142: Silly and simple-minded Kumārajīva

"Pfft..."

In the next second, blood splattered. Suo Li watched helplessly as his body was severed in two, blood spraying across the ground.

"No, impossible..."

After Suo Li spoke those last three words, his eyes bulged, and he died with his eyes wide open.

At that moment, a flurry of hurried footsteps sounded, and a group of guards arrived holding torches.

When they saw Duan Zhengchun, they immediately drew their long sabers from their waists and pointed them at him.

"Who are you? Don't move," the Commander of the Imperial Guard said coldly.

"Don't be nervous, I have no ill intentions. The person who broke into the palace at night is here; you can handle it as you see fit." Duan Zhengchun pointed to Suo Li lying on the ground.

The Commander of the Imperial Guard looked at the ground. When he saw Suo Li, who had been cut in two, his expression changed instantly.

"Who exactly are you, Your Excellency? Why are you here?" The Commander looked at Duan Zhengchun nervously.

"Don't be so nervous. I am a guest invited by your Empress Dowager. If you don't believe me, you should recognize this, right?"

Seeing that the Commander of the Imperial Guard was still unwilling to believe him, Duan Zhengchun remembered that Li Qiushui had given him a Medallion.

When the Commander saw the Medallion in Duan Zhengchun's hand, his expression shifted immediately, and he knelt down at once.

"Long live The Empress Dowager..."

"Alright, get up... Is there a problem now?" Duan Zhengchun asked.

"Young Master, please forgive me for the offense just now."

"After all, an Assassin broke into the palace, and we were just doing our duty." The Commander bowed with cupped hands to apologize to Duan Zhengchun.

"Understandable. You can take the person away and deal with him," Duan Zhengchun nodded.

"Young Master, do you need me to take you to see The Empress Dowager?" the Commander asked cautiously.

He had been the Commander of the Imperial Guard for many years, and this was the first time he had seen The Empress Dowager's personal Medallion on a stranger.

He knew very well that someone who could obtain The Empress Dowager's personal Medallion certainly had a status that was not simple; at the very least, their relationship with The Empress Dowager was extraordinary.

As the Commander of the Imperial Guard, he knew better than anyone that the one truly in charge of Western Xia was not the Emperor of Western Xia, but The Empress Dowager.

"No need, you all may leave."

Just then, Li Qiushui's voice rang out.

"Greetings, Empress Dowager. Long live The Empress Dowager." The Commander of the Imperial Guard knelt respectfully.

"That's enough..."

Li Qiushui waved her hand, and the Commander of the Imperial Guard bowed and left.

Li Qiushui looked at Duan Zhengchun, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly. Her peach blossom eyes narrowed into slits, and the smile in her eyes grew deeper.

"Prince Duan truly makes it harder and harder for The Empress Dowager to see through you; you've really given The Empress Dowager a surprise."

"A Master of the Grandmaster Peak like this is like a three-year-old child before you," Li Qiushui said with a smile.

"Sigh... This Prince is also quite helpless; being invincible is just that lonely." Duan Zhengchun had a helpless expression on his face.

Seeing Duan Zhengchun's reaction, the smile on Li Qiushui's face froze, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but twitch.

This guy really knows how to take a mile when given an inch. She gives him a few compliments, and he starts putting on airs.

However, it seemed what he said wasn't wrong. Even Shen Lang, who was also in the Heavenly Human Realm, couldn't withstand a single palm strike from him.

Not to mention this Foreign Monk was only at the Grandmaster Peak.

"Prince Duan is indeed a fascinating person. Since you've come from afar, let The Empress Dowager play the host."

"It's getting late. I'll have someone arrange accommodations for the Prince," Li Qiushui said with a smile.

"Then I'll trouble the great beauty," Duan Zhengchun said with a smirk and raised eyebrows.

"Giggle..."

Hearing Duan Zhengchun call her a "great beauty" again, Li Qiushui couldn't help but laugh charmingly.

Li Qiushui wasn't angry at all about Duan Zhengchun calling her that; instead, she felt a peculiar sensation.

Duan Zhengchun couldn't help but take a sharp breath in his heart.

This woman is indeed not a submissive one.

She's already starting to flirt with him; she really doesn't know her place.

After arranging the accommodations, Li Qiushui gave Duan Zhengchun a meaningful look and left, swaying her water snake waist.

"Brother Duan, what is the relationship between you two?" Gan Baobao asked curiously.

"Just ordinary friends. She came to congratulate me at my wedding before."

"To show my gratitude, I came here as a guest. Isn't that normal?" Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"Is it normal?" Gan Baobao looked at Duan Zhengchun with a strange expression.

"What's abnormal about it? Your Brother Duan is exceptionally gifted and possesses peerless looks (of course, not as handsome as the handsome readers)."

"Even if she has designs on me, there's nothing I can do," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

Gan Baobao gave Duan Zhengchun a pretty roll of her eyes, her expression carrying a hint of disdain.

She had never seen such a brazen person. Who praises themselves like that?

Even if you are handsome and gifted, you still can't compare to the power of the handsome readers.

Seeing Gan Baobao's expression, the corner of Duan Zhengchun's mouth twitched.

What's with this girl's expression? Is she looking down on me?

Her courage has really grown. How long has it been since I last taught you a lesson? You actually dare to have such thoughts?

"You rest here first. I'm going out to handle some business," Duan Zhengchun said.

"Brother Duan, what are you going to do?" Gan Baobao asked.

"Women shouldn't pry into men's business," Duan Zhengchun said with a stern face.

Seeing Duan Zhengchun's expression, Gan Baobao's face changed instantly, and a flash of panic appeared in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Brother Duan. Don't be angry. I won't ask about your business anymore, okay? Please don't be angry. And don't leave me alone; I'm scared here by myself." Gan Baobao quickly grabbed Duan Zhengchun's hand and apologized.

"I'm not angry. I really have things to do. Have you forgotten that the Foreign Monk still has a disciple waiting outside the palace?" Duan Zhengchun said.

"I see. Then I'll go with you," Gan Baobao said.

"No need. You're tired from the journey; rest first."

"Don't worry, I won't leave you alone. You're my woman now, and I'll take responsibility for you. Be good and listen to me," Duan Zhengchun comforted her.

"Well, alright then. Brother Duan, come back quickly." Gan Baobao nodded... Duan Zhengchun went directly to the top of the palace walls and looked toward the shadows in the corner.

To his surprise, Kumārajīva was actually still waiting there.

This silly guy. It's been so long; hasn't he realized something happened to his Master?

And with such a big commotion from the Imperial Guard earlier, didn't he notice?

What Duan Zhengchun didn't know was that it wasn't that Kumārajīva didn't want to leave, but his Master hadn't returned yet, and the Imperial Guard patrols were tighter than before.

Moreover, he didn't believe that with his Master's strength, he would be captured, let alone killed.

With his Master's strength, even if he couldn't win, he could still escape.

Since he hadn't come out for so long, he must have been delayed by something, so he couldn't leave yet.