Because he didn’t know what else to do, Wu Jian decided to lead Mei Xilan to Hou Jingshu’s residence. He wished the girl wouldn’t cling to him while they walked. Her actions garnered so much attention. He could practically feel the palace workers’ stares as they glared into his back and hear their whispers as they questioned why someone other than Hou Jingshu was hanging off him like this.

“Who the hell does this brat think he is…? Is soon-to-be apprentice not good enough for him…? Lascivious bastard…”

Matters weren’t helped by Loong Chen, who was glaring at Wu Jian as he followed the two. He didn’t think the man would get so worked up over this. That was his oversight. He had no idea what got this man worked on.

“I can hear you,” Wu Jian said.

“Good. I want you to hear me.”

“Haaaaah.”

Wu Jian was wearing his mask again. He didn’t want everyone to know what he looked like since he was still unsure of how well Wu Meiying’s necklace worked.

He didn’t know if it was fortunate or misfortune that they ran into Hua Xue on the way. She took one look at Mei Xilan, then one at him, sighed, and walked over.

“I see you have returned,” she said at last.

“Yes. I’m back. I did just as Hou Jingshu asked,” Mei Xilan said.

Hua Xue raised an eyebrow. “And? Were you successful?”

“I was, though I believe it would be best to save this discussion for when I meet Her Highness. Is she here?”

“I believe she just finished eating. She should be in the training hall now.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go,” Loong Chen said as he started marching off.

“That’s the wrong way,” Wu Jian told him.

Loong Chen paused, turned around, and walked back over to them. “What are you waiting for, brat? Lead the way.”

Wu Jian sighed, but he led everyone to the training ground, which was a massive outdoor arena-like field. Someone had already repaired it. In fact, it looked good as new. There were quite a few weapons racks set against the side filled with training weapons, though Hou Jingshu had opted not to use them.

She was wielding the spear they had found in the White Tiger Sect Ruins. The way she swung and twirled it around her body was a work of art. Each thrust, slash, and swing was decisive, quick, and full of spirit. Hou Jingshu was so focused on what she was doing that she didn’t even realize she had an audience.

Because no one wanted to be rude and interrupt while she was training, they opted to watch her instead. Wu Jian didn’t know how long he stared at Hou Jingshu and her fierce movements. However, he did became aware of the pain in his side when Mei Xilan pinched him.

“What was that for?” he asked.

“No reason…” Mei Xilan murmured, not looking at him.

Don’t tell me she’s jealous…

Hou Jingshu soon finished her training. She summoned a towel, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and only then did she realize she had an audience. It only took her one glance to see how Mei Xilan was hugging Wu Jian’s arms. Her eyes narrowed.

“How nice that you both seem to be enjoying each other’s company,” Hou Jingshu said. “Jian Wu, why haven’t you shoved this woman off you?”

“Because it would cost more time and trouble than it’s worth,” he shrugged.

Hou Jingshu knew enough to understand the truth in his words. She clicked her tongue and switcher her attention to the one causing her irritation.

“And you? Why are you hanging off him like that? I already said I’m not letting you have him.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not trying to take him from you. I merely wished to spend some quality time with the man who stole my heart,” Mei Xilan said.

“You’re words would be so much more believable if you actually showed some emotion,” Hou Jingshu deadpanned, then sighed. She quickly stepped between Wu Jian and Mei Xilan to break them apart. “Well, if you’re here, can I take that to mean you’ve succeeded?”

“Yes. I spoke with Zé Měilì of the Water-Moon Pavilion and she has agreed to your proposal,” Mei Xilan paused, tilted her head, then continued. “I do not know what the situation is like now since I left soon after receiving an answer, but I imagine they have already begun taking over the Ming Province.”

“Good. That’s one less thing to worry about,” Hou Jingshu sighed.

“What’s going on now?” asked Wu Jian.

“I sent Mei Xilan as an emissary to the Water-Moon Pavilion. They were the only one among the Four Great Sects that did not attack us, so I thought it would be a safe bet to make a deal with them,” Hou Jingshu explained.

Wu Jian nodded. “And what did this deal entail?”

“I wanted to prevent something like this from happening again, so I requested the Moon-Water Pavilion to destroy whatever remained of the other three sects and take over as the top sect in the Ming Province,” Hou Jingshu said. “Water-Moon Pavilion is one of the few non-agressive sects around. They have never tried to expand their powerbase because they are backed by Supreme Ocean Palace. They don’t really need to gain more power. However, it’s not as if they are not interested. They simply needed some motivation.”

So she wanted to use the Water-Moon Pavilion as a preventative force to keep the Ming Province, or rather, the other three pavilions from attempting to invade. Now that he was thinking about it, all of the pavilions were still very strong. They had lost their ancestor and sect master, but their elders were all peak Human Limit Realm cultivators. They could cause the Shang Kingdom a lot of trouble if they decided to try and take revenge for their leaders’ deaths.

She switched her attention from Wu Jian to Mei Xilan. “I appreciate you going through all this trouble.”

“If you really appreciate my effort, then give me Jian Wu for a day.”

“Absolutely not.”

***

Hou Jingshu had finally decided to see Lì Liàng. Wu Jian and Yōuměi had, of course, decided to accompany her. They didn’t think the man would do something. He had been surprisingly obedient these days, ever since the war ended, but that didn’t mean Wu Jian wanted her alone with him either. It was when people let their guards down that they suffered the most.

Lì Liàng’s wounds had been healed thanks to the power of alchemy, though his cultivation had been sealed. Wrapped around his arms, ankles, and neck were several metal bands with sealing arrays on them. They were called Chi Sealing Chains. The name made their purpose self-explanatory, but of course, like most things, these couldn’t completely seal off a person’s chi. It merely hampered their abilities. It could also be overpowered if someone poured more chi into it than it could contain. Only the highest quality items could completely seal of chi.

The old man was doing pushups in the prison cell provided to him. Located several li away from the palace proper, the prison was the same dingy little place with stone walls, a stone roof, and only a single metal door as most prisons. A pair of peak Asura Realm cultivators guarded his door. They would be strong enough to at least stop Lì Liàng if the man ever decided to put up a fight.

“You’ve come, Princess,” Lì Liàng said with a grunt. He did another pushup. “And I see you’re not alone.”

“That I have.”

No one said anything as Lì Liàng continued doing pushups. Wu Jian furrowed his brow. Did this man not know respect? He was in the presence of the people who defeated him, and yet he just kept exercising as though nobody was there.

“Jingshu, are you sure about this?” asked Wu Jian.

“Not really.” Hou Jingshu shrugged. “But I’d at least like to try.”

“Ugh…”

“Does it bother you that much?”

“After what this man did to you? How can you even ask something like that.”

“Heh heh. I guess it was a question with a very obvious answer.”

“Ne. Ne. Master, what are you two talking about?” asked Yōuměi.

“Just complaining about Her Highness’s plan,” said Wu Jian.

“Prrr?”

Bless this magical beast. Yōuměi was a very simple-minded creature who only cared about eating, sleeping, and playing. She always zoned out whenever he and Hou Jingshu were having a serious conversation.

Lì Liàng eventually, finally, stopped exercising and stood up. He wore no shirt, so his sweaty chest was on full display. The man had muscles, Wu jian would give him that, but that was all he had going for him right now.

“So…” He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “What could the princess of the Shang Kingdom want with me?”

“A few reasons,” Hou Jingshu paused, then smiled. “First, I should let you know that the Moon-Water Pavilion and I now have an alliance thanks to your invasion of my kingdom. They have agreed to demolish what’s left of the Wind-Lightning, Martial God, and Burning Flame Pavilions. They also plan to keep the other sects who might try to fill that power vacuum subjugated to avoid a repeat of what happened here.”

Lì Liàng didn’t respond at first, but the look on his face said it all. He was glaring at the wall like it had committed a crime on his ancestors. Finally, he sighed and scratched his head.

“I always knew going in that something like this might happen, but it’s still not easy to hear.”

Hou Jingshu shrugged like she didn’t care. “The second reason I’m here is to tell you what we have decided to do with you. Truth be told, many of my people want you dead. You invaded our land, killed our people, and stole our livelihood. Death is nothing less than you deserve.”

“Well… you’re not wrong,” Lì Liàng admitted.

“At least you’re aware. That makes you better than the other sect masters and ancestors.”

Hou Jingshu seemed to respect this man, though Wu Jian couldn’t for the life of him figure out why. He hadn’t interacted with this man for long. Actually, the only time they ever had anything to do with each other was when he was removing Lì Liàng’s limbs. That probably hadn’t made a good first impression.

“You shouldn’t be too hard on the dead,” Lì Liàng chided.

Hou Jingshu narrowed her eyes. “Do not tell me who I should or should not be hard on. The dead might not have enemies, but those who are still alive will always remember the atrocities they committed.”

Lì Liàng shrugged. “Fair point. So, what decision have you come to?”

“You only have two options available to you,” Hou Jingshu began. “The first option is you die. We will host a public execution for you in the arena and make a spectacle out of it.”

“I don’t really want to die just yet. I hope your second option is better.”

“The second option is you swear an oath on the heavens to serve the Shang Kingdom for the rest of your life. Your life will no longer belong to you. It will belong to this country, and you will do your best to defend it.”

Wu Jian pursed his lips as Lì Liàng’s eyes went wide. He didn’t blame the man for not expecting this. After all, it was standard procedure to never let your enemies live. However, this option could also work in the Shang Kingdom’s favor. A person who swore an oath on the heavens could never break it. The very heavens themselves would punish them for it. Depending on the vow broken, it might do as little as leave them cripple, or it might just kill them. Give what Hou Jingshu was asking of him, Lì Liàng would essentially become the Shang Kingdom’s slave if he agreed to this.

“Well… neither of those are really good options for me,” Lì Liàng muttered.

“Like I care,” said Hou Jingshu.

“You’re quite the sassy lady, aren’t you.” Lì Liàng paused for a moment, then released a resigned sigh. “Well, I don’t like becoming someone’s slave, but I like the idea of dying even less. Very well.” Lì Liàng coughed into his hand. “I, Lì Liàng, former ancestor of the Martial God Pavilion, do hereby swear an oath under the heavens to serve the Shang Kingdom and its people until my dying breath. Should I break this vow, may the heavens punish me in any way they see fit.”

Lì Liàng’s body glowed briefly, a vibrant white, and then it disappeared. Hou Jingshu opened the door moments after and allowed the man to step outside. She smiled at him, a smile full of fangs.

“Congratulations on regaining your freedom,” she said.

Lì Liàng smiled wryly. “I’m not sure you can call it that, but it sure beats staying cooped up in this cell.”

As the group made their way outside, Wu Jian stuck close to Hou Jingshu. He knew Lì Liàng would no longer try anything. However, that did not mean he wanted this man getting too close to Hou Jingshu. He was simply being cautious.