chapter 33

Chapter 33: Xiao Gong in Cold Sweat

"It's a really backward country."

Compared to the rapidly developing Zhidong, the stagnant life of Inazuma still feels quite primitive.

"Compared to Zhidong?" Lei Dianying was curious about how General Dong's country was progressing.

"Although the girls there wear very thick clothes, unlike the gods of Inazuma, the gods of Zhidong are much more devoted to their own people," Su Ran said, glancing at Lei Dianying with a slightly strange expression.

In theory, one is Yaya, the other is a cooking woman. In terms of gentleness and kindness, Yaya is definitely not as good as the cooking woman. Or perhaps it's because the cooking woman can't play games as well as Yaya? Does Inazuma lag behind Zhidong because of this?

"Uh... the General is also very protective of Inazuma," Xiao Gong interjected. When your own god is compared with other gods, you naturally have to protect your own god.

"Xiao Gong is right," Su Ran agreed. "But tell me, then how do you explain the Eye Hunting Order and the Locking Order? Is that also a form of Thunder God's love for her people?"

The girl's rebuttal piqued Su Ran's interest. With Thunder God right here, why not let her listen to the opinions of her people?

"This..." Xiao Gong hesitated. As the staunchest opponent of the Eye Hunting Order, she couldn't admit that it was a good policy.

"If you truly think the Eye Hunting Order is right, then why did you secretly help those people escape from it?" Su Ran asked, catching her off guard.

The mention of her secret actions caused Xiao Gong to panic.

"Hahaha, this...!" Xiao Gong nervously glanced at Shenli Linghua. How could outsiders know about this? Did Linghua say something?

Shenli Linghua silently shook her head. She had never shared such things with others. It was just that, under the watchful eyes of the gods, these small actions that happened in the corner were far too conspicuous.

"Don't worry, I won't reveal your rebellion against the Eye Hunting Order. If the chance arises, I might even help the rebels," Su Ran teased.

"Brother Su Ran, don't talk about the rebels!" Xiao Gong quickly stepped forward and covered his mouth with her hand.

"We're in Inazuma Castle right now. The headquarters of the Tenryo Bugyo! Talking about the rebels so openly… are you trying to get us all arrested?"

After looking around and confirming no one was nearby, Xiao Gong finally let go of his mouth.

"What's there to be afraid of? Will you get arrested? Is speech so restricted in Inazuma?" Su Ran wiped his nose. As Xiao Gong had covered his mouth, he had caught a faint smell of gunpowder. Was she involved with fireworks? Was it that she didn't clean it up properly, or had she marinated herself in it?

"Brother Su Ran, you don't understand. The resistance is fighting fiercely with the shogunate army right now. If this conversation reaches the ears of the Tenryo Bugyo, we'll be arrested for sure!"

As a native of Inazuma, Xiao Gong knew the current situation in Inazuma Castle well. She had even made a fake Eye of God and handed it to Tenryo Bugyo. If anyone dared mention the resistance, they'd be courting death.

Kamisato Ayaka, who had been quietly observing, raised an eyebrow. She glanced at Xiao Gong, who immediately sensed something off and quickly moved away from Su Ran. It was clear that she thought Linghua was too possessive—she didn't just stop other women from hugging the young general, but now she was wary of men getting too close as well.

Kamisato Linghua: ...

"Anyway, let's stop talking about the rebels here!"

"Why not help me contact their leader later? I'm quite interested in that military advisor," Su Ran said casually.

"...Why are you so stubborn? And how could I possibly help you with that?" Xiao Gong looked discouraged. She had just told him to stop mentioning the rebels, but now he wanted to meet their mysterious military advisor?

How could someone like her, who only helped people escape the Eye Hunting Order, ever contact such a high-ranking figure?

"That's such a pity. I was thinking of joining the rebels, rising to a high position, leading them to defeat the shogunate army, and then establishing a new order in Inazuma..."

Listening to Su Ran's increasingly audacious words, Xiao Gong broke into a cold sweat. Just then, she noticed a frightening figure approaching them.

It was Kujo Sara, the general of the Tenryo Bugyo, the executor of the Eye Hunting Order. If they were caught by this formidable person, there would be no escaping!

Xiao Gong immediately covered Su Ran's mouth again.

If he kept talking like this, Linghua and even the entire She Bugyo could be implicated and imprisoned.

She knew that the Tenryo Bugyo and She Bugyo weren't on the best terms, but she also knew that Kujo Sara didn't stop there. She came straight to the four of them.

First, she glanced at Lei Dianying, who was being cradled by Kamisato Ayaka. There was a look of extreme envy on her face. Then, her gaze shifted to Xiao Gong, who was still covering Su Ran's mouth.

"What are you doing?" Kujo Sara asked sternly.

Xiao Gong froze. Could it be that what I said just now was overheard? Is it too late to run away with everyone?

"You're joking? Joking with the Lord God?" Kujo Sara's voice was sharp.

Xiao Gong froze in panic.

Was it too late to flee now?

"Don't let go?" Kujo Sara's eyes sharpened.

Faced with such an intense moment, Xiao Gong could only slowly let go.

"Lord Su Ran, why did you go out?" Kujo Sara's tone was now tinged with annoyance. "If I hadn't been on the front line, would I be the one holding the little general?"

It was a pity that some things, once missed, couldn't be regained.

"Why? Can't I go out?" Su Ran asked innocently, thinking he was just teasing this Tengu.

But it was clear that he had underestimated Kujo Sara's reverence for the gods.

"It was Sara who made a mistake. Please punish me, Lord Su Ran!" Kujo Sara quickly lowered her head in submission.

Xiao Gong: ...

What just happened?