Chapter 769: Maintaining the Persona

"I have shown him kindness!" Wu Xun was unable to accept Chen Guanlou's assessment for a moment.

"In the face of profit, everything can be cast aside. Don't forget, his true identity is that of a cultist. There is no such thing as kindness among cultists; they are most adept at turning hostile and killing at the slightest disagreement. I understand this better than you do.

Furthermore, they can even plant eyes within the palace, and no matter how many times it is purged, it is never clean. The late Emperor died at the hands of cultists. It is perfectly reasonable for them to plant one or two eyes by your side. No matter how great your Wu family is, can it be greater than the Imperial Palace?"

Wu Xun wiped his face. "Then tell me, what should I do?"

"Go back and contact him proactively. Tell him everything that happened in the capital, exactly as it occurred. Except for the little secret that we have joined forces. See what he says and does, then adapt accordingly. Our goals are, first, to shake off the control of the two Grandmasters. Second, to strive for everyone to reach the ancient tomb as scheduled on the fifteenth of the eighth month to obtain a fortuitous encounter. Come to think of it, the two matters are actually one."

"How do I obtain the fortuitous encounter?"

"First, you must gain Zhang Daohe's trust and continue to act as an old senior who is disrespectful to his age, self-righteous, and arrogant. Maintain your persona!"

"Insolent! How am I disrespectful to my age, self-righteous, and arrogant? You surnamed Chen, speak clearly."

"Yes, exactly like this, it's perfect. This is your persona, continue to maintain it. Whatever you do, do not suddenly appear wise and calculating."

Chen Guanlou snapped his fingers, feeling particularly satisfied.

Wu Xun was about to go mad with rage!

He was truly embarrassed and angry, yet the other party only cared about this so-called persona. He barely understood what a persona was. Is this how young people talk nowadays? All sorts of new vocabulary, yet they can express the meaning with such precision.

He wanted to roar that this wasn't a persona and that he wasn't that kind of person. But facing the other's gaze, he really couldn't say it; he inexplicably felt a sense of shame.

And so, this issue was shelved for the time being.

Taking advantage of the fact that the sky had not yet brightened, the two bid farewell and left.

Chen Guanlou returned home, washed up, changed his clothes, and headed to the Heavenly Prison.

He had just stepped into the office when breakfast was delivered.

He hadn't slept all night, but his spirit was still fine.

He remained silent, still pondering what had happened last night.

A once-in-a-century opportunity—if this were to spread, everyone in the Wu Lin would swarm here. Before finding any treasure, a batch would die first. When opening the underground palace, another batch would die.

By the time they officially entered the underground palace, at least ninety percent of the people would be dead.

Zhang Daohe is quite calculating.

Yet he deliberately concealed the most important information: once in a century!

Was he worried that too many people would affect the plan?

"Is there any news about Imperial Consort Liu in the palace?" Medical Official Mu had been keeping this matter in mind.

"Imperial Consort Liu... oh..." Chen Guanlou suddenly snapped back to reality, remembering Li Shuan's affair, his thoughts returning. "It won't be that fast. Let's wait a bit longer. Old Mu, don't worry unnecessarily; not everyone in the palace is a pervert."

"You haven't dealt with people in the palace; you don't understand the temperament of those people at all. Things you think are normal could potentially cost you your life. Back then, our Mu family... sigh, never mind... in short, many things are caused by an insignificant little matter. You must take it to heart."

"Don't worry, I've had Chen Quan take Li Shuan and keep an eye on the other party at all times. He won't have a chance to exploit any loopholes."

"That's for the best!"

Days passed peacefully, and finally, news came from the palace.

It was just one sentence: "Decide for yourself, no need to ask for instructions!"

"What does that mean?" Medical Official Mu looked bewildered. "What does Imperial Consort Liu mean? What does 'decide for yourself, no need to ask for instructions' mean?"

"It means that she has long since severed ties with the Li family, that Li Shuan's affairs should not be referred to her, and that we should not disturb her because of Li Shuan."

"Does it mean she wants to clear her name, to make a clean break?"

"Very normal! Her status now is that of a harem consort. Back when Li Dahong passed away, she had already severed ties with the Li family. You must remember, she didn't take any of the Li family's wealth, which means she has no connection to the Li family. The so-called stepmother and stepson relationship is out of the question."

Chen Guanlou made the final decision; this matter should be handled this way, and Imperial Consort Liu must not be involved. Because involving Imperial Consort Liu would make simple things complicated. Small matters would become incomparably serious.

It is better to advocate for turning big problems into small ones from the start, dissolving all potential dangers into nothingness.

"Imperial Consort Liu says it doesn't matter, but does His Majesty approve? The key to this matter lies in His Majesty's attitude."

"Wouldn't it be fine if we just didn't let His Majesty know?"

"How can it be hidden? The Imperial Prison is right next door. If you ask me, once a person is dead, everything is over. It would be better to be ruthless and cut off Li Dahong's bloodline once and for all. Li Dahong is a bastard; he secretly married the Liu woman, so he should have expected the consequences. He didn't even stop to think: as a prison guard, how could a pie fall from the sky and let him marry the beautiful Liu woman? If you covet beauty, you must bear the risks that beauty brings."

Chen Guanlou rubbed his temples. "Don't be so irritable, always talking about exterminating bloodlines."

Medical Official Mu could not hide his inner anxiety and irritability. Every time it involved the palace, he couldn't help but think in the worst direction, completely unable to alleviate it.

Chen Guanlou patted the other's shoulder and said earnestly, "Old Mu, you need a woman!"

Medical Official Mu spat unceremoniously.

"You need a woman to serve you. How about this, I'll help you arrange it, pick a sensible, affectionate, and gentle young lady from the families of convicted officials, how about that? Don't look for one too young; the young are ignorant and make a fuss all day. And not too old, the old are thick-skinned and black-hearted. Just find a mature woman in her twenties or thirties who understands everything and happens to be at an age where she knows how to care for and comfort people. With the comfort of a woman, your chaotic and panicked heart can settle down."

Chen Guanlou wore the attitude of 'we are brothers, and I am sincerely thinking for you.'

Medical Official Mu pointed at him, wanting to scold him, but couldn't.

"You don't have to be embarrassed. Given our relationship, this is all I should do. How about it?"

He looked so sincere, but Medical Official Mu was furious. "Is this a woman problem?"

"If it's not a woman problem, then it's a money problem. How much money do you need? I'll lend it to you, interest-free. Pay me back when you have money, drag it out if you don't; anyway, I definitely won't urge you."

Medical Official Mu shrugged his shoulder, shaking off his hand. "I don't need a woman, nor do I need money."

"Then that's difficult!"

"If you drive Li Shuan out of the capital or solve the person, I won't be anxious! All problems will be gone!"

Medical Official Mu did not hide his malice toward Li Shuan.

Chen Guanlou spread his hands. "Right now, there's really no rush to kill. How about we wait patiently." ===== CHAPTER 770 =====