"Master's wife, we're back." As soon as Ouyang Wan arrived at Linghe Valley, she rushed into Song Xia's arms. Ouyang Feng and Yin Shihuai also smiled broadly, feeling much more relaxed. Home is the best place. As long as Master's wife is here, there's nothing to worry about.
Chen Xuanling looked at them with envy. Although the sect leader treated her very well and her mother-in-law doted on her, they would never be as affectionate as they were.
“Master’s wife, let me introduce you. She is Chen Xuanling, whom I mentioned in the letter.”
Chen Xuanling stepped forward gracefully: "Senior Song, I have long admired your name. I am sorry to bother you."
"Not at all." Song Xia's expression was gentle, and she seemed like an easy-going elder. "Since she is Feng'er's friend, you can stay in Linghe Valley with peace of mind. Feng'er, your master's wife has been busy lately, so please take Miss Chen around the city more often."
"Yes, Master's wife."
Seeing her friendly attitude, Chen Xuanling felt relieved for the time being. It seemed that her identity had not been questioned, and it was indeed the right thing to do to follow Ouyang Feng all the way.
But... but if I find out the information and return it to the Holy Sect in the future, will it have an impact on Ouyang Feng?
Chen Xuanling felt a pang of guilt, but she had no choice. She was a disciple of the Holy Sect, and the sect leader had saved her life years ago. She could not betray the Holy Sect, nor could she bear to see her mother-in-law and the others fall into trouble.
Song Xia knew Chen Xuanling's true identity perfectly well; it turned out she was the holy maiden of the cult, and indeed, she was a beauty of unparalleled grace.
In her past life, Feng'er and she lived happily ever after, retiring from the martial world. No one knows how this life will end. After all, many things have changed since long ago. In her past life, there was no such thing as Chen Xuanling infiltrating Linghe Valley as an undercover agent.
Before any feelings have even developed, Feng'er has already put her on guard, and Song Xia doesn't know how to handle the situation.
Although Chen Xuanling is a cult saintess and has never personally harmed ordinary people, she has killed quite a few martial arts masters. Most importantly, her cult is a natural enemy of Linghe Valley, unless the cult repents and reforms.
But is it possible? Not to mention that cults are unlikely to surrender, even if they did, those who have been persecuted by cults would not easily forgive them.
If the two of them were to be together again in this life, it would probably be even more difficult than in the previous life. After all, the cult leader in the previous life died at the hands of Feng'er and Chen Xuanling. Would the two of them still have that chance in this life?
I guess the chances of the cult leader coming after me directly are much higher in this lifetime. I might as well tell her about the grudge between Chen Xuanling and the cult leader first, and see what she chooses.
"Valley Master Song, we have a lead on the cult information you requested." The next day, Shangguan Jin entered the room, fanning himself with a fan. Ever since all the major forces came to seek refuge with him, he had changed his way of addressing Song Xia, no longer calling him by his name.
Chen Xuanling's eyelashes trembled. The data—what had they found out about the Holy Church?
Although she was eager to know, in order not to arouse suspicion, she pretended to be magnanimous and said, "Since you have important matters to discuss, I will take my leave first."
"It's not a very important matter, but it won't hurt to listen. You're still young and don't know how cults persecute people. Listening to their news will help you protect yourself when you're out in the world."
The more concerned Song Xia showed, the more guilty Chen Xuanling felt. They trusted her so much, yet she... But she really didn't want to miss this news.
Shangguan Jin seemed oblivious to the unspoken tension between them and continued, "It's about the cult's holy maiden."
Chen Xuanling was genuinely surprised now. About her? What had they found out? Would she be exposed?
"According to reliable sources, the current cult's holy maiden is the daughter of the previous cult leader. After the current cult leader took power, he treated her like his own daughter, and the holy maiden was also extremely loyal to him. However, our spies suspect that the previous cult leader was killed by the current cult leader."
"What?" Chen Xuanling couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Seeing everyone looking at her, she quickly covered up and explained, "I'm sorry, I'm just a little surprised."
Song Xia nodded to Shangguan Jin: "Go on, is this news reliable?"
"It should be reliable. The death of the previous cult leader was suspicious. Rumor has it that he died at the hands of our righteous sects. However, after the news came back yesterday, I discussed it with the leaders of several major sects, and they all said that they had not taken any action against the cult in those years. Therefore, I suspect that the death of the cult leader back then was a frame-up."
Song Xia pondered for a moment and said, "That's not impossible. Before, the evil cult was far away on the border and didn't have much contact with our Central Plains martial arts world. Who would go to the trouble of deliberately targeting them? It's more likely that they framed us for their internal strife."
"That's what I think too. So if this suspicion is true, could we join forces with their saintess to dismantle the cult leader's power from within?"
"It might not be easy." Song Xia glanced at Chen Xuanling and then shook her head. "It's rumored that the Holy Maiden of the heretical cult was raised by the cult leader since childhood. I'm afraid their relationship is quite good. Why would she trust us but doubt the elder who raised her?"
"But she has a blood feud with her father's killer. Doesn't she want to find out the truth?"
"How easy is it to find out the truth? Our spies have been investigating for so many years and we only have suspicions. It is clear that the cult leader has already cleared out most of the evidence from back then. Moreover, even if we find the evidence, the Holy Maiden may not necessarily turn against us. After all, the cult is her root, and she is unlikely to believe that we will treat her well."
Ouyang Feng listened anxiously from the side, but he knew he absolutely could not show anything unusual. Today, his master's wife had put on this show for Chen Xuanling. What she said might not be false; it all depended on her choice.
But what will she choose? Ouyang Feng couldn't predict either. He hoped that Chen Xuanling could turn over a new leaf, but he also knew the difficulties involved.
"Alright, let's put that aside for now. There's no point in talking about things without evidence. How are the preparations for the attack going?"
"Everything is ready, just give the order."
"Alright, Feng'er and Shihuai, you two will be the vanguard this time, and you will surely take Weicheng in one fell swoop."
"Yes, Master's wife."
Weicheng is only 300 kilometers away from Linghe City. Since ancient times, it has been one of the key ports on the Yangtze River. The Wei River, a tributary, flows into the Yangtze River here, bringing hundreds of years of prosperity to the area. It can be said that capturing Weicheng means occupying a fortress on the Yangtze River.
"This battle is one we can only win, we cannot afford to lose, understand?"
"Disciple understands!"
Ouyang Feng and Yin Shihuai were also full of confidence. Their master's wife had given them such a strong army, and had previously used firearms to drive back the forces of the imperial court and the evil cult. If they were to lose this battle, how could they face their master's wife in the future?
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