My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion
Chapter 145 - 125: Leisure Chess after Ensuring Safety

Chapter 145: Chapter 125: Leisure Chess after Ensuring Safety

On the stone tiles by the palace gates, the young eunuchs and maids stationed there hung their heads, dozing off. Upon hearing the sound of footsteps, they snapped to attention, trying to stay alert, and bowed deeply on the ground, not daring to lift their gaze. All they could see was the hem of a flowing Yun Shang gown swaying gently in the breeze, trailing a few brightly dressed female attendants behind.

A dignified noblewoman garbed in a casual golden silk red robe stood beside the renowned Lianyin Lake within the palace grounds. Beside her, a maid carried a silver box containing food for the fish. The lake was dotted with countless lotus pods, nearly all withered. She deftly flicked her handkerchief as she cast the feed into the water, avoiding soiling her hands while observing the koi fish flurrying up to the surface.

At first, dozens of koi were drawn by the scent, swiftly followed by hundreds more, causing splashes of water everywhere. Although the lotus pods were now shriveled, one could still imagine the vibrant scene of koi darting amongst green lotus leaves in spring and summer.

"Your Highness, the Prince of Annan sent a memorial last night, along with a letter of inquiry,"

said the chief palace attendant, Su Xin, softly.

"He must have suffered great losses in the Capital and wants to withdraw his troops now,"

replied the noblewoman without looking back, adjusting her fox fur cloak while watching the koi frenzy.

She had only recently recovered and was supposed to rest quietly. However, when she stayed still, the images that haunted her would not let go, weighing heavily upon her breath. Having slept poorly the previous night, she decided to visit the koi this morning to clear her mind.

The palace attendant nodded respectfully, saying:

"It seems likely. One letter was addressed to the Emperor, the other to you. We’ve reviewed them. Combined with reports from the Ministry of War, the Prince of Annan appears poised to return to the Southern Border."

"Southern Border, the place overrun by that demonic cult,"

the noblewoman murmured, recalling someone as she sighed softly,

"Do you still remember that Xiang Prince, who was also colluding with the demonic cult in the Southern Border? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have faced confiscation of his estate and exile."

The palace attendant Su Xin didn’t catch the undertones in her words, merely agreeing:

"The Xiang Prince was nothing more than a shortsighted fool. His vision and wisdom pale in comparison to that of the late Xiang Princess."

The noblewoman chuckled lightly, remaining silent before querying,

"How fares the Division of Quelling Rage?"

"Your Highness’s decree has been delivered. Lately, Chen Qianhu has been rising to prominence. The officials from the Division are quite impressed with him and curious too. It’s been said that they all want to meet him,"

the palace attendant hesitated before speaking, but eventually continued:

"They all want to meet him..."

The noblewoman sneered coldly:

"Those people speak sweetly, but martial artists are always fond of contesting each other. What they truly want is to test his abilities. Draft an order to reassign some personnel, let him establish himself, and only then consider bringing those people back."

"Yes, Your Highness."

As Su Xin finished speaking, footsteps echoed behind her. Turning around, she recognized the Pavilion Master of Xique Pavilion approaching steadily.

Su Xin took a step back, tactfully signaling the surrounding maids and attendants to retreat. Only an unnamed old servant remained by the noblewoman’s side.

"Momo*, is everything arranged properly?"

The noblewoman asked, her gaze unwavering.

"Naturally arranged. Both Wuyong Building and the Chen family girl have fallen into the trap. However, there’s still one idle move you haven’t made yet, Your Highness,"

the unnamed old servant replied softly.

The noblewoman understood what that idle move referred to, saying:

"You mean Dong Guifei. Previously, the timing wasn’t right, too many variables unfolded, so I couldn’t make use of her. But now it seems... about time."

"Korean women are gentle and virtuous. Back during the Tang dynasty, they were renowned for their skill in serving others. When the late Emperor ascended the throne, he issued multiple edicts commanding Korea to send tribute, specifically for beauties like Dong Guifei,"

the unnamed old servant reminisced briefly before sighing:

"But when Dong Guifei entered the palace, the late Emperor had already stepped into the Immortal’s path, severed from mortal desires, abandoning all the concubines’ quarters. Despite Dong Guifei’s great allure, she had nowhere to display it. Even an old servant like me felt she was wasted on Chen Qianhu."

The old servant expressed her sentiment, but the noblewoman made no response, her phoenix-like eyes shifting between clarity and obscurity.

Meanwhile, the koi still wrestled for food. Casting a glance over them, the old servant inquired:

"Your Highness, aside from Dong Guifei, how should we proceed next?"

"Chen Zunming has ties to that Sword Armor, connections that cannot be severed. Since that’s the case, let’s attempt to sow discord between them. Assign him to investigate the Yin Sword Mountain case,"

the noblewoman directed slowly.

She still recalled scenes from the underground palace, as well as the moment Chen Yi had, while possessed by Mount Tu, ordered her to attack Sword Armor. She suspected that the two shared an unusual bond, though what exactly remained unclear. Chen Yi hadn’t revealed anything, and Sword Armor hadn’t shown any signs. Their dynamic—traveling together yet prepared to kill each other—proved elusive, difficult even for her to grasp.

..................

One day earlier at the Min residence.

An elderly man stood upright in the courtyard, watching Min Ning practice wielding her saber repeatedly. His face was relaxed, though he pretended to remain stern. Still, his joy could hardly be concealed in his eyes.

Sweating profusely from her practice, Min Ning sheathed her blade and turned to find Min He still lingering nearby, smiling broadly.

"Grandfather,"

Min Ning approached him slowly.

"Not bad, you’re handling the saber better than your father ever did,"

Min He instinctively praised her. However, after Min Ning smiled, her gaze became melancholic.

The old man caught on to something amiss and said gently:

"It seems I misspoke."

"It’s nothing..."

Min Ning shook her head and inquired:

"How are Father and Mother doing down below?"

"Unlike me, their souls have dispersed and entered reincarnation,"

Min He lamented as he touched upon matters of the underworld:

"When I was below, I was recognized for my loyalty and martial arts in life, earning a position under King Yan as his day patrol officer, responsible for hunting malevolent spirits. Not like your parents."

Though Grandfather’s soul had returned for several days now, and it wasn’t the first time Min Ning had heard him describe experiences in the underworld, each recounting still felt astonishing and surreal.

"Let’s not speak more of this; dwelling too much violates certain rules. King Yan does not favor such talk,"

Min He gestured dismissively.

"Does discussing the Chancellor case violate the rules too?"

Min Ning pressed on.

She had longed for years to uncover the truth behind the Chancellor case, to clear her household’s name and avenge relatives who met tragic ends. Yet Min He, ever since their reunion, had avoided the topic completely.

"It involves the Heavenly Family. This is for your safety; don’t bring it up again. Let’s discuss something else instead,"

Min He refused to give in to Min Ning’s pursuit.

"No distractions... that ancestral blade you lent to Chen Yi—is it still with him?"

Blushing faintly, Min Ning hesitated to answer. The ancestral treasure "No Distractions" had been passed down within the family, yet she had lent it out so freely. Now confronted by Grandfather about its whereabouts, she could only stammer:

"Ah, um... Did Sister tell you?"

Thinking of Chen Yi, Min Ning’s mind raced, attempting to rehearse her next words.

"Naturally, Ming’er told me,"

The old man’s brows furrowed as he recalled Min Ming’s circumstances, sighing deeply:

"These years have been hard on her. Your father lacked discipline and didn’t heed lessons, leaving her to bear the household burdens alone—raising you single-handedly, advising you to disguise yourself as a man to inherit the hereditary military post."

The Min family may not have been illustrious, but during Min He’s prime, he had established himself as Garrison Commander, making the household well-off in the Capital. Yet with one downfall, everything came to ruin, forcing his eldest daughter to resort to working in a brothel for survival.

In ordinary scholarly families, such dishonor would prompt the Family Head’s fury and lead to disowning the daughter, but Min He understood that none of this could be blamed on his child.

Moreover, Min Ming, though working as a courtesan, remained a refined entertainer without serving clients in intimate ways. At most, she played music for others, preserving some dignity.

As the old man’s forlorn thoughts gradually faded from his face,

Min Ning hesitated before presenting the words she had carefully planned:

"Grandfather, that man named Chen Yi greatly admires you."

This was an important matter. Since Grandfather had brought up Chen Yi, she couldn’t let the opportunity slip.

"It’s rare for someone to respect this old man even after death,"

Min He remarked with a tinge of sentiment, his expression calm, though Min Ning caught the faint twitch of his semi-ethereal brows, betraying a spark of interest.

Min Ning took a deep breath. She wouldn’t miss this chance. She then conveyed the lines she had rehearsed several times:

"He said, among the countless martial arts masters he’s encountered, famous or unsung, only a handful stick in his memory. Even if the rankings of top experts change time and again, there’s one figure he’ll never forget—a senior not listed on the martial arts rankings, and that’s you, Grandfather."

Min He drew a deep breath, his eyebrows relaxing as he chuckled:

"Sounds like a glib-tongued lad. But I do wonder—why does he remember me, instead of those ranked martial arts masters?"

Min Ning promptly replied:

"He said... martial arts, anyone can have them, but loyalty and righteousness are exceptional. Among all the experts he’s met, only you possess them."

Min He froze, his eyes widening slightly. The corners of his lips struggled to maintain composure as he clasped his hands behind his back, striving to appear indifferent.

He nodded faintly and remarked:

"Alas, that young lad must have been mistaken."

Upon hearing this, Min Ning knew she had succeeded.

Her palms and the backs of her hands were drenched in sweat from nervousness, but her expression displayed feigned helplessness:

"I declined his request several times. Yet... he insists on meeting you, wishing to learn a move or two from you personally. If possible, he’s even willing to become a live-in disciple of the Min family. I couldn’t refuse him, so I’m bringing this matter to you—your decision rules."

Seeing his granddaughter’s filial piety, Min He laughed heartily and replied:

"Since he holds this old man in such regard, to refuse would dampen his spirit."

"Grandfather truly understands the ways of the world,"

Min He’s eyes sparkled with joy as he remarked:

"Bah, ’ways of the world’—this is merely common courtesy. You, silly child, are so straightforward and unguarded. Thankfully, you’re disguised as a man; otherwise, I’d worry someone might deceive you."

The young swordswoman’s expression turned subtly awkward.

Her lengthy speech had little to do with Chen Yi. That lecherous rogue brought up Min He only in passing—otherwise, he didn’t even seem to remember who Min He was.

Of course, the words weren’t entirely her invention. They were crafted by Min Ming. Given Min Ning’s direct and righteous temperament, how could she ever conjure such flowery rhetoric?

All to ensure Chen Yi could meet Grandfather, Min Ning had sought private counsel with her elder sister—an individual accustomed to the treacherous and pretentious world of the brothel. To her surprise, when she made her request, her elder sister pondered faintly for a moment before agreeing without resistance.

Before presenting her case, Min Ning had practiced it multiple times to avoid mistakes. Yet her delivery turned out flawlessly. Perhaps when one cares deeply about someone, thoughts grow richer, and words become smoother.

Min Ning released her grip on her saber’s hilt, its surface slick with sweat.

To avoid being noticed by Grandfather, she excused herself to rest and bowed her head while exiting the courtyard.

Soon she’d have to confirm details with Chen Yi...

Otherwise, things could go terribly wrong if their stories didn’t align.

She shook her hands vigorously, sweat droplets splattering onto the ground. A pang of guilt and self-reproach struck her, her ears feeling inexplicably flushed with warmth.

When had she started learning... to deceive both sides?