Jing Hengbo was shocked – they were playing for real!

She and Yelu Qi both rushed over, but having been hungry too long, they were weak and unsteady on their feet. With Yelu Xunru’s position at a distance from them, it looked like they wouldn’t make it in time.

Suddenly a purple shadow flashed overhead, and a figure shot down like lightning. With a “crack,” the knife at Yelu Xunru’s neck was struck away. The figure swooped over, reaching out to embrace her while crying mournfully: “Ping Ran!”

His hand reached halfway, then seeing Yelu Xunru’s face, he seemed to suddenly wake up and froze.

Yelu Xunru reached back and pulled him into her arms!

She held him with such force, as if wanting to merge this man into her embrace.

Master Purple Micro stood stunned as if struck by lightning, actually standing there dazed without knowing to resist, being dragged by Yelu Xunru into the snow.

While dragging Master Purple Micro, Yelu Xunru waved at Jing Hengbo’s direction without looking back.

Get lost, quickly!

Jing Hengbo was also thunderstruck – she stared in amazement as Yelu Xunru, with strength she shouldn’t possess, forcibly dragged the dazed Master Purple Micro into her snow shelter…

She saw Master Purple Micro being dragged in, his robes catching on a rock and tearing with a ripping sound.

She saw Yelu Xunru unceremoniously throw away his torn robes.

She saw Master Purple Micro looking somewhat confused, as if wanting to struggle, when Yelu Xunru pounced like a wolf, pinning him down…

After that she couldn’t see anymore.

Because while wolf-pouncing on Master Purple Micro, Yelu Xunru casually kicked a rock to block the snow shelter entrance…

Jing Hengbo truly felt as if lightning had struck. While busy being dumbfounded, she still had the presence of mind to wave her hand and quickly move a large rock nearby to help Xunru block the snow shelter. Suddenly an undergarment flew out of the shelter. She hurriedly caught it mid-air and threw it far away, then busily moved rocks to block the shelter, even pressing one on the roof.

The two women worked in silence – one dragging the person, one blocking the door. Beside them, Yelu Qi’s expression was beyond description…

Thunder truly rumbled overhead continuously. Jing Hengbo turned to look and saw the scenery before them had completely changed, revealing rugged mountain paths and different landscapes. A warm current of air rushed toward them.

The valley entrance formation was broken.

“Let’s go!” Yelu Qi swept her up and rushed outward. Jing Hengbo kept looking back. Yelu Qi said very matter-of-factly: “Don’t worry about Xunru. There’s nothing in this world she can’t handle!”

Jing Hengbo deeply agreed.

And felt this incident should teach that old immortal Purple Micro a lesson.

Preferably fierce, decisive, and without compromise – sleep with him.

She believed Xunru could definitely do it.

With not much life left, what couldn’t she do?

Yelu Qi had only run a few steps when he stopped, his face becoming grave. Jing Hengbo saw several people approaching quickly through the dust ahead – martial artists by their dress, with urgent expressions.

From Yelu Qi’s expression, he recognized them.

Sure enough, Yelu Qi asked: “Xianyu, how did you get here?”

Xianyu Qing stopped breathlessly, bowing while saying urgently: “Master, please return quickly. Over there…” He glanced at Jing Hengbo, his expression somewhat hesitant.

Jing Hengbo immediately hummed a tune and walked away. Yelu Qi didn’t even have time to say “it’s fine.”

Yelu Qi smiled bitterly and had to turn his attention back to Xianyu Qing. After hearing a few sentences, his expression darkened slightly.

Naturally, Xianyu Qing couldn’t tell Yelu Qi that Master Mu had been impersonated. He only said there was trouble at the Hexing branch, and there seemed to be a mole.

Hexing was the second largest city in Hawksbill territory after Shangyuan, and also the second most important branch. Problems there were naturally serious matters. This excuse was sufficient to make Yelu Qi return immediately. After returning, he would inevitably go back to headquarters. This was exactly Xianyu Qing’s plan – since that impostor didn’t mind the master’s return, he naturally wanted to bring the legitimate master back first, to prevent the cuckoo from occupying the magpie’s nest too long.

Jing Hengbo appeared unconcerned but watched from the corner of her eye. From the looks of it, Yelu Qi seemed to have trouble.

Sure enough, after a while, Yelu Qi came over saying: “I have some trouble here…”

Jing Hengbo immediately said: “Ah, then you go handle it. Are you taking Sister Xunru? If you don’t have time to take her, leaving her at Seven Peaks Mountain, I can help take good care of her, don’t worry, hahaha… uh.”

Her laughter became increasingly forced under Yelu Qi’s gaze, and finally she couldn’t laugh anymore.

His eyes were too perceptive – all her little thoughts were exposed.

After a long moment, Yelu Qi said gently: “Are you so afraid I’d invite you to come along?”

Jing Hengbo could only continue her forced laughter.

Dealing with overly intelligent people was really embarrassing.

“I wasn’t planning to take you anyway,” he said composedly. “Things are a bit troublesome. I hope you’ll cultivate properly at Seven Peaks Mountain. Or maybe Purple Micro will chase you off the mountain soon, in which case you’d be safer staying with Yingbai and the others.”

Jing Hengbo felt ashamed – she had judged a gentleman’s heart with her petty mind.

“I’m very reassured leaving Xunru here. I’ll come back for her later. Just take good care of yourself.” He reached up to remove a piece of grass from her temple. “Don’t rush to leave. First find Master Purple Micro to help regulate your body. Though the cold qi of this snow valley helps your cultivation, it actually harms the body. You’ve been outside all day, and cold qi has probably accumulated in your body. Remember to expel the cold qi before going down the mountain. Also, be careful of people from the Three Gates, Four Alliances, and Seven Major Gangs. This place is close to their territories – they might extend their reach here.”

Jing Hengbo wanted to dodge but wasn’t faster than him, so she could only nod. Suddenly she felt this scene seemed somewhat wrong. Glancing at Xianyu Qing’s strange expression, she realized this tone and scene seemed like a husband going on a long journey instructing his wife keeping house…

This misunderstanding wasn’t good…

She also knew that Yelu Qi’s tone with her was becoming increasingly natural and intimate. Speaking of it, this was because they had traveled together, supporting each other, and could be considered life-and-death friends. But she felt increasingly uneasy.

Nothing she did seemed quite right. His gaze was densely affectionate, like autumn rain wanting to cover her entire world. Even if she raised her clothing to block his gaze, she couldn’t prevent her hem from being touched by his quiet fragrance.

Seeming to see her avoidance, he only smiled slightly and turned around composedly.

His gaze lingered, but his turn was clean and decisive.

“Let’s go.”

Xianyu Qing brought over horses. There was a path here that led directly down the mountain.

As Yelu Qi mounted, he suddenly remembered something and asked Xianyu Qing: “Do you have any provisions?”

Xianyu Qing took out dried provisions. Seeing Yelu Qi’s complexion and realizing he was in a hungry state, he handed them over without thinking. Yelu Qi took them and casually tossed them to Jing Hengbo.

Jing Hengbo instinctively caught them, then tried to throw them back, saying urgently: “Now that I’m out of the valley, what food don’t I have? You’re about to travel – hurry and eat something first or you won’t be able to keep up…”

Her words were drowned in the sound of hoofbeats. She only saw him wave backward, giving naturally and leaving dashingly.

He was always like this – he never thanked her for her protection in the valley, but what he gave, he never expected repayment or gratitude for.

Jing Hengbo could only sigh, watching his dragon-like galloping figure with vague unease in her heart.

Yelu Qi should have his own power – she could guess that much. But from the current situation, it probably wasn’t going well. For someone as composed as Yelu Qi to rush back so urgently, it definitely wasn’t a small matter.

She noted Xianyu Qing’s clothing and horses. Though he had indeed traveled urgently, he didn’t show too much dust and weariness, indicating he hadn’t traveled too far. In other words, Yelu Qi’s potential forces were near Hawksbill territory.

As Jing Hengbo walked and thought, she felt she had stayed at Seven Peaks Mountain long enough. She’d done a pile of test papers, and the poison in her body hadn’t acted up for a long time – it looked like Master Purple Micro had already detoxified her, just not telling her in his annoying way, wanting to trick her into continuing to be his plaything. Since that was the case, better to return early and integrate Yingbai, Pei Shu and the others to go down the mountain and have some fun.

Those Hawksbill bosses should be waiting anxiously. It was time for everyone to meet. If luck was good, maybe she could even help Yelu Qi. Since his forces were in Hawksbill and had problems, it was naturally related to the Three Gates, Four Alliances, Seven Major Gangs and such.

As she calculated and walked, after walking for a while she suddenly looked up and realized that before her were layers upon layers of trees, continuous mountain ranges with precipitous cliffs everywhere, but she seemed unable to find a path.

Only then did she remember this was the seventh peak. The mountain base was already close to Hawksbill’s central Shangyuan City, hundreds of li from the main peak where she lived. She had never been here before, and even Seven Kills and the others rarely came here because of the distance.

So, inadvertently, she was lost.

Getting lost in the mountains was a bad thing, but there were worse things. She heard rustling sounds in the nearby bushes.

Through the deep green shade, she could vaguely see a white shadow flash – the white shadow was very large, far exceeding human size. Her eyes flashed, instinctively feeling this wasn’t a good thing.

She stood still, found advantageous terrain, and prepared to fight this thing. The bushes shook more violently. The deep green shrubs rustled, creating continuous light and shadow. In the light and shadow, white figures flashed like lightning – just now far away, suddenly near, then flashing to the left again. That kind of speed was dizzying to watch for long, only seeing patches of green and white in her vision, while dusk gradually descended, mixing chaotically among it all.

Gradually, in the depths of the mountain forest, many more swaying figures appeared, converging from all directions around her. They were all very far away – if one’s ability was insufficient, one would only think it was wind passing through the forest.

After watching for a while, Jing Hengbo felt dizzy and remembered she was very, very hungry. She quickly took out the beef Yelu Qi had given her to gnaw on – only after eating her fill would she have strength to work.

When she took out the beef, a strange fragrance arose. She didn’t know what spices this meat was made with – the flavor was particularly rich. Jing Hengbo froze, silently crying out that this was bad.

Sure enough, the next moment, a muffled roar sounded and a white shadow flashed, fiercely charging toward her chest.

That speed was indeed amazing – she was actually pushed back a step by the wind stirred up by its charge.

Using this retreating momentum, she flashed backward slightly. She didn’t plan to flee but wanted to test her abilities and capture this thing.

The thing missed her and immediately reached for the beef in her hand.

She wouldn’t give it up. With a turn of her body, she had easily avoided it.

The thing’s arm stretched out with a crackling sound – the long arm covered in white fur actually extended a section and even turned a corner, reaching toward her chest.

She froze, then looked up to see a huge, fierce face. The face vaguely had human features but with a crooked nose and twisted mouth, very ugly, covered in white fur, baring yellow fangs that protruded beyond its lips. The thing’s eyes were very evil, gleaming in the twilight.

She wasn’t alarmed but delighted – this was a snow mountain savage unique to the seventh peak!

She had heard of this thing’s evil reputation before. It was one of the most troublesome creatures in Seven Peaks Mountain, possessing human cunning and bestial ferocity. She had always worried that in the snow valley, they would encounter savages. If they met one when Yelu Qi’s injuries hadn’t healed and her abilities were insufficient, this thing would be deadly – that would truly count as a snow valley trial. Who knew that until she broke the formation, no savages appeared.

Thinking about it now, Master Purple Micro had intended for savages to test her, but these things were cunning and intelligent, coming and going like wind. Even Master Purple Micro couldn’t be certain whether savages would appear.

She was lucky to encounter the savage only after leaving the valley. Of course, this savage’s luck was about to turn bad.

She’d heard this thing had human nature and bullied the weak while fearing the strong. She pretended to panic, her hand trembled, and the beef fell to the ground.

She originally wanted to trick the savage into lowering its head to grab the beef, then split open its skull with one blade – that was its vital point, and if bone pearls had formed inside, they would be good for making medicine.

Who knew the savage’s furry arm brushed against her somewhere, and suddenly its eyes lit up with throaty sounds. It didn’t want the beef anymore and reached to grab her directly.

Jing Hengbo froze. In this savage’s eyes, she saw a very familiar look – desire.

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Did savages also have the same needs as humans? Were they particularly interested in women?

Come to think of it, this seemed quite normal…

She definitely didn’t want to be groped by something that was neither human nor beast. She leaned back, preparing to kick the savage’s improper hand, when suddenly she heard the whistling of wind overhead.

This sound was too familiar. She silently cried out in alarm, forcibly pulled back her kicking foot, and dropped flat to the ground.

“Swish swish swish” – dozens of black lights streaked across the sky, grazing past her abdomen. She even felt a chill on her stomach, then heard the dull sounds of arrows piercing flesh and the savage’s howl echoing through the sky.

Amidst puffing sounds, countless hot blood splattered out, covering her face and body. The stench made her empty stomach spasm, almost making her vomit.

Cheers arose from all sides as countless figures leaped out from the mountain forest, mostly carrying bows and arrows. These people had agile movement and considerable martial arts. They ran toward the swaying, falling savage. Not one looked at Jing Hengbo – some leaped over her head, some stepped on her arm, and someone cursed “annoying thing!” and kicked her.

Jing Hengbo slowly sat up and looked down to see her abdominal clothing had been torn by arrowheads.

If not for the excellent adaptability and reaction skills she’d developed from Master Purple Micro’s training during this period, if it had been her from half a year ago, she would already be a pincushion.

These people shot arrows to surround and kill the savage without any consideration that there was an innocent person in front of the savage. In their eyes, they only saw the savage, not others’ lives.

Jing Hengbo supported herself on the ground and smiled coldly.

What cats and dogs dared to run wild at Seven Peaks Mountain? To run wild in front of her, Empress Jing?

That group was still cheering, celebrating their successful hunt after tracking the savage for three days.

Jing Hengbo looked at the beef on the ground, now stained red with blood and inedible.

Her teeth felt very itchy.

At this moment someone noticed her. A tall man walked over, glanced at her carelessly, and said: “Are you from Seven Peaks Mountain?”

Jing Hengbo thought for a second and decided not to explode now. She was very hungry and physically weak. This group had twenty or thirty people, all with considerable martial arts. She didn’t want to act rashly.

Besides, she wanted to know why Hawksbill’s local forces, who had always maintained a policy of non-interference with Seven Peaks Mountain, had suddenly intruded into the seventh peak. Did they have other plans?

“Yes…” she said timidly. “I’m the daughter of a hunter family nearby. I came out to gather herbs and accidentally encountered the savage. Thank you, brave warriors, for saving me…”

Seeing her so sensible, the killing intent in the man’s eyes lessened slightly. He grunted and said: “You’re quite understanding… Where do you live? Should we escort you back?”

Jing Hengbo saw the probing look in that fellow’s eyes and sneered inwardly. Escort back? To investigate her background then silence her?

“My home is on the main peak,” she said quietly.

The main peak was the third peak, probably still two hundred li of mountain roads from here.

“You, a single woman, traveled this far?” The man placed his hand on his sword hilt, his eyes suspicious.

“My father broke his leg hunting, and our family is almost out of food. I heard the seventh peak has many precious herbs, so I brought provisions and have been out for many days…” She lowered her head as if sobbing, casually wiping the blood on her face messily, making her true appearance even more unrecognizable.

The man grunted again, then suddenly said: “Living on the main peak, have you encountered anyone?”

“What kind of people?” Jing Hengbo looked cooperatively confused.

“For example… some very magical people who can fly around, or recently, have you seen a woman – um, she should be very beautiful.”

Jing Hengbo’s buried face flashed with light in her eyes.

Oh, they were looking for her.

“Yes,” she said innocently, “A lot of people came recently, staying halfway up the mountain, and there was a very beautiful sister too. Wow, she was truly peerlessly beautiful, unmatched in elegance, stunning enough to shake heaven and earth, making rivers flow backward…”

The man impatiently interrupted her endless self-promotion: “No need to say so much. Where is she now?”

“She left,” Jing Hengbo blinked.

“Left?”

“Before I came out, she had already gone down the mountain,” Jing Hengbo said. “She took many people with her, saying she was going to Hawksbill.”

A group of people gathered around, all paying attention. Someone asked: “Do you know who she went to Hawksbill to find?”

“I live halfway up the mountain. I saw them going down while talking along the way, saying they were looking for some Thirteen Protectors…”

Jing Hengbo couldn’t be certain which faction these people belonged to, but she had seen the clothing markings of the Thirteen Protectors and could only confirm these people didn’t belong to that organization. This way she could avoid exposure while redirecting trouble elsewhere.

Sure enough, those people’s faces became even more grave. Someone snorted coldly: “I knew that staying at Seven Peaks Mountain for so long, she must have ulterior motives. And the Thirteen Protectors… they’ve never been peaceful!”

“Shut up.” The lead questioner harshly scolded, and the others fell silent.

“Are you familiar with that woman?” The lead man’s eyes flickered as he asked her.

Jing Hengbo was about to answer when she suddenly heard a thin voice by her ear: “Last question, play properly with these Hawksbill forces. Do well and I’ll give you points and the antidote!”

Jing Hengbo almost burst into cursing – last question my ass! How many times have you said “last question”?

And points – I should have reached seventy points long ago!

And antidote – the poison was detoxified long ago, wasn’t it? Or it was never completely detoxified, and you’re stringing me along to toy with me!

The person waiting for an answer thought he heard the sound of grinding teeth and looked at Jing Hengbo strangely, but was met with her smiling face.

“Familiar, very familiar. That beautiful sister often comes down the mountain, and we’ve even hunted together. Sometimes she stays at my house – she likes me very much.”

The person who had been keeping his hand on his sword hilt slowly withdrew it, studying her: “We’re friends of your sister. We came into the mountains to find her. Since she’s already left, could you help us find the way to catch up with her?”

“But I don’t know where she went…” Jing Hengbo said with difficulty, “And I still need to gather herbs to exchange for money…”

She couldn’t agree too readily, or they’d become suspicious.

“That’s no problem. We can pay you,” the man said. “Though we came to find her, we haven’t met before and fear she won’t trust us. So bringing you along – since you’re familiar with her – would make introductions more convenient.”

“Then…” she hesitated, “I’d have to travel with you for a long time, wouldn’t I? But my parents at home have nothing to eat…”

“We can send someone to your home to deliver some silver first.” The man impatiently interrupted her, actually believing this “hunter’s daughter” – all her hesitations and requests were very reasonable.

“Alright then.” Jing Hengbo agreed as if still reluctant, her face full of anxiety about leaving home but also fear of these sword-carrying men.

Her expression was perfectly calibrated, dispelling even the last suspicions of those people. She gave the address of a halfway-up-the-mountain dwelling – there were indeed some scattered hunters living on the main peak.

The leader signaled to a young man: “Go deliver some silver to this girl’s family,” while giving a meaningful look.

Jing Hengbo lowered her head, smiling silently. She knew these people wouldn’t really deliver silver – most likely they’d investigate the real situation. But as long as this person actually reached the main peak, there was no way Seven Kills, who was always running around, wouldn’t notice. Though the seven weirdos might not guess much, Yingbai and Pei Shu were famous capable people who could easily trace clues and follow.

Several people pulled the leader aside for whispered discussion. She heard they were questioning why they should bring this hunter’s daughter.

“What do you understand?” the leader quietly scolded. “I heard Jing Hengbo is soft-hearted and always hypocritically kind to common people. Our kind of status might arouse her suspicion. To approach her, naturally having a civilian acquaintance is more convenient.”

The others praised the leader’s wisdom while Jing Hengbo lowered her head and slowly smiled.

…

She followed these people down the mountain. From what she could see, these people should come from some relatively successful faction in Hawksbill. Their faces lacked the unease and wariness typical of the oppressed. Their expressions were casual, their steps unrestrained, and they spoke loudly and boldly. At first they still minded the leader’s request to keep their voices down to avoid being overheard by this outsider, but ultimately they didn’t take her seriously. Gradually their voices grew louder again, and she heard some of them eagerly discussing how to ask for rewards from their gang leader when they brought back the snow bear.

Oh, from one of the Seven Gangs.

Others said that though this was what their gang leader needed and they were providing assistance, since they had contributed effort, after the snow bear’s heart and hide were used for medicine, shouldn’t they also get some share of the remaining parts?

Oh, so they weren’t from one organization but several organizations working together.

The group argued about dividing the snow bear for a long time. Only the leader remained aloof and didn’t participate, always wearing an expression of “why fight over such small matters when the big prize is still ahead.” Jing Hengbo heard him tell those beside him: “We won’t fight over the snow bear – our sect leader said to sell Old Hua a favor. But the Queen business afterward, he can’t take that away.”

Oh, and one of the Three Gates, apparently in a leading position.

When they reached a place with water sources near the bottom of the mountain, the group urged her to wash her face.

This was exactly what Jing Hengbo was worried about. The blood on her face had to be washed off, but this face was too outstanding and would definitely cause trouble. Even now, several people in the group were already eyeing her overly attractive figure with evil intent. She wasn’t afraid of their evil thoughts but didn’t want the plan to fail. This was a good opportunity to catch Hawksbill forces off-guard and strike at them – she didn’t want to lose it.

She slowly moved to wash her face with someone following to monitor her. She searched with her eyes for some tool to quickly change her appearance, but beside this small river there were only fallen leaves and mud – not even a rock to be found.

Suddenly there was wind overhead carrying a faint familiar fragrance. Her eyes lit up. Looking down, she saw a wax pill had suddenly appeared at the bottom of the shallow water.

The person monitoring her leaned against a tree chatting and laughing, completely unaware of that gust of wind or the change before her.

Jing Hengbo picked up the wax pill and crushed it. Master Purple Micro’s thin voice reached her ears: “Eat it. Within seven days, your skin will change during the day and return to normal at night. Hehe, there’s no antidote – do you dare eat it?”

Jing Hengbo swallowed the pill without hesitation and whispered: “Hey, question – just now, who slept with whom between you and Xunru?”

“Whoosh” – a great force came from behind her bottom. She was prepared and rolled aside like a donkey.

“What happened?” The person monitoring her was startled and straightened up to ask.

“There’s a water snake.” Jing Hengbo pointed tremblingly at the water surface.

That force preparing to kick her bottom was rolling along the water surface in a line, really looking like a large water snake.

“What’s there to fear about water snakes? Such a fuss.” The monitor muttered, “Let’s go.”

“I hate snakes the most.” Jing Hengbo walked while cursing loudly, “Seductive face, snake waist, neither male nor female, cunning and shameless – the most disgusting thing under heaven!”

“Look at this girl, a bit simple,” the person behind her laughed. “This snake has a face?”

“Right, shameless! Coming out so quickly – can you even perform?” Jing Hengbo laughed.

“What are you talking about… Ah!” The guy suddenly covered his bottom, “Seems like a snake bit me, ouch!”

Jing Hengbo had already run into the crowd. Many people were waiting for her appearance, but when she finally looked up, everyone’s expressions were spectacular.

This girl – her features seemed quite attractive, but what was with this skin…

“Seemed” because that face was like vitiligo – patches of yellow and white, mottled like peeling wall paint. Such terrifying, almost disgusting skin made people dare not look twice. Who would care how her features looked?

Worse still, this yellow and white seemed to extend to her body – there were similar marks on her neck.

The men who had been very interested in her immediately lost enthusiasm. No matter how beautiful, facing such disgusting snake-like skin, they had no appetite.

“Vitiligo?” As soon as these words were spoken, everyone stepped back in unison, leaving a safe distance around her.

Jing Hengbo touched her face, thinking the old immortal only worried about not being cruel enough in tormenting people – whatever he gave her would definitely be as disgusting as possible.

But it was good – she was safe now.

All the way down the mountain, they got horses at a mountain hollow. But no one wanted to share a horse with her, so the leader said: “Use the horse for Young Master Li temporarily. We’ll buy her another one when we reach town.”

Jing Hengbo looked – it really was a fine horse, tall and magnificent, sleek and shining, with red tassels and purple reins, silver saddle and gold stirrups, and the most pretentious pure white color. This kind of horse was generally most loved by Imperial Song’s young masters – essential equipment for showing off, being handsome, picking up girls, and spring outings. Under blue sky, on green grass, white horse with flying mane, red robes dancing wildly, galloping toward those silly girls with heart-eyes – how high-class that would be. Like in the modern world, essential flashy sports cars for rich handsome guys to hook up with gold-diggers.

Such a horse for her to ride? So generous? The other horses weren’t this good.

Someone was smirking: “Big brother, this isn’t good. This horse was specifically requested by Young Master Li. He won’t even let us touch it – probably wouldn’t want this person riding it.”

“He’s keeping it to ride with the Queen, planning to gallop together with Her Majesty.” Someone immediately laughed sarcastically.

Everyone laughed, their tone toward this “Young Master Li” seeming respectful but actually contemptuous.

Jing Hengbo blinked – what? Queen? Any gossip?

“Say less.” The leader glanced at her and said, “It’s only temporary anyway. I’ll explain to Young Master Li later.”

Since he said so, she wasn’t polite. She mounted skillfully – her horsemanship had been well-practiced and wouldn’t embarrass her.

Following the group as they galloped, Jing Hengbo noticed that almost every ten li, the leader would stop and roadside people would relay messages. Many travelers along the way dressed like martial artists, but government soldiers, constables, clerks and other officials were almost nowhere to be seen.

This showed that martial forces had already occupied considerable power in Hawksbill territory. Royal authority here had been forced to retreat to a corner, barely surviving.

It was said Hawksbill’s capital Shangyuan City presented another scene. Inside the inner city, almost no civilians lived – only royal officials and troops remained. The Hawksbill tribal chief had given up control over all of Hawksbill territory, using all military power to control Shangyuan. Royal decrees only applied within Shangyuan City, and troops only densely guarded the royal palace within Shangyuan City. It was said the weapons raised by Shangyuan’s army were so dense that flies couldn’t get through.

This was truly a strange and terrible situation, eerily similar to a microcosm of Dahuang. Except for Hawksbill, nowhere else was like this.

At the foot of the seventh peak was Hawksbill’s northern border town of Guanjia River. The group would resupply food here, rest briefly, then split into two routes – some carrying the snow bear and messages to report back, others taking Jing Hengbo to pursue the Queen’s trail.

These people were truly well-informed. On the road, this group received instructions from above, saying they would arrange personnel to come and rendezvous, determined to catch the Queen and not let her contact the Thirteen Protectors first.

Everyone would rest in a small courtyard in the city, store provisions, and wait for reinforcements to arrive.

Upon entering Hawksbill’s central area, Jing Hengbo discovered the air here had problems – it showed a faint gray haze color and didn’t smell good, somewhat like the legendary smog from the modern world.

But this was ancient times with clear mountains and beautiful waters, no pollution – where would smog come from? Was it related to the legendary Black Water Marsh that eternally emitted poisonous gases?

Jing Hengbo followed the group through several deep alleys and saw a dark red wooden door.

In the cracks between blue bricks beneath the door, several bright yellow wild chrysanthemums bloomed quietly. Someone came to answer the door, creaking as they pushed open the door panel.

The courtyard was paved entirely with blue bricks, clean as water in the afternoon sunlight. On the blue bricks lay white robes, unstained by any dust.

Jing Hengbo saw that clothing and style at first glance, her heart jumped, and she instinctively reined in her horse.

Seeing that person’s back with her second glance, she couldn’t help shuddering.

The sunlight was too intense to make out specific contours, but that one glance made her whole body grow cold. She felt dizzy and confused, couldn’t help but pull her horse to leave.

But because this horse was magnificent, it had naturally run to the front. Now blocked by people behind, it couldn’t leave at all.

She sat stiffly on the horse. Unable to leave, she could only face it, her heart in a daze, feeling absurd like a dream.

The person in the courtyard should have heard the commotion early but didn’t immediately turn around, still slightly holding his hands behind his back as if looking into the distance.

Jing Hengbo didn’t see the mocking expressions on the faces of the people behind her.

Struck by that clothing and vague figure, her mind went blank for a moment. She forgot where she was, much less noticed others’ expressions.

The person in the courtyard seemed to have struck a sufficient pose and finally slowly turned around.

For an instant, Jing Hengbo’s heart was in chaos, not knowing whether to face or avoid it. But her neck was so stiff that before she could decide, that person’s face had already entered her vision.

At first glance, she shuddered again and nearly fell from her horse.

But at the second glance, her falling form barely stopped.

She paused and looked carefully a third time.

Then fury surged in her eyes.

She knew what was happening!

These bottom-dwelling sewer crawlers who survived on rotten meat and maggots actually had the audacity to meddle in her private affairs!

They’d heard her romantic history from somewhere and dared to get someone who looked like Gong Yin – what did this mean? A honey trap?

Was she so easily hooked?

Or did they think Jing Hengbo was promiscuous and lustful, that any random cat or dog could ensnare her by impersonating someone?

Just because she’d slept on a Simmons mattress and couldn’t anymore, did that mean putting together some rotten newspapers with “Simmons” written on them would make her treat it like a real Simmons?

This was an insult!

An insult to her, to her feelings, and also to… him.

Was Gong Yin so easy to impersonate?

Was Gong Yin so easy to impersonate!

Jing Hengbo’s originally half-joking attitude now burned with killing intent.

She could be mocked, insulted, trampled and teased, but the feelings she once had, everything she once loved – regardless of the outcome, that belonged to her. Outsiders were not allowed to fantasize, imitate, or casually attempt to challenge it.

The killing intent in her eyes hadn’t faded. She was thinking about how to give others a harsh lesson – whichever organization thought of this idea, from top to bottom, none would escape – when someone rushed forward to teach her a lesson first.

The white-robed person in the courtyard, full of immortal air, after turning around with great posture, saw the horse beneath Jing Hengbo and immediately his expression changed.

“Who let her ride this horse?” His eyebrows shot up as he strode over, reaching for someone’s whip nearby and striking down at Jing Hengbo’s head: “How dare you ride this horse? Get down!”

As the whip came down, Jing Hengbo’s body tilted and she fell from the horse, looking as if the whip had knocked her down. The others all watched coldly and laughed. The white-robed young man who struck was stunned – he felt the whip hadn’t touched this woman at all, so how did she fall?

But this couldn’t stop his fury. His eyebrows flew up as he pointed at the horse and roared: “How precious is this horse! It’s reserved for Her Majesty and me to ride together! How could such a disgusting mountain woman ride it first!”

“Young Master Li.” The leader’s eyebrows slightly raised as he sneered: “Watch your words. What Majesty? Be careful of eavesdroppers!”

Someone muttered quietly: “Not even close to success yet, talking like he’s already become the royal consort.”

These martial artists respected force and most looked down on pretty boys who lived off their looks. Seeing him act like a royal consort before even winning over the Queen, their eyes grew more contemptuous.

Someone also laughed sinisterly: “Future Royal Consort, watch your words. Looking at you, you really don’t resemble that legendary Grand State Preceptor. How can Her Majesty take a liking to you like this?”

“I need not be polite with you? This doesn’t concern you,” Young Master Li’s face was iron-blue as he said coldly, “Facts will prove everything in the future!”

“We’ll wait and see,” someone sneered in response.

“Everyone say less.” The leader said, “Ultimately, this is our sect’s business. If it succeeds, everyone benefits. We should work together instead of undermining each other!”

He seemed quite authoritative. When he spoke, everyone fell silent and led their horses away separately. But Young Master Li’s anger hadn’t subsided. Looking around, only Jing Hengbo seemed to have the lowest martial value. He pointed at her nose and said harshly: “You! Go lead that horse and wash it properly. Wash it ten times and scrub away all the filthy smell you left behind!”