The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 1000 - 563: The Hunt

Did Old Zhang know I was coming? Right, this guy can predict everything... Zhao Douan was momentarily taken aback, then glanced deeply at this priest, feigning a calm demeanor to maintain his own composure:

"Very well. Lead the way."

Soon, he followed behind the Gate God priest, hurrying along the complex paths inside the Heavenly Master Mansion toward its deepest part.

Perhaps because it was late at night, even though the priests were not asleep, most of them were inside the buildings, so he didn’t encounter anyone along the way.

"Please." The priest leading the way stopped outside a small courtyard in the depths, gestured with a "please" gesture, and silently left.

Zhao Douan took a deep breath and pushed open the slightly ajar wooden double doors with both hands.

Stepping inside, the first thing that caught his eye was a mysterious giant banyan tree, unlike the vibrant green of summer. The banyan tree’s thick branches had fiery red leaves, which shimmered under the moonlight, the glowing reflection spreading on the ground.

Zhang Yan Yi was leisurely sitting in a bamboo chair under the tree, smiling at him, teasing, "Commander Zhao isn’t keeping the Empress company at this hour, so why come to see an old man like me?"

You’re really implying something... Zhao Douan gave a peculiar look, highly suspecting that Old Zhang was teasing him with a hidden meaning, but a smart person never reveals their own scars. He removed his mask, cupped his hands in respect, "Younger generation comes here to relay a message to the Heavenly Master on behalf of Priest Jin Jian."

Zhang Yan Yi said, "Oh?" "What message does Jin Jianer want you to convey?"

Zhao Douan replied solemnly, "She greatly misses her master and is disappointed not to reunite with you this Mid-Autumn Festival. She thus entrusted me to convey her longing."

Sure, Jin Jian, that simple-minded person, didn’t actually say this, but that’s roughly the idea. Zhao Douan took the liberty to inquire after Jin Jian, essentially to have an excuse for his visit.

Zhang Yan Yi was momentarily stunned, his narrow eyes showing a hint of warmth, he nodded gently, "Please tell Jin Jianer from this old man that she... is quite thoughtful."

No... she never entrusted me, she wouldn’t think this comprehensively... Zhao Douan smiled, "The younger generation will surely deliver the message."

Zhang Yan Yi nodded a little, pointed to the empty chair in front, indicating him to sit down, "I heard from the people below, today at East Mountain you made a big splash, even brought Zhao Shixiong into your fold?"

Zhao Douan didn’t sit, portraying modesty, "Just a minor incident, not worth mentioning, it’s only a bit of superficial fame."

Secretly thinking: Is it really the people below reported, or did this old climber sneak out to spy and inquire?

Based on his understanding of Old Zhang’s character in private, Zhao Douan highly suspected the latter.

Zhang Yan Yi looked at him in surprise, "So modest, unlike you. Speak, why did you come tonight?"

Zhao Douan behaved extremely well, showing a contrite look, "Indeed there is one thing, I’d like the Heavenly Master to consider. Now that Zhao Shixiong has surrendered, next the court will proceed to use force against Mu Prince, the younger generation doesn’t want to waste this great opportunity, intending to take advantage of the momentum, cut off Mu Prince’s retreat route, hence, want to gather an elite force to capture Xu Jingtang...It’s just that Mu Prince Manor has been operating for years, afraid there might be experts hiding, hence...wish to borrow soldiers from the Heavenly Master."

Borrow soldiers!

Zhao Douan pondered and pondered; if he didn’t want to let the tiger return to the mountain, the best method.

Was to take advantage of Zhao Shixiong and Yuan Feng, to contain the Yunfu Army on the front battlefield.

He would lead a group of experts to capture the king by catching the ringleader first.

Unfortunately, the court’s experts are now dispersed in various military units to suppress rebellions, short-term regrouping is unrealistic.

So, he set his sights on Old Zhang.

"No borrowing!" Zhang Yan Yi lazily refused, "The Heavenly Master Mansion does not intervene in royal family internal battles, this is the rule."

Zhao Douan was not surprised, reasoning, "Senior, Jade Sleeve Priestess once battled Evil Cultivators from the White Clothes Sect in Taicang, and during the rebellion suppression later, encountered Martial Monk Fan Long from Divine Dragon Temple... It shows Xu Jingtang is already secretly colluding with remnants of the White Clothes Sect and Divine Dragon Temple, the former being Evil Cultivators, it’s justifiable for the Heavenly Master Mansion, a reputable sect, to eradicate them. As for the latter, if Divine Dragon Temple breaks the rules, it’s reasonable for the Heavenly Master Mansion to intervene and advise. The Heavenly Master rest assured, the younger generation will never involve the priests in anything beyond the initial skirmish..."

Zhang Yan Yi smiled charmingly, "You, boy, are certainly calculating clearly. But why should this old man help you? Bear in mind, even your substitute body is borrowed from me, this debt you haven’t repaid yet."

Old climber, I knew your substitute wasn’t given for free... Zhao Douan appealed emotionally:

"Senior, this time in hunting down Xu Jingtang, the younger generation will personally participate, if I die on this mission, then the debt to the senior, I’m afraid, can’t be repaid either."

Zhang Yan Yi’s eyes widened, slightly sitting up straight, "Do you want to renege on your debt?"

Zhao Douan grinned mischievously, "As the saying goes, when a person dies, so does their debt, once I’m dead, this substitute you can take back."

Both understood, a mere Puppet Substitute’s debt wasn’t significant.

But Zhao Douan also knew, Old Zhang always had some particular interest in him.

Perhaps noticing the many entangled causes and effects around him, making him "unique."

Zhang Yan Yi has always been very interested in him, were it not for the Empress’s restrictions, he might have long forced himself as a disciple.

Therefore, he straightforwardly used this to "extort" a bit more aid.

Even if Zhao Douan faintly worried, the more debts he accrued now, the more he’d owe in future, but it’s better to handle present matters first.

If worst comes to worst, once he advances to Heavenly Human, with Zhenbao, in Dual Cultivation...Bah, husband and wife in unison, the debt can be ignored.

Old Zhang, this sly old geezer, wouldn’t dare come to collect the debt!

The night was as cool as water.

The old and the young silently stared at each other for a long time.

Zhang Yan Yi sighed, conceding, spoke grumpily, "How many do you need?"

Zhao Douan felt a joy in his heart, said, "I dare not be extravagant, if I could have Jade Sleeve, Jin Jian, plus Priest Zhong Pan’s assistance, along with some local Daoist support from Huai River, that would suffice."