Chapter 733 - 445: Cicada Song and Blood Dew (Part 2)

Zhu Zhengfu’s eyes flickered as he sheathed his saber, saying, "The saber belongs to the Ministry of Justice, that’s true, but the person, not necessarily."

Duan Rong glanced at Zhu Zhengfu. This man wasn’t foolish. If the person were really from the Ministry of Justice, why would they carry an identifiable Mo Saber on a night investigation?

"I will deliver this saber to Zhu Cheng overnight and have him investigate it. There should be results by tomorrow," he said.

Zhu Zhengfu, clasping his hands, addressed Duan Rong, "I apologize for the inadequate protection that startled you, my lord!"

Duan Rong smiled and said, "No need to be anxious, Lord Zhu. Perhaps it was just a petty thief."

Though Duan Rong said this to ease the atmosphere, how could a petty thief wield a standard Mo Saber from the Ministry of Justice?

Duan Rong looked approvingly at Chou Luan and said, "Lord Zhu, you’ve picked an excellent Guard for me!"

Zhu Zhengfu finally smiled, "Chou Luan’s martial skills are indeed commendable; otherwise, I wouldn’t dare to have him guard your door, my lord."

Saying this, Zhu Zhengfu glanced sternly at Chou Luan, "Chou Luan, the lord is praising you! Why are you standing there like a stone?"

Upon hearing this, Chou Luan gave Duan Rong a slight bow with his fists, but remained silent.

Zhu Zhengfu was well aware of Chou Luan’s temperament and couldn’t do much about it. The fact that he gave a bow was already giving face.

Duan Rong praised with a smile, "What a true hero!"

The more Chou Luan behaved this way, the more Duan Rong appreciated him. Sometimes, one must use both strengths and weaknesses in employing people. Chou Luan’s loyalty was precisely due to this.

Zhu Zhengfu clasped his hands, "Rest assured, my lord, I will have Zhu Peng arrange another squad of soldiers from the Secretariat to strengthen the patrol and defense around the villa. Such incidents will not happen again."

Duan Rong replied, "No need to go to great lengths. They’ve already come and know there’s someone in the villa. As for who specifically, how could they know from a night investigation? They probably won’t return."

Zhu Zhengfu’s expression fluctuated at these words and he half-heartedly clasped his hands, "My lord, you see things very clearly."

Duan Rong could see that Zhu Zhengfu didn’t truly agree with him, so he smiled and said, "It’s getting late, Lord Zhu, you should rest early."

After saying this, Duan Rong walked straight into the villa. Zhu Zhengfu watched his back, his eyes flickering.

Upon entering the room, Ruyi came over with a panicked expression. "My lord, what happened?"

"It’s nothing, just a petty thief," Duan Rong said calmly. "It’s late, let’s sleep."

Ruyi nodded, then closed the door and extinguished the lamps, accompanying Duan Rong into the inner chamber.

Ruyi brought a basin of hot water to help Duan Rong remove his clothes and socks, then placed his feet into the basin while wearing only a bellyband and underpants.

Duan Rong closed his eyes, trying not to look at her, allowing her gentle hands to rub his feet.

After serving Duan Rong to bed, Ruyi took the foot-washing water outside to pour it out, her eyes dim as she sighed softly.

Lying on the bed, the room was pitch black; Duan Rong could hear Ruyi’s steady breathing, indicating she was asleep, yet he was not sleepy at all.

Before long, he heard faint rustling sounds from afar outside. Without using Divine Sense Investigation, he knew Zhu Zhengfu had indeed added soldiers around the villa.

One couldn’t blame Zhu Zhengfu; he was just afraid of messing things up.

In the dark night, Duan Rong’s eyes flickered deeply...

The person who came to investigate at night turned out to be a waiter from the Taihe Building. He had stayed at the Taihe Building for three days, so the person probably remembered him.

However, his visit had nothing to do with their previous encounter at the Taihe Building.

Clearly, Zhu Zhengfu’s residence also had spies.

It was his order to prevent the patrolling guards from approaching the villa that caused some suspicion.

However, if he allowed those guards to patrol back and forth, Duan Rong’s movements might have been equally exposed.

No, wait!

Within the Divine Cloud Prefecture, various powers have operated for many years, naturally establishing many spies, forming a secret network. As long as he interacted with Zhu Zhengfu, Zhu Cheng, and the like, he would inevitably be exposed. Because, people like them were certainly under surveillance within the Divine Cloud Prefecture.

So why did Zhu He specifically instruct him to contact Zhu Zhengfu and the others in the Divine Cloud Prefecture?

Moreover, thinking about it now, Zhu He mentioned this advice at the end, which seemed rather abrupt.

Could it be...

Duan Rong suddenly thought that Zhu He’s purpose was to expose him.

For what reason?

Why expose him?

Replaying it in his mind repeatedly, Duan Rong was truly puzzled over the intricacies.

He sighed helplessly, Zhu He, that old man, was too profound. Often, what seemed an unintentional remark carried great implications.

Moreover, his strategies were extremely subtle, so concealed that Duan Rong couldn’t comprehend their deeper meanings until the moment arrived.

Duan Rong touched the Dew-drinking Cicada hidden on his person, his eyes cold.

Suddenly, he slid off the bed, standing barefoot on the floor, looking at Ruyi sleeping on the floor by the post. Ruyi’s breathing was steady and gentle.

In the darkness, Duan Rong suddenly waved his hand, and as his sleeve flicked, a cloud of Medicinal Powder scattered onto Ruyi’s face.

This was a type of sleeping powder, capable of making Ruyi sleep for several hours.

Once the powder was scattered, Ruyi’s breathing clearly became fainter.

Ruyi’s fair silhouette, in the darkness, flashed in Duan Rong’s mind, and a flush of heat surged in his abdomen once again.