Chapter 189: Elbow-Twisting Schemes
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Luo An finally grasped the crux of the matter—this sneaky, thieving Immortal Sovereign wielded powers beyond his comprehension!
Even now, he still couldn't fathom how Li Shiyao had managed it!
But Li Shiyao didn't think much of it. She simply didn't want to kill anyone; she felt giving the other person a lesson was enough.
"Sister Jue'er, is this sufficient?"
"Mhm, thank you, Shiyu. You've been a huge help!"
"Sister Jue, no need to thank me. Just add another grilled fish for Shiyu—she'll help you dismantle the other gate too!"
For some reason, the stewed dishes and grilled fish in Dongfang Jue's camp were exceptionally delicious!
But that was hardly surprising—after all, they were on the march and at war, conditions weren't ideal.
Generally speaking, having stewed dishes and grilled meat was already quite good!
Back when Dongfang Jue's father was in the Northern Frontier, he never enjoyed such treatment. On the thousand-mile snowfields, even drinking water was a hassle—they had to melt ice for it.
Forget about vegetables or meat—the ground was entirely covered in snow, with barely a blade of grass visible, let alone any living creatures!
This meant stews dominated the camp rations—big, hearty stews made with whatever ingredients were available. Grilled meat was another staple, both convenient and tasty.
"Hehe, why be so formal between sisters? If Shiyu likes it, just ask. Come anytime, and I'll have them cook for her!"
"Sister Jue'er! You're so kind!"
Without a care for their surroundings, the two put on a show of sisterly affection right before the assembled troops!
After all this, Li Shiyu and Dongfang Jue rode back on horseback. That was sufficient.
Besides, if Li Shiyu had no intention of fighting, Dongfang Jue and her twenty-odd men would have found it difficult to leave…
Dongfang Jue never expected Li Shiyu to help her fight enemies—such words were impossible for her to utter.
And so, the two women, accompanied by twenty armored soldiers, retraced their steps…
Luo An watched their departing figures, feeling as if the sky had fallen…
Who could have imagined such a thing?
Wasn't this just a blatant betrayal?
Now that the city gates had been breached, with no stronghold left to defend, how could he possibly repel the enemy?
Collapsing onto the ground, the once-mighty General Luo An no longer bore his usual imposing bearing. He now resembled a frost-bitten eggplant, utterly devoid of purpose.
It was obvious there was no way out. Even if he were made of iron, how could he possibly withstand Dongfang Jue's tens of thousands of fierce soldiers?
To fight to the bitter end would only be leading the city's people to certain death.
On the other road, Li Shiyu began pressing for answers.
Riding side by side on their tall steeds, Li Shiyu suddenly spoke up.
"Sister Jue? When did you take on a master?"
She hadn't forgotten about the knife-cut noodles. She could tell the difference between a satisfying meal and a mere filling one. Besides, Li Shiyu knew that while she was here to have fun, Dongfang Jue certainly wasn't.
"Hm?"
Dongfang Jue paused, taken aback. Was this girl in such a hurry?
"Shiyu wants Sister to join the Lingxian Hall, so Shiyu can be the senior apprentice~ Hehe~"
Dongfang Jue chuckled. She knew they were roughly the same age. "What month is Shiyu's birthday?"
Li Shiyu held her head like a devoted wife, one hand tugging the reins while the other cupped her chin in a pensive pose…
"Elder Shi said Shiyu was born at the end of May, and Senior Sister was born in mid-March."
Dongfang Jue froze in surprise. This girl…
"I was born on the fifteenth day of the eighth month. So Shiyu really is my elder sister."
Li Shiyu also seemed deep in thought, as if suddenly struck by inspiration!
She shot Dongfang Jue a mischievous glance, yet her tone carried a hint of hesitation as she tentatively asked, "Jue'er… little sister?"
What amused Dongfang Jue wasn't the "Jue'er little sister" in Li Shiyu's words, but her expression—that mix of timidity and cuteness was utterly irresistible!
"Fine, fine, fine~ Sister Shiyu~"
She might as well play along with the little fool. Besides, Shiyu was slightly older than her. If anyone was at a disadvantage, wouldn't the Holy Maiden who danced at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion be the one who lost out big time?
"Then Sister Jue'er will go find the Master to become his disciple!"
Dongfang Jue had been about to ask—what was this girl rushing for?
And here she goes again with the "Jue'er Sister" business…
She might as well let it go. Everyone was just talking about their own business anyway.
"Sister Shiyu, actually, before you sought apprenticeship, I had already asked Master Su to take me on as a disciple. But he refused me."
Li Shiyu was startled too, the surprise clearly visible on her small face.
"Why did the Master refuse Sister Jue'er?"
Dongfang Jue shook her head. She didn't know either.
"I too longed to join Lingxian Hall and become sisters with Shiyu, but Master Su seemed to dislike me. There was nothing I could do about it."
Mentioning this only deepened Dongfang Jue's dejection.
"Shiyáo thinks that's unfair! Shiyáo thinks Master really likes Sister Jue!"
"How do you know that?" Dongfang Jue felt she had to pay attention. Compared to that unreliable Immortal Sovereign, this little airhead before her was clearly more dependable.
Sure, Li Shiyu was a bit slow, but she'd managed to become a disciple of Lingxian Hall—she was just that likable!
"Sister Jue'er is so beautiful, Master must like Sister Jue'er!"
"Is that so?"
Dongfang Jue was confident in her own looks, but around Sect Leader Su…
…seemed to have no shortage of beautiful women…
"I think Sister Jue'er just needs a different approach. Shiyu only slept with the Master once, and he agreed to take her!"
"What does Shiyu mean?"
"Sister Jue could just sleep with the Master too, couldn't she?"
Li Shiyu was thick-headed and utterly shameless in her speech, as if sleeping with anyone was perfectly acceptable…
But this remark left Dongfang Jue utterly flustered, a crimson blush spreading to her collarbone as if she were suffocating!
"But… is that really okay? Would Master Su agree?"
"Sister Jue'er is so beautiful! Even Shiyu wants to sleep with you—Master would definitely agree! He's just shy!"
You gotta hand it to her!
Li Shiyu might be a bit slow, but she's no fool!
Her words were blunt, but her logic was sound!
Dongfang Jue felt she'd found the right person!
After all this time! She'd finally found the right person! This was her best friend!
The clumsy yet adorable wife strategist always hits the nail on the head—never disappointing!
She finally voiced the question she'd longed to ask.
"Shiyao, do you think there's any difference between me and Qinghan, or between me and you?"
Li Shiyu heard the question, but honestly didn't quite grasp it. But if there was a difference…
She began to scrutinize him from head to toe, her gaze lingering on Dongfang Jue's chest for a moment…
Dongfang Jue was speechless. No words were needed—this was too damaging for a minor-aged General of the Northern Frontier!
"What difference…" Li Shiyu murmured to herself, sensing Dongfang Jue's question wasn't meant to be so straightforward. After all, this was something anyone could see!
"It's why Master Su agreed to take Qinghan and Shiyao as disciples but refused me?"
This time, Li Shiyu understood. But wasn't the answer obvious?
"Shiyuo thinks it's because what Sister Jue wants is different from what Shiyuo wants."
Dongfang Jue was dumbfounded! Even Li Shiyu had learned to speak in such cryptic riddles now!
Yet she had a gut feeling—Li Shiyu had probably truly seen through it!
Snatching the reins from Shiyu's hands, she leaned in urgently, demanding, "Different from what I want? What does that mean?"
Seeing her sister's flustered state, Li Shiyu felt a bit flustered herself!
"Don't worry, Sister Jue. I'm just figuring out how to explain it."
Li Shiyu transformed instantly, adopting a deliberately profound air as she spoke.
"Hmm… Shiyu feels that Sister Jue always ponders why she can't do something, but neither Senior Sister nor Shiyu would ever think about such things."
Dongfang Jue didn't understand, but she knew this must be it!
Once she grasped this, she'd find a way to join Lingxian Hall!
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