Chapter 14: Beg Me

School, along the corridor.

"So Zhao Yuanzhen actually exists." Chen Lingyun thought aloud.

"What, even the higher-ups aren't sure if Zhao Yuanzhen exists now?" Yan Yu couldn't help but chuckle and ask.

"It's said that the surveillance footage only captured her chasing a wisp of black mist." Chen Lingyun said with a smile, "So the possibility that she staged the whole thing can't be ruled out."

"After all 'when the birds are gone, the bow is put away'. If there is such a figure as the Demonic Sect Enchantress, then her role as an Orthodox Sword Immortal becomes crucial. It sounds like a reasonable logic, doesn't it? Yet until today, that Demonic Sect Enchantress only exists in her descriptions, without any concrete evidence to back it up. Even her claim that the Demonic Sect Enchantress 'will definitely go on a killing spree and silence others while escaping pursuit' did not happen."

"In that case, it's natural for people to think she's 'bluffing', 'fabricating non-existent enemies to elevate her own value.' As for when the major search will be thoroughly relaxed, I estimate it will be around mid-April, since the grassroots are not inexhaustible like the mythical beasts Ox and Horse, we couldn't whip them to keep striving for an intangible target forever, right?"

"I see." Yan Yu pondered for a while, and then heard Chen Lingyun continue:

"So when can I arrange a meeting with this Demonic Sect cultivator?"

"It's not convenient right now," Yan Yu said perfunctorily, "Next time, for sure."

"Hmm-hmm." Chen Lingyun was not annoyed, just smiled and said, "The reason you came to me for help is to enable her to go out normally, right?"

"You should know that it's extremely troublesome to apply for an identification for someone with no ID card, no household registration, no birth certificate..."

"But for you, it should only take a word." Yan Yu interrupted her slow speech, "When it comes to issuing IDs for people with no identification, local law enforcement has significant discretionary power."

"Maybe." Chen Lingyun was noncommittal, "Even if I can help you out, why must I do it for you?"

"Because we were husband and wife in our past lives?" Yan Yu ventured to ask.

"Last time someone clarified that it wasn't the case." Chen Lingyun said with a light smile.

"That was to test the rapport between you and me!" Yan Yu shamelessly exclaimed, "If you had even the slightest doubt or hesitation at the time, it would have proven that you in this life are not worthy of being with me. It was a necessary test of affection!"

"Haha." Chen Lingyun gave a polite smile, casually tucking her hair behind her ear.

She didn't believe a word of Yan Yu's explanations and reasoning.

According to the "personality sketch" in her mind, her so-called husband from her past life was the type who would do anything to achieve his goals, without the common male pride and dignity.

When needed, it would be "dear, sweet wife," but when not, he'd instantly turn into "Who are you? I don't know you," a predictable outcome.

However...

The Demonic Sect Enchantress, huh? Now that's interesting!

"Take me to see her," Chen Lingyun said leisurely, "or no deal."

"For the sake of our marriage..." Yan Yu still wanted to try, after all, letting this woman meet the Empress Yuanzhen could result in some uncontrollable accidents.

"What marriage, I don't know about that." Chen Lingyun touched her lips and looked up at the sky, a puzzled expression on her face, "According to the family registry, I'm a pure and unmarried maiden~"

"Fine then," Yan Yu made a decisive concession, realizing this woman wouldn't take the bait unless the hare was on the table, "I'll take you to see her, okay?"

"Don't worry, dear." Chen Lingyun immediately smiled sweetly, saying at a relaxed pace, "The issue with her identity, I'll have someone arrange it, you don't need to worry about it."

Yan Yu no longer had the energy to mock this worthless woman, just sighed and said:

"Once you've sorted it out, I'll find time to arrange for you two to meet..."

"I'm free tonight~" Chen Lingyun said with a smile.

"Tonight's not good, I need to..."

"I just happen to be free tonight~" Chen Lingyun continued to smile sweetly.

Yan Yu: ...........

Such an annoying feeling! Why do I still have to be manipulated by this trashy woman even after being reborn!

"Beg me," he suddenly said.

"Hmm?" Chen Lingyun's smile remained unchanged, but her eyebrows rose slightly, indicating some displeasure in her heart.

"Beg me," Yan Yu said with a confident expression, calmly continuing, "and I will tell you a big secret."

"What secret?" Chen Lingyun's eyes lit up.

"A secret that will definitely interest you," Yan Yu said indifferently, "provided that you can move me."

Chen Lingyun's mind raced, quickly guessing that the other party was dissatisfied because she had a hold over him, and now sought to exchange that secret for some compensation in dignity.

As for that, she actually didn't care.

After all, that he could become her husband in a previous life meant he must have been deeply compatible with her in certain aspects. And the art of managing a husband was like flying a kite; constantly pulling the string would only make the other person tense all the time, eventually leading to thoughts of slipping from her control.

In that case...

Once Chen Lingyun had weighed her thoughts, she gently took Yan Yu's hand, and her smile turned sweet and charming as she pleaded coquettishly:

"Dear beloved husband~ What is that interesting secret? Please tell your cute little one~ Please, please~"

"Pfft hahahaha!" Yan Yu could not help but burst into laughter, doubling over.

The two were standing at the end of a corridor where there were few students, but his laughter was so exaggerated that students from afar were drawn to the noise.

Chen Lingyun's expression darkened as she forcefully let go of his hand, the smile on her face completely gone, replaced by a cold, angry look.

However, Yan Yu was already satisfied. Knowing that this despicable woman would become a cultivator in the future and that her arrogance and contemptibility would soar, she was privately nicknamed "Princess Jiang Hai," a jibe at her imperious demeanor.

To make her act coy like a little woman, only this moment in time would do.

"The secret is, at the mouth of the Qiantang River where it flows into the sea, at the location of the Sea-Watching Tide Park, there's a mysterious realm with an inverted six-tiered tower at its bottom," Yan Yu said in a lowered voice, "This tower was built by a great figure at the request of the Wuyue King Qian Chu during the Five Dynasties period, to suppress the tides of the Qiantang River. The divine treasure iron at the bottom of the tower, the Heavenly River Anchor, is the core of the realm, with the power to suppress the sea tides and keep the sea level from rising."

"Some time ago, two Japanese Onmyoji dived into the tidal waters, intending to steal the Heavenly River Anchor from within."

Chen Lingyun fell silent for a moment, then said:

"You stopped them?"

"A mysterious guest stopped them," Yan Yu said leisurely, "The bodies were left at the top of the tower."

"Oh, so you really did make a great contribution," Chen Lingyun said in a low voice.

Her face had lost its polite smile, clearly recognizing the gravity of the situation.

From Yan Yu's description, the Qiantang River Tide-Suppressing Tower seemed akin to the "Three Gorges Dam" of the northern Jiangnan Province, and if the Heavenly River Anchor were stolen, it would be as if someone had blown up this dam – the Jiangnan weaving plain would be submerged... This was a matter of life and death!

"What are you talking about?" Yan Yu shook his head, "It was the mysterious guest who stopped them. I have no idea who he is."

Chen Lingyun let out a cold laugh, knowing he wanted to hide his identity, and said:

"If what you're saying is true, this matter cannot be easily settled. That stretch of river and the nearby embankments will definitely be designated as military no-go zones. And just like the Onmyoji, the mysterious guest has been inside the realm... You understand, right? His identity will definitely be subjected to thorough investigation, and that's the biggest uncontrollable factor."

"So, if someone went in ahead of time, cleaned up the scene, and claimed those two bodies," Yan Yu was quite calm, "then the authorities would realize the threat of foreign Transcendents, be sufficiently vigilant, and yet not discover any trace of the mysterious guest."

"Then cooperation from the Zhendong Army would be needed," Chen Lingyun paused, considering her words.

"Yes, if there are trustworthy personnel within the Zhendong Army, the matter could easily be resolved," Yan Yu said, a meaningful smile spreading across his face.

"I'll try," Chen Lingyun replied.

She said "I'll try" rather than "leave it to me," which meant that she would need to seek assistance from her father, the Governor of Jianghai Prefecture, Chen Tianming.

A high-ranking official with enough pull within the Zhendong Army, the only difficulty lay in convincing this Governor.

But given Chen Lingyun's intelligence and eloquence, Yan Yu had no doubts about her success.