Immortalis

Hero's Tomb II

"What a pity. Had you been born in better times, you would now be enjoying silken robes and jade-like food."

The alchemy furnace blazed fiercely. Through the black iron cage, Shen Qingshi could only see some ghastly pale corpses piled not far away. Several young women who had spoken with her earlier now lay with wide-open eyes. Soon, they would become flesh conduits for this furnace.

Meanwhile, the person outside the cage continued speaking to her.

His voice wasn't sinister, merely calm—as if already certain of her fate.

"You were born at the wrong time, so you can only serve as this flesh conduit."

As he spoke, the man crouched down. Shen Qingshi saw he had a withered, pale face.

It was the White-faced Guest.

Her eyes snapped open. The fever from her injuries made her panicked and short of breath. Hearing someone moving about the room, Shen Qingshi instinctively thought it was Yang Wujian and called out, only to discover it was Chaofeng Envoy Shen Xin.

"Lord Shen?"

Shen Qingshi struggled to prop herself up, realizing Shen Xin had changed his appearance to that of a servant delivering food and wine to her room. Had it not been for his distinctly unusual inner energy and footsteps, she likely wouldn't have recognized his identity.

Shen Xin approached her bedside and looked her up and down. After a long moment, he gently pulled aside her thin undergarment, his fingers gliding over the smooth skin of her collarbone. His masked face revealed an unpleasant smile: "If you weren't incapable of serving men, you might have done well in the rear palace."

"Lord Shen jests."

Even without understanding emotions, Shen Qingshi knew he was deliberately humiliating her. She had heard such remarks countless times since childhood. Thus, her jade-like face showed no emotion as she calmly stated, "What do you need me to do next?"

This wasn't the Chaofeng Envoy's first time meeting Shen Qingshi, but it was indeed his first proper look at this person.

In the past, the Zhaoming Division had held martial competitions and training drills. Most members from the four departments resented that a woman like Shen Qingshi could stand as their equal. Yet, anyone who faced her in the arena quickly discovered her martial skills truly surpassed many men taller and stronger than her.

Shen Xin still remembered that snowy competition a year ago. After Shen Qingshi won her match and stepped down, Cao Zhao personally draped his own fur cloak over her shoulders. His expression that day was far more than that of a mentor looking upon a favored disciple.

As his fingers brushed the woman's face, Shen Xin wondered: if he could drag Shen Qingshi down, how would Cao Zhao save her then?

"Lord Shen?"

"I've discovered that Prince Li sought out Zhou Jinglei because of a woman named Bai Miao. Her Jianghu alias is Golden Jade Hibiscus Sword. Not only is she said to be exceptionally beautiful, but she also wields a pair of Mandarin Duck swords with great skill. She once had a fleeting romance with Prince Li but disappeared many years ago."

"Why is she connected to Zhou Jinglei then?"

"Half a month ago, Prince Li's concubine and their daughter both fell ill and died. The prince was grief-stricken, perhaps suddenly reminiscing about old flames and began searching for his former lover Golden Jade Hibiscus Sword. He unexpectedly received information claiming Bai Miao's pair of Mandarin Duck swords are currently in the treasure vault of White Rainbow Tower."

"Treasure vault?"

Shen Qingshi frowned.

Just from observing Zhou Huai's worry-free lifestyle when going out, she could guess White Rainbow Tower's wealth must be astonishing. Having a treasure vault wasn't surprising.

However, Prince Li directly claimed the Golden Jade Hibiscus Sword's paired blades were in the treasure vault—the implications were quite subtle.Prince Li, after all, is the current Son of Heaven's younger brother—a titled imperial prince. To open the treasure vault of the wealthiest faction in the martial world just to find someone who has been missing for over a decade—is this truly for the person, or for the wealth?

And if a prince covets the riches of White Rainbow Tower, what would his next move be?

Shen Xin could tell from Shen Qingshi's expression that she had already grasped the key points. He smiled and said, "Since you understand my meaning, I'll be direct. Later, I need to investigate White Rainbow Tower's treasure chamber. If anything crucial is hidden there, I must report it to the Emperor immediately."

"You want me to extract the treasure chamber's location from Zhou Huai?"

"Exactly. Zhou Jinglei is extremely cautious. He vanished after his son was rescued, and the servants in this tower are replaced every three months—likely none of them know where the treasure chamber is. Only Zhou Huai has lived here for nearly twenty years; he must know its location."

Shen Xin possessed exceptional hearing. Though still four or five floors away, he could already detect someone descending the stairs. He immediately stood up and said, "Zhou Huai has woken up and is returning with Yang Wujian. Find a way to get the location."

With that, he lowered his head and resumed his previous timid demeanor, straightened the wine and dishes on the table, and left.

"Young Master Shen?"

As soon as Shen Xin left, Yang Wujian and Zhou Huai pushed the door open. Having seen someone deliver food and wine earlier, they guessed Shen Qingshi had awakened. Upon entering, they indeed found her leaning weakly against the couch, her face deathly pale, seemingly wanting to get up but immobilized by her severe injuries.

"If you're awake, why not call for someone? The servants are right outside."

Recalling how he had repeatedly attacked Shen Qingshi and now injured her so gravely, Zhou Huai felt deeply remorseful. Before Yang Wujian could stop him, he hurried forward to support her.

But as he held her, he realized Shen Qingshi was not only slender in appearance—her shoulders were as thin as paper. With her hair disheveled and leaning against him, her body felt soft and boneless.

"You..."

Zhou Huai stared in shock into Shen Qingshi's calm, unreadable eyes, suddenly feeling a pang of palpitations.

He immediately averted his gaze, thinking he couldn't possibly have such tastes. With Yang Wujian right there, it would be utterly shameless to desire both men and women—like eyeing the pot while eating from the bowl.

Watching Young Master Zhou stiffen instantly, Yang Wujian rolled his eyes dramatically. He stepped forward to support Shen Qingshi, draping an outer robe over her, and sighed helplessly, "Young Master, do you even know how to care for people? Young Master Shen is still feverish—didn't you think to cover him with clothing?"

As he adjusted the robe, Yang Wujian discreetly checked Shen Qingshi's pulse.

Sure enough, due to heat intolerance, her internal energy was in chaos. He promptly retrieved a bottle of cooling pills from his robe and said, "These are the pills that... that devil said could reduce fever. I specifically consulted Medicine King Mountain's physicians—the formula is safe and truly effective for reducing fever and heat. Taking them should make you more comfortable."

"Why would he give me these pills?"

Supported by Yang Wujian, Shen Qingshi sat at the table. After hesitating for a long moment, she still swallowed the pill.

After all, she had taken one earlier without issue and experienced no discomfort.

Yang Wujian smiled wryly. "I don't know. Perhaps... he genuinely holds some favor for you?"He spoke with pointed meaning, causing Shen Qingshi's expression to stiffen involuntarily. She glanced around and asked, "Where's my rabbit?"

Yang Wujian knew she was referring to the rabbit Song Lan had given her earlier. Initially accepted as part of Shen Qingshi's feigned compliance, she had continued keeping it, even fattening it up during this period.

Yang Wujian replied helplessly, "It was too chaotic in the Seven Killings Hall earlier. By the time I realized what happened, the cage was broken—it probably ran into the woods... If you want one, I'll buy you another later?"

As he spoke, he carefully observed Shen Qingshi's expression. There was indeed a flicker of reluctance, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. Soon, Shen Qingshi resumed her cold demeanor and said softly, "Don't you think the White-faced Guest must have some scheme in coming to White Rainbow Tower?"

This question had already been discussed between Zhou Huai and Yang Wujian.

They couldn't think of any possible reason—that was what made it most frightening.

Seeing Zhou Huai standing there dumbfounded, Yang Wujian urged, "Young Master, don't just stand there blankly. I asked you to find the records of your previous episodes—hurry up and look. If your Evil Sickness is related to the White-faced Guest, then this is our only lead right now."

"I'll look right away! I remember I should have kept a medical record here."

With that, Zhou Huai went back to his room to search, leaving Yang Wujian and Shen Qingshi staring at each other in silence.

"To stay in White Rainbow Tower, do you really have to resort to such methods?"

After a long pause, Yang Wujian smiled bitterly.

He had already treated Shen Qingshi's wounds twice and had long noticed the many old scars on her slender body. Some of them might have been left during her time at Longevity Palace.

Getting injured was commonplace for Shen Qingshi. If she could willingly throw herself onto Zhou Huai's sword to remain in White Rainbow Tower, then to gain his trust, might she also deliberately run into Cao Zhao's blade?

The more Yang Wujian thought about it, the more irritated he became, and he couldn't help but retort, "Or do you think the 'bitter flesh strategy' is the most effective tactic in your view?"

His words were impulsive, but upon hearing them, Shen Qingshi merely glanced at him coolly and said, "Isn't it effective?"

"You..."

For a moment, Yang Wujian couldn't tell whether Shen Qingshi was speaking truthfully or just retorting.

Even after taking the Blood Cleansing Pill and recovering some emotions, Shen Qingshi remained far colder than ordinary people. Consequently, her schemes were always laid bare.

Yang Wujian truly had no way to handle her and said helplessly, "What are you trying to investigate by staying in White Rainbow Tower? Tell me, and maybe I can help you."

Shen Qingshi took a sip of the cold tea on the table but suddenly realized that Yang Wujian had poured it for her earlier. Unconsciously, she had grown accustomed to someone pouring cold tea for her.

Shen Qingshi thought for a moment and said, "I already told you—I believe the White-faced Guest's appearance at White Rainbow Tower has a purpose. I want to know what that purpose is, so that next time I can stay one step ahead of him."

"Is that all?"

"All?"

Shen Qingshi sneered, "He's the one who nearly threw me into the Alchemy Furnace. Isn't it only right that I want to settle accounts with him?"

Yang Wujian was left speechless by her rebuttal. After a moment of silence, he said, "My thoughts are similar. It seems now that White Rainbow Tower and the White-faced Guest might have some entanglement. The young master said he once saw that person."

"Saw the White-faced Guest?""Exactly. That demon is the Old Palace Master of Longevity Palace. Fifteen years ago, he went mad searching for the Cicada Molt and killed people. All these years, he might still be searching for it. Zhou Jinglei, being the wealthiest man in the martial world with countless sources of information, it's not strange that he would seek out White Rainbow Tower, is it?"

"But you just had Zhou Huai go find that..."

Shen Qingshi was about to ask in detail when suddenly a scream came from upstairs. She and Yang Wujian exchanged glances, immediately stood up and grabbed their swords. Due to his injuries, Yang Wujian was faster than her, leaping upstairs to Zhou Huai's room door. The door was tightly shut, and after the scream, Zhou Huai made no further sound.

"Young Master?"

Yang Wujian never expected something could go wrong in his own room. He kicked the door open, only to be met with a sword thrust straight at his heart.

It was the White Rainbow Sword!