The blind girl is called a saint with a sword!

An Qingwan frowned.

She had been observing Lu Qinghui and Princess Changning's reactions using her Sword Heart Clarity and the Emperor's Aura Observation Technique.

Their surprise, both outwardly and inwardly, seemed genuine.

For an actor to portray such emotional shifts so realistically is simply too exaggerated.

But the Ascension Elixir wasn't for them, and... wait a minute!

An Qingwan suddenly walked up to the agitated Princess Changning. "What's wrong?"

Lu Qinghui asked, puzzled.

An Qingwan didn't rush to reply, and continued to use the Emperor's Qi Observation Technique to sense Princess Changning's aura.

The last time she met Princess Changning, Princess Changning's internal energy was thin but very stable. Now, when she saw her again, Princess Changning's internal energy was many times stronger than before, but it was very chaotic.

Where did this extra internal energy come from? An elixir of immortality?

impossible.

Putting aside Princess Changning's claim that she had never used the Ascension Elixir, even if she were lying, her current state doesn't seem to suggest it.

The Ascension Elixir is a secret technique passed down in the Great Liang Dynasty. It is gentle and mild, like a calm river, representing the glorious path. How could it possibly reveal such a dangerous aspect after being used?

An Qingwan asked, "Princess, did you encounter any unexpected events on your way to the capital?"

"Accident?"

Princess Changning fell into deep thought.

Lu Qinghui spoke first: "Changning came to the capital with me. We didn't encounter any attacks along the way, but if it was an ambush..."

The room fell silent. So quiet you could hear a pin drop.

An Qingwan could easily hear Lu Qinghui and Princess Changning's breathing and heartbeats.

An Qingwan suddenly sensed an unusual surge of energy.

This surge was so subtle that even some grandmasters who were not skilled in perception might not be able to detect it.

However, for An Qingwan, who had mastered the Cihang Sword Manual's Sword Heart Clarity Realm and the Emperor's Qi Observation Technique, such a surge of energy could not possibly escape her notice if she were willing to investigate.

"Be careful!"

An Qingwan moved her right hand horizontally, placing it precisely between Lu Qinghui and Princess Changning. *Ding!*

There was a crisp sound.

Lu Qinghui stared in shock at the scene before him—

Suddenly, An Qingwan's body turned into a dazzling gold, while Princess Changning, who had been lying on the bed and was feeling unwell, suddenly propped herself up, her five fingers forming claws, and her silver claws gripped An Qingwan's palms tightly.

If An Qingwan hadn't blocked it, that claw would have definitely struck her throat!

This unexpected turn of events left Lu Qinghui at a loss for words. "Changning, you..."

As she was surprised, An Qingwan clenched her five fingers, clamping down firmly on Princess Changning's "silver claws" like a vise.

Seeing this, Princess Changning attempted to kick An Qingwan's lower limbs. However, all her movements were already anticipated by An Qingwan. The moment her foot lifted, An Qingwan struck her Quchi acupoint with a single finger.

The Formless Divine Needle condensed sword energy, which entered the acupoint like a vicious dragon entering the sea. In just a moment, Princess Changning's internal energy was thrown into chaos by An Qingwan.

Her internal energy suddenly became chaotic, and Princess Changning's body went limp, leaning back. She became like a lump of clay mixed with too much water, becoming especially soft.

An Qingwan used her acupuncture skills again, repeatedly pricking multiple acupoints on Princess Changning's body.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye. By the time Lu Qinghui had fully regained his senses, Princess Changning had been completely subdued and had fainted.

"What's wrong with her?" Lu Qinghui asked anxiously.

She didn't have many friends; to be precise, she only had Princess Changning as a friend.

That friendship was forged when she was still the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yi'an in Daliang.

At that time, the Marquis of Yi'an was imprisoned for failing to quell the rebellion and was to be executed soon. As the daughter of the Marquis of Yi'an, she was also implicated and was forced into slavery in the imperial court.

Thanks to Princess Changning's disregard for her status and her unwavering protection, she was able to survive safely and achieve her current status.

Princess Changning was not only a friend to her, but also her savior.

Now that Princess Changning is in trouble, Lu Qinghui can no longer maintain the icy coldness on her face, and her indifferent heart has completely softened.

An Qingwan said in a deep voice, "She's being controlled. There's an inexplicable surge of internal energy within her. That internal energy... no, it's not just that internal energy. I think she must have also been affected by a mind-altering and insidious technique. We noticed the abnormality in her just now, and she suddenly went berserk, trying to capture you as a hostage."

Lu Qinghui's face immediately turned even uglier than the bottom of the pot covered in coal ash. "Who did this?"

An Qingwan certainly couldn't answer that question, and she wasn't asking An Qingwan; she was asking herself.

who is it?

But now doesn't seem like the time to think about that.

Lu Qinghui quickly asked, "Can Changning recover?"

An Qingwan said, "The excess internal energy in her body can naturally be cleared, but I cannot guarantee whether her mind can return to normal. I have almost no knowledge in this area."

In fact, she had some knowledge of martial arts techniques like mind control.

She once obtained the "Lianhua Precious Mirror" from Wang Lianhua in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," which contained records of Persian mind-controlling techniques.

But not all mind-controlling techniques are the same, and she dared not do anything reckless to Princess Changning.

An Qingwan said, "Let me first remove the excess internal energy from her body, so that..."

"Firstly, even if she continues to lose control, she won't be able to hurt you." Lu Qinghui sighed and nodded.

While An Qingwan was helping Princess Changning remove excess internal energy, she carefully stayed by her side.

This process did not last long. With the help of the Emperor's Qi Observation Technique, it was not a particularly difficult task for An Qingwan.

After this ordeal, Princess Changning's martial arts skills were completely ruined, and she had to start all over again.

"Thank you, I will always remember this kindness and will find a way to repay it in this lifetime!"

An Qingwan shook her head: "Miss Lu, there's no need for that. You should keep the princess company. I won't disturb you any longer."

Lu Qinghui was listless, but she still saw An Qingwan out of the courtyard. She didn't return to her room until An Qingwan had walked quite a distance away.

Princess Changning was still fast asleep.

Lu Qinghui sat down on the edge of the bed.

She said nothing.

She was still pondering who had murdered Princess Changning. She even suspected An Qingwan.

But upon closer reflection, An Qingwan had no reason to harm Princess Changning. If it wasn't An Qingwan, then who was it?

Their journey to the capital was just as peaceful as she had said before. She hadn't been separated from Princess Changning for long, and she found it hard to imagine that anyone could poison Princess Changning in such a short time.

So, the person who did the dirty work didn't do it while they were traveling? Then it must be...

"At Mirror Flower Water Moon Dock, or at the Qing Shuang Sect."

The Mirror Flower Water Moon Dock certainly caused quite a stir at the time, with many people causing trouble, but could someone really have quietly and secretly plotted against Princess Changning in such an environment?

It's very difficult.

Whether it's digesting and absorbing the elixir of immortality or seizing Princess Changning's soul, it will take quite some time.

There were several grandmasters at Mirror Flower Water Moon Dock at the time; if there were any disturbances, they couldn't be kept secret.

"So, it's within the Qing Shuang Sect..."

Lu Qinghui suddenly grabbed Princess Changning's wrist. She had thought of a possibility.

But is that really possible?

Lu Qinghui's body and heart trembled simultaneously. "If..."

Lu Qinghui suddenly laughed self-deprecatingly.

"Changning, what is the purpose of living in this world?" Princess Changning naturally could not answer.

Lu Qinghui murmured, "Before, I was single-mindedly pursuing the Dao. I felt that as long as I could attain the Dao, I wouldn't be controlled by others anymore, and I wouldn't have to watch my parents and other loved ones die before my eyes. But... when I sincerely pursued the Dao, what did I gain? Fame? Martial arts? Those things weren't what I truly wanted. Yet now, I almost lost you, my dearest friend. Have I been foolish all along?"

She looked up at the ceiling.

After a long while, she picked up Princess Changning.

"Changning, I will definitely find a way to cure you and restore you to your original state."

And so, Lu Qinghui carried Princess Changning away from the residence and arrived at...

The residence of Duke Dou Pu of Chu.

"Why did Fairy Lu bring Princess Changning to my place?"

Lu Qinghui said, "Changning has been bewitched. I have no time to take care of her right now, but I don't trust anyone else, so I can only come to Lord Chu."

Dou Pu asked in surprise, "Who has bewitched her?"

Lu Qinghui said, "I'm not sure, but I need to go back to Qingshuang Sect first to confirm some things."

Dou Pu paused slightly in his hand holding the brush: "It seems that Fairy Lu already has the answer in her heart."

Lu Qinghui said, "Lord Chu is a smart man and should understand what I mean."

Dou Pu said, "I understand."

Lu Qinghui said, "I also know that Lord Chu actually dislikes the Qing Shuang faction, but he has no choice but to cooperate with me for the sake of the greater cause."

Dou Pu laughed and said, "Fairy Lu is joking. There are not many things in this world that are exactly what you want. Living is a constant process of compromise. For martial artists, understanding the world and nature is also a kind of compromise with the world and nature."

Lu Qinghui said, "Did Lord Chu really possess such a level of attainment?"

Dou Pu said, "It's just some nonsense, Fairy Lu, you don't need to take it to heart."

Lu Qinghui said, "I may not be able to come back after I go."

Dou Pu asked, "For Princess Changning?"

Lu Qinghui replied, "Yes."

Dou Pu said, "So it turns out that Fairy Lu is also a person with feelings. It's good to have feelings. Humans are born with feelings. Without feelings, one is ultimately without morality. Without morality, one will be condemned by both heaven and man, and will eventually fall into a desperate situation."

Lu Qinghui did not respond to Dou Pu's sentiments. She said, "If I do not return, I hope that Lord Chu can go and seek out the Goddess of Xiaoxiang."

Dou Pu said, "I have noted it down. I still hope that Fairy Lu can return safely, which would be good for everyone."

Lu Qinghui said, "I hope so."

As they parted, she glanced at Dou Pu a few more times.

Although she came to ask Dou Pu for help, she also helped Dou Pu in a roundabout way, because she believed that Dou Pu would keep his promise to her and take good care of Princess Changning.

Dou Pu and Xu Zhong were completely different people. They both aspired to rule the world, but Dou Pu was the one who truly cared about the world.

After Lu Qinghui had gone far away, Dou Pu put the brush on the brush holder and sent someone to take Princess Changning away and take good care of her. After the servants had also gone far away, a dark shadow suddenly appeared behind him with great speed.

"What are your orders, Lord Chu?"

Dou Pu calmly said, "Send someone to the Qixia Sword Sect." The shadowy figure asked, "What for?"

Dou Pu said, "Go see the current Palace Master of the Holy Palace at the Qixia Sword Sect and tell her that if she wants to challenge the masters of the Central Plains, she shouldn't waste time at the Qixia Sword Sect. Instead, she should go to Huainan, where the future of the martial arts world will be decided for the next hundred years. That's where she can meet the true masters!"

The figure in black cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "I'll go right away."

159, preaching and teaching, the Battle of Huainan [5k]

"Pity."

After recounting her experience at Princess Changning's residence to Sikong Tingxue and the others, An Qingwan helplessly shrugged.

"How could this happen?" Yu Miaozhen was taken aback. "An Qingwan, who do you think was behind this?"

An Qingwan said, "It's hard to say, but if I had to guess, it would be that fake Garuda King."

Upon hearing this name, Yu Miaozhen immediately puffed out her cheeks: "How come it's him again? Who exactly is this person?"

An Qingwan said, "Actually, I already have an answer in my heart, but I don't have any evidence, so I can't say anything recklessly. I can only wait and see. Fortunately, things have developed to this point, and he can't hide it any longer."

Sikong Tingxue nodded: "His plan was originally very ingenious. He spent several years setting up a grand scheme, turning everyone in the martial arts world into his pawns. Unfortunately, he could never have foreseen the sudden appearance of an outlier like you, which ruined most of his plan and rendered it all futile."

An Qingwan smiled and said, "After all, he is not a god, and he cannot predict everything."

Sikong Tingxue also laughed and said, "This is what they mean by 'Man proposes, God disposes.'"