The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 1152 - 624: The Capture of Tianhai

Xu Wen’s tone was full of confidence.

What he didn’t say was that upon learning of the great defeat and disappearance of Xu Jianwen at the Battle of Hu Ting, he was actually pleased.

When Xu Jianwen first came to seek refuge with him, Xu Wen was indeed taken aback, but later he carefully inquired about the events.

He learned that Xu Jianwen had used Evil God magic years ago, preserving a remnant soul, thereby achieving rebirth.

Xu Wen then felt relieved, as he believed that Xu Jianwen no longer posed a threat, and his Kuangfu Society was nothing but remnants.

Even if Xu Jianwen resurfaced, it would change nothing.

Furthermore, Xu Jianwen promised that once the court was defeated, he would record the history of the years and support Xu Wen in acquiring legitimacy.

Prince Jing decided to boldly utilize him, however...

What Xu Wen valued was merely the last bit of Xu Jianwen’s assets. Now that they were shattered, he wasn’t distressed.

"Destiny belongs to me," Xu Wen thought full of ambition.

Lu Yaner tightened her grip with her ten fingers within her sleeves, then deliberately tested the waters:

"That Zhao Douan is not a fool. If he dares to enter Coastal, he must have a trick up his sleeve, likely bringing with him a master. We cannot be careless."

Xu Wen was not surprised, and glanced at the fake Princess Consort:

"Indeed, he did bring a master. Just received the news—Zuo Tang from the Martial World led over a hundred martial artists to intercept Zhao Douan, only to be thwarted by a mysterious master at his side. That master is suspected to be approaching Half-step Celestial."

Lu Yaner was taken aback, not by this information, but surprised at when Prince Jing received the secret report, without her knowledge.

Indeed... this ambitious individual was also guarding against her... Lu Yaner bit her lip:

"Half-step Celestial? Does the court still have such masters?"

Xu Wen was unsurprised and said calmly:

"It is not surprising that the Royal Family has such reserves.

If he hadn’t brought such a master, I would instead suspect Zhao Douan’s intentions, but that Prince Chen was too clever for his own good, and tested out Zhao Douan’s hand for me.

Heh, once I’ve killed the man named Zhao, I’ll conveniently swallow up Prince Chen’s Mansion. I’ve heard that that Princess Chen has exceptional skills—how about I kidnap her to be your sister?"

Lu Yaner’s expression turned cold:

"Xu Wen, mind your identity. We are merely collaborators. Whatever concubine you want to take, you needn’t ask me."

Xu Wen gave her a deep look until he saw the nervousness in Lu Yaner’s heart before suddenly laughing heartily. Leaning on the railing, Prince Jing, full of spirit, confidently looked toward Daluo Mountain, and said softly:

"Zhao Douan... You’ve disrupted my plans time and again—this time, it’s time for an end!"

...

...

On the same night, at the night market within Daluo Mountain.

Gongshu Tianyuan, covered in dust, rode a donkey into the city, holding a whip.

He wasn’t wearing a wrinkled priest robe but instead was disguised as an out-of-town scholar.

On his back was a large book box, much bigger than an ordinary scholar’s, with a thick bamboo tube laid across the "sunshade" at the top of the box.

Such a big book box, coupled with his own weight, crushed the donkey into despair, making it cry out as it walked.

"Can’t this young man walk? Must he be satisfied with killing the donkey?" An old man by the roadside exclaimed indignantly.

Gongshu Tianyuan blushed, finding reason in the remark, he dismounted decisively and led the donkey himself.

"Ha ha, mom, look! That man is so silly—carrying such a heavy box but not putting it on the donkey’s back, carrying it himself..." A child saw this and laughed loudly, the child’s mother glanced over and couldn’t help but chuckle.

In the darkness, Gongshu Tianyuan’s face reddened again. Quickly taking a few steps, he hurriedly placed the book box containing the Heavenly Element Cannon back onto the donkey’s back, and led it on foot.

"Hey, this chubby guy has a donkey but doesn’t ride it, how silly..." A drunkard in a street-side tavern saw this and jeered loudly.

"..." Gongshu Tianyuan remained silent.

He found himself in a dilemma—riding was no good, and not riding was no good.

He intended to find someone to ask directions, but couldn’t open his mouth to ask about Zhao Douan’s whereabouts.

Just then, he suddenly noticed a somewhat familiar figure getting up to pay at a distant food stall.

"Is that little monk Tian Hai?!" Gongshu Tianyuan rubbed his eyes, confirming he hadn’t seen wrong.

"Wasn’t this guy missing after the battle at Baihua Village? Brother Zhao even asked me to request the Daoist to find this person... how did he end up here? Could it be..."

Gongshu Tianyuan’s heart sank.

He gritted his teeth, rolled his eyes, used a piece of rag to cover his face, then picked up the big bookcase, ignoring the donkey, and followed like a trail of smoke.

Tian Hai left the bustling area and headed towards his temporary lodging at the inn, as the night deepened, the street sides became increasingly desolate.

When he walked into a secluded alley, Tian Hai silently raised a hand, grasped the cloth strip binding his forehead, abruptly stopped, turned around, and shouted: "Who is there?!"

As he spoke, he tore off the cloth strip, revealing the third vertical eye on his forehead.

The vertical eye rotated eerily, observing the quiet streets and alleys.

But under the moonlight, the alley shrouded in a thin veil had no shadow of a person.

"An illusion?" Tian Hai frowned, yet his heart sank slightly, and he loosened the Six Paths Stick on his back with his other hand.

Although his cultivation was damaged and his realm deteriorated due to Baihua Village’s battle.

He was, after all, a Martial Monk in the world, impossible to have hallucinations.

But he didn’t notice the stardust-like sparkles floating and fluttering down from above.

Just then, Tian Hai was startled by the sound of a woman’s laughter in the distance, under the moonlight, a group of women rounded the corner of the street.

This group of women was unexpectedly unclothed, their entire bodies exposed, moving forward en masse, adorned only with nearly transparent chiffon.

Each had quite a good appearance, like fairies.

"What kind of monster!" Little Monk Tian Hai was shocked, instinctively stepping back, wanting to turn and avoid them, yet couldn’t help but glance a few more times.

"Bam!"

Unexpectedly, a metal hammer swung violently from behind, striking his bald head fiercely, the genius with a heart of revenge from Divine Dragon Temple rolled his eyes and fell, knocked unconscious!

At the same time, those half-clothed women vanished.

"Whew..." Gongshu Tianyuan held the round hammer in both hands, looking at the fallen little monk, clicked his tongue in wonder: "The ’Thousand Illusion Powder’ given by my master works really well."

Stowing away the hammer, he took out a rope and tied up Tian Hai, then looked at the other person’s partially nude body, with a peculiar expression: "However, what did he see... so indecent..."

...

Inside the luxurious residence.

Zhao Douan and the Empress returned, only then did the hosting wealthy merchant Guo Zhun slowly relax his heart.

Hastily ordered someone to present the prepared banquet.

Yu Xiu, Jin Jian, Ji Yue, and others didn’t wait for him, had already eaten, now the three women sat together in the pavilion, gazing at the two eating inside, each showing different expressions.

"Ji Yue, you’ve been beside Zhao Douan for a long time, don’t you recognize this female tributor?" Yu Xiu Priestess’s arm leaned on the railing, her face under the lantern hanging above, appeared red. Usually cold and indifferent, the Daoist now held a curious onlooker expression.

Ji Yue, hair disheveled, cautiously peeked through her strands at the question, voice like a mosquito’s hum: "No... don’t know."

Yu Xiu sneered with a peculiar smile, suddenly spoke low: "Jin Jian, do you have a Recording Scroll with you? Give one to your senior sister."

Jin Jian, energetic at night, was counting silver notes under the lamp, instinctively said "Oh", handed over a scroll casually: "A thousand taels per one, no credit."

"..." Yu Xiu’s forehead veins popped, snatched it roughly: "How did such a money-grubber come out of Heavenly Master Mansion?"

Ji Yue asked softly: "Priestess, what will you do?"

Yu Xiu Priestess calmly replied: "Record it, hehe, Zhao’s so close with this female tributor, if this image is shown to His Majesty, guess what will happen? Humph, Zhao has repeatedly schemed against this poor Daoist, worked for him in vain, now I’ll make him come begging."

Ji Yue was taken aback, not expecting the usually proper and admired priestess to have this side!

Jin Jian opened her mouth, her eyes spinning, realizing she might extort some, also silently retrieving a scroll.

Unfortunately, just as the three were about to commence their stealth filming.

Suddenly, a chubby figure dropped from the sky like a meteor: "Haha, Brother Zhao, see what surprise I’ve brought for you?"

Gongshu Tianyuan descended from the night sky, landed instantly, threw a "corpse" tied like a dumpling onto the ground.

The room door "creaked" open.

Zhao Douan and the Great Yu Empress wearing a fox mask came out.

Seeing the scene in the courtyard, both the ruler and minister were shocked.

——

ps: Wishing readers a healthy Dragon Boat Festival.

ps2: Wishing readers a happy Children’s Day!