Chapter 283: Yuan Sanniang

Chapter 283: Yuan Sanniang

The Yellow Sands Market was in utter chaos.

Chi Li and the temple members shot out, heading straight for the direction of Yue Hongling’s voice.

A sweat-blood horse, far superior to any nag she had ridden before, was galloping away under the morning sun, shrinking to a distant speck in the blink of an eye. The wind carried Yue Hongling’s mocking laughter: “Chi Li, I thought you had more of a warrior’s heart. We agreed to a duel, yet so many rush out—are you still a warrior?”

Chi Li’s expression was grim, as if he hadn’t heard her. He waved his hand and said, “Chase!”

He did have a warrior’s heart. Under different circumstances, he would have gladly engaged Yue Hongling in a thrilling decisive battle.

But as a temple disciple, he valued more the search for the secret realm that had eluded people for years, following the guidance of the ancient Eternal Heaven.

Before that, personal martial pursuits were secondary.

At this moment, Yue Hongling carried crucial clues to that secret realm—how could he let her go?

“Where the hell did she get a sweat-blood horse?” one of his subordinates gasped while chasing. “Does the secret realm produce horses too?”

Yue Hongling turned back, drew her bow, and loosed an arrow. A temple member fell from his horse with a cry. “Chi Li, if you’ve got the guts, chase me yourself. Don’t send these men to their deaths!”

Chi Li took a deep breath, then suddenly leaped from his horse, flying forward.

He was much faster than the horse…

Yue Hongling glanced back, smiled faintly, and spurred her horse onward.

At this terrifying speed, Chi Li might have also glimpsed the secret realm… He was indeed the most promising talent of the grasslands, once the top of the Hidden Dragon List.

Moreover, with the Great Shaman’s personal teachings, his strength had grown rapidly. At least in terms of experience and guidance on the secret realm, he far surpassed someone like her, who walked alone. Fortunately, with Zhao Changhe by her side, she had not fallen behind and remained on the same level as Chi Li.

Her heart was full of fighting spirit, but unfortunately, she wasn’t here to fight—she was here to lure the temple members away so her lover could work. Though she had no idea what Zhao Changhe planned to do. In any case, she must keep such a secret realm expert from interfering with Zhao Changhe, leading him as far away as possible.

Yue Hongling realized she had grown accustomed to working together with him. Whether exploring the secret realm, unlocking formations, assassinating Batu, or killing the envoy, none of these could be done alone. Even now, as she lured the enemy away while he delved into the market, she felt the same.

Suddenly looking back, she almost forgot what she had been doing alone before.

Yue Hongling found herself unexpectedly enjoying this moment of facing the enemy alone. Perhaps deep down, she was still solitary—craving his companionship yet loving the solitude.

It was very likely that Zhao Changhe felt the same.

The two could often see another version of themselves in each other.

…

Zhao Changhe, amidst the chaos of the Yellow Sands Market, smeared his face yellow again and entered the “Inn of Somewhere.”

His disguise ointment was used up. This was probably the last time he could disguise himself; he would need to find ingredients to make more. Or… next time, get another batch from Sisi?

As the thought crossed his mind, his eyes fell on Sanniang, who was sitting on the counter with her little feet dangling, looking over account books in the tavern.

Besides her, the tavern was empty.

Not just the tavern—even the bustling loading and unloading at the market, which had been as lively as a dock or port, was now deserted and cold.

With the war between the Lion Tribes, the increasingly urgent assault on Yanmen Pass, the temple members roaming about, and the lake declared a forbidden zone, the situation clearly heralded a storm. Any merchant with a shred of sensitivity had no heart to stay and had long since hurried away. Naturally, no drinkers remained to make noise or leer at Sanniang’s allure.

Sanniang knew someone had entered but didn’t look up. She sighed over the account books: “War, war, what damn war? It’s making me weep with losses…”

As she spoke, she actually sniffled, kicking her little feet in irritation. “A bunch of idiots!”

Zhao Changhe’s face was expressionless. “Why does an old crone put on such girlish airs?”

Sanniang: “?”

Zhao Changhe casually sat down on the counter beside her, lounging lazily. “I’ve got a big deal here. Are you in?”

Sanniang glanced at him sideways, sizing him up, then sneered, “Don’t tell me you want to buy me?”

“I already called you an old crone. Can’t you take a hint?”

Sanniang ground her teeth. “I know your deal—it’s about taking my money, not giving me any! Spill it: how much do you want for the secret of the secret realm’s entrance?”

As she spoke, the doors and windows closed on their own, sealing tight, not even a fly could get in.

Zhao Changhe could see the ill intent beneath Sanniang’s usual mask.

Because she could skip paying and just capture him for interrogation.

Honestly, Sanniang hadn’t even expected Zhao Changhe to dare come alone to the tavern. Did he think she only sold wine and flirted?

Meeting Sanniang’s malicious gaze, Zhao Changhe acted as if he hadn’t noticed. He reached behind the counter, pulled out a bottle of wine, uncorked it, and took a big gulp. “Southern osmanthus wine is still the best.”

Sanniang smiled seductively. “You can drink as much as you like. For a lifetime, even.”

“Capturing me for interrogation is pointless. Even if you get the answer, you can’t bypass Wubulu and Chi Li’s actions. You’d just end up handing the prize to the Hu. All you can do is report to Fifth Master and have him come in person. But once Fifth Master arrives, your personal goals are lost… You’d be better off cooperating with me.”

A flicker of surprise passed through Sanniang’s eyes, but she kept her smile. “What personal goals could I have? I just love money, that’s all…”

“Is that so?” Zhao Changhe was noncommittal. “Then report to Fifth Master. I’ll give him the secret realm, and he’ll do one thing for me. That’s the deal. I don’t want your money, and I don’t want you.”

“Can you tell me what you want Fifth Master to do?”

“When Tiemuer bullies people with his Heavenly Ranking strength, I want Fifth Master to be able to hold him off. I believe Fifth Master isn’t afraid of Tiemuer.”

“No wonder you said it conflicts with my personal goals… He’s not afraid of Tiemuer, but if that happens, how can I keep doing business on the grasslands?” Sanniang cooed, “How about you tell me the secret manual? I’ll promise you anything, you know…”

Zhao Changhe leaped three feet sideways, jumping from beside her to the edge of the counter.

Sanniang chuckled. “Look at you, scared. Is it that bad?”

Zhao Changhe said, “You should know that if another power is propped up, your business will still thrive, even better. Your real goal isn’t this… Or rather, you’re not really working for Fifth Master.”

Sanniang’s expression gradually turned cold.

Zhao Changhe jumped off the counter and walked to the window, gazing into the distance. “I asked Batu… In ancient times, Yellow Sands Lake had a special name. It was called Xuan…”

Before he could finish, a jade hand was already at his throat.

But as the hand gripped, it touched a gem faintly glowing with soft light.

Sanniang quickly pulled back her strength, and the choking motion turned into a gentle stroke across his neck. When she withdrew her hand, the gem was in her palm.

Sanniang’s eyes sparkled even brighter than the gem.

“Maybe this isn’t exactly yours, but for some reason, from me to Hongling, we both felt a subconscious sense that it should belong to you. Perhaps because you’ve poured your life’s work into it, and that shouldn’t be betrayed. Or perhaps because if we really snatched it from you, we’d be at odds forever. I like Chichi, and I like Sister Yihuo Snake. I don’t want to be your enemy.”

As Sanniang listened, her expression shifted from surprise to something very strange when she heard “like Sister Yihuo Snake,” and she broke into a grin.

Zhao Changhe turned around, flashing a bright smile. “There are other things in the secret realm. First come, first served. I can’t give you everything, but this gem should be the core item you need most. I’m giving it to you for free, asking nothing in return. Not your money, not you. So, do you still need to interrogate me?”

Sanniang smiled seductively. “Do you want Sister Yihuo Snake?”

“Yes. Can you help me woo her?”

“Heh…” Sanniang clutched the gem and laughed out loud, then burst into full laughter, clutching her stomach and doubling over. “I can. I’ll help you.”

Zhao Changhe was a bit exasperated by her laughter. He said flatly, “What you want is this, not the secret realm itself. In contrast, Ying Wu wants the lost space. There’s no longer any conflict between your goals. Can you now relay my deal to Fifth Master?”

“I can.” Sanniang pattered to the back of the house, and soon, a carrier pigeon took flight.

“Fifth Master isn’t far away. He’ll get the message soon, and I can guarantee he’ll agree.” Sanniang looked at him with sparkling eyes. “You gave me the gem. Don’t you want anything in return? Anything is possible, you know.”

“Rather than asking you to do something for me, it’s more like we do something together that you’ve long wanted to do and once tried to trick others into doing.”

“Oh?”

“Kill Wubulu. I know you won’t do it yourself because you’re afraid of the Chaos Chronicle’s judgment. But this time, you’ll do the killing, and I’ll take the blame on the rankings.”

Third Madam's eyes crinkled with laughter: "Young man, your calculations have traveled all the way to Jiangnan."

"Just say whether you'll do it or not."

"I'll do it."

If anyone had overheard the last two lines, they might have thought a delightful deal had been struck within.