My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 891 - 530: Hollowed Out (Triple Release Combined 3-in-1)_3

The only one who rested her head on his shoulder was Qin Qingluo.

Chen Yi sighed, noticing Zhu E discovering something and being greatly surprised, then drawing circles and chuckling.

"Favoring the new and abandoning the old, seeking distant rather than the near, it's all a man's nature, Zhu E knows that when two women stand before him, if one strips naked and lounges on the desk while the other stands neatly far away, a man would think the latter is better."

Chen Yi laughed upon hearing this, "No, together would be even better."

Zhu E's body softened like mud, she softly murmured "Hmm," and after pondering for a long time, she asked gently, "Sir… when will you return to our side?"

She used the word "return" instead of "go," clearly considering Chen Yi as one of her own.

Chen Yi knew and felt a trace of tenderness passing through, "I also want to see them, but I don't know when. Perhaps after visiting Dragon and Tiger Mountain."

Zhu E sighed.

Chen Yi, however, was optimistic. He patted her hip, moved the quilt, and stood up. Zhu E quickly helped him dress. Chen Yi wasn't accustomed to this, feeling awkward, yet he obediently stretched his arms straight. While dressing him from bottom to top, Zhu E playfully flicked him.

Chen Yi chuckled, and Zhu E immediately withdrew her hand, feigning innocence, but her eyes gleamed with mischief, repeatedly wanting to show him it wasn't intended, asking if he minded.

Unfortunately, Chen Yi had encountered too many women who left an imprint in his heart, now even thinking… fortunately, it wasn't Miss Donggong flicking him, otherwise, her fingertips might hold Sword Qi.

Once dressed, Chen Yi smoothed out the wrinkles, saying, "The matter in Hu-Guang should be resolved in three or four days. You should leave early then to avoid being caught up in the Xique Pavilion's mess."

Zhu E nodded slightly, "When do you plan to act, sir?"

"When the opportunity arises, no need to deliberately pursue perfection." Chen Yi paused, saying, "It's just killing a person, the simpler the task, the more one fears over-calculating. Look at those street scoundrels stabbing someone and merging into the crowd; even the best government office can't track them down."

At that time, Su Hongtao sat upright under the hanging mirror, needing to work within the rules. The reports must be flawless, and the fabricated evidence must be presented openly. Even with everything prepared, one must still be concerned about reputation, a single mistake could lead to irretrievable losses.

Whereas, as a nationwide fugitive, casually stabbing Su Hongtao would settle everything.

Trouble for others, satisfaction for oneself.

...…

...…

Night rain, cold and chilling.

The watch has sounded several times, midnight has passed.

Han Xiu's face was ashen, on his desk lay a stack of ledgers, all from the case archive.

Not long after he left, that place was burned to ashes, the fire dragon blazing through the warehouse, even a fool could see it was a trap, but… he had no time left. If he doesn't take a gamble now, he would only be waiting for death.

"Mr. Han, Mr. Su has come to visit," the court attendant reported softly.

"Su Hongtao… why has he come now?"

Han Xiu was greatly shocked, his eyes then suddenly trembled.

Today someone reported troop movements from the city to the Southwest Street… since then, his heart couldn't settle, could it be...

He hurriedly stood up, yet unsteadily, his feet seemed to weaken a bit.

The blue-brick wall was damp, Su Hongtao stepped into the Imperial Prison, golden thread from his sleeve dripping downward.

He removed his hat, handed the paper umbrella to the court attendant, his gaze passing over the newly formed cobweb at the corner of the eaves; that cluster of red was quite old, the new year had passed for so long already, the lanterns under the eaves should have been replaced with new ones.

After troop movements were reported, Han Xiu felt uneasy, hearing the report from the office that Su Hongtao had arrived, he greeted him through the rain from the hall, his steps quick, the hem of his official robe grazing the puddles on the ground.

"Anshan Gong coming late at night surprises me too, is it for the White Lotus Sect case from days ago?"

As the words fell, Han Xiu concealing his expression, cautiously scrutinizing, saw Su Hongtao raise his eyebrows suddenly in the rain, like a hidden yet untriggered fierce tiger in the deep forest, making one's hair stand on end.

The fine rain gradually turned into a bead curtain.

After pleasantries, Han Xiu led Su Hongtao inside, both seated properly in the hall, soon a court attendant brought freshly brewed tea.

"Nothing much to offer, just some refreshing tea."

"Mr. Han often works late at night, diligent and hardworking," Su Hongtao held the tea in his hand, lowering his head to see the clear tea, "I came tonight indeed for a new White Lotus Sect case."

Han Xiu maintained his composed demeanor, calmly saying, "The case is clear, merely the White Lotus Sect's attempt to rob grain, harming our Capital City's lifeline, all the depositions are here, if Anshan Gong finds anything amiss, he can review them. Right now, the urgent matter is the assassination case against the governor."

The candlelight cast a dark shadow beneath Han Xiu's browbones, he sipped the tea, his wrists steady.

Su Hongtao held the tea but did not drink, the edge of the teacup lightly scraped the rim: "With Mr. Han handling it, I have no worries. Since these White Lotus Sect members have been interrogated, let them mark the deposition."

Han Xiu's shoulders relaxed considerably.

Hmm.

Su Hongtao suddenly leaned forward, "Wasn't Mr. Han trying to audit Wuchang Prefecture's grain transport ledger earlier?"

Outside, the rain suddenly intensified.

Han Xiu's hair and beard trembled slightly, pondering for a moment then smiling, "It was just used for tracing fugitives, now the person is captured, the case will conclude, no need to audit anymore."

Though he acted boldly, he wasn't mindlessly charging forward, knowing when to step forward and when to protect himself.

"The White Lotus Sect causes trouble sooner or later, but coincidentally during our tenure," Han Xiu sighed, "You and I are loyal officials of Great Yu, should bear this together."

Su Hongtao suddenly said, "Governor Kou will be here soon."