Chapter 319 - 133: Gu Xiangzhu: My Little Friend Is Actually the Demon Monarch?

Chapter 319: Chapter 133: Gu Xiangzhu: My Little Friend Is Actually the Demon Monarch?

What a pity.

Making Gu Xiangzhu and Zhao Ci disappear would undoubtedly cause him immense trouble.

But there was no other way.

When it came to his own longevity, any amount of trouble was acceptable.

In his heart, Zhao Huan had already sentenced the "mother and son" to death.

Although nothing was certain yet,

in truth, he basically already had his answer.

Gu Xiangzhu’s recent actions had gone far beyond simply "borrowing the Prince’s influence." She had repeatedly made huge gambles, which meant she must have been confident in her plan.

’Then you can’t blame me!’

Zhao Huan quietly watched the swirling black and white scene in the Evil Discerning Mirror. He wasn’t so much waiting for a result as he was waiting for a reason to finally harden his heart.

Once their emotions stabilized, their truest feelings would surely be revealed.

’No matter how well they hide it, it’s useless!’

’Because the Evil Discerning Mirror reflects one’s true heart.’

In the mirror,

Gu Xiangzhu was asking about Zhao Ci’s injuries with concern.

Zhao Ci, in turn, was answering with a look of deep gratitude on his face.

This only served to confirm Zhao Huan’s suspicions, and the murderous intent in his heart grew stronger.

Only...

He waited for a long time, but the black and white auras in the mirror just continued to churn together chaotically.

"This... is the Evil Discerning Mirror broken?"

"Impossible! The Evil Discerning Mirror has never had any problems. Besides, the black and white auras have already appeared, which means it’s working perfectly."

"Perhaps not enough time has passed."

"I’ll wait a little longer!"

Zhao Huan calmed himself and continued to wait.

The scene in the mirror continued to change slowly.

The black and white auras gradually coalesced around the two of them.

But...

The black aura did not disappear as Zhao Huan had expected.

Instead, it gathered around them along with the white aura.

"This..."

Zhao Huan hesitated. He saw that Gu Xiangzhu’s aura was sixty percent white and forty percent black.

Although the white aura was more prominent, the black aura was raging wildly.

"What is this situation?"

Zhao Huan was stunned. This was completely different from what he had anticipated.

Seeing the way the black aura was rampaging, it was obvious she had murderous intent.

And it was a powerful killing intent, at that.

If not for the sixty percent white aura forming the base, Gu Xiangzhu would have likely already struck a fatal blow.

’Why?’

’Why would Gu Xiangzhu, after betting so heavily on him, still harbor such strong killing intent toward Zhao Ci?’

And as for Zhao Ci...

His situation was even more baffling to Zhao Huan.

Zhao Ci’s aura was seventy percent white and thirty percent black.

The thirty percent black aura wasn’t as violent and rampant as Gu Xiangzhu’s, but it was far from calm. It wrapped around the white aura like Soft Hedgehog Armor, and even the white aura was trembling violently.

He clearly held more goodwill toward Gu Xiangzhu, but he was also filled with wariness.

’What is going on?’

Zhao Huan grew more and more confused, unable to immediately grasp the subtleties of the situation.

The level of hostility revealed by the mirror didn’t support Gu Xiangzhu’s previous actions at all.

’Could it be...’

’...that there was a problem with the rescue itself?’

’Why would Zhao Ci feel such strong animosity toward his own "mother"?’

There seemed to be only one possibility.

Zhao Ci had already grown suspicious of Gu Xiangzhu’s identity.

Of course.

’It’s just suspicion!’

’Otherwise, the remaining seventy percent definitely wouldn’t be white aura.’

’In that case...’

’Gu Xiangzhu’s situation is also easy to explain. She has realized that Zhao Ci suspects her identity, which is why she developed such strong killing intent.’

’The killing intent is only at forty percent.’

’Her original plan must have involved taking the risk of revealing her true identity to Zhao Ci.’

’But she never expected the timeline to be moved up so much.’

’Everything...’

’...it all makes sense now.’

Other than this explanation,

Zhao Huan couldn’t think of any other.

’Isn’t this... the best possible outcome?’

Zhao Huan’s solemn expression instantly vanished.

"Good! Good! Good!"

"Truly worthy of being my son."

"To think his perception is so sharp!"

"Excellent, excellent!"

He continued to observe the Evil Discerning Mirror.

In the mirror, Gu Xiangzhu was still asking after him in a gentle voice, and Zhao Ci was also smiling and making conversation.

But Zhao Huan could clearly see that they were both forcing themselves to control their emotions.

’Excellent!’

Another fifteen minutes passed.

A nearly inaudible cracking sound was heard.

The Evil Discerning Mirror was instantly covered in cracks, having finally met its end.

Beaming, Zhao Huan stood up, picked up the box, and left the secret chamber.

...

「Imperial Study.」

Zhao Ci was on pins and needles. Watching the subtitles flashing frantically above Gu Xiangzhu’s head, he understood that beneath his auntie’s calm exterior, her composure had all but shattered.

All sorts of wishes kept refreshing one after another.

They ranged from "Kill him myself" to "Poison that tyrant Zhao Huan."

From "Extort a fortune from Zhao Huan" to "Go back with a sword and slaughter Huangfu Song and Shuimo."

Occasionally, one would appear: "Mobilize all forces to find the Demon Monarch, then grind his bones to dust and scatter the ashes."

’She’s lost it!’

’My dear auntie has gone completely mad!’

Zhao Ci suddenly found Gu Xiangzhu a little pitiful. She seemed to be besieged on all sides.

’That bastard!’

’Who the hell is bullying my auntie?’

’Oh.’

’I’m one of them, aren’t I?’

’Never mind, then!’

Zhao Ci felt an incredible sense of awkwardness. He found himself unsure of how he should treat his auntie.

’Damn it!’

’I still kind of want to keep working with her.’

’The best-case scenario would be a seamless, intimate partnership.’

’Because no matter what, she’s my best option for an ally.’

’Besides, judging from her various wishes, my auntie isn’t some purely evil heretic.’

But some things...

...you can’t just go back to the way they were.

His attitude toward Gu Xiangzhu...

...depended entirely on her attitude toward him.

He could barely protect himself as it was.

He was in no position to set aside his own safety to feel sorry for Gu Xiangzhu.

He had to stay on guard.

He had to keep up this push-and-pull.

’Once I’m strong enough, then I can think about other things.’

"Ci, Ci!"