Chapter 1785

Hong Beimo's expression showed joy, but not to the point of ecstasy; it seemed he had already received the news from Ren Tianqing before arriving.

The surprise on Qiqi's face flashed and vanished, her pretty face returning to its usual calm composure as she said lightly, "This skull, where did Mister Ren obtain it again?"

Ren Tianqing said, "I, your servant, happened to obtain it in Xichuan."

Qiqi reached out her hand.

Ren Tianqing held the skull with both hands and walked slowly to Qiqi's front, respectfully handing it over; Qiqi examined the skull; it felt extremely light in her hand, likely the same as the one she had previously obtained. However, when she gripped the skull she felt none of the previous spiritual connection. She immediately thought the skull might be fake, but then recalled Hu Xiaotian had just said there still existed a third skull in this world, so she placed the skull aside.

Qiqi's reaction somewhat exceeded Ren Tianqing and Hong Beimo's expectations; both were startled in their hearts, for logically she should have treasured it like a priceless jewel.

Qiqi said, "This skull is fake!"

Compared to Qiqi's reaction, it was this statement that made the two seasoned masters feel a pang of gloom; Ren Tianqing had painstakingly found the skull after great effort, believing it shouldn't be fake, yet Qiqi decisively declared it so.

Hong Beimo said, "Your Highness, in my humble opinion, this skull is no different from the one seen before."

Qiqi gave a hehe laugh: "If you could see through it, what use would I be?"

Hong Beimo and Ren Tianqing exchanged a glance, both expressions extremely embarrassed; actually everyone present was exceptionally clever, Hong Beimo and Ren Tianqing willingly bowed before this yellow-haired girl Qiqi, not for any other reason than her ability to read the information in the skull. Qiqi's words were correct—if they could both decipher the secrets hidden in the skull, who would still grovel before her?

Qiqi said, "Anyway it's not really a secret; showing you proof is fine." She had Ren Tianqing put the skull away, then summoned Quan De'an inside, whispering a few words to him; Quan De'an obeyed and left, returning with an extra leather sack in his hand.

Naturally, what was inside was the skull Qiqi had found in Long Ling Shengjing.

Hong Beimo saw her casually storing the skull, inwardly smiled wryly; this girl truly didn't know how to cherish it.

Qiqi took the skull, had Quan De'an leave, then lifted the skull before the two of them; the skull rested in her palm, Lan light burst forth, and Qiqi said, "Do you see? This skull resonates with me; when I wear it, symbols appear in my mind." She looked toward Hong Beimo, who understood fully—Qiqi had already passed on part of the text to him, the content being exactly the Heaven-Scanning Treasure Mirror he desired.

Qiqi said, "Now the light of this skull is gradually dimming; before long it will become dull and lifeless, just like the one Mister Ren brought."

Ren Tianqing still refused to believe it was fake, saying quietly, "But from my view, it shouldn't be fake."

Qiqi hehe laughed, "So you mean I'm deceiving you?"

"I wouldn't dare!"

Qiqi said, "If it truly recorded something, I would certainly react."

Ren Tianqing furrowed his brows tightly, half-believing, half-doubting.

Qiqi waved her hand and said, "Forget it; I thought it was something extraordinary, but it turns out Mister Ren also has moments of misjudgment."

Ren Tianqing's expression was embarrassed; Hong Beimo felt deeply disappointed, even suspecting Ren Tianqing had deliberately fabricated a fake skull to deceive him. As they were about to take their leave, Qiqi added, "By the way, let Mister Hong keep this skull for now."

Ren Tianqing's heart gave a start, inevitably raising doubts: if Qiqi said it was fake, why would she leave it with Hong Beimo?

Qiqi smiled, "Actually I want to study how the skull could be made so lifelike; but if I kept it, you'd surely suspect me of lying and deceiving you, so I'll let Mister Hong keep it temporarily—later, if I wish to examine it, I can always go to the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets to peruse it. How about it? Mister Ren, you wouldn't even distrust the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets, would you?"

Ren Tianqing secretly sighed; regardless of whether the skull was real or fake, this girl clearly intended to openly extort. Judging by the situation, it's likely eight or nine out of ten that she and Hong Beimo colluded to set a trap—this Hong Beimo is truly hateful.

Upon hearing Qiqi's words, Hong Beimo immediately understood she was using a skull to sow discord between him and Ren Tianqing—likely because their joint visit this time had aroused her vigilance. This girl has always been ambitious, valuing power greatly; he controls the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets, while Ren Tianqing's Xuantian Guan is no minor force. She evidently intends to exploit this opportunity to drive a wedge between them. If he agrees to keep the skull, it will surely arouse Ren Tianqing's suspicion that he and the Yongyang Princess have colluded to set a trap to extort the hard‑won skull from him; if he refuses, Qiqi will only grow more wary of their relationship, and who knows what malicious scheme she might devise. This Qiqi is absolutely a wolf cub—once she feels her interests infringed, she will strike at anyone without hesitation.

Recall how she could turn against Hu Xiaotian without mercy—let alone me. With this thought, Hong Beimo formed a plan and respectfully said, "Your Highness, what breadth of mind Mister Ren possesses—how could he doubt?"

Ren Tianqing clasped his fists and said, "I, your servant, would never dare doubt the Princess even a fraction; I brought this skull solely for the Princess to examine closely, with no intention of taking it back." These words were spoken with great effort.

Hong Beimo, as the clear‑sighted observer, Ren Tianqing will surely suffer a dumb loss today; regardless of the skull's authenticity, whatever choice they make, Qiqi will come out ahead.

Qiqi hehe laughed, "You two loyal subjects are truly of one heart and gall!" Though she spoke with a smile, her words carried a chilling intent.

Both Ren Tianqing and Hong Beimo are seasoned schemers; they both understand that Qiqi has become wary of their growing closeness. They originally thought she would not speak of it openly, yet she insisted on exposing the matter. Hong Beimo cannot now claim no involvement; Qiqi's aim is clearly not the skull itself. Although he has pondered carefully, he has still been caught in her grasp—had he known, he would have simply agreed outright and later explained to Ren Tianqing.

Ren Tianqing felt even more vexed—he had given the skull, yet this girl still wouldn't relent, truly treating an old man as easy prey? Though angry inside, he put on a smile and said, "Princess, you make me laugh."

The smile on Qiqi's face suddenly faded: "Do I look like I'm joking? Mister Ren, I treat you with the respect due a teacher—have I ever slighted your Xuantian Guan in the slightest?"

Ren Tianqing felt somewhat dazed by her—what on earth is wrong with this girl today? I painstakingly obtained a skull and brought it to you for appraisal; could this possibly offend you?

Hong Beimo also felt a bit confused; after all this, it seemed she was just looking for an opportunity to spite Ren Tianqing.

Ren Tianqing gave a wry smile: "I don't know what I have done to make Your Highness so furious."

Qiqi said, "You constantly call yourself 'your servant,' claiming to serve Dakang loyally, yet when I offered you an office you stubbornly refused, wandering about under the pretense of traveling the four seas—truly a dragon seen only head, never tail. If you truly wished to renounce worldly affairs, that would be fine; I would not begrudge you. However, the previous plague in Da Yong was resolved by your Xuantian Guan!"

Only then did Ren Tianqing understand what was happening; he gave a bitter smile: "Princess, allow me to explain—this was the doing of my wicked disciple Qin Yutong……"

"If the master does not consent, how could the disciple dare act thus?" Qiqi said, "You need not explain; I care not whether your Xuantian Guan saves the world and heals the people, but healing Dakang's enemies is tantamount to opposing me. This skull came from Xichuan? It seems the Xichuan affair is also connected to you."

Hong Beimo, listening on the side, secretly sighed; truly, to add a crime one needs no pretext—this little girl is sharp‑tongued and adept at twisting words, making reasoned debate with Ren Tianqing impossible. Yet Hong Beimo also welcomed this occurrence; Qiqi is no pushover, and what sort of good person is Ren Tianqing? Although he voluntarily reported the skull matter to me, who knows his true aim? Nevertheless, I must say a word: "Your Highness, Mister Ren harbors a heart full of loyal fervor—please do not wrong him."

Ren Tianqing nodded along, preparing to explain.

Unexpectedly, Qiqi sighed and said, "Actually I understand as well; forget it—I'm upset about the Xichuan matter, so you needn't say anything."

Ren Tianqing felt stifled inside—you unleash a torrent of blame, spouting blood‑filled accusations, then once you're done you call it quits; what do you understand? Just because you're in a bad mood you won't give me even a shred of face, saying you'll turn hostile and you do!

Hong Beimo gave him a look, meaning: if not now, when else to leave? The Yongyang Princess is clearly in a foul mood tonight—why bump into a wall at this moment?

Ren Tianqing could only deem himself unlucky; he glanced at the skull, but Qiqi showed no reaction at all. Having just said he would leave the item with her, he could only suppress his anger and exit together with Hong Beimo.

Just as they stepped outside, Quan De'an came running from behind, holding a leather sack; judging by its appearance, it likely contained the skull Ren Tianqing had brought. Quan De'an said, "Mister Hong, please stay; Mister Ren, please stay!"

Ren Tianqing and Hong Beimo both halted their steps.

Quan De'an handed the skull to Hong Beimo, saying, "The Princess said, please trouble Mister Hong to first take this back to the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets for safekeeping."

Hong Beimo's scalp tightened—this Qiqi really is a trap with no room for negotiation.

Quan De'an placed the skull into Hong Beimo's hands, then turned and left.

Hong Beimo wore a helpless expression and shook his head at Ren Tianqing.

Ren Tianqing wondered whether the leather sack actually contained the skull he had just brought; after all, the two skulls looked nearly identical outwardly, and he had not marked either beforehand, so telling them apart would indeed require some effort.

Hong Beimo's thoughts were different: today he had been roped into Qiqi's scheme; whether he liked it or not, he must help her settle this matter satisfactorily, otherwise who knows how this girl might further make things difficult for him? (To be continued~^~)