Chapter 25: Spare me that act; I’m afraid my brother can’t handle it!

Two days later.
The Imperial Palace.
Before the Star-Gazing Terrace.

Shen Xiao gazed toward the direction of Guiyun City and spoke softly, "Shadow, where have they reached?"

As the voice fell, a woman dressed in night-traveling gear emerged from the pitch-black night. Her expression was solemn as she replied, "They have just arrived at Qingfeng Town."

"Two days have passed; how have they only covered such a short distance?" Shen Xiao's expression darkened.

The shadow behind her hesitated, unsure if she should report what she had witnessed. Sensing her dilemma, Shen Xiao sighed. "It is fine. Speak your mind. Whatever happens around Shen Lang, nothing surprises me anymore."

Hearing this, the shadow braced herself and said, "My Lord, it appears Shen Lang has no intention of hurrying."

"Oh?" Shen Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

"Throughout this journey, Shen Lang stops to rest at every single town they encounter. If not for Nalan Yanran’s repeated urging, they might not have even reached Qingfeng Town by now. Your Majesty, do you truly believe that fellow can help you collect taxes?"

Detecting the doubt in the shadow’s tone, Shen Xiao smiled. "Even you can see it. Why do you think he is still acting this way?"

"This..." The shadow scratched her head. "Is it because he finds collecting taxes in Guiyun City too difficult and is intentionally stalling for time, waiting for Your Majesty to recall him?"

"Heh..." Shen Xiao looked toward the direction of Qingfeng Town with an intrigued expression. "You think too simply of him. I, however, believe he is looking to kill."

"What?!" The shadow was stunned. She could not fathom how Shen Xiao had reached such a conclusion.

Shen Xiao seemed to enjoy sharing her mental games with Shen Lang. She chuckled, "That man must have calculated that I am not only providing him with protection in the open but also have others guarding him in the shadows. Thus, he is using himself as bait to lure out everyone who wishes to strike at him."

"Is he not afraid of losing this gamble?" the shadow asked, unable to comprehend it. To her, the idea of relying on others for protection while disregarding one's own safety was utterly foolish.

But Shen Xiao shook her head calmly. "That brat has me figured out. He is betting that I cannot bear to let him die."

Upon hearing this, the shadow dared not say another word. She bowed her head, pretending she had heard nothing.

After a long silence, Shen Xiao sighed helplessly. "Enough. Keep a close watch on him and report any developments to me immediately."

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Sensing the shadow’s presence vanish, Shen Xiao looked up once more toward Guiyun City. "To proactively choose the Zhou family—what a vengeful, toxic strategist he truly is."

"However, I shall see how you intend to contend with the Zhou family."

***

Meanwhile, in Qingfeng Town.

Nalan Yanran watched Shen Lang, who was sitting in a teahouse, sipping tea and listening to a storyteller with a carefree air. She finally could not hold back any longer.

"Shen Lang, Zhao An has already reached Wanxiang City and started collecting taxes. How can you still have the leisure to sit here and listen to stories?"

"What’s the rush? I’m not here to collect taxes," Shen Lang said, cracking sunflower seeds.

"You..." Nalan Yanran was at a loss for words. After all, Shen Lang was technically correct. What he and the Great Emperor Shen Xiao had discussed was the destruction of the Zhao clan. Going to Guiyun City was merely a facade to pressure the Zhao clan into gathering more tax revenue to fill the national treasury.

But realizing that if Shen Lang did not show up in Guiyun City, the Zhao clan would surely notice something amiss, she frowned and said, "The Zhao clan members are not fools. If you don't go to Guiyun City and they discover your plan, what will you do?"

"Oh, little girl Nalan, you've grown a brain! Have you learned so much from being by my side that you’ve become smarter?"

"You bastard, I'm talking about something serious!" Nalan Yanran stomped her foot in anger.

She was about to lose her temper when she saw the playful glint in Shen Lang's eyes. She realized instantly that he was teasing her on purpose. If she got angry, she would be falling right into his trap.

Determined to find out what game he was playing, Nalan Yanran glanced at Lüduo, who was sitting nearby with her skirt slit, revealing her fair legs. A wild plan formed in her mind.

"Brother Lang is right. If I’ve become smarter, it’s all because I learned from you. You are my wise mentor and friend!"

"Holy crap!" Shen Lang was stunned. He had been bickering with Nalan Yanran on the road for days, having clearly come to view her as mere entertainment for the dull journey. But seeing her now attacking his weak points directly, he looked wary. "Miss Nalan, if you are sick, go see a doctor. There is no need to push yourself like this. I’m starting to get worried about you."

Seeing Shen Lang back down, Nalan Yanran’s lips curled into a smile. "Brother Lang, what are you saying? Everything I said is true! My master also told me to learn from you."

*Hiss...* Watching Nalan Yanran approach him with such charm, Shen Lang waved his hands. "Stop. Whatever you want to know, just ask. Don't pull this act; I’m afraid my 'brother' down there won't be able to handle it and will come out to beat you up."

*Hehe...*

Having achieved her goal, Nalan Yanran stopped flirting and turned serious. "I want to know, why do you stop at every town to listen to stories and eat? What are you actually doing?"

"Gathering intelligence."

Gathering intelligence? Nalan Yanran was confused. She reflexively asked, "I didn't notice any intelligence here."

"That’s because you don't attend enough meetings and don't know how to grasp the key points when leaders speak." Shen Lang pointed toward the attendant pouring water in the teahouse. "Do you remember what that attendant said when we walked in?"

"He..." Nalan Yanran thought for a moment. "He asked, 'Young Master, are you here for the stories or to stay at the inn?'"

"Right. Did you notice anything wrong with that?" Shen Lang asked.

"What could be wrong with that?" Nalan Yanran looked blank. She had rested in small towns before, and that was the standard line for attendants.

Just as Nalan Yanran waited for Shen Lang to explain, Lüduo, who was fanning him, suddenly exclaimed, "This is a teahouse! Why would he ask if we want to stay at an inn? That’s not right!"

*Whoosh.*

Lüduo’s words made Nalan Yanran’s heart skip a beat. She finally realized the problem. Teahouses generally only provided tea and storytelling; lodging was not their business.

Shen Lang looked at Lüduo, pleasantly surprised. "Duoduo, you are so clever. Now, guess why the attendant would say something like that?"

"Uh..." Lüduo thought for a while and shook her head. "I can't figure it out."

"And you?" Shen Lang looked at Nalan Yanran.

Nalan Yanran awkwardly shook her head as well.

Seeing this, Shen Lang sighed. "You still need to learn and practice more! Let me tell you: that attendant asking if we wanted to stay at an inn was his way of telling us that the population of Qingfeng Town is currently very high. The other inns that actually provide lodging are likely already full."

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran felt she had been toyed with. She said unhappily, "What does that prove?"

"It proves that it’s not safe outside Qingfeng Town, and many cultivators are too afraid to take the risk, so they are stranded here. Combined with the fact that Qingfeng Town is the only path to Guiyun City, I suspect that a certain faction is intercepting everyone leaving the town. And that faction is, in all likelihood, coming for us."