Pei Chuyun and Anu were already waiting around the corner. Seeing Lu Xingzhou emerge unharmed, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

Pei Chuyun playfully chided, “You’re truly thick-skinned, after all the worry we went through for you.”

“The Huo family isn’t a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair,” Lu Xingzhou said, bending down to pick up Anu. He smiled, “Are you done fighting?”

“We barely fought,” Pei Chuyun grumbled, refusing to admit she had fought to a standstill with that brat. It was absurd; what was that stinky brat made of? Her soft, squishy fists were as hard as iron.

“Have you eaten?”

“We ate at a restaurant next to the Huo family estate,” Anu replied, “Seeing Shifu come out smiling, unable to hide his grin, did something good happen at the Huo family?”

“Yes, I got a definite confirmation, and then unexpectedly received some unlooked-for news, heh.” Lu Xingzhou carried Anu all the way back to the cave dwelling. “Let’s go back and discuss it.”

Pei Chuyun trotted alongside them, “Discuss it with me?”

Anu glanced at her. Lu Xingzhou often discussed matters with Anu, but as for this little maid… she didn’t seem very bright; what was there to discuss?

Never mind, it seemed Shifu was willing to discuss it with her this time, judging by her smug look.

“You mean, the Emperor is already in Beijiang, colluding with a powerful demon expert to scheme against the Demon Empress?” After hearing Lu Xingzhou’s brief explanation back in the cave dwelling, Pei Chuyun’s expression was quite astonished. “What does that have to do with us? What’s there to discuss?”

Anu chuckled. So what use was discussing it with her? Anu already knew what Shifu was thinking.

“Shifu, are you thinking of warning Sister Long?”

Lu Xingzhou shook his head slightly, “Not really. As much as I dislike Gu Zhanting, I can’t be a human traitor at a time like this.”

Anu, who had guessed wrong, felt embarrassed. “Sister Long will be sad if she finds out.”

“…I never had much to do with her in the first place, did I? We were her captives at the time, remember? Captives. If I don’t help her, what sadness is there for her?”

“Then why did you use a voice transmission to tell her to leave at the end?”

“Always leave a line of retreat,” Lu Xingzhou sighed. “She wasn’t bad to us, after all, right?”

Anu shot him a sidelong glance, then said nothing. Whether she was bad or not depended on how sweet we were. If it had been someone who couldn’t handle things, they would have been flattened long ago. But now Anu suspected that even being sweet-mouthed wouldn’t work. If Sister Long caught Shifu, she probably had pig-bristle brushes ready…

Lu Xingzhou looked at Pei Chuyun’s increasingly dangerous expression and adopted a defensive posture.

Pei Chuyun chuckled, “Alright, it’s an unrelated matter. That’s the Demon Empress.”

Actually, Pei Chuyun didn’t really think so, but for now, it was best to discuss serious matters and avoid pointless jealousy. They could talk about that later.

“It’s best if you think that way,” Lu Xingzhou breathed a sigh of relief. “What I’m really thinking is, the Demon Empress has deployed troops in Beijiang, yet there’s been no movement for so many days. It’s said she’s observing what Tianyao Holy Land will do… Do you think it’s possible that the Demon Empress actually detected something amiss and is thus hesitant?”

Pei Chuyun said, “That possibility is quite high. After all, demons’ intuition is often very strong, and the Demon Empress has cultivated to this level. Even if she has no information sources whatsoever, she might still feel a sense of alert, sense that something isn’t right, and so hold her troops back.”

“Hmm, though the Demon Empress is proud, to unify the unruly tribes of the Demon Realm, she can’t rely solely on brute force. Besides, it’s not as if she completely lacks information sources… she has Chen Yu under her command.” Lu Xingzhou said, “What we can’t confirm now is how much Chen Yu knows… If Chen Yu told Long Qinghuang that many officials of the Great Qian are demons, what would Long Qinghuang deduce from that?”

Pei Chuyun narrowed her peach blossom eyes. This question was interesting; no wonder Lu Xingzhou wanted to consult someone.

If things were like this, it would be a direct front-line game between two imperial rulers, no longer something a small fry like Lu Xingzhou could intervene in. The situation was different from what everyone had initially imagined.

Would the Demon Empress directly deduce from such a situation whether someone from her own race was colluding with the Qian Emperor?

Then would this battle turn into a counter-scheme?

In that case, what Lu Xingzhou should consider was whether to warn Gu Zhanting…

Lu Xingzhou didn’t want to be a human traitor, but he clearly didn’t want to help Gu Zhanting either. How could he maximize his benefit in this situation?

Anu’s eyes went wide. She had thought only she could help Shifu with discussions, but now found she couldn’t utter a single word. What did a big-shot chess game have to do with a little glutinous rice ball like her?

“Don’t tell your Shifu about this. I don’t trust her, lest it cause further complications.” Even though there was no one else in his cave dwelling, Lu Xingzhou still lowered his voice. “As for Old Pei, you can hint to him to prepare for the possibility of changes in the capital.”

Pei Chuyun asked, “There will be changes in the capital?”

“I can’t be sure, but what if Gu Zhanting can’t return?”

Pei Chuyun was startled.

“He doesn’t even need to not return; he just needs to be trapped for a few days. Then rumors will spread, and the situation will be different.” Lu Xingzhou took a deep breath. “Better safe than sorry. Go prepare, and remember to do it discreetly.”

Pei Chuyun nodded, her mind no longer on romancing her lover, and quickly left.

Anu said, “Shifu really trusts Alü now.”

Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly, “A girl who would willingly let all the images she cultivated crumble just to clear my name, what is there not to trust?”

Anu pouted and said nothing. Although she didn’t get along with Alü, she also felt that this time the dead woman had it rough, so she wouldn’t speak ill of her.

“It’s inconvenient not being able to send messages remotely like Tinglan and the others,” Lu Xingzhou sighed. “I need to send a letter to Tangtang. Will you go deliver it?”

“Mm,” Anu knew it was serious business and was very earnest. “But Shifu…”

“Huh?”

“I don’t have a flying magic artifact. I usually just ride your wheelchair.”

Lu Xingzhou put a hand to his forehead, then pulled out the wheelchair.

Anu: “…”

Lu Xingzhou spread out paper and pen to write the letter, and casually asked, “I forgot to ask you, what did you get from Fang Qihao besides that Demon-Beating Whip?”

Anu said, “There’s a jade pendant that helps consolidate body-soul fusion. That’s all, just some spirit stones and pills. I kept the pills as food.”

“Wear the jade pendant properly.” Lu Xingzhou always felt that Anu might find that item useful.

Anu nodded, putting on the jade pendant.

Lu Xingzhou finished the letter and handed it to her. Anu sat in the wheelchair and rolled out the door.

Lu Xingzhou paced a few steps, feeling that there were many things that could be done, but the level of distance was too far, giving him a sense of powerlessness. Should he go see Su Yuan and ask him to inform Ye Tinglan?

But Ye Tinglan’s situation should also be quite tense. She probably had many people from the ancient realms in the sea, and couldn’t spare her attention. To put it bluntly, Ye Tinglan shouldn’t have such a strong sense of responsibility for Great Qian’s affairs. Immortal sects are detached from secular politics, and her perspective has now stretched to Tianshuang, so she shouldn’t bother too much with Great Qian.

The reason she had protected Great Qian before was mainly out of concern for the demons causing chaos among humans, but Gu Zhanting had caused her trouble repeatedly…

If he told Ye Tinglan, her strong sense of responsibility and “sacrifice for the greater good” would likely lead her to repay evil with good and save Gu Zhanting first.

But Lu Xingzhou selfishly didn’t want to see Ye Tinglan being wronged like that. Should he explain this to her clearly?

While he was pondering, his communication jade slip vibrated.

—Lu Xingzhou had left his imprint on the Tianyao Holy Land’s communication array. His divine sense was insufficient to call Ye Tinglan, but Ye Tinglan was perfectly capable of calling him.

It was truly a case of “speak of the devil, and he shall appear.” Even if it wasn’t for serious matters, being able to communicate with Ye Tinglan and hear her voice made Lu Xingzhou quite happy, so he joyfully picked up, “Madam.”

Ye Tinglan’s languid voice came from the other side, “What, I heard you went back to the Huo family today? They didn’t do anything to you, did they?”

That voice… it sounded a bit like she was bathing, leaning back in the water…

Lu Xingzhou guessed correctly. Ye Tinglan was indeed in the water, casually scrubbing her smooth body while chatting on the phone with her lover, feeling as if he were right beside her.

Lu Xingzhou was also happy to hear Ye Tinglan’s voice, “I was just thinking of you.”

Ye Tinglan spat, “Smooth talker, I don’t believe you.”

“I’m serious,” Lu Xingzhou said, “I’ve assessed some situations here, but I feel a bit powerless, and I was just thinking of you when you called me. Isn’t this a telepathic connection?”

Ye Tinglan was also quite pleased to hear this, “Of course it is.”

Lu Xingzhou roughly explained the situation. Ye Tinglan pondered for a moment, then sighed softly, “You mean, you don’t really want me to interfere.”

“Mm… Gu Zhanting harmed you like that, and you still help him. I can’t get over that. I’ve never been a good person who repays evil with good.”

“Then I won’t help.”

“Gu Zhanting is a super-grade, you don’t need to… Eh? What did you say?”

Ye Tinglan chuckled, “I said I won’t help.”

Lu Xingzhou asked, surprised, “Is this still you?”

“I have a man now, and my man doesn’t like what I do, so why should I do it?” Ye Tinglan said lazily, “Besides, this Venerable also has a temper. How many troubles has Gu Zhanting caused me these past few months? He’s just been careful and left no evidence, otherwise, I would have gone to his doorstep to make trouble for him. And help him? Didn’t you say I sometimes resemble Yuan Muyu? Well, let me show you.”

“…” Lu Xingzhou laughed, “Never mind if it’s fish or not, as long as you don’t want to help him, that’s fine.”

Ye Tinglan became alert, “You’re not thinking of helping Long Qinghuang, are you?”

“Not that far,” Lu Xingzhou said, “The struggle between two emperors is their business. We have our own stage.”

“In the capital?”

“Mm…”

“Is the National Observatory’s full support enough? If not, I’ll send more people.”

“It’s enough. You’re short-staffed over there too.”

“Alright then. As long as you stay honestly in the capital and don’t randomly run to the front lines, I’ll be relieved if your safety isn’t an issue.”

Lu Xingzhou said, “Wait, there’s one more thing…”

He then explained about the suspected ancient realm forces trying to infiltrate through marriage alliances. Ye Tinglan pondered for a long time, then replied, “I understand. I will investigate this matter, Xingzhou.”

“Hm?”

“How are you so amazing? You’ve only been in the capital for how long, and you already have so much information. Here’s a reward, mua!”

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

Why did it feel like this lady’s “mom” vibe had diminished after he left, and her feminine coquettishness had increased, playing such games? Was it because of the longing of “a day apart feels like three autumns,” or because she couldn’t actually see him, only heard his voice over the phone, so she was more uninhibited? No wonder some people could have “textual romance.”

Lu Xingzhou, having been “mua-ed” by Madam, felt his mood improve greatly. After thinking for a moment, he went to find Sheng Qingfeng. Guamei was still on the front lines, after all. When immortals fought, Guamei shouldn’t get caught in the crossfire.

P.S.: Please vote!