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At dawn, the Lotus Rest Courtyard was shrouded in a thin, white mist.

Dewdrops clung to the withered lotus leaves and the yellowing grass, reflecting the pale golden light of the rising sun. The garden was quiet, save for the early birds chirping crisply from the branches, adding to the profound tranquility.

An unassuming yet exquisitely crafted black-awning carriage, escorted by four female disciples dressed in the distinctive light blue attire of the Dongming Sect and with long swords at their waists, rolled silently across the damp cobblestone path and came to a stop before the tightly closed vermilion gate of the villa. The carriage stopped, and the female disciple driving deftly placed a footstool, then stood respectfully to the side with her hands at her sides.

The carriage curtain was lifted by a slender, pale hand, and a woman dressed in a beautiful pale purple palace gown gracefully stepped out.

The newcomer was none other than Shan Meixian, the leader of the Dongming Sect, known as "Lady Dongming".

Her hair was styled in an elegant, high bun, adorned only with a single, pure white jade phoenix hairpin. Three delicate pearl tassels dangled from the phoenix's beak, swaying gently with her movements, shimmering with light. Her pale purple palace gown was embroidered with intricate lotus patterns in dark gold thread. The fabric was the finest Wu silk, which shimmered softly in the morning light. The wide sleeves and flowing skirt accentuated her slender figure and exuded a dignified and noble air.

Her beauty was truly divine. Her skin was as white as snow, smooth and delicate, showing no signs of age. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like autumn waters rippling across the surface, clear and deep, carrying a wisdom and insight gained from years of experience. Her nose was delicate and straight, her lips a natural rosy red, slightly pursed at the corners, carrying a subtle air of authority and aloofness. Just standing there, she seemed to imbue the surrounding morning light and mist with a layer of pure and noble aura, making one hesitant to look directly at her, yet unable to resist arousing longing in one's heart.

The maidservant from the other courtyard, who had already been informed, stepped forward respectfully and bowed: "Greetings, Madam. The Alliance Leader is waiting for you at the Lotus Heart Hall. Please follow me."

Shan Meixian nodded slightly, her voice clear and gentle: "Thank you for leading the way, young lady."

Led by her maid, Shan Meixian walked gracefully through the corridors and courtyards, heading towards the Lotus Heart Hall deep within the villa. Her "Water Cloud Sleeve Technique" had reached a state of perfection; her aura was harmonious and restrained. As she walked, her skirt fluttered slightly, as if her feet did not touch the ground, without stirring up a speck of dust. Only the pearl tassels in her hair jingled softly, like a musical melody.

Inside the Lotus Heart Hall, Yi Huawei, still dressed in his simple blue robe, stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the withered lotus flowers in the pond outside. Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around.

"Good morning, Madam Shan."

Yi Huawei's gaze fell on Shan Meixian, and he smiled slightly. There was no surprise or excitement in his eyes when an ordinary man saw a beautiful woman; they remained as deep and unfathomable as an ancient well.

When Shan Meixian met his calm and unwavering gaze, her heart skipped a beat for no reason, rippling outwards. Suppressing the flutter in her heart, she curtsied gracefully, her posture impeccable: "Shan Meixian greets the Alliance Leader. I apologize for disturbing you so early in the morning, and hope the Alliance Leader will not take offense."

"It doesn't matter."

Yi Huawei casually pointed to the seat next to him: "Sit."

The two took their seats as host and guest, and after the maid served fragrant tea, she quietly withdrew and gently closed the hall door.

The room quieted down, with only the wafting aroma of tea and the faint chirping of birds outside the window.

Shan Meixian picked up the delicate white porcelain teacup, feeling the warmth emanating from the cup with her fingertips. After a moment's thought, she got straight to the point: "Alliance Leader, Meixian has come here for two reasons. First, to report to you on the progress of our Dongming Sect's cooperation with the Heavenly Dao Alliance over the past two months. Second, on behalf of my daughter Wanjing, I would like to extend my greetings to our Master."

“Wanjing just sent a message back the day before yesterday.”

A smile appeared on Shan Meixian's face: "She has been quite successful in clearing out bandits along the coastal areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang designated by the Alliance Leader. Following the Alliance Leader's instructions, she used both suppression and appeasement, not only wiping out several groups of pirates who had plagued the region for many years, but also incorporating many fishermen who were struggling to make a living, and forming a preliminary patrol fleet. The girl said in her letter that although it was hard work, she had benefited a lot and was extremely grateful to the Alliance Leader."

Yi Huawei's expression remained unchanged. He simply picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and did not take credit for it: "Wanjing is a child with excellent talent and comprehension. She made the best of it herself."

"Alliance Leader, you are too modest. If it weren't for your personal intervention, helping her refine the complex essence within the Evil Emperor's Relic, and using your supreme profound skills to regulate her meridians and impart your unique arts, Wan Jing would never have been able to undergo such a transformation in such a short time. Her power has greatly increased, and her swordsmanship has improved by leaps and bounds thanks to your true teachings, Alliance Leader. Moreover, she has made great progress in her interpersonal skills. This time, she not only annihilated the main force of the water pirates, but also seized a large number of ships and supplies, pacified the refugees, and ensured the smooth flow of trade routes. She is praised by the locals... This child has truly grown up."

Shan Meixian's tone was filled with maternal pride and deep gratitude towards Yi Huawei. Yi Huawei deserves immense credit for her daughter's outstanding development.

Yi Huawei nodded slightly: "A fledgling eagle must soar in the sky on its own. If she does well, then she has not let my teaching go to waste."

"Yes."

Shan Meixian nodded in agreement, then changed the subject and began to report on important matters, her expression returning to its usual shrewdness and competence:
"Alliance Leader, our business cooperation has progressed quite smoothly over the past two months. As per your instructions, our Dongming Sect has been gradually introducing several products produced by the Heavenly Dao Alliance to the market using our existing domestic and international channels."

"First, there's weaponry. The swords and blades forged by the Heavenly Alliance workshop using the new method far surpass ordinary craftsmanship in terms of toughness, sharpness, and durability. In particular, the several standard military swords you designed have ingenious structures that facilitate mass production and are extremely popular with overseas countries and some local powers. We have already exported three batches of a total of 5,000 fine swords to Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, and several island nations in Southeast Asia, reaping considerable profits, and orders are still increasing. As instructed by the Alliance Leader, the core smelting and final quenching processes remain under our control."

"Secondly, there are glassware and soaps, especially the crystal-clear glassware and the strong-cleaning, fragrant soaps. In Luzon and Java, these are considered treasures by local kings and Portuguese merchants, with profits far exceeding those of ordinary silk and porcelain. Currently, production is still limited, and demand exceeds supply. We are gradually expanding production and strictly controlling the outflow to maintain high prices. We have already established three transit warehouses in Ryukyu, Quanzhou, and Guangzhou, specifically responsible for the collection, distribution, and sea transport of these goods."

After a pause, Shan Meixian lowered her voice slightly, tinged with excitement:
"As for the nautical chart bestowed by the Alliance Leader... Mei Xian has dispatched her absolutely reliable confidants to locate the two marked sites in southern Kyushu, Japan, according to the map. Preliminary exploration confirms they are indeed rich mines! There are clear signs of silver veins emerging, accompanied by gold nuggets. Currently, under the guise of establishing a trading post, I have secured a large area of ​​mountainous land nearby and recruited some impoverished local fishermen as peripheral laborers. The actual mining is being carried out secretly by the core disciples of the sect. To avoid attracting the attention of local forces in Japan and various parties in the Central Plains, the scale of mining is being controlled to a very small extent. After preliminary refining, the ore is mixed with ordinary goods and transported back to Ryukyu in batches by small boats."

"This matter is of great importance, and Meixian dares not be negligent in the slightest. All those who know about it have sworn a blood oath to ensure that nothing goes wrong. If this mine can produce a stable output in time, it will be like adding wings to a tiger for our Dongming Sect and the Heavenly Dao Alliance."

To achieve such progress in just over two months is an extremely high level of efficiency. Shan Meixian's report fully demonstrates the Dongming faction's vast overseas network and execution capabilities, as well as her own outstanding business acumen.

Yi Huawei listened quietly until Shan Meixian finished speaking, then he said calmly, "Well done. You are in charge of handling matters overseas. If needed, you can coordinate with Wanwan regarding resources and manpower."

When Wanwan was mentioned, Yi Huawei's tone remained unchanged, but Shan Meixian keenly sensed that the little demoness from the Yin Kui Sect seemed to hold a rather unusual position in the leader's heart. She felt a slight pang in her heart, but showed no sign of it on her face, and simply replied respectfully, "Meixian understands."

After the report was finished, a brief silence fell over the open pavilion. Only the soft rustling of the bamboo curtains in the morning breeze and the occasional tinkling of fish leaping from the pond could be heard.

Looking at Yi Huawei's calm profile, Shan Meixian recalled how he had killed Bian Bufu for her (her own feelings), resolved her conflict with her mother, and nurtured her daughter Wanjing so deeply. Gratitude, admiration, and that long-buried affection welled up within her once more. She knew he was like a cloud in the heavens, unattainable, and that her feelings would likely remain forever buried deep within her heart. How could she, as a mother, not see her daughter Wanjing's vague longing for the Alliance Leader? But…

Shan Meixian took a deep breath and drank the slightly cool tea in her cup to calm her mind.

Yi Huawei looked up at Shan Meixian, then casually asked, "..."
"How is Sect Leader Zhu doing lately?"

His voice was flat, revealing little concern, more like a routine inquiry. After all, the Yin Kui Sect had completely sided with the Heavenly Dao Alliance, and as the sect leader, Zhu Yuyan's movements and safety were naturally of concern to Yi Huawei. In particular, the Yin Kui Sect's move was tantamount to an open break with other factions of the Demonic Sect, and it was rumored that the remaining forces of the Extinction Path, the True Transmission Path, and others were showing signs of uniting against Zhu Yuyan.

Upon hearing this, Shan Meixian put down her white porcelain teacup, straightened her posture, and her expression became more solemn: "Thank you for your concern, Alliance Leader. My mother... since she received your help and broke through the eighteenth level of the Heavenly Demon Great Art, her cultivation has reached an unprecedented level, and her demeanor has become increasingly composed. Although there is much controversy and even undercurrents within the Demonic Sect, my mother does not seem to care much. She once said that in the face of absolute strength, the collusion of a few petty villains is nothing but a chicken and a dog, easily defeated."

After a pause, Shan Meixian continued, "My mother is currently in charge of the Yin Kui Sect. On one hand, she is consolidating the sect's power and thoroughly implementing the policy of aligning with the Heavenly Dao Alliance. On the other hand, she is also closely monitoring the movements of the various sects within the Demonic Sect. With the Alliance Leader as her backer, my mother is very confident. However... she seems to be waiting for something. Perhaps she wants to wait for those restless individuals to step forward on their own before launching a swift and decisive attack to thoroughly intimidate the Demonic Sect and make it easier for the Alliance Leader to consolidate power in the future."

Shan Meixian's words were full of confidence in Zhu Yuyan. This was understandable; the eighteenth level of the Heavenly Demon Technique was a supreme realm that no one in the Yin Kui Sect had reached in hundreds of years. Even if the other top experts of the Demonic Sect joined forces, they would likely struggle to withstand Zhu Yuyan's power. Yi Huawei's intervention had directly altered the power dynamics of the Demonic Sect.

Yi Huawei nodded slightly, saying nothing more, only saying calmly, "It's good that she understands. Remind her that even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit, and shouldn't be too overconfident because of the disparity in strength. It's never good to capsize in a ditch."

Having reached his level of understanding, he deeply knows that nothing in this world is absolute, and even the smallest variable can lead to an accident.

"Meixian thanks the Alliance Leader for his concern on behalf of her mother, and will certainly convey the Alliance Leader's words."

Shan Meixian quickly agreed. She knew that the alliance leader was only reminding her because of her mother's full support and... perhaps also because of the bond between her and her mother.

The business seemed to have been concluded, and the room fell silent again. Yi Huawei's gaze returned to Shan Meixian, and he said calmly:

"Such messages can be delivered by carrier pigeons or secret agents. Madam Shan's personal trip to Chengdu must mean...something important?"

He asked directly, his gaze calm yet seemingly able to see through people's hearts.

Under his gaze, Shan Meixian felt a sudden, inexplicable panic. She instinctively lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, concealing the fleeting unease in her eyes. Two faint blushes uncontrollably rose on her fair, jade-like cheeks, like a halo around the white jade, adding a breathtakingly beautiful touch to her elegant and refined appearance.

Taking a deep breath, I forced down my pounding heart and tried to keep my voice steady:

"Alliance Leader, please understand. Meixian has come here today because of a matter... It concerns a personal grudge, and I have no choice but to personally inform you of it and ask for your permission."

Shan Meixian raised her eyes, her gaze clearing again, but the deep-seated hatred she felt was still undeniable.

"Meixian has received definite news that 'Heavenly Lord' Xi Ying... has returned to the Central Plains. Not long ago, someone spotted him in Chengdu!"

The word "Xi Ying" escaped her lips with a chilling killing intent. Her eyes, which were originally as clear as autumn water, were now covered with a layer of fierce frost.

Yi Huawei's eyes flickered slightly. Xi Ying, a successor of the Demonic Sect's Extinction of Emotion Path, ranked fourth among the eight great masters of the Demonic Sect, and was infamous for his ruthlessness. He naturally knew of the deep-seated blood feud between this man and Shan Meixian—Xi Ying, due to a minor grudge against "Overlord Blade" Yue Shan, had brutally slaughtered Yue Shan's entire family while Yue Shan was away. And Yue Shan was none other than Shan Meixian's biological father!

Back then, Shan Meixian and her mother Zhu Yuyan had a deep rift due to various misunderstandings. It wasn't until Yi Huawei killed Bian Bufu and helped the mother and daughter resolve some of their misunderstandings that Shan Meixian learned the truth about her origins from her mother. She also learned that her biological father, Yue Shan, had died ten years earlier, filled with resentment, because he was unable to kill his enemy.

This blood feud over the murder of her father is irreconcilable! Now that she knows Xi Ying has reappeared in the martial world, and is in Chengdu, how can Shan Meixian still sit peacefully in Ryukyu?

Shan Meixian stared intently at Yi Huawei, her tone earnest: "Alliance Leader, this scoundrel is vicious by nature and has an irreconcilable hatred for me! In the past, he feared the power of Song Que's 'Heavenly Blade' and fled to the Western Regions. Now that he dares to return, he must have something to rely on. I've heard that he has been training hard in the Western Regions and has mastered the long-lost secret technique of the Extinction of Emotions Path—'Purple Qi Heavenly Net'!"

When the "Purple Qi Heavenly Net" was mentioned, Shan Meixian's expression became more solemn.

"This skill is said to be extremely powerful, resembling the Yin Gui Sect's 'Heavenly Demon Skill' in spirit but not in form, and is unpredictable. Xi Ying is the first person in three hundred years to master it. It is said that when the skill is perfected, a ring of purple light will appear around the pupils of the user's eyes, known as 'Purple Pupil Fiery Eyes,' and the skin will also turn purple when the skill is used... This fiend has returned with a vengeance, probably intending to establish his authority, and will surely stir up a bloody storm in the Central Plains."

Shan Meixian stood up and bowed deeply to Yi Huawei: "Meixian knows that personal grudges should not involve important matters of the alliance. But if this grudge is not avenged, Meixian will have no face to face her biological father in the afterlife, and her heart will not be at peace. I implore the alliance leader to allow Meixian to stay in Chengdu to track down this villain and wait for an opportunity... to settle this grievance!"

Shan Meixian's words were firm and resolute, carrying an undeniable determination. Of course, deep down, she had another unspoken reason—Yi Huawei was also here. Whether it was because she needed his help in case of emergency, or simply because she wanted to be closer to him, this reason was enough to bring her here in person.

Yi Huawei looked at the Dongming Lady before him, who appeared elegant and noble on the outside but whose heart burned with hatred, and remained silent for a moment.

"can."

"You can handle Xi Ying's matter yourself. If needed, you can use my token to mobilize the Chengdu branch's personnel to assist in the investigation."

Yi Huawei didn't offer much advice or try to take over, but simply granted him full autonomy and the necessary support. He understood that such deep-seated hatred couldn't be resolved with just a few words from an outsider.

Upon hearing this, Shan Meixian felt a great weight lifted from her heart, her tense nerves relaxed slightly, and she curtsied once more.
"Beautiful Fairy... Thank you, Alliance Leader!" (End of Chapter)