Chapter 799: Clear and Logical

The group waited a while longer, but Zu An still didn't appear. Bi Linglong's initial excitement and anticipation gradually waned.

At this point, Gu Xing grumbled, "Linglong, that fellow probably doesn't dare to come. But don't worry, with us two brothers protecting you, this trip will definitely be fine."

Bi Linglong forced a smile. "One more person means more strength, after all."

Gu Heng also spoke up, "It seems the Crown Princess values Master Zu highly."

"Exactly! There was originally a spot for someone above seventh rank to enter the secret realm, but the Crown Princess chose him instead of me," Rong Mo pouted, her voice filled with deep resentment.

"Don't talk nonsense. This was the result of everyone's careful consideration," Bi Linglong shot her a glare. This girl was becoming increasingly undisciplined.

The Gu brothers exchanged glances, seeing shock in each other's eyes. Having been in the Bi family for many years, they naturally understood Rong Mo's importance. Although she appeared young, her actual age was not. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for her to cultivate above the seventh rank. Because she had been adopted by the Bi family as a child and trained in isolation, her psychological age was much younger than her actual age. This was why she was assigned as Bi Linglong's personal maid, which also demonstrated the Bi family's and Bi Linglong's trust in her.

Yet, for something as important as the Crown Prince's grand examination, Bi Linglong hadn't brought her but had chosen Zu An instead. The implications were clear. Either Zu An's cultivation was far superior to Rong Mo's, or he was simply more important to the Crown Princess. Rong Mo was already at the seventh rank. How could Zu An, so young and having grown up among common folk without formal professional cultivation training, possibly be far superior to her? Therefore, in their eyes, the latter reason was more likely. The thought filled both of them with a deep sense of crisis.

Gu Heng pondered for a moment and said, "Crown Princess, if Master Zu doesn't come, are we just going to keep waiting here? It's fine for us brothers to wait, but it's not very appropriate for the Crown Prince to wait as well. Besides, if we miss the time to enter the secret realm later, that would be a huge problem."

Gu Xing secretly admired his elder brother. Their intentions were clearly the same, yet his brother always managed to use plausible excuses to disguise his true motives. While Gu Xing usually found this hypocrisy annoying, at this moment, he thought his brother was simply adorable.

Hearing his words, the corpulent Crown Prince nearby also began to fuss, "Exactly, exactly! It's so boring sitting here!"

Seeing the Crown Prince's reaction, Gu Heng and Gu Xing subtly exchanged glances, their lips unconsciously curving upwards. Watching the corpulent Crown Prince throw a tantrum, utterly devoid of any princely bearing, a flicker of disappointment crossed Bi Linglong's eyes. She calmly instructed, "Mo Mo, you and the others escort the Crown Prince to the National Academy first. I'll go check on Master Zu at his residence."

"Alright, alright, let's go play at the National Academy!" The Crown Prince's face lit up with excitement, and he started to head out.

Rong Mo had no time to say anything and could only hurry after him to escort the Crown Prince. Many guards from the Eastern Palace also rushed to follow.

The Gu brothers remained still. "In that case," they said, "let us brothers protect the Crown Princess. We'd also like to see what kind of extraordinary hero this Master Zu is." The fact that Bi Linglong was personally going to Zu An's residence to find him, a favor that made them both jealous and envious, naturally made them want to follow and see for themselves.

The Crown Princess frowned slightly. She could clearly sense their hostility towards Zu An, and taking them along was not a good idea. However, she had a change of heart. They would be in the secret realm for several days, and allowing the brothers to interact with Zu An earlier would help them understand each other, which would be beneficial for the mission. So, she nodded and called for Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun, who were outside, to join them, as she had never been to Zu An's home before.

Zu An's residence was in the inner city. The group quickly arrived outside the house. Bi Linglong didn't send for an announcement but walked directly into the house. The household servants, seeing the Crown Princess, hastily bowed. Bi Linglong looked around but didn't see Zu An. "Where is Master Zu?" she asked.

"Master Zu left early this morning," a maid replied.

"He left?" Bi Linglong was surprised. Why hadn't they seen him then? Could something have really happened to him on the way? Her heart tightened at the thought, and she quickly asked Pu Duandiao, who was nearby, "Guard Pu, have there been any reports of altercations in the inner city today?"

Pu Duandiao shook his head. "We haven't received any such information."

Bi Linglong's brows furrowed instantly. So where had he gone? This was the inner city; with Zu An's cultivation, it was impossible for him to be subdued without a sound.

At this moment, Gu Xing said with a laugh, "Could it be that he knew the secret realm was dangerous and was afraid to go, worried about losing his life?" With the Crown Prince not present, he naturally spoke of danger without reservation.

Jiao Sigun, standing nearby, scoffed. "Master Zu isn't that kind of person." He had been holding in his anger all along, listening to these two constantly speak ill of Zu An with sarcastic remarks.

"You know a person's face, but not their heart," Gu Xing said, spreading his hands. "The fact is right before us: he didn't appear as promised."

"Perhaps Master Zu was delayed by something else," Pu Duandiao offered in his defense.

Gu Heng frowned slightly. It seemed Zu An was very popular in the Eastern Palace; even these two minor guard captains were speaking up for him.

Gu Xing scoffed. "What could be more important than the Crown Prince's grand examination today?"

Pu Duandiao was speechless for a moment, unsure how to respond.

At this point, Gu Xing glanced into the house. "Perhaps Master Zu only pretended to leave and is actually still hiding inside." With that, he entered the room to search for him. The household servants, due to the Crown Princess's presence, dared not stop him and could only follow behind, fretting.

Bi Linglong hesitated. In truth, she was also a little annoyed at this point. Zu An had clearly promised her, yet he had failed to show up for such an important occasion today. She had even woken up early to get dressed and ready. So, she didn't stop Gu Xing's actions, as she also wanted to see what Zu An was up to.

Rage points from Bi Linglong +233 +233 +233...

The residence wasn't large; Gu Xing quickly searched it thoroughly. There was indeed no sign of Zu An. He smiled and said, "It seems he's hiding outside."

Gu Heng cleared his throat. "Second brother, don't jump to conclusions. Perhaps Master Zu has already arrived at the Eastern Palace by now."

Gu Xing scoffed. "How could that be? We just came from the Eastern Palace; we didn't see a hair of him. At the end of the day, he's just a street hoodlum. He's fine usually, but when it comes to a crucial moment, his cowardice and fear of death are exposed."

"Nonsense," Jiao Sigun retorted. "Master Zu even dared to confront and defeat the eighth-rank Crown Prince Qi. He also fought the ninth-rank master Han Fengqiu to a draw. How could he possibly be afraid of entering this secret realm?"

At this point, Gu Heng said, "That battle certainly caused a stir throughout the capital. However, we investigated it afterward, and there was actually a top master hidden in the shadows during that fight. As Crown Prince Qi unleashed his lightning ultimate move, this hidden master secretly summoned water elements, causing the Crown Prince's own power to backfire. That's why he lost so inexplicably."

"Indeed," Gu Xing continued, "Master Zu is, after all, from the common folk. If he were truly a heaven-sent genius, why would he have chosen to become the Chu family's live-in son-in-law in the first place?" Gu Xing felt a bit self-conscious as he said this, remembering having caught a glimpse of Chu Chuyan's elegance from afar once. He thought he wouldn't mind being the live-in son-in-law for a fairy-like figure like her. "Ahem, his cultivation is only fifth or sixth rank, at most seventh. How could he possibly defeat the eighth-rank Crown Prince Qi? And as for fighting Han Fengqiu to a draw, that's even more ridiculous."

"What is Han Fengqiu? Everyone in the capital knows he's at the peak of the ninth rank. Such a person could crush seventh or eighth rank cultivators with a flick of a finger. How could he possibly fight a young man to a draw? Ultimately, Han Fengqiu was wary of the mysterious master hidden in the shadows, and the rumor became Zu An's achievement. It's simply laughable!"

Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun opened their mouths, but didn't know how to refute. After all, in their ingrained beliefs, it was truly unlikely for someone at the peak of the ninth rank to be defeated by someone of a lower rank.

They looked around blankly. "Big Brother Zu, where exactly are you?"