Zhang Chen looked at Xiaodouding, who was crying her heart out. When he heard the little girl say she wanted to protect him, he felt like laughing but couldn’t bring himself to do it.
He had the Body-Stabilizing Rune and the Invisibility Technique; even a hundred Xiaodoudings wouldn’t be enough for him to kill. Yet, Xiaodouding’s heartfelt intent moved him deeply.
Zhang Chen patted Xiaodouding’s head, "Alright! I’ll take you with me."
As long as he took Xiaodouding down the mountain and sent her to Xie Lingyun, all the troublesome matters would be resolved. The only thing that left him a bit dissatisfied was not obtaining the higher-level Qi Cultivation Technique, making him feel a bit unwilling.
Just as Zhang Chen was holding Xiaodouding, preparing to leave, the Observatory Master appeared at the main gate, looking at the crying pair with a surprised expression, "What are you two doing hugging and crying like this?"
The question broke the atmosphere. Xiaodouding, upon seeing the Observatory Master as if meeting a savior, cried, "Master, there’s an ugly one who wants to kill my junior brother."
The Observatory Master was taken aback by this, while Zhang Chen bitterly smiled and responded, "I have deep-seated enmity with the Crown Prince of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion; it’s almost a fight to the death. I just encountered him, and I’m afraid he won’t let it go. He insists on settling the score with me. I don’t want to drag the Daoist Temple into this, so I’m about to leave the mountain and would like the Observatory Master to grant this."
As Zhang Chen spoke, the magical power within him was already circulating. If the Observatory Master intended to stop him, he might have to betray filial duty and strike mercilessly.
Liu Feng was taken aback by these words, staring at Zhang Chen, "So it turns out the person wanted by Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, and who ruined Wang’s appearance, is you."
"It’s me." Zhang Chen nodded.
"You are really bold, aren’t you afraid of being hated to death by Prince Pingbian? He would want nothing more than to swallow you whole, skin you alive, and light you on fire." Liu Feng sighed deeply.
Zhang Chen gave a helpless smile, "I just want to survive, what sin have I committed? If he won’t let me live, of course, I have to resist."
Liu Feng scratched his head, "This is quite troublesome, indeed."
"Please, Master, pave the way and allow me to leave the mountain." Zhang Chen said politely.
Liu Feng glared at Zhang Chen, "Leave the mountain? This is Huangli Temple, not Prince Pingbian’s Mansion. You’re to stay here peacefully until I get back with news."
Halfway through, he was worried, afraid Zhang Chen would seize the opportunity to run away, so he stopped and turned back for a reminder, "Do not escape prematurely without my word!"
With these words, Liu Feng hurriedly walked away, leaving Xiaodouding and Zhang Chen standing there. Xiaodouding tearfully looked at Zhang Chen, "Did Master mean he can handle this, and we don’t have to run?"
"Probably," Zhang Chen felt uncertain. That Zhang Xiaohua was the Crown Prince of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, and he was merely a disciple of Huangli Temple. What right did he have that Huangli Temple would confront Prince Pingbian’s Mansion over him?
For Huangli Temple, the wisest choice would be to hand him over, not to fight to the bitter end with Prince Pingbian’s Mansion.
But why would Liu Feng speak to Prince Pingbian’s Mansion?
Though Liu Feng spoke confidently, Zhang Chen remained vigilant, not daring to take chances. He secretly activated the Dragon Qi, sending Fox Fairy Nannan with explosives towards the Daoist Temple. If Zhang Xiaohua truly sent in troops ruthlessly to kill him, he would fight them no matter what.
As long as a master above the Yin Spirit didn’t show up, no one could stop him.
Narrating Liu Feng walking out of the Daoist Temple and taking the side path down the mountain, far in the distance he saw Zhang Xiaohua hurrying down. So he quickly called out, "Zhang Xiaohua."
"Observatory Master." Zhang Xiaohua, head down, was rushing down, heard Liu Feng calling and immediately stopped to bow.
"Come with me, I have something to discuss with you," Liu Feng said to Zhang Xiaohua.
Zhang Xiaohua’s expression changed, his eyes filled with killing intent, "Please wait, Observatory Master. There’s a mortal enemy I’ve discovered in the Daoist Temple. Let me rally the men and eliminate that enemy first, then I’ll be at your disposal."
Hearing this, the Observatory Master said, "I came to you about Zhang Chen. I know about the grudge between you two, but you cannot touch him."
Zhang Xiaohua’s expression changed, with a hint of vigilance, "Are you going to interfere in my personal grudge with Zhang Chen? Is it your wish, or that of the entire Daoist Temple behind you?"
He wasn’t afraid of Liu Feng, even though he was a disciple, he was a direct disciple of Gu Mingyue, and in terms of seniority, he shared the same level as Liu Feng.
After hearing Liu Feng’s words and seeing Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes filled with murderous intent, Liu Feng gave a bitter smile, "Don’t be impulsive, I’m stopping you not for personal reasons. Now Yellow Heaven Dao wants to rope in Xie Lingyun and tentatively bring Xie Xuan down; Zhang Chen is a crucial point. From what I know, bringing Xie Xuan down is not only a target for Yellow Heaven Dao but also the Old Prince spent countless efforts yet nothing worked—Xie Xuan is like a rock in a latrine, filthy and hard, and fiercely loyal to the Great Victory Royal Family. Roping him in is incredibly difficult. We’ve finally found a chance, so I earnestly ask Prince to consider the bigger picture and temporarily hold back."
Liu Feng’s voice was full of pleading. "Prince is the sole heir to the mansion, and ought to consider the family’s greater interests. How can personal grudges ruin our plans? Xie Xuan’s stance with the Inspection and Supervision Department is critically important to the Northern Land’s situation; I shouldn’t need to emphasize the point?"