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The Guihuo Bird demon cart passed through the Demon Ghost Great Wall and entered Chang’an Road in Taiping City.
Mu Cangshui lifted the car curtain, and the bustling sounds of Chang’an Road immediately rushed into her ears.
Since moving into the Nine Netherworlds to settle with the Demon Ghost Lord, this was Mu Cangshui’s first time leaving the Nine Netherworlds and returning to a city inhabited by humans.
Taiping City had always been a hub for merchants, with cultivators dressed in crow-blue Jimou clan attire patrolling the streets. The shopkeepers on either side of the street greeted them with smiles that could rival the courtesans in a brothel.
Instead of the fragrance of powder, the air was filled with the smells of copper and alcohol, surrounding the cultivators from all sides.
“Miss… How many days has it been since you took over Taiping City?”
“Counting today, it’s been four days.” The mountain demon who had come to meet Mu Cangshui replied, “Ever since the young lady exempted several merchants who first paid their taxes from a year’s worth of miscellaneous taxes, the merchants in Taiping City have changed their stance and started recognizing her as the city lord.”
Mu Cangshui gazed out at the street scene for a moment before lowering the car curtain and lightly laughing:
“They’ve tied the merchants’ interests to hers. If they support her, life will be better for everyone in the future. But if another clan takes control of this city, they’ll have to think about how the Xiangli clan treated them.”
The mountain demon suddenly realized and clicked his tongue, saying, “I see now. No wonder you didn’t accept the money when it was delivered. Miss, you’re truly… clever.”
“Not that clever.”
Mu Cangshui lowered his head and continued sewing a pair of embroidered pink shoes for his granddaughter.
“It must be because the Xiang Li family looted Tai Ping City during their time in control and left her a good foundation. That’s why she’s able to be so extravagant and issue such a ‘general amnesty.’ Without money, even a skilled woman can’t cook without rice.”
The mountain demon driving the carriage couldn’t help but glance back at the elderly figure with white hair and a darkened face.
The embroidery needle moved skillfully through her fingers, and although her old clothes were faded and washed, the shoes she was working on were cleaner than the mountain demon’s boots.
She had no expensive ornaments on her, but her calm demeanor made the mountain demon subconsciously think of the queen waiting back at the mansion.
…It’s no wonder that reading more books really makes a difference.
People who read a lot do indeed have a different aura than ordinary people.
Mu Cangshui entered the inner room holding two scrolls.
The pavilion had windows on all sides, and a cool breeze passed through. When Mu Cangshui entered, Liuyu was talking with Fang Fucang about the land reclamation in Longque City’s fortress.
“…Those ten people who took the pills and killed Xiang Li Shen that day have the courage. They’re not bad. Let’s arrange for them to be in charge first and get the wasteland inside the fortress organized. It would be best if we could plant Xiang Li’s best crops before winter. That way, by next year, our fortress will be self-sufficient.”
Liuyu turned to Dan Sui, standing by.
“Let Dan Sui handle the specifics, alright?”
Dan Sui, who was called, raised her dark eyes and, after a moment, responded, “No problem! Leave it to me, you can rest assured! But… can I allocate all the wasteland in the fortress?”
She had been so absorbed in reading books about farming these past few days that if Liuyu had given her a different task, she might not have been so eager, but managing the wasteland and planting good crops was exactly what she loved.
“Of course.”
Liuyu smiled and tilted her head, looking at her.
“As long as 70% is used to plant millet and rice, and 20% for herbs, the remaining 10%—do whatever you want. Once the Xiang Li family’s matters are resolved, you can research the Jiuyou planting techniques. If you need money, just give me an estimate, and I’ll allocate the funds.”
Dan Sui’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She was practically itching to roll up her sleeves and start right away.
So much land to plant however she liked!
No need to worry about the budget, and there would be plenty of hands! What farm enthusiast wouldn’t get excited?
Dan Sui’s gaze towards Liuyu was a bit complicated.
Though there was an inevitable feeling of being overshadowed by her rival, when she met Liuyu’s gaze—full of approval and trust—that subtle emotion was soon replaced by a desire to perform well and not disappoint that trust.
She still reminded Liuyu:
“Your Majesty, don’t hesitate to use the funds from Jiuyou. It’s been hard enough for you to get the Xian Nong Quan Shu. We shouldn’t make you spend any more.”
She then glanced at Mo Lin, as if afraid he might object.
Mo Lin slowly raised his eyelids and said:
“No need to look at me. Since she came, the Jiuyou treasury has been under her control.”
“Then I can rest assured.”
Dan Sui smiled and left, leaving Mo Lin to furrow his brow in confusion.
What exactly was she concerned about?
“—Sorry to keep you waiting, Aunt Mu.”
Now only Liuyu, Mo Lin, and Mu Cangshui remained in the room. It became a bit quieter.
Mu Cangshui placed the scrolls aside and sat on the left, his calm eyes reflecting Liuyu’s figure.
“The old man has traveled all the way here and sees that Tai Ping City is fully under your control. The city is peaceful and has not been affected by the war. You have done well, Your Majesty.”
Liuyu, stirring the tea in her cup, did not seem any lighter due to Mu Cangshui’s praise.
She let go of her composure, leaning lazily as she spoke:
“Did you read that letter, Aunt Mu? If it was really done well, I’d have torn it up and not cared. There’d be no need for you to make this trip.”
But Mu Cangshui smiled.
“Jimo and Jiufang are like a newborn tiger and the leader of the wolves. To defeat the leader of the wolves, it’s not about the tiger being fierce, but about concealing its strength, planning, and then moving. Your Majesty, you’ve only just started showing your potential, and yet you want to swallow such a big thing all at once. Even the Yinshan family wouldn’t be so sure, would they?”
Sitting to Liuyu’s right, Mo Lin slowly opened his eyes.
“News from the Xian Du Yu Jing says that three days ago, Jiufang Qian was officially awarded the title of General Who Defends the Country and Slays Ghosts. He holds the second rank and has been granted land and crops from Kong Sang City and Lei Ze City. Yesterday, Jiufang Qian promoted two of his house officials to city masters, effectively controlling these two cities.”
Mu Cangshui paused for a moment, then asked Liuyu:
“Has your mother given any instructions?”
The central plains were under the control of the Yinshan family, and this was known throughout the Great Zhao Empire.
“I wanted to ask, but we’ve both been too busy these days to find the time to open a communication array and discuss it.”
Liuyu picked up a peeled lychee with a silver fork, eating it as she continued:
“From the news I received from Mo Lin, it seems the common folk are quite fearful of Jiuyou unifying the lands. They worry that the demons and evil spirits might sweep through the world again, sparking a new war. The Jiufang family has used this fear to stir things up in the court.”
“If the Yinshan family stops the Jiufang family from taking control of the military, they’ll be opposed by public opinion, making Jiufang seem like a heroic general fighting for the country, while the Yinshan family will look like scheming politicians. So even if they try to stop it, they won’t succeed.”
Once Jiufang Qian stirs up the people’s anger, the Yinshan family will appear as rebellious traitors.
The Jiufang family has a legitimate cause, and the situation could turn upside down in an instant.
Mu Cangshui felt a bit cold from the breeze passing through, pulling his sleeves together, his voice tinged with sarcasm:
“War for the country? Nine Fang Qian definitely doesn’t have the guts for that. He’s someone who needs to sleep in an iron cage with no windows, even when he’s at home. He’s so cautious that, despite being at the peak of the Ninth Realm, he wouldn’t dare fight another leader of the same level on the battlefield.”
Liuyu blinked and silently tilted her head, exchanging glances with Mo Lin.
What’s going on?
How does she know what Nine Fang Qian’s bedroom is like?
This noble lady from Zhongzhou Tianyu, who is she really?
Her curiosity was piqued.
Mo Lin wasn’t particularly interested in the background of Mu Cang Shui, but when it came to Nine Fang Qian, he thought of the scenes he saw in Liuyu’s memories.
In order to retrieve Liuyu’s corpse from Nine Fang Zhang Hua, he had already reached the Grand Master realm and went on a killing spree in the Nine Fang family, nearly exterminating the entire clan.
But in the end, Nine Fang Qian was nowhere to be found.
“—From what you know about Nine Fang Qian, if the Nine Fang family were to be wiped out and Nine Fang Qian couldn’t defend himself, would he fight to the death?”
Mu Cang Shui was a bit surprised by this assumption, but answered without hesitation:
“No.”
“He would just think that if he saves himself, the Nine Fang family is saved.”
Liuyu also recalled the scene in her past life when the Nine Fang family was slaughtered by Mo Lin.
The entire family was killed, and only he was absent.
She had lived in the Xian Capital, Yujing, for many years and had only met Nine Fang Qian a few times.
Unless absolutely necessary, he rarely left his mansion, and he seldom attended the Xian family’s gatherings or banquets.
So, when Mo Lin slaughtered the Nine Fang family, he must have been present but never showed himself.
In the past, Liuyu had thought Nine Fang Zhang Hua, his father, was strange and introverted, but now, thinking about it, he was cautious, cold-blooded, and wanted to plan from a thousand miles away, never standing on the edge of a dangerous wall.
Mu Cang Shui, seeing Liuyu’s serious expression, said:
“So, establishing a separate faction as the Ji Mo family and secretly participating in this chaotic struggle is a way to lower Nine Fang Qian’s guard.”
Liuyu understood her point.
In her past life, Nine Fang Qian remained hidden while they were exposed, and they never figured out his plans before they died.
This time, the only way to find a solution was to make Nine Fang Qian believe that he had the upper hand and that no one could threaten him, so he might reveal a flaw.
They needed to be the yellow bird, not the trapped praying mantis.
Liuyu spoke seriously:
“I don’t know what connection you have with the Nine Fang family, but this time, I will meet with the Nine Fang family and the Shen Tu family in the identity of Ji Mo Gui to discuss the ownership of Longduo City. Since it is impossible to take it by force, it must be done through strategy. I hope Madam Mu can lend me a hand…”
“I came here precisely to lend you that hand.”
Mu Cang Shui supported Liuyu as she was about to bow, speaking earnestly:
“Not only for this meeting at Luoshui, but also for Tai Ping City and the Nine You, I have already formulated a detailed strategy for strengthening the country. I will definitely help you both soar to great heights and end this chaotic era.”
With that, Mu Cang Shui turned to pick up the two scrolls on the table and began unrolling them one by one.
Liuyu and Mo Lin watched as the thick scrolls unfurled before their eyes, rolling all the way down the steps outside the door.
The scrolls were filled with tiny writing, like ants crawling across them.
At a glance, it seemed like the end was nowhere in sight.
Both of them silently agreed that, before ending this chaotic world, this scroll would first end them.
—-
The meeting at Luoshui was scheduled for three days later.
The Danque carriage would depart from Tai Ping City, reaching Luoshui’s edge in just one day. Across the water, the six cities to the east were all under the control of the Shen Tu family, while the cities to the west of Luoshui were not held by any prominent clan.
Nine Fang Zhang Hua chose this location for the meeting, which showed he had put some thought into it.
“…Are you really not coming with me?”
Inside the Danque carriage, with its soft cushions and a table set with tea and cooling perilla water prepared by Chao Ming before departure, Liuyu reclined in the spacious carriage. While nibbling on snacks, she again asked Mo Lin.
“Even if Nine Fang’s family gets more arrogant, they wouldn’t dare openly make a move at the meeting.”
Mo Lin lowered his gaze and gently squeezed her fingers.
“But over at Longduo City, we must be cautious.”
In fact, it wasn’t just about being cautious anymore.
They had already received word last night that a hundred cultivators had stationed outside Longduo City, though their identities were unclear, but most likely they were from the Shen Tu family.
The Shen Tu family controlled six cities and had absolute dominance over the Demon Ghost Great Wall.
“They sent this advance team to intimidate you. If there’s no one stationed at the rear, how could you safely negotiate with them?”
Mo Lin spoke lightly:
“I will go with Wu Zhi and fifty people. If necessary, we can directly eliminate this advance team, so you won’t be at a disadvantage when negotiating with them.”
The Shen Tu family’s cultivators were skilled in combat, and even Wu Zhi didn’t guarantee he could wipe out the team with just fifty people.
But if Mo Lin were to go, Liuyu had no worries.
She turned her head and smiled at him:
“I thought you’d definitely be shameless enough to follow me, after all, you saw that letter from Nine Fang Zhang Hua. It looked like you wanted to burn both the letter and him.”
When Mo Lin first saw that letter, he immediately recognized Nine Fang Zhang Hua’s handwriting.
But recognizing it meant something completely different to him than it did to Liuyu.
Just thinking about how Liuyu surely didn’t recognize his handwriting but knew that person’s—it made Mo Lin feel a surge of jealousy burning wildly in his chest.
“You’re right.”
As they were attending the family meeting, she wore light and soft brocade robes, with hairpins and tassels, her waist adorned with rings and pendants. Even without makeup, as she would later use shape-shifting cicada paper, her beauty was so captivating that one couldn’t take their eyes off her.
Mo Lin’s gaze darkened as he lightly stroked the spring peach-colored embroidered gold chestpiece she wore today.
The peony embroidery pressed against his palm as he gently caressed the flowers, feeling the embroidery beneath his fingertips.
“When I think about you dressing so beautifully to meet him, I can’t help but wish I could split myself in half, sending the other half with you to kill him.”
His tone was cold and calm, but the words he spoke were maddening.
Liuyu’s back was pressed against the side of the carriage, exhaling warm, intermittent breaths, almost melting into a puddle of water.
The fine silk and golden threads were wrinkled by his touch; if today’s careful work by Chaoming to iron her clothes was to be known, he would likely be furious.
Liuyu slowly raised her weak hand and gently stroked the demonic pattern on his neck, saying:
“After seeing my Blood Boundary’s return, you should understand, I hate him more than you.”
In her eyes, shimmering like water, there was a bottomless darkness.
For anyone else, Liuyu wouldn’t feel this deep hatred, but it was different with him.
When the Jiufang family abandoned him, her father had opposed everyone and passed on the swordsmanship that only the Yinshan family’s people could cultivate, so that he wouldn’t become the laughingstock of the aristocratic world.
Yinshan family gave him the foundation to stand, a place to belong, and the dignity to not become a joke.
What did he give Yinshan family in return?
A fatal blow, an unforgivable betrayal.
It couldn’t be let go.
It couldn’t be forgiven.
Because they had known each other since childhood, his betrayal hurt more deeply than anyone else’s. Even for revenge, she would never let Jiufang Zhanghua die as easily as this.
She wanted him to kneel in front of her parents and confess his sins, and she wanted to make him suffer beyond endurance.
“I know.”
Mo Lin kissed her eyes, holding her clothes, the jade-like brilliance of her body fully leaning into him.
“So, I will guard the gates of Longduo City for you. Before you arrive, I won’t let anyone from the Jiufang or Shentu families step foot inside.”
Liuyu had broken into a light sweat, her fingers running through his hair, her limp feet hanging gently on his back.
“Why aren’t you speaking?”
He looked up, his pupils dark, licking his lips before speaking:
“Thinking about what reward you want to give me?”
Outside the carriage, the voices of the attendants could still be heard. Liuyu bit her lip, in a slight flush, she hummed softly, barely audible.
“…What more do you want?”
Sunlight fell on his straight nose through the carriage curtain, highlighting the wet sheen on it.
His voice was hoarse as he replied:
“Just a jade bead, my lady, you can afford that.”
The Danque carriage rolled over rough terrain.
She trembled with the bumps.
Halfway through, Mo Lin dismounted to change horses.
The black horse, raised by Wuzhi, galloped like the wind, and was taller than the usual horses. Mo Lin deftly mounted, then turned and said to Liuyu in the carriage:
“I’m leaving.”
There was no response from inside.
Wuzhi was puzzled, but Mo Lin just smiled faintly and urged the horse towards another path.
In the following Danque carriage, Xiangli Hualian raised the curtain and looked outside.
Mo Lin still had the same face as when he left an impression on Zhongli Lingzhao, his profile handsome. Xiangli Hualian watched him ride past, thinking that this pretty boy was quite capable—he could fight and sleep well.
…Perhaps she could also choose a few handsome ones from the Xiangli family and send them to this Ji Mo lady’s bed?
That’s how it was written in the novels.
Ministers who wanted to secure their positions would often send their daughters to become concubines of the ruler.
Xiangli Hualian dropped the curtain, starting to consider the idea.
They reached Luoshui at about the third watch.
A small family called Chuli had provided them with a place to stay. This was a peaceful place for talks, and nominally, Chuli invited other aristocratic families to exchange ideas, while also introducing the rising star of the Ji Mo family.
Jiufang Shaogeng had been waiting outside for a long time.
Since the day he was humiliated by Liuyu and fled in shame with Zhongli Lingzhao to the Shentu family’s city, he hadn’t been able to swallow his anger.
Zhongli Lingzhao was even more upset, but when the仙都玉京 (Xian Du Yu Jing) sent someone to take her back, she had no choice but to leave.
However, Jiufang Shaogeng was different.
The Xiangli family was affiliated with the Jiufang family, and now that he had lost his standing, he couldn’t just leave it like this.
So that very night after safely escaping, he sent a letter to his elder brother asking for help.
Jiufang Shaogeng knew that the only person in the Jiufang family who truly cared for him was Jiufang Zhanghua.
Sure enough, once Jiufang Zhanghua learned of the situation, he quickly grasped the circumstances. Realizing that it was nearly impossible to reclaim Taiping City, Jiufang Zhanghua didn’t give up. He maneuvered between the Zhongli and Shentu families to help his brother patch things up.
Having lost most of the Xiangli family, he at least needed to secure the remaining clan and Longduo City to prevent this Ji Mo family from rising too quickly.
There was still hope in the future.
With his elder brother’s instructions and plans, Jiufang Shaogeng’s heart became somewhat steadier.
But during these past few days, the thing that had kept him awake at night wasn’t how to face his father’s punishment when he returned home, but the image of that Ji Mo Gui who had beaten him so badly.
Though she looked completely different from Yinshan Liuyu and practiced a very different technique, the feeling that had dominated his heart was the same.
Every night when he closed his eyes, it was as if she were pounding punch after punch into his face.
Jiufang Shaogeng often dreamt of her.
Waking up, drenched in cold sweat.
The sound of carriage wheels grew louder.
The youth drinking tea in the inner chamber set his cup down, sliding his wooden shoes towards the door.
Under his moon-white robes, a bony hand like bamboo reached out to take the glass lantern handed to him by an attendant. The pale light shone through the translucent glass, casting sharp shadows on his cold, pale face. He looked elegant and refined, like a jade carving.
Xiangli Ju, who had been waiting by the door, saw this and hurried to catch up, saying:
“Zhanghua Gongzi, someone like her doesn’t need your attention. You should leave her to stew in her place, let her know her own worth…”
The sedan and accompanying carriage had already stopped outside the door.
Jiufang Zhanghua walked toward his younger brother’s figure, noticing his uncertain expression. He spoke softly:
“Don’t be afraid. No one would dare to make a move at the Qingtan meeting. Besides, there are ten eighth-level cultivators on this trip. If she doesn’t know the rules, she won’t fare well.”
Jiufang Shaogeng crossed his arms, his Adam’s apple unconsciously bobbing.
“…I’m not afraid of her. I just want to avenge myself and let her know that our Jiufang family isn’t so easy to bully.”
Jiufang Zhanghua remained silent.
His younger brother never learned from his mistakes. He didn’t care about kindness, but once someone managed to overpower him, he’d get nervous at the mere mention of their name, even from ten miles away.
And he would hold a grudge.
Liu Yu had beaten him when they were young, and he held onto that grudge for a lifetime.
Jiufang Zhanghua turned his head and looked at the figure stepping down from the carriage.
The corners of the carriage canopy were decorated with glass lamps, their shadows swaying, casting on the girl’s peach-colored spring dress and her flowing cloud-like long hair. A tassel, slanted and tucked into her hair, reflected tiny sparkling lights, swaying as if it might shake right into one’s heart.
She lifted her head. It was still the same plain, delicate face he had seen that day, yet there was something indescribably special about it.
Liu Yu’s gaze lightly swept over the young man holding the lantern and landed on Jiufang Shaogeng.
“Your face is less swollen, and I can almost recognize you. You’re actually quite handsome.”
Her sarcastic words stunned Jiufang Shaogeng.
…What did she just say about his looks?
Wait, the same Ji Mo Gui from that day, who looked like he’d been dragged out of a mud pit… How could it be this way?
How could she look like this?
As their gazes met, his face and ears turned completely red.