Chapter 119: The Target Is Too Large
Li Xuanyue lowered her gaze and thought for a moment. “Send someone to inform them.”
She said nothing more.
As her confidante, Yin Xin naturally wouldn’t press for details.
“Gongzhu, what should be done about the San Huangzi now?”
Yin Xin asked hesitantly. “During these three days you were asleep, the San Huangzi also sent people privately to check on you.”
Li Xuanyue frowned. “Did he say anything?”
Yin Xin shook her head. “The San Huangzi said nothing, only that after Gongzhu wakes, you should be the one to make the arrangements.”
As for the “arrangements” Yin Xin mentioned, Li Xuanyue knew exactly what they were.
Li Lan was currently waiting for her to find a way to smuggle Hua Sang out of the Phoenix Clan.
If they waited too long, it would certainly arouse Hua Shanâs suspicion.
“Go tell him to wait for me at Qionghua Hall tonight.”
It is often said that the most dangerous place is the safest.
Qionghua Hall was originally Li Fengâs residence. Hua Shan, no matter how clever, would never imagine they would hide someone there.
The night wind wasn’t particularly strong, but it wasn’t weak either. Coupled with the persistent drizzle of the past few days, a chill would occasionally sweep through the air.
Though Li Xuanyue hadn’t been awake long, her strength returned once she had eaten.
After having Li Lan notified, she quietly made her way to their rendezvous point under the cover of night.
By then, Li Lan was already waiting in the shadows of Qionghua Hall. Seeing Li Xuanyueâs figure, a dark glint flashed in his eyes. The two exchanged a look and moved toward the rockery.
“How did Huang jie think of this place?”
Li Lan looked at Li Xuanyue with unmistakable admiration.
He had considered so many locations, but he had never thought of Qionghua Hall.
If not for Li Xuanyueâs sudden suggestion, he likely would have hidden the person elsewhere.
“Has Fu jun not gone to your place to search yet?”
Li Xuanyue asked coolly. “If he discovers the person was taken by you, what do you think he will do?”
Based on her understanding of Hua Shan, he certainly wouldn’t let Li Lan off easily.
“Bring him here tonight.”
The “him” Li Xuanyue referred to was none other than Hua Sang.
“I know there is a secret passage in Qionghua Hall. This passage can lead him directly out of the Phoenix Clan.”
She had learned this in her previous life when she accidentally wandered into Qionghua Hall and saw Li Feng emerging from a secret room; she had heard the Empress mention it personally.
A sharp light glinted in Li Lanâs eyes. Though Li Xuanyue hadn’t answered his previous question, he knew well that hiding Hua Sang in the Shanren Palace was not a wise move.
If they didn’t find a way to get him out of the clan now, with Hua Shanâs efficiency, the man would soon trace the path back to him.
Therefore, when Li Xuanyue made the suggestion, he didn’t hesitate. He immediately had his confidant, Xing He, move Hua Sang there in secret.
“Huang jie, after we are out, will you come with us?”
Li Lan asked tentatively.
If possible, he hoped Li Xuanyue could leave the Phoenix Clan with them.
But he knew this wasn’t realistic.
If Li Xuanyue truly left with them, not only would the target be too large, but it would also be easily discovered by Hua Shan.
If that happened, let alone Hua Sang escaping, even their own lives would be hard to preserve.
“Do you think thatâs possible?”
Li Xuanyue didn’t believe Li Lan was unaware of the consequences of her leaving.
If he truly wanted her to leave with them, he wouldn’t have asked such a probing question.
“In truth, when you asked that, you didn’t want me to go with you.”
She exposed him ruthlessly. “After all, the target would be too large, and it would easily draw suspicion to you.”
“A person who values his life as much as you do wouldn’t commit such a foolish mistake. Am I right?”
Li Lanâs face turned various shades of red under Li Xuanyueâs blunt gaze.
His thoughts just now had indeed been a bit small-minded.
He was truly afraid that Li Xuanyue would insist on coming along, and he feared her presence would cost them all their lives.
But he hadn’t expected her to call him out so directly.
It made him feel rather embarrassed.
Li Xuanyue didn’t pay much attention to his shifting expressions. She took the lead in the secret passage.
Li Lan had Xing He and the others carry Hua Sang as they followed behind her.
The moment they entered the secret room, everyoneâs heart seemed to stop.
They all looked to Li Xuanyue as their leader, following her steps closely.
It seemed this was Li Lanâs first time in such a passage. He held a candle to light the way for Xing He and the others behind him.
For a time, the surroundings fell into a heavy silence.
The only sounds in the passage were the footsteps and breathing of the group.
Li Lan didn’t know how long they had been walking, but when Li Xuanyue finally stopped, they could hear the whistling of the wind coming from all directions.
“Weâre out.”
After saying those two words with her back to them, Li Xuanyue turned to look at Li Lan, Xing He, and the others.
“I imagine that once you leave, you won’t be coming back.”
Li Lan handed the candle to Xing He and slowly answered her.
“Yes. Having you here is enough.”
He spoke solemnly. “As for me…”
Li Lanâs eyes suddenly looked toward the distant darkness. “I don’t belong here. So, let us part ways here.”
Li Xuanyue didn’t try to make him stay. They had already come this far.
Though she wasn’t the direct cause, Hua Sangâs current state was heavily related to her.
She couldn’t simply enjoy her life with a clear conscience.
“Do you want to say goodbye to Hua shu shu?”
Before leaving, Li Lan suddenly asked her.
Though Hua Sangâs current state wasn’t what he had hoped for, Li Xuanyue and Hua Sang were, after all, father and daughter.
They hadn’t seen each other for hundreds of years.
He hoped that for his sake, Li Xuanyue could say a final word to him, rather than just turning and walking away as if nothing had happened.
A flicker of hesitation and conflict crossed Li Xuanyueâs eyes, but she quickly regained her usual composure and refused.
“No need.”
Her eyes met Li Lanâs. “Hurry and have your people take him away.”
Hua Sangâs heart craved freedom.
She didn’t want her delay to cause him to fall back into danger.
“Where are you going?”
However, just as Li Xuanyue finished speaking, an ethereal voice drifted from behind them.
Everyoneâs heart leaped in shock.
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