“Traitors to the sect are usually interrogated by the Tower Master and elders, with punishment determined by the severity of their crimes. However, since Liu Hongmian was involved in the attack on headquarters, this matter must be jointly discussed by the headquarters and Ten Thousand Flowers Tower.”

Xiao Yue’nu’s voice was soft and alluring, her pronunciation perfect without any Jianzhou accent.

In this era, those who could speak an official dialect with such perfect pronunciation were either scholarly elites or those who had deliberately practiced.

After listening, Xu Qi’an went straight to the core: “You want to save her life.”

Before Xiao Yue’nu could respond, Liu Hongmian burst into laughter, her expression and eyes full of mockery:

“Xiao Yue’nu, stop putting on an act.

“After more than ten years, your hypocrisy and pretense haven’t changed one bit.

“You used to act for Master, now you’re acting for outsiders and disciples. Only I know what kind of person you are.

“Xu Qi’an, if you’re going to kill me, do it. This lady would rather die than accept her favor.”

There’s quite a story here… Xu Qi’an loved watching beautiful women quarrel, except in his domain. He said:

“You won’t accept Tower Master Xiao’s goodwill?”

Li Lingsu shared Xu Qi’an’s thoughts and said with a smile:

“Even insects struggle to survive. Miss Liu, you should think thrice about this.”

They were just fishing for information, wanting to gossip about the grudges between the two beauties of Ten Thousand Flowers Tower.

Liu Hongmian spat and sneered:

“She knows I hate her to the bone, yet she chooses this moment to play the good person and save my life. Can’t you see what she’s plotting?

“She’s trying to destroy me mentally.”

Xiao Yue’nu shook her head slightly and said calmly:

“Liu Hongmian, don’t make the same mistake again. If you sincerely repent, I can speak to Master on your behalf and let you return to Ten Thousand Flowers Tower.”

“Return to Ten Thousand Flowers Tower?”

Liu Hongmian laughed as if she’d heard the biggest joke, giggling:

“Fine, give me back the Tower Master position, and I’ll return to Ten Thousand Flowers Tower and let bygones be bygones.”

Xiao Yue’nu remained silent.

Liu Hongmian stared at her intently for over ten seconds, then said mockingly:

“See? This is your hypocrisy and pretense. Back then, for the Tower Master position, you colluded with men outside, saying I was shameless and had affairs with men. Master believed it and revoked my qualification to compete for Tower Master. That’s why I angrily betrayed the Tower.

“Xiao Yue’nu, you’re just a despicable woman who’d do anything to achieve your goals. Who are you trying to fool? Others might not know your true face, but don’t I know it well? Who are you putting on this act for?”

Her beautiful eyes turned to Xu Qi’an, and she suddenly understood:

“Oh, I see now. My value is just to help you score points with Silver Constable Xu. You’ve led Ten Thousand Flowers Tower for years without marrying, showing how high your standards are. I suppose only Silver Constable Xu could meet your eye.

“Tsk tsk, with such a golden husband, your rise to prominence is just around the corner. Even small Jianzhou can’t contain such a female bodhisattva as yourself.”

Ah, and here I was getting a bit excited… Xu Qi’an mocked himself.

Mu Nanchi and Li Meizhen cast light glances at Xiao Yue’nu.

Li Lingsu eagerly interjected:

“Whether you had affairs or not isn’t just up to Tower Master Xiao’s word. Didn’t your master check your chastity?”

Liu Hongmian sneered:

“This is where she was clever. Who says affairs must involve losing virginity? She forged love letters in my handwriting, using their content to paint me as a promiscuous and foolish loose woman.

“And that supposed lover was naturally no upright person – if I remember correctly, he was a notorious playboy.

“When this spread, how would the female disciples in our sect view me? Would they still support me? How would outsiders see me? The future Tower Master of Ten Thousand Flowers Tower is a loose woman who gave herself to a playboy – what would that do to the entire sect’s image?

“How laughable that I was so young and naive then, actually thinking I could compete fairly with you, win with real ability.”

Everyone turned to look at Xiao Yue’nu, waiting to see how she would explain.

But Xiao Yue’nu’s response surprised everyone.

“That’s right. Back then, I did have someone do it. You never had affairs with men outside. I smeared your name, falsely accused you, made Master worry about the sect’s reputation, and got your qualification to compete for Tower Master canceled.”

Liu Hongmian’s expression froze, seemingly not expecting such a frank admission.

Xiao Yue’nu said calmly:

“Do you remember what Master told us back then?

‘The Tower Master position concerns the sect’s legacy and prosperity. Each of you rely on your abilities.'”

Liu Hongmian took a deep breath, dispelling the shock from her face, and countered:

“Is this your reason for using such underhanded methods?”

Xiao Yue’nu’s gaze was steady as she slowly said:

“Everything I did was within the allowed rules.

“The Tower Master position concerns the sect’s prosperity and legacy – this was Master’s hint that those without sufficient means were not qualified to be Tower Master.

‘Each relies on your abilities’ meant there were no rules, no bottom line, only winning mattered.”

Enterprise-level understanding… Xu Qi’an was shocked.

Liu Hongmian exploded in anger, screaming:

“That’s not right! Master often taught us that Ten Thousand Flowers Tower is a sect of women. To avoid being bullied, we must be ruthless and decisive externally but united and loving internally.

“Don’t twist black and white to excuse your black heart!”

Xiao Yue’nu maintained her composure, looking at her:

“You think Master didn’t know about my clumsy frame-up? She gave you a chance, but what did you do?

“All you did was cry, make scenes, and threaten suicide. Your defenses were weak and powerless. You could have struck back, could have used even dirtier methods to counter me. But apart from making scenes, you did nothing.

“That’s why Master was utterly disappointed in you, believing you unfit to lead Ten Thousand Flowers Tower. Being foolish isn’t your fault, but don’t ruin our ancestors’ hundred-year foundation, and don’t implicate all our fellow disciples.

“I had planned to explain everything to you after inheriting the Tower Master position, but who knew your pride and extremism would lead you to betray the Tower in anger? Only today have we sisters finally reunited.”

Liu Hongmian stood there dumbfounded, stunned by these cutting words.

Clearly, in her heart, she accepted Xiao Yue’nu’s words. More precisely, she had been convinced.

Xiao Yue’nu stopped looking at her and turned to Xu Qi’an, saying softly:

“I will keep her imprisoned in the Martial Arts Alliance. Silver Constable Xu need not worry about future troubles.”

“Very well, take her away.”

Xu Qi’an nodded.

Some women appear to be alluring enchantresses but are innocent simpletons inside.

Some women appear proper and serious but are master manipulators.

Brilliant! he mused to himself.

Watching Xiao Yue’nu seal Liu Hongmian’s dantian and take her away, Li Lingsu withdrew his gaze and sighed:

“I still prefer more innocent women after all.”

This time, Xu Qi’an didn’t mock him, feeling sympathetic.

More innocent ones… Chu Yuanzhen, Heng Yuan, and Li Meizhen all thought of Li’na and Chu Caiwei.

However, these two maidens hadn’t yet awakened to love – even Xu Ningyan couldn’t handle them, let alone the Holy Son.

Xu Qi’an suddenly stood up and said:

“I’m going out for a while.”

…

He left the military town and flew south for half a quarter hour, seeing a fluffy little white fox about two palms large standing proudly on black rocks.

Its posture was like a small pet imitating a lion’s majestic roar over the forest.

But Xu Qi’an sensed an internal, powerful will within it.

“Your Majesty?”

He stopped at a polite distance.

Bai Ji spoke in a pleasant, magnetic voice:

“I heard from Bai Ji about the battle in Jianzhou. Killing two Vajra in one battle, tsk tsk, the Buddhist sect must be furious now.”

Her tone was lazy but carried satisfaction and joy, clearly in a good mood.

“What matter brings Your Majesty to seek me?”

Xu Qi’an asked.

Her will hadn’t dispersed, waiting here, obviously having something to discuss with him.

“Indeed there is a matter.” The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox laughed lightly:

“Remember your old lover Fuxiang? Hmm, her real name is Ye Ji.”

…Xu Qi’an hadn’t expected her to suddenly mention Fuxiang, and said irritably: “Is Your Majesty going to make empty promises again?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox laughed coquettishly:

“Don’t you want to know Ye Ji’s current situation?

“They say even a day’s marriage creates a hundred days of affection. You slept with her so many times without paying – surely your love must be stronger than gold.”

You have the nerve to bring that up!!!

I’m a Great Zhou night watchman, not a Great Zhou corpse handler… Xu Qi’an cursed inwardly but said calmly:

“Please speak plainly, Your Majesty.”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox stopped teasing and said:

“After she returned to report to me, I sent her to the old lands of the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom in the Southern Borderlands to plan something. Now counting on my fingers, everything is ready, just waiting for the right moment.

“As it happens, this matter concerns you.”

Before Xu Qi’an could ask, she said directly:

“Unsealing Shen Shu’s remaining limbs.”

Shen Shu’s remains… Xu Qi’an stroked his chin: “Are some of Shen Shu’s remains sealed in the old lands of the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom? Does Your Majesty want me to be the muscle?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox didn’t answer directly, speaking slowly:

“The reason Shen Shu was dismembered and sealed was because his physical body was too powerful – no seal in the world could contain him. So he had to be dismembered.

“Even so, sealing his flesh required special sealing methods. One method uses ‘sealing-type’ treasures as a foundation, combined with powerful arrays.

“The other method uses destiny to seal. The former is the Futu Pagoda, the latter is Sangbo.”

Xu Qi’an nodded slowly.

Five hundred years ago, when the Buddhist sect helped the Martial Emperor rebel, besides spreading their teachings in the Central Plains, they had another condition – helping to seal Shen Shu’s severed arm.

Essentially, the Buddhist sect was using Great Zhou’s destiny to seal Shen Shu.

“The Ten Thousand Mountains of the Southern Borderlands contain countless living beings and are the origin place of our demon clan, naturally condensing destiny. Parts of Shen Shu’s body are sealed there.

“The Southern Borderlands was originally Glazed Bodhisattva’s territory, but after she was wounded by the Observatory Master, that area temporarily became empty of supernatural power. Now Du Nan and Du Fan have also perished in Jianzhou.

“I want to take advantage of this once-in-a-millennium opportunity to reclaim Shen Shu’s remains.

“The reason I’m asking for your help is firstly because I’m overseas, and my avatar’s power is limited. Secondly, the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom has only one other Transcendent besides me. But he’s throwing a tantrum lately and won’t follow my orders.”

So the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom does have another Transcendent expert besides the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox. I thought so – how could she overthrow the Buddhist sect and restore the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom relying on just herself… Xu Qi’an wasn’t surprised by this.

“Throwing a tantrum?”

“Thirdly, I want to test whether the Buddhist sect has any hidden experts they haven’t revealed.”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox ignored his question and continued:

“The Buddhist sect’s Arhat positions are fixed for life. To break through and become a Bodhisattva, they must reincarnate and cultivate again. Throughout history, many Arhats have undergone nirvana and recultivation. Who knows if some Arhat hasn’t returned already?

“Hehe, with the current turbulent situation in the Nine Provinces, the possibility of Arhats returning in response to destiny is extremely high.”

Xu Qi’an asked: “What benefits can I get?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox smiled:

“Shen Shu’s remains mean the sealing method for the Demon-Sealing Nails, plus the two I promised you… If this doesn’t move you, well, Ye Ji is still waiting for your rain of favor.”

Xu Qi’an said solemnly: “I’ll help with this matter. The rain of favor stuff doesn’t matter, I mainly want to know if Fuxiang is doing well.”

After a pause, he probed: “Has Your Majesty found any of your clan overseas?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox shook her head: “Looking for a needle in the ocean – how could it be easy? I’ll be returning to the mainland soon.”

Remember to get your nucleic acid test… Xu Qi’an joked internally.

…

Cloud Province.

In the Star-Gazing Tower atop the mountain, Xu Pingfeng, who had been sitting motionless, opened his eyes.

“The matter in Jianzhou is settled. Du Nan and Du Fan have perished,” he said.

Standing on the observation platform, Kalpataru Bodhisattva remained motionless for a long while.

After some time, Kalpataru Bodhisattva slowly said:

“If we don’t rise now, then when?”