Chapter 86: Return

In the scheme devised by Silver Yao, there were several particularly crucial points: first, to seize the first Withering Lotus; second, of course, to use the second Withering Lotus to threaten Ji Muyu; and third, to await the three-month agreement.

These three points were the essence of the plan. When Ji Muyu saw it, he had to admit Silver Yao truly had confidence. The plan stated that she would threaten him with the second Withering Lotus, which meant she would certainly make the Cold Spirit Valley reappear, and naturally, she would have to activate the Cold Spirit Formation. All he needed to do was assign people to watch her movements, as the Withering Lotus would only appear three days after the formation was triggered. By then, he would have ample time to make preparations.

As for the third point—awaiting the three-month agreement—it indirectly informed Ji Muyu that they would select a period to go into seclusion, since only through seclusion could they rapidly improve their strength. The plan even specified the timing: the last twenty days would be spent in seclusion.

They must have thought Ji Muyu would also need to retreat, and that if everyone was secluded, no one could launch a surprise attack. Unfortunately for them, Ji Muyu now knew exactly when they would withdraw, so he could arrange for enough people in that period to destroy their support from behind.

He summoned all the subordinates in Nightfall Pavilion who were best at concealing their presence and tracking others, and ordered them to watch Silver Yao’s every move. He also penned a letter and had it delivered from the palace to Yin Su—the only general at his disposal at the moment. Fortunately, Yin Su rarely disappointed him.

...

When Gu Shen Yu returned to Lingyu Pavilion, she unexpectedly ran into Nameless, who had just come back and nodded in greeting.

“Deputy Pavilion Master, you’ve returned!” Nameless lowered his head, speaking softly, betraying no sign of unease.

“In the past month, nothing major has happened in Lingyu Pavilion, has it? How is Ji Muyu moving these days?” Gu Shen Yu observed Nameless’s demeanor, noting nothing amiss, and asked a few questions.

Walking ahead, Gu Shen Yu listened as Nameless, following behind at an unhurried pace, replied, “He went into seclusion once during this time and emerged not long ago. Yesterday, Lie returned to the palace, but soon vanished again. We could not discover where he went.”

Gu Shen Yu nodded and asked nothing further. Ji Muyu certainly knew how to pick his timing—retreating just when everyone was away and unable to threaten him.

At the inner chambers, Nameless stopped and did not follow inside. Gu Shen Yu paid him no mind and entered alone.

On the bookshelf, all the books were perfectly arranged. She reached out, checked the order of the books—nothing had been moved.

On the top shelf sat several boxes of Iron Goddess tea, which Chu Su Yi had once specially purchased and left there. Gu Shen Yu touched the central box and gave it a gentle twist, revealing a hidden compartment at its side. She reached in and retrieved an envelope.

Inside was Silver Yao’s plan.

She carefully examined it again—everything was exactly as before, unchanged in any way.

Yet it was precisely this lack of any alteration that made Gu Shen Yu suspicious. She refused to believe Nameless hadn’t touched the bookshelf even once in a whole month. But if he had, would everything truly remain undisturbed?

There was only one possibility: everything had been moved, then meticulously restored to its original place. And the person responsible must have known the position of every single book.

In the entire Lingyu Pavilion, only three people could recall the placement of every item: herself, Chu Su Yi, and Nameless.

Suppressing her shock, Gu Shen Yu realized that Chu Su Yi and Silver Yao’s suspicions were not unfounded—Nameless was indeed suspicious. She would have to be even more cautious. But for now, without evidence, she could not risk alerting him.

Feigning nonchalance, Gu Shen Yu walked out of the inner chamber. Seeing Nameless still occupied, she merely shook her head.

Nameless, who had been waiting for her to come out, saw that she hadn’t questioned him, and concluded that nothing had been exposed—what a relief. But he wondered how much longer he could remain in Lingyu Pavilion.

...

Upon Li Su’s return to the Hidden Sect, he was met with a warm welcome—followed by a mountain of paperwork.

Seeing Li Su’s slightly disheveled but forcedly cheerful face, Li Yue and Yin Rou hid in a corner, snickering. When Li Su shot them a cutting glare, they fled at once.

Escape was their only option...

In the end, Li Su could only shake his head with resignation. He had to admit, Li Yue had become much more cheerful—and increasingly irreverent.

Smiling wryly and accepting the truth, Li Su buried himself in work—he could not let Silver Yao down.

He opened the first stack of documents: resolved.
The second: resolved.
The third: resolved.
And so on, until the last—also resolved.

Li Su was dumbfounded. Li Yue and Yin Rou were clearly toying with him. These two!

Still, as long as it was resolved...

In a certain inn, Li Yue and Yin Rou were doubled over with laughter. They just wanted to see how Li Su would react to a pile of “unresolved” matters, only to discover, upon reviewing them carefully, that everything had already been dealt with.

...

After leaving the imperial study, Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi did not depart the palace immediately. After all, it was the end of the month—the time to deliver medicine to Wan Youxue. This could not be delayed; headaches were no trifle.

As usual, Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi easily dealt with the guards outside Xuan Yu Palace and entered. Wan Youxue, long accustomed to their visits, was already seated at the table, having prepared tea for both, awaiting them.

“You Xue~” As always, Silver Yao’s voice preceded her appearance. Wan Youxue smiled, rose to her feet, and looked toward the doorway, where Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi stood one after the other.

Wan Youxue greeted them with a gentle smile. “Silver Yao, Leader Chu, you’ve come just in time. I’ve just made tea especially for you both. It should be ready—please, have a taste.”

“Of course!” Silver Yao replied cheerfully, entering with Chu Su Yi close behind.

They gathered around the table as Wan Youxue poured the tea for them.

Silver Yao did not rush to drink. She took out a medicine bottle. “You Xue, there are fifteen pills in here. When you’ve finished them, I’ll come here for the final procedure, and then your memory will return.”

Chu Su Yi sipped his tea, savoring it—Wan Youxue’s tea art was truly remarkable. Every visit was an opportunity for a rare and exquisite cup.

Taking the bottle, Wan Youxue studied it. In fifteen days, she would no longer need Yi Shang to restore her memory. That had to be a good thing, didn’t it?

Silver Yao, seeing Wan Youxue’s reaction, simply picked up her own cup and tasted the tea. Such fine tea was to be cherished.

From nearby, there seemed to be some disturbance. Silver Yao released her spiritual sense, and at the same time, Chu Su Yi did likewise. After a moment, they exchanged glances, reading the same thought in each other’s eyes.

It was Ji Muyu—and there were likely others with him. But now, it was almost impossible to leave Xuan Yu Palace unnoticed. If they tried, Ji Muyu would surely discover them. The guards outside had already been dealt with—what should they do?

“What’s wrong?” Wan Youxue sensed the unusual tension radiating from the pair before her, and, perceiving the strange atmosphere, grew curious.

“Ji Muyu is here, and everyone outside has been taken out,” Silver Yao said after nodding to Chu Su Yi, explaining their predicament to Wan Youxue.

Wan Youxue immediately understood. So, it was impossible for Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi to leave conveniently—what should be done?

Growing anxious, Wan Youxue became somewhat restless. Observing her, Silver Yao’s mind flashed with inspiration. “How about this, Youxue—would you mind helping us?”

Wan Youxue nodded without hesitation. “Of course, if you have an idea, tell me.”

“Here’s my thought: Ji Muyu knows you can become agitated during an episode. In a moment, you can take a bottle of Mind-Dulling Powder and run wildly through the palace grounds. Ji Muyu will assume you lost control and accidentally knocked everyone out. What do you think?” Silver Yao admitted she was using Ji Muyu’s feelings for Wan Youxue.

Chu Su Yi naturally agreed. There was no better plan. After a moment’s thought, Wan Youxue also consented. Ji Muyu always indulged her when she had an episode.

With Wan Youxue’s agreement, Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi quickly hid in the study within Xuan Yu Palace, suppressing their presence and waiting quietly for Ji Muyu’s arrival.

Once they were hidden, Wan Youxue steeled herself, tousled her hair and clothes, grabbed two bottles of Mind-Dulling Powder, flung open the door, and ran out in a frenzy.

“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!” Wan Youxue shrieked madly.

Ji Muyu heard Wan Youxue’s furious voice, and, using lightness skill, flew over to see her with disheveled hair, vacant eyes, and wildly flailing arms.

Today was the day for Wan Youxue’s medical check, but she had been delayed by Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi. Now, seeing Wan Youxue in the throes of an attack, Ji Muyu rushed forward to embrace her, but she swung the Mind-Dulling Powder at him. He hurriedly knocked the bottle from her hand.

“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!” Wan Youxue struggled fiercely.

Seeing her like this, Ji Muyu was reminded of the red-haired, red-eyed Wan Youxue—a sight that truly frightened him. He held her tightly.

“Xue’er, be good, be good…”

Wan Youxue would not relent and suddenly burst into tears. Alarmed, Ji Muyu released her, wanting to see what was wrong. Seizing the chance, she fled. For some reason, she moved with unusual speed, and Ji Muyu struggled to keep up.

As Wan Youxue fled, Ji Muyu and his followers gave chase—leaving Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi safe at last. Who would have thought Wan Youxue would do so much for them?

Exchanging glances, Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi slipped from the study and left the palace as swiftly as possible, not daring to bring more trouble to Wan Youxue.

Determined, Ji Muyu eventually knocked Wan Youxue unconscious. Just before she lost consciousness, she glanced at her distance from Xuan Yu Palace, and a relieved smile touched her lips: Silver Yao and Chu Su Yi must already be out of the palace.

“Imperial physician, hurry, come check on her!”

“Yes, yes.” An elderly physician hurried over with his medicine chest, knelt to check Wan Youxue’s pulse.

“Miss Wan is merely suffering from an old ailment. Rest will suffice,” he stammered, so frightened that he collapsed onto the ground.