Snake and Scorpion

Lou Ji left a day later.

Before leaving, she said, "I'll borrow this for a bit, and I'll return it to you later," and then she took away the Mystic Eagle Pavilion that Xu Yuan had just acquired.

Half a month later, the negotiations with the Wanxiang Sect also came to a temporary end.

Besides the initial agreements, Xu Yuan managed to extract nearly nine million taels of silver from the upper echelons of Wanxiang through a series of subsequent Xu Yuan, including troop withdrawal and the acquisition of city defense equipment.

It is said that the majority of the donations came from the disciples of the Wanxiang Sect, while the sects and aristocratic Aristocratic Clan within the sect only contributed about 20% this time.

In addition, there was the 400,000 yuan array fee that Xu Xinyao, that spendthrift woman, gave away for free.

However, Xu Yuan didn't get a single penny of the money; it was all divided up by those ruthless executives.

It was Tianqing.

The drizzling spring rain soaked the entire Wanxiang City into a misty, rain-shrouded atmosphere.

Under the gloomy sky, raindrops fell from the eaves like pearls, splashing and creating ripples in the puddles.

Yuan Hao stood inside the room, smiling as he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:

"That's roughly the plan for the gradual retreat. I've come to see you, Third Young Master, to say goodbye."

Xu Yuan looked up at the other person and asked:

Are you heading to the Northern Border?

Yuan Hao didn't hide anything and nodded:

"Commander Zong specifically requested my presence."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan instinctively wanted to ask why he didn't go with Lou Ji, but then realized that this was a stupid question.

The Black Scale Army holds a very special position within the Prime Minister's Estate. Apart from the Tian'an Martial Hall, which provides them with soldiers, they are basically not allowed to interact with any other forces.

Unless Xu Yinhe gives the order, everyone else in the Prime Minister's Estate will try to avoid suspicion and stay away from any officers in the Black Scale Army.

Composing himself, Xu Yuan smiled slightly:

"Going to fight the Barbarian Tribe is actually a good fit for your expertise."

Even if you capture Barbarian Tribe, these humanoid creatures, you're not suitable to enslave them.

Although they are strong and intelligent, they are bloodthirsty by nature.

The artifact of slave emblems doesn't seem to have been invented in this world yet. At most, high-level cultivators can implant Source Qi bombs in the bodies of their opponents, but this is too costly, so the Great Yan Barbarian Tribe are generally dealt with without leaving any survivors.

Hearing this teasing remark, Yuan Hao laughed, a hint of helplessness showing on his handsome face.

"After all, those Barbarian Tribe have no value as prisoners."

But then he shook his head again:

"It's a pity we only fought Barbarian Tribe."

"Commander Yuan is not necessarily just Barbarian Tribe."

Xu Yuan smiled slightly upon hearing this. His interactions with Commander Yuan over the past few days had given him a clear understanding of the situation.

He's a madman, but not entirely mad.

Therefore, it's perfectly harmless to reveal some information to the other party.

Yuan Hao's eyes narrowed, he subconsciously rubbed his hands together, lowered his voice, and transmitted his thoughts directly:

"Young master, what do you mean by that?"

Xu Yuan waved his hand, not elaborating:

"You'll understand when you get to the Northern Border; Mr. Zong should explain the details to you."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Hao could not hide his excitement.

Regarding the war in the Northern Border, even though his status prevented him from accessing some classified intelligence, he was still able to deduce some key points from the information he could see.

If he lacked professional competence, the prime minister wouldn't have gone out of his way to rescue him.

Now, the Third Young Master's words almost confirm his speculation.

He bowed slightly, preparing to take his leave, when Yuan Hao suddenly remembered something and asked in a low voice:

"By the way, Third Young Master, about Wang Jiadian..."

Colonel Wang?

Xu Yuan was slightly surprised upon hearing this.

Colonel Wang Wanxiang Sect prepared to risk his life to climb the mountain gate of Wanxiang Sect to seek justice for Shengshan County, but by the time he arrived in Wanxiang City, the East City had already been captured by the Black Scale Army for almost ten days.

In this situation, Colonel Wang naturally thought of what Young Master Zhou had said to him before, as well as the other party's decision to leave early.

So, naturally, they turned to the Black Scale Army.

Upon meeting the other party, Xu Yuan naturally revealed his identity and recruited him, promising to destroy the Wanxiang Sect in the future to avenge Flourishing Mountain.

But Colonel Wang did not immediately agree.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan asked:

What's wrong with him?

Yuan Hao said softly:

"He asked me to tell you, young master, that if you wage war against the Wanxiang Sect, the Shengshan Army is willing to serve you with utmost loyalty. Otherwise, he can only repay you with his life. He is willing to go and climb the Wanxiang Mountain."

An automatic door that won't get your hands dirty.

Xu Yuan tapped on the desk, somewhat disappointed:

"Is this considered a rejection?"

Yuan Hao didn't say much, but simply asked:

"Third Young Master, what are your plans to do with him?"

Should we kill him?

The rain pattered softly outside, and for a moment, only the sound of their breathing filled the room.

After a long pause, a sigh escaped.

Xu Yuan waved his hand:

"Let him go back to Shengshan County. There's no need for him to continue climbing the mountain."

Yuan Hao did not try to persuade him; he simply bowed and turned to leave.

As he was leaving, he happened to run into Ran Qingmo, who had come looking for Xu Yuan, and Yuan Hao bowed to her again.

"Third Young Mistress"

"."

Ran Qingmo hesitated for a moment as she looked at the military officer, then nodded to him:

". Um."

They brushed past each other and entered the side room. Looking at Xu Yuan, who sat behind the desk looking somewhat melancholy, Ran Qingmo approached and softly asked:

"Xu Yuan, what's wrong?"

Xu Yuan looked up and saw Big Ice Block. His words were very direct:

"I tried to recruit people, but was rejected, so I'm a little disappointed."

"."

Ran Qingmo subconsciously stopped in her tracks, glanced at Xu Yuan's lips, gripped her sheathed Ink Sword tightly, and looked on warily.

"." Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan chuckled and pointed to the seat next to him:

"Come sit down. I didn't ask you to comfort me; actually, I had somewhat expected this."

Ran Qingmo gathered her clothes, sat down, thought for a moment, and asked:

"Is it Colonel Wang?"

Xu Yuan nodded, his tone wistful:

"Colonel Wang has been receiving a government salary for decades and guarding Flourishing Mountain for just as long. It's really wishful thinking to expect him to serve under me."

This was his first failed attempt to recruit.

Even with a great favor, even with the status of the Third Young Master of the Prime Minister's Estate, even with a promised bright future, it was impossible to make someone bow down in submission.

At worst, they would repay the debt with their lives.

Ran Qingmo thought quietly for a moment, glanced at her Ink Sword, and asked:

"He's alive, aren't you in danger?"

Xu Yuan shook his head:

"This kind of person wouldn't betray me, just like his unwavering commitment to himself."

"Oh," Ran Qingmo.

Xu Yuan asked softly, "What brings you here?"

Ran Qingmo said softly:

"Xin Yao said we can set off now."

"Back to the Imperial Capital?"

"Well, let's go back to the Imperial Capital."

"Boom--"

A clap of thunder ripped through the darkness, illuminating a pitch-black cave within the Wanxing Mountain Range.

Li Erzhu sat quietly curled up in a corner of the cave, silently wiping the sword in his hand, his lowered eyes filled with a deep sense of bewilderment.

He didn't know what to do.

Return to the sect.

The sect had shown him immense kindness, raising him from a mountain boy to his current level of cultivation; he owed them a debt of gratitude.

However, the sect's actions left him somewhat bewildered.

He wanted to die, but he didn't.

He comprehended the Dao essence amidst the horde of Demon Beast, broke through to the third rank, and thus survived.

After surviving the horde of Demon Beast, a Grandmaster inexplicably tried to kill him, but he was the one who killed him.

Li Erzhu scratched his head:

"How about I go back to the sect and ask Ha Xiao He about it?"

In the silence, a loud cry of an eagle came from the sky.

Li Erzhu instinctively gripped his sword, but the next moment he saw a woman's figure appear at the cave entrance.

She walked into the cave, her curves alluring, her every step captivating, her voice tinged with laughter:

"There's actually a cave here?"

Seeing this, Li Erzhu instinctively looked away, quickly patted his buttocks, and stood up.

"Girl, you... you need to take shelter from the rain, I'll let you go, I'll go out right now."

The alluring woman raised a brow with her dark, emerald-green eyes and chuckled sweetly:

"Are you Li Zhu?"

Li Erzhu paused instinctively as he was about to leave, looking at the woman with a puzzled expression.

"Ah! Yes, I am Li Zhu."

"That's right."

The woman chuckled and turned to leave, saying, "He's not a bad person. I'm sorry, but for my Changtian's sake, I have to apologize."

"."

Li Erzhu paused for a moment, looking at the woman's retreating figure with a puzzled expression.

The next moment,

"Gujiao... I."

He raised his hand as if to ask something, but his mouth was already numb, and then his body went out of control.

He subconsciously tried to circulate his Cultivation Method, but found that something had already attached itself to his meridians. As he circulated the Cultivation Method, this thing spread throughout his entire body.

It's warm and cozy, very comfortable, like basking in the sun.

In a warm atmosphere,

Li Zhu's consciousness blurred, and he fell straight down onto the cave floor.