Chai Xijin made his escape.
Bai Suche waved her hand, and the five women in red slowly lowered their arms.
From behind the mechanical door emerged several younger girls, who came forward to take the hands of the red-clad women and guide them slowly back through the door. Among them was Qingyan, supporting one of the red-clad women who walked particularly slowly—the very one who had earlier unleashed the "Rolling Snow" technique.
Halfway there, the woman suddenly stopped and turned her head back, staring blankly at Bai Suche.
Bai Suche neither spoke nor moved, nor did she look at her.
The red-clad woman slowly turned away and, supported by Qingyan, returned behind the mechanical door.
Bai Suche lowered her gaze to Yu Konghou, lying unconscious on the ground.
He had been struck by Dashi’s pressure point technique and had lost a great deal of blood.
Bai Suche knelt on one knee, her white robes pooling around her. She half-cradled Yu Konghou, retrieving a medicine bottle from her sleeve and carefully feeding its contents to him.
The "Little Exquisite" snake hidden in Yu Konghou’s sleeve slithered out. Bai Suche glanced at it, but the snake did not bite her—it simply crawled out and began to coil slowly. Then a second "Little Exquisite" emerged, followed by a third… Yu Konghou had actually been carrying three snakes. The three serpents circled Bai Suche languidly, but she paid them no mind. After finishing the medicine, she wiped Yu Konghou’s mouth and gently set the empty bottle aside.
After a moment, Yu Konghou’s eyes fluttered open. His dark hair tangled with Bai Suche’s white robes as he gazed dazedly at the ceiling. "Su Su… what medicine was that?"
Bai Suche’s expression remained indifferent. "Northern Frost Elixir."
Yu Konghou let out a low chuckle. "Hahaha… I’ve always trusted you… Out of all the people in Fengliudian, you were the only one I ever believed in…"
"Because I’m lowly, ambitious, and refuse to admit defeat…" Bai Suche said coolly. "Ruthless, with no way out—and infatuated with Young Master Tang. Weaknesses everywhere."
"True," Yu Konghou coughed. "You’re riddled with weaknesses… but you…" He slowly sat up, pulling himself out of Bai Suche’s embrace, and turned to face her. "But you’re too ruthless."
"What is it you want?" he asked. "Why did you join Fengliudian?"
Bai Suche let him sit up, even casually smoothing his long hair for him. Her back remained straight as she regarded him calmly. "I’m lowly, ambitious, and refuse to admit defeat… ruthless, with no way out—so whenever an opportunity arises, I seize it." She looked at Yu Konghou, her eyes neither fearful nor excited, as if he were just an ordinary person. "Must the master of Fengliudian always be one of you? Why not me?"
A flicker of shock passed through Yu Konghou’s eyes. "You—"
"The master of the 'Hudeng Order' is not Wang Lingqiu. Wang Lingqiu bows to Prince Ji…" Bai Suche said slowly. "They only need to cooperate with Fengliudian, not with you, isn’t that right? They hold the Northern Frost Elixir, while I control the Nine Hearts Pill poison and the Red-White Maidens. And you—Jade Lord Yu, stripped of all your martial prowess—what do you have? Will Lord Gui return to save you?" She drew a firestarter from her sleeve, lit it, and held it up to illuminate Yu Konghou’s face. "In Fengliudian, weakness… means death. Isn’t that so?"
"When Gui Mudan returns…" Yu Konghou murmured, "he’ll slaughter you."Su Su smiled faintly. It was the first time she had smiled since feeding Yu Konghou the medicine earlier. "When people are in a weak position, they tend to be naive, hoping others will come to their rescue. You say Young Master Tang won't kill you, Prince Ji won't kill you, and neither will I... do you know why?" She slowly stood up, looking down at Yu Konghou. "Master Yu is exceptionally intelligent. Perhaps you should think more about how to improve your current situation and survive better in this game."
Yu Konghou suddenly lowered his head, his fingers digging violently into the dirt beside him until his nails split, blood soaking the yellow earth. Su Su's expression remained unchanged, as if she didn't notice his resentment.
After a moment, Yu Konghou raised his head, his face now completely transformed into one of calm submission. "I welcome Master Su."
Su Su said indifferently, "And then?"
"This humble one is willing to share Master Su's burdens, offer strategies and solutions." Yu Konghou crawled up and kowtowed to her, his body covered in blood. "I will devote myself entirely... until my dying breath."
Su Su reached down and patted his head. "I don't have the antidote for the Northern Cold Drink. Once my great undertaking is accomplished, you can take Wang Lingqiu's people away."
Yu Konghou prostrated himself on the ground. "Thank you, Master Su!"
Su Su remained silent for a while before speaking again. "I heard Wang Lingqiu gave Pu Zhu the 'Queen Bee Congealed Frost'?"
Yu Konghou trembled slightly.
"Was it your idea?" she asked.
Yu Konghou slowly raised his head. His handsome face was half-covered in blood, pale as death, with the "Fragrant Orchid Smile" still embedded in his chest, making him appear like a half-bloodied statue. "Yes."
Su Su didn't comment, merely nodding. She called out, "Qing Yan."
The lively little maid darted out from the mechanical room. "Sister Su Su."
Su Su said, "Take Master Yu away to treat his injuries."
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