107: Haitang Duoduo picks mushrooms! Guo Baokun's transformation

Chapter 107: Haitang Duoduo Picks Mushrooms! Guo Baokun's Metamorphosis! (13)

Name: Haitang Duoduo

Age: 19 years old

Realm: Ninth Rank Upper Level

Talent: Martial Dao (Ninth Rank), Drinking (Seventh Rank), Farming (Seventh Rank)

Ability: Drinking (Ninth Rank), Farming (Seventh Rank), Flower Picking (Sixth Rank)

Affection: 70

Haitang Duoduo has no Remark information, indicating that her martial prowess ranking did not enter the top ten of this world.

In the current martial prowess ranking, below Wu Zhu and the Four Grandmasters is Li Chang'an.

Then came Zhao Gao, Hong Sixiang, and Jing Ni; Haitang Duoduo still couldn't make it into the tenth place.

Haitang Duoduo was still pouting, and Si Lili gently asked, "Your Highness, is there some misunderstanding between you and Haitang?"

Li Chang'an sighed helplessly, "Last year, by the North Sea, I encountered the Saintess and the Brocade-Clad Guards. To reduce casualties for the Shadow Guard, this King used some medicine on the Saintess."

"Unexpectedly, the Saintess couldn't withstand the medicine's effects and couldn't help but kiss this King.

If this King hadn't taken her into the North Sea to sober up, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Hearing Li Chang'an's shameless assertion, Haitang Duoduo said bitterly, "You deliberately concealed your cultivation to trick me. Now you're acting like the victim!"

Li Chang'an corrected her, "This King's concealment of his cultivation was due to unavoidable circumstances, and this King didn't do anything to you, did he? You were the one who couldn't control herself."

Haitang Duoduo gritted her teeth and said, "How truly shameless!"

"I'm too lazy to argue with you. You know the secret that His Majesty is a woman, and I know the secret that you are a Great Grandmaster. Let's keep each other's secrets, I'm leaving."

"Cough cough!"

Li Chang'an coughed twice and said, "Your Excellency Saintess, you are mistaken.

If we were equals, such a trade would naturally be no problem."

"The current situation is that you are this King's captive. How can there be an equal trade?"

"As long as this King gives the order, the Holy Maiden of Northern Qi will be this King's prisoner.

This King will parade you in a prison cart into the capital. I wonder what that would be like?"

Haitang Duoduo was furious. A new Great Grandmaster had suddenly appeared in the world, and she had to be the one to encounter him.

If the dignified Saintess were imprisoned, it would be too great a blow to Northern Qi's confidence.

"Then tell me, what do you want to do?"

Li Chang'an said, "This King's demands are very lenient. From today until this King leaves Northern Qi, you will be this King's subordinate."

"Of course, outwardly you can continue to be your Saintess, but your actions must follow my command.

Otherwise, we will break the net and expose each other's secrets."

As soon as Li Chang'an finished speaking, Si Lili reminded her, "Duoduo, you mustn't casually reveal His Highness's secret, after all, he is much stronger than you."

"If you displease His Highness, and he captures you again, you will never be free."

Haitang Duoduo looked at the serious-faced Si Lili, somewhat puzzled.

"Li Li, you've been completely charmed by Li Chang'an. You're siding with him too much!"

Si Lili's face flushed slightly, "Not at all, I've always sided with my own."

Haitang Duoduo was speechless; the Si Lili before her was already obsessed.

Ultimately, Haitang accepted Li Chang'an's conditions. She was Li Chang'an's captive, and these conditions were already very lenient.

Seeing her agree, Li Chang'an ordered her, "There's no women's tent outside, so you'll have to make do here for the night."

"Tomorrow morning, you'll come with this King to handle some matters."

Li Chang'an wasn't afraid of Haitang escaping; if she really tried to escape, he could catch her in an instant.

Haitang Duoduo was utterly dejected and could only find a corner to squat in, making do for the night.

Capital, Supervisory Council.

Chen Pingping was also following Fan Xian's itinerary.

Shadow emerged from the darkness and reported the latest situation.

"Director, Shang Shanhu has already led his men south and will encounter the envoy tomorrow."

"Yan Xiao Yi violated military regulations and also led his men to intercept the envoy, which should be an order from The Eldest Princess."

"Heaven One Path Lang Tao and Haitang Duoduo have left the capital, their target also being the envoy."

"Guo Baokun, with a dozen old soldiers, has been following Fan Xian's convoy from a distance, intending to seize an opportunity to protect Fan Xian."

Chen Pingping's face was as calm as an ancient well, as if he was weighing the strengths of all parties, considering whether it was appropriate to withdraw the Black Knights now.

"Shadow, the old soldiers Guo Baokun brought, are all above the Seventh Rank, aren't they?"

Shadow replied, "They are elite soldiers above the Seventh Rank, rich in combat experience, skilled in combined attacks and encirclement. They were secretly introduced by our people."

Chen Pingping and Emperor Qing had plotted for over twenty years, solely to have Fan Xian extract the secret of the temple from Xiao En's mouth.

Fan Xian's rapid promotion also served this plan, and now it had reached the most crucial moment.

"Shadow, withdraw the Black Knights."

Shadow asked worriedly, "Director, Fan Xian is encountering so many people, withdrawing the Black Knights is truly too dangerous."

"Yan Xiao Yi, Shang Shanhu, and Lang Tao are all Ninth Rank Upper Level. I can't defeat them all at once!"

Chen Pingping said in a deep voice, "Before Xiao En was injured, he was Ninth Rank Upper Level, just like me.

Now, continuously sustained by Fei Jie's poison, he should be barely at the Ninth Rank level."

"His hearing has deteriorated significantly, but due to rigorous training in his early years, it is still superior to that of an average Ninth Rank Lower Level master."

Shadow said, understanding, "This subordinate understands. Only if this subordinate goes to lurk nearby, will Xiao En not discover him."

Chen Pingping said, "After all parties meet tomorrow, you will secretly lurk nearby and seize the opportunity to protect Fan Xian."

"You don't need to help Fan Xian with whatever he wants to do.

You are only responsible for his life or death. If his life is in danger, you just need to save him at the critical moment."

Chen Pingping was confident in Shadow's stealth abilities; at least Yan Xiao Yi, Shang Shanhu, Lang Tao, and Xiao En would not detect him.

Since Fan Xian's arrival in the capital, Chen Pingping and Emperor Qing's plan had encountered many unexpected turns.

But fortunately, with both of them holding great power, they managed to steer it back on track.

Tomorrow's final step carried the greatest uncertainty.

If Fan Xian's quick wit was insufficient, it could lead to the failure of all efforts.

Twenty years of painstaking planning, success or failure would be decided tomorrow.

A few miles outside Fan Xian's camp.

A dozen old soldiers disguised as farmers were roasting sweet potatoes.

Guo Baokun, exhausted from travel, was resting under a nearby tree.

This young master, who had been pampered since childhood, had never suffered such hardships, but for the only chance to save Guo Youzhi, he had to give it his all.

He looked at the old soldiers holding sickles, axes, and rolling pins, feeling uncertain. Were these people capable or not?

At this moment, Zhao Da, the leader of the old soldiers, approached with a beaming smile, holding a sweet potato.

"Young Master Guo, it's time to eat."

Guo Baokun glanced at the sweet potato, a look of extreme distaste on his face.

"Zhao Da, these people you found... are they really capable?"

Zhao Da's eyes gleamed, his expression fierce, "Capable! Murder and robbery, all above standard!"

Guo Baokun had no experience hiring assassins, but when he wanted to find them, suddenly people came knocking on his door.

He was pressed for time and had no better channels, so he hired these old soldiers.

Zhao Da chuckled, "Young Master Guo, have some sweet potato."

Guo Baokun looked at the dark, unappetizing sweet potato and still felt he couldn't eat it.

"No, I'd rather starve to death than eat this thing!"

Guo Baokun, accustomed to fine clothes and rich food, had never eaten such down-to-earth fare.

Although the food he brought was all gone, he still couldn't accept it.

Zhao Da was very patient with his patron, "Alright, I'll save it for you. Eat it yourself when you're hungry."

Two hours later, the old soldiers were sound asleep. Guo Baokun, his stomach rumbling, couldn't sleep at all.

He picked up the sweet potato Zhao Da had left for him, disdainfully peeled it, and took two bites.

After those two bites, Young Master Guo's eyes immediately lit up!

"So delicious! Truly delicious!"

Dozens of miles away.

Yan Xiao Yi, his eyes grim, was leading a cavalry troop in a furious gallop.

His route on the way here overlapped with Li Chang'an's convoy, and he was afraid of being discovered by a Ninth Rank master, so he deliberately took a detour.

Now, it seemed Yan Xiao Yi had a tight schedule to intercept Fan Xian before he crossed the border, so he had to travel all night.

Fan Xian's camp.

Inside the steel prison cart, wrapped in layers of iron chains, Xiao En was attempting to slowly force Fei Jie's poison out of his body.

Xiao En was not only a spy chief but also a master of poisons on par with Fei Jie, whose poison techniques were truly unpredictable.

Chen Pingping had arranged for Fei Jie to teach Fan Xian poisons from a young age, also in preparation for Fan Xian escorting Xiao En.

The Dao of poison was too insidious; if one was not proficient in it, one might perish after merely exchanging a few words with Xiao En.

Therefore, Fan Xian had to be a master of poisons to successfully complete Chen Pingping and Emperor Qing's plan.

The only masters Fan Xian brought with him were Zong Zhui and Gao Da. Zong Zhui was a loyal subordinate of Deputy Director Fan.

Gao Da was the leader of the Tiger Guards lent to Fan Xian by Fan Jian, an Eighth Rank Peak master, known as invincible below the Ninth Rank.

The others were the envoy's regular guards, the Supervisory Council masters escorting Xiao En, and a dozen or so Seventh and Eighth Rank Tiger Guards.

These forces were not weak, but compared to the opponents he was about to face, they were somewhat thin.

The next morning.

Li Chang'an, Si Lili, and Haitang Duoduo emerged from the tent together.

Wang Qinian feigned surprise and said, "Your Highness, who is this young lady?"

Li Chang'an pointed to Haitang Duoduo and introduced her, "The Holy Maiden of Northern Qi, Haitang Duoduo, specially came to welcome this King."

Wang Qinian exclaimed, "Your Excellency Saintess is truly enthusiastic, to welcome him into the tent late at night. I, Wang, am impressed!"

Li Chang'an said to Wang Qinian, "Today, the Saintess and I will go south to handle some matters. Teng Zijing will come with us. You lead the convoy to proceed slowly."

After arranging matters for the camp, Li Chang'an, Haitang Duoduo, and Teng Zijing set off together towards Fan Xian's camp.

Bringing Teng Zijing was to let him spar with Yan Xiao Yi. High-level masters fighting alone can deepen their understanding of the Martial Dao.

Teng Zijing was a Ninth Rank hidden weapon user, and Yan Xiao Yi was a Ninth Rank archer. Both were powerful long-range attackers and shared some similarities.

After walking for dozens of miles, Haitang Duoduo suddenly asked with a look of disdain, "Who did you find to impersonate me and abduct Li Li? You wouldn't wear women's clothing yourself, would you?"

In Haitang Duoduo's opinion, how could there be so many Ninth Rank Upper Level masters in the world? There were only a handful of well-known ones.

Li Chang'an casually said, "Another subordinate of mine. I'll introduce you two when there's an opportunity."

In fact, Haitang and Jing Ni had met before; Li Chang'an was just too lazy to admit it.

Haitang Duoduo frowned and said, "Li Chang'an, you hide your cultivation, you hide masters. You wouldn't be planning a rebellion, would you?"

"If you want to rebel, that would be truly excellent! Our Great Qi will fully support you; the Empress Dowager and His Majesty both support you!"

Li Chang'an smiled calmly, "What if this King wants to rebel against your Northern Qi?"

Haitang Duoduo suddenly fell silent. Ku He was severely injured and hadn't recovered yet. If Li Chang'an wanted to cause trouble in Northern Qi, he could seemingly do as he pleased.

A Great Grandmaster was a vital national asset; a Great Grandmaster being injured was absolutely a matter of utmost importance.

This time, with Ku He injured, if Emperor Qing, the Great Grandmaster, hadn't been hiding something and dared not leave the palace, he would certainly have come to Northern Qi to cause a stir himself.

The three moved extremely fast, and soon arrived at a stone forest near the border.

Li Chang'an glanced at the stone forest, then said, "Alright, we'll wait here. Teng Zijing, go scout the surroundings, and be careful to hide your tracks."

Teng Zijing's current disguise was similar to Shadow's; his face could not be easily shown to others.

"Understood, Your Highness."

Li Chang'an sat down on a hilltop, closed his eyes, and began to perceive the surrounding movements.

Haitang Duoduo, bored, began weaving a flower basket with branches, then started picking flowers, living up to her superb flower-picking ability.

"Saintess, you're great at picking flowers, how about picking mushrooms?"

Haitang Duoduo glared at Li Chang'an, then pulled out a mushroom by its roots.

"A piece of cake!"

Li Chang'an nodded in satisfaction, an expectant look on his face.

After a short while, Li Chang'an suddenly opened his eyes, "Someone's coming."

Haitang Duoduo's ears twitched, but she heard nothing. Her hearing was far inferior to Li Chang'an's.

The newcomer was Shadow. He had always kept a certain distance ahead of Fan Xian, monitoring the envoy's movements.

The Black Knights in the shadows around the envoy had all withdrawn; now, the Great Qing envoy was virtually exposed.

Shadow was most adept at Assassination, and his movement technique and swordsmanship were both top-notch. He had just sat cross-legged behind a stone pillar when he noticed a figure flash before his eyes.

For Shadow, with his keen senses, this situation was extremely dangerous!

He hadn't heard any movement, only saw the flashing figure, indicating that this person was stronger than himself!

And he had only ever seen one such person until now: Wu Zhu!

Or, it was one of the Four Grandmasters!

"Who is Your Excellency?"

Shadow held his long sword, fully alert, cold sweat already breaking out on his back.

"Hiss!"

A sound of True Qi breaking through the air was heard. Shadow instinctively dodged with his light footwork.

True Qi released externally!

"Great Grand... master..."

Shadow's muttered words weren't even finished when Li Chang'an caught up behind him and struck him down with a heavy hand. From beginning to end, Shadow didn't even see his enemy.

Li Chang'an threw him into a cave and then drifted away.

Shadow was Si Gu Jian's younger brother, with a blood feud against Si Gu Jian. It was uncertain whether he and Li Chang'an would be friends or foes in the future.

The possibility of subduing Shadow in a short time was too small, and killing him would be a pity, so he was left to sleep.

Not long after, Fan Xian implemented his plan near the stone forest.

He impersonated Shang Shanhu's men, released Xiao En, and then led his own people to secretly pursue him.

Because Wu Zhu had told him that Ye Qingmei had once traveled with Xiao En when she was young, Fan Xian wanted to know about his mother.

If Xiao En were sent back to Northern Qi, it would be difficult to interrogate him.

So Fan Xian came up with this method. If he could secretly capture Xiao En, he would have enough time to interrogate him.

Moreover, it would appear that Shang Shanhu's men from Northern Qi had abducted Xiao En, so Northern Qi would have nothing to say.

At this moment, Fan Xian had already pursued them to the stone forest and, after much effort, subdued Xiao En.

Just as he and Zong Zhui, along with seven or eight Tiger Guards, were about to secretly take Xiao En away, an unexpected event occurred.

"Xiao En must die!"

A rough male voice emerged, and then a man with huge dark circles under his eyes blocked Fan Xian's path.

Fan Xian was startled. Could this person have stayed up too late, otherwise, why were his eye circles so dark!