Chapter 382: The Next Cooperation with Ying Wu

Chapter 382: The Next Collaboration with Ying Wu

Tang Wanzhuang felt it was an image conjured by her own mind; from how Zhao Changhe hadn’t even known she saw someone in the illusion before, whether she yielded or not made no difference—he wouldn’t know anyway…

So she might as well just enjoy herself.

She hadn’t gotten to truly experience a kiss in reality—why shouldn’t she in the illusion?

Unlike last time, when her mind was a blur and she felt nothing, this time Tang Wanzhuang discovered that such things were actually quite pleasant.

So this is what it feels like… She’d heard dual cultivation was very pleasurable, and his treatment method was blended with dual cultivation as a guide—it truly soothed the soul and moistened the meridians.

And he was so gentle, so careful.

Just as she’d imagined—hehe.

Zhao Changhe, in the midst of kissing, wanted to scratch his head. Strange—why was she so docile today? Earlier, she’d been adamant about being his master, even tossing him into the water, but after returning, she’d become obedient… He’d recklessly tried to breach her defenses, and she’d actually yielded willingly.

He’d never imagined she would agree.

Because she’d coughed badly and thought she was dying, so she was throwing caution to the wind, right?

Whatever her reason, this time Zhao Changhe wasn’t gulping down a ginseng fruit anymore; he savored it fully—soft, sweet, with a hint of coolness…

Chi Chi, Hong Ling, Huangfu Qing—each was more dashing and forceful than the last, but he’d never met such a gentle one… Sob sob sob…

Baoqin, holding her qin, stood by the hall’s edge, rubbed her eyes, walked out as if in a dream, then came back as if she didn’t believe it.

Then she stood there, mouth half-open, petrified.

This is the main hall, miss! You, you, you… Even if you want to kiss a man, you shouldn’t do it here!

What on earth are you two doing!

Baoqin turned and fiercely blocked Li Si’an, who was about to enter to report matters: “No entry!”

Loyal Baoqin was quite clever.

In truth, Li Si’an didn’t need to enter to know roughly what was happening inside, and he found it strange—this shouldn’t be… Last night, at least they’d hidden in the secret chamber? It could only be that lust had clouded their minds, and all their usual wisdom was gone.

He didn’t dare barge in and whispered to Baoqin: “Nothing much, just reporting to the Chief about the purge in the Demon Suppression Bureau—half the supervisors are problematic. We’re severely short-staffed; ask the Chief to transfer some people. That’s all. I’ll take my leave.”

Tang Wanzhuang’s voice came from inside: “Go ask Sect Leader Xue if any Blood God Cult followers are willing to work for the Demon Suppression Bureau.”

Li Si’an was dumbfounded: “Blood God Cult, working for the Demon Suppression Bureau? Who’s the demon, and who are we suppressing? Chief, are you awake?”

Zhao Changhe’s voice followed: “No rush, I’ll talk to Sect Leader Xue first. Hmm… I’ll visit Mr. Si’an this afternoon. Forgive my rudeness now…”

Li Si’an was curious but didn’t dwell on it, laughing: “Then I’ll sweep the couch at the Immortal Palace Garden to welcome you.”

“Change the venue for receiving guests!” Tang Wanzhuang’s voice suddenly rose: “Sweeping the couch with him at the Immortal Palace Garden—what do you plan to do?”

Li Si’an: “…”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

Footsteps retreated in disbelief. In the hall, Tang Wanzhuang still leaned in Zhao Changhe’s shoulder hollow, and they were staring at each other.

Tang Wanzhuang still thought Zhao Changhe was as motionless and obedient as last time during the treatment, so her mind was calm—after the first time, the second came easily. She looked inward for a moment, found her condition had improved a bit, and whispered: “Aren’t you going to let me go?”

Zhao Changhe thought to himself, now that you’ve recovered, can’t you get up yourself? I’m not holding you down.

But he wouldn’t say such a foolish thing. With a gentle demeanor, he helped Tang Wanzhuang up, straightened her seat, and cleverly avoided mentioning the kiss or embrace, asking seriously: “Feeling better now?”

“A bit.” Tang Wanzhuang breathed a sigh of relief inwardly—as long as they didn’t touch on that awkward topic, it was fine. “I need to meditate and digest this. You…”

“I’ll go find Li Si’an.”

Tang Wanzhuang didn’t ask what he wanted, but glared: “No looking for women.”

Zhao Changhe was utterly amused and, almost instinctively, ruffled her hair: “Alright, alright. If I do, I’ll find the woman in the bamboo pavilion behind the Ten Thousand Flowers Tower.”

Tang Wanzhuang’s brows shot up, and Zhao Changhe slipped away in a flash.

Passing by Baoqin at the door, he casually messed up her hair into a bird’s nest: “Baoqin, you’re getting cuter and cuter, ha…”

Before he finished, he was gone.

The mistress and maid looked at each other’s messy hair, both stone-faced, not knowing what to say.

After a long while, Baoqin nearly burst into tears: “Miss, this is just a ferocious, stinking bear. Is this the graceful, heroic man you’ve liked since childhood? He can even snap a qin string.”

Tang Wanzhuang wanted to say, “I don’t like him; what are you talking about?”

But the words that came out were: “He won’t snap them anymore…”

Baoqin’s face was expressionless: Is that really the issue I’m raising?

“Ahem.” Tang Wanzhuang coughed dryly, stood up, and smoothed her hair: “I’m going to meditate. Guard me.”

Baoqin felt her life was bleak.

…

Immortal Palace Garden, Celestial Room Number One—no women inside.

Li Si’an was brewing tea with elegant movements, a demeanor similar to Tang Wanzhuang’s. Zhao Changhe thought to himself, should I learn this tea-brewing too? Strange—whenever he was around Tang Wanzhuang, he felt he had to learn everything, whereas when he roamed the martial world, he never thought of such things, only focusing on martial arts and leveling up.

Truly a different world.

But he had to admit, this kind of bearing was very appealing, making one unconsciously want to imitate it, to become more “refined.”

Li Si’an used tongs to offer a cup of tea: “Your Highness, please.”

Zhao Changhe pursed his lips, too lazy to even refute the title, took the tea, and sipped—fragrant and pleasant.

He rarely savored this before, preferring wine, but now he found tea-drinking somewhat interesting.

Li Si’an smiled slightly: “Thank you, Your Highness, for saving me.”

Zhao Changhe waved his hand: “It was only right. To withstand the coercion and seduction of the Maitreya Heavenly Maiden—that’s no easy test.”

Li Si’an laughed: “There’s another reason for that. I don’t have that much faith in my own loyalty and ideals; I don’t deserve such praise.”

“…” Zhao Changhe said: “Whatever the reason, I only care about the result.”

Li Si’an nodded: “Your Highness, why have you come to see me? To raise funds for Chief Tang?”

Zhao Changhe was surprised: “You guessed that?”

“Everyone says I’m wealthy, and most come to me for that reason. Even the Maitreya Sect wanted to control me, ultimately for my money.” Li Si’an smiled. “But the Chief was too embarrassed to ask for too much, afraid it wouldn’t be enough for the Xiangyang situation. You, on the other hand, might be more ruthless?”

Zhao Changhe said: “Because I’m not here to ask you for money.”

Li Si’an was puzzled: “Then what?”

“I’m looking for Fifth Master.” Zhao Changhe said: “Fifth Master’s vision isn’t on worldly affairs, so he doesn’t really mind his brothers mixing with others—like Li Si joining the Demon Suppression Bureau; that doesn’t seem too serious.”

Li Si’an clapped and laughed: “Indeed, I couldn’t hide it from Your Highness.”

“You weren’t trying very hard to hide it.” Zhao Changhe sipped his tea, seeming a bit embarrassed to be asking for a loan for the first time, lowering his head: “Tell Fifth Master I’d like to borrow some money from him. There’s a big secret realm in Kunlun that I haven’t had time to tell him about.”

Li Si’an laughed: “Actually, Fifth Master has already said that if Xiangyang is short on funds and supplies, he’ll provide them… no interest for you.”

“No interest?” Zhao Changhe was stunned this time: “That generous?”

Li Si’an said leisurely: “As you said, Fifth Master’s vision isn’t on worldly affairs, so he naturally doesn’t care about lending for profit. Since Your Highness needs it, use it freely. The returns we’ll get in the future will be far more than mere money.”

Zhao Changhe said: “From what I hear, does that mean I can just ask him whenever I’m short, not just for Xiangyang’s emergency?”

Li Si'an's eyes held a profound meaning: "Believe it or not, if you wanted to turn Xiangyang into the world, there would be more than just Fifth Master willing to shell out money for you?"

Zhao Changhe's mind instantly flashed the image of Cui Wenjing's constipated face.

That's right... Old Cui would even fork over his coffin savings.

He didn't dwell on that, merely clasped his hands: "Then I thank you."

Li Si'an smiled: "We do have a collaboration to discuss with you in detail, Your Highness."

Zhao Changhe said: "Maitreya?"

"Yes." Li Si'an said: "Maitreya is beyond redemption. We believe that once you and Chief Tang have healed your bodies, the next step will be to pacify Jiangnan. And Maitreya's stronghold must contain a great secret realm... Within that realm, there should be gods and buddhas. How to proceed with this matter requires careful study."

Zhao Changhe thought that Maitreya was in for a rough time this time.

When you are strong, nothing matters. But once signs of defeat appear, all the sharks from every side fix their gaze upon you, and the first to target your secret realm is Ying Wu.

With the Heavenly List entering the fray, at least Maitreya himself is no longer a problem.

The only question is: how to deal with the deity behind him?