Chapter 101: The Schemes of a Beauty
Ten days later, Liang Wei had healed from her injuries and was ready to leave the Thousand Poisons Sect to head toward the Thousand Poisons Gate located in Western Yuán.
She looked at her son and said, “Qi’er, I must return to the Thousand Poisons Gate this time. Your master uncle is gone, and now the Gate answers only to me. When the time comes, we will launch a palace coup in Western Yuán, and we will need the support of the Thousand Poisons Gate. We will travel to Western Yuán together, but once we arrive, you should find a hidden place to stay. Wait there for me until I return from the Gate, then we will reunite.”
Yang Qi nodded, “I will follow your orders in everything, Mother.”
Liang Wei nodded in satisfaction. “Have you selected the people to bring along? We must take capable men with us.”
“All arranged. The Thousand Poisons Sect has five thousand men in total. This time, I will bring two hundred elite fighters with us. The rest will be sent in batches by Mo Qing five days later, so they will arrive before you return. Does that sound good?”
“Very well, then let us depart.”
Three days later, Liang Wei and her group entered the territory of Western Yuán. As planned, Yang Qi found an inconspicuous place to stay, while Liang Wei went alone to the Thousand Poisons Gate.
The Thousand Poisons Gate was nestled in the Misty Mountains, where the peaks were shrouded in black fog year-round, making it nearly impossible to see anything within. Few dared to venture there because countless wild beasts roamed the mountains. Even more terrifying was the black fog itself, said to be highly poisonous—anyone who breathed it in would die instantly. The dense fog and toxic air made the Misty Mountains infamous for danger. Few knew that the mysterious Thousand Poisons Gate was hidden deep within these peaks.
Liang Wei approached the Misty Mountains and entered confidently through the familiar mountain entrance. The mountains indeed contained many poisonous creatures, but they all kept their distance from her. She had taken a special antidote prepared by the Thousand Poisons Gate beforehand, which kept the poisons at bay. The black fog was deadly to ordinary people, but for the sect members who dealt with toxins daily, it was beneficial. It was said that after taking the Gate’s special medicine, inhaling the black fog could enhance one’s internal energy. That was why cultivation within the Misty Mountains was rapid, and the sect’s members were mostly masters of internal force, their martial prowess immeasurable.
As soon as Liang Wei entered, her presence was detected. But as the Sacred Maiden of the Thousand Poisons Gate, people greeted her with respect. At every checkpoint, guards bowed to her. After about half an hour’s walk, she arrived at the Gate’s main altar. A plaque hung on the wall above the entrance, bearing the bold characters “Thousand Poisons Gate.” Though weathered by time, the carving was still clear, evidently etched into marble by someone with profound internal energy using their fingers.
The guards on either side of the door saw Liang Wei and respectfully saluted before opening the intricately carved gates. Liang Wei walked straight inside.
The main altar of the Thousand Poisons Sect was vast, divided into a central courtyard and eight branch courtyards. The main courtyard housed the sect leader and the Sacred Maiden, while the eight branches were residences for the eight elders. Each courtyard was exquisitely constructed, nestled among the misty peaks, lending an ethereal charm.
Liang Wei had her own residence in the main courtyard, which was splendid and luxurious, rivaling even a royal palace.
No sooner had she stepped into the courtyard than the elders appeared to greet her. Each elder was elderly, with white beards, appearing to be in their sixties or seventies. Each represented a family; upon an elder’s death, his family heir would succeed him. Upon seeing Liang Wei, they all knelt respectfully, chanting, “Greetings, Sacred Maiden.”
Liang Wei glanced at the eight elders and said calmly, “Rise.”
“Thank you, Sacred Maiden.”
Elder Xue, the eldest among them, was the first to speak. Though seventy-three, his complexion was ruddy and healthy from years of cultivation, resembling a long-lived gentleman.
“Sacred Maiden, it has been long since you last returned. May I ask what urgent matter brings you here?”
“Elder Chen informed me that the sect leader was captured. I have since found the captor, but he is highly skilled in martial arts—he is even beyond my match. I have come today to ask for the elders’ and brothers’ help.”
“Oh? I heard from Elder Chen that the captor is a prince from Dongling, is that correct?” Elder Lin asked.
“Yes. I have located his residence and fought him. I rested for ten days and have just recovered. The sect cannot be without a leader even for a day, so I hope the elders will take this matter seriously,” Liang Wei said solemnly.
“You speak wisely, Sacred Maiden. We will do our utmost to rescue the sect leader. Do you have a plan?” an elder asked.
Liang Wei’s eyes swept over them before she slowly spoke, “The captor’s name is Zhongli Yu, a prince of Dongling. He commands three hundred thousand royal troops. We have little chance facing him directly. Therefore, I plan to first force the emperor of Western Yuán to abdicate, then use Western Yuán’s forces against him.”
“But Sacred Maiden, Western Yuán is a great nation. Though slightly weaker than Dongling, it is still formidable. How can we force the Western Yuán king to step down? And how will their soldiers obey us?” Elder Chen voiced the doubts shared by all.
Liang Wei shook her head. “You elders have dwelled in the Misty Mountains too long and lost touch with the outside world. Don’t you know my son is the second prince of Western Yuán? The previous king intended to pass the throne to him, but his eldest son led troops into the Golden Palace to force him to abdicate. If Yang Yuxiong is still emperor, my son will be the future king of Western Yuán.”
The elders exchanged looks of sudden understanding. So the Sacred Maiden’s real purpose was to have them help her son reclaim the throne. Yet, she used the excuse of rescuing the sect leader to ensure their cooperation. It was a brilliant stratagem. Indeed, the sect leader could not be left without a leader for long. If, as she said, they helped her son regain the throne, then marched against Dongling to rescue the leader, it would be justified.
The elders silently agreed.
Liang Wei read their expressions and felt a surge of joy.
Elder Xue said, “Sacred Maiden, we agree with your plan. To rescue the sect leader as soon as possible, let us depart from the main altar promptly.”
Liang Wei smiled faintly, “You elders are truly sincere. If the sect leader knew how eager you were to save him, he would be most pleased.”
After further discussion with the elders, they decided to set out early the next morning.
Two days later, all members of the Thousand Poisons Sect had arrived in Western Yuán, and Yang Qi reunited with Liang Wei. However, they agreed that Liang Wei should first settle everything in Western Yuán before launching their plan.
After being forced to abdicate by Yang Rui, Yang Yuxiong was confined to a secluded courtyard in the palace. Yang Rui kept constant watch over him and had even crippled his martial abilities. Now, ordinary guards could easily keep him imprisoned. It was already past midnight, but Yang Yuxiong remained wide awake, his heart burning with anger every time he recalled his son forcing him to relinquish the throne.
The guards assigned to watch him were not surprised to see the lights still on; the retired emperor often stayed up late, and they had grown accustomed to it.
Suddenly, two strong gusts of wind blew in from afar. The two guards standing at the door silently collapsed, and then the door creaked open.
Yang Yuxiong, curious at the door opening, looked up and exclaimed excitedly, “My beloved, you’ve come? Yang Rui has been searching everywhere for you. How dare you risk coming here?”
Liang Wei saw that this man still remembered to care for her and felt a complex mix of emotions. In truth, she did not love Yang Yuxiong; she had only used his affections all these years. For twenty years, she had feigned weakness and innocence before him, playing the part of a pure and kind woman to win his favor and thereby gain supreme power.
She looked at Yang Yuxiong with a pitiful expression and softly said, “Your Majesty, I have missed you so much. Since leaving you, I have fled east and west, barely escaping Western Yuán. I thought I could find a quiet place to live out my days, but I cannot. I miss you so deeply it pains my heart. I thought, even if I must die, it would be better to die in your embrace.”
Yang Yuxiong was already fallen from grace. His harem had been dismissed by Yang Rui, and he was lonely. Now, this woman came suddenly and spoke such tender words—how could he resist? He pulled Liang Wei into his arms and said, “My beloved, you are still the one who loves me best. I truly have not loved wrongly.”
“Your Majesty, I have said before, you are my heaven. Even if I die, I will never leave you.” Liang Wei’s delicate face glistened with tears, a look that melted Yang Yuxiong’s heart.
He looked at this beautiful yet haggard woman and kissed her fiercely. Moments later, soft breathing echoed through the remote courtyard. The woman bit her lip to stifle her sounds; the man, seeing her pain, kissed her gently.
Afterward, Liang Wei nestled tenderly in Yang Yuxiong’s arms, cupping his face. “Your Majesty, you have lost weight,” she said, eyes full of concern.
Yang Yuxiong was deeply moved. At a time like this, who else but this woman would care about his health? “My beloved, with your companionship, I could die content.”
“Your Majesty, I don’t want to be secretive with you anymore. Let us be together openly, honestly,” Liang Wei said.
“Openly and honestly?” Yang Yuxiong was puzzled.
“Yes, openly and honestly.”
“But…” Yang Yuxiong didn’t finish. He believed she understood. Now, he had no freedom, let alone the chance to be openly with her.
“Your Majesty, Qi’er has returned. He has arranged everything. Once he defeats Yang Rui and becomes emperor, we can be openly together.”
“But Yang Rui is emperor now.”
“He may be emperor, but he forced you to abdicate; it was not your willing choice. When Qi’er defeats him, you can come forward and tell the world that you intended to pass the throne to Qi’er, not Yang Rui. Yang Rui forced your abdication and is unfilial. The people will understand. We are both old now. You should pass the throne to Qi’er, and we can live peacefully. What do you say?” Liang Wei looked at him with hopeful eyes.
Yang Yuxiong gazed at her hopeful face and finally nodded.
Liang Wei joyfully embraced him and kissed him deeply. “Your Majesty, I knew you were the best to me. I love you so much.”
The quiet courtyard once again filled with intimate sounds. The two guards at the door lay sound asleep, subdued by a sleeping technique. Inside, the two who had reached their agreement continued their passionate embrace, the night still long ahead...
This novel is originally published by Xiaoxiang Academy. Please do not redistribute.