"You...you said Iâm not impressive at all, and it was always the guards who let me win?"
Wu Yiren asked, biting her lip.
"No, I said that nonsense deliberately to catch your attention. Junior Sister Wu, it was my mistake, and I sincerely apologize to you. Please forgive me."
Mo Xiaolan skillfully continued to apologize sincerely.
She has mingled among the lower ranks for years and frequently encounters those who are arrogant and proud because of their status.
At times like this, you just have to make them feel as if they really are as noble as they imagine themselves to be, liked and admired by everyone in the world, and the other party will naturally be happy.
Just like Wu Yiren now, upon hearing Mo Xiaolanâs words, she immediately widened her eyes:
"Youâre indeed a rogue!"
But her mouth couldnât help but curve up, clearly being charmed to her delight.
Then she added, "But what about those two women in your room that night?"
Mo Xiaolan responded smoothly, "That was also my deliberate act, to have them come over, hoping you would notice and draw your attention. I didnât expect it to backfire and lead to a misunderstanding. I really regret it now, Iâm sorry, Junior Sister Wu."
Wu Yiren was dumbfounded as she looked at him, "Are you telling the truth?"
Mo Xiaolan deeply gazed at her, "Junior Sister Wu, actually, on the day you went up the mountain, I was watching you from the side. At that time, you seemed like a Fairy from heaven, and I didnât dare to look at you too much."
"I didnât expect that we are both disciples of Xiyue Peak and can train together every day."
"But you shine too brightly; I didnât dare to approach you. I admit, that night I just wanted to secretly follow you, simply to catch another glimpse."
"Stop it!" Wu Yiren covered her face, her neck flushed red.
Mo Xiaolan was stunned; she had prepared her words but had only said less than half when Wu Yirenâs defenses were already shattered.
It seems this princess indeed was raised in nobility, always above everyone, never having encountered these schemes of the lower ranks.
Defenses are too low.
"You...you say you donât dare to take another look, and yet you follow someone to sneak more glances. Which words are true, and which are false?"
Wu Yiren murmured with her cheeks flushed, back to Mo Xiaolan.
Mo Xiaolan sincerely said, "Junior Sister Wu, every word I say is true. Not daring to look much is because youâre too beautiful, and not being able to resist is also because youâre too beautiful."
"Ah, I told you to stop talking."
Thatâs why women understand what other women want to hear best; Mo Xiaolanâs few sentences completely breached Wu Yirenâs defenses. The princess was utterly weak, quickly leaning against a tree to avoid collapsing.
"Yes, yes, I wonât talk anymore. But, I want to talk more with you, Junior Sister Wu."
Mo Xiaolan said softly.
"What, what do you want to talk about?"
Wu Yiren still didnât dare to look at him, yet her voice had already become very gentle.
"Letâs chat about something else... That night, I heard you mentioned youâre going to catch the killer who assassinated your eldest brother. Did you catch them?"
...
The next day.
Mo Xiaolan came to Liu Suâs room, Yun Wu was also there, and the two immediately approached her, chattering and asking:
"Xiaolan, why didnât you come back last night?"
"Wow, Mo Xiaolan, you didnât really do something with that princess, did you? Spill what you guys whispered about."
Mo Xiaolan replied helplessly, "I just chatted with her all night."
"Chatted all night? What did you say?"
Liu Su blinked her eyes wide open, too curious.
Mo Xiaolan gave her a glare, "Itâs not you who asked me to get information from her? Got it all."
"Got it all? Impossible."
Liu Su didnât believe it, and even the simple-minded Yun Wu was skeptical:
"That princess, although looking silly, shouldnât be that silly?"
Liu Su and Mo Xiaolan both looked at her, thinking you of all people have the nerve to call someone silly?
Yun Wu looked bewildered, "Why are you looking at me, Susu, Xiaolan?"
"Alright, letâs get to the serious stuff."
Mo Xiaolan began talking about the information obtained from the greenhouse princessâs mouth last night.
This time, the West Imperial Dynasty dispatched people in three routes, one route led by Wu Yiren, who came to Zhenyang Sect first to see if there were any leads on Si Minglan, while the Inner Sect Disciple with her was actually a mole the West Imperial Dynasty planted within Zhenyang Sect.
One route went to Feiyun Sect to wait for Si Minglan to walk into their trap. This route has a total of thirty Golden Snake Guards, all in Foundation Establishment, with Guard Captain Si Mingcheng at the Foundation Establishment Peak. Si Mingcheng is Si Minglanâs half-brother and the killer who caused the demise of the Si Family.
As for how the Golden Snake Guards know Si Minglan would go to Feiyun Sect, even the princess is unaware.
Another route is led by Western Empress Lin Yuan, who went to Yunling Town, and now has captured Fang Xue, heading toward Zhenyang City.
When Lin Yuan and the Golden Snake Guards accompanying Si Minglan converge at Zhenyang City, they will proceed to Zhenyang Mountain together.
Lin Yuan already sent a message to Xiyue Peak en route, so Xiyue Peak became aware in advance.
"Thirty Foundation Establishments, one at Foundation Establishment Peak, one at Golden Core Peak, even if we act before the Fox Spirit and Xiaoxue are escorted to Zhenyang City, thereâs no chance of success."
Upon hearing Mo Xiaolanâs words, Liu Su calculated, instantly feeling gloomy prospects.
"No, the Western Empress has long stepped into Nascent Soul, possibly even at Nascent Soul Peak already."
Mo Xiaolan corrected.
"Nascent Soul Peak?!"
Liu Su was stunned, "The princess said so?"
"Yes." Mo Xiaolan nodded, "Wu Yiren said the Western Empress always hid her true cultivation from outsiders, she was already in Nascent Soul Realm before meeting the Western Emperor."
Liu Su sat down dejectedly, "Then thereâs no play."
Unless the Saintess recovers most of her cultivation, otherwise with just a few of them, even dealing with the Western Empress alone is impossible.
Yun Wu blinked, "Isnât the Western Emperor known to be a very flirtatious man? With the Western Empress being so powerful and beautiful, why would she marry him?"
Mo Xiaolan said, "I also asked Wu Yiren about this, and she did reveal a secret..."
Liu Su and Yun Wu both looked at her, as Mo Xiaolan continued:
"The Western Empress was originally from Immortal Flying Peak, and it was her master who asked her to descend the mountain to support the Western Emperor, who was just the Eighth Prince at the time, helping him defeat other princes and successfully ascend the throne."
Yun Wu seemed puzzled, "Immortal Flying Pavilion? Thatâs the place where they rank beauties?"
Mo Xiaolan nodded, "Yes, everyone thinks Immortal Flying Pavilion doesnât involve themselves in worldly affairs, but looking at it now, theyâve actually been maneuvering in the world all along to support the West Imperial Dynastyâs standing alongside Eastern Cultivator, Northern Wilderness, and South Demon, which should be the situation they desire."
Liu Su snorted, "What non-interference, Zhenyang Sect claims they are a Renowned and Righteous Sect, and Zhenyang professes to be a devoted man! In this world, who doesnât fight for their interests?"
She glanced around afterward, "Saying bad things about Immortal Flying Pavilion like this, wonât they remove you both from the Beauty Ranking?"
Yun Wu innocently said, "My dad thinks itâs best Iâm not on the list."
Mo Xiaolan was even less concerned about the Beauty Ranking, stood up and started to leave, Liu Su called out:
"Where are you going?"
Mo Xiaolan replied, "Iâve arranged with Wu Yiren to practice swords at Mandarin Duck Cliff."
Liu Suâs eyes widened, "Hey Mo Xiaolan, youâre not actually ditching a romance and falling for a woman, are you?"
Mo Xiaolan gave her another exasperated look, "If we are to save Si Minglan and the three children, perhaps Wu Yiren is the only hope. I must gain her full trust. Iâm off."
Mo Xiaolan opened the door, Liu Su then reminded:
"Xiaolan be careful, donât stick too close when getting intimate, your chest is bigger than hers, easy to get noticed."
Mo Xiaolan: "..."
Yun Wu: "..."