007 Ruins a Reputation

Ouyang Ke’s eyes gleamed, his spirit stirred. Ignoring Tulai, he smiled and said lightly, “I, Young Master Ouyang, am no ordinary man. Once my words are spoken, there is no turning back. However, he may leave; as for you, Miss Huazheng, you shall remain here…”

“All right.”

Cheng Lingsu had long anticipated that he wouldn’t easily relent. Yet this was for the best. She alone could still contend with Ouyang Ke and seek a chance to escape. With Tulai present, her mind would be less at ease. So, before he could utter more nonsense, she cut him off with a quick agreement.

Ouyang Ke did not expect her to consent so swiftly. He laughed heartily, “That’s the spirit! With that troublesome one gone, we can have a proper conversation.”

Cheng Lingsu ignored him, turning her back. She took from her bosom a handkerchief embroidered with blue flowers, shook it lightly in the air, and applied it to the shattered tiger’s mouth on Tulai’s hand. Then she placed the two blue flowers back into her bosom. Briefly explaining the situation to Tulai, she urged him to leave first.

Tulai’s face darkened like iron. Stepping back two paces, he suddenly drew the single-edged sword resting by his foot. Fixing his gaze on Ouyang Ke, he struck down fiercely into the empty space before him. “Your martial skill is formidable; I am no match. Yet today, in the name of Temujin Khan’s son, I swear before the Sky God of the steppes: once I have exterminated all who plot against my father, I will meet you in battle! For my sister’s revenge, and to show you what true heroes of the grasslands are!”

As the son of a Mongol tribe leader, Tulai was courteous and loyal, unlike Dushi, who was arrogantly disdainful. Yet his pride was no less intense. He was Temujin’s favored son, well aware of his father’s grand ambitions. He sought to help his father transform every corner under the blue sky into Mongol pastures.

For this goal, he had trained in the military from youth without pause. Yet after years of hardship, he fell into enemy hands and was unable to safely escort his sister who came to rescue him. Tulai knew Cheng Lingsu was right: now he must prioritize Temujin’s safety and quickly return to marshal troops to aid his ambushed father. But the thought of his sister being forcibly detained here filled him with shame so great it almost stopped his breath.

Mongols prized honor above all, especially oaths sworn to the Sky God revered by all on the steppes. Though he knew he was no match in combat, Tulai’s oath was resolute and sincere. His words carried soaring passion. Though not a martial master, his broad shoulders bore the sovereign presence identical to Temujin’s—commanding and imperious. Even Ouyang Ke, though not understanding all, was secretly taken aback.

Cheng Lingsu felt warmth in her heart. The blood of Temujin’s daughter coursing in her veins seemed to sense Tulai’s determination and unwillingness, swelling like a raging tide, moistening her eyes. Calmly turning aside, she positioned herself between Ouyang Ke and the direction he might strike, whispering, “Go quickly, return at once. I shall find my own way to escape.”

Tulai nodded, stepped forward two paces, embraced her briefly, then without another glance at Ouyang Ke, turned and ran toward the camp gate.

Along the way, several guards tried to stop him as he fled the camp, but he cut each one down with a single blow.

Only when she saw Tulai seize a horse at the camp’s edge and gallop away did Cheng Lingsu finally breathe a sigh of relief.

In her previous life, her master, the Poison Hand Medicine King, practiced healing through poisons yet deeply believed in karmic reincarnation. In old age, he converted to Buddhism, cultivating his mind to reach a state free of anger or joy. Cheng Lingsu was his late disciple and had been profoundly influenced. Though she had already died in that cycle, being sent here again made her believe that fate had further designs.

She had originally intended to avoid entanglements with the world, even planning to find an opportunity to quietly escape to the shores of Dongting Lake. There, she would see what the White Horse Temple looked like centuries hence, open a small clinic to heal the sick, and live a life devoted to the memories and deep affection for that one person in her past.

Moreover, if Temujin were in peril, then the Mongol tribe she had lived with for ten years would suffer as well. Her mother and brother who had cared for her sincerely, along with the people she saw daily, would all face disaster. After ten years together, how could she stand by idly?

At this thought, Cheng Lingsu sighed softly again.

Seeing her gaze fixed on Tulai’s departing path and her continuous sighs, Ouyang Ke raised his chin and sneered, “What’s the matter? So reluctant to part?”

Sensing the implication behind his words, Cheng Lingsu frowned, refocusing and retorting, “I worry for my brother—isn’t that natural?”

“Oh? He’s your brother?” Ouyang Ke raised his eyebrow, the glint of amusement in his eyes fleeting. “Then… that fellow before was your lover?”

“You’re talking nonsense—” Cheng Lingsu suddenly paused, realization dawning. “You mean Guo Jing? You knew from the start… you knew as soon as we arrived?”

“It’s not them, it’s you! The moment you appeared, I knew,” Ouyang Ke said with pride, clearly enjoying her reaction.

Though she dismounted from afar, his profound inner strength and keen hearing were no match for ordinary Mongol soldiers. He had discovered her as she infiltrated the camp, just as Ma Yu intervened and took both her and Guo Jing away.

Years ago, his uncle, Ouyang Feng, had suffered a great loss at the hands of the Quanzhen Sect, so the Western Venom lineage harbored bitterness and caution toward Quanzhen Taoists. Recognizing Ma Yu’s Taoist robe, Ouyang Ke recalled his uncle’s warnings and refrained from revealing himself. Instead, he hid in the shadows, watching their exchanges.

He had expected Cheng Lingsu to persuade Ma Yu to storm the camp and rescue the captives. He was unaware that Ma Yu was the Quanzhen Sect’s leader and only expected that, besides the thousands of troops, Wanyan Honglie and several martial experts would be enough to occupy Ma Yu. Perhaps he could seize the chance to eliminate a Quanzhen master. But to his surprise, the Taoist did not attack the camp and instead left with Guo Jing, leaving Cheng Lingsu behind.

Gradually, Cheng Lingsu pieced things together. “Wanyan Honglie’s secret arrival must be to sow discord between Sangkun and my father, forcing the Mongol tribes into endless strife so that the Jin Empire remains free from northern troubles.”

Ouyang Ke had no interest in such conflicts but nodded along with her serious tone. “Very clever, drawing conclusions from a single instance.”

Brushing a stray lock of hair blown by the wind, Cheng Lingsu’s gaze was as clear as the cold waters of the Wulan River on the steppe. “You serve Wanyan Honglie, yet you let Guo Jing go to warn them, and now you let Tulai return to rally troops. Aren’t you afraid this will ruin his grand plan?”

Ouyang Ke laughed heartily and reached out, gently tapping her chin. “Afraid? What does his scheme have to do with me? If I can win a smile from a beauty, what does anything else matter?”

Cheng Lingsu did not smile. Instead, her brow furrowed slightly as she stepped back half a pace, evading the slender fan lightly hooked toward her chin. She reached out and snapped the black fanhead into her palm with a sharp “clap.” A chill shot through her hand to her bones, nearly forcing her to drop it. She realized the fan’s ribs were forged from dark iron, cold as ice.

“What? Do you like this fan?” Ouyang Ke flicked his wrist casually, brushing away her hand and retrieving the fan. With a swift motion, he unfurled it before him, waving it gently. “If you fancy another, I wouldn’t mind giving it to you. But this fan…” He paused, then smiled lightly, “If you like it, just stay by my side from now on, and you’ll see it whenever you want…”

Author’s note: I tell you, Ouyang Ke, isn’t Miss Lingsu just taken with your fan? You’re so stingy you won’t even give it away!

Ouyang Ke: That was given to me by my father… cough cough… uncle.