My enemies became my companions

Chapter 670 A God-Given Opportunity (Part 2)

The blade of the Wind and Cloud Sword, clear yet tinged with a faint red like blood, lay between the two, its chilling sword aura silently cutting through the stagnant air.

The sword's edge was only an inch away from the handsome nose of Prince Qin Qingluo of Annam.

The astonishment on Qin Qingluo's face lasted only a moment.

She didn't retreat, nor even turn her head. Instead, her deep, serpentine eyes slowly rose, moving inch by inch along the gleaming blade towards the swordsman.

There was no fear in her eyes, only a chilling sense of being offended. Her straight back and black robe with gold patterns exuded an unassailable majesty in the warm light of the pavilion, like a towering peak that suddenly rose from the ground, pressing heavily down on Min Ning.

Min Ning stood with his sword in hand, his red robes like fire, his posture upright like a pine tree.

Her heroic face showed no sign of backing down. Her phoenix eyes met those snake-like pupils without flinching or retreating. Her wrist was as steady as a rock, and the tip of her sword did not tremble in the slightest.

A needle tip.

A single awn of wheat.

The air suddenly became heavy, as if it had solidified into a tangible substance. Only the faint trail of incense remained in the warm pavilion, and two pairs of eyes silently clashed in the air. The maid beside her held her breath, wishing she could shrink into a crack in the wall.

Chen Yi felt his scalp tingling.

If the two women continue to stand in this stalemate, even the slightest movement could trigger a life-or-death battle.

Time flowed slowly in the deathly silence, each breath feeling incredibly long.

Finally, the tall woman's tightly pursed lips loosened very slightly.

A barely perceptible ripple stirred deep within her eyes. After weighing her options, she gave Min Ning another long look, her gaze passing over the sword's edge, now carrying a hint of scrutiny towards an old friend she hadn't seen in a long time.

Qin Qingluo's lips slowly curved upwards into a tiny arc.

She spoke, her voice still clear and bright, but with a touch of composed detachment.

"Min Ning?"
"It's been so many years..."

She paused, her gaze lingering for a moment on Min Ning's face, which still exuded a heroic spirit but showed signs of hardship.

"Have you been well all these years?"

She didn't use "How have you been?" and her words therefore lacked the accusatory tone; her tone was very calm, as if the tense standoff had never happened.

Min Ning lowered his gaze, and the gleaming sword slowly went back into its sheath.

As the saying goes, one shouldn't hit a smiling face. Moreover, when I was still in the capital and in a lowly position, it was already a great fortune to be able to meet such an important person. Even if Qin Qingluo didn't give me any secret manuals or magic treasures, the fact that he could be regarded as a confidant was already the greatest encouragement.

The current tense situation makes her seem cold and unapproachable.

There was nothing she could do. After learning that Qin Qingluo intended to propose marriage, she had no choice but to hastily ask Chen Yi to introduce her. She thought that after years of wandering the martial world, she would be able to remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of her. However, she did not expect that after hearing about this matter, she still could not suppress the eagerness in her heart.

"Your Highness, I am well." Min Ning stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting.

Qin Qingluo's gaze swept over Min Ning, looking her up and down as if she had seen through all her experiences over the years. A smile played on her lips as she said:

"I learned of your arrival in the Southern Frontier from the servants' quarters long ago, and I was looking forward to your visit. How have you been? Your unexpected visit this time has truly surprised me. Was it... him who brought you in?"

The tall woman's serpentine eyes swept over Chen Yi.

"Indeed, I heard he's been staying at the Prince's residence lately..."

Min Ning also glanced at him and slowly said:
"Extremely favored?"

A few beads of sweat appeared on Chen Yi's forehead. He was torn between nodding and shaking his head, as this was exactly the situation he wanted to avoid, yet it had happened nonetheless.

How should this be interpreted?

Faced with such a situation, most people would cover their faces in shame or feel guilty, unable to face two sincere women, hesitating between choices. Fortunately, Chen Yi is not that kind of person.

Under the gazes of the two women, Chen Yi quickly considered his options, then smiled slightly and said:
"If I were not favored, how could I dare to openly introduce you, Min Ning, to the Prince?"

As soon as the words were spoken, the two goddesses' expressions shifted slightly. At first, they frowned slightly, but after a moment's thought, their expressions softened.

Min Ning was drawn to the phrase "upright and honest." Being straightforward, she immediately thought that although Chen Yi had hesitated on the way, he had not stopped her but had actually introduced her to him. This was so upright and honest that she could have a clear conscience.

Qin Qingluo listened to the rhetorical question, "If he is not favored," and realized that Chen Yi had indeed admitted to being favored in front of Min Ning this time, which could be considered as clarifying the relationship between the two. Considering that it was she who asked Chen Yi to bring Min Ning over, she realized that she was the one who put him in a difficult position.

The two women received different answers to the same question.

A moment later, Qin Qinglu clapped his hands and said with a smile, "Min Yuechi has come from afar, and I have been negligent. Come, let me treat you to a drink first."

She raised her hand to indicate that the direction was the Hanhai Tower in the Prince's Palace, which overlooked Longwei City.

Hanhai Tower is the library of the Prince's Palace.

Chen Yi's heart stirred slightly; this was also the place Qin Qingluo had brought him up to many times before.

Back then, he was given the title of seeking advice from Wu Yi. Now, he hasn't sought advice from Wu Yi many times, but the progress bar... has advanced quite a bit.

Chen Yi remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he felt a little uneasy.

Unaware of the situation, Min Ning did not refuse and followed Qin Qingluo up to the Hanhai Tower.

The building is tall and the wind is strong, offering a wide and open view. The streets of Longwei City, the winding river, and the layered mountains in the distance are all visible, and a cool breeze blows in your face.

Min Ning walked to the railing, took a deep breath, and the knot in her chest seemed to be blown away a little, but her gaze remained sharp.

Qin Qingluo arrived shortly after and instructed the maid standing beside her: "Bring me my treasured Nanling Spring Wine and cook it."

Soon, a small red clay stove, wine vessels, and an unopened jar of wine were brought up by a maid.

The mud seal was broken, and a clear and mellow aroma of wine instantly filled the air, carrying the fragrance of wildflowers and fruits, which diluted the remaining tension between the buildings.

The maidservants skillfully warmed the wine and served it to the guests.

Qin Qingluo picked up a cup of warm wine, the amber liquid swirling gently in the jade cup. She looked at Min Ning, a faint smile playing on her lips: "It's been many years. I wonder if Yuechi's alcohol tolerance is still as good as it was back in the capital?"

Her words carried a casual tone, as if she were reuniting with an old acquaintance.

Min Ning also picked up his wine cup, feeling the warmth of the porcelain with his fingertips, and met Qin Qingluo's gaze, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. Wandering the world, enduring wind, frost, rain, and snow, one's alcohol tolerance... naturally only increases. But Your Highness, ruling over a region and managing countless affairs daily, do you still retain the massive capacity you once had, able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk?"

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Qin Qingluo's snake-like eyes, which then transformed into a low chuckle: "Under my rule, the villains are subdued, so there's no need to drown one's sorrows in alcohol all the time. However, since we've reunited as old friends, today is a good day to give it a try..."

“Since Your Highness is in such a good mood, I, Min Ning, will gladly oblige.” Min Ning, not to be outdone, also raised his cup.

Two jade cups gently touched in the air, producing a crisp, soft sound. The two women said nothing more, tilted their heads back, and drank the warm wine in their cups in one gulp. The spicy and mellow wine slid down their throats, bringing a warm sensation. They put down their cups, and the maid immediately refilled them.

Qin Qingluo's fingertips traced the warm rim of the cup.
"The world of martial arts is vast and fraught with peril. I have heard that Lady Min has traveled far and wide over the years, so I imagine she must have encountered many extraordinary people and events?"

"of course."

"Tell me about it, so that I, who am confined to this corner of the world, can broaden my horizons."

Min Ning swallowed the mellow wine in his mouth, his phoenix eyes gazing at the distant, layered mountains. "There are quite a few strange people and events. The sandstorms of the north can scrape off a layer of skin, while the misty rain of the south can soften one's bones. The most interesting time was when I encountered a powerful evil dragon deep in the mountains of Sichuan."

"Oh?" Qin Qinglu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A vicious dragon? This creature is ferocious, capable of controlling clouds and rain, and overturning rivers and seas. How will Yuechi deal with it?"

"How should we deal with this?" Min Ning unconsciously flicked the hilt of his sword, producing a faint ringing sound. "When two swords meet on a narrow path, there is only one sword. That wicked beast has been entrenched in the mountains and marshes, stirring up trouble and becoming a scourge to the region. I searched for it for seven days and finally intercepted it upstream on a stormy night. It was about to escape as a dragon."

Qin Qingluo put down his wine cup, his gaze sweeping over the Wind and Cloud Sword at Min Ning's waist, and asked seemingly casually, "Is that the evil dragon from the northwest of my Southern Frontier?"

“Exactly,” she said calmly, yet with a resounding clang like clashing metal: “The wind and rain were dark and the waves were raging. That beast hid underwater, stirring up poisonous miasma, waiting for its chance to attack. I fought it for half the night in the thunderstorm, my sword energy shattering the reeds within a hundred feet in radius, and finally…”

Min Ning paused, picked up his wine cup and took another sip, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, "Seizing the moment when it mistakenly believes I have been defeated and is eager to seize the auspicious time to transform into a dragon, I pierce its skull with my sword!"

"Excellent!" Qin Qinglu couldn't help but praise, his eyes revealing genuine appreciation. Although he was a prince, he still possessed the spirit of a warrior. "A sword piercing the skull, clean and swift! Such a vicious creature should be ended like this! Eliminating a scourge for the people, it is truly gratifying! Come, I, the King, salute this sword strike from the heroine!"

Min Ning didn't stand on ceremony and raised his cup in response, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. I merely saw injustice on the road and drew my sword to strike."

The two drank again in one gulp, and the maid silently refilled their cups.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere seemed to have eased considerably.

Qin Qingluo began to ask Min Ning about his experiences in the martial arts world over the years, and Min Ning recounted some interesting or thrilling stories.

The two chatted and laughed, their words still carrying their own sharp edges and probing, yet also subtly revealing the feeling of old friends reuniting.

One recounted the landscape of the southern frontier under the rule of the Prince's Palace, while the other depicted anecdotes of the martial arts world across the country; they found themselves enjoying a pleasant conversation.

And Chen Yi...

At this moment, one downplays their own existence.

Chen Yi picked up a cup of wine poured by a maid and sipped it slowly. His gaze seemed to fall casually on the scenery outside the building, but his ears were perked up, catching every word of the two women's conversation.

Aside from him, the two women actually had few conflicts and could get along very well.

Now I'm afraid that if I make even the slightest noise, I'll attract the attention of those two and reignite the atmosphere that has just eased into a raging inferno.

I just hope this drinking session can go on for as long as possible, until everyone forgets about the betrothal...

As the intoxication deepens, people become more willing and able to talk about many things, with fewer scruples, and become increasingly unrestrained.

Somehow the topic circled back to the evil dragon in the south and northwest of Xinjiang.

Min Ning, holding a wine glass, said with a smile, "Speaking of which, while slaying the dragon is certainly extremely satisfying, it's not just slaying the dragon that brings the greatest satisfaction."

"Oh? What is the most delightful thing?"

Min Ning downed the wine in his cup in one gulp. "The most delightful thing is that after slaying the dragon, I happened to run into my sweetheart!"

As she spoke, she grabbed Chen Yi's shoulder and pulled him close to her.

Chen Yi was caught off guard by this sudden action, and then noticed that Qin Qingluo's snake pupils narrowed slightly.

Min Ning is indeed a straightforward and chivalrous person.

But to the Queen, this scene appeared as her husband being suddenly pulled into Min Ning's arms and subjected to unrestrained intimacy, which was quite... inappropriate for a regional prince.

Qin Qingluo wasn't about to get angry; she simply said, "That would be wonderful, of course. These past few days, I've been drinking and chatting with my sweetheart here all night long."

Without a sound, Chen Yi felt Min Ning tighten her grip on his shoulder.

Both women were strong-willed and not good at expressing their feelings. At this moment, they were heavily intoxicated and kept calling each other "my beloved," which did not make Chen Yi secretly happy. Instead, it made him feel a chill down his spine.

Min Ning asked nonchalantly, "Your Highness, do you and Chen Zunming often drink together?"

The question was directed at Qin Qingluo, who turned her head and looked directly at Chen Yi.

Chen Yi was pondering how to respond when Qin Qingluo said, "Heh, he can't hold his liquor and gets drunk easily. I wonder if Min Yuechi knows that?"

Min Ning lowered her gaze and then slowly said, "I haven't been by his side all these years, and I thought he had changed. I didn't expect that he would still be the same as he was a few years ago. Back then, we would occasionally drink together, and once we went up a building that was even higher than this."

What was said without malice may have been taken to heart by the listener; these words, falling into Qin Qingluo's ears, naturally carried a different meaning.

Doesn't this mean that no matter how much time has passed, Chen Yi's heart has always been with Min Ning?

"Oh, I wonder if he kissed you then."

"To be honest, Your Highness, of course I do." Min Ning raised his eyes, his gaze sharpening.

"That's good, but I kissed him." Qin Qingluo spoke as if she were speaking the truth after drinking. "He wanted more, but I won't give him any more."

Min Ning was taken aback after hearing this. She wanted to retort, "Do you care about me? I'm here for you," but since they still had a relationship, it was difficult to say such a thing.

But if we just swallow our anger...

Since she began practicing martial arts, the only people who could make her swallow her anger, besides her elders, were Chen Yi.

Min Ning paused, then smiled and said, "Then he must have enjoyed it. He may not have many other qualities, but he has the most lust. Speaking of which, I ran into him not long after I entered the Southern Frontier. It was supposed to be a brief reunion, but I didn't expect him to insist on coming with me."

As soon as he heard the words, Chen Yi's eyes widened slowly.

"……when?"

In the Queen's memory, Chen Yi had never escaped her control since he entered the Annan Prince's Mansion, and she was always confident in his whereabouts.

"Perhaps it was a dozen or so days ago, or several dozen days ago, but in any case, it was no more than a month ago."

That was... after the assassination attempt at the ancestral temple, when they entered the prince's residence...

Back then, when he wanted to enter the Qin family, he still dared to act recklessly with Min Ning.
Upon hearing this, Qin Qingluo's deep, unfathomable snake-like eyes narrowed, slowly sweeping towards Chen Yi.
"Oh?

That was indeed... a godsend.

(End of this chapter)