A group of governnt officers lacked such ans and could only urge a hurried landing, wanting to quickly contact officials in the city like Feng Ju and mobilize troops to search.
Or...
Simply surround Prince Jing's residence? Demand the person?
This thought erged in the minds of the Jinyi at Lihua Hall. As they t each other's gaze, an impulsive urge to forcibly take custody arose.
"Commandery Princess..."
The maid Lv Shui caught a glimpse of the fierce light in the eyes of these Lihua Hall hotheads and startled, sidled closer to Xu Junling, and whispered softly:
"What do we do next?"
Xu Junling was also in a state of chaos. Even though she was renowned for her intelligence, she ultimately lacked the tempering of blood and fire.
She lacked a clear understanding of the cruelty of political strife, never expecting the other party to truly resort to extre asures, arranging this round of assassination.
Now that Zhao Douan had been taken away by a strong force, it was likely more bad than good. How would Prince Huaian establish himself after this?
Thinking of the ensuing troubles that might co, her face turned pale, her fingers tightly clenched, her palms sweaty.
"We..."
She had barely spat out these two words when she suddenly heard the sound of water splashing behind her; she turned her head and her eyes widened in shock!
Her expression was one of seeing a ghost!
To everyone's surprise, at the end of the unnoticed building boat, a thoroughly drenched Zhao Douan leaped from the water and landed on the deck, revealing a sowhat weak face but smiling brightly at her:
"Commandery Princess, what's the matter, are you not happy to see this officer return?"
The rest of the people on deck also turned their heads, in turn, revealing astonished expressions.
"...Officer?!" The group of Jinyi at Lihua Hall were dumbfounded, shouting in disbelief.
Zhao Douan laughed and wrung out the water from his clothes, saying:
"Aren't you going to the cabin to find so dry clothes?"
The eyes of the Jinyi grew wet with excitent; they sward him, confirming repeatedly before breaking out in smiles, babbling questions.
Xu Junling also ca over with a dumbfounded face: "You... You're not dead?!"
Zhao Douan arrogantly smiled and said lightly:
"Those who want my life are still a bit too green. Ha ha, Commandery Princess, did you really think that I ca to Hu Ting without having a life-saving trick up my sleeve?"
He glossed over the details and did not elaborate. As for his soaking appearance, it was naturally a deliberate disguise.
It wouldn't be good to swagger around and show off the Mystic Turtle Seal.
A life-saving trick... Of course, it wasn't surprising that he had one, so the Magician who ambushed failed? Is that why he dived and swam back? Or maybe he teleported back underwater...
The Commandery Princess, adept at filling in the blanks, rationalized it quickly. Her stunned little face broke into a smile that was part laugh, part cry:
"You have no idea, I was scared to death a mont ago..."
Zhao Douan laughed heartily, asking: "What about everyone else?"
Shen Juan quickly explained what had happened, and at last said:
"Duan Shuiliu ran away very fast. As soon as you disappeared, he fled, and as for Qi Yuchun, he also tried to escape but was stopped by Ji Yue. He was caught up to and severely slashed by Eunuch Hai, who ca afterward. He's seriously injured. If we hadn't all been so anxious to find you, he might well have been killed then and there. But... even if he isn't dead, he's not far off."
Zhao Douan was slightly disappointed, but he also knew that there was no perfect outco. He then said seriously:
"What about the soldiers on the ship? How many were killed or wounded in the water battle?"
Hou Renng ca out of the cabin with dry clothes, speaking softly:
"Our people are okay, just five injured. Three of the imperial guard brothers died, and six or seven were seriously wounded."
Zhao Douan fell silent for a mont, then said:
"Retrieve the bodies, compile a list of the injured for . Once I return to the capital, I will personally plead for their rit and provide for them."
"Yes."
"Also, leave a few people to bring back the bodies of those who attempted the assassination, including the bodies of the bown hidden inside the Earth God Statue. I have use for them."
"As you command."
"There's no need to search for Eunuch Hai and the others; they will surely return soon. As for now..."
Zhao Douan narrowed his eyes, hands behind his back, looking toward Hu Ting ahead, and said:
"Follow back to the city!"
...
...
On the mountain path.
The cold wind whistled, and birds flew over from the direction of Hu Ting, making harsh cawing sounds.
Inside the carriage, the Little Heavenly Master sensed the sudden halt of the fight in the distance, a dubious expression flashing across his fearso face.
He moved his fingers rapidly, communicating with the divine "Heavenly Dao" for a calculation.
Predicting the future with Heavenly Dao was extrely difficult, but for things that had already happened, it was much simpler.
"Eh? He lives? Erging alive from a deadly predicant, with the aura of imminent fortune. Does this youngster still have cards to play?"
The Little Heavenly Master looked at the divination and was slightly surprised. With a smile, he turned to the burly old monk sitting opposite him and said:
"It seems that you have miscalculated this ga."
Long Shu Bodhisattva remained calm, showing no disappointnt, and said serenely:
"Buddha bless, heaven favors life, and I am not one who delights in killing. Besides, as I have said several tis, this was not about taking his life. What miscalculation?"
"Hmm, either way, it cos from your mouth." The Little Heavenly Master scoffed.
Long Shu Bodhisattva patted his behind as he stood up, concealing the aura of his implicit divine presence and said:
"Now that things are settled, I shall take my leave."
"Where are you heading?"
"People from the Western Regions are here. As a Bodhisattva of Divine Dragon Temple, it is only right that I return to the temple."
"Ha ha, aren't you afraid the Empress will trouble you?"
Long Shu Bodhisattva proclaid righteously: "Today, I have not set foot around Yansuo Lake. What reason would Her Majesty have to trouble ?"
"..." The Little Heavenly Master sighed to the heavens, "In terms of thick skin, no monk can outdo you. Giddy up."
He put away the Red Tide Sword resting on his knees, patted the neck of his pure white horse, and changed direction.
"Where is the Little Heavenly Master heading?"
"Oh, I will personally escort you back to the capital, lest you lose your way and end up coming back."
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