Back then, everyone called the Hundred Days Cult an evil cult, and Bai Wuyan was the big devil. It can be seen that although the reputation was bad, at least everyone knew about it when it was mentioned.
As for Bai Wuyan's deeds, I don't remember them very clearly. I only remember that the Hundred Days Cult disappeared overnight. It was quite strange. There was absolutely no warning. It seemed that they had robbed a lot of gold and silver treasures during the day, but unexpectedly, it was gone in just one night. Not only did more than a hundred members disappear without a trace, but the Hundred Days Cult's stronghold was also wiped out. It can be said that no trace was left behind. It was as if it appeared out of nowhere and then disappeared with the wind.
As the story spread, it became increasingly outlandish. Besides, there are countless things to talk about in the martial arts world every day, and some people felt that this matter was too strange and ominous. Gradually, no one mentioned it anymore. In recent years, when the Hundred Days Cult was occasionally mentioned again, no one believed that it had ever really existed.
"It seems I have really upset you."
I chuckled. The dart in my hand felt rough to the touch; it was obvious it hadn't been properly maintained or hadn't been used for years. I probably wouldn't have thrown it if I hadn't been so angry.
"You know that, so why aren't you getting out of here?"
"I really want to get out, but do you think I want to stay here?"
I knew the secret guards were useless the day he knocked me unconscious, or that he had cut off all my hidden connections the moment I left the inner city. At first, I thought it was impossible and never thought that the secret guards would be taken down, so I dared to meet this big shot. But I underestimated Xiao Lianjue's abilities.
Looking around, I couldn't see a single tall building. What a terrible place!
"Hey, how do I get to Tinghu Lake?" The waterside pavilion is quite a distance away from me, and it's tiring to talk while standing.
"Where does the young lady wish to go? This servant will call a boat for her."
"Get me a chair, and find a boat to ferry her over."
The person following me was stunned by what I said. After a while, he lazily instructed someone to move chairs, and then he took another person onto the boat to personally pick up the person on the other side.
After a while, seeing the small boat slowly rocking over but still no sign of my chair, I couldn't help but laugh. The people around Xiao Lianjue are indeed all snobs.
"I can take you away, come with me."
If I hadn't overheard what Xiao Lianjue said before, I might have believed you could do it just by looking at the servants' attitude.
"Okay." Let's see where you can take me, it'll be good to get a feel for the terrain.
But before the woman could even turn around, she saw Xiao Lianjue carrying a brocade box and swaggering towards her.
Some people just have a face that's a real eyesore; they're incredibly annoying.
"Your older brother said you like playing with crickets?" He trotted over and spoke to me as if no one else existed. "Look how robust these two top-ranking crickets are!"
"What, you want to fight me?"
"You think you can beat me?" He raised one eyebrow, asking provocatively.
"Alright, place your bets."
"Are you sure?" he asked, a strange smile on his face.
"If I win, you give me a map of the Eastern Palace."
"Why don't you just let me release you?"
"I won't ask for an exorbitant amount."
He's the kind of person who's very confident. He'll play along with you if you make even the smallest request. Although everyone knows what's going on, if you say it too bluntly, then it's really over. What's the point of playing then? He won't even bother with you.
So he pursed his lips and saw the fox again, the same kind of elegant and cunning rare fox.
"If I win, then don't even think about it anymore. There will always be a place in this world where you can't escape."
Anyway, I've never been a person who keeps their word. You, Xiao Lianjue, are not qualified to get any promises from me.
"I'm happy to gamble anytime, but I think we should do it another day." The woman's eyes were practically spitting fire. "I'm very tired today."
"What are you tired of? You don't do anything."
"Sir, you said you didn't have time today."
The voice was so mournful that it made me tremble, but Xiao Lianjue remained completely calm and composed.
"Since when did it become your place to tell me what to do?" He narrowed his charming eyes and suddenly turned to look at the two people who were watching me. "Have I ever allowed outsiders to come in here?"
The two were startled and immediately knelt down and kowtowed, but they didn't even dare to ask for mercy.
"she……"
"Don't interfere in my family affairs."
He glared at me. Okay, I admit that Xiao Lianjue can be quite authoritative at times. But I'll still remember the time he cut me off.
"You go back first." Fortunately, the tone and voice were normal.
"...She herself said she didn't want to stay here. Sir, you never force people."
I just said it wasn't my business, so why is it all going back to me? How annoying!
"I have my reasons, you don't need to worry about it."
A hint of murderous intent flickered in his dark brown eyes; if that woman said another word, she'd probably be in trouble.
She opened her mouth, and coincidentally, my chair finally arrived, so her voice didn't come out in time. How could she have calculated so accurately?
It's a pity we didn't see any dark waves rise to the surface. The show ended with the woman's departure, which was really boring.
Chapter 114
I hate being woken up when I'm sound asleep, and Yunzhi and I are the same in this respect. So when the person Xiao Lianjue sent forcibly woke me up, I didn't hesitate to slap him across the face, and the servant was caught off guard and fell to the ground.
"you!"
Judging from the soft, delicate voice and the delicate, orchid-like fingers pointing at the person, it turned out to be a eunuch.
I lifted my foot and stomped his hand down. He's got some nerve, daring to pull off my blanket!
"You dog of a servant, do you have a death wish?"
You're out of luck. All that pent-up temper has finally exploded. I'll make you regret this.
"I……"
"Shut up!"
He stomped his foot, and the pain immediately contorted his face, making a sound that was utterly repulsive.
"Eunuch Quan!" Two guards rushed in and tried to pull the person I was stepping on, but I glared at them and they stopped.
"Hey, what are you all standing there for? Hurry up and pull them apart..."
Not satisfied with just stomping on him, I chased him harder, and his unpleasant noise subsided. But a moment later, a tearing scream followed.
The guards couldn't bear to watch any longer and hesitated for a moment before coming over and pulling me away. Before I could even stand up straight, they rushed back to the eunuch's side and carefully helped him up.
"Tie her up and bring her with me!"
Perhaps because of the clash between pain and anger, his voice, which was already unpleasant, became so shrill that it was almost unbearable to hear at this moment.
I didn't struggle much. In fact, I couldn't beat those two guards in terms of martial arts, so I obediently let them tie me up. I couldn't ignore myself, but I couldn't ignore the baby in my belly.
After leaving the house, I didn't take a boat. I walked along Tinghu Lake for a while and then turned into a large courtyard at a fork in the road. Just as I was about to curse, I heard someone singing opera deep inside the courtyard.
After entering the courtyard and passing through several corridors, you will see a golden-roofed building. In front of the building, there is a stage where opera troupes are singing loudly early in the morning.
On the rooftop terrace, there were three tables and chairs. At the left table sat a woman I had never seen before, with a plump and elegant demeanor. At the right table sat the woman I had met just two days ago. At the middle table sat the culprit who had been disturbing my peaceful sleep.
"Hey, what are you doing?" The culprit was obviously distracted, not watching the show at all, but instead his sideways eyes spotted me standing in the most inconspicuous spot.
My father-in-law was furious. He pushed me out with all his might, and I almost fell to my death.
"Rong Lian, have you been naughty again and caused trouble?"
"Pah, I'd rather be full than in space." I rolled my eyes at him. This guy always dresses up so extravagantly, even at home... Suddenly I realized something: I had actually come out wearing just a thin shirt and with my hair down. Oh well, I've never liked dressing up anyway.
"Master Quan, slap him." The woman at the left table said, blowing on the tea as she held it.
These words were like an imperial edict. Not only did Eunuch Quan feel flattered, but even the two guards responsible for watching me seemed to have their faces gilded. They were so smug and arrogant. As the saying goes, they were just bullying others because of their master's power.
"Although I don't spend much time in the palace, how come I didn't know when the Crown Prince's position changed hands?"
Xiao Lianjue smiled with narrowed eyes, his gaze already fixed on the stage, looking quite interested in the female lead on stage.
The slap that was about to land on my face just barely grazed my cheek because of those words. The next moment, I saw Grandpa Quan tremble and kneel down, then start kowtowing repeatedly. His previous spirit and energy had completely vanished.
"No wonder Consort Tang was so interested so early on. Was the play good?"
The man on the left put down his tea and smiled nonchalantly, “It’s all because I love watching plays. The Wang family troupe of Peking Opera has been scheduled until the end of the year, but as soon as Boss Wang heard that you wanted to watch a play, he immediately canceled his original plans and rushed over. He only had time this morning, and he still has shows to attend this afternoon.”
"Well, in the eyes of outsiders, I've earned another reputation for bullying others. I canceled what was originally planned... How nice to say that."
The atmosphere was tense. I really wanted to laugh, but it wasn't the right occasion.
"Hey you over there, don't hold back your laughter and get sick, or I won't be able to explain it to your brother." He stood up, stretched, and slowly walked down the street.
What's wrong with this person's eyes? Do you think my face is cramping?
"It's good that you're here, it saves me the trouble of going there. Come on, come with me."
He hooked one end of the rope and gently pulled on it, then pulled me away without untying it. The golden roof and the grand stage behind us instantly became just a backdrop.
Where to?
"Go where you should be."
I immediately guessed where it was. I walked out from behind the golden roof and, sure enough, I stopped in front of the dungeon.
The dungeon wasn't as dark as I'd imagined; instead, it was brightly lit. But being underground, it was inevitably damp, and I sniffed it—it smelled rather unpleasant.
Below the stone steps was a long corridor with cells on both sides. Looking into them, it was pitch black and I couldn't tell if anyone was there. The dungeon was very quiet. When I reached the wooden door at the end of the corridor, I could hear sounds behind it. At first, I didn't realize it, but when I did, I couldn't help but gasp.
The person in front opened the door, and was halfway through preparing when suddenly a bloody, mangled body appeared before them, with blood dripping from its feet onto the blue bricks, forming a large pool of blood. A wave of nausea washed over them.
"...Such a strong reaction? No way, shouldn't someone who's been around Nangong Ling by now be used to this?"
The pungent smell of blood almost brought tears to my eyes; Yunzhi never lets me see such filth.
Xiao Lianjue looked at me for a while, lost in thought, before finally leading me to a corner of the stone chamber to sit down. He picked up a spiked whip from the rack and walked towards the person suspended by iron chains. Watching his movements, I grew increasingly tense. When the first lash struck the man's chest, I choked on my own breath, frozen in place as Xiao Lianjue continued to lash the man's chest with each strike. The man wielding the spiked whip moved with effortless grace, his expression indifferent, as if he were dealing not with a living person but with a lifeless sack. The man being tortured remained silent, his eyes fixed on Xiao Lianjue.
Although I am usually domineering, it is absolutely impossible for me to be like Xiao Lianjue. Yun Zhi is right, I am just a paper tiger.