Chapter 254: Chapter 254: Cheating is Your Little Dog

The solitary moon hung high, casting a thin layer of snowlight over the bamboo forest in the night.

Four figures clad in black silently carried a small, flower-embroidered, purple palanquin into the forest.

One of them surveyed the surroundings and then saluted the person inside the palanquin, “Young Master, Xiang Ying has yet to arrive, and it is already 1:45 AM.”

A laugh emanated from the palanquin: “I deliberately came late to temper her edge, but it seems she simply decided not to show up.”

The wind passed, lifting the curtain of the palanquin window and revealing a clear jawline.

He smirked coldly: “Let’s wait a bit more, if she does not show up after thirty minutes…”

His voice trailed off.

The attendant, anticipating his next words, said, “If she does not come, should the Young Master return first?”

A folding fan flew out of the palanquin, striking the attendant on the forehead, then twirling back into the well-defined hand.

The attendant winced in pain, yet received a scolding from the Young Master inside.

“Foolish. If I leave like this, how will I get the Jade Seal from her? The vengeance for her deception has yet to be exacted!”

“If she does not come…”

“If she does not come, I will search her out!”

Choosing the bamboo forest for this meeting was due to its seclusion and convenience for dialogue.

At that moment, from not far away came several strange bird calls.

It was common for birds to be in the mountains, but these calls were getting closer.

Yet the attendants, scanning their surroundings, saw not a single bird.

Suddenly, the person inside the palanquin said, “Be careful.”

The next second, an arrow tied with a hidden explosive flew out of the darkness.

With a whistling sound, it struck the palanquin, and the man inside swiftly leapt out just as the explosive detonated with a loud bang, shattering the palanquin instantly.

The attendants were knocked to the ground by the blast wave, stunned.

If such a powerful explosive had landed on their Young Master, would their Shadow Hall be disbanded on the spot?

Fang Qian barely managed to steady himself, looking forward in disarray.

A beautiful figure retracted her bow and stepped out from the Dark Forest.

Under the moonlight, Xiang Ying’s eyes softened, and seeing Fang Qian, she slightly raised her eyebrows, arms crossed, smiling faintly.

“So it’s you. Sitting in that palanquin, I thought you were some shady character.”

Fang Qian clenched his fists, annoyed: “I asked you to meet secretly, and yet you create such a commotion. Do you wish everyone to know we are here?”

Xiang Ying spread her hands: “It’s unknown who approached, how could I know if you meant well or not. So, to avoid being discovered, you’d better speak quickly if you have something to say.”

Taking a moment, Fang Qian recalled the real purpose of seeking Xiang Ying.

His expression softened, and blinking those once clear and sparkling puppy dog eyes, he looked at Xiang Ying.

“I said before, I would come back. You spared my life once, and now I offer you a warning.”

“Your father, the dethroned Monarch Xiang Yuande of Xizhou, has already informed the Nanyue Emperor that the Jade Seal is with you.”

“Moreover, he has defected with countless soldiers and treasures, offered many princesses and noble ladies to please the Nanyue Emperor, and now has been titled Prince Ai.”

“While he indulges in luxury in the palace, he awaits your entry into Nanyue to immediately present you to the Nanyue Emperor. If you fail to produce the Jade Seal, there is only one outcome for you: a dead end.”

As he spoke, Fang Qian drew closer to Xiang Ying.

He placed a hand on her shoulder, his tone tinged with a cold laugh: “Now our Shadow Hall’s influence has spread across the entirety of Nanyue. If you want to break free from this deadly situation, you have only to trust me and cooperate with me.”

“Xiang Ying, this time you have no other choice but to rely on me.”

Xiang Ying turned her gaze, her deep eyes looking into his.

Fang Qian felt a secret thrill in his heart.

Indeed, women, that’s the look—wanting to resist but helpless!

Just then, Fang Qian noticed that Xiang Ying had already grabbed his hand.

The corners of his mouth slightly lifted, revealing a puppy-like smug smirk on his handsome face.

Was she about to be subdued by his charm? So this is all Xiang Ying amounted to.

Suddenly!

Xiang Ying performed a shoulder throw, tossing Fang Qian out.

Fang Qian’s followers hadn’t even reacted when they saw him drawing a parabola through the air, skimming the ground, and flying out two meters, kicking up fallen leaves, until colliding with a tree.

He grunted, clutching his chest in pain, his face turning deathly pale as he glared angrily.

“Xiang Ying! You damn woman, why are you always so unreasonable, attacking without a word? I didn’t even do anything to you!”

Xiang Ying brushed non-existent dust off her palms: “When will you ever learn? I’ve told you before, don’t touch me.”

Fang Qian was helped up by his followers, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

He massaged his painful chest with a look full of resentment.

“All my good intention wasted reminding you! I intended to collaborate with you secretly, offering support, but you’re too unappreciative—that’s it, then.”

“You, collaborate with me?” Xiang Ying scoffed, “I don’t know the true strength of Shadow Hall, but you thinking of opposing the Nanyue Monarch, aren’t you too confident?”

Fang Qian frowned: “What’s Monarch to me? I’m not after assassinating or usurping the throne. Is it not easy for me to protect just you?”

Xiang Ying shook her head directly: “Don’t trust you, most likely you just paint a big picture for me, get the Jade Seal from me, and then leave me alone to face a dead end.”

Fang Qian, his thoughts guessed, immediately stamped his foot: “That’s not it!”

The more she observed him, the more Xiang Ying thought he resembled a Husky.

He may look handsome, but his motives are always transparent.

She blinked her eyes: “You talk the talk, but who knows what the strength of Shadow Hall really is. If you’re capable, help me find someone.”

Fang Qian narrowed his eyes: “You want to use me to do your bidding? That’s a different price… Hey! Don’t go!”

He saw Xiang Ying turning to leave and hurried after her.

Not daring to touch her, he could only forcefully block her path.

“Lacking the ability and still asking for a price, do I look like I can afford your price?” Xiang Ying’s red lips sneered, her Phoenix Eyes cold.

Fang Qian silently looked at her: “Who are you looking for?”

“A female merchant from Xizhou, the lady owner of No.1 Restaurant, Yin Feihua.”

“Oh?” Fang Qian raised an eyebrow, “I seem to have heard her name.”

“Nonsense, she’s so famous, who doesn’t know her?” Xiang Ying said indifferently, “If you can find her, I will believe Shadow Hall really has the capability, and then, I will tell you the location of the hidden Jade Seal.”

A gleam sparkled in Fang Qian’s eyes.

“You’re not lying?”

“Lying is your, little dog.”

“Good! Deal is a deal, but words alone are not proof, come on, write it down.”

Xiang Ying was somewhat surprised by Fang Qian.

Because he was foolish enough not to realize she had just deliberately misspoken.

But smart enough to know to write it down.

Fang Qian’s follower immediately pulled out a paper, which had been prepared with content on it.

Xiang Ying glanced at it, it simply stated that Xiang Ying requested him to do something and upon completion, she would give him the Imperial Jade Seal as promised.

Fang Qian handed over the Red Ink: “Press your finger, and make your mark.”