Chapter 1166: Chapter 1166: Surrounded by Beauties, Living in Luxury

"Older Sister, don’t lose heart, my friend is really smart." Xiao Li stuck close to Madam Zhao, giving her a massage, "The more dire the situation, the more Wanwan can come up with ideas."

"Really? Better not be boasting; I hate exaggeration," Madam Zhao said with a smile as she looked at Xiao Li.

"I can vouch for that," Wuyue chimed in, "Su Wan is mostly clever."

You guys sure you’re not setting me up for a fall?

The Madam Zhao before us is clearly a seasoned senior, showing off in front of her.

Isn’t it just like showing off your sword skills in front of Guan Yu?

I gathered my courage to think a bit and said softly, "Although I can’t get out, I might be able to find someone who can figure a way out."

"Who?" Madam Zhao propped her chin with her hand, asking me.

"You might not believe it," I blinked, "Piao Changji."

"Hahaha~" Madam Zhao laughed heartily, teasing me, "He can’t even escape from the painting himself."

She was so spirited, laughing for quite a while.

The laughter startled a large flock of birds in the empty valley.

I waited for Madam Zhao to finish laughing before I addressed her, "All three of us outside the painting have met Piao Changji."

Madam Zhao’s smiling face suddenly became much more serious.

Her stern expression made her somewhat intimidating.

It felt like she suddenly turned into someone with supreme power and presence.

She raised her eyebrows and glanced at Xiao Li.

Xiao Li nodded.

Probably unable to confirm completely, she looked at the deceit-resistant Wuyue.

"We’ve killed four of Piao Changji’s doppelgangers outside the painting," Wuyue said.

I furrowed my brows, analyzing softly, "Each of Piao Changji’s doppelgangers share the same mind, greedy and lustful, yet none of them are the true self. It doesn’t seem like the ones left outside; rather, they might be sent out by the true self trapped here. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be so united or have such a unified goal."

"Sending doppelgangers out to serve the true self inside. What a strategy! Probably brought back a lot of women and delicacies, living a carefree life." Madam Zhao slapped the stone table, shattering it, and said angrily, "I said this guy loved to stir trouble back then. How could he be so quiet in the painting; turns out he went out to create mischief. While I’ve been meditating, that wretch surrounds himself with beauties, enjoying food and drink, truly infuriating."

With Madam Zhao’s final word, she acknowledged my speculation.

Which implies Piao Changji does have the ability to send people from the painting to the outside world.

The only mystery is why he can’t go out himself.

"Madam Zhao, why is Piao Changji’s true self trapped here?" I asked solemnly.

Madam Zhao lowered her head, squinted, her long fingers flexibly tightening and relaxing, "My husband trapped him here."

Suddenly, I realized something, "May I ask... are you Zhao Sihai’s wife?"

Thinking it through, this house is full of connections to Old Zhao.

Zhao Sihai has been trapped by reincarnation for thousands of years; the house is likely to have turned into a nest for the Soft-shelled Turtle Spirit during that time.

That dead turtle probably thought Zhao Sihai would never return...

So he felt justified in occupying the house!

"Tch?" Madam Zhao showed a hint of displeasure on her face, "You, an outsider, know his name, is that old coot still alive?"

Uh...

It seems the relationship between Madam Zhao and Zhao Sihai isn’t very harmonious.

"He died once and reincarnated himself." I answered honestly, unable to help but sweat.

Old Zhao seemed generous and straightforward.

He has his own understanding of the Heavenly Dao, always repaying kindness.

The fact that he could trap his wife in a painting, seems I really misunderstood him before. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Madam Zhao nodded, not continuing the topic, "Little girl, you’re just a step away from Physical Sanctification, killing Piao Changji is no problem. Head down the mountain to find that turtle, force him to reveal how to send a doppelganger out; I await your good news."