Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 43

43: Self-Destruction

The capture of Mo Sanqi truly threw Jiang Ci into a panic. She didn’t want to bring misfortune to others because of herself. Mo Sanqi had taken her in and taught her skills; her position in Jiang Ci’s heart had long been different.

She couldn’t let her master be dragged into the imperial prison!

Upon learning that Mo Sanqi had been kidnapped, Jiang Ci immediately went to the inn to find Huang Fu. With the note as evidence, she wasn’t afraid that Huang Fu would deny it.

Huang Fu was somewhat surprised to see Jiang Ci. The person was kidnapped by Pei Shiyuan, so why come to her? Outsiders shouldn’t know about her relationship with Pei Shiyuan.

But upon seeing the note, Huang Fu thought that perhaps Pei Shiyuan had said something to Jiang Ci, so she comforted her, “Miss Jiang, don’t worry. Can’t you trust General Pei’s character? She just took your master to the capital for a few days of fun; they’ll be back soon.”

Jiang Ci’s mouth twitched. Going to the capital for fun… Hah, treating her like a child!

Learning that they had gone to the capital, Jiang Ci didn’t waste any more time. After leaving the inn, she directly took Huang Fu’s horse.

The capital was to the north, and Jiang Ci galloped along the official road.

The more she thought about it along the way, the angrier she became. This Pei Shiyuan actually took action after just a few words! But then again, it seemed very much in line with her personal style.

So, in the end, this matter still had to be blamed on Xi Lingxue. It had been ten years; why did she have to come looking for her now?!

“Just a few curses, and she holds a grudge for so many years…”

Thinking of this, Jiang Ci became even angrier.

She had worked diligently as a stand-in for over half a year, with both merits and hardships. Why couldn’t they be a bit more lenient with her?

She had already left the capital, yet she was still being targeted in this remote town. What about the future? Would she have to spend the rest of her life hiding?

Why?!

She hadn’t done anything wrong; it should be Xi Lingxue who was in the wrong!

Jiang Ci chased until midnight but didn’t catch a glimpse of Pei Shiyuan. She came across an inn and decided to buy some water and dry provisions. She had left in such a hurry that she hadn’t prepared anything. It would take at least three or four days to reach the capital.

In the wilderness, there was only this simple inn around. Jiang Ci tied up her horse and let it drink some water and eat some fodder. It must be tired after running for so long.

Including the one Jiang Ci was riding, there were four horses outside the inn. One of them, a tall black horse with a glossy coat, was clearly a fine steed, standing out conspicuously here.

Jiang Ci was startled. This definitely wasn’t an ordinary civilian’s horse. Could it be… Pei Shiyuan’s mount?!

Jiang Ci immediately went to knock on the door. Fortunately, the innkeeper was still awake and quickly opened the door.

Jiang Ci asked directly, “Excuse me, have you seen a tall, slender woman in black, very beautiful?”

“Yes!” The innkeeper remembered her clearly; wasn’t she the one who was carried in?

Jiang Ci was surprised; she hadn’t expected to actually run into them. “Where is she? I’m her friend.”

The innkeeper pointed, “Upstairs, the last room on the right.”

Jiang Ci: “Thank you!”

The innkeeper watched her hurried back and scratched his head, “Could this be some kind of love triangle drama?”

Jiang Ci stormed upstairs, found the room, and kicked the door open, “You just want to capture me, right? I’m here, let my master go!”

She had already made up her mind. At worst, she would go back and confront Xi Lingxue. That woman wouldn’t dare kill her, would she?

Pei Shiyuan sat on the bed, her beautiful eyes wide open, looking at Jiang Ci in astonishment.

Jiang Ci: “…”

She scanned the room but didn’t see Mo Sanqi.

“Ahem, where’s my master?”

Pei Shiyuan blinked, “She left.”

“Oh…” Jiang Ci silently closed the door, “Sorry to disturb you, goodbye.”

“Come back!” Pei Shiyuan reacted and chased after her with a move like a black tiger seizing its prey, “Who are you?!”

Jiang Ci sidestepped the attack, but Pei Shiyuan had already closed in.

Jiang Ci had never learned martial arts, but she instinctively exchanged a few moves with Pei Shiyuan. After a few rounds, Jiang Ci suddenly realized that in her panic, she had used Gao Yi’s martial arts techniques!

Holy cow, other time travelers come with cheat codes, but she had actually reverse-plagiarized the original body’s skills!

With these moves and the superior physique of a Qianjun, Pei Shiyuan couldn’t subdue her for the moment.

But Pei Shiyuan discovered something important.

“How do you know the Gao family’s techniques?!”

The Gao family’s secret arts weren’t passed on to outsiders. Pei Shiyuan knew this set of techniques because she had fought with Gao Yi before. They had clashed more than once in the past.

This Jiang Ci, how did she know them?

And what did she say when she came in?

[“You just want to capture me, right?”]

“Gao Yi!”

This shout startled Jiang Ci. Her martial arts were plagiarized and not yet fully mastered. Once the other party got serious, she couldn’t hold on.

Pei Shiyuan quickly subdued her, pinning her shoulders.

“Ouch—be gentle!” Jiang Ci struggled but couldn’t break free, angrily saying, “Pei Shiyuan, you’re repaying kindness with enmity! I shouldn’t have given you that martial arts manual!”

Pei Shiyuan’s gaze trembled, her voice softening instantly, “It really is you…”

Jiang Ci knew she couldn’t escape, so she admitted it, “Yes, it’s me. You’ve caught me; are you satisfied?”

Hearing her anger, the woman frowned slightly and released her, “Are you really that unwilling to see us?”

Jiang Ci snorted coldly and rubbed her shoulders.

Standing outside wasn’t appropriate, so she went in and poured herself a glass of water. She had been riding for half a day without a drop of water and was now parched.

After gulping down three glasses of water, Jiang Ci said, “It’s not that I’m unwilling to see you. Ask Xi Lingxue, is it necessary to hunt me down everywhere? Even lock me up in the imperial prison? How dare I show my face?”

Pei Shiyuan had been observing her and sat down beside her, “Isn’t that all just storytellers’ tales? It’s so absurd; do you really believe it? Do you want to go to the capital and see for yourself?”

Jiang Ci was stunned. She hadn’t deliberately inquired about these matters and only knew a little, all from storytellers.

Could all this be fabricated?

“Then, then Xiaoxue— cough, that person, why is she looking for me?” Jiang Ci blushed slightly and took another sip of water to cover it up.

“What do you think?” Pei Shiyuan gave Jiang Ci a deep look, “Lingxue naturally wants to make amends. For the past ten years, she has never given up looking for you.”

So that’s how it was…

Jiang Ci rubbed the cup, thinking that at least she had some conscience.

But so what? She no longer wanted to see Xi Lingxue.

Make amends? With what?

What she wanted, Xi Lingxue couldn’t give.

Jiang Ci laughed twice, “Forget it. Tell her I don’t want to see her and don’t care about any amends. Let’s spare each other and not disturb each other anymore.”

“But…”

Pei Shiyuan’s expression was complicated. She had thought that Mo Sanqi was “Gao Yi” always drunk and drowning her sorrows. But now she understood; the young and beautiful girl in front of her was the real one.

Her name was Jiang Ci, quite famous in Songxiang Town, and deeply loved by the Kunjun. Everyone in town called her “Doctor Jiang.” She lived a comfortable life here.

And it seemed she had truly let go of Xi Lingxue. Even when mentioning her, her tone was calm, with only indifference in her eyes.

Ten years had passed, and it seemed only Xi Lingxue was still stuck in the past.

“I’m telling you, don’t try to force me.” Jiang Ci threatened, “If you dare to mess around, I’ll self-destruct my primordial spirit!”

Of course, this was all nonsense; there was no such thing as a primordial spirit…

But since there had been a “precedent” before, with Jiang Ci escaping from Gao Yi’s body, she thought she might be able to bluff her way through.

Now she was just an ordinary civilian, without power or influence, completely defenseless. Not wanting to be at their mercy, Jiang Ci could only resort to this threat.

“…Primordial spirit?” Pei Shiyuan actually believed it and hurriedly said, “Okay, okay, we definitely won’t force you. If you don’t want to see her, then you don’t have to.”

With Gao Yi’s precedent, she didn’t dare take the risk.

Jiang Ci cleared her throat, “That’s settled then. Since Xi Lingxue still doesn’t know my identity, don’t tell her.”

Pei Shiyuan nodded with difficulty, “Alright… Then, can we still be friends?”

The woman looked at her with hope in her eyes, her inherent dominance softened.

Jiang Ci sighed, “Of course, I have no grudge against you.”

Grudge…

She still resented Xi Lingxue.

Pei Shiyuan bit her lip, wanting to say a few more words for her friend, “Actually, Lingxue—”

“Don’t mention her again,” Jiang Ci frowned and interrupted, “I don’t want to hear it.”

“Okay, I won’t talk about her.”

The room fell into an eerie silence. After a while, Jiang Ci said, “I’ll go ask the innkeeper for another room. We’ll stay here tonight and return to Songxiang Town at dawn.”

Only then did Pei Shiyuan realize the issue. A Qianjun and a Kunjun definitely couldn’t share a room.

Pei Shiyuan pondered carefully. No matter what, finding Jiang Ci was already a miracle. There was plenty of time; who knew what the future held?

Jiang Ci wasn’t married yet; Lingxue still had a chance.

Pei Shiyuan figured it out and felt much better. She smiled gently, “Go ahead, A Ci, I’ll wait here. Hurry back, and we can chat more about where you’ve been all these years.”

Jiang Ci almost stumbled.

Sister, sister, she had become her sister!

Was there no justice in the world?!

But being able to reunite with an old friend and let go of her worries, Jiang Ci was actually quite happy.

“Should I get two more jugs of wine from the innkeeper?”

“Sure, but I wonder if you still dare to drink with me?”

“Why wouldn’t I dare? Just wait.”

This small inn had someone on duty day and night. After all, it was the only inn around, and travelers often stopped by to rest.

Jiang Ci ordered wine and some side dishes. There was only one room left, right next to Pei Shiyuan’s, so she booked it.

After settling everything, Jiang Ci suddenly remembered, what about Mo Sanqi…

“Oh no, how could I forget about my master?”

She had been so caught up in catching up!

Jiang Ci was about to go upstairs and ask Pei Shiyuan when the inn door opened, and two more people entered.

The innkeeper was surprised; business was unusually good today.

One of them wore a veil, hiding her face. But the woman had an elegant figure, walking gracefully, exuding an air of nobility, likely a lady from a wealthy family.

Before Jiang Ci could turn around, she caught the scent of a Qianjun.

The woman stood behind her, silent.

The young man beside her spoke first, “Innkeeper, do you have any rooms left?”

“Sorry, the last room was just taken by this young lady.”

Jiang Ci turned to look, her gaze lightly sweeping over the veiled woman, thinking she must be a beauty with such an elegant figure.

Jiang Ci then looked at the young man.

His smooth, delicate skin… was he really a man?

For some reason, the young man looked somewhat familiar.

Jin Yu pressed on the fake beard and deliberately lowered his voice, “Miss, I’ll pay triple the price. Could you let us have the room?”

Jiang Ci thought it might be possible; she could just share with Pei Shiyuan.

As she pondered, she suddenly felt a burning gaze on her.

Realizing it was from the veiled woman in front of her, Jiang Ci looked at her in confusion. In that instant, the woman suddenly moved, her fair fingers tightly grasping Jiang Ci’s hand.

Jiang Ci was startled. What was this?!

Trying to snatch it openly?!

“Miss!” Jin Yu called out, apologetically saying, “Sorry, my lady might have mistaken you for someone else again.”

Again? So this lady wasn’t quite right in the head?

Jiang Ci nodded, understanding.

But the woman still tightly held her wrist, her cold touch showing no sign of letting go.

Through the white veil, it seemed like a pair of eyes were staring at her.

Jiang Ci felt an inexplicable palpitation.

Seeing that Xi Lingxue still wouldn’t let go, Jin Yu had no choice but to come over and pull her away.

As he turned, two golden hammers hanging from his waist were revealed.

Jiang Ci recognized them at a glance. These hammers were unique in the world, specially commissioned from the capital’s blacksmith before she left—a gift for Jin Yu.

So this “young man”?

Jiang Ci suddenly realized, the more she looked, the more familiar he seemed. It was clearly Jin Yu in disguise!

He even had a fake beard!!!

Then, who was this woman holding her?

Xi Lingxue?!

Jiang Ci looked up, her eyes filled with disbelief.

How could it be?!

This lady was a Qianjun, right? She clearly smelled the Qianjun’s pheromones!

Wait, could it be… Wu Wei…?!

That guy could make incense with any scent!

But even if this person was really Xi Lingxue, how did she recognize her?!

Even Jin Yu didn’t recognize her!

Jiang Ci’s heart pounded, her mind in chaos.

She immediately steadied her emotions, took a deep breath, and spoke indifferently, “Miss, you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

The woman was stunned for a moment, then slowly released her hand.

“Sorry, your eyes reminded me of an old friend.”

The long-unheard voice was still as clear and moving as she remembered, but with a faint hint of disappointment and sorrow. Her gentle tone made one’s heart itch.

For a moment, Jiang Ci was dazed, impulsively wanting to lift the veil and see what she looked like now.

Ten years had passed; had the young girl who needed her protection grown up…

Jiang Ci moved slightly, then suddenly woke up.

What was she doing?!

Unconsciously, she had clenched her fists, her palms sweaty, her heart racing uncontrollably.

Jiang Ci gritted her teeth, hating herself for still being infatuated with this woman. How could she soften because of a few words from her?!

Jiang Ci composed herself, confirming that Xi Lingxue hadn’t recognized her. Perhaps it was just a coincidence.

She didn’t look at Xi Lingxue again, only saying to Jin Yu, “No need to pay triple. I can share a room with my friend; you can have the room.”

Coincidentally, the last two rooms at the inn were both double rooms, so four people could sleep comfortably.

Jin Yu quickly thanked her, thinking they had met a kind person.

Jiang Ci was full of questions, her mind in chaos. Right now, she just wanted to stay as far away from Xi Lingxue as possible.

She was about to leave when Pei Shiyuan came downstairs, “Are you done? I’ve been waiting for ages.”

Her familiar tone carried a hint of laziness, sounding somewhat ambiguous to others.

At least, the innkeeper thought they were a couple.

Halfway down the stairs, Pei Shiyuan suddenly noticed the two extra people in the inn. Instantly, her steps froze, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

With Jin Yu’s disguise, Pei Shiyuan had seen it several times and recognized it at a glance.

She never expected Xi Lingxue to be here!

What an incredible coincidence. Jiang Ci had just said she didn’t want to see her, and now they ran into each other!

Thinking of what she had just said, Pei Shiyuan felt a pang of guilt.

It could easily be misunderstood…

Hearing her voice, along with the innkeeper, the four people downstairs turned to look at her.

Pei Shiyuan was stunned for a moment, really wanting to turn into an ostrich and retreat back upstairs.

But Jin Yu called out, “Miss Pei!”

Jin Yu said with surprise, “I thought the horse outside looked familiar. It really is yours! What a coincidence, why are you here too?”

The innkeeper looked back and forth at the four of them, thinking, wow, they all know each other!

Pei Shiyuan awkwardly twirled the hair hanging over her chest, “Heh, I, uh…”

“Ahem.”

Jiang Ci coughed lightly, her eyes warning: Remember what you promised me?

Pei Shiyuan: No, no, don’t self-destruct!

She quickly said, “I’m just here to visit a friend…”

“A friend?” Jin Yu said, “Is it this young lady? What a coincidence! She just gave us the last room.”

“Heh, what a coincidence…” Pei Shiyuan wasn’t good at lying and felt extremely guilty.

The innkeeper was very enthusiastic. Jiang Ci had ordered some wine and side dishes earlier, so she seized the opportunity, “Would you like to order more dishes?”

Xi Lingxue looked at Jiang Ci, her eyes gentle, “I haven’t thanked you yet. Let me treat you to this meal. May I ask your name?”

Jiang Ci thought, who wants to eat with you? I’ve lost my master!

“No need to thank me. Just call me Jiang Ci. Sorry, I’m a bit tired and will head to my room first. You can go ahead.”

Jiang Ci turned and went upstairs. As she passed Pei Shiyuan, she whispered, “Come here, I need to ask you something.”

Pei Shiyuan awkwardly looked at Xi Lingxue, “Uh, she might not be feeling well. I’ll go check on her and come find you later.”

“Okay.”

Xi Lingxue nodded, her gaze following Jiang Ci, slightly dazed.

Jin Yu murmured, “I didn’t know Miss Pei had such a close friend.”

She never shared a room with anyone.

Jiang Ci went upstairs and entered the room, asking, “Where’s my master?”

Thinking of Mo Sanqi, Pei Shiyuan found her full of mysteries and secrets, “She left long ago. Didn’t you run into her on your way here?”

Jiang Ci was puzzled, “No…”

Pei Shiyuan said, “Don’t worry too much about her. She’s no ordinary person; even I was fooled.”

Jiang Ci pondered. It seemed she had acted rashly. With Mo Sanqi’s abilities, did she really need her to rescue her? After all, she was the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect.

Since she had escaped, Mo Sanqi must have returned to Songxiang Town.

Pei Shiyuan said, “You can rest assured and stay here tonight. We’ll leave at dawn.”

“Alright.” Jiang Ci felt relieved and reminded her, “Remember what you promised me; don’t reveal my identity.”

Pei Shiyuan: “Yeah, yeah, I know.”

Soon, the innkeeper brought up the wine and dishes, many of which Xi Lingxue had added later.

With them next door, Jiang Ci lost her appetite for drinking. She ate a little, just wanting to rest and leave as soon as possible.

The inn wasn’t soundproof. As they ate quietly, they could hear coughing from the next room.

Jiang Ci frowned slightly. She remembered that Xi Lingxue used to be in good health and rarely fell ill.

Pei Shiyuan observed her expression and casually said, “Some people fall ill from longing, burdened by thoughts. After so many years, she’s never been marked. Don’t you think that would make someone sick?”

Never been marked?!

Jiang Ci immediately caught the key point but remained calm on the surface. She put down her chopsticks, “How would I know? I’m done eating; I’ll rest first.”

She went about her business, washing up and curling up in bed to sleep.

Pei Shiyuan said, “Then I’ll go check on her?”

Jiang Ci waved her hand, “Whatever.”

Pei Shiyuan stood up and was about to leave when the person behind her called out.

“Wait.” Jiang Ci tossed over a bottle of medicine, “For calming the nerves, one pill a day.”

Pei Shiyuan caught it and raised an eyebrow.

Tsk, tsk, playing it cool, huh? Still caring deep down?

Jiang Ci added in a muffled voice, “Don’t tell her it’s from me.”

Pei Shiyuan chuckled, “Okay, okay, got it, Doctor Jiang.”

Leaving the room, Pei Shiyuan leaned against the door, thinking silently, there’s hope!

Next door, the table was also filled with dishes. Jin Yu had eaten most of them, while Xi Lingxue had little appetite and looked downcast.

Jin Yu kept praising Jiang Ci, saying she was beautiful and kind.

Xi Lingxue listened, her mind constantly recalling those beautiful peach-blossom eyes, overlapping with the image in her memory.

Then she felt she was being delusional. That person had been gone for fourteen years; how could she still look so young?

“Jiang Ci…”

When Pei Shiyuan entered, she heard her murmuring these two words.

She took a pill, “Here, your Doctor Jiang gave it to you, for calming the nerves.”

The woman looked up, her face pale, her clear eyes misty, somewhat dazed, “…Mine?”

Pei Shiyuan sighed, feeling heartbroken.

After searching for ten years, she was right next door, yet they couldn’t reunite.

If Jiang Ci was truly determined, she would keep this secret forever. But then she gave her medicine…

Pei Shiyuan thought, what’s going on? These two clearly still cared for each other.

“Lingxue,” she whispered, “I’ll tell you a secret, but you must stay calm.”

“What?”

For some reason, Xi Lingxue felt nervous and couldn’t help but fiddle with the love lock in her hand.

She had always carried it with her, never parting.

Pei Shiyuan leaned in and whispered.

Jin Yu couldn’t hear, but she saw the woman’s eyes redden, her body tremble, and suddenly come alive.

“…Really?”

Xi Lingxue couldn’t believe it, clutching Pei Shiyuan tightly to confirm this wasn’t a dream.

Jiang Ci, so her name was Jiang Ci!

The medicine was from her; she still cared for her…

Xi Lingxue bit her lip, nearly crying. She trembled as she took the small bottle, holding it gently to her chest like a treasure.

“Your Highness…” Jin Yu looked concerned, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Pei Shiyuan replied, “Your Highness is happy.”

Jin Yu: ???

This is happy? Her eyes are red like a rabbit’s.

“Don’t get too happy yet, Lingxue.” Pei Shiyuan patted her shoulder reassuringly, “Remember how she treated you earlier?”

Xi Lingxue was stunned, recalling the girl’s indifferent demeanor downstairs. Her heart sank again.

Jiang Ci was willing to reunite with Pei Shiyuan but treated her like a stranger.

Pei Shiyuan advised, “Anyway, hide your emotions for now. She doesn’t want to be discovered, or she’ll self-destruct.”

Jin Yu was confused, only catching a few words from their whispered conversation.

“What self-destruction?”

Pei Shiyuan: “Nothing.”

Jin Yu was too “clever”, Pei Shiyuan didn’t dare tell her.

“I understand…” The woman suppressed her disappointment, her eyes red as she pleaded, “Shiyuan, can you do me a favor? Can you call her over? I want to see her.”