Killing with a Borrowed Blade

Li Changqing stopped dwelling on it. "Whatever. After all that, Qian Renxue probably won't bother me again."

That was right. Li Changqing had done it on purpose.

If he had been polite, Qian Renxue would have pestered him endlessly, trying to win him over.

He had no desire to let anyone disturb the pleasant, easy life he had now.

So he had provoked and angered Qian Renxue as much as he could, hoping to put an end to any such ideas.

As for whether this incident might bring Qian Daoliu to his door?

Given Qian Renxue's headstrong nature, she probably wouldn't tell Qian Daoliu about it. Li Changqing wasn't worried.

Outside the Courtyard, Qian Renxue climbed into the carriage with a stony face. Without another word, she gave a cold order, her voice brimming with anger. "Back to Heaven Dou City!"

Hearing her tone, the driver dared not delay. He cracked his whip against the horse. It whinnied and pulled the luxurious carriage away.

Inside, Qian Renxue seethed with shock and rage, her breathing harsh and heavy.

Snake Lance and Pufferfish rode inside as well, guarding against any move Li Changqing might make against her. Their spiritual senses spread outward, keeping constant watch on their surroundings.

Afraid of provoking Qian Renxue again, neither dared say much.

And so an eerie silence settled over the carriage.

Only after it had left Haagen-Dazs City did Qian Renxue's breathing begin to ease. The fire in her heart gradually died down.

From Li Changqing's final words to her, she was certain he knew about her relationship with Bibi Dong.

But how?

Across the entire continent—or even within Spirit Hall—very few people knew she existed. Only Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo Elders knew the true relationship between her and Bibi Dong.

A sudden sense of helplessness rose in Qian Renxue's heart. Li Changqing, just who are you?

Seeing her expression soften, Snake Lance and Pufferfish exchanged a glance, then spoke respectfully in unison:

"Young Master, Li Changqing knows so much that he may affect our plans. Should we inform His Holiness the Pope or the Great Enshrined?"

Qian Renxue waved a hand.

"No. If Li Changqing has hidden himself this well, he likely wants no part in the continent's conflicts. He shouldn't affect our plans. Besides, he probably provoked me like that to make me give up and leave him alone. Someone like him won't reveal my identity."

"But he humiliated you, Young Master, and His Holiness the Pope too. Are we simply letting it go?"

Qian Renxue was unwilling to let Li Changqing's insults pass, but there was nothing she could do about him for now. She couldn't trouble her grandfather over such a small matter, could she?

Then a clever idea struck her.

The two people Qian Renxue resented were Li Changqing, who had just humiliated her, and Bibi Dong, who had never given her the affection she deserved.

If Bibi Dong went after Li Changqing, Qian Renxue would be delighted no matter which of them came off worse.

"Snake Lance," Qian Renxue said.

Snake Lance answered respectfully, "Your orders, Young Master!"

"Doesn't that woman want to know who Li Changqing is? Then tell her the truth. Write down his approximate strength, name, Martial Soul, and residence first."

The woman Qian Renxue meant was, of course, Bibi Dong.

Snake Lance obeyed. Producing paper and a pen from somewhere, he began writing down the information about Li Changqing.

When he finished, he handed it to Qian Renxue.

"Please take a look, Young Master. Is there anything you'd like to add?"

Qian Renxue took it, gave it a cursory glance, then wrote something more on the paper.

"Make sure this reaches that woman exactly as it is." Qian Renxue handed the paper back to Snake Lance.

A smile appeared on Snake Lance's face. He intended to deliver it himself; this could count as quite an achievement.

But when he read what Qian Renxue had written, all thought of delivering it personally vanished. Shock was all that remained.

She had added: "I went to recruit this man, but somehow he knew my identity and refused. He did say, however, that he would serve us if we tied up His Holiness the Pope and brought her to him as company."

Snake Lance swallowed and asked quietly, "Young Master, are you certain you want to do this?"

Pufferfish grew curious at the drastic change in Snake Lance's expression.

He glanced at the paper, then froze.

Qian Renxue's tone brooked no argument. "Yes. Make sure that paper reaches that woman exactly as it is."

Snake Lance could only nod with a rueful smile. "As you command. Once we return to Heaven Dou City, I'll send it through Spirit Saint Hall at once."

Two days later, in the Papal Hall of Spirit City.

Bibi Dong looked down at Gui Mei. "Have you identified that mysterious expert?"

With an odd expression, Gui Mei respectfully presented a letter. "Your Holiness, this came from the young lady."

Bibi Dong frowned. "What does it say?"

"As before, it claims to concern the mysterious expert's identity. I haven't opened it, so I don't know the details. I brought it straight here."

As he spoke, Gui Mei grumbled inwardly, I don't even need to open it to know there's something strange inside. As if I'd dare read it.

Bibi Dong drew the envelope into her hand with Soul Power. Seeing the same words as last time—"Identity of the mysterious man who killed the Titan Giant Ape"—anger flared within her.

She kept it in check and asked, "Has word come from anywhere else?"

Gui Mei shook his head. "No."

"Very well. Leave."

After Gui Mei withdrew, Bibi Dong took several deep breaths. Let's see what game you're playing. There had better be something useful in here. Otherwise...

At first, the information about Li Changqing pleased her.

But when she reached the distinctly different handwriting below it, a terrifying wave of Soul Power erupted from her body. The paper shattered, and the entire Papal Hall shook several times.

That was how furious Bibi Dong was.

She did not even stop to wonder how Li Changqing knew Qian Renxue's identity. The words demanding that the Pope attend to him were enough to enrage her.

Since Qian Xunji had violated her, no one had dared treat her this way. Li Changqing was the first.

Furious as she was, Bibi Dong had not lost her reason.

She could guess what had happened. Qian Renxue must have tried to recruit Li Changqing on her own and been rebuffed, so she had deliberately sent Bibi Dong this message.

She wanted both to anger Bibi Dong and to use her hand to teach Li Changqing a lesson.

"What a fine wretch you are. Very well. I'll see just who this Li Changqing is, to know so much—and dare set his sights on me. He'll pay for it."

"And you, Qian Renxue. Once I've dealt with Li Changqing, it'll be your turn. You've provoked me again and again. Do you really think I have no temper?"

Bibi Dong let out a furious roar.