Chapter 23: Director
Li Musheng nodded lightly.
These words were quite easy to understand, but...
"Miss Cang, have you forgotten our agreement?"
Cang Yinyue looked at Li Musheng. A trace of hesitation flashed through her eyes. Then she turned her head to look ahead and sighed softly, "Forget it. My abilities are limited, and moreover, this tattooed character on my face has been there for many years. I've long grown accustomed to it. Whether it's removed or not doesn't really matter."
Li Musheng smiled, casually patting the horse's back, "Once we reach Shangyang City, you'll be my only acquaintance there, Miss Cang."
Hearing this, Cang Yinyue didn't speak. After a moment of silence, she took a deep breath, seeming to finally make a decision, "Alright, since I'm the one who brought you out of Shun'an City, our agreement stands."
Saying this, she turned to gaze at Li Musheng, "However, from now on, you must follow my arrangements. I can't guarantee it's for your benefit, but at least I definitely won't harm you."
Li Musheng nodded while stroking his chin.
As expected, which girl doesn't love beauty?
Especially bearing such a large character meaning "lowly." Who could stand it? This way, Cang Yinyue, this living encyclopedia, could continue to be useful.
Li Musheng raised his eyebrows. Of course, it wasn't that he absolutely needed her to do anything.
After all, with this young lady's level of strength, only her Hidden Intelligence Bureau identity and knowledge far exceeding ordinary people could occasionally help him resolve doubts.
"When will you remove the tattooed character from my face?"
At this time, Cang Yinyue continued to ask.
Those cold eyes stared directly at Li Musheng, a trace of anticipation faintly flashing in her gaze.
Previously, she hadn't really believed Li Musheng could help her resolve the tattoo. She had only held the idea of trying it out.
But along this journey, he had given her too many surprises. At this time, she had quite high expectations for Li Musheng.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have risked so much and still chosen to accept their previous agreement.
Li Musheng thought about it, his gaze slightly narrowing, "Once we reach Shangyang City, I'll naturally act for you, Miss Cang."
"However, for the sake of certainty, I suggest you first obtain the martial art 'Bone-Corroding Dark Wind Finger.' That way, I can act more specifically, and my chances will be greater."
Hearing this, Cang Yinyue frowned in thought for a while, then nodded lightly, "I'll do my best."
...
For the rest of the journey, the two returned to that previous "harmonious" relationship.
Moreover, after Li Musheng had advanced one condition.
Even though Cang Yinyue was asked all sorts of questions by him to the point of annoyance, even feeling like she wanted to cough up blood, she could only steel herself and answer everything.
However, when Li Musheng beat around the bush, trying to know what this young lady was hiding from him.
She kept her lips sealed very tightly, remaining tight-lipped throughout.
Just like this, the two rode their two mule-horses and finally arrived outside Shangyang City.
"Once inside the imperial capital, aside from me in the Hidden Intelligence Bureau, don't trust anyone else. Sometimes, don't even easily trust me."
Cang Yinyue reined in her horse, stopping before the majestic black giant city, speaking with great solemnity.
At this time, Li Musheng raised his head to look at the imperial city before him, far more magnificent countless times than any city he had seen before. He couldn't help but sigh in admiration, "Indeed, one must travel around and broaden one's horizons."
The giant city of this feudal dynasty before him was like a sleeping beast lying across the earth. The city walls soared high, stretching endlessly, extending to distant mountains and earth beyond sight.
Although this martial Dao world wasn't technologically advanced, it developed human power to the extreme.
However, to build such a magnificent city required hundreds of years of accumulation to achieve.
...
"Miss Cang, wasn't the Hidden Intelligence Bureau the one who sent you to find me? Why can't even your backers be trusted?"
Li Musheng turned back to ask while dismounting with Cang Yinyue, leading their horses by the reins toward the broad city gate that towered ten zhang high.
An endless stream of common people entered and exited through the city gate. Dozens of armored guards in sturdy armor stood watch at the entrance and exit, checking and verifying travel permits one by one. Only after confirming no problems would they allow passage.
Cang Yinyue looked at the imperial capital she was about to enter, her expression changing for a while. But she still transmitted her voice with true qi condensed into threads, "Originally, I didn't plan to tell you about this, but things have come to this point. I think it's better to let you know some things."
"Do you know who the person wielding the Hidden Intelligence Bureau's authority is?"
Hearing this, Li Musheng nodded slightly, "Naturally, it's the highly favored person beside Emperor Yuanwu, but no one has ever seen his true face—Great Li's 'Shadow Chancellor.'"
These past days, Li Musheng had learned quite a bit about the entire Great Li situation, both large and small matters, through Cang Yinyue and some casual martial world reports.
It was said that this Shadow Chancellor's identity was extremely mysterious, seemingly only seen by Emperor Yuanwu and a very few people.
Moreover, legend had it this person possessed a seven-orificed exquisite heart, was versed in hundreds of martial arts schools, had god-like martial Dao cultivation, and in his many years controlling the Hidden Intelligence Bureau, had killed countless people, making neighboring nations turn pale at the mention.
"You're not wrong. However, you only know that our Hidden Intelligence Bureau's Director is trusted by His Majesty. What you don't know is that he's actually also the Seventh Prince's teacher."
Cang Yinyue's gaze was obscure and uncertain as she looked fixedly at Li Musheng, "The Seventh Prince I'm referring to is the fake prince now imprisoned in Great Li's heavenly prison."
Saying this, she sighed lightly, "That Seventh Prince and the Director have over ten years of master-disciple affection. So now you should understand why I said what I did."
Hearing this, Li Musheng showed an expression of realization.
He thought about it, then stared at Cang Yinyue for a while and said, "Given that Shadow Chancellor's style of doing things, this matter should be a secret among secrets. Very few people in all of Great Li probably know about it, right?"
Cang Yinyue nodded lightly, "You needn't doubt it. I also learned of this matter by chance. Before today, I've never mentioned it to anyone."
Hearing this, Li Musheng extended a thumb toward her in praise, "For Miss Cang to tell me this information shows real loyalty!"
Cang Yinyue's eyelids twitched as she snorted lightly, "I'm only letting you know your current situation. After all, you promised to remove the tattoo for me. Naturally, I must do what I can to prevent anything from happening to you."
As they spoke, the two had already arrived before the armored guards at the city gate.
Before Cang Yinyue reached out to produce her token, she transmitted secretly, "The imperial capital is already full of hidden undercurrents. Now, because of the fake prince matter, it has attracted numerous forces watching like tigers. Not only the Hidden Intelligence Bureau—you must also be careful of forces from all other sides."
Saying this, she handed her Six Doors constable token to the city gate guards while pointing at Li Musheng beside her, "Returning from a case assignment. This is the wanted criminal I've apprehended on this journey."
Hearing this, Li Musheng was slightly stunned.
Not bad, not bad. Before even entering Shangyang City, this young lady had taught him a lesson.