Chapter 101: Mei Ling!

Inside the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, in the same room as before, were the same people: Li Yi, his two companions, and Ziyi along with a dozen other young women. However, the situation today was quite different.

"Ziyi, once I leave, take them and pack your things. We are leaving tonight!"

"Ah? Tonight?" Ziyi was clearly caught off guard; it was all happening so fast.

"Hehe, I’m just afraid that delays might lead to complications. Don't worry, it should be fine!" No sooner had Li Yi finished speaking than a knock sounded at the door. It was likely an summons to meet the ultimate boss, Mei Ling. After briefly instructing Li Ke and Cheng Chumo to look after the women, Li Yi rose to open the door.

As expected, it was someone coming to fetch him. Li Yi nodded without a word and followed the guide to a room, where the young woman turned and left him. Li Yi rubbed his nose, thought for a moment, and pushed the door open.

The room was decorated in pink—elegant yet warm—a layout that perfectly reflected the personality of its owner.

"Sigh, what a pretentious woman."

"You... Young Master Li, this is our first meeting, isn't it?"

"First? If you say so, then it is."

"Very well. Since this is our first meeting, I wonder why Young Master Li has been targeting me? Is it simply because I am a courtesan?"

Looking at the woman hidden behind the screen, a cold sneer curled on Li Yi's lips. He caught a faint scent and, confirming it was the same as before, felt even more certain.

"Hmph! Don't use your petty mind to measure a gentleman's heart! You know exactly why I am targeting you, and I am too lazy to waste words on you. I have passed your three trials; there should be a reward, right?"

Behind the screen, Mei Ling was breathing heavily with indignation. "Hmph! Haven't I already told you what the reward is? Why are you still asking?"

"Nonsense. Naturally, I am not satisfied with your 'reward' and wish to exchange it for something else."

Mei Ling paused, then said with interest, "Tell me, what do you want to change it to?"

"Oh, it's nothing much! I don't need any of the rewards you promised, but I want to take those girls who were sent to my room today!"

"Just that?"

"Exactly! Just that!"

Mei Ling stood up abruptly and walked out from behind the screen.

Li Yi finally saw her true face: an angelic countenance paired with a devilish figure—everything was flawless. What was even more lethal was that Mei Ling possessed a natural, seductive charm; her every movement could bewitch the soul. It was no wonder so many men were willing to risk their lives for her.

Li Yi inwardly lamented, "What a pity!" He had to admit that upon seeing Mei Ling's face, he couldn't bear to keep targeting her. However, thinking of the strange sense of familiarity he felt from her, he forced himself to remain cold. A rose may be beautiful, but it is covered in thorns.

"Young Master Li, are you insulting me?"

The anger on Mei Ling's face was not feigned this time; it was genuine. In her eyes, Li Yi had passed the three trials specifically for her sake, and she had been feeling proud and excited about it. She never expected that he would only ask for a few courtesans who couldn't compare to her in looks, temperament, or talent. She never thought he feared her; on the contrary, she didn't know how to compare herself to him, because she realized that in every aspect, she was inferior to him.

"Hehe, if you say so. Anyway, there are some things you will understand in a few days. If you have no objections, I will take them now."

"No, not unless you defeat me!"

"Sigh, why must you be like this?"

"Are you afraid?"

"Heh! Trying to goad me? Fine, you set the test!"

Mei Ling’s eyes darted. "My test is this: if you can find a way to make me concede, you win!"

"Ha! That's ruthless. You even came up with this? It's an impossible riddle. No matter what I do, if you just say you don't concede, I can never win!"

"Hmph, are you ready to admit defeat?"

"Admit defeat? Hehe!"

Li Yi sneered and, catching her off guard, charged toward Mei Ling and kissed her quickly and accurately.

Mei Ling was startled by his actions and instinctively stepped back, but Li Yi didn't give up; he followed her and kissed her again with even greater speed.

"You shameless man!" Mei Ling dodged, and Li Yi kissed her again.

"You have no shame!" Mei Ling retreated, and Li Yi pressed on! ...

Finally, after seven or eight attempts, Mei Ling conceded.

"I... I concede!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Yi retreated with lightning speed, leaving Mei Ling gritting her teeth. *Damn it, do I really disgust you that much?* In truth, Li Yi’s method was the only one that could work. Had he approached her slowly, he would have lost, as a woman's patience is often more formidable than a man's. But by launching a surprise attack, he shattered her composure, making her concession an instinctive reaction. Li Yi truly was full of devious tricks.

"Alright! The matter is settled! I'm leaving!"

Seeing him leave, Mei Ling felt an instinctive surge of unwillingness. Gritting her teeth, she pulled a dagger from somewhere and held it to her own throat.

"Take one more step, and I will end my life right here before you!"

Li Yi turned, looking at Mei Ling as if she were prepared to die, and gave a faint, cold smile. "A beauty trap? Hehe, if someone else used this, I might believe them, but you? Hehe. Alright, don't waste your energy. Before I go, I'll leave you with one piece of advice: in the face of absolute strength, all schemes and conspiracies become meaningless."

Having said that, Li Yi turned and left without the slightest hesitation. To be honest, he feared she might actually plunge the blade in, which would have left him with deep guilt. Her tactic was ruthless and struck a nerve, but he dared not stop to save her. If he did, he might be ensnared here forever. Moreover, he was gambling—gambling that there was still something in Mei Ling's heart that she could not let go of.

As it turned out, Li Yi won the gamble. Mei Ling was indeed just trying to intimidate him. Watching him leave with such decisiveness, she slowly lowered the blade. No one knew, however, that her heart was bleeding. Was it sadness? Pain? Mei Ling couldn't say; she only knew that, in this moment, her heart had become even harder.

Li Yi felt a sudden, inexplicable tightness in his chest. He took a deep breath, pushing away all distracting thoughts; some things were not meant to be pondered at this moment.

Outside, he found Li Ke and the group of women and announced that they were free. The women wept with joy. Since Li Yi had urgent business, he had them leave the Xiaoxiang Pavilion first.

"Weide, take Ziyi and the others to your estate for a few days. Once I finish my business, I will arrange things for them immediately."

"Why not take them to your estate?"

"Damn it, it's the middle of the night; if I lead a group of girls back, it will be the death of me. Your place is empty anyway, so that’s settled!"

"No way!"

"Consider it a favor I owe you, but you must treat them well."

"Deal!"

"Damn, you had this planned all along, didn't you?"

...

"Chumo, order your men to watch the Xiaoxiang Pavilion immediately, especially Ugly Girl and Mei Ling. Do not let her out of your sight! If you do this well, it will be a great achievement, but if you mess it up, you'll be in trouble!"

"Hahaha, Brother Yi, don't worry! Leave this to me!"

Li Yi nodded, feeling at ease. Although Cheng Chumo appeared simple-minded, he was actually quite meticulous.

Bidding everyone farewell, Li Yi headed straight for the Imperial Palace to report back.