Chapter 23: The Master

Li Musheng nodded slightly.

The words were quite simple and easy to understand, but...

"Miss Cang, have you forgotten the agreement between us?"

Cang Yinyue looked at Li Musheng, a flicker of hesitation passing through her eyes. Then, she turned her head to look ahead and let out a soft sigh

"Let's forget it. My abilities are limited, and besides, this tattoo on my face has been there for many years. I've long since grown used to it; whether it's removed or not doesn't really matter."

Li Musheng smiled and casually patted the horse's back

"Once we reach Shangyang City, you'll be the only acquaintance I have, Miss Cang."

Hearing this, Cang Yinyue said nothing. After a moment of silence, she took a deep breath, seemingly having finally made a decision, and said

"Fine. Since I was the one who brought you out of Shun'an City, our agreement stands as before."

As she spoke, she turned her head to gaze at Li Musheng

"However, from now on, you must follow my arrangements. I cannot guarantee that it will be for your own good, but I can at least guarantee that I will never harm you."

Li Musheng rubbed his chin and nodded.

As expected, what girl doesn't love beauty?

Moreover, with such a large character for "Slut" branded on her face, who could possibly endure it?

In this way, Cang Yinyue, this human-version encyclopedia, could be put to use once again.

Li Musheng raised an eyebrow. Of course, it wasn't that he strictly *needed* her to do anything.

After all, with her current strength, it was only her identity within the Hidden Intelligence Bureau and her insight far exceeding that of ordinary people that could occasionally serve a purpose in resolving his doubts.

"When will you remove the tattoo from my face?"

At that moment, Cang Yinyue spoke up again.

Those cold eyes stared straight at Li Musheng, a faint trace of expectation flickering within her gaze.

She hadn't actually believed much before that Li Musheng could help her solve the tattoo issue; she had merely approached it with the thought of giving it a try.

But throughout this journey, the man had given her too many surprises. Now, she held significant expectations for him.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have taken such a great risk to accept the previous agreement.

Li Musheng thought for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly, and said

"Once we reach Shangyang City, I will personally take action for you, Miss Cang."

"However, to be safe, I suggest you first obtain that 'Bone-Eroding Yin Wind Finger' martial art. That way, I can act with specific targeting, and my chances of success will be greater."

Hearing this, Cang Yinyue frowned in thought for a moment, then nodded slightly

"I will do my best."

...

For the rest of the journey, the two returned to their previous "harmonious" relationship.

Furthermore, after Li Musheng had "pre-ordered" one condition.

Even though Cang Yinyue was exhausted by his endless questioning—to the point where she felt like vomiting blood—she had no choice but to grit her teeth and tell him everything she knew.

However, when Li Musheng tried to probe indirectly to find out what this girl was hiding from him, she remained extremely tight-lipped, keeping her mouth shut throughout.

And so, riding their two mules, the pair finally arrived outside Shangyang City.

"Once we enter the Imperial Capital, do not trust anyone in the Hidden Intelligence Bureau except for me. In fact, sometimes you shouldn't even easily place your trust in me."

Cang Yinyue reined in her horse, stopping before the towering, massive black city, and gave her instructions with utmost solemnity.

At this moment, Li Musheng looked up at the Imperial City before him, which was incomparably more magnificent than any city he had seen before, and couldn't help but marvel

"It really is necessary to travel around and see more of the world."

The massive city of this feudal empire lay across the land like a sleeping behemoth. The city walls were towering and seemingly endless, stretching out toward the distant, unseen mountains and plains.

Although technology was not advanced in this martial arts world, human labor was utilized to its absolute limit.

However, to build such a spectacular city, it would be difficult to achieve without several hundred years of accumulation.

...

"Miss Cang, wasn't it the Hidden Intelligence Bureau that sent you to find me? Why can't you even trust your own backers?"

Li Musheng asked as he looked back, dismounting alongside Cang Yinyue and leading the reins toward the wide city gate that stood ten zhang high.

The flow of commoners entering and exiting the gate was continuous. Dozens of heavily armed guards stood watch at the entrance, checking and verifying travel permits one by one, only allowing passage once everything was confirmed to be in order.

Cang Yinyue's expression shifted several times as she looked at the Imperial Capital they were about to enter, but she eventually used her inner qi to transmit her voice

"I originally didn't intend to tell you this, but now that things have come to this, I feel it is better for you to know certain things."

"Do you know who holds the authority over the Hidden Intelligence Bureau?"

Hearing this, Li Musheng nodded slightly and said

"Naturally, it is the Great Li 'Shadow Chancellor,' the favorite of Emperor Yuanwu, whom no one has ever seen in person."

Over these past days, Li Musheng had learned quite a bit about the various affairs of the Great Li through Cang Yinyue and various loose martial arts gazettes.

It was said that this Shadow Chancellor's identity was extremely mysterious, and it seemed that only Emperor Yuanwu and a very small number of people had ever seen him.

Furthermore, legend had it that this person possessed a "Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart," was proficient in the martial arts of a hundred schools, and possessed divine martial cultivation. Having controlled the Hidden Intelligence Bureau for so many years, he had also engaged in countless killings, causing neighboring countries to tremble at the mere mention of his name.

"You are correct. However, you only know that our Bureau's Director is trusted by His Majesty. What you do not know is that he is actually the teacher of the Seventh Prince."

Cang Yinyue's gaze grew dark and inscrutable as she stared fixedly at Li Musheng, saying

"The Seventh Prince I am referring to is the fake prince who is currently imprisoned in the Great Li Heavenly Prison."

As she spoke, she let out a soft sigh

"That Seventh Prince and the Director have shared a teacher-student bond for over a decade. So, you should understand now why I said what I did."

Upon hearing this, a look of realization appeared on Li Musheng's face.

He thought for a moment, stared at Cang Yinyue for a while longer, and said

"Given the Shadow Chancellor's way of doing things, this matter should be a secret within secrets. I imagine very few people in the entire Great Li know of it, right?"

Cang Yinyue nodded slightly and said

"You needn't doubt me. I also learned of this matter by chance. Before today, I have never mentioned it to anyone."

Hearing this, Li Musheng gave her a thumbs-up and praised

"Miss Cang, telling me this news shows you are quite loyal!"

Cang Yinyue's eyelid twitched, and she gave a light snort, saying

"I am merely letting you know your current situation. After all, you promised to remove the tattoo for me, so naturally, I must do my utmost to ensure nothing happens to you."

As they spoke, the two had already arrived before the guards at the city gate.

Before reaching out to produce her token, Cang Yinyue transmitted her voice secretly

"The Imperial Capital is already filled with undercurrents. Now, because of the fake prince, many factions are watching like tigers eyeing their prey. Not just the Hidden Intelligence Bureau, but you must also be careful of forces from all other sides."

With that, she handed her token as a Captain of the Six Doors to the gate guard, while simultaneously pointing at Li Musheng beside her and saying

"Returning from an investigation; this is the wanted criminal I apprehended on this trip."

Hearing this, Li Musheng was slightly stunned.

Not bad, not bad at all. Before even entering Shangyang City, this girl had already given him a lesson.

(End of Chapter)