Chapter 1679: Assassin

Hearing his words, Zhang Zitong looked a little sad.

Perhaps it was because her most shameful and private side had just been revealed to him, but her gaze towards Zu An grew softer. She didn't resist telling him some less critical information: "Lord Seven was indeed very kind to me. If he hadn't caused my family's ruin, I might have truly considered him my adoptive father."

Zu An was startled. "Your family was ruined?"

"Yes," Zhang Zitong said, a flicker of hatred in her eyes. "I was very young then. I remember one day, Golden Token Number Seven brought people to my house. My father was very scared, but he still went out to greet them. For some reason, a fight broke out, and my entire family was wiped out."

"If it hadn't been for our wet nurse, who risked her life to get me out, I probably would have died in that disaster too. But to save me, the wet nurse had her own child swap clothes with me, sacrificing her life in my stead. And the wet nurse herself died from a severe arrow wound."

As she spoke of the past, her eyes visibly reddened, whether from sadness or hatred.

Zu An frowned. "Your family was an official's household? When did this happen?"

It was certainly not ordinary commoners that would warrant the personal involvement of the Golden Token Embroidered Uniform Guards.

"My father's given name was Zhiquan. He was an imperial censor back then. This happened thirteen years ago." Zhang Zitong's tone was deeply sorrowful as she spoke.

Thirteen years ago, Zu An had not yet transmigrated to this world, so he naturally knew nothing about Imperial Censor Zhang. "When I get the chance, I'll help you investigate and see what happened back then."

As expected, Zhang Zitong, whether in appearance, figure, or aptitude, was not born of ordinary people.

Though unwilling to admit it, this cultivation world was more brutal in this regard than his previous world, Earth.

The more powerful the parents and bloodline, the more formidable their descendants often were.

Conversely, it was difficult for ordinary commoners to produce even one person with cultivation aptitude.

Zhang Zitong smiled sadly. "What good would investigating do? Our Zhang family is already dead and gone. The dead cannot be brought back to life, and this time, I've avenged my family. I have no regrets in this life."

"If there truly was an injustice, there might still be a chance for a posthumous rehabilitation. You wouldn't want the Zhang family to carry the burden of guilt even after death, would you?" Zu An discerned the death wish in her eyes. Knowing she had avenged her family, she was without desires, making her quite difficult to deal with. It would be hard to extract any useful information from her.

Therefore, he needed to give her hope first.

Sure enough, a ripple appeared in her previously calm gaze.

Zu An seized the opportunity and asked, "According to the information I received earlier, you were discovered by Golden Token Number Seven and taken under his wing for training when you were very young. Considering what you just said about your family being wiped out and you being the only survivor, you shouldn't have been old enough then to scheme your way into your enemy's side and wait for revenge, should you?"

Zhang Zitong hesitated for a moment before replying, "Someone appeared before me that year and asked if I wanted revenge. Desperate as I was, I naturally agreed without hesitation."

"I trained with him for over a year. Later, he told me about an opportunity for revenge: to infiltrate the Embroidered Uniform Envoy organization. So I disguised myself as an orphaned girl wandering the streets, pretending to be accidentally encountered by Golden Token Number Seven. As expected, he took an interest in me, but he didn't know that everything had been pre-arranged."

In truth, had it not been for the recent embarrassing healing experience that inexplicably brought her closer to Zu An, she would never have divulged such information.

But now, she felt that telling him such things was inconsequential.

Zu An's brows furrowed slightly. "Logically speaking, with Golden Token Number Seven's caution, if you had any cultivation traces, it would have been impossible to hide them from him."

Zhang Zitong explained, "My benefactor deliberately didn't teach me cultivation during that year and more; he only focused on tempering my will and other aspects. Golden Token Number Seven thought I was just more mature than my peers due to years of living on the streets, so he didn't suspect anything."

Zu An nodded slightly. "Who exactly was the person who trained you?"

He mused that to have set up such a pawn over a decade ago and only now reel her in was an incredibly grand scheme.

Zhang Zitong shook her head. "That person has shown me great kindness. I can't tell you."

Zu An's expression darkened. "Since you've served as an Embroidered Uniform Envoy for so many years, you should be aware of their methods. There are always ways to make you speak."

Zhang Zitong turned her head away, biting her lip. "If that's the case, why did you save me?"

Clearly, she was aware of those methods, and her voice held a hint of fear.

She took a deep breath, calming herself slightly. "I thought this day would come, so I prepared for it long ago. Even if all my acupoints were sealed, I have a way to commit suicide. The only reason I haven't used it yet is because you went to such great lengths to save me, and I don't want to waste your kindness."

Zu An was taken aback, unsure if she was telling the truth or not. However, there were many mysterious things in this world, so perhaps she truly possessed such a method.

He could only change his approach. "Have you ever considered that your so-called great benefactor might actually be the enemy who truly caused your family's ruin? Otherwise, why would he appear so coincidentally when you were at your most desperate, and then meticulously arrange for you to infiltrate the Golden Token Embroidered Uniform system, even having you work under Golden Token Number Seven?"

Zhang Zitong froze, her expression shifting several times, clearly considering that possibility.

However, having served as both an Embroidered Uniform Envoy and a spy for so many years, her will was remarkably firm. She quickly recovered. "You don't need to deliberately sow discord. I won't fall for it."

"Rest well. Don't think about suicide during this time, and I won't allow anyone to torture you for now." After saying this, Zu An stood up and walked out.

Zhang Zitong's heart trembled, and she subconsciously asked, "Where are you going?"

Ordinarily, the Embroidered Uniform Envoys' headquarters was her home, but now, it felt like a demon's den to her.

The only warmth and comfort she found was from Lord Eleven. If he left, she suspected she would be swallowed by darkness.

"Since you're unwilling to speak, I'll have to find others." Zu An smiled, then pushed the door open and walked out.

Seeing him emerge, Xiao Jianren, who was guarding outside, quickly went up to him and subconsciously asked, "Are you done?"

After asking, his old face flushed red, and he wished he could slap himself.

Zu An looked puzzled. "What kind of question is that?"

Nonetheless, he replied, "It's not that simple to 'be done.' She's been temporarily saved. Keep her under house arrest here for now, and don't allow anyone to approach her."

"Understood!" Xiao Jianren said with an eager smile. "Your method of saving people, My Lord, is quite unique. Look at you, My Lord—"

"—you're drenched in sweat. You must be exhausted."

Although he liked Zhang Zitong, it was merely a man's instinctive impulse, captivated by her beauty and long legs.

He certainly couldn't claim to love her deeply, especially since Zhang Zitong had always been indifferent to him.

Now that she was involved in such a monstrous calamity, suspected of murdering Golden Token Number Seven, how could he dare to provoke her?

Although he had felt uncomfortable in the courtyard just now, after some time, he had come to terms with it. For Lord Eleven to take her in might actually be a good outcome for her.

Having interacted for the past two years, he was utterly convinced by Lord Eleven.

"I am a little tired." Zu An hadn't realized the other person had misunderstood. He gave a few instructions and then left in a hurry.

Xiao Jianren felt a bit envious, thinking he should someday ask Lord Eleven for advice on what skill could both bring pleasure and detoxify people.

Faintly hearing the voices outside the door, Zhang Zitong couldn't help but touch her burning cheeks. How utterly embarrassing.

But Lord Eleven was truly a gentle person; he was unwilling to force her even in such circumstances. How could such a kind person survive among the Embroidered Uniform Envoys?

Meanwhile, after Zu An left, he went directly to the Prefect's Mansion. Zhang Jie was somewhat surprised by his return.

"We've caught a big fish this time." Zu An, making himself at home, picked up a teacup and took a sip, then roughly explained that Zhang Zitong was a spy.

Zhang Jie was startled. "Have you interrogated her for anything? Spies like her are extremely cautious; be careful she doesn't commit suicide."

Zu An nodded. "She did try to commit suicide, but she was saved. I've interrogated her for half a day, but she hasn't revealed anything yet. No matter, I'll make a trip to Miss Xie, Master Yan's talented disciple, to request a Truth Talisman. That should allow me to get the information I need from her. My visit here is to ask for your assistance, Lord Zhang, in overseeing the external security of the Embroidered Uniform Envoy headquarters."

Zhang Jie's expression became solemn. "Lord Eleven, rest assured. During these extraordinary times, I will certainly dispatch additional personnel to ensure Zhang Zitong's safety."

Zu An nodded. "I need to hurry, so I'll take my leave now."

After speaking, he quickly departed.

Zhang Jie immediately summoned his subordinates and gave instructions for the subsequent security arrangements.

After nightfall, Zhang Zitong curled up on the bed, staring blankly, with her knees drawn to her chest.

Just then, a soft sound came from outside the door. Her heart leaped with joy. Had Lord Eleven returned?

At that moment, a figure in black flashed inside, a gleaming blade in hand, and directly swung it towards her.