Abandoned Woman Busy Farming-Chapter 2435 - 2436: What Is Their True Origin

Bai Ruozhu and the others were busy all morning, and just applying medicine to the injured took quite a bit of effort.

Nearing noon, a monk came from outside to report, "Benefactor, His Majesty the Emperor has come to visit the abbot."

Bai Ruozhu thought of the kindly-faced Emperor and felt a bit uneasy. Was there a connection between the Shadow Ninja and the Emperor? Was this inexplicable fire somehow related to him?

Considering that the Emperor was about to retire and devote himself to Buddha, Bai Ruozhu wondered why, if he were so ruthless, he wouldn’t stay in power for a few more years.

While her thoughts wandered, the Emperor had arrived, and everyone in the room knelt in greeting, even those not seriously injured struggled to stand and bow.

Even the most severely injured, Master Puru, struggled to rise. The Emperor hurriedly went over to hold him down, saying, "There’s no need for formalities, everyone lay down and focus on recovering."

Bai Ruozhu and the others saluted and retreated outside the door. With the Emperor’s entourage, the room felt quite crowded.

At the doorway, the Second Prince snorted disdainfully at Bai Ruozhu and the others, clearly displeased with them.

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t understand how such an incompetent person was promoted by She Zongyi; anyone with a bit of sense wouldn’t wear their emotions so plainly on their face.

"Your... Majesty," Master Puru called out with difficulty.

"Master, please don’t speak, focus on healing. If there’s anything you need, let someone inform me, and don’t hold back if you feel wronged," the Emperor’s voice was soft but very gentle.

Master Puru nodded, refraining from speaking, but his eyes were brimming with tears, clearly moved.

Perhaps due to the Shadow Ninja’s two appearances, Bai Ruozhu felt a bit less favorable towards the Emperor, and now felt somewhat awkward.

She quietly glanced at the Second Prince. Could he have sent those Shadow Ninjas?

But he was about to ascend the throne next month, why create unnecessary trouble? Even if he was an idiot, his people wouldn’t refrain from advising him, would they?

She thought of She Zongyi again, but faintly felt it was impossible; if She Zongyi wanted to make a move, why attract attention at Zhaoti Temple?

The Emperor consoled Master Puru for a few moments before rising and walking over to Bai Ruozhu and the others.

"Lord Jiang, Lord Bai, thank you for your assistance in this matter," said the Emperor, bowing respectfully.

Bai Ruozhu and the others hastily returned the bow, and the Emperor continued, "I haven’t officially taken monastic vows, but by convention, Master Puru is my senior brother, thank you for saving him and the temple’s monks."

"Your Majesty is too kind, we simply did what was right upon encountering the situation," Jiang Yichun spoke, "But Your Majesty may I have a word?"

The Emperor nodded, and Jiang Yichun went to the side, Bai Ruozhu and others did not follow.

In a quiet side room, Jiang Yichun spoke, "I wonder if Your Majesty has received word that last night Shadow Ninjas came to assassinate the abbot."

The Emperor’s face changed dramatically, "What?"

He instinctively glanced at the Second Prince beside him, and Jiang Yichun immediately understood that the Shadow Ninjas were handed over to the Second Prince.

Before the Emperor could speak, the Second Prince hurriedly exclaimed, "Nonsense! How dare you accuse the Shadow Ninjas so casually?"

Jiang Yichun sneered, "We killed several; later we unearthed the bodies, witnessed by Lord Xinye and several guards of your esteemed country."

"Impossible!" The Second Prince yelled, "How could you capture Shadow Ninjas, let alone kill them?"

"If Your Highness doesn’t believe it, consult with Lord Xinye to see the bodies," Jiang Yichun said calmly.

The Emperor, seeing Jiang Yichun didn’t seem to be lying, immediately rose and said, "Where is Xinye, let me see him."

Soon, the Emperor left with his entourage, saying he was going to General Chisong’s Residence.

Those unaware might think the Emperor was in conflict with General Chisong, causing many below to tremble with fear, as a struggle above meant trouble for those below.

...

In the Imperial Palace, the Crown Prince knelt below, looking innocent, "Father, it really wasn’t me, I’ve already dispatched someone to tally and no one is missing."

The Emperor’s face darkened, "Are the bodies fake? Others may not discern as I do!"

"Then Father should summon the Shadow Chief to inquire," the Second Prince suggested.

The Shadow Chief was not a person’s name, but rather a title, with each generation having a Shadow Chief to manage the Shadow Ninjas, loyal to the Emperor above all.

Soon, a shadowy figure was summoned in.

Remaining underground outside the door to signify respect for the Emperor, he emerged at the door.

His appearance was unlike when Bai Ruozhu and others exhumed bodies; even after he appeared, the ground was undisturbed, showcasing the wonder of the Earth Escape Technique.

If Bai Ruozhu hadn’t devised a trap, if Yuan Licheng hadn’t possessed a way to counter the Earth Escape Array, catching those Shadow Ninjas would have been nearly impossible.

The Shadow Chief entered, bowing respectfully, following which the Emperor began gesturing, the Shadow Chief responding in kind; their communication was through special sign language.

The Shadow Chief, too, had his tongue cut out and hadn’t learned to write, having minimal interaction with the outside world. Only certain sign language, which each Emperor learned, enabled communication and command of the Shadow Ninjas.

"If the numbers truly haven’t decreased, could someone be secretly harboring Shadow Ninjas? And where did they learn this secret technique?" the Emperor muttered, suddenly pondering whether retiring now was truly wise, fearing perhaps igniting fresh turmoil.

Three days after the Zhaoti Temple fire, the Emperor and General Chisong’s men searched for the origin of those Shadow Ninjas, but no clear clues emerged.

Master Puru gradually regained consciousness more frequently, and his coughing lessened significantly, though his severe burns rendered him nearly unrecognizable.

"It’s a pity the suspicious fake monk hasn’t been found," Lord Xinye confessed with remorse before Master Puru, "I was negligent and let him escape."

"My lord, don’t blame yourself. In the chaos, everyone was focused on rescue; it was the right thing to do. Those who committed such vile acts are destined for Abi Hell, to face Karmic Fire punishment," Puru said slowly.

"I still hope to uncover some clues, to seek justice for Zhaoti Temple’s people, I shall take my leave now." Finishing his words, Lord Xinye bowed and exited.

Upon exiting, he coincidentally encountered Bai Ruozhu approaching, he nodded slightly to her, in a very friendly manner.

Bai Ruozhu, who wouldn’t strike a smiling face, nodded back in acknowledgment.

Entering the room and helping Master Puru with a medicine change, Master Puru suddenly asked, "You’re very curious about what that is, aren’t you?"

Bai Ruozhu, with a fleeting thought, clasped the golden pendant in her hand, saying, "I was merely safeguarding it temporarily for the master; it’s time it returned to its rightful owner."