Chapter 141: Chapter 90: The Crucial Three Days
It’s a pity that there’s a severe drought now in the world, with the mountains, rivers, and Heluo all having dried up. Otherwise, with his ability to control all water within fifty meters, no matter how vast your army is, wouldn’t it still be like ants? How could you ever harm me?
Zhang Chen wants Zhang Xiaohua dead, and the faster she dies, the safer he becomes! This would also reduce the risk of his own exposure, so he is pressing Zhang Xiaolan for an answer.
"Three days! It just takes three days, and he’ll definitely confess! How can a mere rustic villager withstand severe punishment? You might as well wait quietly in the city for three days, and you’ll see the truth for yourself then." Zhang Xiaolan’s words are very assured: "But you cannot stay outside; you must return to Prince Pingbian’s Mansion with me! After all, times are perilous, and the Inspection and Supervision Department might investigate at any moment. If something happens to you, the Prince will surely grieve. You should know that due to the explosion, the Captain at the Inspection and Supervision Department from the court is already watching you, and if you return now, you’ll surely be detained by them. Even my Prince Pingbian’s Mansion has some trouble dealing with the Inspection and Supervision Department!"
"Inspection and Supervision Department! Inspection and Supervision Department! This woman has mentioned the Inspection and Supervision Department more than once; it seems Prince Pingbian’s Mansion really fears them! If I want to escape safely, perhaps I can think of a way to get in touch with the Inspection and Supervision Department." Countless thoughts crazily flashed through Zhang Chen’s mind.
Seeing Zhang Chen still hesitating, Zhang Xiaolan repeated:
"Moreover, the Prince is already waiting for you at home, and you shouldn’t let him wait for too long."
Zhang Chen furrowed his brows upon hearing this, thinking to himself: "It’s really troublesome. I didn’t expect that just by exploding a Fox Spirit, it would cause such a disaster. If I don’t agree to Zhang Xiaolan and insist on returning, this woman’s suspicion might be aroused."
Thinking it over, Zhang Chen decided it was better to return with Zhang Xiaolan first, to go to Prince Pingbian’s Mansion and draw everyone’s attention there. This way, no one will pay much attention to Zhang Xiaohua in the prison.
"Alright, I’ll go back with you." Zhang Chen said helplessly.
Zhang Xiaolan heard this and smiled: "That’s right! We’re family; how could I harm you?"
"Right, how should Zhang Chen’s family be dealt with?" Zhang Chen looked at Zhang Xiaolan and asked.
Zhang Xiaolan hesitated slightly upon hearing this, then replied softly: "I know you and Zhang Chen have had constant conflicts over the years, you’ve suffered a lot, and you’re resentful. But grievances have their source, and debts have their owner. After all, they are a widow and orphan, and we calculated against them first. It’s better to spare their lives."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen gave Zhang Xiaolan a glance. He didn’t expect this girl to be so kind-hearted.
Zhang Chen feigned a conflicted expression upon hearing this, and the girl continued: "You’ve just returned to the Prince’s Mansion, but you should know the Prince doesn’t like ruthless people. He favors those with a mellow nature. If you make the Prince unhappy, it will be trouble in the future. Now that a major event at Prince Pingbian’s Mansion is about to happen, it no longer fears court suppression. The offspring of the Prince will continue to be born in the future. You still need to leave a good impression on the Prince, as the future succession of the Northern Land is crucial. If a matter gets ruined because of a few women and children, it isn’t worth it."
"Alright, I’ll listen to you for now and spare them." Zhang Chen reluctantly agreed.
Zhang Xiaolan’s words conveniently provided him a way down.
Seeing Zhang Chen accept this, Zhang Xiaolan took a bite of an octopus ball and then casually glanced at the surrounding streets:
"I have one more thing to instruct you."
"Please speak." Zhang Chen said obediently.
"Our family doesn’t lack opponents in the Northern Land. The Inspection and Supervision Department, with its large rights to patrol, is our Prince Pingbian’s Mansion’s number one enemy, representing the Emperor in overseeing our every move. It has caused considerable trouble to the Mansion over the years. Their leader is particularly difficult, and even the Prince must be wary of him. Your safety in the Northern Land must be carefully guarded; if the Inspection and Supervision Department discovers you, you’ll be in danger." Zhang Xiaolan cautioned gravely.
"Is it all about the Inspection and Supervision Department?" Zhang Chen curiously asked: "What exactly is the work of the Inspection and Supervision Department?"
"The Inspection and Supervision Department is a mysterious, highly secretive special agency directly under the Emperor, with countless talented individuals. Their spies are everywhere, unmatched throughout the land, and they have large authority in the Northern Land. Crucially, the Inspection and Supervision Department possesses military power in the Northern Land, with fifty thousand troops stationed there, acting as the Emperor’s nail in the Northern Land.
"Don’t worry; how would I ever provoke the Inspection and Supervision Department without reason?"
Zhang Chen smiled after hearing this. The stronger the Inspection and Supervision Department, the happier he was. If something goes wrong at Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, he can think of a way to contact the Inspection and Supervision Department. Perhaps he can even secure a position within them using his Superpower.
According to the Fox Spirit, divine beings are extremely rare and secretive, but Zhang Chen believes that the court, being the largest organization in the world and able to unify the nation, can’t be so simple.
The two continued wandering the streets for half a day, and eventually Zhang Chen and Zhang Xiaolan got onto a carriage heading toward Prince Pingbian’s Mansion.
Sitting in the carriage, Zhang Chen’s mind raced: "I only have three days left! For me, how to arrange for my stepmother and little sister is the greatest concern. I’m venturing to Prince Pingbian’s Mansion with great peril, with a high risk of exposure. If anything goes wrong, my stepmother and little sister will surely be implicated by Prince Pingbian’s Mansion."