Chapter 37 Secret Competition
Although Wanwan doesn't like Zhu Chengwu emotionally, she still recognizes his strength.

Wanwan knew in her heart that Zhu Chengwu, the Marquis of Fu'an, was not much less capable in combat than her.

Having suffered a series of setbacks before, he was now ambushed by Zhu Chengwu.

There is no way Wanwan has the strength to compete head-on with Zhu Chengwu.

Realizing this, Wanwan didn't have time to think or make any unnecessary movements, and immediately burst out with all her strength!
"The devil is in chaos!"

With a loud shout in her heart, Wanwan ignored her injuries and the pressure on her meridians and used the Heavenly Demon Aura once again.

The demon's aura, at full firepower, instantly enveloped the attacking "Zhu Chengwu". Countless chaotic pulling forces distorted Zhu Chengwu's face and figure.

At the same time, countless tiny wounds appeared on the body, as if they had been cut by a knife.

The white cloth covering his face also fell off.

However, Wanwan was in a hurry to retreat and had no time to look back.

For warriors of Wanwan and Zhu Chengwu's level, this momentary delay in turning back might cause Wanwan to be entangled by Zhu Chengwu and completely lose the hope of retreating and saving her life.

We are not in Xuzhou city now!

Moreover, it is Wanwan who is taking the initiative to cause trouble for the Marquis Fu'an's Mansion!
Once here, Wanwan was killed by Zhu Chengwu, his subordinates and Cui.

Not to mention the possibility of no evidence.

Even if the Sui Dynasty and the Yinkui Sect knew about it and found solid evidence.

The biggest possibility in the end is that it will cause diplomatic wrangling between the Sui Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty. It will be difficult for the Sui Dynasty and the Yinkui faction to retaliate against Zhu Chengwu with justification.

This is the rule and tacit understanding between the six dynasties!

In the end, at most the Yinkui sect would assassinate him privately!

Not to mention the question of whether the assassination can be successful?
Even if the assassination was successful, Wanwan was already dead.

Wanwan doesn't want to trade one for one with Zhu Chengwu.

She is the pride of the Great Sui Dynasty. Yin Kui hopes that in the future she will be able to break through to the level of a grandmaster, strengthen the Yin Kui sect, and wipe out the group of hypocritical hypocrites and bitches in Cihang Jingzhai!
How could you die here?
Moreover, after the successive explosions of the true energy in Wanwan's body, her meridians had suffered considerable damage.

No more fighting!

Otherwise, it will affect your foundation, damage your potential, and hinder your future achievement of a master!
Wanwan used her full-powered demonic aura to temporarily control Zhu Chengwu, and then she floated away.

He grabbed the iron chain on the edge of the cliff and after a few rises and falls, it disappeared.

Wanwan's lightness skills are extremely outstanding and have reached the first-class limit.

Not inferior to Zhu Chengwu before his masterpiece "A World Away (Jade)" was completed.

The situation on the field took a sudden turn beyond everyone's expectations. As Wanwan's figure completely disappeared, the remaining people from Fu'an Marquis Mansion and Cui family on the stone platform couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Although many people died, and although they were all injured or frightened to varying degrees.

But at least they survived.

Among them, the luckiest ones were the group of old and weak Cui family members who were powerless and retreated into the entrance of the cave tunnel under the leadership of Cui Zongji.

They posed no threat and immediately retreated into the cave tunnel.

Wanwan thought that as long as the combat forces on the stone platform were dealt with, they would be nothing but lambs to be slaughtered, so she did not deliberately attack them.

Unexpectedly, this allowed the group of weak and elderly Cui family members who were barely able to even tie a chicken to survive.

Apart from a little shock, there was no injury at all.

However, Zhao Xinghan, the great elder of the Cui family and other highly capable combatants were either killed or injured.

Sure enough, sometimes luck is more important than strength.

"Butler Gao!"

Zhao Xinghan looked at the person whose white mask was torn off by Wanwan Tianmo's aura and shouted.

It turns out that the person who plotted against Wanwan just now was not Zhu Chengwu, but Gao Yao, the head of the Internal Affairs Department of the Marquis of Fu'an's Mansion.

Seeing Gao Yao arrive, other people in the marquis' mansion, including Dai Fayan, were slightly surprised.

No one expected Gao Yao to suddenly appear here.

Except for the autumn moon and winter snow.

There seemed to be no surprise in their eyes.

"General Zhao!"

Gao Yao supported himself on the ground with one hand and calmed down his internal energy that was being pulled wildly by the demon's aura. Then he raised his head and looked at Zhao Xinghan.

Wanwan is too powerful!
Even in the face of successive accidents and Gao Yao's surprise assassination, he still had enough strength to fight back.

Moreover, the demonic aura that Wanwan used at the end was different from the previous ones. Wanwan believed that it was Zhu Chengwu who plotted against her, and Wanwan knew Zhu Chengwu's strength well.

So in the final stage of the demonic aura, Wanwan was fighting desperately!

This also resulted in Gao Yao, although he was the assassin who took advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness, being seriously injured in the end.

Fortunately, Wanwan mistook the sneak attack by Gao Yao for Zhu Chengwu.

Escape quickly!

Otherwise, with Wanwan's strength, if the fight continued, even if Wanwan was seriously injured due to a series of accidents and Gao Yao's conspiracy, the outcome of the fight would still be unclear.

After all, Zhao Xinghan, the great elder of the Cui family, Gao Yao and others were all injured to varying degrees!
And more than half of the other helpers had been killed by Wanwan.

"General Zhao, who is this?"

Seeing Zhao Xinghan greeting Gao Yao, Cui Zongji and other members of the Cui family finally felt relieved. Although the person who came was not Zhu Chengwu, the Marquis of Fu'an, it was enough as long as he was a friend and not an enemy.

Moreover, Cui Zongji felt more relieved since it was not Marquis Fu'an who came.

Although. Fu'an Marquis Zhu Chengwu is well-known and may be stronger.
But to be honest, when Cui Zongji first heard Wanwan shout "Zhu Chengwu", he was scared to death!
Lord Fu'an was present in person, and Cui family could not afford such a high level of attention.

Cui Zongji was especially nervous when he saw the witch Wanwan, who was so arrogant that she almost swept away all the masters of Fu'an Marquis Mansion and Cui family, and ran away immediately after "recognizing" Marquis Fu'an.

Although, theoretically, Marquis Fu'an is about to become Cui's son-in-law and have a closer relationship with Cui.

However, because of Huo Lian, Cui and Fu'an Marquisate were arguing back and forth for a long time.

The Marquis of Fu'an has been seriously offended!
Cui Zongji knew without guessing that Fu'an Hou Zhu Chengwu couldn't have a very good impression of the Cui family!

In addition, Cui had never received any news that Marquis Fu'an had left Xuzhou City, and the marriage was also arranged by Zhao Xinghan, the chief of the marquis's guard.

If it was really Zhu Chengwu, then it meant that Zhu Chengwu must have come here secretly without telling anyone...

No one can say for sure whether Zhu Chengwu will be so kind as to let Cui's cunning rabbit die and his running dogs be cooked, his high birds be killed and his good bows be hidden, and his enemy country be defeated and his counselors be killed!
So much the better!
The people who came not only helped, but also didn't have to worry about being too strong or too high-ranking...

With the presence of the Cui clan's great elder, no matter what ideas the Fu'an Marquisate had, they had to be suppressed as long as they could not wipe out all the Cui clan members present.

Otherwise, once the news spreads that the Marquis Fu'an Mansion has wiped out its in-laws, the spit of people all over the world will be enough to destroy the Marquis Fu'an Mansion.

As long as people cannot fight the whole world on their own, they will have to be bound by the rules of the world.

"Chief Zongji, let me introduce you to this person, the chief steward of the Hou Mansion's Internal Affairs Department - Chief Steward Gao Yaogao!"

"Chief Executive Gao, this is the Cui family's Patriarch - Patriarch Zongji!"

Dai Fayan stepped forward and introduced the two parties.

Although Cui Zongji was asking Zhao Xinghan, Dai Fayan still stepped in!
Everyone in the Fu'an Marquis's Mansion knew that Zhao Xinghan and Gao Yao had always been at odds with each other and were competing in everything...

Fighting to be the second best fighter in the Marquis' Mansion!
Fight for who is most valued by the Marquis!
"Internal Affairs Department?"

Cui Zongji's heart moved.

As everyone knows, in the Ming Dynasty, the families of dukes and marquises, especially those of the Zhu family, could set up their internal affairs departments by referring to the Ming Palace.

Of course, those on duty in the Internal Affairs Department also refer to the Ming Palace!

In the Internal Affairs Department, there were palace maids and eunuchs.

Although Gao Yao looked a bit feminine, Cui Zongji could tell at a glance that the chief steward Gao Yao in front of him was a male rather than a female.

In addition, as he holds the high position of chief steward, it is impossible for him to slip through the net.

So, that means Gao Yao is... a eunuch!
In just a moment, Cui Zongji understood the identity of eunuch Gao Yao, but there was no surprise or emotion on Cui Zongji's face.

It was as if the person standing in front of him was an ordinary person from the marquis's mansion.

The patriarch of a big clan is naturally very cunning and has good acting skills.

"Manager Gao, I've long heard of your name. Nice to meet you!

Thank you for your timely rescue this time, otherwise it would be really troublesome!"

Cui Zongji still felt a lingering fear when he said this.

Cui Zongji was not lying. He really had heard of Gao Yao's name for a long time. Cui Zongji had heard of the title of the Three Heroes of Fu'an.

"Patriarch Zongji, you are too polite! We are just doing things for the Marquis!"

Gao Yao also seemed polite.

It was as if this was the first time he met Cui Zongji.

There was no sign at all that Gao Yao had been hiding in Cui's family for more than three months and had secretly observed Cui Zongji many times.

When it comes to acting and the ability to speak differently to different people, although Gao Yao is young, he was born in the lower class and grew up in a brothel, so he is by no means inferior to Cui Zongji.

After discovering that Cui's fire lotus might be the Earth's Core Fire Lotus, Gao Yao, under the arrangement of Zhu Chengwu, secretly infiltrated Cui's family.

One is to determine whether Cui's fire lotus is the earth's core fire lotus.

The second is to investigate where Cui hid the fire lotus?
Even when Dai Fayan came on behalf of the Fu'an Marquis' Mansion to discuss the exchange of fire lotus, marriage candidates, wedding time... with the Cui family, Gao Yao never left the Cui family.

He has been hiding in Cui's house, observing secretly.

After all, anything unexpected could happen before you get the item.

However, the Earth Core Fire Lotus is too important to Zhu Chengwu, and he cannot tolerate any accidents happening.

This is a two-pronged approach.

It would be best if Gao wanted to find the Earth's Core Fire Lotus, and Zhu Chengwu could do it directly.

If Gao Yao fails to find the Earth's Core Fire Lotus, Dai Fayan will negotiate with Cui.

If the Fire Lotus cannot be obtained through secret searches and negotiations, then the last resort is to use the intelligence Gao Yao has learned about the Cui family and directly rob it...

Of course, Zhu Chengwu would not resort to this method until the very last moment.

This method is too damaging to your reputation!

Moreover, with this method, the possibility that Cui would rather die than reveal the whereabouts of the Fire Lotus would increase!
How did things develop in the end?

For all to see!

Cui Zongji hid the Earth Core Fire Lotus too secretly.

Gao Yao was not found!
But Dai Fayan’s negotiations were successful!

"All right!
Stop being polite!

There will be plenty of time for politeness later.

The most urgent task now is to take out the fire lotus and bring it back to the Marquis' Mansion before Wanwan retreats!
Otherwise, who knows what unexpected situations may occur later?"

Hearing Gao Yao mention Zhu Chengwu, Zhao Xinghan suddenly said with an impatient look.

The palm that Gao Yao used to attack Wanwan just now was obviously Zhu Chengwu's unique skill, "The Fiery Palm".

Moreover, Gao Yao's movement of suddenly appearing from the iron chain behind Wanwan is also another unique skill of Zhu Chengwu, "A World Away Yet".

It was precisely because of these two unique skills created by Zhu Chengwu, and Gao Yao's boy's skill inherited from Zhu Chengwu, that made Wanwan immediately believe that the person who attacked her was Zhu Chengwu.

Don't think about others anymore.

It is a tacit understanding among the major dynasties in this world that unique skills will not be passed on easily.

"Nuclear deterrence" cannot be rampant!
Poor governance.

Wanwan probably didn't expect that Zhu Chengwu, a mere prince and marquis, would have the courage to pass on his most secret skills to a eunuch.

Even if that eunuch was Zhu Chengwu's confidant.

After all, even the Yinkui sect, a demonic sect that has been passed down for thousands of years, can be considered heretical during the Sui Dynasty. However, its unique martial art "The Heavenly Demon Art" can only be practiced by the sect leader and the next sect leader. The techniques practiced by other elders and true disciples are inferior.

Gao Yao used "A World Away" and "Fire Palm" successively, which scared Wanwan away and helped Zhao Xinghan and the others to escape the siege, but it also made Zhao Xinghan feel resentful.

Because even Zhao Xinghan has only been taught one unique skill, "Xiantian Gangqi", by Zhu Chengwu so far.

Moreover, it was only after Zhao Xinghan broke through to the first-class level two years ago that he was able to learn this.

The magical skills are powerful, but also difficult to practice.

Zhao Xinghan has not yet achieved any success.

He was unable to play a significant role in the confrontation with a top-notch master like Wanwan.

Plus, if you’re not familiar with how to use it, it may do more harm than good!

Therefore, Zhao Xinghan did not use it in his fight with Wanwan.

But looking at Gao Yao's performance just now, it is obvious that Gao Yao's attainments in "A World Away" and "Palm of Fiery Flame" are not low, and are even better than Zhao Xinghan's "Innate Gangqi".

This made Zhao Xinghan dissatisfied.

On the one hand, Zhao Xinghan could only pass on one unique skill, while Gao Yao knew two.

Secondly, Zhao Xinghan didn't believe that Gao Yao was taught "A World Away" and "The Fiery Palm" only after he achieved first-class success. Zhu Chengwu must have given "A World Away" and "The Fiery Palm" to Gao Yao before that.

Otherwise it can't be explained at all.

Zhao Xinghan has been learning this unique skill for more than two years, but he still hasn't mastered it.

Gao Yao achieved first-rate status half a year later than Zhao Xinghan, but now he has mastered both "A World Away" and "The Fiery Palm" to a level that surpasses Zhao Xinghan.

"Forehead…

General Zhao is right!"

Cui Zongji didn't understand why General Zhao Xinghan suddenly seemed unhappy again...

But what Zhao Xinghan said does make sense.

It would be better to hand over the Fire Lotus to the Fuhou Mansion as soon as possible.

Now that Wanwan has appeared, maybe another "Wanwan" will come uninvited in the next second.

The Fire Lotus has been exposed, and it is difficult to save it with Cui's power.

It would be better to hand it over to the Marquis of Fu'an Mansion as soon as possible.

Let the Fu'an Marquisate deal with those who secretly covet the Fire Lotus.

As long as the Fire Lotus is successfully handed over to the people from the Marquis of Fu'an's Mansion who are present, even if the people from the Marquis of Fu'an's Mansion cannot keep the Fire Lotus and it is taken away by someone who secretly covets it, Marquis of Fu'an cannot blame the Cui family.

With this idea in mind, Cui Zongji fully agreed with Zhao Xinghan's suggestion to hand over Huo Lian as soon as possible.

Zhao Xinghan suppressed his injuries, walked to the stone platform, pulled the iron chain, and climbed up to the middle of the mountain. He roughly calculated the length, and then used the sword in his hand to chop the iron chain again and again until it was cut.

After cutting it off, Zhao Xinghan pulled the cut chain back to the stone platform.

This time, there was no need for Cui Zongji to lead the way. Zhao Xinghan led everyone from Fu'an Marquis' Mansion and walked directly into the tunnel leading to the molten lava in the mountain.

Cui Zongji led the Cui family and followed closely behind.

This time, not all members entered the tunnel.

Both the Fu'an Marquisate and the Cui family left behind several people with martial arts skills to guard the platform.

Avoid being sneaked onto the stone platform again.

If the guard sent by Zhao Xinghan to get the chains had not accidentally discovered Wanwan, the consequences would have been even more disastrous.

Of course, the guards and members of the Cui family who stayed behind also had a mission.

That is to collect the bodies of comrades and fellow tribesmen who died in battle.

If there are no conditions, then it's fine. But if there are conditions, then the bodies of the fallen comrades and fellow tribesmen must be brought back for burial.

In the Ming Dynasty, there was a custom of burying the dead.

Of course I feel sad for my comrades who died in the battle!
After all, we lived together.

But the dead are gone, and the living must move on.

The mission must also be completed.

The Marquis's Mansion Guards have experienced countless battles of all ages, and although they are sad about the death of their comrades, they have already prepared themselves mentally from the moment they chose to join the guards.

The same goes for the Cui clan. Although the Cui clan is a big clan in Jiangnan, it also has many challengers.

When doing business overseas, there are always casualties or even total disappearance.

Everyone is mentally prepared.

So, everything is fine!

　At the request of book friends who support ridiculous, such as 20190202, 20220118003349682, and Shengzhushendu, I will add another chapter.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)