At this moment, Li Yuer was still dressed in men’s clothing, presenting herself as male.
Even in front of Xu Ping’an, she couldn’t bring herself to call herself Yu’er.
Xu Ping’an didn’t mind this at all, but the old man still harbored murderous intent toward him.
“Shizi, who is this?”
Li Yuer was startled and suddenly remembered she hadn’t introduced him yet.
“This is Head Eunuch Zhao Gonggong of the Directorate of Ceremonial.”
“So it’s the Head Eunuch,”
Xu Ping’an said with a cheerful smile, cupping his fists and then turning to look at Li Yuer.
“May I ask, Shizi, what brings the Head Eunuch here today?”
“That’s naturally…”
Li Yuer was about to continue but suddenly seemed to recall something. She paused briefly, a smile appearing on her face as she turned to Zhao Gonggong.
“Head Eunuch Zhao, I have some matters to discuss with Master Xu in private. Please rest in the front hall; I will come shortly.”
Zhao Gonggong was momentarily taken aback but showed no other emotions, simply nodding with a smile.
“In that case, I shall wait for the Shizi and Master Xu in the front hall.”
After Zhao Gonggong left, Xu Ping’an suddenly turned to Han Wujin.
“Wujin, if you face him, what are your chances of winning?”
“There’s no need to consider chances. It will be a fight to the death. He will die by my sword,” Han Wujin nodded firmly.
Xu Ping’an then looked back at Li Yuer.
“Shizi, this man clearly harbors killing intent toward me. I doubt he’s loyal to the Emperor. Please be cautious.”
“Thank you for the warning, Mister. I will notify Father King immediately.”
Li Yuer also sensed something was wrong.
Previously, this Head Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial had been deeply favored by Imperial Grace. Both she and the Zhennan King had considered him an ally.
Yet today, during just a brief encounter, he had slipped up in front of Xu Ping’an.
“Wait.”
He caught Li Yuer just as she was about to turn away. From inside his sleeve, he pulled out two small porcelain bottles.
“This Yellow Porcelain Bottle contains some powder. If you are ambushed on the way and find yourself in danger, scatter the yellow powder inside. The other bottle holds the antidote. If the Yellow Porcelain Bottle is broken, the area within twenty feet will be poisoned. Take one antidote pill immediately—remember this.”
“Thank you, Mister. If… if I don’t return, please leave on your own.”
Xu Ping’an nodded and said no more, watching Li Yuer leave.
“Is she a woman?”
Suddenly, Han Wujin appeared behind Xu Ping’an, his voice calm and inquisitive.
“How did you know?”
Xu Ping’an was surprised. He could tell Li Yuer was female because of his chaotic golden double pupils, which gave him the ability to see through illusions.
To be honest, the Jade Pendant Li Yuer wore could easily deceive cultivators below the Soul-Refining Mirror Stage.
Although Han Wujin was a Heavenly Human Realm martial artist, his cultivation level was far from the Refining Spirit, Returning to Void level of an Immortal Cultivator.
“I only cultivate the sword. Although I cannot tell her gender directly, her reaction to the Sword Intent just now wasn’t typical of a man.”
“How so?”
Xu Ping’an grew interested.
“No matter the man, when approaching death, there is always an instinctual resistance and rage. But in that brief moment of Sword Intent, the Shizi showed no resistance—instead, there was a hint of fragility.”
So that was it. It seemed everyone had their own strengths.
Although Han Wujin lacked double pupils like Xu Ping’an, he still had his own way of distinguishing truth from falsehood.
Although this sixth sense was considered illusory by many, Han Wujin’s main cultivation was Sword Dao, and he discarded emotions.
Thus, this sixth sense was almost like an extension of his limbs.
“Yes.”
Xu Ping’an nodded and sighed.
“Ah~ I never imagined my arrival would cause those in the shadows to act prematurely. Could it be that this person knows me?”
From Zhao Gonggong’s earlier behavior, it was clear his hostility toward Xu Ping’an was real.
And he seemed very wary, yet extremely anxious.
Judging from this, Zhao Gonggong probably came straight for his life from the start.
However, after entering, Zhao Gonggong intended to act immediately but saw Han Wujin—a person not part of the plan—appear suddenly.
That made him panic.
Hence, he lost his composure and showed his hand.
If this conclusion was correct, the situation was very dangerous.
Since the enemy was prepared to kill him, they would surely also launch other actions after killing him.
After all, killing him would be equivalent to openly declaring war.
So, it was likely that trouble had already erupted in the palace.
With everything out in the open, previous schemes and plots would no longer apply.
“Wujin, if that eunuch had killed me just now… I’m not saying you couldn’t beat him, but if he kills me now, will he also kill Shizi Li Yuer afterward?”
Han Wujin’s answer was straightforward.
“I don’t know. Don’t ask me.”
Xu Ping’an almost couldn’t catch his breath at those six words.
Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, he gave a thumbs-up.
“Fine, you win.”
He had almost forgotten this guy was clueless about these matters.
His whole life boiled down to three things: Eating, sleeping, and wielding the sword.
“You deserve to be single.”
Han Wujin’s expression was unreadable as he casually spat out a few words.
“Being single is good—no attachments, so my sword strikes faster and more accurately.”
Hearing that, Xu Ping’an couldn’t help but raise his hand to his forehead.
This guy… was hopeless.
No cure for him.
“Alright, come with me. Let’s go see this old eunuch. He’s probably already panicking.”
Han Wujin held his sword calmly in his arms.
“Kill him?”
“Depends. Watch my cue.”
Xu Ping’an’s expression darkened.
If possible, he wanted to avoid fighting; everyone was a dignified person—no need to lose face.
Unexpectedly, Han Wujin calmly replied,
“I don’t watch cues. Just tell me directly.”
“Ugh~ fine, fine.”
Xu Ping’an took a deep breath to calm his irritation and gave a series of “fine”s.
Heaven and earth, what kind of angel had sent this elder sister to punish him?
Why did speaking feel so difficult?
Even when facing the Master of Burning Wheel Valley, he hadn’t felt this headache.
That man was ruthless and taciturn.
Forget it, arguing with this guy was just making life harder. Taking it seriously was losing. Better to focus on the main matter.
“Let’s go meet that eunuch from the Imperial Court.”
Just as Xu Ping’an finished speaking, a muffled thud sounded from the courtyard gate.
A figure was thrown flying inside, spraying bright red blood midair.
By the time he hit the ground, his face was pale and lifeless.
“No need for Mister Xu’s honorable presence. I have arrived.”