Chapter 118: Unexpectedly, the mole was...

Wuqing Zhenjun, Gong Qianxue.

Back then, Su Bai was the only one with Grade A aptitude of that generation. In his first life simulation, he was possessed by an old Golden Core cultivator who cultivated the 《Nine Spirits Demon Transformation Technique》 and died; in his second life…

Huh?

Blood Princess frowned slightly. She actually had no memory of this. Could it be the aftereffect of her true body using that Chronolight Seed?

Temporarily setting this doubt aside, Blood Princess recalled the information about Gong Qianxue in this life.

She formed her Foundation and went out to travel, gained some unknown opportunity, then returned to the sect and secluded herself to cultivate. She didn’t emerge until the disaster of the Five Domains’ Bone Yaksha.

As the only disciple of the deceased old sect master, and a “Princess of the Former Dynasty,” Su Bai—who always cherished his reputation—naturally treated her with utmost favor. On top of that, Gong Qianxue herself was talented. During the Mingyou Alliance era, she rendered numerous meritorious deeds, received a large amount of rewards, and after three years of closed-door cultivation, finally achieved Golden Core.

After becoming a Golden Core cultivator, she followed Su Bai on his campaigns, unifying the Central Province. With more opportunities and resources, she advanced to Nascent Soul, becoming a True Lord—an old veteran who conquered the world by his side.

Gong Qianxue’s figure was slender, her long moon-white palace gown billowing like a fairy’s robe, her white hair cascading like a waterfall, held up with just a single mutton-fat jade hairpin. A few loose strands hung by her fair neck.

Her face was cold and indifferent, like a solitary star in a wintry night. Her eyes were deep and tranquil, like a dark pool, with the unique aloofness of someone cultivating the path of emotionlessness.

“In accordance with the Heavenly Venerable’s decree, I am here to impart to the Vice Palace Lord the method of condensing the Heart of Emotionlessness.”

Gong Qianxue stood straight in front of Blood Princess, bowing respectfully.

“The Heart of Emotionlessness? Spare me.” Blood Princess shook her head like a rattle-drum. “I don’t want to sever all ties and feelings. Besides, look at you. Your hair used to be pitch-black and shiny, but now it’s all white. How ugly is that?”

“Emotionless does not mean heartless. It is but a thought away.” Gong Qianxue’s expression was calm as she spoke softly.

But as she raised her eyes, she saw Blood Princess tiptoeing around her, trying to sneak out the door. With a gentle lift of her jade hand, and a slight grasp, Blood Princess was drawn back to her original spot as if pulled by an invisible force.

Seeing that the “Escape” technique was useless, Blood Princess began rolling on the ground in a tantrum, or hugged Gong Qianxue’s leg to act cute. Gong Qianxue remained unmoved, her face calm, as she picked up Blood Princess and set her on a meditation cushion, then took out a mysterious mirror and placed it before them.

The mirror reflected two people—one cool and proud, like an immortal exiled from the heavens; the other charming and adorable, like a young maiden.

“Vice Palace Lord, please do not make things difficult for your subordinate.”

Gong Qianxue’s expression was stern, her gaze cold as ice, appearing lofty and untouchable.

“This is a decree from the Xuantian Heavenly Venerable.”

“Fine.” Seeing that neither tantrums nor acting cute worked, Blood Princess plopped down on the cushion, tightly covering her ears with both hands, cheeks puffed up in defiance.

“Go ahead, I won’t listen to a single word anyway.”

“Hmph!”

Gong Qianxue’s frosty expression did not waver. She began explaining the method for condensing the Heart of Emotionlessness, her gaze sweeping over the faint streak of gray in Blood Princess’s long crimson hair, eyes narrowing slightly.

East Sea, 【Mieyang】 Headquarters.

“It’s you?!”

Bai Changsheng instinctively drew the jade flute from her waist, her beautiful eyes full of astonishment and shock.

The person before her was none other than Ma Zhen, the third war general of the Qing Emperor Divine Palace—Hongyuan Zhenjun!

If one were to speak of those in this world who were deeply bound to the interests of the Qing Emperor Divine Palace, people would immediately think of the founder, Qing Emperor Su Bai, Xuantian Heavenly Venerable, and Hongyuan Zhenjun—Ma Zhen—who was both the Emperor’s second son and second disciple!

People might betray their own class, but never their own interests.

As the Qing Emperor’s second son, even if the Divine Palace would never be his, he would at least be a regional overlord with enormous power. There was no reason to risk total annihilation by supporting an opposition group that stood against the Divine Palace, much less become an inside agent.

It was like the emperor’s second son—no matter how stupid or incompetent, he wouldn’t take the initiative to make contact with the northern Xiongnu!

He might not get the throne, but if he actually brought the Xiongnu in, not even his status as a prince would be secure!

Seeing Bai Changsheng’s shock written all over her face, Ma Zhen couldn’t help but feel bitter inside.

As the second prince of the Qing Emperor Divine Palace and a natural beneficiary, he hadn’t wanted to get involved with 【Mieyang】, a resistance organization digging at the roots of his own imperial throne.

But with a mother under house arrest, a rebellious master Li Dao, and now a twisted elder brother whose love defies all familial bounds, not to mention a half-dead ancestor in Changsheng Heaven…

He hadn’t wanted to pick a side, but someone forced him to.

“Ahem… Bai Daoist, there’s no need to be so tense. Hongyuan Daoist is indeed our insider in 【Mieyang】. Without his covert support, we would have been wiped out in several crises already.” Gu Wanqing quickly stepped forward to mediate.

At first, when Ma Zhen volunteered to act as an insider, Gu Wanqing had been doubtful, but the subsequent events left him no choice but to believe.

Bai Changsheng frowned tightly, her gaze sharp as a blade. She looked back and forth between Ma Zhen and Gu Wanqing. Though still gripping her jade flute, she finally lowered it, then gave Ma Zhen a slight bow.

“I offended you just now. Please forgive me, Hongyuan Daoist!”

Ma Zhen was a bit surprised at how quickly Bai Changsheng adjusted her attitude, but soon returned to normal, waving his hand to show it was only human nature and nothing to take to heart.

In truth, Bai Changsheng wasn’t as accepting as she appeared. She had simply remembered something.

After asking multiple times about what backup the main body had left in the Qing Emperor Divine Palace, she’d never gotten an answer.

Looking at it now, since the eldest son had already seized power and spent nights on the dragon bed, letting the second son support the opposition as an insider didn’t seem so shocking.

Hiss—

Was all of this part of your plan, main body?

She buried this thought deep in her heart, quickly accepting this companion who would join her in rescuing the main body from dire straits. Next, Gu Wanqing began to share more core secrets of 【Mieyang】 with her.

Once all matters were settled, the group sat around the bonfire, eating pork stew with glass noodles and raising a glass in a hearty toast.

According to Gu Wanqing, this was an old tradition since Mr. Bai founded 【Mieyang】, and it had been kept ever since.

Bai Changsheng drained her cup. In that instant, her vision grew blurry and her head felt woozy. She tried to use her spiritual power to clear her mind, but it had no effect.

“Hongyuan Daoist, what kind of wine is this? It’s so intoxicating!”

She turned to the one who had brought the wine, her beautiful eyes dazed, cheeks flushed, looking adorably silly.

Ma Zhen was taken aback for a moment, then lifted his wine pot and poured a small cup, staring at his reflection in the liquor with a soft laugh:

“It’s a bit of a joke, really. When I was young and wandering the northern plains, sleeping rough, I often picked wild fruits to eat just to survive. Every time I ate them, I’d fall asleep right away.”

“At first I thought I was just too tired, but later learned the fruit had narcotic properties. The local herdsmen used it to stun wild wolves.”

“Looking back, I was truly lucky not to be dragged away by wolves. Now that I’m a True Lord, I don’t fear it, but the old habit remains. Occasionally I still taste it, and sometimes I use it to make wine.”

“Uh… Wait, Hongyuan Daoist, are you saying there are narcotics in this wine?”

“Exactly.”

“I…”

Before she could finish, Bai Changsheng felt her dizziness intensify and collapsed right into Wu Ji’s arms.