Her Way of Doing Things
Wuyao thought Wuxie really was from another world.
Her rate of growth was abnormal. Too abnormal.
Even he had trouble when he was young, and he was a genius to boot. It took him until he was 20 to be a Green dammit! And that was centuries ago!
Yet she managed in such a short while. Because her soul still follows her world's rules.
Beiyue reckoned breaking through in her world is suuuupeeeerrr easy with just a few pills, provided you got the money for it. Speaking of pills, pills in her world were the size of an adult thumb, not the size of bead necklace here. She recalls that when her mother once fed her the beauty pills, it was a pain in the throat, its a miracle nobody ever chokes on them!
She was Yellow a few days ago and she just broke through to Green, while grandfather and uncle are high peak blues.
To explain this away, they had to come up with a convincing lie involving Bailian and he be her enabler as telling the truth, is OUT OF THE QUESTION.
When their story is solidified, they came out to reveal Wuxie's level.
A freaking Green Spirit.
Just a few months away from her birthday just for having Wine for her spirit!
'Wow, had I known having Bailian makes things super easy for you...' Jun Qing choked out. 'We don't have to worry about the Jun Family if anything happens to us!' he exclaimed in disbelief as well as relief.
'I'm prepared to fight too.' said Wuxie. 'I have wine ready for Zuilian and I have my poisons.'
And by noontime...its chaos.
Smoke filled the air outside of Lin Palace. A big group of the Rui Lin Army gathered in front of its gates, and facing them, were ten men from the Qing Yun Clan delegation.
'I say, let's not waste time. Your weak attempt at resistance is futile, and I'll advise you to hand over the Soul Jade peacefully and save yourself the pain and humiliation.' A disciple of the Qingyun Sect turned his wrist around repeatedly, a pair of black half finger gloves covered his hands.
He looked towards the Rui Lin Army soldier whom he had flung to land before the Lin Palace's gates with a single punch, contempt written across his face.
Behind him, there were three other disciples dressed in the Qing Yun Clan's livery, and six others dressed in individually different attire who were obviously top exponents from allies of the Qingyun Clan who accompanied them on this trip to Qi.
The terrified commoners huddled at the side. The chaos had been going on since yesterday when the Qingyun Sect had suddenly attacked the Lin Palace. If the Rui Lin Army had not arrived in time, the Lin Palace might have fallen to these foreign intruders.
The Rui Lin Army soldiers who gathered in front of the Lin Palace had swelled, numbering in the hundreds, but the Rui Lin Army who had the advantage of numbers, were being systematically oppressed by the group from the Qingyun Clan.
In just a short day, the Rui Lin Army wounded had gone beyond a hundred, while the Qingyun Clan had suffered no losses.
At that moment, Jun Xian stood dark faced, surveying the chaos in front of him. They had crossed swords for a long period but only the four Qingyun Clan disciples from the group had stepped up to fight. The other six had just watched from the sidelines.
The four who had fought, looked about thirty years of age, and they all had level green spirits and beyond.
Judging from quality of the exponents sent, it could be seen that the Qingyun Clan had placed a rather high priority on retrieving the Soul Jade, as not a single one of them were easy pushovers.
'Father, let me do it.' He had been forced to witness soldiers from the Rui Lin Army, brothers in arms to him, wounded and oppressed by the people from the Qingyun Sect. The knot that had twisted his insides had grown as he sat holding himself back, but now it threatened to explode in his rage.
The Qingyun Sect was too much!
Jun Xian remained silent, his gaze on the men behind the Qingyun Clan disciples as Qing joined Long Qi in the battle with his now Rank 9 Rot Bone Owl that also has a peak-Blue spirit due to its connection to him. He had fought off the disciples and was toe to toe with all of them while keeping an eye on the six that stood. They were to buy time until their strongest card comes.
Among the six, the youngest of them had lived beyond a half century, and a few of them looked older than Jun Xian himself. They had stood back, not because of their old age, but because the Qingyun Sect's disciples were able to handle the situation they faced and there was no need for their expertise.
Jun Xian was very certain, that among the six at the back, every single one of them was more than a match for them if they all attacked!
Jun Xian has a peak-Blue leveled spirit thanks to Wuxie when for years he was a Green. If he were to join forces with the Rot Bone Owl, they might be on equal standing with the disciples of the Qingyun Clan, but...
The other six, way outclassed Jun Qing by too much. These disciples have some skill. It was years of experience in the battlefield that allows his son and bodyguard to put pressure on them. Blue Spirits they may be, but they got rusty.
Based on his calculations, the weakest among them, must at least have achieved lower spectrum of the level blue spirit. And once they move, he expected the Lin Palace to fall!
'The tiny Lin Palace, should not have arrogantly gone against the Qingyun Sect, if you persist on your folly, we will bring our wrath upon you.' After a long day's worth of skirmishes, the disciples of the Qingyun Sect were getting impatient.
'Hoooo? You're so arrogant.' came a melodious bell-like voice, speaking coldly and imperiously, echoing loud enough for even commoners to hear as the air filled with colored smokes and forced its way into the noses of the disciples. From the trail of the smoke, at the rooftop was a young beautiful girl who started to emit peak-level Green Spirit. Between her fingers, were porcelain bottles where the smoke was coming from.
'Gah!'
'What is this smell?!'
'Shit! It could be poison!' and since the poison circulated around the Qingyun group, even those at the back had to cover their mouths and noses while it was too late for the arrogant young lads who have much dosage forced into them already.
They say the Lin Palace Miss has just turned fourteen!
Green Spirit in a matter of months since her birthday?!
They were all in total disbelief, and their shock was enough time for Wuxie to exploit their state of shock.
'You who ride on the powerful coattails of your elders and throwing the name of the Sect around to justify yourselves in bullying people and force your will upon them! You probably get away with all heinous crimes and make people silent by claiming you're from Qingyun so they cannot defend themselves, weren't you! Is this how Qingyun Sect teaches their disciples?!'
Then suddenly, their skins turned purple, their eyes bulging nearly outside their sockets with bloodshotness as they all howled in pain. Their skin even bubbled up underneath that they look like a grotesque sight...and exploded!
'GYAAAAAAHHHHH!'
The onlookers can only watch in shock.
The Lin Family bought time for the deadliest enemy within the Jun Family to come out...Jun Wuxie herself. In just one fell swoop, she killed all those disciples with that formidable technique of hers!
That gory scene, drove the onlookers to nausea, and even Jun Xian, who had seen countless deaths in his decades of killing and slaughter on the battlefields paled at the sight. He turned to his granddaughter, his face in shock, but found her expression cold, her clear eyes frigid, and she did not seem to be disturbed in the least.
'Perhaps, now its is time to die and pay for your transgressions!' Wuxie sneered coldly. 'And perhaps, your past victims finally gained justice today by my hand!' and she jumped down, slowly floating to the ground with careful control of her ki, like a fairy from the sky...but its clear to all that she's a fairy that brings DEATH.
The mercenaries are clearly nervous now. To be able to fight, they DO need to breathe! And with those fumes around is like trying to outrun death that caresses their faces!
'You are clearly hired mercenaries from outside.' said Jun Xian as he and Qing emitted their own peak auras as did the army. Three were peak Blues, and the rest were peak Yellows. 'Why have you joined this debacle?'
'Qingyun Sect has offered us Elixirs we desire that only they can make.' one of the men, an elderly man spoke for all of them. 'We cannot say no. Its impossible. The pills we desire are the reward. But its not like we enjoy this job.'
The other men were silent as well.
'I see. Well, Mercenaries are professional with contracts, you have no blame. But name the pills in question and I shall make them for you.' Wuxie told them to their surprise as she took back the toxic fumes to her bottles. 'You need not partake in crime while under blackmail threat. You are not worth sullying yourselves over this. At least I charge fair price and not make customers join a bully bandwagon. Talk about despicable of your client.'
With that, conflict ended so quickly, and Wuxie ordered the army to crucify the bodies of the disciples to the wall outside the city.
'Ehhh don't worry, the poison is only active when alive, those things are safe now. At least crows get free lunch! Aren't we nice to birds?' she smiled sweetly, but instead of the schweet feeling, her sweet smile inspired terror instead, now that people know what she can do! She was a genius cultivator who went Green Spirit in just a couple months and now, a poisoner who uses poison fumes to fight!
What a terrifying Miss Jun!
xxx
In the Imperial Palace...
A soldier reported what happened in the throne room where the Emperor sat, along with Qin Yuyan and her bodyguard, Jiang Chen.
'What?! She annihilated all our disciples who are all Green Spirits? And those Blue Spirit and one Indigo Spirit master didn't do a thing?!' Qin Yuyan shrieked in anger at what she heard from her servant.
'Yes. Moreover, what she said to a lot of witnesses present, as well as the very actions of your disciples smeared the name of the Sect once more, by sundown everyone will know!'
'You've got to be joking! I'll send a Min Butterfly to father for more reinforcements, I want that Jun Family and that bitch dead! Elder, we need to stop this misinformation from spreading, fast!' Yuyan snarled as she sent a butterfly...that never reached its receiver, since Ye Sha killed it as soon as it was out of their sights. He sent his own butterfly to his lord.
Indeed, a lot of soldiers disguised as civilians went to Ghost City to talk about it as Wuxie intended to happen, so that the name of Qingyun is smeared once more.
The Emperor thought he can finally wash his hands off that bunch, but at the cost of his son!
But he never thought that Jun Wuxie, an Orange Spirit since Qianyuan's birthday, is already a Green spirit so quick?! When it took people until they are elderly to become Green Spirits?! How did she do it?! Access to wares for cultivation? Familiar benefits? What?!
xxx
Ye Mei was given the task to gather a number of materials needed for Grade 9 pills for Wuxie to make.
If she were to legally purchase it, her family's power can only afford Grade 5 pills. But to sway these men who are Veteran Blues and one Indigo, she needs to make Grade 9 pills of their requests to save someone close to them.
Upon acquiring the materials, Wuxie began her refining and showed her skill to the customers and they can already smell it.
Elder Wen who was the lone indigo spirit has his order finished first.
The finished product of his request has incredibly potent aroma and energy within, and its color so vibrant with luster!
'S-so this is a Grade 9 pill...incredible!' he croaked out upon looking at one pill in his hand while Wuxie bottled the rest and gave it to him along with a cork.
'What a potent aroma, enough to fill this large room!' another customer exclaimed.
'It's so sweet!' such a smell got goofy smiley faces forming on their person.
'Wuxie, to think this is where your genius lies! This is wonderful!' Jun Xian and Jun Qing were utmost pleased with the family daughter who was now the family backbone, in regards to health of course. They will still do all else!
Upon filling all the orders, she charged them with wares from Ghost City that her family needs to cultivate and reach Indigo Spirit.
By nighttime...
'So that's what happened in the palace.' said Wuxie upon hearing from Wuyao. 'I think its time for that woman to die.' she decided. 'And since the Emperor is in on this, he'll die tonight.'
'Yes, he is more trouble than he's worth.' Jun Xian agreed. 'We were loyal for years and this is what we get in turn? Unbelievable.' he said, shaking his head. 'He is not worth us. Not anymore. Hopefully young Crown Prince is worth our loyalty this time.'
'I hope so. He knows full well what it means to be persecuted and betrayed.' said Jun Qing sternly. 'He is still out on his long trip isn't he?'
'Suppose so, he hasn't returned yet from the countryside, in his fiefdom where he's working.' said Jun Xian.
'Mm. He's safer out there than here.' said Wuxie. 'That way we won't lose an Emperor worth the Rui Lin Army. Now, we will strike.' she smirked. 'And I got juuuust the thing!'
And she took out a few bottles.
'Let's start the Emperor with a nice Ulcer. After all, he hasn't eaten since Second Prince's death! Let's make it natural causes and naturally, I was never there.'
xxx
In Cangcui Pavilion, the best hotel in town...
It was where Qin Yuyan's party was staying at.
People were loudly talking about the incident at Lin Palace, greatly angering her. Her servant and bodyguard can only watch as her rage grows as people are badmouthing the Sect once more.
The servant was worrying what will happen next, as when she gets angry, those who anger her don't survive.
He would know best, considering those hundreds of vats in her courtyard.
Vats full of poison she herself designed, and those who annoyed her are denied death, doomed to soak in and suffer those poisons for her research for the rest of their miserable lives!
Naturally, everyone knows what hotel they're staying at, that they're loudly talking on purpose around the hotel, further inciting Qin Yuyan's anger.
And her hatred boil at Jun Wuxie, the genius miss of Lin Palace who was a Green Spirit in a couple months. If this keeps up, she'll be a Blue Spirit soon!
'Phew, I'm glad its night now...' the servant sighed as its now time for bed. 'Elder, what do you think of our situation?' he wondered nervously. 'Miss wants a lot of people dead yet cannot act on it...'
'She cannot, lest we stain our name more.' said Elder Jiang Chenqing, shaking his head. 'Our disciples' attitudes worked in the Lin Family's favor. First Bai Yunxian and now those boys.' he frowned in annoyance as they caused the sect more trouble with their actions. 'We need our strongest with us, but sadly, also the type to stain our reputation. If Miss is angry, I cannot even bring myself to imagine the master's rage.'
'Stuff of nightmares.' Servant shuddered. Elder Jiang sighed. 'And that Miss Jun...what on earth, is she?'
'She probably got lucky with a Familiar.' said Elder Jiang. 'There are certain familiars that bring great boon to their Masters in cultivation that give them a quick rise. Otherwise she'd be just like us normal people in regards to speed of growth. But very few cultivators are blessed with wonderful familiars like that, we can only look upon them in envy.' he said thoughtfully. 'For now let's rest. Tomorrow is another day and the young miss will only calm when reinforcements arrive.'
'Yes sir, a good night to you too.'
xxx
The next day...
Qin Yuyan decided to take her anger out on Emperor instead.
He told her that he will only fork over his half of the Jade if the half the Juns have is obtained.
For her it's another excuse and he's not getting away this time! He stalled them for twenty stinking years and father is impatient, and so is she!
xxx
'Oya oya, she's doing all the work for us!' from afar, the Wuxie coldly watched from afar, watching the Emperor be tortured by Qin Yuyan. She wasn't alone. She sat with Wuyao on the same tree branch. 'That's sweet of her.' she drawled mockingly.
And when it's all over, they left the palace for the nervous servants to clean up the Emperor's body.
Now is time for them to strike.
Outside the palace gates...
Pink-colored fumes appeared without warning and forced its way into their nostrils.
'This is?!'
'Heehee...don't think you can get away alive~' Wuxie purred as she came with two Rui Lin bodyguards and Wuyao...who was holding a jar of Jade Wine they pilfered from the storage.
'Jun Wuxie!' Qin Yuyan gasped out before all three got knocked out by the fumes.
'Shuisi is a rather cleaner way to die...however, you will also dream your worst nightmares until you die.' Wuxie spoke sweetly as the soldiers bagged the trio. 'You will never wake since...I'll never cure you, for one thing.' she chuckled. 'And you'll be sleeping in the local landfill till you die. Do you think that for daring to disturb father's peace, all for a typical funeral jade, I'll let you have a nice grave?'
Wuyao bit back a smile.
For the sake of keeping a treasure, they made it seem worthless so nobody thinks of stealing it from the family. Goodness knows a lot of people would swarm at them for the Soul-Stabilizing Gem!
'A trash mountain for a trash character is best!' she declared as she reached into her robes and took out two scrolls. 'And for a nasty job, here.' she gave the two soldiers two scrolls. 'A week of day off for full-focus on your cultivation for doing a sucky job. Give that to your Squadron Leaders. 1st and 3rd approved of it as did General on my request.' she told the soldiers kindly.
'T-thank you miss!' said the guards gratefully. Well, they be made to dig graves and bury these three alive...in a landfill so stinky...as punishment for defiling the late Second Commander, their Battle God's grave!
xxx
'Its over for now.' said Wuxie, stretching as she got home with Wuyao. 'We ensured word can never reach Qingyun Sect and I'll enjoy having Qin Yue wonder about his daughter's fate. Grandfather and Uncle will handle the rest. They have called Crown Prince home no doubt.'
Days later...
'So that's how it is.' said Qianyuan as he got back from his fief upon knowing that the poison in the palace, is no more.
His father is killed by the elder with Qin Yuyan. Paving the way for him to be Emperor by default. And with all those corrupt bastards gone, his reign will be smooth, provided he irons out the kinks.
He has to determine who's corrupt and who isn't, worthy of promotions...or demotions.
Wuxie had a technique for that, which she taught him.
Those who have white strings come out of their heads are worthy of promotions, while those who have grey to black strings, get lower ranks and depending on him, no hope for promotion.
She began mass-producing Healing Pills by the jars...and opened up a temporary clinic, selling her Grade 2 pills to people who have prescriptions from an accredited doctor, just so they can afford it. Besides, they'll be cured within a week anyway. Pills for illnesses...creams for wounds and injuries...and even her Cosmetic Wares...that drove the wealthy women crazy when news let out.
Qianyuan was in dismay when he talked with the Juns on cleaning up his court and country with the royal steward and Eunuchs who are each chief of Palace Departments they're assigned to for palace upkeep and housekeeping...and the topic of women came up.
'Selling your Beauty Wares to all those women who'll no doubt, fight tooth and nail to be my empress?' he moaned in dismay. 'Jun Wuxie!' he whined. 'I only want one wife and I'll be very choosy about it because I don't want a repeat with what happened to my family! Like hell I'll have a harem or anything like that!'
'Well, the corrupt are weeded out. The issue now is choosing your wife. Traditionally by demand you need to choose a noble because if you don't choose any of them, they'll make your rule troublesome in petty revenge.' Wuxie pointed out. 'The most you can do, is choose the lesser evil. Have many social events and get to know the ladies your age. And don't be fooled by pretty faces or any fake acting either. Anyone who wants to be the next Empress will do anything, including any dirty trick in the book. Acting skills being their most prominent weapon as well as circumstantial evidences, and wrongfully-implicating the innocent while evil tricksters walk off scott-free. Such is the treacherous world of those aspiring to be queen.'
Qianyuan was shuddering at his seat. The court gaped at her. The maids fanning them were listening for gossip.
'I think you read too many drama novels!' Jun Qing exclaimed, bug-eyed at her and appalled by her words. 'What an imagination you've got!'
'Hey, stories are based on real life, you know~' Wuxie purred with a sly smile, drawing circles around the rim of her teacup. 'The writers must have donned pseudonyms and wrote about their sucky experiences in the Imperial Harem and survived the treacherous waters that's a poisonous flower garden, and simply changed the names lest the real people kill that person for ahem, smearing their reputation in books...even if its all true!' she laughed.
Moreover, she knows best what her royal uncle put up with back in her world.
'Buuuut if you're still iffy about it...how about we go this route in the Imperial Harem?' she grinned.
Women will start off as Cainus. Given Qianyuan's age at age 18, candidates for Empresshood will be age 16-20. Most importantly, SINGLE and NOT ENGAGED. Only mothers and sisters are allowed to visit concubine sisters in the Imperial Harem. Fathers, brothers, cousins and friends? NOPE!
Promotions will be based on looks, character traits, skills and abilities and most importantly, the ability to think ahead for the future.
Thus all concubines be judged for beauty, culture and wisdom, and most importantly, REMAIN VIRTUOUS!
Given the ranks of Imperial Concubines, Qianyuan himself will judge the Four Imperial Consorts and Nine Imperial Concubines who made it THAT far by passing strict Eunuch standards, as well as remaining virgins. He will then court the top-ranking ladies romantically, but first and extremely important, choose a queen who is best for the country and its people's prosperity and welfare, and above the influence of her family as family tend to exploit their daughter's ahem, career for their benefit. If a concubine shows signs of being pressured to force herself to appeal to him more and get more favors, that's a warning sign by itself. She sadly loses her chance to be queen, no thanks to power-hungry relatives who sees this as chance to be corrupt.
Below that, to ranks 9 Treasured Ladies, 9 Beauties and the lowest rank, Elegant Ladies whose numbers depend on eligible noble daughters as well as daughters of court officials, beautiful Eunuchs will be the threshold hence, as the 'tempters'. If women got attracted and ahem, itchy and lured a Eunuch to her bed~ they fail! They remain where they are as punishment with no hope for promotion, ever, until Emperor chooses Empress! Another disqualification factor, is possessing murder weapons and poisons, or illegal substances that can harm health or cause disfigurement. They go to jail and serve their sentence in years, depending what was found in their belongings!
Then he can release the ladies upon choosing his queen, as long as they stay virgins. The released ladies who remained virgins will be bestowed upon the best man Qianyuan can find based on the woman's worth in beauty, wisdom and culture to make sure they'll have a good arrangement still. But to those who lost their virginities, they will get no help from him. What man would help a cheating wife? So their fates are up for their parents to decide and not his problem!
Wuxie will make a pill that reveals if a woman is no longer 'pure' if push comes to shove. Moreover those who got promoted to top ranks, will be tested for their virginities.
So for Cainus, she will provide top grade beauty products, and the rest, is all up to them to fight to the top, noooot her problem!
Her plan, was devious while also ensuring a good queen will be born for the country and birth good successors. Princes and Princesses servants will be happy to serve for once. Now that this plan was a fair chance and nobody can complain about it! Just that, Qianyuan and the Eunuchs must be absolutely strict and fair to make this plan work. For a good Empress is a wife who can support her royal husband in working for the welfare and prosperity of the country and its people.
Good rulers who deeply care have happy, loyal subjects who would work hard for prosperity and live well. Rulers who are selfish, self-serving despots who use and betray others, expect a rebellion! That's how it always works.
So Qianyuan has two years before he puts this to practice, as he and the Eunuchs must plan and put strict standards that will work for everybody, and fix the harem.
Why?
Because running the harem will cost great.
And, half the Imperial Treasury is gone no thanks to previous Emperor and Second Prince.
'WHAAAAAT?!' the steward, eunuchs and maids gasped. 'How?!'
'By paying Qingyun Sect obscene amounts of money to poison me and it began after mother died and it was Miss Jun who cured me after two months.' Qianyuan scowled darkly to collective disbelief. He explained what his symptoms were and how Wuxie cured him.
'Half our people's money, enriched those tyrannical bunch!' he exclaimed. 'So I have to raise funds first and it'll be the hard part. I'll have to compensate well the miners so we can produce gold and silver coins again for circulation in our country, as well as taking back the monies those corrupt bastards took.' he sighed gloomily.
'Wealth and prosperity come first, harem can wait or we'll have not much money to pay for salaries! And if people start asking, I'm wondering what on earth I should say! Its impossible to say the truth about why half the country's money is gone, and I have to earn that money back and triple it! I bet to cover this up, father lowered salaries nationwide! We better look at his notes and books, that bastard!'
So that, was his main focus now as well as promoting officials too. He'll take control of everything to make sure everything goes smoothly.
In the meantime...
'WHAAAAAT?!'
'But miss, you can't be serious!' Long Qi protested. 'Go to Qingyun! Laughable, you created miracles by yourself, you don't need them!' he sputtered. 'You can create revolutionary, dream-like items made real and more importantly, very effective! It's just a waste of time!'
'I certainly don't, but they are a problem.' said Wuxie. 'We got rid of a number of people, including Qin Yuyan herself.' she reminded them. 'I will go there and kill them all myself, before they find out her death. Qin Yue will pull all strings to obliterate all of Qi so while we have time, so I will infiltrate Qingyun Sect and bring it down from within. A tough job, but I have to do it.'
'...I can see that happening.' Jun Xian groaned. 'Are you absolutely sure about this?'
'I'm sure grandfather. While we still have time, we can't waste this.' said Wuxie seriously. 'I'm bringing my best poisons and antidotes with me as well as pills I will need for my job. And for further safety I'll pretend to be a boy. Those guys recruit every month on the 15th, so I gotta go quick.' she decided.
Father and son thought deeply about this.
Wuxie's plan was not without its merits. They had killed the delegation from Qingyun Sect that had included the daughter of the Qingyun Sect's Sovereign. If the Qingyun Sect got wind of it, they would come down hard, raining untold wrath upon the tiny kingdom of Qi.
If they wait till they stirred and commenced their retaliation against Qi, their position would become much more precarious to the dangers that lay ahead.
Their might laid not only in their disciples, but was greatly amplified by the various powers and countries that stood behind them. If the Qingyun Sect mobilized everything they could, not even tens of Qi Kingdoms could hope to stand against that mightiest of armies.
They indeed, have little time and Wuxie chose this path.
'But before that...what about father?' she asked. 'You just took the gem from the coffin...you guys won't let me see father.' she frowned.
Awkward atmosphere ensued. The bodyguards were avoiding looking at her.
'...guys?'
'...Wuxie, its about brother.' said Jun Qing awkwardly. 'For some reason...ten years since he died...he wasn't a bunch of bones and ruined clothes.' he croaked out. 'He remained whole, as if he was just sleeping.'
'Huh?!'
Now that, she did not expect, she thought.
'We merely took the jade out once to look at why Qingyun would go so far as utter disrespect beyond the pale.' said Jun Xian. 'But since nary a clue, we returned the Jade to his mouth, and put him in his bedroom.' he said mournfully. 'He's safer at home should there be another hare-brained scheme again, and your trap at our family cemetery would prove useful.'
'Mm.'
'Perhaps with your newfound skill, you can ascertain as to why?'
They went to Jun Gu's bedroom. Wuyao kept strict watch over Wuxie as she was terrified of the gem and how it may affect her as she sensed bad feeling from it towards her, being just a reincarnate. She performed all check-ups she knew.
And she looked utterly floored.
She shakily looked at her family.
'Erm...here's the thing and I promise I'm sane in the head when I say this.' she croaked out, trembling. 'Father's body is in perfectly good shape. Not a single hint of decomposition or any other damage. Proof of that is that there is no smell of death on him.' the family stiffened at her words. 'And it's just slightly cold. Slightly and still very soft. This wasn't what you'd expect in a corpse. No energy either. He may as well be an empty shell.' she said softly. 'I'm a doctor, not a supernatural expert...maybe unless father decides to return on his own and finds his body OK, we'll keep it well and hopefully when this body wakes, it IS father and NOT an unwelcome thief.'
That got the clan choking.
'T-that's one thing to think about.' Jun Xian shook. 'We'll place guards here, Xie'er. We'll look after Gu'er while you go work at Qingyun Sect.'
'Alright...'
That, was one awkward morning in Lin Palace.
xxx
'So this is it, Xie'er.' Wuyao frowned as Wuxie dressed up as a man, and brought with her pills she needs to fight with and her poisons, as well as male clothing. She also has a makeup supply that made her look like a male version of herself, and a voice-reversal pill to make her sound like a young boy. 'Its also...scary to see you as a man.'
'That, or face troubles as a lady.' said Wuxie. 'I heard tales when I was a kid but I wasn't sure what they mean or what its like. Just that they just keep telling me its a bad thing to be all alone with men who are strangers. And most Pharmacists are male, very few women pursue this career.' she explained. 'I'll be no doubt, roomed with men.' she shuddered as Wuyao twitched, anger and jealousy bubbling and years of self-control made him able to control his possessiveness.
Wuxie's decision, requires her to be around men and share the same bedroom as them?
Now what's stopping him from doing it himself again?
Oh yes, she wants them dead herself. Family means a lot to her and what WILL set her off.
'Well, before you go, I need to do one thing first.' Wuyao told her as he held up the gem. 'Your soul is still unstable within that body, I'll improve it a little.'
Wuxie gulped.
'If you say so...'
'We'll begin.' and he used the gem on her and Wuxie felt that she was dead again...and she could see that her dead body, is very active and someone else wearing it?! She approached her and she was surprised to see a ghost in front of her while wearing fancy clothes but with very outdated designs, but still living in a shack.
'Wha?!' she gasped before frowning. 'Are you...the real Huang Beiyue?'
'Yes.' said Wuxie. 'My name is Jun Wuxie now though, and living in another world.' she told 'Beiyue'. 'I don't know how I ended up here when Brother Yao used the Soul-Stabilizing Gem on me, my soul is still unstable in my new body before my next job.'
'I see. You have a short time here then.' Beiyue frowned thoughtfully. 'You must still have lingering attachments which is why you're easily affected by spirit gems.'
'Well, one thing.' said Wuxie sheepishly. 'Dongling. How is she?' she inquired. 'She's all I have and care about...my only friend and sister in all but blood. I worry about her on the other side. I guess I can't have a peace of mind regarding her.' she admitted glumly.
'Rest assured, I'm caring for her as well.' Beiyue promised her. 'I've done many things and this princess identity is secretly no longer poor now. We're eating well and thanks to the black jade I possess, I'm no longer poisoned.'
'Poisoned?!' Wuxie squawked in shock. 'I was?!' she sputtered in disbelief.
'Guess you didn't know.' Beiyue shook her head and that got Wuxie horrified. 'That skank, Concubine Xue was slowly poisoning you over the years.' she said darkly. 'Its a class of poison that slowly destroys you from within, perfectly imitating a deadly illness, and you die before adulthood. Or that was the plan, but hunger, a beating and cold killed you, enabling me to take over.' she said. 'You know full well how you died.' the young girl flinched horribly before looking gloomy.
'And I thought she was nice to me in this horrible family. Guess I was wrong.' she croaked out. 'I really should be a better judge of character.'
'Rest assured, I will get justice for you.' Beiyue promised her. 'Is there anything else you'd want so you can finally stabilize?'
'Yes. Dongling suffered just for staying loyal to me when mother's other maids abandoned us. They hate me and made it clear when mother wasn't around and returned to the palace to work.' said Wuxie sadly. 'She stayed, knowing what's coming after mother died. They have no need to pretend...and make our lives hell. You inherited my body's memories.' Beiyue nodded with a dark look on her face.
'Please give Dongling Education, Cultivation and Training. You're in more danger than I am now.' Wuxie told her fearfully. 'You're all alone in a nation that scorns us for what was never our fault. You only have one ally in Dongling but it seems you're the only strong one. Make sure Dongling cultivates and gets some skills.' Beiyue nodded. 'At least I want revenge on those maids who abandoned us!' she cried.
'The best revenge is to live well and live a better life than they can ever dream of! Those dumb women who are slaves till death considering I know what maid life is like in the palace, make Dongling a Citizen, and grant her what slaves can never have. A future! That'd mean Dongling will be a paid employee and I want her to have a salary of 1000 gold coins a month.' Wuxie told Beiyue. 'A reward for the deserving and loyal. Mother always said good things come to those who are good but endure...and karma comes charging for the evil.'
Beiyue grinned at that.
'I'm quite, talented in that regard.' she grinned viciously. 'Rest assured, Jun Wuxie.'
'Oh yes, study Pharmacy!' Wuxie lit up. 'It'll be of great help to you. Steal some books about it in Lingyang School and steal a nice furnace for your use. The ingredients are up to you. I'm a pharmacist and doctor where I am now...I'm actually a genius at this sort of thing.' she said sheepishly. 'If that body was never ruined, I could have shone as one but sadly, our misfortune is our lousy dantian.'
'Yeah, figured that out the hard way.' Beiyue snarked. 'I'm finding other alternatives now to gain strength. Once I fight my way through, we'll get our revenge.' she swore to her. Wuxie let out a relieved sigh and smiled.
'Thank you...I hope you and her live well together.' she said. 'In a country that loathed us, you only have each other. I don't think you can count on anyone.' Wuxie told Beiyue sadly. 'Get stronger, and leave Nanyi Country. And find a place where you can have a future. Have friends, marry a good man and have a happy family that's nothing like the Xiao Clan. Promise me that?'
'Mm. Go in peace, Huang Beiyue.' Beiyue promised to Wuxie and she was gone. Able to let go.
Back in her new body, Wuxie gasped as if gasping hard for air.
'I~saw~that~' Wuyao smiled as he was able to stabilize her. The reason she was unstable was because of her worries, out of concern and love for her only friend whom she left behind. She actually couldn't have a moment of peace, worrying for Dongling so her soul was unstable and yet to fully accept being Jun Wuxie. 'Things will be alright now, I hope?'
'Yeah...she seems like a person who's the type to pay evil unto evil, good unto good.' said Wuxie. 'At least, I can trust her with Dongling. Everything will be OK.' she said with a relieved smile. 'Well, time to go to fight!' she exclaimed, feeling in better spirits and got better moxie.