The Airhead Appears

Hearing this, Xu Yuan visibly froze for a moment, then immediately asked, "Huang Shiwei was behind that?" Lou Ji uttered a soft hum of affirmation, finding Xu Yuan's reaction somewhat odd, though she still remarked casually, "Mutual trust goes both ways. If he couldn't offer a pledge of loyalty with enough weight, how could we ever trust him?" "..." Xu Yuan fell silent for a beat, but then the corners of his lips couldn't help curving upward. Just picturing the scene when the truth finally came to light—Huang Shiwei revealed as an insider standing by his side, watching that righteous little constable's face twist in despair—gave Xu Yuan an inexplicably morbid thrill. Delightful. Utterly delightful! The moment he realized his facial expression was slipping, however, Xu Yuan cleared his throat and composed his features. His reaction was a bit too villainous. Not good, not good... Lou Ji had already made all the arrangements for their return to the Prime Minister's Manor. As the trio passed through a narrow alley, she used a spell to temporarily conceal them, pulling off a seamless bait and switch with a prearranged carriage. Once out of range of the tails, Lou Ji, her anger having dissipated, told Xu Yuan a few things regarding the Qin family. Although Su Jinxuan's performance as an insider left much to be desired, the Black Scale Guards had still managed to uncover a few clues through their stellar professionalism. Standing behind the Qin family, it seemed, were certain hidden sects. Though the extinction of floating stone veins had relegated sect pocket dimensions to history, even now, a few inherited secret realms had yet to collapse. The sects concealed within these spatial pocket dimensions were known as hidden sects. They were all sects that had chosen to sit on the sidelines ten thousand years ago when the myriad sects rose together to besiege the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion. A bunch of old relics that had weathered ten thousand years of imperial dynasties rising and falling. Because their sects possessed stockpiles of floating stone to keep their realms functioning, during ordinary times they nestled within their own little acre of territory. Aside from occasionally sending people out to recruit talented disciples or secretly relocate mortals, they had virtually no interaction with the outside world. However, because every hidden sect's supply of floating stone was a finite reservoir without a source, once depleted, the spatial dimension they relied on would gradually decay until it tore apart completely. Yet before that happened, a hidden sect wouldn't just sit around and wait to die; they usually chose to bring a portion of their spatial realm down for a hard landing upon the Central Continent. Much like the Giant Overseeing Heaven Tower that had abruptly appeared on the edge of the Great Desolation. Throughout ten thousand years under imperial rule, whenever chaotic times loomed over the Fourteen Provinces of the Central Lands, hidden sects would inevitably crop up—or the chaos had been orchestrated by them in the first place. From the ancient historical records kept in the Prime Minister's Manor, Xu Yuan knew that the greatest adversary Great Yan's founding emperor faced in conquering the realm was a hidden sect called the Taihua Sect. Of course, not all hidden sects possessed such strength. Opening a secret realm required a Saint, but maintaining one required only formations and materials. After the ravages of time, most of them had declined to the point where they were weaker than even middle-tier sects within Great Yan. Isolationism could always explain why one fell behind. Only a handful of persistent sects capable of meddling in the Fourteen Provinces still retained the might they had before going into hiding. Such as the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion. If the backing behind the Qin family truly was some hidden sect, it really would be hard for the Chancellor's Manor to investigate. The Chancellor's Manor simply didn't have enough history behind it. Over ten thousand years, these hidden sects had developed an intensely clandestine network; across the entire world, likely only the Great Yan imperial family, through a millennium of accumulation, held intelligence on a few of them. According to what Li Yaoxuan and his father had envisioned back then, this intelligence was supposed to be shared when they raised troops to "curb the vassals." But plans never kept pace with change. Given the present state of affairs, expecting Li Yaoxuan to share this information with the Prime Minister's Manor was nothing short of a pipedream. Cooperation? Go step on a landmine! It was hard to stomach. Lou Ji seemed to notice the shift in Xu Yuan's expression and softly explained, "Rather than worrying about that, you'd be better off considering what the Qin family wants to extract from the Secret Investigation Bureau. We're actually prepared for the hidden sects anyway—after all, over the past ten thousand years, a few always leap out from some dark corner whenever chaos strikes." Prepared? If those preparations were actually useful, the Chancellor's Manor wouldn't have collapsed so bafflingly in Cangyuan. Xu Yuan complained silently, yet replied in an even voice, "Did the Qin family really not leave behind a single clue?" "Clues, you say..." Murmuring, Lou Ji knitted her delicate brows, uncrossed her legs, and crossed them the other way. The slit in her skirt hitched upward under the shift, revealing a wide expanse of snow-white skin. Xu Yuan glanced over, then shifted his gaze toward Xiao Bai opposite him. Bai Muxi sat straight with her knees pressed together, clutching the half-opened gift box Lou Ji had rummaged through, looking utterly demure. Tsk. Flirts might come and go, but the Big Sister of Fanservice remained eternal. As he rolled his eyes internally, Lou Ji's gentle voice drifted over: "It's all useless scraps. If you're interested, Changtian, once we return, your elder sister can have someone deliver the case files to the inner courtyard." Since she put it that way, they really hadn't turned up anything of value. Yet after pondering briefly, Xu Yuan still nodded. "Alright, send them over today." "..." Hearing this, Xiao Bai across from him gave a slight shudder. Her fingers tightened imperceptibly on the gift box, just enough to expose the cat-ear headband and the short-handled whisk tucked inside. The gesture was barely noticeable. Xu Yuan, lost in thought, did not catch it, but Lou Ji's gaze swept over like a shadow, sharp with scrutiny. Bai Muxi quietly pulled the box wrapping shut. Lou Ji withdrew her gaze. Bai Muxi lowered her eyes and pressed her lips thin. Vicious woman. When you're an old nag past your prime and I've reached the Transcendent Realm, I'll never cower before you again. Oblivious to the silent contest between the two women in the carriage, Xu Yuan leaned back comfortably onto the cushioned couch. Though the files were likely trivial rubbish, the information asymmetry meant that what Lou Ji deemed useless wasn't necessarily useless to him. He wanted to connect the clues Lou Ji had gathered with the lore he knew from Cangyuan. Over an hour and two carriage transfers later, the trio finally returned to the Prime Minister's Manor. Because of Feng Jiuxuan's earth-shattering sword strike on the night of the Grand Banquet, many areas within the Chancellor's Manor were undergoing repairs. Fortunately, the estate was so vast that the path the three walked remained exceptionally tranquil. The snow cleared and piled to either side by servants remained untouched by dirt. Xu Yuan and Lou Ji chatted as they strolled toward the inner courtyard, while Xiao Bai trailed a pace behind them. When they reached a fork in the path, Lou Ji suddenly paused her banter, glancing toward the Mid-Lake Pavilion not far off as if recalling something. Intrigued, she said, "By the way, Ran Jianli's disciple came to the manor today." Ran Qingmo was here? Hearing the news, Xu Yuan felt dread rather than delight. It wasn't that he worried tonight's plans were ruined—with the Big Block of Ice's temperament, she would never share a bed with him without good reason anyway. When night fell, he could simply slip away from her and head to Xiangqin Court to find Bai Muxi. What alarmed him was that Ran Qingmo rushing over to find him at a time like this practically spelled it out for old Ran Jianli that the mysterious young master who took down Qin Weishu was none other than Xu Yuan! What a massive airhead! While his head was throbbing, Lou Ji's ethereal voice drifted over: "Do you want to see her? When she heard what happened outside, she was quite worried about you." Xu Yuan rolled his eyes. "Seriously, sis? You're in the mood to joke about this now?" Lou Ji's pretty eyes flashed as she caught his drift immediately. Chuckling, she waved a hand. "Don't worry. Ran Qingmo arrived very early today, shortly after you sneaked out. That business outside hadn't even happened yet." His heart settled at once. Xu Yuan muttered a retort at her choice of words: "Walking out in broad daylight is called sneaking out? ...Have Ran Qingmo come over." Lou Ji giggled and flicked a beam of light streaking toward the Mid-Lake Pavilion. The three stood in place for about ten breaths before a graceful figure bounded over from the distance in several leaps. Amid the rustle of wind snapping against cloth, a young woman in black landed in front of Xu Yuan. The moment she touched down, that familiar cool voice reached his ears: "Xu Yuan, are you alright?" As she spoke, Ran Qingmo's dark pupils scanned him up and down with care. Thoughts darting through his mind for a split second, Xu Yuan exhaled softly, pointed at his chest, and smiled faintly. "Nothing serious. Just some internal injuries." "Internal injuries..." Ran Qingmo immediately stepped forward and pressed a hand against his chest. Just as she was about to send her origin qi inside to inspect, she found her hand caught by his. "?" Ran Qingmo raised her eyes in confusion. Holding her hand, Xu Yuan pointed to the scratch left by the sword blade on his cheek. "I'm joking. This is the only injury I took." "Oh." Ran Qingmo wasn't angry. She nodded. "As long as you're not hurt." Looking at the young woman's cool, blank expression, Xu Yuan smiled, eyes curving. "What, rushed over so urgently..." Before he could finish, Xu Yuan suddenly realized there were two third wheels standing right there. He looked back. Lou Ji's teasing, knowing amusement was practically brimming over in her eyes. Xiao Bai kept her eyes cast down, not uttering a peep. Releasing Ran Qingmo's hand, Xu Yuan pointed down the path toward the inner courtyard, gesturing to talk as they walked. "How did your master bear to let you come back today?" The three walked abreast, the Big Block of Ice on his left and Lou Ji on his right. "Master sent me," Ran Qingmo answered softly, glancing back at Bai Muxi trailing behind them with a puzzled look, seemingly confused why someone would willingly hang back when everyone was walking together. Catching the Big Block of Ice's backward glance, Xu Yuan looked at that green tea pose and understood in an instant. Playing the pity card for a bit of niche competition, eh? Ignoring her, Xu Yuan turned back and picked up Ran Qingmo's thread. "He took the initiative?" Ran Qingmo pulled her gaze back as well and said softly, "Mm. Master checked my cultivation yesterday and said the opportunity was rare. He told me to hurry back and use the Prime Minister's Manor's resources to break through to the Origin Realm." "..." Xu Yuan's face froze. "Pfft—" Lou Ji burst out laughing beside them. Ran Qingmo glanced at Lou Ji, then leaned in a little closer and whispered to Xu Yuan, "Xu Yuan... I can pay those resources back." Hearing that, Lou Ji laughed even harder, giggling until she trembled like blossoms swaying in the breeze. Ran Qingmo pressed her red lips together, looking somewhat dejected. Just as she was about to speak, Xu Yuan raised a hand to cut her off and transmitted his voice: "Ignore that old woman. Her hysteria is actin—hiss!" Before he could finish, Lou Ji planted the heel of her high-heeled shoe directly into Xu Yuan's calf, the pain nearly bringing him to his knees. Steadying himself, he glared back at her. Lou Ji crossed her arms over her chest, smiling sweetly as she tilted her head. *Badmouthing your elder sister via voice transmission? Got a problem?* *You have higher cultivation, so you win.* Quietly looking away, Xu Yuan suddenly sympathized with Xiao Bai. He abandoned voice transmission and said aloud, "It's fine. Use whatever resources you need. That was the transaction agreed upon between my father and your master." "Oh," Ran Qingmo answered, though some lingering doubt remained in her expression. Unable to resist, Xu Yuan reached out and pinched her fair chin, squishing her cheeks inward. Paired with the puzzled gaze she gave him, she looked thoroughly endearing. He gave a hearty laugh and let go. "Young Master..." As they walked and silence fell among the three ahead, Bai Muxi spoke up in a low voice from behind. Xu Yuan paused his steps slightly and glanced back at her. Holding the gift box, Bai Muxi curtsied and inquired cautiously, "Muxi is somewhat fatigued. May I return to my courtyard to rest first?" The Young Master was obviously heading to the inner courtyard of the Prime Minister's Manor. Ran Qingmo could enter, but she herself could not—at least not yet. Once the Young Master entered with Ran Qingmo, the walk back would leave her alone with this venomous woman. The mere thought sent chills down her spine. Xu Yuan pondered for a moment. Looking around, he noticed one of the fork paths led straight to Xiangqin Court in Beixuan Courtyard, so he nodded. "Alright, go ahead back." At that, he paused briefly. "I'll have someone deliver the things we bought to your courtyard in a bit." Bai Muxi's bright eyes widened slightly. She cast a covert glance at the airhead in black beside him, suppressed a smirk, and replied as demurely as ever, "Muxi thanks the Young Master." With that, Bai Muxi backed away several paces before turning toward her courtyard, her footsteps light and buoyant. Watching the purple-clad figure vanish around the corner, Lou Ji glanced at the black-clad young woman who still stood there looking completely unbothered, and chimed in with a pointed hint: "You're certainly generous, Changtian. But once you enter the inner courtyard, whom do you plan to send to deliver her things? Xu Changge? Or your father?" The words fell. Their eyes met for an instant, and Ran Qingmo blinked in bafflement. *Why are you looking at me?* "..." Lou Ji was speechless. Xu Yuan cast a slightly smug look at Lou Ji and retorted without hesitation, "Isn't Xu Xinyao still in the inner courtyard? What are you in such a hurry about, sis?" "..." Lou Ji remained silent. Silence reigned the rest of the way. Reaching the inner courtyard gates, Xu Yuan opened them with his soul key, led the Big Block of Ice across the threshold, and suddenly looked back at Lou Ji. "Right, sis, remember to send someone over with the intelligence files later." With that— *Bang!* The gate swung shut, jarring loose a flurry of snow. "..." Lou Ji stood in silence.