Chapter 400: When Tang Wanzhuang Doesn't Fall in Love

Chapter 400: When Tang Wanzhuang Is Not in Love

In this situation, Tang Wanzhuang and the enraged Yang Jingxiu alone could have killed Wang Daozhong and Cai Wenque more than ten times over. And this was within the Yang estate—one shout outside would bring a heavy encirclement. No matter how you looked at it, the two were doomed.

But Wang Daozhong did something that earned Zhao Changhe’s deep admiration.

He dodged Zhao Changhe’s strike, moving close to where Yang Jingxiu was attacking Cai Wenque, and suddenly thrust his sword at—Cai Wenque’s back.

Cai Wenque was already no match for Yang Jingxiu, struggling left and right, hoping for Wang Daozhong’s help. But then his own master stabbed him from behind—how could he dodge?

The sword pierced through the back of his neck, severing his throat.

At the same time, Tang Wanzhuang’s blade was already at Wang Daozhong’s throat.

Cai Wenque’s eyes widened as he turned his head with difficulty to look at Wang Daozhong, making meaningless sounds from his throat before crashing to the ground, dying with eyes wide open in grievance.

Wang Daozhong, ignoring the sword at his throat, pointed at Cai Wenque’s corpse in fury: “You treacherous dog! How dare you concoct poisons to defile our family’s treasure and sow discord between the Wang and Yang clans! You deserve to die a thousand deaths!”

Yang Jingxiu sheathed his sword and stood, watching him with a cold, piercing gaze, saying nothing.

Wang Daozhong clasped his hands and said, “Brother Yang, this is the scheme of a vile villain. You know our Wang family’s Mysterious Light and Nether Soil—it is a true divine artifact, without any flaw. I have no idea how this dog managed to brew a reaction-inducing evil drug, causing this calamity. I beg you to investigate thoroughly and not fall for the schemes of petty men.”

If he put it that way, things became quite troublesome.

Originally, using Cai Wenque, who had no apparent connection to their family, to carry out this step was meant to keep their hands clean. On the surface, the Wang family had offered their treasure to cure the Yang family, a gesture of utmost righteousness. Without a solid external reason to kill him, the Yang family would face public criticism.

It would also give the Wang family grounds to raise an army in retaliation. Would Yang Jingxiu be willing to put his clan on the front lines of an all-out war?

It wasn’t necessarily fear of the Langya Wang, but the matter was too significant. Yang Jingxiu needed time to consider, his expression shifting between uncertainty and resolve.

And this time, Zhao Changhe couldn’t repeat his old trick of killing someone in front of the host to force the Yang family onto his side. The situation in the Central Plains was unlike the Northern Frontier; Yang Jingxiu was not Batu. He might not be forced into an alliance—if angered, he could choose to rebel independently. Zhao Changhe would gain no favor and might even end up in the wrong.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Tang Wanzhuang smiled, like spring blossoms: “I’m sorry, but although the Grand Commandant is the aggrieved party, this is a matter of state. It is not for the Grand Commandant to hold a private court.”

With that, she moved like lightning, sealing Wang Daozhong’s acupoints: “Plotting to assassinate the Grand Commandant, scheming to seize another’s treasure—the Marquis of Dividing Sea, as a prime suspect, will be taken to the Demon Suppression Bureau for a thorough interrogation.”

Wang Daozhong roared, “Tang Wanzhuang, you—”

His acupoint was sealed, cutting off his words in his throat.

Tang Wanzhuang suddenly whistled. Before long, a Yang clan disciple reported from outside the door: “Patriarch, the Marquis of Wu’ping has arrived.”

Yang Jingxiu and the immobilized Wang Daozhong both gasped.

Marquis of Wu’ping, Qin Dingjiang, ranked eighteenth on the Earth List, Deputy Commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau and Chief of the Major Cases Division. Whenever Tang Wanzhuang was away from the capital, he was in charge of the bureau’s operations there.

When had he arrived in Hongnong so silently?

Tang Wanzhuang spoke calmly: “In truth, I secretly ordered the Marquis of Wu’ping to come, not merely to escort the suspect. I had him lie in wait outside the estate gates, so that if someone tried to flee after failure, we wouldn’t be caught off guard. Matters involving the Earth List require more hands than the bureau has, so it was a hardship for the Marquis to rush from the capital… Fortunately, it was not in vain.”

Wang Daozhong: “…”

Of course it wasn’t in vain. With an Earth List expert leading the escort, even a roadside rescue would be difficult now… Unless Wang Daoning acted personally, but by the time he learned of the failure, the prisoner would already be in the capital…

If his acupoint hadn’t been sealed, Wang Daozhong would have cursed aloud.

He had been so focused on dealing with Zhao Changhe that he forgot who, before Zhao Changhe’s rise, was the most feared figure among villains and rebels in the entire Great Xia, aside from Xia Longyuan.

Not only had she seen through the problem in time and stopped Cai Wenque, but she had also preemptively blocked the escape route. In truth, blocking the escape route could also be seen as backup—if she were at a disadvantage inside, another Earth List expert would immediately join the fray.

When her mind wasn’t occupied with romance… it seemed that from the moment she intervened, this scheme had never stood a chance.

Why the hell was I so obsessed with Zhao Changhe? Was his existence merely a distraction to divert my attention?

An elderly man walked in slowly, clasped his hands to Tang Wanzhuang and Yang Jingxiu respectively, then cheerfully picked up Wang Daozhong: “Marquis of Dividing Sea, long time no see. Care to take a walk with this old man?”

Tang Wanzhuang smiled: “This matter is settled. I still need to head south and cannot stay. I’ll leave the bureau’s affairs to Uncle Qin’s care.”

Qin Dingjiang laughed: “Easily said. With so many matters, I shouldn’t stay away from the capital too long. I’ll head back now. Be careful on your journey south.”

Tang Wanzhuang bowed: “Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Qin.”

Watching Qin Dingjiang leave with Wang Daozhong, Yang Jingxiu sighed softly: “All thanks to your foresight, Chief. I… am grateful.”

Tang Wanzhuang smiled faintly: “It wasn’t all my planning alone. Yangyang’s help in gathering intelligence was crucial.”

Cui Yuanyang raised her hand and waved, hopping once: “And I was the one who molded the clay!”

Tang Wanzhuang chuckled: “Yes, Yangyang is the most capable.”

Yang Jingxiu shook his head with a wry smile.

“Also…” Tang Wanzhuang’s beautiful eyes turned to Zhao Changhe, her voice low: “The possibility that the Wang family might have resolved the sword spirit issue—how they might have done it—was told to me by Changhe.”

Yang Jingxiu said, “I would like to hear the details.”

“Changhe said the Wang family has been infiltrated by a mysterious race called the Sea Clan, which might be able to control people silently. If the Wang family solved the sword spirit problem before others, it might be related to this. With that information, when I saw Wang Daozhong produce the Mysterious Light and Nether Soil, I could guess most of their plan.”

Zhao Changhe clasped his hands to Yang Jingxiu: “My apologies, senior. Please don’t blame me for not speaking earlier. I had suspicions for a long time, but they were always just suspicions, without any evidence. Without proof, I could only mention it to Wanzhuang; I couldn’t bring it up with you, lest it seem like I was sowing discord and playing the petty man.”

Yang Jingxiu waved his hand: “No need. Young Master Zhao is prudent. The shame is mine—I judged the Prince and the Chief with a petty heart.”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

Why “Prince” again…

The group was all relaxed and courteous, except for Huangfu Qing, who stood stiff-faced, silent.

So this was what you were whispering about earlier, wasn’t it? You didn’t tell me!

Did you think I, as a member of the Four Symbols Sect, was allied with the Wang family and couldn’t be trusted? The Wang family is nothing! You’re also in the Four Symbols Sect—you did this to leverage the Yang family for the sect, and you forgot again!

Your reward is gone.

Tang Wanzhuang’s gaze swept over Huangfu Qing, a hint of depth in her eyes, but she said nothing.

That effortless snuffing out of the yin energy just now…

The yin energy, for the sake of concealment, was not strong on the surface. Huangfu Qing stood right by the sword; reaching out to block it was easy, as long as her reaction was fast enough. It didn’t require a high level of skill. Everyone present, including the aggrieved Wang Daozhong, might not have noticed anything amiss. But if one already suspected her of being Vermilion Bird, it looked rather suspicious.

Such yin energy, capable of invading a sword spirit, might not be strong in absolute terms, but it still required some resistance from an ordinary person. Yet she extinguished it as easily as playing, like it was nothing.

Vermilion Bird’s fire was the natural bane of yin cold.

Of course, this wasn’t conclusive proof, but it was enough for Tang Wanzhuang to judge. Could it be the fire of Winged Fire Snake? Regardless of what others believed, Tang Wanzhuang didn’t. Too many coincidences ceased to be coincidences.

But what to make of this? She was genuinely on their side, helping…

How strange… this feeling…

No, Zhao Changhe, did you really bed Vermilion Bird?!

Both women were lost in thought, while Yang Jingxiu and Zhao Changhe were chatting quite amiably: “Prince, what is this Sea Clan? I’ve never heard of it. Could it refer to some small tribes living in the sea? They shouldn’t have such abilities…”

“Probably not. I suspect they are an ancient race. Perhaps there is an ancient secret realm at the bottom of the sea, where they lurk, plotting their schemes.” Zhao Changhe said, “There are many ancient beings doing this—for example, the shadow behind Maitreya that you witnessed, senior. The Sea Clan is likely one of them. As for specifics, I know no more than anyone else… Even the so-called control is still just a guess; maybe it’s not that method.”

“Judging by the yin energy just now, it’s probably close.” Yang Jingxiu turned his head, his gaze coldly fixed on Doctor Lu, who was slumped to the side.

A mere doctor at the Xuan Pass level, caught in a battle among Earth List and Human List experts, had long since collapsed in terror, still not recovered…

Zhao Changhe crouched beside him, showing his teeth in a grin: “Doctor… I imagine you may not know many other secrets of the Wang family, but as the most famous physician under their banner, you should be the most knowledgeable about this Sea Mud. Could you enlighten us in detail?”