The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 1236 - 658: Two Women Competing for Favor

The banyan tree’s omen planted a sense of urgency in everyone’s hearts, and Zhao Douan, along with the Old Heavenly Master, quickly finalized the arrangements for the upcoming operation.

Next morning, at dawn.

In the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Douan opened the door to the bedroom, walked along the corridor, and arrived at the dining room, where the women of the household were already waiting at the table.

The breakfast was plentiful, yet Zhao Douan seemed somewhat distracted.

You Jinhua held her bowl, eating slowly, her bright eyes occasionally glancing at her stepson, wanting to speak but stopping herself. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Zhao Pan looked wordlessly at this scene, and the young girl spoke first to break the silence:

"Elder Brother, Mother has something to ask you."

"Hm?" Zhao Douan looked up, gazed at his stepmother, and asked curiously, "What is it?"

You Jinhua cast a reproachful glance at her daughter, then hesitated, waving her hand shyly:

"It’s nothing, really nothing, just..."

She seemed to have a stomach full of gossip:

"I heard from Mrs. Dong that the Southwestern Liao people were driven back by Dalang?!"

Zhao Pan also put down her chopsticks, pricked up her ears, her eyes shining brightly, almost setting herself in a posture ready to listen to a story:

"Elder Brother, tell me about it."

Zhao Douan couldn’t help but laugh, thinking it was something serious.

After he informed Grandmaster Dong of the border war results yesterday, apparently, this news had spread.

You Jinhua only heard this gossip from yesterday evening, and as the main lady of the house, she was keenly interested in any "achievement" of the family’s young men.

Unfortunately, Zhao Douan returned home late last night, so she had to hold back until the morning to inquire.

After Zhao Douan selectively shared what he could, the two women were so excited they practically lost their appetite and hurried off to boast to familiar womenfolks.

As for any concerns about Dalang’s safety, upon learning that Zhang Yan Yi was escorting, the mother and daughter put their hearts at ease.

Zhao Douan watched as the two women of his family swayed away, smiling silently before restraining his grin, his eyes revealing a heavy expression.

A great crisis was imminent, yet in the entire Capital, only a few were beginning to sense the approaching danger.

"For ordinary people, isn’t ignorance a kind of bliss too?" Zhao Douan whispered softly.

He stood up, changed into casual clothes, stepped out of the mansion, and thought for a moment about first heading to Lihua Hall.

...

Inside the Heavenly Master Mansion.

Under the half-bare banyan tree.

When Zhao Douan arrived, Zhang Yan Yi was already waiting, with several disciples standing beside the Old Heavenly Master.

Behind Zhao Douan, to his left and right, were Tuoba Weizhi and Ji Yue.

"Coming along this time?" Zhao Douan looked at several priests, expressing doubt.

Zhang Yan Yi shook his head and said:

"This time, only the old me and Jin Jian will go with you. Yu Xiu and Han Zhao are leaving for Xiping Road to support the battlefield."

The female priest took a step forward, a small bundle on her back, looking ready to take her leave:

"With Master going, it’s useless for me and my junior brother to go as well. As the situation deteriorates, heading to Xiping might be of greater value."

Han Zhao scratched his head with a slightly regretful look, smiling brightly:

"I would actually like to go with you, but Master disagrees."

Zhao Douan nodded; the banyan’s changes clearly increased the pressure on the priests. After pondering, he reached out with his hand, and seven flying swords appeared in his palm.

He stacked them together and handed them to Yu Xiu, speaking seriously:

"Though you specialize in one flying sword, keeping these with me would be a waste. I’ll leave them to the priests, they might be of some use on the battlefield."

These seven flying swords were spoils from his past battles with the Daoist experts from the Kuangfu Society on Marine Road.

Yu Xiu accepted them with both hands, not refusing: "Thank you."

Zhao Douan then turned his hand, presenting a great bow in his palm, precisely the Taibo Bow, and handed this divine weapon to Han Zhao, smiling:

"I’ve seen how Brother Han excels in wind control, Qinggong, and aerial maneuvers. This bow in my hand would gather dust, so today I bestow it upon you."

Do I have something too? Han Zhao paused for a moment, surprised by Zhao Douan’s generosity, his eyes suddenly gleaming after realizing the bow’s capabilities.

This item was too perfect for him, with Wind Master Skills and swift arrows, reaping lives, it was a match made in heaven.

Han Zhao, not one for pretense, immediately took the bow and stated solemnly:

"I can only repay by killing a few more bald heads on the Xiping battlefield."

Zhao Douan laughed heartily.

At this moment, Gongshu Tianyuan couldn’t hold back, complaining:

"Master, what about me? To the East Sea or the battlefield? Either is fine!"

Zhang Yan Yi struck mercilessly: "You stay and guard the house, don’t go anywhere."

Gongshu Tianyuan looked mournful, while Jin Jian yawned and laughed loudly, relieved it wasn’t him.

Then the young priest stared at Zhao Douan intently like a dog waiting to be fed:

"And... what about mine?"

Zhao Douan, speechless, said: "You’re not going to the battlefield, what gift do you want? Nothing."

The smile vanished from Jin Jian’s face... Gongshu Tianyuan laughed loudly.

"Alright, it’s getting late, let’s set off."

Zhang Yan Yi held his forehead and interrupted the disciples’ bantering.

With a wave of his hand, a rush of azure light burst from his sleeve, engulfing the group heading to the East Sea.

...

Outside the main hall of the Grand Temple.

The azure light surged, expelling each team member one by one.

Zhang Yan Yi and Jin Jian, teacher and disciple, had done this several times before, handling it naturally.

But Tuoba Weizhi and Ji Yue were here for the first time, both women looked around with curiosity.

Zhao Douan made a gesture, opening the secret path, and the group proceeded along the stairs towards the underground chamber.

On the road.

Zhao Douan turned his head to glance at Ji Yue, who was tightly following behind him with a timid and socially anxious demeanor, and smiled warmly:

"Are you ready?"

The red-clothed ghost, with black hair draped over her shoulders... the female sorcerer clutched her hands together, showing her inner unease, but nodded vigorously upon hearing him, the pure white eyes revealing a hint of anticipation and anxiety.