My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

After disguising herself, Zhu E maneuvered seamlessly through the crowd, almost as if untouched by the chaos around her.

Now, with the West Factory and the guards all present, every exit of Jinya Pavilion was sealed off. Even though Qin Qingluo possessed Qinggong and could scale walls to escape, Qinggong, despite its speed, was still bound by the limitations of human stamina. Even if she managed to flee Jinya Pavilion, she wouldn't get far before the relentless search of the West Factory and guards eventually found her.

Racing swiftly amid the vibrant flora, Zhu E's figure darted up and down among the treetops. The Southern Border was rich with forests, and both the Miao clans and other tribes alike were adept at navigating the woodlands, their movements nearly ghost-like. To the local Han people, these "barbarians," as Chen Yi would phrase it, were like monsters spawned out of thin air.

While Zhu E didn't entirely grasp his meaning, she found it amusing and kept the remark in mind. Now, she weaved through the space at lightning speed, moving through more than half of Jinya Pavilion in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Between the gaps in the treetops, she caught sight of groups of Jin Yi Wei already entering Jinya Pavilion, seemingly probing the perimeter. Zhu E observed cautiously for quite some time.

Then, her gaze landed on a slightly familiar, resolute face.

"Found her," Zhu E murmured to herself.

Min Ning!

Chen Yi's reason for assigning her to act independently was to enable her to make contact with Min Ning.

And now, it appeared that Min Qianhu was leading the search team.

Zhu E exhaled deeply, pinched a leaf between her fingers, and applied subtle skill.

The leaf spiraled gracefully downward, fluttering lightly before landing right before Min Ning.

Min Ning's sharp gaze narrowed as she caught the leaf and instinctively reached for her blade. Yet, as her eyes caught sight of the crimson-clad figure, her hand froze mid-draw.

She hesitated, then, after brief deliberation, turned to instruct the other Jin Yi Wei:

"Split up. You go check over there; I'll investigate this side."

One Jin Yi Wei voiced concern, "Captain, will you be alright on your own?"

"I've reached Sixth Rank," Min Ning replied with indisputable authority.

The Jin Yi Wei exchanged glances briefly but refrained from questioning further. They scattered as instructed.

Min Ning followed the direction from which the leaf had drifted, diving deeper into the woods.

She walked on for an indeterminate length of time before coming to a halt, sensing a presence approaching from behind.

"It's you."

Min Ning pinched the leaf in her fingers and turned around.

"Princess of Annan."

Her relationship with Prince of Annan had a semblance of amicability—a mere fraction of goodwill. Yet towards the Princess of Annan, she held no favorable impression whatsoever.

Especially... after witnessing that sordid scene through the unveiled curtains.

Min Ning twitched her nose at the memory—that spectacle of swords raining down was far too overwhelming for a young warrior to process.

And Zhu E's generously curvaceous figure, swaying like layered waves, would inevitably remind her of her elder sister from time to time.

Even without such associations, Min Ning naturally could not harbor any goodwill toward the Princess of Annan.

To her, rebellious traitors were forever traitors—even if Zhu E kneeled before her now, pleading for assistance, the most she might do was brush off her sleeve and walk away as if they had never met.

Zhu E blinked softly, drew in a deep breath, and said in a quiet tone, "Given the urgency, I plead for Min Qianhu's intervention."

Predictably, Min Ning sighed inwardly and replied, "Madam, perhaps you think too highly of me. Setting aside the clash between righteousness and evil, as a Thousand Households of the West Factory, it is utterly impossible for me to act."

She hadn't even openly declared "Let's pretend we never crossed paths," when Zhu E spoke up:

"But... what if it was Officer Chen who made the request?"

Min Ning paused slightly.

"He's here as well?"

"Indeed. And Officer Chen is assisting us," Zhu E stated matter-of-factly.

As Zhu E spoke, Min Ning had initially intended to scrutinize her words for any falsehood but caught onto one peculiar detail.

She addressed Chen Yi as "Officer Chen."

These two words could signify an official title but could also imply a term of endearment between spouses.

Most individuals referred to Chen Yi as "Chen Qianhu."

Min Ning didn't want to dwell on it but found herself unable to avoid pondering it.

Her pupils contracted as she fixed her gaze on Zhu E, wondering whether this Princess had already become someone important to that man.

Min Ning clenched her teeth, gripping the hilt of her blade tightly, and asked, "Where is he?"

Zhu E smiled with enchanting grace and replied warmly, "So Min Qianhu is willing to help now?"

Min Ning's phoenix eyes widened slightly, realizing she was being played. She growled, "Let me make this clear—I will not help you."

"But you would help Officer Chen?"

"...Consider it that way."

Min Ning managed to respond somewhat begrudgingly.

Zhu E keenly observed Min Ning with half-closed eyes. She recalled Officer Chen describing Min Qianhu as an upright individual who detested corruption and dishonesty and never tolerated underhanded dealings. Directly asking for her help would certainly be futile.

Thus, the wiser approach was to spark her sense of indignation before proposing her request. Zhu E had anticipated this strategy might pose some difficulty, but upon meeting Min Ning in person, she discovered it was remarkably easy.

The reason behind this might stem from her identity as a Miao woman, whose natural disposition made it inherently challenging to get along with these Central Plains knights.

Even the most principled knights of the Central Plains could not completely detach themselves from the notion that "those outside my tribe must harbor treachery in their hearts." Not that any knight from the Central Plains had not traveled to the Southern Border before—in fact, their chivalric endeavors often involved targeting the Miao clans.

Setting aside such unwanted thoughts, Zhu E spoke softly:

"Officer Chen wishes for you to find Lord Wu and inform them that Jinya Pavilion harbors numerous members of the Divine Sect."

"Members of the Divine Sect?"

Min Ning gleaned some deeper implication from this, fixing her stare on Zhu E and remarked, "You belong to the Devil Sect."

"Don't use such harsh words. You call us devils, but I see you as the true devils—groveling at the feet of the demon empress."

Upon delivering her sharp rebuttal, Zhu E furrowed her brows slightly in defiance.

Min Ning snorted coldly, turned away, and refused to look at this demonic woman directly: