CHAPTER 596: CHAPTER 575 FIRST UPDATE

The group’s pace remained slow as it marched toward Bu Er Temple. The slanting western sun cast a golden glow, and there was a warmth in the chill wind as if tender grass was peeking through the snow.

Ju Nanyi followed quietly, feeling unusually calm. Though reason told him the path ahead would be tough, devoid of the advantages he had in his past life, he had at least exchanged it for one truth.

Without Zheng Congyuan, Zheng Nianru had no desire to live, even seated in high status, clothed in silk, and revered by thousands, nothing could deter her pursuit of death.

Ju Nanyi was well aware that Zheng Congyuan could not be touched, at least not for now. At the very least, he now knew better what he needed to do than in his previous life.

As for the Young Master Yin He of Ghoul Ravine, Ju Nanyi didn’t take him seriously; even the way Zheng Nianru looked at him revealed nothing more than a source of amusement—Ju Nanyi had seen plenty like him in his last life.

"They’re here—" Gui San and Gui Si quickly opened the temple gates, with the disciples of Ghoul Ravine standing respectfully behind them, their expressions also quite unnatural.

It was only now that Zong Yunqian had the opportunity to closely observe these disciples of Ghoul Ravine. At a glance, he realized something was off. They seemed to be like lost souls; it was not just one or two, but the majority of the Ghoul Ravine disciples had this appearance.

But Zong Yunqian also immediately sensed that these people were not weak, as if there was a tremendous energy hidden within their bodies. This power not only made them formidable in combat but also seemed to be eroding their spirits step by step.

Zong Yunqian dared not reveal more, his heart becoming even more certain of his speculation.

While the spellcraft was bizarre, it was not completely without a trace. In particular, having seen the strange spells employed by Yin He, he had already begun to have some suspicions.

Ju Nanyi walked into Bu Er Temple without deviating his gaze, leading the people step by step.

Elder Can and Elder Su stayed at the entrance, waiting until everyone was inside. It seemed that everything was "going smoothly," and only then did they relax a little.

The youth dismounted his horse, eager yet careful not to reveal his impatience, his step steady as he approached Ju Nanyi.

What he truly wanted was to go directly to Zheng Nianru, but he feared offending her; after all, having spent some time in her presence, he knew her likes and dislikes well and dared not act rashly.

"Lord Ju, about Nian Ru..." the youth began. He had not yet seen Nian Ru.

"Young Master, wait a moment—" Ju Nanyi said calmly, though inside he felt annoyed. Compared to Zheng Congyuan, he didn’t consider the youth important, but now that he was in front of him, he felt the same urge to strike him down as he did with the others.

Yet Ju Nanyi had not lost his rational mind; it was not the time yet. He’d let the youth prance around for a couple more days.

The youth seemed displeased as Ju Nanyi moved beside the carriage, where Nanny Yun lifted the curtain.

Zong Yunqian was about to look when a guard quickly tugged at his sleeve, without time to observe, he swiftly joined Xi Feng and Gu Dao in another group.

It was then they heard Elder Can’s voice from up ahead.

"Everyone has had a long journey, Lord Ju, please allow your people to rest first." Elder Can glanced at the guards standing ramrod straight. He didn’t take them seriously; in his view, none of them could escape his grasp—mere ants he could crush at any moment.

He was polite now only because of the Crown Prince’s Wife.

But, he would not allow so many to witness their Young Master debasing himself.

Did the official see that Elder Can was speaking to him? But he...

However, the official knew he couldn’t neglect this elder from Qiandao Temple, as the elder had a high status. So, the official took it upon himself to decide that they indeed needed to rest, and Lord Ju had already made arrangements.

"Elder Can, please lead the way, we have been traveling for two days and are indeed very tired," the official said, maintaining a very pleasant attitude, not at all put off by the lofty gaze of Elder Can.

Having said this, the official waved his hand, and the team behind him quickly lined up in two rows. Zong Yunqian was among them, slowly following the rest of the team forward.

This was part of the plan all along. Sure enough, things went exactly as Ju Nanyi had anticipated. When the team turned a corner on a narrow path, flanked by dense bamboo groves, Zong Yunqian seized the moment and dashed into the bamboo. They had been at the end of the column and now moved quickly, while up ahead the official had already engaged Elder Can, leaving no one to notice the disappearance of the three men.

"Esteemed elder, I’ve heard that you possess Medicine Pills that can cure all illnesses..."

"No..." Elder Can was too busy to pay attention to this hairy person.

The official was not annoyed, realizing he was being treated as an outsider.

"Elder, after all we’ll have to work together for a while, seeing each other often, you can’t just dismiss me like that, can you?" The official spoke, thinking that the task given by the senior official should be completed by now.

"Truly, there’s none. But we have some that are poisonous and lethal, want those?" Elder Can replied irritably, giving the official a glance. He looked stout and straightforward, clearly not the most astute person.

However, there are benefits to not being the sharpest tool in the shed, and Elder Can suddenly changed his mind.

"No, no need—" the official said quickly, shaking his head like a rattle-drum upon hearing this.

"How has Her Majesty been feeling lately?" Elder Can suddenly asked.

"This...How could I, an official, be aware of that?" the official said cautiously, knowing that while they were unclear about some matters, they had still heard rumors. So, was this Young Master from Ghoul Ravine genuinely releasing the Emperor because of the Empress’s involvement?

Otherwise, there would have been a change of regime in Nanzheng State.

"How could you not know? How many stops did you make along the way? Was the food and drink satisfactory? Did she scold any servants?" Elder Can continued to inquire.

"Now that you mention it, I feel that Her Majesty’s mood doesn’t seem too bad," the official contemplated before replying, considering it the safest answer. It wouldn’t do to say that the Empress was unhappy about coming to Bu Er Temple.

"Now that you’ve mentioned it, I remember we in Ghoul Ravine have a certain Medicine Pill, which, while it cannot cure all diseases, has some effect against plague..."

"Really?" the official asked eagerly, his eyes lighting up.

"So, the Empress has been in a good temper?" That girl’s temperament didn’t seem like one to hold back. If upset, she would naturally show it, and this was important to know, Elder Can asked again.

"Lose her temper? Not at all," the official replied, looking utterly baffled. "Her Majesty has been quite pleasant since she got into the carriage." She wasn’t troublesome; they had just rested quite often on the road, but that was understandable given Her Majesty’s noble status.

...

"Her Majesty would like to rest first, may I inquire where the Young Master has arranged the accommodation?" Ju Nanyi stepped forward calmly and asked.