A few days later.
Yizhou, Among the Colorful Clouds.
These days, Yu Yi lived a leisurely life.
She was already familiar with the internal structure of Among the Colorful Clouds, so she wouldn’t get lost inside, and she had mastered the martial arts techniques “reclaimed” from Blue Ling’er and Huang Doudou, reaching the level where all skills were maxed out and couldn’t be upgraded further.
At present, there was still no opportunity to awaken other memories, so Yu Yi could only send Huang Doudou down the mountain to gather information, and then decide on her next move.
Almost everyone in the world knew where the Demoness’s lair was, yet Yu Yi didn’t even know who her enemies were or where they were.
Yu Yi was in the light, her enemies were in the dark—acting rashly was unwise.
Huang Doudou had already been sent out for several days.
Based on her efficiency, she should be back soon.
“Knock knock knock.”
Just as she was thinking this, a knock sounded outside the main hall.
Yu Yi opened her eyes, stopped meditating, and said casually, “Come in.”
Huang Doudou walked in and bowed to Yu Yi.
“How’s the information gathering outside going?” Yu Yi asked.
“Reporting to Master, I’ve already grasped the situation around Yizhou, and there’s some movement in Liangzhou as well.”
“Speak one thing at a time.”
“Yes.”
Huang Doudou nodded and began to report:
“Since Master returned to Among the Colorful Clouds, Mingyue City has settled down a lot. Almost all Orthodox Faction organizations have withdrawn from Mingyue City, and the cases of bandits and thieves have greatly decreased.”
“The citizens of Mingyue City have sent a lot of chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep again—Second Senior Sister and Wei Ying have already delivered them to the Grain Depot.”
“Mm.” Yu Yi nodded slowly.
If one were to say, besides her disciples, who else in the world were Yu Yi’s allies, it would certainly be the people of Mingyue City.
Although Yu Yi Jue was called a Demoness by the world, she never harmed innocent civilians.
As long as she remained in Among the Colorful Clouds, the common people of Mingyue City didn’t have to worry about danger.
Whether Orthodox or villain factions, none dared approach Mingyue City with Among the Colorful Clouds nearby.
Because of the invisible protection of Among the Colorful Clouds, the citizens of Mingyue City regularly sent gifts as thanks.
Previously, when Yu Yi Jue withdrew from Among the Colorful Clouds and Ghost Shadow Sect occupied the place, Mingyue City, abandoned by the Imperial Family of Great Yan and lacking even a County Magistrate, fell into chaos.
Fortunately, Yu Yi had now returned, allowing the people of Mingyue City to live peaceful days again.
In theory, these citizens could prove her innocence, but unfortunately, Mingyue City was just a small county with a limited population.
Even if they spoke out, their strength was too weak and easily drowned by the overwhelming condemnation against the Demoness.
Therefore, Yu Yi could only rely on herself, step by step, to change the world’s view and hostility toward her, the “Demoness.”
“Disciple also found the corpse of Fragmented Shadow in the forest outside Mingyue City. There were dozens of sword wounds on the body, each with burn marks—most likely the work of Little Junior Sister.”
Huang Doudou finished reporting and scratched her head.
“How did Little Junior Sister catch Fragmented Shadow?”
“Doudou, earlier I asked you to tell Chi Ming everything that happened. Did you also tell her about Fragmented Shadow’s escape?”
Yu Yi smiled and asked.
“Um, I think I did.”
Huang Doudou thought for a moment.
That made sense.
Ever since Chi Ming left Among the Colorful Clouds, she tried to atone daily for her “sin as a disciple of the Demoness,” so she went after the escaped Fragmented Shadow, hoping to act for justice and accumulate virtue.
“There’s another matter in Yizhou.”
Huang Doudou rarely showed a serious expression.
“I saw disciples of Cold Sword Sect at Chema Yi interacting with those from Wanhua Hall.”
Yu Yi frowned upon hearing this.
What are these two factions? What does their interaction signify?
“Doudou, what do you think?”
Yu Yi asked, pretending to test her.
“Disciple doesn’t know, but Second Senior Sister once said that when something like this happens, it must mean that old fox is up to something.”
Huang Doudou replied.
“Although Cold Sword Sect and Wanhua Hall are both major factions in Yizhou, they usually don’t get along and often clash. For the two to join forces, it must be under the orders of the Governor of Yizhou, Jiang Hanshan.”
“Jiang Hanshan…”
When Yu Yi heard this name, a memory surfaced.
Jiang Hanshan, Governor of Yizhou, served the Yan Emperor, was cunning and sinister, and once tried to win over Among the Colorful Clouds, only to have an arm crippled by Su Cheng.
“Mm… At that time, Su Cheng hadn’t left the sect yet.”
The original host only interacted with Jiang Hanshan that once, so Yu Yi couldn’t recall more and left it at that.
“The Righteous Alliance that attacked us earlier, I’ve also confirmed, was an alliance of ten Orthodox Factions in Liangzhou, organized by Tianshuimen, where Sixth Junior Sister resides. After the failed crusade, however, Tianshuimen’s position in Liangzhou kept rising, showing signs of dominating the region.”
Yu Yi was secretly shocked at Su Cheng’s methods.
Even though the great alliance failed in its crusade, Tianshuimen rose quietly.
It seemed the other factions had also been outmaneuvered by Su Cheng.
Huang Doudou suddenly tilted her head in confusion.
“Master, doesn’t this seem strange? Why did the factions from Liangzhou attack us, while those from Yizhou didn’t send a single person?”
That was indeed odd.
Even if Tianshuimen, where Su Cheng was, organized the attack, why didn’t the local forces of Yizhou participate?
Why didn’t they unite with the Righteous Alliance from Liangzhou to besiege the Demoness together?
“Keep a close eye on Jiang Hanshan. Report any movements from Yizhou’s factions to me at once.”
Yu Yi instructed Huang Doudou.
Hiding at critical moments and then scheming behind the scenes—this Jiang Hanshan was worth watching.
“The movements from Liangzhou also came from Tianshuimen.”
Huang Doudou continued her report.
“It’s said that Tianshuimen recently accepted a female swordswoman. Based on the description, it’s most likely Little Junior Sister, and she seems to have teamed up with Sixth Junior Sister.”
Chi Ming went to Su Cheng?
Yu Yi silently shook her head.
“Ah, Chi Ming still chose the wrong path in the end.”
“Why do you say that, Master? Isn’t Tianshuimen rising in power lately? With Little Junior Sister joining Sixth Junior Sister, Tianshuimen should be even stronger.”
Huang Doudou asked in confusion. Halfway through, she realized she might have misspoken and quickly added,
“Ah! I don’t mean I want them to remain our enemies in Tianshuimen! I also hope they can one day return to Among the Colorful Clouds!”
“Su Cheng and Chi Ming are sisters, but their approaches are vastly different. Even if Su Cheng welcomes Chi Ming as her blade, Chi Ming might not accept Su Cheng’s methods.”
Yu Yi said lightly.
“Um, that does seem to be the case. But then, why did Little Junior Sister go to Sixth Junior Sister?”
Huang Doudou still couldn’t figure it out.
If Blue Ling’er were here, she might have already analyzed something.
But Yu Yi couldn’t rely on Blue Ling’er every time; she had to think for herself.
“Clearly, Chi Ming doesn’t know Su Cheng’s ways. Doudou, when you were in the sect, did you ever see Su Cheng handle things?”
Yu Yi asked.
Huang Doudou shook her head.
“Master always assigned us separate tasks, so among our sisters, we didn’t know how others worked… Ah! So that’s it!”
Huang Doudou suddenly understood.
Yu Yi’s thoughts also became clear.
Chi Ming didn’t know Su Cheng’s methods, so she chose to follow her.
But that wasn’t the point.
The key was, Yu Yi might have guessed the reason Su Cheng left the sect.
She might not have left voluntarily—but was expelled!
Most likely because Su Cheng used ruthless means during a mission and did something she shouldn’t have, crossing Yu Yi Jue’s bottom line!
“No wonder Su Cheng keeps scheming against the original host… Looks like she holds a grudge… I need to be careful, too.”
Yu Yi thought silently.
“Um… Master.”
Huang Doudou’s mumbling broke Yu Yi’s thoughts.
Looking up, she saw the little one twisting and fidgeting, as if wanting to say something.
“Speak.”
“This time, I did a good job on the mission, right? So, so…”
“You want a reward?”
Yu Yi guessed Huang Doudou’s intention and asked deliberately, “The kind of reward you want… is that kind?”
Huang Doudou’s face turned red. She lowered her head and pleaded softly,
“Disciple has endured for a long time… Please, Master, grant it.”
Seeing how uncomfortable Huang Doudou looked, Yu Yi finally sighed.
“Let’s go.”
Yu Yi rubbed her forehead and stood up.
“Come inside with me.”
That… Put down your handcuffs, I don’t want to have tea at the station, either!
I’m just concerned about my disciple’s health—if she holds it in for too long, it can’t be good!
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