CHAPTER 430: CHAPTER 430: THE MEETING OF THREE PEOPLE

"The person I want to meet?"

Wu Liji was startled at first, but she quickly caught on.

Her eyebrows knitted fiercely together, and her fist clenched slightly.

No wonder, no wonder Zhang Changming dared to treat her like this; he and the masked man from yesterday were in cahoots. What kind of organization were they? How powerful were they? To the extent that they could disdain Imperial authority within the New Empire? Not to mention, within the boundaries of the Empire, even the Grey-robed or the top-tier societies and guilds couldn’t contend with Imperial authority. She joined the Grey-robed due to her own set of beliefs. But that didn’t mean the Grey-robed were mightier than the Imperial Family. On the contrary, it was precisely because she was born into the Imperial Family that Wu Liji understood better than most the current strength of the Imperial Family. This strength was unprecedented. The eighty princes and princesses conferred by the Imperial Family—each one of them was extraordinarily gifted. Even those from the Imperial Family who were not conferred had exceptional talents. They were hiding, developing, and who knows, one day they might rise before everyone’s eyes. Therefore, in the current Empire, no one could scorn Imperial authority. The four great Royal Family Clans that once scorned Imperial authority were now mostly dead. This was the outcome of contending with Imperial power. And the masked man from last night, as well as Zhang Changming right now, their actions had already reached the level of scorning Imperial authority. Could it be that there really was an organization that had grown powerful enough to challenge the Empire? Thinking of Zhang Changming’s strength and that of the masked man from yesterday, Wu Liji thought this was very possible. If the members of an organization all started at the Seventh Tier, then their potential and power would undoubtedly be a disaster for the Empire. This kind of organization... no, something’s off!

"Are you planning to betray the nation?"

Zhang Changming was dumbfounded. Just a moment ago, the conversation was about the person she wanted to see, Lu Luo, so why did it suddenly jump to treason?

"Are you crazy?"

"If you’re not planning to rebel, then why gather such a great force? What organization do you belong to?"

"Huh? Organization? I do belong to the largest organization in the Empire, but this organization is called the Inspection Department."

"Tch, never mind then."

Wu Liji rubbed her neck, where the handprint was clearly visible. Going out looking like this wouldn’t be proper. No matter what, she needed to disguise herself a bit.

"Wait for me a moment."

After saying that, she went back to her room to change clothes.

Zhang Changming was somewhat perplexed outside the door. His actions today had indeed not been loyal to the Imperial Family. And these actions, were they truly loyal to the Empire?

"Sigh!"

After heaving a deep sigh, Zhang Changming sensed that Wu Liji had come out.

"If you’re ready, then let’s go."

Since things had already developed to this point, Zhang Changming was devoid of any regrets. He was a Seventh Tier master, and if a Transcendent always hesitated and regretted, he would never have been able to ascend to the Seventh Tier. The condition to become a high-tier Transcendent was to have an unwavering conviction. Without such conviction, all the temptations and obstacles along the way could cause a Transcendent to fall into the abyss.

"Alright! Let’s go."

Wu Liji had already changed her clothes, a large scarf completely covering her neck. Such attire could indeed cover up the marks from earlier, but only temporarily. Given the severity with which Zhang Changming had acted, such bruises would not heal in a short time. It was uncertain how Wu Liji would explain or hide the marks on her neck after tonight.

"Is Her Highness the Imperial Princess going out?" the attendant asked, somewhat curiously.

At this time, it was somewhat inappropriate for the Imperial Princess to go out.

However, although they were the attendants of the Imperial Princess, she had never trusted them. To be precise, they were sent by the Imperial Family, not the confidantes of the Imperial Princess. So there were many things that Wu Liji would never tell them. And they, in turn, had no authority to stop Wu Liji from doing whatever she wanted.

"Yes, I have some business with Director Zhang and need to step out. Don’t worry, with Director Zhang around, nobody in the GuiXi District can harm me."

"Is that so?"

The attendant looked at Zhang Changming with some confusion. She had only suggested that Wu Liji connect with Zhang Changming. She had not truly believed that Wu Liji could engage with the Inspection Department here. However, the situation before her eyes was unexpected. Wu Liji and Zhang Changming had apparently developed some sort of cooperation, or at least the intention to cooperate. As for what their reasons for cooperation were, that was unknown.

The attendant glanced at the scarf around Wu Liji’s neck, feeling it was a bit odd. The Imperial Princess usually did not wear a scarf. Was it to hide something?

"Alright, we’ll be off then. If there’s anything, we can talk upon my return."

Wu Liji had already followed Zhang Changming out the door. The attendant stood at the entrance, watching them get into a car from a distance. After a moment of silence, she picked up her phone and began to report.

"Her Highness the Imperial Princess has gone out with Zhang Changming of the GuiXi District Inspection Department!"

Sitting in the car, Wu Liji looked out at the night view from the window, somewhat absent-minded.

Zhang Changming thought she would remain silent like this until they met Lu Luo. Then, Wu Liji suddenly asked, "What kind of person is he?"

"A very special person."

Zhang Changming’s appraisal was somewhat subjective, but in his mind, Lu Luo truly was a very special person: special talent, special strength, special connections.

"Special? What kind of relationship do you have with him, Director Zhang? Are you colleagues?"

Zhang Changming knew Wu Liji was fishing for information. But he really had no relationship with Lu Luo. Their connection was largely through Bai Yuetong.

"No, there’s no particular relationship between us; we just know each other. Whether you believe it or not, that’s the truth. I have no reason to lie to you. I am bringing you to meet him today only because he also wishes to meet you."

Wu Liji nodded slightly, not showing whether she believed him or not. But she was looking forward to tonight’s meeting even more.

"How old is he? I mean, his age," Wu Liji suddenly asked.

Zhang Changming was clearly taken aback by this question. "Is that important? His age doesn’t have anything to do with you, does it?"

Zhang Changming was wary; after all, Lu Luo was Bai Yuetong’s man. For selfish reasons, he didn’t want Lu Luo to be involved with other women. Staying true to Bai Yuetong alone was preferable, and it was best for Lu Luo to maintain a respectful distance from other women. Zhang Changming thought that as an elder, he should, in some respects, keep an eye on Lu Luo. Even Zhang Changming himself hadn’t noticed that he had unconsciously assumed a certain role.

"Can’t I even ask about his age? That shouldn’t be confidential, should it?"

"Indeed, it doesn’t need to be confidential, but I don’t want to say."

"You... really?" Wu Liji was somewhat irritated but knew she couldn’t do much about Zhang Changming.

"Oh, right, if it hadn’t been for that phone call earlier, would you have killed me?"

"I would," Zhang Changming admitted sincerely.

This surprised Wu Liji. You can’t even tell a lie? After all, I am an Imperial Princess.

"What exactly is the reason you would treat me this way?"

"Some things should have long been sealed in the river of history, irrelevant to status, and unrelated to you or me. I wanted to kill you simply because I was following my own wishes."

Wu Liji was somewhat lost on Zhang Changming’s words, unsure of what he meant by "some things should be sealed in the river of history." How does my death relate to history?

However, once she confirmed that Zhang Changming had the will to kill her, Wu Liji became much more subdued.

Over the course of two days, two people had already wanted to kill her and had shown their intent. Such a thing would have been unthinkable to Wu Liji in the past. But now, with these events happening consecutively, she felt somewhat frantic inside.

"If you don’t want to say, then forget it. But... I have heard some things about Director Zhang. Back in the day, you chose the wrong side and almost got killed, didn’t you? Later, it was the Bai Family that saved you, right? But the Bai Family is not what they used to be now; they can barely save themselves. Have you thought about what path you will take in the future, Director Zhang?"

Zhang Changming had thought about Wu Liji’s question. However, for a fringe figure like him, many things he once thought important no longer mattered. The only thing that was truly important to him was Bai Yuetong.

"Those things are nothing but external possessions to me."

"Haha, this world isn’t just about you. You look down on material things now, but when you need them and find you don’t have them, that will be the real tragedy."

"We walk different paths and cannot make plans together."

"The feeling is mutual."

As they talked, a conflict arose between them, and they both stopped speaking all the way to the outskirts.

When they arrived in the far outskirts, Wu Liji saw a tall, skinny figure from afar.

It’s him! It has to be him! The man in the mask had left a very profound impression on Wu Liji last night. That sense of oppressiveness, and that aura—Wu Liji would not mistake it.

"It turns out, you’re all in on this together, you..."

She didn’t finish her words when her eyes widened in shock because Lu Luo had already turned around, looking at her with a smile.

"We meet again, Miss Mask!"

Since Lu Luo was wearing a mask last night, Wu Liji had been referring to him as the man in the mask. But in reality, Wu Liji herself had also been wearing a mask the whole time. Although it was later pulled off by Lu Luo, he had never known Wu Liji’s true identity.

"It seems you have a very special identity; otherwise, it would be difficult for this rigid guy to do such an out-of-line thing." Lu Luo pointed at Zhang Changming, his tone seemingly different from what Wu Liji had imagined.

"Between you two..."

"Between us? Nothing has happened between us; we are innocent."

Though Lu Luo was as annoying in his speech as ever, even when Wu Liji finally saw him in person, she still found it hard to believe.

The Lu Luo before her was the masked man from last night? Too young, a guy even younger than herself—a Seventh Tier expert? How could this be? She had reached the Sixth Tier thanks only to the offerings of the Grey-robed Pilgrims, so what on earth had brought Lu Luo to this tier? Higher than her?

"Are you really the person from last night?"

The originally smiling Lu Luo suddenly stopped smiling. And when he stopped, he became cold and terrifying. The air around them gradually began to thicken; this wasn’t simply a feeling, but something that was actually happening. Tiny droplets filled the air, making it viscous. It was unclear what Lu Luo had mixed into it. In any case, Wu Liji was feeling very uncomfortable.

Suddenly, Lu Luo stretched out a palm and pressed it firmly against Wu Liji’s chest. The location of the palm was precisely where the palm print from yesterday had been. That palm scar had left a deep impression on Wu Liji. However, his palm was still a few millimeters shy of touching her bosom.

Wu Liji was startled; Lu Luo’s move was too quick for her to react. But after seeing this scene, she was certain of Lu Luo’s identity.

"So it is you! You’re the one I’ve been looking for!"

"Looking for me? Hehe, same here."

A red eyeball suddenly opened on Lu Luo’s head; the crimson blood vessels within made Wu Liji’s legs go weak.

She had wanted to speak some bold words, but now, she had completely lost the thought. I forgot, this guy... is a Polluter!

After the initial encounter, Zhang Changming, who had been silent by the side, finally stepped forward.

"Now that everyone has been acquainted, many things are usually hard to explain. But since we’re all here today, there are indeed some matters that can be discussed."

Zhang Changming’s attitude was somewhat strange; at least, Lu Luo found it strange.

Who was this woman before him? Zhang Changming had brought her over; was it not for the purpose of capture?

"Who is this woman?"

"The Thirty-third Imperial Princess."

"Imperial Princess?" Lu Luo, whose eyes had been narrowed, finally opened them.

If that’s her identity... the story just got a lot more complicated. My identity, as well as the Wasteland Alliance, must not be exposed. What is Zhang Changming really aiming for?

"I wanted to kill her at first, but then I thought it over, and I felt that we should have a talk."

"That doesn’t sound like you!"

Zhang Changming nodded, "I also feel that it’s not quite my style, but people do change. After encountering certain things, change is inevitable."

Their conversation was somewhat murky, but Wu Liji seemed to understand.

Lu Luo and Zhang Changming were certainly not colleagues. Their relationship seemed more like people who knew each other through some channel. This also indirectly explained some issues, such as why Zhang Changming rushed over last night and why he had to fight Lu Luo.

"Did you fight last night?"

"Yes, what about it?" Lu Luo, as the victor, naturally had no inhibitions in talking about it.

But Zhang Changming’s complexion didn’t look too good, for he had guessed what Wu Liji was about to ask.

"Then who won?"

"Of course, I won," Lu Luo pointed to himself.

Wu Liji’s eyes lit up.

So it was really Lu Luo who had won. This man was simply incredible.

But she quickly remembered something else.

"Are you... really Qi Xinzhu’s husband?"

"Of course, guaranteed genuine."

"Oh, then never mind." Wu Liji suddenly lost interest in asking further.

All the good men were taken; how boring.

"Alright, enough chit-chat, Your Highness the Imperial Princess, tell us. About Sequence pollution and the Polluters themselves, what do you know? This guy may be strong, but when it comes to this area of knowledge, he’s practically clueless. Lu Luo probably doesn’t even know he’s a Sequence Polluter."