Chapter 751: I Can Help You Get Her

Chapter 751: I Can Help You Get Her

In the unseen sea of consciousness, Zhao Changhe’s phantom wore an expression like a “scared.jpg” meme, huddled in a corner as the Blind One stormed furiously straight toward him.

When she reached him, without a word, she grabbed him by the collar and hissed through clenched teeth: “You figure it out!”

Zhao Changhe found the sight almost laughable—it seemed that before the Nine Nether, the Blind One instantly descended to the mortal plane. Their similar appearances were clearly no random design; there must be countless stories behind it, and he was quite curious.

“What exactly are you worried about?” Zhao Changhe chuckled. “She’s already made it clear she wants to stir up trouble in my home, and I’d still charge headlong into it? Do you take me for an idiot?”

“Hard to say—that lecherous mind of yours never seems to function normally around women!”

Zhao Changhe smiled but didn’t argue.

He wondered whether the Nine Nether was the type who didn’t understand or disdained the art of seduction, thus resorting to such bluntness, or whether her words were merely meant to provoke. Since she had plainly said “stir up trouble in your home,” it was a clear declaration of malicious intent. As long as Zhao Changhe wasn’t a fool blinded by lust, he wouldn’t play with fire.

But the Blind One still felt uneasy.

Because the Nine Nether’s final remark had been devastating. Not long ago, in the depths of Zhao Changhe’s desires, her gentle smile had been vividly present. The Blind One truly feared that this fellow might treat the Nine Nether as a “substitute” and try something… But that was the Nine Nether—the true goddess of chaos, annihilation, and death. Would anyone dare to play with such fire?

The real person was right here; why would he need a substitute… No, that’s not it.

The Blind One’s face flushed red, but she could never utter those words. At that moment, she only wanted to leap out and strangle the Nine Nether to death!

My lofty dignity is being ruined by you, you wretched woman!

The exchange in the sea of consciousness passed in a flash. In the eyes of the assembled dignitaries in the hall, “Qin Jiu” was smiling: “As a Buddhist disciple, I have no intention of marrying. Please do not mention alliances or betrothals again.”

Zhuque, Yue Hongling, and even the Blind One all sighed in unison, their expressions brightening. Zhuque even leaned back in her chair, sipping tea, thinking to herself, *You’re being so obedient—tonight you can try some positions we haven’t used before… Hmm…*

The Blind One also released Zhao Changhe’s yin spirit’s collar in the soul sea, her closed eyes seeming to appraise him with a glance, quite satisfied—though that satisfaction referred to the growth of his yin spirit. Before, when Third Mother had held him in her arms and rubbed him, it had felt like a big cart crushing a child; now his yin spirit was nearly as solid as his real body, and especially condensed.

This was the Imperial Realm—the yin spirit fully matured. At his current level, if he obtained a suitable treasure for protection, he could already achieve that “indestructible soul” others spoke of. And his Imperial Realm… well, it seemed more solid than most people’s when they first entered it. The vastness of his sea of consciousness, like the boundless sky, left the Blind One silent.

The Nine Nether was speaking: “You’re a lay disciple, aren’t you? Or do you intend to take monastic vows?”

Zhao Changhe said, “Who knows? I can’t be tied down now, can I…”

The Nine Nether retorted, “But you kissed my hand. A Buddhist disciple, so frivolous—play around and then refuse to take responsibility?”

“Pfft…” Someone finally couldn’t hold back and spat out tea, the hall erupting in uproar.

Zhuque and Yue Hongling’s faces turned ashen. In the sea of consciousness, the Blind One viciously grabbed Zhao Changhe’s neck and shook him: “Making you pout, making you pout! Why didn’t you go kiss a cow pat!”

Zhao Changhe wanted to say that her hand had been deliberately placed before him by you—what were you thinking then? You clearly meant for me to take liberties with her, and now it’s all my fault?

But this was clearly not the time to argue with the Blind One, with so many watching…

His mind racing, Zhao Changhe coughed and said, “Miss, why do you say that? Last night, I was walking alone in a dark alley when a woman indeed blocked my way, pulling and tugging. I wanted to avoid entanglement, and in breaking free, an unintentional touch was inevitable… But the Li family of Longxi has been marquises for generations, and their young ladies are well-bred and cultured—how could they be like those streetwalkers in the dark… Miss, you’re a good person, but we’re not suited. There’s no need to sully your reputation for a wanderer like me; it’s truly not worth it for you.”

Zhuque narrowed her eyes, sipping tea, and handed a cup to Yue Hongling. The Blind One’s strangling hand turned to straightening his collar, a motherly smile spreading across her face: “He’s grown up…”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

This time it was the Nine Nether’s turn to have her mouth slightly agape, momentarily stunned, unable to respond—and unexpectedly looking rather adorable.

A demon god full of annihilation and death, formidable in battle so that Zhao Changhe could only flee, but when it came to verbal sparring, how could she match the battle-hardened Zhao Changhe?

Seeing her expression, the Blind One was ecstatic.

The Nine Nether ground her teeth for a long while before finally forcing out through clenched jaws: “Very well. If one day you truly enter the monastic life, I hope you’ll send an invitation. I think many would love to attend.”

Zhao Changhe replied, “That’s a matter for the future. If I ever decide to marry, I might consider you, miss—though by then, you’ll likely already be wed.”

The Nine Nether’s face began to turn green again. This conversation had firmly cemented her image as someone who had thrown herself at him and been rejected. From now on, rumors in Chang’an would likely spread that she had been toyed with and then cast aside—a foregone conclusion.

Before the Nine Nether could erupt, Zhao Changhe swiftly turned to the assembly: “Papiyas lurks in Chang’an, not only threatening the Buddhist faith but also twisting its teachings and promoting the demonic path—this is detrimental to all of you in Chang’an. I believe many of you have attended his sermons; are you not now breaking out in a cold sweat?”

At this, the dignitaries who had been playing dead finally let out a long sigh, the hall filling with visible puffs of breath—a spectacular sight. This drama was far better than any famous opera.

Finally, someone spoke. Wei Changming was the first to declare: “Indeed, this fiend’s intentions are sinister. If we had all been deceived by him, the future calamity would be unimaginable.”

Zhao Changhe nodded. “Thus, this matter is not solely the Buddhist community’s concern; it is also Chang’an’s. If you, miss, know anything about Papiyas’s situation, I hope you will speak openly, so we may jointly eliminate this villain.”

Throughout this exchange, Wei Changming and many others inwardly applauded—his response had been masterful. He had brushed aside that awkward incident and continued to press the issue of Papiyas, which was his real concern.

They had all thought this fellow was a bandit from the mountains, rough and uncouth, but now they understood why Tang Wanzhuang had favored him back then—she had seen his potential even amidst the wilds.

The Nine Nether stared at Zhao Changhe for a long moment, her expression shifting between gloom and uncertainty, as if pondering something. Finally, she said slowly, “Fine. But this is not something to discuss in public. If you have the courage, sir, follow me.”

With that, she turned and left through the rear of the hall.

As her graceful, slender figure disappeared behind the hall, everyone’s eyes fell on Zhao Changhe, then quickly shifted to Zhuque and Yue Hongling.

Most people didn’t know how powerful the Nine Nether was, so they didn’t understand what “courage” was needed to follow her… They could only guess that this “Qin Jiu” was Zhao Changhe. If courage were needed, it would probably be to face the domestic violence from those two women.

But because his performance had been so brilliant, both women were beaming with confidence. They whispered, “Go ahead—we’ll keep an eye out. If she dares to make a move, we’ll just have a full-blown confrontation. We’re not afraid!”

The Blind One also encouraged him: “Go ahead. If she tries any underhanded tricks, I’m here!”

Zhao Changhe clasped his hands to the assembled nobles and strode out after the Nine Nether. Zhuque leisurely sipped her tea, feeling quite pleased, and said to Li Boping, “Let’s set aside the marriage proposal for now. Since it seems everyone is still open to discussing joint resistance against the Northern Hu, shall we continue talking about how to cooperate going forward?”

Li Boping could hardly discuss anything—he had to wait for the old ancestor’s opinion. So he merely replied evasively, “The conversation has been tiring. For now, let’s all drink tea and wine, and talk only of pleasantries.”

Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe followed out of the rear hall. Outside, a light snow was falling. Green pines and ancient cypresses stood proudly, their branches bent under the weight of the snow, yet refusing to bow.

The Nine Nether stood with her hands behind her back before a pine tree, gazing at it. Hearing Zhao Changhe’s approaching footsteps, she spoke without turning her head: “What did she pay you to be her agent?”

Zhao Changhe feigned ignorance: “Who are you talking about?”

“I can’t sense her presence—that’s strange… Has she lost her body?” The Nine Nether frowned in puzzlement, then shook her head. “Never mind. She must exist in some form by your side.”

Zhao Changhe said nothing. So you can’t sense the Blind One’s presence… It seems the Blind One is still a tier above you. But for now, sensing or not sensing didn’t seem to matter—the Nine Nether could probably determine it completely.

Sure enough, she continued: “I could see that Papiyas stirred your desire—and it was for her. You love her, hah… In the stillness of the night, the celestial heart unmoved—so she too uses feminine wiles to seduce men into doing her bidding, haha, hahaha…”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

Blind One: “???”

No, what are you saying? I, damn it…

The Nine Nether suddenly turned, looking into Zhao Changhe’s eyes, a seductive smile curling on her lips: “Since your deepest desire is to have her, it means you haven’t yet… That’s only natural—she wouldn’t be so easily won. But I can help you… No one knows her weaknesses better than I do. Do you… want it?”