Chapter 29: Zhou Huaian’s Probe, Arrival at Guiyun City!
Page (1/3)
Half an incense stick later.
The eastern courtyard of the Zhou residence.
He Xiufei watched Zhou Huai'an enter the small courtyard and burst into hearty laughter.
“When I rose this morning, I heard magpies calling outside my window. I knew at once that something auspicious was about to happen!”
“And now that I see the Zhou family head here, it must mean that Shen Lang is dead. Am I right?”
At those words, Zhou Huai'an sneered inwardly.
On the surface, however, he remained utterly calm. “A mere Shen Lang could never have been a match for the Zhou family.”
“Excellent, excellent! As expected of the Zhou family. On behalf of Lord Zhao, I thank you, Family Head Zhou.”
“No need for thanks.”
Zhou Huai'an waved his hand indifferently.
Only then did he narrow his eyes and say slowly, “Mr. He, there is something I would like to ask you about, if you do not mind.”
Certain that Shen Lang was dead, He Xiufei was in high spirits. With an open smile, he replied, “Whatever you wish to ask, Family Head Zhou. Anything I know, I will certainly tell you!”
“Very well.” Zhou Huai'an’s expression turned solemn. “Before Shen Lang died, he claimed to be a Candidate and said that the Divine Firmament Great Emperor would not let the Zhou family off. May I ask what exactly a Candidate is?”
Thump!
At the mention of that question, He Xiufei’s expression changed drastically.
But he quickly forced a laugh. “What Candidate? Family Head Zhou, surely you were not deceived by that brat Shen Lang!”
Seeing that He Xiufei was deliberately concealing the truth, Zhou Huai'an now believed sixty percent of what Shen Lang had told him.
Still, to make certain that he was not being deceived, Zhou Huai'an narrowed his eyes again and probed, “If there are no Candidates, then what is the meaning of Zhao An being one?”
“You…”
He Xiufei stared at Zhou Huai'an in shock.
After a long while, he asked incredulously, “How did you find out?”
“Our Zhou family is, after all, one of the eight great royal houses among the people. Naturally, we have our own channels of information.”
“Mr. He, you would do well not to mistake the Zhou family for fools.”
“Otherwise, entering Guiyun City may be easy, but leaving it will not be.”
Hearing the threat hidden in Zhou Huai'an’s words, He Xiufei pondered for more than ten seconds before forcing a dry smile.
“Family Head Zhou, you are taking this too seriously.”
“In truth, a Candidate is merely one of His Majesty’s methods for selecting talented individuals. It is much like issuing an edict to recruit worthy men. Such people will simply receive greater favor in the future.”
“Is that so?”
“I have heard that a Candidate is actually a disciple of the Divine Firmament Great Emperor.”
Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from Zhou Huai'an, cold sweat slowly formed on He Xiufei’s brow.
He realized that Shen Lang had most likely anticipated that the Zhao lineage would retaliate against him before his death.
That was why he had deliberately revealed the secret of the Candidates.
Page (2/3)
His purpose was to drive a wedge between the Zhou family and the Zhao lineage.
Having understood this, He Xiufei decided to throw caution to the wind.
“That is correct. A Candidate is indeed a disciple of the Divine Firmament Great Emperor.”
“Oh?”
Since everything Shen Lang and Zhou Yu had told him was true, a trace of excitement rose in Zhou Huai'an’s heart.
He immediately asked the question that concerned him most.
“Is there any way for someone from the Zhou family to become a Candidate?”
“That depends on the Divine Firmament Great Emperor. Upon becoming a Candidate, one receives a divine artifact.”
“But if one does not…”
He Xiufei stopped there and did not continue.
Yet the meaning behind his words was obvious to anyone.
Zhou Huai'an understood it as well.
He asked instinctively, “Is that divine artifact truly powerful?”
Hmm?
Seeing that Zhou Huai'an apparently did not know how powerful a divine artifact was, He Xiufei narrowed his eyes.
“Did you not find a divine artifact on Shen Lang?”
“Or did Nalan Yanran reclaim it?”
Under He Xiufei’s scrutinizing gaze, Zhou Huai'an no longer bothered to pretend.
“We failed to kill Shen Lang.”
“What?!”
He Xiufei flew into a rage. “How could you have failed to kill that man?”
“Do you not understand how dangerous he is?”
Seeing that He Xiufei was still putting on an act at such a moment, Zhou Huai'an’s expression turned cold.
“Does Mr. He truly think everyone in the Zhou family is a fool?”
“You know perfectly well what Shen Lang is capable of, do you not?”
“Or were you deliberately trying to set up the Zhou family and make the Divine Firmament Great Emperor pleased with you?”
“You… What exactly are you implying?” He Xiufei’s expression grew ugly.
“What I mean should be perfectly clear to you, Mr. He.”
“Go back and tell Zhao Tianba that the ruler of Great Qin is now called the Divine Firmament Emperor, not a member of the Zhao family!”
With that, Zhou Huai'an did not wait for He Xiufei to say another word. He flicked his sleeve and walked away.
The sight caused He Xiufei’s expression to change dramatically.
A deep sense of unease welled up within him.
He wanted to chase after Zhou Huai'an and warn him not to be deceived by Shen Lang.
However, the moment he reached the gate, two terrifyingly powerful old men blocked his way.
“Mr. He, our master ordered us to inform you that you may leave now.”
“Hurry and tell Zhou Huai'an that Shen Lang is vicious beyond belief! He must not trust a word that man says!” He Xiufei cried out urgently.
Page (3/3)
His only answer was a vicious slap.
“Do not mistake kindness for weakness. Get lost!”
“You!”
He Xiufei clutched his cheek, his eyes bloodshot.
He could see it clearly now. The Zhou family was bent on courting its own destruction.
No matter what else he said, he would only humiliate himself further.
Having realized this, He Xiufei immediately took to the air and hurried toward Chang'an.
He had to tell Zhao Tianba that Shen Lang was still alive—and that he had driven a wedge between the Zhou family and the Zhao lineage.
…
One day later.
Shen Lang arrived in Guiyun City astride a tall warhorse.
As he gazed at the cultivators shouting and hawking their wares along the streets, as well as the demon beasts hauling goods and carrying passengers, he suddenly felt as though he had stepped into a game world.
Just as he was about to ask Nalan Yanran how much authority he actually possessed on this journey, the sound of hooves rang out from a nearby street.
A moment later, Shen Lang saw a middle-aged man in official robes dismount and approach them. He bowed and said, “Wu Yong, governor of Guiyun City, pays his respects to Miss Nalan.”
Nalan Yanran glanced at him.
Her tone was flat. “You are paying your respects to the wrong person. Lord Shen is the imperial envoy personally appointed by our master.”
At those words, the corner of Wu Yong’s mouth twitched involuntarily.
Then, though clearly unwilling, he bowed toward Shen Lang.
“Greetings, Lord Shen.”
“We are all officials here. No need for formalities. Just make the arrangements.”
“And remember: ten dishes and one soup. Do not exceed the limit.”
With that, Shen Lang tugged on the reins and leaped past Wu Yong.
Wu Yong stared after him, utterly bewildered.
Rumor had it that Shen Lang was the poisonous strategist who had made countless officials in Chang'an gnash their teeth in hatred.
Yet now that he had finally met the man, how was it that Shen Lang seemed even more bureaucratic than he was?
And ten dishes with one soup? Was that not outrageously extravagant?
Still, the more Shen Lang behaved this way, the more reassured Wu Yong became.
After all, what they feared was not a corrupt official coming to investigate Guiyun City.
What they feared was an incorruptible official who clung rigidly to principle.
With that thought, Wu Yong immediately shouted to the officials who had come to receive them.
“Go to the First Pavilion at once. Tell the proprietor to prepare the finest private room and bring out the very best dishes.”
“At the same time, report to the Zhou family that Shen Lang has arrived!”