Gu Pin'er blinked in surprise. "What do you mean, 'Peach Blossom Blood'?"
Someone nearby reminded her, "Junior Sister, that's the thing Immortal Su Yao once mentioned…"
Realization dawned on Gu Pin'er's face, and she gasped. "You mean that stuff made from ten thousand drops of virgin—" She cut herself off, suddenly shy. Even she couldn't say the rest aloud.
He Mulan nodded with a sigh. "Exactly. The saying 'Ten thousand blossoms, one drop of green' refers to this very thing. In the mortal world, people talk about 'virgin's red,' though most of that's just cheap tricks by so-called alchemists and charlatans. But if you actually gather ten thousand drops of pure maiden's first blood, and mix it with their blood essence, it turns a vivid green—and becomes incredibly potent. Powerful enough to be used in the highest-grade pills...
"And if one wants it to be fully completed, nothing less than ten million is acceptable! To take both virginal blood and blood essence is equivalent to taking a human life. To accumulate such a thing with ten million human lives; this makes it easily the most evil thing under heaven! Even the most powerful demons wouldn't dare to collect it themselves, lest they provoke Heaven's punishment and fall into eternal damnation.
He paused before continuing, voice colder. "So these demons play dirty. They spread rumors about Peach Blossom Blood in the mortal world, and lure corrupt, power-hungry rulers into gathering it for them under the promise of immortality. That way, they stay hidden in the shadows and reap the rewards while others take the fall."
Li Xun suddenly felt a click in his mind; something that had been bothering him all along finally made sense. A phrase he'd once heard from Yin Wanderer popped into his head: "There are things that require immense manpower to gather, only the millions of mortals under the imperial court's rule can manage to obtain them."
So that's what she meant. She was talking about Peach Blossom Blood; that sinister stuff in the crystal vial. No wonder…
"The year's almost over," He Mulan went on. "Tribute from all regions should be arriving in the capital soon… Over the generations, emperors have always been fascinated by alchemy. But their so-called alchemy was nothing more than mundane substances like lead, mercury, and cinnabar. Of course no true elixir could come of that. However, according to tradition, there is always one ingredient that is absolutely indispensable. That's Peach Blossom Blood."
Gu Pin'er's eyes lit up with understanding. She clapped her hands. "So that's it! The guy's after the Peach Blossom Blood. Once the tributes enter the capital and are stored in the inner vault, he'll make his move!"
He Mulan lowered her voice. "It's not the first time something like this has happened. Peach Blossom Blood, after all, is still a mortal-world item. Those great evil demons wouldn't bother to fight over it. The ones showing up are all second-rate riffraff, minor demons and spirits. After snatching some, they won't refine it themselves, but offer it up to the major demon lords iin hopes of gaining some benefit.
"And judging by that man's cultivation, it fits. His NetherYin Qi is pure and deep, he's likely a disciple of either Shadow-Devouring Soul Sect or Ghoul-Devouring Sect…"
That guess, of course, was a little off. But for Gu Pin'er and the others, the reasoning was solid enough. More importantly, they finally had a clear target. Compared to the past few days of aimlessly casting nets and chasing shadows, this was way more exciting.
Sure enough, Gu Pin'er's energy spiked. "Great! A real target makes things so much easier! Senior Brother, what's our next move?"
He Mulan gave a half smile. "If it were before, I wouldn't be so sure. But things are different now. Don't forget. We've got someone helping us inside the palace."
Li Xun froze for a second, then it clicked. The "helper" he meant… was him.
"Seriously?" he muttered under his breath. "Looking for a donkey while riding one already, huh?" He scratched his chin, amused. He tried to hold it in, but eventually let out a quiet laugh.
He Mulan finished, "Tomorrow I'll go see Junior Brother Xun and ask about the situation in the palace. Then we'll plan our next move. In the few days before the tribute arrives, we'll need to be on full alert. Lock down the capital's borders; don't let any suspicious figures slip through."
What He Mulan didn't know was that, as she spoke, a plain, unremarkable green-roofed carriage was quietly rolling through the eastern gate of the capital city.
Perhaps it was precisely because of its ordinariness that the Heavenly Movement Sympathetic Formation didn't react at all.
Inside the city walls, a young girl's voice grumbled, still a little childish: "Ugh, I'm so stiff… Aunt Qing, why'd we have to come in like this all polite and proper? Even Little Black looks bored."
As if to echo her complaint, the black horse pulling the carriage gave a loud snort.
Then, silence.
Meanwhile, Li Xun hurriedly spurred his horse and headed toward the Fu Prince's mansion. Judging by He Mulan and the others' tone, they wouldn't rest until they caught this so-called demon culprit.
For safety's sake, he needed more than just his own caution. He'd have to coordinate with the imperial palace and Prince Fu's household.
But the most unstable factor… was Prince Fu's residence itself. Because of one person: Li Cong.
Li Xun's eyes turned cold. His feelings about his half-brother had always been complicated. On one hand, Li Cong had taken his place in their father's eyes, claimed the position that should've been his. Even if Li Xun no longer cared about that seat of power, it still left a bitter taste.
On the other hand… they were so similar. The only difference was that Li Cong hadn't been through the same blood and fire, hadn't learned to be cautious and sly. He was like a version of Li Xun who'd grown up smoothly and without setbacks. That gave Li Xun an odd sense of closeness.
Caught between those two feelings, Li Xun always kept his distance, neither cold nor warm. What he hadn't expected, though, was that Li Cong saw him as a rival… and hadn't hesitated to trip him up.
Looks like it's time… to make him understand a few things.
The horse's hooves clattered crisply on the ground—pleasantly rhythmic. Lost in the steady sound, Li Xun slipped into deep thought. He had to get everything straight before reaching the manor. There couldn't be a single misstep.
What he didn't realize was that among the clean hoofbeats, another sound had quietly slipped in until someone called out beside him:
"Hey!"
Startled, Li Xun turned his head toward the voice. It was already getting dark, but he could see clearly.
A dust-covered carriage had pulled up next to him. Green tassels swayed from its sides. Clearly just arrived from a long journey.
From the window, a curtain embroidered with flowers lifted, and a young girl poked her head out, smiling at him.
Li Xun's eyes swept over her, and he was immediately struck.
Where do all these beautiful girls keep coming from? Though to be fair, this one was still just a kid.
The girl looked about thirteen or fourteen, still full of youthful innocence. But her features were already absurdly delicate—eyes bright and flawless, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. Even before she spoke, the warmth in her gaze was like a soft spring breeze brushing against the soul.
Li Xun found himself a little dazed. He couldn't help but think that if this girl were just a few years older, she'd probably be on the same level as Consort Qin.
With that thought, he glanced at her again. Strangely, she now looked older; more like seventeen or eighteen.
A natural-born enchantress, he thought, silently impressed.
He finally had to admit; this mortal world really wasn't short on stunning women. First there was Consort Qin, and now this girl… Even in the wider cultivation world, beauties of this level were rare.
But something felt off… Why was this girl not looking at his face, but staring above his head?
Curious, Li Xun smiled and asked, "Miss, were you calling me?"
The girl blinked, then giggled. "Yup! I wanted to ask you something!"
Her innocent look was so genuine, it made Li Xun smile too. A rare playful mood surfaced in him. "Go ahead, Miss. If I know, I'll tell you everything."
Her smile grew even brighter.
"It's really simple!" she said, pointing a finger at the top of his head, eyes twinkling with undisguised admiration. "That hairpin is so pretty! I want one too. Could you tell me where you bought it? I'll ask Aunt Qing to get one for me!"
Li Xun froze for a moment before realizing that she was talking about the Phoenix-Feather Needle on his head. Now things were a little awkward. What was he supposed to say? That this was a supreme treasure from the Tongxuan Realm, forged from a phoenix's tail feather?
Seeing the hopeful look in her eyes, he could only force a smile and say, "Sorry… This was a gift from a senior. I'm afraid I don't know where to buy one."
The disappointment on the girl's face was immediate, making Li Xun feel even more uncomfortable.
"I see…"
Her mood shifted fast. Just moments ago she'd been all sunshine and energy, but now she pouted and pulled her head back in. The carriage rolled on, quickly leaving Li Xun behind. He could only shake his head and let out a helpless chuckle.
....
"Idiot! Total idiot!"
Li Xin's usually composed face was twisted with fury as he slammed the table. Scrolls and papers jumped from the impact, clearly reflecting how much rage he was holding in.
Li Cong darted out of the room like a scared rabbit under the thunderous shouting.
After he was gone, Li Xin let out a long sigh. Li Xun, standing to the side, also sighed softly. "Cong's still young, Father." he consoled him. "There's no need to rush his success.'"
Li Xin's eyes flashed suddenly and locked onto his eldest son's face. In that moment, he had once again taken on the persona of the Fu Prince who once commanded wind and storm. He may not have a cultivator's power, but the imposing presence he had cultivated over the years still carried immense pressure.
"Xun'er," he said slowly, "is that truly how you see your younger brother?"
Li Xun wasn't sure what he meant. Li Xin gave a cold little smile.
"Normally I wouldn't be this worked up. But times are different now. At a moment like this, I can't afford to have someone clueless screwing things up."
Li Xun's heart skipped a beat. When he looked again, he saw flames…no, ambition burning in his father's eyes.
Li Xin leaned forward, lowering his voice, but the intensity only grew. He looked like a hawk about to dive, all sharp edges and unrelenting drive.
"Big things are coming. Xun'er… will you lend me your strength?"
Li Xun's heart skipped another beat, but quickly returned to its usual rhythm.
He wasn't surprised.
Really, with a son like him, and the mysterious National Preceptor standing behind him, Li Xin would be a fool not to take advantage. The only reason he hadn't brought it up before was likely because he'd pinned his hopes on his younger son, and believed that all these years of grooming would pay off.
But after today's disaster, he realized: his eldest son was the better bet.
Li Xun didn't ask what the "big thing" was. On one hand, he'd been taught from childhood to understand what wasn't said. On the other, for Li Xin to use this tone, there could only be one possible goal under heaven.
So, he smiled. "Why would you even ask, Father? You're my father, of course I'll help you. Just like you helped me today."
His words had layers, and Li Xin understood them all. He gave a low grunt and stood up, eyes locked on Li Xun. "Once this matter's settled, I'll introduce you to some key figures. You'll start preparing for that."
Li Xun knew that meeting "key figures" just meant building connections, gradually replacing Li Cong's role in the Fu Prince's household.
Li Xin had clearly thought this through. Ambition had become fuel, and now it was igniting.
Unfortunately, Li Xun didn't feel the same fire in his own heart.
Even if you became Emperor… ruled all under heaven… so what? A hundred years pass like dust. Wealth and power fade to ashes. What meaning does it really hold?
Looking at his father, Li Xun didn't hesitate. He nodded lightly.
His attitude was just like that nod: calm, weightless, with no force behind it.
Strangely, he was actually a bit more concerned about the person who had just left. Li Cong.
As soon as he stepped out of the room, he gathered his inner breath and moved lightly, slipping past the guards and gliding through the Prince's residence like a shadow. To ordinary eyes, he'd vanished completely. In just ten breaths, he arrived at his target: his half-brother, Li Cong.