Chapter Eleven: First Meeting with Anu!~

"That was so thrilling. If not for your quick thinking, Yue-Ru, those two demons might have resurrected..."

"Hehe, of course! I am the daughter of the Master of the Lin Family Manor, after all! I’ve seen it all!"

The two girls skipped ahead, showering each other with mutual praise. Hao Yun followed behind, expressionless. *Resurrected?* He mused. *You two clearly have no idea how difficult resurrection spells are to master.*

Those two demons were nothing but small-time losers. Resurrection? They weren't even qualified to learn such a thing! Not to mention, they had been reduced to dust and ashes the moment they crossed paths with the girls, their souls even sent to the afterlife.

*Sigh*, you two... you really are far too cautious!

"Master, Master! Where are we headed next?"

Having successfully rescued the villagers, an excited Zhao Ling-Er asked, eager to begin her next demon-slaying trial. Beside her, Lin Yue-Ru looked equally expectant—she looked ready to draw her blade and "slay" him, the Imperial Preceptor, along with the next demon!

"No rush, no rush. Demon slaying must be done slowly. Our next destination is a newly emerged zombie territory. As far as I know, there is a thousand-year-old Red Ghost King within, possessing the supreme treasure known as the Earth Spirit Bead. It won't be so easy to eliminate."

"Ah?! A thousand-year-old Red Ghost King? The Earth Spirit Bead?"

Ling-Er and Yue-Ru were instantly startled. They had only just completed their first practice run, and now they were expected to face such a formidable monster?

"That’s right, it’s very dangerous!" Hao Yun deliberately intimidated them to prevent them from getting too cocky. "That is why we must return to Suzhou to prepare properly. Otherwise, even if we slay the Red Ghost King, that village will be left barren. Slaying demons is not just about the act of killing; it is about guardianship and protection!"

"We shall follow the Master's orders."

The two young women bowed respectfully, their expressions filled with agreement. Hao Yun stroked his chin; they were teachable indeed!

...

Back in Suzhou, Hao Yun left the two girls at the inn and headed to the government office to find Su Ping.

"Lord Imperial Preceptor."

Before he even reached the gates, Su Ping poked his head out from a second-story window of a nearby restaurant and called out to him loudly.

"Su Ping," Hao Yun said, going upstairs to sit and pouring himself a cup of wine. "Has anyone from the Kingdom of Nanzhao entered the borders?"

"The Imperial Preceptor is truly prescient. I only just received the intelligence, yet you already knew."

Su Ping’s eyes filled with admiration as he handed over a report. "Three days ago, General Shi Gong-Hu of Nanzhao requested entry, and he arrived in Suzhou today. According to the latest intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they have come searching for the Witch King’s only daughter..."

At this, Su Ping looked up at Hao Yun and fell silent. Everyone knew how much Hao Yun cared for the disciple he had taken in ten years ago. Wu Ze-Tian, the current Minister of Personnel and Minister of War (as the Prime Minister is limited to three-year terms), the current Emperor Li Long-Ji, and the current Prime Minister Di Ren-Jie, all held the highest expectations for Zhao Ling-Er's future!

The entire Tang court had already designated Zhao Ling-Er as a candidate for Prime Minister and a future leader of the nation! Li Long-Ji had even proposed a marriage between her and his son, promising that he would never add another to his harem—a life of devotion to one person only!

Letting Zhao Ling-Er return to Nanzhao? Not only was Hao Yun unwilling, but the Tang Empire would never allow such a brilliant talent to leave for a foreign land!

"Do not worry. I will take Ling-Er to Nanzhao myself and sever her ties with her father once and for all!"

A fierce glint flashed in Hao Yun’s eyes. Since the Witch King did not trust his own daughter, then he should not have her! His disciple was not someone to be dragged back home to die!

"As long as the Imperial Preceptor has a plan. Minister Wu has already ordered defensive deployments around Nanzhao. If things go awry, one hundred thousand Tang troops can trample Nanzhao underfoot at any moment!"

"Very well. Send a message to Li Long-Ji and Wu Ze-Tian, and contact Mount Shu. Give them two choices! Either they choose the human race, or they choose the Heavenly Court! The Tang Empire has no place for fence-sitters!"

Hao Yun’s tone was decisive and filled with killing intent. Su Ping bowed and went downstairs to deliver the orders, leaving Hao Yun to enjoy his meal.

Meanwhile, at the inn, the moment Hao Yun left, an restless Lin Yue-Ru dragged Ling-Er out to the streets.

"Little Sister Ling-Er, shall we go shopping?"

"Ah? But I wanted to practice my immortal arts..."

Ling-Er was reluctant; she would soon be heading to Nanzhao and wanted to be more proficient.

"Oh, the Imperial Preceptor isn't here to guide us anyway, so we might as well have some fun!" Lin Yue-Ru pouted and forcibly pulled her out. "Come on, come on! Balancing work and rest is the best way to cultivate. You just play too little, Sister Ling-Er..."

Spouting her own twisted logic, Yue-Ru held Ling-Er’s hand, happily looking left and right. Suddenly, at a street corner, a young girl in Miao attire dashed out and accidentally bumped into Ling-Er.

"Oh! I'm so sorry! Anu didn't mean to..."

The girl was polite and apologized on the spot. Halfway through her apology, she froze, her eyes widening with joy as she looked at Ling-Er!

"Pri... Princess? You’re the Princess! Haha! Anu finally found the Princess! Mother Nanman, Anu is the best—Anu found the Princess first!"

The girl jumped for joy on the spot. Lin Yue-Ru’s mouth twitched as she pulled Ling-Er aside. "Little Sister Ling-Er, do you know her?"

"Um... I've never seen her."

Ling-Er thought for a moment and shook her head decisively. Besides her best friend Yue-Ru, she knew many of the young women at the government office, even the occasional foreign visitor, but she had never seen Anu.

"If you haven't seen her, how does she know you're the Princess?"

Lin Yue-Ru frowned, shielding Ling-Er behind her. "Could she be one of the Moon-Worshippers?"

Hao Yun had told them about Ling-Er’s identity and had specifically warned them about the terror of the Moon-Worshipping Sect. The sight before them, especially Anu’s erratic behavior, sent Yue-Ru’s vigilance to its peak.

By the time Anu recovered from her excitement, Lin Yue-Ru had already dragged Ling-Er over a hundred meters away, intent on bringing her friend directly to the Imperial Preceptor!

"Hey! Princess, wait for Anu!"

Anu had no intention of letting her newfound Princess go and chased after them, shouting. Hearing the cries behind them, Lin Yue-Ru ran even faster. She was now almost certain the girl was with the Moon-Worshipping Sect!

"Little Sister Ling-Er, cast a spell!"

"Right! Body Lightness Spell, Speed Up Spell!"

Wind swirled around them, and with its aid, their speed doubled instantly. Before Anu could even explain, the two girls vanished into the distance, leaving no trace behind.

"Wuu wuu, Anu lost the Princess again. Mother Nanman will definitely punish Anu, wuu wuu..."

Seeing she couldn't catch up, Anu crouched down, sobbing. Just then, a fair hand holding a clean tissue appeared before her, and a magnetic voice echoed in her ears.

"Anu, it’s been a long time."