Chapter 244

Inside the cozy tent, Renle was dozing off out of boredom.

There was a slight noise outside, and a man in black appeared in her tent without being announced.

Renle didn't even look up: "So, is everything normal at their home?"

"Your Highness, everything is normal! They buried the bodies they brought back without holding a funeral; it was a simple burial."

"Hmm...that's good. Keep a close eye on them. We haven't found Gu Zhongtai yet, so we absolutely cannot let these people escape."

"yes!"

The man in black bowed his head and responded, then took out a letter from his pocket.

"Your Highness, it seems the court has sent agents from the Dark Pavilion, who should arrive in the next couple of days."

"The Dark Pavilion?"

Renle wrinkled his nose in disgust: "It's those domestic dogs again. What's their purpose here?"

"Your Highness, the matter has not yet been clarified. The Dark Pavilion is directly under His Majesty's control. I am incompetent and have failed to find out the truth."

Renle opened her eyes and sat up: "Go and find out. Father Emperor suddenly sent the Secret Service here. There must be something going on. I don't like secrets."

"yes!"

Outside the tent, a bird took flight in response to the call.

...

As the sun gave way to night, and everyone's destinations were arranged, only Fan Xiaoxiao, Master Lu, and Xiao Hei, who was hiding in the shadows, remained in the courtyard.

With so many people suddenly gone, the house suddenly felt deserted.

Fan Xiaoxiao lay quietly on the second floor, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

This is not a long-term solution; they are in too much of a passive position. Now, due to the sudden influx of refugees, the brewing business has also been forced to stop. Moreover, with official channels blocked, she has no way to contact Ji Yushu at all.

"The biggest obstacle... is Renle..."

Fan Xiaoxiao muttered to herself, whether it was the current threat or contacting the outside world.

She was a stumbling block to their activities, and there was also a secret agent who was eyeing her covetously.

"We need to get rid of her as soon as possible..."

Fan Xiaoxiao exhaled a breathy sound, closed her eyes, and was about to go to sleep. Just then, she heard a rustling sound outside.

She suddenly opened her eyes and sat up with a swift movement.

The sound was coming from behind the house.

Fan Xiaoxiao slowed down and went downstairs. When she got to the living room, Master Lu had already gotten up.

The two women exchanged a glance and walked toward the kitchen. A dark figure with his back to them was rummaging through the kitchen for any leftover food.

'Grab him.'

Fan Xiaoxiao made a gesture towards Master Lu, but the dark figure seemed to have already noticed their movements.

He paused for a moment, then suddenly burst out of the window and escaped.

Fan Xiaoxiao disregarded everything else and shouted, "Xiao Hei! Grab him!!!"

...

"It was you..."

The dim oil lamp illuminated the small kitchen. Fan Xiaoxiao squatted down, looking at the person in front of her who was tied up, her eyebrows raised high.

“Sangyuer…”

The person on the ground had severe frostbite on their face, and their hands were swollen from the cold. They were clearly starving and freezing, and had no choice but to sneak into the Fan family's house.

But he was too unlucky; he was caught red-handed by Fan Xiaoxiao as soon as he came in.

"Lady Xiao? Ah, hahahaha, I was so hungry that I didn't notice I came in. There was some trouble at the sect before, and I fell off a cliff... I only managed to get out today... and my hand is broken too. That's why I couldn't sneak in to find something to eat. I didn't expect to end up in your house, Lady Xiao..."

Sang Yu'er's left arm hung limply at his sides; it had to be said he knew how to make himself appear extremely vulnerable. If Xiahou hadn't already said that Sang Yu'er was behind the Heavenly Venerable's affair, Fan Xiaoxiao would probably still feel like she'd been kept in the dark.

"My lady, please help me contact my elder sister... She must be terribly worried about me since I've been missing for so long."

Fan Xiaoxiao looked at Sang Yuer, who looked somewhat pitiful, but didn't respond to him. After tilting her head, she spoke.

"Young Master Sang... I remember you don't seem to know martial arts. It must be very cold in the mountains on a snowy day?"

Sang Yu'er's face darkened, and the vulnerability she had just shown vanished completely. In its place was a terrifying, sinister aura.

"It seems you've met Xiahou."

"Crackling"

The ropes binding Sang Yuer snapped with a snap, and he clenched his fists into claws, lunging straight at Fan Xiaoxiao's face. The attack was sudden; no one expected him to break free and spring into action.

Fortunately, Xiao Hei was prepared for this and subdued Sang Yuer before she could make a move.

The injured Sang Yuer was no match for Xiao Hei. He raised his head, and this time he was not only bound tightly with ropes, but also had Lu Ye's special iron chains added to his body.

"Let me go!"

The chains rattled, but Fan Xiaoxiao ignored them, squatted down, grabbed his collar, and asked him directly.

"Young Master Sang, do you know Sun Jingde?"

Upon hearing the name, Sang Yuer's body stiffened instinctively.

"What? I've never heard of this person you're talking about."

His words were so resolute that if Fan Xiaoxiao hadn't hesitated for a moment, she might have actually believed him.

"Stop pretending! Your tattoos show that you and he belong to the same organization! What exactly are your goals?!"

Fan Xiaoxiao raised her voice slightly and sprinkled the illusion powder given to her by the Ghost Doctor onto Sang Yuer's face.

This powder is colorless and odorless, but those who are poisoned with it will experience mental confusion, making it very suitable for torture.

As expected, after being hit, Sang Yuer's eyes gradually became unfocused.

His speech gradually became somewhat sluggish and slow: "You actually know about our organization... But... why should I... tell you what the mission is......"

Fan Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes as she tried to elicit information; she was, of course, just trying to get the information out of him. She had no idea what the tattoo actually meant.

However, the word "mission" reminded her, and Fan Xiaoxiao slowly curled the corners of her mouth: "Even if you don't say it, I know... It's just for—the treasure map and a pair of walnuts with something hidden inside, right?"

"How...how did you know?"

Sang Yu'er had been starving for several days and had fallen into Fan Xiaoxiao's trap. His voice was somewhat slurred, but he subconsciously clenched his chest.

Fan Xiaoxiao's smile widened—oh, so this is where the treasure was hidden...

After a while, two thin sheets of parchment landed in Fan Xiaoxiao's hands.

Xiao Hei stared at the object, his eyes wide with disbelief. Wasn't this a treasure map?! Wasn't this what the master wanted?!

They got it so easily!?

Fan Xiaoxiao wasn't surprised at all; she let out a cold laugh and handed the two treasure maps to Xiao Hei.

This thing doesn't mean much to her, so she doesn't care what happens to it.

"Wife, what should we do with this boy? Kill him?"

Xiao Hei packed his things and rubbed his hands together, eager to rush towards Sang Yuer. Fan Xiaoxiao reached out and stopped him. Looking at Sang Yuer's face, a plan popped into her mind.

"Wait a minute, he's still somewhat useful. Heh, at least—"

“Our Princess Renle is also searching for him desperately.”

(End of this chapter)