Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 69

69: Regret

Jiang Ci’s move was a signal. Xi Lingxue, leading the rebel army from a distance, couldn’t reveal their position prematurely. They had to wait until Jiang Ci acted before closing in.

The woman charged ahead, her white robes fluttering, ink-black hair whipping in the wind.

On the other side, the elite members of the Dark hall, who had been lying in ambush, all emerged, each armed with explosives, their eyes gleaming with hostility.

With their commander held hostage and outnumbered in both troops and weaponry, Wu Yi’s men didn’t dare act recklessly.

Only now did they realize they had fallen into a trap set by bandits—and this time, there would be no way back.

Wu Yi, of course, understood this as well.

“…You dare play me?”

He never expected this group of bandits to have such extraordinary capabilities—not only colluding with rebel forces but also stockpiling explosives?!

Where did they get such resources?

None of this had been in the intelligence reports. Wu Yi’s heart filled with shock and suspicion, a vague sense of having been set up creeping over him.

His gaze turned icy. Since he’d been forced into a dead end, he’d drag someone down with him even in death!

Just as Wu Yi was about to erupt, the person holding him hostage spoke: “Don’t be rash. We just want to have a talk with the General.”

Wu Yi paused. Earlier, he’d been shouting, “What right do you have to talk to me?” But now, his expression darkened as he replied, “What do you want to talk about?”

Jiang Ci smiled faintly. Indeed, strength was the ultimate truth.

If they hadn’t had the upper hand, would Wu Yi have cooperated?

“Naturally, we’re talking about a way out,” Jiang Ci lowered her voice, hinting meaningfully, “General, who do you think set up this trap?”

Wu Yi’s face turned ashen. Her words planted a seed of doubt in his mind.

Jiang Ci said, “Bring A Ta forward.”

As she spoke, the rebel forces had already surrounded the area, and Xi Lingxue approached from a distance. She was still disguised as “Qin Shuang,” though she wore a veil over her face. Riding atop a horse, her slender waist looked as if it could be encircled with a single hand, her posture graceful and alluring.

The journey had been rough, the rush leaving her hair disheveled and her breathing uneven. Her eyes were fixed intently on the “Prince Duan.”

Jiang Ci seemed to sense something. When she turned, she met Xi Lingxue’s direct gaze—bright as autumn water, unable to conceal the panic in her eyes.

For some reason, at that moment, Xi Lingxue’s words flashed through Jiang Ci’s mind:

Remember this—I’ll always be here.

Across the crowd, their eyes locked. That brief second seemed to stretch infinitely.

Jiang Ci’s heart trembled. She quickly averted her gaze, forcing herself to push aside distracting thoughts and focus on the present.

A Ta was brought forward, bound tightly, kneeling before the crowd, not daring to lift his head.

At the sight of him, Wu Yi’s eyes blazed with fury, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked.

If everything before had been speculation, this was now irrefutable proof.

“A Ta… why are you here?!”

“I… the Empress Dowager sent me…”

After a round of confrontation, everything became clear.

Sai Na had impulsively kidnapped the Prince Duan, but the Empress Dowager seized the opportunity to exploit it. She secretly sent A Ta under the guise of offering amnesty to gain Sai Na’s trust. Once that was secured, the Empress Dowager ordered Wu Yi to suppress the bandits.

If Wu Yi refused, it would be an act of defiance, allowing her to weaken his military power. If he complied, he’d walk into a death trap—A Ta would be waiting here with explosives to wipe out both him and the bandits in one fell swoop.

However, the Empress Dowager never anticipated that the Xiaoyao Sect would suddenly intervene. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

The more Wu Yi thought about it, the angrier he became. He wished he could flay the Empress Dowager alive right then. “How vicious!”

Seeing A Ta kneeling before him, he ignored the dagger at his throat and delivered a fatal blow to the traitor’s head.

Jiang Ci glanced at the corpse on the ground, her expression indifferent. “The Empress Dowager has already decided to kill you, General. There’s only one path left for you.”

“Pledge allegiance to the Empress.”

Now, only the Empress could protect him—though Wu Yi would have to pay the corresponding price, such as his military power.

What had to be surrendered would still have to be surrendered.

…

Sai Na’s crisis was finally resolved. The moment Wu Yi’s troops withdrew, the members of the Dark hall couldn’t help but crowd around Jiang Ci, heaping praise on her.

“The Sect Leader is truly amazing! I was wondering why we kept A Ta alive instead of killing him outright—turns out he was the key to making Wu Yi believe us!”

“Exactly! Otherwise, how could Wu Yi have trusted us so easily?”

“He had no way out anyway—if he didn’t believe us, he’d still die!”

“That’s why the Sect Leader is brilliant! The Empress Dowager spent so much effort setting up this elaborate scheme, only for the Sect Leader to ruin it in the end!”

“Long live the Sect Leader!”

“Peerless in the world!”

Jiang Ci’s mask was still on, her face still that of Xi Lanhua’s. The praise was almost embarrassing.

But with so many people watching, she had to maintain the aloof, inscrutable demeanor of a sect leader. Standing with her hands behind her back, the wind billowing around her, she exuded an air of transcendent mystery.

Sai Na also stepped forward to express her gratitude. Without the help of the Xiaoyao Sect and “Qin Shuang” she would likely have been blown to pieces by now, her body left in fragments.

“Sect Leader, if you ever need Sai Na’s help in the future, just say the word!”

Jiang Ci chuckled lightly. “Good. I’ll remember that.”

She had already sent a carrier pigeon to Helian Ping about the amnesty offer. From now on, the entire bandit stronghold could live a stable life, free from their days of wandering.

Sai Na was in high spirits and warmly invited everyone to stay at the stronghold for a grand celebration.

Jiang Ci, infected by her joy and still floating from all the praise, was about to agree when—

“Thank you for the kind offer, but we must decline today.”

A cool, clear voice cut in. “Qin Shuang” swept a glance over, her eyes faintly amused. Though her words were directed at Sai Na, her gaze was fixed on Jiang Ci. “I have prior commitments and must return to the capital. We’ll celebrate another time.”

Jiang Ci’s heart skipped a beat. Oh no, oh no—I almost forgot! I still have to come clean to Xi Lingxue!

Changing tack, Jiang Ci asked, “When does Lord Qin plan to depart?”

The woman smiled faintly. “Now.”

Jiang Ci: “…”

“I just remembered I have urgent matters to attend to.”

…

The Xiaoyao Sect members fled at lightning speed. After bidding farewell, they raced back to the capital without pause.

Jiang Ci, while making her escape, sent people to check on Xi Lingxue’s “progress.” The two groups weren’t taking the same route.

Jiang Ci: “Where is she now?”

Lou Jingou: “Reporting to the Sect Leader—she’s about to overtake us.”

Jiang Ci: “What?! How is she so fast?!”

Wei Yueyan: “Our horses aren’t as good.”

Jiang Ci: “…”

Yi Huoshe: “Sect Leader, why don’t we just intercept Lord Qin and reveal your identity on the spot?”

Ji Shuibao: “What do you know?! We need to get back before her—that’ll show how capable we are! To win over a Kunjun, you have to surpass her, outdo her! Only then will she submit to you!”

Yi Huoshe: “Nonsense! Is this a race to you?”

Ji Shuibao: “And your idea is any better? ‘Intercept her’?”

The two immediately started bickering again. Jiang Ci barked at them, “Let’s just get back first!”

She was so agitated from riding that her stomach ached—whether from anger or the jostling, she couldn’t tell.

Once everyone quieted down, Lou Jingou said with a smile, “Sect Leader, listen to me—the setting and atmosphere for a conversation matter. Today happens to be the Lantern Festival. Why not invite Lord Qin out for a talk? I can even arrange something to make it a little… romantic.”

Jiang Ci sighed deeply. “You’re the only one with sense!”

The group galloped at full speed, reaching the capital just before the city gates closed.

Meanwhile, “Qin Shuang” was already on her way to the Jiang residence.

Jiang Ci immediately used her lightness skill, leaping across rooftops in a frantic rush, managing to slip into the estate just ahead of her.

By the time “Qin Shuang” entered, Jiang Ci was already seated inside, smiling at her.

The Sect Leader’s cool black martial attire had long been swapped out. Now, Jiang Ci wore a robe of fiery red—vibrant, lively, radiant as flames.

The woman paused, raising an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

She didn’t ask where Jiang Ci had been the past two days. Instead, she cut straight to the point: “Have you figured out what to say to me?”

“Yes,” Jiang Ci ventured, “Have you eaten dinner?”

“Not hungry.”

Not in a good mood, then.

Jiang Ci tried again: “Then… come with me first?”

The woman let out a soft hmph, as if to say, Fine, let’s see what tricks you have left.

…

That night, the streets were ablaze with lanterns, alive with music and song.

This year’s Lantern Festival was livelier than most. The corrupt official Liao Yi was dead, and the citizens quietly celebrated, the city adorned with lights and decorations, brimming with joy.

Back in the capital, Jiang Ci once again became the “delicate, crippled pretty girl,” confined to a wheelchair, pushed along the streets by “Qin Shuang.”

Thankfully, the wheelchair had been improved and was no longer as cumbersome as before.

Stalls lined the streets, displaying lanterns of all shapes and colors, dazzling to the eye. The crowds were thicker than usual, most walking in pairs—clearly couples—each holding a beautiful lantern.

Jiang Ci’s heart twinged inexplicably.

After all this time with Xi Lingxue, through all their twists and turns, how had they never strolled through the streets together?

They had so few happy memories.

The wheelchair suddenly stopped. Jiang Ci turned to see Xi Lingxue gazing absently at the lanterns floating on the river, her eyes reflecting the shimmering light.

A nearby stall owner, noticing Jiang Ci in the wheelchair, seemed to recognize her and enthusiastically explained, “Young Master Jiang, since it’s your first time in Liang Kingdom, you might not know—those lotus-shaped lanterns are for making wishes. Let them drift down the river, and the mountain gods will receive them, granting your desires.”

A little girl nearby asked innocently, “Uncle, what’s a wish?”

“A regret is just a wish left unfulfilled.”

Jiang Ci froze, then turned to Xi Lingxue—just as the woman also looked back. Their eyes met, each seeing their own reflection in the other’s gaze, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Xi Lingxue blinked, her voice soft. “Let’s make a wish too.”

“Okay.” Jiang Ci asked the stall owner, “How much for a lantern?”

“Ten taels each.”

After paying, Jiang Ci held the lantern while Xi Lingxue pushed the wheelchair, and the two made their way to the riverbank.

Once they left, the stall owner peeled off his mask.

Lou Jingou grinned like a proud matchmaker.

“Ten taels for that? You’re ruthless.” Yi Huoshe crawled out from under the table and handed the little girl a silver fragment. “Good acting. Go play.”

“Thank you, uncle!”

…

Jiang Ci and Xi Lingxue soon reached the shore.

They had too many regrets between them—could such a small lantern bear the weight of them all?

Now that the General had pledged loyalty to the Empress, Liao Yi and A Ta were dead, and the Empress Dowager’s right-hand men had been severed, leaving only the eunuch Hong San. The political landscape of Liang Kingdom was all but settled. By tomorrow, the court would likely undergo a seismic shift.

Jiang Ci had no intention of interfering with the remaining small fry. It was time to focus on her own affairs.

Like the woman who had stayed by her side all this time.

After all their twists and turns, they’d still found their way back to each other—but not without taking so many detours.

If only they’d known then what they knew now.

Xi Lingxue cradled the lantern, the faint candlelight casting a gentle glow on her face, softening her usually cool features.

“A Ci, I keep thinking… if only time could flow backward.” She bit her lip. “Back to the day we first met…”

She would never make the wrong choice again.

Jiang Ci’s chest tightened. After a long pause, she sighed. “It’s not too late now.”

The woman froze. The meaning behind those words was unmistakable.

Xi Lingxue’s lips curved into a smile, her eyes deep and inscrutable. “Good. It’s not too late.”

From this moment on, every part of her—body and soul—would belong to Xi Lingxue completely.

With a gentle push, the lantern carrying all their regrets drifted slowly into the river.

“Xiaoxue,” Jiang Ci looked up at her, hesitating before saying, “Actually, I’m—”

Boom! A firework burst across the night sky, drowning out the word “Sect Leader” in its deafening roar.

Jiang Ci stared blankly, annoyed. Why now of all times?!

She tried again: “I’m—”

Boom! Boom! Boom! Fireworks erupted one after another, lighting up the sky as bright as day.

So frustrating!

But before she could speak again, under the dazzling fireworks, the woman leaned in and kissed her.

“I already know.”

Everyone on the shore was looking up at the fireworks. No one noticed the small, intimate moment in the corner.

Jiang Ci’s eyes widened in shock. How?!

How did she figure it out?!

Her mind went blank. Then she thought, Forget it—it doesn’t matter.

What mattered was now. She wrapped her arms around the woman’s slender waist, deepening the kiss.

But then—ouch! Her lips stung as Xi Lingxue bit her hard again.

The woman abruptly pushed her away, snorting coldly. “You think it’s over just like that?”

“O-otherwise…?”

Xi Lingxue’s eyes gleamed with icy light. “You hid it from me on purpose?”

Jiang Ci gulped. “I didn’t want you to worry…”

“Lied in another woman’s bed?”

“I had no choice…”

“You have a lot of excuses. So?”

Jiang Ci sighed. “I’ll accept any punishment you give. Is that okay?”

Xi Lingxue narrowed her eyes like a cunning fox, her gaze full of hidden meaning. “Then I’ll have to think carefully about how to deal with you.”

…

Not far away, a few sneaky heads popped up from the grass.

Ji Shuibao: “Success! The setting and atmosphere really do matter!”

Wei Yueyan: “Who’s paying for the fireworks?”

Lou Jingou: “Put it on the Sect Leader’s tab.”

Yi Huoshe: “So what now? Should we go drink?”

Just as they were about to slip away, flames suddenly erupted on the river’s surface.

“…Isn’t that Lord Qin’s lantern? It’s on fire?!”

On the other side, Jiang Ci was also drawn to the blaze.

A burning lantern was an ominous sign.

As she was thinking this, a sharp gust of wind brushed her cheek. Jiang Ci felt a chill on her face, her hair standing on end. Without a second thought, she instinctively scooped Xi Lingxue into her arms and leaped aside—just as a black-clad figure shattered the wheelchair with a single palm strike.

Jiang Ci dodged the attack, but the lie of her “crippled” state was exposed on the spot.

The intruder planted a foot on the wreckage of the wheelchair, glaring at Jiang Ci.

“So it really is you…”