Chapter 987: Parting on Bad Terms

It really had thought that way at the time! It was just that, well, it hadn't been passively "agreeing," but actively "entrusting" He Lingchuan to retrieve the immortal slough. It was the client, heh heh.

"When he summoned me over, I discovered the Xushan Great Array had already been broken. Since I was already there and had retrieved the slough, what reason did I have not to run for my life, right?"

Yu Zecheng sneered. This spider demon had gained an advantage and was still acting coy, claiming it was stuck on a pirate ship it couldn't get off of? It was worthy of being a great demon that had lived for thousands of years; its skin was thicker than a city wall.

He did not know that Zhu Xiuer was truthfully describing her own mindset, except that "retrieving the slough" was the request she had put to He Lingchuan, which was full of subjective initiative.

He Lingchuan cut in: "Then you can at least provide some clues, right?"

"Clues? Hmm—" Zhu Xiuer thought about it seriously, "I was only awakened after the spider slough was activated, so I don't know what he did before that; but this person's cultivation was very strong. In the subsequent actions, Zuju was quite... respectful to him. He told Zuju to smash the Star-Plucking Tower, and Zuju smashed the Star-Plucking Tower. He told Zuju to send us out of the Xushan territory, and Zuju sent us out."

It added: "Oh right, in the process of evading the pursuit of the Qingyang State Preceptor and the Hundred Battles Heaven, he used primordial power, quite pure primordial power!"

It emphasized the last sentence, but Yu Zecheng's expression remained calm, not surprised in the slightest.

Although he was not at the scene of the chase that day and had no right to review the Qingyang State Preceptor's testimony afterward, he had heard rumors of the officialdom earthquake that subsequently erupted in Lingxu City while he was at the front lines.

That had been quite a bloody affair, and the reason was that the person who snatched the Heavenly Palace treasure possessed primordial power, and quite pure primordial power at that.

That could only be the high-ranking officials and generals of Lingxu City! He subconsciously glanced at He Lingchuan. That's right, if it involved primordial power, Zhu Xiuer's companion could not possibly be this Chiyan Special Envoy.

"What kind of weapon did that person use?"

"A saber and water-splitting daggers."

Both were common weapons; Yu Zecheng and his guards both wore sabers at their waists.

He Lingchuan interjected: "What about his build and age?"

"Build—" Zhu Xiuer looked him up and down viciously, "About the same as you, I couldn't tell his age."

This kid was getting into character, wasn't he? Starting to cross-examine it?

He Lingchuan chuckled dryly: "That's not something to say."

Xiuer was angry now.

Yu Zecheng: "You didn't see who took the Heavenly Palace secret treasure?"

"I saw with my own eyes the shrine of the Star-Plucking Tower fall into the magma." Not only did she see it, she had even used spider silk to pull the shrine into the magma, "After that, I didn't see it again."

So whether the Heavenly Palace secret treasure was taken by Zuju or the "mysterious person," she couldn't be sure since she hadn't seen it with her own eyes.

This was the truth, the absolute truth.

The spider demon sisters had reviewed this battle afterward and were also very curious about the final whereabouts of that treasure.

Of course, they believed the treasure had ended up in He Lingchuan's hands. This kid was as cunning as a ghost; why would he do something without any benefit?

"So you're saying you can't provide any useful clues?" Yu Zecheng summarized, "Zhu Xiuer, opportunities are rare; I advise you to think about it carefully again."

"Otherwise what?" Zhu Xiuer said in a rough voice, "For over a year, I have often recalled the battle at that time, and this is all I can provide. That person had prepared for a long time and planned meticulously; how could he reveal any flaws to me?"

In any case, it insisted on the three words "I don't know."

The one surnamed Yu was still trying to feed it empty promises, saying he could wipe away its crimes and make it a lord? Bah, a mere Captain daring to make such grand claims? Was the second place on the Heavenly Ranking a joke? Did he really think this old lady could have survived until now by eating empty promises? Zhu Xiuer thought very clearly: the slough had been snatched by Beijia, and taking it back was not unreasonable, but was Beijia really a reasonable master? The act of wreaking havoc in the Heavenly Palace was essentially rubbing the other party's face into the dirt repeatedly. He Lingchuan and it, this pair of number one and number two, would inevitably have to bear the wrath of the Heavenly God and the Demon Emperor; neither could run! Unless they couldn't do anything to you, like the naturally rebellious Zuju.

"Oh right, there were so many eyes from your Heavenly Palace watching at the time, and Zuju was also at the scene. Didn't it submit to the Heavenly Palace again afterward? Why didn't it give you any clues?"

"..."

Yu Zecheng himself had been fighting at the front lines and had not personally experienced the Heavenly Palace incident, let alone known how Lingxu City, the Heavenly Palace, and Zuju had negotiated.

But he understood that if the clues Zuju had provided were useful, would Beijia still be pursuing Zhu Xiuer so painstakingly? If even Zuju couldn't provide useful clues, it meant the person behind the scenes was exceptionally cautious. Was it strange that Zhu Xiuer hadn't seen his true face?

Zhu Xiuer immediately said: "Obviously he is a big shot in your Lingxu City. You should look within yourselves; what is the use of finding me?"

"If you stay here, you will only make things difficult for Island Master He." Yu Zecheng raised an eyebrow, "Come back to Beijia with me; I guarantee your life will be safe."

Zhu Xiuer laughed loudly: "Do you want to hear what you are saying yourself? You can't even fool a three-year-old with those words."

"That's all I have to say. If you want to find trouble with me, come and try, and see if you can escape my net of heaven and earth this time!" After speaking, it turned and left.

"Xiuer, Xiuer, stay!" No matter how He Lingchuan shouted, it did not look back.

Yu Zecheng pressed his hand on his saber hilt, his gaze flickering, appearing hesitant and indecisive.

The Soul-Absorbing Mirror in He Lingchuan's bosom said: "Oh? This guy wants to make a move? Be careful, he might lash out."

Qiu Hu also sensed danger, stepped forward, and stood between Yu Zecheng and He Lingchuan.

Seeing this, Yu Zecheng ultimately did not draw his saber, nor did he call for a halt.

A large ship was docked at the shore. Zhu Xiuer boarded it, and the ship left the shore and headed into deep water.

The meeting mission was complete; it was returning to Pansi Island.

He Lingchuan sighed, looking at Yu Zecheng with a helpless expression: "Mr. Yu, what should be done about this?"

Yu Zecheng was expressionless, his gaze shifting from the large ship Zhu Xiuer was riding to He Lingchuan, and then to Qiu Hu, who was glaring at him: "Since Zhu Xiuer refuses to consider things for you, this matter has returned to square one."

"There are many demons and refugees staying here, all of whom came to escape the world, and they have received my promise. If I were to expel Zhu Xiuer, how would the others view me?" He Lingchuan smiled bitterly, "Mr. Yu, without trust, a person cannot stand."

For those in power, keeping one's word is paramount.

Yu Zecheng certainly knew this. His eyes flickered twice, but he did not press the issue, instead saying: "It seems I may have to impose on you for a few more days."

Since Zhu Xiuer was here, he would stay and not leave.

"Oh? You are most welcome." He Lingchuan smiled, "However, I still have matters to attend to. I will come to find Mr. Yu for a drink this evening."

He certainly knew that Yu Zecheng was not staying for a vacation or sightseeing.

From now on, he would have to face every move the other party made head-on.

(End of chapter)