Chapter 404 - Wait, Don't Go There (I)

After breakfast, Shi Qingzhou chose the important information from the reports by his subordinates and briefed Long Xiaoyuan.

They were not updated all the time on what had happened to the Imperial City when they were away.

Therefore, both of them were at a loss about the situation here.

Since they had returned now, they had to keep abreast of the developments here.

Long Xiaoyuan said after listening. “Okay, Qingzhou, watch over the situation outside the Imperial City. I have a lot of things on my hand. If there’s anything important, just tell me.”

“Okay,” Shi Qingzhou nodded.

After breakfast, Long Xiaoyuan went to deal with the pile of documents.

Shi Qingzhou received a message in Qiankun Palace from Zou Qingyuan, asking to meet.

After thinking about it, Shi Qingzhou went to meet him.

Things had been going well with Fang Shuoyang the Eastern Darkness, and some credits should go to Tianji Sect.

Besides, it was not so much that Zou Qingyuan wanted to see him, but Wu Ronghan wanted to see him.

Shi Qingzhou decided to meet the head of the Tianji Sect.

After the royal family let off the Tianji Sect last time, Wu Ronghan left the Imperial City and went back to Jiangnan, taking Wu Xiangyuan away.

However, a month ago, they arrived at the Imperial City again.

It was said that they were going to move their headquarters to the Imperial City!

Were they going to operate under the eyes of the court?

Of course, Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou were satisfied with this.

It was better to put such a powerful intelligence agency under their eyes.

Shi Qingzhou did not specifically tell Long Xiaoyuan about the meeting, thinking it wouldn’t take much time and he would be back soon.

To his surprise, when Shi Qingzhou arrived at the appointed place, he saw only Zou Qingyuan, and Wu Ronghan was not there.

Shi Qingzhou raised his eyebrows and walked in. “Hello, Brother Zou.”

“Hello, Brother Shi.” Zou Qingyuan hurried to greet Shi Qingzhou at sight of him.

After exchanging the usual pleasantries, Shi Qingzhou looked closely at Zou Qingyuan and said. “Brother Zou, you don’ look well. Is something upsetting you?”

Zou Qingyuan smiled bitterly and nodded. “I do have some problem. In fact, I ask you out for this.”

Shi Qingzhou was taken aback.” What is it disturbing you like this, Brother Zou? Please tell me.”

Zou Qingyuan took a deep breath and said, “It all started from our young lady.”

Shi Qingzhou raises his eyebrows. “Wu Xiangyuan? What’s the matter with her?”

Was there anything wrong with that woman again?

Tianji Sect had paid a huge price to save her life. Wasn’t she grateful for that?

Zou Qingyuan smiled bitterly. “The young lady did not understand the sacrifice that Tianji Sect made in the beginning, but after our master talked some sense into her, she came to realize her mistakes. But later on…”

“What happened?”

“A mysterious man came to the young lady without being noticed. By the time the master and I found out, the mysterious man had already influenced the young lady deeply. Now, she is locked up by the master, but she tries to escape. In fact, she has learned tricks from where we not know. She has been a headache for us, for she almost escaped several times.”

Shi Qingzhou listened to the confusing words and said, “Do you mean that your master has locked up Wu Xiangyuan because she is now under control and thinks of rebelling the court?”

Zou Qingyuan fell silent as Shi Qingzhou guessed it right.

“Did you move the headquarters of Tianji Sect to the Imperial City for her?”

“Yes, the young lady is enticed. Somehow, even Tianji Sect is unable to find the mysterious man who gets in contact with her. Therefore, we like to ask the royal family for help.”

Shi Qingzhou glanced at him indifferently. “It’s a big pity for Wu Ronghan to have such a daughter.”

Zou Qingyuan didn’t know what to say.

Shi Qingzhou said. “Can’t you find out who the mysterious man is and where he comes from?”

“No. We vaguely know that he is weird, as if he can control people. Even though we have locked the young lady up, it is not easy to change her mind…” As he spoke, Zou Qingyuan became serious. “Brother Shi, I know that it is Tianji Sect’s fault. However, the young lady hasn’t done anything yet, and we won’t give her the chance to do anything. I’m sure that the mysterious man is targeting at the royal family. Brother Shi, for the sake of our friendship, can we cooperate on this?”

Shi Qingzhou fell silent, and did not answer him right away.

“That mysterious man has been with the young lady for a long time. Ever since you left the Imperial City, he has been around. If his target is the royal family, unknown enemies are always more dangerous, don’t you think so? Although Tianji Sect failed to figure out his whereabouts and identity, we have interacted with him… Brother Shi, could you please think about it?”

Shi Qingzhou was silent for a long time before he said slowly. “What is the purpose of that mysterious man? Find that out as soon as possible.”

“Okay,” Zou Qingyuan heaved a sigh of relief. “Brother Shi, thank you.”

Shi Qingzhou looked at him and said. “Where’s Wu Ronghan?”

Zou Qingyuan smiled bitterly. “Young Lady is abnormal right now. Even though we have locked her up, we have to carefully select the people to guard her. Otherwise, it will be easy for her to influence them. It used to be easier, but now only the master, another guardian and I take turns to watch over her.”

Shi Qingzhou narrowed his eyes. “Is it so serious?”

“Yes, but please don’t worry, Brother Shi. The place where we are keeping her is a special prison. She can’t possibly come out.”

Shi Qingzhou nodded noncommittally.

Zou Qingyuan took it as his agreement and hurriedly left.

Shi Qingzhou stayed there for a while and was about to leave.

However, he suddenly got alert, as if all his hair stood on end.

He sensed a threat!

A threat of death!

Shi Qingzhou had not felt such a threat for a long time!

Instinctively, Shi Qingzhou spun around and left the spot, putting his silver soft sword in front of him.

There was no one else in the room.

However, he felt someone was here!

Apart from himself, there must be someone else!

Shi Qingzhou turned grim, holding his breath. Suddenly, he stabbed his sword at a place.

Suddenly, a black figure flashed away the place.

Shi Qingzhou immediately chased after the figure.

However, the black figure was very fast. In just an instant, he had jumped out of the window and then disappeared. Shi Qingzhou chased after him, but he could not feel his presence on the bustling streets.

When did the assassin arrive? Was it before or after the meeting?

If the assassin arrived before the meeting, Shi Qingzhou didn’t feel his presence when he entered the room.

If he arrived after…How did he sneak in?

Had this man’s martial arts reached such a high level?

Shi Qingzhou suddenly got worried.

He thought of Long Xiaoyuan. At this moment, Shi Qingzhou had no intention of staying outside.