My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Don't just assume the people siding with Min Qianhu believe it, even those squeezing him out don't buy it.

The woman calling herself Ma Que seemed like she wanted to say more, but just then, Wu Duzhu looked up and saw Min Ning returning.

Wu Qingsheng asked, "What is it now?"

Min Ning replied calmly, "I forgot to remind Duzhu, this woman is full of cunning tricks. She even claimed to be a spy from Xique Pavilion in front of me, only to have her ruse exposed by me."

Upon hearing this, Wu Qingsheng's gaze turned sharp, locking onto the member of the magic cult.

After a moment, he let out a cold laugh and said, "Well, well, no wonder you're part of the magic cult; such mastery of deception."

The magic cult member trembled slightly but said no more.

In the next instant.

A blade tip suddenly shot out from her sleeve.

The cold dagger pierced the air, aimed straight at Wu Qingsheng's throat!

The blade glinted like snow, brimming with killing intent.

Already on his guard, Wu Qingsheng stepped back, causing the dagger to miss. Then, he raised his palm and struck down hard on the cult member's crown.

The cult member instantly stopped breathing, her body collapsing to the ground.

Witnessing this, Min Ning returned the blade she'd drawn moments earlier to its sheath.

Even she couldn't help but silently marvel at the loyalty of the magic cult members.

Because if Wu Qingsheng hadn't instinctively killed the cult member on the spot, she would have followed up with a strike from behind, piercing the cult member through and ensuring there were no witnesses.

As the corpse fell to the ground, the assembled Jin Yi Wei collectively gasped.

What a narrow escape it had been.

Even Wu Qingsheng, the Duzhu, had nearly fallen victim. If it had been them? Perhaps survival would've been but one-in-a-thousand.

Wu Qingsheng, who had just been on the brink of death, took a deep breath, muttering:

"What a wicked scoundrel."

Min Ning slightly nodded and cupped his hands apologetically, saying:

"My apologies, Duzhu, I hadn't expected her to be so audacious."

"Ultimately, it was my own lack of vigilance, and I even harbored some suspicion toward you. If anyone owes an apology, it's me." After saying this, Wu Qingsheng glanced at Min Ning, as a thought crossed his mind. He then asked, "That said, how did Min Qianhu confirm she was part of the magic cult?"

Min Ning explained calmly, "It's quite simple. All it took was encountering another magic cult member. To be honest, I came across two of them at the time, and one of them was slain by me on the spot. All the members of the magic cult carry a mark on them—a seal called the Ming Venerate Seal."

Wu Qingsheng gave a slight nod, pondering briefly, but something still felt amiss.

He couldn't help but ask, "But how did these magic cult members come to know Xique Pavilion's gestures?"

"Some individuals have infiltrated Xique Pavilion. These magic cult members are everywhere," Min Ning replied.

"And how did you confirm this?"

As soon as Wu Qingsheng asked, Min Ning didn't answer right away.

Yet, from her expression, Wu Qingsheng sensed she wasn't unable to answer; rather, she was hesitating.

"I request that Wu Duzhu come with me," Min Ning said.

Wu Qingsheng felt little need to maintain his guard, thanks not only to his own superior skills but also to Min Qianhu's consistent behavior.

The two walked down a corridor, entering the depths of Jinya Pavilion. After passing through a door, they stepped into a private chamber.

Along the way, Wu Qingsheng kept asking questions, and Min Ning aptly informed him that Chen Yi was also present in Jinya Pavilion.

Upon learning that Chen Yi was there, Wu Qingsheng was nearly ninety percent convinced.

These were two individuals loyal to the empire and wholly selfless—how could either deceive him?

"Chen Qianhu is among them as well? Who sent him?" Wu Qingsheng asked with doubt.

At present, there were only a handful of people in all of Great Yu who could command Chen Yi.

Min Ning took a deep breath and said slowly, "Someone of the highest rank."

Wu Qingsheng was filled with puzzlement, but as he connected the dots, he couldn't help but shudder.

This situation bore some likeness to the time with the Lin Party trying to force the court's hand… Could it be?

When Min Ning pushed open the chamber door, Wu Qingsheng's eyes widened upon seeing the figure within.

He nearly fell to one knee with a thud.

"Your servant greets the Dowager Empress!"

The "Dowager Empress" appeared ghostly pale, as though poisoned, yet faintly smiled.

Min Ning closed her eyes, her heart weighed with the bitter guilt of seeing this fox masquerading as the dowager empress.

She wasn't truly this kind of person, nor did she wish to become one.

Thus, she silently muttered to herself:

"Chen Zunming, you'd better have a good reason for this..."

......................

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Within Jinya Pavilion, there was a lake—not large, not small—named Yingliu Lake. Even in the early winter season, it was a picturesque site, with lush flowers and verdant grass.

A group of Xique Pavilion spies had already gathered at the lakeside. Four magic cult members were in custody, and after relentless interrogation, they gave up the hiding spot of the Prince of Annan.

In the distance stood a small wooden hut. Du Juan had positioned her forces but wasn't making any move to surround it. Instead, she seemed to be patiently waiting.

"What are you waiting for?" The former West Factory Thousand Households, now showing some impatience, questioned her bluntly.

In such a critical moment, Du Juan had not rushed to seal the area and capture the Prince of Annan. Instead, she appeared to be waiting in ambush. Not just Chen Yi, even the Xique Pavilion spies were starting to grow restless.

If the Prince of Annan were to slip away from their clutches now, what then?

Du Juan turned her head slightly, glancing at Chen Yi. She spoke slowly, "The Pavilion Master will arrive here shortly and personally capture the Prince of Annan, so there's no need for us to act hastily. We simply await the right timing."

As her voice fell, Du Juan noticed Chen Yi's expression darken.

"I fear we'll miss the opportune moment."

Du Juan simply smiled and said: