World's First Traitor System (370)

Chapter 370 - It Doesn’t Matter

Outside the dwelling, in the shadows of the high walls, stood two identical figures. Two Qing Qius, their appearances, cultivation levels, and auras were indistinguishable.

“I am the original. You are the clone.”

“Mmm.” Neither Qing Qiu’s face betrayed any emotion.

“Fan Li instructed me to remain hidden. Starting tomorrow, you will protect him in my stead.”

“Alright.” The Qing Qiu clone readily agreed, wagging its tail.

The original Qing Qiu’s face fell, a trace of grievance crossed her features, as if a cherished treat had been snatched away.

“I’m unhappy,” The original body’s tail drooping.

“Why?” the clone asked, her tail swishing even more excitedly. “I am you, and you are me. We are the same.”

The original frowned. “Then you can be the hidden weapon, and I will stay with Fan Li.”

The clone’s tail immediately drooped.

“Isn’t it the same?” the original pressed.

The clone turned her head away, feigning ignorance.

“Liar.” Scolding the clone was pointless.

After a long silence, the original sighed. “Fine. He specifically requested your presence.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle everything.”

They looked at each other, neither speaking.

Then, the clone suddenly asked, “Will you return and spend one more night with him?”

“I…” The original hesitated, tempted, but she shook her head. “Chang Le is with him. That is enough.”

Both their tails drooped. In the moonless shadows, the original Qing Qiu’s figure began to fade, until she vanished completely, as if she had never been there.

The clone turned rowards the dwelling where Fan Li resided. She slowly crouched down, hugging her fluffy tail, as if embracing someone.

…

“Ouch! Princess, gently!” Fan Li winced, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Had this woman even consumed the Soul Cleansing Wine? Her grip was surprisingly strong. The throbbing pain in his side made him shudder.

Princess Chang Le, however, simply giggled, her seductive smile and playful demeanor suggesting anything but reprimanding a restless captive.

“Duke Jin, oh, Duke Jin, you are a fortunate man. To think that while I was away, you even… captivated… Master Qing Qiu.”

“Should I praise you? Praise you? Or perhaps… praise you?”

With each word, her grip tightened. Fan Li suspected she might actually tear a chunk of flesh from his side.

“Princess!” He gritted his teeth, grasping her seemingly delicate hand.

“Qing Qiu and I are…”

“Innocent?” Princess Chang Le finished his sentence, as if reading his mind.

“But… did you see Master Qing Qiu’s tail?”

“It’s my first time witnessing such a thing, but I’ve heard that nine-tailed foxes only… express their affections… in such a manner…” The princess’s voice gradually faded but her actions became bolder. She leaned closer and brushed her lips against his ear.

“You are quite skilled, to have… moved… Master Qing Qiu so deeply.”

Fan Li’s face burned. He wasn’t completely inexperienced, and he wasn’t oblivious. He had sensed Qing Qiu’s affections. He wasn’t blind. He had seen, on more than one occasion, the telltale swaying of her tail.

“Wait a minute!” He suddenly realized the absurdity of the situation. This was neither the time nor the place for such a conversation.

He grasped her shoulders. “Where have you been? How did Shangguan Wan’er capture you? What do you know about the Great Zhou Celestial Empire?” He had a thousand questions. Princess Chang Le was his only source of information.

She giggled and became more daring. She  pressed her body against his, making his heart beat faster and faster.

“Do you want to know?” She slowly unfastened his robe, her finger tracing a path across his chest, like a playful sprite dancing on ice.

“Yes,” he hissed, the word barely escaping his clenched teeth. Despite their previous intimacy, he found himself utterly captivated by her allure. It was no joke. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Few men could resist her charm.

“Tell me!”

“Patience.” She shifted in his arms, finding a comfortable position, their bodies brushing against each other. Fan Li’s desire flared.

“I’ve been… reading. I found a quiet, secluded place.”

Reading?

That was unexpected. He had assumed she would be plotting her return to power, gathering allies and resources, preparing to reclaim her throne. He had even worried that one day, they might face each other on the battlefield.

Reading?

Books might contain knowledge and wisdom, but they didn’t offer a path to the throne. Then, he remembered.

“Wait! Are you referring to… the Records of Emperor Qin Shi Huang?!”

Princess Chang Le’s eyes narrowed mysteriously.

“I was studying the Records, until Shangguan Wan’er captured me.”

“No!” Fan Li interrupted her. “Where are the Terracotta Army? Where is your Emperor Qin’s sword? And Xuanwu, the Black Tortoise, the divine beast of the Han Dynasty? You took it with you, didn’t you?”

He didn't believe her. Even with the difference in cultivation, with Princess Chang Le's abilities, if she had truly wanted to escape, how could she have been captured?

She giggled, tilting her head playfully, but Fan Li wasn’t in the mood for games.

“You allowed yourself to be captured?” The words escaped his lips before he could stop them. He was surprised by his own deduction.

The opening of the Heavenly Gate, the arrival of the three Celestial Empires – it had all been so sudden. How could she have anticipated it? Unless… someone had informed her, or she had somehow learned the secrets of the immortal realm.

The Records of Emperor Qin Shi Huang! Could it be that he had overlooked the most valuable treasure during his visit to the Emperor Qin's mausoleum?

“You…” Seeing his hesitation, Princess Chang Le wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, silencing him.

After a long moment, she pulled back.

“Don’t ask, alright?” She looked at him with genuine affection. If she had confessed her love at that moment, he would have believed her. But he also knew that for a woman like Princess Chang Le, love was never the most important thing. And he… he wasn’t the most important thing either.

“I can only tell you this,” she said, licking her lips, as if savoring the memory of their kiss.

“Wu Zetian’s resurrection… is very important to me.”