140: Nighttime entry into the palace

Seeing Duan Zhengchun eating with such gusto, Gan Baobao also felt a bit hungry.

It was mainly because the late-night snacks Duan Zhengchun prepared looked so appealing; they truly whetted one's appetite. Especially that unique fragrance—what foodie could resist it?

Seeing Gan Baobao's expression—clearly wanting to eat yet still restraining herself for fear of gaining weight—Duan Zhengchun couldn't help but find it amusing.

"Don't worry, you won't gain weight. Even if you get fat, I'll still like you."

"Really?" Gan Baobao's eyes lit up as she looked at Duan Zhengchun.

"Of course. Haven't you heard the saying? When looking for a wife, you should find a plump one; when eating dumplings, you should eat them hot. If she's too thin, she won't be able to hold onto her fortune." Duan Zhengchun was just talking nonsense.

He was talking nonsense, but Gan Baobao believed him.

No longer feeling reserved, she picked up the snacks and began to eat.

The late-night snack lasted for over two hours before ending. Gan Baobao rubbed her slightly bulging belly, her pretty face flushing red.

"Brother Duan, did I eat a bit too much?"

"Not at all. Having a good appetite is a blessing." Duan Zhengchun looked at Gan Baobao with a smile.

People tend to get sleepy after a full meal, especially at night. Just after finishing, Gan Baobao felt a bit drowsy and found a comfortable spot beside Duan Zhengchun to lie down for a nap.

Meanwhile, Duan Zhengchun didn't idle; he remained attentive to the movements in the surroundings.

Late into the night, after the entire Western Xia Imperial City fell silent, two figures arrived noiselessly at the foot of the city walls.

These two were none other than Suo Li and Kumārajīva.

Duan Zhengchun picked up a Soup Dumpling and held it in front of Gan Baobao's nose. Gan Baobao's nose twitched, and she reflexively took a bite.

Only after it was in her mouth did she realize what happened. Seeing Duan Zhengchun looking at her teasingly, her face instantly turned red.

"Oh, Brother Duan, how can you be like this? I'm so full, I'm not hungry yet," Gan Baobao said shyly.

"Since you're not hungry yet, then Brother Duan will take you to help your digestion. Come, let's go watch a show," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"Watch a show? Great, great!" Gan Baobao's eyes lit up.

The two tidied up and left the manor. Duan Zhengchun wrapped his arm around Gan Baobao's slender waist, and their figures vanished from the manor instantly.

They glided silently over the rooftops of the Imperial City.

Suo Li and Kumārajīva, both dressed in night-traveler's attire, hid in the shadows at the foot of the Imperial City.

It was a waning moon today, and the light was dim. The patrolling Imperial Guards did not notice anyone hiding at the base of the city walls.

Both Suo Li and Kumārajīva were waiting. Suo Li had been here once ten years ago; at that time, the guards' patrols were very lax.

However, it was much tighter now than ten years ago. After all, an incident had occurred once before.

Naturally, patrols would be strengthened, but it was impossible for there to be no loopholes at all.

With Suo Li's strength at the Grandmaster Peak, he seized the gap during the shift change and leaped up, his body scaling the wall like a gecko.

Gecko Wall-Climbing Skill—at his Realm, performing such a light-body technique was very simple.

Kumārajīva waited in the corner to provide backup.

Suo Li silently avoided the patrolling guards and moved toward the direction in his memory.

The two believed their actions were seamless, unaware that every move was seen by Duan Zhengchun and Gan Baobao.

"Eh? Brother Duan, what are you looking at? Why can't I see anything?" Gan Baobao asked in confusion.

She was only at the Xiantian Realm and could not yet completely ignore the darkness.

But Duan Zhengchun was different; he was at the Heavenly Human Realm. Even with his eyes closed, he knew everything happening in the entire Imperial City.

However, he didn't do that. After all, the Western Xia Imperial Palace was not without its Masters.

He didn't want to alert the enemy yet.

Immediately, Duan Zhengchun grabbed Gan Baobao's small hand and channeled a trace of True Qi into her. Instantly, Gan Baobao felt the scene before her become clear.

Soon, she saw a black-clad figure hiding in the corner of the city wall.

"Ah..."

Gan Baobao reflexively let out a startled cry, but Duan Zhengchun quickly covered her mouth.

"Shh... keep it down, don't get caught," Duan Zhengchun whispered into her ear.

Feeling the warm air against her ear, Gan Baobao's pretty face turned red.

It made her heart race for a moment.

However, she said nothing and nodded with a blushing face.

"Come, let's follow and see..." Duan Zhengchun led Gan Baobao silently into the imperial palace.

They pursued in the direction where the black-clad figure had disappeared.

Suo Li had no idea he was being followed. He cautiously avoided all the guards and once again arrived at the place he had visited ten years ago.

Deep within the palace, inside a luxurious hall, Li Qiushui, who was meditating and practicing her skills, suddenly opened her phoenix eyes, a cold smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.

"Hmph, the little thief from ten years ago? You really couldn't resist showing up again."

"However, I didn't expect you to wait this long to appear. You've truly made The Empress Dowager wait a long time. This time, The Empress Dowager will see how you manage to escape."

After Li Qiushui finished speaking, her figure flickered and turned into a series of afterimages, vanishing.

Seeing the black-clad man avoid the guards and disappear behind a rockery, Duan Zhengchun was about to follow when he paused and stopped.

Gan Baobao looked at Duan Zhengchun in confusion, her pretty face full of questions.

"Shh, someone's coming," Duan Zhengchun sent a voice transmission.

Gan Baobao nodded, and the two continued to wait in the corner.

Soon, a figure dressed in luxurious clothing and wearing a veil arrived atop the rockery.

That graceful figure was completely visible to Duan Zhengchun.

Looking at the newcomer, a smile appeared on Duan Zhengchun's lips.

Although she wore a veil, Duan Zhengchun recognized her identity at a glance.

Empress Dowager of Western Xia, Li Qiushui.

Li Qiushui looked at the secret chamber behind the rockery, a playful smile appearing on her lips. She was in no hurry to enter, instead standing there quietly outside.

As time passed minute by minute, a faint sound of footsteps rang out.

Then, a dark figure was seen walking out of the secret chamber behind the rockery.

After Suo Li finished making a rubbing of the Secret Manual on the stone wall, he didn't linger and returned the way he came. Just as he exited the secret passage, he sensed something was wrong.

The surroundings were too quiet—eerie, even.

Making a prompt decision, his figure suddenly accelerated to leave.

"Your Excellency has come to my Western Xia Imperial Palace as a guest, yet I, the host, was unaware. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?" Li Qiushui said in a cold tone.

Hearing Li Qiushui's voice, Suo Li knew things had gone south.

No wonder it was so easy to get in this time; it turned out she had known he was sneaking in all along.

"You knew I was coming?" Suo Li said in a raspy voice.

"Heh, you came here ten years ago to steal a Secret Manual, and that time you were lucky enough to escape. You should have stayed properly in your Tubo."

"To think you'd dare come again today; naturally, The Empress Dowager must show some hospitality as a host," Li Qiushui said coldly.

"You... you are the Empress Dowager of Western Xia, Li Qiushui?" Suo Li said in shock.

"Since you know, will you surrender yourself, or must The Empress Dowager act personally?" Li Qiushui said coldly.

"Hmph, we are both Great Grandmasters. Are you so confident you can take me down?" Suo Li sneered.

"Heh, then let's give it a try." Li Qiushui's gaze suddenly turned cold, and she raised her hand and struck with a palm.