Chapter 1698: Chapter 1691: Tensions Running High
Cheng Ziang waited in his room until nightfall but still didn’t see Hun Jiansi return. That girl said she was going to shadow Xing Hu, but who knows how things are progressing.
Still, Cheng Ziang wasn’t worried about her. When Hun Jiansi wants to vanish, not even he can find her, let alone those cultivators. As long as those people continue to breathe and live in human society, they can hardly resist the invasion of Hun Jiansi’s Fog Concealnt Skill.
But such power brought its own problems. That is, Hun Jiansi almost always ca to him voluntarily. If he wanted to find her for any reason, it was virtually impossible.
It must have been a real headache for the people who had to work alongside Hun Jiansi. Cheng Ziang couldn’t fathom how the Emperor’s Sect had managed to recruit soone as extraordinary as her into their ranks.
Cheng Ziang continued waiting until midday the next day. Just as he finished lunch and was preparing to head out, he ran into Hun Jiansi at the door.
True to form, he still couldn’t rember her na. But having grown accustod to close interactions with strangers, he wasn’t particularly on guard with her arrival.
“I followed him all night. That fellow really knows how to stir up trouble,” Hun Jiansi complained as she looked up at Cheng Ziang, narrowing her eyes in a playful reprimand. “You’ve forgotten again, haven’t you?”
“Uh, next ti I’ll write your na on myself so I won’t forget,” Cheng Ziang replied awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.
“Forget it. At least you don’t treat like a stranger anymore. That’s enough for .” Hun Jiansi sighed softly.
“So, how did it go out there?” Cheng Ziang asked with concern.
Hun Jiansi cast him a sidelong glance, then suddenly grabbed his wrist and said, “Follow !”
“Where to?” Cheng Ziang, surrendering to her lead, couldn’t help but ask.
“To find that guy. He’s connected to the case you’re investigating.” Hun Jiansi explained while walking.
“You’re serious?” Cheng Ziang asked, surprised.
Hun Jiansi abruptly stopped, looking up at his mask with a serious gaze. “Xing Hu is a disciple of the Hongying Sect, but to my knowledge, about two months ago, one of their disciples was murdered here—death caused by Star-shattering. Xing Hu must be here to investigate this incident.”
“How do you know that?” Cheng Ziang asked, even more astonished.
“I’m Hun Jiansi!”
Instead of providing a direct response, Hun Jiansi tossed off this casual remark and continued pulling him forward.
The two hurriedly exited and moved through the neat and well-maintained streets of Guyi Governnt’s eastern district. After about 500 ters of winding turns, they arrived at a majestic complex of buildings.
“This place is…” Cheng Ziang was struck with awe.
“This is the military encampnt as well as the governnt office of the Inspector General,” Hun Jiansi explained, turning to address him.
“Why bring here?” Cheng Ziang questioned, filled with puzzlent.
“Look over there.”
Hun Jiansi didn’t clarify further but pointed toward the governnt office’s entrance. There, two individuals were locked in a heated argunt. The surrounding guards seed tense, hands resting on the hilts of their waist swords, ready for a confrontation.
“Isn’t that Xing Hu?”
Though he’d only seen him once before, Cheng Ziang imdiately recognized the man. As for the other individual, he was even more familiar—it was the Inspector General, Anxiang Zheng.
“Looks like they’re about to fight. Hurry and go lend Xing Hu a hand,” Hun Jiansi said from behind Cheng Ziang, giving his waist a push.
“Alright.”
Cheng Ziang glanced at Hun Jiansi, then at the brewing conflict in the distance, and nodded helplessly.
He briskly walked over to the scene. At this mont, Xing Hu was engaged in a fierce verbal dispute, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword in frustration, causing the nearby guards to grow even more edgy.
anwhile, Anxiang Zheng stood with an air of calm composure, arms crossed, responding to Xing Hu’s questions with unhurried detachnt, indifferent to the escalating confrontation.
“Gentlen,” Cheng Ziang interjected, stepping into their midst with arms outstretched. “May I ask what dispute has arisen? Perhaps I can diate between you two.”
“Greetings, Azure Dragon Envoy.” Anxiang Zheng bowed respectfully upon seeing Cheng Ziang arrive.
“It’s you, you’re that…”
The sudden appearance of Cheng Ziang left the previously heated Xing Hu montarily stunned as he stared blankly at him.
“What a coincidence, Young Lord, we et again,” Cheng Ziang greeted.
“Azure Dragon Holy Envoy, your esteed visit is an honor beyond words. I regret that we were unable to welco you properly. Please forgive us,” Anxiang Zheng continued in polite tones.
“You’re too kind, Inspector General. I’m rely passing through and happened to see your dispute. I noticed emotions running high and a potential fight brewing. Whatever the matter may be, could I request that both of you set aside your anger and discuss the issue calmly in my presence?” Cheng Ziang suggested as he glanced between them.
“Hmph. There’s nothing to discuss with him,” Xing Hu growled, shooting Anxiang Zheng a fierce glare before sheathing his unsheathed sword.
“The Hongying Sect and our Anxiang family have shared deep ties for years. If the Young Lord has any concerns, he need only speak freely, and I shall assist. However, if the Young Lord seeks to force an unreasonable request, then I fear I must say I am powerless.” Anxiang Zheng maintained a diplomatic tone.
“I will uncover the truth on my own. I won’t trouble the Anxiang family on this matter.” Xing Hu snapped through gritted teeth, glaring at him.
“If my inability to assist the Young Lord brings displeasure, I must humbly ask for your forgiveness,” Anxiang Zheng remarked.
“Hmph,” Xing Hu snorted coldly, no longer engaging with him.
Just as Xing Hu turned away, he hesitated when his gaze landed on Cheng Ziang. After a mont of contemplation, Xing Hu offered a polite bow and said, “I’ll be taking my leave for now and won’t disturb you further.”
“Follow him. Anxiang Zheng won’t divulge any useful information.”
As Cheng Ziang contemplated his next move, he felt a warm breath tickle his ear—a feminine voice had leaned in to whisper to him openly despite the crowd.
He turned his head to find Hun Jiansi nestled close beside him, looking up at him from her position. Cheng Ziang was stunned by the intimate proximity but noticed that no one—neither Anxiang Zheng, the guards, nor even Xing Hu with his sharp cultivation—seed to find anything unusual about her presence. Or rather, they didn’t seem to notice her at all.
It was then he discerned that the faint floral fragrance surrounding them had grown stronger. Hun Jiansi’s bell at her waist had long since been muffled under her hand. Evidently, this was an enhanced version of her Fog Concealnt Skill, rendering her practically invisible in their perception.
Even Cheng Ziang, who had just spoken with her monts ago, might have forgotten her presence entirely under the skill’s effects. Luckily for him, years of experience with close encounters had kept him from reacting impulsively and pushing her away in fear.
With no ti to dwell on the matter, Cheng Ziang chose to trust this “stranger” and addressed Xing Hu, “Young Lord, your assistance yesterday is a debt I cannot repay. Would you permit to accompany you so that I may express my gratitude?”
“No need to be so formal. What I did was hardly a great favor,” Xing Hu replied, startled but visibly embarrassed as he avoided eye contact.
“On the contrary, we hold to the principle of repaying favors. Since the Young Lord has helped us, I insist on following and aiding you, if only to repay your kindness.” Cheng Ziang stated sincerely.
“Follow ? Is that all?” Xing Hu asked hesitantly.
“Of course. If the Young Lord encounters difficulties, please let us know, and we promise to assist to the best of our abilities,” Cheng Ziang reassured.
“I don’t… I don’t have difficulties… Fine then, if the Inspector insists, I won’t mind having you follow ,” Xing Hu finally relented.
After obtaining Xing Hu’s consent, Cheng Ziang turned back to Anxiang Zheng and bowed politely. “My apologies, Inspector General. I feel it’s essential to repay this benefactor first, but I promise to visit you another day, should I have the ti. Would that suffice?”
“Haha, no need for formalities, Manor Lord. Since you’re acquainted with the Young Lord, that’s all the better.” Anxiang Zheng waved dismissively, his smile brimming with hidden aning.
Bid farewell to Anxiang Zheng, Cheng Ziang followed closely behind Xing Hu as they departed the governnt office’s entrance. Naturally, there was one more companion trailing behind the pair, though no one seed to notice.
Quickening his pace to walk beside Xing Hu, Cheng Ziang ventured to ask cautiously, “May I ask what dispute arose between you and the Inspector General?”
“Just so trivial matters,” Xing Hu sighed and shook his head.
“The Young Lord belongs to the Hongying Sect. I’ve heard that recently, a disciple of the sect was murdered in Guyi Governnt. Might the Young Lord be here regarding that case?” Cheng Ziang probed cautiously.
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