"They... just walked right in out in the open like that?"
The courtyard was devoid of light, encircled by parasol trees. Snow drifted across the sky alongside falling yellow leaves, while a clear pool rippling beneath the bitter wind was dotted with faint warm yellow light spilling from the main hall.
The doorless main hall was partitioned by a phoenix-embroidered screen. The interior was pitch-black save for a flicker of firelight that cast an alluring silhouette holding a dossier onto the screen. A soft, languid feminine voice, steeped in seductive charm, drifted out like a venomous serpent toward the man half-kneeling in the snowy courtyard:
"With his cultivation, discovering you shouldn't have been difficult. So, did he do this on purpose for me to see?"
His face concealed by a cowl, the man was clad entirely in black with only his eyes visible. He knelt on one knee in the snowdrifts of the courtyard, head bowed:
"...Subordinate dares not make rash claims."
Behind the screen, the woman's voice was soft, laced with a smile, yet chilling:
"This seat was not asking you, either..."
With those words, the woman fell silent, leaving the snowy courtyard quiet beneath the night.
The black-robed man did not utter a sound. Without permission from the woman, he dared not leave, faithfully remaining half-kneeling in the snow-covered courtyard.
As time trickled by, a layer of white steadily accumulated atop his black garments, yet he bore not the slightest complaint, holding his kneeling posture with meticulous discipline, unyielding and unshaken by the wind and snow.
He knew very well that the woman in the hall would not keep him waiting here for no reason.
After who knew how long, a faint creak came from the gatekeeper's quarters of the vast, quiet courtyard.
The kneeling man's lowered pupils narrowed slightly.
No announcement, not even a knock at the door. Who dared to be bold enough to intrude directly into the Black Scale Guards' General Affairs Office here in Guangyang City?
Though questions arose in his mind, he remained dutifully on his knee.
Crunch—
Crunch—
Footsteps crunching through the snow sounded from behind, light and unhurried.
Chief Lou hadn't let him leave... it had to be for this person.
Though he dared not probe the newcomer, the man's rigorous training allowed him to discern from the footsteps that the visitor's cultivation was not high.
A dozen breaths later, the newcomer had arrived at his side.
Through his lowered eyelashes, the black-robed man caught sight of a pair of luxurious upturned flowing-cloud boots. The visitor paused slightly as he passed, seemingly glancing down at him, before continuing into the hall.
Still without any announcement, without even a word of greeting, the footsteps headed straight behind the screen.
And then, silence returned.
Looking around the dimly lit hall, Xu Yuan casually took out a fire spirit lamp and set it on the desk. Leaning lazily against the edge, he looked at the woman opposite him:
"Sis, long time no see. Did you miss me?"
The woman was indeed Lou Ji.
Today, Lou Ji wore a light-colored blouse trimmed with silver edging, an aqua lotus-colored gauze sash tied at her waist, and a cinched trailing gown in hazy pink hibiscus silk that accentuated a waist so slender one could encircle it in a single hand.
Naturally, the tight waist made her bountiful bosom appear all the more voluptuous.
Yet her robes were closely fastened, concealing any cleavage.
Inhaling softly, Lou Ji casually lifted her gaze to glance at him, her tone distant and faint:
"What good is it if Big Sis missed you? If I hadn't sent someone to look for you, our little Changtian probably would have left without even saying hello."
Xu Yuan grinned, stepped behind Lou Ji, and began gently kneading her fair neck and shoulders, offering an excuse:
"Sis, if you didn't send someone to guide me, I wouldn't have been able to find this place either."
As Xu Yuan massaged Lou Ji's soft shoulders, he asked:
"When I entered the city today, I saw from the air that Guangyang City is quite lively. Is something big about to happen?"
"What do you think?"
Lou Ji glanced back at the brat behind her, leaned languidly against the back of the chair, and closed her eyes to enjoy the pressure of his fingertips:
"Lately there have been so many matters that Big Sis is worked half to death... Mm, nice technique. You can use a bit more strength."
"You got it." Receiving his orders, Xu Yuan directly circulated his cultivation method.
"A bit harder." Lou Ji half-opened her beautiful eyes, her emerald pupils clear as washed jade.
"Mm."
"Did you not eat today? Harder."
"Uh, alright."
"Changtian..."
"Yeah?"
"With so little strength, do you need Big Sis to slip you some medicine?"
"..." Xu Yuan was speechless.
Uh-oh. A scolding was coming.
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Lou Ji gracefully sat upright. She turned her head, stray locks by her temples brushing against her lips in the draft, her jade-green eyes fixing him with a trace of chill:
"Changtian, Big Sis is very curious. With this pathetic cultivation of yours, where did you get the nerve to insist on staying in Beifeng back then?"
Here it comes...
After holding her gaze for a breath, Xu Yuan grinned:
"Sis, regarding Beifeng City, I think I handled things—"
Bang!!
Before he could finish, Lou Ji slapped her palm onto the desk.
As her soft chest swayed, a distinct handprint sank straight into the solid wood.
Lou Ji stared into Xu Yuan's eyes, a cold sneer tugging at her cherry-red lips:
"You think I'm talking about that? So what if you handled it well? Before I left, didn't I warn you that it's better to do nothing than to show your edge? And what did you do, Xu Changtian? Do you honestly think that just because of your identity, no one dares to kill you?!
"I can tell you right now: if you show your brilliance, everyone under heaven will want you dead!"
"Wait, when did you ever say that before leaving?" Xu Yuan muttered under his breath. "Didn't you just make me choose whether to leave with you or not..."
Bang!!!
This time, the entire desk shattered into dust.
Lou Ji's tightly wrapped, ample bosom heaved violently with her breathing, a fierce light gleaming in her eyes:
"If I don't spell it out, you don't understand?!"
"I understand."
Xu Yuan answered crisply, then went on muttering, "It's just that nine out of ten things in life don't go as planned..."
Swish—
Lou Ji rose to her feet. Her high-heeled lotus boots allowed her to look Xu Yuan straight in the eye. Reaching out, she seized his collar and yanked him close, staring right into his eyes:
"...Not seeing you for a few months, and now our Changtian has learned to talk back, hm?"
"Not talking back."
Xu Yuan straightened up. Feeling the pressing sensation against his chest, he held his head high, eyes looking straight ahead: "Just speaking the honest truth. Besides, Sis, didn't I come back alive?"
Lou Ji laughed coldly instead of raging:
"Coming back alive is merely the beginning."
Xu Yuan blinked, then suddenly clasped Lou Ji's fair wrists with both hands, grinning:
"Sis, don't be mad. In fact, I already have a suspect in mind."
"..."
Looking at his smiling face, Lou Ji took a deep breath to calm her temper. Shoving him back forcefully, she released his collar and scoffed, "Do I need your suspect?"
"..."
The immense force sent Xu Yuan staggering back a dozen steps until he lost his balance and plopped right onto his rear.
Surprised, Xu Yuan didn't rush to get up. Looking at her standing in the hall, he asked with slight astonishment:
"You know who did it?"
Lou Ji shot him a cold glare, sat back down, leaned against the chair back, and crossed her legs with her arms folded across her chest:
"Li Zhaoyuan."
"..."
Xu Yuan got up, dusted off his buttocks, and jogged back behind Lou Ji. Resuming his massage of this mature beauty, he asked softly:
"Does my father know too?"
"He knows. But because there's no evidence, Li Zhaoyuan was protected by the Emperor." Lou Ji's eyes turned chillingly dark.
She was thoroughly displeased with this decision.
Xu Yuan's hands paused slightly. "Is that so..." he murmured.
Hearing this, Lou Ji gave a cold snort, her voice laced with mockery:
"Rest assured, Changtian. If you truly had died, Big Sis could just as easily send Li Zhaoyuan down to keep you company—no evidence needed."
Xu Yuan gave an awkward smile, continuing to knead her supple shoulders:
"Mm... let's not. I don't want to die."
"That's hardly up to you now. If he leaks the matter, you won't know a single day of peace from here on out."
"Li Zhaoyuan is a smart man. He probably won't do that."
A look of contemplation flickered in Xu Yuan's eyes as he gently shook his head. "Mm, at least before returning to the capital, he won't."
Li Zhaoyuan's cultivation was far higher than his; a pseudo-first-rank cultivation allowed him to face most assassination attempts with ease.
Even if he were killed, he would leave traces of the assassin.
Yet since Lou Ji said she could make Li Zhaoyuan vanish without a trace, she could certainly do it.
Thinking of this, a question suddenly struck Xu Yuan.
Wait—did Li Zhaoyuan know this?
If Li Zhaoyuan didn't know Lou Ji could make him disappear, then his intelligence right now...
"..." Xu Yuan looked at the coiled chignon at the back of her head.
Lou Ji sighed and said:
"Don't worry... I have already warned him about this."
Well then, truly a dependable big sister.
Xu Yuan chuckled upon hearing this, massaging with renewed vigor.
Lou Ji hummed softly, a smile curling at her cherry-red lips:
"So, Changtian, care to tell Big Sis where you disappeared to these past few months?"
Xu Yuan's eyes glinted, his tone breezy:
"Nothing much. Just got teleported to the Land of Utter Darkness along with the Barbarian King, and then teamed up with Li Qingyan to use the Beifeng Army's military array to slay the Barbarian King who had achieved Sainthood, that's all."
Lou Ji frowned slightly:
"Slew the Barbarian King who achieved Sainthood?"
"Yes," Xu Yuan nodded.
Lou Ji tapped her fingers against her folded arms, thoughtful:
"The merit of slaying a Barbarian King who achieved Sainthood... It seems that girl Wuyuan's stance will become increasingly crucial for the succession struggle in the Imperial City."
"Sis, I killed the Barbarian King together with her."
"Pfft—"
"..." Xu Yuan fell silent.
After a moment of silence, Lou Ji let out a breath, stifling her amusement. Brushing past the topic entirely, she spun her chair around and looked at him, laughing softly:
"Changtian, Big Sis heard that on your journey south, you also ran into that Saintess of the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion?"
"..."
Seeing the gleam of amusement in her eyes, Xu Yuan's annoyance vanished at once.
Uh-oh, the drama seeker wants her entertainment.
He had finally managed to balance the scales; he couldn't let this drama queen tip them over.
Without hesitation, Xu Yuan promptly changed the subject:
"Yeah. But why did she have my maternal uncle's token?"
"Well... with your uncle's temperament, how would Big Sis know?"
Lou Ji swung one crossed leg, the high-heeled lotus boot dangling from her fair toes swaying gently as she rested her cheek against her palm, steering the conversation right back:
"Still, Changtian, Big Sis doesn't seem to have met that Saintess yet. Why didn't you bring her along with Wuyuan to introduce them to me?"
Xu Yuan's expression didn't waver. He smiled and smoothly delivered his prepared excuse:
"I actually wanted to, but unlike an idle person like me, they both have business to attend to. One had to go to the military barracks, and the other had to meet with sect members."
Back in Beifeng City when they first met, Lou Ji and Li Qingyan hadn't gotten into a fight, but this time was far from guaranteed—not to mention having that clumsy-mouthed washboard Saintess beside them.
A meeting?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
The waters were too deep; a "mighty" Soul Condensation powerhouse like him couldn't handle it just yet.
Lou Ji tapped her cheek with a slender index finger, looking somewhat bored:
"Is that so? Forget it for now, then. Once the Northern Border affair ends, I can see them in the Imperial Capital anyway."
Xu Yuan breathed an inward sigh of relief. Suddenly remembering something, he looked past the screen.
It was a one-way screen, allowing him to see outside from within.
The black-clad man remained half-kneeling in the snow, an inch of snow already accumulated on his shoulders.
Pausing for a beat, Xu Yuan asked softly:
"Right, Sis, that man outside..."
"He's responsible for keeping tabs on Li Zhaoyuan. He returned this time to report intelligence," Lou Ji replied offhandedly.
"Oh?" Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow.
Lou Ji's tone carried amusement:
"What, interested, Changtian?"
"Naturally. After all, the bastard wanted to kill me."
A sharp glint flashed in Xu Yuan's eyes. Pausing, he asked, "Still, with Li Zhaoyuan's cultivation, discovering this Black Scale Guard shouldn't be hard, right?"
When passing the black-robed man earlier, he had swept his spiritual vision over him.
His aura was unfathomably deep, yet still somewhat weaker than the washboard Saintess and the others.
"Right. It's just planting a pawn right under his nose to disgust him." Lou Ji smiled faintly.
Xu Yuan let out a light noise of curiosity and asked:
"In that case, there probably isn't any useful intelligence, right?"
"Actually, there is one thing."
"What?"
"..."
Holding his gaze for a breath, Lou Ji said in a low, eerie tone, "Tonight, he openly met with members of the Sect Alliance at the Prince's secondary estate."
Xu Yuan pondered for a moment. Not a hint of surprise showed on his face as he chuckled and shook his head:
"Truly something he would do."
Seeing his calm reaction, Lou Ji asked with a rather peculiar look:
"You aren't surprised, Changtian?"
"Why should I be surprised?"
Xu Yuan stared through the screen at the swirling snow in the night. "Sis, do you think the reigning Emperor knows about Li Zhaoyuan secretly colluding with the sects in the past?"
Lou Ji's willow brows arched slightly, a flicker of interest crossing her emerald eyes as she looked at his profile:
"He should know. Even Big Sis knows a thing or two about it; there's no reason the reigning Emperor wouldn't. After all, Li Zhaoyuan has made it abundantly clear he intends to vie for the Crown Prince's position, and there are only so many paths he can take."
"Indeed. Since His Imperial Majesty knew about this, yet forgave him for attempting to assassinate Qingyan, and even shielded him before Father..."
Xu Yuan sighed softly, a trace of murderous intent creeping into his tone. "...that can only mean he has become the next candidate for the throne.
"If even I can figure this out, there's no way Li Zhaoyuan himself couldn't.
"If I were him, I would definitely leak such crucial information to the sects to tell them it's time to increase their bets."
"..."
The snowy night was silent.
Lou Ji's eyes narrowed slightly, her voice very quiet:
"Right now, the northern sects have yet to be eradicated, and the Sect Alliance is applying pressure. Could His Imperial Majesty truly tolerate Li Zhaoyuan contacting the sects at a crucial juncture like this?"
Xu Yuan gently shook his head, turning his eyes back to her with a smile:
"That, I'm not so sure. After all, what the Emperor is truly thinking right now might be something not even my father knows.
"Whether he wants our Prime Minister's Manor dead, or the sects dead, or perhaps before he dies, to completely ignite a full-scale war between the sects and the imperial court..."
The current situation was tense.
If the Sect Alliance wanted to smash the three northern provinces, they would inevitably have to apply pressure elsewhere; the slightest lapse could trigger a black swan event.
With this in mind,
Xu Yuan took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts, and said to Lou Ji with a light chuckle:
"Sis, discussing all that is still looking too far ahead. Right now, I want to go see Li Zhaoyuan."
Chapter 339