Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Saintess of Spirit Lotus Sect

Tong Nuo hissed, "Li Yingshan, you're nothing more than a conniving fox!"

Li Yingshan glanced up at her. "Why don't you sit down?"

Her guest hmphed before taking a seat. She poured herself a cup of tea and knocked it back. When she slammed the empty cup down on the table, she glared at the calm one across from her.

"What do you even want?"

"I know Spirit Lotus Sect has dabbled in fragrances. I need a potent one. One that can kill."

Tong Nuo's eyes widened. "What do you need a lethal fragrance for?!"

"General Ru has retreated to Shangqiu. To win, we need a secret weapon. I know Spirit Lotus Sect has been developing a new fragrance that has numbing properties."

"Your intelligence is scary sometimes. How the hell do you even know that?!"

Li Yingshan gave her an evil smile. "As the Goddess of Moonlight Pagoda, I have my ways. Can that numbing fragrance kill?"

Her eyebrow twitched. "I wish I'd never met you!"

"Oh, really? You became Saintess thanks to my help. Don't you relish in your status, Tong Nuo?"

"You-!"

Li Yingshan took another sip of tea, still calm. She set the cup down and stood. Beginning to walk away, she stopped at the stairs.

"Saintess, if your fragrance can do what I want, bring it to the Ninth Prince's camp at midnight. If not... we never spoke."

She descended the stairs and exited the Jade Bell Inn. Returning to the camp, she saw the soldiers sparring with each other. The generals and Chen Chengxian were not in sight, so she figured they were conversing in the large tent. Heading over there, she moved the flap and entered in the middle of an argument.

"General Ru got reinforcements!"

"How are we supposed to win now?"

"Even with martial artists' aid, do we even stand a chance?"

All three general turned towards Chen Chengxian. "Your Highness, what are your thoughts?"

He sighed. "I trust Ms. Li. I'm sure she has something planned."

"You dare to trust a traitor?" General Sun asked.

"I do trust her. She helped us win Huaibei. She didn't have to ask for the martial artists' help."

Li Yingshan tilted her head, remaining silent.

"Your Highness," General Wan bowed. "She betrayed the Crown Prince. Who's to say she won't betray us?"

"I don't believe she will. Ms. Li is a good person at heart."

"But how will she deal with General Ru's reinforcements?" General Dai asked.

Before Chen Chengxian could reply, Li Yingshan spoke up, "I've made arrangements. Don't worry, Generals. I believe my contact will follow through."

If she doesn't... I can destroy Spirit Lotus Sect with one command.

"And what is said arrangement?" General Sun asked, warily.

She chuckled lightly. "General Sun, sometimes it's better if one isn't aware. If problems occur, then I'm the only one at fault."

Chen Chengxian had trusted her the last time. But her words just now gave him pause.

"Ms. Li, perhaps you should tell us."

She levelled him with a dead stare. "If my contact does come at midnight, then I will tell you all tomorrow morning. But if she doesn't, please don't prod further."

He sighed. "Fine. Do as you wish then."

"Your Highness!" General Wan protested. "How can you trust her words so readily?!"

The cornflower blue ribbon shot out from Li Yingshan's hand in an instant. It wrapped around his body, trapped his arms against his sides. With a cold tone, she said, "Before you criticize someone, make sure they can't fight back."

She pulled back her ribbon, and it disappeared up her sleeve in an instant. Turning towards the Ninth Prince, she bowed respectfully. Without waiting for his words, she straightened and walked out of the camp. As she walked towards the main campfire, seeing a familiar figure caused her to stop in her tracks. Her hands came together, and she saluted.

"Sect Leader Ling, what can I do for you?"

Ling Feng令风 lìng fēng - given name meaning "Wind" was in his late twenties and was the Sect Leader of Spirit Lotus Sect. He was acknowledged as an Elite of the Jianghu, and his internal force was almost as strong as Li Yingshan's. His high cheekbones, cold black eyes, and pursed lips made him the fancy of many women, but he disregarded romance in favor of cultivating martial arts. His lightweight, plum purple ShenyiSpring and Autumn Period style of Hanfu and black thigh-high boots contrasted against his jade white skin.

He waved his closed fan at her, chastisingly. "Did you really think Tong Nuo wouldn't come tell me what you asked of her?"

"I figured she would. She is your shimei after all."

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He glared. "Spirit Lotus Sect wants nothing to do with your political skirmish. Look elsewhere if you want to drag others down with you."

Li Yingshan's eyes blazed. Damn you, Tong Nuo.

"Very well," she replied simply.

Ling Feng gaped, not expecting her to have agreed so readily. "What are you planning, Third Young Lady Li?"

Her eyes saddened. "It's nice to hear that title again. But I'm not a member of the Li family any longer. Please call me Madam Xu in the future."

"You actually married Hero Xu?"

She nodded. "Why? Is there a problem?"

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

"All I'll say is that he may seem easygoing, but there are a lot of secrets hidden in Xu Manor. I'm surprised you haven't learned of them, given the fact that you're the Goddess of Moonlight Pagoda."

"Hmm, it seems the word has spread even up to here now. Pity."

"Li Yingshan!" he warned. "Stay away from him if you know what's good for you."

At that moment, Chen Chengxian and his generals exited the tent. Ling Feng gaped.

"So you really have delved into politics. Then Spirit Lotus Sect will not help you."

"That's fine." She held up a rolled piece of paper. "I was just being courteous anyways. I already have your recipe."

His eyes nearly bugged. "LI YINGSHAN! GO TO HELL!"

She smiled wickedly as she bowed. "My life is a hell, Sect Leader Ling. See you."

His hands clenched. Unable to take the offense, he lunged forward, drawing his sword. Li Yingshan leaned to the side and swept away. He swung his sword again, and she caught it with her palm, leaning back and swiping the sword over her head. Twisting, she flew up and landed on her feet.

"You don't even dare to draw your weapon?"

A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "We're both Elites of the Jianghu, Sect Leader Ling. I wouldn't simply use my Moonlight Ribbon against you. But if I use my Crescent Blades, you are sure to lose. You should thank me, I'm being considerate."

He growled and lunged once more. She deflected the attack with her palm again and ducked. He swiped, and she jumped up. Avoiding and evading.

"Do you dare to belittle me?! Come on, let's have a real fight! Stop dancing around!"

But Li Yingshan had another thought in mind. She flicked her wrist and sent out a hidden weapon. It flew over the camp, headed straight for Spirit Lotus Sect. She bowed to him mockingly.

"You've lost."

"Don't get cocky, Third Young Lady Li. You haven't done anything."

"Oh?" she asked innocently. "Haven't I?"

As she finished speaking, an explosion boomed from somewhere in the distance. A mushroom top of smoke rose into the sky. Ling Feng's eyes widened in horror.

"You might want to check that, Sect Leader Ling. I think it came from Spirit Lotus Sect. I hope your Saintess is alright; it'd be a pity if she died after everything I've done for her."

He raced away, and his words echoed behind him, "LI YINGSHAN, YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS SOMEDAY!"

She laughed manically before turning around. Li Yingshan went silent immediately upon seeing the Ninth Prince and his generals. She dropped to her knees and saluted quickly.

"Your Highness. I- I didn't realize you had come out."

A disappointed look flashed across Chen Chengxian's eyes. "Ms. Li, I thought better of you. I didn't expect you to do underhanded things."

"Your Highness, the Jianghu is a wild place. Sometimes, drastic measures need to be taken."

"Like killing my first brother to put my seventh brother on the throne?"

She winced. "I-"

He held up a hand, causing her to fall quiet. "Save it for someone who will listen."

Chen Chengxian walked away, shaking his head. His generals followed him without looking back. Li Yingshan collapsed back on her heels and hung her head.

Nobody understands. Maybe Hero Xu was right, and I shouldn't have meddled.

She slowly stood and slipped into the Ninth Prince's tent. She sat at the desk and picked up the brush. Dipping it into the inkwell, she hovered it over a piece of paper and began to write.

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