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 amusement.
“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 nobody 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 hell I’ll believe that you’re a petty nobody 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 passed 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 embarrassed 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’ attitudes 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 assigned 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 amass 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.