Chapter 1412: Subtle Fragrance Drifts in the Jade Capital, The Hall Master Holds Sword at the Holy Mountain

Yu Jing Cheng.

As the core of Zhong Yu Lian Ling Jie, the great war between the Sheng Di of Qi Lin Jie and Zhong Yuan Jie had no impact whatsoever on this place.

Under the protection of the Hu Cheng Da Zhen, the Lian Ling Shi inside the city only felt occasional minor earthquakes.

From outside the city, one could only vaguely see dark shadows in the distant sky, unable to tell if it was the heavens collapsing or giants descending.

The world outside was in chaos with earthquakes and mountains shaking, while inside, the city remained peaceful and prosperous.

People lined up to enter the city from dawn until dusk.

When the sun set behind the mountains and rose again from the east, the golden osmanthus trees lining the streets still carried their fragrance throughout the city in the morning light.

The scent wafted for miles, seeping through the vendors' calls along the streets, brushing past the footsteps of playing children, and lingering at the noses of Lian Ling Shi meditating cross-legged...

The osmanthus fragrance drifted into Chang Le Street, into You Gui Ge, and amid the rowdy games, toasts, and laughter of the poets and gentlemen, it reached the third floor.

"Smack."

The door closed.

Xiang Yi sat on the edge of the bed.

She pulled a ring from under the pillow and tucked it away, not even bothering to remove her makeup before pinching out a communication pearl:

"Dongdong, Mei'er, A Yao, come to the third floor quickly to see me."

After a pause, as if remembering something, she added:

"Bring Yingying and Que'er."

The communication pearl transmitted a few greetings and affirmations before Xiang Yi ended it and crushed the pearl.

With her fingertips, she formed a white osmanthus flower.

After crushing it, a faint fragrance filled the room, and soon the space in her palm shattered. She tossed the pearl's powder into the spatial fragments.

"Hmm..."

Bowing her head in thought for just three breaths, Xiang Yi reached into her chest and pulled out a jade talisman, crushing it and throwing it into the spatial fragments as well.

This was the "Hong Wei Mi Fu," bound to the leaders of organizations including Xiang family, Gui Shen Bang, You Gui Ge, and their affiliated intelligence networks.

Once the talisman shattered, all the leaders would receive the message:

"The situation has deteriorated beyond the point of notifying each group individually. You're on your own."

After crushing the Hong Wei Mi Fu, footsteps could already be heard from downstairs. Xiang Yi slapped her forehead, a look of annoyance crossing her face.

"Oh no, I'm such a little fool."

She suddenly recalled Xu Xiao Shuo's warning.

In Gui Shen Bang, not everyone was trustworthy.

Though it was unlikely that the leader receiving the secret talisman's message was from Sheng Shen Dian Tang, what if?

"I'm still too soft-hearted..."

But thinking about it, if she didn't warn them, those factions might face a complete massacre the next day, possibly wiped out entirely.

Xiang Yi had imagined such scenes countless times before, never expecting to face one herself.

Now, looking back, she realized that no matter what, she would have crushed that jade talisman, so there was no point in regretting it.

"As long as I'm still here, and Shen is too, that old Daoist won't dare go too far... right?"

A hint of worry appeared in Xiang Yi's eyes.

She got up and went to the window but didn't open it, just gazed out through the paper.

In the haze, Yu Jing Cheng had a light snow, peaceful and serene.

She slipped off her dress and slowly unwound the sealing band around her chest.

Soon, her aura silently rose to the Tai Xu level.

"Huff..."

Xiang Yi gently exhaled toward the window.

The pale golden mist of fragrance merged into the bird calls of Yu Jing Cheng at dawn and into the ever-blooming flowers and osmanthus trees.

They became part of this city.

And the city's perpetual fragrance became part of Xiang Yi's spiritual sense.

Xiang Yi closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

"Hurry! Hurry!"

"Move quickly, but keep it quiet!"

"Anyone who can escape into the Tian Dao, get in there now. Don't leave any traces. This mission is 'red'—the highest danger level!"

"Heh, You..."

"Don't speak! Don't utter any words related to the mission! Do you want to get us killed?"

"Everyone, shut up!"

Knock knock.

The knock on the door interrupted the eavesdropping, and Xiang Yi opened her eyes, a cold glint in them.

"Not bad, you sly old Daoist. You're even faster than I thought..."

She changed into her usual black gauze skirt, looking perfectly ordinary.

After a moment's thought, she took a doll from the drawer, her face softening.

The doll was only half a palm's size, with a bald head and big eyes, covered in obvious needle holes from poor craftsmanship.

It wore a pink gauze skirt and looked lively and cute.

"I love you."

Tucking the doll Shen had made into her embrace, Xiang Yi looked toward the door, her face regaining its composure.

"Yingying and Que'er, come in first."

The door opened, and three women waited outside. Two entered, their eyes filled with shock and uncertainty.

As the door closed, Xiang Yi tossed two rings to them and said calmly:

"Inside is a yellow spatial teleportation jade stone. After leaving, find a secluded spot, crush it, and leave the capital forever. Don't come back, even if I come looking for you."

"As for the rest, consider it severance pay and travel funds. Remember, don't flaunt your wealth."

"From today on, you're free."

Yingying and Que'er were stunned, their faces draining of color as they moved to kneel.

"I'm sorry, Xiang Yi, but Yingying doesn't know what she did wrong..."

"Xiang Yi, what's going on..."

Before they could kneel, a gentle wind carrying a faint fragrance lifted them up. Xiang Yi said impassively:

"It's not that I don't want you anymore."

"It's that you've earned your own fortune and deserve to live."

Live?

Yingying and Que'er weren't foolish. They exchanged glances and realized that You Gui Ge was on the verge of change.

"Go," Xiang Yi waved her hand, not wanting to say more. "Let them in."

"Yes!"

The two women responded and left, closing the door behind them.

Soon, the door opened again, and three stunning women entered—Xiang Yi's closest attendants.

Once the room was quiet again, Xiang Yi swept her gaze over the three women, their faces also showing shock, and said coldly:

"When did each of you join You Gui Ge?"

With a few thuds, the three women knelt simultaneously, their bodies trembling slightly, fear on their faces, though they could still speak:

"Dongdong joined You Gui Ge at one year old, and it's been twenty-eight years now..."

"Xiang Yi, Mei'er has been with you for twenty-six years. Did Mei'er do something wrong again?"

"A Yao has been with Xiang Yi since childhood..."

Xiang Yi closed her eyes, steadied her emotions, and then spoke steadily:

"One of you has betrayed me."

With a few soft thuds, the three women collapsed to the ground, staring at each other in disbelief.

"Xiang Yi!"

"Xiang Yi, it's not..."

"Giggle, g-gulp..."

Mei'er, the most timid and frequent offender, was so scared her teeth chattered, unable to form words.

"But I don't blame you."

Xiang Yi threw three rings in front of them and continued:

"I've used you as well, and I don't want to point out the traitor right now. I believe you were forced into it."

"I also believe that after more than ten years together, it's not just me who cherishes that bond—you do too."

She looked at their tear-streaked faces and sighed: "Take the rings and leave You Gui Ge. From now on, we'll never cross paths again."

"Xiang Yi!"

A Yao burst into sobs, shaking her head frantically, tears streaming down.

She couldn't leave You Gui Ge. Everything she had came from Xiang Yi, from this warm home. As an ordinary person with such beauty, where could she go?

"Xiang Yi, Dongdong can't leave you."

Dongdong kowtowed, ignoring the ring entirely.

Like A Yao, how could she bear it?

"Xiang Yi! Mei'er isn't the traitor. Mei'er has done many wrong things, but at least..."

Mei'er wiped her tears with her small hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

At least, let Mei'er serve you until the end of her life!

"Very good. That was just a test."

"And you all passed."

Xiang Yi nodded suddenly, then glanced at A Yao, whose hair was disheveled, and asked:

"Where's your pipa?"

"I remember, your pipa is never far from you."

A Yao shook her head repeatedly, tears welling up as she said: "In the backyard... it's in the backyard. A Yao didn't have time..."

She had been halfway through her makeup when she heard Xiang Yi's urgent summons and rushed over, abandoning everything.

"You Gui Ge is in danger. Go back and get your things."

"In half a quarter-hour, meet at Nan Cheng gate, Chao Ling Street, Dong Ji Tea Shop, and leave with me."

Xiang Yi waved her hand, issuing the final order.

"Yes!"

The three women hurriedly stood and prepared to pack.

"Take the rings."

"Yes!"

They quickly turned back, each picking up a ring, bowed, and left.

As the door closed again, Xiang Yi sighed.

How would she know if there was a traitor? She had only just returned to You Gui Ge from the street corner.

All she knew was that it didn't matter what she thought—under Dao Qiong Cang's watchful eye, You Gui Ge must have one.

"Don't let me down..."

"It absolutely can't be you..."

Though she wished it, Xiang Yi understood.

If Dao Qiong Cang made a move, it had to be through her closest attendants to be his pawn.

"Xue..."

Xiang Yi stared blankly at the snow outside the window for ten breaths.

After years in intelligence work, she couldn't even trust those closest to her.

Once the turmoil subsided, Xiang Yi pulled a crumpled jade talisman from her sleeve.

It was a communication jade talisman—crude, not even up to a communication pearl's standard, only for one-way contact.

It came from a recent regular visitor to You Gui Ge, an unremarkable carriage driver.

Nan Cheng gate, Chao Ling Street, Dong Ji Tea Shop.

With a boom, a distant explosion shook the area, spilling tea from cups in the tea shop.

"What happened?"

"Under the emperor's feet, how dare anyone cause trouble?"

"That direction—it's toward Chang Le Street, right? Did Lian Ling Shi start fighting?"

"So much smoke..."

The blast had clearly destroyed some protective Ling Zhen, damaging its core and causing a massive uproar.

Disguised and hiding her beauty, Dongdong stood in the alley behind the tea shop, her eyes dim with sorrow.

In that instant, she knew You Gui Ge was gone.

If Xiang Yi didn't come, she would lose her home forever.

If Xiang Yi didn't come, it would be the Sheng Shen Guards, or even the white-clothed ones.

Dongdong removed the sealing bracelet from her wrist, and her aura rapidly climbed to the Tai Xu level.

"Xiang Yi..."

At the candied hawthorn stall across from the tea shop, Mei'er turned and tears glistened in her eyes.

She too removed her seal, her aura rising to Tai Xu.

"Creak creak..."

The carriage wheels stopped.

Unlike the others, A Yao was only an ordinary person, so even in the carriage, she was slow.

In half a quarter-hour, she hadn't even reached the tea shop; she was still on the way.

Lifting the curtain, covered in dust like a poor commoner, A Yao gripped her pipa tightly, pain in her eyes.

Home was gone.

Xiang Yi didn't know why she had come to the Dong Ji Tea Shop.

She had dismissed the three women, giving herself time to escape, and she couldn't take them with her.

But perhaps out of old affection...

Or maybe she still harbored resentment toward the traitor and wanted to expose them...

When Xiang Yi realized she was at the Dong Ji Tea Shop, she was already there.

"Oh no!"

That chilling premonition made Xiang Yi's face pale in that moment.

Sheng Di guidance?!

Realizing this, Xiang Yi's pupils dilated.

"No!"

"Why am I back in Yu Jing Cheng? Wasn't I fleeing directly toward the street corner?"

Sheng Di guidance?!

Whoosh whoosh whoosh—

Streams of light shot down from the sky.

Waves of Ling Yuan fluctuations erupted simultaneously.

In an instant, the Dong Ji Tea Shop was surrounded by white-clothed figures, airtight.

"What's this?"

The tea customers were baffled when, from the sky, someone made the first move. A realm descended, and all the white-clothed figures vanished, leaving only vague Ling Yuan fluctuations on the street.

Buzz buzz buzz...

Layer upon layer of realms overlapped.

In the alley behind the tea shop, Dongdong had just turned when she caught a glimpse of Xiang Yi before losing sight of her entirely.

"No..."

She covered her red lips, shaking her head silently, tears welling up.

"Xiang Yi???"

The candied hawthorn fell to the ground. Mei'er turned and froze for a moment before her aura exploded.

In that instant, she forgot everything else, her mind fixed on the figure that might vanish forever.

"Who dares touch my Xiang Yi!!!"

Mei'er reached into the void and pulled out a scroll. Mountain springs babbled, birds circled the flowers.

"Tai Xu world, Flower and Bird Scroll!"

The long street twisted.

Everything merged into the painting.

In the painting, circles and shapes not only depicted mountains and birds but also manifested Xiang Yi, calm amid the hundred realms.

Buzz...

In the void, Tian Ji Dao Ze surged.

Mei'er had just crossed the hundred realms and entered the innermost world when Dao Wen appeared. Before the hundred white-clothed figures, a real, majestic figure materialized, like an emperor—tall and noble.

He wore a star-embroidered white robe, a jade at his waist, and held a si nan in his hand. His features were refined, and he smiled gently.

It was the current lord of Sheng Shen Dian Tang—Dao Qiong Cang!

"Dao Dian Zhu..."

"Half-saint incarnation?!"

Mei'er was momentarily dazed.

In the next instant, she felt her thoughts delay, unable to reconnect.

The world spun and flipped.

Soon, in her vision, she saw Xiang Yi's shocked and grief-stricken face.

Splat!

Blood gushed like a fountain.

As it spun again, Mei'er saw her own headless body collapsed below.

Her pupils lost focus.

Her head hit the ground right at the feet of the man in the star-embroidered white robe.

"No..."

"I'm... Tai Xu..."

"How is this possible... I couldn't even see when he struck..."

Mei'er desperately tried to reconnect with her body.

She was Tai Xu; even decapitation could be mended, especially with divine protection on her.

But she found a star chart at the severed neck, blocking all connections.

Her distant body's neck also had a star chart, suppressing her surging Ling Yuan and shattering her Qi Hai.

"Not Tai Xu..."

"Am I... just a mortal now?"

Mei'er strained to tilt her head back, and just before closing her eyes, she caught sight of the towering Dao Dian Zhu once more.

He was using a white handkerchief to wipe the blood from his fifth-grade Zong Shi Ling Jian.

He didn't even glance down or turn his head. After cleaning the sword, he casually discarded the handkerchief.

Her vision...

Was filled with the blood-red folds of white fabric fluttering down.

Mei'er stared wide-eyed but could see no colors beyond the darkness. Soon, she stopped breathing.

Dao Qiong Cang didn't even look aside, only gazing at the unfamiliar woman's face opposite him, and said softly:

"Long time no see, Xiang Yao Yao."

"Didn't mean to scare you, did I?"

(End of chapter)