Feng Ziyi's expression shifted slightly, and both Feng Xiwu and Xue Hongyi looked surprised. Xue Hongyi, unable to contain herself any longer, blurted out, "You know who's trying to harm you?"
Lu Qingwan curved her lips into a cold smile. "While I'm not an expert in deciphering gu, it just so happens that my master recognized my identity precisely because of the Hundred Poisons Gu within me.
Her playful gaze fixed on the slightly flustered faces of Feng Ziyi and Xue Hongyi. "Therefore, of all the gu poisons in the world, the Hundred Poisons Gu is the one I'm most familiar with.
Who else could know the exact method of refining the Hundred Poisons Gu within me, besides the one responsible? Do I even need to ask?"
Feng Ziyi pursed her lips, remaining silent.
Xue Hongyi's enchanting face turned pale. She hesitated, trying to formulate an explanation, but Lu Qingwan cut her off.
"You don't need to explain anything to me. She is your Senior Sister, the true Saintess born and raised within the Reincarnation Palace. Between her and me, a Saintess by circumstance, your allegiance naturally lies with her. I have nothing to say and blame no one."
Her smile was perfectly plastered on her face, yet Feng Ziyi and Xue Hongyi, a sister and brother, looked at her with unease, bewildered.
"To be born but not raised, one can repay with a severed finger. To be born and raised, one can repay with a severed hand. To be not born but raised, even one's head cannot repay."
"Liu Hanyan gave birth to me but did not raise me, and then she almost had me killed. The torment from the gu poison just now was far more intense than the pain of a severed finger. I consider this debt of birth repaid."
Seeing Feng Xiwu's pained gaze, Lu Qingwan smiled and shook her head at him, silently taking his hand.
She touched her own face, speaking as if in self-admiration, "My parents did not give birth to me, but they raised me for sixteen years. My parents raised me all these years, and I dare say I turned out quite well, possessing some abilities. At the very least, if Liu Hanyan herself had nurtured and taught me, I might not have achieved what I have today.
Therefore, I don't blame Liu Hanyan for giving birth but not raising me. However, if for some inexplicable reason she wants to kill me and destroy the results of my parents' careful upbringing, I won't sever my own head, but I will see hers severed."
"You..."
Xue Hongyi stared at Lu Qingwan in disbelief. "She is your mother. How can you speak such venomous words when she was merely confused and made these mistakes?"
Before she could finish speaking, Feng Ziyi slapped Xue Hongyi on the back of the head.
"Get your priorities straight! Your dear Senior Sister is the one who tried to kill her first. Even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. When she has stooped to such inhuman levels, how do you expect this foolish girl to speak kindly to her? If you're so compassionate, why are you the leader of a demonic sect? The renowned Great Buddha in Shu is less merciful than you; why don't you smash it and sit there yourself!"
Xue Hongyi was stunned by the retort, while Lu Qingwan couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
Xue Hongyi immediately looked sheepish, and Lu Qingwan laughed, "Aunt Feng Ziyi is indeed a Zhuge Liang among women, her scolding is so unique. Come, unique Aunt Feng Ziyi, let me show you something good."
As soon as Lu Qingwan finished speaking, Li Jin, who was standing nearby, presented the item with keen observation.
Feng Ziyi asked suspiciously, "What is this?"
As she spoke, her gaze darted back and forth between Lu Qingwan and Xue Hongyi. Lu Qingwan, who had publicly confronted her for testing her medical skills on Chi Yaoyao, was clearly not someone to be trifled with. Yet, she hadn't retorted Xue Hongyi's asinine remark, making Feng Ziyi wonder if she had misjudged her. Perhaps Lu Qingwan wasn't as hot-tempered as she seemed, and her outburst was only due to her friends being implicated?
As she was contemplating this, she froze upon seeing the item Lu Qingwan handed her. "This… this is the training outline for the Xuanjia Army, isn't it? Why are you showing this to me?"
"Haven't you always worried that one day, if the nations stop fighting each other, they might suddenly launch a united attack on the Reincarnation Palace, leaving the Palace outnumbered? For your sake, we've traveled so far, and we don't know how to thank you enough. We thought this might be something you'd appreciate."
Feng Ziyi quickly skimmed through it. While called a training outline, it covered everything from recruitment and troop mobilization to provisions, weaponry, and army training. As she read, her eyes involuntarily lit up. "You, you want to help the Reincarnation Palace train an army?"
"If you are willing, and if the old man agrees, that is our intention," Lu Qingwan said conversationally to Feng Ziyi. "After all, as the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry. None of us can guarantee that a regular army won't launch an attack on the Reincarnation Palace. While the Reincarnation Palace has many hidden talents, it's also true that even the best fighter can't fend off multiple attackers. If the Reincarnation Palace could have its own guard force, you wouldn't have to worry about its safety anymore. Don't you think?"
Feng Ziyi nodded incessantly. "This is an idea we've considered before, but with more people, there's always the risk of the Reincarnation Palace's many secrets being leaked. Moreover, the Reincarnation Palace is not a regular court army, and recruitment is also a problem, so we've never put it into practice. You've been a great help. Taking in war orphans is indeed a good solution. I will discuss this with the old man when I return. If he agrees, we will rely on you for the specific training matters."
Lu Qingwan readily nodded. "You can rest assured about that. Whether it's one sheep or a flock, the handling is the same. Training an army is a basic skill for my prince."
Feng Xiwu chimed in supportively, "I intend to conquer portions of the three southeastern kingdoms for my own use. Additionally, there are many hidden locations near the Reincarnation Palace in Da Qin that can be used for training. Envoy Ziyi can take this time to investigate. If you find any suitable locations, I can negotiate on your behalf to designate those areas for the Reincarnation Palace to station troops."
"Good." Feng Ziyi put away the training outline and, after careful consideration, said, "There is no precedent for a former Saintess returning to her position in the Reincarnation Palace. But as you know, the Saintess largely becomes the future Palace Mistress's wife. That person has a stronger foundation within the Reincarnation Palace and wider connections than you. If she is determined to compete with you, the situation will be very unfavorable for you. If you don't want to hand over the Reincarnation Palace, you must prepare yourself early."
Lu Qingwan couldn't help but let out a sarcastic smile. "Aunt Feng Ziyi misunderstands. The Reincarnation Palace has never belonged to me."
Feng Ziyi looked at her, perplexed. Lu Qingwan calmly allowed herself to be scrutinized. "You know how I came to hold this position as Saintess. I told you, I will fulfill my duties as the Saintess of the Reincarnation Palace. Anything beyond that is none of my concern."
It was Liu Hanyan who abandoned her Saintess position in pursuit of so-called freedom. Now, it was she who wanted it back. Lu Qingwan had already used the Reincarnation Palace to her advantage for many things, making it impossible for her to claim she no longer wanted to be Saintess. However, if the people of the Reincarnation Palace wished to reclaim the Saintess position and return it to Liu Hanyan, she wouldn't refuse. Of course, if the Reincarnation Palace, especially Liu Xunran, did not intend to reclaim the Saintess position, but Liu Hanyan insisted on forcing her way, then that would be a different matter.