Chapter Sixty-Five: Hidden Lethal Intent

However, this was only Xiao Fei's momentary speculation, without any solid evidence. Moreover, over the past days, it was clear that Li Shishi was genuinely sincere with him, and she harbored a deep hatred for R himself, with even more loathing for Tiemu Sanqing. Her feelings were definitely not an act.

But how was the jade pendant to be explained? The inscription clearly read "Beloved Daughter's Birthday," and the signature was "Sanqing." Could this Sanqing not be Tiemu Sanqing, the inheritor of the Northern Blade school and the enemy who murdered Li Shishi's master, Li Su'e? Xiao Fei found himself plunged into deep confusion.

At present, there seemed only three possibilities. First, Li Shishi knew her true origins but pretended to be Tiemu Sanqing's enemy in order to help her father accomplish some unspeakable task, claiming to seek revenge; second, Li Shishi was entirely unaware of her background; third, the "Sanqing" on the pendant was purely a coincidence and had nothing to do with Tiemu Sanqing's name. Yet, according to Xiao Fei's knowledge from his previous life, R himself, when inscribing objects, often preferred to sign with only a surname or given name, rather than a full name, which greatly differed from the Chinese custom.

The outcome Xiao Fei least wished for was the first, and the one he hoped for most was the third. He truly did not want to become Li Shishi's enemy.

Just as Xiao Fei was racking his brain, the door was knocked.

"Who is it?" Xiao Fei asked.

"It's me."

It was Li Shishi's voice. She pushed the door open and entered.

"Hey? Sister, are you missing me again? Back so soon? Come, come, let me be affectionate with you," Xiao Fei said flirtatiously, acting as if nothing at all had happened.

"Get away! My personal jade pendant—did I leave it here? If those sisters wake up later and find my pendant here, they'll definitely guess I spent the night with you. Who knows what they'll think?" Li Shishi said as she searched the bed. Sure enough, she found the pendant.

Xiao Fei pretended to discover the pendant for the first time, snatching it up casually. "Wow, what a beautiful jade pendant! Oh? There's writing on it, let me see."

He turned it over and read aloud, "Oh, so Sister's birthday is in March 1888. Next year, I'll make sure to throw you an unforgettable birthday."

"Who asked you to celebrate my birthday? Give it back..." Li Shishi said, reaching to take it. But Xiao Fei dodged and kept inspecting it.

"Looks like it was a gift from your parents for your birthday. What does 'Sanqing' mean?" Xiao Fei asked, feigning indifference.

"Hmph, none of your business!" Li Shishi snatched it away.

During this exchange, Xiao Fei, though seemingly casual, was actually observing Li Shishi's expression closely. It was clear she wasn't acting, nor was she deliberately concealing any family secret.

"My dear sister, what does 'Sanqing' mean, really?" Xiao Fei pressed on.

"Hmph, as if you'd understand. Honestly, I don't fully know myself. When I was little, I asked my master about it, and she said this jade pendant was obtained for me from a Daoist temple on Kunlun Mountain. 'Sanqing' refers to the three supreme Daoist deities, collectively known as 'The Three Pure Ones of Supreme, Mysterious, and Natural Realms.' They are the revered Yuqing Primordial Lord, Shangqing Spiritual Treasure Lord, and Taiqing Lord of Virtue, also known as the Grand Supreme Elder. My master devoted her life to the pursuit of the Dao, aiming to save all living beings. So, when I was born, she obtained this pendant from the Sanqing Temple for me, hoping I would inherit her aspirations and rescue people from suffering."

Hearing Li Shishi's explanation, Xiao Fei let out a long sigh of relief. So this was the truth—he had been overthinking it.

For Xiao Fei, this was undoubtedly good news, as the worst possibility had not come to pass.

At this time, the morning was still young. Early risers had yet to get up, while the likes of Qin Tianxiang and others were likely sound asleep, so whatever happened between him and Li Shishi now would probably go unnoticed. The freshness of dawn, the invigorating air, and a man's intense morning urge all combined to drive Xiao Fei, who, as if possessed, reached out and drew Li Shishi onto the bed by her waist.

"Ah... What are you doing?" Li Shishi blushed, rebuking him coyly.

"Sister, you tormented me so much last night. Now it's my turn to tease you," Xiao Fei said, slipping his mischievous hand inside her collar, climbing those towering peaks.

"Ah, don't... The door isn't even locked..." Li Shishi, overwhelmed by Xiao Fei's expert caresses, spoke in a daze, not knowing what she was saying. But her words sent a clear signal to Xiao Fei: he could proceed.

With that, Xiao Fei reversed their positions, pinning Li Shishi beneath him, his hands exploring beneath her garments, moving slowly downward to the most mysterious place that captivated him.

Li Shishi instinctively tried to block Xiao Fei, her protests weak and helpless.

But it was clear Li Shishi had already fallen for Xiao Fei. Soon, she shed all inhibitions and passionately kissed him. She felt a cool sensation in her mouth as a wet, slippery tongue invaded, darting past her teeth, exploring boldly, coaxing her own tongue out to be sucked, circled, and caressed...

As the moment ripened and passions overflowed, Xiao Fei, with reverence, gently undressed Li Shishi and entered her, completing that most exquisite union between man and woman.

Time passed in unknown measure. Li Shishi, transformed from girl to woman, lay atop Xiao Fei's strong, alluring chest, drifting sweetly into dreams, murmuring even in sleep, "Xiao Fei... Loving you... It's wonderful..."

Again, time slipped by unnoticed when they were startled awake by a piercing scream.

"Ah!" came the cry.

They scrambled up, only to see Qin Tianxiang standing at the door with a basin of water.

"Husband... Shishi... Sister... You two carry on, please..." she said, then retreated.

"Oh, this is so embarrassing," Li Shishi said, pulling the quilt over herself.

At breakfast, the group sat together, tacitly aware, the air filled with a subtle, indescribable sweetness.

Afterward, Xiao Fei discussed returning to Azure Dragon Mountain with his sisters. It was time to go back; the entire city of Jiangning was now his domain, but Azure Dragon Mountain would always be the birthplace of his achievements, and he was still attached to it.

Now that Li Shishi was Xiao Fei's woman, she naturally would accompany him, but before leaving, she needed to return to the Scarlet Lotus Courtyard to gather her belongings.

"Shishi, make it quick," Xiao Fei instructed.

"I will. Wait for me," Li Shishi replied, heading straight for the Scarlet Lotus Courtyard.

Upon entering her room, Li Shishi's years of experience immediately alerted her to an unusual atmosphere. She became wary. As she approached the bed to pack her clothes, a throwing dart shot toward her from behind.

Fortunately, Li Shishi was ready. She leaned down, and the dart lodged in the wall. Grabbing the blanket, she twisted it into a sturdy cloth rope and struck out, "Whoever you are, show yourself at once!"

Immediately, two Japanese ronin, one in black and one in white, emerged and, without a word, drew their swords at Li Shishi.

Li Shishi was unfazed. She leapt, moving across beams and walls, and with a flurry of punches and kicks, knocked both to the ground.

It was clear these two ronin were disciples of the Northern Blade school. Their swordsmanship was impressive, but their ninja skills were lacking; otherwise, Li Shishi wouldn't have detected them so easily.

Neither side exchanged words; they fought fiercely, determined to subdue the other.

During the battle, Li Shishi soon broke into a sweat—not because she lacked strength, but because after last night's intense encounter with Xiao Fei, her body had changed from that of a girl to a woman. She had bled considerably and was in pain. The fight made it worse.

The two ronin seemed to notice this, focusing their attacks on Li Shishi's lower body, but were still no match for her.

Finally, the two ronin exchanged a glance, their coordination flawless. One lunged at Li Shishi, entangling her, while the other struck from behind in a surprise attack.

This tactic was indeed vicious. Li Shishi dispatched the ronin in front, but was caught off guard by the blow from behind and immediately fainted.

The ninja quickly pulled out a sack, bundled Li Shishi inside, and escaped through the window.

Moments later, Li Shishi was brought to a secret underground chamber in the eastern part of Jiangning.

"Master, Li Shishi has been delivered," the ronin said to the elderly man seated cross-legged at the north end of the room. On the wall behind him was a large engraving of the sun.