Chapter 2229: Want to Change Jobs

Spring had returned once again.

Great Deer Port had undergone tremendous changes, but the small dockside tavern remained. Its size had more than doubled, and several square tables were now set up on the open ground behind the establishment, allowing patrons to enjoy their drinks while gazing at the sea.

The tavern was bustling, almost full to capacity. Someone in a cloak walked in, only to find the tables by the sea almost entirely empty. There was just one person facing the ocean, arms propped back on the table, leisurely crossing one leg over the other, their back to her.

Such a comfortable posture.

Sunlight filtered through the tree branches, illuminating his face. He had his eyes closed, seemingly enjoying himself.

The cloaked figure smiled and walked over to his table.

The person only uttered two words:

"Please sit."

However, the cloaked figure did not sit. Instead, she leaned in, lowering her head, and reached out to rub his temples.

To her surprise, her hand didn't touch him; it was as if an invisible energy barrier firmly blocked her.

Unwilling to give up, she pushed forward with force.

The energy barrier was elastic, but if she pushed any harder, she would be bounced into the sea.

She could only retract her hands reluctantly, pouting, "What's wrong with me helping you massage your head to relax?"

"I appreciate it," the person said, retracting his arms and sitting upright. He pressed his neck, and a series of crisp crackling sounds, like firecrackers, immediately followed. "Your 'Breaking the Cocoon' cultivation method is coming along well."

Just now, when she tried to massage his temples, she had used her true energy.

"For the past two years, I haven't slacked off either," she said, lifting her cloak to reveal a charming face, capable of expressing both joy and anger, her gaze as captivating as a lotus in bloom. "But I still have many questions I need to ask the elders of the Illusion Sect."

She had been in the State of Mou for the past two years, with no opportunity to ask in person.

"Speak your mind," he said.

"Does the Sage also master this cultivation method?" she asked. Since the other party was traveling incognito, she didn't address him as "Emperor," opting for an equally daunting title instead.

"The Illusion Sect is still under my command, have you forgotten?" The person was, of course, He Lingchuan.

Mei Wuniang proceeded to inquire about her cultivation doubts one by one, and He Lingchuan answered patiently.

He used the simplest language to explain profound principles to Mei Wuniang.

After her questions were answered, Mei Wuniang felt as if a veil had been lifted from her mind.

Just then, a waiter approached with a tray:

"Two bowls of yellow croaker noodles, and two plates of crispy fried silver fish!"

A specialty of the dockside tavern: extra-large bowls.

The yellow croaker inside was stewed until tender, the soup a creamy white, and its rich, savory aroma permeated the air.

He Lingchuan didn't rush to pick up his chopsticks. Instead, he took out a hip flask from his embrace and dripped a few drops of liquor into the hot soup.

The liquor's scent, stimulated by the hot soup, spread for miles around.

Mei Wuniang had already taken a sip of soup. Seeing this, she immediately said, "I want some too!"

He Lingchuan smiled and dripped a little liquor into her bowl.

This was a gift from the State of Mou: a high-proof spirit that would be fiery if drunk neat, but added to the noodle soup, it elevated the aroma and flavor to another level.

Mei Wuniang slurped a mouthful of noodles, closing her eyes. "Oh my goodness, I've missed this taste so much! I haven't had it in two years."

She then looked at the man, who was also slurping his noodles. "No one would believe it if I told them the Sage and I shared a table for noodles."

He Lingchuan took a sip of soup. "Why did you come back?"

Two days prior, he had suddenly received a secret message from Mei Wuniang, stating she had returned to Great Deer Port.

The word "returned" was peculiar, as He Lingchuan had not issued any retreat orders to her. Having nothing else to do, he decided to make the trip himself, treating it as a leisurely stroll by the sea.

"There's nothing left to do," Mei Wuniang sighed. "It was so boring staying in Mou Capital."

She understood the saying "A tall tree catches the wind," and as a secret agent herself, she hadn't made a big show of things using You Huan's power. Although she had taken over many businesses and made a lot of money over the years, she always had others manage them, staying hidden behind the scenes herself.

She was neither arrogant nor impetuous, a quality You Huan quite admired in her.

"Was Grand Chancellor You not good to you?"

"He was," Mei Wuniang said, picking up a small silver fish to eat. "That's precisely why it was boring."

"The last batch of intelligence, all the gossip from Mou Capital over the past month, is in here," Mei Wuniang said, handing He Lingchuan a jade slip. She immediately continued, "My work in Mou Capital is already on track. I led the effort, and everyone has been placed. From now on, even without me, your intelligence network in the State of Mou will operate normally."

He Lingchuan took the jade slip and chuckled softly. "Very well, your work in Mou Capital is complete."

When Cangyan had just established its nation and reclaimed Baile and Blade Port, it had severely offended the State of Mou. That was why he had sent Mei Wuniang to infiltrate Mou Capital to observe developments and gather intelligence.

Now, with the States of Mou and Bei locked in fierce conflict, the threat to Cangyan had greatly diminished. Mei Wuniang had also established the intelligence network in Mou Capital for Cangyan, so she could now retire with her mission accomplished.

However, Mei Wuniang had returned on her own accord. For a spy, this was defiance of orders, a grave offense.

No power liked disobedient agents.

But she existed outside of Cangyan's official political system, a classic outsider. There was little point in He Lingchuan punishing her. She was well aware of this, which was why she dared to appear so openly.

This was a case of a highly capable talent being difficult to control. She had never been one to simply obey.

"You won't blame me, will you?" Mei Wuniang tilted her head,

looking at him. "There's no point in me staying in Mou Capital anymore; it's really so boring there. Find me somewhere better to go."

She collected intelligence for the Great Emperor of Nine Underworlds, but she didn't entirely work for him.

She was her own person, beholden to no one.

"Does You Huan know you left the State of Mou?"

"He only knows I went on a long business trip. Over the past two years, I've often left Mou Capital," Mei Wuniang shrugged. Her identity in Mou Capital was that of a businesswoman; wasn't it perfectly normal to travel for business? "But he doesn't know I won't be returning this time."

He Lingchuan lit a candle for You Huan in his mind.

"Where do you want to go?"

Mei Wuniang scooped up a spoonful of soup, blowing on it. "What about Spirit Void City?"

He Lingchuan wasn't surprised; he had already guessed she would give him a challenge. "That place is swarming with monsters and far more dangerous than Mou Capital. I myself was once embroiled in the imperial capital's turmoil and witnessed the treacherous undercurrents there. Grand Master Qingyang held power in Spirit Void City for over a hundred years, but even he, with a single misstep, met his downfall there."

He knew this best, because it was he who had engineered Grand Master Qingyang's downfall, at least on the surface.

Mei Wuniang blinked. "So, what's the problem?"

He Lingchuan's attempt to deter her only made her more excited.

The mission in the State of Mou had lost its challenge, becoming mundane and routine. But how dull would her life be without intrigue and upheaval?

"Alright," He Lingchuan conceded. Since she insisted on venturing into danger despite knowing the risks, he wouldn't stop her. After all, she herself was a formidable woman, merciless in her dealings. "I can arrange an identity and a way for you to get to Spirit Void City, but many prominent people in Mou Capital have already seen your face, haven't they?"

Mei Wuniang nodded. "Many people in the Mou royal palace, as well as You Huan's allies and mortal enemies, have seen me."