Chapter 2983

Chapter 1496 Black and White Vine

When leaving the Fu family, Zu’an specifically sought out Yuan Shao: “After all, we are both of the Chaos and Mystic lineage. Your cooperation with them is tantamount to seeking a tiger’s skin; you’ll likely meet a gruesome end.”

Yuan Shao sneered: “Even now, you’re still trying to sow discord between us? Regardless of what happens later, you are now everyone’s number one enemy.”

“Of course,” Zu’an said nonchalantly, “I’m just curious, although you keep saying you practice the Chaos and Mystic path, aren’t you afraid of being blamed by that person afterward for teaming up with outsiders to deal with me?”

“Do you really think you represent the will of the True God?” Yuan Shao’s eyes were filled with pity. “Do you know where the True God is now?”

“Where?” Zu’an was taken aback. The True Gods of various paths had all revealed themselves in their mortal identities, but Mili remained elusive, which he found strange.

“She is now Yuan Shu’s favorite concubine, Feng Yu, so that scoundrel Yuan Shu is the one she truly chose!” Yuan Shao’s face was filled with jealousy.

Zu An knew Feng Yu. Historically, Yuan Shu had many beautiful concubines in his household, but Feng Yu immediately outshone them all, gaining his exclusive favor. All the other concubines, embroiled in internal strife, instantly united against her.

Unexpectedly, the God of Chaos and Mystery had become Feng Yu in this world.

Unlike Yuan Shao’s jealousy, he didn’t believe that Mi Li had chosen or even fallen in love with Yuan Shu. He had met Yuan Shu several times; arrogant, foolish, and impulsive, even more outstanding than Yuan Shao. Why would Mi Li be interested in him?

What exactly was Mi Li plotting?

…

Zu An returned to the Lu family, bidding farewell to Lu Zhi and his daughter, feeling somewhat apologetic: “This disciple is incompetent; all my efforts these past few days have been in vain, causing Master and Xiao Xi to be in danger now.”

Ji Xiao Xi’s eyes were filled with tears; she wished she could return to the north with him, but she knew she couldn’t leave.

Lu Zhi smiled frankly: “As the saying goes, man proposes, God disposes. You have done very well. Just a few months ago you were a border guard, but now you almost ruled the capital.”

Zu An smiled bitterly: “That one point makes all the difference. All your previous efforts have been in vain.”

“Not entirely. Who in the court knew Liu Xuande before? Now, who in the world doesn’t know you? Temporary hibernation doesn’t mean the end,” Lu Zhi comforted him. “Besides, your leaving Luoyang now might not be a bad thing. The reason those forces united was because of you, their great enemy. Once you leave, they will have no reason to unite anymore and will inevitably fight amongst themselves.”

Zu An could actually think of this as well. As for who was fighting whom, he couldn’t be bothered to care: “I’m mainly worried about the safety of my teacher and Xiao Xi in Luoyang.”

Lu Zhi smiled: “I have gained some reputation over the years. Zhu Jun is my good friend and is now in charge of the city gate defense. Other major families have good relations with me. Whether it’s Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao, or Cao Cao, they wouldn’t dare to touch me.”

Zu An was finally relieved. He chatted with the father and daughter for a long time and then made a special trip to the Cai residence to find Cai Wenji and ask her to help take care of the people in Luoyang.

Cai Wenji remained indifferent: “The path of memory is to record, not interfere.”

Zu An smiled slightly: “That’s true, but your father and Master Lu are close friends, and Miss Cai is Xiao Xi’s best friend. They would naturally help each other. If you deliberately don’t help, you’re interfering with the true line of fate.”

Cai Wenji: “…”

“I will only protect their lives, nothing else.”

“Praise be to the great God of Memory!” Zu An’s lips curled up. The Lu family would protect others, and the God of Memory would protect the Lu family father and daughter, which meant the God of Memory was also protecting others.

Then he went to the Qiao residence. Qiao Xuan’s expression was quite solemn. He had already learned what had happened from Qiao Mao.

He originally thought this choice would allow the Qiao family to soar to new heights, but it almost led to their annihilation.

Zu An had a long talk with him, promising that one day he would rise again and return to marry the Qiao sisters.

“Three years. The Qiao family will wait for you for a maximum of three years. If you don’t return after three years, the Qiao family will have to choose another son-in-law,” Qiao Xuan said in a deep voice. “Nephew, please don’t blame me. I also have to consider the family’s future.”

Zu An solemnly replied, “Lord Qiao is already very generous to give me three years. Thank you, Lord Qiao. I will definitely return within three years.”

After talking with Lord Qiao, he went to say goodbye to the two Qiao sisters. However, Lord Qiao sent maids and servants to serve him, actually to monitor him and prevent him from ruining the reputation of the Qiao family’s daughters.

…

After making various arrangements, the next morning, Zu An left Luoyang City with his men.

Luoyang was now a powder keg. Chaos Lu Bu had already fled to Xuzhou. If he stayed here, things could easily change.

Several miles outside the city, the two Qiao sisters were already waiting at a pavilion by the roadside.

Qiao Mao was also there with soldiers as guards.

The two sisters boarded the carriage, having some farewell words to say.

Qiao Mao hesitated for a moment, but did not stop them.

This was indeed not an unreasonable request, especially since it was broad daylight and there were so many people outside; there was no fear of anything happening.

After entering the carriage, Gong Suyin hugged him tightly. After countless years of separation, they had finally reunited, and she had thought that this time, their long wait would finally be over, but she never expected that they would be separated again.

Shang Liuyu was more carefree. She took out a xun (a type of ancient Chinese wind instrument): “You two continue, I’ll cover for you.”

She then played “The Original Scenery of My Hometown,” and the poignant and melancholic melody brought tears to the eyes of the soldiers along the way.

Zu An was initially a little confused about what she meant by “continue,” but he immediately understood.

Gong Suyin kissed him directly, and the love that had accumulated over thousands of years surged forth in an instant.

Zu An hadn’t expected the sisters to be so bold, coming up with such a way to bypass the Qiao family’s surveillance.

But he valued the beauty’s affection, and how could he refuse?

For a moment, the room was filled with fragrance.

Shang Liuyu’s face flushed slightly as she leaned against the wall, her long, slender legs slightly bent as she shifted into the corner to make room for the two.

She turned her head away from the scene behind her, lest she be unable to play her tune later.

Even so, the people in the group gradually emerged from their sorrow, finding a unique kind of joy in the music.

…

After an unknown amount of time, a pair of pale arms embraced Shang Liuyu: “Sister, it’s your turn.”

Shang Liuyu was immediately flustered: “I promised I was just covering for you.”

Although she was carefree, she hadn’t experienced this kind of situation much before.

“This parting may be the last time we meet, are you really willing to let go?” Gong Suyin’s face pressed close.

Feeling the heat on the other’s cheek, Shang Liuyu’s voice became somewhat unnatural: “I… I still have to play, otherwise the people outside…”

“I’ll do it.” A harp appeared beside Gong Suyin, her fingers lightly plucking the strings, and melodies instantly filled the air.

…

The accompanying soldiers secretly marveled; the two young ladies of the Qiao family were truly celestial beings in their musical talent, none of them having ever heard such beautiful music in their lives. They

also secretly admired their lord for winning the Qiao young ladies’ unwavering devotion.

When this story reached Luoyang, it quickly became a popular tale.

Everyone said the two young ladies of the Qiao family were exceptionally beautiful and talented, and also deeply loyal and righteous.

Many more scions of noble families came to visit, hoping to propose marriage, but the Qiao family politely declined them all.

…

The Zu’an army continued eastward, and at the Yellow River ferry, they learned of the shocking events in Luoyang.

The powerful Dong Zhuo and the loyal Cao Cao had suddenly joined forces, annihilating and annexing Yuan Shao’s forces. Before his defeat, Yuan Shao cursed Cao Cao for his betrayal.

Zu An could roughly guess what was going on. After he was forced out of Luoyang, Dong Zhuo was the most powerful force. Moreover, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were friends in history. If it weren’t for Yuan Shao’s strong support in the early stages,

Cao Cao would probably have been defeated by Lü Bu long ago. No matter how you looked at it, Cao Cao should have joined forces with Yuan Shao to fight against Dong Zhuo. Who knew that the other party would do the opposite? Although Yuan Shao came from a prominent family and had many disciples and former officials, how could he be a match for the alliance between eliminating Dong Zhuo and protecting Cao Cao?

“This guardian god is really cunning,” Zu An sighed.

Bai Si Jing Teng, who was pouring tea for him, analyzed, “It seems that the guardian god is afraid that Yuan Shao’s expansion of power in the north was too great in history. With the help of the Heavenly Eye, it would be difficult for Cao Cao to win the Battle of Guandu again, so he eliminated this biggest hidden danger in advance. As for Dong Zhuo, he is the enemy of the world, so Cao Cao can confidently unite with the warlords to deal with him.”

Having spent time with him these past few days, she naturally knew the cause and effect.

“Being betrayed is truly unpleasant.” Zu An thought of how Bai Rouxue had stabbed him in the back, so what right did he have to mock Yuan Shao?

Looking at the elegant and beautiful woman before him, he couldn’t help but sigh, “Fake characters are better; they don’t cause trouble, they don’t lie.”

Bai Jingteng’s expression changed slightly; her originally pure white silk instantly turned black, and Black Jingteng immediately became active.

Black Jingteng glared at him directly: “Although we sisters are transformed from talismans, we’re not fake characters!”

Saying this, she pulled his hand and stuffed it into her clothes: “Feel it yourself; where on my body am I made of paper!”