Chapter 135 - 89: Zhao Ci: Let Me Show You an On-the-Spot Ascension (2)

Chapter 135: Chapter 89: Zhao Ci: Let Me Show You an On-the-Spot Ascension (2)

Kan Luotang smiled. "I know! The priority right now is to finish compiling the roster. Your Highness! Lend me a horse. I’ll personally gather the rest of the names this time. You should hurry back to Qingyang County and make sure nothing goes wrong with the elixir pills."

With that, she stood and prepared to mount.

Zhao Ci asked, "What about your white horse?"

Kan Luotang bit her lip. "I’ll have the villagers look after it for now. I’ll come back for it when this is all over."

"Alright."

Zhao Ci didn’t try to stop her. ’Although what she’s been doing is more like charity than a career, her conviction is incredibly strong. Even if I told her that after yesterday, the officials of the Northern Three Prefectures would definitely hand over the rosters now that they know there’s no profit to be made... she would still choose to bring the rosters back herself. After all, her experience with the officials in Huangjing County had been too traumatic.’

Kan Luotang leaped onto her horse and cupped her fists in a salute to Zhao Ci. "Your Highness! Take care!"

"You take care too!"

Zhao Ci mounted his own horse, and they rode side-by-side out of the fenceless yard.

The two of them looked at each other and smiled.

One went left, the other right, and they parted ways.

...

The official roads of the Northern Three Prefectures were never crowded. Zhao Ci galloped hard, and after a little more than two hours, he could see the walls of Qingyang County in the distance.

At the city gate, it looked like two people were pacing back and forth.

Before he could see them clearly, Zhao Ci saw the text floating above their heads.

[Zhao Yong’s Current Wish]: That Zhao Ci did not take Miss Luotang’s chastity last night. Wish Completion Reward: Insight +100, Chastity Talisman x1.

[Huang Duzhe’s Current Wish]: To improve his social skills and become a person who can get along with everyone. Wish Completion Reward: Insight +1000, Forced Communication Talisman.

’Whoa!’

’I just got back to the city, and I’ve already run into two big wishes. Familiar faces are the best! Time to claim these two wishes!’

The two were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn’t even notice Zhao Ci’s arrival.

Instead, it was Zhao Ci, with his enhanced senses, who heard their conversation first.

Or more precisely...

...Huang Duzhe’s one-man comedy routine.

"Your Highness! You really don’t need to worry. Miss Luotang has a great reputation around here. Anyone who messes with her is in for a world of hurt."

"Besides, didn’t the Tenth Prince go with her? He’ll definitely take good care of Miss Luotang."

"Your Highness, you might not know this, but the Tenth Prince isn’t the man he used to be. He’s incredibly fit now!"

"Your Highness, why is your face so red?"

"Why is your neck red too?"

Zhao Yong: "???"

Zhao Ci: "..."

’I see now. I’ll probably never be able to complete that thousand-Insight wish in my entire life. A Forced Communication Talisman... What a shame.’

Meanwhile, Huang Duzhe was still rambling on. "Your Highness, I’ve said all this to reassure you. Why do you still look so worried!"

Zhao Yong finally snapped. "If you say one more word, I’ll report you to the Emperor! I’ll tell him you neglected your duty concerning the elixir pills, and you’ll be out of a job guarding even the main gate!"

’He truly regretted this. He’d seen Huang Duzhe hanging around Zhao Ci and assumed he was one of Zhao Ci’s people. But then he discovered that Huang Duzhe sucked up to *everyone*. So when Huang Duzhe offered to come to the city gate with him, he hadn’t refused, thinking he could use the chance to pry some information about Zhao Ci out of him. He never expected this outcome. The moment they got here, Huang Duzhe had launched into a barrage of "consolation." His mood, which had barely recovered after a sleepless night, instantly soured again. It was only because this idiot was one of the imperial guards—and thus, one of the Emperor’s men, even if he only guarded the gate—that he was holding back. Otherwise, he’d have taught him a harsh lesson!’

Huang Duzhe: "..."

’He was wounded. He couldn’t understand it. He’d wracked his brain to come up with so many comforting phrases, and all he got in return was fury and scorn. Apparently, not every Prince was as easy to get along with as the Tenth Prince. Day one of being apart from the Tenth Prince. I miss him.’

[Huang Duzhe’s Current Wish]: I wish the Tenth Prince would hurry back! Wish Completion Reward: Insight +100, Desperate Gaze Talisman x1.

Zhao Ci: "..."

THUD!

THUD!

THUD!

The horse came to a stop before the two men.

Huang Duzhe’s face lit up with surprise. "Your Highness! You’re finally back!"

[System Alert]: Wish fulfilled. Reward obtained: Insight +100, Desperate Gaze Talisman x1.

[Desperate Gaze Talisman]: Apply to the eyes to gain the ability to see through objects. Duration: fifteen minutes.

Zhao Ci: "???"

’The system just gave me a Peeping God Talisman that lowers my presence. And now it gives me a talisman for seeing through things? Am I, Zhao Ci, that kind of pervert?’

Zhao Ci leaped from his horse. "Something came up last night, so I was delayed! Ah, Brother Huang, you came to meet me, too!"

Zhao Yong’s expression was stiff. "Lao Shi, how was last night? Did anything... unexpected happen?"

"Unexpected?"

Zhao Ci’s expression changed dramatically. "That... I really can’t say! I was too impulsive yesterday. If something really did happen, Mr. Kan would have my head!"

Zhao Yong: "???"

His vision went black, and he nearly fainted.

’How strange,’ Zhao Ci thought. ’I always see Yongzi engrossed in his Machiavellian schemes. I never thought he was such a pure love warrior. But why are you so fixated on my fiancée? I don’t even want this Chastity Talisman. But you can forget about coveting her! We may not have any feelings for each other as a couple right now, but that’s something we can work on in the future!’

Zhao Ci waved a hand. "Old Huang, take my horse!"

"Yes, sir!"

Huang Duzhe happily took the horse’s reins, feeling that it was much more relaxing to be around the Tenth Prince.

Zhao Yong: "..."

He was bewildered. He stood rooted to the spot for a long time before finally sighing and heading back, utterly dejected.

...

「The next few days.」

Qingyang County was peaceful and serene, as if the events of the previous days had never happened.

The common folk went about their business as usual.

The officials carried out their duties and patrols by the book.