Chapter 78: Chapter 78: She Must Obtain It.
 

“What? You want me to spread the word about the National Treasure?”

Qi Yue hadn’t even finished speaking when Huang Zai’an suddenly jumped up from the ground.

However, he immediately felt his reaction was abnormal and, mumbling, sat back down.

“…What is this National Treasure anyway?”

“Old man, you’ve given yourself away.”

Qi Yue squinted her eyes, sizing up the so-called master in front of her again.

He was not young, and his health wasn’t great; he had all the typical ailments of his age.

His old eyes were dark yet shiny, emitting a cunning and wisdom rare for his age.

Hmm, he didn’t seem like a bad person.

“What old man, call me master.”

Huang Zai’an unhappily pinched his beard.

Qi Yue smiled; she found that this old man seemed addicted to being called master.

“Master?”

“Hmm.”

“Tell me, how do you know about the National Treasure?”

“What treasure? I don’t know. I was just a bit shocked when I heard it for the first time, my disciple should not suspect wildly!”

“Suspect wildly?” Qi Yue laughed, “Okay, let’s say I am suspecting wildly, but can you help me with this matter?”

Huang Zai’an glanced at her, “Don’t think I don’t know; you’re taking a step back to advance, trying to keep extracting words from me. No way, I’m not involved in this!”

Seeing her intentions exposed, Qi Yue quickly shifted her approach, “Master, don’t you want to know why I want to do this?”

Upon hearing this, Huang Zai’an’s curiosity indeed piqued, his eyes immediately gleaming with eagerness.

“Why?”

Seeing her plan succeeded, Qi Yue slowly stood up, “I won’t tell you. Since you won’t help me, I’ll do it alone.”

She slightly tilted her head back, pointing with her delicate chin toward Hu Chengxuan and his son in the distance.

“I just thought it over, and there’s no better candidate than them right now. These two people have the power and influence to stir things up.”

Having said that, she walked away from Huang Zai’an, looking like she was about to spill the beans right then and there.

Huang Zai’an panicked and immediately grabbed her.

“Come back, you silly girl; Hu is cunning, I’m not even sure I can fool him…”

Qi Yue cunningly smiled, “So, will you help or not?”

Huang Zai’an stomped his foot furiously, gritting his teeth in anger.

“Then you must first tell me the reason!”

“Fine!”

Actually, everything Qi Yue did was mainly for Xiyan’s sake.

Ever since she had arrived at Longnan Ridge, she had been waiting for the bad people to show up.

On the road, Qian Faliang had said that his task was to follow Xiyan to the Place of Exile, doing everything possible to get information about the National Treasure.

Now, though Qian Faliang was dead, the matter wasn’t over, and the Grand Tutor would definitely send other trusted people to find Xiyan.

If she were still here, she was confident she could handle this matter, and perhaps even use it to get the National Treasure and fill her space completely.

But now that she had to leave, if the bad people showed up, how would the Zhao family cope?

After all, the old were frail, the young were weak, the ill were succumbing, and they were all exiles, utterly incapable of dealing with the ruthless evil-doers.

Most importantly, Xiyan knew absolutely nothing about the National Treasure.

Therefore, that night once she had understood the situation, Qi Yue had made up her mind to proceed in this manner.

The more people who knew about the National Treasure, the better.

This way, those who were eager to gain the treasure would naturally not persist in chasing Zhao Xiyan relentlessly.

Upon hearing this explanation, Huang Zai’an’s face showed a strangely amused smile.

He twirled his white beard, making all sorts of faces at Qi Yue.

“In this world, there are a thousand difficulties, ten thousand hardships, but only the matter of love is the hardest to bear. As a person is virtually flying away, yet still plots such schemes, it truly is…”

Qi Yue’s complexion drastically changed, and she shouted in frustrated anger,

“Master! If you continue to talk nonsense, I will leave immediately!”

“Alright, alright, I won’t say it! I won’t say it again…”

Huang Zai’an almost pleaded as he accepted this matter and promised to take everything upon himself.

Indeed, after the final route was discussed, Huang Zai’an quietly called Hu Chengxuan to the side.

It was unknown what he said or how he said it, but from that moment, Hu Chengxuan was constantly in a state of extreme excitement, as though he had inflated.

Afterward, Huang Zai’an began to introduce their destination., The books were correct; the White Rhino indeed resided at the westernmost end of Longnan Ridge, but obtaining it was a hundred times more dangerous than what was recorded in the books.

Hu Chengxuan, desperate to see his son stand up, no longer cared about the risks. He ordered those 50 people going on the journey that even if they all died, they had to bring back the White Rhino Horn.

Watching those 50 people swear to complete the mission, Qi Yue felt somewhat uneasy inside.

This journey to the Western Regions of Longnan Ridge was fraught with immense danger. If she went alone, she might indeed not come back. These 50 people were essentially running beside her.

But regarding this situation, she had no better idea; she could only do her best to ensure their survival.

Because of the White Rhino Horn, she must obtain it.

Originally, the group planned to take a shortcut through Longnan Ridge to reach the Western Regions directly.

But Huang Zai’an said if they took that route, they wouldn’t even reach their destination before being consumed by the poisonous insects and tigers on the way, leaving none remaining.

The final route decided was to first reach Longnan County Government, then travel west from the southernmost end of Western Chu into the Western Regions of Longnan Ridge.

Once everything was settled, except for Hu Keqing and a few guards who cared for him, the rest of the people left the ravine.

As the Prefectural Magistrate of Longnan County, Hu Chengxuan had heavy responsibilities and naturally would not take risks; therefore, Zhang Fang was the leader of the group.

Since Qi Yue still had to make a trip to the detention center, she did not travel with them. They agreed to meet at Longnan County Government, and from there, they would part ways.

At this moment, it was around three o’clock in the afternoon, and the forest was deeply shaded and cold. Qi Yue thought about the route to the detention center, but her steps unconsciously led her to the usual path to her home.

The familiar wooden house stood there, nearly within reach.

A few people were in the backyard, in the lounge.

She couldn’t help but move closer, wanting to hear what they were talking about.

“Yanyan, how can you write the divorce paper? Yueyue saved our entire family, how can you bear to let her wander alone?”

“Yanyan, Dad knows this marriage was not approved by you, but you can’t just write the divorce paper! Yueyue is such a good child, how can you just…”

Yes, why didn’t he like her?

Qi Yue thought.

There were times when he looked at her, when he spoke to her, that seemed to contain a different kind of emotion…

But Zhao Xiyan never said a word; he just quietly listened to Shen Yu and Zhao Yongzhe’s reproaches.

She watched his back, picturing in her mind what he must look like at that moment—his brows furrowed, eyes downcast, his expression cold, as if isolated from the world.

Indeed, most of the time during their journey, he was like this, except for a few sudden displays of passion and flirtation.

Could it be that he did so because of her taking care of his family, treating his leg?

As this thought suddenly flashed through her mind, Qi Yue felt wave after wave of blood surging. Finally, she gritted her teeth and left.