A moment later.

On the main road in Black Weasel City, Han Li and Shi Chuankong hurried towards the north gate.

If they weren't afraid of attracting more attention, they would have already taken off in a shuttle and fled.

"The road ahead is probably not going to be peaceful," Han Li said, frowning.

"Who knew we'd have such bad luck? Of all people, we had to run into the Black Weasel Army. But it's good, let's leave the Ten Affliction Mountains as soon as possible," Shi Chuankong said with a sigh.

As soon as they finished speaking, they stopped simultaneously, their expressions stiff, looking ahead as if facing a formidable enemy.

In the crowd coming and going on the avenue, there was a young scholar with a square scarf on his head and a delicate face, holding a book and walking slowly towards them. His green Confucian robe rippled slightly, making him look extremely refined.

Han Li and Shi Chuankong exchanged a glance, both of them feeling a bitter smile in their hearts.

Although they were meeting him for the first time, they were no strangers to the visitor, who was none other than the famous Black Weasel King!

The Black Weasel King walked leisurely and calmly, without any fluctuations emanating from his body, looking just like a scholar in the mortal world. He had a faint smile on his face, appearing harmless.

As he approached, he held the book in both hands and bowed slightly to Han Li and Shi Chuankong in the manner of a scholar, taking the initiative to say, "Thirteenth Prince, your presence graces Black Weasel City. I have failed to greet you properly."

Shi Chuankong paused slightly, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he returned the greeting respectfully, saying,

"Senior, you are far too kind to this junior."

Han Li frowned slightly, saying nothing, and simply returned the greeting.

"This is not the place to talk, nor is it the way Black Weasel City treats its guests. Why not move a few steps to my Yuxiu Palace and have a seat?" The Black Weasel King said, his smile appearing more sincere.

"Then we shall intrude," Shi Chuankong said, as they had no room to refuse.

The Black Weasel King smiled upon hearing this and said "Please," waving his palm, and a patch of black light lit up beneath the three of them at the same time.

Immediately afterward, the scenery changed, and they arrived at a vast, verdant garden.

Inside the garden, rare flowers and exotic plants were everywhere, decorated with jagged rocks. Winding paths led through lush bamboo forests, with melodious birdsong in the tranquil surroundings. Many pavilions and towers were scattered among them, exquisitely designed, with a beautiful scene at every turn.

As they went deeper, the scenery in the garden changed drastically. One section was a flourishing spring scene with a riot of colors, while the next became a snowy landscape covered in silver. There were also various exotic animals, making it quite unique.

"Senior Black Weasel, I have long heard that you have a 'Scenic Garden' in Black Weasel City, with pleasant scenery and different landscapes for each season. Seeing it today, it is indeed extraordinary," Shi Chuankong said, slightly lagging behind by half a step.

"Just a vulgar and unrefined landscape, how can it compare to the scenery in Night Yang City?" The Black Weasel King said, a hint of self-satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

Neither of them mentioned the previous conflict with the Black Weasel Army and his son, and they chatted idly all the way to a vermilion building.

"Thirteenth Prince, let's have a talk in the Zhongling Hall. And would you please ask this friend Li to move to the Chunshui Hall for tea and wait?" The Black Weasel King stopped in front of a vermilion hall with glazed tiles, saying.

Han Li narrowed his eyes and looked at Shi Chuankong, who nodded silently.

"As Senior Black Weasel commands," Shi Chuankong said with a smile.

With that, Han Li was led by a beautiful palace maid in front of the hall, passing through layers of corridors, to the Chunshui Hall, while Shi Chuankong followed the Black Weasel King to the Yuxiu Palace.

Upon entering the Chunshui Hall, a waiting palace maid served tea, and Han Li sat quietly in the hall, carefully savoring the tea.

On the other side, in the Zhongling Hall.

Shi Chuankong followed the Black Weasel King, one in front of the other, into the hall.

The hall door slowly closed, Shi Chuankong's expression remaining normal, but sweat was faintly seeping from his back.

He looked around the interior of the hall, and it seemed more like a study than a place for discussion.

Two-thirds of the entire hall was occupied by wide ebony bookshelves, neatly arranged with Qing-colored books, densely packed with hundreds of thousands of volumes.

After a brief scan, Shi Chuankong discovered that most of these books were collections of poetry and prose, as well as secular novels, interspersed with Taoist scriptures and Buddhist Zen doctrines, with hardly any cultivation methods.

On the walls of the hall, there were also some beautifully framed calligraphies, mostly written with ancient poems and Buddhist and Taoist prophecies. The handwriting could only be described as proper and steady, with little spirit or vigor.

"Senior Black Weasel has lofty interests, with a vast collection of books and powerful brushwork. This junior is impressed," Shi Chuankong said, forcing himself to suppress his discomfort.

"In this remote and desolate place, there are only uncivilized people who drink blood. There are too few people who can appreciate like the Thirteenth Prince, so it's no wonder that I feel like I've known you for a long time, haha..." The Black Weasel King said with a hearty laugh.

"By the way, there was a bit of a conflict with your son in the city earlier, and it was really..." Before Shi Chuankong could finish, he was interrupted by the Black Weasel King waving his hand.

"Those were just minor squabbles, you don't need to worry about them. Why would I invite you to my Yuxiu Palace for such trivial matters?" The Black Weasel King's expression changed, and he looked at Shi Chuankong, speaking slowly with a deep meaning.

"Since it's not for such trivial matters, then it must be for something important?" Shi Chuankong's expression turned solemn as he asked.

"Hehe, the Thirteenth Prince is a smart man, so I won't beat around the bush. Now the Night Yang City is full of undercurrents because of the 'inheritance', which has caused the entire Holy Region to be turbulent. Many forces are making choices, both openly and secretly. Although our Ten Affliction Mountains are located in a remote area and have always been ignored, it will be difficult to avoid being affected when the time comes. Therefore, I have to make plans early," the Black Weasel King said, walking to a bookshelf and putting the book in his hand back.

"Regarding the 'inheritance', the Holy Clan has always been secretive about it, and I have no intention of fighting for it. I just didn't expect that after leaving the Holy Region for so long, it has already reached such a point when I recently returned," Shi Chuankong said with a sigh.

"A pearl will always shine, no matter where it is placed. Even if the Thirteenth Prince does not return to the Holy Region, he will still not be able to escape the gaze of others," the Black Weasel King said with a hidden gaze and a smile that was not quite a smile.

"What do you mean by that, Senior Black Weasel?" Shi Chuankong naturally heard that he was implying something, raising his eyebrows and saying with slight surprise.

"As everyone knows, among the thirteen children of the Holy Lord, the First Prince Shi Zhanfeng has the widest influence and the strongest power. The only one who can compete with him is the Third Prince Shi Pokong, who has the strongest talent. And you are born from the same mother as the Third Prince and have the closest relationship, so the outside world knows that you must be under the command of the Third Prince," the Black Weasel King said, his eyes shining brightly.

"So that's how it is. Senior Black Weasel wants to use me to bet on my Third Brother?" Shi Chuankong said with a realization.

"Before I received the First Prince's kill order, I was planning to bet on him. After all, the benefits he promised me were too generous. However, when I learned that you and your retainer had successively killed two of Jinxi's war generals, my mind wavered," the Black Weasel King continued.

Shi Chuankong frowned slightly, knowing that the Black Weasel King had misunderstood Han Li's identity. He suddenly remembered that Han Li had said before that when he escaped Jinxi's pursuit, he had felt another powerful aura.

"Senior Black Weasel, was it you who helped us at the border, so Jinxi didn't continue to chase us?" Shi Chuankong asked.

"That's right. In fact, I had been paying attention to your movements before that. However, I originally wanted to wait for you to be forced to use all your means and fight him to the death, and then reap the benefits. But after seeing you escape from his hands twice, I changed my mind and decided to protect you and switch to the Third Prince. But now..." The Black Weasel King stopped halfway through his words and looked at Shi Chuankong playfully.

Shi Chuankong immediately felt his whole body tighten, but then he relaxed, looking at the Black Weasel King with a frank gaze.

Having reached this point, things couldn't get any worse.

"Haha... After meeting your true self, I have decided to bet on the Thirteenth Prince, on you," the Black Weasel King said with a laugh.

Shi Chuankong could hardly believe his ears. After hesitating for a moment, he asked,

"You want to bet on me... Why?"

"Would you believe me if I said it was because the Thirteenth Prince has a discerning eye and I was returning the favor?" The Black Weasel King asked, his smile fading.

"Senior, you are..." Shi Chuankong shook his head without hesitation, wanting to say something more.

"The Thirteenth Prince has great potential, but it has not yet been revealed. Moreover, being able to have such a retainer to support you, and being relentlessly killed by the First Prince at all costs, can already explain a lot," the Black Weasel King said with a chuckle.

"Senior Black Weasel has a grand spirit. This junior admires you..." Shi Chuankong smiled noncommittally and said slowly.

"Since the Thirteenth Prince has no objection, then let's talk about something practical next..." The Black Weasel King said with a smile.

...

Time flew by, and half a day passed.

Han Li had been drinking tea in the Chunshui Hall all along, and no one had come to talk to him during this time. Only a few enchanting palace maids kept adding tea to his cup.

His face was calm, but his heart was full of waves and worries.

Just as his patience was about to run out and he was about to break out of the door, he saw Shi Chuankong and the Black Weasel King walking in from outside the hall, talking and laughing, looking like they were having a pleasant time.

"It's rare to have distinguished guests visit Black Weasel City. You should stay in this Yuxiu Palace for a while longer, so that I can do my best as a host. As for returning to Heroic Garrison City, don't worry too much, I will arrange it," the Black Weasel King said with a smile.

"Then we will have to trouble Senior Black Weasel," Shi Chuankong said with a smile.

After that, they were arranged by the Black Weasel King to stay temporarily in a side hall in the Yuxiu Palace.