Chapter 9:The Unholy deal

Chapter 9: The War God's Shadow

The moment Bai Zhi accepted the Emperor's command, the court session concluded. The nobles, ministers, and generals filed out of the Hall of Heavenly Mandate, whispering amongst themselves.

"She's truly fearless."

"Or reckless. Who in their right mind would seek out Mu Qing?"

"If she succeeds… she will be more dangerous than we imagined."

Bai Zhi ignored the murmurs, her expression serene as she strode out of the grand hall.

But she was not a fool.

She felt several pairs of eyes on her—some curious, some filled with killing intent.

Enemies have already begun to move.

Good. Let them come.

As she stepped outside, a familiar voice called out to her.

"Lady Bai."

She turned.

The Crown Prince stood beneath the golden eaves of the palace, his black and gold robes fluttering in the breeze.

His violet eyes studied her intently.

"We need to talk."

Inside a quiet pavilion in the imperial gardens, Bai Zhi sat across from the Crown Prince, the scent of jasmine filling the air.

The prince poured himself a cup of amber tea, his movements unhurried, elegant.

But Bai Zhi did not miss the sharpness in his gaze as he looked at her.

"Mu Qing is not an easy target," he said, setting his cup down. "You should know that better than anyone."

Bai Zhi smirked, swirling her own tea. "Are you worried about me, Your Highness?"

The prince's eyes narrowed slightly. "I am worried about the empire."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do you think I will fail?"

A beat of silence.

Then—

"I think you will succeed."

Bai Zhi stilled, surprised by his response.

The Crown Prince leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"And that is why you are dangerous."

A threat.

A woman who could truly shift the balance of power.

Bai Zhi smiled. "Then, Your Highness, will you be my ally or my enemy?"

The Crown Prince's lips curled into a faint smirk. "That depends on your next move, Lady Bai."

Leaving the palace, Bai Zhi returned to her estate, where her most trusted shadow guard, Ye Qing, awaited her.

The moment she stepped inside, the masked man knelt before her, his voice cool and steady.

"My lady, the Prime Minister's men have begun moving. They are sending assassins."

Bai Zhi chuckled, removing her cloak. "How predictable."

"Shall I eliminate them?" Ye Qing asked.

Bai Zhi tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"No need."

Her silver eyes gleamed.

"Let them come. It will be… entertaining."

Ye Qing hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"And Mu Qing?"

At the mention of the exiled general, Bai Zhi's expression turned serious.

"What have you learned?"

Ye Qing stepped forward, placing a map on the table.

"He is hiding in the Northern Wastelands, near the ruined fortress of Blackstone."

Bai Zhi traced the path with her fingers.

"A fitting place for an exiled warrior," she murmured.

But she knew—this would not be a simple journey.

Mu Qing was not an ordinary man.

He was once the empire's strongest general, a man who commanded a hundred thousand soldiers, a war god feared across the land.

And now, she was being sent to bring him back.

Or kill him.

Bai Zhi smiled. "How exciting."

That night, as Bai Zhi prepared to depart, a cold wind swept through her estate.

She sensed it immediately.

The presence of killers.

Ye Qing materialized beside her. "They are here."

Bai Zhi sighed. "How many?"

"Ten."

"Too few. I'm disappointed."

Before Ye Qing could respond, shadows leapt from the rooftops.

Blades flashed.

Bai Zhi did not move.

She merely smiled.

The assassins lunged—

And in a blur of silver light—

They fell.

Ye Qing sheathed his blade, ten bodies collapsing to the ground behind him.

Bai Zhi did not even spare them a glance.

"Pathetic."

The Prime Minister had truly underestimated her.

She turned to Ye Qing.

"Let's go. The real hunt begins now."

For three days and nights, Bai Zhi and her elite guards rode through the empire, heading toward the barren Northern Wastelands.

They crossed frozen rivers, passed through abandoned villages, and climbed the treacherous Blackstone mountains.

At night, they camped beneath the cold sky, and Bai Zhi listened to Ye Qing's reports.

"Rumors say Mu Qing has gathered remnants of his old army."

Bai Zhi's eyes gleamed in the firelight. "How many?"

"Around three hundred. Scattered, but loyal."

"Interesting."

She leaned back against a rock, gazing up at the moon.

Mu Qing had been abandoned by the empire.

Yet his men still followed him.

A dangerous loyalty.

And if Bai Zhi played her cards right…

That loyalty could be hers.

On the fourth day, they finally arrived.

The ruined fortress of Blackstone.

It stood tall and broken, the remnants of its stone walls still proud despite the passage of time.

As Bai Zhi approached, she felt it—

A powerful presence.

Her silver eyes narrowed.

Mu Qing was here.

And he was watching her.

As Bai Zhi stepped through the fortress gates, her steps echoed in the empty halls.

Then—

A blade appeared at her throat.

Fast. Silent.

But Bai Zhi did not flinch.

"You move like a ghost, General Mu."

A deep chuckle.

The blade lowered slightly.

And then, stepping into the moonlight—

Mu Qing.

Dressed in worn black armor, his long hair streaked with silver, he looked like a man carved from war itself.

His eyes—dark as the abyss—studied Bai Zhi intensely.

"So," he said, his voice like distant thunder. "The empire finally sends someone to kill me?"

Bai Zhi smiled, unfazed.

"No," she said softly. "I came to offer you something much more interesting."

Mu Qing raised an eyebrow.

"And what is that?"

Bai Zhi stepped forward, her silver eyes gleaming.

"A chance to reclaim what was stolen from you."

The silence that followed was thick with tension.

Then—

Mu Qing laughed.

A low, rumbling sound.

"You are either very bold or very foolish."

His blade gleamed as he pointed it at her chest.

"Convince me, Bai Zhi. Or die where you stand."

Bai Zhi's smile only widened.

"Gladly, General."

The war had begun.

Bai Zhi stood calmly before Mu Qing, the War God of a fallen era, his blade pointed directly at her heart.

The moon cast a cold glow over the ruined fortress, illuminating the scars on Mu Qing's battle-worn face.

His expression held amusement, but his grip on the sword was steady, unwavering.

"You claim you have something to offer me?" His deep voice was laced with mockery. "Then prove your worth, girl."

Bai Zhi tilted her head slightly, her silver eyes gleaming.

"Very well."

Without hesitation, she raised her hand—and in a flash of golden light, her system activated.

— Ding! —

[The Money-Spending System has detected an opportunity!]

[Mission Triggered: Convince War God Mu Qing]

Mission Objective: Prove your strength and persuade Mu Qing to listen.

Reward: 100,000 gold coins, +10 Beauty, +10 Charm, [Heaven's Shadow Martial Art]

Bai Zhi smirked. An easy deal.

She raised her hands, showing she carried no weapons.

"You are a man of war," she said smoothly. "You trust strength, not words."

Mu Qing's grip on the hilt tightened slightly, intrigued.

"And?"

Bai Zhi's smile turned sharp.

"So I will prove myself in the way you respect most—battle."

The War God laughed, long and low, before stepping back.

"Very well, little girl. Let's see if you're worth my time."

The fortress courtyard was cold and vast, the broken stone beneath their feet echoing with forgotten battles.

Mu Qing removed his cloak, his well-built frame standing tall like an unshakable mountain.

He pulled out a rusted training sword, yet the weight of its presence felt suffocating.

"I will not kill you," he said lazily. "But I will break every bone if you disappoint me."

Bai Zhi chuckled, rolling her shoulders.

"Try, General."

Then—

Mu Qing moved.

In the blink of an eye, the War God vanished, reappearing right in front of her.

His sword came crashing down.

Fast. Brutal. Unstoppable.

But Bai Zhi was not ordinary.

Her system flashed.

— Ding! —

[Money-Spending System has activated: Temporary Boost!]

[+5 Agility, +5 Strength]

She twisted her body, dodging the strike by a hair's breadth.

The air shattered where his blade landed, the sheer force sending cracks across the stone.

"Not bad."

Mu Qing's eyes narrowed in approval.

"Again."

This time, he attacked faster, stronger, a whirlwind of power.

Bai Zhi blocked, dodged, and countered, her movements growing sharper with each passing second.

And then—

She saw an opening.

A small gap in his stance.

Without hesitation, she struck forward.

Her fingers brushed his throat.

Victory.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then Mu Qing grinned.

"Interesting."

He stepped back, lowering his sword.

"You are worth listening to after all."

— Ding! —

[Mission Complete!]

[Rewards Granted: 100,000 Gold, +10 Beauty, +10 Charm, Martial Art – Heaven's Shadow Technique]

As soon as the mission completed, Bai Zhi felt a rush of power flood through her.

Her appearance subtly shifted—her features sharper, her skin glowing with ethereal beauty.

She glanced at her reflection in the cracked fountain nearby.

"System, show me my new status."

— Ding! —

[User: Bai Zhi]

[Gold: 200,000]

[Beauty: +20 (Enchanting)]

[Charm: +15 (Irresistible)]

[Strength: +10]

[Agility: +12]

[Martial Arts: Heaven's Shadow Technique (Beginner)]

Bai Zhi smiled.

With this, she was one step closer to dominating this world.

Mu Qing watched her with interest, his arms crossed.

"You are not just a noble girl, are you?"

Bai Zhi grinned.

"I am someone who gets what I want, General."

Mu Qing chuckled, amused.

"And what is it you want from me?"

Bai Zhi's silver eyes gleamed.

"Loyalty. Power. And the fall of my enemies."

Mu Qing's expression darkened.

He walked forward, his presence looming over her like a storm.

"And if I refuse?"

Bai Zhi's voice was soft, but deadly.

"Then you will regret it."

A beat of silence.

Then—

Mu Qing laughed.

"Hah. I like you, Bai Zhi."

His smirk turned dangerous.

"Very well. I will listen to your plans. But remember—if you betray me, I will kill you."

Bai Zhi smiled.

"Likewise, General."

And thus, an unholy alliance was forged.

One that would shake the empire to its core.