Someone entered from outside the secret chamber. One was Yun Ji, who had settled Lü Wushuang, and the other was Yuan Gang, holding a secret letter.
The two who came in together were startled to find Shang Shuqing here, already face-to-face with the Daoist Master after he had removed his mask. They could not help looking at each other.
Shang Shuqing was equally surprised to see Yuan Gang. "Master Yuan?"
She had heard bits and pieces of the situation. She knew Yuan Gang had become the Demon Cult's Holy Son, knew he had vanished, and had also heard that one of his arms had been hacked off.
Hadn't he disappeared? Why was he here? And those two intact arms... She realized the secrets of the people here might far surpass anything she had imagined.
Yuan Gang gave a slight nod in greeting. "County Princess."
Swish! The sword in Niu Youdao's hand returned to its sheath. He said to Shang Shuqing, "I heard the County Princess had a cenotaph built for me?"
Embarrassed by the question, Shang Shuqing nodded.
Niu Youdao said, "I heard the County Princess remembered our old ties and often went there to pay respects. I am deeply grateful. Now that the County Princess knows I am still alive, I hope you will continue visiting that cenotaph as you did before, so as not to arouse suspicion."
Yuan Gang, Yun Ji, and Guan Fangyi instinctively exchanged glances. They could all sense it: the meaning that cenotaph held for Shang Shuqing had been calmly diminished by the Daoist Master—or rather, ignored altogether. They truly did not know what Shang Shuqing must be feeling at that moment.
Shang Shuqing forced a smile. "Rest assured, Daoist Master. Qing'er understands."
Niu Youdao said, "The County Princess should not remain here long, lest