Chapter 184: Chapter 184: He Yan Is Not Your Real Identity, Is It?
"The Heaven and Earth Sect has infiltrated the Qingzhou Government Office, yet I still do not know who they are," Zhao Ting said.
It’s not just in the Qingzhou Government Office, they are in other state offices as well.
They have even infiltrated among the Beijing Officials.
The most terrifying thing for Zhao Ting is that they have people in the palace as well.
So, the Heaven and Earth Sect is not a mere coincidence or a haphazard group. It is a premeditated, organized effort.
Their purpose is probably singular: to usurp the nation.
Now, pretending to be Xiong Da, Zhao Ting has joined a protector who likes to drink. During a drinking session, the protector spoke some ambiguous words, leading Zhao Ting to deduce that their method of usurpation is not complex. There are noble people in the palace who are members of the Heaven and Earth Sect.
Of course, the goal is not to have them bear Emperor Jing’s child, but rather, to have them bear a child and make people believe it’s Emperor Jing’s child.
To ensure success, such ’noble’ people are more than one.
After Zhao Ting deduced these things, he found it somewhat absurd.
Emperor Jing is wary of his brothers, yet he doesn’t realize that those eyeing his position are not only his brothers.
Zhao Ting did not share these speculations with Meng Yao; he only said he would quickly find out who among the Heaven and Earth Sect is hiding in the Qingzhou Government Office.
"Are you sure they don’t suspect you?" Meng Yao asked.
"If the unity in the sect was complete, I wouldn’t be sure. On the contrary, there is constant discord within this branch. The current Sect Hierarch is injured, and his health is worsening. Several protectors have their eyes on the position of Sect Hierarch. The protector Xiong Da is loyal to, Protector Xu, is a strong contender, and another popular one, whom I now get close to, is the nephew of the branch leader. The two have always been at odds. This time, Protector Xu has not only lost his subordinates but also his wife and daughter to the Government. So his power has greatly diminished." Zhao Ting analyzed the situation within the Heaven and Earth Sect for Meng Yao.
Indeed, where there are people, there are undercurrents.
"So, are you truly getting close to the other protector?" Meng Yao asked.
Zhao Ting smiled, "Nothing can be hidden from you indeed."
"Protector Xu is an expert in using poisons. His subordinates are said to be loyal, but it’s more allegiance to his poison." Zhao Ting said, "Fortunately, before returning, I took an antidote. Because of this, while Protector Xu is angry, he does not truly suspect me."
Meng Yao understood this as using one’s strategy against them, having He Yan join the other protector as an inside agent.
"Protector Xu thinks you won’t betray him, but in reality, his poison is ineffective against you." Meng Yao said meaningfully, "Young Master He is really playing with those two in the palm of his hand."
"I’m just using their tactics against them. This was Protector Xu’s idea," Zhao Ting said.
"Since the Heaven and Earth Sect has people in the Government, could Protector Xu not seek people from the Qingzhou Government Office through Huaiyuan County Government?" Meng Yao asked.
"Ren Zhong is a meticulous person. He has not reported the Heaven and Earth Sect matter to his superiors. If someone asks him for people at this point, it shows that those asking must have connections to the Heaven and Earth Sect," Zhao Ting answered.
Ren Zhong?
He Yan works for Ren Zhong. When mentioning Ren Zhong, shouldn’t he refer to him as Magistrate or Lord Ren?
Moreover, from He Yan’s tone, she sensed familiarity.
"They cannot guarantee they’ll deceive Ren Zhong," Zhao Ting continued, "After all, Ren Zhong is not so easily fooled."
This sentence clearly revealed his knowledge of Ren Zhong.
She had also had a few dealings with Ren Zhong, yet she dared not claim to understand Ren Zhong.
If she remembered correctly, He Yan met Ren Zhong after she did.
Everything seemed normal on Ren Zhong’s side, behaving as one should when meeting someone new.
He Yan, at first glance, also seemed normal.
But upon closer examination, Meng Yao found that He Yan’s occasional expressions or glances always conveyed one message: he had met Ren Zhong before, and not for the first time, they had even greeted each other.
In general, people of the martial world preferred not to interact with the Government.
People of the martial world value chivalry, despise evil deeply. To solve issues through fair means is the preferred method.
Ren Zhong did indeed act as if he hadn’t met He Yan.
So, is the He Yan she knew also not his true appearance?
Zhao Ting saw Meng Yao silent and then asked, "Is there anything out of the ordinary?"
Meng Yao’s gaze was meaningfully deep, "There is something unusual."
"Where?" Zhao Ting asked.
"He Yan is not your real identity, right? Or should I say, the face I see on He Yan is not your real appearance. Am I correct?" Meng Yao’s speed was soft and slow, yet it struck heavily at Zhao Ting’s heart.
The person in front of her, despite looking only momentarily dazed, due to the human-skin mask covering his face, had micro-expressions that weren’t accurate.
But a person’s eyes do not lie.
Just now, in He Yan’s eyes, there was a fleeting flash of shock and doubt.
"If not He Yan, then who?" In the moments of panic, Zhao Ting intended to deny.
"Who it is, you know best in your heart, don’t you?" Meng Yao raised an eyebrow.
"You know, I studied under Thousand Faces, and what I learned was the Disguise Technique. In the martial world, it’s most taboo to use one’s real appearance." Zhao Ting said, "If I used my real appearance, it would go against Master’s teachings."
This was tantamount to admitting that He Yan’s face is also fake.
"I’ve brought you your things. After careful consideration, I realized I wasn’t suitable to keep them for you." Meng Yao said lightly.
Is this anger over being deceived?
"Don’t be angry, I have my reasons," Zhao Ting said.
"Angry? Why should I be angry? We are just passing acquaintances, not at the point of being angry." Meng Yao replied.
When a woman says she’s not angry, she is definitely angry.
At least Zhao Ting had this much insight.
Initially, when he first met her, his intent was to draw a clear line with Meng Yao.
But after getting to know her, he gradually developed a curiosity.
At first, it was just a little, but then it grew more and more. Eventually, it became a desire to understand this person.
"It’s all my fault."
First, admit guilt and see how it goes.
"You wait here; I’ll go back and get your things." Meng Yao said, "In the future, bridges return to bridges, roads return to roads."
"Don’t!" Zhao Ting said urgently.
"Don’t!" Xiong Er and Xiong Er’s wife exclaimed in unison.
The two had just walked through the door and already overheard the phrase, blurting out instinctively.
Xiong Er’s wife hurriedly stepped forward, "Sister-in-law, these rough men always don’t speak well, what they think isn’t the same as what they say. As the saying goes, ’Fated will meet’, since you and my brother have already set an engagement, it shows you have my brother in your heart. If there is any misunderstanding, let’s clear it out, no need for bridges and roads to part, such words hurt feelings."
"Your brother is a man destined for great things. I’m not worthy of him. Besides, what if an engagement is set? Even if married, one can still divorce." Meng Yao said sternly.