Suddenly, everything changed.
The moment he saw that smile, Chief Attendant Zhao’s face went pale.
“Xu Ping’an. You—you’re going to the Palace!?”
Although the old eunuch had shown many emotions just now, this kind of terror was the first time.
This alone was enough to prove that what Xu Ping’an intended to do next could completely ruin the plans of both the eunuch and those behind him.
“Heh~ You tell me.”
Xu Ping’an smiled faintly and walked out without looking back.
Seeing Xu Ping’an about to leave, the old eunuch finally lost his composure.
His face twisted with rage.
“Xu Ping’an, this mess in Great Qi is not something you can handle. Don’t delude yourself!!”
However, Xu Ping’an kept walking forward without turning his head.
Just as the eunuch was about to step forward, suddenly—
A flash of Sword Light streaked before his eyes.
Han Wujin was already standing on the wall where the old eunuch had just been, his gaze laced with disdain as he looked down at Chief Attendant Zhao.
“Sorry, but you’re about to die right here.”
“You!!”
Chief Attendant Zhao tried to say something, but Han Wujin didn’t give him the chance.
Han Wujin intended to quickly deal with the old eunuch and then catch up to Xu Ping’an.
Although he trusted that Xu Ping’an had his own means of survival, Han Wujin had come to Chaoge with the sole purpose of protecting Xu Ping’an.
If Xu Ping’an had to protect himself alone, then what was the point of his coming?
With this thought, the Sword in his hand suddenly became even sharper.
He slashed fiercely at the eunuch, who barely dodged but was unable to counterattack.
After just over a dozen exchanges, three new wounds appeared on his body.
If this continued, in less than half an hour, he would truly die by the Han Sword!
Gritting his teeth, knowing the situation was hopeless, Zhao Tong suddenly raised his hand toward Han Wujin’s direction.
“Look out—arrows!!”
Three arrows shot from his wrist, and without looking back, he activated lightness skill and fled as if escaping for his life.
Han Wujin slightly shifted his body, avoiding the three hidden arrows, and watched Zhao Tong flee.
His expression remained calm, only gently raising his hand as he slowly closed his eyes.
“Wujian, First Style: Thrust!”
Suddenly opening his eyes, the longsword in his hand had already been enveloped in dense Inner Power, almost tangible, flowing along the blade.
As he raised his hand to thrust!
In an instant, a milky white stream of Inner Power shot from the tip of the sword.
The front of this Inner Power formed a shape almost identical to a Sword’s edge.
In the blink of an eye, before Zhao Tong could react, it pierced through his back and exited his chest!
Accompanied by a miserable scream, Zhao Tong fell from the air.
Han Wujin only glanced coldly at the spot where Zhao Tong landed, then didn’t pursue further.
Because he knew very well, anyone of equal cultivation struck by this sword would be dead or at least crippled.
There was no need to chase.
Besides, he had more important matters to attend to.
Without hesitation, he sheathed his sword, leapt several bounds, and chased after Xu Ping’an’s departing direction.
Xu Ping’an had already walked out of the Duke of the Southern Border’s Residence.
Along the way, many of the soldiers were dead.
Ordinary civilians were almost nowhere to be seen.
All the large households had tightly closed their doors, fearing to be implicated.
In the distance, the Palace was on fire.
The flames shot high into the sky, clearly visible even in broad daylight.
It was obvious the fire was severe; perhaps one of the Main Halls had been burned down.
Occasionally, shouts and the sounds of battle could be heard from afar—likely soldiers fighting fiercely.
But the path Xu Ping’an walked was eerily silent, so quiet it sent chills down one’s spine.
At that moment, a voice suddenly came from a narrow alley around the corner.
“As far as I know, sir, you dislike Great Qi’s regulations and have always avoided public appearances. Could it be that today, sir, you truly intend to walk this path?”
Following the voice, Xu Ping’an saw a young man step out from the alley.
He wore simple cloth clothes and held a folding fan in his hand.
“Xu Wanzhi, I pay my respects, sir. It’s been years; I hope you are well.”
“So it’s you… no wonder.”
The moment he saw this man, much of Xu Ping’an’s previous confusion instantly cleared.
Why had the old eunuch been so familiar with him?
Why had he refused to reveal his name?
It was because of the man standing before him.
Xu Wanzhi, once a feeble scholar who tried to hang himself but was pulled back from Yama’s grasp by Xu Ping’an.
Yes, this man truly was a simple scholar.
His reason for attempting suicide was simple too—he failed the imperial exams, was ranked at the bottom, and felt he had disappointed his parents and family, so he tried to end his life.
He had been hanging for half a day before Xu Ping’an saved him.
But that was just in the beginning.
Later, his identity became somewhat dangerous.
“So you’re saying…
the Society of Ten Thousand People has gotten involved in the succession dispute?”
The Society of Ten Thousand People.
Great Qi was currently at the twilight of its dynasty.
During such times, certain special organizations would begin to emerge.
The Society of Ten Thousand People was one of them.
For a thousand years, it had been an organization continuously resisting the Great Qi regime.
It was said that the Society was founded by remnants of the previous dynasty.
At first, it carried the banner of opposing Qi and restoring the former empire.
Over the centuries, this group had been destroyed several times but always left behind sparks that reignited the flames.
Thus, it had become a persistent thorn in the side of the Great Qi dynasty.
And this young man, Xu Wanzhi, was a talented individual.
At first, he was naïve and inexperienced.
He neither bribed examiners nor sought favors from officials.
Despite his abilities, he only ended up ranked at the bottom.
“Sir, some matters you should not get involved in…”
Xu Wanzhi looked at the man before him.
Though only four years older, Xu Wanzhi held great respect for Xu Ping’an.
So much so that every Spring Festival, regardless of circumstances, he tried his best to bring seasonal gifts to that small cottage with the fence.
“Xu Wanzhi… Wanzhi…”
Xu Ping’an shook his head helplessly.
From the stubborn scholar who once gave up hope to becoming a strategist for the Society of Ten Thousand People, Xu Ping’an knew a little about his difficult journey.
“I don’t want to meddle too much in other things, but this matter today is directly related to me, so… I can’t ignore it.”
“Sir, could it be that you’ve really fallen for the Shunnan King’s Heir? If that is so, after this is over, the lady will surely be safely delivered to your residence. I beg you…”
“Xu Wanzhi, what do you take me, Xu Ping’an, for?”
Was he the type to be swayed by beauty, to forget loyalty?
[Thank goodness I sensed Han Wujin’s presence behind me, or I might have accidentally agreed.]
“Enough. I don’t want to say more.
You do your part; I’ll do mine.”
Xu Ping’an lifted the medicine box slung over his shoulder and walked forward.
“Sir, Wanzhi does not wish to be your enemy. I hope you won’t intervene in this matter any further, or else—”
Xu Ping’an paused slightly, a faint, elusive smile curling at the corner of his lips as he looked at Xu Wanzhi.
“Or else… what?”