Chapter 1674: Assassin

Hearing his words, Zhang Zitong’s expression turned somewhat melancholic.

Unsure if it was because her most embarrassing and private side had just been revealed to him, her gaze towards Zu'an became increasingly gentle. She didn't object to sharing some less crucial information with him, saying, "Lord Seven was indeed very good to me. If he hadn't caused my family's ruin, I might truly have considered him a foster father."

Zu'an was startled. "Your family was ruined?"

"Yes," Zhang Zitong's eyes flashed with a hint of hatred. "I was young then. I remember one day, Golden Token Seven brought people to my home. My father was very afraid, but he still went out to greet them. For some reason, a fight broke out, and our family was wiped out."

"If it weren't for the wet nurse at our mansion who risked her life to get me out, I probably would have died in that disaster. But to save me, the wet nurse had her child swap clothes with me, dying in my place. The wet nurse herself also died from a severe arrow wound."

As she spoke of the past, her eyes visibly reddened, whether from sorrow or hatred, it was unclear.

Zu'an frowned. "Was your family an official household? When did this happen?"

Naturally, no ordinary commoner's family would warrant a personal visit from a Golden Token Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"My father's given name was Zhiquan. He served as an imperial censor back then. This happened thirteen years ago." Zhang Zitong's tone was deeply sorrowful as she spoke.

Thirteen years ago, Zu'an hadn't yet transmigrated to this world, so he naturally didn't know about this Imperial Censor Zhang. "When I have a chance later, I'll help you look into it and see what happened back then."

As expected, Zhang Zitong, with her appearance, figure, and talent, could not have come from an ordinary family. Though he was reluctant to admit it, this cultivation world was more brutal in this regard than Earth in his previous life. The more powerful the parents and their bloodline, the more formidable their descendants often were. Conversely, it was difficult for ordinary commoners to produce even one person with cultivation aptitude.

Zhang Zitong gave a desolate smile. "What good would investigating do? Our Zhang family is completely wiped out. The dead cannot be brought back to life. Besides, I've already avenged my family this time. I have no regrets in this life."

"If there truly was an injustice, there might still be a chance for a posthumous vindication. You wouldn't want the Zhang family to bear the burden of guilt even after death, would you?" Zu'an noticed the death wish in her eyes. He knew that with her great revenge accomplished, she had no further desires, which made her quite difficult to deal with. It would be hard to extract any more useful information from her. Therefore, he needed to offer her hope first.

As expected, a ripple appeared in her previously calm eyes.

Zu'an seized the opportunity to ask, "According to the information I received earlier, you were discovered and recruited by Golden Token Seven when you were very young. Considering what you just said about your family being ruined with only you left, you couldn't have been old enough then to plan to infiltrate your enemy's ranks and wait for revenge, could you?"

Zhang Zitong hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Someone appeared before me back then and asked if I wanted revenge. Desperate as I was, I naturally agreed without hesitation."

"I trained with him for over a year. Later, he told me there was an opportunity for revenge: to infiltrate the Embroidered Uniform Guards. So, I pretended to be an orphan wandering the streets, feigning an accidental encounter with Golden Token Seven. As expected, he took an interest in me, but he had no idea that everything had been arranged in advance."

In truth, had it not been for the recent embarrassing experience during her healing, which inexplicably brought her closer to Zu'an, she would never have revealed such information. But now, she felt that telling him such things seemed to be of no consequence.

Zu'an frowned slightly. "Logically, with Golden Token Seven's caution, if you had any cultivation traces, it would be impossible to hide them from him."

Zhang Zitong explained, "My benefactor intentionally did not let me cultivate for that entire year, focusing instead on tempering my willpower and other aspects. Golden Token Seven thought I was just more mature than my peers because I had been wandering the streets for many years, so he didn't suspect anything."

Zu'an nodded slightly. "Who exactly was the person who trained you?" He mused, to have set up such a pawn over a decade ago and only now reel her in—what an immense undertaking.

Zhang Zitong shook her head. "That person showed me great kindness; I cannot tell you who they are."

Zu'an's face darkened. "Since you've been an Embroidered Uniform Guard for so many years, you should be aware of their methods. There are always ways to make you speak."

Zhang Zitong turned her head away and bit her lip. "If that's the case, then why did you save me?" Clearly, she was aware of those methods, and there was a hint of fear in her voice.

She took a deep breath, calming herself slightly. "I foresaw this day years ago, so I've long been prepared. Even if all my pressure points are sealed, I have a way to commit suicide. The only reason I haven't used it yet is because you went to such great lengths to save me just now, and I don't want to waste your good intentions."

Zu'an was startled, unsure if what she said was true or false. However, there were many mysterious things in this world, so perhaps she truly possessed such a method. He therefore had no choice but to change his approach: "Have you ever considered that your so-called great benefactor might actually be the enemy who truly caused your family's ruin? Otherwise, why would he appear so coincidentally before you when you were at your most desperate, and then meticulously arrange your entry into the Golden Token Embroidered Uniform system, even having you assist Golden Token Seven?"

Zhang Zitong was stunned, her expression changing several times, clearly pondering the possibility. However, having been both an Embroidered Uniform Guard and a spy for so many years, her willpower was exceptionally firm. She quickly recovered and said, "You don't need to deliberately sow discord; I won't fall for it."

"Rest well. Don't think about committing suicide during this time, and I won't allow anyone to torture you, for now." After saying this, Zu'an stood up and walked out.

Zhang Zitong's heart trembled, and she subconsciously asked, "Where are you going?" Normally, the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters was her home, but now it felt like a demonic den to her. The only source of warmth and comfort she had was this Lord Eleven. If he left, she suspected she would be swallowed by darkness.

"Since you're unwilling to speak, I'll just have to find someone else." Zu'an smiled, then pushed open the door and left.

Seeing him emerge, Xiao Jianren, who was guarding outside, quickly stepped forward and subconsciously asked, "Are you done?" After asking, his old face flushed, and he wished he could slap himself.

Zu'an looked bewildered. "What kind of question is that?" Nonetheless, he replied, "It's not that easy to be done. She's temporarily saved. Keep her under house arrest here for now; no one is allowed to approach her."

"Yes, sir!" Xiao Jianren replied with an obsequious smile. "Your method of saving people is quite unique, Lord. You're covered in sweat; you must be exhausted."

Although he harbored affection for Zhang Zitong, it was merely the instinctive male impulse triggered by her beauty and long legs. To say he deeply loved her would be an overstatement, especially since Zhang Zitong had always shown no interest in him. Now that she was implicated in a colossal scandal, suspected of assassinating Golden Token Seven, he wouldn't dare provoke her. Though he had felt uncomfortable in the courtyard earlier, after some time, he had come to terms with it, realizing that Lord Eleven taking her in might actually be a good outcome for her. In their two years together, he had developed profound respect and admiration for Lord Eleven.

"Yes, I am a bit tired." Zu'an didn't realize the other party had misunderstood. He gave a few instructions and then hurried away.

Xiao Jianren felt a touch of envy, thinking that he should ask Lord Eleven sometime what skill could be both pleasurable and capable of detoxifying people.

Faintly hearing voices from outside the door, Zhang Zitong couldn't help but touch her burning cheeks. How utterly embarrassing! Still, Lord Eleven truly was a gentle person. He was unwilling to pressure her even in this situation. How could such a good person survive among the Embroidered Uniform Guards?

After leaving, Zu'an went straight to the Prefect's mansion. Zhang Jie was somewhat surprised by his return.

"We've caught a big one this time," Zu'an said, casually picking up a teacup and taking a sip. Then he roughly explained that Zhang Zitong was a spy.

Zhang Jie was startled. "Did you interrogate anything out of her? Such spies are extremely cautious; be careful she doesn't commit suicide!"

Zu'an nodded. "She did try to commit suicide, but she was rescued. I've been interrogating her for a while, and she hasn't revealed anything yet, but it's fine. I'm going to make a trip to ask Miss Xie, Master Yan's talented disciple, for a Truth Talisman. That should allow me to get the information I need from her. I came here specifically to ask for your assistance, Lord Zhang, in overseeing the external security of the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters."

Zhang Jie's expression became solemn. "Rest assured, Lord Eleven. In these extraordinary times, I will certainly dispatch additional personnel to ensure Zhang Zitong's safety."

Zu'an nodded. "I need to make haste, so I'll take my leave now." After speaking, he quickly departed.

Zhang Jie immediately summoned his subordinates and gave instructions for the subsequent security arrangements.

After nightfall, Zhang Zitong curled up on the bed, staring blankly, hugging her knees.

Just then, a faint sound came from outside the door. Her heart leaped with joy. Had Lord Eleven returned? At that very moment, a figure in black flashed into the room, and the gleaming blade in their hand swung directly at her.