114: Chapter 112: So You Two Were a Pair All Along 114: Chapter 112: So You Two Were a Pair All Along He was so embarrassed that he tried to say “I never liked you” to save face, but he got stuck halfway and preferred to be hit rather than finish the sentence.

Could that mean…

he actually did like her?

I don’t know.

Yue Hongling, however, had a feeling that his earlier words might actually have been sincere.

When did he start wanting to hold Sister Yue?

It began back when he first sat behind you on your horse.

Then why didn’t he take advantage of the situation when he was injured?

Because he respected you.

Could this spontaneously expressed cause and effect be a lie made up for the Heavenly Girl?

There was a high possibility that it was indeed sincere…

the sneaky bandit, even when he was supposed to be honest, he wasn’t.

It didn’t matter, as long as he said it was false.

She would pretend to be oblivious, and everything would remain as usual, just friends like teacher and sister.

But it was so difficult.

Looking at the silent atmosphere between them now, it felt like something was swirling in the air, hard to distinguish.

Zhao Changhe sighed deeply, chuckled self-deprecatingly, sat back down on his chair, and poured himself a drink, “Hey, I was just thinking, maybe my urgency wasn’t all an act, maybe deep down I’m quite lecherous, wanting to take advantage of the Heavenly Girl.”

He was also starting to suspect that he chose this approach perhaps because she resembled Yue Hongling a lot, after all, chatting her up didn’t necessarily have to make him look like a desperate pig; there could have been other methods, was it because it satisfied some inner desires…

But if he spoke openly and honorably, Yue Hongling might not think so…

poor natives, who knows the value of cosplay?

As expected, Yue Hongling didn’t think too much about it, casually sitting next to him, grabbed the drink he had just poured, and took a sip, snorting coldly: “Lustful is lustful, it’s nothing serious for a big man, just don’t go down the wrong path.”

Zhao Changhe said, “Like the Maitreya Sect?”

Yue Hongling nodded, “You obviously know their nature…

and it seems like you are already dealing with them, so I was right to find you.”

“You are here to deal with Maitreya Sect as well?” Zhao Changhe laughed, “What a coincidence.

I heard you were around Yangzhou and was thinking of finding you, brooding over how to contact you when you showed up.”

“Why did you want to find me?”

“I felt that Yangzhou had an eerie and strange atmosphere, as if everyone was putting on a play, starting from Wan Dongliu whom I first met, up to us now.”

Yue Hongling quietly thought to herself, he spoke to my heart, I too felt the atmosphere here indescribably weird which made me want to consult with you, two heads are better than one.

The two exchanged a glance unintentionally, then simultaneously looked away.

Yue Hongling looked down at the wine in her cup, not understanding why, a simple sentence had suddenly made things awkward…

Just because they had hugged earlier?

She reluctantly steered the conversation back: “What about Wan Dongliu?”

“He gives me a weird feeling, like he’s part of the Maitreya Sect, but also seems to have other plans.

No matter what, the Cao Gang is crucial; if something goes wrong with them, the world would truly be in chaos,” said Zhao Changhe.

“My target is the Maitreya Sect because they are more explicit, but actually, I place more importance on the hidden Wan Dongliu.”

Yue Hongling pondered, “So, could we say that, no matter what the Maitreya Sect has planned, as long as the Cao Gang does not side with them, the situation won’t be too bad?”

“That’s roughly it.”

“That’s fine, Wan Dongliu, being a local boss, often hosts and invites the young talents who come to Yangzhou, it’s also a societal norm in the Worldly Society.

He has invited me to a banquet before, which I declined.

If there is another invitation, I will meet him.”

Zhao Changhe remembered how Wan Dongliu had invited him and Tang Buqi today, knowing there would likely be more such gatherings, nodded, “He might invite me as well…”

He paused, his expression turning odd, “Probably they’ll invite us together, many want to see the fun when I meet the real Yue Hongling, damn it…”

Yue Hongling hesitated, “Should we discuss beforehand how we should act in front of others?”

“This matter is actually quite interesting.

The two of them aren’t in that kind of relationship at all.

Normally, meeting in front of others and interacting normally would clear up any misunderstandings in other people’s minds.

But because of the Maitreya Sect incident, they must continue with their original setup, otherwise the play on the part of the Maitreya Sect would be exposed.”

Zhao Changhe then said, “So…

should I really pursue you?”

Yue Hongling’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat, and she turned her head to say, “I reject you, and that settles it, right?”

Zhao Changhe sighed helplessly, “Right.”

Yue Hongling was silent for a moment, then said softly, “It’s unfair to you…

you never intended to pursue Yue Hongling, yet you find yourself in a humiliating, laughable situation.

Actually, it all started because you were covering up that ‘Camp Leader’s wife’ incident to protect my reputation…”

Zhao Changhe interrupted, “I’m willing to.”

The atmosphere quieted down again for a moment, and Yue Hongling avoided his gaze once more, bending down to drag another “Yue Hongling” from under the bed, “Let’s not talk about that later.

As for the Maitreya Sect, we might as well start by understanding some things here.”

The topic was shifted so impressively that all of Zhao Changhe’s chaotic emotions were pulled back to the main issue, “So you didn’t kill her?”

Yue Hongling gave him a look, “Why would I kill her?

I’ve been worrying about having no one to question, and here’s a high-ranking member delivered right to my doorstep.”

Zhao Changhe scrutinized this Heavenly Girl, who indeed resembled Yue Hongling after using makeup and disguise; of course, a fake is a fake, it could perhaps deceive strangers, but those familiar with her would definitely see through it.

Really now, how could he think they could mimic each other to this extent, making him lose all face in front of Yue Hongling?

Yue Hongling had already woken up the knocked-out Heavenly Girl.

Upon opening her eyes, she realized her situation and felt like crying without tears, “To think Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling are actually a pair, even Buddha has been deceived by you…”

Yue Hongling: “?”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

Yue Hongling, too lazy to argue, drew her sword and placed it on the girl’s neck, coldly asking, “What kind of power does Fa Yuan possess?”

This was the reason she had been observing and not daring to act rashly, fearing to act foolishly without knowing the actual situation.

As it turned out, the fanaticism of the Demon Sect was far beyond her expectations.

The Heavenly Girl actually closed her eyes with great resolve, preferring death over response.

Then she saw Zhao Changhe squatting beside the Heavenly Girl with a smile, “You wouldn’t think that by dying for your sect, you’ll achieve Ultimate Bliss and enter the true ‘Homeland of Nothingness,’ right?”

The words “Homeland of Nothingness” made the Heavenly Girl’s expression change slightly, she thought to herself that Zhao Changhe was pretending to be completely ignorant about asking to pass on the Buddhist Law, but in reality, he might know more than even Yue Hongling…

because this was a unique term used by the White Lotus Sect, combined by them, and such extremely peripheral knowledge would not even be remembered by those deeply versed in the epoch; yet Zhao Changhe seemed to know it very well!

“What happens if you die like this, whether the Mother of Non-Birth will reward you, I can’t say.” Zhao Changhe smiled as he picked up a pair of scissors, gesturing on her face, “Guess, if I scratch your face up, strip you naked, and hang you upside down on the twenty-fourth bridge, marked with ‘Maitreya Sect’s Heavenly Girl,’ whether Maitreya and Mother would still reward your fidelity?”

Yue Hongling curled her mouth, you’re quite skilled…

The Heavenly Girl opened her eyes, finally showing some panic, “Buddha will know it’s not my fault!”

“Do you believe that yourself?” Zhao Changhe laughed, “How about we make a bet?

By that time, just as I turn back from the shore, Maitreya will still treat me kindly, letting me convert.

But you, the Heavenly Girl who lost Maitreya’s face, will fall into the animal realm, with no way back.”

The Heavenly Girl bit her lower lip, remaining silent.

Zhao Changhe said, “Actually, even I, like sister Yue, still have a chance of joining the Maitreya Sect, only your previous tactics were too crude, you took me too lightly.

If we had a proper interaction, if you preached well to me about how powerful the Maitreya Sect is, as a bandit weighing pros and cons, I might really join.

After all, we don’t have any grudges on either side, quite the contrary, we are quite fated, right?”

Regardless of whether the Heavenly Girl believed these words, this was a perfect opportunity for her to avoid death while openly discussing the information about the Maitreya Sect.

Yue Hongling also admired this a bit and observed the Heavenly Girl disguised as herself, wondering how she would choose.

The Heavenly Girl hesitated for a good while before asking in a low voice, “Do you really still have a chance of joining the Sect?”

Zhao Changhe said, “Of course, up to this day besides your idiotic attempts to trick me, what other grudges do we have?”

The Heavenly Girl finally said, “Maitreya tested Fa Yuan Buddha, said someone reached the Human List’s strength, but for fear that the Chaotic World Book might leak the heavenly secrets in a tough battle, they didn’t go for it.

In people’s eyes, the early years of Zhang Banfu were only around the Sixth or Seventh Layer of the Mystical Gate.”

“That incredible, how many people like this does the Maitreya Sect have hidden?”

The Heavenly Girl’s eyes showed a fanatic light again, “Countless.”

Zhao Changhe nodded, not sure whether to believe or not, then suddenly said, “Since Master Fa Yuan is so powerful, then what do they need me for?

Even if it were to assassinate the Magistrate of Yangzhou, it would be an easy task, right?”

Yue Hongling realized she was no longer needed.

Once the first question was answered, the rest would naturally pour out like beans, never hidden again.