Chapter 173: All Are Tools

In the end, everything that happened was merely Yun Fengyun's deliberate doing.

Only then did Zhou Tian realize that his previous so-called glory was nothing but an arrangement by Yun Fengyun.

What am I? Actually, I am truly nothing.

What Yun Fengyun wants is nothing more than the military authority in Yang Ye's hands.

But he cannot retrieve it by the most direct means.

He therefore used some means, temporarily placing this military authority with Zhou Tian.

That way, he can take it back later.

When the time comes, I will be knocked back to my original state.

As it turns out, during that period I seemed to be heavily relied upon, but in reality that was not the case at all.

It is obvious that those matters have already been changing.

I am merely a pawn, or rather, a tool in Yun Fengyun's hands.

I have been used all along to deal with Prince Pingxi.

As the game becomes increasingly clear, this pawn of mine will lose its usefulness.

Everything Yun Fengyun has imposed on me is meaningless.

Putting it this way, only my own strength is true strength.

Everything else is useless, completely without benefit.

What sect, what senior sister, what emperor.

These are merely people who use me.

However, the ways in which each person uses me differ somewhat.

In these matters, their performances also differ somewhat.

Zhou Tian again thought about these things in his mind; I am fundamentally not weak, so why should I be used by them?

A flash of determination crossed Zhou Tian's eyes.

In such matters, his heart also becomes more convinced of all this.

No matter what, before him lie all possible resources to be used—namely, for him to use them, rather than let himself become used by others.

Zhou Tian endured all this and walked out of the Imperial Palace.

And after he left the Imperial Palace, his confidence returned once again.

He believes that he has already found a solution.

As for Yun Fengyun, since everything has been laid bare here, prevarication is necessary.

Moreover, on the other side, Yun Fengyue wants to use me; I still have some chips in hand, which seems just right to confront her—let's turn the tables and use her.

Thinking of these, Zhou Tian looked around and rode forward.

Soon after, Zhou Tian arrived before the Elder Princess's residence and dismounted.

"Please announce, Zhou Tian requests an audience."

Zhou Tian's words made the gatekeepers look solemn.

Although they are gatekeepers, they are actually loyal servants of Yun Fengyue.

They only obey Yun Fengyue's orders; today there was no arrangement for Zhou Tian to pay a visit.

Precisely for this reason, they now feel many worries in their hearts.

More importantly, Zhou Tian is now a person favored by the Emperor, not someone of the Elder Princess!

This point makes the gatekeepers deeply resentful.

"Please go back."

With those words, the gatekeepers are about to drive him away.

With Yun Fengyue present, no matter what official position Zhou Tian holds, it is utterly impossible for him to easily barge in here.

Precisely for this reason, they now resort to this method to deal with Zhou Tian.

"You……"

Zhou Tian is unwilling, but seeing the gatekeepers' attitude, he can only swallow his anger.

Thinking back, when Yun Fengyue had just tried to recruit me, things were not like this.

But now, there is nothing to be done.

Zhou Tian had no choice but to salute with clasped fists and turn to leave.

However, after walking a bit further, Zhou Tian brought his horse to a stop.

At the same time, he returned to the outside of the Elder Princess's residence.

Finding a spot, he employed his lightness skill, leapt over the outer wall, and lightly landed inside the Elder Princess's residence.

He is still fairly familiar with everything inside.

He proceeded straight toward Yun Fengyue's room.

Right at the door of Yun Fengyue's room, Zhou Tian raised his hand, intending to knock.

But just then, a waft of fragrance came over.

Zhou Tian was momentarily stunned; through the crack, he took in everything inside the room.

In the room stood a screen, upon which hung some splendid undergarments.

Faintly visible was a graceful figure.

At this moment, is she bathing?

Zhou Tian was again taken aback; at this time, isn't it too perfect?

No, it must be too coincidental.

Zhou Tian also didn't go to knock on the door; he just took a look at the situation inside the room, and his body moved.

Now he also had a different idea about these things.

If he could capture Yun Fengyue, then for himself it would naturally be the best.

That way, he could have such a wonderful woman, and also her forces.

These are what he most wants.

But just then, he suddenly felt a strong power shooting out from inside the room toward the outside.

Damn!

Zhou Tian was shocked in his heart, his body flashed, and he hurriedly dodged.

Some water vapor actually flew out from the crack.

Those forces, even though Zhou Tian turned his body quickly, still left several abrasions on his body.

Zhou Tian's eyebrows rose, and he was greatly shocked.

Yun Fengyue, she is actually this strong?

The door then opened, Yun Fengyue had already put on a robe and was sitting on a chair.

"Zhou Tian, what great gall!"

Yun Fengyue let out a cold, disdainful snort, her face full of contempt.

"Elder Princess, I, Zhou Tian, have come to surrender."

Zhou Tian, however, hurriedly clasped his hands and replied repeatedly.

"I have come this time solely to express my intention to surrender."

"But on the surface I am still a person of the emperor, so I must avoid people's eyes."

"Coming at this time is unavoidable."

"And it just so happened that I ran into the Elder Princess bathing; that's why this happened."

Zhou Tian hurriedly explained, if this matter couldn't be resolved, his troubles would only increase.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Yun Fengyue gave a cold snort, slightly lifted her chin, and spoke repeatedly.

Such a thing, to her, isn't important; peeping? That's nothing.

What she cares about is Zhou Tian's coming to surrender.

"You are highly valued in Yun Fengyun's place; why would you come all the way here again?"

Yun Fengyue gave a cold smile, her eyes full of solemnity, and she harbored much coldness toward this matter.

"Believe the Elder Princess knows, Yun Fengyun is merely using me."

"He is using me to deal with Prince Pingxi, nothing more."

"I am now disheartened, so I have come."

Zhou Tian didn't think much more, and hurriedly spoke.

Yun Fengyue didn't think so; Zhou Tian is just a pawn, using a pawn—what's wrong with that?

"A pawn, isn't it just for people to use?"

"Now this pawn, how does it lack self-awareness?"

"What disheartened? However, this matter isn't easily resolved."

"Disheartened, yet only empty ambition?"

"Those matters can't be settled in just a few words."

"If you don't want to be a pawn, you must have strength; without strength, there's nothing to discuss!"