Chapter 377: Tracking
Fortunately, Zhou Moran had spent an entire lifetime learning forbearance.
He silently returned to his room. The candlelight flickered, reflecting his unpredictable expression.
He stared at the bronze mirror on the table. The person in the mirror—young, handsome, with a hint of lingering gloom between his brows.
"Heh..." He suddenly laughed softly, his fingers gently tapping the table, the sound unusually clear in the quiet room.
"The me of the previous life was really f*cking ridiculous."
He closed his eyes, scenes from his previous life flashing through his mind—
Being framed by Zhou Qingyang, misunderstood by Xinyao, alienated by Yunyao, eventually abandoned by his family, becoming a prisoner of the Void.
And at that time, he had naively believed that as long as he was tolerant enough, forgiving enough, the truth would come to light one day and everyone would understand his grievances.
"Really, like a fool..." He shook his head self-mockingly, the corner of his mouth curving into a cold smile.
Fortunately, the heavens allowed him to live again!
And in this life, he wouldn't make the same mistakes.
He slowly opened his eyes, sensing the movement of the tracking talisman!
This tracking talisman was bestowed by the Immortal Venerable, extremely secretive. Even a Longevity Realm cultivator would find it difficult to detect, let alone a waste like Zhou Qingyang who had just stepped into the threshold of cultivation.
Fortunately, I still have this.
A flash of cold severity passed through his eyes.
Since Zhou Qingyang wanted to play dirty, he would play with him to the end!
...
For the next three days, Zhou Moran completely changed his strategy.
During the day, he stayed in seclusion, deliberately avoiding Zhou Qingyang's sight, even deliberately showing "friendliness" toward Zhou Qingyang in front of his father, as if the conflict that night had never happened.
"Moran, why haven't I seen you go out these past few days?" Zhou Hong saw him being unusually well-behaved, and his tone softened a bit.
"Father, your son has been studying talisman arts recently, wanting to improve my strength as soon as possible." Zhou Moran smiled slightly, his tone respectful.
Zhou Hong nodded in satisfaction: "Good, cultivation is the proper business. Don't slack off."
But it didn't matter, he didn't care.
Because his real battlefield was at night.
...
Night fell, and Zhou Moran silently left his courtyard.
His figure was like a ghost, using the cover of night to stealthily make his way to Zhou Qingyang's residence.
The tracking talisman's senses told him that Zhou Qingyang was not in his room at the moment.
"As expected..." Zhou Moran narrowed his eyes, a cold smile curving at the corner of his mouth.
These three days, every night he would track Zhou Qingyang and discovered that every late night, he would secretly leave the Zhou residence and go to a remote courtyard in the west of the city.
There seemed to be someone waiting for him there.
Zhou Moran's figure flashed, following the guidance of the tracking talisman, silently tracking him.
...
West of the city, outside an inconspicuous courtyard.
Zhou Moran hid in the shadows, his gaze coldly fixed on the front.
Zhou Qingyang furtively pushed open the courtyard door and slipped inside.
A moment later, a faint candlelight lit up inside the room.
Zhou Moran held his breath, quietly approaching, his fingertips gathering spiritual power as he lightly tapped on the window frame.
A wisp of invisible spiritual power seeped in, and the sounds inside the room clearly reached his ears—
"Brother Qingyang, you're finally here." An unfamiliar male voice sounded, carrying a hint of impatience.
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## Chapter 377: Tracking (Part 2/2)
"Sorry, Brother Zhao. It's been tight at the residence these past few days; it's not easy to get out." Zhou Qingyang's voice carried a fawning tone.
Brother Zhao?
Zhou Moran's pupils contracted.
The Zhao family?
Memories from his previous life instantly flashed through his mind—before he was expelled from the Zhou family, his father had found several secret letters in his study exchanged with the Zhao family. The contents were extremely sensitive, even involving Zhou family secrets.
At that time, he was speechless in his defense and was ultimately completely abandoned by the family.
Although he suspected it in his previous life, now it seemed—
...those letters were probably really placed by Zhou Qingyang!
He suppressed the shock in his heart and continued listening intently.
"Did you bring the stuff?" The Zhao surname man asked.
"I brought it." Zhou Qingyang's voice lowered a few degrees, "This is the recent transportation route for the Zhou family's spirit mines. As agreed, after your Zhao family succeeds, fifty percent of the profits go to me."
"Don't worry, the Zhao family never goes back on its word." The man chuckled, "But are you sure Zhou Hong won't suspect you?"
"He won't." Zhou Qingyang's tone was certain, "I've already arranged everything. When the time comes, someone will take the fall."
"Oh? Who?"
"Zhou Moran."
Zhou Moran's fingers tightened abruptly, his nails almost embedding into his palm.
As expected...
"Don't worry, she can't run away." Zhou Qingyang's tone was triumphant, "Although she agreed to the engagement on the surface, she's completely unwilling in her heart."
"Liu Yunyao has already talked to her. As long as we proceed according to plan, Zhou Moran will eventually be abandoned by her own hands."
Zhou Moran's heart suddenly constricted.
Xinyao... unwilling?
Yunyao... talked to her?
Scenes from the engagement banquet instantly flashed through his mind—Xinyao's complex gaze and Yunyao's secret collusion with Zhou Qingyang.
So... they had already conspired together?
He clenched his teeth fiercely, his chest feeling as if it was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, making breathing difficult.
But soon, he forced himself to calm down.
No, it couldn't be completely confirmed yet.
Zhou Qingyang's words might not all be true; perhaps he was just deliberately sowing discord.
Xinyao... perhaps she still had her difficulties?
He took a deep breath, a struggle flashing through his eyes.
But regardless, he had found the key clue—Zhou Qingyang's collusion with the Zhao family, the framing from his previous life, and possibly even Xinyao's change of heart... were all part of their plan!
He slowly retreated, silently leaving the courtyard.
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