69novels Chapter 544
Chapter 544
"Miss Shangguan, do you have any 'important' information to give me?" Qianmianjun put on Jackdaw II's human skin mask again. Before leaving Gong Shangjiao's room, his eyes fell on Shangguan Qian, and he asked with a smile and a smile on his face.
Shangguan Qian raised the corner of her mouth slightly, revealing a faint smile, and said softly: "Master Er, I naturally have 'important information' to give to you. Please help me exchange it for the antidote for the half-moon fly on my body!" Her voice revealed a hint of urgency and anxiety, and at the same time emphasized the two key words "must" and antidote.
As Shangguan Qian spoke, she carefully pulled out a small purse from her sleeve and handed it to Jackdaw. Jackdaw took the purse and weighed it gently. He already had an idea of what it was, but he didn't point it out directly. He just said calmly, "Okay, okay!"
Then, Jackdaw II's gaze fell on Shangguan Qian, and he said with a smile: "The Charm-level assassin Shangguan Qian obtained Gong Yuanzheng's exclusive prescription and personal hidden weapon from the palace gate. This kind of 'important information' is enough to move those people's hearts." There was a hint of ridicule and mockery in his words, as if he was quite familiar with Shangguan Qian's actions.
Shangguan Qian's expression changed slightly after hearing Jackdaw II's words, but she quickly regained her composure. She knew that in this world of conspiracy and calculation, her actions couldn't remain completely hidden. However, she didn't care about Jackdaw II's attitude. As long as she could obtain the antidote to the Half Moon Fly poison, nothing else mattered.
Jackdaw II finished speaking, and then, like a ghost, he vanished into the darkness in an instant, as if he had never appeared. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from the room, leaving Shangguan Qian standing alone, silently praying that Jackdaw II could successfully complete his mission and bring back the antidote.
After Jackdaw II left, Shangguan Qian first glanced at Gong Shangjiao secretly. After finding that there was nothing unusual about him, she asked Gong Shangjiao half complainingly and half tentatively, "Since Master Jiao had such a capable person, why didn't you tell me in advance? That would have allowed Qianqian to be prepared, right?"
Gong Shangjiao simply glanced at Shangguan Qian and asked, "If I had told him in advance, do you think he would still be alive today?"
Shangguan Qian suddenly remembered that there were many invisible assassins lurking around Gong Shangjiao. Even she herself didn't know whether there were any invisible assassins in the palace where she lived. If she said something wrong or her identity was exposed by Gong Shangjiao in front of so many people, perhaps Gong Shangjiao would not even have to do anything himself, those invisible assassins would pounce on her like locusts and take her life.
"Qianqian didn't think this matter through, please don't blame me, Mr. Jiao!" Shangguan Qian admitted her mistake very straightforwardly.
Gong Shangjiao suddenly mentioned the items that Shangguan Qian had just given to Jackdaw, which shocked Shangguan Qian. She had never expected that Gong Shangjiao could guess that those things were given to her privately by Gong Yuanzheng.
Shangguan Qian's face paled instantly, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on her forehead. Her hands were clenched so tightly that her nails were almost digging into her palms. However, despite her extreme panic, she forced herself to remain calm and replied softly, "Last night after the meeting, Master Zheng came to my tent and secretly handed those items to me. Master Zheng said that these were discarded items he had no use for, and rather than wasting them, it would be better to recycle them and send them in through Wufeng's hand. This way, not only will anyone who comes into contact with these items be poisoned, but also..."
Shangguan Qian paused at this point, as if she was having trouble speaking. She hesitated for a moment, then bit her lip and continued, "You can also use this opportunity to sow discord between me and Wu Feng, leaving me with no choice but to side with you."
Shangguan Qian's voice gradually became lower and lower, until it was almost inaudible. She lowered her head, not daring to look Gong Shangjiao in the eye, like a child who had done something wrong, waiting for punishment from an adult.
Gong Shangjiao stared at Shangguan Qian silently, his eyes sharp and cold, as if he'd already seen through her thoughts. After a moment, he slowly spoke, finishing Shangguan Qian's words: "Because Yuanzheng never believed in you, he made the choice for you: you must follow the same path as us. If you succeed, even if your Wufeng identity is exposed, the martial arts community will let you go because you've turned from darkness to light. If you fail, you'll die with us."
Shangguan Qian's body trembled violently, and her face turned even paler, like a bloodless corpse. Her lips trembled as she tried to say something, but her throat was dry and she couldn't utter a single word. In the end, she could only nod stiffly, acknowledging Gong Shangjiao's words.
Gong Shangjiao was well versed in the strategy of combining kindness and severity; he knew exactly when to be strict and when to be lenient. At this moment, he suddenly smiled, like a spring breeze, which made people startled.
He gracefully lifted the teapot and filled Shangguan Qian's cup with steaming hot tea. Then he said softly, "Don't worry. As long as you can help us successfully capture Wufeng's headquarters, even if Yuanzheng can't make a decision for you, I will definitely keep you safe."
Shangguan Qian felt a sense of relief after hearing this. However, just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Gong Shangjiao's next words were like a bolt from the blue, instantly draining all her strength away.
"Of course, if you don't want to do this, I won't force you. However, if you do this, your life or death will be difficult to guarantee. At that time, although I can guarantee that the people from the palace will not pursue you relentlessly, I am afraid that Wu Feng and those younger martial artists who have been persecuted by Wu Feng may not show mercy."
Since Gong Shangjiao dared to say such a thing, she must be confident that she could do it. If that day really came, even if she revealed her identity as an orphan of the Gushan Sect, it would probably be in vain.
Because in this world, power and status are the real passes, and her identity seems so insignificant in front of Gong Shangjiao.
Shangguan Qian's gaze fell on Gong Huanyu. She knew that he sincerely wanted to help her, but she also understood that Gong Huanyu's identity might be of some use within the palace, but once he left the palace, no one in this place would recognize him.
What those people in the martial arts world value is Gong Shangjiao as a person and the background behind Gong Yuanzheng. All the people in the palace combined are far less important than Gong Shangjiao alone, let alone compared with someone like Gong Yuanzheng who has an official background.
"Mr. Jiao, you're joking," Shangguan Qian raised the corner of her mouth slightly, revealing a faint smile, "Since Qianqian is willing to cooperate with Mr. Jiao, she will naturally advance and retreat together with Mr. Jiao and Mr. Zheng." Her voice was soft, but with a firmness, as if this decision was the result of her careful consideration.
Shangguan Qian paused, her eyes slowly sweeping across Gong Shangjiao's face, observing his reaction. Seeing that Gong Shangjiao's expression hadn't changed significantly, she breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "What's more, Wu Feng is now just a grasshopper after autumn, and he won't be able to jump around for much longer." At this point, Shangguan Qian's tone became slightly heavier, as if to emphasize her own assessment of the situation.
Shangguan Qian's words flowed like a stream of clear water into Gong Shangjiao's ears. He listened quietly, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. When Shangguan Qian finished speaking, Gong Shangjiao's lips curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile.
Shangguan Qian noticed the change in Gong Shangjiao's expression and felt a little relieved. She knew that her words at least did not cause Gong Shangjiao to be disgusted. Under Gong Shangjiao's admiring gaze, Shangguan Qian slowly stood up with her tired body and walked towards the door.
Each step seemed heavy, as if she were carrying a heavy burden. However, Shangguan Qian's steps remained firm, without the slightest hesitation. Finally, she reached the door, gently opened it, turned around, smiled at Gong Shangjiao, and walked out.
The door slowly closed behind her with a slight click. Shangguan Qian took a deep breath, feeling relieved. She didn't know if her words could truly move Gong Shangjiao, but at least she had tried her best.
After returning to her room, Shangguan Qian had a bucket of hot water prepared. She undressed and slowly stepped into the water, letting the warm water envelop her body. However, even then, she still felt the stiffness in her limbs hadn't been significantly relieved.