Chapter 124: Better Off as a Eunuch

At the public trial in the marketplace, Jing Tianlie could have denied the charges, but the sudden appearance of Shen Hong destroyed any such possibility.

Jing Tianlie could tell that Shen Hong’s arrival was not part of Long Chen’s original plan; someone had brought her forward as a witness at the last minute. He desperately wanted to know who that person was.

Earlier, his eyes and ears planted in the West Palace reported that Long Chen would be meeting someone at Xiangyun Tower. Wuming himself had set out to stake out the location, but after waiting for a long time, he saw no sign of anyone. Furthermore, the informant in the West Palace had been killed.

Jing Tianlie was deeply disappointed. "That damn eunuch! He knew we had informants and intentionally set up a decoy. They must have met somewhere else."

Wuming’s voice remained void of emotion, sounding only cold. "General, is it possible that Long Chen didn't meet anyone at all? Perhaps Shen Hong was arranged by him alone. He may have fabricated the existence of a third party just to make us believe someone is helping him."

Jing Tianlie immediately responded, "It’s possible—entirely possible. A plot within a plot, a scheme within a scheme. This Long Chengen is truly cunning."

"Assign more men to watch him closely. I want to know his every move."

"As you command," Wuming replied coldly.

After a moment of thought, Jing Tianlie added, "Send word to Jade Buddha Pass. Stir up trouble with Western Xia and create a crisis. I need a reason to return and take command there."

Wuming understood immediately. After such a disaster, the imperial court would convene tomorrow. Jing Tianlie feared that the Empress would use the opportunity to seize his military power. By having Wuming order the Red Flame Army at Jade Buddha Pass to provoke a conflict and create the appearance of an impending war, he would force the Empress to leave his military authority intact.

"I understand, General," Wuming nodded.

"General, Bai Qiulian was captured today. Could she implicate you? Should we..." Wuming gestured to suggest silencing her permanently.

Jing Tianlie hesitated, then said, "I want to silence her, but it would be too conspicuous right now."

Bai Qiulian was hardly a person of integrity, and Jing Tianlie did not trust her, but killing her now would be too obvious. He had to let it go. Wuming also understood that the General’s estate had suffered a major blow and they could no longer act with total impunity.

Jing Tianlie sighed heavily. "I have fought wars my entire life, and this is only the second time I have been defeated by an opponent." The first time had been against Long Ye, when he was beaten half to death and carried back, requiring half a year to recover.

***

At Ban Yue Tower, Hong Qi pushed the door open to find Ji Ba playing with his jade trinkets.

"Guild Master, we didn't see anyone."

During the trial earlier that day, Shen Hong’s sudden appearance had piqued Ji Ba’s curiosity. He too wanted to know who was backing Long Chen and had sent his men to investigate, only to return empty-handed.

"Oh? Interesting. You couldn't find them?" Ji Ba was surprised. The Tianxia Guild had eyes and ears all over the capital; the fact that they could not find a trace of the person was unexpected.

"Guild Master, my subordinates believe that either this person is extremely cunning, or they do not exist at all—that Long Chengen staged the whole thing himself."

Hong Qi’s thoughts mirrored those of Jing Tianlie; both suspected that Long Chen had simply hidden a witness of his own.

Ji Ba nodded. "It is possible. That Long Chengen is full of tricks."

"I am leaving the capital tonight. Be sharp and don't let Long Chengen sell you out."

Hong Qi laughed awkwardly. "Guild Master, is that necessary? Am I really no match for a eunuch?"

Ji Ba sneered, "What do you think?"

Hong Qi had no retort.

***

In the West Palace, Long Chen sat cross-legged, simultaneously circulating the Yin-Cultivation Technique and the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix. His internal martial energy gathered and dispersed within his body. The divine oil was seeping into his skin, and he could feel its effects as his damaged meridians slowly began to mend.

No wonder the Empress had bestowed it upon him; the effectiveness of the divine oil was truly miraculous. If it worked this well when applied externally, he wondered if applying it to his "second brother" might allow him to battle all night long? The divine oil was indeed a treasure from ancient times to the present.

When Long Chen slowly opened his eyes, Zhang Qian had already prepared a basin of hot water.

"My lord, change your clothes. You are bleeding again."

Only then did Long Chen notice tiny, dense beads of blood appearing along his Ren and Du meridians. "How did this happen?" he asked, feeling puzzled.

"I asked Auntie just now. She said that after the acupuncture, the circulation of blood and energy would leak a little; it is normal." Zhang Qian continued, "Auntie gave me some medicine. She said while it isn't as good as the divine oil, it is still effective. Here, let me apply it for you."

Zhang Qian took out a medicine jar and moved to apply it to him. Long Chen stopped her, asking, "Did you ask Auntie how to apply the medicine?"

Zhang Qian retorted, "Isn't it just applying it with your hands?"

Long Chen shook his head solemnly. "Go ask Auntie first. If you apply it incorrectly, you'll hurt me."

Zhang Qian, seeing that Long Chen didn't seem to be joking, said strangely, "Is that really a thing? I'll go ask."

As Zhang Qian went to the next room to ask Su Yourong, Long Chen immediately set his clothes aside and lay down, waiting for her return. Su Yourong was buxom, and while Zhang Qian was a size smaller, she was still quite well-endowed. He mused that the essence of the massage lay in the size—if it were too small, one wouldn't feel anything; it would just be like two heads rubbing against one's body.

Before long, Zhang Qian returned with a dark expression. She stood by the bed, glaring at Long Chen. "Shameless!"

Long Chen said innocently, "I am a patient, you know. If you don't apply the medicine, my cultivation won't improve, and I might even be left with permanent damage. Doesn't your conscience hurt?"

Zhang Qian held the medicine, her anger mounting. Finally, she grabbed Long Chen’s arm and opened her mouth, intending to bite him.

Long Chen remarked, "Such a large wound, and you have the heart to do that?"

Seeing the wound on his arm, Zhang Qian’s heart softened. "I asked you if you took advantage of Auntie Yourong, and you wouldn't even admit it!"

So, Zhang Qian wasn't angry about having to use her own body to apply the medicine, but rather, she was jealous that Long Chen had taken advantage of Yourong.

"Heaven is my witness! That was for healing, not taking advantage!" Long Chen insisted, refusing to admit it.

Zhang Qian asked indignantly, "Then if I apply the medicine to you, does that count as you taking advantage of me?"

Long Chen chuckled. "That definitely counts!"

Zhang Qian had expected him to deny it; she never thought he would admit it so shamelessly, leaving her at a loss for words.

"I have never seen such a shameless eunuch!" Zhang Qian wanted to hit him, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.

"Hurry up. It's the middle of winter; if I catch a cold, I'll be sick on top of being injured." Long Chen spread his arms and lay still.

Zhang Qian, feeling sorry for him, tossed his clothes aside. She applied the medicine to her own flesh and leaned over, bending her waist to spread it evenly back and forth. Long Chen closed his eyes, feeling the lingering warmth; it was truly comfortable...

When he first transmigrated into the harem, he had been worried about his miserable fate, but now he felt it was damn good! It was absolutely exhilarating!

After the medicine was applied, Zhang Qian took a hot towel and, still leaning over, wiped away the excess ointment.

"The way you apply medicine feels better than Auntie Yourong's. I give you a thumbs up!" Long Chen gave her a thumbs-up.

Zhang Qian said with disgust, "Shameless! You damn eunuch!"

Long Chen laughed, "I'm praising you, why are you unhappy? Next time, you can go a bit slower; the medicine will be more effective."

Zhang Qian carried the basin out, not wanting to bicker with him any further. Long Chen lay on the bed, sleeping comfortably.

***

In the dead of night, a horse galloped into the Daughter City outside the capital, and an urgent, eight-hundred-li express message was delivered to the Fengming Palace. Shadow Phoenix presented the report to the Empress, and upon reading it, her expression turned grim.