My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

"No need for your concern, Chen Qianhu."

Time slipped away bit by bit. The spies of Xique Pavilion had long since set up their arrangements, poised and patient, while Du Juan could hear Chen Yi's breathing growing heavier and faster.

He seemed to be inching closer from behind Du Juan, step by step, pressing forward.

Suddenly, Du Juan turned her head and sneered:

"Can't hide anymore, can you?"

In her eyes flickered a glimmer of "just as expected."

"What?"

"Your murderous intent has spilled out; your hand is already gripping the knife handle. Seems like Chen Qianhu, loyal and devoted to the Heavenly Family, has at some point defected to the banners of the Prince of Annan."

Du Juan's tone was full of mockery.

The surrounding crowd, upon hearing this, alerted themselves immediately. Hands moved to their weapons, each stepping back half a step, opening a distance from Chen Yi.

Yet Du Juan continued speaking leisurely:

"I don't know what methods you used to have one of my subordinates impersonate the Princess, but at her core, she remains loyal. She gave me a signal, letting me know of your divided allegiance. So I played along, allowing you to lead us here—only this way could we uncover the Prince of Annan's location."

Du Juan pointed toward a small distant hut and continued:

"What do you plan to do next? Two Fourth Ranks combining forces to fight their way out?"

Chen Yi was silent and said nothing.

In the small hut, a figure suddenly appeared.

A deputy prepared for action, as if long anticipating this, raised his hand.

"Wishful thinking," Du Juan said calmly. "Two Fourth Ranks against one Fourth Rank. Seems like the odds are in your favor, but the Prince of Annan is injured, and you've ingested poison. Are you truly confident of your chances? Even if you do have a chance, without the antidote, within three days, you'll surely die."

Chen Yi's hands trembled, as if in regret and fear.

"So let's say you do win. Even if I, Du Juan, die here, what of it?

You still won't make it out alive. The two agencies and one guard have already surrounded Jinya Pavilion. Even if one of the Xique Pavilion spies manages to escape and sound the alarm, how will you fend off the overwhelming charge of the Jinyiwei?"

Chen Yi gripped the knife handle tightly.

Du Juan said coldly, "Joining Xique Pavilion means becoming a death warrior for the Heavenly Family. Drop the knife, surrender, and face your fate. No one here fears death!"

Chen Yi replied, "I do."

Du Juan paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.

And just as she laughed,

a blade flashed.

Prepared and wary, Du Juan stepped back lightly, dodging the strike effortlessly. The blade swept past her chest, seemingly only inches away, but even if it were closer, it still couldn't take her head.

Having evaded the attack, Du Juan now held two short blades in her hands. Smiling, she said to Chen Yi:

"Aren't you afraid of dying?"

"Because I won't die here."

"Without Xique Pavilion's antidote, you'll certainly die."

Du Juan revealed with calculated calm:

"Just now, I already sent a message via carrier pigeon. Xique Pavilion will know of your betrayal. If I die here, you most definitely will too."

Chen Yi's hands began to shake.

"One last chance for you—lay down the knife."

As her words landed,

gunfire roared from behind.

Du Juan glanced at Chen Yi with utter disappointment.

Then, as if she had eyes on the back of her head, she sidestepped the shot, raising her left hand. The blade surged upwards and then sliced downward fiercely!

The momentum exploded like sudden thunder.

But the Prince of Annan abruptly withdrew his gun, causing her strike to land in empty air.

Chen Yi saw that Qin Qingluo's left sleeve had been sliced open, revealing an ominous black stain. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that the blade narrowly missed taking her life.

Du Juan's movements shifted dramatically, her figure twisting impossibly, soaring horizontally into mid-air. Her long legs swept out, the soles of her shoes concealing sharp blades.

The Prince of Annan struck back with his spear.

BANG!

Thunderous echoes erupted amidst the forest!

"You all, go!"

Du Juan shouted,

"Join forces with the two agencies and one guard!"

The deputy waved his hand decisively. The lurking Xique Pavilion spies scattered, retreating into the woods without hesitation.

As the spies gradually faded away, a dozen cultists emerged from near the small hut. They had been lying in wait and, upon seeing the retreating spies, pursued them relentlessly.

By the lakeshore, Du Juan remained composed, facing her two opponents alone.

The Prince of Annan's location was confirmed; the only task left was to send word.

Time favored her.

As long as she stalled until the arrival of the nameless elder woman, victory would be certain.

Du Juan shifted her gaze to Chen Yi. To buy more time, she sneered and said:

"Seems like you truly seek death today."

Chen Yi turned his eyes toward the cultists chasing the spies of Xique Pavilion.

Once both parties disappeared from view, he slowly spoke:

"Did you ever consider that your colleagues might be carrying the Ming Venerate Seal?"

Du Juan lightly flicked her blade and replied, "Of course I thought of that. But they are Xique Pavilion agents—they naturally understand Xique Pavilion's signals."

"What if the cultists understand them too?"

Du Juan's eyes narrowed slightly, realizing something. Yet after calming down, she said, "The two agencies and one guard will distinguish."

"But what if they believe the cultists are impersonating Xique Pavilion spies, trying to sow confusion and escape?"

Du Juan's expression turned colder. Despite her disbelief, she couldn't deny Chen Yi's conviction.

"And have you considered that the cultists… also do not fear death?"

As his words fell, Du Juan's pupils constricted.

"Cultists mingling among Xique Pavilion spies—who can tell them apart? If even one cultist sacrifices themselves to attack the Jinyiwei, then this group of Xique Pavilion spies will suffer the consequences as well."

Chen Yi combined the knowledge of his past life with that of the present,

"Sparrow, stork, brush finch, oriole… These are all code names for Xique Pavilion, aren't they?"

Du Juan's voice grew hoarse, sweat pooling in her palms as she asked:

"What are you trying to say?"

"You intended to capture all the cultists in one fell swoop. But in the eyes of the two agencies and one guard, you… have already become the cultists."