My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion
Chapter 195 - 174: You Are Determined to Die

Chapter 195: Chapter 174: You Are Determined to Die

The eagle hawk swept through the sky, circling for a moment before slowly descending, landing in the courtyard of the inn.

The Joyful Sect was now a lawless land, with inns packed full by Jianghu Guests. However, this courtyard was occupied solely by Qin Qingluo’s party. The reason, quite simply, was strength.

A black-clad woman guarded the entrance, her aura permeating the air. None of the Jianghu Guests outside the courtyard dared to venture close.

Qin Qingluo lifted her arm slightly, and the hunting falcon landed on it. The proud creature bowed its head like a subordinate before its master. She casually smoothed its feathers and removed the message tube from its foot.

Chen Yi watched this scene, somewhat intrigued. Ordinary Jianghu Guests used pigeons for correspondence, but she used a hunting falcon.

Qin Qingluo unfolded the letter, scanned it briefly, and shook her head with a faint smile. Then she rolled it back up and said to Chen Yi:

"I ask that you excuse yourself for a moment."

Chen Yi, of course, had no objection. Taking Yin Tingxue with him, he left the courtyard and returned to the inn’s noisy main hall.

After Chen Yi was gone, the red-robed woman beside her, addressed as Aunt Zhu, became curious.

"Who’s the letter from?" Aunt Zhu asked.

"It’s from a spy, passing along a message from the last heir of the Joyful Sect," Qin Qingluo replied.

"And what’s the message?"

"The Joyful Sect heir, Li Fu, seeks to propose an alliance," Qin Qingluo said, lifting her arm. The falcon soared upward, perching among the branches. "It seems after all this time running and hiding, he’s reached the end of his rope. If he pledges loyalty to me, the Prince’s Mansion can offer him protection."

Aunt Zhu laughed lightly, her smile bewitching. "It doesn’t matter who it is; no one truly escapes the Prince’s Five Fingers Mountain."

Qin Qingluo smiled in return. Her laughter wasn’t the delicate charm of a noble lady, nor the bold and carefree spirit of a heroic swordswoman. Instead, it hovered perfectly between the two—majestic, yet subtle.

After her laughter subsided, her tone softened. "Aunt Zhu, you’ve endured much over the years. Back when my father the Prince was schemed against by the An family, rendered incapable, and left without an heir, my mother, the Princess, came up with that desperate plan—to elevate me, her niece, and have you cooperate with me."

"I quite enjoyed it, really. I’m happy to have wed a Prince like you. My horizons have broadened; after meeting you, no one else can compare." Aunt Zhu’s voice was laced with tenderness and allure.

If Qin Qingluo weren’t so familiar with her nature, she might have genuinely felt flustered.

"To be honest, this trip to the Capital has been close to fruitless. It was unexpected, though not unreasonable. Fortunately, there haven’t been any significant losses," Qin Qingluo said, gazing at the distant Capital City. "That West Factory Thousand Households, Chen Yi—such a pitiful and detestable man."

"I understand why he’s detestable. But why pitiful?"

"Pitiful because he refuses to serve me and instead dedicates himself to that Demon Empress." Qin Qingluo remarked, glancing at the red-robed woman. She brought up another matter. "It’s said that the Purity Saintess has apparently... fallen into his hands."

The red-robed woman’s playful gaze turned icy in an instant, her alluring demeanor replaced by steely alertness. She straightened her posture. "Is this true?"

"Most likely. The source who entrusted me with this claim is formidable," Qin Qingluo replied.

"Then he must die," the Bright Saintess said flatly, lowering her gaze and murmuring, "To escape the Resentment Demon Master and leave the World of Ignorance—such an end would be a mercy for a scoundrel like him."

Qin Qingluo did not object to this sentiment. The only matter troubling her was determining how best to sever this particular thorn in her side, the former West Factory Thousand Households, Chen Yi.

Those who do not share the same path cannot plan together.

No matter how much pity she harbored for Chen Yi’s refusal to align with her, the greatest taboo for those who do great things is hesitation. Decisiveness is paramount. Even if Aunt Zhu, her so-called Princess, were to betray her one day, she would strike quickly and cleanly—let alone this stranger who had long since become an eyesore and a thorn in her flesh.

"Though, I do wonder who it was that entrusted the Prince with this information."

The red-robed woman chuckled lightly, her eyes shimmering. "Any guesses?"

Qin Qingluo was about to answer when the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted her. "She’s here."

The red-robed woman turned to look and saw that, beneath the tree in the courtyard, there now stood a nun dressed in plain robes and holding a tin staff.

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

Inside the inn, Jianghu Guests came and went freely, chatting as they pleased. The Joyful Sect’s domain now lay abandoned, so there were no innkeepers—everyone supplied their own dry rations.

By noon, Yin Tingxue was starting to feel hungry. Her stomach growled softly. Embarrassed, she dared not speak and could only glance at Chen Yi from time to time.

Catching her hint, Chen Yi pretended not to notice.

Growing anxious, Yin Tingxue suppressed her hunger and tugged at Chen Yi’s sleeve.

To her shock, Chen Yi suddenly reached out with his large hand and pressed it directly against her stomach. Startled, Yin Tingxue’s stomach growled loudly, quivering beneath his palm through her clothing.

Chen Yi teased her with a playful look.

Yin Tingxue flushed with embarrassment, unable to meet his gaze. After a long pause, she murmured softly, "Don’t tease me like that."

Chen Yi brushed her cheek gently, then took pity on her. From his bag, he pulled out a flatbread and handed it to her.

The little fox lowered her head and took small bites from the oversized bread, focusing solely on her meal.

Chen Yi took out another piece for himself and was about to wolf it down when he suddenly paused, his hand frozen midair.

Two pairs of eyes were watching him.

From his left rear flank?

Chen Yi furrowed his brow slightly, catching a glimpse from the corner of his eye. He saw a pair of closely entwined lovers, clinging to each other intimately, sneaking glances his way now and then.

They were the couple from Shuiyun Sword Pool—ones he’d encountered at Jinya Pavilion.

At that moment, Yin Tingxue tilted her head, seeming to hear something. Chen Yi noticed this, his eyes narrowing slightly as he slowly put the flatbread away.

A lean man with a pot of wine entered the inn, scanned the crowded tables, and approached Chen Yi’s table upon seeing no open seats elsewhere.

The man smiled ingratiatingly. "Brother, mind if we share a table?"

"I don’t think that’s a good idea."

"Don’t be so stingy. I’ll offer you some wine—how about it?" the man asked.

Chen Yi did not respond.

The man, seeing no objection, assumed consent and sat down, pulling a porcelain bowl from his sleeve as if by magic. He poured the wine and handed the bowl toward Chen Yi.

"Brother, have a drink. Wine’s hard to come by in these parts, and it’s being sold at cutthroat prices," the man said with easy familiarity.

Chen Yi glanced at the wine in the bowl. Its color was cloudy—a low-grade cheap brew. A drink like this...

Was best used for poisoning!

Chen Yi flipped the bowl with a swift motion, sending it hurtling toward the man.

The man’s expression darkened. From his sleeve, a glimmer of cold steel flashed—a poison-coated dagger thrust toward Chen Yi’s face.

Meanwhile, the lover-couple sprung into action, drawing their swords to strike at Chen Yi from behind.

In the courtyard, Qin Qingluo stood with her hands behind her back, observing the sudden turn of events.

Her face bore a faint smile.

How ironic. Not long ago, she had considered recruiting this Douli Swordsman to kill Chen Yi.

Who would have thought the two were one and the same?

And if you truly are Chen Yi...

Then forgive me—you have no choice but to die.