Chapter 123
After Zhang Xiangyun said these words, the room fell into an eerie silence.
Yu Sui, observing their confrontation from inside the carriage, was also surprised for a moment, her gaze falling on Nian Qiuyan in the room.
Nian Qiuyan seemed completely unaffected, maintaining his gentle and polite demeanor. His dark eyes looking toward Zhang Xiangyun showed no discernible joy or anger, nor did he seem inclined to satisfy Zhang Xiangyun's demand.
Originally, the reason the Legalist School wanted to judge Gu Qian was because the forbidden item "Silver River Water" from Inverted Moon Cave had gone missing.
Silver River Water, as an indestructible poison-making contraband, was kept under watch by the Legalist School in the forbidden area of Inverted Moon Cave. Although the Ghost Way School couldn't destroy it completely in one go, they could accelerate its destruction.
So Gu Qian's break-in to Inverted Moon Cave wouldn't have caused such a big fuss, at most warranting a few days of confinement and some point deductions.
It was all because Silver River Water had disappeared, and Gu Qian happened to be caught in Inverted Moon Cave, which caused such a commotion. Although his suspicion was cleared by the Di Su Balance Scale that Yu Sui brought, the academy still never found the missing Silver River Water.
The Legalist School had been preoccupied with this matter.
Yu Sui had previously focused her attention on the Floating Pagoda and hadn't investigated anything related to Silver River Water. Hearing Zhang Xiangyun's words now, it seemed that besides Gu Qian and others that night, the one who entered Inverted Moon Cave and took the Silver River Water was Nian Qiuyan.
If it was Nian Qiuyan... after Yu Sui's surprise, she actually found it somewhat reasonable.
Nian Qiuyan's strength was indeed not to be underestimated.
Even though everyone knew he only calculated three trigrams per day, no one knew just how powerful those three trigrams could be.
It was said that Saint Changsun Zi of Taiyi Academy's Technical Arts School once declared that Nian Qiuyan's three trigrams could block three Saints.
Looking at it this way, entering Inverted Moon Cave and taking the Silver River Water was something Nian Qiuyan could accomplish alone.
But what did he want Silver River Water for?
Yu Sui's gaze swept over Zhang Xiangyun and Luo Fu again. What was the relationship between these two and Nian Qiuyan?
"What's the point of giving you Silver River Water? Do you have a way to take it out of Taiyi Academy?" Nian Qiuyan asked with a smile.
"Oh?" Zhang Xiangyun looked at him leisurely, with a half-smile: "So you won't give me Silver River Water because you want to take it out of Taiyi Academy yourself?"
Nian Qiuyan didn't answer.
Zhang Xiangyun tapped his fingertip on the stair railing. A glowing star chart spread from the ground with him as the center. The stars on the ground twinkled and connected into lines, extending bit by bit toward where Nian Qiuyan stood.
"You've been with Mei Liangyu and his group for so long, you really think you're clean and have forgotten what you do?" Zhang Xiangyun's eyes mixed coldness with mockery as he stood at a higher position, looking down at Nian Qiuyan. "Mei Liangyu would never imagine that while he cares so much about the Inverted Moon Cave incident, making enemies with that unlucky Gu Qian over it, all to find Silver River Water, he never thought that the one who stole and hid the thing was the good brother he trusts completely."
Nian Qiuyan chuckled quietly: "I'll take that as a compliment."
Zhang Xiangyun raised an eyebrow: "Will you give it or not?"
"Why should I give it?" Nian Qiuyan asked back.
Zhang Xiangyun said: "I didn't ask you for it before because Mei Liangyu was watching, which was troublesome. Now that he's shifted his attention, you should give me the thing."
Before Nian Qiuyan could answer, Zhang Xiangyun sneered: "If you don't give it, I can only go ask Mei Liangyu for it, and while I'm at it, ask Kong Yiyi..."
"I said you can't take it out of Taiyi Academy. Even if you get it, it's useless." Nian Qiuyan interrupted him.
"I don't need to take it out of Taiyi Academy. Right here." Zhang Xiangyun pointed at the ground, his eyes fixed on Nian Qiuyan as he smiled: "In this place, it can fulfill its value. What's wanted outside is the finished product, not the raw material."
Nian Qiuyan's eyes flickered slightly: "Making Lan poison at Taiyi Academy, aren't you afraid of being discovered by Taiyi Academy's Saints?"
"Playing dumb with me? You know exactly what kind of person can make Lan poison at Taiyi Academy." Zhang Xiangyun said exaggeratedly: "Nian Qiuyan, have you forgotten that you're also a member of Xuan Kui? Your family has been in this business since your grandfather's generation. You've made at least 10,000 portions of Lan poison yourself. What are you pretending now, or... do you want to get rid of your identity as a Lan corpse?"
Zhang Xiangyun burst into laughter, leaning half his body against the stair railing, seemingly struggling to contain his laughter.
It was really too funny.
Yu Sui noticed Zhang Xiangyun's mention of "Xuan Kui," a familiar organization name she'd heard at Old Yan's place. It was related to Chu Jin, apparently an organization of Lan corpses that followed Chu Jin's orders and dealt in Lan poison.
If the Lan poison on Chu Jin's side was made at Taiyi Academy and then transported to Qingyang Kingdom, no matter how hard they searched in Qingyang Kingdom, they'd never find the source.
From Zhang Xiangyun's meaning, some of Taiyi Academy's Saints weren't completely unaware of the Lan poison production and might even be involved.
Yu Sui leaned against the carriage window watching the lively crowd outside, her dark bright eyes quietly scanning the surrounding streets and alleys. Taiyi Academy contained more than she had imagined.
Zhang Xiangyun laughed for quite a while before stopping. He raised his hand to wipe his face, looked at Nian Qiuyan again, made a fist with his five fingers and held it in front of his lips to cover his mouth, coughed twice lightly, then continued: "I don't need to take Silver River Water out of Taiyi Academy. You can rest assured. Can you give it to me now?"
But Nian Qiuyan asked: "Who needs it? I'll give it to him personally."
Zhang Xiangyun squinted and smiled, pointing at himself: "Me. I need it."
Nian Qiuyan said gently: "You're not worthy."
Zhang Xiangyun also smiled, glancing back at Luo Fu with exaggerated expression: "Wow, he says I'm not worthy?"
Luo Fu said flatly: "Then remove the trigram formation outside and let Mei Liangyu come in."
Zhang Xiangyun snapped his fingers: "Good idea."
He was about to do just that when Nian Qiuyan frowned slightly, still speaking unhurriedly: "Exposing me means exposing yourselves. Even if you let Mei Liangyu know my identity, you still won't get Silver River Water. I can make sure you never get Silver River Water. Do you dare gamble with Silver River Water?"
Zhang Xiangyun was about to snap his fingers for the second time. After hearing Nian Qiuyan's words, his expression became thoughtful as he gently rubbed his two fingers together without making a sound.
Luo Fu looked at Nian Qiuyan: "Can I understand your words just now to mean you're unwilling to hand over Silver River Water and want to betray Xuan Kui?"
Nian Qiuyan: "No, you can't."
Zhang Xiangyun waved his hand and laughed: "Haha, interesting. The higher-ups had you get Silver River Water because materials were insufficient. With Silver River Water, they can be self-sufficient and never lack key raw materials. As for you, since you took the job and obediently stole Silver River Water from Inverted Moon Cave, yet you're unwilling to hand it over to Xuan Kui, isn't that betrayal?"
Nian Qiuyan said: "You two can't represent the organization yet. I'm not comfortable giving it to you. Who told you to get Silver River Water from me? Have him come find me, or tell me his name and I'll go find him."
"I didn't expect to have the chance to return the same words to you so quickly. Want to know who's asking you for Silver River Water?" Zhang Xiangyun snapped his fingers for the second time: "You're not worthy."
As soon as he finished speaking, the stars on the ground spun rapidly, dazzlingly. Within the trigram formation, air was drawn out, gravity increased, pressing on Nian Qiuyan's shoulders until they trembled slightly.
"I'll ask you one last time. Will you give it or not?" Zhang Xiangyun asked.
In the trigram formation, gravity pressed down on Nian Qiuyan until he could barely lift his head. He struggled to raise his hand to rub his neck, chuckling softly with somewhat helpless tone: "What you're doing is quite frightening. I'll give it to you."
"You brought it with you?" Zhang Xiangyun asked.
Nian Qiuyan said: "I did."
Zhang Xiangyun heard this and laughed: "Who are you trying to fool?"
Nian Qiuyan laughed too: "You didn't want it."
Zhang Xiangyun pondered for a moment, then walked forward two steps. When he took the third step, he realized something was wrong, frowned, and looked down.
Luo Fu, who had been leaning against the wall, suddenly straightened up: "Back away."
He was speaking to Zhang Xiangyun, but it was too late.
Zhang Xiangyun stepped back once. At the spot where he'd just stood, a black talisman appeared and burned away.
"A Taoist School Instant Concealment Talisman." Luo Fu said, staring at Nian Qiuyan who hadn't moved since entering the room. "What did you send over?"
When Mei Liangyu brought Nian Qiuyan out of the Outer City, he'd given him a pile of life-saving items, knowing his combat ability when his three trigrams were used up and fearing he might die in an accident. He'd even given him Sword Rings taken from Lord Sui.
This Taoist School Instant Concealment Talisman was one of them.
If Nian Qiuyan used the Sword Rings, the commotion would be too great and Mei Liangyu outside would know, so he couldn't use them. He'd deliberately waited longer at Pearl House just to get one thing.
That thing, concealed by the Instant Concealment Talisman, had silently approached Zhang Xiangyun, slipped into his clothing, pressed against his skin, and burrowed into his flesh.
Zhang Xiangyun's face changed slightly. Seeing this, Luo Fu raised his hand and sent a golden lightning bolt toward Nian Qiuyan. Just as the golden lightning was about to strike Nian Qiuyan, Zhang Xiangyun waved his hand to block it, grabbing Luo Fu's hand and signaling him not to move.
Nian Qiuyan was affected by the clash of two forces. Lightning wrapped around his neck, striking him back against the door.
"Wait." Zhang Xiangyun called out to stop, his expression gloomy: "It's a Love Parasite."
Luo Fu: "..."
Nian Qiuyan, with lightning around his neck, let out a low chuckle.
The Agricultural School's Love Parasite was originally used to tame Agricultural School poison beasts, preventing them from turning on their masters. So those afflicted would have their life force connected to the one who cast the spell, meaning harming Nian Qiuyan now would harm Zhang Xiangyun.
Luo Fu withdrew the golden lightning, but Zhang Xiangyun didn't remove the trigram formation.
He stared at the smiling Nian Qiuyan with a gloomy expression: "You have quite a collection of things."
Nian Qiuyan took a deep breath before saying: "Isn't it uncomfortable being pressed down by the trigram formation's gravity?"
Zhang Xiangyun said coldly: "I'm not uncomfortable."
Seeing him lie so blatantly, Nian Qiuyan just smiled: "During the time you're removing the spell, think carefully about whether you want to tell me who wants Silver River Water."
"Are you tired of living?" Zhang Xiangyun sneered.
"I calculated it. I'll live longer than you." Nian Qiuyan still had the heart to joke at this moment.
"It's better to calculate fate less often. Each calculation brings more variables." Zhang Xiangyun removed the trigram formation, calmed his mood, put his hat and hood back on, his words carrying obvious malice: "I'll also give you time to think carefully. Before I tell Mei Liangyu or Kong Yiyi who you really are, will you give me Silver River Water or not?"
Nian Qiuyan's body regained freedom. His hands trembled as he rubbed his aching neck, head lowered. In the dim light, his expression couldn't be seen clearly.
When he slowly raised his head, he was alone in the room.
Zhang Xiangyun and Luo Fu had already left.
Five Elements Light Cores followed them.
Yu Sui discovered these two were very familiar with the Outer City's layout, skillfully avoiding busy places and heading into deserted dark alleys, getting farther and farther from Pearl House, which was caught in chaotic conflict.
Controlled by Nian Qiuyan's Love Parasite, Zhang Xiangyun looked very displeased. Luo Fu glanced at him twice and said: "Removing the spell will take some time. During this period, you'd better not meet with him."
"I know." Zhang Xiangyun answered, suppressing his anger.
Agricultural School transmission beasts landed on both their shoulders. After hearing the reported news, Zhang Xiangyun sneered: "Qu Zhenghao, that brainless fool. Targeting Mei Liangyu would be enough, but he also wants to make money from the Nangong family."
Luo Fu said: "Nangong Sui came to the Outer City?"
Zhang Xiangyun said: "Even if Pearl House really loses money, it's Nangong Sui's business. Whatever money Nangong Sui loses at Taiyi Academy, her sister earns back outside in just a few days."
Luo Fu said: "Then let's ignore it and return to the academy."
On the deserted street, night wind lifted a corner of the carriage curtain. Street lamps cast light on the carriage body. The fluttering curtain swayed, but it was difficult to glimpse the face of the young woman inside the carriage.