Chapter 803: Clear and Persuasive

The group waited for a while longer, but Zu An still did not appear.

Bi Linglong's initially hopeful and expectant heart gradually sank.

At this point, Gu Xing said, displeased, "Linglong, that fellow probably doesn't dare to come. But don't worry, with us two brothers protecting you, this trip will definitely be fine."

Bi Linglong forced a smile. "One more person means one more source of strength."

Gu Heng also spoke up. "It seems the Crown Princess holds Master Zu in high regard."

"Exactly," Rong Mo pouted, a strong sense of grievance in her voice. "There was originally a spot for someone above seventh rank to enter the secret realm with her, but the Crown Princess chose him instead of me."

"Don't talk nonsense. This was a decision made after everyone's comprehensive consideration," Bi Linglong glared at her fiercely. This girl was becoming increasingly ill-mannered.

The Gu brothers exchanged glances, seeing the shock in each other's eyes. Having spent many years in the Bi family, they naturally understood Rong Mo's importance.

Although the woman appeared young, her actual age was not. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for her to cultivate beyond the seventh rank.

She had been adopted by the Bi family as a child and trained in isolation, which resulted in her psychological age being much younger than her actual age. This was why she had been assigned as Bi Linglong's personal maid, a role that also demonstrated the trust the Bi family and Bi Linglong placed in her.

Yet, for something as crucial as the Crown Prince's Imperial Examination, Bi Linglong had chosen Zu An instead of her. What this implied was self-evident.

Either Zu An's cultivation far surpassed Rong Mo's, or he was more important in the Crown Princess's heart.

Rong Mo was already a seventh-rank cultivator. How could Zu An, who was young, had grown up in the common streets, and lacked systematic professional cultivation training from a young age, possibly surpass her so significantly?

Therefore, in their opinion, the latter reason was more likely.

This thought brought a deep sense of crisis to both of them.

Gu Heng pondered for a moment and said, "Crown Princess, if Master Zu doesn't come, are we just going to keep waiting here? It wouldn't be a problem for us brothers to wait, but it's not quite appropriate for the Crown Prince to be waiting here as well. Moreover, if we miss the time to enter the secret realm later, that would be a huge problem."

Gu Xing secretly admired his elder brother. Although their thoughts were identical, his brother always managed to use grand-sounding excuses to conceal his true intentions. While he usually found this hypocritical, at this moment, he thought his elder brother was simply adorable.

Hearing his words, the large, plump Crown Prince beside them also started to fuss. "Yes, yes, it's so boring sitting here!"

Seeing the Crown Prince's reaction, Gu Heng and Gu Xing subtly exchanged a look, their lips unconsciously curving into slight smiles.

Seeing the large, plump Crown Prince making such a fuss, lacking any princely demeanor, a hint of disappointment flashed in Bi Linglong's eyes. She calmly instructed, "Mo Mo, you and the others escort the Crown Prince to the Imperial Academy first. I'll go check Master Zu's residence."

"Okay, okay, let's go play at the Imperial Academy!" The Crown Prince looked excited and started to walk out.

Rong Mo had no time to say anything and could only hurriedly follow to escort the Crown Prince. Many guards from the Eastern Palace also rushed to follow them.

The Gu brothers did not move. They said, "In that case, let us brothers protect the Crown Princess. We also want to see what kind of remarkable hero this Master Zu is."

Bi Linglong was actually going to his residence personally to look for him. This favor filled them with both envy and jealousy, so they naturally wanted to follow and see for themselves.

The Crown Princess frowned. She could clearly sense their hostility towards Zu An, and taking them along was not a good idea.

However, she reconsidered. Since they would be in the secret realm for several days, it would be beneficial for the mission if they had early contact with Zu An and got to know each other better. So, she nodded, and at the same time called for Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun, who were outside, to accompany her, as she had never been to Zu An's home before.

Zu An's residence was in the inner city. The group quickly arrived outside the house. Bi Linglong did not ask anyone to announce their arrival but walked directly inside.

The servants of the residence quickly bowed upon seeing the Crown Princess. Bi Linglong looked around but didn't see Zu An. "Where is Master Zu?"

"Master Zu left early this morning," a maid replied.

"He left?" Bi Linglong was surprised. Then why hadn't she seen him all this time?

Could something have really happened to him on the way?

Her heart tightened at the thought. She quickly asked Pu Duandiao, who was nearby, "Guard Pu, have there been any reports of fights in the inner city today?"

Pu Duandiao shook his head. "No such information has been received."

Bi Linglong's brows furrowed instantly. Where could he have gone then?

Knowing that this was the inner city, it was unlikely that Zu An, with his cultivation level, could have been subdued without a sound.

At this moment, Gu Xing said with a smile, "Could it be that he knows the secret realm is dangerous and is too scared to go, fearing for his life?"

Since the Crown Prince was not present, he spoke about the dangers without any reservations.

Jiao Sigun, standing nearby, scoffed, "Master Zu is not that kind of person."

He had been holding back his anger for a while, having listened to these two constantly badmouth Zu An with sarcastic remarks throughout the journey.

"You can know a person's face, but not their heart," Gu Xing said, spreading his hands. "The fact is right before us now; he certainly didn't appear as promised."

"Perhaps Master Zu was delayed by something else," Pu Duandiao also offered in defense.

Gu Heng frowned slightly. It seemed Zu An was quite popular in the Eastern Palace; even these two minor guard captains were speaking up for him.

Gu Xing sneered, "What could be more important than the Crown Prince's Imperial Examination today?"

Pu Duandiao was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.

Then Gu Xing glanced into the room. "Maybe Master Zu pretended to leave but is actually still hiding inside."

With that, he entered the room to search for him. The servants of the residence dared not stop him because the Crown Princess was present, so they could only follow behind, fretting anxiously.

Bi Linglong hesitated. In truth, she was also a little angry inside now. Zu An had clearly promised her, yet he had broken his word at such a crucial moment today, after she had woken up early to get ready. Therefore, she did not stop Gu Xing's actions, as she also wanted to see what Zu An was up to.

Rage points from Bi Linglong +233,233,233...

The residence wasn't large, and Gu Xing quickly finished his search. Indeed, there was no sign of Zu An. He smiled and said, "It seems he's hiding outside."

Gu Heng cleared his throat. "Second Brother, don't jump to conclusions. Perhaps Master Zu has already arrived at the Eastern Palace by now."

Gu Xing scoffed. "How could that be? We just came from the Eastern Palace; we didn't see a single hair of him. At the end of the day, he's just a street hoodlum. He's fine on ordinary days, but when it comes to a crucial moment, his cowardly nature, fearing death, reveals itself."

"Nonsense," Jiao Sigun retorted. "Master Zu dared to confront the eighth-rank Crown Prince of Qi directly and defeated him. He even fought the ninth-rank expert Han Fengqiu to a draw. How could he possibly be afraid to enter this secret realm?"

At this point, Gu Heng said, "That battle indeed caused a sensation throughout the capital. However, we investigated it afterward, and there was actually a top expert hidden in the shadows during that fight. While the Crown Prince of Qi was unleashing his lightning ultimate skill, this hidden expert secretly summoned water elements, causing the prince's power to backfire on himself. That's why he was defeated so strangely."

"Exactly," Gu Xing said. "Master Zu is, after all, from the streets. If he were truly a heaven-sent genius, why would he have chosen to become the son-in-law of the Chu family in the first place?" As he spoke, Gu Xing felt a bit guilty because he had once seen Chu Chuyan's grace from afar. If such a fairy-like figure truly needed a live-in son-in-law, he thought he himself could also be an option. "Cough, cough, he only has a cultivation of fifth or sixth rank, at most seventh rank. How could he possibly defeat the eighth-rank Crown Prince of Qi? As for fighting Han Fengqiu to a draw, that's even more preposterous."

"What's the concept of Han Fengqiu? Everyone in the capital knows he's a ninth-rank pinnacle expert. Such a figure could easily crush a seventh or eighth-rank cultivator just by lifting a finger. How could he fight a young man to a draw? In the end, Han Fengqiu was wary of that mysterious expert hidden in the shadows, and as a result, a distorted rumor became Zu An's achievement. It's simply laughable!"

Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun opened their mouths, but didn't know how to refute. After all, in their ingrained perception, it was highly unlikely for a ninth-rank pinnacle expert to be defeated by someone of a lower rank.

They looked around blankly, thinking, "Brother Zu, where exactly are you?"

First update. There should be three updates today.

High-speed text: Land Immortal Chapter List.