Chapter 64
Yu Sui saw off Sheng Hao, ate her fill and flopped back onto the bed, her mind replaying the events of recent days. Sheng Hao's main point was that Gu Qian had kissed Xun Zhiya, but Yu Sui's takeaway was that Gu Qian wanted to use the Dragon Slaying Cave challenge to enter the Legalist School forbidden area Inverted Moon Cave again, searching for Pagoda fragments.
Although Nangong Ming had indeed sent her to help find the Pagoda, since Gu Qian had kicked Yu Sui out of the team himself, she didn't need to care anymore.
Li Jin Shuang's side didn't look like she'd be bullied either.
Yu Sui covered her mouth and yawned, turning over for a brief nap.
She didn't wake until sunset, discovering quite a few messages on her Wind-Listening Ruler.
Zhongli Que had finally replied: "Something happened last night, but it's all handled now."
She knew Yu Sui would sleep during the day and wouldn't check messages promptly, so without waiting for Yu Sui's reply, she sent the full account via transmission.
……
Yesterday was Lady Sun's birthday banquet with many guests. Zhongli Que had listened to Su Feng and Yu Sui's words, didn't invite Chu Jin, and had learned about Chu Jin wanting to take her Wind-Listening Ruler, so she was on guard.
Who knew Chu Jin still came.
She was brought by Zhongli Que's second uncle's wife.
Her cousin Zhongli Xu had become extremely dependent on Chu Jin during her convalescence. Without Chu Jin's accompaniment, she couldn't even leave her room, becoming mentally unstable, somewhat deranged, unable to speak clearly. Only when seeing Chu Jin could she return to normal.
Second Master Zhongli had no choice but to beg Chu Jin for help so his daughter could improve.
Chu Jin said this was an aftereffect of consuming Earth Spirit Water. Without Five Elements energy protection, it had damaged her brain and would take a long time to recover.
Second Master Zhongli couldn't possibly let others know his daughter had consumed Earth Spirit Water. Anything connected to Blue Poison was no joke.
The Zhongli family was already in the eye of the storm. If something really went wrong, the entire clan would suffer.
With eldest brother still not returned, the brothers couldn't drag him down in the imperial capital at this time.
Therefore, Second Master Zhongli absolutely couldn't let news of his daughter consuming Earth Spirit Water leak, but his wife pitied the child, couldn't bear her deranged state, babbling nonsense and constantly hitting walls, so secretly invited Chu Jin.
When Second Master Zhongli discovered it was too late, but his second sister-in-law said, Miss Chu is trustworthy, even your sister-in-law trusts her, and she was recommended by your sister-in-law, so what are you afraid of?
Seeing the news hadn't leaked and she was a physician recommended by Lady Sun, plus Chu Jin's own displayed discretion, Second Master Zhongli let it go.
Zhongli Xu improved day by day. Lady Sun was very grateful to Chu Jin, and for this banquet, fearing Zhongli Xu might have an episode, she invited Chu Jin along.
By the time Zhongli Que learned of this, it was too late.
At the banquet, she watched her cousin Zhongli Xu clutch a corner of Chu Jin's sleeve like an ignorant child following Chu Jin everywhere, never letting go.
Chu Jin patiently answered all of Zhongli Xu's questions. When they looked at each other across the distance, she even sent Zhongli Que a polite, smiling glance.
Zhongli Que hadn't invited Chu Jin. When Lady Sun learned this, she even chided her daughter for being forgetful, not inviting Miss Chu.
Her mother, aunt, and cousin were all in Chu Jin's grasp. Zhongli Que felt her scalp tingle, unable to explain clearly in the moment.
To say Chu Jin had ill intentions, there was no evidence. Plus Chu Jin's image was too good in their eyes, with life-saving grace. If Zhongli Que spoke ill of Chu Jin, she'd only be scolded by her mother.
Today's birthday banquet also invited the Nangong Royal Residence. Though the two families feuded openly and secretly, they still maintained surface civilities.
In previous years, Lady Su would bring Yu Sui. This year with Yu Sui not in the imperial capital, Lady Su didn't come either. Representing the Nangong Royal Residence was Lady Han.
Zhongli Que carefully watched Chu Jin's side the entire time, afraid something would happen.
But midway her prophetic ability activated, passively showing her an imminent scene: Golden Armored soldiers surrounded the General's Residence, searching among the guests, while her cousin Zhongli Xu happened to have an episode and was taken away by the Golden Armored soldiers.
The brief flash in her mind made Zhongli Que's back turn cold. She left her seat to message her third uncle still at the Military School Heavy Platform, asking him to deploy three hundred personal guards, saying it was to celebrate the General's wife's birthday.
At the Military School Heavy Platform in Qingyang Imperial Capital, the Zhongli family had eight thousand personal troops called Azure Dragon, with another twenty-two thousand already out campaigning with Zhongli Ci.
Though Zhongli Que couldn't practice Nine Schools Arts, she held considerable power in the General's Residence, having long assisted her mother in managing all household affairs large and small.
When Zhongli Ci went to the Military School Heavy Platform to train soldiers, he would also bring his twin daughters. After his son went to Taiyi Academy, he brought his daughters.
Every one of the eight thousand Azure Dragon troops in the imperial capital knew what the General's Residence eldest daughter looked like.
The Great General was also telling the imperial capital's people that anyone wanting to move against the Zhongli family had better not start with the Zhongli children.
After notifying her third uncle, Zhongli Que also instructed the residence's trusted guards to watch all entrances and exits, not letting others in or people out.
Then she composed herself, walked smiling toward Zhongli Xu's table, coaxing her to return to the inner courtyard rooms. But Zhongli Xu refused, insisting on dragging Chu Jin along.
"I only want to stay with Sister Chu, I'm not going anywhere," Zhongli Xu said sullenly.
Zhongli Que felt she spoke like a child of several years old, as if this aftereffect had also damaged her intelligence.
Seeing Zhongli Xu's terrified appearance at being separated from Chu Jin, Zhongli Que felt slightly heartbroken. She turned to negotiate with Chu Jin helplessly, asking her to come to the inner courtyard together.
Chu Jin smiled: "Axu's condition really isn't suitable for staying long where there are many people. Let's go then."
Only then did Zhongli Que successfully lead both to the inner courtyard rooms. She had just settled them when returning to the banquet, she heard exclamations on the way, someone calling loudly for help, and the sound of swords being drawn.
When she hurried over, she heard someone in the chaotic crowd shout: "It's Blue Poison! He's having an episode and can't control himself."
Pressed to the ground by people was some aristocratic young master, now with bulging veins at his temples, bloodshot eyes, uncontrollably convulsing and frantically shouting for medicine.
Zhongli Que was somewhat frightened seeing his deranged appearance from behind.
Others consciously kept their distance. The ladies were protected at the rear, looking at this aristocratic young master with incredulous gazes.
His parents were so angry they nearly fainted.
Today's guests were all wealthy and noble, half holding official positions. The Four Directions Gate Imperial Commissioner responsible for investigating Blue Poison matters was also present, suppressing the person having the episode to prevent escape.
Zhongli Que thought something had happened to her cousin, but it turned out to be some guest at the banquet.
But thinking again, as long as the incident occurred at the General's Residence, the Golden Armored soldiers had reason to come.
The imperial capital had been strictly investigating Blue Poison recently, with Golden Armored soldiers patrolling everywhere daily, so they came quickly, giving Lady Sun and Second Master Zhongli no time to react.
The Golden Armored soldiers answered directly to Emperor Qingyang. Except for Emperor Qingyang, no one could command them, and no one dared obstruct them.
Two squads of Golden Armored soldiers stormed into the General's Residence, controlling the banquet attendees and beginning Blue Poison-related inspections. The squad leader followed orders to search, with none daring to obstruct.
Zhongli Que had originally been comforting her mother. Seeing the Golden Armored soldiers enter, the scene before her matched the prophecy, making her inexplicably cold. She remembered Zhongli Xu and Chu Jin still in the inner courtyard, whispered instructions to her mother, then withdrew under guard escort.
Seeing the Golden Armored soldiers investigating Blue Poison, Second Master Zhongli felt guilty, his face tense. Not seeing Zhongli Xu at the scene, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhongli Que was still a step too slow. The Golden Armored soldiers seemed prepared, with two teams: while one attracted attention at the banquet, the other had already gone to the General's Residence rear courtyard.
She saw a familiar figure stopped before a room door, seemingly about to raise his hand to push it open. Zhongli Que urgently called: "Captain Gu!"
Gu Jun at the door paused mid-motion, turning back.
Surrounded by heavy tree shadows and dim night lights, decorating the not-too-distant distance between them.
When he turned back, Zhongli Que stopped her hurried steps, restraining her urgency, unable to appear as if there was something unseemly in that room.
She stood on the small path, slightly raising her head to look at Gu Jun, steadying her voice, neither servile nor overbearing: "Captain Gu, the person who had the incident is a visiting guest, not someone from our General's Residence. Even if investigating the case, you should first ask clearly. You shouldn't be so hasty to come to the inner courtyard where ladies reside."
At this moment, they weren't meeting for the first time at the hunting ground, not yet knowing names and backgrounds, able to freely show their true selves and converse harmoniously.
Standing at the room door was the imposing Golden Armored Army commander. Standing on the small path was the noble General's Residence eldest daughter.
Zhongli Que spoke very steadily, but her hands under her sleeves quietly clenched, palms sweating.
Zhongli Xu and Chu Jin were in that room. If Gu Jun discovered Zhongli Xu's deranged state, the Earth Spirit Water consumption would definitely be exposed.
The young man in black clothing ahead had cold, somewhat indifferent brows, seemingly executing official duties. He looked even more imposing and cold than that day at the hunting ground.
Gu Jun had been rising recently. After coming to the imperial capital for investiture, he climbed steadily, becoming a Golden Armored Captain in just over two months.
Clearly he was greatly favored by Emperor Qingyang.
Zhongli Que was racking her brains thinking how to stop him when tree branches overhead swayed, a ball of white suddenly poked out its head, making pleasant chittering sounds, then suddenly flew toward Gu Jun under the eaves.
The snow flying squirrel smacked onto Gu Jun's head.
Zhongli Que: "......"
The skilled Golden Armored Captain didn't even move to stop it.
Gu Jun expressionlessly peeled the snow flying squirrel from his head, letting it cling to his arm, then walked toward Zhongli Que, extending his hand as if to return it.
Zhongli Que's expression paused slightly: "It was originally saved by Captain Gu. Now that its injuries have healed, you can take it..."
"Since Miss Zhongli carefully tended and healed its injuries, then it's yours," Gu Jun said quietly. "Coming here this time, I wouldn't take anything without reason."
Zhongli Que was drawn by his words, looking up. Their gazes met briefly before Gu Jun looked away first, telling the other Golden Armored soldiers: "Let's go."
The snow flying squirrel was shaken off by Gu Jun's energy, spinning once before pouncing onto Zhongli Que's arm and clinging.
Only after Gu Jun and others had completely left did Zhongli Que breathe a sigh of relief.
When she returned to the banquet, Third Uncle Zhongli had arrived with three hundred Azure Dragon troops deployed from the Military School Heavy Platform, now entering to protect the Zhongli clan members and conversing with Gu Jun's Golden Armored soldiers and the Four Directions Gate Imperial Commissioner.
Zhongli Que saw Su Feng standing with several cousins. Su Feng was listening intently to their conversation. As if noticing her gaze, he turned to look over, his eyes offering comfort across the crowd.
This familiar gaze gradually calmed Zhongli Que's wildly beating heart.
The Blue Poison incident at the banquet was resolved by Third Uncle and others. What had been a joyful birthday ultimately ended unhappily, with Lady Sun having no mood left, dismissing guests with a melancholy expression.
Because Zhongli Que needed to comfort her mother, she didn't personally see off Second Uncle's family, only having them quietly take away cousin Zhongli Xu.
The next morning, she was summoned to the palace for questioning about the Blue Poison matter.
……
Yu Sui rubbed her eyes. After understanding Zhongli Que's situation, she saw messages from Old Yan.
He said Chu Jin had left the General's Residence, and on her way back to the medical hall, Zou Yexi had attacked her to test her abilities.
The late-night streets had few people, darkness everywhere, more advantageous for Zou Yexi's movements.
Chu Jin didn't take a carriage but walked back. A young woman walking alone on the dark streets, composed and calm, showing no fear.
The moment Zou Yexi attacked, he had an ominous premonition.
Moving shadows suddenly sprang from the street walls Chu Jin passed. The black-gold rod knife reflected a moment of pale moonlight as it spun. Zou Yexi's opening move was a killing strike, the blade slicing past Chu Jin's throat, only cutting a few strands of hair.
Chu Jin reacted swiftly, almost moving the instant the shadow sprang out. While dodging with instant movement, she lightly flicked her sleeve, silver needles from within striking into the moving shadow.
Zou Yexi meant to test, so he tested. He wouldn't show himself. When the killing strike failed, he immediately melted into darkness.
Just one instant of combat made clear the opponent was troublesome, even seeming to anticipate his attack, like Technical Arts School divination, or perhaps having detected him long ago.
Zou Yexi's killing strike speed meant certain death below Ninth Realm.
The Medical School silver needles' attached Five Elements energy tracking made Zou Yexi run five li before shaking them off, then cautiously circle the imperial capital once more before returning to report to Old Yan.
Chu Jin gazed where the shadow had disappeared, her eyes slightly cold.
Returning to the medical hall, going upstairs, she saw a black-clothed man standing by the railings, hands on a walking stick.
Years had passed, but the man seemed unchanged, still full-bearded, eyes murky, looking dejected.
One of Medical School's three Saints, Master Zhou.
Chu Jin slightly bowed to the man: "Master."
Master Zhou gazed at the clouds above. The full moon had somehow been covered by dark clouds, only glimpses of light struggling to break through.
From the corner of his eye seeing Chu Jin's cut hair, he sighed and asked: "Injured?"
"Not really." Chu Jin smiled. "On the way back, got bothered by a rat running out of the gutter. Don't know who it was, always interfering with my business lately."
She touched her cut hair, but her smile didn't reach her eyes.
Master Zhou said: "Perhaps the Zhongli family noticed."
Chu Jin laughed, turning to push open the door: "If the Zhongli family had noticed, they wouldn't have invited me to the banquet today."
"Master, let's talk inside."
Master Zhou turned toward the person at the door but didn't move: "You went to the Royal Residence. Did you see your mother?"
"I went. She seemed unwilling to see me, don't know if unwilling or afraid." Chu Jin answered, her expression calm, but her words carried some indifference, as if not particularly interested in this topic.
She said carelessly: "It was father who wanted me to go anyway. I thought seeing her would be fine, who knew she'd refuse."
"He wanted you to come to the imperial capital, perhaps hoping you'd return to the Royal Residence, but that would make things difficult for your sister." Master Zhou looked at Chu Jin, saying gravely: "But he won't do that now, because after Nangong Sui went to Taiyi Academy, she became a Ghost Way School Saint's disciple."
"Don't know what the Ghost Way School Saint saw in that waste. More than ten years as an Ordinary Practitioner, could that half piece of Breath Soil really let her be reborn at Taiyi Academy?" Chu Jin leaned against the doorway, her expression bland, speaking unhurriedly. "I'm not rushing to return to the Royal Residence either. Compared to the Royal Residence, I want a higher position. Master might not understand my father's and my thinking, but please just don't obstruct us."
She slowly looked up, her extremely dark pupils mixed with sparkling laughter, reflecting the man's bearded face, saying slowly: "If you won't help me, please don't interfere either. After all... Qingkui doesn't want to be enemies with Master."
……
From Old Yan, Yu Sui learned that Chu Jin wanted to connect the Zhongli family with Blue Poison. Nine Schools Arts were difficult as a breakthrough point, but Blue Poison was fast and could provide concrete evidence. As long as Emperor Qingyang had an excuse to act, the Zhongli family would have to sacrifice some lives.
But she probably wouldn't stop at just having the Zhongli family sacrifice a few people, but wanted to crush everyone in the Zhongli family, leaving them no chance of recovery.
At the banquet, though Chu Jin didn't act against Zhongli Xu, she caused someone else to have an episode, creating a disturbance, then logically implicating Zhongli Xu without raising suspicion.
Even if the Zhongli Xu angle failed, as long as Blue Poison turmoil arose at the General's Residence, when Golden Armored soldiers later captured Blue Poison dealers, they could still find ways to implicate the Zhongli family.
It just depended on how the Zhongli family would handle it.
Maybe there wouldn't be major problems, but constant small troubles requiring constant handling would be exhausting.
Yu Sui looked at the faintly glowing Wind-Listening Ruler, her expression pausing, then she sighed softly after a moment.
How dare she use the Blue Poison move.
The freshly awakened Yu Sui flopped back onto her little bed, blinking unconsciously, her gaze vacant, as if looking at something very distant, aimless.
Until the Wind-Listening Ruler buzzed, she brought it to her eyes. What she saw was a message from Gu Qian to her secondary account: "Didn't you say you wanted to cooperate to seize the Pagoda?"
"In seven days' Dragon Slaying Cave challenge, the dragon corpse's wandering will pass through Legalist School, allowing re-entry to Inverted Moon Cave."
"I found a way to enter Inverted Moon Cave underwater, but there's encrypted text. Since you can crack communication arrays, you should be able to handle this encryption."
Yu Sui lazily tapped the fill-in characters but didn't send the message. She looked at the message interface, then simply put away the Wind-Listening Ruler and got up to leave.
I can barely protect myself, and you still want help seizing the Pagoda?
Figure it out yourself.