025 It Is Enough To Be Dazzling

Ouyang Ke’s eyes lit up, his spirit stirred. Ignoring Tolui, he smiled and said, "What kind of man is Young Master Ouyang? Once I have given my word, how could I go back on it? However, while he may leave, you, Lady Huazheng, must stay..."

"Fine."

Cheng Lingsu had anticipated that he would not let the matter rest so easily. Yet, she thought this might be for the best; she could manage to parry Ouyang Ke and look for an escape on her own, but with Tolui present, she would be burdened by concern. Thus, before he could utter any more nonsense, she cut him off and agreed.

Ouyang Ke had not expected her to yield so readily. He laughed aloud, "That is more like it. With that eyesore gone, we can have a proper chat."

Ignoring him, Cheng Lingsu turned away, withdrew a silk handkerchief containing blue flowers from her bosom, shook it briefly in the air, and used it to bandage the torn flesh of Tolui’s hand. She then tucked the blue flowers back into her pocket. She explained the situation to Tolui in a few words, urging him to return immediately.

Tolui’s face was livid. He stepped back two paces, suddenly yanked his saber from the ground, and stared at Ouyang Ke, slashing the air before him with a fierce stroke. "Your martial arts are superior, and I am no match for you. But today, in the name of the son of Khan Temujin, I swear to the gods of the grasslands: once I have purged the traitors who harmed my father, I will surely settle this score with you! I will avenge my sister and show you what true heroes of the steppe are made of!"

As a son of a Mongol tribal leader, Tolui was known for his modesty and profound sense of loyalty, unlike the arrogant Tuoshi. Yet, his inner pride was no less intense. He was Temujin’s favorite son, well-versed in his father’s grand ambitions to turn all lands covered by the blue sky into pastures for the Mongols.

For this goal, he had trained in the army since childhood without a single day’s respite. Who would have thought that after years of bitter training, not only would he fall into enemy hands, but he would also fail to bring his sister, who had come to rescue him, home safely! Tolui knew Cheng Lingsu was right; he had to prioritize Temujin’s safety and return as quickly as possible to mobilize troops to support his father. But the thought of his sister being forcibly detained here left him so choked with shame he could hardly breathe.

The Mongols valued their word above all else, especially oaths sworn to the heavens. Though Tolui knew he was no match for Ouyang Ke in combat, he made his vow with iron resolve and a devout, awe-inspiring countenance. His words soared with heroic spirit; though not a master of the martial way, his shoulders, tempered by years in the barracks, bore the same regal air as Temujin’s. His piercing gaze was so imposing that even Ouyang Ke, who did not fully grasp the content of his words, felt a flicker of secret alarm.

Cheng Lingsu felt a surge of warmth. The blood of Temujin’s daughter within her seemed to resonate with Tolui’s reluctance and determination. It surged like a torrent, bringing tears to her eyes. She moved unobtrusively to block Ouyang Ke’s path should he decide to strike, and whispered, "Go now, return quickly. I have my own way to escape."

Tolui nodded, took two steps toward her, and embraced her briefly. Without sparing another glance at Ouyang Ke, he turned and sprinted toward the camp gate.

Along the way, the guards who had been left behind tried to intercept him, but he cut them down one by one with his saber.

***

Only when she saw Tolui seize a horse at the edge of the camp and gallop away did Cheng Lingsu finally relax, letting out a soft sigh.

In her previous life, her master, the Poison King, used toxins as medicine to heal the sick, yet he firmly believed in the cycle of karma. In his later years, he converted to Buddhism, cultivating his nature until he reached a state beyond anger or joy. Cheng Lingsu was the youngest disciple he took in his twilight years and was deeply influenced by him. Having died once, only to be sent here through the cycles of reincarnation, she had to believe that perhaps there was some greater purpose in the cosmos.

Originally, she had not intended to be deeply entangled with the people and events of this world. She had even hoped to find an opportunity to escape far away, to return to the shores of Lake Dongting, to see what the White Horse Temple would look like centuries later, and to open a small clinic, healing the sick while guarding the memories and deep affections for that one person from her past life.

Moreover, if Temujin were to fall into danger, the Mongol tribe where she had lived for ten years would suffer as well. Her mother and brother, who had cared for her and raised her with sincerity, and the tribespeople she saw every day would all be struck by disaster. After ten years together, how could she stand by and do nothing?

Thinking of this, Cheng Lingsu sighed again.

Seeing her staring in the direction of Tolui’s departure, lost in thought and sighing repeatedly, Ouyang Ke lifted his chin and sneered, "What? So reluctant to see him go?"

Sensing the implication in his words, Cheng Lingsu frowned, pulling her thoughts back. "I am worried for my brother. Is that not as it should be?"

"Oh? He is your brother?" Ouyang Ke raised an eyebrow, a flash of glee crossing his eyes. "Then... the boy before him was your lover?"

"What nonsense are you..." Cheng Lingsu paused, suddenly realizing, "You mean Guo Jing? You were here before... you knew as soon as we arrived?"

"Not 'you all,' just you. I knew the moment you arrived." Ouyang Ke looked quite pleased, clearly enjoying her reaction.

Although Cheng Lingsu had dismounted far away, his internal energy was profound, and his hearing far surpassed that of the common Mongol soldiers. He had discovered her almost as soon as she snuck into the camp. He had been about to reveal himself when he saw Ma Yu step in and take both her and Guo Jing away.

Years ago, his uncle, Ouyang Feng, had suffered a great loss at the hands of the Quanzhen Sect; thus, the lineage of the West Poison always harbored resentment and caution toward the Taoists of Quanzhen. Recognizing Ma Yu’s Taoist robes and recalling his uncle’s warnings, Ouyang Ke had abandoned the idea of appearing. Instead, he remained in the shadows, watching their exchange.

***

He had assumed Cheng Lingsu would persuade Ma Yu to charge the camp to rescue the prisoners. He did not know Ma Yu was the leader of the Quanzhen Sect, thinking only that with thousands of soldiers and Wanyan Honglie’s group of martial artists in the camp, they would surely be able to entangle Ma Yu and perhaps even eliminate him, ridding the Quanzhen Sect of a powerful pillar. He had not expected the Taoist not only to refrain from attacking but to leave with Guo Jing, leaving Cheng Lingsu behind.

Cheng Lingsu began to piece things together. "Wanyan Honglie came here in secret, likely to sow discord between Sangkun and my father, keeping the Mongol tribes in constant conflict so his Great Jin Kingdom would have no northern threats."

Ouyang Ke had no interest in such politics. Seeing how earnest Cheng Lingsu was, he nodded and offered a compliment: "Drawing inferences from one instance—you truly are remarkably clever."

She reached up to smooth a strand of hair blown by the wind. Her gaze was as clear and cold as the waters of the Onon River on the steppe. "You are one of Wanyan Honglie’s men, yet you let Guo Jing go to warn them, and now you let Tolui go to mobilize troops. Are you not afraid of ruining his grand scheme?"

Ouyang Ke laughed loudly, reached out, and tapped her chin lightly. "Afraid? What do his schemes have to do with me? If I can win a beauty’s smile, what does it matter?"

Cheng Lingsu did not smile. Instead, she frowned and stepped back, avoiding the folding fan that had lightly hooked toward her chin. She reached out and grasped the black-lacquered handle of the fan. A chill pierced through her skin, so sharp it reached her bones, making her want to let go immediately. Only then did she realize the ribs of his fan were forged from dark iron, cold as ice.

"What? Do you like this fan?" Ouyang Ke flicked his wrist with feigned indifference, brushing her hand away and retracting the fan. He snapped it open and began to wave it lightly before his chest. "If there is anything else you fancy, I would gladly give it to you, but this fan..." He pondered for a moment, then chuckled, "If you like it, as long as you follow me from this day forth, you will naturally be able to see it all the time..."