Chapter Seventy-Four: Mu Shuiyan

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After Zhao Jia left, the courtesan queen Lan Li’er spent her days coquettishly clinging to King Zhao Yan, urging him to appoint their son as crown prince.

“Jia has already gone to Qin, so why hasn’t the Qin army withdrawn?” King Zhao Yan was deeply troubled today. The Qin army had promised to retreat but remained entrenched at Yi’an.

“Your Majesty! If Qian’er commands, with Lord Chunping assisting, we can surely drive the Qin forces back,” the courtesan queen whispered seductively, nestling against Zhao Yan and caressing his chest.

“What do you know? War is no child’s play!” Zhao Yan, still clear-headed, rebuked her.

But the courtesan queen was insistent. She slowly pressed her tempting lips to his ear. “Your Majesty knows Qian’er has recently made progress in his studies and has some knowledge of military strategy. Why not let him try?” Her voice grew breathy, deeply alluring.

“Besides, you are well aware that Lord Chunping’s talent rivals that of Li Mu. With his support, success is assured!” She was determined to have her son elevated, mainly following Li Yu’s advice.

“Very well! If Qian’er can repel the Qin army, I will name him crown prince!” Zhao Yan’s resolve softened, unwilling to disappoint his beloved.

Indeed, Zhao Qian had been improving rapidly, memorizing many classics, and Zhao Yan acknowledged his elder brother’s abilities—at least competent enough.

At that moment, Young Master Qian was galloping through the manor, exercising while reading the classics from a concubine’s body, utterly focused.

Li Yu was in the outer room, casually questioning him.

Suddenly, a woman in a sheer blue robe approached and stood by Li Yu. She caressed his lower body and lowered herself, her luscious lips parting like cherry blossoms.

Li Yu gazed at her, impressed by the family’s legacy.

This woman, like the courtesan queen, hailed from the pleasure district’s willow-lined alleys. Originally, she was a gift prepared by Li Kai for King Zhao Yan but was intercepted and kept by Young Master Qian, who was captivated by her beauty. Li Yu had never met her until one day when he and the courtesan queen were secretly rendezvousing in a separate courtyard of Young Master Qian’s residence. This woman discovered them, and upon seeing Li Yu’s impressive physique and striking features, she was instantly enamored.

Later, during one of Li Yu’s lessons with Young Master Qian, she stealthily approached and began a daylight tryst with Li Yu and her husband.

Li Yu was naturally willing; this young woman’s figure was strikingly similar to the courtesan queen’s—majestic like towering mountains, a seductive oval face, and a natural coquettishness—essentially a younger version of the courtesan queen.

It was said that if not for Li Kai’s persuasion, Zhao Qian would have elevated her officially, a testament to his favor.

As Li Yu felt her warm softness, he methodically continued instructing Young Master Qian inside.

These two lovers showed no shame.

“Young Master Qian! I must step out briefly. Study on your own,” Li Yu said, patting the head beneath him and pulling up.

He kissed deeply the glistening pool before them, then, holding the delicate beauty’s hand, headed outside.

“You’re learning from your stepmother, refusing to wear undergarments?” Li Yu teased as he kissed the rose-like flower between her thighs, looking up at her alluring eyes.

“Yu Lang! Do you like this?” the woman leaned against the courtyard wall, eyes dreamy, gazing at Li Yu beneath her.

“I do,” Li Yu answered honestly.

After a frenzied, passionate encounter, Li Yu embraced the soft jade in his arms. “Shui Yan! Come with me! Let’s leave this place.”

“I’m content as long as Yu Lang visits often,” Shui Yan replied, unwilling to leave.

Li Yu was unhurried, lowering his head to kiss her luscious lips without further words.

When Li Yu returned to Young Master Qian’s room, Zhao Qian was already dressed.

“Master Instructor has been out late recently; you must take care of your health!” Zhao Qian showed rare concern.

Li Yu nodded.

“Master Instructor, I will soon depart for the campaign. Will you accompany me?” Zhao Qian asked.

Li Yu shook his head. “The crown prince has yet to be decided. I must keep watch; if anything happens, I can provide support.”

“That’s true. Thank you, Master Instructor. Today, let’s visit the gambling house for some fun! Your game of Bole is fascinating, especially the poker—truly ingenious!” Zhao Qian’s gambling itch flared.

Li Yu agreed; with Gongsun Liji already gone to Qin, there was no rush to return home.

As for the Grand Minister of Destiny, he secretly wished Li Yu would stay out late every night.

…

Luochuan Purple Peony

A noble flower, rare in the world.

When Li Yu brought Tang Yuehua and others to a lakeside and saw the four-hundred-year-old purple peony, they were all thrilled. Even Liu Erlong, a straightforward woman, gazed enviously at the exquisite and majestic peony.

It really had been found.

Li Yu immediately cautioned the surroundings and let Tang Yuehua step forward to absorb its energy.

“Li Yu, aren’t you curious why no one picks this flower in such an obvious place?” Liu Erlong sensed something amiss.

Li Yu nodded. The location was too easy to find, and the purple peony was so conspicuous. “Unless there’s a powerful soul beast guarding it.”

“But where is the soul beast?” Liu Erlong scanned the calm lake surface, seeing no sign.

Suddenly, rustling sounds came from the woods.

With the ground trembling, two enormous scorpions charged swiftly toward Li Yu.

Li Yu was taken aback. After searching everywhere, here they were!

He quickly told Liu Erlong, “You take the female; I’ll handle the male.”

He rushed toward the larger scorpion to prevent it from disturbing Tang Yuehua’s soul ring absorption.

Liu Erlong, without hesitation, charged at the pink scorpion.

They left Xiaowu to guard Tang Yuehua.

Li Yu kicked the five-meter-long giant scorpion into the forest.

Liu Erlong likewise punched the pink scorpion toward the woods, seemingly competing with Li Yu.

Li Yu reached the fallen scorpion and employed techniques learned in the Heavenly Sect, compressing his energy and pointing at the scorpion’s forehead, softly commanding, “Explode!”

A white beam shot from his fingertip, striking the scorpion’s forehead.

With a sizzling sound, the scorpion writhed painfully on the ground.

Li Yu increased his energy output as he stepped forward.

The scorpion’s defense shattered; a white light shot from its back, soaring into the sky, then vanished.

Li Yu examined his finger, feeling unsatisfied.

No time to ponder, he ran toward Liu Erlong.

Liu Erlong was far less gentle.

She violently punched and kicked the pink scorpion, venting some frustration. A blue dragon emerged from her back, merging with her as they battled the pink scorpion. The scorpion expelled pink mist, painting the battlefield in a rosy haze. As the human’s attacks relentlessly battered it, the scorpion’s demise was inevitable.

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The pink scorpion seemed to sense its companion’s death, emitting a piercing scream. Its body flushed scarlet, heartbeat pounding fiercely. A violent explosion followed.

Li Yu appeared before Liu Erlong just in time, blocking most of the energy attacks, though some struck Liu Erlong.

With the pink scorpion defeated, Li Yu felt his heart pounding faster. Liu Erlong’s body radiated heat, face flushed pink, eyes glazed.

Concerned, Li Yu gently comforted her, “Long’er! Are you alright?” His voice soft, tinged with affection.

“I’m fine! Go away!” Liu Erlong, struggling with discomfort, staggered toward the woods, wanting distance.

Li Yu, puzzled, grasped Liu Erlong’s hand. “Long’er, you’re burning up—are you poisoned?”

“Mind your own business! Go away!” Liu Erlong shook him off, stumbling away.

Li Yu refused to give up. After wandering the woods for a while, he seized the moment, pulling Liu Erlong into a tight embrace. “Long’er! I feel so bad!”

“Don’t—let go!” she stammered.

“All right! I won’t let go!” Li Yu’s hands climbed toward the mountain he longed to explore.

“Don’t—let go!” Liu Erlong pleaded again.

“I won’t, not ever. I love you, Long’er,” Li Yu whispered by her ear.

Unable to resist desire, Liu Erlong’s eyes blazed. She turned, throwing herself into Li Yu’s arms, wildly kissing his cheek.

Li Yu gently guided her.

Liu Erlong’s body sank, a mixture of pain and pleasure spilling from her.

The pink mist in the woods faded, replaced by a hazy purple fog.

Li Yu, hands behind her head, relished the moment as Liu Erlong ravished him.

Nearby, Tang Yuehua slowly opened her eyes, watching Xiaowu anxiously staring toward the woods.

Curious, she asked, “Xiaowu, where is Yu? And Long’er?”

Seeing Tang Yuehua awake, Xiaowu took her hand. “When you absorbed the soul ring, a soul beast attacked. They went to fight it.”

“Ah? What about them?” Tang Yuehua was frightened and uncertain.

“It’s been an hour. Why haven’t they come out?” Xiaowu said, pulling Tang Yuehua into the forest.

“Don’t worry, Long’er is a Soul Saint. She should be fine,” Tang Yuehua reassured.

“But—” Xiaowu knew she couldn’t help but still worried.

“Let’s sneak in and see,” Tang Yuehua suggested.

“Good!” Xiaowu hurriedly led her inside.

The signs of battle made it easy to find Li Yu.

Xiaowu rubbed her eyes, feeling she must be hallucinating.

Tang Yuehua looked away, unable to watch.

Liu Erlong’s satisfied, wild cries echoed as she trembled atop Li Yu, savoring a joy she had never known.

Opening her eyes slowly, she saw Xiaowu peeking with hands over her eyes and Tang Yuehua turning away in embarrassment.

“Ah!” Liu Erlong scrambled off Li Yu.

With a soft “pop,” she glared at the contented Li Yu.

Hastily, she dressed herself.

Li Yu leisurely admired her graceful figure, deeply entranced.

“Looking at me like you want to gouge my eyes out,” Liu Erlong growled.

“Long’er! You must be reasonable! You defiled me—you owe me! You can’t just toy with me and abandon me!” Li Yu smiled brightly.

“You—I'll crush your troublemaker!” She aimed a foot at Li Yu’s erect member.

Li Yu dodged, stood upright, and said, “Long’er, you must take responsibility for our happiness. Living alone is no good. Don’t worry, even if you don’t want to, I won’t abandon you! And what I said an hour ago was sincere—I love you!”

“Brother! Put on your clothes! You’re embarrassing me!” Xiaowu’s voice came from afar.

“Xiaowu! You saw me naked—you must take responsibility too! Don’t be like your sister Long’er and discard me after using me!” Li Yu teased.

“You’re so bad!” Xiaowu exclaimed.

…

On the way back, Li Yu held Tang Yuehua’s hand. “Yuehua, I didn’t expect you to reach level nineteen right after absorbing the soul ring! Truly a sudden surge after long preparation!”

Tang Yuehua was moved inside. “Yu, I’m no longer a worthless martial soul!”

Li Yu smiled, pulling her into his embrace. “Even if you were, I’d support you forever!”

Xiaowu interjected, “Sister Yuehua doesn’t need your support; Yuexuan is very popular!”

Li Yu: “…”

“Long’er, have you broken through?” Li Yu asked curiously.

Liu Erlong turned her head aside, her lovely hair brushing him.

Inwardly, she was amazed she had reached level seventy-nine, nearly breaking through to Soul Conqueror.

Could Li Yu truly be a miraculous cure?

“Pah!” She spat.

Li Yu: “…”

Was that necessary?

Xianyang City

A separate courtyard.

Recently, two sisters moved in.

At first, some ruffians tried to harass them.

But after several of those ruffians mysteriously died in the streets, no one dared to bother the sisters again.

Across the street, a newly opened inn.

The staff knew their boss liked to stand by the window, gazing at the sisters across.

He was hopelessly infatuated.

“I told you, you shouldn’t appear in my sight.”

A voice came from behind the innkeeper.

Startled, the innkeeper turned, as if hearing a terrifying sound.

“I just want to quietly watch her, nothing else!”

“I won’t allow instability—she’s pregnant!”

A flash of white light passed.

The innkeeper collapsed helplessly.

“Mo Ya! Finish it!”

“Yes!”

Opposite, in the courtyard.

“Sister! The secret’s out! You’re carrying Li Yu’s child. Nongyu will find out sooner or later! How long will you keep hiding?” Hu Shuangxue said, pitying her misfortune.

“You shameless! I still want to! I’ll hide it as long as I can!” Hu Ningyue stroked her belly, full of grievance.

“Sister! If you want to live here, why drag me along?” Hu Shuangxue was speechless.

“You’re the aunt!” Ningyue rolled her eyes at her cunning sister.

“Sister, I can tell—you just want to monopolize Li Yu so he comes to you every day,” Hu Shuangxue’s fox-like eyes looked at her sister slyly.

“You— I’m not arguing anymore!” Ningyue petted her belly.

“Sister! It looks like there’s a fire!” Hu Shuangxue saw thick smoke billowing from the street.

“Let’s get out of here! Don’t let it reach us!” Ningyue, frightened, pulled her sister outside.

“No need to fear, mother-in-law! Someone’s already started firefighting!” Li Yu’s voice came from behind.

Ningyue looked back. “You—why are you here?”

Li Yu stepped forward, gently taking Ningyue’s hand. “I missed you, so I came to visit.”

“No!~” Ningyue pulled her hand back.

Hu Shuangxue laughed, “Sister, you really know your son-in-law. He loves your shy look. Yu Lang, don’t you agree?”

Ningyue: “Pah! Stop talking nonsense!”

Hu Shuangxue: “I’m not! Every time Yu Lang calls you mother-in-law, his expression looks like he wants to devour you!”

Li Yu smiled, pulling the bewitching Hu Shuangxue into his arms, licking her tempting ear. “When I call you little aunt, I’m just as excited.”

Within the Marquis’s Mansion

A duplicate of Li Yu held Yan Fei’s hand. “Feiyan, I must head to Chu early to make preparations. This way, casualties will be fewer. I do not wish to see the world unified with ten households left empty.”

“My husband’s decision is mine to support! A thousand-mile journey, please take care,” Yan Fei said with concern.

“Finding Loulan’s location is entrusted to you! I have great plans!” Li Yu gently pressed Yan Fei’s soft hand to his cheek.

“Yes! I’ll arrange for Xiangjun and her husband to accompany you to Chu for support,” Yan Fei proposed, eager to do more for her husband.

“That’s not a good idea!” A mournful image flashed through Li Yu’s mind.

“The Yin-Yang Sect fully supports Qin. As a pillar of the Great Qin, my husband will have their backing,” Yan Fei said softly.

“Thank you, my lady!” Li Yu drew Yan Fei into his embrace, caressing her supple form.

“No thanks needed between husband and wife,” Yan Fei nestled close.

…

Yi’an

Qin Army Camp

Wang Ben paced within the camp.

“Father! What does Marquis Guan Nei mean? That we should deliberately lose? Isn’t that handing over the conquered land?” the middle-aged man seated at the head of the table asked, reading a letter.

“Marquis Guan Nei’s actions have deeper meaning. Don’t forget, we took eleven Zhao cities without firing a single shot, all by his strategy. There is more to this plan,” the elder stroked his beard.

Wang Ben: “If not for the official seal, I’d think the letter was fake!”

Wang Jian stroked his beard. “Follow Marquis Guan Nei’s orders. Slow troop withdrawal.”

“Yes!” Wang Ben saluted and left.

…

Yan State

Ji City

Li Yu met the Yan King Xi for the first time.

“Qin and Yan have been allies since ancient times! As Qin attacks Zhao, we hope Yan can restrain them, at least preventing Li Mu from reinforcing. Qin will cover all expenses!” Yan Spring Lord stepped forward.

“Brother! The dispatch of Marquis Guan Nei, brother to the Qin king, shows sincerity! Since King Huiwen, Qin and Yan have been allies. Allies in trouble must support each other,” he added.

Yan Dan, anxious, said, “Father! Qin attacking Zhao is unjust. Why should Yan help the tyrant?”

Li Yu frowned and addressed Yan Dan. “Your Highness is mistaken. The Battle of Changping involved Shangdang, which Han ceded to Qin. Zhao launched war shamelessly. Why can Zhao attack Qin, but Qin cannot retaliate? What logic is that?”

Yan Dan was speechless.

Li Yu continued, “Qin and Yan have no hostility; Zhao and Yan often clash. Your Highness is siding with outsiders to sabotage your own house. Such generosity!”

Yan Dan prided himself on his rhetoric but was outmatched by Li Yu.

King Yan Xi slammed the table, “I will dispatch Ju Xin with 200,000 troops to harass Zhao’s border!”

Li Yu bowed quickly. “I’ve noted, Your Majesty!”

Li Yu left the city, personally escorted outside by Yan Spring Lord.

Yan Spring Lord looked at the carriage ahead, increasingly convinced Li Yu was a romantic.

When Consort Xin Yun boarded, Yan Spring Lord saw the shocking scars on her body.

Truly harrowing.

“Farewell, my lord. Though I’ve escorted you for a thousand days, parting is inevitable. I thank you deeply.”

Yan Spring Lord smiled. “Next time I visit Qin, I’ll trouble you.”

Li Yu bowed. “Naturally! I shall prepare a grand welcome!”

After polite exchanges, Li Yu boarded the foremost carriage.

“Yun’er! Don’t worry; we’ll reach Xianyang soon!” Li Yu comforted, holding Consort Xin Yun’s hand.

“Yu! I—” Xin Yun hesitated, turning her head away.

Li Yu took the chance to sit beside her, pulling her into his embrace.

Snow Maiden sat opposite, watching Li Yu’s genuine care for his master, feeling reassured.

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