Chapter 106

Li Yao turned his head and looked around, discovering someone waving at the alley entrance.

But we must not add extra words not in source. Must be faithful.

Let's translate each line precisely.

We'll need to render numbers etc exactly.

We'll need to keep proper nouns as per glossary.

Let's go line by line.

Li Yao turned his head and looked around, noticing someone waving at the entrance of the nearby alley.

Translation: Li Yao turned his head and looked around, discovering someone waving at the entrance of the nearby alley.

Li Yao turned his head and looked around, discovering someone waving at the entrance of the nearby alley.

We must keep it concise but include all info.

Taking a closer look, it really was Fairy Jinli.

Translation: Taking a closer look, it really was the Jinli Fairy!

We need to keep exclamation.

Li Yao was overjoyed, quickly dismounted, walked over, and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Fairy? What are you doing here?"

Translation: Li Yao was overjoyed, quickly dismounted and walked over, clasping his hands in greeting: "Fairy? How are you here?"

Li Yao was overjoyed, quickly dismounted, walked over, and clasped his hands in greeting.

He had still thought that the fairy would only descend upon Linxian Village.

Translation: He had thought the Fairy would only descend at Lin Xian Village.

Now it's all right; with the fairy here, she will surely be able to resolve the danger facing His Majesty.

Translation: Now it's fine; with the Fairy here, we can surely resolve the danger His Majesty faces!

She will surely be able to resolve the danger His Majesty faces.

"Where is this?" Ning Jingli asked.

Translation: "Where is this?" Ning Jinli asked.

Li Yao replied respectfully, "This is Shuncheng of Daxuan. It is several hundred li away from Xituan Pass."

Translation: Li Yao replied respectfully: "This is Shuncheng of Daxuan. It is several hundred li from Xi Tun Guan."

This is Shuncheng of Daxuan, and it is several hundred li from Xituan Pass.

"Wasn't he supposed to return to the capital? Why did he come here?" Ning Jingli said with a surprised look, turning her head to glance at the fluorescent vortex not far behind.

Translation: "Wasn't he supposed to return to the Royal City? Why did he come here?" Ning Jinli looked surprised, turning her head to glance at the fluorescent vortex not far behind.

"Wasn't he supposed to return to the capital? Why did he come here?" Ning Jingli looked surprised, turning her head to glance at the fluorescent vortex nearby.

These days, she has been constantly thinking about Xiao Qidi.

Translation: These days, she has been constantly thinking of Xiao Qidi.

Especially tonight, for some reason her heart keeps pounding.

Translation: Especially tonight, for some reason her heart kept pounding.

Recalling what Shangguan Ying had told her before—that the key to opening the spacetime channel lay within herself—she began to think of Xiao Qidi while trying to alter the channel.

Translation: Thinking back to when Shangguan Ying had told her that the key to opening the spacetime portal lay in herself, she then, while thinking of Xiao Qidi, tried to alter the portal.

She succeeded again.

Translation: She succeeded again.

As soon as she crossed the fluorescent vortex, she found herself in a completely unfamiliar ancient alley.

Translation: Upon crossing the fluorescent vortex, she arrived in a completely unfamiliar ancient alley.

Just as she was about to leave the alley to ask around whether this was the Xuan Kingdom's capital, she happened to see Li Yao.

Translation: Just as she was about to leave the alley to ask around whether this was the capital of Xuan Guo, she happened to see Li Yao.

"Where is Xiao Qidi? Weren't you together?" Ning Jingli asked urgently.

Translation: "Where is Xiao Qidi? Weren't you together?" Ning Jinli asked urgently.

Li Yao dropped to his knees, saying, "Fairy, His Majesty is in danger! Please help him!"

Translation: Li Yao dropped to his knees: "Fairy, His Majesty is in danger! Please help, Fairy!"

Ning Jingli felt a chill run down her spine.

Translation: Ning Jinli felt her hairs stand on end.

No wonder she felt so anxious—something had indeed happened!

Translation: No wonder she felt so anxious; something had indeed happened!

"Quick, tell me what's going on!" Ning Jingli helped Li Yao to his feet.

Translation: "Quick, tell me what's going on!" Ning Jinli helped Li Yao up.

Li Yao quickly explained what he had just seen and his speculation, and also told the fairy about his plan to go outside the city to seek reinforcements.

Translation: Li Yao quickly explained what he had just seen and his speculation, and also told the Fairy of his plan to go outside the city to seek reinforcements.

After listening, Ning Jingli shook her head repeatedly, saying, "No, no, your plan might not work; if it fails, not only will you fail to save him, but you could also be killed by the Shuncheng troops."

Translation: After listening, Ning Jinli shook her head repeatedly: "No, no, your plan might not succeed; if it fails, not only will you fail to save him, but you'll also be killed by the Shuncheng Army."

"Fairy, do you have a better plan?" Li Yao asked.

Translation: "Fairy, do you have a better plan?" Li Yao asked.

"Let me think." Ning Jingli crossed her arms, furrowed her brows, and began to ponder.

Translation: "Let me think." Ning Jinli crossed her arms, furrowed her brows, and began to ponder.

Li Yao had absolute trust in Fairy Jingli; although he was anxious like ants on a hot pan, he remained calm and patiently waited.

Translation: Li Yao had absolute trust in the Jinli Fairy; although he was anxious like ants on a hot pan, he still waited calmly and patiently.

The alley was dark and quiet, and Ning Jingli paced back and forth while thinking.

Translation: The alley was dark and quiet, as Ning Jinli paced back and forth, thinking.

Based on historical records from her own world, and projecting onto the original development of this parallel universe, it seemed that in a few years here, the Prince of Le'an would also launch a rebellion.

Translation: Based on historical records from her own world, and projecting onto the original development of this parallel universe, in a few years here, the Le'an Marquis would also launch a rebellion.

Besides deploying about a hundred death warriors and three thousand retainers, he also deceived fifty thousand Shuncheng troops with a forged edict, nearly succeeding in the rebellion.

Translation: Besides sending out about a hundred warriors and three thousand retainers, he also used a false edict to deceive fifty thousand of the Shuncheng Army, nearly succeeding in the mutiny.

Meanwhile, events here have already changed; judging by the current situation, the rebellion of the Prince of Le'an that would have occurred in a few years in the original timeline is already unfolding now.

Translation: Moreover, the events here have already changed; judging by the current situation, it is equivalent to the Le'an Marquis rebellion that would have occurred in a few years, and it has already been staged now.

"Forged edict… fifty thousand Shuncheng troops…" Ning Jingli tapped her forehead lightly with her index finger.

Translation: "False edict... fifty thousand Shuncheng Army..." Ning Jinli lightly tapped her forehead with her index finger.

"Fairy, what are you saying? Do you have a plan?" Li Yao said, growing impatient.

Translation: "Fairy, what are you saying? Do you have a plan?" Li Yao grew impatient.

Ning Jingli said while thinking, "As far as I know, that forged edict is a blank imperial decree that the Prince of Le'an secretly obtained, had the Empress Dowager stamp it with her jade seal, and then, taking advantage of Xiao Qidi's absence from the capital, with the Empress Dowager's help, also acquired the emperor's jade seal held by the Chancellor and stamped it."

Translation: Ning Jinli said while pondering: "As I know, that false edict is a blank edict; the Le'an Marquis secretly obtained it, had the Empress Dowager stamp it with her jade seal, then, taking advantage of Xiao Qidi's absence from the Royal City, with the Empress Dowager's help, he also obtained the King's jade seal held by the Prime Minister and stamped it."

"Huh?" Li Yao blinked in surprise, "A blank edict?"

Translation: "Ah?" Li Yao stared blankly: "A blank edict?"

Ning Jingli wasn't explaining to him; she was organizing her thoughts to find a solution, muttering to herself, "Such a blank edict would be used only at the most critical moment. But now things have happened suddenly, and the Prince of Le'an's strategists couldn't possibly have already prepared the forged edict, so…"

Translation: Ning Jinli wasn't explaining to him; she was organizing her thoughts to find a solution, muttering to herself: "Such a blank edict is meant to be used only at the most critical moment. Now that things have happened suddenly, the Le'an Marquis's strategist couldn't possibly have already prepared the false edict, so……"

"Maybe they're about to use it right now!" Ning Jingli clapped her hands, "I have a plan! Let's hurry—hopefully we're not too late!"

Translation: "Maybe they're about to use it right now!" Ning Jinli clapped her hands: "I have a plan! Let's hurry, hoping we're in time!"

Li Yao urgently asked, "Fairy! What is the plan?!"

Translation: Li Yao urgently asked: "Fairy! What is the plan?!"

"Wait here for a moment!" Ning Jingli hastily turned and stepped into the fluorescent vortex, disappearing from Li Yao's sight in the blink of an eye.

Translation: "Wait here a moment!" Ning Jinli hastily turned and stepped into the fluorescent vortex, vanishing from Li Yao's sight in the blink of an eye.

Soon, Ning Jingli reappeared.

Translation: Soon, Ning Jinli appeared again.

She now had an extra drone in her hand.

Translation: She now had an extra drone in her hand.

Her factory is currently building a drone production line, and it won't be long before she can produce them herself.

Translation: Her factory is currently building a drone production line; before long, she will be able to produce them herself.

However, this drone was purchased earlier; she bought extra ones to keep in storage, anticipating wear and tear on the batch destined for Xituan Pass.

Translation: But this drone was purchased earlier; considering that the batch of drones supplied to Xi Tun Guan might suffer losses, she bought extra and kept them in storage.

This time she simply took one that was already prepared and brought it along.

Translation: This time she simply took a ready‑made one and brought it along.

Li Yao didn't understand how a drone could be useful now, wondering, "Fairy, how could this device help save His Majesty? It probably can't carry him away by flight."

Translation: Li Yao didn't understand what use a drone could have now, wondering: "Fairy, how can this thing save His Majesty? It probably can't fly him away."

Ning Jingli, while maneuvering the drone into the air, said, "That's not how I intend to use it; I want to locate the hiding place of the Prince of Le'an's strategists, and you should come take a look as well."

Translation: Ning Jinli, while operating the drone to fly into the air, said: "That's not the use; I want to locate the hideout of the Le'an Marquis's strategist—you come and have a look too."

The drone swooshed away into the night.

Translation: The drone whooshed away into the night.

On the remote controller's screen, a bird's-eye view of Shuncheng appeared.

Translation: On the remote‑control screen, a bird's‑eye view of Shuncheng appeared.

The ancient city from over two thousand years ago came into Ning Jingli's view; Shuncheng was considered a major city of the Xuan Kingdom at that time, yet it paled in comparison to modern cities, its scale even falling short of the center of an ordinary modern town.

Translation: The ancient city from over two thousand years ago filled Ning Jinli's view; Shuncheng counted as a major city of Xuan Guo at that time, yet it paled compared to modern cities, its scale even falling short of the center of an ordinary modern town.

Moreover, it was already dark, so most of the townspeople had gone home; aside from a few peddlers and laborers on the main streets, the rest of the city was quiet and still.

Translation: Moreover, with night fallen, most of the townsfolk had gone home; aside from the main streets, where a few peddlers and passersby could be seen, the rest was quiet and peaceful.

Under these circumstances, any slight disturbance could be quickly spotted by the drone hovering in midair.

Translation: Under these circumstances, any stirring could be quickly spotted by the drone hovering in mid‑air.

The drone flew for less than a minute and indeed spotted groups of people moving together.

Translation: The drone flew for less than a minute, and indeed it spotted groups of people.

These people first emerged in twos and threes from various houses, then all headed in the same direction.

Translation: These people first came out in twos and threes from various houses, then all hurried toward the same direction.

Judging by their attire, they comprised ordinary folk from all walks of life.

Translation: Judging by their attire, all sorts of ordinary folk—people from every walk of life—were present.

"These must be the Prince of Le'an's retainers!" Li Yao immediately concluded.

Translation: "These are surely the Le'an Marquis's retainers!" Li Yao immediately concluded.

Ning Jingli asked, "Are you sure?"

Translation: Ning Jinli asked: "Are you sure?"

Li Yao nodded, "First, although they appear to be all kinds of people, they are all trained martial artists, discernible by their gait. Second, such a large number moving simultaneously must have been summoned. Given the current circumstances, aside from the Prince of Le'an's strategists mobilizing his retainers, there is no other possibility."

Translation: Li Yao nodded: "First, although they seem to be all kinds of people, they are all martial practitioners, discernible from their gait. Second, so many people mobilizing at once must have been summoned. Given the current situation, aside from the Le'an Marquis's strategist activating the retainers, there is no other possibility."

"Alright, let's follow them! We'll surely find the Prince of Le'an's rebel headquarters, and the core figures advising him will definitely be there as well."

Translation: "All right, let's follow them! We'll surely find the Le'an Marquis's conspiracy headquarters, and the core figures who advise him will definitely be there too."

Ning Jingli monitored the drone to observe their movements while tracking them.

Translation: Ning Jinli, while using the drone to observe the people's movements, also tailed them.

To avoid alerting them, neither she nor Li Yao rode horses.

Translation: To avoid startling the snake, neither she nor Li Yao rode horses.

The two walked lightly and swiftly, and Ning Jingli secretly circulated her Heavenly Mystery heart technique to mobilize her inner energy, continually quickening her pace.

Translation: Both of their steps were light and swift; Ning Jinli also secretly circulated the Tian Xuan Heart Method to mobilize her internal strength, continually quickening her pace.

Li Yao followed behind, gradually finding it taxing, and couldn't help but marvel inwardly—truly a fairy, her walking speed surpasses that of a trained martial artist running, without even breaking a sweat.

Translation: Li followed behind, gradually feeling strained; he couldn't help but silently marvel: no wonder she's a fairy—her walking speed exceeds that of ordinary martial artists running, without even panting.

About the time it took for half an incense stick to burn passed.

The first hundred assassins to mobilize had already reached the main gate of Shuncheng Palace's city wall, showed the Le'an Marquis's token to the guards, and smoothly entered the palace gate.

Meanwhile, Ning Jinli, by following those retainers, had also located the strategist's whereabouts.

This was an inconspicuous residence.

After the arriving retainers went in and came out again, Ning Jinli and Li Yao quietly climbed over the wall and sneaked inside.

Inside the residence.

The Le'an Marquis's strategist had just devised a plan for the retainer leaders who had been summoned, so that they could lead all the retainers in coordinated action.

He didn't even have time to rest before immediately returning to the study.

The imperial edict on the desk was still blank.

His expression grave, he picked up the brush and dipped it in ink.

But just as he was about to put brush to paper, he hesitated again, set the brush aside, and frowned at the blank edict, deep in thought.

This is too important.

Moreover, it's not something you can just get easily.

We must ensure it's used at the most critical moment, otherwise it would be too wasteful.

So, is this truly the critical moment now? Or is it that we cannot afford to use it?

He was somewhat unsure.

"Ah..." the strategist sighed, leaned his head back against the chair, muttering to himself as he analyzed the situation: "All we know for now is only the signal sent out by the Marquis, indicating that Xiao Qidi poses a deadly threat to the Marquis within Shuncheng Palace."

"Regardless of why Xiao Qidi suddenly appeared, this is enough to show that the second assassination attempt has failed."

"Then Xiao Qidi must have come here alone, without any troops, and hardly any attendants; otherwise our spies spread throughout Shuncheng would have already noticed."

"In that case, a hundred assassins might be enough to protect the Marquis."

"Besides, with three thousand retainers heading out, killing the lone Xiao Qidi would be a piece of cake."

"This blank imperial edict..."

"Perhaps we don't need to use it now to mobilize Shuncheng's troops? Perhaps we can keep it for future emergencies?"

The strategist pinched the bridge of his nose, closed his eyes, and said, "Everything seems foolproof, yet why… do I still feel uneasy? Sigh, what should I do? If something goes wrong…"

"No, we absolutely cannot allow any mishap, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable!"

"It would still be best to use this edict!"

Having made up his mind, the strategist was about to open his eyes, pick up the brush, and write a forged edict.

But the moment he opened his eyes, he suddenly felt a chill at his neck.

The study's door had somehow been opened; a gust of wind blew in, causing the candlelight to flicker.

"Don't move." A low voice sounded behind him, "Don't shout either—if you cry out, I'll take your life!"

Only then did he realize a small knife was pressed against his neck.

"You… who are you… how did you get in?" the strategist stammered.

"Don't ask what you shouldn't." The person behind him exerted a little force, and the blade cut a blood line on the strategist's neck.

The strategist's face turned deathly pale on the spot, realizing this person was not joking.

"Then… what do you want?" he asked, gathering his courage, "Do you know who I am?"

The other party said: "I know who you are, and I know you're helping the Le'an Marquis rebel and regicide; I hereby order you to cease all your actions at once!"

The strategist trembled with fear, "It's too late… I've given them a death order to protect the Marquis at all costs and kill Xiao Qidi; even if I personally step in to stop them, I can't recall the order."

The person behind him said in a deep voice, "Fairy… this…"

The strategist exclaimed in surprise, "Fairy? What fairy…"

"That's not surprising," Ning Jinli emerged from behind the strategist, "I wasn't originally targeting this."

The strategist widened his eyes, only then realizing there were two people behind him, a man and a woman.

Ning Jinli walked to the desk, glanced at the blank imperial edict, lifted her head and gave the strategist a faint smile, "Pick up the brush; write whatever I say—understand?"

Ning Jinli can't write the script of this era, and Li Yao, though a literate warrior, has limited ability, so we must spare the strategist's life for now and have him act as our scribe.

The strategist was still dazed.

Li Yao pressed the dagger against his neck again, "Are you deaf? Or can't you understand?"

"Yes yes yes!" the strategist hastily grabbed the brush, "Miss… uh… Fairy, please speak!"

——

Xiao Qidi searched every corner of Shuncheng Palace; although he found traces left by the Le'an Marquis during his escape along the way, he never saw the Marquis himself.

Before he knew it, he had returned to the open space before the main hall.

All the palace eunuchs and maids had vanished without a trace.

The surroundings had become deathly quiet and still, only the yellowish lanterns swaying high above in the wind.

Suddenly, Xiao Qidi sensed a killing intent.

At the same time, hurried footsteps approached from afar.

On the wide open space, a group of burly men wielding long sabers and radiating a fierce aura suddenly appeared.

Lao An also appeared among them.

Although his hair was disheveled and his attire rumpled from the frantic escape just moments before, his face showed no trace of panic.

"Xiao Qidi!" Lao An bellowed, "The two previous attempts failed to kill you, but this time you won't be so lucky! These are the assassins I've painstakingly trained for years! Tonight will be your death!"

As his voice fell, the hundred assassins drew their blades and charged at Xiao Qidi like vicious wolves.

Xiao Qidi's eyes blazed with even greater killing intent.

He had been holding back a surge of hatred and fury, desperately needing to vent; instead of retreating, he lunged forward to meet the Marquis's assassins.

In the melee, Xiao Qidi attacked without defense, his moves wide open and powerful, each strike landing flesh, fierce and brutal, like a tiger entering a pack of wolves.

Just one encounter, and several assassins were killed outright.

As his tall black figure slaughtered through the crowd, the number of assassins lying on the ground increased.

He hadn't even drawn the special forces dagger he carried, wanting only to vent his inner anger with pure fists and feet.

The Marquis of Joy Peace watching the battle began full of confidence, but gradually grew startled and flustered.

He realized Xiao Qidi's all‑attack, no‑defense stance had a reason: the assassins' swords clearly struck Xiao Qidi, yet caused no injury.

"Xiao Qidi... his martial arts have reached such a point, impervious to blades and spears? How is this possible!" The Marquis of Joy Peace trembled with fear the more he watched.

Swish!!

Several sharp bronze Long Swords thrust into Xiao Qidi's upper body from front, back, left, and right at once.

However, the sword tips only tore his outer clothing; no matter how hard the few assassins wielding the swords strained, they could not pierce any further.

"What... what is happening?" several assassins' faces showed shock.

In their brief moment of distraction, Xiao Qidi turned and dodged the Long Sword.

A few of them hadn't had time to withdraw force; the sword tips suddenly lost their block, with a few puffing sounds, letting them pierce each other's chests straight through.

Xiao Qidi's outer clothing had been shredded by blades; finding it cumbersome, he simply tore it off, revealing the black specially‑made protective suit he wore underneath.

At this point, fewer than thirty assassins remained standing.

They surrounded Xiao Qidi, swords in hand, and for a moment none dared to attack lightly.

But Xiao Qidi wouldn't give them a chance to catch their breath; he let out a low roar and charged at them!

The assassins fell one after another.

The Marquis of Joy Peace watched as his own hundreds of assassins were about to be wiped out by Xiao Qidi, terrified, his face turned ashen and he turned and fled.

Xiao Qidi snapped the last assassin's neck with his bare hands, caught sight of the Marquis of Joy Peace trying to flee, immediately hooked a Long Sword from the ground with his toe, and decisively flung it at the Marquis's back.