Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  A clear and bright moon shone down on Dongyi, forming layers of shadows on the endless buildings. The light was not very brilliant. Combined with the slightly salty sea wind wafting across the harbor, it filled the air with an alluring scent. It was as if someone had thrown a dried salted plum into a glass of clear Wu Liangye. It floated in the clear glass, hiding the burning killing intent dangerously under the light fragrance. 

  The back door of a two-story private residence opened slightly. Two human shadows stacked on top of each other passed through the door. Immediately, the people behind the door shut it tightly. At the same time, a secret signal came from outside the residence to signal safety so no one followed. 

  This was a secret stronghold the Qing Kingdom’s Overwatch Council’s Fourth Bureau had established. The man responsible for this stronghold was the owner of a book and art store. He had been waiting all night. He didn’t expect that he would end up waiting for an injured person. After he opened the door, he nervously held the dagger in his hand. He stood without moving behind the back door. Carefully, he watched for movements around the stronghold. It was imperative that if things went wrong, he would be able to sound the alarm at the first instant. 

  The moonlight spilling into the courtyard suddenly dimmed. The owner raised his eyes nervously but didn’t see anything strange. He also didn’t notice a shadow floating in through the gap between the doors on the second floor of the residence. 

  Inside the room, Fan Xian placed Thirteenth Wang on the bed. He stared at his pale face closely for a moment. He then lifted his lip and looked at the coating of his tongue. He also turned his ear to listen to his pulse and the sounds of his breathing. His brows slowly pulled together. 

  It had to be a terrifying poison to be able to disperse all of the zhenqi from the powerful Thirteenth Wang and have his entire body become soft and weak. There was not enough time. Fan Xian couldn’t precisely deduce what kind of drug the first disciple of the Sword Hut, Yun Zhilan, had given Thirteenth Wang. He did have a rough idea as to the major components and effects of the drug. 

  He thought for a moment and then took out a little bag that never left his side from inside his clothing. Choosing a light brown pill from inside, he crushed it between two of his fingers and stuffed it between Thirteenth Wang’s lips. Bringing over half a pitcher of cold water from the table, he forcefully poured it down his throat. 

  The cold water splashed across the front of Thirteenth Wang’s clothes. This strong warrior, who had killed the Left Virtuous Prince of the Western Hu and had been able to kill his way out of the imperial tent, did not react. He had already fainted. 

  A sliver of coldness flashed across Fan Xian’s eyes. Pressing together his dried lips, he splayed his palm across Thirteenth Wang’s chest and pressed and stroked. His hands moved like water. Pushing slightly with his zhenqi, he helped Thirteenth Wang swallow the medicine. 

  After doing this, only then did Fan Xian relax slightly. Silently, he sat by Thirteenth Wang’s side and waited for the medicine to start having an effect. 

  He glanced at the shadow beside the door, silently and without words. It was as if he was thinking about an important problem. 

  The medicine gradually came into effect. Beads of sweat began to seep out of Thirteenth Wang’s forehead. Fan Xian knew that the time had come. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he closed his eyes and used the natural and pure Tianyi Dao zhenqi to help him counter the poison and see his injuries. 

  In Jiangnan, all of the meridians in Fan Xian’s body had been shattered. He had relied completely on Haitang Duoduo using Tianyi Dao’s martial methods to help him recover his meridians. Thirteenth Wang had already been deeply poisoned. His meridians were in a mess. Fan Xian could faintly feel that his meridians were perforated with thousands of tiny wounds. At least, it was much easier to treat than Fan Xian’s previous situation. 

  The medicine would not be able to completely remove all of the poison in Thirteenth Wang’s body. Along with Fan Xian’s healing zhenqi, it would have a result. After Fei Jie left, Xiao En died, and Dongyi’s master of poison disappeared without a trace, Fan Xian was the foremost expert in using and countering poisons. Although the poison Yun Zhilan had used was powerful, it couldn’t stump him. 

  Outside the room door, the Shadow silently stood guard over the countering of the poison. He coldly watched Thirteenth Wang, whose face grew redder and redder, thinking about something only he knew. 

  After an indeterminable amount of time, Thirteenth Wang finally opened his eyes and woke up. In the moment he woke up, he didn’t look at Fan Xian, who had labored to rescue him. Instead, he looked directly at the middle-aged man in the shadow of the door with a sharp and chilling light. 

  Thirteenth Wang didn’t know who the man was. He only knew that he was about 40 and he had met him once in a coincidental situation in Qingzhou. He knew he was Fan Xian’s trusted aide. Thirteenth Wang had originally thought that this unfathomable middle-aged man was a secret agent of the Overwatch Council. However, before he had fainted on Fan Xian’s back, he had clearly seen, in the moonlight, this man’s attack toward his fourth brother disciple. 

  Sigu Sword! The secret of the Sword Hut was never taught to outsiders. Only the 13 true disciples of the Sword Hut cold practice the Sigu Sword. 

  He stared at the Shadow and asked in a very raspy voice, “Who exactly are you?” Thirteenth Wang was weak, but his gaze was cautious and complicated. 

  Fan Xian slowly took his hands back from Thirteenth Wang’s back. He had burned through too much of his zhenqi. The sweat on his body was flowing like syrup and had covered his face. He heard Thirteenth Wang ask this question with shock and nervousness. His brows furrowed slightly. He had not thought that right after Thirteenth Wang had escaped from death’s door, he would return to the Sword Hut’s side and develop a powerful enmity and focus toward the Shadow. 

  The Shadow lowered his head slightly and focused his gaze on the tip of his toes, completely ignoring Thirteenth Wang’s question. It was hard to tell if he felt unamused, bored, or that it was beneath his dignity. 

  He was Sigu Jian’s younger brother. Naturally, he felt rather absurd to be questioned like this by Sigu Jian’s youngest disciple. In the entire world, no more than four people knew of his true identity. Before he had Fan Xian’s permission, the Shadow would not allow anyone to know his connection to the Sword Hut. 

  Following the Shadow’s forced action tonight, this massive secret would probably draw the guesses of many people. 

  Fan Xian moved from the back of the bed and sat by Thirteenth Wang’s side with his head down. Burying his head between his shoulders, he appeared particularly tired. The sweat on his body gave off waves of an unpleasant smell. 

  Thirteenth Wang didn’t give him his thanks. He only stared fixedly at the Shadow like a tiger. It seemed that if the Shadow did not give him an answer, even though he was weak and had just been controlled by his brothers of the Sword Hut through sinister means, he would still attack the Shadow in the name of the Sword Hut. 

  Fan Xian kept his head down and raised the index finger of his right hand to sniff at it gently. His fingertip carried the sweat forced from Thirteenth Wang’s body. It felt slightly oily. He immediately deduced the ingredients in this poison. His heart thudded. Murderous intent blazed in his eyes. He said, “What a powerful poison. Thirteen, your big brother truly loves you.” 

  Hearing these words, Thirteenth Wang fell silent. After all, two aces from the Qing Kingdom had rescued him tonight from the hands of his own brothers. 

  Fan Xian suddenly waved his hand and said with exhaustion, “This poison is too powerful. I don’t have the medicine I need on hand. It is impossible to clean out all the poison just by forcing it out with zhenqi. You’ll have to rest for at least a few days to recover. If you have any questions, ask them tomorrow after you’ve woken up.” 

  Thirteenth Wang coughed forcefully. It seemed he wasn’t satisfied, but he felt his eyelids getting heavier and heavier. He then fell toward the bed. 

  Fan Xian flipped his hand and pulled out the thin needle in Thirteenth Wang’s neck. Shaking his head, he rose from the side of the bed. He picked up the half-pot of cold tea and drank it, which triggered another round of sweating. He felt completely exhausted. 

  He pushed open the door and went out. He sat in the shadows beneath the eaves of the room. The Shadow came to sit at his side. 

  After a moment of silence, Fan Xian said, “Earlier, it was fortunate that you came. Otherwise, I’m sure if I would have returned alive.” 

  Thinking about the four ninth-level aces from the Sword Hut and the seemingly relaxed but actually dangerous place, Fan Xian’s heart filled with delayed fear and coldness. The heroes of the world should indeed not be underestimated. Although he was not afraid of people, fighting alone and being surrounded by several ninth-level aces was terrifying. It was particularly so since he couldn’t bear to throw down Thirteenth Wang. If the Shadow had not suddenly appeared in that patch of moonlight, it was unclear what conclusion he would have faced. 

  After parting at the stall that sold Pacific saury, the order Fan Xian had given the Shadow was to contact the spies the Overwatch Council concealed in Dongyi. Alone, he had gone to the plum garden. He had not thought that the Shadow would be able to complete his task so quickly and return to his side to save his life. 

  “Before dealing with the affairs of the Sixth Bureau, I am first a shadow,” the Shadow said coldly at his side. 

  Fan Xian was silent for a moment. He knew what the Shadow’s words meant. Previously, he had been Chen Pingping’s shadow, so he never left Chen Pingping’s side. Later, Chen Pingping ordered him to protect Fan Xian, so he had become his shadow that never left his side. 

  Even though Fan Xian had given him greater responsibilities and had the Shadow deal with affairs of the Council, the Shadow still felt a strong sense of unease after leaving his side for a short period of time. He chose to find Fan Xian as quickly as possible. His style of doing things was secretly following by Fan Xian’s side, protecting him at all times. 

  The sea wind blew over, making the sweat on Fan Xian’s body even colder. It forced him to shiver. He was a powerful warrior above the ninth-level and had long become unaffected by the cold and heat. However, he shivered now, which was enough to prove the current coldness in his heart. 

  The coldness was because of the internal collapse of the Sword Hut. Yun Zhilan had acted against Thirteenth Wang ruthlessly. Furthermore, so many aces of the Sword Hut had stood on his side. Had the near-death Sigu Jian already lost control of the Sword Hut? 

  The coldness was also because of the earlier dangerous situation. His sweating was not just from forcing the poison out of Thirteenth Wang’s body. It was also because of the four terrifying swords. Fan Xian’s spirit had not yet settled. 

  Yet, there was still an even more terrifying matter. This matter pressed down on his heart and made it difficult for him to breathe. The terror took over his entire body. 

  It was clear that the Shadow knew what he was afraid of right, so he also appeared dignified in a way never seen before. Sitting by his side, he didn’t say a word. 

  The present scene made Fan Xian think of his first trip down Jiangnan. Under the eaves outside the Shazhou Inn, he and this best assassin in the world had sat knee to knee. Although their conversation had not been cheerful, he had scooped up a lot of benefits. Now, they sat side by side again. The two people’s moods were both heavy. 

  “Why didn’t you kill that Sword Hut ace earlier?” Fan Xian’s voice had become dry because of his nervousness. 

  “He had four ninth-level aces. For us to be able to pass through with one move relied on an extraordinary surprise and using sword intent to intimidate their state of mind,” the Shadow closed his eyes and solemnly said. “I was still only able to heavily injure one person. You didn’t really hurt the third disciple. If the they came to their senses, we might have been able to escape. We still wouldn’t have been able to kill them all.” 

  “I have to admit that my stupid brother is the best at teaching disciples.” 

  The Shadow’s words related a truth known to the world. Of the four Great Grandmasters, Ye Liuyun did not take disciples, the Qing Emperor roughly had Fan Xian, while Ku He’s Tianyi Dao had many disciples. The only one who had cultivated countless aces was Sigu Jian. Directly under the Sword Hut were 12 ninth-level disciples. This was an astonishing number. 

  After Fan Xian was silent for a long time, he suddenly said, “During these three years, I’ve been careful. Once I use Sigu Sword, the person dies. I have never let a living person see me use the moves of Sigu Sword.” 

  “My sword has never left anyone alive.” The Shadow coldly stated a fact. Once this top assassin struck, no one had ever survived. 

  “What about Yun Zhilan?” Fan Xian asked. Three years ago in Jiangnan, the Shadow had led the Sixth Bureau swordsmen in pursuit of the Sword Hut disciples led by Yun Zhilan all over the world. He had forced the dark power of Dongyi out of Suzhou and Hangzhou, performing a great service for Fan Xian’s ordering of Jiangnan. 

  “When I hunted Yun Zhilan, I wasn’t using my original sword,” the Shadow replied after a moment of silence. 

  Fan Xian gently nodded his head. Even when the Shadow had been by the side of the fishing boat on West Lake under the Hangzhou building and had launched a surprise attack against Yun Zhilan, he had only been able to heavily injure him. It seemed the Shadow was also worried that he wouldn’t be able to kill Yun Zhilan. He had held back so he didn’t expose his identity. 

  “In this entire world, only the five tonight, no six, if Thirteenth Wang is included, then seven people can possibly know of this secret.” Fan Xian lowered his head and thought for a bit. He then said, “The problem is that we are unable to silence these people. Say, when do you think Sigu Jian will guess that you are his younger brother who survived by a fluke?” 

  The Shadow was silent for a long time and then slowly said, “Perhaps he knew the Shadow of the Overwatch Council was me a long time ago.” 

  After hearing this, Fan Xian sank into a helpless calm. He knew the matter he was most afraid of might become a reality because of this visit to Dongyi. 

  He raised his head to look at the bright moon and then lowered it. Indistinctly, he mumbled, “If Sigu Jian could keep our secret for us, wouldn’t that be great?” 

  The Shadow glanced at him and didn’t say anything, but he couldn’t hold back his amusement. 

  Fan Xian suddenly let out a long sigh. Looking at the Shadow, he smiled slightly and asked, “How did it feel to assassinate the Emperor in the Hanging Temple?” 

  The Shadow thought for a moment then said, “It felt pretty good.” 

  Fan Xian shrugged and didn’t say anything more. 

  On the day of the assassination in the Hanging Temple, the Emperor exposed that the assassin was the younger brother of Dongyi’s Sigu Jian, who had left home at a young age. Everyone now knew the Qing Emperor was a Great Grandmaster, so they knew his gaze was good. If Sigu Jian guessed the Shadow was his younger brother from the reports of his disciples, this news would get back to the Qing Kingdom. 

  \r \r \r 

  The head of the Sixth Bureau of the Overwatch Council attempted to assassinate the Emperor? Could Chen Pingping continue sitting safely in his wheelchair? This was what Fan Xian and the Shadow were most afraid of. Both of them had a love and respect for the lonely old cripple, which stemmed from the depths of their hearts. Coming to their senses, they greatly regretted the moment earlier that they revealed that one flaw, a flaw that exposed the Overwatch Council’s greatest secret. 

  “Perhaps matters are not as bad as we think,” Fan Xian suddenly said calmly. “By tomorrow, I will meet with Sigu Jian to discuss business. I will talk about this matter at the same time.” 

  As Fan Xian thought and said, the matter might not have to get back to the Qing Kingdom. However, he was carefully making preparations. He still needed to carefully handle the actual business he had come to Dongyi for. If this matter was handled well, perhaps all the problems would be gone with the wind. ……

  “We are friends?” Fan Xian drank a thin porridge as he looked at Thirteenth Wang sitting on the side of the bed with a deathly pale face. 

  Thirteenth Wang thought for a moment and then nodded. 

  Fan Xian put down the porridge bowl and said with great seriousness, “If you don’t want to lose me as a friend, then starting from today, don’t say anything or ask about anything that happened last night.” 

  Thirteenth Wang nodded again. Although Fan Xian told him not to ask, Fan Xian had to know what happened last night, as well as what happened in Dongyi in the past few days. He used the tip of his finger to tap the surface of the table, indicating for Thirteenth Wang to have some rice gruel to help his stomach. Giving his words some consideration, he said, “Last night, it’s not that I hadn’t thought of the fact that Yun Zhilan would send people to keep watch there. I still went alone to the plum garden to find out. Presumably, as you know, I have had the Overwatch Council constantly sending people to watch where you were living.” 

  “I always thought that given your strength, even if something tragic happened within the Sword Hut, you would be able to notify my subordinates or leave me some kind of mark.” Fan Xian stared into Thirteenth Wang’s eyes. “Last night, I was almost surrounded and killed. That was a problem you created. I don’t understand how you could be trapped in your room and have lost wretchedly?” 

  Hearing these words, a sliver of pain flashed through Thirteenth Wang’s eyes. It looked like the secret attack on him by his brothers in the same sect had made this very bright and cheerful young ace feel an unfathomable pain. 

  A moment later, Thirteenth Wang said in a raspy voice, “Three days ago, eldest brother invited me to drink and spoke of the future of Dongyi. At the banquet, he was very excited. I did not have the countenance to face him because I knew what he said and did were right.” 

  “But, your actions were arranged by Sigu Jian. You couldn’t oppose them.” Fan Xian spoke on his behalf. 

  Thirteenth was silent for a moment and then said, “Yes, if my teacher didn’t give the order, I would rather have picked up a sword to resist the Qing army than to be like what I am now, spurned by my brothers.” 

  “It doesn’t feel good to be a traitor [JW1]?” The corners of Fan Xian’s lips curved slightly. He spoke with a smile, but in his heart, he was thinking of himself. 

  Thirteenth Wang wasn’t too sure what the words meant. He shook his head and said, “I believe teacher is thinking about the future of Dongyi and the tens of thousands of people. Furthermore, no one knows what he will do.” 

  He paused and then continued, “At the banquet, there was only me and my eldest brother disciple. Before I left, I had never met my brother disciple. But, our brotherly relationship had been very good these two years. I even saw him as my true elder brother.” 

  Fan Xian smiled coldly and said, “That is why you drank the poisoned wine he gave you.” 

  Pain flashed through Thirteenth Wang’s eyes. He said in a trembling voice, “My eldest brother is not a treacherous and mean person. I knew he was poisoning me for the sake of Dongyi. He didn’t want you Qing people to see teacher through me.” 

  “You are overly innocent and unaffected,” Fan Xian sighed and said. “In this world, if you don’t kill others, they will kill you. With your nature, if you want to control the Sword Hut, it is nothing but a pipe dream.” 

  “Eldest brother doesn’t want to kill me. He only wants to kill you to destroy the potential deal.” Thirteenth Wang suddenly became angry and stared at Fan Xian. 

  Fan Xian suddenly became gentle. He said, “I believe that. I checked the poison. Although it does damage your body, as long as you didn’t impetuously use your zhenqi, it won’t be fatal. Yun Zhilan and your brothers from the Sword Hut still had a glimmer of kindness toward you.” 

  Fan Xian’s words were actually just to comfort Thirteenth Wang. Perhaps even he didn’t wish to the see the purest of the young aces have his spirit tainted by such stains. 

  “The spy earlier reported that the Sword Hut is well guarded. No one is allowed to enter. It is clear that the person from Northern Qi has already entered the Sword Hut and is beginning to persuade your teacher.” 

  Fan Xian said, “I want to know now is the important figure from Northern Qi is.” 

  “I don’t know,” Thirteenth Wang said straightforwardly. “From the beginning, this matter was arranged by eldest brother. Furthermore, I’ve been poisoned these few days and shut up in the courtyard.” 

  “I want to see Sigu Jian. Do you have any ideas?” Fan Xian stared into his eyes. 

  Thirteenth Wang’s expression was slightly gloomy. He said, “I haven’t seen the teacher in 10 days. I wonder how he is doing and if he can still hold on.” 

  Fan Xian listened as he gave an irrelevant answer and felt angry. He also knew that he couldn’t do anything. With a cold smile, he said, “An important figure from Northern Qi…… Do you really think I can’t guess? Although the Sword Hut is heavily guarded, Yun Zhilan cannot blot out the sky with his hand. If you openly walk to the Sword Hut, will your second brother, who has maintained a central position this whole time, watch as other people kill you in front of the Sword Hut?” 

  Thirteenth Wang looked at him as if he was looking at a ghost. “Last night, you were almost killed by my brothers. Are you going to go die again today?” 

  Fan Xian fell silent. He had to see this Great Grandmaster of a perverse nature before Northern Qi convinced him. Furthermore, it concerned the life of a person he cared about the most. If he didn’t go to die, many people in the world might die. 

  “You are the thirteenth disciple of the Sword Hut, you must have some ways within Dongyi. I’ll send some Overwatch Council to help you. If I can’t get into the Sword Hut today…… I must see the person from Northern Qi.” A thought-provokingly strange emotion flashed through Fan Xian’s eyes. It was as if he was confident about how to deal with this person from Northern Qi. ……

  A pale-faced young man got down from the carriage with great difficulty. Looking at the Sword Hut’s rows of grass huts, countless complicated emotions rose in his eyes. He tidied his clothes and headed in the hut’s direction. 

  The various disciples of the Sword Hut responsible for guarding it looked at his expression and appearance. Shock appeared on their faces. Some people even unconsciously stretched their hands to their waist to hold the hilt of their swords. No one dared to be the first to attack. 

  Someone’s dry voice rang out, “Uncle disciple, master has orders. The Grandmaster is refining in seclusion and is not to be disturbed.” 

  Gradually, people came around and surrounded Thirteenth Wang in the center. All of the disciples of the Sword Hut knew there had been many problems between Master Yun Zhilan, who was handling all the affairs, and this uncle disciple, who was the favorite of the Grandmaster. 

  This disciple had been rescued. Everyone was wondering if it had been an ace from the Qing Kingdom. No one had thought he would walk up to the door of the Sword Hut. 

  Everyone was nervous. They didn’t know if they should immediately take him down or what they should do. 

  Thirteenth Wang took a deep breath. His expression was calm but carried a boundless determination. He walked step by step toward the Sword Hut. He then he saw someone he very much wanted to see. Lowering his body in a bow, he said, “Second brother, I want to see teacher.” 

  The second disciple of the Sword Hut had not participated in this matter. With a tender expression, he looked at Thirteenth Wang and said quietly, “Brother, please go back.” ……

  Just as things were getting messy in front of the Sword Hut, a person slipped out along the shadows beneath the mountain and headed toward a small and secluded courtyard facing the rear of the Sword Hut. The attention of the disciples of the Sword Hut had been completely drawn by the grave appearance of Thirteenth Wang. No one noticed this spot. 

  This small and secluded courtyard was used by the Sword Hut to house the noblest of guests. However, that guest was in the Sword Hut, so the defenses around the courtyard were not strong. The shadowed figure easily slipped inside. 

  Hiding along the way from the aces the Northern Qi side had brought, Fan Xian sneaked into the back garden like a leopard cat. Smelling that faint scent that was forever branded into his mind, he came to a room. Entering lightly, he watched as a girl faced the mirror and stuck flowers in her hair. She vented about the neglect of the palace serving girls. He couldn’t resist smiling. 

  He walked up behind the girl and lowered his body to gently blow into her air. He then quietly said, “Lili, are you missing men?” 

  The girl’s entire body shook. Looking at the charming and beautiful image of herself in the mirror, she also saw the face next to hers that was as lovely as her own and never to be forgotten. Shocked, she couldn’t say a single word. 

  Sir Fan junior! 

  She hadn’t seen the owner of that face for many years. Why would it suddenly appear so mysteriously in Dongyi, by the Sword Hut and her side? 

  Si Lili abruptly turned around and stared with shocked eyes at Fan Xian, who had appeared like a ghost by her side. Opening her mouth but forcefully suppressing herself, she didn’t make a sound. Her bright and gentle eyes were filled with astonishment. 

  Fan Xian was pleased with this girl’s behavior and smiled slightly. In a quiet voice, he said, “Looks like he spoils you a great deal to bring you with him on such an important matter. Is he afraid that you’ll make him wear a green hat?” 

  Si Lili fidgeted with the corner of her sleeve. Her entire body trembled, but her lips were pressed tightly together. Her eyes revealed a slight alarm. She and Fan Xian were old acquaintances. Back then, they had gone North together and had met in prison. She knew Fan Xian was an outwardly gently but actually ruthless person. He was now in a dangerous situation. If she made any movement, he might care nothing about their past friendship and ruthlessly kill her. 

  Fan Xian gently captured her chin. Where his hand touched, the skin was very fine and smooth. His thoughts floated to the past and the carriage in the North. His mind swayed. He said quietly, “Should we help your transsexual Emperor sew a green hat?” 

  Si Lili’s alarm disappeared, but she pressed her lips together in a smile. Back in the day, she had been the foremost beauty in Jingdou. She was now Northern Qi’s Imperial Consort, deeply loved by the Qi Emperor. Seeped in endless nobility, she had become even more beautiful. With this smile, her eyelids flowed like water and were very alluring. 

  Fan Xian also smiled. Interacting with such a knowledgeable girl was indeed convenient. He smiled and raised his hand in invitation. Si Lili gave a brittle smile and placed her hand within his big ones and walked behind the screen. 

  Si Lili was too familiar with his style of doing things. She knew that under these circumstances, he would not do anything rash. He only wanted to borrow her room to wait for someone he wanted to see. For some reason, when she placed her hand in Fan Xian’s warm palm, this woman’s heart gave a long sigh. It was as if she had obtained a long-cherished wish and felt supremely satisfied. At that moment, she didn’t wonder at all if, when that person returned later, they would run into any danger. ……

  After a while, the sound of urgent footsteps came from outside the room. A young man came into the room under the escort of many guards. This man’s brows were sharp as swords but unsure which way the blade pointed. His pupils were like oceans that were of unfathomable depths. He wore plain clothes with a bright yellow sash tied around his waist. Walking like a dragon with tiger-like steps, an imposing atmosphere rose naturally around him. 

  “Your Majesty, Lady Lili is not here. Perhaps she is playing in the garden.” A eunuch dressed as a servant reported in a high voice. 

  Perhaps there was an irritating matter on the young man’s mind. He gave a gentle hum and sat down. Habitually, he put his feet up. A eunuch had already removed his shoes. 

  Fan Xian quietly watched this scene from behind the screen. The corners of his lips curved slightly. With slight mockery, he thought that a few years had passed, but this little Emperor was indeed still used to sitting with his legs wide open. His feet were still as smelly and large. There was not a hint of being ladylike at all. He was definitely owed a beating. 

  [JW1] This “traitor” Fan Xian uses here is specifically “traitor to China.” Thus, Thirteenth Wang wouldn’t understand since the concept of “China” wasn’t around yet.

  Chapter 619: The Woman In The Mountain Residence And The Heart Of An Emperor

  Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  The Northern Qi Emperor was participating in Sigu Jian’s opening ceremony of the Sword Hut. 

  Although this was certainly Sigu Jian’s last appearance in the world, the Great Grandmaster had a highly venerated status. This ceremony would determine the future affiliation of Dongyi. For Northern Qi, it was very important. For the Northern Qi Emperor to come as a ruler, it was still an astonishing matter. Except, Fan Xian had guessed it long ago. 

  Behind the screen, he narrowed his eyes. Through the layers of silk, he looked at the young but shrewd Northern Qi Emperor. He knew Northern Qi attached great importance to Sigu Jian’s death, particularly since the Qing Kingdom was very powerful. If the Northern Qi people wanted to change the world, they had to make a forceful response. 

  The Northern Qi Emperor personally coming to convince Sigu Jian represented their absolute sincerity. For an Emperor to leave behind his country and quickly come to a foreign land, no one knew how much danger he faced. This act was truly overly courageous. Even though Fan Xian had long guessed the Northern Qi Emperor’s unusual action while in Yanjing, seeing him personally appear next to the Sword Hut still made him feel shock and admiration. ……

  The Sword Hut’s mountain courtyard was quiet and secluded. There were countless Northern Qi aces hidden outside, as well as the Sword Hut’s defenses. No one seemed to have thought that in the center of the defenses, the Qing Kingdom’s Fan Xian, who worried the Northern Qi people the most, had already entered and was only steps away from their Emperor. 

  Given Fan Xian’s abilities, if he took the risk, he might actually be able to capture the Qi Emperor. Even if he could control the Qi Emperor, what problem would that resolve? Additionally, he had acutely sensed that there were countless aces lying in wait in this mountain courtyard. Outside this quiet and secluded room, there was a powerful person slowly approaching. 

  The footsteps stopped outside the room. Fan Xian lowered his head, furrowed his brows, and focused his senses. He still couldn’t get a grasp on the pattern of their breathing. From this detail, he could be certain that the newcomer was not inferior to him in martial ability, perhaps their internal control was even purer and more natural than his. 

  Other than the Northern Qi Emperor’s martial teacher, the first disciple of Tianyi Dao Sect, Sir Lang Tiao, who else could be at such a realm? 

  Behind the screen, Fan Xian’ eyelid twitched a little. His hand holding Si Lili’s hand unconsciously tightened. He suddenly felt that his situation was somewhat absurd. His plan today had been overly rash. If the Northern Qi Emperor had come to Dongyi in disguise, he would certainly have a terrifying defensive power at his side. How could everything go as he wished? Perhaps it was because he controlled the Northern Qi Emperor’s vital point that his actions had become crazy. 

  If Lang Tiao walked into the room, he would easily sense Si Lili’s breathing and render the eunuch’s guess pointless. Immediately after, he would discover Fan Xian’s presence. 

  He twisted his head and glanced at Si Lili. His eyes were probing and questioning. How could Si Lili now know what her foe was thinking? Her eyes turned and gave off a faint light as she glared angrily at him. 

  The Northern Qi Emperor was still resting outside. If he knew his favored fei was with that despicable pretty face and making eyes at each other not 10 steps from him, he would probably vomit blood and a green light would shine from his head. 

  Fan Xian laughed soundlessly. The corners of his lips pressed together. He blinked his eyes, which were full of a pleading expression. Si Lili gazed helplessly at the man. Countless ideas spun through her head. Her fingers twisted together nervously for a long time. Finally, she couldn’t help her heart softening. She agreed to the request in his eyes as she gave a soft sigh. 

  The Northern Qi Emperor had his brows tightly furrowed as he thought about something. Lang Tiao had just stopped outside the room and was about to make a report. The Northern Qi people thought that Lady Li was outside playing in the garden, so it should have been completely quiet inside the room. Unexpectedly, a sigh rang out. 

  Fan Xian’s brows trembled slightly. 

  Outside, the Northern Qi Emperor’s tightly locked brows suddenly relaxed. Opening both his eyes, he looked calmly at the screen. 

  Lang Tiao’s figure stopped outside the room. His shadow casted against the door. 

  Si Lili came out from behind the screen as she tied her skirt. Her flowing hair was in a slight mess. Her tender face was slightly red. Her eyes that could speak appeared slightly panicked, as if she had been doing something shameful. 

  Coldness flashed through the Northern Qi Emperor’s face. He said coldly, “So you are here. When the eunuch said you were in the garden earlier, why didn’t you make yourself known?” 

  When Si Lili faced the young Emperor, she was not joyful and cheerful like when she faced Fan Xian. She smiled with unusual naturalness and sat down in front of her dresser. She once again began to fix her appearance as she faced it. Casually, she said, “Sometimes, how could I make a sound?” 

  Hiding behind the screen, Fan Xian’s heart thumped. He didn’t know if the risk he had taken was right or not. If Si Lili was as he thought, these words carried a play on words. They numbed him slightly as they hit him. 

  The young Northern Qi Emperor laughed coldly and stood up. Standing behind Si Lili, he said, “Perhaps you’ve done something shameless that you don’t want me to know about?” 

  Hearing these words, Fan Xian, hiding in the back, couldn’t resist smiling awkwardly. Unexpectedly, immediately after, Si Lili turned her head back and rolled her eyes at the Emperor. Charmingly, she said, “Who told you to just come in? I was in the back. Of course, I couldn’t be seen. Unless, you want other people to see my……” 

  She left off at least two words. Fan Xian looked at the gold toilet beside him. He suddenly knew that Si Lili was going to say. Involuntarily, his heart jumped. He quietly thought that this previous female spy did indeed have some ability to stay cool under pressure. 

  The Northern Qi Emperor suddenly laughed. Looking at Si Lili’s beautiful face, his heart jumped. He leaned down to peck at her red lips. Indistinctly, he said, “I do not want your brilliant moon to be seen by other people.” 

  This kiss was very forceful. There were some teeth involved, which mingled their breaths for a long time until Si Lili became a bit out of breath. Only then did the Emperor reluctantly release her sweet tongue. There was suddenly a few flickers of desire on that handsome face. 

  Behind the screen, Fan Xian’s expression involuntarily became strange. Fortunately, his state of mind was very firm. He was able to control his breathing and rate of his heartbeat so that he wasn’t noticed by Lang Tiao outside the room. When he saw the Northern Qi Emperor reach his hand into Si Lili’s clothing and grasp that ball of soft silk and endlessly rub it, he finally couldn’t stop his face changing. With his eyes open wide, he didn’t want to miss a single second. 

  With great difficulty, this technicolor picture came to an end. The unusual amusements contained within it was enough for Fan Xian to recall it with great enjoyment. 

  Lang Tiao quietly said something outside the room. The desire completely disappeared from the Qi Emperor’s face. Leaning by Si Lili’s ear and muttering something, his face was full of irritation. Tidying his messy clothing, he walked out of the room. ……

  After confirming the mountain residence was safe, Fan Xian walked out. Staring at Si Lili’s bright red and beautiful face dropping with vulgarity, a strange smile rose to the corners of his lips. 

  Si Lili glared at him without humor and said, “What are you smiling about?” 

  “I just saw a real-life erotic picture. Can I not even smile?” Fan Xian sat down by her side. 

  “Sir Fan junior, what exactly are you here to do?” Si Lili stared into his eyes. “Surely it’s not just to watch me and the Emperor be intimate, right?” For some reason, after saying these words, a sliver of embarrassment appeared on this Northern Qi Imperial Consort’s face. 

  Fan Xian acutely caught onto this. His heart jumped. He smiled slightly and said, “Originally, I had wanted to discuss some things in private with the Emperor. Unexpectedly, Sir Lang Tiao refused to move a single inch and also shared my interest of eavesdropping. It was impossible for me to talk privately with the Emperor. It looks like I’ll have to wait until the evening.” 

  “Evening?” Si Lili’s face paled in shock. “Are you going to stay in my room until evening?” 

  Fan Xian raised his eyebrows, “Can I not? You must know that I have actually never seen such amusing intimacy. After I’ve returned to the Qing Kingdom, I’ll use the pen name Cao Xueqin again to write a story about the secret goings-on in the boudoir of the Northern Qi Emperor. I’m sure it will sell even better than ‘Story of the Stone.’ Danbo Bookstore will make another mound of money. I’ll give you 20 percent. How about it?” 

  Si Lili smiled coldly and said, “Have you and the princess never been intimate?” 

  Fan Xian finally couldn’t resist laughing. Laughing broadly, he said, “The problem is that for the lesbian kind, this is truly my first time seeing it.” 

  “What is lesbian?” Si Lili opened her big eyes wide and asked with confusion. 

  Fan Xian reigned in his amusement and looked at her calmly. Word by word, he said, “I have long been curious, how does two women do it? Judging by the Emperor’s earlier mood, it seemed that he was indeed interested in your body. Could he be born with such an interest?” 

  \r \r \r 

  Si Lili finally understood Fan Xian’s words. Her expression immediately became deathly pale. This was the great secret the Northern Qi Emperor had hidden for almost 20 years. After Master Ku He died, only a handful of people in the entire world knew. Suddenly hearing Fan Xian speak about it right now, it overwhelmed her with shock. 

  “Are there eternal secrets in this world?” Fan Xian sniffed and smelled the faint scent of golden osmanthus in the room. Looking at Si Lili, he quietly said, “When it comes to me, the three of you have manipulated me for some time. Were you never worried that I would guess this secret and then use it to threaten you all?” 

  It was impossible to eliminate the shock in Si Lili’s heart. She only looked at Fan Xian’s without speaking. She completely missed what he was talking about. 

  Seeing her fear and shock, Fan Xian comforted her in an even voice. “What does this have to do with you? Why are you so scared? I am just curious as to why earlier you didn’t reveal I was in the room when Lang Tiao was outside the room.” 

  Si Lili was silent for a long time before she gradually digested the shock in her heart. Lowering her head and biting her lip, she said, “The Emperor and I were in the room, I know how you work. Before Sir Lang Tiao could even enter the room, you could have killed both of us.” 

  Fan Xian looked at her and shook his head. Seriously, he said, “You know that this isn’t the reason. No matter what, I am grateful to you.” 

  Si Lili suddenly raised her head and looked at Fan Xian. “There is no need to thank me, it should be me who is thanking you. You saved my life once on the road to the North. Later, you also saved my younger brother’s life. During these years, I’ve been in the Northern Qi’s Palace, but you have never tried to control me. No matter what, I cannot watch you be killed by others.” 

  Her tone grew heavier. “Of course, I will also not allow you to harm the Emperor.” 

  “You are wrong about one point,” Fan Xian said. “You are only an Imperial Consort. If I truly wanted to hurt your Emperor, you wouldn’t be able to stop me.” 

  He suddenly shook his head and sighed. “In the blink of an eye, years have passed. I have no idea how you are doing in Shangjing.” 

  Fan Xian’s and Si Lili’s relationship was complicated. It was impossible to explain it in a few sentences. However, Si Lili was correct. Fan Xian and Si Lili made a deal in secret. He helped her enter the Palace, but he had never tried to control her. 

  “Although no one knows of the agreement between us, since you have helped me achieve my vengeance, I will do everything in my power to help you.” Si Lili’s expression suddenly became solemn. Standing up, she bowed toward Fan Xian. 

  It seemed that in this life, Fan Xian was endlessly making all kinds of agreements with different women. Yan Bingyun had said that he conquered the world through conquering women. This was not a mockery. It was the solid truth. 

  The year they rode North through the spring scenery, Fan Xian had helped Si Lili undo the poison Chen Pingping had buried in her body. At the same time, he had promised her that, he would help her avenge her clan if he had the opportunity. Si Lili had also agreed to become his spy in the Northern Qi Royal Palace. 

  Si Lili was a descendant of the Qing Kingdom’s imperial family. However, her grandfather had been tragically killed in the battle for succession. Her parents had later died to the pursuit of the Qing court, which was why she had grown up in Northern Qi’s Shangjing. 

  The important military official who had betrayed Si Lili’s grandfather and successfully helped the previous Qing Emperor succeed to the throne was the old Qin master who had died to Fan Xian’s hand two years ago. 

  Regardless of why he had done it, Fan Xian had upheld his promise and helped Lili get her revenge. However, many years had passed. Si Lili was far away in the depths of the Northern Qi Palace. It was impossible for the Overwatch Council to control her. Fan Xian did not know if she remembered their agreement and would still help him. 

  Fortunately, the scene in the room earlier had already proven that Si Lili was willing to help Fan Xian, at least, under the condition that he did not harm the Northern Qi Emperor. Although Fan Xian was the man who best understood women’s thoughts in the world, in the end, he came from Mars and women came from Venus. He didn’t have a perfectly accurate grasp of Si Lili’s thoughts. 

  When Si Lili helped to conceal him earlier, it was not just in memory of him saving her life, or his righteousness in avenging her clan. There were some inexplicable emotions playing their part. This girl’s background was bizarre. She had once hidden under the identity of Jingdou’s foremost courtesan and performed intelligence gathering services for Northern Qi. The only person who had intimate contact with her, and could be said to get along swimmingly with her, was Fan Xian. 

  Particularly that moonlight night in the broken temple, the scent of golden osmanthus had washed over him on the large bed. Such complicated relations between men and women were usually of the physical kind. No one knew what exactly happened. 

  The way to a woman’s heart was a dark one. Who said that? Regardless, it did seem to make a certain sense. At least, Si Lili’s gaze on Fan Xian now was complicated enough to make one’s hackles rise. 

  Fan Xian was finally defeated by Si Lili’s indistinct gaze. How could he have forgotten the pleasure boats on Liujing River, the carriage by the Northern Sea, the broken down temple, the leaving pavilion, or this woman from many years ago? He had always thought she was not the same as other women in the world. She had a powerful control over her future, which was why he had unconsciously kept his distance. This indistinct gaze had finally made him understand. No matter how incredible a woman was, in the end, she was still a woman. 

  In Northern Qi’s Royal Palace, there wasn’t even a real man. Such loneliness was difficult for Si Lili to endure. Countless times, she had thought of Fan Xian’s fingertips, which had brought such ecstasy, and his gentle and chilling appearance. She dazedly thought of him for a number of years. Now, her thoughts had formed a demon. 

  Fan Xian was silent. Gently taking Si Lili’s hand, he looked at her eyes that could speak and smiled slightly. 

  Si Lili suddenly thought of something and smiled bitterly, “The Emperor is very good to me. I would like to ask a favor of you.” 

  “He wants to kill me. He has thought of it many times.” Fan Xian looked at Si Lili. “I am someone who must have their revenge. Since he has come to Dongyi seeking too much, I cannot deliver it to him with both hands. Regardless of how the Qing royal family has treated your family in the past, you are, after all, a Qing person. Surely you cannot watch as they join alliances and put pressure on the Qing Kingdom.” 

  “After my parents died, I never again thought of myself as a Qing person.” Si Lili slowly pulled her hand back from his. “I am just an ordinary and pitiful woman.” 

  Fan Xian was silent for a moment. He then said seriously, “That’s true. If I ask for your help on this matter, it doesn’t make sense emotionally. I just want to know how his discussions these two days with Sigu Jian in the Sword Hut have gone.” 

  The corners of Si Lili’s lips twitched up and she smiled. “You might not believe me if I tell you just how arrogant Sigu Jian has been. The Emperor has deigned to come himself. After entering the Sword Hut for two consecutive days, he hasn’t even seen the Great Grandmaster’s face.” 

  Fan Xian’s brows rose. He felt a great shock. Quietly, he wondered what was going with Sigu Jian. Even though the Northern Qi Emperor personally came, he still refused to see him. Even if Sigu Jian had used Thirteenth Wang to express part of his attitude, the Northern Qi Emperor’s arrival was clearly a weapon he could use to haggle. ……

  In a corner of the mountain courtyard, Northern Qi and Sword Hut aces were hidden all around. In that patch of flowers and grass, the Northern Qi Emperor, who had been invited out by Lang Tiao, looked with a wooden expression toward the grass huts below the mountain. The corner of his eyes twitched slightly. It was as if he felt boundless anger toward Sigu Jian’s refusal to see him. 

  “Thirteenth Wang wants to charge into the Hut. It is clear he wants to help the Qing Kingdom’s Fan Xian give Sigu Jian a message,” Lang Tian quietly said. “Yun Zhilan’s people still have him blocked outside. Although the disciples of the Sword Hut lean toward our court, they still cannot kill Thirteenth Wang in broad daylight.” 

  “In my opinion, that person is Fan Xian,” the Northern Qi Emperor said quietly, closing his eyes. 

  Lang Tiao’s brows furrowed slightly. He knew Fan Xian was not someone to meddle with. If the Commander of the Brocade Guard, Wei Hua, had not been able to delay the Qing diplomatic group and allowed Fan Xian to arrive in Dongyi ahead of time, he might actually have the ability to destroy the Emperor’s plan. 

  “Sigu Jian’s attitude is overly ambiguous and unclear. I still cannot guess what he is thinking.” The Northern Qi Emperor suddenly opened his eyes. Coldness flashed through them. “There will certainly be a major battle between my court and the Qing Kingdom. If Fan Xian dies, the Qing Emperor will send out his army in anger. In that case, Dongyi will have to fall toward us.” 

  “If a great battle starts, how will we clean it up?” Lang Tian furrowed his brows and asked. “Even if Fan Xian dies in Dongyi, the Qing Emperor will certainly hold us accountable for it.” 

  “What if Fan Xian doesn’t die?” The Northern Qi Emperor’s gaze suddenly became perplexed. “Could he stop the battle from happening? I know the Qi Kingdom is not yet ready, and I should not provoke the Qing court. If I don’t make a move, Dongyi will certainly be swallowed up by the Qing Kingdom. At that time, the Qi Kingdom will be even weaker. We will never be able to rise again.” 

  Although the Northern Qi Emperor was young, he planned for every possibility. Coldly, he said, “I had once depended on Fan Xian. Later, I thought about it carefully. Those not of my clan are certain to have different intentions. In the end, he is the illegitimate son of the Qing Emperor. How could he think for Qi Kingdom? Particularly during these few years, I have been watching him closely. Regardless of what he was thinking concerning Dingzhou, I can at least confirm that he is still not a match for the Qing Emperor. It is impossible for him to influence the Emperor’s ambitions.” 

  Lang Tiao fell silent. When it came to the Dingzhou and Qing Zhou matter, as the present leader of Tianyi Dao, he knew what had happened. Many disciples from Qing Mountain had died at the hands of Fan Xian’s Overwatch Council. A moment later, he said in a quiet voice, “I wonder what Duoduo thinks.” 

  A sliver of confusion flashed through the young Emperor’s eyes. “If she was in my position, she would probably also kill Fan Xian.” 

  The eunuch with the sharp voice suddenly came toward them with small steps. Hurrying to their side, he lowered his voice and reported, “The order has already been sent to Imperial Consort Li for her to come to the garden. The room is already empty.” 

  “Friar He and good fighters from the Sword Hut are each hidden in their positions. They are ready to attack at any moment.” The eunuch’s voice trembled as he spoke. Presumably, he had been scared heavily when he entered the room earlier to give Si Lili the edict. 

  Lang Tiao closed his eyes. When he opened them, a radiance show that was soon restrained. Slowly, he said, “I am going.” 

  The Northern Qi Emperor inclined his head slightly. He knew that if the person in the room was actually Fan Xian, without Lang Tiao personally taking action, Friar He and the warriors from the Sword Hut might not be able to keep him there. 

  Lang Tiao headed toward the room. The Northern Qi Emperor stood by the door to the mountain residence and looked at the grass huts in the distance with slightly narrowed eyes. Countless complicated emotions flashed through his eyes. As an Emperor, there were many things he had no choice but to do. Even if he had to be ruthless, often he had to be ruthless to himself first. 

  Si Lili had been led to him by the eunuch. Standing behind him, she glanced at the Emperor’s figure with slight confusion. 

  The Northern Qi Emperor slowly turned around and looked at his favorite woman with a slight smile. He thought that if Lili’s tongue had not been slightly tart earlier, and if there hadn’t been traces of embarrassment in the quiet room he had not seen in a long time, he probably would not have guessed that the kid would have been so bold as to infiltrate the mountain residence.