Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 42

42: Letting Go of the Master

Songxiang Town Herbal Shop

After Mo Sanqi openly admitted, Jiang Ci was stunned, staring at her for a full half minute.

Originally, she had only asked out of curiosity, never expecting Mo Sanqi to admit it so bluntly without any hesitation!

Jiang Ci’s first thought was, could Mo Sanqi also be one of Xi Lingxue’s people?!

But that couldn’t be right. Xi Lingxue couldn’t possibly be so omnipotent as to find her immediately after reincarnating!

Moreover, Huang Fu had just tested Mo Sanqi, which meant they weren’t on the same side.

Jiang Ci’s mind was in turmoil, but Mo Sanqi acted as if nothing had happened, waving her hand in front of Jiang Ci’s face, “Are you really that surprised? I thought your little brain was quite clever. Can’t you guess my background?”

Jiang Ci nodded, “I really can’t. Please stop keeping me in suspense.”

“Tsk, isn’t it obvious?” Mo Sanqi put down her wine gourd, “Look at me, with such superb medical skills, carefree and unrestrained, dashing and charming—”

“The Xiaoyao Sect?”

“Good eye!”

Jiang Ci was shocked. She had completely guessed at random, never expecting it to be true!

Back when she went to the temple to pray, she had heard Pei Shiyuan mention that the Xiaoyao Sect’s members were skilled in medicine, no less than Zhang Chengji, but the only downside was that they were hard to find.

In Jiang Ci’s imagination, the disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect were probably all reclusive masters, dressed in white, floating like immortals. But Mo Sanqi…

Jiang Ci looked at the woman in front of her, thin and frail, her outer robe loosely draped, her long hair casually tied up with a wooden hairpin, a few strands falling messily in front of her forehead—utterly disheveled, a complete drunkard.

Her medical skills were indeed good, but not to the point of being “miraculous.” Of course, perhaps it was because they hadn’t known each other long, and Mo Sanqi hadn’t had the chance to show her full capabilities.

In any case, apart from her pretty face, Mo Sanqi didn’t seem to have any connection to the Xiaoyao Sect.

“Look at you, what’s with that look?”

Seeing Jiang Ci’s expression of disdain and doubt, Mo Sanqi didn’t explain further. She pulled out a silver needle as thin as a toothpick, flicked it with her finger, and with a “whoosh” the needle deeply embedded itself into the opposite wall, leaving only a short section exposed.

Jiang Ci’s eyes widened, “Incredible…”

What kind of strength was that!

“Believe me now?” Mo Sanqi smiled smugly, “Your master is the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, and you are the chief disciple. Aren’t you happy? As long as you want, I can pass on all the sect’s secrets to you.”

Jiang Ci was more than happy; it was like winning the lottery!

She had just walked into a random herbal shop and bumped into the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect!

Her luck was truly explosive!

However, there was one thing Jiang Ci couldn’t understand, “Master, why would someone as amazing as you take me as your disciple?”

Back then, she was dressed so strangely and was a runaway slave, yet Mo Sanqi didn’t seem to care at all. What did she see in her? Was it really her exceptional talent?

Mo Sanqi took a sip of wine, her eyes half-closed, “Why so many questions? I wanted to take you as my disciple, so I did. The Xiaoyao Sect acts on whims; no amount of money can buy my happiness. It’s all about having fun.”

Jiang Ci: “…”

The reason was that simple.

“Master, where is our sect located?”

Mo Sanqi scratched her head, frowning, “I forgot which mountain it was. It’s been over ten years since I last went back. I’ll tell you when I remember.”

Jiang Ci’s mouth twitched. How could she forget something so important?

This was too carefree! What kind of sect leader forgets where her own sect is?!

But then again, it somehow made sense coming from Mo Sanqi. This person was always drunk, rarely sober.

Jiang Ci continued, “Then, do we have any fellow disciples? Can’t we contact them to find out?”

Mo Sanqi nodded, “Right, you make a good point. So how do we contact them?”

Jiang Ci pointed at herself, confused, “You’re asking me? How would I know?”

Mo Sanqi spread her hands, “I don’t know either.”

“Wait, Master, you’re the sect leader! Doesn’t the Xiaoyao Sect have some secret way of communicating? Like special symbols or something?”

“Nope,” Mo Sanqi said, “We don’t bother with such trivialities. Once we leave the mountain, meeting again depends on fate.”

“…”

Jiang Ci sighed, holding her forehead. She was starting to understand why the Xiaoyao Sect’s disciples were so hard to find.

But that didn’t matter. The important thing was that she could learn from Mo Sanqi!

That move with the silver needle piercing the wall was no joke!

Jiang Ci immediately started massaging Mo Sanqi’s shoulders like a sycophant, “Master, can you teach me some powerful techniques? Something quick to learn, so I won’t be bullied when I travel the martial world.”

“Quick to learn, huh…” Mo Sanqi pondered for a moment, “How about poison?”

“Great idea!” Jiang Ci’s eyes lit up.

She remembered that Xi Lingxue had once concocted poison. With the right methods, one could achieve the unexpected, turning the tables even against stronger opponents. Even a master could fall victim to a well-placed poison.

A thought flashed through Jiang Ci’s mind, “Master, do you know of any poison that can make someone’s nose bleed?”

Mo Sanqi immediately replied, “Tears of Beauty. You want to learn that?”

Jiang Ci nodded eagerly.

…

Capital City, General’s Mansion

A woman in black stood quietly in the training ground. As the wind picked up, she drew her long sword, her movements a blend of strength and grace. Her figure was slender and soft, but her eyes were cold and sharp, exuding a fierce beauty.

“Miss, there’s news from Songxiang Town.”

Hearing this, Pei Shiyuan sheathed her sword and stepped forward to take the message tube. Inside was a note written in Huang Fu’s handwriting.

“6? Interesting. I’ll go take a look.”

Over the years, she had also been keeping an eye out for strange individuals.

Regarding the matter of “Gao Yi” Pei Shiyuan always felt a bit guilty. She was the one who had advised them to break up, never expecting that “Gao Yi’s” departure would affect Xi Lingxue so deeply.

In fact, there had been better ways to handle the situation back then, like taking a short break to cool off.

After “Gao Yi” left, Xi Lingxue realized her feelings, but it was too late.

Pei Shiyuan thought that if “Gao Yi” was still alive, she would definitely find her and tie her to Xi Lingxue’s side.

And now, Huang Fu had actually found a “highly suspicious individual”—Mo Sanqi.

Pei Shiyuan acted quickly, setting off alone and arriving in Songxiang Town in three days.

This was her first time in this place. Following the address in the letter, she first met Huang Fu at the inn.

As soon as they met, Pei Shiyuan couldn’t help but say, “Have you heard the town’s storyteller? His tales are so outrageous! Saying that mentioning Lingxue’s name can stop children from crying at night? What nonsense! Is Lingxue some kind of monster who eats children?”

In Yu Kingdom, freedom of speech was allowed, and it wasn’t illegal for commoners to discuss the royal family. In fact, many biographies and stories circulated among the people.

“I’ve heard,” Huang Fu said, “He also said that Her Highness locked up all the people she captured in the dungeon. Storytellers have to exaggerate to make their tales more dramatic and engaging.”

Pei Shiyuan rolled her eyes, “That’s too twisted. It makes it seem like Lingxue really hates ‘Gao Yi.'”

Huang Fu smiled and handed over the information she had gathered about Mo Sanqi, “Take a look at this person. I feel like she’s not simple. It’s a spy’s intuition.”

The information was only a few pages long. Pei Shiyuan quickly scanned through it and said, “I understand your suspicions, but her age… isn’t it a bit too old? She’s only a few years younger than my mother. Also, the soul’s name should be two characters, right?”

“‘Mo Sanqi’ might not be her real name. As for age…” Huang Fu thought for a moment, then said seriously, “That shouldn’t be a problem.”

Pei Shiyuan paused, her expression complicated, “You know what? As long as it’s ‘Gao Yi,’ I think Lingxue wouldn’t mind anything, even if she were a Kunjun.”

Huang Fu agreed wholeheartedly.

…

Meanwhile, Jiang Ci had just returned from a house call with Mo Sanqi. The two of them ordered two bowls of noodles from a street vendor, making do with a simple lunch.

Jiang Ci had already memorized the formula for Tears of Beauty. The shop happened to have the necessary herbs, so she prepared two bottles that very day. According to Mo Sanqi, she was a natural at medicine, with a good memory, a sharp mind, and accurate in finding acupuncture points—perfect for this line of work.

Jiang Ci had been learning from Mo Sanqi for a few months now. Before, it had all been superficial, but only recently had she started touching upon the Xiaoyao Sect’s secret techniques.

Poison-making and detoxification went hand in hand. To master these, one also needed to learn acupuncture.

Mo Sanqi slurped up her noodles and then took out her wine gourd to drink. She almost never parted with it.

“Make sure to read those medical books when you have time. They’ll help a lot when paired with my notes.”

“Got it, Master!”

Jiang Ci, who had once doubted Mo Sanqi, now admired her immensely. Never had she expected such a master to be hiding right under her nose.

Mo Sanqi had a pair of beautiful, expressive eyes. However, due to her constant drunkenness, her eyes were often half-closed, making it hard to see the light within, much like her own muddled state.

She acted entirely on her own whims. She liked Huang Runfa’s membership card but had outright refused his shares.

With a face full of charm and grace, she paid no heed to her image. When drunk, she would simply collapse on the ground, often sleeping with stray dogs. Several times, it was the townsfolk who had to carry her back.

Mo Sanqi seemed to care about nothing, except for her disciple.

Jiang Ci lowered her gaze, “Master, you can tell me anything that’s on your mind. I don’t mind being your sounding board.”

To Jiang Ci, Mo Sanqi had become her only family in this world.

“Sounding board?” Mo Sanqi chuckled, “So I can throw paper balls at you?”

“That’s not what I meant!”

Mo Sanqi smiled without saying more. She picked up her gourd again, but just as she was about to drink, she suddenly froze.

Jiang Ci didn’t miss the fleeting tremor, “What’s wrong, Master?”

She followed Mo Sanqi’s gaze but only saw the usual townsfolk. It was lunchtime, and the streets were bustling with people and vendors. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Except for a woman in black, her ink-like hair cascading down, with a slender waist and long legs. Her cold demeanor stood out starkly amidst the crowd. Just from her back, one could tell she was a stunning beauty.

Mo Sanqi blinked, then lowered her head to drink, “Nothing, just a mistaken identity.”

She must have been mistaken. How could that person be here?

Mo Sanqi didn’t elaborate, so Jiang Ci didn’t press further and continued eating her noodles.

That woman… seemed somewhat familiar.

She hoped she wasn’t overthinking it.

However, when the master and disciple returned to the herbal shop, Jiang Ci realized she hadn’t been overthinking.

The woman in black she had glimpsed on the street was now standing at the entrance of the herbal shop.

Hearing footsteps approach, the woman turned around. Her eyes swept over the two before settling on Mo Sanqi, “Excuse me, are you Master Mo? I’ve long admired your reputation and have been waiting here specifically to meet you.”

Seeing her face, Jiang Ci nearly dropped her jaw.

Wasn’t this Pei Shiyuan!?

…Another sister, even though she had been younger than her back then!

Compared to Huang Fu, Pei Shiyuan hadn’t changed much, except that she had grown even more beautiful, her coldness now tinged with a mature charm.

Jiang Ci was delighted to see her, but Pei Shiyuan’s sudden appearance at this juncture probably didn’t bode well…

Could it be that Huang Fu still hadn’t let go of her suspicions?

“Master Mo?” Seeing Mo Sanqi still dazed, Pei Shiyuan called again.

“Oh, that’s me.” Mo Sanqi snapped out of it and quickly averted her gaze, “Please, come in.”

Pei Shiyuan had clearly seen the complex look in Mo Sanqi’s eyes. Mo Sanqi had been stunned for a moment upon seeing her. They had never met before, so such a reaction was quite intriguing.

It seemed this person indeed had many suspicious points.

Jiang Ci also sensed something odd. Based on her understanding of her master, if Mo Sanqi encountered a beauty, she would definitely flirt a little. Yet Pei Shiyuan was an exception. Logically, she was far more attractive than the other women in town.

The three of them entered the herbal shop. Mo Sanqi put down her medicine box and gestured for Pei Shiyuan to take a seat.

“What seems to be the problem, miss?”

Her eyes were downcast, deliberately avoiding Pei Shiyuan, though her tone remained light.

Pei Shiyuan, however, kept her gaze fixed on Mo Sanqi, clearly noticing her “evasion.”

“I have an addiction I can’t kick. I always want to find someone to drink with,” Pei Shiyuan’s red lips curved into a smile as she slowed her speech, “Especially, to drink the strongest wine and ride the fastest horse.”

To others, this might sound nonsensical, but Jiang Ci immediately thought of the night they had parted.

She had dragged Pei Shiyuan to drink, and what had she said then?

[“I… I drank the strongest wine today! I also rode the fastest horse!”]

Pei Shiyuan…

After ten years, she still remembered?

Jiang Ci’s nose tingled with emotion. In this life, she didn’t have many friends, and Pei Shiyuan was the most special one.

They had met at a palace banquet, and their initial encounter hadn’t been pleasant. Due to Gao Yi’s numerous misdeeds, Pei Shiyuan had initially wanted to skin her alive, even bluntly suggesting that she divorce Xi Lingxue.

To be honest, Jiang Ci had been quite angry at the time, but she had tolerated it out of respect for Pei Shiyuan’s friendship with Xi Lingxue. However, as they interacted more, she realized that Pei Shiyuan was simply straightforward. The words “hypocrisy” and “affectation” didn’t exist in her dictionary.

She possessed the innocence and kindness of a young girl, which was why, even as Xi Lingxue’s close friend, she couldn’t stand the idea of using someone as a substitute.

Jiang Ci was deeply grateful to her, but she dared not reveal her “identity.”

Mo Sanqi, of course, couldn’t understand Pei Shiyuan’s deliberate probing. She merely chuckled and said, “Miss, you came all this way to ask me that? I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

Jiang Ci raised an eyebrow, immediately sensing that something was off with this response!

Pei Shiyuan hadn’t given her name or mentioned where she was from, so how did Mo Sanqi know she had come from afar?

Sure enough, Pei Shiyuan was slightly taken aback, a hint of delight flashing in her eyes as she tried to suppress it, “You… know me?”

Mo Sanqi paused, then shook her head with a smile, “No, I don’t. I just haven’t seen you around town before.”

Pei Shiyuan pursed her lips, staring intently at Mo Sanqi, who continued to fiddle with something in her hands.

Jiang Ci watched nervously, not daring to interrupt.

After a while, Pei Shiyuan let out a cold laugh, “Fine, you don’t know me.”

She stood up abruptly, said no more, and walked straight out of the herbal shop.

Jiang Ci was dumbfounded. This woman’s approach was completely different from Huang Fu’s.

She had come all this way, only to ask a couple of questions and then leave?

Her temper was as quick as ever. Jiang Ci hadn’t even had time to pour her a glass of water.

However, Mo Sanqi had been acting very strangely today.

Even after Pei Shiyuan had left, Mo Sanqi continued to stare at the door, her eyes unusually clear, revealing a rare glimpse of sorrow and loneliness.

Jiang Ci sighed, “Master, I can tell. You know that girl, don’t you?”

…

Pei Shiyuan left the herbal shop feeling somewhat annoyed. Mo Sanqi’s reactions had convinced her that she definitely knew her but was deliberately avoiding her.

Why?

Pei Shiyuan couldn’t understand. In Yu Kingdom, if not ten out of ten, then at least nine out of ten people admired her.

Over the years, Pei Yun had rarely led troops anymore, spending most of her time secluded in the general’s mansion. Meanwhile, Pei Shiyuan, young and full of vigor, had taken up the banner of the Pei family army, becoming the youngest general in Yu Kingdom.

If there was anyone within Yu Kingdom who knew her but avoided her, Pei Shiyuan could only think of one person—”Gao Yi.”

“Gao Yi” must know they were looking for her.

Pei Shiyuan quickly returned to the inn, having been gone for less than two hours.

Huang Fu looked up and saw the woman’s slightly cold expression, her mind clearly preoccupied, “Done with the probing? That fast?”

“Yes, that Mo Sanqi is suspicious.”

“You think so too?”

After exchanging a few words, the two quickly reached a consensus.

If “Gao Yi” was indeed still alive, then based on the current information, the most likely candidate was this Mo Sanqi.

And Mo Sanqi clearly had no intention of acknowledging her identity.

“Forget it.” Pei Shiyuan slapped the table, “In my opinion, we should just kidnap her and take her to the capital.”

Huang Fu raised an eyebrow, “Isn’t that a bit too much…”

“So what?” Pei Shiyuan said, “If we’re wrong, we’ll compensate her. If we’re right, well…”

She and Xi Lingxue, one in the capital acting crazy, the other in Songxiang Town drowning in alcohol. Since neither had let go of the other, why not reconcile? This time, Lingxue would definitely treat her well.

Without delay, fearing that Mo Sanqi might catch on, Pei Shiyuan decided to make her move that very night.

…

In a small courtyard outside Songxiang Town, the master and disciple had just finished a simple dinner. They were now drinking and admiring the moon in the courtyard, chatting idly, enjoying the peaceful moment.

Regarding Jiang Ci’s earlier question, Mo Sanqi had stubbornly insisted that she didn’t know Pei Shiyuan, not realizing that this only made her seem more suspicious.

“Master, do you like Pei Shiyuan?” Jiang Ci tried to coax her, “Don’t feel inferior. If gender isn’t an issue, why should age be?”

“Stop talking nonsense,” Mo Sanqi knocked Jiang Ci’s head lightly, “We’re out of wine. Go get another jar from the house.”

“Got it.”

Jiang Ci got up from the reclining chair and scurried into the house to fetch the wine.

However, when she returned, the courtyard was empty. Mo Sanqi, who had been lying there just moments ago, was nowhere to be seen.

Did she go to the restroom?

Jiang Ci put down the wine jar and noticed a note left on the chair:

[Miss Jiang, don’t worry. I’ve borrowed your master for a while.]

Signed, Pei Shiyuan.

Jiang Ci read it three times before finally accepting that Pei Shiyuan had kidnapped her master!

Holy crap…

Jiang Ci’s heart sank. This was a huge misunderstanding. Mo Sanqi had definitely been implicated because of her!

The reclining chair was still warm, so they couldn’t have gone far. Not daring to delay any longer, Jiang Ci rushed out of the courtyard.

…

Mo Sanqi had been lying comfortably on the chair, almost asleep, when suddenly she felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck and blacked out.

She didn’t know how much time had passed before she woke up to find herself tied to the back of a horse. The woman in black she had seen earlier was galloping through the night, the jolting ride making her nauseous.

“Miss? Do I owe you something?”

She had been drinking peacefully at home. How had she ended up being kidnapped?!

Pei Shiyuan snorted, “You don’t want to acknowledge me? Fine, I’ll take you to the capital to see her.”

Hearing this, Mo Sanqi’s expression darkened, completely unlike her usual carefree self, “…Why bother?”

Those three simple words carried a world of weariness.

Pei Shiyuan, who had only been sixty percent sure before, was now certain that Mo Sanqi was “Gao Yi”!

“She knows she was wrong and has been looking for you. Why can’t you two—”

“Stop joking.”

As she spoke, Mo Sanqi had already broken free of the ropes. She sat up and reached for the reins.

Pei Shiyuan, now encircled by Mo Sanqi’s arms, couldn’t understand how she had broken free.

She immediately elbowed back, and the two began to spar on horseback.

Pei Shiyuan, having received the martial arts manual from “Gao Yi,” was far stronger than before. In all these years, she had never lost a fight.

However, to her surprise, Mo Sanqi’s moves were incredibly fast, and she quickly sealed Pei Shiyuan’s pressure points.

Pei Shiyuan’s body stiffened, and she could no longer execute any moves, only able to glare.

Mo Sanqi took the reins from her hands and said leisurely, “You’re still too green, miss. Didn’t your mother teach you not to casually tie up a Qianjun?”

“I curse you! Since when did you learn to seal pressure points?!”

“What’s so strange about that? Your mother knew about it.”

Pei Shiyuan was baffled, “…My mother?”

How would she know about such things? She hadn’t had much contact with “Gao Yi”!

Mo Sanqi didn’t respond. She looked around, unsure of where they were after galloping for so long. In the dead of night, the wilderness was deserted, except for some faint lights ahead.

Mo Sanqi urged the horse toward the lights, and as they approached, she saw that it was an inn. She dismounted and hoisted Pei Shiyuan over her shoulder.

“What are you doing? Put me down!”

Pei Shiyuan couldn’t move, only her mouth still worked.

“Behave!”

Mo Sanqi smacked her butt, causing Pei Shiyuan to blush with anger and shame.

“I’ll leave you at the inn. It’s better than dumping you in the wilderness, right?”

Pei Shiyuan bit her lip, “You… you’re planning to run away?”

Mo Sanqi simply sealed her mute pressure point as well, then silently entered the inn. Under the astonished gaze of the innkeeper, she booked a room and carried Pei Shiyuan upstairs.

In the middle of the night, a Qianjun carrying a stunning beauty to stay at an inn inevitably sparked some imagination. However, the innkeeper was only there to do business and didn’t meddle.

Once inside the room, Mo Sanqi tossed Pei Shiyuan onto the bed and unsealed her mute pressure point, “Your other pressure points will unlock in half an hour. You can make do here for the night.”

“Wait!” Seeing her about to leave, Pei Shiyuan urgently said, “Are you planning to live like this forever?”

Mo Sanqi paused, her hand on the door, hesitating to push it open.

She didn’t turn around, her back to Pei Shiyuan. After a long while, she softly asked, “…How is your mother?”

Pei Shiyuan didn’t understand why this person kept asking about her mother, but she still replied, “My mother is doing well.”

Mo Sanqi chuckled lightly, “That’s good.”

With that, she pushed the door open and left, ignoring Pei Shiyuan’s calls.

Pei Shiyuan was furious but could only lie on the bed until half an hour later when her pressure points finally unlocked.

She tried to move, but just as she was about to get up, the door was kicked open.

A young girl with picturesque features and peach-blossom eyes gleaming with cold light stood there, “You wanted to capture me, right? I’m here. Let my master go!”

…

At the same time, a carriage was also heading in this direction.

“Your Highness, there seems to be an inn ahead.”

From a distance, Jin Yu could only see some lights.

A slender, pale finger lifted the carriage curtain, and Xi Lingxue glanced outside. The surroundings were pitch black. She spoke wearily, “Alright, we’ll stay there for the night.”