Chapter 85: Everything in Progress

By the time Lie returned to the imperial palace, ten days had already passed. Now, there remained only a single month until the fateful duel agreed upon between Ji Muyu and Yinyao. When Lie met Ji Muyu, his face was expressionless. Ji Muyu looked at the man before him—he appeared unchanged, and yet, Ji Muyu could sense something different, though he could not say precisely what.

“Shanglian was taken. Lin is dead.” With these seven words, Lie revealed the outcome of the entire ordeal. Ji Muyu caught the slight tremor in Lie’s voice as he uttered the words “Lin is dead.” He had not expected this.

“My condolences.” Ji Muyu met Lie’s eyes, the only words he could offer. He had long been prepared for the loss of Shanglian—after all, their adversaries were Gu Xinyu and the ever-enigmatic Li Su. But he had not imagined Lin would lose his life over it. In that instant, Ji Muyu understood what had changed in Lie.

Lie’s aura was no longer merely one of cold indifference—he now carried a deep and heavy hatred, and it altered his very bearing. Ji Muyu did not know the specifics of Lin’s death; if he had witnessed it, who knew what he might have thought.

“Master, what shall we do about that stalk of Shanglian?” Lie now hoped that tasks and duties might numb his pain. More than anything, he wanted to cross blades with Gu Xinyu and Li Su—to avenge his brother.

Sensing the tumult in Lie’s heart, Ji Muyu shook his head. “This matter need not worry you. Without Yinyao’s cooperation, we cannot obtain Shanglian. Let me consider this further. I understand your feelings, but for now, I command you to begin closed-door cultivation.”

Cultivation—in essence, giving Lie the opportunity to further strengthen himself in a short time.

Lie nodded in acceptance, left the study, and gazed in the direction beyond the palace walls—where his brother was buried, his only kin in this world. Why had it taken him ten days to return? Because he had borne Lin’s body home, to lay him to rest beside their parents.

Brother, I will avenge you.

Through persistent effort, Yin Su finally found the plan she had been searching for in the inner council. It had cost her much, but at last, she succeeded. If she had failed, Gu Xinyu would have returned before her.

After leaving Lingyu Pavilion, Yin Su avoided any possible sentries and made her way to the palace, proceeding directly to the study. Ji Muyu had instructed her: bring any matters directly to me in the study.

She knocked softly, opened the door, and entered. A figure stood by the window; from his back, Yin Su knew it was none other than Ji Muyu.

“Master.”

“Have you found the plan?”

“Yes.” Yin Su produced an envelope from her sleeve, bowed slightly, and presented it with both hands.

Ji Muyu turned, took the envelope, and studied its contents. Yin Su kept her head lowered—she had already read through the plan to confirm its authenticity.

With each line he read, Ji Muyu’s eyes grew brighter. Indeed, this was the plan Yin Su had spent an entire month searching for. Who would have thought that Gu Xinyu and Chu Su had hidden it so well? Fortunately, Yin Su had not failed him.

“Excellent!” Ji Muyu was clearly pleased. Lie had brought back ill news, but Yin Su’s success had offset it with a stroke of fortune.

“With this, we need not fear! Ha!” Ji Muyu laughed heartily.

Yin Su raised her head, her gaze even, betraying no emotion, though her heart churned. The time to leave Lingyu Pavilion drew near; once Gu Xinyu returned, the truth would soon be discovered.

Ji Muyu handed the envelope back to her. “Do not alert anyone. Put the envelope back in its place, and continue your infiltration. Remain by their side until the moment they uncover your identity.”

At the mention of her true identity, Yin Su could not help but think of Yinyao—because Yinyao was aware of who she truly was. Given her cooperation with Chu Su and the others, why had she not revealed this secret? Why? Yin Su felt a faint sense of unease—a nagging suspicion she could not explain.

“Yes, sir,” Yin Su replied with a lowered head.

Thinking of Lie’s situation, Ji Muyu glanced at Yin Su, wondering whether she might have a way to persuade Yinyao to activate the Frost Spirit Array—a matter of utmost importance.

“By the way, do you have any means to make Yinyao willingly activate the Frost Spirit Array?”

Hearing this, Yin Su shook her head. She truly had no way; when Frost Spirit Valley appeared, only Chu Su, Gu Xinyu, and Mu Ye knew the details. By the time she arrived, the valley was already formed. How could she know how Yinyao had activated the array?

“Forgive me, I am powerless in this regard.”

Ji Muyu waved her off. “Never mind, return to Lingyu Pavilion.”

Yin Su nodded. “I take my leave.”

The moment Li Su and Gu Xinyu returned to the City of Brocade, their first task was to find Yinyao, for the stalk of Shanglian in their possession was to be delivered to her at once, as she had instructed.

In the teahouse, Yinyao and Chu Su sat at their usual window-side seat, waiting for Li Su and Gu Xinyu. Seeing their familiar figures at the door, Yinyao smiled—they had finally returned.

“Yao’er~” Li Su stepped forward, seating himself beside Yinyao, while Gu Xinyu took the seat opposite her.

Yinyao nodded. “Li Su, Gu Xinyu, welcome back. Tell me, how did it go?”

“Of course, Shanglian is in our hands. As for that Lin under Ji Muyu, you could say he committed suicide. Lie will likely be consumed by vengeance,” Li Su cut in before Gu Xinyu could speak.

While listening, Chu Su exchanged glances with Gu Xinyu for further details.

Yinyao, intrigued by the uncertain phrasing, asked, “He committed suicide? What do you mean?”

“I only placed my sword at his throat, but when he saw Lie drawing closer to the encirclement, he thrust himself upon the blade—one could call it suicide,” Gu Xinyu explained.

“All right. Where is Shanglian?” Yinyao cut to the heart of the matter.

Gu Xinyu glanced at Li Su, who immediately produced a jade box like a treasure. Yinyao accepted it with a smile, opened it slightly, and was met with a chill so intense it made her shudder. Indeed, it was Shanglian. Yet it seemed different from the stalk Li Yue had brought—this one’s aura was far colder. Yinyao considered and realized the difference lay in the container: this one was preserved in jade, perfectly sealing in its energy, whereas the other had been kept in wood, gentler and less direct.

“Xinyu, you haven’t returned to Lingyu Pavilion yet, have you? Yinyao and I suspect Wuming. After you rest, return at once and check where the plan is hidden,” Chu Su instructed Gu Xinyu, since it was not advisable for him to show himself now. Besides, Yinyao had said they would need to visit the palace tonight.

Gu Xinyu nodded after a moment’s thought.

Li Su, grinning at Yinyao, was a little excited—he noticed nothing suspicious between Yinyao and Chu Su; they seemed merely partners in cooperation. Perhaps he had been overthinking things.

“Yao’er, I’ll accompany you for your next plan, all right?” Li Su, ignoring the others, began to coax her.

Chu Su smiled and shook his head, turning away. For reasons he could not explain, every time someone called Yinyao “Yao’er,” a strange feeling welled up inside him, and he especially wanted to stop them from calling her that.

Gu Xinyu glanced at Yinyao and Li Su, then at Chu Su, and remained silent.

Yinyao rolled her eyes. “No. Once you’ve rested, return to the Hidden Sect—Li Yue and Yin Rou have managed things in your absence for a month already.”

Li Su pouted, knowing she would refuse. Still, since nothing had happened between Yinyao and Chu Su during this time, he decided to let it go.

“Yes, yes.” Li Su replied sullenly.

Yinyao smiled helplessly. Gu Xinyu lowered his head to eat, while Chu Su, hearing Li Su’s acquiescence, felt a secret, inexplicable delight. He truly hoped Li Su would not join them.

That night, the four split into three groups.

Gu Xinyu returned to Lingyu Pavilion.

Li Su, naturally, made his way back to the Hidden Sect.

Yinyao and Chu Su, meanwhile, headed for the palace to pay an overdue visit to the emperor.

This time, without announcing themselves, Yinyao and Chu Su went straight to the door of Ji Muyu’s study. Standing atop the roof, they quickly attracted the attention of the palace guards and, in doing so, startled Ji Muyu himself.

“Your Majesty, it’s been a long time,” Yinyao greeted him with a smile.

Chu Su stood by her side, saying little, for Yinyao had told him tonight was for spectating a good show.

Ji Muyu, seeing it was Yinyao and Chu Su again, felt a flicker of impatience. Their presence inevitably reminded him of all matters relating to Shanglian. But recalling that he now possessed their plan, he calmed himself and returned their greeting with a smile. “Indeed, it has been a while. What brings you both here?”

Yinyao produced the jade box from her sleeve, smiling. “Nothing much. My subordinates delivered Shanglian to me today. I must apologize—it seems I’ve won.”

Ji Muyu noted the box—so that was Shanglian. He understood Yinyao was here to flaunt her victory.

“My men were simply not up to the task,” Ji Muyu replied coolly.

Observing his reaction, Yinyao arched an eyebrow and began to twirl the jade box on her fingertip, right before his eyes—as if daring fate. Should she drop it, Shanglian would be ruined.

Chu Su understood and chimed in with a laugh, “Yinyao, be careful. That is Shanglian.”

His words struck a chord in Ji Muyu. Though he had accepted reality, how could he not desire Shanglian for himself?

Fixing his gaze on Yinyao’s spinning fingers, Ji Muyu seized his chance and lunged. Just as he neared, Yinyao feigned alarm, her hand trembling—the jade box dropped, and Shanglian was destroyed.

“It wasn’t on purpose!” Yinyao declared, though her eyes sparkled with mirth. She had intended to destroy, right in front of Ji Muyu, the very Shanglian he could never obtain.

Enraged, Ji Muyu glanced at the ruined Shanglian on the floor, his eyes flashing with murderous intent as he attacked Yinyao. In that instant, Chu Su stepped in, gently pushing Yinyao aside and facing Ji Muyu himself.

A shimmering chain lashed out, halting Ji Muyu’s assault. Chu Su quickly withdrew, following after Yinyao.

“The date of our duel has not yet come—I’ll not fight you now!” came Yinyao’s voice, echoing through the night as their figures vanished.

What was that tone?

Ji Muyu was left restless and frustrated. He realized he had fallen into Yinyao’s trap—she had anticipated his reaction and used it as an excuse to destroy Shanglian.

Well done, Yinyao. Ruthless indeed.

But if only you knew that I already possess all your plans—would you still be smiling? Just you wait. I will show you the meaning of regret, and who will have the last laugh.

Ji Muyu turned and returned to his study.

The oppressive atmosphere had left the guards rooted in place. Only after the three had departed did they dare to breathe a sigh of relief.

How terrifying it had been.