The two sides fought in every street and even on rooftops.
The Zhao family ancestor rushed out from his hiding place to join the battle, and it is said that he killed six enemies that day, one of whom was a renowned and powerful figure.
Upon hearing He Xiao's story, Zhao Zhilan secretly vowed in her heart, "I am a descendant of the Zhao family, and I should also achieve great things like my ancestors!"
The town was heavily guarded, but He Xiao only spoke a few words to the guard leader before the guards let them pass.
Walking into the market square in the center of town, Zhao Zhilan saw a simple inn with cobblestone walls, broken windows, and a crack in half of the room, but it had been repaired.
A wooden sign hangs above the door, but the writing is no longer legible.
They dismounted by the stables in the corner of the inn, and a waiter-like figure quickly came forward to invite them to sit down.
They ordered a few side dishes and were eating when Zhao Zhilan suddenly noticed a customer behaving strangely.
The man sat alone in the corner, remaining vigilant. Even while eating, his left hand remained on a package, seemingly containing something very important.
"What are you looking at?" He Xiao asked her. "Staring at others will cause unnecessary trouble!"
"Did you notice that person?" Zhao Zhilan asked. "He...he's from my Zhao family!"
"With just his weapon?" He Xiao asked her.
Zhao Zhilan turned her head; he had already noticed, but he remained calm.
"If you want to become a disciple of Xuanhua Palace, you must not make yourself too conspicuous!" He Xiao continued, "Observe with your eyes and listen with your ears, but don't show too much! Be as still as a shadow and as still as water."
He told her.
"I understand!" Zhao Zhilan said softly.
Although she said that, Zhao Zhilan would always sneak glances at him.
Why are members of the royal Zhao family here? And what are they holding?
This town is the only way to Jidong. What is he going to do there?
The man quickly finished his food, then left some loose silver coins behind before getting up and leaving.
"Mr. He, he's leaving!" Zhao Zhilan said anxiously.
"Don't worry, it can't escape!" He Xiao laughed, then ate the side dishes in front of him and ordered a pot of fine wine.
If you wish to become a disciple of Xuanhua Palace, you must not be impatient.
He Xiao's teachings echoed in Zhao Zhilan's mind, so she forced herself to calm down.
He Xiao ate his meal as if nothing had happened, then led Zhao Zhilan to stay at the inn, and did not take any action until nightfall.
Although Zhao Zhilan was puzzled, she could only obey and obediently went to sleep.
In the middle of the night, Zhao Zhilan woke up from a light sleep and found that the window had been opened and moonlight was streaming into the room.
Upon closer inspection, there was a note that had been thrown at me on the blanket.
[Your Highness, please leave through the window without making a sound!]
Was it left by He Xiao? Zhao Zhilan couldn't help but wonder.
So she dressed herself in a straw raincoat alone in the room and then went to the window.
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Zhilan encouraged herself, "You can do it. You are a descendant of the Zhao family, the daughter of Jinlong!"
I climbed over the window and onto the roof of the inn.
The night wind howled, causing Zhao Zhilan to instinctively hug herself.
Adjust your breathing, step on the tiles, maintain your balance, and move forward slowly.
Not far away, a one-eared black tomcat arched its back and hissed at her.
"Quiet as a shadow, she told herself, light as a feather."
Listen to your heartbeat, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.
There were marks left by He Xiao along the way. After walking for about half an hour, she finally arrived at her destination.
That's the Beidi Temple in the town.
He climbed down the wall, where He Xiao had been waiting for a long time.
"Not bad!" praised the Venerable Master of Xuanhua Palace.
"Have they caught the person?" Zhao Zhilan asked him.
“It’s inside!” He Xiao told her. “As for what you want to know, you’ll have to ask yourself!”
Zhao Zhilan immediately understood; this was a test for her.
Disciples of the Xuanhua Palace Ancient School primarily perform tasks such as strategizing, assassination, and gathering enemy intelligence for their employers.
They firmly believed that intelligence was far more valuable than gold and jewels.
Climb walls, slide into secret rooms, read and write languages, and you'll find intelligence, letters, ledgers, or charts.
These are all essential skills for disciples of ancient schools.
Interrogation is clearly of paramount importance!
Because of certain important information, most people in power are afraid of leaking it, so they choose to use coded text and oral statements.
After taking a deep breath, Zhao Zhilan slowly entered the Beidi Temple.
She wasn't interested in observing the other furnishings in the room, but instead focused her attention on the man who had been knocked unconscious.
"You can do it, Zhao Zhilan, you can do it!" she encouraged herself, then shook the man awake...
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