Chapter 86 Suddenly, as if by magic, a swift stroke of the sword sealed his throat.

But there are no ghosts or monsters here.

Not to mention ghosts and monsters, there won't even be any other immortals.

Because this is the territory of the Heavenly Lord.

Unsure of what was before him or what its purpose was, Young Master Chu narrowed his eyes slightly before quickly adopting a composed expression.

He raised his hand in a gesture of respect and said, "May I ask what advice you may have for me?"

The person in white was naturally Jiang Geyun.

She stood there, momentarily stunned.

She had seen this man in the dark robes before.

...It's not some wonderful or pleasing way of putting it.

I have indeed seen it.

The night she and Pei Xueyi sneaked into the Hua family, they saw someone who could manipulate the Hua family's rocks and earth, forcing them to separate. The person in front of them was that person.

She had initially thought he was some kind of guard from the Hua family, but now, judging from his entourage, he must be one of the young masters of the Hua family, perhaps even one of Hua Biezhi's older or younger brothers.

Jiang Geyun adopted a practiced, charlatan-like expression and said inscrutably, "I do have something to discuss with the Hua family."

It's not "you," but "the Hua family."

Young Master Chu had seen many people trying to curry favor with the Hua family, but this man in white...

It's similar, yet not quite.

It seems so because of their deliberately mysterious appearance, but it doesn't seem so because of their position; to act like a deity in a temple, one needs some real skill.

But is it just an illusion?

The voice of the man in white seemed somewhat familiar.

Seeing that Young Master Chu Yi remained cautiously silent, Jiang Geyun decided to take the initiative.

After all, this place is practically her home turf now, so she can be a bit more aggressive in her actions.

She said directly, "I'm here to deliver a letter for Miss Biezhi."

Upon hearing the keyword "other branch," Chu Yi Gongzi's expression stiffened. As soon as this change caught Jiang Geyun's eye, he quickly adjusted his expression, transforming from his original wariness and silence into relaxation.

He suddenly smiled and said, "So you were entrusted by my elder sister. My name is Hua Zhaojin. May I ask who you are, young lady?"

That's a question I can't answer.

Now, everyone in the world knows who "Jiang Geyun" is.

Although the main villain didn't do anything big, the news of her escaping the Eastern Palace was kept tightly under wraps, as if nothing had happened.

But she had witnessed his meticulousness and cunning more than once, and this time he might be using a feint to deceive her. Therefore, she had to be careful and not give away any clues.

Jiang Geyun turned and bowed to the statue of the Divine Lord Yuantian, saying, "I have decided to serve the Divine Lord. My secular name is no longer important."

She didn't turn around, but she could imagine Hua Zhaojin's expression.

She had fought this person before and had also observed the young master in secret. He was not good at hiding his emotions—he did not have much reverence for Yuantian Divine Lord.

Does his attitude only represent himself, a rebellious junior in the family, or does it actually reflect the overall view of the Hua family?

She didn't really believe in this deity. Putting aside everything else, the believers always talked about the deity in a very mystical way, which made her feel that if she believed in this guy, she would become like him. No way, it seemed much more reliable to believe in the immortal seniors worshipped by Xuandujian.

But the Hua family...

She remembered that even the main deity worshipped at Yunling Manor was not some "mountain god," but rather the main deity in the temple was Yuantian Shenjun.

Hua Zhaojin said, "I see. Your kindness is truly admirable."

The tone was too dry; the acting was unconvincing.

Jiang Geyun turned around, making a gesture as if to take out a letter from her bosom, and said, "I will give you the letter now..."

Hua Zhaojin stopped her, saying, "Wait!"

Jiang Geyun stopped, looked up at him, her face full of doubt.

Hua Zhaojin hurriedly explained, "I am truly grateful that you helped my sister deliver the letter from such a place. However, the letter is highly confidential. Why don't you come with me to your residence for a rest? This would also allow my Hua family to express our gratitude."

Jiang Geyun shook her head and smiled, "No need for that. I am wholeheartedly serving the God and have no intention of leaving the temple."

Hua Zhaojin insisted, "I know you are devout, and I will not let you stay long. In fact... your soul is probably not very stable?"

Jiang Geyun was not surprised.

Anyone could tell from her current complexion that something was wrong.

Seeing that she remained silent, Hua Zhaojin continued, "The letter is top secret and cannot be handed to me here. I want you to come to my residence not only to give you something from my residence that can nourish your soul, but also to prevent the letter from being damaged."

Understood.

The "last mile" problem still fell on her shoulders as the delivery person.

As for treasures that nourish the soul...

It wouldn't be a loss to go and take a look, would it?

After a moment, Jiang Geyun replied, "Then, I shall respectfully comply."

Hua Zhaojin breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Excellency, please follow me."

Jiang Geyun stopped him, reminding him, "Young Master Hua, you haven't completed the rituals for worshipping the God."

Let her teach him; he absolutely has to act the character convincingly.

Hua Zhaojin paused, a hint of reluctance showing on her face.

Considering this was his mission, and besides, he shouldn't neglect it...

He forced a smile and said, "Thank you for reminding me, I was just too impatient."

Jiang Geyun stepped aside and waited to the side, watching Hua Zhaojin awkwardly complete the ritual of worship before turning and walking to the front of the hall.

He stopped and turned to look at Jiang Geyun.

Jiang Geyun understood; it was she who had closed the door earlier.

Before Hua Zhaojin could say anything, the palace doors quietly opened.

Throughout the entire process, Jiang Geyun stood still without making any movement.

There was no power fluctuation in the hall at all. How did she manage to do that?

Hua Zhaojin gave Jiang Geyun a deep look.

"Your Excellency, please."

...

The two walked along amidst laughter and chatter. Suddenly, the servants of the Hua family in the temple slowly gathered behind them from nowhere. When Jiang Geyun glanced back unintentionally on the road, they almost startled her.

Before long, Jiang Geyun and Hua Zhaojin were standing together in front of the temple gate.

In front of him was the back view of Hua Zhaojin, and the Hua family members waiting in front of the temple. The Hua family's sedan chair was also parked to the side, decorated with ochre, and was extremely luxurious.

Behind me...

She glanced back.

Hua Zhaojin noticed that she hadn't followed, and turned around to urge her, "What is it? Is there something you're reluctant to do?"

Behind them were the servants of the Hua family, surrounding the two in a protective formation, or perhaps...

Jiang Geyun sighed.

Too hasty.

This attitude is less about taking her over to enjoy a better life and more about bringing her to their own territory, then cutting her off without leaving a trace.

At least wait until she arrives at the Hua family mansion before revealing her true colors.

Although she didn't see any treasures that could nourish the soul, or rather, she didn't even have the chance to see them, Jiang Geyun still felt a sudden pang of regret that the treasures had sprouted wings and escaped...

Seeing that she remained motionless for a long time, Hua Zhaojin's smile froze.

He said, "Sir, aren't you going to set off?"

It's so unreasonable. Why would Hua Biezhi's original family want her to escape?

Jiang Geyun said nonchalantly, "I've thought about it, and I'm used to living in the temple. I don't want to leave. Never mind."

Hua Zhaojin's face darkened completely, and he waved his hand, saying, "That's not up to you!"

Before he finished speaking, the servants who had formed a circle around him had already leaped forward!

Several sharp swords were drawn simultaneously, brightening the already dim sky considerably.

Jiang Geyun cannot use her natal fire.

It is closely related to her soul and blood, and not to mention that she can't use it now, even if she could, she would not want to use this method that is so easily located.

For a time, she could only rely on the half-baked agility she had learned from Commandant Zhao to evade.

Hua Zhaojin originally thought that this person, who looked weak and unable to use any tricks, would be taken down quickly. Unexpectedly, she looked trembling, but she actually managed to evade the crowd's encirclement.

What a bunch of idiots!

Hua Zhaojin gave the others a wink.

The crowd understood, and soon the people besieging Jiang Geyun changed their attack strategy, shifting from capturing her to blocking her escape route, gradually restricting her path.

Until—she was forced outside the temple gate.

Almost the instant she staggered out of the temple gate, the previously hesitant and timid attack became much more deadly!

While she could hide in the temple, things were different now. After a few moves, she was pinned down by the two men and couldn't move.

Hua Zhaojin breathed a sigh of relief, a smug look in his eyes, and walked up to Jiang Geyun, saying, "Your skill is truly remarkable."

He started spouting trash right away; he has no manners.

Jiang Geyun didn't answer. Although she was being held captive, she wasn't too panicked. She only showed some confusion and asked, "Young Master Hua, why is this?"

Hua Zhaojin said, "Fine, let you die knowing the truth. Hua Biezhi has already been offered to the mountain god, yet her spirit lingers. We already suspected that she wasn't devout enough, which caused our Hua family..."

Seeing Jiang Geyun's curious expression, as if she didn't take the predicament in front of her seriously at all, he stopped with a gloomy face and forced a smile.

Jiang Geyun's expression remained unchanged.

Judging from the flower branch, the Hua family members are quite good-looking. It's a pity that the person in front of him has poor acting skills and doesn't know how to use his face.

Hua Zhaojin said, "I initially thought she was sending a letter to plan for my Hua family, but I didn't expect it to be such a provocation! And it's not over yet!"

Jiang Geyun didn't quite understand what he meant.

What does "never-ending" mean?

Didn't she send the letter more than once?

Although she had considered having Pei Xueyi deliver it for her, she ultimately decided against it. When Pei Xueyi asked, "What's wrong?" she shook her head and said, "Nothing," brushing it off.

Hua Biezhi said there was no time limit, so she figured she might as well see it through to the end.

Little did I know that this would lead me to my death.

That's awful, the Hua family.

Seeing that Jiang Geyun not only showed no panic but also seemed somewhat lost in thought, Hua Zhaojin angrily looked at the two servants restraining her and said, "What are you waiting for?!"

The attendant neither raised any questions nor hesitated.

With a swift movement, the blade fell, sealing the throat in a single stroke.

His restrained body instantly collapsed to the ground.

...

...

For some reason, not a single drop of blood flowed out.

The knife must be too sharp; soon there will be blood everywhere again.

He doesn't need to worry about that; the servants will take care of it.

Hua Zhaojin snorted coldly, her mood finally improving. She stopped looking at the "corpse" on the ground and strode towards the Hua family's sedan chair.

The next moment, the servants suddenly cried out in surprise!

Hua Zhaojin frowned, turned around with displeasure, and said, "What are you shouting for..."

He was stunned as soon as he said it.

The "corpse" on the ground vanished into thin air, as if it had never existed.

The evening bell tolled, startling a flock of birds, their wings fluttering as they flew by.

A voice, tinged with laughter, drifted from the temple—

"Young Master Hua, you and your sister are still separated by clouds and mud."

—Young Master Hua, your acting skills are not as good as your sister's.

Hua Zhaojin was filled with shock and anger, and stared at the temple with resentment.

She's still in the temple?!

When did she realize it?!

*

Inside the temple, but I don't know where.

Jiang Geyun touched her neck.

It was satisfying to mock them, but looking back... I still feel a little scared.

Fortunately, her current situation is special, and she is being extremely cautious. From the very beginning, she has never used her true form to meet Hua Zhaojin.

If you've seen her in person and then see the fake version, you might notice the difference. But if you've never seen her in person, how can you possibly sense anything amiss?

No matter how angry Hua Zhaojin was, he couldn't go back to the temple to hunt her down at this moment.

He didn't know her whereabouts from the beginning, and had no right to search the temple, so he couldn't do anything to her. Besides, she now knew his purpose and would definitely not be tricked into going outside the temple again.

One thing at a time, the believers are strange, but this place is a good place.

but……

Jiang Geyun took out the intact letter from her bosom.

Hua Zhaojin acted as if she already knew the contents of the letter, calling it "mockery," but she, as the messenger, knew very well that she had never entrusted the letter to anyone else. What exactly was Hua Zhaojin's attitude?

...At a time like this, what's the point of being polite!

Hua Biezhi plotted against her first, so there was absolutely no need for her to send the letter!

Jiang Geyun steeled her resolve and tore open the letter in her hand.

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Author's note: Heng will reappear in the next chapter. Adults who want to see the romance don't need to worry~ I will continue to update tomorrow if I feel good. If I am too tired from work and have menstrual cramps, I will take a day off.

Also: A small detail: the color of Yun's clothes is closely related to her identity. She usually wears white, which is versatile and effortless. When she is working, she wears the Night Watcher uniform, and when she is working incognito, she wears light blue (a class-style uniform, but not entirely class-style).