135. The Two Crucial Things

Le Qianxue swallowed back her anger, realizing that for now, there was nothing she could do to him.

This Ziye was utterly fickle, a complete villain. People all over the world said he was ruthless and cruel—he had even dared to kill his own father. Would he really hesitate to kill her?

After turning it over in her mind repeatedly, she finally walked back. Seeing this, Ziye smiled happily and said, "Now that's a good girl."

Le Qianxue didn't want to deal with him, so she sat off to the side, brooding in silence.

Casually, Ziye reached out and patted her head. Le Qianxue glared at him, snapping, "Don't touch me."

Ziye pulled his hand back, pouting. "Why are you getting so angry? You should smile more; it's good for your skin."

Wishing to ignore him entirely, Le Qianxue turned her face away and blocked out whatever he was saying.

Ziye found it rather boring. Coercing Le Qianxue like this was unavoidable, though—who could blame her when her heart was constantly set on Zhan Lianjing? What was so great about Zhan Lianjing anyway, that Le Qianxue kept dwelling on him?

He was just a cripple. What qualifications did he have to compete with him?

By dawn, Master Wenzhi had regained consciousness.

Vaguely aware that his life was out of danger, he let out a sigh of relief.

Seeing him open his eyes and assuming he was looking for him, Ziye hurriedly leaned in closer. "Master, I'm right here."

This took Le Qianxue by surprise. Master Wenzhi—he was actually Ziye's master?

Le Qianxue's mouth twitched. This truly was one of the world's most bizarre wonders.

However, the moment Master Wenzhi caught sight of Ziye, he said weakly, "Step aside."

Ziye was taken aback, but out of his habitual respect for his teacher, he stepped aside.

The moment he moved, Master Wenzhi spotted Le Qianxue. His eyes lit up. He gave a soft cough and said, "Come here."

Seeing that he was looking right at her, Le Qianxue knew he must be addressing her.

Feeling somewhat puzzled, she nevertheless walked over.

Ziye stared at her, looking somewhat jealous.

Le Qianxue felt as though Ziye's gaze could pierce right through her. Pressing her lips together, she asked, "Master Wenzhi, why did you call me?"

At that moment, understanding dawned on Ziye. "So you knew each other! You even pretended not to yesterday—you really are full of schemes."

Le Qianxue paid no attention to Ziye. Since Master Wenzhi had suffered such severe injuries, he must have something important to say.

Furthermore, she knew that although Master Wenzhi had survived this brush with death despite his grave internal injuries, he didn't have many days left.

Thinking of this, a wave of sadness washed over her.

Master Wenzhi tugged at her sleeve and said, "In my delirium, I saw that it was you who saved me."

She nodded. "Yes. What on earth were you doing to end up in such a state when you came back?"

Master Wenzhi looked thoroughly exhausted.

Instead of answering the question, he let out a sigh and murmured softly, "I am truly useless."

At this, Ziye fell silent as well.

Unsure of what had happened, Le Qianxue could only take Master Wenzhi's pulse to confirm he was out of immediate danger, which finally set her mind at ease.

Master Wenzhi looked at her closely once more, then glanced at Ziye, and sighed yet again.

Growing even more puzzled, she asked, "Master Wenzhi, where on earth did you go? Who hurt you like this? Tell me, and I'll find a way to avenge you!"

Coldly, Ziye interjected, "This is not something you can meddle in."

"I am going to meddle, so what? Master Wenzhi is practically my teacher too!" Le Qianxue retorted angrily. Ziye seemed jealous now, his words always carrying a sharp edge whenever he spoke in front of Master Wenzhi.

With a look of gratification, Master Wenzhi said, "Qianxue, come closer."

Le Qianxue stepped closer, only to hear him say, "I need to find a fan, but I triggered a trap. That fan is exceptionally important; you must help me find it."

"A fan?" She looked perplexed. "What use is that? Never mind, I won't press. Where is it?"

Master Wenzhi hesitated for a moment before replying, "I... I don't know."

At this, Ziye sat down and drawled, "He actually thought he knew. After investigating for a while, he finally thought he'd tracked down the whereabouts of that treasure. Master, did you really think a treasure like a fan from the previous dynasty would be so easily found? The old Emperor of Tianlong tricked you into going just to make you fall into a trap."

Twirling a strand of his own hair, Ziye gave a light laugh. "Fortunately, I arrived in time, or you old codger would have lost your life. But now look at you—the moment you see her, you lose your wits and won't even talk to me. Am I still your disciple or not?"

Master Wenzhi snorted and ignored him.

However, another fit of coughing seized Master Wenzhi, showing that his condition was indeed far from well.

Le Qianxue hurried to soothe his chest, asking, "So it's a fan from the previous dynasty? Has it been confiscated by the old emperor now?"

Ziye nodded. "Indeed. Although the old emperor isn't particularly brilliant, he's extremely meticulous. Besides, several successive emperors of Tianlong have hidden this fan, presumably in some secret location where it's remained undisturbed, while creating countless fake sites instead. Just how many places have you been to over the years, only to return empty-handed? This time was even worse—you nearly lost your petty life."

Ziye was exceptionally irritated, his expression dark the entire time.

Le Qianxue reflected on this. It certainly sounded malicious enough.

Suddenly, a realization dawned on her, and she smiled as she said to Master Wenzhi, "I finally understand why you targeted Zhan Lianjing back then. You must have realized from the Secret Arts of Qiankun that he is a descendant of the previous dynasty, and you went to test him!"

Ziye was also startled, gazing at Le Qianxue with a mixture of shock and suspicion.

At that, Master Wenzhi remarked, "He can consider himself lucky to have you save him."

Knowing that the Tianlong Kingdom was growing increasingly powerful, Master Wenzhi was well aware of Zhan Lianjing's intentions, yet the current situation brook no delay.

Ziye scoffed, "That cripple is actually... hmph, a descendant of the previous dynasty? So what? Nothing special."

Master Wenzhi ignored him once more. Having drawn a complete blank this time, he had no idea what to do next.

Le Qianxue told Master Wenzhi to rest, promising that since she now knew what he was looking for, she would definitely help. However, she had never heard of any such fan, which meant this matter was bound to be troublesome.

Knowing that Le Qianxue wouldn't simply leave, Ziye stopped keeping constant watch over her. After all, Le Qianxue wasn't so cold-hearted as to just walk away.

After resting for half a day, Le Qianxue returned to change Master Wenzhi's dressings.

Waking up briefly from time to time, Master Wenzhi remained mostly delirious, continually murmuring about the fan.

She found it baffling—what purpose could this fan possibly serve to make Master Wenzhi obsess over it so?

By evening, Ziye returned.

"Ziye, what is the use of that fan? Why is Master Wenzhi so desperate to find it?" Le Qianxue asked out of curiosity.

Ziye chuckled. "Want to know? Kiss me once, and I'll tell you."

Le Qianxue rolled her eyes, deciding she wouldn't dignify that with a response.

Finding it unamusing, Ziye said, "I'm just joking, why that expression? I've never taken advantage of you anyway."

Thinking back, Le Qianxue realized it was true; Ziye had never tried to lay a hand on her inappropriately.

With a smile, Ziye continued, "See? I'm a really good guy. I still don't understand why you fell for Zhan Lianjing instead of me."

"Compared to him, you still fall a bit short," Le Qianxue said.

"Just because he's a remnant of the previous dynasty? That's laughable. The previous dynasty is already dead and gone. Do you really think they can restore the nation? It's nothing more than a dream—a pipe dream," Ziye said, before adding, "Though restoring the nation might actually be somewhat possible, just not by Zhan Lianjing's hand."

"What? Are there other descendants of the previous dynasty?"

"Haha, plenty of them!" Ziye refused to elaborate. "I'll take you to see for yourself when the time comes."

Le Qianxue turned her head away. "Don't tell me it's you."

Ziye laughed again. "Aren't you clever, thinking of that? Very well, I'll tell you about the fan. It has always been in the hands of the Tianlong emperor, but right now he's also searching for the Imperial Archives. Without the archives, the fan is useless."

The Imperial Archives again.

Everyone was searching for this item. Could it be the key to finding the former imperial palace?

She asked, "I understand that the Imperial Archives are related to the key of the previous dynasty's imperial palace, but what does that have to do with the fan? If someone wants to restore the nation, why must they find that former imperial palace?"

She had forgotten to ask Zhan Lianjing about this earlier, and now hearing it from Ziye made it all seem rather bizarre.

Ziye smiled. "That's just a tale passed down for centuries—how would I know the connection? I've never even laid eyes on either of those two objects. As for the former imperial palace, legend has it that an army of ghostly soldiers is stationed there. The day the palace is found and the seal is broken will be the end of the Tianlong Kingdom. Heh, do you believe a story like that?"

Le Qianxue curled her lips and helplessly replied, "Don't try to fool me; I don't believe such nonsense."

Ziye spread his hands. "You don't believe it, and neither do I, but that's what Master said. I'm just curious to see what it's all about myself."

Le Qianxue glanced at the sleeping Master Wenzhi with a sense of astonishment. Logically speaking, given Master Wenzhi's advanced age, he would certainly know the history of the previous dynasty.

Hearing it from his lips gave the tale several more degrees of credibility.

Rubbing her chin in thought, she murmured, "I can accept that the former imperial palace might hold gold and jewels, but an army of ghostly soldiers? I simply don't believe that."

Ziye's lips curved upward. "Don't be so quick to disbelieve. Look at the Yuan family—they were able to alter destiny by their own power, so why is anything impossible? If you want to know whether it's true, we just have to find the fan and the archives."

Even if Le Qianxue didn't pursue this matter, Zhan Lianjing certainly would.

She smiled. "Very well then. Let's see who finds them first."

"Are you saying this to make me let you go and search for them?" Ziye said. "Little beauty, no way. I'm telling you, don't even think about going back to Zhan Lianjing's side; I won't allow it."