Zu An knew she wasn’t lying. He had witnessed her skills back at the Hub of Freedom. Even though the Hub looked like a place of entertainment, full of singing and dancing, the poison mist in her mouth could make her target fall into an illusion and think they had succeeded. In reality, they would only be playing with themselves in the illusion while she watched them in amus.e.m.e.nt.
“The lady speaks too seriously. There are so many guards outside; do you need me to help you leave?” Zu An asked.
“Why does the young master want to chase me away so quickly?” Tang Tian’er replied, her voice carrying a hint of a grudge.
Zu An was speechless. Didn’t I just tell you not to speak to me in that tone just a second ago? Why is it back already?
“I still have something to ask the young master…” Tang Tian’er said, lying on the table and looking at him with a smile. That sweet and pitiable smile made it difficult for anyone to feel any ill will toward her.
“Alright, tell me. What is it?” Zu An asked.
“Is the libationer still alive?” Tang Tian’er asked in response.
Zu An’s eyes narrowed when he heard what she said. He asked, “What kind of relationship does your Hub of Freedom have with the libationer? Could it be that it was set up through his influence?”
Tang Tian’er replied with a sweet smile, “How could a petty n.o.body like me know what the higher-ups are doing? I won’t hide it from young master. The Hub of Freedom does have some connection to the previous dynasty, but I don’t know exactly how deep it runs. Even if I did know, I couldn’t talk about it. Anyway, the libationer was part of the previous dynasty’s royal family, so it’s normal for us to care about his safety, right?”
Zu An thought to himself, Like h.e.l.l I’ll believe that you’re a petty n.o.body in the Hub of Freedom!
However, since she didn’t want to talk about it, he didn’t want to pry too much either. He said, “The libationer has already pa.s.sed on.” He watched her reaction as he spoke.
Tang Tian’er was stunned. She asked, “Was it also in that secret dungeon?”
“Yeah,” Zu An replied.
Tang Tian’er remained silent for a while. The sweet smile on her face was now gone. She asked, “Did he take that other guy down with him?”
Zu An smiled and didn’t say anything. He just continued to stare at her calmly, just like that.
Tang Tian’er knew that the subject was a matter of utter secrecy, so she was too embarra.s.sed to keep asking. She said, “Thank you, young master. You’ve helped me settle many of my doubts today.”
“What is the Hub of Freedom planning to do now?” Zu An asked curiously.
“I don’t know the exact details of what they’re going to do, but they’ll probably continue to gather money. There’s nothing more important than that in the world,” Tang Tian’er said, as if that was proper and to be expected.
Zu An was speechless. You make so much sense right now that I can’t even argue.
Tang Tian’er chatted with him for a little while longer. They didn’t talk about anything important and just made casual conversation. The mood was quite good, but Zu An was in a ‘transcendent’ state and didn’t have any other thoughts. Tang Tian’er teased him again and again, but when she saw that he didn’t have the slightest reaction, she couldn't help but start to question life.
Could it be that he really doesn’t have the slightest feeling for me?
Was I really just acting like a little clown with all this?
No way, he definitely has a favorable impression of me. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have told me such important things!
Could it be that he’s just too much of a gentleman…
She became more excited when she thought of that. Then, she got up to say goodbye to him.
Men can’t be pushed too much. It’s like fishing; you have to tug at the right time to succeed.
Zu An brought up seeing her out again, but she refused him.
“Don’t worry. Since I managed to get in, of course I can get out,” Tang Tian’er said. She left behind her trademark smile before quickly disappearing into the night.
After being repeatedly tormented by so many women, Zu An was getting a bit tired. He expected that Yan Xuehen and Chu Chuyan would come in. but he didn’t hear anything from them. As he waited and waited, he unwittingly fell asleep.
…
The next morning, Zu An went to look for Yan Xuehen and Chu Chuyan, but he saw that they weren’t actually in their rooms. According to what the maids said, they seemed to have gone to a certain place in the mountains to cultivate.
He went to look for Pei Mianman, Yun Jianyue, and Qiu Honglei, but he discovered that all of them had already left. He couldn't help but release a deep sigh. They all had their own matters to take care of, and their own pursuits and goals. That was why they spent more time apart than together.
As he let out a sigh full of deep emotion, King Yan, Bi Qi, and Zhao Yuan’s people invited him over to discuss official matters.
…
When he arrived at Guidance Temple, they began discussing what to do in the future.
Bi Qi had already been excluded from the most important decision-making back at the capital for too long, so he was naturally in a rush to return. He didn’t even want to stay a single day longer. Of course, the excuse he used was justifiable and proper. As so many people had come out from the secret dungeon, he needed to bring them back to the capital for interrogation.
As for King Yan, he was normally situated in a different territory anyway, so he naturally couldn't follow them to the capital. He stayed behind to continue watching over Yi Commandery and check for any more activity by Violet Mountain.
The different parties’ att.i.tudes were surprisingly similar, so they quickly reached a consensus. Orders went out one after another, and the Guerilla Warfare Army and Armed Escort Army all began to prepare for departure.
Zu An recalled what Yun Jianyue had been worried about and asked King Yan and Zhao Yuan about news related to Lu Sanyuan. Previously, Zhao Han had a.s.signed some troops to subdue rebel troops, and those rebels were none other than the volunteer army Lu Sanyuan was leading from several different areas.
However, they eventually learned that Lu Sanyuan hadn’t engaged in a frontal clash with the army. They had always somehow slipped past the official army, stalling for several months.
As the news of what happened to Zhao Han on Violet Mountain had already spread, the armies that set out to suppress the rebel army didn’t dare to continue their pursuit and both sides tacitly gave up on the matter.
It looks like their objective was just to lure the tiger away from the mountain, Zu An thought to himself. He wondered just who had the ability to ama.s.s so many resources and create such a deathtrap for Zhao Han.
As everyone on the mountain was starting to move, Yan Xuehen and Chu Chuyan also returned and found Zu An.
When he heard that they were also going to leave, Zu An became a bit depressed. He asked, “Can you stay for a few more days before leaving?”
Chu Chuyan was a bit hesitant, but Yan Xuehen said, “As something this major happened on Violet Mountain, I reckon that news has already traveled back to the White Jade Sect. Because of martial uncle’s actions, the entire sect must be alarmed and desperate. I need to return to control the situation.
“Furthermore, Chu Chuyan obtained some benefits from studying the Pure World Icelotus. This is a good chance for her to go into secluded cultivation to consolidate what she comprehended. I can also stay at her side and guide her. If she follows you, she will be delayed by all sorts of court matters. After all, we also entered the secret dungeon. If we go to the capital, there will be many uncontrollable factors.”
Chu Chuyan blinked. Her master was always very brief with others and incredibly cold, and yet she actually said so much to Ah Zu!
It looks as if master really does dote on me and is more patient because of me.
Zu An knew that what she said was the truth. He nodded and said, “That’s also good. Once I settle everything in the capital, I’ll come to pick you two up.”
Yan Xuehen was alarmed.
Are you crazy? Why did you say 'you two’?
She secretly gave Chu Chuyan a look. When she saw that she didn’t seem to have noticed, she sighed in relief.
No, I have to stay further away from this guy. If I stay at his side, the Unshakable Daoist Manual I cultivated so bitterly will be ruined by him sooner or later!
She felt more and more uncomfortable, so she decided to just leave to give these two lovebirds some s.p.a.ce alone.
Chu Chuyan was actually a bit unhappy that Zu An would always end up having more women who had ambiguous relationships with him whenever she left for a bit. She wanted him to live clean and honest from now on. However, with her personality, she couldn't bring herself to say those words.
In the end, all of those unspoken words changed into something else. She said, “Ah Zu, the Qin clan will likely be involved in these events on Violet Mountain. I’ll have to entrust it all to you. Youzhao in particular… Who knows what kind of suffering she’s gone through because of this. You have to help me take care of her.”
Zu An said with a chuckle, “Don’t worry. Youzhao is your little sister, so she’s my little sister too. I’ll definitely take good care of her. I’ll also help the Qin clan.”
She probably didn’t know how severe the situation with the Qin clan was, but there was no need to tell her. What she needed right now was to focus on her newly acquired opportunity. All of those things would only distract her.
Chu Chuyan nodded. Just as she was about to leave, she gave him a look. Suddenly, she turned around and jumped into his arms to hug him tightly.
“Chuyan, what’s wrong?” Zu An asked. He hadn’t expected Chuyan to take the initiative like this with her normally ice-cold personality.
After responding to her hug, he reflexively glanced at Yan Xuehen off to the side. Her face was completely cold. He couldn't sense any changes in emotion at all.
He felt a shiver. Double the joy also meant double the worries.
Chu Chuyan didn’t reply to his question, and bit down fiercely on his shoulder instead. Then, she broke out into a small jog under his shocked gaze.
Yan Xuehen walked over casually, so Zu An took the chance to ask, “Big sis Yan, what is going on with her?”
“You’re always fondling the flowers and trampling the gra.s.s out there, so of course she felt wronged. It’s good that she’s venting a bit,” Yan Xuehen said coldly.
Forget about Chuyan, even she wanted to give that brat a vicious bite.
All of the women he had at his side were G.o.ddess-like beings. Anyone who could obtain even a single one of them would be extremely careful not to hurt them in any way. Which one of them would dare to go after other women too? And yet, this guy kept doing exactly that!
If he had been despicable and shameless, using any means fair or foul, and was purely infatuated by their beauty, that wouldn’t be so hard to deal with. She would have just cut that thing off, or perhaps even killed him to settle things.
However, according to her understanding of Zu An, many things had happened between him and every one of those women. After all of the difficulties they experienced, he had even been willing to give up his life for them. Their relationships had then happened naturally, so she couldn't even find any reason to blame him.
He and Chuyan probably share similar circ.u.mstances…
Pah pah pah! What am I thinking about right now?!
“Until we meet again,” Yan Xuehen said, feeling her cheeks heat up. She would end up making a fool of herself if she stayed here any longer. She left behind those words coldly before quickly flying off into the distance.
Zu An was about to chase after her when Zhang Zijiang ran over, saying, “Sir Zu, the princess is shouting that she wants to meet you.”
“I won’t,” Zu An refused in annoyance.
After some hesitation, Zhang Zijiang continued, “She says she has a huge secret to tell you. If you don’t go, you will definitely regret it.”
Zu An frowned. Just what kind of huge secret was it that made Zhao Xiaodie so confident? Could it be that there were still other secrets on King Qi’s side?
When he saw that Yan Xuehen had already left, out of helplessness, he could only move over to the courtyard that was holding Zhao Xiaodie.
The usually high-spirited princess was now like a b.u.t.terfly with her wings clipped; she was dejected, and the expression in her eyes was vacant. She was lying on the table and staring out of the window in a daze.
“Princess, what did you need to see me for?” Zu An asked, coughing lightly. He didn’t enter, however, and remained standing outside the entrance.