Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 64

64: The Path of Bl00d

After leaving the altar, Jiang Ci went straight to the princess’s residence.

In the dead of night, Helian Ping’s room was still lit by candlelight—she had been waiting for her. Earlier, when she had left the prison, Helian Ping had vaguely guessed Jiang Ci’s choice.

Jiang Ci silently avoided the guards in the residence and slipped in through the window.

Helian Ping was sitting at the table deep in thought, her mask set aside, her beautiful brows furrowed with worry.

Suddenly, a cold breeze swept through the room. She froze for a moment, then spoke without turning her head, “You’re here… Did you accept the assassination?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Ci didn’t hide it from her. Though Helian Ping wasn’t entirely in favor, there was no better option at the moment. If this mission succeeded, it would unite the Dark Hall’s members, which would greatly benefit the Empress.

It was an extremely difficult task, but undeniably, it was also a rare opportunity. Desperate times called for desperate measures.

Helian Ping sighed, knowing she couldn’t dissuade Jiang Ci—and she truly had no grounds to stop her.

She was the one who had brought Jiang Ci to Liang Kingdom. She didn’t know why the mountain god had chosen Jiang Ci, but she often wondered how a young woman in her twenties could shoulder such a heavy burden.

Helian Ping knew full well she wasn’t capable of it herself, and she frequently questioned whether she had made a mistake, dragging Jiang Ci into this.

The woman lowered her eyes, her usually lively gaze now filled with sorrow, her typically upright posture slightly slumped.

This was the first time Jiang Ci had seen Helian Ping so dispirited. Unbeknownst to them, their relationship had evolved from mere collaborators to friends—the kind who entrusted their lives to one another. There were things Jiang Ci couldn’t say to Xi Lingxue, but she could confide in Helian Ping.

“Don’t blame yourself. This is the path I chose. And it’s not like there’s no chance of success.”

Helian Ping looked up. “How so?”

Assassinating Liao Yi was an incredibly difficult task. Even if Jiang Ci succeeded, the odds of her returning alive were slim.

Liao Yi, the Minister of Works, was a key figure under the Empress Dowager’s faction—a despicable villain who oppressed the people, flattered his superiors, and persecuted the loyal. The common folk loathed him.

The man was inherently paranoid, with a mansion full of guards and the tenth-ranked martial artist of Liang Kingdom, Qi Zhan, as his personal protector. Every bite of food he ate was tested for poison. Members of the Dark Hall couldn’t even get close—six assassination attempts had already ended in failure.

Liao Yi was highly vigilant. The chances of killing him were less than twenty percent.

Jiang Ci’s expression was grave. Time was tight, which was why she had come to see Helian Ping so late. From this moment on, she had to make every second count.

“You know I’m an ‘otherworldly being.’ In my world, my superiors assigned me many impossible missions.” Jiang Ci leaned back in her chair, her voice low. “But in the end, I completed them all. What I’m saying is, there’s always a way—the more desperate the situation, the calmer you must be.”

A bad hand didn’t matter; it was all about how you played it.

Jiang Ci roughly estimated her odds. She had “borrowed” Gao Yi’s martial arts, and her physique was above average. If she used acupuncture to push her limits and temporarily boost her combat power, even with her injured right hand, she shouldn’t lose to Qi Zhan.

The real trouble was Liao Yi’s numerous guards. If they all attacked at once, it would be hard to evade.

Right now, Long Yin only had two Dark Hall disciples under her command: Jing Muxing, skilled in hidden weapons, and Xin Yuehu, adept at disguise. Their martial arts weren’t as strong as Jiang Ci’s, but they could still provide some assistance.

Jiang Ci had to make use of every available resource to maximize her chances of success. Most importantly, she needed an unconventional strategy.

A conventional assassination attempt would never work—Liao Yi was too paranoid and cautious. But this very trait could be turned against him.

“I need your help…”

Jiang Ci outlined her plan. After hearing it, Helian Ping wasn’t sure how to react.

If executed as described, there was a real chance of success. But with such a tight timeline, wouldn’t she be pushing herself too hard?

Helian Ping could hardly believe a young woman in her twenties could pull this off.

Jiang Ci was eerily calm. Helian Ping couldn’t fathom what she had experienced in her original world.

“That’s the plan. Let’s move quickly.” Jiang Ci stood by the window, ready to leave.

“Wait,” Helian Ping called out, hesitating for a moment before asking, “Can I ask… how did you come to our world?”

Jiang Ci froze.

She had died suddenly.

From overwork.

…

The next day, Helian Ping followed the plan, issuing invitations in the princess’s name to the talented scholars and beauties of the capital for a poetry gathering at her residence, scheduled for the day after tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ci dug out the secret manuals of the Xiaoyao Sect, spending her days training alone in the woods outside the city and her nights at the altar with Long Yin, learning assassination and infiltration techniques. She squeezed her sleep down to four hours a night, relying on the spiritual pills Mo Sanqi had given her to stay sharp.

Cramming at the last minute paid off. Though Jiang Ci couldn’t reach Mo Sanqi or Long Yin’s level, she had at least grasped the basics—her lightness skill had improved, and she’d mastered about seventy to eighty percent of the foundational techniques. Further refinement would take time.

Every bit of progress increased her odds.

By the evening of the third day, Jiang Ci arrived at the banquet in her wheelchair.

The poetry gathering had drawn quite a crowd, with fine wine, delicious food, and song and dance for entertainment. Jiang Ci drank liberally and soon became “too intoxicated” to even speak clearly.

“Honestly, you’ve had too much,” Helian Ping chided playfully before addressing the guests. “Please enjoy yourselves. I’ll take her back to her room.”

The onlookers watched the pair with knowing smiles. Rumors had long circulated that this future consort was someone Helian Ping had gone to great lengths to win over—a beloved favorite.

“Your Highness, go ahead. ‘One night of spring is worth a thousand in gold,’ as they say~”

Helian Ping smiled coyly, feigning shyness.

Once back in the room, the seemingly drunken Jiang Ci suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze clear and sober.

Helian Ping’s playful demeanor vanished, replaced by solemnity. “Be careful.”

“Mm.”

Under the cover of darkness, Jiang Ci used her lightness skill to slip out of the princess’s residence unnoticed. To outsiders, the lame and injured young woman should have been spending a passionate night with Helian Ping.

Following the plan, Jiang Ci avoided detection and infiltrated an inn where Jing Muxing and Xin Yuehu were waiting.

She spent some time disguising herself, double-checked her weapons and poisons, and finally inserted silver needles into specific acupoints.

This method, which she had stumbled upon in Mo Sanqi’s notes, could briefly unlock the body’s potential, significantly enhancing strength, speed, and reflexes—even numbing pain from injuries.

The downside was that it only lasted half an hour. Once the effects wore off, the side effects would kick in.

Jiang Ci had no choice. To ensure the assassination’s success, she had to take this risk.

…

The night was dark, the wind howled, and clouds blotted out the moon.

At that moment, Liao Yi was dining in his mansion. Every dish on the table had been tested for poison before he would eat it. Qi Zhan stood silently beside him, sword in hand, guarding him without fail.

After dinner, Liao Yi prepared to return to his room. As he crossed the courtyard, smoke suddenly billowed from the ground, obscuring everyone’s vision.

The guards immediately went on alert. “Assassins!”

Liao Yi covered his mouth and nose, thinking, Another fool rushing to their death?

His mansion was stocked with antidotes, so he wasn’t afraid of poisoned smoke. Qi Zhan pulled him aside, out of the smoke’s range.

But when he looked up again, Liao Yi was shocked to see two identical Qi Zhans standing to his left and right!

The Qi Zhan on the left said, “My lord, be careful! He’s an imposter!”

Liao Yi’s heart lurched, and he immediately shook off the one on the right who was holding his arm.

With the real and fake Qi Zhans indistinguishable for the moment, he kept his distance from both.

The Qi Zhan on the right said urgently, “My lord, he’s the fake!”

The one on the left drew his sword. “You think pretending to be me will fool anyone?”

The one on the right gritted his teeth. “Imposter! I’ll kill you first!”

Without another word, the two Qi Zhans clashed.

Liao Yi was utterly bewildered—even their voices were identical!

He quickly retreated further, putting distance between himself and the fighters. As a non-combatant, he couldn’t decipher their moves, only that their swords moved blindingly fast, a dazzling blur.

The guards surrounded them but hesitated to intervene.

This played right into Jiang Ci’s hands. If they all attacked at once, she wouldn’t stand a chance.

This was the first time Liao Yi had encountered such a situation, and his instincts screamed danger. This assassin was far more formidable than the previous ones!

They were familiar with the mansion’s layout and knew Qi Zhan well—they must have had prior contact!

Had an assassin’s spy infiltrated the court?!

The thought sent cold sweat pouring down Liao Yi’s back.

Of course, the immediate priority was distinguishing the real Qi Zhan. Liao Yi racked his brain for details only the real Qi Zhan would know, but in his panic, nothing came to mind.

Jiang Ci couldn’t afford to give them time. The crux of her plan was killing Qi Zhan as quickly as possible—any delay would expose her!

Qi Zhan was ranked tenth in Liang Kingdom’s martial arts hierarchy. Pei Yun, by comparison, was roughly fourth. Jiang Ci, having “borrowed” Gao Yi’s complete skillset, wasn’t far behind, and the acupuncture’s boost made her even stronger.

Her attacks were swift and lethal, leaving no room for counterattacks. But a top-tier expert wasn’t so easily defeated.

Qi Zhan blocked her strikes, but barely.

The more they fought, the more alarmed he became. His opponent’s skill was extraordinary—the slightest misstep would cost him his life!

He didn’t dare let his focus waver, but at that moment, Liao Yi suddenly asked, “Qi Zhan! Tell me, how much extra silver did I reward you last month?”

Qi Zhan: “…What?!”

He faltered, realizing Liao Yi was trying to distinguish the real from the fake—this was something only the two of them would know.

But that split-second hesitation created an opening.

Jiang Ci seized the opportunity, her sword flashing across his throat.

It happened in the blink of an eye. A cold gleam, a spray of bl00d.

A few drops splattered onto Jiang Ci’s mask just as lightning split the sky, illuminating her pale face and the grotesquely crimson stains.

As someone from another world, she should have felt horror or fear. But in that moment, her mind was eerily calm.

Or perhaps it had all happened too fast. Her brain hadn’t fully processed the act of killing.

Qi Zhan collapsed to his knees, eyes wide.

Three… three hundred taels…

His mouth moved, but no sound came out.

Long Yin had said throat slitting was the most effective method for assassinations.

Jiang Ci wiped the bl00d from her face, pushing aside her emotions to focus on the mission. “My lord, the assassin has been dealt with.”

Liao Yi was still reeling. That was it? He didn’t even answer the question!

…Was the dead one the real Qi Zhan?!

Paranoid by nature, Liao Yi couldn’t bring himself to trust the remaining one. “Stay back!”

The guards remained on high alert, their weapons trained on Jiang Ci.

Jiang Ci suddenly laughed. The biggest threat was already gone. If they wanted to kill her, they’d missed their best chance.

Liao Yi’s face paled as her expression registered. This one’s the fake!

But Jiang Ci was faster. In a flash, she had her sword at his throat.

“Thanks for asking that question.” Jiang Ci’s voice was icy. “Liao Yi, hand over the secret letter.”

According to Long Yin, the Empress Dowager had ordered Liao Yi to secretly manufacture gunpowder. The location wasn’t in the capital, and searching for it would be like finding a needle in a haystack—but the secret letter would surely mention it.

Terrified out of his wits, Liao Yi’s greatest reliance had been Qi Zhan. To think the tenth-ranked expert of Liang Kingdom could die so easily!

Who the hell is this assassin?!

The current Dark Hall had no such master!

Handing over the letter would mean certain death at the Empress Dowager’s hands, but refusing would cost him his life before dawn.

Liao Yi knew which to choose.

“…D-don’t kill me! I’ll take you to it!”

“Tell your men to back off!”

“Back off, all of you! Didn’t you hear me?!”

Jiang Ci escorted Liao Yi at swordpoint to his study, the guards maintaining a cautious distance.

Liao Yi dawdled as he searched the study. After a moment, Jiang Ci pressed her sword to his back. “No tricks. You have ten seconds.”

She only had half an hour before the side effects set in. If she didn’t leave soon, she’d be trapped.

“…Y-yes, here it is.”

Liao Yi retrieved the letter from a hidden compartment. Jiang Ci skimmed it quickly—it indeed mentioned the gunpowder and its location.

But… this much?!

Jiang Ci demanded coldly, “What is the Empress Dowager planning?”

“I’m just an errand boy! How would I dare speculate on Her Majesty’s intentions?” Liao Yi trembled. “Sir, you have the letter now. Spare my life! I have an eighty-year-old mother and four children—”

“Shut up!”

Jiang Ci pocketed the letter and marched Liao Yi out of the study.

The courtyard was packed with guards, their blades glinting coldly under the pale moonlight.

Dark clouds loomed overhead, thunder rumbling in the distance like an omen of doom.

Rain’s coming. That would help cover her tracks. For a moment, Jiang Ci thought, Tonight, even the heavens are on my side.

She retreated slowly toward the wall, Liao Yi in tow, the guards closing in around them.

Liao Yi’s heart pounded. Now that the assassin had the letter, surely they’d let him go…

Jiang Ci suddenly laughed. “You must be wondering who I am.”

Liao Yi swallowed hard. “Who… who are you?”

“Remember this—the Sect Leader of Xiaoyao Sect.”

Xiaoyao Sect? What kind of organization is that?

As soon as she spoke, hidden weapons struck several nearby guards.

“Ambush! There’s another assassin?!”

Chaos erupted as the guards scrambled to locate the second assailant.

Liao Yi was on the verge of fainting. Amid the confusion, a cold voice whispered in his ear:

“Sorry, but your life is mine too.”

Liao Yi’s breath hitched. A second later, cold steel kissed his neck, warmth trickling down his skin.

Jiang Ci was already leaping onto the wall, Mo Sanqi’s lightness skill proving invaluable.

By the time the guards realized what had happened, all they saw was a retreating figure vanishing into the night.

…

With Jing Muxing’s interference, escaping during the chaos wasn’t difficult.

But half an hour was almost up. Jiang Ci still had to remove her disguise, change back into her own clothes, and sneak back into the princess’s residence…

There wasn’t enough time.

Before she could return to the inn, Jiang Ci’s body suddenly convulsed violently. If not for Jing Muxing’s quick reflexes, she would have tumbled off the rooftop.

Jing Muxing hoisted her onto his back and kept running.

Another thunderclap boomed, deafening, and the skies opened up in a torrential downpour.

Drenched to the bone, Jiang Ci bit down on a strip of cloth Jing Muxing had torn off and stuffed into her mouth, the side effects wracking her body with agony. Every muscle felt like it was tearing apart, especially her injured right hand, which had only been numb to pain earlier…

Jing Muxing sprinted through the rain, carrying her.

At this moment, he had only one word for Jiang Ci: Respect.

She’d secured the letter, killed the targets—a young woman in her twenties had accomplished a near-impossible mission! By tomorrow, the name “Xiaoyao Sect” would spread throughout Liang Kingdom. Soon, the entire Dark Hall would know their new Sect Leader had arrived.

Everything had gone smoothly.

But the metallic tang of bl00d on Jiang Ci’s skin made it hard to feel triumphant. Her stomach churned.

I killed someone…

Earlier, she hadn’t felt anything—she’d been too focused on the mission.

Liao Yi and his cronies had deserved to die. They were corrupt, oppressive, and cruel. Jiang Ci hadn’t hesitated.

But now, when she closed her eyes, Qi Zhan’s lifeless stare and Liao Yi’s final gasp replayed vividly in her mind.

They haunted her like vengeful ghosts.

Fear crept into her heart. The convulsions subsided, but the pain remained. Drenched in cold sweat and rainwater, Jiang Ci felt utterly drained, too weak to even lift a finger.

Recovery would take time.

The rain blurred her vision. In her daze, she thought, I’ll surely go to hell after this…

She finally understood the vision from the exorcism ritual.

Tonight, her hands were stained with bl00d. And this was only the beginning—there was no turning back.

…

Outside, thunder and lightning raged, but inside the princess’s residence, the banquet was in full swing, guests drinking and composing poetry, utterly unaffected.

Helian Ping paced her room anxiously.

Half an hour had passed, and Jiang Ci still hadn’t returned. Had the assassination failed?!

She refused to believe it.

Besides, no Dark Hall disciples had come with news. Did that mean it had succeeded? Was Jiang Ci on her way back?

Just then, a servant announced, “Your Highness, Yu Kingdom’s envoy, Qin Shuang, requests an audience.”

Helian Ping’s head throbbed.

This woman hasn’t shown her face for two days—why now of all times?!

She hadn’t invited Yu Kingdom’s envoys. Qin Shuang had come uninvited. As a colleague of the future consort, Qin Shuang had asked to see Jiang Ci directly, and the servants hadn’t dared refuse.

Helian Ping snapped, “Guard the door! Tell her I’ve already retired for the night. Don’t let her in!”

…

Xi Lingxue had been busy with Prince Duan’s affairs lately, even sending out a team of spies. But before they could track the prince’s whereabouts, they’d stumbled upon rumors about the Empress Dowager.

The matter was grave, and Xi Lingxue wanted to discuss it with Jiang Ci. When she arrived at Jiang Ci’s residence, she was told Jiang Ci had gone to the princess’s banquet.

So she brought Jin Yu with her to the residence.

A drunk nobleman staggered over, slurring, “Come, Lord Qin, have a drink!”

“No, thank you.” Xi Lingxue sidestepped him, her voice cool. “I’m here to see Lord Jiang.”

“Her? I’d suggest coming back another day!”

The man’s smirk was insinuating. Xi Lingxue’s expression darkened, though she had a vague idea of what he meant. Still, she asked, “Where is she?”

“How dense can you be? Where else would she be but in the princess’s chambers?”

Jin Yu couldn’t hold back. “You’re lying!”

“Lying? Everyone here saw it! Ask them!”

Xi Lingxue didn’t press further, striding toward Helian Ping’s room with a stormy expression.

Two servants blocked her path at the door.

“Lord Qin, Her Highness has already retired.”

Inside, Helian Ping paced anxiously. Qin Shuang is here!

Is she here to steal Jiang Ci again? This woman is always so troublesome!

Xi Lingxue’s gaze swept over them. “Is Jiang Ci inside?”

Somehow, her soft-spoken question carried an icy edge. The servants shivered. “Y-yes… Lord Jiang had too much to drink, so…”

The implication was obvious. A Qianjun and a Kunjun alone after drinking—what else would they be doing? Anyone with sense would leave.

“Move.”

“???”

The servants thought they’d misheard. “L-Lord Qin, what did you say?”

Xi Lingxue pressed her lips together, unwilling to waste another word. She was about to have Jin Yu remove them when the door suddenly opened.

Helian Ping stood there, mask in place, perfectly composed, leaning coyly against the doorframe. “Lord Qin, my apologies, but A Ci is already—Huh?!”

Before she could finish, “Qin Shuang” brushed past her.

Helian Ping was stunned. She’d personally come to block the way, and this woman had the audacity to ignore her?!

An envoy disrespecting a princess in her own country, barging into her private chambers?!

Outrageous!

This reckless demeanor felt eerily familiar…

A suspicion flickered in Helian Ping’s mind, but there was no time to dwell on it. She spun around to stop “Qin Shuang.”

This is bad! Jiang Ci isn’t back yet, and Qin Shuang wasn’t part of the plan! If she starts asking questions, Jiang Ci’s alibi will fall apart!

“Qin Shuang! Stop!”

But Helian Ping was too late. “Qin Shuang” strode straight to the bed and yanked aside the curtains.

Helian Ping’s eyes widened.

The bed, which should have been empty, now held a figure.

Jiang Ci was bundled under the blankets, her face pale. Weakly, she said, “Lord Qin… what brings you here?”