After the time it took for a stick of incense to burn.
On the main road of Blackferret City, Han Li and Shi Chuang Kong hurriedly walked towards the north gate.
If it wasn't for the fear of attracting more attention, they would have already driven their flying shuttle and fled.
"I'm afraid the rest of the journey won't be peaceful again." Han Li frowned as he spoke.
"Who knew that our luck would be so bad. Of all the people we encountered, we just had to encounter the Blackferret Army.
But it's fine. Let's leave the Shiwei Mountain Range as soon as possible. "Shi Chuang Kong felt unlucky and sighed.
As soon as they finished speaking, they stopped at the same time. Their expressions froze as they looked ahead as if they were facing a great enemy.
In front of the main road, amidst the moving crowd, there was a handsome young scholar who wore a scarf on his head. He held a scroll in his hand as he walked slowly towards them. His green scholarly robe was wrinkled slightly, and he looked extremely scholarly.
Han Li and Shi Chuang Kong looked at each other, and both of them laughed bitterly in their hearts.
Although it was the first time they'd seen this person, he wasn't a stranger. It was the renowned Blackferret King!
The Blackferret King's footsteps were relaxed, and his aura was calm. There wasn't the slightest fluctuation on his body, and he looked exactly like a scholar in the secular world. A faint smile hung on his face, and he seemed harmless.
When he walked closer, he held the scroll in his hands, and actually had the posture of a scholar. He bowed slightly towards Han Li and Shi Chuang Kong, and took the initiative to speak, "Thirteenth Prince, you've graced Blackferret City with your presence. I apologize for not going out to greet you."
Shi Chuang Kong only paused for a moment, and a warm smile appeared on his face as well. He respectfully bowed back and said,
"Senior, you're too kind."
Han Li frowned slightly, and didn't say anything. He only bowed as well.
"This isn't a place to talk, and it's not how my Blackferret City treats its guests. Why don't you take a few steps and sit in my Yuxiu Palace?" Seeing this, the smile on the Blackferret King's face became slightly more sincere as he invited them.
"Then I'll have to trouble you." Shi Chuang Kong and Shi Chuang Kong had no room to refuse, so they could only agree.
Hearing this, the Blackferret King smiled and said, "Please." With a wave of his hand, the three of them simultaneously lit up with a black light.
Then, the scenery changed, and they arrived at a verdant garden that occupied an extremely large area.
Within the garden, exotic flowers and plants were spread all over the place, and jagged and grotesque rocks adorned the ground. The dense forest and tall bamboos led to a quiet and secluded path, and the melodious cries of birds could be heard amidst the elegant silence. Moreover, there were many pavilions scattered around the garden, and their designs were extremely exquisite and unique. It could be said that every step one took was a scene, and it was extremely beautiful.
As they went deeper into the garden, the scenery in the garden actually changed drastically. The first section was filled with vibrant colors of spring, while the second section became a scene of falling snow wrapped in silver makeup. There were all sorts of rare and strange beasts in the middle, and it was extremely peculiar.
"Senior Black Weasel, I've long heard that you've built a 'Grand Triumph Garden' in Black Weasel City. The scenery inside is pleasant, and there are four seasons of scenery. Now that I've seen it, it really is extraordinary." Shi Chuankong slightly lagged behind as he spoke.
"The scenery of the countryside is only rough. How can it compare to the scenery of Sun Ye City?" The Black Weasel King said, but his eyes flashed with a hint of pride.
Neither of them mentioned the conflict with the Black Weasel Army and his son, and they just chatted along the way until they arrived in front of a vermilion building.
"Thirteenth Prince, let's talk in the Spirit Bell Hall. Fellow Li, please move to the Spring Water Hall and have some tea. Is that alright?" The Black Weasel King stopped in front of a vermilion hall with a glazed roof, and he spoke.
Han Li's gaze slightly narrowed as he looked at Shi Chuankong, and the latter silently nodded to him.
"As you say, Senior Black Weasel," Shi Chuankong said with a smile.
After he finished speaking, Han Li was led by a beautiful palace maid in front of the hall, and they walked through many winding corridors to the Spring Water Hall. On the other hand, Shi Chuankong followed the Black Weasel King to Yuxiu Palace.
After entering the Spring Water Hall, there was already a palace maid serving tea. Han Li then sat quietly in the hall and carefully tasted the tea.
On the other side, in the Spirit Bell Hall.
Shi Chuankong followed the Black Weasel King into the hall one after the other.
The hall's door slowly closed, and Shi Chuankong's expression was as usual, but sweat faintly seeped out from his back.
He looked around the interior of the hall, and he noticed that this place didn't seem like a place to discuss matters, but more like a study.
Two-thirds of the entire hall's space was occupied by wide ebony bookshelves, and on them were arranged neatly with green books that numbered in the hundreds of thousands.
After Shi Chuankong briefly swept his gaze over them, he noticed that most of these books were collections of poems and common customs, and there were even Daoist and Buddhist scriptures mixed within them. There were almost no cultivation techniques.
On the walls of the hall, there were some beautifully mounted calligraphy hanging, and most of them were ancient poems and some prophecies of Buddhism and Daoism. The handwriting could only be said to be neutral and steady, and it couldn't be said to have much of an aura of style.
"Senior Black Weasel's interest is elegant, and your writing is vigorous. I admire you," Shi Chuankong forcefully suppressed the discomfort in his heart and praised.
"In this remote and desolate place, there are only uncivilized people who eat raw meat and drink blood. There's really too few people who have a discerning eye like the Thirteenth Prince. It's no wonder that we feel like old friends at first sight, haha …" The Black Weasel King laughed heartily.
"That's right, I had some conflict with your son in the city previously, and it's really …" Before Shi Chuankong could finish speaking, the Black Weasel King waved his hand and interrupted him.
"It's just a small fight, don't mind it.
Why would I invite you to my Yuxiu Palace for such a small matter? "The Black Weasel King's expression turned serious as he looked at Shi Chuankong and said slowly as if there was a deeper meaning in his words.
"Since it's not for such a small matter, then it must be for something big, right?" Shi Chuankong asked with a slightly solemn expression.
"Hehe, the Thirteenth Prince is a smart person, so I won't beat around the bush.
Currently, because of the matter of the inheritance in Sun City, it has caused the entire Saint Province to be in a turbulent situation. Many forces are making their choices openly and secretly.
Although our Ten Troubles Mountain Range is located in a remote area and has always been ignored, it's inevitable that we'll be affected when the time comes.
Therefore, I have to make plans as soon as possible, "the Black Weasel King said as he walked to a bookshelf and put the book in his hand back.
"The Saint Clan has always been secretive about the matter of the inheritance, and I have no intention of fighting for it.
I just didn't expect that after leaving the Saint Province for so long, the matter has already reached such a stage when I returned recently, "Shi Chuankong said with a sigh.
"Since you're a pearl, no matter where you place yourself, there'll always be a day when you'll shine. Even if the Thirteenth Prince doesn't return to the Saint Province, you still can't avoid the attention of others," the Black Weasel King said with a faint smile.
Naturally, Shi Chuankong could tell that the Black Weasel King was implying something. He raised a brow and said in slight surprise, "Why do you say so, Senior Black Weasel?"
"As everyone knows, among the 13 sons of the Saint Lord, the First Prince, Shi Zhan Feng, has the most influence and is the strongest.
The only one who can compete with him is the Third Prince, Shi Po Kong, who has the greatest talent.
Moreover, you and the Third Prince share the same mother, so you have a close relationship. Therefore, the outside world knows that you're definitely under the Third Prince's command, "the Black Weasel King said with bright eyes.
"I see. Senior Black Weasel wants to use me to bet on my Third Brother?" Shi Chuankong said as he came to a realization.
"Before I received the First Prince's order to kill me, I planned to bet on him. After all, the benefits he promised me were too great.
However, when I found out that you and your retainer killed the Two-feathered General, Golden Rhino, one after another, my mind was shaken, "the Black Weasel King continued.
Shi Chuankong frowned slightly. He knew that the Black Weasel King had misunderstood Han Li's identity. He suddenly remembered that Han Li had said that he felt another powerful aura when he was escaping from Golden Rhino.
"Senior Black Weasel, did you help us at the border previously so that Golden Rhino didn't continue to pursue us?" Shi Chuankong asked.
"That's right. In fact, before that, I've always been paying attention to your movements.
However, I originally wanted to wait until you were forced to use all your abilities and perish together with him before making a move to reap the benefits.
However, after I saw you escape from him twice, I changed my mind. I decided to protect you and turn to the Third Prince.
But now … "The Black Weasel King suddenly stopped speaking and looked at Shi Chuankong with a ruminating gaze.
Shi Chuankong instantly felt his entire body tense up. However, he immediately relaxed and looked calmly at the Black Weasel King.
Since it had already come to this, the situation couldn't get any worse.
"Haha … After seeing your true self, I've decided to bet on you, Thirteenth Prince," the Black Weasel King said with a loud laugh.
Shi Chuankong felt that he didn't dare believe his ears. He hesitated for a moment before asking,
"You want to bet on me … Why?"
"If I say it's because the Thirteenth Prince has a good eye for talent, I'll return the favor. Do you believe me?" The Black Weasel King withdrew his smile and asked.
"Senior, you're …" Shi Chuankong shook his head without hesitation and wanted to say something.
"The Thirteenth Prince has great potential. It's just that he hasn't shown it yet.
Moreover, to have the support of such a retainer and to be killed by the First Prince at all costs, it already explains a lot, "the Black Weasel King said with a laugh.
"Senior Black Weasel is bold and powerful. I admire you …" Shi Chuankong smiled and said slowly.
"Since the Thirteenth Prince has no objections, then let's talk about something more practical …" The Black Weasel King said with a smile.
…
Time flew by, and half a day had passed.
Han Li had been drinking tea in the Spring Water Hall. During this time, no one came to talk to him. Only a few enchanting palace maids kept pouring tea for him.
His face was as calm as water, but his heart was in turmoil. He was extremely worried.
Just when his patience was about to run out and he was about to break the door, he saw Shi Chuankong and the Black Weasel King talking and laughing as they walked in from outside the hall. They seemed to be enjoying themselves.
"It's rare for the Black Weasel City to have a guest. Stay in Yuxiu Palace for a while and let me do my best as a host. As for the matter of returning to the Grand Stronghold City, don't worry too much. I'll arrange it," the Black Weasel King said with a smile.
"Then I'll have to trouble Senior Black Weasel," Shi Chuankong said with a smile.