Chapter Two: Scheming Against Each Other
Midnight, Black Wind Fortress.
The cold moon hung like a sickle, and the mountain wind wailed. Wen Changning clung to the broken cliff like a gecko, her fingertips gripping the jagged cracks in the stone, silently scaling the fortress wall. No sooner had she settled into the shadows than a jumble of footsteps and coarse curses echoed nearby.
Her figure flickered, drifting like smoke to a gnarled old branch, vanishing amid the dense leaves, her presence so faint it was nearly ethereal.
By the flickering firelight, Meng Chang, the third master of Black Wind Fortress, and Liu Meimei, the fifth, led seven henchmen, cursing as they approached the cliff’s edge. Meng Chang swung his heavy octagonal bronze hammer, smashing it against the rocks with a "thud, thud," sending shards flying and spitting so fiercely he sprayed a nearby bandit’s face.
“Keep your eyes peeled, all of you! The scouts from the Strongman Camp reported that those turtle bastards from Qingxi Town definitely plan to blow up our grain store tonight! If you let even one slip away, I’ll flay you alive!”
“Enough with the shouting, Meng Third!” came a lazy, impatient cry from just below the canopy where Wen Changning was hidden.
Liu Meimei, somehow perched on a crosswise branch, sat curled up, her violet silk dress fluttering in the night breeze. She twirled an icy needle, thin as a cow’s hair, glowing with a cold blue light, and her gaze was sharp with murderous intent.
“If you keep hollering, believe me, I’ll use this Soul-Chilling Needle to pin your wretched voice to the cliff wall!”
Meng Chang shrank his neck, forcing a fawning smile. “Easy now, Fifth Sister! I’m just looking out for the fortress!”
He turned to roar at the henchmen. “Hide yourselves, damn it! When we catch them alive, skin the men and light the sky lantern! As for the women…”
He snickered lewdly, but hadn’t finished.
“Plink!”
A small stone struck the gold-embroidered tip of Liu Meimei’s shoe with uncanny precision.
“Who? Which blind bastard dares touch me?”
Liu Meimei sprang up, her willow brows arched, the Soul-Chilling Needle poised for attack. But when she saw the newcomer, she paused, stunned.
At the cliff’s edge, a “young man” dressed in black leaped up with feline grace. Though masked, only his eyes exposed, those eyes shone dazzlingly in the moonlight, tilted inquisitively and mischievously her way. His posture was upright as a pine, movements clean and sharp. Just by standing there, his cool, wild aura made the squat, pumpkin-like Meng Chang beside him look like a mud pig, a mangy dog.
Liu Meimei’s anger fizzled away. Her tongue unconsciously traced her red lips, eyes lighting up as if she’d discovered a rare treasure, voice melting, “Well, where did this handsome fellow come from? Was it you who threw the stone? Trying to get my attention?”
“Be careful, Fifth Sister!” Meng Chang, sensing danger, hoisted his bronze hammer and barked, “This sneaky brat must be one of Qingxi Town’s infiltrators sent to blow up the grain store! Brothers, seize him!”
Wen Changning’s lashes quivered, coldness crystallizing in her gaze.
Infiltrator?
You wretched beasts, who murder and plunder and destroyed my mother—you’re the ones who deserve to be ground to dust!
She said nothing, sidestepping the hammer’s swing and tapped Meng Chang’s plump backside with her toe, neither too hard nor too soft.
“Aiyo!”
Meng Chang shrieked, lost his balance, and fell like a dog gnawing mud, his hammer clattering far away.
“Third Master!”
“How dare you strike Third Master! Courting death!”
The seven henchmen raised their blades, encircling her, the steel glinting coldly in the moonlight.
Wen Changning let out a low, clear laugh, its icy ring blending with the mountain wind, crisp as jade striking ice.
She tapped her foot on a jutting rock, her figure rising half a foot like a kite caught in the wind.
“Bang!”
“Crack!”
Blades and clubs missed, bodies collided; four henchmen screamed as they tumbled down the slope, the remaining three trembling with their weapons.
“That’s it?” Wen Changning tilted her head, mocking, “Is Black Wind Fortress’s reputation built on pratfalls?”
Meng Chang scrambled up, humiliated and furious. “You little bastard! Take this!”
He snatched up his hammer and used his signature move, “Sweeping a Thousand Armies.”
The hammer’s wind flattened the wild grass at the cliff’s edge.
Wen Changning stepped lightly, balancing atop the hammer handle as if walking on solid ground. Her slender hand gripped and twisted Meng Chang’s thick wrist.
“Clang!”
The hundred-pound hammer slipped from his grasp, landing squarely on his own foot.
“Yow—!”
Meng Chang hopped in agony, howling.
Wen Changning ignored him, eyes shifting to Liu Meimei on the branch, her gaze casual and taunting. “Fifth Master, your turn.”
At that instant, Liu Meimei’s breath caught.
Moonlight traced the youth’s straight nose beneath the mask. Those eyes, deep as a chilly star-struck pool, wild yet clear, held a force more captivating than any stallion she’d ever tamed.
Her fingers twisted her violet silk, her secret desires growing like wild vines, but deeper still, a venomous thought stirred.
Such skill—his masculine energy must be pure and abundant! If she could absorb his power…
She licked her lips, greed and determination flashing in her eyes.
“What a handsome display, young man,” Liu Meimei tossed the Soul-Chilling Needle lazily, her voice sickly sweet, “Why don’t you come back to the fortress with me? Every night will be a feast, riches beyond measure.”
The men she’d met were either crude or servile—never had she seen such unpolished jade: wild yet pristine, perfect for her cultivation method!
Her wrist flicked, sending three Soul-Chilling Needles toward Wen Changning’s face, their speed a shade slower than usual.
She was toying with him, eager to see what tricks he might have—and more eager to savor him up close.
Wen Changning’s eyes narrowed.
This witch wants to use me as her furnace for cultivation?
Interesting.
If she didn’t play along, she’d waste the venomous intent.
She raised her hand, three fingers together, seemingly casual, and the poisoned, freezing needles obediently fell into her palm, never even chilling her skin.
Wen Changning examined the needles, as if they were ordinary embroidery pins, then scoffed, “These little toys are weaker than the leaves I toss.” She flicked her finger.
A sharp whine as the needle pierced the tree trunk before Liu Meimei, quivering and humming.
“That’s all you’ve got, Fifth Master?” Wen Changning’s words dripped with scorn.
Liu Meimei’s smile froze. Her pride—the Soul-Chilling Needle—had been handled so casually and she was shamed in public!
Her fluttering heart turned icy with murderous rage.
Yet, as her gaze lingered on the youth’s clean, slender fingers…
A stronger possessive urge and craving to absorb him burned through her reason.
This furnace—she must have it.
Not only have, but savor slowly, draining him dry.
“Fifth Sister! He’s a spy! We can find someone else!” Meng Chang hopped in protest below.
“Silence!” Liu Meimei snapped, her eyes flashing, “If you keep squawking, I’ll feed you to the wolves behind the mountain!”
She turned back to Wen Changning, instantly flashing a seductive smile, her change of expression astonishing. “Don’t be afraid, young man. Black Wind Fortress has many tricks! Qingxi Town is just an appetizer—soon, every county, even the whole Yuntian Prefecture, will be ours! The imperial court?”
“Hmph, they wouldn’t dare utter a word! The chief says he’ll be the new emperor!”
The henchmen immediately flattered, “Yes! Fifth Master is the princess, you’re the prince!”
Meng Chang rolled his eyes in fury, but dared not speak.
Liu Meimei gazed at Wen Changning as if at a priceless treasure. “Well? Follow me, riches and unrivaled martial skill are yours!”
Her mind raced—once she lured him to her room, she had plenty of ways to make him submit, become her stepping stone to greater power!
Wen Changning’s heart chilled.
Riches? Martial skill?
Built on how many innocent corpses?
Suppressing her rage, she lowered her voice, dangling bait: “But…someone as humble as me might not be worthy of Fifth Master’s noble lineage…”
“Perfect match! Made by heaven!” Liu Meimei laughed, eagerly grabbing Wen Changning’s arm and dragging her toward the fortress, her grip surprisingly strong.
“Gold and silver mountains, all yours! Come, let me show you what a good life really means!”
Indeed, every pretty face falls for gold and silver. Toss out the bait, and the fool becomes a loyal lapdog.
Once she drained his power, she could turn his handsome face into a flesh puppet for her amusement.
Her eyes glowed with determination, already picturing her own enhanced abilities.
Wen Changning, pulled along, smelled the heavy perfume, but beneath it, the thick stench of blood.
How many innocent girls, like her mother, had suffered in this room?
She feigned compliance, rapidly recalling the fortress layout and guard posts, calculating how to deal with this viper.
And how to throw Black Wind Fortress into chaos?
At the gate, a guard with a scruffy beard eyed Wen Changning suspiciously. “Fifth Master, who’s this? Looks unfamiliar…”
Liu Meimei spun, brows arched, and kicked him. “Blind fool! This is my new sixth master—future husband of the fortress! Speak again and I’ll cut your tongue for a snack!”
She immediately turned, smiling sweetly at Wen Changning. “Ignore him, let’s go!”
Her speed in switching faces was unmatched.
The guard staggered, pale with fright, and quickly withdrew.
Inside Liu Meimei’s gaudy, perfume-soaked courtyard, Wen Changning’s vigilance peaked.
On the walls hung vulgar erotic paintings, the table littered with half-finished peach blossom wine, all speaking of decadence and debauchery.
Liu Meimei locked the door with a click, then pounced, eyes burning like a starving wolf, crooning, “Young man, I’ve missed you so…let me spoil you…”
Her hand slid toward Wen Changning’s collar, her violet dress swirling with a fragrant breeze—and a deadly intent.
Her fingertips secretly gathered icy inner force, ready to immobilize her prey.
Wen Changning raised an eyebrow, feigning panic and retreating half a step, skillfully dodging the sinister touch, a cold, knowing mockery in her eyes.
This witch couldn’t wait!
“Don’t rush, Fifth Master…”
Wen Changning’s voice, just anxious enough, lured her toward the dressing table.
“Don’t call me Fifth Master, so formal!” Liu Meimei pouted, lips pursed, her gaze sultry as a fox stalking prey, closing in step by step.
Her slender fingers, alternately warm and cold, reached again for Wen Changning’s belt. “Call me Meimei~ Young man, every moment of spring is worth a thousand gold…”
Just as her lacquered, deadly fingertips neared the belt, Wen Changning’s eyes flashed cold.
Between her thumb and forefinger, a crimson pill was already prepared.
As Liu Meimei leaned close, her mind adrift, Wen Changning flicked her wrist, slipping the pill into her slightly parted lips with lightning speed!
“Mm?!”
Liu Meimei, caught off guard, instinctively swallowed. Her face twisted from seduction to shock and fury.
Her beautiful eyes widened, pointing at Wen Changning. “You! What did you make me eat?” Her voice quivered with terror.
Wen Changning’s lips curled into a cold, teasing smile.
She straightened her rumpled collar, eyes sly as a fox. “Just…something to quiet you down for a while.”
Her voice dropped, seductive and chilling, “Don’t worry, it won’t kill you. You just won’t be able to speak or use your power for now. Sister, you’re far too ‘enthusiastic’—I’m afraid I can’t handle it.”
Liu Meimei’s face went ghostly pale.
She tried to speak, but no sound came.
Worse, her inner power was frozen, impossible to summon.
Her eyes blazed with betrayal and fear, then with venomous hatred.
She realized this youth was never prey—he was the hunter! He’d seen through her from the start!
Wen Changning seemed to read her thoughts, leaning in close, warm breath tickling her cold ear, voice low and dangerous. “Upset? Or…do you actually like this dangerous edge? Playing your games of yin and yang, don’t you ever wonder what it’s like to be on the receiving end?”
Liu Meimei trembled violently.
He knows!
He even knows about her cultivation method!
Terror gripped her, but beneath it, a twisted thrill arose.
Dangerous edge? Perhaps this pretty boy wanted to play further?
She could transfer poison and wounds just by touching a man. If he dared continue, she could turn the tables at any time.
She gazed at Wen Changning’s wickedly smiling face, her eyes full of allure.
She gave everything, waiting for her prey to bite.
This near-pathological excitement and longing.
Wen Changning saw the twisted light in her eyes and coldly smirked.
The witch was truly mad.
She stepped back, appraising Liu Meimei’s fiery red dress and bold makeup, slow and deliberate, “Meimei, look…we’re both so direct—one wants to ‘devour,’ the other to ‘kill.’ Isn’t that a bit dull? Not much fun, is it?”
Liu Meimei tilted her head, staring hard, fear mingling with strange anticipation.
Wen Changning’s smile deepened, devilishly alluring, “Why don’t we swap roles? You play me, I play you. You become the ‘young man,’ I’ll be the ‘fifth master.’ What do you say?”
“See if anyone in the fortress can tell us apart? See who lasts the longest? Wouldn’t that be more interesting? More exciting?”
Liu Meimei froze, then her lovely almond eyes burst with wild, almost mad brilliance.
Too interesting! Hurry up and take the bait!
This was dancing on a knife’s edge, a celebration at the brink of life and death.
She nodded hard, her face flushed with terror and twisted excitement, her eyes dazzling, clearly impatient to begin this deadly masquerade.
“Agreed!”
Wen Changning saw the near-pathological eagerness in her gaze, knowing the viper was fully hooked.
Her smile remained, but her eyes sharpened like blades.
As Liu Meimei lost herself in the game’s fantasy and let her guard down, Wen Changning’s hand struck like lightning, chopping her neck!
“Mm…”
Liu Meimei managed only a muffled grunt, her crazed light still lingering as she collapsed, dreaming of the game.
Wen Changning quickly caught her, deftly undoing her silk dress.
Looking at her unconscious, still excited face and iconic red attire, Wen Changning’s eyes glinted coldly.