Chapter 192: I've Already Started Talking Nonsense

Wu Luo sat in the chair with his eyes closed, listening to his subordinate's report.

The subordinate said trembling, "The Immortal Envoy of the Fiery Nation and her guards rescued a mother and child who were nearly trampled by a horse on the street, then took them to the infirmary and paid the consultation fee in silver."

"When Shen Tong bestowed his blessing, they stood at a distance watching; the Immortal Envoy of the Fiery Nation called Shen Tong's name, saw no response, and then returned to the Yiguan."

Wu Luo opened his eyes and smiled, "Rescue people? Fine."

Another subordinate hurried in, "National Preceptor, the Seventh Prince of the Fiery Nation seeks an audience outside."

Wu Luo stood up, "The visitor is ill‑intentioned. Order everyone to strictly guard the gates."

"Bring the Seventh Prince into the main hall."

"Yes!"

Xiao Ze arrived at the main hall accompanied by a young Taoist disciple, scanning the surroundings.

The setting was simple, devoid of any luxury, yet it possessed the calm, solemn aura befitting a cultivator.

Wu Luo, clad in a Taoist robe, walked in slowly, "Rare guest, Seventh Prince, what brings you to visit under the stars?"

Xiao Ze clasped his hands, "I have long heard of the National Preceptor's great name and have come to pay respects."

"I have read the five‑thousand‑word Daoist Classic since childhood, often pondering its subtle principles. The National Preceptor is a transcendent master, whose Dao is profound; I dare to be bold tonight, hoping to sit with you and discuss the Dao, and listen to your insights."

Wu Luo replied, "Seventh Prince, you are too courteous; please sit and have tea."

Xiao Er drove a carriage that delivered Qing Qing and Tuan Tuan, already dressed as little Taoist boys, to a discreet spot outside a courtyard wall of the Guoshi Residence.

"Miss, be extremely careful! Qing Qing, please protect her without fail; remember, you have only one hour."

"If chaos erupts outside, you must make a swift escape."

The two nodded, and Tuan Tuan said, "Don't worry, Uncle Xiao Er!"

Qing Qing lifted Tuan Tuan, flipped onto the roof, sped silently for a moment, then floated lightly down into the back courtyard.

Tuan Tuan, unusually excited, whispered, "Qing Qing, you're amazing."

Qing Qing smiled faintly, pointing to a small door in the back courtyard, "After Shen Tong returns to the residence today, he will enter through this little door."

Tuan Tuan nodded.

Qing Qing pressed an ear to the door, listened briefly, a flash of cold light from her fingertip, and the lock emitted a soft "clack."

She gently pushed open a slit, and the two slipped inside.

Qing Qing turned and silently closed the door.

Inside was a deep passage descending downward, with dim oil lamps set into the walls at intervals, just enough to see the stone steps below.

Qing Qing took Tuan Tuan's small hand and slowly descended the stone steps.

The passage twisted, delving deep underground.

The farther down they went, the stronger the scent of medicine became.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, faint light and voices came from ahead.

Qing Qing signaled Tuan Tuan to be silent; they pressed their backs against the cold stone wall and crept toward the end of the passage.

It was a half‑closed stone door; outside lay a huge wooden crate, while bright light shone from within, accompanied by a faint low chant of sutras.

Qing Qing cautiously peered through the crack, her complexion changing instantly.

She crouched, lifted Tuan Tuan to a spot where she could see inside clearly, and signaled her to stay silent.

Tuan Tuan curiously looked inside.

Inside, the space was vast, and a massive, intricate Formation was drawn on the floor, its patterns twisted and bizarre, making anyone who gazed at it feel dizzy.

Within the Formation, five young girls sat perfectly aligned!

They all wore moon‑white Taoist robes identical to Gongsun Zhi's, with the same hair bun, and their builds were almost indistinguishable.

All the girls hung their heads, eyes tightly closed, faces pallid, like delicate yet lifeless porcelain dolls.

Their mouths moved continuously, whispering some chant.

Around the Formation stood several Daoists holding Whisks, expressionless.

On a slightly raised platform at the front, Gongsun Zhi, whom Tuan Tuan saw on the street today, sat conspicuously!

He, too, kept his eyes closed, his expression indifferent, indistinguishable from the girls.

In the dim candlelight, his face was like a silver plate, features exquisite, a tiny bright red cinnabar mole between his brows—identical to Gongsun Zhi's.

A Daoist approached her, pulled something from his sleeve, and busied himself on her face for a moment.

When the Daoist turned away, the cinnabar mole on the girl's face vanished, and her skin and features changed completely.

Tuan Tuan instantly understood everything.

Gongsun Zhi's face was never good!

These girls were merely being controlled by some method!

No wonder he didn't recognize himself, because he isn't Gongsun Zhi at all!

One of the girls in the Formation seemed fatigued, her body swaying slightly; a nearby Daoist instantly widened his eyes, stepped forward, and thrust the handle of his Whisk mercilessly at her shoulder.

The girl shivered, snapped her eyes open, her face filled with pain and terror, then strained to sit upright, daring not to move a fraction.

Tuan Tuan was angry, very angry.

These villains!

These young ladies must have been taken from somewhere; those villains did this to them for that Tou Shen!

Tuan Tuan clenched his little fist tightly and whispered, "Qing Qing! We must rescue them!"

Qing Qing nodded.

She carefully observed the interior layout, the number and positions of the Daoists, and the girls' conditions, rapidly calculating in her mind.

A head‑on charge was impossible; the two of them, with so many obviously compromised children, could not possibly break out of this place.

They must devise another plan.

A somewhat hurried footstep sound came from above the corridor they had descended.

Qing Qing's face changed; she immediately grabbed Tuan Tuan, darted behind the wooden crate, and held her breath.

A Daoist hurried down the corridor, went straight into the stone gate, and reported to a Daoist inside.

"Senior brother, something's not right outside. For some unknown reason, a disturbance has broken out nearby, already alerting the city patrol."

The Daoist frowned: "The National Preceptor is currently meeting with the Prince of Lie Kingdom and has no time to spare."

"Pass the order: tighten security, especially here—no leaks allowed! For the Divine Child Manifest Holy Ceremony, we must not fail at the last moment!"

"Yes!"

The Daoist received the order and hurried away.

Tuan Tuan and Qing Qing exchanged a glance.

The brothers have already begun!

Time is running out!

Tuan Tuan looked around anxiously; suddenly, her gaze fell on the flickering yellow oil lamps, then she glanced at the wooden crate where she was hiding.

She leaned close to Qing Qing's ear and quickly voiced her idea.

Qing Qing looked at her and slowly nodded.

In the main hall, Wu Luo was listening to a subordinate's hurried report about the chaos in the streets.

He smiled at Xiao Ze: "It seems the Seventh Prince came prepared."

Xiao Ze feigned confusion: "What do you mean, National Preceptor? I don't understand—could it be that Tianqi Cheng has always been peaceful, never experiencing the slightest turmoil?"

"Your kingdom is indeed well-governed!"

Wu Luo chuckled: "With me here, Tianqi Cheng cannot fall into chaos."

Xiao Ze sighed: "The National Preceptor truly is a person of great ability!"

He looked earnest: "I wonder if the National Preceptor would be willing to come to my Lie Kingdom to transmit the scriptures and guide the Dao?"

Wu Luo was taken aback upon hearing that.

Xiao Ze's face flushed slightly; "Tuan Tuan, have you come out? I'm starting to talk nonsense."

You must be safe at all costs.