Chapter 751: Lady Shi’s confession? (Please give me a monthly ticket!)
There was also a strange tone from Duan Quanwu, as if he couldn't even be bothered to express his envy.
What is he envious of? Is it his good looks? He certainly can't envy that.
However, Duan Quanwu also said that he should listen to Lady Rong's words, so this is related to Lady Rong?
Could it be that Lady Rong and the others discovered his identity as the owner of the Butterfly Love Flower? Were they testing him all along?
But it doesn't seem like it.
Judging from the tone of their conversation, they deeply loathe the owner of the Butterfly Love Flower, which doesn't seem like an act, especially since it involves a mythical cauldron sword.
Go and see for yourself what Emperor Wen is all about. This kind of thing is a national treasure, something even the Empress of the Great Zhou coveted. Even if Rong Zhen could set aside her hatred and plead with everyone to save him after learning his identity, she still couldn't suppress the matter of the cauldron sword. This had to be reported, and once it was reported, the nature of the matter would change, and she would be even less able to protect Ouyang Rong.
So, this strange atmosphere isn't about the unspoken understanding between the Butterfly Love Flower Master and the Ding Sword; then what is it about that's unspoken understanding?
Ouyang Rong glanced in the direction where Granny Song had left, which was on the cliff of the North Peak behind the Buddha. He wondered where the old musician was hiding.
He murmured, "Two incense sticks..."
While everyone was silent, Ouyang Rong turned his head and looked at an incense burner not far from the stage, where several sticks of incense were emitting smoke.
During the Great Zhou Dynasty, the incense sticks usually referred to were the incense pillars in temples. The burning time of one incense stick was about half an hour, and two incense sticks would be half an hour.
Based on the estimated travel time of Granny Song... the old musician, using the special sound of the zither played by the Buddha, would arrive in about half an hour.
He only has half an hour.
After temporarily noting down the burning speed of the incense sticks inside the incense burner, Ouyang Rong's brain began to work at lightning speed.
First, the combination of Emperor Wen's true voice with sword techniques and zither music will most likely reveal his craftsmanship and expose his true identity.
Because Emperor Wen has not yet fully mastered the zither music and sword techniques, he is missing the Lotus Boat music from the "Distant Bridge, Lotus Boat, Daiyan, Pine Creek, Green Mountain, Pear Pavilion, and Sound Valley" pieces.
Therefore, this sword technique can still trigger the connection between the swordsman's Dao lineage and his own.
Ouyang Rong had experienced this kind of emotional response before:
When he first heard this sword technique and zither music while following the old musician and Rongzhen's carriage at the West Gate, he experienced it once. However, at that time, there was no one around him, and it was not played with the true voice of the Emperor Wen. Even so, it was still like this.
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips tightly.
If I had known he would ask for leave this morning just like Li Xian and Li Dalang, he wouldn't have come no matter how much Lady Rong asked. Now I'm in a bind.
However, if he can listen to the sword technique and zither music in its entirety this time, he can perfect the [Emperor Wen] sword technique and help him fully enter the seventh rank of the Red Qi realm.
But given the current situation, Ouyang Rong dared not listen to any more rumors or take any more risks.
A flash of inspiration struck him, and he immediately began to ponder: If the old musician's music were to arrive two incense sticks later, and he used the muscle control of the sorcerer's meridians to close off his auditory senses so that he could not hear the music, would he be immune to the manifestation of the sword energy pillar of [Craftsmanship]?
After thinking it over carefully, Ouyang Rong shook his head. Reason told him that this move was very risky.
Previously, the echo of the Emperor Wen's voice was enough to expose all the hidden Qi cultivators in Xingzifang. This time, using the voice emitted by the Buddha, it was even more powerful. The supernatural power of the Dingjian was already profound and mysterious. If such a trivial skill as blocking hearing was effective, then it would be far too easy. All the rebel Qi cultivators who exposed their spiritual energy cultivation pillars could simply plug their ears...
However, it's worth a try; what if it works out? But it's just a matter of hoping for the best.
At this moment, Ouyang Rong was like a drowning man grasping at a straw; something was better than nothing.
After all, if she couldn't escape the truth this time, she would have to openly reveal her identity as the owner of the Butterfly Love Flower in front of Rong Zhen, Yi Qianqiu, and the others.
Actually, being exposed was a minor matter, because he had long prepared a backup plan for his escape: the "craftsmanship" in the hands of the embroiderer was still within his sensing range; in addition, the red and black talismans he had swallowed earlier, like Li Dalang, could be used at any time to summon Tao Yuanming to possess him, fight him, or make a quick getaway.
But what happens after the disguise is exposed? How to handle the situation?
Not only will Ouyang Lianghan be hunted down and have his sword stolen by the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Imperial Observatory, but his family and clan will also be implicated and wanted by the government with a large reward. It will also seriously implicate the Xunyang Prince's Mansion and Xie Xun and his daughter.
This kind of social death is his real Achilles' heel.
But what other way is there to avoid Emperor Wen's true music?
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
At that moment, the sound of armored vehicles moving came from behind him. It was Duan Quanwu, who had temporarily stepped down from the stage. He went to greet the generals of his White Tiger Guard and whispered instructions to them.
Only Ouyang Rong, Rong Zhen, and Yi Qianqiu remained on the stage.
Yi Qianqiu's eyes, visible beneath his silver tiger-like face, remained fixed on the white mist over the Hengjiang River for a while.
With a wave of her hand, a three-pointed, double-edged sword that the eight armored soldiers below were holding flew up onto the platform with a "whoosh" as if attracted by a magnet. Then, with a dull "bang," it was caught steadily by her large hand.
The weight of this three-pointed, double-edged sword was unknown. Yi Qianqiu casually stuck it into the ground, causing the high platform, built from the discarded stones used to construct the Buddha statue, to tremble.
She said in a deep, resonant voice:
"Besides revealing the owner of the Butterfly Love Flower, the old gentleman's music should also reveal the other rebels in the Tiannan Jianghu. If they are already close to our Twin Peaks, or are lying in ambush nearby, they will definitely reveal their cultivation pillars."
"Hmph, perfect timing. I'm busy too. Let me stretch my muscles and have some fun with them."
Rong Zhen looked up at the sky and nodded slightly.
"It's not even noon yet, so everyone might not have arrived, but there are definitely scouts ahead. General Yi, let's coordinate with Elder Yu's Tian Shu Formation to take them out. There might be some big fish among them. As for the remaining bandits, we can slowly harvest them. Anyway, within a hundred miles, none of those who have arrived will be able to escape."
"good!"
Yi Qianqiu spoke in a stern tone, beckoning his subordinates to come and give them instructions.
Rong Zhen saw that after Yi Qianqiu finished giving his instructions, he seemed to think of something, turned his head to look at the South Peak on the south bank of Shuangfengjian in the distance, pursed his lips, and remained silent.
Rongzhen asked:
"Are you worried about Chief Secretary Yuan?"
Yi Qianqiu was silent for a moment, then chuckled:
"What are you worried about? He can't even climb a mountain path. He's like a piece of trash. If he falls to his death, so be it. It's just a pity about the jade staff that Lady Historian lent him."
Rongzhen glanced at her.
"His position is on the edge of our defenses. I'll send some more people over to check, just in case. If he hasn't finished drawing yet, let him continue. It's good to have more people watching over him."
With that, Rongzhen turned and walked off the stage to begin making arrangements.
Just then, Yi Qianqiu suddenly spoke:
"Where is Governor Ouyang going? Is he going with Lady Rong?"
Only she and Ouyang Rong remained on the stage.
Ouyang Rong had just snapped out of his reverie and taken a few steps toward the stage when Yi Qianqiu suddenly started questioning him.
He said calmly:
"No, I wish to go down and take a look around, to inspect the defenses. However, General Yi, it seems you are not qualified to have me report your whereabouts."
Yi Qianqiu shook his head:
"We are not qualified, but Governor Ouyang Rong's safety today is part of the duties of Lady Historian and this General. It would be best if he didn't leave our sight."
Ouyang Rong remained expressionless, seemingly displaying a scholarly air, and defiantly flicked his sleeve.
He twirled his prayer beads with one hand, ignoring Yi Qianqiu, and continued walking.
Yi Qianqiu watched them leave with a stern face, without saying another word.
Ouyang Rong descended the steps and walked towards the bamboo forest he was quite familiar with. He hadn't gone far when a graceful figure in a purple palace dress appeared behind him.
Judging from her light, quick footsteps, it was Rongzhen.
After she approached, Ouyang Rong did not turn around, but continued to stroll around the main grotto, looking around as if concerned about the defenses.
The girl in palace attire followed silently.
The two remained silent throughout the journey.
Ouyang Rong walked ahead with his sleeves up, head held high, strolling around on his own. Rong Zhen followed behind with her sleeves up, her face calm.
Ouyang Rong stopped at a certain moment and asked in surprise:
"What are you doing following me, Lady Historian? Don't you have anything to do?"
Rongzhen asked, "What are you looking at?"
"I didn't do much shopping, I just wanted to walk around. Isn't it still before closing time?"
Rongzhen shook her head:
"The boats to the south bank are almost ready. Don't wander around. Once Senior Song returns after delivering the goods, we'll board the boat with General Duan to cross to the other side and prepare to capture that lecherous thief. This is to be left to Senior Song and Commander Yi."
Ouyang Rong suddenly turned around, his cheeks slightly puffed out, his eyes fixed on Rong Zhen's icy little face, which looked like she was demanding payment. After staring at her for a while, he asked:
"You don't believe me?"
"without."
"So you think I'll break my promise and run away, and not help you catch that lecherous thief," he said, enunciating each word clearly.
"No, not exactly." She gently shook her head.
"Then what are you doing following along?"
Ouyang Rong waited for a while and found that Rong Zhen did not answer and just stood there.
He turned around abruptly and continued striding forward.
The girl in palace attire followed, her sleeves tucked behind her. Ouyang Rong deliberately moved at varying speeds, and she imitated him, moving at varying speeds, clinging to him like a leech.
Ouyang Rong could no longer contain himself and was about to turn around when Rong Zhen suddenly spoke from behind:
Are you angry?
Ouyang Rong was speechless for a moment, then turned and glanced at her:
"What are you angry about? What am I angry about? But Lady Rong is quite tactless and lacks a sense of distance today. Her words and actions are inexplicable and not as straightforward as usual, which is quite annoying."
Rongzhen waved her hand: "Not this one."
What is that?
Rongzhen gazed at him and answered softly:
"The question I wanted to ask him before he died wasn't about that matter anymore. Actually, by now, that feeling of revenge isn't that urgent or intense anymore."
Ouyang Rong was stunned for a moment before his mind came to its conclusion and he realized that Rong Zhen was probably referring to the owner of the Butterfly Love Flower and his theft of the undergarment to smear someone's reputation.
Rongzhen continued:
"Of course, it's not that I don't hate this person anymore. I still feel disgust and hatred, but I'm not as irrational as before. I'm more clear-headed now. If I catch this thief, I'll humiliate him and hand him over to Duan Quanwu or Old Yang, so he can die a miserable death as if he's repenting."
"But before that, I have an important question to ask."
"What's up."
"I want to ask him why he didn't kill me when he had the upper hand in Huang Xuan's courtyard. He only seriously injured and knocked me unconscious. Afterwards, I checked and he didn't take the opportunity to do anything beastly to me... I've been wondering about this for days and want to ask him."
Ouyang Rong frowned and said:
"I was with Liu Lang that day. Afterwards, we conducted a thorough investigation. Didn't I tell you that the owner of Butterfly Love Flower had just seriously injured you when Snow Candle and the others arrived. The two sides were locked in combat and had no time to spare. He only had time to take Mo Jing and Huang Xuan away and didn't have time to care about us. It wasn't exactly merciful."
"I know."
Rongzhen nodded, a strange light appearing in her eyes.
"So I wanted to thank him properly after I finished asking my question."
Ouyang Rong was stunned: "Thank you for what? What's there to thank? Thank him for stealing your undergarment?"
Rong Zhen looked at Ouyang Rong and nodded solemnly, as if it were a serious matter:
"Yes, there is. I'm grateful to him for seriously injuring me. The days I spent recuperating in bed not only taught me to be humble and prudent, and to become more grounded and mature, but also allowed me to rediscover my senses and have the time and patience to observe the people and things around me..." She paused, then continued, "Some people and things worth cherishing taught me what is important and shouldn't be missed, otherwise I would regret it..."
Ouyang Rong blurted out instinctively, "You can thank me for this? What important person or thing could it be..."
He stopped mid-sentence, and Ouyang Rong noticed the intense gaze that Rong Zhen was giving him.
At that moment, even though the surrounding world was bathed in bright sunshine and blue skies with white clouds, thunder rumbled in the air.
Great sound and sound.
A thunderclap rises from the silence.
The girl in palace attire was unaware that, at this moment, she was still gazing at him and saying:
"It is very important to me, I am absolutely certain of it..."
Ouyang Rong suddenly said "Oh," turned around, and strode towards the high platform.
Their steps were rather quick.
Rong Zhen immediately followed, like a shadow. Her concerned voice reached Ouyang Rong's ears from behind as he walked with his head down.
"Ouyang Lianghan, are you unwilling for me to waste words with such a lecherous scoundrel? Saying even one more word would only sully yourselves. Don't you want to come and see?"
No, no.
Rongzhen immediately corrected herself:
"Then let's not ask anymore. We won't waste our breath. When we catch someone, we'll just kill them and chop them into mincemeat."
"Mmm-hmm." The person nodded hastily from behind, seemingly somewhat absent-minded.
Rong Zhen understood as well. She lowered her head as if thinking for a moment, then raised her serious and focused face and said to his tall, slender back:
“Let’s go together. We don’t have to hand him over to Duan Quanwu. You can do whatever you want with him. It’s your choice. It can be considered as clearing my name.”
Ouyang Rong: "..."
Rongzhen pressed further, "Is Ouyang Lianghan any good?"
He whispered, "Can we not go?"
"No, you promised, and this will earn you more credit, so it's a win-win situation. It's settled then."
Rongzhen nodded firmly, her tone seemingly hiding a hint of happiness.
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong took a deep breath.
He turned his head with feigned nonchalance and glanced at the proud and aloof female historian behind him, who was now smiling beautifully and pouring her heart out to him.
At this moment, Ouyang Rong finally understood the strange atmosphere among Yi, Song, Duan, and others on the high platform not long ago... What "family and friends group"?!
Holy crap, this is a hellish game!
(End of this chapter)
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