83: Si Lili: You are not Duoduo, you are older than Duoduo

Chapter 83: Si Lili: You are not Duoduo, you are bigger than Duoduo! (13, please subscribe)

The Capital.

A certain residence.

A Female Official, a Ninth Rank Upper Level martial artist and a Third Rank Imperial Attendant, was lecturing Lin Gong.

“Young Master Lin, The Eldest Princess asks you, why didn't Si Lili silence them immediately?”

Lin Gong replied, “Your subordinate also never expected that the seven experts assassinating Fan Xian would coincidentally run into the Shadow Guard!”

“Si Lili reacted quickly. As soon as the assassination failed, she had already fled!”

The Female Official sternly said, “Quickly send your strongest experts to silence her. Si Lili must not be captured alive by the Supervisory Council!”

Lin Gong respectfully replied, “Your subordinate already sent two Eighth Rank experts last night to pursue Si Lili overnight!”

Upon learning of the failed assassination on Niulan Street, Li Yunrui immediately informed Zhu Ge, instructing Zhu Ge to use the Supervisory Council's power to apprehend Si Lili.

As long as Zhu Ge captured Si Lili, there were countless ways to ensure Si Lili would never speak.

However, Zhu Ge did not have absolute control over the Supervisory Council; Yan Ruohai, Xuan Jiu, and Fan Xian were all unstable factors.

Therefore, Li Yunrui used a two-pronged approach, also having Lin Gong track Si Lili to silence her. As long as there was no concrete evidence, no one could do anything to her, The Eldest Princess.

Li Yunrui also had a final insurance plan. After all, Si Lili had only met Lin Gong. If Si Lili confessed to Lin Gong, they would simply kill Lin Gong.

Therefore, Lin Gong was even more anxious than Li Yunrui.

This plan was extremely meticulous; he didn't even use his own personal guards.

Throughout the entire incident, he had commanded four Northern Qi assassins and two female swordswomen to carry it out.

“Lord Imperial Attendant, Patrol Division Deputy Director Fang Daren is also an insider. I wonder how he should be dealt with.”

The Female Official replied, “You don't need to worry about Fang Daren; this official will handle him.”

Hearing the Female Official's words, Lin Gong felt relieved. He only needed to make Si Lili shut up.

Lin Gong could never have imagined that Si Lili was in an alley three li away from the residence.

Si Lili, wearing a pink coarse cloth dress, emerged from a bamboo basket used for vegetables.

The two experts sent by Lin Gong were naturally also on their way to track the fake Si Lili in the north.

Si Lili took a sedan chair, pretending to have an infectious disease, and quietly left through the East Gate by changing horses.

Half a day later, on her way to Danzhou, she passed a small inn.

What she never expected was that two people from the Supervisory Council had tracked her to the inn, and both of them were stronger than her in martial arts.

Coincidentally, there was a small mountain nearby called Pijiaqiu, and the bandit leader in the mountain was a Northern Qi spy.

Si Lili thought that if she continued to be pursued like this, she would be caught by the Supervisory Council sooner or later. It would be better to lead the two to Pijiaqiu and kill them.

An hour later, at the pavilion below Pijiaqiu.

Fan Xian and Zong Zhui raced all the way, and from afar, they saw Si Lili standing in the pavilion, waiting.

The two stopped at the edge of the pavilion and began to size up the beautiful woman.

Si Lili was reclusive, and neither Fan Xian nor Zong Zhui had ever seen her.

“Zong Zhui, is she Si Lili?”

Fan Xian had to admit, Si Lili was stunning, much more beautiful than the courtesan Ruo Wei.

Zong Zhui had also never seen Si Lili. “It must be her. How many women in the world are more beautiful than the Capital's courtesan?”

Si Lili bowed her head slightly and smiled, causing both Fan Xian and Zong Zhui to be somewhat dazed.

“This servant, Si Lili, greets the two Lords of the Supervisory Council.”

Upon hearing this, Zong Zhui slapped his thigh. “Si Lili, the Northern Qi spy!”

“Four years ago, you accused Prince Yong of forcibly occupying a commoner girl, causing a city-wide uproar!”

“At that time, some people speculated that you were a Northern Qi spy, specifically sent to ruin Prince Yong's reputation.”

“Now it seems that the speculation back then was actually the truth!”

Si Lili gave a helpless, bitter smile. “Anyway, it's impossible to explain. This girl will take the blame for this.”

Fan Xian said, “Several of your girls are currently very popular. Now that a major war is imminent, it's precisely the time when intelligence gathering is needed.”

“At this time, it's impossible for you to expose yourself voluntarily and mobilize Cheng Jushu and assassins to kill me. Who exactly is the mastermind behind this?”

Si Lili chuckled softly. “So you are the victim of the assassination. You're quite clever, knowing that your importance isn't enough for this girl to act.”

“Then you should think a step deeper. If I reveal the mastermind, will I still live?”

“Even if I enter the Supervisory Council, is it possible that I'll be silenced by someone the mastermind has planted in the Supervisory Council?”

Hearing these words, Fan Xian's heart also sank. The mastermind must be a person of high status and power, and what Si Lili said was not impossible.

At this moment, Zong Zhui spoke up to guarantee, “My Lord is the Deputy Director of the Supervisory Council, the foremost person below the Director.”

“As long as you confess truthfully, he will have a way to protect your life!”

Si Lili sneered, “If you truly have the ability, why would Deputy Director Fan come to capture me alone!”

Zong Zhui anxiously said, “Do you only have the Deputy Director in your eyes? Is this Deputy Director not a person?”

Si Lili let out a charming laugh and said, “Who in the Capital of Southern Qing doesn't know that adding the word 'Lang' to an official title signifies a petty official who runs errands.”

“This servant's life is bitter; I dare not gamble my life on you all. Come out!”

Si Lili clapped her hands, and instantly, a group of Sixth Rank Upper Level bandits leaped out from the surrounding woods.

Although Fan Xian and Zong Zhui were both Eighth Rank, two fists are no match for four hands, and they really couldn't handle so many people attacking them.

Zong Zhui chuckled. “My Lord's army is about to arrive. Don't be so arrogant!”

Seeing Zong Zhui so confident, Fan Xian himself almost believed it, but where was the army?

Zong Zhui had always secretly reported his whereabouts to Chen Pingping. At such a moment, the Director should send people to support them.

Sure enough, at this moment, the ground suddenly began to tremble. Before long, a troop of battle-hardened cavalry came charging from afar.

Zong Zhui watched the black torrent gradually approach and excitedly said, “Lord, it's the Director's Black Knights!”

“These are the Emperor's specially approved guards for the Director; the strongest army in the world!”

The Black Knights charged, instantly slaughtering the bandits without a single casualty to themselves.

Fan Xian was secretly surprised. Old Fei was doing quite well; he even borrowed the Director's Black Knights.

Afterward, a masked swordsman in a black robe, radiating Killing Intent, appeared before Fan Xian and Zong Zhui.

Zong Zhui immediately saluted, “Greetings, Lord Shadow!”

Fan Xian exclaimed in surprise, “Shadow Swordsman! The sixth person on the Langya Pavilion's expert list!

The world's number one assassin, the first person below a Great Grandmaster! I actually met the Immortal Master!”

Shadow valued martial prowess the most, and the Langya Ranking, re-ranked by Li Chang'an, perfectly suited his taste.

So, upon hearing Fan Xian's words and receiving the admiration of the Junior Martial Champion, a faint smile secretly appeared on Shadow's face beneath his mask.

“Just a false reputation in the Jianghu. I am naturally hidden in the shadows and don't care much for fame.”

“Fan Xian, the Director asked me to tell you that you are the chief judge of the Niulan Street assassination case. Do whatever you want to do boldly.”

“Even if the sky falls, the Director can help you hold it back!”

Then Shadow took the Black Knights and withdrew from Pijiaqiu.

Si Lili, with her hands tied, sat upright on the horse. “Fan Xian, who exactly are you? Chen Pingping actually used the Black Knights for you!”

Fan Xian was also wondering if Chen Pingping's Black Knights were aid requested by Fei Jie, or Chen Pingping's own intention.

However, he had never even met Chen Pingping.

“Since you know this Deputy Director holds high office and power, then quickly reveal the mastermind, and this Deputy Director will surely protect your life.”

Fan Xian was not deceiving her. If the Black Knights were willing to help him, he should have no problem protecting Si Lili's life.

However, Si Lili still didn't buy it. “There's still some distance to the Capital. If you have the ability, have the Black Knights follow us to protect us.”

Fan Xian glanced at Zong Zhui, who truthfully said, “The deployment of the Black Knights is very strict, and they are all Shadow Guards. How could they stay in the open to guard us?”

Fan Xian frowned. “Si Lili knows the mastermind. There's still some distance to the Capital, and the mastermind will definitely send people to silence her again.”

Zong Zhui also said, “She is also the leader of a Northern Qi spy unit lurking in the Capital. She has a lot of information about other spies in her head, so various government offices will probably come to snatch her too.”

Fan Xian said with slight surprise, “Will various government offices also try to snatch her in secret?”

Zong Zhui sighed, “We don't have a warrant for arrest. Nominally, Zhu Ge is in charge of this case, and we two are making a private arrest.”

Fan Xian thought for a moment, then made a decision. “Given the big commotion the Black Knights made just now, I'm afraid we can't hide our tracks anymore. Why don't we do the opposite?”

An hour later, Zong Zhui understood what Fan Xian's so-called “doing the opposite” meant.

Fan Xian unfurled a huge white banner that read, “Fan Xian of Danzhou travels a thousand li, escorting Northern Qi spy Si Lili back to the Capital!”

Zong Zhui couldn't help but exclaim, “The Lord truly has many ideas. Now, if anyone tries to snatch her, it won't be easy to act!”

Fan Xian smiled and said, “The more people who know we're returning to the Capital with such fanfare, the safer we'll be.”

“If anyone acts at this moment, it means they admit to having a guilty conscience!”

Fan Xian had abandoned the northern main road to pursue Si Lili, and then came up with such a brilliant plan; Zong Zhui truly admired him.

“My Lord is not only skilled in martial arts but also extraordinarily intelligent. Your subordinate is deeply impressed!”

The two rode horses, escorting Si Lili, making a grand display as they walked through the streets and alleys, attracting countless onlookers.

“Si Lili, isn't that the courtesan who accused Prince Yong four years ago?!”

“I said at the time that this woman was no good; she must be an enemy spy!”

“That's right, what courtesan would accuse a patron? Doesn't she want to make a living?!”

...However, an unexpected event occurred when Fan Xian and Zong Zhui passed through a medium-sized town.

As the three people and three horses had just passed through the crowd, a figure suddenly leaped from the roof of a tavern.

The figure held an axe in his hand and chopped down towards Fan Xian from above!

Fan Xian only felt a fierce wind on his face; the opponent's Aura was much stronger than Cheng Jushu's!

At least a Ninth Rank level of strength!

“Lord, be careful!”

Zong Zhui, quick-eyed and quick-handed, pulled Fan Xian off his horse.

“Pfft!”

After a crisp sound, Fan Xian's horse was effortlessly cut into two!

Then, the figure's hand moved like lightning, rapidly spinning the axe and cutting the rope on Si Lili's arm.

The axe spun so quickly that even the blood on it was flung dry.

Fan Xian, still shaken, saw before him a woman with a baby face (doll-like face), dressed in village girl clothes.

The woman held two axes. After rescuing Si Lili, she turned and looked at Fan Xian with a cold sneer.

Zong Zhui exclaimed in surprise, “Ninth Rank Upper Level! Haitang Duoduo! Lord, run!”

That axe strike just now had already revealed her Ninth Rank Upper Level strength, and combined with her features, Zong Zhui quickly reached a conclusion.

The Holy Maiden of Northern Qi, Haitang Duoduo, the Supervisory Council had complete information on her.

Emperor Qing wanted to deal with this Celestial Vein Holder, so the Supervisory Council naturally had to collect all her information.

Fan Xian swallowed hard, clearly astonished!

“Haitang Duoduo? A Ninth Rank Upper Level expert actually dared to come near the Capital of Great Qing!”

Zong Zhui hurriedly said, “Lord, stop analyzing, run quickly! Saving your life is paramount!”

“If she wants to save Si Lili, she definitely won't chase us, run!”

The axe-wielding woman leaped onto Si Lili's horse, glanced at Fan Xian and Zong Zhui, who were frantically fleeing with their light-body techniques, and thought, 'They're quite sensible!'

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the two women rode together on one horse and galloped off in another direction.

The townspeople witnessed the entire scene!

“Is that village girl an expert?”

“Didn't you hear? She's the Saintess of Northern Qi, specifically here to rescue this Si Lili!”

“Haitang Duoduo, running so far to save a spy!”

“The Qi dogs are truly detestable, daring to infiltrate near the Capital of Great Qing. How arrogant!”

The Holy Maiden of Northern Qi invaded and even took away the spy Si Lili!

This was a monumental piece of news!

The various spies in the town all released carrier pigeons, sending this earth-shattering news back to the Capital.

Fan Xian and Zong Zhui fled for dozens of li. Seeing that no one was pursuing them, they finally relaxed.

Fan Xian angrily said, “This Haitang Duoduo is too bold; she actually dared to come to the vicinity of the Capital!”

He had openly paraded through the streets to guard against the mastermind and various government offices snatching her, but he never expected Northern Qi to send such a powerful expert to rescue her.

“Zong Zhui, what exactly is Si Lili's background? The Holy Maiden of Northern Qi personally came to rescue her. Is this reasonable?”

Zong Zhui grumbled, “It's not reasonable!”

“The Supervisory Council's secret report said that after Haitang Duoduo was conferred as a Celestial Vein Holder, she went to Western Qin. How could she be here?!”

“Si Lili is just a spy; it's not worth Haitang Duoduo coming to save her!”

“Regardless, I need to quickly send a message to the Supervisory Council spies nearby and ask Lord Shadow to come and search for Haitang Duoduo!”

Fan Xian was in deep distress. He had ostentatiously escorted Si Lili, but she was snatched by Northern Qi while under his watch.

Now he had overdone it. The various government offices and Zhu Ge would surely tear him apart!

“Could this Haitang Duoduo be someone disguised by the real mastermind?”

Zong Zhui said with a bitter face, “There are only a few Ninth Rank Upper Level powerhouses in the world, and besides Haitang Duoduo, there are no other women.”

“Looking at that woman's figure and appearance just now, it's impossible for her to be a man in disguise!”

While Fan Xian was at his wit's end, Si Lili's mood was also not good.

The two women rode one in front and one behind on the horse. The woman behind Si Lili tucked her axe into her lower back, her body pressing tightly against Si Lili.

As the bumping on the horse grew stronger, Si Lili had already confirmed that this Haitang Duoduo was an impostor!

It must be Li Yunrui's doing, impersonating Haitang Duoduo to snatch her, and then silencing her in a secluded place!

Si Lili felt bitter in her heart and said to the woman behind her, “Girl, you are not Duoduo.”

“You are bigger than Duoduo.”