Chapter 908: Chapter 531: The Empress Logs Off! Zhao Gou Returns to the City!
In the barbecue restaurant, the meat on the grate was continually charred, yet the two sitting opposite each other seemed oblivious. Neither had the interest to eat a late-night snack.
Zhao Douan found it quite mystical. This piece titled "Human World" was indeed special. When both he and the Empress were in a state of visualization, they could meet here, which was an exceedingly magical setting. However, considering the Great Yu Grand Ancestor’s power that nearly reached the "Human Immortal" level back then, mastering some special methods wasn’t surprising.
What truly made the current situation delicate was... for some reason, he appeared here with the identity of a "Zhang Hui," and even if Xu Zhenguan’s imagination was expansive, it was hard to think of this layer. Under the inertia of thought, she regarded him as the "guide" within the scroll.
"So... as of now, she shouldn’t have encountered a character similar to a ’guide’ in this painting... hmm, is this an ’open world’? But on the other hand, if six hundred years ago Old Xu could paint the world of the time point I traversed into, and according to Zhenbao, before her and me, the Royal Family’s cultivators throughout the generations, even if they visualized the ’Human World,’ couldn’t see this city... then, is there a possibility... this world was intentionally prepared for her and me by Old Xu?"
Hiss... thinking of this possibility, Zhao Douan felt a bit of a chill. Looking back, he had previously speculated that many things after his traversal bore traces of being "arranged"... This absurd thought might not be impossible either.
"If indeed so, does it mean, in the original design, I am her guide? Just like in the Big Dream Scroll, I was accepted as a disciple by Pei Niannu belonging to that world, and in this world, I am the native, while Zhenbao is the outsider..."
"Stop— the more I think, the messier it gets. Meaningless speculation without evidence. To find out the truth, I can only continue to interact with Zhenbao... hmm, maybe our encounter will trigger something..."
Moreover, he sharply noticed that after he mentioned his name, the Empress’s expression changed significantly, but she shouldn’t have heard his name before.
Flashes of thoughts crossed Zhao Douan’s mind, and he made a decision in his heart.
He prepared to temporarily conceal his real identity, trying to play the role of the guide.
After all, the act of "traversing" is indeed hard to explain, and he wasn’t ready to share this biggest secret with the Empress.
Although... as long as the Empress continues to learn about this city, sooner or later, the cover will fall.
"Heh, it seems Miss Xu has many questions. But there’s no hurry, the night is long, we can chat slowly," Zhao Douan displayed an attitude of being in control, lifted his cup to drink, and then asked casually: "But Miss Xu, you’ve heard my name, haven’t you?"
Xu Zhenguan tightened her brows, sensing the stubbornness of this Painting Person, she said coldly, "No."
Her refusal to answer was undisguised.
Really heard my name? Zhao Douan confirmed his suspicion, growing more puzzled, and suddenly an odd thought arose in his mind:
This couldn’t be an "arranged marriage meeting" set up by Old Xu, could it... What a pity, in reality, I have already hit a home run... Eh, upon entering here, I lost my cultivation, and Zhenbao probably did too, which means, if we dual cultivate here, could we bypass the limitations brought by the difference in levels, avoiding being drained dry?
Hmm... provided I voluntarily reveal my identity... sigh, now is not the time.
As for approaching with this identity, utilizing the mask-like game, he had no interest at all. Compared to a brief happy union, he was more concerned with exploring the secrets left by Old Xu in the fresco.
"You haven’t answered my question yet. If you keep dodging, I’m not interested in wasting time with you."
Seeing him silent, Xu Zhenguan’s face turned frosty, urging coldly.
Her time staying in this world was limited! She had no interest in playing mind games with a Painting Person. With her identity and personality, even if she lost her strength, she was not someone who could be manipulated by a Painting Person. She wanted to hold the leading power.
As expected of you... Zhao Douan helplessly gave a small smile, yet remained calm in demeanor.
This was the world he was familiar with, this was his home ground.
"Miss Xu is quite hot-tempered, haha, but that’s fine. Uncle Xu left a long time ago, and I don’t know where he went either. Before he left, he indeed left me some things, also giving me a time and place, entrusting me to take care of a relative for a period at that time. Today, I came as promised, and it seems Miss Xu is the one I’ve been waiting for."
Zhao Douan spun a tale fluently, sticking to a you can believe it or not, but I’ve believed it first modus operandi.
The Grand Ancestor Emperor’s arrangement? Xu Zhenguan’s heart moved, without suspicion, she immediately stood up and said: "What did he leave you? Where is it? I need to see it."
No, I haven’t even had time to make that up, is your cultivation style in the painting always like this? Zhao Douan lightly sighed, chuckling, thought for a moment, and then also stood up: "Very well."
A nearby waiter noticed the two about to leave, approached, and asked in surprise: "Are you two leaving?"
Xu Zhenguan’s expression suddenly stiffened, realizing the embarrassing problem that she had no money to pay the bill!
And there was no way to end the meditation to "dine and dash," she was frozen on the spot, unable to advance or retreat, a dignified Emperor, now facing the awkwardness of having no money to eat, her sandal-clad toes curled slightly like little pearls...
"I’ll take care of it," Zhao Douan said with a grin, calmly displayed the payment code, then turned to Xu Zhenguan and said: "Surely there’s no reason to make a guest pay for the meal."