Chapter 364: Exposed

The dim dusk, as if heavy dark veils were draped between heaven and earth.

Lanterns hung under the eaves, and the long street fell into an eerie silence.

Pairs of eyes, following Li Weiyi's gaze, landed on Zhuang Yue.

There was astonishment, and disbelief.

Large numbers of female officials and eunuchs from the Luan Terrace, either forming formations or activating magical artifacts, had originally come to hunt down a great enemy from the evil cult. They had even dispersed the crowd beforehand and meticulously planned, but they never expected such a huge embarrassment to unfold.

That's right, it was an embarrassment.

A female official from the Luan Terrace secretly meeting a man should have been handled discreetly, but now it was known to everyone. More importantly, this official was the closest attendant to the renowned Feather Immortal.

Catching an evil cult fiend had turned into catching an adulterer.

Jiang Ning looked at Zhuang Yue, her brows furrowed. Even with her composure and wisdom, she couldn't help but fall into a state of bewilderment. Because, based on her understanding of Zhuang Yue, the fact that the girl didn't immediately step forward and swing her sword at Zuo Ning said everything.

Clearly, in the two years she had been at the Du'e Temple, everyone had been experiencing their own stories.

Jiang Ning suddenly realized with a shock that Zhuang Yue also had an independent personality, not merely an appendage to her, and couldn't live solely for her forever.

Female officials of the Luan Terrace were not always forbidden from interacting with men; this rule only came into effect after the Xiaotian Edict was issued more than ten years ago.

Humans all have emotions and desires.

The more something is forbidden, the stronger the backlash.

Although many present gritted their teeth in anger, believing Zuo Ning and Zhuang Yue had disgraced the Luan Terrace, more people showed envy and admiration.

They felt Zuo Ning dared to come to Lingxiao City and speak of this matter in front of countless people, wasn't that also acting with a death-defying spirit?

This courage and bravery carried a unique romance, much like the unforgettable tragic love stories in storytellers' tales, shocking and yet evoking sympathy.

Li Weiyi knew very well that Lingxiao City might not withstand the great catastrophe in three months, so he could use this opportunity to get Zhuang Yue out and send her away early. It was an undeniable fact that he had used her, but if he could save her from this predicament by doing so, he would ultimately feel a little better.

Li Weiyi walked towards Zhuang Yue.

The Luan Terrace martial cultivators present exchanged glances, looking at Jiang Ning, unsure whether they should intervene.

Even the two highly cultivated old women were in a quandary.

If it were any other girl, they would certainly be suspicious, but it was Zhuang Yue, who was straightforward and stubborn, and absolutely loyal to the imperial court and Jiang Ning. How could she be involved in such an issue?

The formation of seven female officials, which Zhuang Yue was part of, had already dispersed.

Two of the younger ones had slightly red eyes, showing no hostility towards Li Weiyi.

"Come with me."

Li Weiyi extended a hand, his gaze powerful.

Zhuang Yue, of course, knew that Li Weiyi's previous words were meant to mislead people and cover up the truth, but she was still somewhat in a daze. Her eyes swollen and red, she shook her head and said, "I cannot betray my Lady... Whether what you said is true or not, I cannot leave the Luan Terrace..."

Li Weiyi had a headache. He didn't expect her to be so single-minded, so he added, "After what happened today, if you stay at the Luan Terrace, you'll have no way out. Your Lady cannot protect you. Come with me, I swear, as long as I draw breath, I will not let you die."

Zhuang Yue could hear the sincerity in his words, and she believed in his ability. Although she knew he wasn't referring to romantic feelings, her tears still uncontrollably welled up and flowed out.

*Clang!*

The Jingyu Sword flew out and landed in Jiang Ning's hand.

Jiang Ning's eyes were clear and cold, completely unfooled by appearances. She absolutely did not believe that Zuo Ning was unrelated to the events at Nanyan Pass. The simple-minded Zhuang Yue had definitely been used by him.

But Zhuang Yue had followed her for more than ten years, and she not only had to protect Zhuang Yue's life, but also her reputation, so that she would still have a place in the Luan Terrace. Therefore, Zuo Ning could neither be killed nor released.

She had to come up with a foolproof plan.

The female officials around Zhuang Yue had been selected together into the Luan Terrace since childhood, and their bond was extremely deep.

Seeing Jiang Ning raise her sword, they all knelt down to plead for mercy.

"Lord Jiang, please spare their lives!"

"Zhuang Yue was just momentarily confused."

"Zuo Ning... at least has some courage, he's not a coward..."

Jiang Ning secretly admired Zuo Ning's cunning methods. He was a formidable person skilled at manipulating hearts and emotions.

She said, "When did I say I would kill them? Zuo Ning, even if the matter at Nanyan Pass has nothing to do with you, your strength is enough to enter the 'Jiazi Register', but the Luan Terrace has not yet recorded your information. People on the blacklist who enter Lingxiao City without actively reporting are generally regarded by the court as rebel spies. You wouldn't want to harm Zhuang Yue, would you? Come, let's go to the Luan Terrace."

Li Weiyi didn't expect Jiang Ning to have this move, and was pondering how to respond.

From a distance, the sound of wheels clattering forward rang out.

A magnificent carriage pulled by exotic beasts approached, followed by two rows of guards.

Tai Shi Bai's voice sounded from inside the carriage: "Lord Jiang, Zuo Ning is a retainer of my Tai Shi family. I brought him to Lingxiao City from the General's Residence. Since you cannot produce evidence to prove his involvement in the cult massacre at Nanyan Pass, I want to ask for a favor. As for reporting to the 'Jiazi Register', I will personally take him to the Luan Terrace tomorrow."

Tai Shi Bai sent a spiritual message to Jiang Ning: "This favor is also requested by the West Sea Prince's Residence. I must take him there immediately. If I have offended you in any way, please be understanding."

Li Weiyi wanted to take Zhuang Yue with him, but she was extremely stubborn and shook her head vigorously.

Inside the carriage, Tai Shi Bai spoke loudly: "Zuo Ning, you don't need to worry about her. She is Lord Jiang's maid. If Lord Jiang cannot even resolve such a small matter, then no one in the Luan Terrace will genuinely follow her in the future."

The Luan Terrace martial cultivators receded like a tide.

Li Weiyi boarded the carriage before he could speak.

Tai Shi Bai first reprimanded him: "Why didn't you discuss such a big matter with me? If I had known in advance, there would have been a possibility of a private resolution with the Luan Terrace and Jiang Ning. Now that it's out in the open, everything has to be handled officially."

Li Weiyi couldn't tell him the truth, and could only smile wryly: "How can such a matter be openly discussed?"

"Love between a man and a woman, she has feelings, you have righteousness. What can't be openly discussed? If you had told me in advance, I would definitely have helped you."

Tai Shi Bai thought for a moment, then added, "If you had believed Jiang Ning just now and gone to the Luan Terrace, you would surely have been thrown into a large prison. To save Zhuang Yue, she would certainly force you to bear all responsibility. Never be deceived by Jiang Ning's beautiful appearance; she is an extremely resourceful person, not weak at all. Furthermore, she holds a great secret, she is far from simple; even Tai Shi Yu wouldn't dare provoke her."

Li Weiyi naturally knew that going to the Luan Terrace was a dead end.

But the one who would kill him was not Jiang Ning, but Yao Qian.

Although Li Weiyi had a way to avoid going, he was still very grateful for Tai Shi Bai's righteous intervention. This man truly regarded him as a friend, yet he had hidden too much from him, and a feeling of guilt arose in his heart.

Tai Shi Bai said, "At Nanyan Pass, the mysterious person who had the child deliver a message to me, that was you, wasn't it?"

Li Weiyi's heart trembled slightly, realizing that Tai Shi Bai only had weaknesses in emotion, but his intellect was not inferior to Tai Shi Yu's.

Everyone has their own difficult hurdle to overcome.

The carriage slowly moved forward.

After passing the long street they had just been on, it became bustling and noisy outside.

Li Weiyi responded calmly, acknowledging it: "How did you find out?"

Tai Shi Bai sighed: "Originally, I didn't suspect you, but if you had already entered Nanyan Pass, then you would be the biggest suspect. Because to send that letter, one would have to know in advance that I would return to the city that day. You just happen to be the one who knew about this."

"You led me to rescue Zhou Bida's family, and Zhou Bida is a member of the Jiuli Tribe. You are also from the Jiuli Tribe, aren't you? The Jiuli Hidden Gate?"

"Doesn't the Earth Wolf King Army obey your Jiuli Tribe?"

Li Weiyi took a deep breath, met his gaze, then slowly nodded: "The secret that Jiang Xin was an elder of the Evil Cult Faction was told to me by Vice General Zhou; he had investigated many things. Unfortunately, Jiang Xin detected it in advance and took Vice General Zhou's family hostage, thereby coercing him."

Tai Shi Bai said, "So he didn't dare report to the General's Residence?"

"Nanyan Pass was full of eyes and hidden agents from the Attendant Hall. If he reported to the General's Residence, asking them to investigate where his wife and daughter were held, Jiang Xin would probably have learned the news the moment the General's Residence made a move."

Li Weiyi added, "Young Master Bai should know, Vice General Zhou deeply loved his wife and daughter, and also possessed the responsibility of a human martial cultivator. He could neither abandon his wife and daughter nor betray the General's Residence, so he could only seek external help, appealing to the Jiuli Tribe to secretly investigate the whereabouts of his wife and daughter."

"Unfortunately... Jiang Xin was too cautious, cunning and sly. Nothing in Nanyan Pass could escape his notice. He once again got ahead, drawing in the Luan Terrace Vice-Minister. Vice General Zhou was then falsely accused by him, with the thief crying 'stop thief,' and ultimately died with unredressed grievances."

"That's right! Vice General Zhou is from the Jiuli Tribe, but when have we, the Jiuli Tribe, ever been enemies with the imperial court? For more than ten years of warfare across the land, Lizhou has always been peaceful."

"Within the imperial court, aren't there countless disciples from the Four Great Myriad-Threshold Families?"

"I dare swear upon the honor of the Jiuli Gods, Vice General Zhou, despite his military career and high position, absolutely never provided any information to the Jiuli Tribe that was unfavorable to the imperial court. Have you ever found any rebellious acts committed by him?"

Li Weiyi intentionally only mentioned the Jiuli Tribe, and downplayed the Jiuli Hidden Gate.

To outsiders, the two were the same.

But...

They were definitely not the same.

Tai Shi Bai said, "I never said Vice General Zhou betrayed the court, don't get so agitated!"

Li Weiyi said, "Am I agitated?"

Tai Shi Bai stared at him for a long moment: "Actually, Vice General Zhou never concealed his Jiuli tribal origin from my father. He became a personal guard for my father at the age of twenty-five. If there wasn't absolute trust, how could he have been promoted to the position of Vice General? How could the entire defense of Nanyan Pass have been entrusted to him?"

Li Weiyi had long anticipated this point, because Zhou Bida, even if he had to sacrifice his wife and daughter, never thought of betraying Tai Shi Qingcang, which showed how much he respected him. In such circumstances, how could too many secrets remain hidden?

Tai Shi Bai grabbed Li Weiyi's shoulder, and said sincerely: "I am forty-one this year, a few years older than you. We can absolutely consider each other brothers. As your elder brother, I have a few heartfelt words that I must share."