Rebels Suddenly Appear!

"Hmm hmm hmm~"

Humming a cheerful tune, Ji Mo stepped out of the grand hall where the queen's private banquet had been held. The ring on his hand glimmered faintly, and a folding fan dropped into his palm, swaying slowly as he waved it.

Fengge remained behind to eat a while longer. After all, she was a military general; she needed to eat more to keep her waist strong.

Naturally, no one had overheard the hushed conversation between the two earlier.

As though nothing had happened, Ji Mo surveyed this foreign palace. Its halls connected to one another, yet every hall was different; splendid pools stood beside golden pillars, while silver flowers filled the open courtyards.

The furnishings everywhere were lavish as well. In the corridor where Ji Mo stood, he could see Tanggu Sun-Bathing Jade, Northern Plains Star Ore, Human Domain Cloud-Enjoying Silk, and West Sea Night-Glowing Ice—all precious ornaments rarely found within Women's Country itself.

Of course, to Young Master Ji, the rarest scenery was still the palace maids he occasionally glimpsed. Most of them were strikingly beautiful, though they hurried along with purposeful steps.

Following the laughter, Ji Mo quickly found the queen's bedchamber and called out from outside:

"Women's Country does not even station guards at the ruler's bedchamber? Can anyone just walk in?"

Calling out in advance was meant to announce his arrival, lest he see anything improper later.

Yet after circling around a rear wall hung with several portraits of 'goddesses' and passing the folding screens placed on either side, the sight ahead made Ji Mo's eyes light up.

The first thing he saw was that enormous tree.

This ancient tree had no idea how many years behind it. It was likely some strange species from the Great Wilderness; from its roots to its crown bursting with pink blossoms, it seemed to be made entirely of jade.

At that moment, the queen and Brother Bear sat upon two enormous swings, each thirty zhang long, swaying back and forth beneath the tree.

The golden ribbons around the queen danced together with her thick, flowing hair, while her laughter rang crisp and joyful.

Whenever she swung forward, her hair and ribbons streamed behind her, and her slender, straight legs stretched out before her. The sight was so beautiful that one could not bear to look away.

When she swung backward, her hair and ribbons became slightly tousled, revealing another kind of charm.

Even Wu Wang, who ordinarily did not laugh loudly, was laughing without pause now.

This place should have been an open courtyard, surrounded on all sides by the outer walls of palace halls. The queen had ordered strips of colored silk hung along the walls, laid down a high layer of Wooden Planks across the ground, and installed furnishings such as a splendid pool, bookshelves, and a bed. Thus, it had become her bedchamber.

Ji Mo laughed and sighed. "On a rainy day, sitting beneath the tree or beside the bed and watching the rain would surely have a charm all its own... ahem, an atmosphere."

The State Preceptor and Ling Xiaolan, seated near the bookshelves not far ahead, were kind enough to turn and look over.

The State Preceptor asked, "Why has General Fengge not come over? She has rarely returned to the royal capital these past few years. Her Majesty misses her greatly."

"She is still eating," Ji Mo said, curling his lip. "Your Women's Country's great general truly does not possess the slightest bit of feminine gentleness."

The State Preceptor revealed a faint, gentle smile. This Grand State Preceptor, so full of wisdom and maturity, lightly raised an eyebrow at Ji Mo.

Ji Mo halted, then subtly stepped half a pace back.

The State Preceptor said softly, "Come sit here, Young Master Ji."

"I-I'll stand."

Ji Mo cupped his hands and tried to stand calmly to one side, his right hand tucked behind his back as he struggled to recover the bearing he had possessed in the Human Domain.

Ling Xiaolan looked somewhat strangely at the State Preceptor and Ji Mo, then turned toward Wu Wang and the queen, a trace of yearning in her eyes.

Mother, can I swing for a while?

Foolish child, if you fall, would that not dirty your clothes? You will be going to the Heavenly Origin Mystic Maiden Sect to cultivate when you turn twelve. For now, you must read more books and study more scriptures, so that you may rise above the sect disciples of your generation in the future.

"Fairy Ling," the State Preceptor asked warmly, "I have not yet had the chance to ask. Besides delivering the prescription, why have you come to Women's Country?"

Ling Xiaolan glanced at Ji Mo and answered softly, "Those above said that a rebellion would occur in Women's Country and sent us here to safeguard the righteous path."

"Oh?"

The State Preceptor was somewhat surprised. "The Human Domain lies who knew how many tens of thousands of miles from Women's Country. How could you know that a rebellion would occur here?

"Besides, what sort of rebellion could possibly happen in Women's Country?"

"I do not know the specifics either."

Ling Xiaolan thought for a moment. "Many senior experts are skilled in divination. Perhaps they saw through the hexagrams that unrest was about to arise here."

The State Preceptor's expression immediately turned more solemn, and she said quietly:

"Heavenly Emperor Fuxi derived the innate Eight Trigrams, while the River Diagram and Luo Script gave birth to endless cultivation arts. The Human Domain's art of divination truly cannot be underestimated... Could something really be about to happen here?

"But that makes no sense. Her Majesty is diligent in state affairs, the civil and military officials are harmonious, and the border is protected by barriers and exceedingly peaceful."

Ling Xiaolan looked at the man and woman whose laughter had not ceased...

A new definition of diligent in state affairs.

Ji Mo suddenly laughed. "Brother Bear is the young master of the Northern Plains Bear Hug Tribe. If he could marry the ruler of Women's Country in the Western Plains, it would make for quite the lovely tale."

"Oh?"

The State Preceptor's eyes lit up. Looking at Wu Wang and the ruler, she revealed a gentle smile and sighed:

"If such a fine union could come to pass, Her Majesty's life would be complete.

"Still, if such a marriage truly happened, would they not have to live apart in two places?"

"That is true. I had not considered it carefully enough."

Ji Mo replied with a smile, having already drawn the conversation elsewhere without anyone noticing.

The two over there had drifted down from their swings. The queen asked in a low voice, "Divine Envoy, would you like to come see my private collection?"

Wu Wang smiled. "Why not invite Brother Ji and Fairy Ling as well?"

"Sure," the ruler said, turning toward them and beckoning. "Everyone, would you like to come over together?"

Ling Xiaolan immediately moved to step forward, but a figure suddenly flashed over from the side and blocked her path. It was Ji Mo.

Ji Mo called out loudly, "Fairy Ling said she wishes to play chess with the State Preceptor. We will enjoy ourselves over here."

Wu Wang shot Ji Mo a glare, but Ji Mo had already turned around and was repeatedly signaling Ling Xiaolan with his eyes.

Ling Xiaolan snorted and sat back down in the broad cushioned chair, her expression behind the veil carrying several traces of coldness.

"Let us go."

The ruler called softly from the side, and Wu Wang followed her at an unhurried pace.

What was Brother Ji blindly assisting with?

The so-called private collection was not gold, silver, jewelry, or intimate garments. Unexpectedly, it was quite proper—a fairly concealed secret chamber, with several wooden racks filled with all kinds of treasures.

The Crystal Ball Wu Wang had given the queen the previous night sat in a corner of one wooden rack. Beneath it was a tiny label bearing the character 'Bear.'

Wu Wang was still a prince, after all, and naturally would not be dazzled by treasures. He could name the origins and legends behind several items, then make up a few stories on the spot, filling the ruler of Women's Country's peach-blossom eyes with light.

While admiring the treasures here, Wu Wang did not forget his actual task.

Find the rebels.

He first asked, "It seems Women's Country has not entirely cut off contact with the outside world."

"Of course we cannot sever communication," the queen replied softly. "Only the State Preceptor and I know of this. There are some clanswomen outside who are responsible for purchasing supplies.

"Silkworm raising, weaving clothes, farming, construction—these were all learned from the Human Domain, or sent over by the Human Domain."

Wu Wang asked again, "What has Women's Country given the Human Domain?"

"We have not given much of anything."

The queen slightly raised her head, her voice like the low song of an oriole:

"Actually, in the beginning, it was the immortals of the Human Domain who willingly helped us. They taught us writing, books, and music, while respecting our choice and never disturbing the peace here.

"These ancient books all record it clearly. They are also required study before a ruler takes the throne.

"When the war between the Human Domain and the gods came to a halt, many cultivators left the Human Domain to travel throughout the Great Wilderness.

"If they found places where humans were enslaved, they would rescue them and bring them back to the Human Domain.

"I remember that when I was young, I once met a wandering cultivator from the Human Domain. He brought several prescriptions for treating illness, carried a banner painted with the Eight Trigrams, and wore a filthy robe. After giving us the prescriptions, he left on his own.

"At the time, an epidemic was spreading within the country. He truly helped us greatly."

Wu Wang slowly nodded.

He actually had a general idea—there was nothing wrong with the Human Domain itself. The problem lay with certain upper echelons currently responsible for making decisions there.

One major cause of those problems was that the Human Emperor's successor had not been determined. Unsteady hearts bred demons.

"Has Your Majesty ever been to the Human Domain?"

"No. Once I became ruler, I had so many things to do every day that I simply could not go."

She puffed out her cheeks in slight frustration.

"And they are all the same trivial matters. Everyone can discuss them and decide them among themselves, yet they insist that I listen to them once, ask about them once, look them over once, then write them an approval.

"I want to write it on their faces instead."

Wu Wang nearly laughed aloud beside her.

The Bear Hug Tribe did not need such things. Their Clan Leader rode wolves around all day, camping wherever the scenery was nice and staying there for a few days.

After viewing the private collection and the books, the State Preceptor took the initiative to bring over Women's Country's mythological texts for Wu Wang to study.

Wu Wang began reading with great interest. The queen, however, quietly went to a side hall and changed into a warm yellow gown. Upon returning, she naturally joined Wu Wang and the State Preceptor's discussion.

Ji Mo and Ling Xiaolan exchanged a look, then continued "playing chess by controlling qi" in the corner.

"Could it be that Fairy Ling's heart is somewhat unsettled? Why is this game fraught with peril at every step?"

"It is merely somewhat noisy."

Ling Xiaolan replied calmly. Her almond-shaped eyes glanced at Ji Mo as she transmitted, "Have you met with the one seeking aid?"

"I have," Ji Mo transmitted back. "Fairy, you will help me, will you not?"

Ling Xiaolan was silent for a while, her fingers sliding lightly as the pieces landed one after another.

"I have my own judgment. This is a trial for the two of us, Fellow Daoist Ji. Do not attempt to interfere with me... I will stand with the side that is justified."

"Then I am relieved."

Ji Mo forced out a hearty smile, only to receive the undisguised disdain in Ling Xiaolan's eyes.

"Can you not learn from Brother Bear?"

"Learn... what?"

"His gaze." Ling Xiaolan looked toward Wu Wang and said quietly, "His eyes are very clear, without the slightest evil thought. His smile is also quite natural. He possesses that sense of closeness by nature."

Ji Mo could not help covering his face with a hand. "By nature... How am I supposed to learn that?"

A trace of amusement passed through Ling Xiaolan's eyes as she lowered her head and focused on the chessboard.

Ji Mo secretly raised an eyebrow. This Fairy Ling, famed among the younger generation of the Human Domain for being pure and spotless, seemed, perhaps, maybe, probably, possibly... to have spring arriving in her heart?

Was Brother Bear's charm truly so great?

Ji Mo turned to look. What he saw was Wu Wang and the ruler of Women's Country talking excitedly about something, but for some reason, he felt that "Brother Bear" was surrounded by a faint, hazy glow, as though he were not entirely real.

Just what kind of person was Brother Bear? Why did Ji Mo always feel he had not understood him in the slightest?

"Fairy Ling," Ji Mo asked quietly, "what sort of temperament do you think Brother Bear has?"

Ling Xiaolan was somewhat puzzled and asked in return, "More specifically?"

"For example, Fairy's aloofness, my tenderness toward women. If you had to use one word to sum up Brother Bear, what would it be?"

"That does stump me somewhat." Ling Xiaolan thought for a moment. "I do not know."

Ji Mo leaned forward and transmitted, "I do not know either, but I have a way to make Brother Bear lower his guard.

"As the saying goes, wine emboldens the timid. Every time I go to a flower house, I have to drink a little wine... Ahem, that is not important.

"Fairy Ling, do you have wine prepared?

"Later, let us secretly inform the ruler and the State Preceptor. Together, we can get Brother Bear drunk and see whether he lowers his guard and reveals his true nature before us.

"Though Fairy Ling may end up disappointed..."

"What would disappoint me?"

Ling Xiaolan lightly snorted, though there was a glimmer in her eyes. "I will find the wine. You transmit the message."

The two immediately hit it off and split up to act. After the grand banquet with the officials that had already been planned, a small "drinking bout" was added.

But Ji Mo and Ling Xiaolan had clearly underestimated Wu Wang's capacity for alcohol.

After the banquet with Women's Country's officials, Wu Wang had drunk two jugs of Women's Country's fine wine, yet his complexion was unchanged. He was in almost the same state as Ji Mo and Ling Xiaolan, who had not touched a drop.

Several beads of cold sweat appeared on Ji Mo's forehead, and he felt somewhat inclined to retreat.

The coming drinking bout would be the true frontal clash.

In the queen's bedchamber, beneath that jade tree, the ruler, State Preceptor, and great general sat facing Wu Wang, Ji Mo, and Ling Xiaolan.

Ji Mo brought out fruit wine from the Human Domain, the queen brought out her treasured immortal brew, and Wu Wang brought out strong liquor from the Northern Plains.

"Let us agree first. Drinking is fine."

Wu Wang said seriously, "If anyone cannot hold on, go sleep in the area we decided on earlier. We are all people who cherish our reputations, so do not let any stories spread."

Everyone nodded together. The State Preceptor did not forget to give Ji Mo a light wink.

Clearly, the State Preceptor's objective had become incomparably clear.

Wu Wang casually slapped open a wine jar. "If you drink our Northern Plains liquor, you must use big bowls! Come!"

Heroic spirit surged forth!

Ji Mo lightly drew in a breath and secretly activated the two sobering pills he had swallowed earlier, wrapped in Magic Power. Several traces of confidence appeared in his eyes.

It was just that the style of this drinking bout gradually became somewhat strange...

"Your Majesty, for someone like the State Preceptor, who only drinks half after saying cheers, we in the Northern Plains usually say... Are you saving it to raise fish?"

The ruler of Women's Country blinked her sparkling eyes and shouted lightly at the State Preceptor, "Are you raising fish?"

The State Preceptor hurriedly drained her wine in one gulp, her expression filled with grievance.

Very soon, Wu Wang began a small lesson. The queen swiftly mastered the art of urging drinks and joined Wu Wang in attacking together.

"Brother Ji, deep feelings mean draining it in one gulp! Shallow feelings mean merely licking it!"

"Alright, alright, drain it..."

"An excited heart, trembling hands, I pour the general a cup of wine! If the general will not drink, does she think I am ugly?"

"Your Majesty, I will drink. I will drink."

"Clink the cups, feel the current, link up the threads of feeling. Cheers, Fairy Ling."

"Mmm~"

No one knew how long they drank, nor how much. By the time Ji Mo collapsed to the ground, Fairy Ling had forgotten to lay down a cushion before reclining beside the table, while the State Preceptor and Fengge slept in each other's arms, snores rising all around.

The queen looked at Wu Wang with flushed cheeks and asked softly:

"Bear, can you stay here with me for a few more days?"

"Alright." Wu Wang nodded. "I had planned to take my leave today. A few more days will not matter."

After saying that, he stood up and nimbly hopped to one side. "How about I perform a sword dance for you?"

The queen answered, but she hugged her knees and fell forward, her eyes slowly closing.

Wu Wang was just about to take out that impressively styled Star Sword when he saw this. Shaking his head with a smile, he admired the queen's sleeping form.

If not for this strange illness of his, how... wonderful...

Something was wrong.

Wu Wang narrowed his eyes slightly. His body swayed as he immediately staggered several steps back, only for the giant tree's roots to cut off his retreat. He dropped onto the ground with a thump.

Something was wrong. There was something wrong with the wine.

He suddenly drew in a breath. A thick layer of Ice Armor appeared around him. Holding his breath, he circulated his inner cycle and slowly lowered his head inside the Ice Armor.

The bedchamber fell completely silent.

A moment later, Ji Mo, who had been lying on the ground, slowly climbed to his feet. He gave Wu Wang, within the Ice Armor, a deep Daoist salute, his eyes filled with apology.

Then Ji Mo flicked out two medicinal pills with a wave of his hand. They flew into Ling Xiaolan and Fengge's mouths, and the two gradually opened their eyes.

Clang!

Ling Xiaolan's face was cold and expressionless. A longsword appeared in her grasp, its tip aimed at Ji Mo.

"Explain."

"Fairy Ling, I couldn't fool Brother Xiong without doing this. He is even smarter than you and me, so I had no choice but to resort to this plan! As for the reasons behind it, please let me explain them to you later. If I meant Fairy Ling harm, I would not have given you the antidote!"

Ji Mo gave a bitter laugh. A figure appeared beside him—it was Fengge, gripping a long spear.

Ling Xiaolan immediately understood the sequence of events. She said calmly, "Why do you think he would not help you?"

"I trust Brother Xiong, but he is the young master of a great Northern Wilds clan," Ji Mo said. "When considering matters, he will very likely take the ruler's perspective."

Ling Xiaolan lowered her head and glanced at herself. Her entire body trembled faintly, and her breathing was somewhat hurried, but she did her best to suppress the disturbance in her mind.

"Is this journey an act of righteousness?"

Ji Mo said, "It is certainly an act of righteousness. This poor Daoist guarantees it in the name of the Ji Family.

"General Fengge, do not delay any longer. Once Fairy Ling learns the secret here, she will surely help us."

Fengge answered, planting her spear into the floor. She turned and walked to the ruler of Women's Country, lowered her head to lift the ruler into her arms, and slowly placed her on the bed. She covered her with a thin blanket and tucked in the corners.

Fengge turned around, leapt into the jade tree's canopy, then jumped onto the roof of a nearby palace and stared at the tranquil royal capital before her.

Half a day earlier, in the great hall after the noon banquet, where only she and Ji Mo remained.

"General Fengge, you summoned Fairy Ling and me here. Your letter said everything was ready, yet we cannot wait here for long.

"Something has happened to me in this place. I must return to the Human Domain as soon as possible to make amends, or my Ji Family will bear undeserved infamy."

"Why has the Human Domain not even sent an immortal?"

"Fairy Ling and I are enough. Though there is no immortal, we have an Immortal Treasure."

"How am I supposed to trust you?"

"You must trust us," Ji Mo said calmly. "You can rely only on us. I carry a life-preserving talisman; if I encounter a crisis of life and death, I can summon my grandmother's incarnation."

"Then... tonight."

Tonight.

Tonight!

Destroy this barrier-bound country that should never have existed!

Destroy this twisted Women's Country!

Fengge let out a soft breath and closed her eyes. Her short brows relaxed, then immediately furrowed again. The night wind swept across her armor and lifted her tied-back long hair.

When she opened her eyes, only determination remained in those phoenix eyes. With a backhanded motion, she hurled a shuttle into the air, where it exploded into flames that filled the sky.

"Imperial Guard, heed my command! Seal off the royal palace at once! Activate the grand formation! Tonight, we raise an army!"

In the bedchamber, beneath the tree, Wu Wang quietly opened his eyes to a narrow slit within the Ice Armor...

The next chapter will be posted tomorrow at noon. The regular update schedule is temporarily being broken; this part of the plot is rather difficult to write, so give me a little more time.