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Undeterred, Su Jinyan quickly changed tack. "But being wrong doesn't matter," he said. "Now we can prove he wasn't faking it—he indeed has injuries. Without anesthesia, I'll just make him pass out again."
The bald physician from the Alchemy Commission shouted angrily, "Enough! Impostor masquerading as Lady Bailu, you wicked imposter!"
"You're desecrating the sacred profession of physicians!"
Su Jinyan snorted, pulled out a thick stack of credit notes, held them high, and slapped the physician's face with them. "Hmm? What was that?"
Unfazed, the bald physician accepted the credits, stuffing them into his pocket. "To tell you the truth, High Elder, I've long suspected something was off about this charade," he confessed. "In such a severe explosion, any ordinary person would have been pulverized to dust."
"I suspect he's actually a spy for the Annihilation Gang!"
Sampo's eyes were vacant and lifeless.
These Immortal Boat people are unbelievably rude.
Aha, Boss, I want to go back to Belobog.
Yun You remained cautious, asking again, "Who exactly are you?"
"Where is the Dragon Lady? What have you done with her?"
Su Jinyan glared at Yun You, retorting, "Are you f*cking blind? I am the Dragon Lady myself."
The bald physician stayed silent, thinking,
If you're the Dragon Lord, I'll stand on my head in a cesspit right now.
Yun You clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"No need to guess, she must have gone out to play again."
"The Dragon Lady is becoming increasingly willful; sneaking away before was one thing."
"Now, even performing sleight of hand right under our noses."
"Once we catch the Dragon Lady, she definitely needs a proper lesson."
Jingliu glanced at Yun You, her beautiful eyes icy cold.
A bone-chilling dread washed over Yun You, sending shivers down her spine and throughout her body.
"W-What...what do you intend to do?" "Just who are you two?" Yun You took a fearful step backward.
An unfamiliar woman, posing significant danger. A villain disguised as the Dragon Lady, risk unknown. With my current strength, I'm likely no match for these two.
What exactly do they plan to accomplish?
Su Jinyan pushed up imaginary glasses, speaking emphatically, "Who am I? Listen carefully now."
Yun You's expression tensed.
"I am Kudo Bailu, Japan's most renowned high school detective."
"After being poisoned by a criminal organization, my body shrunk, transforming me into Edogawa Bailu."
"Even with my body shrunk, my mind remains that of a seventeen-year-old detective, capable of elegantly solving cases adults can't handle."
"As times evolve, complex criminal cases increase daily."
"The truth is always singular; despite my smaller stature, my intellect remains unchanged—this is none other than—the renowned Detective Bailu!"
Jingliu remained speechless.
Unaware of the impending danger, the bald physician applauded enthusiastically.
It seemed he had fully succumbed to being a slave to wealth.
Hmph, how repulsive these Vidyadhara truly are.
Little did he suspect that the stack of credits I gave him were merely banknote wrappers.
Yun You couldn't contain his frustration. "What nonsense is this?"
"Why are you impersonating the Dragon Lady? What's your real purpose?"
Su Jinyan pursed his lips and hinted, "Don't you find this outlander highly suspicious?"
Something was off, terribly f*cking off.
Sampo was a Masked Fool, and all Masked Fools fervently worshipped the Joyseeker Heavenly Monarch. They relentlessly pursued extreme pleasure, going to any lengths for their amusement. To put it bluntly, very few members of the Masked Fools have any moral boundaries.
Su Jinyan considered himself one of the rare exceptions, albeit not by much.
Thus, he strongly suspected Sampo was feigning injury to seek entertainment within the Alchemy Commission. Just recently, this guy had planted a scare bomb at Luofu, causing severe psychological trauma for Su Jinyan. He hadn't even settled the score yet.
Little did he expect that just when all hope seemed lost, fortune would unexpectedly come knocking. Sampo himself had delivered his presence right to Su Jinyan's doorstep.
Wait, we'll definitely need to calculate compensation for emotional distress and damage to my reputation, among other things.
The bald physician fell deep into thought. "Indeed, it seems quite suspicious."
"Normally speaking..."
"I've never seen a patient so lively after enduring such a powerful explosion."
Tears silently streamed down Sampo's face. "Who the f*ck made me this energetic?"
"I was already unconscious, but then you stabbed me awake with one swift jab!"
"Incompetent quack! Quack doctor!" He lamented, "Oh Dr. Natasha, I miss you..."
Su Jinyan waved dismissively, feigning agreement. "Yes, yes, I'm an incompetent quack indeed."
"Now hurry up and go find your beloved Dr. Natasha."
Struggling, Sampo wrapped the bandages around his thigh, which still bled profusely.
"Quack doctor, look at me—do you f*cking think I can stand and walk like this?"
"I'm going to file a complaint with the Realm-Keeping Commission about your incompetent lot endangering lives!"
Yun You and the bald physician's expressions shifted slightly.
Su Jinyan's voice turned icy. "Can't you watch your language when speaking, for f*ck's sake?"
"How about not spewing filth all the time?" Sampo's tone suddenly became more deferential.
"You see my condition, damn it—how could I possibly stand and walk?"
"Today, old Sampo will lodge a complaint with the Realm-Keeping Commission against you quacks who recklessly jeopardize lives!"
F*ck! Trying to stir up medical trouble, huh? Unacceptable! Su Jinyan's face darkened, ready to silence Sampo permanently.
"It seems you still don't understand whose territory this is."
Sampo was taken aback. "Isn't this the Alchemy Commission?"
"Could it be that you're the Head of the Pill Cauldron Division?"
Su Jinyan replied, "Of course, I am not the current Head of the Pill Cauldron Division."
Sampo scoffed dismissively.
"But," Su Jinyan continued, "I soon will be."
Frowning, Sampo asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Su Jinyan continued slowly, "It's true that this is indeed the Alchemy Commission."
"However, it has now been taken over by our Vidyadhara clan."
"Soon, even the entire Luofu Immortal Ship will fall under our control."
"And whether I become the Head of the Pill Cauldron Division or not is merely my word, isn't it?"
Sampo stared, bewildered.
The bald physician, equally astonished, asked Yun You, "Sister Yun You, is this true? When did our Vidyadhara clan take over the Alchemy Commission? How come I was unaware? Dragon masters, surely you must be mistaken—our Vidyadhara clan doesn't have the means to revolt!"
Yun You hesitated, speechless. Not just him, she herself had no idea what Su Jinyan was talking about. This was clearly fabricated by the imposter High Elder standing before them.
"But earlier, she called you a fraud," Sampo remarked skeptically.
"A fraud?" Su Jinyan responded proudly. "Open your eyes and look closely. As the Vidyadhara High Elder, my word is law within our clan, do you understand?
"Daring to utter such words in front of me, the medicine-carrying dragon girl Bailu—
"I suspect, outlander, that you've sealed your own fate."
"Silence!" Yun You snapped angrily.
"You deceitful imposter, pretending to be the Dragon Lady."
"When did our Vidyadhara Clan ever consider betraying Luofu?"
The bald healer subtly began inching backward.
Su Jinyan spoke calmly, "Baldy, one more move and I won't hold back."
Instantly, the bald healer froze in place, too afraid to budge.
Jingliu stood quietly beside Su Jinyan. Normally, if this little brother dared to slander Bailu's reputation, she would have swiftly taught him a lesson. However, Jingliu also noticed some telling signs—namely, that Bailu held little authority within the Vidyadhara Clan.
In theory, the Vidyadhara hierarchy was rigidly structured. As the Vidyadhara High Elder, Bailu should command respect from all clan members. Yet when these two Vidyadhara individuals encountered Bailu, they failed to show her any proper deference—a clear indication of disrespect.
Furthermore, there was this young Vidyadhara woman named "Yun You." Her blatant disregard for the High Elder was evident in every word. It was audacious for a member of the Vidyadhara Clan to overstep boundaries so openly before their High Elder.
During Imbibitor Lunae's reign, any Vidyadhara who dared to defy their elders would have faced corporal punishment.
Su Jinyan frowned sternly. "Yun You, from the very beginning—"
"You've incessantly chattered before me, making quite a racket."
"As the Vidyadhara High Elder, what right do you have to speak so presumptuously?"
Yun You forcefully suppressed her anger. "I am the High Elder's personal attendant. Lady Bailu is young and requires strict guidance."
"And how can you prove that you are indeed the High Elder's attendant?" Su Jinyan asked.
Unperturbed, Yun You produced a waist token along with a confidential decree from the dragon master. "My status as the High Elder's attendant was personally conferred by Dragon Master Suguang himself."
"Among the Vidyadhara on Xianzhou Luofu, there are only two attendants to the High Elder," she continued. "With both the dragon master's confidential decree and this waist token, I can unequivocally establish my identity."
Su Jinyan accepted the waist token and decree, giving them a cursory glance. The so-called waist token was a jade scepter of deep green hue, inscribed with the words "High Elder's Attendant" in Vidyadhara script. The confidential decree appointed the Vidyadhara maiden Yun You as Lady Bailu's personal attendant, responsible for overseeing her daily care.
Strictly supervise Bailu, conduct periodic health examinations, and report regularly to the dragon master.
Signed,
Vidyadhara Dragon Master Suguang.
Yun You's tone was stern. "This is the Alchemy Commission, a vital location within Xianzhou Luofu."
"If you dare cause any disturbances, the Cloud Knights will swiftly arrive to suppress them," she warned. "If you leave now, we will overlook this incident."
Su Jinyan returned the jade scepter and the dragon master's decree. "Very well, Yun You, you have passed my test," he said solemnly. "Remaining unflinching in the face of danger—indeed, you prove yourself a worthy attendant to the High Elder."
"Pardon me?" Yun You asked, puzzled. "A test?"
"As you suspected, I am not Lady Bailu..." Su Jinyan replied.
Both Yun You and the bald physician wore expressions that conveyed their certainty they had been right all along.
"But I am the Imperial Dragon's Chief Attendant," Su Jinyan continued gravely. "My position ranks above yours as attendants to the High Elder."
Yun You blinked, bewildered. The bald physician echoed her confusion.
Before they could question him further, Su Jinyan swept his sleeve aside, transforming into the appearance of a Vidyadhara person, bearing a striking resemblance to Imbibitor Lunae.
Sampo watched, spellbound, momentarily forgetting his pain.
Jingliu remained silent, observing without comment.
Yun You's delicate brows furrowed deeply. "Who are you?" she asked. "I've never seen anyone like you among the Vidyadhara. Nor have I heard from any dragon master about an 'Imperial Dragon's Chief Attendant.'"
The bald physician, uncertain and apprehensive, leaned close to whisper in her ear: "Sister Yun You, this noble bears a striking resemblance to Imbibitor Lunae. But it's just a physical similarity..."
Yun You subtly shook her head, signaling him to say no more.
Su Jinyan's lips curved slightly upward as he too produced a jade scepter from his sleeve. "My name is Su Ziya, and this token was bestowed by a dragon master himself. Please examine it carefully."
Jingliu's beautiful eyes flickered—another illusion. Xiao Didi's illusions were truly mesmerizing; even I would struggle to discern truth from falsehood.
As Yun You accepted the jade scepter, her pupils contracted sharply. "You..." she began. "An Imperial Dragon's Chief Attendant? Which dragon master conferred this title?"
Within the Alchemy Commission, numerous maidservants attended to Bailu. However, within the Vidyadhara clan, only two individuals held the official title of "Imperial Dragon's Attendant," granted directly by a dragon master, with oversight over Bailu. These two attendants were Huanxi and Yun You themselves.
Yun You had overseen Bailu at the Alchemy Commission for many years and often corresponded with Vidyadhara Masters. Yet she had never heard of the position "Imperial Dragon's Chief Attendant."
Su Jinyan smiled enigmatically. "Take a guess."
"Could it be Sir Xuepu?" Yun You ventured.
"Sir Xuepu was one of High Elder Dan Feng's mentors during his formative years," Su Jinyan replied softly. "He has always disagreed with Lord Suguang."
Still smiling, Su Jinyan remained silent.
Yun You pondered. "Then perhaps it's Sir Fenghuan?"
"This noble long advocated for abolishing the High Eldership and restoring power to the people. Has something significant occurred recently?"
Again, Su Jinyan only smiled without answering.
Yun You hesitated. "Could it...be Sir Taoran?"
"He previously sought to extract the Dragon Transformation Secret and the abyssal pearl from Lord Dan Feng, aiming to perpetuate the dragon lineage. This noble is also the most radical among the dragon masters; he must be the one behind this appointment."
"Even 'Huanxi,' another Imperial Dragon's attendant, was appointed by Sir Taoran himself."
"What deeper meaning lies behind him overriding opposition to appoint you as the 'Imperial Dragon's Chief Attendant'?"
Sampo had indeed heard whispers in the tavern about serious internal threats within the Xianzhou Alliance.
Long ago, after escaping their lost path, the Xianzhou fragments formed an alliance under The Hunt's guidance and established a formidable Cloud Knight army.
The fox race regained freedom and reclaimed the skies.
Vidyadhara sealed away pollution and its lingering consequences.
With Abundant Evil Creatures as its navigational beacons and the eradication of Undying corruption as its mission, the immortal ark patrolled the boundless starry wilderness.
The three races forged their alliance, thus establishing the Xianzhou Alliance.
However, the Imbibitor Lunae Rebellion resulted in numerous casualties among the Vidyadhara people.
For the Vidyadhara, any loss of population was irreversible, as those who perished could never reincarnate again.
Moreover, the Vidyadhara dragon masters bore the responsibility of preserving their dragon lineage.
Under this immense pressure, the dragon masters reluctantly began harboring alternative intentions.
Sampo's heart raced with fear upon hearing these revelations.
Hiss, is your Vidyadhara clan planning to rebel against the Roaming Immortal Ark?
I, old Sampo, merely sought some amusement on this Xianzhou.
Never did I expect to stumble upon such sensitive secrets of the Vidyadhara.
It seems today won't end well for me.
Regardless of whether that High Elder is genuine or not, after learning so much about the Vidyadhara, they surely can't let me leave alive.
They must be prepared to silence me permanently.
BANG!
A dense cloud of smoke instantly filled the area before the Medicine Pavilion, obscuring Su Jinyan and the others' view.
Ignoring his injuries, Sampo swiftly darted away.
He had to flee; if he didn't seize this chance now, it might be too late.
Just as Sampo was about to escape from the Alchemy Commission's paradise, a slender, icy-cold hand abruptly grabbed him by the neck, sealing his meridians throughout his body.
The chilling sensation licked at Sampo's throat, making his hair stand on end.
Jingliu spoke coldly, "Speak your final words."
"I'll escort you with the sword in my hand."
Sampo hastily pleaded for mercy, "Fairy Jingliu, we're on the same side, I assure you.
"Can't you spare me, considering your friendship with Diviner Su?"
Jingliu's beautiful eyes flickered slightly. "What is your relationship with Xiao Didi?"
Initially, she had no intention of delivering a fatal blow; her aim was merely to thwart Sampo's escape and intimidate him. However, upon hearing about his close ties with Su Jinyan, Jingliu's resolve hardened, sensing malice from his shifty demeanor.
Why does Xiao Didi keep befriending such unsavory characters? Perhaps it's best if I make this decision for him—sending this fellow straight to the afterlife.
Sampo blurted out, "We're distant relatives."
"He's my uncle, and I'm his nephew."
With a cold sweep of Tanhua Sword, Jingliu declared, "Lies won't save you!"
Panic surged through Sampo, reaching its peak. "No, no, no," he stammered.
"We both revere Aha as Masked Fools."
"I've met Diviner Su once before."
"In the Masked Fools, our relationship is quite good. Don't believe me? You can ask him yourself."
At that moment, the tip of Tanhua Sword pressed against Sampo's throat.
Jingliu glanced at him sternly. "Come back with me."
"Your fate will be decided by Xiao Didi himself."
Relieved, Sampo wiped away his cold sweat, narrowly escaping disaster.
Just a whisker away—that's how close he came to resorting to his life-saving means to flee Luofu.
Su Jinyan truly went too far, daring to flirt with such an emotionally volatile woman! Wasn't he afraid of provoking Mirrorflow's demonic Yin affliction and meeting a gruesome end under her blades?
Wasn't Jingliu concerned about his Mara-Struck episodes potentially leading to Sampo's untimely demise by sword?
Outside the Medicine Pavilion, as the smoke finally cleared, Yun You revealed the last member of the Dragon Master Parliament.
Su Jinyan continued to smile without responding.
Growing increasingly frustrated, Yun You sneered, "It's neither this nor that. I suspect your title of 'Imperial Dragon's Chief Attendant' is a sham! Where's your Dragon Master's decree?"
Su Jinyan leisurely produced the decree. "When did I ever deny it?" He handed it over, adding, "Here is the Dragon Master's decree; please examine it yourself."
Yun You accepted the document, her beautiful eyes trembling with disbelief. "This...how could this be?"
The decree indeed appointed Su Ziya as the "Imperial Dragon's Chief Attendant." At the bottom, every dragon master's name was prominently listed, including Suguang, whom Yun You faithfully served.
Su Jinyan stood with hands clasped behind his back. "I have been appointed by all members of the Dragon Master Parliament," he declared. "My position outranks even yours as close attendants to the High Elders. Both of you must heed my commands."
Despite her lingering doubts, Yun You maintained a respectful demeanor and asked cautiously, "Please forgive my ignorance, but I fail to grasp the deeper intentions of the dragon masters. Sir, kindly enlighten me. Does your acceptance of this appointment signify a significant move by the Dragon Master Parliament?"
Although Su Jinyan had presented both the Dragon Master's decree and his identification token, confirming his identity, his previous behavior still raised suspicions for Yun You.
Yet Yun You remained suspicious despite Su Ziya's reassurances. To him, the idea of the Vidyadhara clan seizing control of the Alchemy Commission and instigating rebellion seemed nothing short of delusional.
While it was true that dragon masters harbored their own agendas, everything they did ultimately aimed to preserve the continuity of the Vidyadhara dragon lineage. Without support from external forces, if the Vidyadhara on Roaming Immortal Ark showed any intent to rebel against the Xianzhou Alliance, not only would the six rulers and Ten-Lords Commission act swiftly, but even Vidyadhara High Elders from other arks would immediately distance themselves. They might even volunteer to lead troops to suppress the Dragon Master Parliament.
Once she ensured her safety, Bailu resolved to write promptly to the Dragon Master Parliament, seeking confirmation of Mr. Su Ziya's identity. Just moments ago, Yun You had inadvertently exposed the inner workings of the dragon masters entirely.
This revelation made clear to Su Jinyan that the current Dragon Master Parliament was divided into three major factions:
The "Protecting-Dragon" faction openly supported Bailu as High Elder while secretly treating her as a puppet to manipulate.
The "Abolishing-Dragon" faction advocated for the removal of the High Elder position, aiming to replace it entirely with the Dragon Master Parliament.
Lastly, the "Pro-Xianzhou" faction neither endorsed abolishing the High Elder nor sought to marginalize them. Instead, these dragon masters hoped the incumbent High Elder would foster closer ties with the Xianzhou Alliance.
The "Pro-Boat" faction aimed to restore the Vidyadhara's past alliance with the immortals and sought to reclaim their former status within the Roaming Immortal Ark.
Naturally, this group was the least favored among the dragon masters.
Su Jinyan's task was to alleviate Lady Bailu's burdens, ensuring she would no longer be constrained by the Dragon Master Parliament. He needed to empower the "Pro-Boat" faction while suppressing the other two parties.
Additionally, the two High Elder attendants serving Bailu—Yun You and Huan Xi—were secretly tasked by the dragon masters to monitor her every move.
After these events, they could not be allowed to remain.
Su Jinyan nodded, "That's correct. Yun You, you should also know this:
"To prevent the High Elder's power from spiraling out of control, as occurred during the Imbibitor Lunae Rebellion..."
"The Dragon Master Parliament assigned you and Huan Xi to serve Lady Bailu, covertly overseeing her actions."
Yun You gently affirmed, "Indeed."
Su Jinyan continued, "Upon discovering Lady Bailu had manifested abilities to summon lightning and manipulate water bodies, you commissioned skilled artisans to forge the Shimu Binding Chains."
"These chains were then affixed to her dragon tail, restricting her powers."
Yun You exclaimed, astonished, "...I didn't expect you to know even that!"
Yun You had initially harbored doubts about Su Jinyan's true identity, but now she was less certain. This particular matter was known only to the High Elder's closest attendants and the Dragon Master Parliament.
To other Vidyadhara members, the Shimu Binding Chains were merely seen as decorative adornments on the Dragon Lady's tail.
The bald physician looked at Yun You with disbelief creeping into his expression. "Senior Sister Yun You, you—you all—how could you treat the Dragon Lord like this?"
Yun You's face remained impassive. "Shut up, Baldy," she said sternly. "Everything was decided by the dragon masters; I merely followed their orders."
The bald physician fell silent.
Su Jinyan spoke mildly, "In that regard, you surpass Huan Xi in competence." However, he added, "But do you realize it was precisely your suggestion that aroused Jing Yuan's suspicions?"
Confused, Yun You asked, "Sir Su."
"Although Jing Yuan holds the title of Luofu General, he has no authority to interfere in the internal affairs of the Vidyadhara clan. Moreover, if Jing Yuan intended to intervene, he would have done so much earlier, when the Dragon Lady first bore the Shimu Binding Chains. Why wait until today?"
Su Jinyan sneered, "How foolish. Jing Yuan is one of the six rulers of Xianzhou. Without concrete evidence, he naturally cannot meddle in our clan's affairs."
"Recently, Dan Feng, bearing the power of the High Elder, returned to Luofu and caused quite a stir."
"Haven't you been keeping watch?" Su Jinyan asked.
Yun You's face abruptly changed. "You mean... General Jing Yuan might rekindle his alliance with the former High Elder, Dan Feng?"
Su Jinyan sighed, "That is precisely what the dragon masters fear."
"And thus, they sent me here to manage the aftermath and resolve this issue."
"If Dan Feng discovers that you tampered with the Dragon Lady..."
"Hmph, the consequences need no further explanation," he warned sternly.
Yun You bit her lip, her expression grim.
Bailu had been personally designated as the High Elder by Dan Feng. Given Dan Feng's strong-willed and proud nature, once it was revealed that the Shimu Binding Chains on Bailu's dragon tail were suppressing the High Elder's powers, the potential fallout would be catastrophic. At best, she could expect confinement in The Shackling Prison; at worst, she might bear all the blame, leading to her immediate demise and forced reincarnation.
As if grasping onto a lifeline, Yun You urgently pleaded, "Please save me, Mr. Su!"
The bald physician wore a conflicted expression.
"Yun You," Su Jinyan asked, "is it possible to remove the Shimu Binding Chains from Lady Bailu's dragon tail?"
Yun You hesitated before responding, "The Shimu Binding Chains have suppressed Lady Bailu for many years. If hastily removed, it could lead to uncontrollable release of her powers."
Su Jinyan lightly tapped Yun You's chest. "I'll give you three days at most."
"Without you, there's always Huan Xi for the position of High Elder's attendant," Su Jinyan pointed out.
Yun You pondered thoughtfully.
Su Jinyan continued, subtly advising her, "Consider carefully what actions to take to prevent your secrets from being exposed."
Yun You remained silent, contemplating his words.
With a glance at the bald physician, Su Jinyan warned, "Do not let today's meeting be known outside these walls."
"Additionally, I will visit the Nightless Marquis Teahouse over the next few days. If you wish to contact me, simply inform Meng Ming at the teahouse." He added, "The code is 'Anti-Feng, Aid-Bai.'"
Yun You's delicate body shuddered, and she exclaimed, "Many thanks for your guidance, Sir!"
Su Jinyan waved his sleeve, turned, and departed with a call, "Wife, let's go."
Jingliu cast Yun You a cold look before following closely behind Su Jinyan, still dragging Sampo along.
Unable to resist, the bald physician shouted, "Sir!"
"The outlander accompanying you..."
In response, Su Jinyan discreetly flicked two drops of nectar onto Sampo without anyone noticing.
Then he turned around, feigning confusion, "What do you mean by 'outlander'? Isn't this clearly an Abundant Evil Creature?"
Sampo looked bewildered.
The bald physician hesitated, momentarily speechless.
Just then, as if by magic, Sampo's severe wounds instantly healed, leaving no trace.
The bald physician's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. "Where did that Abundant Evil Creature go?!"
Sampo, feeling powerless to argue, acquiesced silently—let them believe whatever they wished.
Shortly after, Yun You hurried to a secluded corner of the Alchemy Commission and released a messenger pigeon.
Given the critical nature involving Vidyadhara affairs, dragon masters never dared to use communication devices based on ultradistance sensing technology. They feared interception by the Xianzhou Alliance's intelligence agencies.
For many years, Yun You's contact with the Dragon Master Parliament had relied solely on conventional letters.
Unexpectedly, just as the messenger pigeon took flight, Jingliu intercepted it.
"Xiao Didi."
"You anticipated that woman would contact the dragon masters?"
Su Jinyan opened the envelope, smiling faintly. "Not surprising at all. With stakes this high, I too would seek confirmation."
The letter's contents matched Su Jinyan's guess closely. Firstly, it aimed to verify his identity with the Dragon Master Parliament, and secondly, it sought High Elder Suguang's advice on how to prevent their scheme from being exposed.
Su Jinyan's task was straightforward—forge a handwritten decree in High Elder Suguang's hand.
A hint of crimson flashed across Jingliu's beautiful eyes as she gently exhaled a thin mist, her voluptuous chest heaving rapidly.
"Xiao Didi, why go to such trouble?"
"To anyone daring harm against the Dragon Lady, I shall deliver swift death."
"After slaying those two High Elder attendants, we'll exterminate any dragon master who threatens the Dragon Lady."
"Wipe them all out without mercy."
Snap!
Su Jinyan forcefully slapped Jingliu's firm, snow-white buttocks.
A violent aura of killing intent surged forth.
Without hesitation, Jingliu swung her sword towards Su Jinyan's groin.
Su Jinyan's eyelid twitched slightly as he effortlessly caught the Tanhua Sword aimed at him.
The resplendent Treasured Radiance illuminated Jingliu's delicate body, instantly calming her tumultuous emotions.
"Indeed," Su Jinyan said leisurely, "you may enjoy the thrill of slaughter, but it would spell disaster for Bailu."
"When that happens, Bailu will become the first High Elder in history to face widespread rejection from the Vidyadhara people."
"And Jing Yuan will bear responsibility from the Xianzhou Alliance, considering he allowed you free rein in Luofu."
"Then there's me, since I pleaded on your behalf to Jing Yuan."
Jingliu fell silent.
Su Jinyan wore an enigmatic smile. "Big Sister Jingliu, have you calmed down now?"
Jingliu sighed dejectedly. "Let go, Xiao Didi."
As soon as Su Jinyan released his grip, Jingliu swung their sword at him once more.
Su Jinyan deflected the blade with bare hands again, looking resigned. "Must you be so angry?"
"Beatings show affection; scolding signifies love," Jingliu replied coldly. "I'm employing this method to help improve your memory—so that next time, you won't impulsively succumb to the urge for slaughter." They paused briefly before adding, "Besides, I am your shizun's senior, making it even less appropriate."
Feigning confusion, Su Jinyan asked, "Wouldn't that make it more provocative?"
"And besides, since I've helped suppress your Mara-stricken impulses, shouldn't you thank me instead?" Jingliu pursed their icy lips. "Xiao Didi, before becoming a Fate Traveler, you must have endured quite a few beatings, right?"
Su Jinyan shrugged. "I still get my fair share of beatings now."
"Every night, Shizun relentlessly tramples on my dignity with her delicate white feet."
Jingliu fell silent.
What a fine disciple Fu Xuan had indeed raised!
Sampo finally found his chance to speak up, hesitantly, "Um... Can I leave now?"
Su Jinyan eyed him with malice. "Oh, Sampo-brother."
"You've overheard quite a few confidential secrets of our Xianzhou Alliance today."
"So, tell me, do you want money or your life?"
Sampo chuckled nervously. "Well, let's go for money then; I already have my life."
Su Jinyan snatched Jingliu's Tanhua Sword and placed it against Sampo's neck. "How about now?"
A chill flickered through Jingliu's beautiful eyes. With her icy pale hand, she swiftly materialized another Tanhua Sword and swung it towards Su Jinyan.
Xiao Didi couldn't possibly fathom this:
I abandoned mortal metals, stealing instead a sliver of moonlight, To illuminate myriad rivers across the world.
This is the sword within my grasp—life and extinction at will, omnipresent. As many as needed, boundless in quantity.
Now, surely you can't face blades unarmed, right?
Instinctively, Su Jinyan switched positions with Sampo.
Sampo's hair stood on end, hastily dodging as well.
Shhhk!
The frigid blade narrowly grazed Sampo's back, causing blood to spurt profusely.
Tears welled up in Sampo's eyes. "So our friendship means nothing to you, does it?"
Su Jinyan replied solemnly, "How could that be, Brother Sampo?"
"Among all these Masked Fools, you're the one most to my liking. If you don't believe me, just watch—"
The icy sword glow once again swept towards him.
Su Jinyan forcefully pushed aside Sampo, neither dodging nor evading. He allowed the frigid Tanhua Sword to pierce straight into his chest.
Jingliu's lips trembled slightly. "Why...didn't you avoid it?"