"Shopkeeper Hu, where are you taking me?"
"Naturally, to see the Tower Master."
"Oh? But why are we going deeper into the wilderness?"
Hu Yushu, who had been leading the way, suddenly stopped. She glanced up at the pitch-black night sky and muttered, "This is the place."
The moment she finished speaking, two burly figures materialized behind Shen Zhao, blocking his retreat.
Shen Zhao touched his nose, his expression puzzled. "Shopkeeper Hu, what is the meaning of this?"
Hu Yushu turned to face him, her gaze icy. "Chu Liuxiang, today, Heaven on Earth will be your burial ground."
"So, you've made up your mind to eliminate me? Those assassins earlier today were your doing too, weren't they?"
"I never thought the Wind and Rain Pavilion would fail its first mission. But heaven be praised, you've practically walked right into our trap, saving me the trouble of luring you here."
With that, Hu Yushu waved her hand. The two hulking men behind Shen Zhao began to advance slowly.
Shen Zhao smiled faintly. "Shopkeeper Hu, you don't seriously believe these two men alone can keep me here? That's rather overconfident."
"I've investigated thoroughly. Chu Liuxiang, your greatest strength lies in your agility. That's why I've specifically deployed two Horizontal Golden Body cultivators from the Wind and Rain Pavilion to deal with you. No matter how superb your footwork, you won't escape this battle."
"If I can't win, why wouldn't I flee? Knowing my exceptional agility, how could these men possibly keep me trapped?"
"Flee? You think you can still escape? This entire area has already been sealed by my Heavenly Net Demon-Locking Formation. Even if your agility were ten times greater, you wouldn't be able to break free from this confinement."
Shen Zhao sighed softly. "Impressive. I never thought Chu Liuxiang, who has been so clever all his life, would ultimately fall into your hands. Very well, take my life if you want it."
Hu Yushu sneered. "What, are you planning to give up resistance and surrender meekly?"
Shen Zhao unfurled his folding fan. "But before I die, may I ask one question? It would at least let me depart with some clarity."
"Are you trying to stall for time?"
"Since you've already set a perfect trap, where else could I possibly run? Surely Shopkeeper Hu wouldn't deny me this small request?"
"You want to know why the Wind and Rain Pavilion is determined to kill you?"
"Not at all. What's the point of knowing that now? I just want to ask: is Darba's death connected to the Wind and Rain Pavilion?"
Hu Yushu was startled, never expecting Shen Zhao to ask such a tricky question.
"How does that concern you in your current situation?"
"It concerns me greatly. Please, Shopkeeper Hu, give me a clear answer."
Hu Yushu turned away. "I'm sorry, I cannot answer that."
"That's a pity."
"What's a pity?"
"Without the answer I seek, I fear I'll die with regrets. So, I've decided to take a gamble—to fight for my life and confront your Tower Master myself."
The moment he finished speaking, Shen Zhao dissolved into a blur.
In an instant, his palm pressed down on Hu Yushu's shoulder.
"You..."
"Don't move, or I'll break your arm."
Hu Yushu frowned as she felt a massive force on her left shoulder.
The two men were momentarily stunned, instinctively moving to rescue her.
"Stay put. Take one step forward, and I'll kill her."
The threat froze the men in their tracks, daring not to approach even half an inch closer.
"A'Da, A'Er, ignore me! Kill him!"
"But..."
"What? You won't even listen to me anymore? This is an order! He must not leave this place alive! Act now!"
A'Da and A'Er still hesitated.
A'Da said, "Manager Hu, the Tower Master said all the brothers and sisters of the Wind and Rain Pavilion are one family. We can't abandon you."
"That's right, Manager Hu," A'Er added. "We can't just watch you die."
Shen Zhao chuckled. "What a touching family reunion. I'm almost moved to tears. Shopkeeper Hu, could you really bear to let these two loyal disciples spend the rest of their lives tormented by their conscience?"
"Chu Liuxiang! If you don't kill me today, I'll make sure to kill you one day!"
"It's not my fault, Sister! What the hell did I do to offend you? Stop acting like I wiped out your entire family's household registry!"
"For the Tower Master, for the Wind and Rain Pavilion, you must die!"
Hu Yushu's expression was close to madness, her presence as terrifying as a ghost.
"Stop!"
A soft voice called out, accompanied by the fluttering of colorful butterflies, as a beautiful figure gracefully appeared on the courtyard corridor.
"Greetings, Tower Master."
A'Da and A'Er immediately knelt in welcome.
"Tower Master, don't mind me! Kill him quickly!"
"Silence!"
Ying Chaoyun silenced Hu Yushu. "I already know the full story. Why did you use your authority to order a full-scale assassination on Young Master Chu?"
"Tower Master, I was merely trying to ease your burden! Shen Zhao must have ties to the Xiongnu!"
"Without sufficient evidence, how can you prove Young Master Chu is a Xiongnu spy?"
"Better to kill the wrong person than let the guilty escape!"
"Enough, Hu Yushu. The Wind and Rain Pavilion is not yours to command."
Then, turning to Shen Zhao, she said, "Young Master Chu, would you please release Manager Hu? We will provide you with a satisfactory explanation for today's events."
"Since the Tower Master has spoken, this humble one will still show the Wind and Rain Pavilion some respect."
With that, he immediately released Hu Yushu.
"Go back and reflect on your actions. I'll settle the score with you after I've dealt with this matter."
"Yes..."
Hu Yushu, though unwilling and resentful, shot Shen Zhao a venomous glare before storming away in anger.
"Young Master Chu, please follow me."
Ying Chaoyun led Shen Zhao through the courtyard to a two-story pavilion.
No sooner had they sat down than Ying Chaoyun said, "I apologize for the trouble the Wind and Rain Pavilion has caused you, Young Master Chu. If you have any requests that we can fulfill, we will do our best to grant them."
Shen Zhao replied, "This isn't your fault, Tower Master. I came today to confirm one thing: is Darba's death connected to the Wind and Rain Pavilion?"
"It is," Ying Chaoyun answered decisively.
"Yesterday, I fought Darba."
This simple sentence cut straight to the heart of the matter.
"Were you injured?"
"Minor injuries, nothing serious."
"So, Darba was injured at the time?"
Ying Chaoyun raised her teacup and nodded gently, confirming it.
"Thank you for your candor, Tower Master," Shen Zhao said.
"It was my duty. Young Master Chu, do you have any more questions?"
"I want to know, aside from Darba himself, who else in the world could have cultivated the Vajra Seal to its peak?"
Ying Chaoyun pondered for a moment. "To reach such a level with the Vajra Seal, only Darba himself and his disciple, Venerable Golden Sage, possessed such talent. However, Venerable Golden Sage regards Darba as a god and would never dare to betray his master."
"In that case, I thank you for your time, Tower Master."
Having obtained the information he sought, Shen Zhao rose to leave.
"Wait, may I ask you a question as well?"
"Please proceed, Tower Master."
"Who are you, really? And why are you getting involved in this mess?"
"I'm merely carrying out a request. There's no need for you to overthink it, Tower Master."
Shen Zhao gave a perfunctory answer and vanished into the darkness.
Watching Shen Zhao's disappearing figure, Ying Chaoyun murmured softly, "Could it be you?"
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)