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墨書 Inktalez
"That hurts! Can you be a bit gentler?" I grimaced and glared at Xie Cheng'an, who was poking my face with a fine needle.
"Endure it," he replied, his hands steady and focused. "The first step of the Thousand Faces Technique is learning to endure pain."
It had been a full seven days. We had escaped to an abandoned temple on the outskirts of the city, where Xie Cheng'an tirelessly taught me the art of disguise, lightness skills, and hidden weapons. Qing Zhu had already neutralized most of the poison and was currently preparing ointments in the inner chamber.
"Hiss—" A silver needle pierced my temple, and the sharp pain made my vision blur.
"Remember this spot," Xie Cheng'an said calmly, as if discussing the weather. "Poking here can temporarily alter your facial contours."
"If you poke it wrong, will I die?" I rolled my eyes.
He rarely smiled, but this time he curled his lips slightly. "You won't die; you'll just look ugly at worst."
Ugly?! I immediately tensed up, but Xie Cheng'an took advantage of my distraction to jab me again.
"You bastard!" I gritted my teeth. "Once I learn this, I'll be the first to poke you!"
"I'll be waiting."
He put away the silver needle and handed me a copper mirror. The reflection stunned me—my oval face had turned into a round one, my lips were fuller, and even the corners of my eyes were slightly raised.
"Is this... still me?"
"The essence of the Thousand Faces Technique," Xie Cheng'an said as he removed the needle from my head, causing my face to slowly return to its original state, "lies not in completely changing your appearance but in precisely controlling your facial muscles and bones."
I touched my face, feeling an indescribable sensation in my heart.
"Tomorrow I'll teach you how to use powder to change your skin tone," Xie Cheng'an said as he stood up. "Tonight, you need to go into the city to gather information."
"Huh?" I was taken aback. "You want me to go just like this?"
"Practical experience is the best teacher." He retrieved a set of men's clothing from a hidden compartment and handed it to me. "Qing Zhu has already helped you with basic disguise; go find out Liu Ru Yan's whereabouts."
I took the clothes but suddenly realized something. "I mean... this Thousand Faces Technique won't cause any permanent damage to my face, right?"
Xie Cheng'an glanced at me with a complex expression. "Worried about disfigurement? Su Wan, you value this face more than I expected."
"Heh, who doesn't love beauty?" I forced a laugh but didn't dare reveal the truth—that this body wasn't mine; I was merely a soul that had crossed over.
He suddenly leaned closer, his fingers gently brushing against my cheek. "Don't worry; this face is safe."
My heart inexplicably raced. What was wrong with this man? He was so hot and cold.
As night fell, I disguised myself in scholarly attire and blended into a tavern in the city. The disguise techniques taught by Xie Cheng'an proved effective; even the guards at the city gate barely glanced my way.
"Have you heard? Princess Mingyi is hosting a banquet at Yu Hua Palace tonight," a merchant at the next table boasted loudly.
"Yes, I heard even the Emperor will attend. It’s bound to be quite a spectacle," his companion replied.
Yu Hua Palace? The Emperor? My heart raced. This was an excellent opportunity to get close to Liu Ru Yan.
"Excuse me, brother," I leaned over and lowered my voice deliberately, "I’m new to the capital and was wondering if there’s a way to get into Yu Hua Palace?"
The merchant scrutinized me from head to toe. "What’s this? You want to see it for yourself?"
I discreetly waved a silver ingot under the table. "I’d like to buy a gift for my sister. I’ve heard that the silks from Yu Hua Palace are unmatched in the capital."
The shrewd merchant’s eyes lit up with delight. "I have connections! I know the steward of Yu Hua Palace..."
With one silver ingot, I secured a maid's token. It seemed that Xie Cheng'an's advice of "showing just enough wealth without flaunting it" was indeed effective.
"Are you out of your mind?" Xie Cheng'an's expression darkened like stormy waters when he heard my plan late that night. "Yu Hua Palace is a den of danger; Liu Ru Yan's spies are everywhere."
"That’s exactly why I need to go," I replied excitedly, waving the token. "Haven't you always wanted to uncover Liu Ru Yan's motives for impersonating a princess?"
Xie Cheng'an paused in silence for a moment before suddenly turning and retrieving a short sword from a hidden compartment, handing it to me. "Keep this close. If you encounter danger, run—don’t play the hero."
I was taken aback. "You agree to this?"
"You would go regardless of my approval," he snorted, "You're more stubborn than I am."
I couldn't help but laugh. " Pavilion Master Xie, is that a compliment?"
He didn’t respond but walked over to the table and began grinding ink. "Come here; I'll teach you one last disguise technique."
I leaned in as he used a fine brush to draw several special points on paper.
"These points combined with some powder can temporarily alter your voice," he said in a low, focused tone. "Your voice is too recognizable; Liu Ru Yan would identify you immediately."
A warmth spread through me at his thoughtfulness; he had considered even this detail.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Liu Ru Yan sat regally in her phoenix robe, her face radiant like peach blossoms, smiling charmingly.
The Emperor sat beside her, his expression dazed, his eyes filled with infatuation.
Wait a minute—something about the Emperor's demeanor was off. If she truly had an intimate relationship with him? It felt almost like... lovers.
At that moment, a sudden cry echoed through the center of the grand hall.
"Assassin!"
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