Nevertheless, Zhang Chen cautiously chose to weave his way through the bushes, winding past numerous buildings and palaces, and finally detected Chen Xu’s presence in a secluded small building.
Chen Xu, who was valued by Prince Pingbian, had an independent courtyard within the Prince’s Mansion.
Zhang Chen climbed onto the roof, slipped into the house along the tiles, transformed back to his original form from the water flow, and quietly sat in front of the table, watching Chen Xu standing under the eaves, gazing at the rain.
Chen Xu stared at the rain for quite a while before turning around to enter the house, only to see Zhang Chen sitting there with a playful smile. He froze in his tracks as if struck by a Body-Stabilizing Technique, completely immobilized.
"This is the Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, how could he be so bold? And the guards here are so tight, yet they couldn’t stop him?" Chen Xu thought with a tumultuous heart as he saw Zhang Chen.
Seeing Zhang Chen made him uneasy; encountering this person never brought good news.
He thought of calling for the Prince’s mansion guards, who were stationed fifty meters outside the courtyard. But if he shouted and angered this fierce man, he wouldn’t survive until the guards arrived.
He had seen Zhang Chen torment Zhong Xiang before; Zhang Chen’s methods were not something he could withstand. So, after hesitating for just two breaths, he shut the door, putting on a flattering smile as he looked at Zhang Chen: "Ah, isn’t this Young Master Zhang? What brings you to the Prince’s Mansion?"
His voice was filled with astonishment and concern, with a heavy undertone of flattery: "The Prince’s Mansion has secretly issued an order to hunt you down, sending people to kill you in secret. How did you walk right into the trap?"
Zhang Chen was quite pleased with Chen Xu closing the door; this was a smart man who knew when to do smart things.
"I came here today to help you fulfill your desires," Zhang Chen said with a smile.
"Fulfill my desires?" Chen Xu was taken aback. What desire? How come he didn’t know about it himself?
"Weren’t you frustrated in the ancient tomb, that those two brushes hindered your Refining God? I can help seal those two brushes, so they can no longer trouble you," Zhang Chen said with a grin.
Chen Xu cursed silently upon hearing this: ’Damn it, talking about helping me seal the brushes, isn’t he just after them?’
However, he dared not offend Zhang Chen, a fearsome figure who even dared to provoke the Prince’s Mansion, so he could only continue with a flattering smile: "In the grand scheme, everyone has their fate. Perhaps my fate is to be trapped by these brushes, unable to master the mysterious power throughout my life—that’s my destiny. I’ve already given up the struggle, please just let me accept my fate."
Honestly, Chen Xu was a little apprehensive of Zhang Chen; last time, Zhang Chen forcibly snatched a strand of Yin Yang Qi from his two brushes, a method he had never seen before.
"Since I’m here, you can’t let me leave empty-handed, can you?" Zhang Chen remarked with a smile. Even though his words were delivered cheerfully, there was an undeniable firmness that sent shivers down Chen Xu’s spine.
How could he dare to argue with Zhang Chen? At most, he’d lose another strand of Yin Yang Qi, which didn’t harm the essence.
"Forget it, if this disaster has come to the door, I must at least give up a strand of Innate Yin Yang Qi. After all, it’s just a strand of Yin Yang Qi, and perhaps I can ask him to help me with something..." Chen Xu thought silently. While the Prince’s Mansion was appealing, it did not suit him. Chen Xu was a free spirit, a free bird not to be caged.
The Prince’s Mansion was merely a confinement, restraining freedom.
If he sought wealth and glory, why rely on the Prince’s Mansion? With his skills, he could make a living anywhere. The next ancient tomb, filled with endless treasures, was more than enough to live a carefree life.
"If Young Master wishes to help me solve my troubles, I would be most grateful. However, I have a request for Young Master: please take me away; I no longer wish to stay in the Prince’s Mansion," Chen Xu said, looking at Zhang Chen.
"There are endless riches in the Prince’s Mansion. Are you willing to leave?" Zhang Chen asked, surprised.
"Even delicacies can become tiresome with time," Chen Xu replied.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen glanced at Chen Xu. Once he took away the brushes, if the Prince’s Mansion required Chen Xu to solve the riddle of the Ancient Divine Demon’s protective Golden Light, he would fail for sure, leading to suspicion and possibly fatal consequences.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen pondered briefly but did not make any promises, instead saying: "I can only create an opportunity for you to leave; whether you can escape smoothly will depend on your own luck."
"Thank you, Young Master." Chen Xu bowed in gratitude.
While speaking, Chen Xu summoned the two brushes, which floated in his palms.
Zhang Chen stepped forward to observe the brushes carefully, then reached out his hand and pulled out a jade box from his sleeve.
This was no ordinary jade box; it was the one that once contained the method for refining the God-Beating Whip, retrieved from the Princess.
With the Six-Word Mantra activated in his heart, a golden light flickered in Zhang Chen’s palm. The Six-Word Mantra materialized into an illusory Calligraphy Guide, adhering to the jade box, before Zhang Chen turned to Chen Xu: "Throw the two brushes into the jade box."