Who among the gangsters wants to fall in love?

Chapter 95 Under the Dusk
Seeing Dongxuan looking so sad.

Zhao Wumian waved his hand gently, "As long as Chu Changdong doesn't talk nonsense, King Jin won't know that Master Dongxuan is protecting me, and naturally he won't think that Xiao Xitian is the 'Empress'. If King Jin comes to ask for someone, Master Dongxuan will either delay for a while, or find a scapegoat from the prison, or use the dead disciple as an excuse to say that I escaped from prison...

...As long as the King of Jin doesn't have substantial evidence to prove that Su Yanran is me, he might just resort to violence. If he delays for a month or so, Luo Chaoyan will be able to ascend the throne. By then, how can the King of Jin have time to deal with Xiao Xitian?"

After that, Zhao Wumian continued, "And Master Dongxuan thinks too low of me. Xiaoxitian is Miss Guan's sect. I will never do anything to Xiaoxitian. In fact, I have never mentioned this plan to Chu Changdong. He is not a mediocre person, so he will not talk about this matter loudly...

...The reason why I arranged all this is actually just to let Master Dongxuan know that although we don’t have the 200,000 troops of the King of Jin, nor do we have the connections in the court that the Crown Prince has had for many years as regent, we are not completely powerless after all.”

Zhao Wumian held up three fingers. "First, we have a hundred thousand soldiers. Second, Luo Chaoyan is the former queen's biological child. It is natural and in accordance with etiquette for her to sit on the throne. After all, as far as I know, there have been many famous empresses in history. There is no reason why my little medical girl cannot become one. Third..."

Zhao Wumian paused for a moment, then said, "I will help her."

You will help her, and Luo Chaoyan can become the emperor? If it was before, Dong Xuan would definitely take on the attitude of a teacher to teach Zhao Wumian not to be conceited in dealing with people, but now he only felt that with Zhao Wumian's assistance, it might not be difficult for Luo Chaoyan to become the emperor.

Dong Xuan was silent for a moment again, and then he stood with his hands behind his back, sorted out his thoughts, and regained his usual calmness and composure, and whispered: "Young man, there is no need to spend so much energy."

Zhao Wumian tilted his head to look.

Dong Xuan looked up at the blood-red setting sun outside the tower and said slowly, "If Yun Shu stands on your side, then Xiao Xitian will naturally stand on your side... From today on, Xiao Xitian will fully support the legitimate princess to ascend the throne."

After saying that, Dongxuan paused for a moment, then chuckled and said, "But this matter cannot be announced to the world yet, otherwise the 'Vassal King Faction' and the 'Young Emperor Faction' will guess that the legitimate princess is inside the Little Western Heaven and send people to investigate secretly... The key is that the legitimate princess is really in the temple. Even if it is announced to the world, it will only add risks to the legitimate princess, which is not worth the loss."

Zhao Wumian smiled calmly and extended his hand to Dong Xuan, "Happy cooperation."

Dong Xuan raised his eyebrows, pondered for a moment, and stretched out his hand to shake hands with Zhao Wumian, "What does this mean?"

"It's a way of expressing friendship... It's only been popular in my hometown for about a hundred years."

"Oh~ So, you also shook Yunshu's hand?"

"…If I extend my hand to her, she will probably look at me with disdain, and then say in a smug and contemptuous tone, 'You can't control yourself and want to have physical contact with me? I understand my charm, but I still overestimated your character, you scoundrel.'" Zhao Wumian did not give a direct answer, but imitated Guan Yunshu's tone.

Dong Xuan laughed loudly, unable to control himself. He patted Zhao Wumian on the shoulder and said, "No wonder Yun Shu is so close to you... So the reason why you arranged all this is because you value the strength of our Xiao Xitian and the friendship with Yun Shu?"

"Xiao Xitian is one of the three most famous sects in the martial arts world, so naturally everyone wants to win it over, but there are actually some reasons." Zhao Wumian pondered for a while, then shook his head slightly.

"Oh?"

"Luo Chaoyan is too kindhearted to be the emperor. Even though she knows that she must sit on that throne and is determined to kill anyone who dares to stop her, I know that she doesn't want to hurt innocent people. So if I don't win over your clan, then when the capital sends people to ask for the Pearl Relic Pagoda again, we will have to kill them."

Zhao Wumian paused, and then continued: "Now if the capital sends people again, Master Dongxuan can just send them away without hurting anyone's life... This way, she will probably feel better."

Dong Xuan was slightly stunned, pondered for a moment, and then a strange look appeared in his eyes, and his face looked even uglier as if he had been criticized. "In times of crisis, it is easy to develop feelings for each other when supporting each other... But Yun Shu..."

If Zhao Wumian could be paired with the legitimate princess, that would be the end of it. But Guan Yunshu has only recognized Zhao Wumian as her friend for so many years. If she wants to return to secular life and marry someone one day, Dongxuan thinks that the candidate will probably still be Zhao Wumian... When Zhao Wumian becomes the Empress Zhao of the current emperor, can she still marry a nun outside? Obviously impossible.

Therefore, in the long run, it would be better for Zhao Wumian not to get together with the legitimate princess, but this idea also makes it seem like he, Dongxuan, is eager to marry Guan Yunshu off.

Anyway, it's weird no matter how you think about it.

"Hey, how come you, a monk, are saying the same thing as that eunuch Lao Li?"

When Zhao Wumian left the Glazed Tower, Guan Yunshu was still in the main hall. She sat cross-legged on a cushion, beating a wooden fish with one hand raised, her eyes closed, and reciting something in a low voice.

Zhao Wumian didn't understand, but it was the first time he saw Guan Yunshu knocking a wooden fish. He felt a little curious, so he sat on the cushion next to Guan Yunshu and picked up a small mallet to knock the wooden fish in front of him, "Can knocking it once increase my merits?"

"With your sins, it will be difficult to wash them away even if you beat the wooden fish for your whole life. If you truly repent, you should take me as your master and join Xiao Xitian as a monk, then you can attain enlightenment." Guan Yunshu opened his almond-shaped eyes indifferently and glanced at Zhao Wumian, not caring about his casual sitting posture and nonchalant attitude.

"Are you reciting the Tripitaka?" "It's the Sutra of Rebirth. Ye Wancang killed an innocent disciple in my temple. As the eldest sister, I should do the same even if I have never seen him." Guan Yunshu closed his eyes and answered indifferently.

Zhao Wumian nodded slightly, put down the small hammer, and waited quietly for Guan Yunshu to finish reciting.

Guan Yunshu glanced at Zhao Wumian, but for some reason his mood improved a little, and he seemed a little cheerful.

There were many things about Zhao Wumian that made her angry, but she had to admit that he also had many characteristics that she admired.

For example, hard work and self-discipline, decisiveness in killing, and the gentleness and patience at this moment.

After Guan Yunshu finished reciting the "Nirvana Sutra", Zhao Wumian extended a hand towards her.

Guan Yunshu frowned slightly and glanced at Zhao Wumian's hand, a little puzzled. Then he reacted and his tone immediately carried a hint of contempt and mockery, "Want to hold my hand? You can't control yourself and want to have physical contact with me? I understand my charm, but I still overestimated your character, you scoundrel, I thought you could hold on a little longer before showing your beastly nature..."

She thought Zhao Wumian would argue with her, but unexpectedly Zhao Wumian put his hands away and laughed so hard that his shoulders were shaking.

"What do you mean?" Guan Yunshu frowned slightly and asked with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Nothing..." Zhao Wumian shook his head gently, and then said: "I just talked a lot with Master Dongxuan in the tower. I think I can force more clues out of Zhenxing tomorrow. This matter cannot be rushed, so I can practice martial arts for another day."

"So you are leaving for the capital tomorrow?" Guan Yunshu held the futon with her small hands, stood up, and walked towards the villa with Zhao Wumian.

Zhao Wumian nodded slightly.

He had already mentioned the reason for going to the capital before, and now there was one more reason... He was going to kill Ye Wancang, not only to protect Su Qingqi, but also to shut him up.

In the courtyard, Luo Chaoyan stood in front of the stove with her sleeves slightly rolled up, revealing her fair and slender arms. She was cutting vegetables with her slender white fingers pressing on the stems. The knife hit the chopping board, making a crisp "tapping" sound that was neither fast nor slow. Her back was slender and soft.

She had no say in the affairs of Xiao Xitian. These past two days she was either cleaning, boiling water and cooking, or preparing medicine in the yard. Now Zhao Wumian and Guan Yunshu had left again, and she didn't know how late they would be back, so she thought of making some midnight snacks so that Zhao Wumian could have hot meals when he came back.

From time to time, she raised her eyes and looked out the window with worry on her face. She didn't know what Zhao Wumian would encounter outside, and the waiting time was always torturous.

Luo Chaoyan and Zhao Wumian had known each other for less than ten days. She had invited Zhao Wumian to escort her back to the capital just for the sake of throwing away the last ounce of effort... But facts had proved that her original choice was correct. Although the journey from Qinfengzhai to Pingyang was extremely dangerous, fortunately it was safe. Now, she only had to wait quietly for the Chu navy to approach the capital, and then she could lead the troops into the capital.

Needless to say, this is all thanks to Zhao Wumian. If Zhao Wumian was not here, Luo Chaoyan wouldn't be where she is now... She might have died with Su Qingqi in some deserted corner.

She had extremely complicated feelings towards Zhao Wumian. Besides gratitude, she also felt more guilty for not being able to do anything for him, as well as a slight fear.

She was afraid that she was too dependent on Zhao Wumian. She had been on the run until now. Every time Zhao Wumian came back, he would bring her good news. She had become accustomed to letting him handle all matters, and she was also accustomed to being able to sleep well with Zhao Wumian by her side... This was really not a good habit for an emperor who might be about to ascend the throne.

This thought is easy to understand. If she continues to rely on Zhao Wumian so much, what can she accomplish after Zhao Wumian leaves her in the future?

Since she was determined to take that position, Luo Chaoyan believed that she had an obligation to shoulder the responsibility of the people of Dawn... rather than letting Zhao Wumian do it for her.

Moreover, since he has such unconditional trust in Zhao Wumian, would he... intend to rebel in the future?
He was more successful than his master, established himself as a warlord, then declared himself emperor, and directly rebelled to seize the throne... This is not uncommon in history books.

She looked at the setting sun in the distance. Everything in the world was red, Luo Chaoyan's hands, the chopping board, the snow, the stone steps, the glazed tower... Everything she saw was dyed red, like bright red juice pouring down from the clouds and staining the world.

Looking at this powerful dusk, Luo Chaoyan was silent for a long time, and then whispered to himself:

"If it succeeds, whether he will become more powerful than the emperor in the future, or even establish his own warlord and plot rebellion, that is a matter for the future. Before it happens, everyone can be wary of him and be on guard against him, but I cannot... Luo Chaoyan, Luo Chaoyan, before the emperor, you are first a human being. He has helped you so much, and you still doubt him. If he knew, he would be so sad."

Thinking of this, Luo Chaoyan breathed a sigh of relief, her thoughts became clear, and she turned back to continue cutting vegetables and preparing a midnight snack for Zhao Wumian.

(End of this chapter)