Chapter 593: The Zhao Manor |
"Alright, Lei Shan, you go take Young Friend Ning to get settled in. I need to handle some matters. In the evening, we'll prepare a banquet to welcome Young Friend Ning." Zhao Yunze waved his hand and then stood up. He was clearly going to deal with the issue just mentioned.
"That won't do," Lei Shan first shook his head, then spoke respectfully. "If we host a banquet, it will cause another commotion. The spies they've planted will inevitably become suspicious."
"But, the strange phenomena he stirred up earlier have already alerted others," the guard who had remained silent until now spoke up.
"We have restrictions here that can prevent messages from getting out. Unless it's one of our own people, others can't do it," Lei Shan continued. "That is to say, some people know about the news, but no one has spread it yet. However, if we proceed with a banquet, it will confirm his identity. What we need to do now is figure out how to conceal his identity."
After his words, the few people present fell into silence. Ning Qi had no intention of helping them strategize either. After all, he was new here; it wouldn't be appropriate for him to offer advice.
"Alright then, issue an order. Say the person earlier was an expert who infiltrated, intending to assassinate the Clan Leader. When the Clan Leader summoned him, he suddenly attempted the assassination," Zhao Yunze thought for a moment, then continued. "This way, it will dispel their suspicions. Additionally, send a team outside to put on an act, apprehend someone for everyone to see."
"Yes! Your subordinate will go handle it immediately!"
...Immediately, several people respectfully accepted the order and hurriedly left.
After they all left, Lei Shan and the others finally relaxed.
"Yes!"
After his words, several more people respectfully left, clearly going to make arrangements.
"Then I'll take Brother Ning," Lei Shan said respectfully.
"Good, you go ahead first. Later, I'll prepare a table of food. We, our own people, can sit down for a drink. Consider it a welcome for Young Friend Ning," Zhao Yunze nodded, smiling as he said, "No one will suspect us then."
"Yes, as long as it's just our own people sitting down," Lei Shan agreed, then turned and said, "Then we'll go first."
"Good, you go ahead!" Zhao Yunze nodded, then personally saw the two of them off.
After they left the room, he took out a jade pendant and channeled Demonic Power into it.
"Whoosh!"
After a few breaths, the jade pendant erupted with bursts of piercing black light. Immediately after, a faint, illusory human figure emerged from it. This figure looked burly, with a resolute face, carrying an imposing aura of authority even without anger.
"Father," Zhao Yunze greeted respectfully upon seeing this person.
"What is it, so urgent?" He was his father, Zhao Lingtian.
"Today, we encountered a descendant of the Demon God Race's Royal Family here," Zhao Yunze explained the situation. "After he used our Divine Pillar for testing, he triggered strange phenomena between heaven and earth. Sky-surging demonic refinement, rolling dark clouds..."
"Oh? Confirmed?" Zhao Lingtian did not fully believe it, asking seriously instead.
"Yes, it's already confirmed. I've already had someone settle him down," Zhao Yunze nodded, still wearing a serious expression. "So, what should we do next?"
"Seal the news, wait for me to come there," Zhao Lingtian narrowed his eyes, then continued. "No one is to leak it, otherwise, kill without mercy!"
"Father, your son has already arranged it," Zhao Yunze nodded, saying solemnly. "There won't be any trouble for now."
"Good then. My doppelganger should arrive in about two days. You must keep a close watch, don't let any problems arise," Zhao Lingtian said with satisfaction. "This is our Heavenly Demon Race's opportunity! We must grasp it firmly!"
"Yes! Father!" Zhao Yunze quickly agreed.
"Alright, that's it then. I'll go make some arrangements!" After Zhao Lingtian's words, he directly cut off their connection. The illusory figure vanished on the spot, a wisp of green smoke dissipating.
"Father, I heard we have an expert here?" At this moment, a loud voice came from outside the door. Soon, a youth walked in. He was robustly built, bearing some resemblance to him. He wore battle armor, with Demonic Energy churning all over his body.
"Tiancang, weren't you out on a mission? Why are you back again?" Zhao Yunze was somewhat surprised, looking at the youth before him.
"I was about to leave, but I heard that someone here triggered strange phenomena between heaven and earth during a trial, so I came to see what was going on," Zhao Tiancang walked up and asked seriously. "I heard it's an expert with very strong Bloodline Power. I wonder if it's true or not."
"That is indeed true. But how are people outside talking about it?" This was what Zhao Yunze cared about. He wanted to understand the situation, how people outside were talking about this matter.
"Many are uncertain. They don't know what these strange phenomena represent," Zhao Tiancang shook his head, then continued asking. "This is a phenomenon only our Heavenly Demon Race's Royal Family possesses. However, this person came to assassinate and has already been pursued and killed by Lei Shan and his men."
"Ah? Assassination? What audacity! I'll go deal with him myself!" Upon hearing this, Zhao Tiancang immediately became furious. He spoke and was about to turn and leave.
"No need," however, Zhao Yunze suddenly called him back.
"Father, what is it?" Zhao Tiancang stopped, puzzled, asking seriously.
"Come up here," Zhao Yunze lowered his voice, beckoning to him.
"Father, why the secrecy?" Zhao Tiancang was curious. After coming up, he couldn't help but ask.
"This matter needs to be kept secret. Father has already arranged for Lei Shan to handle it," Zhao Yunze lowered his voice further, continuing. "In the evening, bring your elder brother and your younger sister to the manor in the rear courtyard. Father will explain in detail then. Remember, don't let anyone know."
"Good! Your son will go notify them immediately!" Zhao Tiancang knew this must be something inconvenient to discuss. After agreeing, he stepped back to leave.
"Go. Remember, don't leak any news!" Zhao Yunze reminded him again after he stepped down.
"Yes, your son understands," Zhao Tiancang nodded firmly, then directly turned and left.
After he left the room, he happened to see Lei Shan leading Ning Qi away. Behind Lei Shan, several other people began to disperse.
"Brother Lei, sending them out like this, will they be able to handle it properly?" Ning Qi looked back at the group that had just left and couldn't help but ask.
"No problem. They are all our Death Servants. There's nothing they can't handle properly. Moreover, it's just acting; that's not difficult at all," Lei Shan nodded, then continued leading Ning Qi forward. They soon arrived at a residential compound. On the plaque above the main gate hung two characters.
"Zhao Manor," Ning Qi looked at the two characters and read them out.
"Right. Let's come here to get settled first. We'll see the Clan Leader's arrangements in the evening," Lei Shan nodded, then directly led Ning Qi towards the main gate.
"Commander Lei!" ...The several guards at the entrance respectfully greeted him upon seeing his approach.
"Let's go," Lei Shan acknowledged each of them with a gesture, then signaled for Ning Qi to follow him inside.
Ning Qi nodded and directly followed him in. After entering, he saw many Immortal Herbs and Exotic Flowers in the courtyard, with some spiritual energy swirling about. It didn't look like a place within the Demonic Race's territory at all.
"The higher one's strength, the greater their control over their own Demonic Power. There isn't much influence from Demonic Energy here, and our courtyard also has formation enhancements. There's some spiritual energy within, so it looks similar to the outside world," Lei Shan, seeing his curious expression, couldn't help but smile and explain. "The rear courtyard of this compound has chambers for receiving honored guests. I'll take you there now. Our place is regularly cleaned."
"Oh, then I must take a look," Ning Qi nodded, following as they continued forward.
"This side is the small courtyards of our Young Master and Miss. Although they are within one large compound, they are independent small courtyards. However, they usually aren't here; they're generally cultivating in their grotto abodes," Lei Shan introduced the place to Ning Qi as he led the way. "This one is my family's Miss, Zhao Zhirou's small courtyard. She still comes here from time to time."
"Hmm, this small courtyard is quite nice. The kind of life many people dream of is contained within this courtyard," Ning Qi remarked with some emotion. He was the same. However, for the sake of becoming stronger, he had no choice but to wander abroad. Once he became powerful, he would return to protect those he wanted to protect.
"Yes, the kind of life many people yearn for. However, our Clan Leader also has his troubles," Lei Shan nodded, then let out a long sigh. "Brother Ning, let's go. The rear courtyard is just ahead."
"Good!" Ning Qi agreed and followed directly forward.
The two soon arrived at the entrance to the rear courtyard. Walking in, they first saw a vast rear garden. In the center was an artificial lake with ducks and some lotus flowers on it, making one yearn even more for this kind of life. Further ahead was a patch of immortal herb land, along with some rockeries and vines. Inside, some servants were meticulously pruning, each one appearing very attentive.
"This way," Lei Shan continued guiding Ning Qi.
Passing through a long corridor, they arrived at an arched gate. Both walked in simultaneously and arrived at the true rear courtyard. There were many chambers here, and within the courtyard was a bamboo grove. One could also hear the sound of the wind blowing through, refreshing the mind and spirit.
"Brother Ning, this way," Lei Shan led him past the chambers, heading further ahead.
"Oh, not here?" Ning Qi asked curiously.
"Right. You are our honored guest; how could we have you stay in a chamber?" Lei Shan shook his head, then pointed to the pavilion ahead. "This is where honored guests stay."
"Oh? A pavilion." Ning Qi looked up, also gazing towards the pavilion. Only then did he realize he would be staying in the pavilion.
"Yes, come on," Lei Shan nodded, then led Ning Qi to the pavilion's door. Here, two maidservants were cleaning something in front of the door.
"Commander Lei." ...The two of them also respectfully greeted Lei Shan upon seeing his approach.
"Good. How is the tidying up going?" Lei Shan nodded, then asked in a serious tone.
"Commander Lei, we clean the pavilion once daily. It's ready for occupancy at any time," one maidservant respectfully replied upon hearing this.
"Good. Find a superior room, one with a Sumeru Courtyard. This is an honored guest of our manor. Do not neglect him!" Lei Shan smiled with satisfaction, then said seriously.
"Yes, please follow me," the maidservant looked at Ning Qi, then respectfully invited.
"Please," Ning Qi didn't hesitate either. After agreeing, he followed directly. Together, they entered the pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, upon entering, one saw a spacious front hall. There were also two rows of Grand Master Chairs, with a central position, clearly where the host would sit. They didn't linger, instead going directly to the second floor.
"Young Master Ning, this room," the maidservant led him to a room door, then proactively opened it.
"Good," Ning Qi nodded, then directly followed her inside.
The maidservant took out a jade pendant. After walking in, she led them to the entrance of a Pocket Dimension. She gently waved the pendant at the entrance; it flashed with a fluorescent light. The entrance to the Pocket Dimension slowly opened, revealing a small courtyard before them. The gate to this small courtyard was open, revealing birdsong and fragrant flowers inside, along with rockeries and a small artificial lake. It didn't look very large, but it had everything one needed.
"Young Master Ning, are you satisfied with this small courtyard? If not, we have other courtyards," the maidservant walked in and asked Ning Qi seriously.
"It's quite good. This place will do," Ning Qi had no particular requirements for a resting place; having a place to sleep was already good enough.
"Brother Ning, then this place it is. I'll go arrange some other matters. When the time comes, I'll have someone call for you, how about that?" Lei Shan looked at Ning Qi and said seriously.
"Mm, Brother Lei, you go ahead. When the time comes, you can also use voice transmission," Ning Qi nodded, not saying much else.
"Good," Lei Shan agreed, then said to the maidservant, "Take good care of the honored guest. Do not neglect him."
"Yes, Commander Lei!" the maidservant hurriedly agreed.
"Brother Ning, I'll take my leave now! We'll meet later!" Lei Shan clasped his fists towards Ning Qi, then directly left.
"Young Master Ning, this place has already been cleaned. You can rest assured," the maidservant, seeing he had left, then turned her head and said seriously to Ning Qi.
"Good, thank you for your trouble," Ning Qi nodded, then turned his attention to a bronze mirror on one side of the small courtyard. There were four bronze mirrors here, each over a foot in size. This instead piqued his curiosity.
"Young Master Ning, these can be used to observe the scenery of this garden," the maidservant, seeing his curiosity, came over to explain. "Each one corresponds to a very beautiful view."