Chapter 2646 - 2644: Substitution of the Plum for the Peach

Chapter 2646: Chapter 2644: Substitution of the Plum for the Peach

It turns out that all of this stemmed from Emperor Huizong of Song’s poem written in front of the statue of Guanyin.

The Guanyin Bodhisattva, harboring resentment, wished to imitate Nuwa’s elimination of King Zhou. She specifically chose someone from the Fox Clan, intending to possess Li Shishi to bewitch the emperor and cause chaos in the world.

When Nezha passed by the Green Hill, he inadvertently took Bai Jie’er and her sister away.

Long Fei calmly stated, "Humans breathe one breath; a Buddha, three incense sticks. Whether Buddhist Sect or Immortal, as long as one isn’t a Saint, they have their own desires. Once their heart is swayed by personal desires, there’s nothing they wouldn’t do."

Lin Yingying said, "Isn’t using the Fox Clan to bewitch the emperor too cliché? Can’t another method be used? The dignified Buddhist Sect should manage to deal with an emperor without trouble, shouldn’t they?"

Long Fei laughed, "Nuwa, back then a Saint, couldn’t deal with just one King Zhou, right? Human world emperors have the fortune of emperorship upon them. Even Saints find it difficult to act against destiny. Currently, the Great Song’s fortune hasn’t run out, which is why Guanyin resorted to this inferior tactic."

Lin Yingying asked, "So you summoned the Jade-Faced Fox for this matter?"

Long Fei sighed, "The principle of substitution—an element of fate; I can only follow destiny."

Bai Jie’er and her sister were filled with relief, exhaling a long breath and complaining, "We sisters have never engaged in seductive fox behavior. Guanyin demanding this is putting us in a difficult position."

Bai Xiaochun blushed, "Exactly. I haven’t even held a man’s hand to date. Sending me to seduce the emperor is truly overestimating me."

"Really?"

Lin Yingying mischievously glanced meaningfully at Long Fei.

Long Fei hurriedly changed the subject, "Your current calamity has been resolved. In the future, just return to Liangshan Island and stay with the other sisters."

The two sisters thanked once more, nodding happily.

Bai Jie’er was worried, "Brother Long, won’t you get blamed by Guanyin for our matter?"

Long Fei laughed, "Blamed for what? I did her a great favor; she should be grateful to me. The fox demon I selected for her is a genuine fox demon!"

By midnight, Song Gongming had already finished his discussion with the King of Western Xia at the Prince’s Mansion.

He advised the King of Western Xia not to strike eggs against a rock and warned that persisting would only bring greater disaster to the Western Xia Kingdom.

At present, the Great Song’s military might is overwhelmingly strong, far beyond what Western Xia can compare to.

If the King of Western Xia is willing to yield and admit guilt to the Imperial Court, Song Gongming is willing to join forces with important ministers to plead for leniency, persuading Huizong to retract troops and make peace.

Li Yuanhao said he’d consider it and sent Song Gongming to rest in the guest room.

His daughter, Li Shishi, outside the door overheard, returned to her room in a panic with red eyes, knowing her father intended to send her to the palace.

Delicate and frail, she had survived on medicinal soups since childhood.

Upon hearing this, her old illness flared up in anxiety, leaving her feverish and bedridden.

In the dead of night, cats outside screeched in chaos.

With a heavy heart, Li Yuanhao unconsciously headed to his daughter’s room.

He saw the room’s candle flicker as if something had flown in. Alarmed, he unsheathed his sword and burst through the door, shouting, "Who dares invade here?"

The candlelight in the room reignited. Li Shishi turned over, got out of bed, and stared blankly at Li Yuanhao.

Li Yuanhao glanced around anxiously and approached, asking, "Shishi, are you alright?"

Li Shishi shook her head, her eyes reddened, and she started to sob.

Li Yuanhao held her with a pained heart, lamenting, "Father is sorry, Father failed to protect you."

Li Shishi’s eyes moved. Her tears weren’t out of sorrow for other matters, but from excitement, having returned to life.

Unexpectedly, she had truly come back to life.

The Daoist hadn’t lied; he indeed allowed her to reincarnate, even inhabiting the body of an adult woman.

She stabilized herself slightly, fearing the man would suspect something, so she said little, letting him hold her for a moment before claiming fatigue and sending him away.

She closed the door, remained alone inside, and kept looking at her reflection in the mirror.

The woman in the mirror possessed beauty that captured cities and empires, not falling much short of her original appearance.

Suddenly, a pain throbbed in her head—this body’s consciousness was awakening.

Wave upon wave of memories flooded her mind. It took her a while to understand.

It turns out she was now called Li Shishi, who, overwhelmed with grief earlier, died from old ailments returning.

She had borrowed this body to return from the dead.

"Jade-Faced Fox, henceforth I’m human, not a demon!"

Li Shishi held her face, her excitement barely contained.

She knew the body’s former owner was soon to be betrothed to the Emperor of Song, which seemed a fortunate union.

She had no idea why the body’s previous owner was frightened.

The next day, drums resounded outside the city.

Li Yuanhao personally led troops atop the city, with Song Gongming and his son among them.

On the battlefield outside, Lin Chong had Li Kui bound to a wooden pole and transported with a war chariot.

Astride his horse, lance in hand, he called to Li Yuanhao on the city walls, "King of Western Xia, old acquaintances we are. The emperor’s benevolence is boundless, taking your daughter as consort cannot be changed. I urge you to return to the right path and not make further mistakes. If you stubbornly persist, I will have to use your son as a sacrifice."

Li Kui, gown open, struggled fiercely against the wooden post, shouting to Li Yuanhao on the city walls, "Father, don’t mind me. A lost head leaves but a bowl-sized scar. If they want to kill, let them. Eighteen years later, I’ll still be a real man."

Li Yuanhao’s brow furrowed tightly, his grip on his weapons causing them to creak.

Song Gongming praised, "Is this heroic man not King of Western Xia’s adopted son, Li Kui?"

"Indeed!"

Li Yuanhao nodded.

Song Gongming stroked his beard in admiration, "I’ve long heard of the Black Whirlwind Li Kui, the foremost hero of Western Xia. Seeing him today, he truly lives up to his reputation."

King Li Yuanhao of Western Xia clasped his fists and asked, "May I trouble the Duke of Qi to make a trip to rescue my son? What we discussed last night, this king agrees to."

"I know it’s difficult for you!"

Song Gongming patted his shoulder, entering the battlefield with his son, Song Shiyong, calling to Lin Chong across, "General Lin, do not act. I am Duke Song Gongming of Qi. I have something to discuss with you!"

"Duke of Qi?"

Lin Chong was surprised, looking closely.

A black-clad man approached with a young man in tow. If it wasn’t the Duke of Qi, then who?

He immediately dismounted, leading people forward in welcome, "Subordinate Lin Chong, greets the Duke of Qi!"

Although Lin Chong had never met Song Gongming, he had long heard of the Duke of Qi’s great fame, hence he treated him with utmost respect and promptly arranged a banquet in the camp to host him.

He understood, as the Duke of Qi was personally involved, the situation had certainly eased.

In his heart, he also preferred not to fall out with the King of Western Xia.

After all, they were acquaintances; if it could be resolved peacefully, it was all the better.