Chapter Thirty-Three: Safe Return

It had been a day since his capture. Now that Zhao Yu was certain his life was not in immediate danger, he couldn’t help but settle his mind and start speculating. Although he’d been rather high-profile lately, there were plenty of dignitaries in the capital with more power and influence than he. Why, then, had Deng Yuanjue singled him out?

His deepest enmity was with Gao Qiu, and he didn’t have a warm relationship with the crown prince either. But for either of them to collude with the Manichaeans just to deal with him? That was absurd.

His instincts told him someone else was behind this. Obviously, if anything happened to him, everyone would blame Gao Qiu or the crown prince. So, who stood to gain the most in the end?

It was a challenging question, not one to be solved in a moment. All Zhao Yu could do now was continue pretending to be calm and unfathomable in front of Deng Yuanjue.

Deng Yuanjue’s expression flickered, his thoughts unknown. After a long silence, he suddenly smiled. “I hope Your Highness is not our enemy. It’s late—I’ll escort you back.”

Zhao Yu seemed unsurprised, as if he had anticipated this outcome. He nodded slightly toward Deng Yuanjue in appreciation. “You are wise, Master. I hope we shall meet often in days to come.”

Deng Yuanjue replied with a hint of pride, “I have realized that only if Your Highness remains safe will our sect truly benefit. If I were careless, it would only serve others’ interests. Am I right?”

No matter how formidable a figure, everyone craves recognition—especially from a mysterious prince so closely connected to their organization.

Zhao Yu suddenly put on a worried look, sighing softly. “I only hope Chief Fang is as wise as you.”

He then composed himself, speaking earnestly, “To be frank, Master, I have always enjoyed befriending heroes from all over the world. If you encounter trouble in Jiangnan, do not hesitate to seek me out. Though I am not highly capable, I am confident I can guarantee your safety.”

For a man barely able to protect himself to promise another’s safety—had it been anyone else, they might have slapped him for his arrogance. But Deng Yuanjue was no ordinary man. From Zhao Yu’s words, he not only sensed sincerity but detected something unusual beneath the surface.

He paused, then his gaze grew more profound...

This incident made Zhao Yu feel more keenly than ever that ignorance was not just frightening, but deadly. Had he not researched Manichaeism in his previous life, how could he possibly have bluffed this old fox Deng Yuanjue?

Though he doubted Deng Yuanjue released him out of genuine goodwill, at least for now, he had passed this trial.

If only he could travel back and forth through time, he thought—he would read more books, then return to this era and astound everyone with his knowledge...

Heeding Zhao Yu’s suggestion, Deng Yuanjue escorted him to the city gate before hurrying off to Ying Tian Prefecture to rendezvous with Pang Wanchun. Zhao Yu, under the protection of the city guards, made for the palace at once.

He might not care much about whether his royal father was worried, but he knew his mother, the Empress, would be sleepless with concern. Though not his birth mother, Empress Zheng treated him as her own. Upon escaping, his first thought was to reassure her of his safety.

During Zhao Kuangyin’s reign, palace security was not strict—officials with urgent business could rouse the emperor from his bed at any hour. But with Zhao Guangyi on the throne, everything changed. Not even royal kin could approach freely.

The palace guards were managed by the Imperial City Command, which was headed by Zhao Yu’s third brother, Prince Yun, Zhao Kai.

Normally, Zhao Kai had little to do with daily operations, let alone night shifts. But after Zhao Yu’s abduction, both emperor and empress were in foul moods. Zhao Kai’s personal attendance at the palace was a gesture of filial piety.

Zhao Yu had always held this third brother in high regard—not only for his talent but for his humility and warmth toward his siblings, unlike the pretentious crown prince Zhao Huan.

When Zhao Kai heard Zhao Yu had returned, he hurried out to greet him, clasping Zhao Yu’s hands and examining him with concern. “Eighth Brother, it’s such a relief you’re safe. Have the criminals been caught?”

“Don’t worry, Third Brother. I may not be a martial arts master, but I’m quite skilled at escaping. It’s late; I won’t trouble you with the details tonight. Let’s have a drink another time and talk then. Would you please inform Father and Mother that I’ve returned, so they don’t worry?”

“Of course. I’ll send word right away. You should get some rest. I’ll visit you tomorrow.”

Their meeting was brief. Moments later, the brothers parted with a bow.

Outside the palace, lanterns shone brilliantly, though not as bright as day. In the distance, voices still filled the night—though it was late, the city’s nightlife was just beginning.

Halfway home, Zhao Yu was met by Yang Xu and Lin Chong, who hurried over, flanked by many palace guards. Seeing Zhao Yu unharmed, both men finally relaxed.

Zhao Yu smiled faintly. By his reckoning, Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong should also have returned by now.

This ordeal had taught Zhao Yu a hard lesson—it was essential to have skilled bodyguards at his side. Perhaps now, Second Brother Lin Chong would finally settle down.

He understood that Lin Chong’s ascent to Liangshan had been out of necessity, but in his heart, Lin Chong longed to serve the royal family. As long as Zhao Yu offered enough incentive and appealed to his emotions, he believed he could keep him.

Once home, Zhao Yu dismissed the servants and briefly recounted the events to Yang Xu and Lin Chong. Yang Xu then shared his response strategy, and the three of them inevitably circled back to the question: who was the true mastermind behind all this?

“It can’t be the crown prince or Gao Qiu. Judging by the timing, this person must have been in contact with the Jiangnan rebels for some time. The reason for targeting Your Highness may be that you unknowingly offended him, or your actions threatened his interests—thus he seized this opportunity to strike.”

Zhao Yu wholeheartedly agreed with Yang Xu’s analysis. Back at the mountain temple, he had sensed Deng Yuanjue’s murderous intent—the man’s aim was not only to rescue Pang Wanchun, but also to kill him.

But thinking it over, he couldn’t recall having such deep enmity with anyone.

“Your Highness, this isn’t something we can uncover overnight. My advice is that you strengthen your personal guard from now on, lest you give your enemies another opening.”

Lin Chong’s words struck a chord with Zhao Yu. Turning to him sincerely, he said, “If you’re willing, Second Brother, could you help train my household guards?”

“Your Highness is too kind—it’s my duty,” Lin Chong replied.

Zhao Yu had thoroughly understood Lin Chong’s character—though he had been framed by Gao Qiu, his loyalty to the imperial family remained unshaken. Since Gao Qiu was waiting for Zhao Yu’s intervention, he had never branded Lin Chong’s face, allowing Lin Chong to still hope for an official path.

Just then, Yang Xu chuckled. “Once something has happened once, it’s bound to happen again. The only way is to remain steady and adapt.”

Perhaps that was what people called a meeting of the minds.

As Zhao Yu looked at Yang Xu, a flash of understanding passed through his eyes...