Chapter 10: I’m Feeling Weak

The curtains draped to the floor, enclosing the bed in an intimate, dimly lit space. A man and a woman sat facing each other, the atmosphere thick with ambiguity.

The flickering lamplight accentuated the allure of Xu Qingzhao, who had just bathed. Her breath was as fragrant as orchids, and her skin seemed to glow like polished jade. Her delicate figure was partially veiled by a thin, translucent gown, revealing enough to captivate without exposing too much. Her presence exuded an intoxicating charm that could steal one’s very soul.

Faced with such a breathtaking woman in such an intimate setting, any ordinary man might lose control. Even Ren Ye, under normal circumstances, might have succumbed to primal impulses. However, when his gaze met Xu Qingzhao’s cool eyes and the faint, teasing smile on her lips, all his excitement instantly dissipated.

“Heh, what do you mean by that, my dear? W-what is this about a ‘Heavenly Pardoned One’?” Ren Ye’s mind raced, though outwardly he maintained an expression of innocent confusion.

He had no idea how this woman knew he was the Heavenly Pardoned One or how she discovered that the Nation-Stabilizing Sword had recognized him as its master again.

But one thing was certain—he couldn’t panic. It might just be a test to probe him.

His voice was steady, his gaze clear. Even Morgan Freeman himself would have found it hard to spot any cracks in his performance.

Xu Qingzhao observed his expression carefully, then asked softly, “During the court session, when Imperial Inspector Liu pressed you so harshly, and I provided you with the means to retaliate, why didn’t you kill him? As a vassal prince, do you lack even that bit of courage?”

It felt like she was looking down on him!

Ren Ye responded with a calm smile, “My experiences have taught me that killing recklessly often comes with consequences. Besides, sometimes not killing is a form of intimidation. Death can make you predictable.”

Xu Qingzhao was momentarily surprised by his words but quickly shifted the topic back. “I need the Heavenly Pardoned One’s help.”

“My dear, who is this person? I can help you find him!” Ren Ye’s eyes shone with a feigned earnestness, perfectly playing the lovestruck fool.

“Hmph.” Xu Qingzhao didn’t bother arguing further. “Whether or not you’re the Heavenly Pardoned One will be evident soon enough.”

What?

Can she confirm if I’m the Heavenly Pardoned One?!

Ren Ye felt a sudden, sharp tension, as if a condemned man had been dragged before a lie detector.

“The qi of heavenly pardon, yield to my yin and yang—array, arise!” Xu Qingzhao closed her eyes and formed a hand seal, murmuring softly.

A radiant glow shot up from the bed, and a complex array of runes appeared beneath them. Translucent walls of light formed around the space, completely isolating them from the outside world.

“My dear, what are you—?!”

Ren Ye reacted swiftly, lunging toward Xu Qingzhao in an attempt to subdue her with his skills.

Boom!

But just as he rose, his mind felt as though it had been struck by lightning, blanking out instantly. At the same time, a wave of indescribable pleasure coursed through his body…

His consciousness began to fade. His thoughts became ethereal, free from distractions. It felt as if his soul had detached from his body and was drifting in a monochromatic void.

Behind the meditating Xu Qingzhao, a surreal and ethereal figure materialized.

On closer inspection, the figure was identical to her, except it wore a black daoist robe, adorned with a lotus crown. Its aura was icy and serene, its delicate features devoid of emotion, like a deity gazing down upon the mortal realm.

In contrast, Xu Qingzhao’s “true form,” seated barefoot before Ren Ye, was flushed and radiant, her skin glistening with a faint sheen of sweat.

As Ren Ye sat close by, his face showed no signs of pain, only an expression of profound ecstasy.

Moments later, faint rays of light began emanating from his body. These threads of luminescence floated toward the spectral figure behind Xu Qingzhao.

Drip!

A bead of sweat slid down her cheek and shattered upon the bed.

As the delicate light continued to stream from Ren Ye, being absorbed by the apparition, his complexion grew paler. His body steamed with heat, drenched in sweat, yet his expression remained one of unadulterated bliss.

…

About an hour later, muffled sounds came from behind the bed’s veiled curtains, followed by Ren Ye’s feeble voice:

“Darling… My dear, what did you do to me?”

“Nothing that’ll kill you,” Xu Qingzhao replied nonchalantly.

“Well, if it won’t kill me, let’s do it again?” Ren Ye, still euphoric from the experience, blurted out the request as though it were instinctive.

“Another round, and you will die.” Xu Qingzhao’s tone brimmed with impatience, reminiscent of a heartless woman dismissing a now-useless backup plan.

“I’m not afraid!” Ren Ye stubbornly countered.

“Get lost!”

With a dull thud, Ren Ye, disheveled and barely dressed, stumbled out of the curtained area, supporting himself against the wall.

At that moment, a familiar, frosty voice resonated in his mind:

[Danger Alert: You’re unsure what has happened, but you feel utterly drained and extremely weak.]

Really? No kidding?

Do I need you to tell me I’m weak? Can’t I feel it myself?

Leaning on the table, hunched over like a shrimp, Ren Ye wiped the sweat streaming down his face.

As the sensations from earlier replayed in his mind, he still felt the lingering euphoria.

A mortal’s life is fleeting, barely spanning a century. They toil for survival, bowing and scraping for mere sustenance. This narrow, limited perspective confines them to see only what lies before them: aging and death.

But when Ren Ye’s soul left his body, drifting through a monochromatic, chaotic realm nourished by the dual energies, he felt an unprecedented ecstasy that made his very spirit tremble. His thoughts emptied, his mind clear of distractions. It was as if he could view everything from an entirely different vantage point.

This was a pure and profound pleasure—an elevated form of euphoria, incomparable to the crude, carnal indulgences of lesser pursuits.

Of course, Ren Ye certainly wanted those pursuits too, but… alas, his strength didn’t permit it.

He wasn’t naive enough to think that anything physical had happened between him and Xu Qingzhao. At most, it was a kind of spiritual resonance—no tangible breakthroughs, not even holding hands.

However, given the events that had unfolded, Ren Ye finally understood why Xu Qingzhao had stood up for him in court earlier. Clearly, this woman was after his status as a Heavenly Pardoned One.

To put it bluntly, she seemed intent on extracting the Heavenly Pardon Qi from his body. While Ren Ye couldn’t sense this Qi himself, the fact that the Nation-Stabilizing Sword had recognized him as its master confirmed its existence.

All that bathing, the veiled bed, and inviting him to “rest” were merely for convenience in carrying out her plans.

“Phew!”

Ren Ye exhaled deeply, still feeling utterly drained. Clad only in his undergarments, he sank into a chair.

After a moment, the bed curtains slowly parted. Xu Qingzhao emerged, now dressed conservatively in a white Daoist robe with her hair neatly tied up. Seated cross-legged on the bed, she waved her hand, and Ren Ye’s clothes floated onto the table:

“Put them on.”

Ren Ye took a sip of tea, glanced at her, and replied boldly, “I prefer open and honest conversations.”

“…!” The aloof princess remained silent.

“Don’t you have anything to say to me?” Ren Ye asked after waiting a while. When she didn’t respond, he silently grumbled to himself, Where I come from, your actions are called freeloading—it’s highly unethical.

Xu Qingzhao gazed at him for a moment before speaking softly:

“Every day after the hour of Dog [7–9 PM], you will come to me for one hour. In return, as long as you don’t seek death yourself or have your people court death, I will provide you with some degree of assistance.”

Every day? Who could withstand that?! Ren Ye felt a twinge of fear but also a surge of excitement.

“I have no interest in court politics or power struggles,” Xu Qingzhao added in a quiet voice. “You don’t need to fear me. I have no interest in taking your life, either.”

Judging by what had just happened, it was clear that this woman needed him—at least for now—and on a daily basis at that. Her words seemed intended to reassure him.

However, Ren Ye, cautious by nature, wasn’t about to be blinded by her beauty. Despite his vigilance, he had no means of resisting her “assault” for the time being. After all, the supernatural power she had displayed was far beyond anything he could contend with.

For now, his only option was to negotiate for some benefits. Lifting his head, he asked:

“How exactly will you help me? Can you get rid of the Chief Historian for me?”

“No, I won’t get involved in court politics.”

So, it’s all empty promises, huh?

Ren Ye pressed further:

“My dear, could you at least give me some means of self-defense? A divine weapon, a manual—something I can master instantly?”

After finishing her explanation, Xu Qingzhao gently shook her head. “There are no techniques you can master instantly. Even if there were, what I use isn’t something you could wield.”

Hearing this, Ren Ye stood up, pacing around the inner chamber with a smirk. Suddenly, he chuckled. “Alright, then let’s try this. Say something now—something related to my survival. If I’m satisfied, this deal is sealed.”

Xu Qingzhao’s surprise was evident in her eyes. “You truly are not the Zhu Ziguo of before.”

“Does it matter?” Ren Ye met her gaze head-on, but her eyes remained an unfathomable calm.

“Who you are is irrelevant to me, just as I am irrelevant to you.” Xu Qingzhao shook her head lightly. “Very well. Tell me this: do you know why the Emperor hasn’t killed you?”

Ren Ye gave a sardonic laugh, his face full of mockery. “Hah, isn’t it because he’s afraid of being branded as someone who kills both his brothers and nephews?”

“The Emperor killed your father, creating an irreconcilable grudge between you. Even if you are frivolous and incompetent, you still pose a potential threat of rebellion. After all, your father was virtuous and once the most prominent general, capable of rallying the masses. For an Emperor, any potential crisis must be nipped in the bud. What does earning a bad name matter? The Chief Historian, as a Great Qian official, would still kneel in court and chant ‘long live His Majesty.’” Xu Qingzhao’s voice was clear and sharp. “Even if he did earn a bad reputation, would it matter compared to solidifying his reign?”

“So, My Dear, you mean to say that the Emperor spared me because he needs me alive for some future use—or because, like you, he has plans tied to the Heavenly Pardoned One?” Ren Ye asked.

“You’re clever enough,” Xu Qingzhao replied with an approving yet cold glance. “Does my answer satisfy you?”

“It does.” Ren Ye grinned, having confirmed his suspicions. He didn’t push his luck further. “I agree—an hour every day for you.”

Xu Qingzhao raised her hand, summoning a flash of violet light. A translucent amulet adorned with a red string appeared on the tea table, gleaming with exquisite craftsmanship.

“What’s this?” Ren Ye asked curiously, picking up the amulet.

“A Tranquility Amulet,” Xu Qingzhao replied. “After your daily hour here, your Heavenly Pardoned Qi will diminish, and your Pure Yang Qi will grow weak, leaving you susceptible to unclean forces. This amulet can refresh your mind, repel evil, and dispel all ghostly presences.”

Looking at the amulet, Ren Ye couldn’t help but feel it resembled some kind of “invigorating charm” from a dubious lover. 

“Since I’m your benefactor, I won’t bother with thanks. My Dear, feel free to choose your favorite color for my underwear next time,” Ren Ye quipped shamelessly as he pocketed the amulet and saluted.

Xu Qingzhao merely gestured toward the door.

…

After leaving, Ren Ye returned to his quarters with Second Fool and Lian’er. 

Though their earlier conversation had involved many probes and suspicions, he had ultimately stopped short of pushing too far.

His first impression of Xu Qingzhao was that, aside from coveting his Heavenly Pardoned Qi, she seemed disinterested in everything else. She didn’t come across as a player in this world or even as a native of the Star Gate.

It was odd.

Could it be an act?

Ren Ye doubted it. With his background as a borderlands anti-fraud officer, he trusted his instincts. Even the most skilled criminals couldn’t entirely suppress the subtle tells of deception. Seasoned detectives rarely misjudged such things.

Overall, Xu Qingzhao didn’t exude a strong sense of danger—for now. Of course, this didn’t mean she was entirely safe, and Ren Ye remained cautious.

Moments later, the three returned to the Prince Huai residence. Ren Ye walked ahead and suddenly stopped, turning to issue an order. “Second Fool, don’t forget my reward.”

“Does His Highness require my companionship for the night?” Second Fool asked gruffly.

“You… you’re not even in the running!” Ren Ye retorted, turning to Lian’er with a mischievous grin. But before he could utter something inappropriate, his expression froze.

As he spoke, his right hand had instinctively brushed the seam of the palace door, where he had earlier tied three strands of hair as a subtle precaution. Now, the strands were broken.

For years, the Prince Huai residence had been rife with undercurrents, a cauldron of schemes during a tumultuous time. Who would dare enter his chambers so casually?!

A chill ran down Ren Ye’s spine. Goosebumps covered his skin as he pointed at the door and whispered to Second Fool, “Someone’s been inside—and they might still be there!”