Chapter 133: Guo Yuanzhen

Ouyang Ke’s eyes lit up, his spirit stirred. Ignoring Tolui, he smiled and said, "What kind of man is Young Master Ouyang? Once I have given my word, how could I go back on it? However, he may leave, but you, Miss Hua Zheng, must remain..."

"Fine."

Cheng Lingsu had long expected he would not let things go so easily. But this was for the best; alone, she could maneuver against Ouyang Ke and look for a chance to escape. With Tolui present, she would inevitably have reservations. Thus, without waiting for him to spout more nonsense, she cut him off and agreed.

Ouyang Ke did not expect her to agree so readily. He laughed aloud, "That’s more like it. With the meddlesome eyes gone, we can have a proper chat."

Cheng Lingsu ignored him. Turning away, she took a handkerchief wrapped around blue flowers from her bosom, gave it a slight shake in the air, tied it around the gaping wound on Tolui’s hand, and tucked the blue flowers back into her pocket. She then briefly explained the situation to Tolui, urging him to return immediately.

Tolui’s face turned ashen. He stepped back, suddenly snatching up the saber he had thrust into the ground at his feet. With eyes fixed on Ouyang Ke, he swung the blade fiercely through the air in front of him. "Your martial arts are superior, and I am no match for you. But today, I swear in the name of Temujin Khan to the gods of the grasslands: once I have purged the villains who plotted against my father, I shall settle this score with you! I will avenge my sister, and I will show you what true heroes of the steppe are made of!"

As the son of a Mongol tribal leader, Tolui was known for his humility and deep sense of loyalty, unlike the insufferably arrogant Tuo Shi. Yet, his inner pride was no less than that of any other. As Temujin’s favorite son, he understood his father’s ambition—to turn every land covered by the blue sky into pasture for the Mongols.

Driven by this goal, he had trained in the army since childhood without a day’s respite. Who could have known that after years of bitter discipline, not only would he fall into enemy hands, but he would also fail to bring his sister, who had come to rescue him, back to safety? Tolui knew Cheng Lingsu was right; his priority must be Temujin’s safety. He had to return and mobilize troops to support his father. But at the thought of his sister being forcibly detained here, the humiliation felt like a stone in his throat, stifling his very breath.

The Mongols valued their word above all, especially when pledged to the gods worshipped by all on the steppe. Even knowing he was no match for Ouyang Ke in combat, Tolui’s vow was resolute. His expression was solemn and awe-inspiring, and his words were filled with a soaring, heroic spirit. Though not a master of the martial arts, his shoulders, hardened by years in the military, carried the same kingly air as Temujin. His gaze was so piercing that even Ouyang Ke, who did not fully understand the content of the vow, felt a secret tremor of unease.

Cheng Lingsu felt a surge of warmth. The blood of Temujin’s daughter, flowing through her veins, seemed to resonate with Tolui’s reluctance and resolve. It surged like a torrent, making her eyes brim with heat. Calmly, she stepped to the side, blocking the path where Ouyang Ke might strike, and whispered, "Go now. Hurry back. I have my own ways to escape."

Tolui nodded, stepped forward, and opened his arms to embrace her. Without glancing at Ouyang Ke again, he turned and ran toward the camp gate.

On the way, a few soldiers left on guard tried to stop him, but with a single stroke of his blade for each, he cut them down to the ground.

By the time she saw Tolui seize a horse at the edge of the camp and ride far away, Cheng Lingsu finally felt at ease and sighed softly.

In her previous life, her master, the Poison King, used toxins as medicine to heal the sick, yet he deeply believed in karma and reincarnation. In his later years, he had converted to Buddhism, cultivating his mind until he reached a state of inner peace, free from anger or joy. As his youngest disciple, she had been deeply influenced by him. Having died only to be sent to this world, she had to believe there was a greater purpose.

She had originally intended to avoid becoming entangled in the affairs of this world. She had even thought of finding an opportunity to flee far away, returning to the shores of Lake Dongting to see what the White Horse Temple would look like centuries later. There, she would open a small clinic, heal the sick, and spend her life guarding the longing and devotion she held for that person from her past life.

Moreover, if Temujin were in danger, the Mongol tribe where she had lived for ten years would also suffer. Her mother and brother, who had raised her with genuine care, and the clansmen she saw every day—how could she stand idly by after ten years among them?

Thinking of this, Cheng Lingsu sighed again.

Seeing her staring in the direction Tolui had left, lost in thought and sighing, Ouyang Ke raised his chin and sneered, "What? Is it that hard to part with him?"

Sensing the implication behind his words, Cheng Lingsu frowned. Pulling her thoughts back, she retorted, "I am worried about my brother. Is that not as it should be?"

"Oh? He is your brother?" Ouyang Ke raised an eyebrow, a flicker of joy passing through his eyes. "Then... the lad from before was your lover?"

"What nonsense are you..." Cheng Lingsu paused, then realized, "You mean Guo Jing? You were here before... you knew from the moment we arrived?"

"Not you all—just you. The moment you arrived, I knew." Ouyang Ke looked quite pleased, clearly enjoying her reaction.

Though Cheng Lingsu had dismounted far away, his internal energy was profound; how could his hearing be compared to that of ordinary Mongol soldiers? He had discovered her almost as she slipped into the camp. He had been about to reveal himself when he saw Ma Yu intervene and take both her and Guo Jing away.

Years ago, his uncle, Ouyang Feng, had suffered a great loss at the hands of the Quanzhen Sect. Consequently, the lineage of the West Poison harbored deep resentment and caution toward the Taoists of Quanzhen. Recognizing Ma Yu’s Taoist robes and recalling his uncle’s warnings, Ouyang Ke had abandoned the idea of appearing. Instead, he stayed in the shadows, watching their exchange.

He had expected Cheng Lingsu to persuade Ma Yu to storm the camp. He did not know Ma Yu was the leader of the Quanzhen Sect; he only thought that besides the thousands of soldiers in the camp, Wanyan Honglie had several martial arts experts with him, which would be enough to entangle Ma Yu and perhaps even remove him, ridding the Quanzhen Sect of a master. He had not expected the Taoist not only to refrain from attacking but to leave with Guo Jing, leaving Cheng Lingsu behind.

Cheng Lingsu began to piece things together. "Wanyan Honglie came here in secret, likely to stir up trouble between Sangkun and my father, keeping the Mongol tribes in constant conflict so his Jin Kingdom would have no threats from the north."

Ouyang Ke had no interest in such political strife, but seeing how earnest Cheng Lingsu was, he nodded along and praised, "To draw inferences from a single instance—you are truly clever."

Reaching out to brush away a lock of hair blown by the wind, Cheng Lingsu’s gaze was as clear and cold as the waters of the Onon River on the steppe. "You are one of Wanyan Honglie’s men, yet you let Guo Jing go to sound the alarm, and now you have let Tolui go to mobilize troops. Are you not afraid of ruining his grand plan?"

Ouyang Ke laughed aloud. Reaching out, he tapped her chin gently with his folding fan. "Afraid? What does his plan have to do with me? If I can win a smile from a beauty, what does it matter?"

Cheng Lingsu did not smile; instead, she frowned and stepped back, avoiding the flirtatious fan. With a swift movement, she reached out and caught the black-lacquered tip of the fan in her palm. A chill pierced through her skin, cold as ice, making her want to drop it immediately. Only then did she realize the ribs of the fan were made of dark iron.

"What? Do you like this fan?" Ouyang Ke flicked his wrist as if unintentional, brushing off her hand and retracting the fan. He snapped it open with a flourish and waved it gently before him. "If you fancy something else, I would gladly give it to you, but this fan..." He paused, then chuckled, "If you like it, as long as you follow me from now on, you shall naturally see it often..."