Zhou Chunfeng didn’t answer. He dipped the brush tip into a celadon brush washer painted with a scene of mountains and boats. With a flick of his wrist, a ripple of Literary Qi washed the brush clean. He then placed the pristine brush on a serpentine, seven-curved copper rack.
"The current Saintess of the Celestial Cloud Sect," Zhou Chunfeng said, looking up.
"I remember now. I’ve heard so much about her." Li Qingxian instantly recalled the name. ’To think such a legendary woman would appear right in front of me.’
She had been unknown until a year ago, at the Fourth-Grade Cyan Cloud Examination. Wielding a Cyan Thunder Ancient Sword, she defeated thirty-seven Fourth-Grade experts from the Demon Sect in a row, cutting off the Demon Sect’s path to promoting anyone to Senior Fourth Grade that year. In doing so, she earned the title "Broken Cyan Cloud," and her fame skyrocketed.
After the Cyan Cloud Examination, she entered the Capital City, and her unparalleled beauty captivated everyone.
Then, a comment from the Martial King, Zhao Longgu, spread throughout the world.
"This woman is most like me."
The day she took up residence at Qingxiao Temple, delegations from all the major powers came to visit. The line of suitors stretched all the way from the South City Gate to the temple’s entrance. Admirers dubbed her Fairy Qingcheng.
The Empress Dowager even held a special banquet for her, which all the young Royal Family Members attended. The unmarried Princes and Dragon Grandsons spared no expense in their attire.
At the banquet, the Empress Dowager took an immediate and immense liking to Jiangg Youfei. She took her by the hand and had her sit on the Phoenix Chair—a seat that not even the Empress had sat in, only the Seventh Princess.
The Princes and Dragon Grandsons secretly went to the Empress Dowager to probe her intentions, hoping she might arrange a marriage. Instead, the Empress Dowager pointed at the crowd of them and cursed, "You fat-headed, gluttonous filth! Do you think you’re worthy of even thinking about our Youfei?"
She berated them until the entire hall of Princes and Dragon Grandsons fled in shame.
Jiangg Youfei stood gracefully by the table, her small, delicate fingers picking up Zhou Chunfeng’s calligraphy sheet to slowly admire it.
Zhou Chunfeng continued to write, and Zhou Henn closed his eyes to rest.
The room was silent.
Li Qingxian sighed internally. ’This place is a world away from Room A9.’
Those three were such social animals—one was a motormouth who never shut up, another had a god-tier talent for playing the hype man, and the last one couldn’t keep his mouth shut even when it was stuffed with food. If he didn’t make an effort, he could never get a word in.
But here, he was with three classic introverts. The atmosphere was so awkward you could carve a pond with your toes and raise loaches in it.
After a long while, a soft, delicate, and youthful voice broke the silence. "The sinews of the characters are like dragons, their bones like mountains. Uncle Zhou, your skill has improved even more since last we met."
"I suppose I haven’t let these years go to waste," Zhou Chunfeng replied with a warm smile.
Li Qingxian glanced from Zhou Chunfeng to the side of Jiangg Youfei’s face, then back again. They seemed to share a slight resemblance, and a strange thought popped into his head.
’Could they be... father and illegitimate daughter?’
The more Li Qingxian looked, the more he saw Zhou Chunfeng as the kindly, benevolent image of a father-in-law.
"Uncle Zhou, when you have time, you should teach me calligraphy. Your nephew can’t be allowed to tarnish your reputation," Li Qingxian said, laying it on thick.
Zhou Chunfeng snorted. "You think I haven’t seen your chicken scratch? For the sake of my reputation, you’d better pretend you can’t read."
Like a gentle breeze passing through, the hand of the young woman holding the paper trembled slightly. Her lips seemed to twitch, though it might have just been a trick of the light.
Li Qingxian’s face darkened. "Uncle Zhou, there’s an outsider present. Give me some face."
"Youfei isn’t an outsider."
"Then why don’t you introduce us properly?" Li Qingxian retorted righteously.
Zhou Henn glanced over. ’Where does this kid get the nerve to be so shameless?’
Zhou Chunfeng ignored Li Qingxian, looking at Jiangg Youfei as if she were his own daughter. He smiled. "You’re not familiar with this boy. Shall I speak for you?"
Jiangg Youfei nodded her pretty head, looking sweet and obedient.
Li Qingxian scanned the room, picked up a peanut crisp from the table, and took a bite. He pulled over a chair and sat down lazily.
"We’re all family here. Don’t be a stranger, have a seat," Li Qingxian said, acting like the host.
Jiangg Youfei acted as if she hadn’t heard.
Zhou Chunfeng shot him an annoyed look and said, "I called you here for serious business."
"You definitely wouldn’t think of me if it weren’t for business," Li Qingxian said.
Zhou Chunfeng continued on his own, "You should have heard about the Celestial Cloud Sect’s Saint Heir being injured, right?"
Li Qingxian rested his arms on the armrests, thought for a moment, and said, "I have. It seems he was wounded by the Demon Sect, which in turn prompted Fairy Qingcheng to descend from the mountain, correct?"
"That Saint Heir, Lü Ren, is Youfei’s First Senior Brother. Youfei came to the Capital City this time to avenge him."
"Unparalleled in loyalty and righteousness, even more so than in her celestial beauty." Li Qingxian gave a thumbs-up in sincere praise.
Jiangg Youfei stood motionless, simply listening.
Zhou Henn looked out the window. This was so awkward.
Zhou Chunfeng continued, "Lü Ren was gravely injured back then and still suffers from occasional fainting spells. He’s been recuperating at Qingxiao Temple outside the city. The temple is protected by the Celestial Cloud Sect’s Great Array, and it’s close to the Capital City, so the Demon Sect hasn’t dared to make any rash moves. Youfei wants to send him back to the Celestial Cloud Sect, but the Demon Sect will surely not let it go. We plan to use their own plot against them, find someone to impersonate Lü Ren, lure the snake from its hole, and annihilate them all at once. Afterward, we will secretly move the real Lü Ren back to the Celestial Cloud Sect."
"And you want me to lure the snake?" Li Qingxian grew wary.
Zhou Chunfeng said, "The person we originally chose was... well, there’s no harm in telling you. It was Ye Han. But Youfei investigated and found he has a somewhat checkered past. She was worried he wouldn’t be tight-lipped and would ruin the whole plan, so we need to find someone else. The conditions for the impersonator are demanding. For example, he must not have Entered Grade and must possess no True Essence. This ensures he resembles the severely injured Lü Ren and won’t be detected by any Demonic Skills. His build must also be similar to Lü Ren’s, and his aura must be pure. Most importantly, he must have a clean background, courage and cunning, daring and intelligence. Otherwise, if something unexpected happens, he’ll likely be exposed."
Zhou Chunfeng stared at Li Qingxian.
Li Qingxian found the mention of Ye Han a bit strange. The man had been acting like his brother just a few days ago, but now he had suddenly vanished.
"I do indeed meet the requirements of having courage and cunning, daring and intelligence, but..." Li Qingxian glanced at Jiangg Youfei. "I also have a small flaw: I’m afraid of dying. I don’t think I’m suited for this role."
Zhou Chunfeng sighed. "Initially, I didn’t consider you either. Zhou Henn and I sifted through the Divine Capital Bureau’s roster repeatedly, but we couldn’t find a suitable candidate. For a matter this important, we can’t just borrow someone from the outside. And most of the trustworthy people under my command have already Entered Grade."
"Why not just cripple Pang Mingjing, knock him unconscious, and disguise him as the Saint Heir? I think that would work!" Li Qingxian said.
"We need the impersonator to be able to walk, like someone just recovering from a serious illness. That’s what will make the enemy want to eliminate him completely, and that’s how we’ll lead them into our trap," Zhou Chunfeng said.
Li Qingxian looked at Jiangg Youfei and said, "Sister Youfei, do you want to safely escort your senior brother back, or do you want revenge? If it’s the former, there’s no need to go to all this extra trouble."
"Both!" The young woman lowered her head slightly, her tone firm. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the paper.
"Demon Extermination and Dao Defense is the duty of our generation," Zhou Chunfeng said.
"Uncle Zhou, are you really going to watch me walk to my death? That Lü Ren is a Senior Fourth-Grade Expert! If the Demon Sect wants to eliminate him completely, they’ll send at least one Third-Grade Expert, maybe even two. What’s the difference between me going and serving myself up on a platter? This plan is a muddle. It violates a major taboo of warfare!"
"I have the Thunder Light Fire Rune Seal. With my Fourth-Grade cultivation, I can slay a Third-Grade." Jiangg Youfei turned her head, her chin lifted slightly, her eyes colored with the fire of the setting sun.
"You can slay one, but can you slay two? Or three? Besides you, who else from the Celestial Cloud Sect is here? Do you have any Third-Grade Experts for backup?" Li Qingxian asked.
Jiangg Youfei pressed her lips together, her pink mouth forming a thin line. She said nothing.