So that leaves only Qin Keren and Li Shishi.
Qin Keren is Chu Feng’s senior martial sister, not a subordinate. Such matters cannot force her hand. Moreover, though her power is substantial, her adaptability pales in comparison to that of Li Shishi.
Therefore, Li Shishi is the best choice for administering the poison.
Every action has its risks.
Theoretically, Chu Feng has methods to ensure Li Shishi’s safety. But once she falls into enemy hands, the situation becomes highly unpredictable with uncertain outcomes.
At the very least, one must wait until the Beixie Emperor shows symptoms of poisoning to ensure her absolute safety.
For as lascivious as the Beixie Emperor is, he would never gamble with his own life. Once the poisoning is confirmed, he would undoubtedly summon the Alchemy King nurtured by the Northern Beixie Empire to treat him.
Only when the Alchemy King fails to cure the poison will the Beixie Emperor begin to panic.
Then, Chu Feng and Li Shishi will transition from a position of weakness to one of control. Commanding the Beixie Emperor to withdraw his troops will lead to immediate action — disobey, and he dies.
"Shishi, I have a very important task for you. Take these two Talismanic Elixirs for now; they can save your life when necessary, or help you escape."
The current situation is extremely grave.
After careful consideration, Chu Feng immediately set his plan into motion. The Beixie National Master is not fond of pleasures of the flesh, but for the Beixie Emperor, that could be an exploitable weakness.
Upon hearing Chu Feng’s words, Li Shishi’s expression subtly shifted, her heart quivering.
Her intelligence allowed her to understand what "escape" implied.
It was a euphemism for death.
"Master, if you have any commands, just say the word. Shishi will exert her full effort to carry them out!" Li Shishi grasped the gravity of their predicament, trapped with no escape meaning certain death. Without hesitation, she forthrightly agreed.
"I will write two secret letters in blood for you to deliver, one to the Beixie Emperor and the other to the Beixie National Master," Chu Feng said as he tore two pieces from his robe, sliced open his fingertip, and wrote with his blood as ink and his finger as a brush.
He swiftly penned two Blood Letters, then took out a bright red porcelain bottle and sprinkled some powder onto them, before handing them to Li Shishi.
"If I give them the letters, will that save the master?" Li Shishi asked, uncertain.
"If they accept the letters, then there should be no problem. Remember, they must read them personally," Chu Feng instructed carefully.
Under the current circumstances, he wouldn’t have asked her to take this risk if it hadn’t been absolutely necessary.
Li Shishi did not inquire further, taking the two Blood Letters from Chu Feng and decisively leaving the Thunder Cave.
Having seen Chu Feng sprinkle powder onto the letters, she had some guesses. Her master probably intended to use poison to deal with the Beixie Emperor.
Others might not know of Chu Feng’s capabilities, but Li Shishi was well aware of his prowess.
However, she believed that while Chu Feng’s poisons and Poison Pills might dominate in the Jianyun Dynasty, this was the Northern Beixie Empire, one of the powerful states of Dan State.
What’s more, the Northern Beixie Empire was supported by an Alchemy King.
Although not confident in Chu Feng’s method of poisoning, Li Shishi still resolutely followed Chu Feng’s orders.
She resolved that if Chu Feng’s poison proved ineffective and was countered by that Alchemy King of the Northern Beixie Empire, she would sacrifice herself wholly, even using her body in exchange, to save Chu Feng’s life.
Upon leaving the Thunder Cave, Li Shishi was immediately approached by two formidable Blood God Guards intent on capturing her.
"In warfare between two nations, envoys are not to be harmed!"
"I am but a weak woman, do you also intend to use force? Would that not tarnish the grace of an empire?"
Li Shishi’s words were razor-sharp.
Her alluring eyes looked directly at the Beixie Emperor, with a hint of disdain.
This was undoubtedly a provocation to the Beixie Emperor.
"Do not be impertinent!" The Beixie Emperor smiled faintly, stepped forward, and arrived before Li Shishi. It was unexpected that, as a monarch, his personal strength was also incredibly formidable.
"Do you wish to act as Chu Feng’s envoy?" The Beixie Emperor found Li Shishi more and more appealing as he looked at her; she was elegant and intelligent, yet possessed a proud allure that drove men wild.
One couldn’t help but desire to pursue her.
The Beixie Emperor stood just two feet in front of Li Shishi, inhaling the faint scent emanating from her, his heart pounding fiercely.
"Your Majesty, as the Monarch with the Body of Ten Thousand Saints, you mustn’t readily trust such a demoness!"
The Beixie National Master moved swiftly, his formidable presence forcing Li Shishi to retreat continuously. He regarded her coldly, thinking to himself, "She is a calamitous beauty! With charm that is natural and effortless, every frown and smile captivating the heart."
The National Master of course knew the Beixie Emperor’s nature well; the sight of a beautiful woman could stop him in his tracks.
An Emperor by nature is romantic, which is not inherently wrong. But this woman is an accomplice of Chu Feng, and now she comes out boldly, displaying both wisdom and bravery. She is surely no ordinary woman.
Although not powerful, the Emperor must still be cautious, lest he falls for her tricks.
"The National Master may protect from the side, I have my own discernment! A mere woman of Sword Master Level, if I were to fear her, it would surely be laughable to the world."
Displeasure tinged the Beixie Emperor’s voice.
The National Master had been a key minister entrusted with the Emperor’s care by his father; often he was very strict with the Imperial Sovereign. It made the Emperor somewhat fearful and, deep down, a rebellious streak had long since taken root.
As the Supreme Venerable, how can he tolerate others roaring over his head?
Li Shishi gently clapped her hands, her fingers delicate and slender, her face revealing a look of admiration.
"As expected of the widely renowned Beixie Emperor, young in years yet unrivaled in courage and wisdom. No wonder the common people hail you as a Holy Emperor." Li Shishi’s words were appropriately laudatory.
It made the bones of the Beixie Emperor feel a few ounces lighter, his entire being buoyant.
He had managed the Northern Beixie Empire so well, and it was exactly what the Beixie Emperor took most pride in. Now, Li Shishi, this beauty, using the voice of the people to hail him as a Holy Emperor, greatly satisfied both his sense of achievement and his vanity.
His face too revealed a radiant smile.
"You truly are a delightful person, not only beautiful in appearance, outstanding in temperament, but your skill in flattery is also top-notch. I am very pleased," the Beixie Emperor declared.
He stared intently at her, her cool and ethereal beauty, along with her self-appreciating pride, all made the Beixie Emperor’s heart stir vehemently.
He never thought there could be such an enchanting girl in the world.
In terms of looks, there were quite a few in the palace who were more beautiful than Li Shishi. But no one else could captivate the soul quite like she did.
Even the Empress and the Noble concubines paled in comparison to her.
The Beixie Emperor didn’t consider that even Chu Feng, the Alchemy Venerate, was often irresistibly charmed by Li Shishi. How could she then be compared to the Beixie Empress or the Noble concubines?