Chapter 83: So Infuriating It Could Kill

In the perpetually dim study of the palace, two figures stood together. One was Lie, who had finally obtained the results of his investigation; the other, Ji Muyu, awaited him after receiving Lie's summons.

Today, Lie had expended considerable effort and at last secured concrete information. After repeated confirmation, he was now utterly certain of the whereabouts of that previously elusive Lotus of Sorrow.

"Lie, did you find its location? Where is it?" Ji Muyu asked, his emotions clearly stirred.

Lie nodded. "Yes. I've confirmed it—the information is true. The Lotus of Sorrow is in the Cold Spirit Valley, the very valley that appeared three years ago. Moreover, the lotus doesn't emerge easily; it blooms slowly on the third night after the Cold Spirit Array is activated. That's when it's at its best."

"Cold Spirit Valley?" Ji Muyu murmured, searching his memory for all data on the place. Suddenly his eyes brightened as he thought of someone. "Lie, go find Yin Su at once. She knows where Cold Spirit Valley is! And if I'm not mistaken, she likely knows how to activate the Cold Spirit Array as well!"

Lie did not question it; he nodded and withdrew.

Ji Muyu's mind recalled Yin Su's grave injury from that time. According to her report, she and Silver Yao had engaged in a fierce battle at Cold Spirit Valley, which seemed to be Silver Yao's domain. He wondered if Yin Su had any means to help.

Previously, the lotus whose location was known was in the far north, while this one was in Cold Spirit Valley. The commonality was the extreme cold, making its presence there reasonable.

...

To save time, Lie did not notify Yin Su beforehand. He disguised himself as a member of Ling Yu Pavilion and entered openly, slipping into the pavilion's inner sanctum when no one was paying attention.

Nameless was at the bookshelf, searching for something. Lie immediately spotted her; aside from himself, only she was permitted to freely enter the inner sanctum.

"Yin Su," Lie called to the woman searching for something, his tone flat as ever.

Hearing someone call her true name, Nameless visibly trembled and dropped the envelope in her hands, startled out of her concentration. Turning, she saw the familiar figure: Lie.

Suppressing her irritation, Yin Su realized that Lie's personal arrival meant the matter must be urgent. She hadn't expected him to come so hastily, without even notifying her.

"Lie, is there something urgent you need to discuss?" Yin Su spoke calmly, showing no awkwardness.

"The location of the Lotus of Sorrow has been confirmed. It's in Cold Spirit Valley," Lie nodded, informing her of the latest news.

"Cold Spirit Valley? Lie, are you sure you haven't made a mistake?" Hearing the name, Yin Su was shaken, involuntarily recalling everything that had happened there—Silver Yao's final act of letting go, the valley burdened with her memories. It was there she had truly parted ways with Gu Shen Yu. So many memories, none of them pleasant...

Lie said nothing, watching her coldly. Seeing his reaction, Yin Su understood—the location was indeed Cold Spirit Valley. Lie despised having his abilities questioned, but Yin Su's astonishment had prompted her inquiry.

"So, the Pavilion Master sent you to find me? Ask whatever you wish—I’ll tell you everything," Yin Su went straight to the point.

"I need to know the precise location of Cold Spirit Valley and how to activate the Cold Spirit Array." Seeing her response, Lie understood why the Pavilion Master had sent him—Yin Su did know something.

"Three years ago, I fought Silver Yao there. She disappeared, and the valley vanished along with her. Now she's returned, but the valley has not reappeared; I suspect it's because she hasn't activated the array. When I arrived back then, Silver Yao was unconscious, so I never learned how to activate it..." Yin Su began to reminisce; she hadn't expected the Lotus of Sorrow to appear in Cold Spirit Valley.

...

Having obtained this information, Lie still lacked the most crucial detail and pressed further. "Where was Cold Spirit Valley before? Are you truly unable to activate the array?"

Yin Su nodded. "To activate the Cold Spirit Array, only Silver Yao can do it; there's no other way. The valley is where the Silver Fox once lived—you should be able to investigate this."

"Mm," Lie replied, glancing at the disrupted bookshelf. "What are you searching for?"

"Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi's revenge plan," Yin Su answered, her tone tinged with frustration. She had searched for ages but could not find it. Who knew where Chu Su Yi and Gu Shen Yu had hidden it?

"All right, I'm leaving," Lie said, and in the next moment, he vanished.

Yin Su silently smiled and shook her head. Lie was the most mysterious of them all; his skill at concealing his presence surpassed anyone she'd ever met—even she couldn't sense him. His lightness skill was exceptional. She suddenly wondered whether his attack power was still as formidable as before.

...

Sending a message by carrier pigeon, this time Lie did not report to Ji Muyu in person. He needed to find a way to activate the Cold Spirit Array, for it was impossible to wait for Silver Yao to do it. Judging by the current situation, Silver Yao had no intention of restoring Cold Spirit Valley; if she learned the Pavilion Master urgently needed the Lotus of Sorrow and it was in her territory, she would be even less likely to activate the array—or perhaps she would gain another leverage to threaten the Pavilion Master.

This time, Lie brought no good news. After reading the letter, Ji Muyu frowned; it stated that the only known way to activate the array was through Silver Yao. Yet, why would Silver Yao do so? He was certain she would soon learn of this, and then she would surely come to negotiate.

Ji Muyu clenched his right fist, tighter and tighter, yet he seemed not to feel the pain.

...

A figure resembling a beggar rushed into the teahouse, swiftly handed Silver Yao a note, then resumed his begging, finally allowing the waiter to chase him out.

Ji Muyu has received the message; the next step is underway.

Just a simple sentence, but after reading it Silver Yao smiled. She thought it necessary to visit the palace today; if she did not, she would betray Ji Muyu’s expectations.

"Let's go. Tonight we'll openly take a stroll around the palace," Silver Yao said to Chu Su Yi, who naturally understood the note's contents. He was suddenly looking forward to Ji Muyu's reaction upon seeing them.

Night fell.

Ji Muyu paced in the imperial study when suddenly someone came to report that the Martial Alliance Leader Chu Su Yi and Snake Maiden Silver Yao requested an audience. He understood—Silver Yao had learned the news and was here deliberately to see him.

"Let them in," Ji Muyu said with a wave of his hand, refusing to turn them away.

Soon, Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi entered the imperial study. Ji Muyu dismissed the attendants, knowing the conversation would not concern court affairs.

"Your Majesty," Silver Yao said with a laugh, "I heard you’re searching for the Lotus of Sorrow. What a coincidence—there happens to be one in my territory. It seems if I don't activate the Cold Spirit Array and restore the valley, you won't find the lotus. Oh, and there's another, but unfortunately, Chu Su Yi and I also need the lotus, so we'll just have to join the fun and compete for it."

Silver Yao appeared to be concerned for Ji Muyu, but every word she spoke blocked his escape.

Chu Su Yi chimed in, "Silver Yao, do you think the two of us can outcompete the emperor for a treasure? Alas, he is the Son of Heaven!"

The sarcasm was unmistakable, and Ji Muyu gritted his teeth.

"Thank you both for your concern. Whether you can outcompete me depends on reality," Ji Muyu retorted, showing no weakness.

"Indeed, let reality decide," Silver Yao replied, her laughter clear as a bell.

Chu Su Yi stood casually at her side, pretending to be serious. "We must work hard—not even two of us can beat one man for a prize?"

Silver Yao laughed heartily, completely disregarding Ji Muyu's dignity.

Clearly, the two had come to provoke him, yet he could not turn them away, lest they accuse him—how could an emperor fear two wanderers?

"Are you finished? If so, please leave; I won't see you out," Ji Muyu said, barely containing his anger.

Silver Yao feigned disappointment. "Oh, I thought Your Majesty needed me to activate the array and restore Cold Spirit Valley."

Chu Su Yi and Silver Yao turned to leave. Hearing Silver Yao’s words, Ji Muyu hesitated and spoke uncertainly, "Wait. Silver Yao, tell me—what are your conditions for activating the array?"

Without looking back, Silver Yao replied as she opened the door, "Sorry, I have no desire to see Cold Spirit Valley again."

Indeed, Silver Yao's words were deliberate, and the valley was the perfect bargaining chip, for only she could summon it. Chu Su Yi laughed heartily, while in the imperial study, Ji Muyu smashed a cup in anger.

A while later, Lie appeared in the study, saw the shattered cup, and recalled Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi’s visit. He understood the cause of the chaos.

"Pavilion Master."

"I command you! Join Lin’s faction, work behind the scenes, and have Yin Su quickly find their detailed plans for me!" Ji Muyu rarely spoke to Lie in such an imperative tone, but this time he truly was furious.

"As you command," Lie replied, his expression unchanged, then withdrew.

Ji Muyu forced himself to calm down, but he could not. Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi now had the advantage, while he himself was at a disadvantage. He could not accept it.