Chapter 792: Serving the Master

After one incense stick's time.

On the main road of Black Weasel City, Han Li and the other man hurried along, heading straight for the north gate.

If they weren't afraid of drawing more attention, they would have already taken flight on their flying shuttle and fled.

"The road ahead is bound to be turbulent again," Han Li said with a frown.

"Who would have thought our luck would be so bad? Of all people, we had to run into the Black Weasel Army. But it's just as well—let's leave the Ten Afflictions Mountain Range as soon as possible," Shi Chuankong said, feeling unlucky.

As soon as they finished speaking, they both stopped in their tracks, their expressions stiffening as they stared ahead, on high alert.

There, on the main road ahead, amidst the bustling crowd, a young scholar with a square scarf and a delicate face was walking toward them slowly, holding a scroll in his hand. His blue Confucian robe rippled slightly, making him look utterly refined.

Han Li and Shi Chuankong exchanged a glance, both smiling bitterly in their hearts.

Though they had never met this man before, he was not unfamiliar to them—he was the infamous Black Weasel King!

The Black Weasel King walked at a leisurely pace, his demeanor calm and composed, with not a trace of energy fluctuation. He looked exactly like an ordinary scholar, a faint smile on his face, appearing utterly harmless.

When he drew near, he held the scroll with both hands and, in the manner of a scholar, gave a slight bow to Han Li and the other man, then spoke first: "Thirteenth Prince, your esteemed presence graces Black Weasel City, and I failed to welcome you from afar."

Shi Chuankong paused only briefly, then a warm smile appeared on his face as he returned the bow respectfully, saying:

"Senior, you flatter me. This is truly overwhelming for a junior."

Han Li frowned slightly, said nothing, and simply returned the bow.

"This is not a place for conversation, nor is it the way of Black Weasel City to treat guests. Why not move a few steps to my Yuxiu Palace for a chat?" the Black Weasel King said, his smile now seeming more sincere as he invited them.

"Then we shall trouble you," Shi Chuankong said, having no room to refuse.

Hearing this, the Black Weasel King smiled and said, "Please," then waved his hand. A patch of black light appeared beneath their feet.

In the next moment, the scenery shifted, and they found themselves in a vast, verdant garden.

The garden was filled with exotic flowers and rare plants, dotted with rugged rocks. Winding paths led through dense bamboo groves, where birds sang melodiously in the quiet elegance. Scattered among the scenery were many pavilions and towers, exquisitely designed, offering a different view at every step—a breathtaking beauty.

As they walked deeper, the garden's scenery changed dramatically. One moment it was a riot of spring blossoms in purple and red; the next, it became a snow-covered winter landscape. Various rare beasts and birds added to the wonder.

"Senior Black Weasel, I've long heard that you built a 'Lansheng Garden' in Black Weasel City, with delightful scenery and different views in all four seasons. Seeing it today, it truly is extraordinary," Shi Chuankong said, walking half a step behind.

"It's just rustic scenery from the countryside, hardly comparable to the sights of Yeyang City," the Black Weasel King said modestly, though a hint of pride flashed in his eyes.

Neither of them mentioned the earlier conflict with the Black Weasel Army and his son. They chatted idly as they walked until they arrived before a group of vermilion buildings.

"Thirteenth Prince, let us have a talk in the Zhongling Hall. In the meantime, how about asking Fellow Daoist Li to rest in the Chunsui Hall and enjoy some tea?" the Black Weasel King said, stopping before a vermilion hall with a glazed roof.

Han Li glanced at Shi Chuankong, who nodded silently.

"As Senior Black Weasel wishes," Shi Chuankong said with a smile.

With that, Han Li was led by a beautiful palace maid through winding corridors to the Chunsui Hall, while Shi Chuankong followed the Black Weasel King to the Yuxiu Palace.

Entering the Chunsui Hall, a waiting palace maid served tea, and Han Li sat quietly, savoring the tea.

Meanwhile, in the Zhongling Hall.

Shi Chuankong followed the Black Weasel King into the hall, one behind the other.

The hall doors slowly closed. Shi Chuankong maintained a calm expression, but cold sweat was forming on his back.

He looked around the hall; it seemed less like a meeting place and more like a study or a scholar's retreat.

Two-thirds of the hall was occupied by wide ebony bookshelves, neatly filled with blue books, tens of thousands of them.

A quick glance revealed that most of these books were poetry collections and popular novels, interspersed with Daoist scriptures and Buddhist teachings, with almost no cultivation manuals.

The walls were adorned with beautifully mounted calligraphy pieces, mostly ancient poems and Buddhist or Daoist prophecies. The brushwork was steady and proper, but lacked any distinctive style or spirit.

"Senior Black Weasel, your refined tastes are admirable. With such a vast collection of books and your vigorous calligraphy, I am truly impressed," Shi Chuankong said, forcing down his discomfort.

"In this remote wilderness, surrounded by uncivilized people who eat raw meat and drink blood, it's rare to find someone as discerning as the Thirteenth Prince. No wonder I feel an instant connection with you, haha..." the Black Weasel King laughed heartily.

"By the way, about the earlier conflict in the city with your son..." Shi Chuankong began, but the Black Weasel King waved his hand to interrupt.

"That was just a minor scuffle. Don't worry about it. Do you think I invited you to my Yuxiu Palace over such a trivial matter?" the Black Weasel King said, his expression turning serious as he looked at Shi Chuankong with a meaningful gaze.

"If it's not about that trivial matter, then it must be about something important?" Shi Chuankong asked, his expression growing solemn.

"Heh, the Thirteenth Prince is a clever man, so I won't beat around the bush. In Yeyang City, the matter of 'inheritance' has stirred up a storm, causing the entire Holy Domain to be in turmoil. Many forces, both overt and covert, are making their choices. Although the Ten Afflictions Mountain Range is remote and often overlooked, when the time comes, it will inevitably be affected. So I must make early preparations," the Black Weasel King said, walking to a bookshelf and placing the scroll he held back in its place.

"Regarding the 'inheritance,' the Holy Clan has always been reticent, and I have no intention of contending for it. I only regret that after being away from the Holy Domain for so long, upon my return, things have escalated to this extent," Shi Chuankong said with a sigh.

"A pearl will shine no matter where it is cast. Even if the Thirteenth Prince doesn't return to the Holy Domain, he cannot escape the attention of others," the Black Weasel King said with a cryptic smile.

"Senior, what do you mean by that?" Shi Chuankong, sensing the implication, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"As everyone knows, among the Holy Lord's thirteen children, the eldest prince, Shi Zhanfeng, has the broadest influence and the strongest power. The only one who can rival him is the third prince, Shi Pokong, who has the greatest talent. And since you and the third prince share the same mother and are closest, the world knows you must be aligned with him," the Black Weasel King said, his eyes gleaming.

"I see. Senior Black Weasel wants to use me to bet on my third brother?" Shi Chuankong said in realization.

"Initially, before receiving the eldest prince's kill order, I planned to bet on him, given the generous rewards he promised. But when I learned that you and your retainer had successively slain two of Jinxi's battle generals, my mind wavered," the Black Weasel King continued.

Shi Chuankong frowned, realizing the Black Weasel had mistaken Han Li's identity, and suddenly recalled that Han Li had mentioned sensing another powerful presence while fleeing from Jinxi.

"Senior Black Weasel, was it you who helped us at the border, preventing Jinxi from pursuing us further?" Shi Chuankong asked.

"Indeed. In fact, I had been monitoring your movements before that. Originally, I planned to wait until he forced you to use all your means and fight to the death, then step in to reap the benefits. But after seeing you escape from him twice, I changed my mind and decided to spare you and switch my allegiance to the third prince. But now..." the Black Weasel King paused mid-sentence, looking at Shi Chuankong with an amused expression.

Shi Chuankong tensed up but quickly relaxed, meeting the Black Weasel's gaze with a calm expression.

At this point, things couldn't get any worse.

"Haha... After meeting you in person, I've decided to bet on you, Thirteenth Prince," the Black Weasel King said with a hearty laugh.

Shi Chuankong could hardly believe his ears. After a moment's hesitation, he asked:

"You want to bet on me... Why?"

"What if I said it's because the Thirteenth Prince has discerning eyes, and I'm repaying kindness? Would you believe me?" the Black Weasel King asked, his smile fading.

"Senior, you..." Shi Chuankong shook his head without hesitation, about to say more.

"The Thirteenth Prince possesses great potential, though it has yet to manifest. Moreover, having such a retainer by your side and being relentlessly hunted by the eldest prince at any cost already speaks volumes," the Black Weasel King said with a chuckle.

"Senior Black Weasel, your boldness is admirable..." Shi Chuankong said with a noncommittal smile.

"Since the Thirteenth Prince has no objections, let's discuss something more concrete..." the Black Weasel King said with a smile.

...

Time passed, and half a day went by.

Han Li had been drinking tea in the Chunsui Hall the entire time. No one came to speak with him; only a few seductive palace maids kept refilling his tea.

Outwardly calm, his mind was churning with anxiety.

Just as his patience was about to run out and he was considering breaking out, he saw Shi Chuankong and the Black Weasel King walk in from outside, chatting and laughing, looking like the best of friends.

"Black Weasel City rarely has such distinguished guests. Stay in the Yuxiu Palace for a while and let me fulfill my duties as host. As for returning to Xiongju City, don't worry—I'll make the arrangements," the Black Weasel King said with a smile.

"Then we'll trouble you, Senior Black Weasel," Shi Chuankong replied with a smile.

Afterward, under the Black Weasel King's arrangements, they took up temporary residence in a side hall of the Yuxiu Palace.