Chapter 433: Unexpected Scene

Chatting with Zheng Dan and continuously receiving rage points from Sang Qian, Zu An would have almost thought he was on vacation, were it not for the cold prison cart constantly reminding him of his current predicament.

Not long after, the convoy exited the city gate. As he watched the majestic city walls slowly recede into the distance, Zu An felt a momentary sense of disorientation.

He recalled how he had first entered Moonlit City through this very gate, riding in Chu Chuyan's carriage, when he initially arrived in this new world.

Now, however, he was leaving, and in a prison cart at that.

"What are you thinking about?" Zheng Dan asked, finding his sudden silence somewhat unusual.

"I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to return in this lifetime," Zu An sighed. Although he had a rudimentary plan, its ultimate outcome was beyond his control.

Furthermore, based on the information he had learned at school, this world was far larger than Earth, and without modern transportation like airplanes or high-speed trains, geographical barriers could easily separate people forever.

Zheng Dan also sighed deeply, "Most likely, we won't be able to return."

Not just Zu An, her own future was equally uncertain, and she had no idea what fate awaited her.

Just then, a voice suddenly called out from nearby, "Wait a moment!"

The convoy slowly came to a halt, and a commotion, along with sounds of negotiation and argument, could be heard from the front.

Zu An was startled. He had deliberately leaked information about the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra, expecting it would attract covetous eyes from various factions, but this person had arrived surprisingly quickly. They hadn't even left Moonlit City's vicinity yet.

He craned his neck and saw a disheveled middle-aged man and a petite, pretty girl being stopped by the Imperial Guards.

Zheng Dan couldn't help but snort softly, "Teacher Zu is truly charming. Even in this predicament, he still has a female confidante coming to see him off."

Zu An chuckled, "Don't be jealous, Little Dan'er. This only proves you have good taste."

Zheng Dan's heart skipped a beat, and she furtively glanced towards Sang Qian's prison cart. He was resting with his eyes closed, seemingly deliberately ignoring their conversation, perhaps fearing he would go mad with anger if he continued listening.

"Zu An is an imperial criminal, no visitors allowed!" The Imperial Guards kept waving them away. Had Ji Xiaoxi not appeared so soft, cute, and innocent, they would have drawn their weapons on anyone else.

"I just want to say one word to him," Ji Xiaoxi pleaded, batting her big, watery eyes.

Her expressive, pleading eyes almost melted the hearts of the burly Imperial Guards. While they couldn't bring themselves to be rough with her, they absolutely dared not grant her request.

"What's going on? Why isn't this resolved yet?" King Liang asked, displeased, as he led his men over to investigate.

When he saw Ji Xiaoxi's bright eyes and white teeth, his own eyes lit up.

Unlike some young men who preferred mature women, at his age, he still found fresh, lovely young girls more appealing.

"Bring her to me... *cough cough*, since she's here to see an imperial criminal, she's probably an accomplice. Take them both down," King Liang, well-versed in the machinations of officialdom, immediately ordered.

After all, once they were taken away, he would be the one to decide their fate, wouldn't he?

"Cough, cough!" Just then, a displeased cough came from nearby. King Liang reluctantly tore his gaze away from Ji Xiaoxi, thinking, "Who dares disturb my pleasure here?"

Just as he was about to get angry, he recognized the person and was startled: "Doctor Ji... Ji Shenyi?"

Ji Dengtu sneered, "It seems Your Highness hasn't forgotten a commoner like me."

King Liang looked resentful. How could he forget? Which family in the capital back then hadn't had their horses or pets messed with by this fellow?

He called it "medicine testing," but after taking his concoctions, the animals all began to engage in vigorous reproductive behavior.

"This is my daughter. She and Zu An were at the same school before, and she has something she wants to talk to him about. Your Highness, could you make an exception?" Ji Dengtu chuckled, revealing teeth stained yellow from pipe tobacco.

"Ah, so it's my niece, of course, no problem," King Liang said with an awkward laugh. He remembered that this fellow was famously petty; though his strength was ordinary, his use of poison was impossible to guard against.

Moreover, all his poisons were extremely insidious. He still remembered how Old Qin's prized steed, after being poisoned by this fellow, had to mate with eighteen mares before it finally died from exhaustion.

King Liang then thought about his own "little brother," which was already quite limp. If it were to be affected by such potent "tiger and wolf" medicines, he'd surely be consumed by internal fire.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Ji Xiaoxi said, her face lighting up with joy as she hurried towards Zu An.

"Wait!" King Liang quickly stopped her. "Leave your bag. You can't bring anything over."

Although King Liang was somewhat wary of Ji Dengtu, Zu An was an imperial criminal, and no carelessness could be tolerated. Others were strictly forbidden from approaching or passing anything to or from him, all to prevent any mishaps.

Ji Xiaoxi's face flushed slightly, and she quickly took off all her belongings. "Is this alright?" she asked.

King Liang frowned. Although nothing was visible on the surface, who knew if she was hiding anything? Unfortunately, it wasn't convenient to search her now. If he had known this, he should have brought two female servants from Moonlit City earlier.

"Of course, it's fine," he replied, but secretly transmitted a message to Liu Yao: "General Liu, I'll trouble you to monitor them. There must be no mistakes."

Liu Yao snorted, realizing the old fox was pushing responsibility onto him. However, having no choice, he could only follow Ji Xiaoxi to the prison cart.

Looking at the approaching girl, Zu An couldn't help but say with emotion, "Xiaoxi, thank you for coming to see me."

Ji Xiaoxi bit her lip. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help you much," she said.

Zu An smiled. "What do you have to be sorry about? I'm already grateful that you came to see me in this situation."

"If I had known this, I shouldn't have been angry with you for so long," Ji Xiaoxi said, her face flushing slightly, her cheeks like exquisite apples.

Zu An knew she was referring to the incident where she accidentally took "Eighteen Degrees of Spring Breeze." He couldn't help but laugh. "Technically, that was my fault, so your anger was perfectly normal," he said.

Liu Yao and the surrounding Imperial Guards were somewhat speechless. They had expected her to stop the convoy with such a fuss for something important, but it turned out to be just sweet talk between a man and a woman.

At the same time, they felt a degree of admiration. Zu An seemed unremarkable, yet he not only had a wife renowned as the foremost beauty, but also the city lord's daughter willing to brave great dangers for him, and now another pure and lovely young woman was utterly devoted to him.

Sang Qian, on the other side, was grinding his teeth in hatred. "Are all these women blind?" he fumed. "Why are they all throwing themselves at him?"

Rage points from Sang Qian: 555!

Liu Yao lightly coughed. "Miss Ji, time's almost up. Everyone is waiting to continue the journey," he said.

Clearly, witnessing their affectionate exchange was quite irritating for him too.

"Just a moment," Ji Xiaoxi said with an apologetic smile. She came to the prison cart and waved to Zu An. "Ah Zu, there's something I want to tell only you."

Zu An was startled and leaned closer. "What is it?" he asked.

Zheng Dan, standing nearby, perked up her ears, an innate sixth sense making her feel a sense of impending crisis.

On the other side, Liu Yao, and even King Liang and Ji Dengtu further away, also looked over, curious about what she would say.

"Come down a little more," Ji Xiaoxi whispered, pursing her lips.

Zu An grew more confused. What exactly did this girl want to say? Didn't she know that with so many masters present, even whispering into his ear wouldn't go unnoticed?

Nevertheless, he subconsciously leaned closer. Just as he was about to speak, a pair of soft lips suddenly pressed against his, and a youthful, sweet scent wafted towards him.

Everyone present was stunned. They had all been curious about what this adorable little girl was going to say, but instead, they were unexpectedly treated to such a public display of affection.

"Good heavens, a French kiss?!"

"You beast! How could you do that to such an innocent young girl?"

Rage points from the Imperial Guards: 666,666,666...

Zu An also looked wronged, as he hadn't initiated it; rather, a nimble little tongue had actively reached out.

However, his expression suddenly froze, as he sensed the other person using their tongue to push something against his teeth.

"Brother Shen!"

"Mhm!"

As Shen Changqing walked, he would either greet or nod to anyone he recognized.

But regardless of whom he encountered, everyone's face was devoid of superfluous expressions, as if they were indifferent to everything.

Shen Changqing was already accustomed to this.

This was because they were in the Demon Suppressing Division, an organization responsible for maintaining the stability of Great Qin. Its primary duty was to slay demons and monsters, though they also had other secondary tasks.

It could be said that everyone in the Demon Suppressing Division had much blood on their hands.

When one becomes accustomed to witnessing life and death, they grow indifferent to many things.

When he first arrived in this world, Shen Changqing found it somewhat difficult to adapt, but over time, he grew accustomed to it.

The Demon Suppressing Division was vast.

Only powerful masters, or individuals with the potential to become masters, could remain in the Demon Suppressing Division.

Shen Changqing belonged to the latter category.

The Demon Suppressing Division was divided into two professions: Garrison Master and Demon Slayer.

Anyone entering the Demon Suppressing Division began as a low-level Demon Slayer.

Then they gradually advanced, with the hope of eventually becoming a Garrison Master.

Shen Changqing's former self was an apprentice Demon Slayer in the Demon Suppressing Division, the lowest rank among Demon Slayers.

Possessing the memories of his former self, he was also very familiar with the environment of the Demon Suppressing Division.

It didn't take long for Shen Changqing to stop in front of a pavilion.

Unlike other grim and somber places in the Demon Suppressing Division, this pavilion stood out like a crane among chickens, presenting a unique tranquility amidst the blood-soaked environment.

At this time, the pavilion's main door was open, and people occasionally entered and exited.

Shen Changqing hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside.

Upon entering the pavilion, the environment suddenly transformed.

A scent of ink mixed with a faint smell of blood assailed him, causing his brow to instinctively furrow, but it soon relaxed.

The bloody smell on everyone in the Demon Suppressing Division was almost impossible to wash off.