Chapter 973

"It should be evenly matched!"

The Three Divine Monks and Cao Zhengchun all have lethal moves and secret techniques.

Before I see them act, I don't know if my intelligence is accurate.

764 Make me face public execution?

The three publicly known Divine Monks are evenly matched with Cao Zhengchun.

Cao Zhengchun is also a match for Zhou Zhiruo.

Even if our ancestral master Guo Xiang were here, it's uncertain whether all four together could take on Yunzhou Shaolin.

Especially now that the Mount Emei ancestral master is missing and Zhou Zhiruo herself seems injured.

Master Miejue thought of this and couldn't help frowning and shaking her head, repeatedly saying, "Difficult, difficult."

Hearing Shangguan Haitang's introduction, Zhou Zhiruo realized it was nearly impossible to forcibly take the Heavenly Fragrance Bean.

But since they had come here, they absolutely had to spare no effort to obtain the Heavenly Fragrance Bean.

Otherwise, how would they return to Jiuzhou, and how would they report to the Great Ming's young Emperor?

After thinking it over, Zhou Zhiruo suddenly had an idea and apologized to Master Miejue and Seeing Gu Hongzi.

She pulled Shangguan Haitang aside and asked,

"Haitang, would you be willing to help us take the Heavenly Fragrance Bean?"

Shangguan Haitang looked troubled and said,

"Zhou Zhiruo, I don't know why you absolutely need the Heavenly Fragrance Bean—it's also very important to me."

"Huh?"

Zhou Zhiruo was greatly surprised—shouldn't Shangguan Haitang not be from Jiuzhou?

"It's like this."

Shangguan Haitang briefly explained,

"On the surface, I'm the lord of the First Manor under Heaven, but I have another identity."

That other identity is too secret and important for me to reveal."

I'll only say that someone who greatly helped me needs the Heavenly Fragrance Bean."

"I see…"

Zhou Zhiruo felt deeply disappointed and was about to return and think of another plan when

Shangguan Haitang spoke again,

"But don't worry, Zhou Zhiruo—only one Heavenly Fragrance Bean is needed by that person."

Though this one at Yunzhou Shaolin is important, I don't think he absolutely must have it."

If you want it, I won't lay claim to it."

"Thank you very much."

Zhou Zhiruo nodded.

But Shangguan Haitang knew the Heavenly Fragrance Bean at Yunzhou Shaolin didn't truly belong to her or Zhu Tie Dan.

It might seem as if her not competing was giving Zhou Zhiruo face.

But it fell far short of repaying the bond Zhou Zhiruo forged by saving her and Benefactor Guihai in the mountain pass battle.

Moreover, Shangguan Haitang was a person who valued bonds deeply.

She added at once,

"No need to thank me yet—you called me over because you have something in mind."

Have you thought of a way to get that Heavenly Fragrance Bean from Yunzhou Shaolin?"

Zhou Zhiruo saw her meaning and didn't pretend, speaking directly,

"Exactly! The method isn't difficult at all."

Just find a public excuse to enter Yunzhou Shaolin."

Then divert most of their attention elsewhere."

My master and I can slip in and take it during the chaos, won't we?"

"That's exactly what I once thought."

Shangguan Haitang smiled—among the Four Secret Agents, she wasn't known for martial skill, but for strategy and intelligence.

"But after much thought, I couldn't think of any way to make Yunzhou Shaolin take serious notice."

Indeed, according to Shangguan Haitang, Yunzhou Shaolin's strength and depth were immense.

Ordinary matters probably wouldn't even draw their attention.

As she spoke, Shangguan Haitang noticed Zhou Zhiruo's gaze and suddenly understood,

"Ah? You mean?"

Hearing her realization, Zhou Zhiruo nodded sheepishly.

"No, no way!"

Shangguan Haitang immediately refused firmly.

"Though Guihai Yidao and I aren't blood-related, we're as close as brothers—how could I…"

"How could you what?"

At that moment, Benefactor Guihai appeared from the back courtyard.

Hearing Shangguan Haitang say that, he asked aloud.

At this moment, Benefactor Guihai's demonic aura and killing intent had vanished completely.

He was a completely different person from the one on the desolate mountain.

"Ah? Yidao, you're alright!"

Shangguan Haitang saw Benefactor Guihai Yidao, nodded apologetically to Zhou Zhiruo, and immediately went to meet him.

"Naturally."

Guihai Yidao also walked forward rather excitedly,

"I explained everything clearly to my mother. I've avenged the grudge.

My mother was happy for me, and chanted sutras and prayed to the Buddha for me.

Somehow, I was able to shake off the torment of the evil Qi."

"That's wonderful! Master Lu's Buddhist teachings are profound and deep — truly a blessing for you and me!"

Seeing Guihai Yidao restored to his former self, Shangguan Haitang could not say how happy she was.

"It's just…"

Guihai Yidao saw Shangguan Haitang so happy, yet still said one more thing.

"Just what?"

Shangguan Haitang asked.

"It's just that my mother said those three people were not the murderers who killed my father."

When Guihai Yidao spoke of this grudge, his face was instantly covered with a fierce, ruthless expression.

In an instant, it made him seem as if he had once again become a maddened demon.

But the very next moment, a golden Buddhist wheel lit up between his brows.

That ruthless expression vanished completely once more.

"Yidao…"

Although the change in Guihai Yidao's expression was extremely fast, Shangguan Haitang still noticed it at once.

She was about to ask, but Guihai Yidao seemed completely unaware, and merely said,

"Right! What were you just saying to Miss Zhou?

What did she ask of you, and why did you refuse?"

It turned out that before Guihai Yidao had entered the front courtyard, he had already overheard the conversation between Zhou Zhiruo and Shangguan Haitang.

As for the rest, he would not deliberately eavesdrop.

But since the words seemed to faintly mention himself, he could not help but ask.

"It's nothing…"

Shangguan Haitang's heart skipped a beat, and she prepared to change the subject.

But what kind of person was Guihai Yidao — he caught on in an instant.