What Can You Do?

A gust of cold wind swept through the tent flap, and the falling snowflakes drifted into the tent.

The palace-dressed girl, suspended half a foot in mid-air, stared intently at the black-clad woman seated in the main seat, her small fists clenched tightly. The black-clad woman, however, remained unmoved, observing the expression of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion Holy Maiden with great interest.

They stared at each other in silence, a deathly stillness spreading.

"Hmph."

Li Qingyan, seated in the main seat, leaned slightly forward, his elbows resting on the table, his fingers interlaced and supporting his chin, moving unhurriedly.

"Although women can also cultivate, the army is almost entirely composed of men. I am on military campaigns year-round. If I do not bind my chest and wear men's clothing, I fear it will be difficult to establish authority in the army, and the soldiers will have all sorts of wild thoughts."

At this point, she paused, her beautiful eyes curving into two crescent moons:

"Judging from the Saintess's gaze, she seems disbelieving. If that's the case, we can ask Changtian."

The strong are those who ruthlessly humiliate the weak.

Xu Yuan abruptly turned his gaze away, looking up at the ceiling at a 45-degree angle.

They're terrible, way too bad. They're not even in the same league. They got crushed as always.

Um?

etc.

as always?

Xu Yuan frowned slightly, but before he could think further, a sudden gaze from beside him sent a chill down his spine.

The tiger tooth embedded in the corner of his lip, Tianyan's small, delicate nose involuntarily sniffed, but her eyes were fixed on him.

She knew perfectly well what what was beneath her bodice represented.

The light in her golden eyes contracted into a dazzling halo, and her voice trembled:

"Say something!"

Xu Yuan's eye twitched slightly.

For some reason, that look sent a chill down his spine, as if he instinctively knew it was a prelude to Tianyan's outburst.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Yuan prepared to intervene and take sides.

Seeing his subtle actions, Li Qingyan showed no sign of nervousness; instead, a knowing smile flickered in her eyes.

"Changtian, are you planning to lie to comfort her?"

Wow, the bustier princess is preparing to take on two opponents at once.

Xu Yuan glanced at Tianyan, who was about to explode, sighed slightly in his heart, and casually replied with a smile:

"There's no need for lies. Just answer the truth. I've seen plenty of situations where we were trapped in that Strange Ghost Underground Palace and forced into a corner."

The meaning is very clear.

He had indeed seen it, but he had never actually done it.

After a moment's pause, Xu Yuan glanced around and gave a calm, ambiguous reply:

A beautiful appearance is a dime a dozen, but an interesting soul is one in a million.

"."

Li Qingyan lowered her hand from under her chin, her eyes thoughtful, and remained silent.

The saintess seems to have very deep feelings for this dead man, but it should be about the same by now.

Everything should be done with discretion.

This arrogant girl is fine to be put down; there's no need to push her to the point of breaking down, since we might have to cooperate again later.

A thought flashed through Li Qingyan, the blazing flame in her eyes died down, and she gave Xu Yuan a deep look.

Xu Yuan felt a slight unease upon seeing that look, and immediately began to mentally prepare his next speech.

After finally managing to treat everyone fairly, if this princess causes any more trouble, she'll be heading straight for hell.

But after a few breaths, seeing that the other party had stopped speaking, Xu Yuan realized that Li Qingyan was no longer going to play along, so he put his heart back in his stomach.

This princess with a bound chest completely overwhelms Tianyan level.

As a Soul Condensation expert, even verbal persuasion might not be enough to win him back.

Fortunately, the princess knew her place and understood that important matters were at stake.

Looking at Tianyan, Xu Yuan smiled slightly and was about to ask a question when he saw a smile appear on Tianyan's small, red lips.

She seemed to realize the meaning behind his words, and her gaze towards Li Qingyan held a hint of amusement:

"It seems Your Highness's understanding of Changtian is still insufficient."

Xu Yuan's cheek twitched.

Sis, you're both terrible at the game and love to play!

He immediately turned to look at Li Qingyan in the main seat, only to see her striking and alluring eyebrows furrowing slightly.

broken.

Tianyan, barefoot and with her delicate, sparkling feet, walked through the void to Xu Yuan's side, then smiled at Li Qingyan, her eyes crinkling with amusement:

"After all, you've only been together for about six months. If you could stay together for over ten years, you wouldn't let me go."

"Cough."

Xu Yuan immediately reached out and covered Tianyan's mouth, coughed lightly, and quickly asked:

"Um, Tianyan, why do you have... Ouch!! Are you a dog?!"

Tianyan effortlessly pried Xu Yuan's hands off, then turned and glared at him:

Did I let you touch me?

"Never mind that, let's get down to business!" Xu Yuan transmitted his Will Soul telepathically.

"What's the important matter? It was clearly that this vixen who provoked me first."

"She provoked you? Didn't you provoke her first? You brought up the illusion right away. It's one thing to talk, but how could you talk back to her? You're so clumsy with words. If I didn't help you, you would have been bullied to death."

"I... I... you... I..."

A flicker of panic crossed Tianyan's eyes. She bit her red lips lightly, and standing in mid-air, she kicked Xu Yuan's knee with her bare foot. "Isn't it all because of you, you bastard!"

A familiar feeling surged into his heart again, Xu Yuan, in pain, was so angry he laughed:

"Tianyan, can you please stop being so rude?"

"You two seem to have a good relationship," a smiling voice suddenly came from behind.

Xu Yuan's hair stood on end.

Tianyan turned his gaze back to her on the main seat and coldly snorted:

"At least I'm a little better than Your Highness."

"Um"

Li Qingyan's eyes were playful, showing no sign of embarrassment or annoyance. His fingertips traced the leather surface of the table, and he suddenly asked with a smile:

"Then I will do as you say?"

"."

Upon hearing Tianyan bristled, and a gust of wind spread out from her petite figure suspended in mid-air.

Li Qingyan's long, black hair swayed in the wind. Her fingers, which were caressing the leather, paused slightly, and she sighed.

"Tianyan, it seems your temperament and composure still need more refinement. I only provoked you a few times and you reacted like this. If I were to act like this..."

As he spoke,

Li Qingyan rose gracefully and instantly appeared in front of the two.

Under Tianyan's stunned gaze

Li Qingyan gently tiptoed, pulled Xu Yuan's head close, and pressed her full, red lips directly onto his.

Lips parting.

Xu Yuan licked the corner of his lips.

Li Qingyan glanced sideways at the woman who was the same height as her:

"... And what will you do then?"

The Imperial Capital, the imperial palace, the Great Celebration Hall.

Two figures sat facing each other across a chessboard, one in yellow and one in black, both dressed in dragon robes.

The imperial dragon holds black, and the black dragon holds white.

The chess game was intricate, the air thick with the scent of incense, and the outcome was difficult to determine for the time being.

"Clatter!"

As the white piece is placed, the white hourglass beside the chessboard flips automatically, leaving more than half of it.

Xu Yinhe looked at the old man before him, his voice calm but carrying an imposing air:

"Has Your Majesty been able to determine who was responsible for the disappearances of Changtian and Qingyan?"

"."

Li Yaoxuan did not answer, but hunched over, staring intently at the chessboard. After watching for a dozen breaths, he picked up a black piece from the chess basket and placed it down before replying thoughtfully:

"This matter is difficult to investigate, but the purpose of those who attacked both Qingyan and Changtian is likely to break our alliance. What do you think?"

After saying that,

The black hourglass also flipped, but there was very little sand left.

Xu Yinhe's deep, hawk-like eyes stared at the old man for a few moments, then casually picked up a white chess piece from the basket and placed it down, saying:

"Who would risk breaking an alliance that cannot last forever?"

"Tsk, can you slow down? This critically ill person can hardly keep up."

Li Yaoxuan sighed, continuing to stare at the chessboard, fiddling with a black piece, undecided. "However, Yin He, what you said makes sense. There's indeed no need to disrupt things. But there aren't many people who have a reason to plot against Qingyan, Changtian, and that Barbarian King at the same time, and even fewer who have the ability to do so."

Xu Yinhe picked up the porcelain cup beside the tea table and took a small sip:

"Plotting against the Barbarian King might be for the sake of the country, but plotting against Qingyan might just be driven by self-interest. Such people are probably not from any sect."

"Yes, it should be."

Li Yaoxuan murmured, gently placing his piece, and raised his eyes. "So, Your Excellency, how do you wish me to deal with that person?"

The two elderly men in dragon robes exchanged a glance for a moment.

Xu Yinhe lowered his gaze, placed a chess piece, and said, "Your Majesty's family affairs are none of my concern."

Li Yaoxuan grinned, his face, almost entirely covered in black spots, trembling slightly, giving him a sinister look. "Since that's the case, then let's just forget about it."

Xu Yinhe picked up a chess piece, but this time he didn't place it immediately. After observing it for a dozen breaths, he pointed to several intersections on the chessboard and said leisurely:

"Your Majesty, your chess moves today are too chaotic; you want to place pieces here, here, and here as well."

"This is not a safe approach."

"Wow, Your Excellency can even teach me how to play chess now!"

Li Yaoxuan chuckled, then sighed and looked at his old friend, saying with a smile, "The move has been made, there's no going back. You know my style of play; going all in isn't a good approach."

As soon as he finished speaking, a crane's cry came from outside the Lake Heart Pavilion.

Li Yaoxuan glanced back and said:

"I hadn't noticed it before, but as dusk approaches, I find it getting noisy every day."

Xu Yinhe smiled with his eyes lowered:

"Back then, the sage treasured it greatly. Since it was so noisy, he simply wanted some peace and quiet and moved to another palace."

"This Great Celebration Hall is where the Empress Dowager gave birth to me and raised me. I'm used to living here, and I can't move it."

Li Yaoxuan looked at the flock of cranes flying in the sky with a hint of helplessness in his voice, and shook his head. "Anyway, we don't have much time left, so let them stay here."

"His Majesty is merely unwell; there is nothing seriously wrong."

A complex emotion flickered in Xu Yinhe's lowered, deep eyes. "At the very least, we must see the triumphant return of the Royal Army."

"Hmph."

Li Yaoxuan chuckled and glanced at the north, "Judging by the time, it should be starting soon. Actually, we should also thank the person who plotted against Qingyan and Changtian. Without him, the hundreds of thousands of the Barbarian Tribe troops would not have been so easily wiped out, and I might not have seen my Royal Army return in triumph."

"Buzz--"

A soft murmur.

Two dragon robes, one imperial and one black, fluttered in the wind.

Facing the wind pressure, Li Yaoxuan looked at Xu Yinhe and said with a smile, word by word, "Prime Minister, you seem to have forgotten to make your move while you were chatting idly."

"It is I who have forgotten."

Xu Yinhe's voice was deep as he casually slammed a white chess piece onto the board, but it was caught by an invisible force just before it landed.

A strange smile played on Li Yaoxuan's dark lips:

"Your Excellency, you have the advantage in this game. If you make this one move and turn the board upside down, all your efforts will be for nothing."

The words were finished.

clatter.

The white piece is gently placed onto the board.

"That's more like it."

Li Yaoxuan leaned back slightly, bracing himself against the jade floor, and looked up at the dome of the pavilion. "To win, one must endure what ordinary people cannot."

He paused for a moment,

The old man lowered his eyes, then suddenly smiled and said, "By the way, I asked you to receive the envoys from the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion. How are things going?"

Xu Yinhe raised his eyes, his gaze now as still as a deep well.

"When you came from the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion, Eunuch Hou Zhao followed you the whole way. Does Your Majesty know the answer already?"

"Tsk, that piece of trash was almost killed by your brother-in-law with a single sword strike, what information could he possibly have?"

"At the time, I mistakenly thought it was a spy from a sect trespassing into the important grounds of my Prime Minister's Mansion. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"I am already very satisfied that he was able to wait until the talks were over before making his move."

Li Yaoxuan remained noncommittal, but chuckled softly, "However, I've heard that Feng Jiuxuan gave his token to that little girl? I wonder if the Prime Minister could enlighten me?"

"Eunuch Hou should know the specifics."

"So what I'm asking is why that girl was given the Sword Saint's token."

"."

Xu Yinhe didn't speak, but tapped the chessboard three times.

Upon seeing this action, Li Yaoxuan's expression turned somewhat strange:

"Your third son is quite the ladies' man, nothing like you at all, Prime Minister."

At this point, Li Yaoxuan paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled knowingly:

"First, the State Preceptor's beloved disciple, then the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion, and hmm. It seems there's also Little Heavenly Master from the Heavenly Master Sect. Heh. Why do I get the feeling that your Chancellor Xu, is closer to the sect than my royal family?"

"I believe that Changtian and Changge will know what they're doing."

"I just feel sorry for my daughter."

"I thought Your Majesty didn't care at all."

"Hehe."

Li Yaoxuan chuckled twice and said leisurely, "There is no kinship in the royal family, but I am still a human being, and my daughter is my only heir with military power."

As he spoke, Li Yaoxuan casually placed a piece, stood up, and walked to the window to look north:

"The Holy Maiden is willing to travel north with the token; don't you find that strange, Prime Minister?"

The delegation from the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion had been in the capital for a month, preparing to receive investiture from the imperial court, but the court naturally did not want to do so.

On one hand, they delayed the process, citing the absence of the State Preceptor and the inability to hold the ceremony, while on the other hand, they refused to approve Ran Jianli's application to enter the capital.

The program was directly blocked, trapping the people from the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion in the Imperial Capital.

In order to break the deadlock, the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion directly offered the Holy Maiden's journey north as a bargaining chip in exchange for direct investiture from the imperial court.

This is strange.

The court's actions were merely a stopgap measure. After all, the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion was no ordinary sect; its size was considerable, and its subordinate sects in the Southern Frontier had all been officially recognized. Even without such recognition, their power would not have changed in the slightest.

It's only a matter of time before the imperial court compromises and bestows titles upon them.

The Holy Maiden's journey north to visit various sects appeared to be about promising benefits and gaining their support in the imperial court, but in reality, it was to lull the various sects of the Three Northern Prefectures into a false sense of security.

"It's indeed strange. That girl went to the Three Northern Prefectures. In the eyes of all the sects in the world, the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion can be considered to have directly sided with our imperial court."

Xu Yinhe's voice was steady and calm. "However, this could also be a scheme by those sects, after all, the Three Northern Prefectures have already been abandoned by all the sects in the world."

Li Yaoxuan slowly turned his eyes back, a sinister smile playing on his lips:

"You really like to play dumb when you know the truth. The Heavenly Oversight Pavilion Master has calculated my death day, wanting us to quickly eliminate the Northern Border Sects and then start fighting among ourselves."