It was only then that the live stream audience finally reacted.
【Jianmengtianxia: Host, this isn’t clever tactics – it’s more like direct seizure. You’ve eaten, taken, and even got a group of free bodyguards.】
【Shuaidebumingxian: Hahaha, the poison was administered by the host, the person was saved by the host, and you even earned a chest of precious medicinal herbs. The host is making huge profits with minimal investment, becoming more and more adept at being a shrewd merchant.】
【King of Banter: I’m increasingly discovering how cunning the host is.】
【Driver Without Brakes: How can this be considered the host’s cunning? It’s human greed – Xie Zhoumu voluntarily jumped into the pit.】
【Endless Bromance: Host, you said the rockets wouldn’t be wasted, so why did you still save Xie Jinchi?】
Lu Zhao read through the comments one by one, not bothering that Qiao Chi was nearby, and directly said: “The antidote only lasts ten days. After ten days, Xie Jinchi will suffer from poisoning again, and this time he will definitely die!”
Before the live stream audience could express their shock, Qiao Chi sitting opposite her looked at her in disbelief: “What did you say? Ten days?”
Lu Zhao nodded: “Yes, ten days. So we need to leave Liangzhou territory within ten days.Qiao Chi slammed the carriage door open, jumped off the carriage, rushed straight to his horse, and shouted to the team: “Everyone hurry up, get out of the city quickly!””
Ten days was too long – they could escape Liangzhou territory in seven days at most.
Lu Zhao shook her head with a wry smile. The carriage was moving too fast to practice calligraphy. She simply leaned against the carriage and closed her eyes to rest.
The convoy left Xuanping City at almost the fastest speed possible, and within moments only distant figures could be seen.
Xie Xian stood on the city wall of Xuanping City with several others, watching from afar as the distant figures soon disappeared into the misty green mountains.
The accompanying advisor quietly asked: “Lord Xie, this young man is cunning and eloquent. Are you really going to release the tiger back to the mountains?”
Xie Xian snorted coldly: “Isn’t being cunning better? That way he can better stir up the waters in Zhongdu.”
The advisor frowned: “I’m afraid he might become an obstacle to Liangzhou in the future, a formidable opponent for the Governor!Xie Xian showed disdain, extremely arrogantly saying: “So what?” Would I fear him? Da Yong has been severely weakened since the battle ten years ago, with various regional forces carving out their own territories and the people suffering. Even with the six great families stationed in Huangcheng of Zhongdu, they’re barely holding on. Even if he lucks into obtaining the Eastern Palace position, Zhongdu will surely fall into chaos.”
The advisor thought it made sense: if this young man were too weak, he wouldn’t be worthy of the Governor lending troops for escort.
Ten days later, Xie Jinchi suffered from poisoning again.
Xie Xian flew into a rage, glaring at the advisor who came to report: “That cunning brat! Quickly send the Black Flag Army to chase them back!”
The advisor said awkwardly: “My lord, the Qiao family’s convoy left Liangzhou territory five days ago. Beyond that is Jingzhou, and the Governor of Jingzhou has always been at odds with you. Sending troops rashly would be provocation and could start a war…”
Xie Xian was so angry he was trembling, directly spitting out a mouthful of blood, and shouted: “Then quickly send a message to the Black Flag Guards, have them kill them all!”
What revenge, what overturning the case for Zhenguo Jiangjun Fu – it was all used to deceive him!
This scoundrel is vicious-minded and must be eliminated now!
The advisor said awkwardly: I told you this young man was cunning…
A messenger pigeon flew out from Xie Zhoumu’s residence, crossing numerous high mountains, passing through the turbulent Huai River, and arrived at Lu Zhao’s convoy.
Whoosh!
An arrow shot through the air, and the messenger pigeon plummeted straight down before them.
Qiao Chi picked up the pigeon still flapping its wings, patted the guard’s shoulder, and praised, “Well done. Keep an eye on the sky at all times. If any messenger pigeons pass by, shoot them down for me.”
The two guards stood alert, their eyes sharp as eagles, constantly monitoring their surroundings.
Carrying the pigeon, Qiao Chi walked over to Lu Zhao and handed her the note he had pulled from the pigeon’s leg, lowering his voice as he said, “Seventh Highness, your caution was warranted. There was indeed a messenger pigeon.”
Lu Zhao took the note, glanced at it briefly, and then tossed it into the fire before her. The paper ignited, causing the flames to surge momentarily.
Qiao Chi then asked, “What about the pigeon?”
Lu Zhao replied, “Pluck its feathers and roast it. The Black Flag Guards have been working hard. We can’t let them labor without food—they need nourishment.”
Following her gaze, Qiao Chi saw the thirty Black Flag Guards, who had changed into matching black uniforms upon entering Jingzhou. They were now rolling up their pants and sleeves, using their lethal blades to chop wood by the Huai River, constructing wooden beds.
In the dead of winter, they were sweating profusely, looking utterly miserable.
Qiao Chi glanced back at the Qiao family guards resting by the riverbank and couldn’t help but twitch his lips: The Seventh Highness truly knows how to utilize people wisely and is exceptionally clever…
Ah, the Seventh Highness is perfect in every way, except for her frail health.
An hour later, the wooden beds were finally completed.
Consort Mei’s coffin was lifted onto the wooden platform, and Qiao Chi called the Black Flag Guards over to rest by the fire.
The thirty-plus Black Flag Guards sat around the fire with grim expressions. On the rack above the flames, several pigeons were sizzling and dripping with oil, their aroma filling the air.
Lu Zhao said gently, “You’ve all worked hard. These are specially roasted for you—please help yourselves.”
The leader of the Black Flag Guards finally looked somewhat appeased. After drinking some water, he took the roasted pigeons and distributed them among his companions. The thirty-plus men then sat by the fire, eating the roasted meat while watching Lu Zhao and her party conduct the cremation for Consort Mei.
One of them bit forcefully into a pigeon leg and exclaimed, “Boss, this meat is really tasty!”
Several others nearby nodded in agreement, “It truly is delicious, but there’s too little. We should have shot down a few more.”
The live-stream audience, hearing their conversation, was nearly in stitches.
【Bajiaolian: Hahahaha, I can’t take it! The streamer is too ruthless!】
【Zhi Shang Yi Xia Xian: If Xie Zhoumu knew the pigeons he sent were eaten by the Black Flag Guards, he’d probably spit blood.】
【Jianmengtianxia: Hahaha, the poor pigeons must be seeking revenge in the dead of night!】
【Shuaidebumingxian: Hahaha, it would be hilarious if Xie Zhoumu could watch the live stream!】
Inside the live stream, it was lively and chaotic; outside, the atmosphere was somber and solemn.
The raging flames illuminated the banks of the Huai River as Consort Mei’s coffin gradually turned to ashes in the fire, leaving behind only a handful of black dust.
Lu Zhao carefully gathered the ashes into a pre-prepared urn. As she stood up, her eyes were red, and she swayed slightly, as if she might collapse into the ashes at any moment.
Qiao Chi quickly reached out to steady her, his daily concern for her health resurfacing.
Only after she was safely seated in the carriage did Lu Zhao place the urn on the small table, wiping away her sorrowful expression as she resumed practicing her calligraphy.
The system clicked its tongue twice: The host’s acting skills are truly impeccable—she can turn it on and off at will.
It quietly reminded her, 【Host, Consort Mei has been laid to rest. Can we draw the card now?】
Lu Zhao held up her latest calligraphy practice to the light, examining it with satisfaction. “What’s the rush? I already said I need to bathe and change clothes first.”
Her handwriting was now indistinguishable from Consort Mei’s. All she needed was some alum to forge a counterfeit letter and swap it with the original.
Once she spoke, the system dared not press further.
The system waited and waited until they reached the next town, finally witnessing Lu Zhao ordering servants to prepare scented bathwater for her ritual ablution and change of attire.
Viewers in the livestream room, seeing her solemn preparations, asked if she was about to undertake something significant.
Lu Zhao explained: [Didn’t you all complain earlier that the livestream room was too small and overcrowded? After completing the side quest, I received a card draw reward. There’s a chance to obtain a Broadcaster Upgrade Card that would double the room’s capacity.]
The livestream audience immediately buzzed with excitement.
[Jianmengtianxia: Then we must be solemn! The broadcaster should offer sincere prayers before drawing the card.]
[Shuaidebumingxian: Broadcaster, why not visit the local earth god shrine first? I spotted one when we entered the city.]
[King of Banter: Also, absolutely avoid touching any men before drawing the card, or your luck will turn terrible.]
[…]
As the comments grew increasingly absurd, Lu Zhao’s lips twitched. Ignoring the scrolling subtitles, she summoned the system and declared, “Let’s begin.”
The system, as if fearing she might change her mind, instantly prompted: [Side Quest ‘Gain Consort Mei’s Recognition’ completed. Host receives one card draw opportunity. Does the host wish to proceed now?]
Three identical cards materialized in her mind.
The system urged eagerly: [Host, choose quickly!]
If she failed to draw the upgrade card, surely the broadcaster would take the initiative to upgrade, right?
It had been coveting the 10,000+ Popularity Value in her backend for ages.
Lu Zhao studied the three cards carefully. Their backs were adorned with intricate, retro patterns resembling whirlpools—the longer she stared, the dizzier she felt.
Giving up, she closed her eyes and randomly selected one.
The card slowly flipped over, a golden glow shimmering across it…
The system watched nervously, then heard the emotionless electronic voice announce: [Congratulations, host. You have drawn one ‘Broadcaster Upgrade Card.’ Does the host wish to use this card?]
System: …
Damn, so incense baths actually work?
Why hadn’t it prayed at the mainframe, run antivirus scans, and cleared its cache before entering the wormhole tunnel to bind with a host?
Author’s Note: