Chapter 38 Chaoyun Kingdom - Chaos Pearl (Part Two) Shall we just rob it? ...
The more I thought about it, the more confused I became, so I simply closed my eyes and went to sleep.
Unable to fall asleep, she forced herself to stay awake for two or three hours. In the still of the night, she stared wide-eyed, wide awake, when she suddenly heard the sound of the door on her left being gently pushed open.
Shi Xianxue sat up abruptly, not even having time to put on her shoes, and hopped to open the door. With a creak, she poked her head out and met the gaze of Song Qingshu, who was about to open the door and enter the room.
After nightfall, only two small lamps were lit in the corridor, placed at the far ends on both sides, barely illuminating the corridor. Song Qingshu's distraught expression was exposed in the light.
Her former radiant glow had vanished, as if she had suffered some great blow. Song Qingshu's expression was gloomy, and when she saw who it was, she forced a smile and asked, "Not asleep yet?"
Shi Xianxue didn't see Li Fuchao's shadow. She glanced at Song Qingshu's expression and her voice became cautious: "Can't sleep, Sister Qingshu, did you get the Chaos Pearl?"
Song Qingshu leaned half her body out from behind the door and handed her an exquisite food box. She was as gentle as ever, but she didn't mention the Chaos Pearl at all: "These are some snacks I brought back for you from the palace. I was planning to give them to you tomorrow, but since you're not asleep, you can take them."
Even if Shi Xianxue was slow to notice, she should have sensed something was wrong. She took the item thoughtfully and lowered her voice even further, "Okay, you get some rest, we'll talk about it tomorrow."
The door was closed softly, and Shi Xianxue took the food box and went to the roof to look at the moon.
The moon hung like a hook, and Shi Xianxue picked up a piece of lotus-shaped pastry and examined it under the moonlight.
The pastries in the palace were indeed exquisite. The lotus-shaped pastry was actually carved into the shape of a lotus flower. The water lily-red pastry resembled a delicate lotus flower swaying gracefully with a painted boat in the middle of a lake on a hot summer day.
She only ate two pieces, then, as if remembering something, she carefully put the pastries away and didn't eat any more.
The wind was chilly in the latter half of the night, and when it crept into my collar, it had a chilling feel that seemed to have no regard for life or death.
Shi Xianxue's thoughts were exceptionally clear at this moment.
In the original text, Shi Huaiyu came to marry Prince Li Fuchao of Chaoyun. The Li royal family valued bloodline, status and position. Although the strength of Xiliang could not compare with the powerful countries that occupied the southeast, north and south of the continent, after thousands of years, the Wushan tribe had become an inseparable part of this continent. Not to mention that they had the bloodline of the goddess in their bodies and were a respected race.
With China at peace and the barbarians naturally submitting, things are different now. Sending Li Fuchao up the mountain to cultivate himself is one thing, but establishing a marriage alliance is another.
Humans have ruled this land for far too long. While the gods and demons were preoccupied with their own problems, humanity gradually became the dominant force on this continent, growing increasingly arrogant and conceited. Their national policy for the next few decades will remain focused on political, military, and diplomatic affairs. Territorial disputes will change with each new dynasty, and they will prioritize immediate gains and losses over the legend of the Demon Lord's resurrection.
Clearly, Song Qingshu, who comes from the mountains and focuses on cultivation, is far less valuable than Shi Huaiyu.
So, in the book, Shi Huaiyu was able to cause trouble to the extreme by virtue of her status as a princess of Xiliang, which made Emperor Chaoyun, who already disliked Song Qingshu, even to the point of disgust. But now, without even showing her face, is Sister Qingshu still being forced to break up the couple and suffering grievances and humiliation?
Damn it! What was the male lead doing at this crucial moment? How could he allow the woman he loved to suffer such injustice!
But then again, what does this have to do with getting the Chaos Pearl?
Although the Chaos Pearl is a national treasure of the Chaoyun Kingdom, it only holds the title of an ancient artifact. In the hands of mortals without spiritual power, it is not as precious as the Suihou Pearl. Why make enemies with all the sects in the world for a pearl that is useless to them?
I can't figure it out, I really can't figure it out.
Shi Xianxue sighed.
If Wu Xiutang were here, things would be much easier. If negotiations fail, the only solution is to just rob him. He's too lazy to reason with you. If you really annoy him, you might as well die together with him.
She actually started to miss his simple and straightforward way of doing things.
The next day, Song Qingshu was in much better condition and recounted the events that had occurred in the palace over the past few days.
The situation was pretty much as Shi Xianxue had guessed.
The negotiation resulted in the agreement that the Chaos Pearl was acceptable, and that it could be used to save the world, but only after Li Fuchao married the Princess of Xiliang and ensured that the Crown Princess was pregnant.
Shi Xianxue, who had gone to bed late and was still a bit groggy, slammed her hand on the table in agitation upon hearing this: "Disgusting! Arranged marriages will never bring happiness!"
She felt a little guilty after yelling.
Isn't this the end of her? She is indeed the princess of Xiliang, but even if she were willing to reclaim her identity, the things that prove her identity are not in her hands at the moment. If she shouts "I am the princess of Xiliang" all over the streets, people will definitely think she is crazy.
If they were to steal—forget it, the two honest men and women probably wouldn't even have such a despicable thought in their minds, even if they lived for another three hundred years.
Song Qingshu didn't notice her expression and lowered her eyes to think, "Now that the seal is about to be repaired, if we can't get the Chaos Pearl, then it's meaningless to get the Demon-Subduing Sword. Why don't we just rob it?"
What?
Rob?
What the hell? She spent ages trying to come up with a plan to steal, and the female lead just went straight for it?
Shi Xianxue was stunned. No? What happened to her, such a saintly heroine who embodied truth, goodness, and beauty?
It's true what they say, you become like those you associate with. Spending too much time with a villain who's full of filth has corrupted her heroine to such a wretched state!
It's so spicy, it's really spicy!
Song Qingshu was determined to seize it by force, and Shi Xianxue frantically tried to salvage the situation: "Sister Qingshu, let's not even talk about the many experts and cultivators gathered in Chaoyun Kingdom. Just look at the Ningtian Net behind Yuanwu Palace. Over the years, countless demons have tried to break in to steal treasures, only to end up with their bodies torn apart. Let's discuss this further; things haven't reached an irreversible point yet—"
Song Qingshu: "That's right, this matter is urgent and we can't wait any longer."
Shi Xianxue: "..." What do you mean, "nothing's right"? So you didn't hear a single word she said, huh?
Just as Song Qingshu was sharpening her knife, a tall and slender figure appeared in the inn.
Their eyes met in the air, the heat as intense as sugar strands being repeatedly stirred, bursting forth with a sticky and fervent temperature that left no room for anyone else.
Not wanting to disturb the young couple's exchange of feelings, Shi Xianxue tactfully made an excuse to leave.
In just a few days it will be the Ghost Festival. Lanterns and flags are hung on tall green bamboo, and stalls selling lanterns are everywhere. These lanterns correspond to the stars in the sky and have the effect of bringing good fortune and warding off evil. Inside the lanterns, you need to put white rice, a bronze mirror, a parasol, a sword and other ritual objects to protect the family and symbolize the passing down of traditions.
Shi Xianxue had no money on her, so she touched it and then reluctantly put it down. As she continued walking listlessly, she was attracted by the sound of punching and kicking coming from a corner.
"Beat him! Beat him hard! Break all his teeth! How dare he bite the boss... Beat him to death!"
She stood there for a moment, looking left and right. Seeing that everyone around her seemed indifferent and apathetic, she hesitated for a moment before walking away as if no one else was there.
Being unfamiliar with the area, she didn't want to cause trouble.
Besides, there are so many injustices and pitiful people in the world. She is not a savior, how could she possibly save them all?
As they walked to the end of the alley and around the corner, the punches, kicks, and curses only intensified. Suddenly, Shi Xianxue took a deep breath, turned around quickly, and threw a fireball talisman at them without saying a word.
Fireballs exploded like rolling meteors among the burly men. Before they knew what was happening, a thick plume of smoke rose eerily from the ground, choking and stinging their eyes. The men scrambled through the smoke to avoid the fireballs.
When the thick smoke cleared, their clothes were burned with large holes by the fireballs, and the men were covered in soot and looked extremely disheveled. The leader roared, "That little bitch actually had accomplices! Find them and cut off his fish tail!"
——
Shi Xianxue ultimately couldn't bring herself to be ruthless because she was kind.
In the abandoned courtyard, with weeds growing beside the dry well, she pushed the little boy in her arms away, pinched his face, and asked fiercely, "Why did they hit you? What bad thing did you do?"
The boy looked no more than eleven or twelve years old. His clothes were torn to shreds, and he was just tall enough to reach Shi Xianxue's chin. He was being pinched so that he tilted his head back. Beneath his long, thick eyelashes were two emerald green pupils like the sea. His lips were thin, with fresh blood at the corners. Yet, his eyes and brows were incredibly childlike, carrying an innocent look of naivety.
He stared at her curiously, his beautiful, jade-like eyes reflecting her image. After a long while, before Shi Xianxue could lose patience, he parted his thin lips and uttered with difficulty, "Brother."
Almost as soon as he opened his mouth, Shi Xianxue smelled an unbearable fishy odor, as if she had swallowed a small fish raw without any processing, chewing its internal organs to pieces, making the fishy smell even more pronounced.
Shi Xianxue covered her nose and took two steps back, the initial amazement at his appearance instantly forgotten: "What brother? You stole someone's fish?"
"Stealing is wrong, but they wouldn't beat you to death over two fish, would they? Besides, why didn't you run away? Are you stupid?"
The young boy looked bewildered. His face was dirty and burning with pain, but he seemed oblivious. He tilted his head and pulled at the corners of his lips, giving a beautiful smile. The blood trickled and dried in an instant. A glint of light flashed across his eyes, and his icy gaze, as cold as blue stone, slowly moved from his face to his chest.
Shi Xianxue didn't notice: "Why aren't you saying anything? Say something!"
The young boy, his eyes lowered in a daze, said, "Kill, brother, kill."
He looked like he had only recently learned to speak, and every word he uttered was delivered in an unexpected tone.
The questions kept coming up with these two sentences. Shi Xianxue never expected that her kindness would lead her to save a mentally challenged child.
She gradually lost her temper, and her tone softened.
"As the saying goes, you have to love what you do. Since you're going to make a living by stealing, you need to hone your skills to perfection. Steal what you can, and run away if you can't. Be clear and decisive about your targets. Before you strike, you also need to assess your own abilities. Don't target those heavily guarded, wealthy households; their servants and thugs are very skilled. You should target those that look..."
The young boy didn't listen to a single word of the beautiful older sister's earnest and patient teachings.
He stretched out his withered hand to Shi Xianxue.
A trickle of water formed a silver ring at his curved fingertips. Shi Xianxue's words came to an abrupt halt, as the silver ring transformed into a slender chain that bound her body layer by layer.
He was immediately unable to move.
Combined with the fishy smell from his mouth and the salty, fishy taste of the water, Shi Xianxue felt her whole body stiffen and go numb.
"You...you're a siren?"
What about his tail? How can he walk on land and grow two human legs?
The water ring lifted the bracelet chain on Shi Xianxue's chest and then sent it to the sea monster.
The mysterious bracelet chain, which even Shi Xianxue sometimes couldn't control, was now being held in the palm of a little kid's hand. Under Shi Xianxue's nervous gaze, he slowly put it into his mouth, and two sharp fangs rapidly grew out.
There was a loud cracking sound.
Shi Xianxue screamed, "You bastard!!! That was my talisman, you ungrateful brat—"
Before the word "child" could be uttered, a dazzling pink light suddenly burst forth before my eyes.
The flower calyx was cracked by sharp teeth, and the squeezing force forced the petals to open prematurely. A scroll shimmering with pink and gold light appeared before one's eyes, with pink ribbons fluttering in the wind. The surface of the scroll was engraved with the pattern of cloud brocade and lingtan, with a phoenix standing on the stem. The two ends were adorned with two bright pearls as bright as stars. As it slowly rose, pink stars fell to the ground.
Shi Xianxue's pupils dilated in shock, the faint pinkish-gold light reflecting the shock in her heart.
A letter of peace and marriage between the two countries!
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