Chapter 37: Qi Qiao (Part 2) Part 2

She was slightly bent over from the motion of her landing. Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall. Her white dress flew and curled around her, its edges blooming with large, vibrant crabapple blossoms, colors rich and dazzling.

She slowly straightened up and turned around. She was extremely tall. Her face was lustrous as white jade, her chin slightly pointed, her features deep and sharp. The ends of her brows flew upward, thick and dark, and her eyes were an unexpected glass-like pale blue.

Overall, she was an exceedingly fierce-looking woman. Her face was like cold ice, forbidding anyone from approaching.

She looked down at them. Her voice was deep and steady. “So you are Qi Qiao.”

Qi Qiao looked up, staring at her. She knew this was likely one of the many cultivators who had come hunting for her.

Without hesitation, she immediately turned and ran to Yun Jinxue’s side, grabbing hold of her sleeve. She glared angrily at the white-clothed woman. “That’s me! What of it?!”

Jiang Yanyu burst out laughing with a “pfft.” She crossed her arms and teased, “Little Scallion Qi, don’t be such a coward.”

Qi Qiao shoved this incredibly annoying woman in red, but couldn’t budge her. She resentfully withdrew her hand and looked up. “If I get captured, no one will be able to enter the Spring Sea Wonder Pond, and you won’t be able to save those people either.”

Yun Jinxue chuckled softly, patting her head. She addressed the woman in white, “What is your intention, Your Excellency?”

The woman didn’t answer this question. Instead, she said, “You need Heavenly Spring Water?”

Jiang Yanyu looked her up and down, asking, “Looking at your attire, I feel like it’s somewhat familiar. Are you that Snow Wolf Song Xian from the wanted list outside the Demon-Ghost Supervisory Division?”

At her reminder, Yun Jinxue remembered too. The Number One most wanted on the bounty list: a demonic being clad entirely in white, with large crabapple blossoms blooming on the clothes. Could that be this person?

The woman in white nodded crisply. “It is me.”

Warm-fragranced crabapple, blood-sealing venom. No wonder she carried such murderous aura she couldn’t conceal.

Recalling everything they had done since arriving at Bright Terrace, they didn’t seem to have had any contact with her. Yun Jinxue looked down. Qi Qiao’s small, adorable emerald-green hair whorl was cute. Both her hands clutched Yun Jinxue’s sleeve, trying to hide behind her.

So, was it to snatch Qi Qiao away?

Song Xian’s eyes were long and narrow. Only the lower half of her pale blue irises were visible. When her gaze fixed on a spot, it pricked out like a wolf’s stare—sharp and cold, instantly imposing a sense of oppression.

She said, “I know where the nearest Heavenly Spring Water is, and I can help search for it. I just need Qi Qiao to make something for me.”

It was different from the forceful seizure she had imagined. Though brimming with murderous aura, this person was unexpectedly quite reasonable.

Yun Jinxue said, “What thing would that be?”

Song Xian said, “A heart.”

Qi Qiao peeked half her face out. “I can’t make that. I only know the Mechanism Art.”

Song Xian said, “It is the Mechanism Art. I know you Qi Qiao excel most in this craft. That’s why I wanted to ask you to attempt making a mechanical heart.”

Even Qi Qiao, who had made all sorts of bizarre things, was startled by this proposal.

Her gaze paused at Song Xian’s chest. She asked hesitantly, “Did your heart go missing?”

No wonder her complexion was so ashen and her lips lacked color. Missing such a vital organ, of course her complexion wouldn’t look good.

Song Xian paused for a moment, raised a hand to touch her own chest, and then said, “My heart is indeed not here right now. It is being used elsewhere. But the one I want to ask Qi Qiao to make is for a mortal, not for myself.”

Qi Qiao said, “Things like bodily organs are completely different from creations produced by the Mechanism Art. I’ve never done it, and I believe… it probably can’t be done.”

Song Xian said, “You can attempt it. Even if you fail, I will still offer the Heavenly Spring Water.”

Qi Qiao couldn’t decide. She looked up at the people beside her.

Yun Jinxue said, “The Quan Family of Central Province also excels in the Mechanism Art. You might try seeking them out.”

Song Xian scoffed. “I already did. They couldn’t make it.”

Not having to travel all the way to distant Hongzhou and the Sky’s Edge Sea was definitely good news. After a moment of silence, Yun Jinxue asked, “Where did you say this Heavenly Spring Water is?”

Song Xian said, “Within the Imperial Palace’s Imperial Treasury.”

Her thoughts fell into chaos for a moment. Yun Jinxue hesitated, then asked, “So you mean… for us to go into the Imperial Palace and steal it?”

Song Xian nodded. “Exactly so.”

It wasn’t strange that there would be something like Heavenly Spring Water in the Imperial Treasury. Having even better things was normal. The current Emperor loved collecting rare treasures—the whole world knew this. Thus, even though the Emperor was a mortal, tributes of cultivation-related treasures had never ceased.

But… going into the Imperial Palace to steal things? This sort of thing was still too absurd for her.

As if reading her thoughts, Song Xian sneered. “Those treasures of the imperial family are basically all stolen too. It’s just a few small robbers robbing one big robber. There’s no need for those inexplicable pangs of guilt.”

“If you are afraid to cooperate with me because I kill people, don’t worry. I only kill the guilty. You can go ask yourselves what heaven-shaking sins were committed by those high officials I’ve killed.”

Be that as it may…

Song Xian turned to Qi Qiao. “We are both demons. You can trust me.”

Qi Qiao pursed her lips and asked, “But you are a demon from the snowy plains. I was born in the forest. Our beliefs differ. Why should I trust you?”

Song Xian said, “A tree demon seeking Heavenly Spring Water—someone must be injured, right? Traveling a thousand li to Hongzhou… will you make it in time? I want a heart also to save someone. On this point alone, I think you should understand my feelings.”

Qi Qiao was stunned. Slowly, she stepped out from behind Yun Jinxue. After hesitating for a moment, she said, “Fine. I agree to attempt it for you.”

Song Xian then added, “I need you to come immediately and help me make the heart. I will also enter the palace tomorrow to find the Heavenly Spring Water. Is that acceptable?”

Qi Qiao grit her teeth and snorted, “Of course it’s fine. However, our agreement must also be inscribed on the Rainbow Scale. And you must guarantee my safety at all times.”

Song Xian said, “Agreed.”

On the back of the Rainbow Scale, another new oath was added.

Together, the group walked out of the Great Yan Forest, and without pause, returned to the outskirts of Bright Terrace City.

Before entering the city, they first found a remote spot devoid of people. Yun Jinxue asked, “Yuqing, doesn’t your father work for the imperial court?”

A few days ago, chatting by the campfire, they had talked about family. She seemed to have mentioned that her father, Sheng Wenbin, worked for the court.

Sheng Yuqing said, “Yes.”

Although it was just a tiny, sesame-sized official post, he did indeed wear a black gauze hat.

Yun Jinxue said, “In that case, it’s inconvenient to bring you along on this trip into the palace. If things come to light, I’m afraid it will implicate your family.”

These words were true. But on this outing, Sheng Yuqing felt she hadn’t been able to help much. Now that she could finally contribute again, she didn’t want to give up.

But before she could say anything, Yun Jinxue spoke again. “Later, after I’ve dealt with everything and returned to the sect, I will announce to the world that we found Qi Qiao together. So for now, go home and wait patiently.”

Sheng Yuqing’s eyes reddened slightly, and she lowered her head. “Immortal Lord, please don’t mention my name. I’ve done nothing and only caused you trouble.”

Yun Jinxue looked at her, chuckled lightly, and said, “What did you call me?”

Sheng Yuqing hesitated. “…Senior Sister.”

Yun Jinxue said, “Mm. Say no more. Listen to Senior Sister and go home to rest well.”

Sheng Yuqing handed her the reins, wiped her eyes, stepped back twice, and said, “Thank you, Senior Sister. Thank you, Immortal Lord Yanyu.”

Yun Jinxue glanced back, picked out Ride the Wind’s reins, and handed them over. “Ride this horse back to the city. And then, for now, keep him at your place. Is that alright?”

Sheng Yuqing accepted it respectfully. “Alright.”

She mounted the horse. After saying her farewells once more, she rode away.

Jiang Yanyu bent down slightly, grasping Qi Qiao’s thin wrist. She waved Qi Qiao’s hand towards Sheng Yuqing’s departing figure. “Come on, spoils of war. Wave goodbye to the hunter.”

Qi Qiao raged, “You really are not a good person!”

Seeing Yuqing off, those preparing to enter the city together were now two demons and two humans. Each one was more conspicuous than the last. To avoid causing a commotion, some disguises were essential.

Song Xian, a seasoned criminal, was clearly a master. She swiftly donned a fake human skin mask and changed her clothes.

She was already very tall. Transforming into a man’s appearance was not jarring at all. Add some coarse hemp clothing and a pair of straw sandals, and she looked exactly like an ordinary mortal laborer who had come to the city for work.

As for Qi Qiao, she detested the uncleanliness of the skin shells—said they would dirty her clothes and long hair. She simply refused to wear one and insisted they think of another way.

Jiang Yanyu looked around, took a piece of gray cloth from Song Xian, wrapped Qi Qiao in it, and hoisted her onto Song Xian’s shoulder.

Having done this, she stepped back and dusted off her hands. “Not bad. You don’t want to disguise as a mortal, then disguise as a bundle of firewood. What do you say, Qi Firewood?”

Qi Qiao: “…”

Song Xian steadied her on her shoulder and straightened her back. A few wrinkles were pushed into her face mask. She actually did look the part of a firewood carrier.

Everyone present, except Qi Qiao, was very satisfied.

Yun Jinxue and Jiang Yanyu exchanged a look, put on their veiled hats. The four entered the city.

To be active in Bright Terrace, killing so many people and still getting away unscathed, aside from exquisite disguise skills, one also needed a stable foothold for rest and planning.

And Song Xian’s foothold was in a secluded Pleasure House within the city.

Weaving through several small alleys, passing a few hidden mechanical doors, the four entered a dilapidated little building.

Setting Qi Qiao down and wiping away the disguise, revealing a snow-white, clean face, Song Xian said, “Just go through the door at the back.”

Qi Qiao struggled out of the cloth sack. A thin string happened to catch on the twigs atop her head, where only a few leaves were left precariously dangling. “Ah.”

Yun Jinxue crouched down, carefully helped untangle the string, then took the child into her arms, freeing her from the cloth pile and setting her aside. She asked softly, “Are you alright now?”

Jiang Yanyu grinned and leaned in. “No more trouble?”

Qi Qiao glared at her, then hid behind Yun Jinxue. One of her hands transformed into a comb, tidying her long hair.

The dilapidated little building was eerily quiet. On the empty wall was a wooden door that looked very solid.