Chapter 2636: Double Agent

Zu An knew very well that Zhao Yuan and his group had already undergone a transformation in strength due to the power of Oblivion. Combined with their strange skills, they would certainly be a headache for him on a different battlefield.

However, in this world, he wielded the authority of the world, making him, in a sense, the world's god. He could even alter some of its laws.

He could have simply changed the laws to negate the weakening effects of the Oblivion marks.

As for the life force drain he experienced after killing the ace assassins, it was not a significant issue. His Grand Primordium Scripture ensured a continuous supply of vitality within him, granting him astonishing recovery capabilities.

His previous deadlock with them was primarily to investigate the methods of the Path of Oblivion. Now that he had gathered enough information, there was no need to continue the charade.

Feeling Zu An's aura rapidly recovering, despair crept into the eyes of Zhao Yuan and the other ace assassins.

It turned out Zu An had been toying with them!

As the King of Assassins, Zhao Yuan had never despaired in his life, no matter how formidable the enemy he faced.

He knew that assassins were not frontline warriors; they could always create the most advantageous situations for themselves to ambush and eliminate their targets.

But this time, he truly despaired. He had believed that with the power of Oblivion, his strength was enough to dominate the world. Moreover, with the ten ace assassins of the Shadow Pavilion assisting him—their strength also having significantly advanced due to Oblivion's power—he thought it would be effortless to deal with a mere human using the power of a true god.

Yet, he never imagined reality would be so cruel. Could the power of a true god truly be inferior to that of a mortal?

Sensing that the ace assassins had completely lost their will to fight, he knew further combat was pointless. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Consort Bai and the Imperial Grandson are still in my hands. Don't you care about their lives?"

From the distant mountain, Zhang Zitong, who was watching the battle, couldn't help but glance at Bi Linglong beside her. She wondered if Consort Bai and the Crown Princess, who had been sisters in the Eastern Palace back then, were about to become sisters again.

Many high-ranking officials in the imperial army knew that their relationship in the Eastern Palace had not been harmonious, and their expressions grew somewhat strange.

Feeling everyone's gaze on her, Bi Linglong became flustered and embarrassed. She wanted to speak but didn't know how to begin, so she could only wait for Zu An's response.

At that moment, Zu An, still in the sky, frowned. "Consort Bai was secretly executed by the late emperor. How did you find her?"

"Is there anything in this world our Shadow Pavilion cannot uncover? When it comes to intelligence, we are far superior to the Embroidered Uniform Guard," Zhao Yuan retorted, making Xiao Jianren and Zhang Zitong, who were at a distance, seethe with anger. However, they also knew that while his words were a bit exaggerated, the Shadow Pavilion was indeed no less capable than the Embroidered Uniform Guard in intelligence, and perhaps even better at keeping secrets.

"Where is Consort Bai now?" Zu An asked in a deep voice.

"Let us go, and you will naturally see her," Zhao Yuan said, having carefully considered his options. He was only inferior to Zu An; against anyone else, he could reign supreme.

As long as he avoided Zu An in the future, he could still live a free and joyful life.

Furthermore, he could seek another opportunity to pray to the True God of Oblivion, perhaps gaining new powers to then retaliate and kill the man named Zu.

Zu An shook his head slightly. "You instigated this rebellion, causing countless common people to lose their homes and many innocent soldiers to die. How could I possibly let you go?"

"If I die, then mother and son will not live either!" Zhao Yuan grew anxious.

"Not necessarily," Zu An mused. After killing Zhao Yuan, he could search his soul and memories, which would naturally reveal Consort Bai's whereabouts.

At this point, Zhao Yuan suddenly burst into maniacal laughter. "Consort Bai, look, the Regent doesn't care about you at all. Aren't you going to come out?"

Upon hearing his words, everyone, both in Guanzhong and among the distant imperial court, was stunned. Was Consort Bai not being held hostage after all?

Then, a woman in white slowly emerged from a house in Guanzhong. Her figure was delicate, with two soft strands of hair fluttering by her temples. Her beautiful face, illuminated by the surrounding blood and residual firelight, appeared even more pitiful.

"Consort Bai!" Many in the field recognized the beautiful woman, thinking to themselves that the foolish Crown Prince certainly had good fortune with women, having both a main consort and a secondary consort who were so beautiful.

Unlike the Crown Princess with her majestic phoenix eyes, Consort Bai's demeanor was more delicate and pitiable, easily stirring men's protective instincts.

"Regent, long time no see." Consort Bai looked at the man in the sky, her gaze quite complex.

"Consort Bai, find a way to make the Regent let us go, and I can ensure your son's safety," Zhao Yuan quickly said.

At this, even many among the rebels began to curse. It was clear that Zhao Yuan, having failed to persuade Zu An, was now having Consort Bai plead in person.

After all, the same words had a vastly different effect coming from a man's mouth than from a pitiable beauty.

However, everyone had originally rebelled against the Empress under the banner of the Imperial Grandson, so for this guy to now use the Imperial Grandson to threaten the other side was truly outrageous.

Zu An now descended to stand beside Consort Bai. "The last time we parted, I never expected our next meeting to be under such circumstances."

A hint of hesitation flickered across Consort Bai's face. She secretly transmitted a message: "Regent, be careful. Zhao Yuan is ostensibly asking me to plead for him, but he actually wants me to take the opportunity to ambush you."

"I know," Zu An smiled. "Otherwise, why would I have come to stand by you?"

"You knew?" This time, it was Consort Bai who was surprised.

"If you were truly being held hostage by him, how could he have allowed you to move so freely on your own?" Zu An sighed. "You're also a member of the Shadow Pavilion, aren't you?"

A bitter smile appeared on Consort Bai's face. "That's right. I am the Saintess of the Shadow Pavilion, and also the Shadow Pavilion's eleventh ace assassin. It's quite a coincidence with the Regent; back then, you were Embroidered Uniform Number Eleven, and I was Assassin Number Eleven."

Even though he had suspected it, Zu An was still somewhat puzzled. "But you are clearly Yun Jianyue's junior sister. How are you connected to the Shadow Pavilion?"

Initially, he had always thought she was a spy from the Demonic Sect planted in the imperial palace. Now, it seemed she might be a double agent?

"The Shadow Pavilion actually originated from the Splintering Heavens Sect of the Demonic Sect and has always had intricate ties with them."

Consort Bai didn't elaborate, but Zu An understood.

During his trip to Qiuchi, amidst the Demonic Sect's internal rebellion, he had learned about the origins of the Shadow Pavilion and the Splintering Heavens Sect, and had even spared Jing Li, the direct descendant of the Splintering Heavens Sect.

Jing Li had been tracking the whereabouts of the Shadow Pavilion Master. Due to their past connection, it was likely that he was the only one in the world who could uncover Zhao Yuan's true identity.

Seeing Consort Bai whispering with Zu An, Zhao Yuan grew suspicious and shouted, "Aren't you going to make your move?"

Almost instantly, Consort Bai suddenly stumbled. As Zu An instinctively reached out to help her, a glinting blue dagger suddenly dropped from her sleeve and darted towards his chest.