That was truly what it had thought at the time! Only... only it had not passively "agreed"; it had actively "commissioned" He Lingchuan to retrieve the immortal molt.
It was the client, hehe.
"By the time he summoned me over, I realized the Mount Xu Great Formation had already been breached. Since I had gone all that way and got my molt back, what reason did I have not to run for my life, right?"
Yu Zecheng sneered. This spider demon had gained all the advantage yet still played the victim, even claiming it had boarded a pirate ship and couldn't get off? Truly worthy of a great demon who had lived for thousands of years; its skin was thicker than city walls.
He had no idea Zhu Erniang was faithfully recounting its true mindset—aside from the fact that "retrieving the molt" was a demand it had made of He Lingchuan, brimming with active initiative.
He Lingchuan cut in, "Then surely you can provide some clues, can you not?"
"Clues? Hmm—" Zhu Erniang pondered thoughtfully. "I was only awakened after the spider molt was activated, so I have no idea what he did beforehand. But this person had formidable cultivation. In our subsequent actions, Juju was quite... respectful toward him. When he told Juju to smash Zhaixing Tower, Juju smashed Zhaixing Tower. When he told Juju to send us out of the Mount Xu domain, Juju sent us out."
It added, "Oh right, while fleeing the pursuit of National Preceptor Qingyang and Baizhantian, he used origin power—exceptionally pure, dense origin power!"
It emphasized the last sentence, but Yu Zecheng's expression remained placid, not surprised in the slightest.
Though he had not been present at the scene of the pursuit that day and lacked the clearance to read National Preceptor Qingyang's deposition afterward, even from the front line he had heard about the political earthquake that swept Lingxu City in the aftermath.
That had been quite a bloodbath, all because the person who seized the Heavenly Palace's treasure possessed origin power—and exceptionally pure, dense origin power at that.
That could only belong to high-ranking officials or military generals of Lingxu City!
He subconsciously glanced at He Lingchuan. Indeed, if origin power was involved, Zhu Erniang's accomplice could not possibly be this Special Envoy of Chiyan.
"What weapon did that person use?"
"A saber and water-parting spikes."
Both were common weapons; Yu Zecheng and his guards all wore sabers at their waists.
He Lingchuan chimed in, "What about his height and age?"
"Height—" Zhu Erniang glared at him viciously, "about the same as you. Couldn't tell his age from his voice."
Had this brat gotten too into character? Now he was actually interrogating it?
He Lingchuan let out a dry laugh. "Let's not make careless remarks like that."
Erniang was getting mad.
Yu Zecheng asked, "Did you not see who took the Heavenly Palace's secret treasure?"
"I saw with my own eyes that the shrine in Zhaixing Tower fell into the magma." Not only had it seen it with its own eyes, it had personally dragged the shrine down into the magma with its spider silk. "After that, I never saw it again."
So whether the secret treasure of the Heavenly Palace was taken by Juju or by the "mysterious man," it couldn't say for certain without having seen it with its own eyes.
This was the truth, the absolute truth.
When the spider demon sisters analyzed the battle afterward, they too had been curious about the ultimate fate of that treasure.
Naturally, they believed the treasure had ended up in He Lingchuan's hands. The brat was crafty as a devil; why would he ever do something that offered no benefit?
"So, you cannot provide a single useful clue?" Yu Zecheng summed up. "Zhu Erniang, an opportunity like this does not come often. I advise you to think it over carefully."
"Or what?" Zhu Erniang rasped. "Over the past year and more, I've often replayed that battle in my mind, and this is all I can offer. That person prepared for a long time and planned meticulously; why would he reveal any flaw to me?"
In any case, it adamantly clung to the words "I don't know."
That fellow surnamed Yu was still trying to feed it pie in the sky, claiming past offenses could be wiped clean and offering to make it a feudal lord? Bah! A mere captain dared boast so grandly? Was being second on the Heaven Ranking a joke? Did he really think this old mother had survived until now by eating painted pies?
Zhu Erniang saw things clearly. The molt had been stolen by Beijia in the first place, so taking it back was entirely justified. But was Beijia ever one to listen to reason? Wreaking havoc in the Heavenly Palace had essentially ground their faces into the dirt over and over again. As number one and number two on the ranking, He Lingchuan and itself were bound to face the wrath of the celestial gods and the Demon Emperor—neither could escape!
Unless they had no way of dealing with you, like Juju, who was born a rebel.
"Oh, right. Back then, so many pairs of eyes in your Heavenly Palace were watching, and Juju was at the scene as well. Didn't it submit to the Heavenly Palace again afterward? How is it that it didn't give you any clues?"
"..."
Yu Zecheng had been fighting on the front lines all along. He had not experienced the incident at the Heavenly Palace firsthand, let alone understood how Lingxu City, the Heavenly Palace, and Juju had negotiated.
Yet he understood that if the clues Juju provided were useful, would Beijia have needed to go through all this trouble hunting down Zhu Erniang?
If even Juju couldn't provide useful clues, it only showed how exceptionally cautious the mastermind had been. Was it any surprise that Zhu Erniang had never seen his true face?
Zhu Erniang followed up immediately, "Clearly he is an important figure from your Lingxu City. You should examine yourselves. What use is there in coming after me?"
"Staying here will only put Island Master He in a difficult position." Yu Zecheng raised an eyebrow. "Return to Beijia with me, and I guarantee your life will be spared."
Zhu Erniang roared with laughter. "Do you hear what you're saying? Those words wouldn't fool a three-year-old child.
"I've said all I have to say. If you want to cause trouble for me, come and try it—let's see if you can escape my inescapable web this time!" With that, it turned and walked away.
"Erniang, Erniang, wait!" No matter how He Lingchuan called out, it did not look back.
Yu Zecheng rested his hand on his saber hilt, his gaze flickering with indecision.
From He Lingchuan's bosom, the soul-snatching mirror chimed in, "Oh? Does this fellow want to make a move? Watch out that he doesn't suddenly lash out and hurt someone."
Qiu Hu sensed danger as well and stepped forward, placing himself between Yu Zecheng and He Lingchuan.
Seeing this, Yu Zecheng ultimately did not draw his saber, nor did he shout for it to halt.
A large vessel was moored at the shore. Once Zhu Erniang boarded, the ship cast off and headed out into deeper water.
Its meeting task complete, it was returning to Pansi Island.
He Lingchuan let out a sigh and turned a helpless gaze toward Yu Zecheng. "Mister Yu, what are we to do now?"
Expressionless, Yu Zecheng shifted his gaze from the ship carrying Zhu Erniang to He Lingchuan, and then to Qiu Hu, who was glaring at him.
"Regrettably, Zhu Erniang refuses to consider your position. This matter has returned to square one."
"Many demons and refugees reside here, all having come to escape the world, and they have all received my promise. If I drive Zhu Erniang away, how will the others look at me?" He Lingchuan offered a wry smile. "Mister Yu, a man cannot stand without trust."
For those in leadership, keeping faith was paramount.
Yu Zecheng naturally knew this. His eyes flickered, but he did not press the matter. Instead, he said, "It seems I may have to impose on your hospitality here for a few more days."
Since Zhu Erniang was here, he was staying put as well.
"Oh? You are most welcome," He Lingchuan replied with a smile. "However, I still have matters to attend to. I will come share drinks with Mister Yu tonight."
He knew full well that Yu Zecheng was not staying behind for a vacation or sightseeing.
From this moment on, whatever moves the man threw at him, he would have to meet head-on.
Chapter 966