The Appearance of Flowing Sand

"This is rather novel!" Bai Yifei, who had been standing nearby, suddenly spoke in a somewhat bewitching tone. "As far as I know, there are indeed certain Witchcraft and Gu Arts that allow Gu to absorb the blood of humans or animals to prolong life and preserve youth. There are also legends of sucking blood to regain one's youth or achieve immortality. But using a spear to kill you and only then recovering from his injuries—this is the first time I've heard of such a thing."

Mo Ya continued, "But that was indeed what happened. At the time, his spear was glowing with white light. After he killed our men with it, a faint green glow would appear around his body, and his injuries would recover at a visible rate. After killing only a few people, his wounds had completely healed."

Ji Wuye fell silent for a moment, then slammed his fist onto the table and cursed, "What kind of monster is this?!" After cursing, Ji Wuye looked at Bai Yifei again. "I recall that the Disaster Star has a subordinate who knows Witchcraft and Gu Arts. Could they really have nothing to do with each other?"

With his back to Ji Wuye, Bai Yifei said disdainfully, "General, how do you think this thief's strength compares to that Disaster Star's?"

Hearing this, Ji Wuye understood as well and said coldly, "They are worlds apart."

Bai Yifei gave a contemptuous smile. "Exactly. That Disaster Star is, in the end, merely a worthless former Crown Prince of Baiyue. A master like this could never submit to a useless former Crown Prince. Still, just in case, I will go meet that Disaster Star myself."

With that, Bai Yifei headed out the door.

After Bai Yifei left, Ji Wuye ordered, "Mo Ya, investigate that man's identity immediately. Such a powerful expert has appeared in Xinzheng City, yet I knew nothing of him. This is outrageous."

"Yes." Mo Ya cupped his fists and left.

Elsewhere, in an alleyway, Zhao Zilong looked at the people who had appeared before him and asked in surprise, "Han Fei, why are you all here?"

That was right. The four people before him were Han Fei, Wei Zhuang, Zhang Liang, and Zi Nu. It was as though they had been waiting for him. Han Fei stepped forward and said, "When you left Zhang Mansion earlier, I guessed that you were going to assassinate Ji Wuye. Then Brother Wei Zhuang immediately went to investigate and discovered that General's Mansion was in chaos, with people everywhere shouting for the assassin to be caught."

Zhao Zilong felt somewhat displeased. He had already been upset about the failed assassination, and now Han Fei's analysis made it seem as though Han Fei had expected him to fail from the start. He said coldly, "How did you know I would take this route?"

Wei Zhuang replied coolly, "I investigated the Imperial Guard's deployment around Ji Wuye. The defenses on this side are relatively weaker."

Han Fei continued, "Of course, we were only trying our luck. I also sent people to wait at the inn where you had been staying. If we had not encountered you here, my people would have waited for you at your inn."

A teasing smile appeared on Zhao Zilong's lips. "So? Did you wait here because you wanted to say something? Don't tell me you only came to mock me for failing to assassinate him!"

Han Fei clasped his hands and gave Zhao Zilong a deep bow. "No. Brother Zhao's martial arts are extraordinary. You did something that many of us wished to do but did not dare to. Even though you failed, it was still an honorable defeat. You made Ji Wuye understand that, in Xinzheng, he cannot do whatever he pleases. On behalf of the people oppressed by Ji Wuye, I thank you, Brother Zhao."

"Tch..." Zhao Zilong gave a disdainful laugh and said indifferently, "And then?"

Seeing Zhao Zilong's attitude, Han Fei was somewhat unsure. With his hands still clasped, he said, "Brother Zhao, after today's assassination attempt, the defenses at General's Mansion will surely become even tighter. If you wish to assassinate Ji Wuye again, your chances of success will definitely be lower. You may even lose your life."

Zhao Zilong was silent for a moment before replying calmly, "I know that without you telling me. I underestimated the strength of General's Mansion's defenses, and I did not expect there to be so many experts inside."

Han Fei said seriously, "Brother Zhao, we are not enemies. Prime Minister Zhang is not your enemy either. Our common enemy is Ji Wuye."

"Cooperation?" Zhao Zilong smiled faintly and said disdainfully, "But I doubt you would be willing to work with me."

Han Fei immediately replied, "How could that be? As long as Brother Zhao is willing, we can absolutely cooperate and eliminate Ji Wuye together."

"When I went to General's Mansion today, I did not hide myself at all. Ji Wuye and that Bai Yifei have already seen my face clearly. By tomorrow morning, they will probably issue a wanted order and hunt me throughout the city." Zhao Zilong looked at Han Fei teasingly. "If you associate yourselves with me now, you will be the ones in trouble."

Hearing Zhao Zilong's words, Han Fei hesitated for a moment before saying, "In that case, Brother Zhao, why not stay temporarily at Purple Orchid Pavilion for the time being? Purple Orchid Pavilion can ensure your safety. As for the wanted order, tomorrow morning at court, Prime Minister Zhang and I will do our best to persuade my royal father not to issue one. As long as no wanted order is issued, Brother Zhao can live normally in Xinzheng City."

Zi Nu's beautiful eyes widened beside them, and displeasure flashed through them. Why had he dragged her Purple Orchid Pavilion into this without warning? But at this moment, it was not convenient for her to refuse.

Zhao Zilong turned his gaze toward Zi Nu and teased, "Wouldn't that bring danger upon Miss Zi Nu? I would feel bad about that. If Purple Orchid Pavilion goes bankrupt because of me, my conscience would not rest easy."

Zi Nu rolled her violet eyes at Zhao Zilong and said charmingly, "Since Lord Zhao knows he would feel bad, then during your stay at Purple Orchid Pavilion, please do not stir up trouble. Otherwise, our Purple Orchid Pavilion is too small to accommodate a great deity like you."

"Then I'll have to trouble Miss Zi Nu."

Han Fei looked at Zi Nu with a sly grin. "Good, Miss Zi Nu. I thank you on behalf of myself. As for Brother Zhao's room fees, please cover them for now."

"No need. I'm not so poor that I need Miss Zi Nu to cover my room fees." As he spoke, Zhao Zilong took out a Night Pearl from his Soul Tool and tossed it to Zi Nu. "This thing should be worth something, right? If it is not enough, I have some other treasures as well."

Zi Nu looked at the Night Pearl in her hand and was somewhat astonished. "This Night Pearl is delicate in texture, smooth and round, seemingly formed by nature itself. It is the finest among the finest. Even the Han Kingdom's royal family likely does not possess such exquisite jade!"

"Oh, is that so?" Zhao Zilong was somewhat surprised, though it made sense. He had found this Night Pearl in the Seven Treasure Pavilion when he destroyed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and had casually stored it in his Soul Tool. Grinning, he said, "In that case, it's yours."