Chapter 823: An intelligent Ning Cheng is like a wolf (1/2)

When Han Yunxi told Ning Cheng how Jun Yixie had assaulted her, Ning Cheng simply sat there for a long time without speaking.

“Hitting the spot” was a very apt saying that described getting something with half the effort if done well, and ruining the whole plate if done poorly. Han Yunxi’s “spot” was right on the dot, so she simply let Ning Cheng brood without saying any more. Of course, she’d answer any questions he wanted to ask.

Finally, Ning Cheng said, “Jun Yixie never told me something as big as this! Why?”

Han Yunxi laughed coldly. “So he was afraid to own up that he violated me. Alright, then. But since I know you’re anxious to track down the Shadow Clan, I should give you a heads up, right? Back then, I thought Gu Beiyue was protecting me for the sake of the poison beast, but now that idea is laughable. As a descendant of the Shadow Clan, why would he need the poison beast? He’s not skilled in poisons like Jun Yixie or capable of fighting the beast one on one.”

Ning Cheng nodded before he suddenly asked, “Was there anything else?”

Han Yunxi almost didn’t catch him. “What?”

“Princess suspects Jun Yixie, right? Besides this incident, is there anything else that makes you question him?” Ning Cheng asked seriously.

Han Yunxi was rather surprised. She suddenly realized that Ning Cheng was smarter than she gave him credit for. But that made sense. He was the tycoon behind the scenes of Cloud Realm Trade Consortium and the head of the Ning Clan. Meanwhile, he also acted as Tianning’s prince regent, which meant he did business, led troops, and played politics all at the same time. He was simply a talent without borders! If he wasn’t intelligent, then how could he make it so far? She recalled how he’d tricked the Nether Clan’s Chu family, then got the best of Long Feiye to snatch Tianning Country’s seat of power. Long Feiye had held quite the grudge against him for that.

Since he’s been as docile and meek as a lamb these days, I almost forgot that he’s actually a vicious wolf!

Originally, she planned to hide the incident with the dark-robed assassin and have Ning Cheng uncover it himself. Now she changed her mind. When faced with an intelligent mind, it was better to get straight to the point instead of running circles around him. After all, his current attitude was very sincere and frank. If Han Yunxi kept hiding things, it’d only make her seem more suspicious.

She said, “Ning Cheng, I don’t suspect him--I’m certain that he harbors evil intentions! Jun Yixie didn’t say anything because he probably doesn’t like you finding the Shadow Clan. You all know how the Shadow Clan was all but exterminated in the past. In truth, they were simply bodyguards with no real strength to stand on their own. In terms of supporting the revival of our West Qin, they lack both manpower and wealth. Why would Jun Yixie fear Gu Beiyue?”

Seeing Ning Cheng ponder the problem, Han Yunxi continued to speak. “Ning Cheng, the Shadow Clan’s existence only concerns my personal safety. He doesn’t want you to find the Shadow Clan because he doesn’t want me, Han Yunxi, to live well!”

“He dares!” Ning Cheng hissed.

Following his train of thought, Han Yunxi went on, “Of course, there’s another possibility, and that is that Gu Beiyue has something against Jun Yixie that makes him afraid to speak out.”

Ning Cheng nodded along, but he didn’t believe Han Yunxi completely. AFter all, Han Yunxi wasn’t giving him a clear verdict, but two possible answers. They could only find the truth after finding Gu Beiyue! Between the Wind and Shadow Clans, Ning Cheng definitely trusted the latter more!

“Princess, where is Gu Beiyue staying in seclusion in Medical City?” Ning Cheng asked seriously.

Han Yunxi only smiled bitterly without a word.

“Princess…” Ning Cheng grew uneasy.

“The same night Long Feiye called out his troops, Gu Beiyue was attacked by an assassin. He fell off the tallest cliff in the Poison Sect’s forbidden grounds. They went down to look for him for ages, but they never found him,” Han Yunxi said simply.

Ning Cheng froze.

Han Yunxi told him about everything that happened that night except for the dark-robed assassin’s use of Celestial Mountain swordplay skills. She couldn’t mention that even if she died; otherwise, Ning Cheng would suspect both her pretext and her stance! Ning Cheng treated Long Feiye as his absolute enemy. He would trust anyone in the world except for him!

“So you suspect the assassin to be a member of the Poison Sect?” Ning Cheng asked.

“It has to be someone from the Poison Sect, and even from the main bloodline. Otherwise, they couldn’t have gotten rid of my poison so quickly,” Han Yunxi was certain.

Ning Cheng knitted his forehead even more tightly. When Han Yunxi caught a glimpse of him by accident, she suddenly thought that she was looking at Long Feiye knitting his brows instead. She hastily looked away and laughed silently at herself. It was only an illusion from missing that man too much.

“Poison Sect bloodline, so the princess’s…” Ning Cheng was rather floored.

“If it’s not my father, then it has to be one of my elders. Why won’t he acknowledge me? Why did he want to kill Gu Beiyue? It’s simply biting the hand that feeds him! Gu Beiyue was the only reason the Poison Sect was absolved of its crimes!” Han Yunxi huffed.

“Why does it have to be an elder?” Ning Cheng questioned. “It could be someone from Jun Yixie’s generation.”