feng Xinglie's mind instantly cleared. A chill ran down his spine, his arm stiffened, and his eyes snapped open as he shouted loudly.

"who?"

The door was wide open, and a pair of luxurious shoes were right in front of him. Looking up, even Feng Xinglie, who was wearing the shoes, couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

His narrow, alluring eyes were sharply upturned, his straight nose was indescribably handsome, his thin lips exuded a faint sarcasm, and his three-dimensional features were almost flawless. His dark hair was casually draped over his shoulders, only lightly tied back with a light blue ribbon, and his luxurious clothes were extremely elegant. What an extremely charming and devilishly handsome man!

Although he wasn't the same type as Ling Yuxiang, this man was definitely no less handsome than the former. Feng Xinglie was slightly disappointed by his appearance and secretly sighed, but he still stubbornly thought Ling Yuxiang was more handsome. (You're just blinded by love.)

It wasn't him! Although he had seen someone, Feng Xinglie knew in his heart that the person who had channeled his energy into her just now was definitely not this man.

With a slight shift in his gaze, he picked up the conversation again, and Feng Xinglie gave a cold, feigned angry smile.

"The master of Yihongxuan is indeed extraordinary. It is perfectly natural for him to trespass into a woman's boudoir."

The sinister-looking man glanced at the room, a hint of doubt in his eyes, which he quickly concealed. He narrowed his eyes with a chilling aura and snorted heavily, "How did you know that was me? I find it strange that someone can come and go freely in my Yihong Pavilion. They're probably not just any ordinary womanizer."

His words exuded a powerful confidence, which sent a chill down Feng Xinglie's spine; he already sensed trouble.

"The Pavilion Master is trying to deny everything, but how could someone just disappear from such a large house like that? Who else could it be but the Pavilion Master?" Feng Xinglie glared back, feigning anger.

A bewitching glint flashed in his eyes, and the charming man strangely stopped trying to explain. As if he had thought of something, a wicked smile froze on his handsome face. He suddenly leaned closer to her and subtly changed the subject: "Do you think Meiniang would be angry with me over such a small matter?"

With a flirtatious tone and a burning breath close at hand, Feng Xinglie felt a tightness in the air around her. Her heart pounded in her chest, not from attraction, but from a terrifying coldness deep in his eyes that sent alarm bells ringing involuntarily. Being stared at by him felt like being watched by thousands of people!

"This can't be so unlucky!" Feng Xinglie thought to herself, feeling miserable. She had only intended to catch a small fish to eat temporarily, but it seemed the fish she had hooked was far too big. Years of experience in judging people told her that this man was not someone to be trifled with.

What a chilling murderous aura! Although it was well hidden, how could it truly be perfect in Feng Xinglie's eyes? She was always able to keenly sense the subtle changes.

She silently cursed Xuan in her heart. If she hadn't so readily denied everything, this man probably wouldn't be acting this way now. But Yi Hongxuan definitely had some enemies, and regardless of who she was thinking of, he wouldn't particularly suspect her at this moment. Since she was this kind of person, the way to deal with her naturally had to change. Dealing with dangerous people was more exciting! The ever-arrogant Feng Xinglie sneered inwardly, "Am I afraid of you?"

Feng Xinglie glanced warily at the charismatic man, but remained unmoved. With a casual smile, he dropped a bombshell: "We're all smart people here. I think the Pavilion Master should know that I have powerful backers. Since you're going to use the Pavilion Master's territory, I might as well tell you that I'm from the Dark Moon Sect."

"Dark Moon Sect!" Even the sinister-looking man couldn't help but show surprise, clearly quite wary of those three words. He gave a cold snort, revealing a ferocious and dangerous expression: "Do you think I'm afraid?"

"You can be afraid, but I believe you'll regret it." A cold, nonchalant aura suddenly erupted from her. Si Liang didn't take his threat seriously; her confident voice radiated a power and self-assurance that surpassed even his. Threaten her? What a joke! When had Feng Xinglie ever allowed herself to be threatened!

The menacing aura emanating from her startled the charming man. He noticed a slightly mocking smile on her lips and an arrogant look in her eyes, yet somehow, it felt natural and fitting for her. This forced him to reassess the woman before him. She was no ordinary woman!

Suddenly, his aura became somewhat fiery, his bewitching eyes flashed with the most alluring charm, and his voice became even gentler: "Feng Meiniang, I have never seen a woman as intelligent as you."

Hmph! A petty trick. Taihan, Suifeng, Yuxiang, Qingli—aren't they all exceptionally handsome men? And weren't all the Feng family brothers superstars in the past? A honey trap? Kid, you're still too green.

Seeing that he had successfully intimidated him, Feng Xinglie remained unmoved by his enthusiasm, his mind racing as he pondered what conditions would pique his interest while simultaneously testing the strength of this Yihongxuan Pavilion Master. He smiled slightly and said:

"Dark Moon hasn't made much progress in Hancheng yet. Even a powerful dragon can't compete with a local snake, as you, Pavilion Master, should know. This time, Prince Yue seems to be making a major move, which is why I was sent to gather intelligence. My origins are what you're most concerned about. Since I've already been frank about this, you must be interested in my purpose. We're not particularly interested in your identity, Pavilion Master. You don't even need to tell me your name. You should know that I came here with Sister Yunfei to avoid attracting attention. I'd like to ask you for some general information about Hancheng right now. In return, I will perform a dance during the days when the Qingqiu Fierce Army is invited here. Surely someone as intelligent as you, Pavilion Master, understands what kind of deal this is?"

A famous courtesan who causes a sensation will naturally attract a lot of attention. Once her reputation spreads, the people who come will be a mixed bag, making the brothel a good source of income and enhancing the reputation of Yihong Pavilion. By not asking about the man's background, she was showing him the utmost respect and relieving him of any worries.

Whether this sinister-looking man is an information broker or simply looking to make money, he shouldn't refuse such tempting terms. Even if he doesn't agree, given the influence of the Dark Moon Sect, he can't easily do anything to her. The Dark Moon Sect may not have much power here, but anyone with a modicum of knowledge will understand how formidable the entire sect is.

He stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, a strange glint in his eyes, and finally nodded. "I like talking to smart people. To make a deal and show my sincerity, I'll give you the authority to mobilize all the manpower in the entire Yihong Pavilion. Since this is also to help us gather intelligence and money, I certainly can't treat you unfairly. Here's a thousand taels of silver; take it for now." He took out several silver notes from his sleeve and placed them on the bedside table, revealing an extremely friendly smile. The captivating smile on his handsome face was enough to make any woman in the world swoon.

Whether it was temptation, threat, or gentlemanly conduct, Feng Xinglie pretended not to see it, calmly accepted the silver note, and returned a polite smile.

"Thank you, Pavilion Master. However, please remember to knock next time you enter my room."

The fame of Feng Meiniang from Yuluo City could earn her far more than just a small amount of money. A thousand taels? Feng Xinglie even thought he was giving her too little. He mentioned the power to mobilize the people of Yihongxuan, which sounded good, but it undoubtedly exposed her to their scrutiny as well. It was only because Yunfei and Xiaohuan, whom she cared about, were there that she was so generous. Otherwise, why would this inexplicable pavilion master be so generous? What if she ran away?

But repeated setbacks did not deter the man. The wicked man's gaze toward Feng Xinglie grew increasingly dark. This woman was strange; her beauty, intelligence, and forbearance were all things he couldn't fathom or understand, giving him a peculiar feeling.

The man's jade-like hand quietly reached out to Feng Xinglie, his wicked eyes radiating an increasingly intense desire. He smiled and squinted, wanting to touch her cheek, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid. His husky voice was truly chilling: "Meiniang, I've actually become quite interested in you."

Homeland of Qin, Chapter Forty-Five: Mystery and Confusion

"Thank you for your kindness, Pavilion Master, but I have no interest in you. Besides, I wasn't summoned here to engage in romance." Feng Xinglie poured cold water on him without any politeness, slapping away his seemingly alluring long fingers.

Flirting? Love? What a joke! If she believed this man could fall in love at first sight because of her looks, she would rather believe the Nanfan River had dried up. An ordinary woman might really be fooled by his attitude, but Feng Xinglie could see clearly that deep in his eyes, there was always an indelible coldness and numbness. All the actions of such a person must have a purpose, and whatever that purpose was, it could never be that ridiculous reason.

A man who always exudes a chilling murderous intent, Tanaka's talk of love and affection is enough to give anyone goosebumps.

"There's plenty of time. I'm confident I can change your attitude." Seeing that she wasn't taking the bait, the lust in the man's eyes vanished in an instant. She was just putting on an act! Although he didn't press her any further, he remained firm in his words, standing up and saying, "I'll have someone send you news about Da Mei. You're still injured, so rest well first."

His eyes were bright and clear. He didn't forget to turn back and smile at her before slowly flicking his sleeves and walking out.

The venomous snake was finally forced back into its lair. Feng Xinglie breathed a sigh of relief, raised his right palm, and held a small, exquisite white porcelain bottle in his hand, lost in thought.

She wasn't one to let her guard down easily, and her senses were exceptionally sharp. To be so close yet still completely asleep was the only explanation she could think of besides a sleeping potion. Although there was no malicious intent, being tricked for no reason infuriated Feng Xinglie. He angrily threw the medicine bottle aside and lay down heavily again.

Kindness? Does she have to appreciate it? Who cares about your treatment! She's clearly just using this as an excuse to take advantage!

This feeling of anger felt somewhat familiar; I vaguely remembered calling out Ling Yuxiang's name back then...

Why is she always thinking about him? Feng Xinglie's cheeks inexplicably flushed, and without saying a word, he pulled a pillow over his head and covered it completely, not even taking a breath, not knowing what he was shy about.

Feng Xinglie was quite satisfied with the efficiency of the man's subordinates. Soon, some information related to Hancheng was compiled into a stack of square papers, which Zhang Mama handed to Feng Xinglie with a smile.

This also proves that Feng Xinglie's feeling was right. Yihongxuan is indeed not a simple place. He doesn't know what the evil master of the pavilion is up to, but he must not have any good ideas in mind. However, if it doesn't bother Feng Xinglie, he will not bother with him.

After carefully reviewing the documents, Feng Xinglie was surprised to discover that Qin Han had launched a major offensive against Qin Yue in the past few months, pressing her step by step. Although the situation was still divided between the east and west, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Qin Yue had been losing ground in the power struggle and had suffered several major losses on the front lines. He let out a mocking sneer.

No wonder you're trying to play peacemaker now. It turns out you can't defend your own territory, so you're thinking of relying on external forces to fight against others. Lie, do you think Lie Jun and Qing Li are easy to get along with? Without enough bargaining chips, how can you get help from both sides? Just the fact that you framed Feng Xing Lie is enough for Qing Li to want to send you to the deepest hell.

However, upon reflection on Qin Han's reasons and motivations for launching a major attack on the city, Feng Xinglie couldn't help but feel silently saddened.

The Battle of Baihui Pass shocked the world. Now, everyone in the streets and alleys is discussing the glorious achievements of the two war gods joining forces. The storytellers are praising Feng Xinglie and Ling Yuxiang as unparalleled heroes, the two already peerless in this era, and their alliance is truly astonishing. All sorts of rumors are flying around: some say the two war gods had long harbored feelings for each other, setting aside past grievances to become sworn brothers; others say their earth-shattering battle, which began as a fight, was incredibly fierce; still others say they were long-lost friends who had never recognized each other, and upon meeting this time, they embraced and wept… Feng Xinglie was left speechless.

Gossip! The gossip in this world is even more amazing than paparazzi!

Baihui Pass has now been renamed Fengcheng, but the explanation for her disappearance is vague. Xi Suifeng claims that the Wind King is away on important business. Although he has taken over all affairs, the Wind King is nominally the city lord of Fengcheng. After all, only Ling Yuxiang and members of the Dark Pavilion know the truth, so it's not difficult to fool them. She secretly admires this man's growing sense of the bigger picture and his understanding of priorities, which is quite gratifying. However, the Dark Moon Sect's deployments across the country are likely once again engulfed in a massive search.

The outcome of the battle at Baihui Pass led Qin Yue to use the pretext of signing an agreement with Fengcheng to invite several important figures from the Lie Army, Qingqiu, and Ling Army to Hancheng.

So that means… Feng Xinglie's expression brightened, and he couldn't help but feel overjoyed. So Ling Yuxiang and Xi Suifeng were probably already on their way, and they would arrive in Hancheng soon! She hadn't gone to find him, but he had come to her door himself! She felt a little amused and exasperated. This world was always so strange. If she had rushed back without thinking, she might have missed Ling Yuxiang and the others.

The current situation is rather confusing. Various forces have converged, each with their own ulterior motives. These important figures are all like madmen, each with their own complex thoughts. Qing Li likely didn't come with friendly intentions. Although Lie Jun and Ling Yuxiang wanted to stop the war, even a fool wouldn't find it easy; they could only act according to circumstances. Qin Han's side has suddenly stopped their attacks these past few days, remaining completely silent, leaving them with a headache.

Damn it, what a bunch of political maneuvering! None of them are trustworthy!

The gathering of such important figures is something even a three-year-old child would have heard of. This suggests that an unprecedented storm is brewing in Western Qin. Everyone has their own plans, their own ideas, and their own methods. The relationship between the three kingdoms has been unclear for a long time. Qin is already facing internal and external troubles, and now, with the addition of the Fierce Army…

He pulled out a piece of paper and looked at the last one. Feng Xinglie was stunned. Lian Ji was seriously ill and had been unable to afford medical treatment for a long time.

After burning the documents in his hands, Feng Xinglie lay on his back on the bed. He was injured and powerless to do anything, so he could only focus on recovering from his injuries.

But no amount of trouble and frustration could stop the waves of secret joy in his heart. Feng Xinglie didn't notice that he was showing an extremely charming but silly smile.

Yu Xiang will be here soon...

What the hell! Why is she thinking about him again?! Feng Xinglie, in a panic, grabbed a pillow and covered his head with it. This is too bizarre! She's never thought about someone so much before!

Could it be that she had already...? Thinking of this, she gritted her teeth, realizing she'd suffered a huge loss! This time, she'd truly lost everything! Being his free wife once was already frustrating enough, but now she'd given him her whole heart; she might as well go find a noodle and hang herself.

Feng Xinglie remained brooding under the covers, brooding, until Xiao Huan called her to eat.

Human vitality is unexpectedly strong, and with the help of the elixir, Feng Xinglie's injuries quickly healed day by day under the care of the gentle sister and the clever maid. In his spare time, he glanced at the bustling business of Yihongxuan and, his professional habit kicked in, he couldn't help but shake his head and sigh exaggeratedly.

"Terrible, terrible! The methods are so clumsy and unreasonable. How can a brothel be one of the top brothels in the city if it does business like this?"

This prestigious business in the city was rendered worthless by her words. Although Yunfei and Xiaohuan knew that she was always incredibly resourceful, they couldn't help but roll their eyes at her arrogance.

Although Zhang Mama was in charge of Yihongxuan, that wicked pavilion master had given Feng Xinglie the power to allocate all the manpower, which was equivalent to giving away all the floor space to him during this period. Although she was somewhat disapproving, she still smiled and said, "Then what does Miss Feng suggest we do?"

"I can't stand it anymore, bring me paper and pen!" With a flourish, Feng Xinglie picked up his tools, thought for a moment, and wrote a long, flowing string of words. He put down the pen and flicked it lightly in front of Zhang Mama, saying rather arrogantly, "If you operate according to the plan on this page, I guarantee that 70% of Yihongxuan's profits will be more than all of your current income."

Looking at it, Zhang's mother became more and more surprised. She solemnly put it away, and her bowing and scraping showed even more respect: "Miss Feng, please rest. I will take care of it right away."

Although Yunfei and Xiaohuan had been beaten up quite a bit these past few days, they still stared wide-eyed like oranges once again.

Feng Xinglie knew that Zhang Mama probably wanted to give it to a Pavilion Master for inspection, but he didn't stop her. The more mysterious she became, the less likely anyone would underestimate her. Lately, she had been secretly watched by someone, making it inconvenient for her to do anything. If she didn't let that person know how capable the Dark Moon Bow people were, would he really think she was easy to bully? Besides, could these few second-rate experts keep an eye on her? That was simply wishful thinking.

If he still doesn't give up his idea of keeping an eye on her after this, Feng Xinglie wouldn't mind letting these people taste what it's like to be wiped out in one fell swoop.

Having not stretched her muscles in a long time, she thought that using them as an appetizer might be a good idea. Feng Xinglie's gaze locked onto a corner of the room, a sinister smile playing on her lips as she maliciously pondered. However, she didn't get what she wanted. The spy quickly and completely disappeared, his skill so profound that he didn't even stir up a wisp of wind. Although it was perfect, she still felt a little disappointed.

Two or three days passed peacefully. Then, on a dark and windy night, a slender figure quietly slipped out of Yihong Pavilion, so gracefully that it caused no disturbance.

The figure landed lightly on the branch of a large tree, the twigs bending slightly beneath her feet. Under the moonlight, a faint excitement flickered in her bright eyes. Her skill had not diminished at all; even the skin cut by a sharp blade showed no signs of shrinkage or necrosis. That person's medicine was truly a treasure of the world. After so many days without any treatment, it was still perfectly intact, without leaving a single trace.

He sighed inwardly again, realizing that debts of gratitude are indeed the hardest to repay.

Feng Xinglie lightly stepped into the void and quickly floated towards the current direction of the Western Qin Imperial City.

Although the Western Qin is not prosperous now, it does not prevent the supreme ruler from being extravagant and decadent. The Western Qin palace was built only a few months ago, and the high walls and tiled roofs stretch as far as the eye can see.

The palace walls were a place where outsiders might not be able to enter safely. However, a figure in blue swooped in with remarkable speed.

Without pausing, he bypassed wave after wave of guards, clearly having thoroughly investigated the personnel within the palace and coming prepared. In less than a quarter of an hour, the figure in blue quietly stopped outside the gate of an extremely luxurious palace. His hiding place was the most difficult to detect, and his concealment ability was extremely powerful. Even the most skilled palace guards would not be able to find a single flaw.

The lamps inside the palace were still lit, and the shadows of several palace maids were cast on the window, their figures graceful and charming.

The figure paused briefly, then with a light step and a powerful palm strike, swiftly entered the magnificent palace. Two palace maids outside were instantly terrified, their faces turning pale. Before they could even scream, the figure hoisted them up and brutally strangled them. Inside, a maid was still brewing medicine, her face mostly hidden by a palm-leaf fan, but her exposed eyes and trembling body betrayed her horror.

"Where is Lian Ji?" The voice of the newcomer was like that of a vengeful spirit from the depths of hell, causing people to tremble.