Chapter 24: Enemies and Friends: Learning to be Content with What One Has (Seeking Monthly Votes)

"Very good, I was truly afraid that Helmsman Wang was a pedantic person." Pei Shaoqing laughed, flicked his folding fan in his hand, and opened it with a *swish*. He said calmly, "I believe Zheng Xuancheng is the traitor of the Xuanhuang Sect. The reason the murderer of the previous County Magistrate has yet to be caught is because of his protection, and the same applies to the Mo Fu massacre."

If he could have the cooperation of Wang Xianling, a middle-level manager of the Xuan Sect, it would be easy to fabricate evidence that Battalion Commander Zheng was a traitor of the Xuan Sect, leaving him unable to defend himself.

"Young Master Pei wants me to have our Holy Sect cooperate with you to frame Battalion Commander Zheng. It is a good idea that kills two birds with one stone, allowing you to both take revenge and perform a meritorious service." Wang Xianling looked enlightened, then changed the subject, "But what benefit can I get from this cooperation?"

"My forgiveness," Pei Shaoqing replied.

Wang Xianling thought he had misheard, "Forgiveness?"

"Correct, my forgiveness!" Pei Shaoqing closed the folding fan in his hand and said with a smile, "I forgive you for colluding with Battalion Commander Zheng to attempt to plot against me. Otherwise, I only need to report your true identity to my father. You would either have to abandon your post and flee, or you would have no way out, and the Xuanhuang Sect's schemes in Tongzhou would all come to nothing."

"So, rather than calling it cooperation, it is more of a one-sided threat from you," Wang Xianling said with a forced smile.

Pei Shaoqing returned the smile without refuting his words, saying nonchalantly, "Only with this foundation can we reach a long-term cooperation."

"But why should I believe you won't go back on your word or burn bridges?" Wang Xianling asked suspiciously.

If he could collude with Pei Shaoqing, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for the development of the Holy Sect in Tongzhou and even the whole country. So, whether for public or private reasons, he was tempted, but he feared the other party had ulterior motives.

Pei Shaoqing chuckled, "If I wanted to harm you, I could have just reported your identity to my father; why go through all this extra trouble? I can even forgive you for wanting to kill me; does this not count as sincerity for cooperation?"

Although he currently dared not and did not want to contact the Marquis Mansion, it did not hinder him from using it to bluff.

"Young Master Pei has an extraordinary temperament, I admire you!" Wang Xianling was silent for a long time before cupping his hands and saying this sincerely.

Pei Shaoqing shook his head and replied, "I am merely someone who always makes choices that are beneficial to myself."

Wang Xianling let out a breath, "Good! Since Young Master is so sincere, I agree to this cooperation. I will place some of the sect's tokens and forged documents in Zheng Xuancheng's study. At that time, Young Master can bring people to catch him in the act, and the Holy Sect disciples caught on the spot will testify against Zheng Xuancheng."

Clearly, he had planted people around Zheng Xuancheng.

"In that case, your Xuanhuang Sect will have to lose a few people," Pei Shaoqing said with a click of his tongue.

Wang Xianling said righteously, "For the great cause of the Holy Sect, every disciple should be brave enough to sacrifice themselves."

"Since that is the case, why don't I see Helmsman Wang taking the lead in sacrificing yourself?" Pei Shaoqing said sarcastically.

Wang Xianling did not fly into a rage, but replied with a serious face, "I enjoy more resources provided by the sect, so I must die more valuably than them. If there is a day when it is needed, I will."

Pei Shaoqing raised his eyebrows and stared at him closely. He did not seem to be lying. In his heart, he marveled at how powerful the brainwashing methods of the Xuanhuang Sect were; no wonder they had been able to pass down for a thousand years without interruption despite never succeeding.

"Good, then I shall await the Helmsman's good news."

"Farewell!" Wang Xianling turned and leaped over the wall.

Only then did Gongsun Yi step forward, anxiously persuading him, "Young Master, the traitors of the Xuan Sect are not tolerated by any country. It is not appropriate for you to be too deeply involved with them."

He was afraid that the Iron Sword Sect would be dragged onto a pirate ship of rebellion.

"Sect Leader Gongsun, rest assured. I am a son of a noble family with no worries about food or clothing; how could I join them in some rebellion? It is merely utilization," Pei Shaoqing said.

Seeing that he was still rational, Gongsun Yi breathed a sigh of relief, but still reminded him, "The traitors of the Xuan Sect are best at confusing people's minds. Young Master, be careful."

"Rest assured, they cannot brainwash me," Pei Shaoqing said with a contemptuous smile, dismissing the concern.

Ye Hanshuang walked over. She did not care about rebellion, but said, "Big Brother, that guy wanted to kill you before. Do you really want to cooperate with him?"

"That is why I am letting him help me kill Zheng Xuancheng as atonement. Friends and enemies are not fixed; friends may become enemies, and likewise, enemies can become friends." Pei Shaoqing turned to look at the wall where Wang Xianling had left and said quietly, "Let's wait and see."

He was never afraid of killing; he had killed plenty of bandits who ate from the same trough at Phoenix Mountain without hesitation.

But killing was not the goal, only a means. Making himself live better was the goal. Killing Wang Xianling before was for this, and cooperating now was also for this.

If he could achieve his goal by utilizing Wang Xianling, why bother to go to the trouble of killing him?

……………………………

"Helmsman!"

In the alley not far from the pawnshop, a group of people led by the manager of Juyuan Inn gathered around Wang Xianling.

"It's nothing, everyone disperse."

Wang Xianling waved his hand. He did not want to reveal that the person he had just met was Pei Shaoqing, nor did he want to reveal the deal between the two, because once a long-term cooperation was truly established, Pei Shaoqing would be of great value to the Holy Sect.

With someone like him in the imperial court, there would naturally be imperial court undercover agents in the Xuanhuang Sect, so he had to be on guard to avoid leaks that could cause trouble.

Pei Shaoqing climbed over the wall to return home and was surprised to find the candles still lit in the room. Pushing the door open, Xie Qingwu was indeed still awake, but she had removed her makeup and was reading a book in a white silk nightgown with her hair draped down.

He glanced at the dressing table and saw Li Jiangjun lying there fast asleep. His face darkened instantly; the person being monitored had not slept, yet the one monitoring had fallen asleep first.

"You're back." Xie Qingwu put down the book, stood up, and walked over with a smile, "I knew you wouldn't want to disturb others, and fearing it would be inconvenient for you to wash up, I had the maid leave two buckets of water in the room. Go ahead and wash up briefly."

Perhaps fearing being taken advantage of again, she had taken precautions this time. She was no longer wearing Ice Silkworm Silk on her lower body just for comfort and coolness, but had put on a pair of thin white silk trousers.

But Pei Shaoqing's gaze subconsciously fell on her shoeless feet. Because this pair of Ice Silkworm Silk was black, the light, silky material tightly wrapped around her rounded ankles and her jade-like feet that could be held in one hand.

Xie Qingwu thought that wearing a pair of trousers would be enough.

Naive.

"I sometimes really wonder if you are doing this on purpose," Pei Shaoqing said, looking up.

"What on purpose?" Xie Qingwu felt his words were inexplicable, but she didn't think too much about it and took the initiative to step forward to help him undress, "The water is still warm, hurry and wash."

Pei Shaoqing suddenly turned around to face her.

"You!" Xie Qingwu was caught off guard and startled. Just as she subconsciously wanted to take a step back, she was grabbed by Pei Shaoqing and pulled in front of him. He looked down at her with a half-smile, "My wife is truly beautiful."

"Yes, yes, yes, let me go first." Xie Qingwu nodded repeatedly, giving a perfunctory reply. Suddenly feeling a threat to her heart, she struggled in a hurry, her face flushed red as she glared, "Wait! What do you want to do?"

"Wife, let me ask you, are you an ungrateful person?" Pei Shaoqing asked seriously.

Xie Qingwu felt it was inexplicable, but blurted out, "Of course not, I always repay kindness."

"Repaying kindness is good, then you should repay me too," Pei Shaoqing said solemnly.

Xie Qingwu glared, "Repay what kindness?"

"The kindness of saving your life. That day I only killed your husband and didn't kill you, which is equivalent to saving you," Pei Shaoqing said solemnly, "Shouldn't you return the favor?"

"You... you shameless man!" Sensing Pei Shaoqing's ulterior motives, Xie Qingwu felt flustered and was so angry that her body trembled, "Thief! Let me go!"

Li Jiangjun, who had been woken up, looked at the jade pendant hanging on its chest, "Master, your servant will say a fair word..."

"Get out!"

"Your servant obeys the decree!" Li Jiangjun jumped out the window.

A single braided rope was only enough for it to go this far.

Pei Shaoqing could only settle for the next best thing; he lowered his head to stare at her small feet, wrapped in Black Silk, plump and soft, fitting perfectly within his grasp, and said, "If Madam is unwilling, I am a man who knows how to be content."

"How could you... a person cannot... at least you shouldn't..." Xie Qingwu was also speechless with anger, completely helpless; she took a deep breath, forced herself to endure the shame, and whispered with a blushing face, "Then go wash up first."

…………………………

Wang Xianling acted very quickly; the next day, while Pei Shaoqing was eating breakfast, he sent someone to inform him that everything was prepared on his end and they could take action at any time.

The hunt for Zheng Xuancheng had begun!

(End of chapter)