"Manager Hu, where are you taking me?"
"To meet the Pavilion Master, of course."
"Oh? But why are we going deeper and deeper into the wilderness?"
Hu Yushu, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped. She glanced up at the pitch-black night sky and murmured, "Right here."
As soon as she finished speaking, two burly figures materialized behind Shen Zhao, blocking his retreat.
Shen Zhao touched his nose, looking genuinely puzzled. "Manager Hu, what is the meaning of this?"
Hu Yushu turned to face him, her eyes cold as she fixed her gaze on him. "Chu Liuxiang, today, this Heaven on Earth will be your burial place."
"So, Manager Hu is determined to eliminate me? You arranged for those assassins earlier today, didn't you?"
"I never thought the Wind and Rain Pavilion would fail its first mission. But thank heaven you've walked right into our trap. It saves me the trouble of luring you here."
With a wave of her hand, Hu Yushu signaled the two burly men behind Shen Zhao. They began to advance slowly.
Shen Zhao smiled faintly. "Manager Hu, you don't truly believe these two men alone can keep me here? That's rather overconfident of you."
"I've investigated thoroughly. Chu Liuxiang, your greatest strength lies in your agility. That's why I've specifically deployed two Horizontal Golden Body cultivators from the Wind and Rain Pavilion to counter you. No matter how exceptional your movement arts may be, you won't escape this battle."
"If I can't win, why wouldn't I flee? Since you know my agility is peerless, how could these two possibly keep me contained?"
"Flee? Do you think you can still escape? This place is already sealed by my Heavenly Net Demon-Locking Formation. Even if your agility were ten times greater, you couldn't break free from this confinement."
Shen Zhao sighed softly. "Impressive. I never expected Chu Liuxiang, who has lived his life with such wisdom, to finally fall into your hands. Very well. Take this life if you want it."
Hu Yushu sneered. "What, are you giving up and surrendering obediently?"
Shen Zhao unfurled his fan. "But before I die, could I ask one final question? It might help me go with a clearer conscience."
"Trying to buy time?"
"Since you've already set a perfect trap, where could I possibly run? Surely Manager Hu wouldn't deny me such a small request, would he?"
"You want to know why the Wind and Rain Pavilion is determined to kill you?"
"Not at all. What's the point of knowing that now? I just want to ask: is Darba's death connected to the Wind and Rain Pavilion in any way?"
Hu Yushu was startled, having never expected Shen Zhao to ask such a tricky question.
"What does that have to do with your current situation?"
"Everything. Please, Manager Hu, give me a clear answer."
Hu Yushu turned away. "I'm sorry, I can't answer that question."
"What a pity."
"What's a pity?"
"Without the answer I seek, I fear I'll die with regrets. So, I've decided to take a gamble—to fight for my life and confront your Pavilion Master myself."
The moment he finished speaking, Shen Zhao became a blur of motion.
In an instant, his palm pressed down on Hu Yushu's shoulder.
"You..."
"Don't move, or your arm will be crippled."
Hu Yushu felt a massive force on her left shoulder and furrowed her brow.
The two men were momentarily stunned, instinctively moving to rescue her.
"Stay put. Take one step closer and I'll kill her."
The threat froze them in place, not daring to approach an inch closer.
"A'Da, A'Er, don't mind me! Kill him!"
"But..."
"What? You don't even listen to me anymore? This is an order! He must not leave this place alive. Act now!"
A'Da and A'Er remained hesitant.
A'Da said, "Manager Hu, the Pavilion Master said all the brothers and sisters of the Wind and Rain Pavilion are one family. We can't abandon you."
A'Er added, "That's right, Manager Hu. We can't just watch you die."
Shen Zhao chuckled lightly. "What a touching family, so loving and devoted. I'm almost moved to tears. Manager Hu, could you really bear to let these two loyal disciples suffer the torment of their conscience for the rest of their lives?"
"Chu Liuxiang! If you don't kill me today, I'll definitely kill you tomorrow!"
"It's not you, Big Sister! What the hell did I do to offend you? Stop acting like I wiped out your entire family and their household registry!"
"For the Pavilion Master, for the Wind and Rain Pavilion—you must die!"
Hu Yushu's expression was close to madness, her presence as terrifying as a ghost.
"Stop!"
A soft command, accompanied by fluttering butterflies, and a graceful figure materialized on the courtyard corridor.
"Greetings, Pavilion Master."
A'Da and A'Er immediately knelt in welcome.
"Pavilion Master, don't mind me! Kill him quickly!"
"Silence!"
Ying Zhaoyun cut off Hu Yushu. "I already know the full story. Who gave you the authority to use your influence to corner Young Master Chu?"
"Pavilion Master, I only sought to ease your burden! Shen Zhao must be connected to the Xiongnu!"
"Without concrete evidence, how can you prove Young Master Chu is a Xiongnu spy?"
"Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free!"
"Enough, Hu Yushu! The Wind and Rain Pavilion is not yours to command!"
Then, she turned to Shen Zhao. "Young Master Chu, would you release Manager Hu? We will give you a satisfactory explanation for today's events."
"Since the Pavilion Master has spoken, Young Master Chu will still show the Wind and Rain Pavilion some respect."
With that, he immediately released Hu Yushu.
"Go back and reflect properly. Once I've dealt with this matter, I'll settle accounts with you."
"Yes..."
Hu Yushu was unwilling and resentful. Before leaving, she shot Shen Zhao a venomous glare and stalked away in fury.
"Young Master Chu, please follow me."
Ying Zhaoyun led Shen Zhao through the courtyard to a two-story pavilion.
As soon as they were seated, Ying Zhaoyun said, "I apologize for the trouble the Wind and Rain Pavilion has caused you, Young Master Chu. If there's anything we can do to satisfy you, we'll do our utmost."
Shen Zhao replied, "This isn't your fault, Pavilion Master. I came today to confirm one thing: is Darba's death connected to the Wind and Rain Pavilion?"
"Yes," Ying Zhaoyun answered crisply.
"Yesterday, I fought Darba."
This simple statement cut straight to the heart of the matter.
"Were you injured, Pavilion Master?"
"Minor injuries, nothing serious."
"So, Darba was also injured at the time?"
Ying Zhaoyun raised her teacup, nodded gently, and implicitly confirmed it.
"Thank you for your frankness, Pavilion Master," Shen Zhao said.
"It's nothing. Young Master Chu, do you have any more questions?"
"I'd like to know, besides Darba himself, who else in the world could have cultivated the Vajra Seal to its peak?"
Ying Zhaoyun pondered for a moment. "To reach such a level with the Vajra Seal, besides Darba himself, only his disciple, Venerable Golden Sage, possesses such talent. However, Venerable Golden Sage regards Darba as a god and would never dare to act against his master."
"In that case, thank you for your time, Pavilion Master."
Having obtained the information he sought, Shen Zhao rose to leave.
"Wait, may I ask you a question too?"
"Please, Pavilion Master."
"Who exactly are you? And why are you meddling in this mess?"
"Just doing as I'm asked. You needn't worry about it, Pavilion Master."
Shen Zhao gave a perfunctory answer and quietly vanished into the darkness.
Watching his retreating figure, Ying Zhaoyun murmured softly, "Could it be you?"
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)