Chapter 122: Uncertainty vs. Indifference

Yu Xiaoxiao finally got an inkling of the going-ons after listening to Cheng Guan and the emaciated old monk’s conversation. Wen Fenglin had been planning to poison Cheng Guan to death until the poisons were switched, causing Cheng Guan to be unharmed while Wen Fenglin fell prey to his own ploy.

Cheng Guan looked at Wang Sheng and said, “This humble monk has been at the discipline hall for many years. When have I ever committed such a gross sin?”

Yu Xiaoxiao’s eyes dropped to the floor and saw the jade tray and the remnants of its soup bowl. Cheng Guan’s voice now rose lightly to defend himself and the rest of Safeguard Temple. “With you all looking after the kitchens, when could I or Safeguard Temple have made our move? Is Master Wang Sheng taking your own or Beiji’s abilities lightly?”

Wang Sheng fell silent. He couldn’t figure it out either–how could any monk have switched the drugs beneath he and Beiji’s scrutiny?

Keeping an eye on the kitchens? Yu Xiaoxiao glanced at Beiji. That’s right, I saw him in the courtyard of the kitchens. That means the one who switched the poisons and cursed Wen Fenglin is me, Yu Xiaoxiao.

“Will the junior master be alright?” Cheng Guan asked next.

But Yu Xiaoxiao suddenly spoke up. “Wen Fenglin wants to kill you? Why?”

“Princess.”

“Speak, why should Wen Fenglin kill you?” Yu Xiaoxiao’s hands formed into fists again. Although the cruel female emperor had ended up opposed by all and deserted by her friends–Cheng Guan being no exception as he watched her fall prey to the sea of flames–she didn’t find this uncle annoying. Wen Fenglin wants to kill Cheng Guan? Then I’ll kill that sissy first.

“Your Royal Highness,” Junior Master Fenglin said in a hoarse voice. “These are my Eternal Life Temple’s matters.”

“You shut up,” Yu Xiaoxiao lectured him. “If you want to die, then hurry up and do it. Otherwise, get lost. It’s only a temple of monks, but you guys still think you’re all that?”

Beiji immediately flashed in front of Yu Xiaoxiao. Cheng Guan wanted to tell her to watch out, but didn’t make it in time. Instead, Yu Xiaoxiao pushed him aside while jumping up and over Beiji’s shoulders to avoid his fists. Her leg then kicked him in the back. As a zombie killer, her moves were nothing if not vicious, quick, and accurate. Zombies were supposed to be killed in one blow, or at least rendered immobile by a single strike. Beiji was a human, not a zombie, so Yu Xiaoxiao did make herself hold back her kick. Despite this, the monk was sent flying forwards until he smashed into the unlocked doors of the room. At the same time Yu Xiaoxiao landed on two feet, he had already crashed to the foot of the steps outside.

Soon enough, Yu Xiaoxiao had flashed next to Cheng Guan again and asked, “Are you alright?”

Cheng Guan only shook his head, stunned. Why would I be hurt if no one tried to attack me?

Beiji didn’t lose consciousness at the bottom of the steps thanks to his years of hard work in the vajra arts to strengthen his body. This was also known in the jianghu community as the Golden Mask, Iron Gown (金钟罩贴布啥).1 He was one of its high-level experts within Eternal Life Temple and had spent years without tasting the feel of being sent flying through the air. Pushing against the steps, Beiji attempted to rise but soon heard a cracking noise from his back at the motion. He didn’t even feel any pain before he abruptly blacked out. Seeing this, Beiyuan and the rest paled and all charged towards Yu Xiaoxiao.

Naturally, Yu Xiaoxiao wouldn’t leave Cheng Guan alone at a time like this in case he was taken hostage and used to threaten her. She brought her with him as she swept forward against her enemies and soon arrived by Junior Master Fenglin’s bedside.

“How dare you!” Beiyuan was the first to react as he rushed to take her life.

Yu Xiaoxiao was standing in front of Junior Master Fenglin’s bed, her body half turned to protect Cheng Guan behind her left flank. She narrowed her eyes at the crowd, then gave them a good look. Can I fix everything if I kill all these monks and Wen Fenglin too?

“Beiyuan, stop!” Wang Sheng exclaimed. He still retained his logic in the midst of shock and anger. Princess Linglong can render Beiji unconscious with a single blow, and now she’s standing by the junior master’s side. Which one of us has the skills to recover the junior master unharmed from her hands?

The various monks fanned out to stand ten paces away from the bed, afraid to advance or retreat. Yu Xiaoxiao glanced at Junior Master Fenglin with cold eyes. Upon closer inspection, she had to wonder on what basis the cruel female emperor would throw away all her dignity to try and coddle favor with this man in the last life. I can forget about it if he has a big thing–women are sensual creatures, after all, and it’s not bad to have a man who can satisfy you–but this guy’s like some chast and undefiled virgin! Every time they rolled in the sheets together, it felt like he was being forced by that miserable female emperor instead! Did she do it because of his looks? Factually speaking, he did possess a normal human face, but even that would get wrinkles and sagging skin when he got older. What would be so infatuating about an old man’s face then?

Junior Master Fenglin was staring at Yu Xiaoxiao as well. Princess Linglong had inherited both of her parent’s most attractive genes and was a natural beauty. However, this was a girl who could kill with one look in her icy, sinister eyes. Junior Master Fenglin couldn’t help but want to ask, Just how many people have you killed? How could an imperial princess who’d lived in luxury have the eyes of an experienced killer? Junior Master Fenglin couldn’t understand just what had happened to her.

“If I kill you,” Yu Xiaoxiao began, “And have them bring your body back, will that master of yours be able to revive you?”

“How could a dead man be revived again?” Junior Master Fenglin asked.

“Then why does your lot seek eternal life?” Yu Xiaoxiao demanded frostily.

Junior Master Fenglin met Yu Xiaoxiao’s eyes, one of them huddled up under the sheets, the other standing tall. His gaze was full of uncertainty, hers filled with indifference.

“You really want to kill me?” Junior Master Fenglin asked.

Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t speak but closed her fingers over his throat. Human lives were very fragile, to the point that they sometimes resembled ants.

“Princess!” Cheng Guan cried out so anxiously that his voice broke.

The lack of oxygen forced Junior Master Fenglin to open his mouth and gasp for air. This was the first time in his life that he’d been so close to death. He couldn’t tell whether it hurt, but the feeling that he was going to lose everything and head for a realm unknown would be unforgettable.

“Princess, you can’t,” Cheng Guan tugged furiously at Yu Xiaoxiao’s choking hand. “Do you want Fengtian to end up in a war against Zhuri and the other four nations? Princess, release the junior master! Princess!”

Beiyuan and the rest were frozen in place, afraid that the slightest movement would provoke Princess Linglong into taking their junior master’s life for good.