Chapter 62. Start the Operation (2)

"Ah, that's good."

"Yeah, whatever."

"Sir, would you like a drink as well?"

"I'll take one, thank you."

"The side dishes are quite light. Did you come straight from the restaurant?"

"I can't ask Yinghua to cook, can I?"

"Oh, why not?"

"Huh? Isn't it obvious? How could she cook all that food by herself?"

"Children from the Huanyu Yuan are generally skilled at household chores. They can cook well, and even one person can easily prepare meals for ten."

"......?"

"You didn't know?"

"I never even imagined it."

He had never even considered asking Yinghua to cook. Despite getting used to it, he was still an assassin who dreamed of freedom rather than the Third Prince of the Demon Sect.

"Well, there's no need to make him cook if the restaurant food is delicious. It's better to come for each meal rather than bending over to prepare everything."

"That's true."

Xiaolian looked at Xuliang with a newfound respect.

'He's definitely different.'

Xuliang lacked the arrogance that high-ranking officials often had. Talking to him felt like talking to a regular sect member.

"Sir."

"Go ahead."

Xiaolian blinked.

"The fox has grown quite a bit, hasn't it?"

"Ah, you noticed too? This guy has been eating a lot lately."

Jinhua growled, seemingly aware that they were talking about him. Xuliang grumbled and threw a piece of meat to him.

Jinhua, apparently too lazy to get up, used his front paws to drag the meat closer.

"You're still cute."

"That's true."

"But it's amazing, isn't it? A fox with claws as sharp as a cat's."

"Maybe because there's no need for them to be blunt."

Unlike cats, leopards, and tigers, foxes have blunt claws. They rely on their teeth for hunting.

However, they have better jaw strength and endurance, allowing them to travel long distances without rest. Jinhua is likely the same.

"He doesn't run much, though, despite looking lazy."

"That's true."

"Anyway, why are you here?"

She asked naturally.

Xiaolian smiled.

"To express my gratitude and to play with the most famous person in the sect."

Xuliang tilted his head.

"Really?"

"Didn't you know?"

"What do you have to be grateful for, and why am I famous?"

"You really didn't know?"

Xiaolian chuckled. Xuliang's face was filled with genuine curiosity.

This guy is really unique.

"The person who easily subdued the embodiment of madness, the Great Demon of Light, and the one who overthrew the Criminal Law Hall with his authority, even slashing the head of the Criminal Law Hall. You even knocked down the Fourth Prince."

"......That's true, but it's all embellished with fancy words."

"The Great Demon of Light and the head of the Criminal Law Hall are the most avoided by regular sect members. If I must compare, the Great Demon of Light is like a plague, and the head of the Criminal Law Hall is like a natural disaster."

Saying that, the two seem a bit pitiful.

"You've even brought down the highest-ranking person in the sect. It's strange that you're not famous."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Though it's hard to say openly, you are currently the most watched person in the sect."

Xuliang scratched his head.

'Is this good or bad?'

I want to grow into someone whose actions are accepted by everyone, no matter how I act!

This is the situation he had hoped for. If he could leave the sect, it would be the best.

Since it's impossible to disappear after living like a mouse, he decided to increase his presence before leaving. But the atmosphere seemed to be turning strange.

Xuliang shook his head.

'No, I've only taken the first step. There's no need to worry yet.'

The grand plan to escape the sect is bound to be a long-term battle.

You can't get full from the first spoonful, and a dish can't be completed with one cut. To create a large map, you need a large piece of paper first.

Xuliang smiled. Worrying about every little thing won't get anything done.

I'll live like I used to, focusing intensely on my goals.

"But why are you grateful to me? Did I feed someone you wanted to beat up?"

"Of course not. If I want to beat someone up, I'll do it myself."

Of course.

"For the martial arts technique you gave me."

"Oh, that?"

"Yes. Though it hasn't been long, I can already see progress. It's a very mysterious martial arts technique."

Xuliang was quite surprised.

"You can already see progress?"

"Yes."

"You seem to have much more talent than I thought. It would be impossible for someone with average senses."

"He's a very talented child. You've only seen him for half a year, but at this rate, he should recover in about three months. Of course, it will take longer to regain his past martial arts skills."

Xuliang whistled softly.

"I didn't know he was that talented. You must have worked hard, Lady Xiaolian."

"Yes, he's the one I've chosen as my successor."

"......!"

She mentions the successor so casually.

Xuliang, who had been staring at her, filled her glass and asked.

"Can you just say such things so casually?"

"It's not like I'm going to spread it around."

"......"

"Even if I have a chosen successor, you wouldn't care much, would you?"

"Well, that's true."

For a leader, an unprepared successor is a fatal weakness, especially if they are in a critical condition.

Xiaolian had even considered trading with the Hongwei Men to protect her successor.

She knew he was important but didn't realize he was the successor.

If Xuliang spread this information, Xiaolian would lose sleep worrying. Many organizations want to check the Huanyu Yuan.

"I'm grateful for your trust, but things could change if something goes wrong."

"I don't trust people. I trust the situation."

Xiaolian smiled brightly.

"The situation then and now. It seems unlikely that you and I will have a falling out."

"You're quite comfortable saying that in front of the highest-ranking person in the sect."

"I think you prefer it that way."

"Whatever, you're quite perceptive."

They both finished their drinks.

"But even if you manipulate things, I don't think you'd come here just for that reason."

Xuliang's eyes sparkled.

"Do you want something from me?"

Xiaolian smiled.

"Trying to beat around the bush in front of someone who already knows everything is like giving up on a smooth conversation. Since you put it that way, I'll be honest too."

"Right."

"......"

"Right. Go ahead."

"Hmm."

After clearing her throat, Xiaolian spoke clearly.

"If you have the time, could you come to my place once a day?"

"......"

"......"

"Um, Lady Xiaolian."

"Go ahead."

"What can I say, I'm confident in my strength, but I haven't been tested in that area......"

"That's not what I meant."

"How did you know what I was thinking? But no, right?"

"Absolutely not."

Xuliang tilted his head.

"I have plenty of free time if nothing comes up, but why do you want me to come to your place? Your explanation is lacking."

"For the child."

"......"

"From what you said, it seems the child is making rapid progress."

"That's true. Normally, he wouldn't be able to do that. I was quick because I had a foundation."

"But...... it's still slow."

Xuliang looked shocked.

"How much do you want to push your successor? That's not an easy martial arts technique. It's quite challenging. Seeing progress in just a few days is amazing."

"I know the child is talented and making rapid progress."

If she knows all that, why say such things?

Xuliang's eyes sparkled.

"Lady Xiaolian must have a reason to want her successor to recover as soon as possible."

"......Indeed, you are perceptive."

"Otherwise, a person of Lady Xiaolian's status wouldn't have risked the Qingqiusa Ye Chao being discovered by the Hongwei Men. It seems you were quite anxious."

"Exactly."

"So you want me to help the successor you've chosen recover?"

"Yes."

Xuliang stared at Xiaolian.

Xiaolian still had a faint smile. At least on the surface, she seemed no different.

'This isn't good.'

The Huanyu Yuan can ask for help, but not from potential successors. It could make it look like she's interfering in the succession.

The previous leaders might have been different, but Xiaolian seemed to have a strong sense of pride and clear principles.

For her to ask a candidate for such a significant task is unusual.

'She's taking a risk. If I don't agree, this person's view of me will be very unpleasant.'

A small request is less scary than a big one because of the potential backlash if refused.

"It could be quite troublesome."

Though vague, Xiaolian understood perfectly.

"It's risky."

"Yet you're asking me."

"Yes."

"......"

"It's just a personal request. If others find out, it could cause rumors, but only you and I know, so it won't happen."

"Walls have ears, and fleas have eyes. Just because you can't see the wind doesn't mean it's not blowing."

"Still, it's fine. It's a very 'personal' request."

Meaning she can handle any rumors.

Xuliang sighed.

"At least tell me why it's so urgent."

"Is that necessary?"

"Considering how you've pushed this, it is."

Xiaolian's calm face showed a hint of awkwardness.

"I'm sorry. It's hard to explain in detail. Just know that there's a reason it must be done."

Damn......

This isn't a normal request.

If he refuses, his life in the sect will be quite difficult.

'Why me......'

Xuliang sighed.

"Let's treat this as a deal. A simple request would weigh on my mind."

"Then I'm even more grateful."

"Really, I didn't expect Lady Xiaolian to be like this."

Though it could be interpreted as complicated, Xiaolian showed no such signs.

"When the waves are strong, insisting on moving forward can break the ship and drown the sailors. Sometimes you have to let the waves carry you."

"That's true, but......"

"So will you accept my request, or rather, this deal?"

Xuliang smacked his lips.

"What can I do? I've benefited from Lady Xiaolian, so I have to accept."

"Thank you. I'm really grateful, Sir."

"It's fine. I'll benefit too. No need to thank me."

"Then I'll take that as a yes. Can you start tomorrow?"

"Sure. A horn can be removed in one go, but if you just watch, you'll be gored to death."

"Then, Sir, is there anything else you want from me?"

"That's the problem. I can't think of anything right now."

Should he ask for the best martial arts technique? Or to be taken out of the sect?

Xuliang wanted freedom, not money or fame.

Since his goal was clear, there was no need to agree to such an unbalanced deal. What he wanted couldn't be given by others.

'Damn, if I could at least go out......'

Suddenly, Xuliang's eyes widened.

"Huh? What?"

"......?"

"......Lady Xiaolian."

"Go ahead, Sir."

"Our benevolent and gracious organization, the Huanyu Yuan, is responsible for the sect's household affairs, right?"

"......Yes?"

"All the supplies for the sect must be procured from outside."

"Yes, of course."

"Do you just receive them? Don't you go out to meet them?"

"For important supplies, we do go out. In fact, in two weeks......"

Thump!

Xuliang grabbed Xiaolian's hands tightly.

His eyes burned like fire.

"I'll help our precious successor recover within two weeks!"