Taoist Temple at Midnight

Three days later.

The night was deep, and there was silence all around, with only the sound of the wind echoing in the mountains. Gao Changgong walked alone on the deserted road outside the south city. In front of him was a dilapidated Taoist temple, hidden in the dense woods at the foot of the mountain. The eaves of the Taoist temple were dilapidated, and the walls were covered with weeds. The former glory had long since disappeared, leaving only the dilapidated wooden door swaying in the wind, making a slight creaking sound.

Gao Changgong was wearing a black casual suit, his cloak fluttering in the night wind, and a black veil covering part of his face. He was not wearing armor, but he still hung his short sword on his waist, and his vigilance never relaxed. The sword on his waist faintly revealed a cold light. This was the weapon he often carried with him. The hilt was engraved with the family logo, which was a symbol of his identity.

His steps were light and steady, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle in the dark. He held a small oil lamp in his hand. The light was dim, but it was enough for him to distinguish the surrounding scene. The air was filled with a damp and decayed smell, as if the entire Taoist temple had been swallowed by time and oblivion.

There was no one around, and the wind blew through the treetops with a rustling sound, as if telling of some invisible danger. Gao Changgong frowned slightly, and his guard doubled. He was cautious with every step, with the sound of the wind in his ears, but his heart was alert to capture any subtle movement.

Gao Changgong walked forward alone, with no one behind him. He chose to go to the appointment alone without bringing his entourage, not on a whim, but a decision made after careful consideration. The situation at the moment was precarious, and every move he made in the court was subject to invisible surveillance and suspicion. The emperor's advisers were like poisonous snakes lurking in the dark, ready to seize any handle to push him into the abyss.

If he brought his entourage with him, even Feng Duo, who was closest to him, would inevitably be targeted, and might even expose his intentions for this trip. He couldn't take this risk, not only to protect himself, but also to preserve those who were loyal to him. Traveling alone means he can respond more flexibly to any unexpected situations, and his actions will not be known to others.

The wind around was getting more and more desolate, and the light of the oil lamp was swaying faintly, as if it would be blown out at any time. At this moment, a slight sound of footsteps came from the darkness. Gao Changgong's body was tense, and his fingers slightly clenched the hilt of the sword at his waist. The footsteps were slow and rhythmic, and he didn't seem impatient, but with a sense of presence that could not be ignored.

A slender figure appeared at the edge of the light. She was wearing a dark gray robe, and the hood covered most of her face, revealing only a well-defined jaw and pale lips. Her black hair fell on her shoulders, swaying gently in the wind. Even in this simple dress, her figure still looked slender and elegant, and she had a light and mysterious temperament in her movements.

She walked in front of Gao Changgong, slowly raised her head, and a pair of deep eyes were faintly revealed under the hood. Those eyes shone in the dimness, with a sharp insight into people's hearts, as if they could penetrate Gao Changgong's heart.

"You are here," she said in a low and cold voice, with a hint of subtle sarcasm, "I guess you won't bring any followers." Gao Changgong narrowed his eyes slightly and responded calmly: "Since what is said in the letter is so important, I have to come. But who are you? Why do you want to meet me in such a mysterious way?"

She chuckled, her voice was like the sound of a bell faintly heard in the wind, but with a chill. "My identity is not important, what is important is the situation you are in now. You may feel that rumors are everywhere, enemies are in the dark, and the emperor's confidants are eyeing covetously, but what you don't know is that all this is just the beginning. The chess game you are in is far more complicated than you think."

Gao Changgong's eyes flashed with a trace of doubt. He stared at her face closely, trying to catch a clue from her tone. "How can I believe what you said? Why do you want to help me?"

She raised her head slightly, revealing a cold and beautiful face, with an unpredictable smile at the corner of her mouth. "I have no obligation to ask you to believe. But I know that the crisis you face in the palace is far more than just rumors. Some people want you dead, not because you won the battle, but because your existence threatens their power."

She paused, slowly approached, and said in a whisper: "You think you are a loyal minister of the emperor, but have you ever thought that your relationship with the royal family is far more than just the surface?"

Gao Changgong was shocked, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, but he remained calm and asked without changing his expression: "What do you know? What is the basis for these words?"