Chapter 32: Who Did I Even Offend... (Votes, Please!)

No sooner had Bai Muge left the Red Silk Pavilion than Shangguan Yiran and her maid, Xiaotao, changed their appearances and prepared to slip away in secret. They had not anticipated that their covert mission to infiltrate the Tang capital would be so easily uncovered by Bai Muge. Their true identities had already been seen through from the very beginning.

It was almost laughable—just moments before, within the Red Silk Pavilion, they had plotted to lure Bai Muge into a trap under the guise of a literary gathering, hoping to knock him unconscious and extract secrets from him, with the ultimate goal of entering the palace to assassinate the Young Prince of Tang.

Now, with their disguises exposed, the only prudent course was to flee this treacherous place as swiftly as possible. Yet, as the two women stepped out the main doors of the Red Silk Pavilion, they saw that Bai Muge had not gone far at all. Instead, he sat leisurely at a nearby tavern, calmly sipping tea, his sharp eyes sweeping the area around the pavilion. His demeanor unmistakably suggested he was waiting for them to walk right into his snare.

"???" Shangguan Yiran.

"???" Xiaotao.

Both women hesitated, glancing at the members of the Tianlong Gang who were patrolling nearby. Shangguan Yiran felt a surge of uncertainty.

[With so many guards outside the Red Silk Pavilion, if we try to leave now, haven’t we already fallen into Bai Muge’s trap?]

[Did he leave earlier simply to wait here, hoping I’d walk right into his hands?]

[This detestable official—so young, yet so cunning and shrewd!]

[No! I absolutely cannot let myself fall for his schemes!]

After considering her options, Shangguan Yiran made a decision. She must return to the Red Silk Pavilion at once and deny Bai Muge this opportunity!

However, as she was about to turn back, Xiaotao, still beside her, seemed completely bewildered, her body trembling as she looked around in confusion. They had never encountered a situation like this before—never once had they failed or been exposed, let alone walked into an ambush so thoroughly prepared.

“Master… Miss…” Xiaotao called out instinctively, only to realize the address was inappropriate with so many people around. She quickly corrected herself, lowering her voice and asking anxiously, “Should we… still try to leave? All those people outside seem to be watching us…”

“We’re not leaving.” Shangguan Yiran shook her head, steady as ever. “We’ll go back inside the Red Silk Pavilion immediately. Outside, the net has already been cast—they’re just waiting for us to walk into it!”

“But… but…” Xiaotao blinked, her face etched with worry. “If we go back, won’t we be even more trapped, Miss?”

“Uh…” Shangguan Yiran was momentarily at a loss for words.

She realized this was also true. If they returned to the Red Silk Pavilion now, with their identities already exposed, Bai Muge would surely come to apprehend them.

Perhaps if they tried to escape immediately, there might still be a slim chance—but it was a faint hope at best. Even a master as formidable as the Prince of Zhennan had been dispatched by Bai Muge’s men; though Shangguan Yiran’s own skills were considerable, she could hardly guarantee her escape, especially with Xiaotao by her side, whose abilities were mediocre at best.

Shangguan Yiran was torn between two equally perilous choices—returning to the Red Silk Pavilion or making a break for it.

[What on earth should I do now?]

[The envoys from Great Zhou are clearly useless at this critical moment!]

[After all this time, they still haven't even entered the city!]

[If I'm captured, our Sun and Moon Sect's branch here will be exposed to Bai Muge’s scrutiny!]

[Perhaps even our headquarters will be in danger down the road!]

Her mind was in turmoil when she felt a tug at her sleeve. Xiaotao was shaking, her voice quivering with fear as she whispered, “Miss… that wretched Bai Muge is coming our way!”

“!!!” Shangguan Yiran’s heart lurched. She looked up and saw it was true: Bai Muge, accompanied by another man, was walking directly toward them. All around, the Tianlong Gang members were subtly closing in, tightening the encirclement.

“This is bad! We’re completely exposed now!” Shangguan Yiran thought anxiously, suppressing her panic. She whispered urgently, “Don’t look at Bai Muge. We’re disguised as ordinary citizens—let’s get out of here quickly!”

At this point, comforting herself was all she could do to avoid giving herself away. Maybe, just maybe, there was still a sliver of hope for escape.

But just then, as the two tried to slip away, a loud voice rang out behind them: “Young Master, I’ve found them!”

The shrill, ambiguous voice was closing in—no more than three steps away!

“???” Both Shangguan Yiran and Xiaotao were startled, their bodies tensing.

[Have we been found so quickly?]

[As expected—we were exposed from the start!]

[Even our disguises are useless now!]

Gritting her teeth, Shangguan Yiran turned to Xiaotao and shouted, “Xiaotao, take advantage of the chaos and run! Go wait for me at the usual place!”

“But, Miss—”

“Do as I say!” Shangguan Yiran commanded, eyes narrowed. “Get yourself to safety first; I’ll find my own way out!”

“Yes, Miss…” Without hesitation, Xiaotao darted off in the opposite direction. But unfortunately, she ran straight into Hai Dafu, the source of the shout. With a quick movement, he caught her by the hand.

“Where are you off to, young lady?” Hai Dafu grinned, his tone oddly kind. “Would you like me to see you on your way?”

But to Xiaotao, Hai Dafu’s smile was terrifying. She was already frightened, and now, caught by his vice-like grip, she struggled desperately to break free—but his hand clung to hers like glue, impossible to shake off.

No matter how she twisted and turned, Xiaotao couldn’t escape.

“Xiaotao!” Seeing this, Shangguan Yiran cried out in alarm, her face full of worry. Now that Xiaotao had been captured by Bai Muge’s men, her only hope was to attack Bai Muge directly—if she could seize him, perhaps she could rescue Xiaotao and escape.

Without this, they had no chance at all.

In a swift motion, Shangguan Yiran drew her silver soft sword from her waist, and with the grace of a lotus in bloom, charged straight at Bai Muge.

“Scoundrel, face my sword!” she shouted, the blade glinting as it struck.

Bai Muge: “???”

He had only just learned from the Tianlong Gang where Hai Dafu had gone and had sent for him, intending to settle a score. But before he knew it, he found himself under attack!

Luckily, Cao Zhengchun, who stood behind him, immediately sensed the danger and rushed forward, blocking the strike for Bai Muge.

“Young Master, look out! Protect the Young Master!” Cao Zhengchun shouted, engaging Shangguan Yiran in battle.

The townsfolk, who had been lingering on the street, fled in panic at the sounds of fighting—nothing was more precious than their own lives.

In an instant, only the Tianlong Gang members, Bai Muge, and Shangguan Yiran and her maid remained on the street.

Watching the fight unfold, Bai Muge’s face was the picture of innocence.

[What the hell is going on?]

[Someone really tried to assassinate me in broad daylight?]

[What did I ever do to deserve this…]