Chapter Forty-Two: The Flame Spirit Princess

General’s Residence

The Grand General, Ji Wuye, sat at the place of honor, his gaze falling upon Li Yu, who sat at his left, intently savoring the pastries as if he had come solely to indulge in these exquisite confections.

“If I don’t invite the Grand Tutor, would you never grace my residence with your presence?” Ji Wuye broke the silence, opening the conversation.

Li Yu brushed the crumbs from his hands and offered Ji Wuye a respectful salute. “With the Grand General so busy day and night, how would I dare disturb you? But with a single summons, here I am.”

Ji Wuye narrowed his eyes at Li Yu. “Your money house business seems to be flourishing. Even I am tempted to deposit some savings.”

Li Yu gave a modest smile. “It’s a trifling venture, hardly worth comparing to the General’s grand enterprises.”

Ji Wuye was clearly pleased with Li Yu’s humility. “If I were to deposit some funds, what interest would you offer me?”

“For others, it’s ten percent,” Li Yu replied, “but for the General, at least twenty. And the famed treasure of my establishment—I have reserved it especially for you.”

Ji Wuye had long heard of the legendary treasure at the Under Heaven Money House, and had coveted it for some time. If not for the rules of the game, he’d have sent soldiers to seize it long ago.

“Then what if I deposit fifty thousand?” Ji Wuye proposed. “We mustn’t let you suffer a loss, after all.”

Li Yu bowed. “Thank you for your support, General.”

Only then did Ji Wuye address his true purpose: “I’ve heard that Left Sima wished to deposit a large sum at your money house, but you refused?”

Li Yu smiled. “The amount was so great that I had to give it careful thought.”

Ji Wuye’s curiosity was piqued. “How much?”

Li Yu held up five fingers and waved them. “Five hundred thousand.”

Ji Wuye shot to his feet, staring at Li Yu in disbelief. Only after confirming Li Yu was not jesting did he slowly sit back down.

He had thought his own fifty thousand considerable enough to impress Li Yu and display his wealth, certain that in Xinzheng, his money would be unassailable. But compared to his own subordinate, he was but a pauper.

Han’s annual military expenditure was only a hundred thousand, and that included ample opportunities for embezzlement.

Five hundred thousand… never had Ji Wuye been so thoroughly outmaneuvered, and by someone he could crush with a thought.

His already dark expression grew even blacker, to the point his features were indistinct.

“That Liu Yi had someone else handle the transaction. I was uneasy, so I made inquiries and discovered the money originated with Liu Yi,” Li Yu explained.

“Oh? The Grand Tutor is well informed,” Ji Wuye said, half-smiling. Even he hadn’t known these details, yet Li Yu had unearthed them.

“In business, intelligence is everything. I have my own methods for gathering it,” Li Yu admitted freely.

Li Yu, knowing the plot, had ordered the Net to keep a close watch. If he couldn’t get to the bottom of it, he’d be better off smashing his head into a block of tofu.

Ji Wuye eyed Li Yu. “How do you plan to handle this?”

Li Yu grinned. “Is it not for the General to decide? For example, the receipt could be lost… or the person could disappear…”

Ji Wuye appraised the roguish look on Li Yu’s face with newfound respect. This fellow was no saint.

So much for “worrying for the world before others do.”

Li Yu took his leave of the General’s residence.

No sooner had he stepped outside than he was assailed by the scent of money.

“So the Grand Tutor is just leaving the General’s residence? The Jade Tiger happened to pass by—how about I give you a ride?” At the corner, the Jade Tiger’s carriage appeared.

“It would be rude to refuse—thank you!” Li Yu boarded the carriage and asked, “Were you waiting for me?”

“My lord, I heard you were at the General’s residence, so I waited here for you,” Jade Tiger replied ingratiatingly.

“What do you need from me?” Li Yu asked carelessly.

“That woman from Baiyue—I have news of her,” Jade Tiger blurted out.

“Is that true?” Li Yu jumped up in surprise, bumping his head on the carriage roof.

Seeing Li Yu’s excitement, Jade Tiger realized how important this woman was to him—he’d done well.

“My lord instructed me to inquire, and I found out she’s being held by traffickers in a remote prison. Since you didn’t tell me to rescue her, I dared not act on my own,” Jade Tiger said cautiously.

Li Yu patted him on the shoulder, delighted. “Well done. I’ll remember this favor.”

Jade Tiger had been waiting for these words. He grinned foolishly, “It’s my honor to serve you, my lord, I ask nothing in return.”

He handed Li Yu a map from his breast.

Li Yu found his act amusing. He put away the map, patted Jade Tiger’s shoulder, and left the carriage.

Studying the map, Li Yu saw that the prison was located in a desolate area outside the city.

Not daring to delay, he returned home, hastily changed clothes under Jingni’s astonished gaze, and hurried out again.

He went straight to the Under Heaven Money House. With a glance at the old man behind the counter, he made his way to the rear courtyard.

Li Yu surveyed the courtyard and nodded approvingly. “Not bad.”

The old man approached and bowed. “What are your orders, sir?”

“Give me ten capable men. We’re going out of the city to rescue someone.”

“Understood. Please wait.”

Soon, a row of men in black stood before Li Yu, armed and exuding an icy, dangerous air.

“Sir, these are all skilled killers of the highest order. Are they to your satisfaction?”

Li Yu eyed them and asked casually, “And what level are you, old sir?”

The old man smiled. “By luck, I have just advanced to the Heaven tier.”

Li Yu seemed unsurprised and nodded.

After passing the map around for everyone to see, he said, “Rendezvous here in two hours. Let’s go!”

Two hundred miles outside Xinzheng lay a barren, windswept plain, desolate and rarely visited. In an inconspicuous gully, a massive iron gate was set into the cliffside, strikingly out of place.

The cave within was damp, with thin rays of light trickling through cracks in the ceiling, just enough to reveal the interior.

Iron cages hung on either side, but all were empty, as if intentionally cleared.

In the center, a special cage stood out—its material unknown, crystal-like yet stone-hard, emitting a faint blue glow and a chill that seeped into the bones.

Frosty mist swirled around it.

Inside, a slender figure huddled in the corner, long black hair tumbling loosely, exuding a soft allure even in such circumstances. Only a few tattered scraps of cloth covered her, barely concealing her beauty; a pair of exquisite jade feet lay exposed, their shape elegant and delicate, marred by a bit of dirt yet unable to hide their loveliness.

She was like the most exquisite artwork in the world, inspiring an urge to cup her in one’s hands.

“Who are you?”

“Kill!”

Screams and the clangor of metal followed.

As the sounds faded, the iron gate was forced open.

The figure in the cage seemed to sense it and slowly raised her head, allowing her silky hair to fall away. The first thing to meet the eye was a pair of dreamlike, watery blue eyes, rendered almost unreal by the cage’s blue glow.

Her gaze was ethereal, like mist or smoke.

Her face was breathtaking, her features so perfect that one had to marvel at the hand of creation.

A beauty to satisfy any standard.

Her enchanting eyes blinked with a seductive, mesmerizing charm, capable of stirring the deepest desire.

She appraised the newcomers.

A man in white approached, draped in a snowy fur coat and carrying an ordinary walking stick.

She had hoped to see her companions come to her rescue and was a little disappointed.

The man stooped, picked up a twig, and tossed it at the crystal wall.

As the branch neared the wall, a sudden burst of flame erupted in midair, incinerating it instantly. The alluring woman within transformed, her gentle gaze turning fierce as she glared at the man.

Yet even in anger, she was astonishingly beautiful.

“No wonder they used cold jade to imprison you—an ordinary cage could never withstand your flames,” the man remarked.

“I am Li Yu. I have long admired you and came to rescue you. I have only one request: for half a year, you must follow my arrangements. After that, you are free. What do you say?” Li Yu averted his gaze politely.

The woman moved closer to the crystal wall, her blue eyes blinking as she examined him curiously.

His face was clear-cut and refined, eyebrows thick, nose high, with an air of elegance and nobility. His tall, well-proportioned figure and simple yet tasteful attire made a fine first impression.

But why did he avert his eyes?

“Rest assured, I am not a villain and will never ask you to do anything against morality or your own bottom line,” Li Yu continued.

Seeing her unmoved, he gritted his teeth and played his final card.

“I can help your master restore her kingdom, but the price is that you must acknowledge me as your master.”

At this, the woman gave a slight nod.

Li Yu was overjoyed. He searched the ground for a stone and hurled it at the crystal wall.

There was a dull clang; the stone left only a shallow scratch.

Li Yu smiled awkwardly.

One of the Net’s black-clad agents stepped forward and bowed. “Sir, do you need my help?”

Li Yu waved him off. This was his moment to play the hero—if someone else did it, the favor would be lessened.

Taking a deep breath, Li Yu closed his eyes, his body heat rising, a white mist enveloping him. When the mist reached its peak, it exploded outward. Li Yu, face flushed, fists clenched, dropped into a stance—relax, sink, draw back, strike out—and punched the crystal wall with all his strength.

A tremendous boom shook the cave.

A crack appeared, then the entire wall shattered like a spiderweb, sending shards flying.

As the echo of splashing water faded, the group recovered from their shock.

It was Li Yu’s first time using his full strength in front of others.

He had noticed a pattern—each time he encountered a beauty, his strength increased by thirty percent.

It was as if fate itself forced him to play the rogue.

As the young woman stared at him in astonishment, Li Yu removed his fur coat and gently wrapped her in it, cradling her in a princess carry as he led her out of the cold, damp prison.

She seemed unused to the sunlight, drawing her delicate hand to shield her eyes.

Lanxiu Villa

Jade Tiger awaited them at the entrance. When Li Yu’s carriage arrived, he hurried to lift the curtain. One glance at the woman in Li Yu’s arms and he quickly averted his eyes, instantly understanding why Li Yu had mobilized so many men.

As the Night’s Four Fierce Generals and the richest man in Han, Jade Tiger had seen all kinds of women, but compared to this one, all others were mere commoners.

He almost regretted taking that look—she’d ruined his taste for beauty.

If Li Yu knew what Jade Tiger was thinking, he’d have scoffed.

A man without feelings is crude and cheap.

Li Yu was a connoisseur of feelings; love must be cultivated.

He refused to believe that, given half a year, he couldn’t win over this little enchantress.

“They all seem afraid of you. Who are you, really?” a sweet, gentle voice asked—the first words from the rescued woman.

Li Yu pondered a moment. “Someone who sincerely wishes to help you. This is Lanxiu Villa. You can stay here. Of course, you’re free to leave, but then I’ll take no responsibility for what happens next—such as how to save Tianze.”

The woman in his arms frowned, her tone fierce despite her delicate features. “How do you know these things?”

Li Yu smiled. “I also know your name is Yanling Ji, and you have a companion called Wushuang Ghost.”

“You’ve been investigating me?”

“Of course. One must understand the woman one admires.”

Li Yu admitted it outright.

Yanling Ji’s eyes turned flirtatious. Her graceful hand slid to Li Yu’s chest as she asked softly, “You admire me?”

Li Yu nodded. “Naturally. Why else would I have gone to such lengths to that accursed place?”

Yanling Ji was amused by his words—he was unexpectedly endearing, so different from her first impression.

Lanxiu Villa was built atop a scenic peak, with pavilions, rockeries, and flowing water forming an expansive estate. A dozen maids waited in the courtyard, all arranged by Jade Tiger in advance.

Li Yu nodded approvingly. “Not bad. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

Jade Tiger, seeing Li Yu pleased, was delighted. After handing over the keys, he wisely took his leave.

At this, Yanling Ji wriggled out of his arms, her voice sweet and alluring. “Benefactor, may I be set down?”

“What a pity—I wish I could hold you forever,” Li Yu quipped, but he set her down gently, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.

He then ordered the servants, “Prepare a room for the lady, along with clothing, a bath, and food. She needs to rest.”

“Yes, sir,” the servants replied and withdrew.

Yanling Ji, clutching the fur around her shoulders, frowned. “Who is your lady? And who are you, really?”

Li Yu smiled. “I know I can’t keep you here. Rest first, get some sleep, and then you can go out and inquire about Li Yu of Qin. I’m sure you’ll find out easily. But remember one thing—”

He looked at her stunning face, intending to stare her down, but found himself unable to bear her beauty and turned away, composing himself. “You must not mention that I am now in Han.”

Yanling Ji made no reply, but sashayed away toward the servants, her slender waist swaying.

“Wait,” Li Yu called after her.

“What are your orders, sir?” Yanling Ji looked back with a playful smile.

The title “sir” sent a chill down Li Yu’s spine. He tossed her the estate key.

“This villa is yours now. Every girl needs a home, don’t you think?”

With that, he turned away, gazing out at the distant scenery, savoring the memory of her dazzling beauty in the water prison—a sight he would never forget.

When Yanling Ji had finished bathing and returned to the open-air terrace, Li Yu was still there.

A waft of rose fragrance drifted by as he looked at the elfin beauty beside him.

Even in simple clothing, she could not hide her peerless grace.

Li Yu was transfixed.

That heartbreakingly perfect face, framed by lustrous black hair, a delicate and refined figure, statuesque legs, and feet like sculpted jade in crystal slippers—she was the very image of divine artistry.

Li Yu could not help but recite,

“In the south there is a maiden,
Peerless and alone,
A single glance topples a city,
Another glance topples a nation.”

He sighed in admiration.

“Sometimes I wish I could lock you away, lest you bring ruin to the world,” he teased.

“If you wish to imprison me, why do you never dare look me in the eye?” Yanling Ji leaned against the railing, eyeing her rescuer with curiosity.

“Do you truly not know how alluring you are?” Li Yu suspected she was doing it on purpose.

“Oh? Imprisoned for years, I know little of the world outside,” Yanling Ji replied with a smile, her finger tracing Li Yu’s chest.

“Sir, why did you call me fairy the first time you saw me?”

Li Yu glanced at her hand. “I was wrong. You’re no fairy—you’re a demoness who eats men alive.”

With a laugh, Li Yu leaped away as a flame flickered at her fingertip.

“Playing with fire isn’t good for a young lady. If you burn down the villa, you’ll be homeless again.”

“You’re afraid of fire? I thought you enjoyed playing with it—self-immolation!” Her languid tone matched the heat of her flame.

Now Li Yu understood what it meant to be tender as water, passionate as fire.

Unfazed, he caught her finger, extinguishing the flame with a hiss. “I told you, fire is dangerous. If you do that again, I’ll have to punish you.”

“Oh? You claim to admire me, yet threaten to punish me?” Yanling Ji pouted pitifully.

Li Yu stroked her slender finger, emboldened, and held it gently. “It’s household discipline. If you wish, I’ll hold you forever—”

Before he finished, a spark snaked up his hand and into his clothes. He let go, frantically stripping off his burning attire.

Yanling Ji laughed until she clutched her stomach.

“What were you about to say, sir?” she asked, her enchanting eyes gleaming.

“With your hand in mine, may we grow old together. This is my vow—I will never let go,” Li Yu replied stubbornly.

“Then why did you dodge?” Yanling Ji crept toward him, catlike.

“I—I just didn’t want my clothes burned. If you dare, I’ll take them all off and let you burn me—do you dare?” Li Yu’s shameless bravado left Yanling Ji speechless and more curious than ever.

“How did you know I was in that water prison?” she finally asked.

Li Yu perked up, dusted himself off, and, hands behind his back, gazed skyward. “You may not believe this, but I come from a very distant place—so far I may never return. One night, I dreamed of a fairy imprisoned in a water cage, waiting for me to rescue her. Then a bolt of lightning struck and sent me here.”

Yanling Ji watched him closely, trying to see if he would break character or laugh, but he remained perfectly sincere.

Half truth, half fiction—Li Yu almost believed it himself.

“Do you think I’m a fool?” Yanling Ji sought confirmation.

“I have never hidden anything from you—that, I trust, time will prove,” Li Yu replied with utmost sincerity.

“You liar, you speak as if it were true. I’ve had enough—time to sleep.” With a face full of disbelief, Yanling Ji flitted away to her room.

Li Yu gazed up at the stars and sighed.

Yanling Ji—

She truly was his dream.

And on that point, Li Yu had not lied.