Ye Qiu hadn’t expected Cao Qingcheng to poison him.
“What are you trying to do?”
As he shouted, Ye Qiu silently circulated his innate true qi, attempting to neutralize the poison.
But, to his shock, his innate true qi had no effect on Cao Qingcheng’s poison.
How could this be?
Ye Qiu was stunned.
With his current strength, he was nearly immune to all poisons — yet he had fallen to Cao Qingcheng’s.
His body felt weak, unable to muster any strength.
“Are you secretly trying to detoxify?”
A charming curve appeared on Cao Qingcheng’s lips as she smiled, “Don’t waste your energy — it’s useless.”
“I know you’re a supreme master, so the poison I used isn’t ordinary — it can suppress your inner strength or true qi for an hour.”
“Right now, you’re just an ordinary person.”
Ye Qiu, face cold, asked, “Why did you poison me? What’s your goal?”
“I want to be the Dragon Gate leader,” Cao Qingcheng said seriously.
Hm?
Ye Qiu was taken aback.
Cao Qingcheng continued, “I was an orphan — by chance, I met big brother and stayed by his side.”
“When big brother founded Dragon Gate, I was his right-hand.”
“You could say Dragon Gate is not just his life’s work — it’s mine too.”
“So, do you understand what I mean?”
Ye Qiu grasped her intent, “You’re saying you won’t let anyone else be the Dragon Gate leader?”
Cao Qingcheng said, “As the Vermilion Bird Envoy, I control intelligence — no one knows Dragon Gate’s operations better than me.”
“And there’s something you don’t know — I’m also Dragon Gate’s strategist.”
“Every time Dragon Gate expanded, I was the one planning behind the scenes.”
Cao Qingcheng looked into Ye Qiu’s eyes, saying, “Plus, I’m Cao Yuan’s sister — I’m more suited to be the leader than you.”
Ye Qiu replied, “I became the Dragon Gate leader by Jiu Qiansui’s dying wish — are you defying his will?”
“No,” Cao Qingcheng denied, “If you willingly give me the leadership, it’s not defying big brother’s will.”
“Rest assured, I’ll do better than you as leader.”
“You said you’d unify China’s underworld in six months — I only need three.”
“Then, I’ll be the leader of the world’s greatest faction, above all.”
Ye Qiu glanced at her, thinking, this woman’s ambition is boundless.
“And I’m doing this to protect Dragon Gate,” Cao Qingcheng added.
“How so?” Ye Qiu asked.
Cao Qingcheng said, “I oversee Dragon Gate’s intelligence — I know every member’s details, including your enemies — you have too many.”
“Ordinary enemies would be fine, but yours are formidable.”
“This time, Long Si and the others came to Miaojiang to kill you.”
“You killed them and used their heads to honor big brother’s spirit — it’s satisfying, but it’s dragged Dragon Gate into an abyss.”
“Dragon Gate and the Forbidden City have coexisted peacefully for years — your actions will enrage the Forbidden City’s old monsters when they emerge — they won’t spare us.”
“Dragon Gate may have numbers, but to those old monsters, we’re a rabble — weak as ants — the Forbidden City could crush us effortlessly.”
“To save Dragon Gate, the only way is for you to relinquish leadership and cut ties with us completely.”
Ye Qiu fell silent.
Cao Qingcheng’s words held truth — his actions had indeed implicated Dragon Gate.
She continued, “Ye Qiu, big brother once told me your dream — to be a great doctor.”
“You’re the only Medical Saint in Chinese medicine in three hundred years — your unmatched skills should be used to save lives, to heal the sick, to ease their suffering.”
“The martial world is a place of strife — blades and shadows, deceit, and chaos — it’s not for you.”
“You’re the Medical Saint and part of the Underworld Palace — as leader, you can’t focus on Dragon Gate’s affairs — I can do better.”
“Give me the leadership!”
Ye Qiu sighed, saying, “Jiu Qiansui made me leader to carry out his will and lead Dragon Gate to glory.”
“Even if I weren’t leader and hadn’t killed Long Si and the others, the Forbidden City wouldn’t spare Dragon Gate.”
“Have you heard the saying, ‘How can one allow others to sleep soundly beside their bed?’”
“As the world’s strongest force, the Forbidden City won’t tolerate any faction threatening their position — Dragon Gate’s growing strength will inevitably challenge them, even slightly — they’ll crush any threat in its cradle.”
Cao Qingcheng sneered, “That’s easy to solve.”
“I can lead Dragon Gate to submit to the Forbidden City.”
“With their power as our backing, Dragon Gate will grow even faster.”
Ye Qiu shook his head, “The Forbidden City’s arrogance — disregarding even the Supreme Leader and the War God — means their days are numbered.”
“If you lead Dragon Gate to submit to them, that’s what will drag us into an abyss.”
“And—”
Ye Qiu paused, looking at Cao Qingcheng silently.
“And what?” she pressed.
Ye Qiu said, “Though we haven’t known each other long, I can tell you’re not a woman who’d easily submit to others.”
Cao Qingcheng’s eyes narrowed, “How so?”
“Instinct,” Ye Qiu said, “My gut tells me you’re not.”
“And?” Cao Qingcheng asked.
Ye Qiu looked at her, unreserved in his assessment, “A woman like you, aiming to lead Dragon Gate and stand above all, shows your ambition and love for power.”
Heh heh heh…
Cao Qingcheng suddenly burst into laughter.
After a moment.
She looked at Ye Qiu, saying, “You’re only half right.”
Ye Qiu looked at her, puzzled.
Cao Qingcheng said, “I don’t just love power — I love men too.”
What?
Before Ye Qiu could process, Cao Qingcheng grabbed him, tossing him onto the wide table.
Despite her delicate appearance, her strength was formidable.
“What are you doing?” Ye Qiu felt an ominous premonition.
Cao Qingcheng gazed at him, smiling lightly, her cheeks dimpling — then, under Ye Qiu’s gaze, she grabbed her skirt and yanked.
Swish—
The long skirt fell, revealing a perfect figure before Ye Qiu.
